Chapter 6: May I ask your name?

MELODY

After being indirectly saved by that boy’s music, I finally managed to vanquish the Hollow. But once the last echo of his song faded, he disappeared again, just like before.

It’s strange. Every time we meet, it’s through music. That first night, we both sang. This time, he played his guitar while I sang his song. Maybe our voices, when joined together, he manifest in my world.

If that’s true, then why didn’t he appear when I sang alone back at the radio station?

Perhaps… he can only reach me when we both sing at the same time. Yesterday he wasn’t there, so that’s why it didn’t work.

If that’s the case, I have to return to the radio station tonight, the place where we first met.

I hummed softly, letting the melody lift me off the ground as I ascended into the sky. The fading sunlight brushed against my face like a warm memory.

But then I remembered something important.

If he sees me again like this, covered in dust, in torn clothes, my face pale from exhaustion, he might run away again.

No, I cannot lose him again. Not this time.

I descended and flew back to that enormous mall in Hoshivalle. Rows upon rows of shimmering clothes lined the stores, reflecting lights like tiny stars. I didn’t want to take anything without paying, but I had no choice, I didn’t understand their machines, and there was no one left to help me.

So, I borrowed some clothing.

But as I soared toward Willowmori, guilt began to gnaw at me. The air itself seemed to whisper that I had done something wrong. I never stole anything in my life, even if no one is around it’s still wrong.

I sighed, turned around, and flew back to the mall.

It took forever to gather all the clothes I had taken, some had scattered across rooftops and lampposts when the wind picked up. I spent what felt like hours chasing sleeves fluttering through the sky like paper birds.

In the end, I returned everything. I even left a small note on the window.

"I’m sorry for borrowing your clothes. I didn’t mean to take them. Please forgive me."

The sun was setting when I finally finished.

I was running out of time.

Still, I didn’t dare fly too high again. After what happened this morning with the Hollow, and also my voice still ached. My humming was unstable, it will hurt to if I forced it.

I couldn’t risk losing my voice, not now, not when I was so close to seeing him again.

So, I decided to walk. I descended to the streets, boarded the subway, and quietly rode toward Willowmori, the town where everything began.After arriving, I walked toward the radio station, my heart fluttering with anticipation. The building loomed at the end of the street, silent and familiar beneath the evening sky. But as I drew closer, something felt wrong. The air grew colder, thicker, heavier, like the moment before a storm.

No… it can’t be.

The Hollow.

They’re back.

That’s not possible. I had already purified them this morning. How could they return so soon?

I broke into a run, my footsteps echoing down the empty street. The presence of the Hollow wasn’t as suffocating as before, but it was spreading, like dark smoke curling around the edges of the radio tower.

When I reached the front doors, my breath caught in my throat. The station was surrounded by thousands of tiny Hollows, their shapes flickering like black motes of ash. Individually, they were weak, but together, they blanketed the entire structure like a shroud.

"This can’t be happening…" I whispered to myself.

I closed my eyes, pressing a hand over my chest. My voice trembled as I began to hum, letting the melody flow gently from my lips. One by one, the smaller Hollows began to dissolve, scattering into harmless light.

It took time, more time than I wanted, but in the end, they were gone.

I wiped my forehead and exhaled shakily. The silence that followed was almost comforting… until I heard it.

A faint strum of guitar strings.

That sound.

My eyes widened. "It’s him."

I ran inside, the sound guiding me through the dim corridors of the station. The melody echoed faintly, soft, distant, almost dreamlike, as if he were playing from another world just barely overlapping mine. I followed it upstairs, taking the steps two at a time.

When I reached the rooftop, I stopped.

He wasn’t there. I looked for him around, and worry began to grew on me.

The night wind brushed against me, carrying only the faint remnants of his song. I turned in circles, scanning every shadow, every corner. The music was still playing, I could hear it, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Then suddenly, the guitar fell silent.

"No… no, please!" I cried out. "Not now!"

I ran down the stairs, through the empty halls, desperate to find him before the last note faded. My footsteps echoed louder than my own heartbeat.

And then, I saw him.

Through a half-open door, a single beam of moonlight poured into the room, illuminating his silhouette. He was there, his head tilted, his guitar cradled against him, his expression peaceful and far away.

For a brief, fragile second, our eyes met.

Then his image flickered… and vanished.

The moonlight passed through where he once stood, leaving only dust and silence behind.

I stood frozen, staring at the empty space.

"The music…" I murmured, realization dawning on me. "It’s the music that connects us. When he stopped playing, the link between us disappeared."

Tears welled in my eyes, but I smiled through them.

"Then that’s what I’ll do, I’ll sing for me and for you."

I took a deep breath, placed a hand over my heart, and began to sing, softly at first, then louder, calling out into the night.

Calling for him. Through this song.

"Hmm hmm hmm-hmm… ahhh—
Hmm hmm—hmm-hmm hmm-hmm…!

I found you…

I’ve wandered years with songs and skies
Through quiet streets and lullabies
But never once a voice replied
Until you blinked and met my eyes!

The winds would hum, the leaves would sway
But never once did someone stay
And then, just now, you looked my way!

You blinked! That counts!

The stars don’t laugh, the moon won’t talk
The clocks don’t follow when I walk
The birds all sing but never see…
So how did you just notice me?

May I ask your name?
Are you a dream? Or real and tame?
Do you appear when music plays?
Or just on silver, silent days?

Oh please don’t run, I mean no harm!
You’re not a ghost, you’re full of charm!

So let me sing and light this flame…
Just tell me once, your name?

You run so fast! That’s kind of fun
Like tag, or hide-and-seek and run!
But I’m not here to scare or bite
Just chasing you with all my light

I’m made of sound, or maybe dreams?
Or thoughts? Or song? Or silent screams?
I’m not so sure what I became…
But still, I’d love your name.

The lamp posts blink, the windows stare
The sky just hums an empty prayer
But now there’s you, and this is new
And all I want is more of you

May I ask your name?
Even if you’re gone like flame
Just one word would be enough
A syllable, a spark, a bluff

You don’t need to stay or stay the same
But oh, I’d love your name…

I know I talk too much, too fast
I’ve waited long, too long, to ask
And maybe this will fade like air…
But you were real, I know you were there

I’ll sing again, I always do
But next time, I’ll be hoping too…

May I ask your name?
Just once before you leave the frame
No need for promises or truth
Or answers dressed in gleaming proof

I found you now and that’s enough
You smiled once and that’s my stuff

But still, in case you feel the same…

May I ask… your name?