Chương 47: Trans Idol (5)
Edited by: Kuro and Lille
This chapter is sponsored by: Auralie. Thank you again, Auralie, for supporting my work.
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After Jaden finished his food, he decided to go join everyone on the dance floor.
When he arrived, many people welcomed him and asked him if he wanted to dance against Sumia who just happened to want to go next. He looked at her for a moment before nodding. He needed to finish his side quest and if she were "planning" to get rid of him, this would be the moment.
The song hadn't started as the DJ was waiting for their signal. Jaden did a quick stretch and then waited for Sumia to finish. They were going to do a freestyle battle where they had to think up dance moves on the spot. There were a few factors that determined the winner of the round. The first one was being able to dance according to the song. So it would have to match, stay on beat, etc. The second was to be able to switch back and forth between the two people. The best dance moves would win. The last one was to be able to do something special. It could be breakdancing, acrobatics, ballet, etc. It just had to be a little unique.
Sumia finished her warm-up and they signaled the DJ to start the next song. What came up wasn't the usual hip-hop type style, but a slow and sad love song. Sumia wasn't really good with these types of songs because she couldn't grasp the smooth movement and the flow. With hip-hop, it's more casual, sharper, and there were more beats to it to keep the dance going. This slow song was like an attack on her.
The original Jaden also couldn't do slow songs well. He wanted to appear more masculine, so he avoided songs that made him seem more fluid. Jaden, the Host, liked these types of songs because they went well with contemporary dancing. He also loved sad love songs even if they made him depressed. They were so catchy and easy to sing along to. It was also hard not to relate.
He immediately started to move his body and slowed down. His movements were as smooth as silk, moving and changing with every shift. He imagined that he was telling a story between two lovers, torn apart, but they yearned for each other. At the end of the first verse, he incorporated a few ballet moves, shocking the audience. And when the first chorus ended, it was Sumia's turn.
She wasn't doing too hot and couldn't think of a lot of things on the spot. She couldn't even find the right time to make Jaden fall because she was too busy trying to think of something. She ended up getting frustrated and fell. She couldn't even finish the second verse before someone said that she had lost.
She seemed frustrated, but everyone knew it just wasn't her type of song, so no one gave her a hard time. Everyone was just shocked that Jaden was able to do so well. They knew he also preferred hip-hop. They wondered when he had time to practice contemporary dancing.
"I saw a video that touched my soul a while back, so I started to practice contemporary on the side. I really enjoy it." He smiled quite brightly. Usually Jaden was emotionless, but when he was doing or talking about something he loved, his whole demeanor would change and he would become especially bright.
Everyone seemed taken by Jaden's smile, but Sumia was fuming.
I hate losing, I hate losing.
She felt like she was chanting this in her head as she turned away. Her thoughts were unknown, but Jaden could see her pressing her hand against her chest like she was in pain.
He knew that they couldn't dwell on this longer. It seemed detrimental to her health. He could see that she was getting hurt from not progressing with the plot.
System 225 chimed in saying that he completed the Side Mission, but he didn't feel the victory from it. All he wanted to do was save Sumia as quickly as possible, but he knew he had to wait. The party wasn't over yet and it would be weird if he suddenly pulled Sumia out of the studio.
After Jaden's victory, the dance battles came to an end and people just enjoyed the music as they leisurely danced. Jaden joined in and he felt it was weird how in sync everyone was as they danced. Especially with popular songs like the Cha Cha Slide or the Cupid Shuffle that were shockingly in this world. Well, putting a bunch of dancers together and giving them songs like that, it wasn't too weird that they were all in sync.
Sumia was sitting at the table with food in front of her but she didn't feel good. She couldn't eat and felt this horrible pain in her chest. She didn't want to glare at Jaden but she felt herself looking in that direction, eyes filled with hatred.
By the end of the party, everyone slowly trickled out of the studio. Sumia tapped on her shoulder to wake her up from her daze. It was Jaden.
"Hey, the party is over, and... There's something I need to talk to you about so do you mind walking with me after we finish cleaning."
It was only the two of them left so she complied and helped Kelly and Jaden clean. She didn't try or say anything as she felt too weak to do so. She pushed down her hatred and was able to clean up.
When they finished, Sumia and Jaden walked together silently for a bit before she got irritated.
"Where are you taking me?"
She didn't know why she listened to him, but she felt annoyed he wasn't saying anything. They walked through a park before Jaden finally stopped. He looked over at Sumia and smiled.
"System Barrier Activated."
Her eyes widened and she stood frozen in shock. Before she could turn around, a slightly blue translucent barrier surrounded them and System 225 wearing his little white robe appeared in front of them.
[We apologize for doing this out of the blue, but we need to make sure whether you are a Host or not. If you aren't, you won't remember this after I leave.]
Sumia couldn't move from her spot like she was rooted there. Her body wanted to struggle but the pressure coming from System 225 and the barrier were too strong. She could only look in fear as System 225 reached out to touch her forehead.
System 225 said, [System 505, you worked for far too long my old friend.]
A blue orb of light slowly came out of her forehead and sat comfortably in System 225's hands.
[Host, I will be going back to the System Space with System 505. I will leave it up to you on how you would like to explain the situation to Sumia's Host. We can talk more when you both come back.]
With that, System 225 disappeared as quickly as he came. The barrier was still up, so he didn't have to worry about time moving or anyone seeing them. They could be in there for two days and only a second would pass in the real world. Time was irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.
When System 225 disappeared, Sumia collapsed onto the ground, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm free, I'm free. Thank you, thank you." She sobbed into her hands.
She lost count of how many worlds she had been in after the 100th world. It was probably less than a thousand worlds but it was still too much for her. It was only the second world for her when System 505 became corrupted by the Villain System. Then she embarked on a horrible journey as a Villainess.
Jaden sat next to her as she cried. He didn't know what else to do since he also understood everything she was going through. Crying was purifying in a way. Sometimes, it could lift the heaviness off their hearts. That's why he didn't do much to comfort her and let her cry. He could only sit next to her and wait for her to relieve the pain through crying.
After a while of crying, "Sumia" felt a lot better. She looked over at Jaden and couldn't help but apologize.
"I'm so sorry for everything I tried to do to you this past week."
"It's fine. I understand that the Villain System was making you complete the plot... Even your thoughts were controlled. Are you alright now? Your body I mean. I know it was taking a toll on you when you couldn't go through with the plot."
"I've been waking up with bruises and such, but other than my heart hurting a lot today, everything else is fine."
Jaden felt relieved hearing that it wasn't anything too serious. It wasn't a heart attack or a stroke so she was probably feeling her heart beating irregularly, like during a panic attack.
"Before I tell you what has happened, it would be better if we could introduce ourselves. We will be with one another for many years to come."
"Sumia" didn't really understand what he meant by the last part, but she obeyed. Jaden did save her from the Villain System.
"My last name isn't important, as I don't really remember it at this point, but my first name is Arisa. I was born in Japan and died there due to drowning. I was really drunk after a company party, tripped, and fell into a canal."
A very unfortunate way to die...
Anyway, he knew where Japan was even if he was not from that world. He's been there a few times but in different time periods.
"It's nice to meet you, Arisa." Jaden smiled as he shook her hand. "I don't remember my name because I have been with the Villain System for hundreds of thousands of years, but you can call me Jaden for now. System 225 calls me Host as well, so I don't mind that either."
Arisa was surprised to hear that Jaden had been in the Villain System for so long... How did he manage to stay sane?
"Now that introductions are over, let me tell you what happened and why you shouldn't blame System 505."
Jaden talked about everything that System 225 told him. One of the Systems had created the Villain System, injured God System, and took control of the Command Center and everyone there. He mentioned how System 225 was able to free him and how they were on a mission to stop the Villain System.
"When we leave this world, we will meet in System 225's Space that he detached from the Command Center. You will meet System 505 there, so I'm sure she will tell you what she knows as well."
Arisa couldn't believe her ears. She was processing the information but she found it hard to believe. She knew Jaden was telling the truth, but after years of suffering, it hurt so much to think about it.
"It took a while for me to trust System 225, so I understand where you are coming from. Take your time. You have a whole lifetime in this world to collect all your thoughts."
"I... I don't have to follow the plot anymore?" Her face still held a look of disbelief. Tears streamed down her face. It didn't feel real to her. It was odd to not have System 505's robotic voice in her ears telling her what to do or showing her the lines she had to say. With her thoughts dictated, she felt like she was losing herself, especially her humanity.
Jaden nodded and patted her head. "That's right, Arisa... You can live this life as you please."
"You've worked hard until now."
Arisa couldn't help but shed more tears as she clung to Jaden.
She was finally free.
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
MakusCorner
MakusCorner kuro_kama: I searched and listened to the two songs mentioned above. Yes, I have never heard of them before. I liked the Cha Cha Slide. Makes me want to dance.
Grandpa Marky: I need to remind myself to make an appointment for my glasses. It's gonna take me months to pay that off with how little I am working *sighs* but I can't work too much because I am disabled.
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