Chapter Text
The week passes by and it was almost time to leave. NG Recoding Company planned a small party to mark the end of our tour and visit. Everyone involved were invited. Illusionary Escape watches and mingles amongst the groups. The members of Bad Luck and Nittle Grasper seem to be happier and more social after their talks with Alex. Seeing this, Alex feels the last of any regret or weight in his heart and mind disappear. He whispers to Braden,
"It is time…"
Braden looks at Alex and signals for the rest of the band to get on the small stage near the back on the room. They all nod and walk and prepare for their final performance of their current stay in Japan. Alex holds the microphone and sighs. Then he starts to make a speech,
"Good evening and thank you for your hospitality. We never thought we would get to see the beauty and grace that your country and company had to offer. A few of you I have spoken to in private. You are each amazing and I wish you the best in the future. I will admit I was hesitant to come here due to the fact that I have a few bad memories here. I won't tell you more but I just want to say that this was the best thing I could have ever done. You have helped me see that there is a bright future past the dark past. I hope I shared that with a few of you."
Everyone close to Shuichi could be seen nodding and smiling. They were finally letting go and looking forward. Alex smiles at their motions.
"So I hope I don't offend anyone but I will sing a few songs from the late Shuichi Shindo. While I don't want to be compared to him; his inspiration and love of music is admirable. So with no further ado, I present Illusionary Escape and their rendition and dedication to Shuichi."
Alex closes his eyes and quickly remembers his feelings as Shuichi. He will do this performance to let 'Shuichi' finally be free. He opens his eyes and starts singing songs including 'Spicy Marmalade', 'The Rage Beat', 'Blind Game Again', and many more. Shuichi finally felt at peace with who he is, was, and will be. Shuichi lives on in the hearts of many through his music and he couldn't ask for anything more.
Finishing the song, Alex sees many people in tears. He could see that everyone felt his feelings conveyed. Many had a look of recognition and believed that Shuichi used Alex to share his music one last time. Alex and Illusionary Escape flies back after the party planning to travel and tour all the locations of their dark past. They stick together and help each other overcome the darkness and into the light of the future.
A few months later, Alex and Braden come back to Japan to visit the café they went to on their date. Hana Fuji sees them and immediately seats them.
"I am glad to see you again. I wasn't sure if you would return."
"Don't worry so much. We promised we would and now we would like to help you."
"How do you plan to bring us more customers? You have already done a lot by mentioning us on your television appearances and you even sent us posters."
"What Alex means to say is we would like to do a local commercial for your café. Its not that big and he even wrote a song already for it."
"You did? Wow! You didn't have to, but thanks. I will talk to the others. So what would you like to order?"
"Surprise us!"
Braden shakes his head at Alex. She leaves to get the food and talk to the others
"I see that you are showing small hints of your alter ego."
"Hey, they are all me: Serious antisocial or hyper charismatic… all me!"
They continue to banter until Hana returns with food. They eat before they have their official conversation. They plan and plan until days later they do the commercial with the help of Shuichi old friends as back up. The commercial ended up being shown in more locations then planned and the café was a success. Alex still spoke to Yuki for help on writing songs and in return he helps inspire a few stories.
Illusionary Escape traveled all over the world getting international fame as well as getting over their own individual pasts. While Shuichi story has ended with Yuki, Alex has started cleaner and happier with Braden. Alex never looked back. Yuki started to look forward. From the darkness of the past to the light of the future, one must make the decision to keep going and don't look back.