TN: Please read my translations only on my website nyx-translation.com since I never give my permission to any site to host my translations. And if you like my translations, please support this site on Ko-fi, and join our Patreon to read up to 12 chapters ahead for this novel!
Enjoy~
TL: ALT
Chapter 26 – Maria Grache’s Visit to Japan Part 1
―The one with the voice of God.
Some people describe Wakai Mitsuru that way.
His voice is delicate yet bold, with a high tone that never feels strained, making it pleasant to listen to.
Had he not damaged his throat when the barrier between Japan and the rest of the world was much greater, Wakai’s voice would have likely reached the world.
Wataru found himself pondering this after receiving a call from Wakai, who insisted that there was someone he absolutely needed Wataru to meet.
“Sorry to ask such a favor.”
“Not at all. I owe you for the introduction, Wakai-san. As long as it’s someone who can keep a secret, it’s no problem.”
“Hearing you say that really helps. She’s not the type to stop here.”
“If you say so, Wakai-san, she must be quite someone. Who is she? Would I even know her?”
“You probably know her name, no, you definitely know her name.”
In a voice that seemed to carry a faint smile, Wakai stated the name.
The person’s background was so extraordinary that Wataru couldn’t believe his ears.
Maria Grache.
Though she was just over thirty, she was counted among the three great divas.
She had a stunning appearance and a terrifyingly wide vocal range, said to span seven octaves.
Her musical sensibility was exceptional as well, with expressive power spanning genres from rock and pop to R&B and hip-hop. She racked up hit after hit on the American charts.
She sold millions of records and won numerous music awards. She was undoubtedly a great singer destined to leave her mark on history.
“What kind of connections do you have, Wakai-san?!”
“Just the usual singer connections. Music transcends borders, didn’t you know?”
“I’ve heard that before, but this is the first time I’ve truly felt it. But what about understanding the law? What about the language barrier? Will you hire an interpreter? I can’t speak English fluently.”
“No, this time I’ll take responsibility and act as the intermediary.”
“Well, if that’s the case, it’s fine. Also, is Maria-san coming to Japan?”
“Yes, I mean, I can’t exactly drag you overseas just for this.”
I’ve heard that musicians have good ears, which makes them good at learning foreign languages.
If Wakai was volunteering to interpret for himself, he must be quite proficient in English.
If the language barrier wasn’t an issue, Wataru had no particular complaints.
Above all, Wakai was asking him specifically.
Considering the immense problem at hand, refusing wasn’t an option.
“Speaking of which, I saw the reports about your passionate romance with Ayano-san. Congratulations.”
“No… it’s embarrassing.”
He said it with such genuine embarrassment that Wataru couldn’t help but laugh.
A love once given up was finally blossoming.
He thought it was wonderful.
◯◯◯
Maria Grache arrived in Japan secretly.
She wore a hat and sunglasses to avoid attention.
Still, her tall stature drew notice.
Had her visit been public knowledge beforehand, crowds of fans would have waited for her at the airport.
Fortunately, she could move about safely without causing a stir.
Since she wasn’t performing or holding any events, she arrived without media fanfare.
For Maria, a Japanophile, the country felt deeply familiar and welcoming.
Under normal circumstances, she would have cherished a warm welcome from fans in a foreign land.
But right now, she was glad she could come quietly.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
Her beautifully sculpted physique, honed to endure long live performances on stage, was now shriveled and in agony.
“What a terrible time to insist I come no matter what! Mitsuru, if this turns out to be a letdown, I’ll have something to complain about.”
Suddenly, Maria’s elegant face contorted in pain.
An unpleasant sensation, somewhere between a dull ache and a strange discomfort, assaulted the area around her right ear.
Awake or asleep, day or night, she was tormented by this discomfort.
Over the past few months, her hearing had gradually deteriorated, and for the last two months, she had been unable to hear anything in her right ear.
Now, that fuzzy, strange sensation was slowly beginning to appear in her left ear, too.
She immediately consulted one of America’s leading specialists, but no abnormalities were found.
At least, no organic problems were found.
The specialist suggested that it might be sudden sensorineural hearing loss due to overexertion or stress and recommended rest.
She sought a second opinion, but no concrete solution was found.
Singers who listen to loud volumes for long periods of time often suffer from hearing loss.
It was common to see cases where they were unable to perform for extended periods.
Maria was born in New York State, USA.
Her childhood was far bleaker than one could imagine from her current glamorous lifestyle.
Descended from immigrants, Maria faced discrimination in her youth due to her appearance and suffered violence at the hands of her family.
Music became her lifeline, supporting her both emotionally and professionally.
Now, that very backbone was threatening to break.
Maria had loved music since childhood and had built her success solely on her singing talent, so the fear of losing her voice was greater than anything else.
What value would she have if she couldn’t sing?
No matter how many handsome men spoke sweet words to her, singing was her most precious gift.
With these ears, even those voices would soon fade away.
Although Maria’s assets were said to be in the tens or even hundreds of billions, a gaping void was forming in her heart, one that vast sums of money could never fill.
It was during this time that Wakai almost forcefully insisted that she come to Japan.
There must be a way to get better.
Maria knew about Wakai’s recovery.
After agonizing over it, she thought, “What do I have to lose?”
Even if it didn’t cure her, thinking of it as a trip to Japan might lift her spirits.
Driven by this almost self-destructive feeling, Maria came to Japan.
Now, she sat in a taxi, heading from Kansai Airport to Tennoji.
Unaware that a life-changing event awaited her there, she gazed anxiously out the window.
If you like my translations, please support me on Ko-Fi and subscribe my Patreon to read up to 12 chapters ahead for this novel!
Of course, Wataru should be able to help Maria.
LikeLike