"Cocytus -Ballerina Under the Moonlight" Episode 10

"Cocytus. A river in the underworld of Greek mythology. A frozen hell that spares no traitors."

Shunka opened her computer and began searching.

For the name Nathan Blackmore.

And also for the companies he worked with.

But nothing came up.

"What does this mean?"

These were companies that held parties in prestigious five-star hotels. While those companies showed up, no matter how much she searched, she couldn’t find Nathan’s name.

"Ugh..."

She didn’t know how many deep sighs she had let out.

It turned out that her lost smartphone was still nowhere to be found.

Before realizing it was missing, she had felt something strange—she thought she had brushed against a woman at the airport, but that didn’t seem unusual.

"Where did I lose it...?"

Shunka covered her face, feeling a growing irritation in her stomach.

Should she just give up on Nathan?

No, she couldn’t.

If fate allowed it, they would meet again?

But relying on such uncertainty didn’t seem satisfying.

(I want to do everything I can... They say to do your best and wait for fate...)

She would save money and go to Italy by herself.

That didn’t sound bad; it seemed achievable someday.

"..."

It was unbelievable that such a small mistake could lead to this.

"Nate..."

With lingering regret, she pulled the necklace from the drawer and stared at its gentle sway.

At this rate, she felt like her heart would go crazy.

She decided to put it back in the drawer.

In the end, she went to work without having slept well.

The Dante Divine Comedy exhibition is set to take place simultaneously in art museums in Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo, with copies of the displayed works available at each location, allowing visitors to enjoy the exhibition in the same way no matter where they go. It’s a grand exhibition.

Shunka has been assigned to oversee Nagoya alongside Ayaka. The museum they arrived at from Tokyo is old and small for an art museum. Located just beyond a forest road, its exterior resembles a quaint Western-style eatery with brickwork, featuring a wooden door framed in an antique gold color.

The space is about the size of a café, but it has two floors, with a screen set up on the second floor for viewers to comfortably watch modern ballet performances. It feels like a treasure chest of a museum. Under Ayaka’s direction, the order of the exhibits, lighting, and all details are being meticulously arranged.

The cover of the pamphlet and the advertisements feature the "Paradiso." It seems both the customers and Ayaka liked it, as they decided to display large copies at all three entrances.

With everything in place, the day of the Dante Divine Comedy exhibition has arrived in late June.

The turnout is excellent. The works displayed at all venues, along with related art books, acrylic stands, keychains, and various souvenirs, are selling well. Among the souvenirs, the golden Beatrice magnets are particularly popular.

On the third night of the Dante Divine Comedy exhibition, a man rushed in just before closing time. He was deep in conversation in front of the ticket counter when Ayaka, who happened to be nearby, approached him.

“What’s going on?”

“Uh, um… I came here on a date,” the man said, clearly anxious, with beads of sweat on his forehead. After swallowing hard, he continued, “I was hoping to propose to my girlfriend here…”

“Eh?” Ayaka and Shunka exchanged glances.

They decided to enter a nearby café to talk. It turned out that he wanted to propose to his long-time girlfriend but was struggling to find the right setting. When he learned about the Dante exhibition, he thought it would be perfect for her since she loves art and ballet.

“So… I didn’t know much about Dante, but after learning that he was saved by Beatrice, I was really moved,” he explained. Dante journeys through hell and purgatory to atone for his sins and eventually reaches heaven. Beatrice, who guides him, is a real woman who died young; she was Dante’s first love and his eternal ideal. He made her the heroine of the story and his guide to heaven. It’s a work that could be considered the ultimate love letter.

“There were tough times wheMiss. ork wasn’t going well, and I felt like I was falling apart. But she supported me. She told me we could take it step by step together, and as we kept going, things started to improve… Without her, I might have ended up in a worse situation…”

“So, you see her as Beatrice?” Ayaka leaned in.

“Yes. That gilded Beatrice represents her for me. She is my sun.”

“I’m so happy to hear that. Hey, Miss. Aono?”

“Yes, but… the proposal?”

“I want to propose to her in front of that painting. She really loves that piece… I bought this at the museum shop too.” He held out a postcard.

“I just need a little time before closing. I don’t want to be a bother…”

Ayaka and Shunka exchanged glances again.

“Let’s go all out, then,”

Ayaka said, rolling up her sleeves and tying her hair back.

“First, invite her to the museum. Say there’s a special program. In reality, the museum sends special invitations to people selected by lottery, and we’ll say he won one of those. Since one guest is allowed, he can bring her along. Once they arrive, we’ll take them to the second floor. Since she loves ballet, we’ll play some modern ballet for them to enjoy while having dinner. We'll decorate the table with red roses and spotlight the wall adorned with the golden Beatrice. Everyone’s attention will naturally go that way. Then, you can propose.”

The man’s eyes lit up.

“And if she says yes, we’ll play the final scene of the ballet on the big screen. The bells will ring, and Dante and Beatrice will be united as they ascend to heaven. You two will be in your own paradise on earth. How does that sound?”

“Th-That’s amazing!” he exclaimed, clapping his hands. Ayaka nodded enthusiastically, placing her hands on her hips.

“Are you sure this is okay?” he asked.

“Of course! I can feel your passion. Now, Miss. Aono, you’ll help too.”

“Me? Um… yes!”

Shunka replied, surprised by the sudden call-out. This was meant to be a surprise, after all. But still, she had never heard of a proposal being planned in advance, so maybe this was how it was done. Shunka nodded to herself and hurried to a nearby flower shop.

The plan was set for the next day. Red roses for the bouquet, with a ring hidden inside. She also needed to find a small table and chairs that would suit the museum.

Shunka felt a thrill at the unexpected event that helped her forget about Nathan for a moment.

They borrowed a complete table setting from a nearby Western-style restaurant and prepared flowers. A silk tablecloth adorned with a golden runner was laid out. Indirect lighting was brought in, creating a romantic atmosphere with ballet playing in the background.

It was a rushed setup, but as expected from Ayaka, she created a wonderfully romantic space. Shunka poured champagne into the empty glasses. The happy smiles of the couple filled the room, and her heart fluttered.

“This is my first time doing something like this,” the chef whispered to Ayaka.

“It’s my first time too,” she replied.

“You made a quick decision.”

“It looked like fun, and if art can enhance life, that’s wonderful. Art often gets overlooked in daily priorities.”

“It’s a shame.”

“Exactly. It comforts the heart. So, I’ll be really happy if this young couple feels moved.”

Shunka listened to their conversation but focused on the couple in front of her. And on Lorenzo, playing Dante. Yes, this was the same ballet she had seen when she met Nathan. Back then, she had watched the stage with envy, her feet in pain, but more than that, she was “jealous” of Lorenzo’s ability to express his passion so directly.

He had been dazzlingly enviable.

How was it now? She felt much calmer than before, able to appreciate his ballet on a deeper level. More so than before the accident. His passion resonated within her.

Soon, the man took out the ring. The ballet’s music faded, the scene paused, and the light shone on Beatrice.

“You’ve guided me. From now on, I will protect and guide you. Let’s be happy together.”

Then came the words, “Will you marry me?”

She cried tears of joy as the ring was placed on her finger. Following Ayaka’s instructions, Beatrice took Dante’s hand, and the two ascended to heaven.

Beatrice expressed love with her small, delicate, gentle hand, overflowing with affection.

They embraced each other.

The bells rang.

After the proposal operation ended, Shunka was left alone in the space. Beatrice wore a gentle smile, meeting the gaze of onlookers directly.

"......"

Shunka suddenly spread her arms. She lowered her middle finger and tucked her thumb back toward her wrist.

With her arms open and chest exposed—her body moved. She bent her arms as if to embrace a tree, coming to a stop.

With her toes pointed outward, she slowly bent her legs, standing on her tiptoes, gradually lifting her arms higher—

Each cell seemed to awaken with a crackling sound, as if passion flowed through her entire being. From the top of her head to her toes, every part trembled.

Shunka knelt on the ground.

Her body remembered!

(I can... dance.)

Realizing this made her body feel precious. She embraced her trembling form and shed silent tears.

ー"I hope that’s true. But you’re still hiding something. A small spark."

ー"A spark?"

ー"Yes. It’s waiting to ignite. Yet you can’t find the trigger. I haven’t found you yet."

In the morning light, Nathan's voice echoed. The conversation replayed in her mind without her will.

(Nate, I have found it.)

She answered him in her dream.

Because she had found what she needed to do...

When she woke, Shunka touched her neck.

A diamond necklace inspired by gardenias.

There was no reason to hesitate.

If you seek him, the way will surely open.

"To be continued"→"Cocytus -Ballerina Under the Moonlight" Episode 11

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