Chapter 23: The Sewer

"Um, Andurubeast, could you tell us how to leave this Falui Island and get back to Sakura Base?"
"Yeah, that's right! How do we return to our own world?"
"I want to go home too."
"......"
Azhu finally asked the question he most wanted answered.
Meimei and the others all looked on eagerly.
"Sorry, I can’t answer that. I don’t know."
Andurubeast shook his head, but then quickly added, "However, I can tell you how to leave here. Just take the sewer over there."
He pointed to the round entrance to the sewer behind him.
"The sewer? That sounds so filthy..."
When Meimei heard this, she immediately made a face of distaste.
"Thank you, Andurubeast."
Qin Fei quickly nudged Meimei, signaling her to watch her words, then turned and smiled at Andurubeast, expressing his gratitude.
"Good luck. I hope you all make it back safely to your own world."
There was still no trace of emotion on Andurubeast’s mechanical mask, yet he still offered his blessing to Qin Fei and the others.
Meimei’s cheeks flushed, uncertain whether it was because she realized she had misspoken, or because Qin Fei’s hand had brushed her waist.
...
"Plop!"
The sound of shoes stepping on the damp ground was far from pleasant, especially for the two girls, Suna and Meimei.
They walked with exaggerated caution, as if afraid to step in something dirty.
"Whew—okay, is everyone out?"
When Meimei was the last to leap from the passageway, Taiichi checked once more that everyone had made it, just in case someone had been left behind.
"We’re all here. Let’s go."
After a quick headcount—neither kid nor Digimon missing—Taiichi took the lead.
"It’s so dark and damp here, disgusting..."
"Yeah..."
Clearly, Meimei wasn’t the only one uncomfortable with the sewer.
Still, determined to get out, everyone gritted their teeth and pressed forward.
"Qin Fei, carry me."
LorettaBeast’s voice came from behind, sounding just as unhappy with the sewer as the rest.
"Fine, hop on."
Qin Fei bent down slightly.
He had always indulged LorettaBeast, as long as she behaved.
Fortunately, Qin Fei was fit and LorettaBeast very light.
Watching LorettaBeast climb onto Qin Fei’s back, Meimei couldn’t help but show a trace of envy.
"......"
"How far is it to the exit? I’m exhausted."
"Yeah, it feels like we’ve gone really deep."
"Hey, does anyone know any songs? Maybe we can play a singing relay to pass the time."
No one knew how long they’d been walking in the gloomy tunnels, but to lift the oppressive mood, Suna made a suggestion.

"Yeah, let’s do it!"
Meimei immediately perked up. Walking in these dark sewers was almost unbearable.
The other children had no objections—except for one: Qin Fei.
"Singing? Can I sit this one out?"
Qin Fei suddenly raised his hand in protest.
"Why not, Qin Fei? It’s fun, and don’t you think singing as we walk makes things more lively and efficient?"
Taiichi grinned, trying to coax Qin Fei into joining.
"Hey, Taiichi, don’t force him. Qin Fei is a transfer student from abroad—of course he wouldn’t know our Sakura Base songs."
Suna shot Taiichi a look, apparently coming to Qin Fei’s aid.
"So Qin Fei’s a foreigner?"
Meimei exclaimed with interest. "But you speak our language so well, you even had me fooled!"
"Not really, I studied it before. I planned to live here for a long time."
Qin Fei smiled, making up an excuse on the spot.
In truth, in his previous life Qin Fei had never learned the language of Sakura Base—aside from a few words picked up from certain 'study' videos. But after being reborn into this body, it was as if the language came as naturally as breathing.
It must have been a gift inherited from this body’s original owner.
"Since Qin Fei doesn’t know the songs, let’s not force him. The rest of us can play."
Azhu suggested empathetically.
"But that’s no fun," Taiichi protested, "It’s best if everyone joins in. Otherwise, Qin Fei will just be listening on the sidelines—it’ll be so awkward!"
"It’s fine, really, just ignore me."
Qin Fei immediately refused.
"How about this—Qin Fei, you sing a couple of songs for us first. Anything you like! We’re all friends here, no one will laugh at you."
"Yeah, I want to hear what songs are like in your country!"
In the end, with everyone half-coaxing him, Qin Fei could only give a wry smile and agree.
"What kind of song would you like to hear?"
Clearing his throat, Qin Fei felt himself actually wanting to sing, swept up by the children’s enthusiasm.
"Something nice!"
"Your best one!"
"Something cheerful!"
"......"
Everyone was eager, urging him to start.
Finally, after a moment of preparation, Qin Fei began to sing.
It was a song he had always loved.

"......"

"Our promise in the late summer, dreams of the future, and great hopes—don’t forget them.
I believe that ten years from now, in August, we will meet again.
We’ll share beautiful memories together...
Our meeting was such a fleeting moment, at the crossroad on my way home.
I heard you say, ‘Let’s walk home together.’
......
......
I know that, in the end, you’re still calling out ‘Thank you’ in your heart.
Forcing a smile through the tears as you say goodbye, overwhelmed by endless emotion.
Those were the most beautiful memories..."

As soon as Qin Fei began, everyone fell silent, listening intently to his clear voice.
His singing rang through the sewer tunnel, making even this damp and gloomy place feel less unbearable.
The theme from "Anohana," "Secret Base ~The Thing You Gave Me~," was actually more suited to a girl’s voice—clear, gentle, and moving.
But from Qin Fei’s lips, it took on a special flavor.
He chose this song because, first, he knew very few Sakura Base songs, and this was one of them; second, it reminded him of Agumon and Taiichi’s parting in the final movie—a sense of longing and regret.

When the song ended, no one spoke.
All the children looked at Qin Fei with disbelief in their eyes.
At last, Meimei covered her mouth to stifle her tears.
"Qin Fei, you jerk, we said to sing something cheerful! Boohoo~"
"Yeah, but that was a beautiful song. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before."
Suna agreed wholeheartedly.
"Great song, but I haven’t heard it either. If I had, I’d never forget it. Where is it from?"
Yamato, the music prince, nodded. His musical talent far exceeded Qin Fei’s, but he couldn’t deny it was a great song.
"Sing another, Qin Fei! Something different this time."
Takeru piped up, excited.
"No way. Didn’t we agree I’d sing one, and then it’s your turn?"
"Come on!"
Taiichi began to urge him on as well.
"Let’s stick to the plan. Qin Fei’s already sung," Azhu said seriously, unlike the others who were still pressing Qin Fei. He began to get the lyrics relay started.

"Ah!"
Suddenly, Suna’s scream interrupted their laughter.
"What’s wrong, Suna? Are you okay?"
Taiichi turned, worried, to see Suna clutching her arm.
"I’m fine. It was just a drop of water. I got dirty... but I really wish I could wash up."
Looking at the dirty water on her clothes, Suna seemed to deflate, her earlier joy replaced with misery.
Seeing her teary eyes, Taiichi sighed, "I wish I could take a bath too."
Yamato nodded, "I want a big, juicy steak..."
The children began to talk about all the things they wanted most in that moment.
"Huh? What’s that sound...?"
Just then, the alert cry of Kabuterimon rang out, breaking through their gloom.