Requiem for The Ladybug (NAKAMITSU SKY WALKER ver.)

Requiem for the Ladybug
He was, without a doubt, a rock 'n' roll man who wore red and black like no other.

And I have never known anyone who lived in the "now" as fiercely as he did.

He would prep ingredients at the ramen shop in the morning, stumble out of Days at night, and by early dawn, post a photo of the clock on Sakaba Street to Instagram, lamenting tomorrow's work with the caption: "Just another day, same as always."

Even when "same as always" stopped being same as always, he never once complained.
He lived. Not in the past, not in the future-he lived in the present. He lived.
Maybe he just had a bit too much energy for life. Just a little too much.

But none of us truly knew the pain he endured during nearly a year in a hospital bed.
He didn't complain. He didn't shed tears.
That was his strength. Purely and simply, his strength.
And just as strong as he was-he was just as kind.
I didn't see that kindness. Or maybe I just realized it too late.

The first thing that brought us together was "Since I was a child" by Judy and Mary.

On the night of his funeral, that same song happened to play in an izakaya,and I could've sworn I heard him say, "I'm still watching you, you know."

He never did get to see the end of the Reiwa era.
And here we are, the pathetic ones left behind, following the traces he left us,
trying to hold on to them, to understand them, to embrace them,
as we move forward-because we have no other choice.

But still, Mr. Nakamitsu.
I believe you're out there, nodding along with a can of beer in hand,
as we spin this "Requiem for the Ladybug",
created by those who knew and loved you.

My Dear Mr.Nakamitsu.
you are most certainly still alive.

In the corners of Shimodori, at Days, at the ramen shop, at the live houses-
and in our hearts.

"Let's think about tomorrow when it comes,"
-that's what the Hara-Hells used to say, remember?

With those words in our hearts, we'll keep on living.
Thank you-for everything.
And for all that's still to come.

June 17, 2025
Just after turning 26,
Mirai Arishima