Chapter 296
The opening is a lively and upbeat riff.
Hitori's guitar, Ikuyo's guitar, Ishikawa Hayato's synthesizer, Ryo's bass, Nijika's drums.
They played the notes on the score with their own instruments and their own rhythms, and the unique notes combined with the voices of others created a beautiful melody.
This pushed the already heated atmosphere to an even greater climax.
The people around them were moving and dancing lightly to their music.
The clock was approaching six o'clock, and the first star had appeared in the night sky. I stepped on my own shadow and began my journey home in the darkness.
No matter how you search, there is only one star, shining brightly from hundreds of millions of light-years away.
"It's so nice that you're loved by everyone. 'No, I've always been alone.'"
As Ikuyo became increasingly moved by the lyrics, after a self-questioning and answering section, she picked up the microphone, smiled, and turned around.
Not only her, but Ryo and Hitori also turned around to face the inside of their group.
Just when the audience thought they were looking at each other from the inside, the four girls all looked at Ishikawa Hayato.
They had already learned from Nijika about Ishikawa Hayato's concerns. He was concerned about their feelings and how they would feel ashamed if the public found out about their relationship.
And their response was...
After a very brief pause, the instruments and singing began together.
Alongside Ikuyo's voice, the three of them sang in harmony.
The four girls, who were well-prepared, sang the chorus of the song together.
If we could be together, we would become constellations.
On a night when the stars fall, make a fleeting wish to the twinkling, swaying signal in the sky.
Looking at those four bright eyes, which seemed to be confessing their love in public, Ishikawa Hayato paused for a moment, then smiled.
He suddenly realized that, without him noticing, their positions had been reversed.
From the past when he led them, to the present when they lead him, these distinctive young women are like kites that have successfully taken flight, pulling him forward as he bears the responsibilities.
He was still thinking about things that would happen a few years from now, while they were almost showing it off in front of the public.
They were practically about to confess their feelings on the spot.
If we could be together, we would become constellations.
Transform into the constellation that others point to in the night sky they gaze upon.
No matter how dazzling I become, please don't untie the thread that connects us.
Seeing Ishikawa Hayato's moved expression, Ikuyo smiled contentedly. The three of them turned back to face each other, Ikuyo put the microphone back on the stand and began playing the guitar again.
We will meet in that faraway place.
Our destinies are intertwined; this is an encounter destined no matter how many times it happens.
"Between the clouds."
As the five performers burst forth with emotion and feeling, the audience gradually fell silent.
They listened quietly to the incredibly beautiful song played by the five musicians.
The school festival auditorium didn't have the elaborate lighting of a professional performance stage; instead, bright, waterfall-like lights shone on the five shimmering figures on stage.
From her position near the stage, Seika had a clear view of the four girls' movements and gazes.
As someone in the know, seeing the four of them singing confessional lyrics to Ishikawa Hayato with gleeful expressions, she could only vent her dissatisfaction by cursing Ishikawa Hayato in her heart.
He ruined several good girls; he was even willing to have five girls together.
If I could connect with you, let's paint our dreams together on this night.
Even if I can't be the full moon that illuminates this dark night, that's fine too.
I want to be closely connected with you, to become our constellation together.
To radiate a dazzling and colorful light.
"The thread that binds us together will never be broken, no matter how dazzling you are."
The lively and cheerful song came to an end with Ikuyo's relieved smile, slowly concluding in a rhythm similar to the opening.
The music stopped.
Then, after Xiao Xu's pause, there was a deafening roar of praise and cheers.
The sound traveled even further than the music, reaching as far as the school buildings, where one could faintly hear and feel the excitement within it.
Putting aside the little interactions between the five of them, their performance this time was extremely unrestrained and outstanding.
Music that isn't performed from the heart, lacking emotion and relying solely on technique, cannot move people. And these five musicians have almost achieved the best in both aspects.
Faced with this scene, Ikuyo, whose breathing was a little rapid, was slightly taken aback.
Actually, the four of them went on stage with the mindset that they would do a terrible job even if it meant messing up, which is why they were so anxious before going on stage.
When they discussed whether to do this, not only Hitori, but also Ryo, who had a capricious demand for music, and Nijika, who needed to realize her dream through playing music, all agreed.
That's what Nijika said at the time.
"Hayato-kun has always been reckless, but he rarely does it now, so let's just do something reckless to respond to him."
Ryo then added, "If something goes wrong, let Hayabusa clean up the mess."
However, seeing such a warm response, the four of them couldn't help but be happy.
Ikuyo glanced back at Ishikawa Hayato, and seeing that he was still laughing, she smiled gently, then looked at her partner who had been doing mischief with her.
She was so happy to have achieved such a perfect ending that she shouted into the microphone.
Thank you everyone! I hope today's performance has left a wonderful impression on everyone, including ourselves!
"Absolutely!"
The excited fans shouted at the top of their lungs.
Ikuyo smiled and thanked them, then continued chatting about the opening she had skipped because she was going with the flow.
"The reason we're performing at the school festival is all thanks to Ichiri-chan's suggestion. Before she mentioned it, none of us had ever thought about performing here, nor did we expect it to be so lively today."
With a satisfied and excited blush on his face, Ikuyo took the microphone and walked to Hitori Li's side to speak to her.
"This is all thanks to Ichiri-chan. Ichiri-chan, would you like to say something?"
"Ah..."
Hitori froze, while Ikuyo looked panicked, as if thinking, "Oh no, what am I doing?" She had gotten so excited that she forgot that you should never hand the microphone to Hitori in the band.
It wasn't that Hitori was worried about being startled by the microphone suddenly handed to her and running away, but rather that she might ruin the atmosphere with strange words.
But it's different from what Ikuyo thought.
After a slight hesitation, Hitori showed no panic. She grabbed the microphone that Ikuyo handed her, lowered her head slightly, and habitually used her bangs, which could no longer conceal her delicate features, to hide herself.
"The reason I wanted to perform at our school is for the person I like... I hope he can feel more comfortable and relaxed, and that he doesn't have to worry about... dating me."
Although it wasn't the worst-case scenario, Ikuyo still froze for a moment and glanced back at Ishikawa Hayato.
Saying these things in public probably won't make him feel better; he's lucky he hasn't been overwhelmed by these emotions...
But seeing Ishikawa Hayato writhing behind the synthesizer, proudly breakdancing, she sighed.
Well, some people don't feel burdened so easily.
Nijika noticed Ikuyo's embarrassment and took over the conversation.
"Regarding our upcoming performance plans, we intend to perform twice a month. Those interested should definitely come and see!"
Amidst the audience's complaints that the number of performances was too small, Nijika smiled and continued.
"Once we performed at a livehouse called Starlight, which is also our main venue, and another time we will look for performance opportunities in various places."
If you're interested in going to other livehouses with us, you can search for our band name and follow our account. The account is managed by Yu... Kita- chan, so you can feel free to ask her anything."
Nijika was very careful not to mention Ikuyo's real name.
When she mentioned Ikuyo responded like a child whose name had been called, raising her hand high and waving it, which drew happy shouts from the students below the stage.
"Kita- chan!"
Nijika smiled, then turned her gaze to Ishikawa Hayato, asking him if he had anything to say.
Ishikawa Hayato chuckled and shook his head.
He plans to give this stage to them.
207. End (3)
After Nijika said that, Hitori glanced at the others on the stage, and with their encouraging gazes, pressed down on the strings and turned the knob.
A long, lonely hum echoed in the empty auditorium.
After a few beats, the long, buzzing sound stopped with a sudden, crisp, and clear drumbeat. After being blended with other instruments and Ikuyo's vocals, the song's cheerful and lively style emerged.
Let's just squander today as we please~
After much deliberation, let's go to the Secret Base. Let's set off immediately.
Unlike the Kessoku Band tracks, this song is quite light and cheerful, as if it's about letting go of all the heavy burdens and leisurely enjoying everyday life.
This was somewhat unexpected for audiences familiar with the Kessoku Band, but not entirely unexpected. In fact, subtle changes could be clearly detected in each of their songs.
The musical style, seemingly emerging from gloom, and the joyful, everyday emotions conveyed in the performance, naturally evoked feelings of blessing.
On stage, however, during this upbeat song that even Hitori could immerse herself in, Ichiri felt something was wrong with the guitar in her hands as soon as Hitori started playing.
Especially during her solo section after the intro, you can feel her guitar frequently going out of tune.
Everything was fine just now.
Ichiri panicked for Hitori, but then remembered that luckily she still had the guitar that Ishikawa Hayato had given her.
She only needed to change it, but her original plan was to change the instruments with Ishikawa Hayato. If she did that, the plan would be completely disrupted.
This unexpected event made the insecure girl's heart even more chaotic. In the midst of this energetic and happy song, the dark emotions that had been suppressed in her heart gradually dissipated.
Could this not be a coincidence, but a message telling her that continuing down the original path is wrong?
This will definitely lead to a terrible outcome.
She is already able to bravely lend a helping hand when others encounter difficulties.
But when she thinks she might be troubling others, she's still held back by her own fear of being hurt and of causing trouble for others, and she remains stuck in the same place.
"There's nothing to do, so I'll just stay in bed and sleep in, letting time pass by meaninglessly."
Hitori really liked this song when it was created; from the lyrics to the melody, it perfectly captured the leisurely daily life of the five of them together.
But now, stuck in place, she couldn't keep up with the four light-footed people.
When a problem arose in Hitori, the other four were naturally the first to notice.
They quickly noticed that Hitori, who had never had any problems with his performance since the first rehearsal of the five, suddenly couldn't keep up with the rhythm.
Ikuyo glanced at the Hitori, but continued singing without hesitation.
Why do the scenes I imagined back then suddenly reappear in my mind now?
The reason for diving into the darkness is that, like diving, closing your eyes reveals a new world.
What should be drawn on the wall covered in hilariously funny graffiti?
Upon realizing this, Ishikawa Hayato exchanged a glance with Nijika beside him, and Ikuyo and Ryo also turned to look at them.
As soon as the verse ended, without saying a word, the other three members of the chorus suddenly stopped playing.
On stage, Hitori that remained of the performers was Ichiri's guitar, which was out of sync with the beat, and Ishikawa Hayato's improvisational playing that guided and connected the pieces.
Hitori turned around in surprise and looked at Ishikawa Hayato.
She saw Ishikawa Hayato smile helplessly, as if to say that not relying on others is a good thing, but forcing things too much is not good.
Hitori glanced at the others and saw that they were all waiting for her.