Chapter 544
Ogura Asahi covered her nose, looking at her resentfully. "... You're hopeless. You actually beat up your teammate for your idol."
"Huh? When did I hit you?"
"It definitely exists! Don't believe me? Ask Kairin!"
"I didn't see anything."
Sipping the jelly she was holding, Hachiman Kairin turned around and went straight back to her seat.
If I had to be honest, she bears half the responsibility.
"..."
Morning break time.
"Little Asahi, look at the courtyard! The stage looks like it's already being set up!"
In fact, construction was already in full swing outside while classes were in session. Under the direction of a group of men in black, trucks carrying materials drove quietly and methodically into the campus.
With the steady movements of a large number of workers, the main structure of the stage was quickly erected, and surprisingly, it did not produce much noise.
Only the students who were already sitting by the window noticed this unusual sight. As soon as get out of class ended, they gathered around the window with their friends to observe this strange scene.
Out of curiosity, Miyako Shizuka looked at it and came over to report the news to her.
"Is that so? It really should start now, or it will be too late."
Shiina Rikki was in front, let out a whimper. "Ugh~ My stomach hurts even more, and I'm sweating... Did you pass on your symptoms to me?"
"Let's be reasonable. If I really had infected you, you wouldn't even be conscious today."
"Uh... uh..."
She made strange noises.
Ogura Asahi patted her back and comforted her softly, "It's okay, the first time is the most uncomfortable, after that it'll only be comfortable."
"..."
At this moment, the female students, who were still unaware of the situation, noisily inquired about what had happened.
"Is there some school event going on? I haven't heard anything about it, and the teacher didn't mention it either."
"They actually set up a stage! Is there a performance to watch?!"
"Yes! Definitely!"
"I heard from the third-year students that some senior band members are going to hold a live performance at noon today!"
"Hey? Tell me more!"
Which bands are represented?
"It seems to be PPP, HHW, and PP's Wakamiya Eve from the third year..."
"When was this decision made?! We didn't hear anything about it!!"
"It seems to have been yesterday noon..."
"Hey? Wasn't that Ogura-kun yesterday at noon...?"
Gradually, everyone's attention turned to where he was, and the next second, he was surrounded.
Ogura Asahi gave a wry smile. Although he could control the news, it was likely that Toyama Kasumi Tsurumaki Kokoro had already spread the word to the whole class during the first lesson yesterday afternoon.
"Ogura-kun, is this for real? Are we really going to have a live performance?!"
"Yes, really, really."
"Ogura-kun! Are you going up to perform too?"
Yes, I will.
"Ogura-kun, are you alone or with the band?"
"Hmm~ with the band."
"Ogura-kun, what's the name of your band?"
"..."
They didn't let him go until the school bell rang, and returned to their seats, still wanting more.
He breathed a sigh of relief and nudged Shiina Rikki, who seemed completely uninvolved. "Wasn't I good to you? I didn't betray you."
If he had said she was also his teammate, she wouldn't be so calm now.
"..."
Shiina Rikki.
Time flew by and it was noon. When the lunch break bell rang, the entire Hanasakigawa was in an uproar.
By this time, almost everyone knew about the performance to be held in the high school courtyard at noon. After all, every class had a few know-it-alls.
Following the lunch break bell was the next announcement:
"Hey everyone, good afternoon. I have an announcement to make, so please listen carefully... But you all probably already know what it is, right?"
"Oh, by the way~ Junior high students can now move towards the senior high school courtyard. Thank you for your understanding!"
Next, the script he had written the day before was read aloud word by word by the announcer in the broadcasting room.
However, given the current situation, he felt that broadcasting seemed somewhat superfluous.
While the instructions were being explained over the loudspeaker, the homeroom teachers of each class also stepped in to help maintain order in their respective classrooms.
"As everyone knows, our school advocates for the free and diverse development of students. In addition to academics, we also place great emphasis on the development of other arts and sports skills..."
"To help everyone understand our school's teaching philosophy, to help you develop a correct outlook on your Mirai, and to add a vibrant page to your youthful years..."
"This event was organized and promoted by outstanding alumni: third-year students Tsurumaki Kokoro Toyama Kasumi, as well as Student Council Ichigaya Arisa Okusawa Misaki. Today, a temporary spring live performance will be held in the high school courtyard. We hope everyone will enjoy the performance in an orderly manner."
"Each student can receive a free Drinks and a light stick. Here are some important notes..."
"... Now, I hope everyone can enjoy their lunch break today!"
"Then--Happy! Lucky! Smile~--"
The broadcast script, which resembled a disclaimer and explanation, made some teachers chuckle.
After it ended, both the junior high and senior high sections erupted in deafening cheers.
"Yeah!!!"
X N.
After a single, piercing cheer that seemed to press a start button, the intro to a band's signature song was broadcast throughout the entire campus via several speakers on the central stage.
Everyone looked closely and realized that the spacious atrium had been almost completely filled with junior and senior high school students.
On the stage, in addition to the several general-purpose musical instruments that had been set up in the morning, five figures dressed in bright colors and striking poses had already taken their places – the five members of Poppin'Party.
They had even changed into the performance outfits they had prepared for the live show, and were making their grand entrance!
Ogura Asahi had already moved backstage, watched them, hurriedly eating her lunch while thinking: 'Leaving early again, Kasumi-senpai...'
Chapter 491 Acquaintances plus six.
The light and orderly guitar Bass intro makes you want to tap your feet, and the supporting drumbeats seem to pound on the listener's heart, making their blood pump faster.
After 12 seconds, the music started to get into a cheerful mood.
28 seconds later, Toyama Kasumi's guitar began to play, accompanied by her unique, slightly melancholic voice in the Kirakira style:
"Monday Hikari no Uta (Monday, singing the hope of the light returning~)"
"Tuesday is a good thing today (Tuesday, I also have a feeling that something good will happen today~)"
"Wednesdayキミのことをもっともっとりたい(Wednesday, I want to know you better~)"
"Weekend Yongだして Let"s Singそのドアをけ (On the weekend, let us muster up the courage to sing together and open the door!)"
"..."
Throughout the atrium and the teaching buildings, thousands of students waved colorful cheering sticks they had received from the men in black, swaying joyfully to the rhythm.
Because it was a joint concert, the band names were not written on the light sticks distributed to each class.
Fans of Poppin'Party spontaneously joined them in singing loudly.
In the temporary preparation tent next to the stage.
"Rikki, aren't you going to eat? Will you have the energy to play the drums later?"
While quickly replenishing his nutrition, Ogura Asahi tried to persuade Shiina Rikki, who was pacing back and forth beside him.
"How can I possibly eat at a time like this!"
Shiina Rikki stared intently at her phone, confirming the whereabouts of the other three.
"Deng and the others said they've already left school and are on their way here. They should make it in time!"
"You won't be able to attend your afternoon classes if you don't eat something, at least have a cup of milk pudding."
He tossed her a box of panda-shaped milk pudding and then reassured her, "Don't worry, it'll be our turn half an hour after we start. They'll definitely make it—unless something unexpected happens."
"Don't jinx things like this!"
"It's okay, it's okay~ You have to believe in the band girls' luck... I made a lot of delicious food this morning, would you like something simple to eat? Like chicken legs, rice balls or something?"
"..."
Seeing that he remained so calm, Shiina Rikki was almost furious.
But after biting her lip and sighing, she still sat down next to him and stuffed two pieces of char siu into her mouth in frustration.
"Then you eat first, I'll go take a look at the two sheds next door."
"Hey? Where are you going?! Don't leave me all alone..."
"..."
After leaving her behind, amidst Toyama Kasumi's energetic singing and swaying body on stage, he walked towards the two middle rooms of the four preparation rooms.
"Happy Happy Happy Party!"
"Happy Girls Happy Everyday"
"..."
Oh~ Kasumi-senpai's dancing is so beautiful~ Her singing is so good~ The lyrics are also... quite fitting for the occasion, if you ignore her.
Indeed, girls who smile a lot are always lucky!
Is the following lyric "みんなみんなみんなまれ (Everyone is gathered here~)"?
Tsk tsk tsk, no wonder he's Hanasakigawa's number one CDD.
He sighed and shook his head, then glanced at the third preparation room, only to find it empty.
Huh? Where did PP and the others go?
After a moment's thought, he took a few more steps forward and headed toward HHW's temporary shed.
Before he even went inside, he could hear the chatter, which even the Legato couldn't completely muffle.
"I didn't expect PPP to sing 'Happy Happy Party!' as their first song~ Everyone's performance was absolutely fantastic~!"
(Tsurumaki Kokoro)
"Woohoo~ There are so many kittens here today, ahh~ I can have a blast~"
(Seta Kaoru)
"Wow, I'm so nervous! Even the junior high students are here?"
(Maruyama Aya)
"Calm down, Xiao Cai, you're a current professional idol after all."
(Shirasagi Chisato)
"But, but! I've been in Hanasakigawa for so long, and I've never seen so many people at once... It's more than the opening ceremony, isn't it?"