Chapter 549
Although I didn't think too much about it at first, I just felt it was suitable, but when I actually used it, I found that choosing this song as an opening to ease the tension was really the right choice. Was this some kind of divine will?
Then--
"いた...でけける(rushing with a longing... heart)"
Well--!
As soon as the voice acting started, Shiina Rikki and Chihaya Aine's pupils contracted, realizing something was wrong, and they quickly looked over.
As expected, Takamatsu Akari stood there awkwardly, gripping the microphone tightly with Hands, but barely making a sound.
Fortunately, as if anticipating this, Ogura Asahi, as a substitute, continued to play the role of lead vocalist.
"ごめんね,もできなくて(But I can't do anything, I'm sorry)"
He paused the guitar part, which didn't require much performance at this point, moved the microphone and stand next to Takamatsu Akari, gave him an encouraging look, and extended his more convenient left hand:
"It hurts, I share the pain with you."
"あなたは... Xu してくれない (you... are always reluctant to allow it)"
"!!!"
Takamatsu Akari's delicate face froze for a moment, her rosy pupils suddenly contracting, as if reality and the lyrics overlapped in that instant.
The outstretched hand was inviting her to escape the suffocating air she had been trapped in for so long...
",きるためりかず(insist on a pure life and never look back)"
"..."
Without urging her, Ogura Asahi simply met her gaze calmly and firmly, continuing the song.
Takamatsu Akari opened his mouth slightly, his eyes, expression, muscles... his whole body seemed to gather strength at that moment, ready to unleash it at any time.
No longer able to hesitate or stand still, the blocked, narrow throat was instantly cleared, and the next second—
"Private (Come with me!)"
"No matter how hard or dark the world is!)"
"You will definitely shine!"
The resounding harmonies complemented each other, the two timbres intertwined and swirled, soaring higher and higher!
As if propelled by the two people's powerful voices, the previously floating accompaniment instruments not only instantly became steady but also became more powerful, as if a continuous source of energy was being injected into them!
The accompaniment pushes the vocals forward, and the vocals struggle to rise higher and give back to the audience.
A song, performed by five people, was sung with Band Showdown...
Ogura Asahi smiled, withdrew her outstretched left hand, and launched another aggressive solo attack!
Without them needing to explain, most of the audience understood what had just happened. As the guitar chords blared once more, a wave of excited cheers, several times stronger than before, swept up from the sky!
"The best!!!"
"Waaaaaah!!!!"
"Teacher!! I want to form a band too!!!"
"From today onwards, I am their sole fan!!!"
"..."
Sensing the overwhelming response from those around him, not only did Shiina Rikki, who were on the Chihaya Aine of tears, feel an unprecedented surge of emotion.
To this, the only thing to do is keep singing!
"The reason why I know how to do it (the longing to see you doesn't need a reason)"
"あなたへあふれだすLoving You (My love for you is already overflowing)"
"..."
One sentence after another.
The four and a half minutes of music is so tense and long, yet so joyful and fleeting.
What awaits us in the Mirai is an endless darkness—a darkness we once succumbed to, a darkness from which we could not break free, a darkness that left us with countless wounds...?
Or is it a radiant and pure paradise where everyone can work together to achieve their ultimate dreams and aspirations...? No one knows for sure yet.
The only certainty is that the gear has started to rotate;
The only thing we can do is--
"いま~ふたりにGod Bless...(Now, I only hope God can bless us...)"
As if in response to this prayer, the frenetic guitar riff, which had already sounded several times throughout the game, was once again invoked, and he continued playing So...
This time, it took a full half minute!
When the lingering tremor that had resonated in everyone's hearts finally subsided, a brief silence fell over the hall, but everyone knew that something was about to happen—
"!!!!!!!!!"
The biggest reaction of the day has now filled this sky where God exists.
"Asahi!!"
Shiina Rikki's tearful cry reached his ears in a small voice.
There was no way around it; the place was just too noisy.
"Basic procedure! Don't be silly!"
Without turning his head, he simply waved to the person behind him.
Chihaya Aine excitedly circled around the group, seeking their opinions. "Hey~! Hey~! Isn't this a huge success?! It's an absolute success, right?!"
The tension and worry from just now had long since vanished, leaving only an uplifting feeling and the smug satisfaction of having "gotten the part."
"So verbose! But it's a super success!"
Shiina Rikki was so excited that her voice trembled with emotion, and her speech slowed down.
I wonder where that usual arrogance and aloofness is going... Ogura Asahi helplessly moved her head slightly, looked away, and prepared to speak next.
Although they were in similar situations, if we were to say whose feelings were the most complicated at that moment, it would definitely be Nagasaki Sōse.
She looked around at the magnificent scene she had never seen before, her arms around Bass tightening.
What kind of feeling is this? A long-lost feeling, similar to that of a year ago...
No less poignant than someone who, despite lacking love, has become mature and understanding; after years of living a solitary life, the thrill of finally finding one's place to belong...
What is this...? What is this all about?! This feeling!!!
And who are these lyrics supposed to be addressed to?!
What should I do...?
A few pearls silently slid down her face, which was hidden from view and went unnoticed...
Unlike moods that vary from person to person, the midday sun continues its relentless flow.
"Cough, cough, eh, eh?"
He called out softly a few times to draw everyone's attention, then gestured for silence.
"Thank you so much for your love and applause! We are just as happy! Thank you so much (polite words)!"
After bowing, he pointed behind him with a smirk. "Look~ Miss Rikki in the back is crying! Everyone, laugh at her!"
"Hahaha...!!"
X N.
"Hey!!! You! Why do you always point at me!!!"
Shiina Rikki could no longer care about anything else. She grabbed the microphone and, her pretty face flushed, loudly scolded him.
There were clearly four people, but they insisted on teasing her alone. Isn't that bullying an honest person?!
"So, should I point at Deng-chan? Deng-chan, Rikki told me to target you~"
Takamatsu Akari pointed at himself with his right index finger in surprise, then turned his head in a panic to confirm.
"You! No, lamp! That's not what I meant!"
She immediately and humbly denied offering any comfort.
"Ha ha..."
X N.
Seeing that the atmosphere was about right, he continued hosting with a smile in his eyes, "Alright, although it's hard to say goodbye, it seems we'll have to stop here for lunch today..."
"Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh~!"
X N.
"Encore!"
"Encore~!" ×10.
"Encore!"
X N.
"..."
I don't know who started it, but it must have been someone who frequently watches live performances.
The voices, though few, eventually coalesced into a massive collection of thousands of voices!
"Hmm... what should I do?"
Ogura Asahi awkwardly stroked his silver hair, hesitated for several seconds, then shook off his dejected look and snapped his fingers.
"OK! There's still a little while before class starts, so let's grant everyone's wishes!"
"Oh~ Oh oh~!!!"
X N.
The atmosphere off the court instantly ignited, burning even more intensely than before.
Ogura Asahi stood on the stage, secretly chuckling to herself. What an innocent bunch of kids!
He wouldn't suddenly change the performance schedule and disrupt class time like that; it must have been planned in advance!
While it's not impossible, there's no need to.
Compared to most other schools, the Rowing Boat lunch break is longer, lasting a full hour! Perfect for a simple live performance!
Long live vocational school!
Long live! Rowing Boat!
The first three bands each had 10 minutes, so it only took 30 minutes in total.
After accounting for the time spent on their performances and broadcast announcements, the remaining time... could barely manage a few more songs.
He patted Bai Ruomoli's Hands, then gestured to the audience as if he were bowing and calling out, and called out in a drawn-out tone towards one side of the preparation room, "Kasumi-senpai~"
Following his gaze, everyone saw the five members of PPP, who had just left, emerge again from the first of the four preparation rooms, their expressions varying. Some were joyful, some were helpless, and some were smiling and greeting those around them...
Toyama Kasumi took the lead, running back onto the stage in a few strides. She took the new microphone handed to her by the man in black and announced confidently:
"Poppin'Party, Toyama Kasumi! We're back with everyone's support!"
"Thank you so much, everyone!!"
While she was enjoying the cheers of her fans, her four teammates finally arrived late, each taking their turn to the spare instruments that the men in black had deliberately left unplaced for the sake of the performance.
After exchanging pleasantries and waving, Toyama Kasumi revealed the mystery of the next event. "The next program is -- a Band Showdown battle!"
These words immediately caused an uproar around the teaching building and the central courtyard.
Fight! Fight! Fight!!!
--If we were to translate the emotions they perceive, this would roughly be the meaning.
Who wouldn't love to see their favorite band engage in a thrilling, exhilarating musical "hair-pulling" match against another talented band?
Hmm~ They really seem to thrive on chaos... Is this just human nature?