Volume One: Reflections and Outlook / Volume Two Compilation Now Available

It was as if he had opened the door to a new world... So this is how business can be done?

He suddenly had many bold ideas.

After he spoke, he was stopped by the scholar-officials with murderous glares.

Don't be ridiculous. Did you really think that only Inoue Hikoo was under pressure before?

During that period, the company's staff dared not go out to meet anyone, fearing they would be beaten to death.

Now the rain has finally stopped and the sky is clear.

If this matter isn't handled well, then every year will be difficult.

The story of the Alien Baby Hikari-chan's ending has finally come to an end.

But Shuya has two important things to attend to.

Firstly, every New Year's Eve, Japan's MHK holds a large-scale music special program.

MHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle).

Hanazawa Sakura and Shuya invited.

Given the sales of the single "Small Love Song" and the buzz surrounding "Alien Baby Hikari-chan," it's only natural that MHK would extend an invitation to Hanazawa Sakura.

And they gave us a full three songs' worth of time.

Alien Baby Hikari-chan's OPED and Small Love Song.

Inviting Shuya to perform was intended to generate buzz; he will provide piano accompaniment for three songs and sing a duet with Small Love Song.

Three songs, that's ten minutes of screen time!

It's obvious that MHK wants to leverage the influence of the Alien Baby Hikari-chan in Asia to increase its brand awareness.

When the news first broke, it did cause quite a stir, with many people from other areas expressing a desire to see the scene.

Hanazawa Sakura and Shuya's appearances also set a record.

The first voice actors to appear on the Red and White Song Battle), and the first mother and son to perform on the Red and White Song Battle.

Shuya is also the youngest performer in the history of the Kohaku Uta Red and White Song Battle).

Incidentally, Inoue Hikoo was also invited to be a guest and a supporter of Hanazawa Sakura and Shuya.

But what happened around Christmas was enough to justify his removal from the list.

On December 30th, Hanazawa Sakura and Shuya went to MHK for rehearsals.

Tomorrow, December 31st, they will officially take the stage as members of the Red Team.

Their performance time won't be the final headliner, but it's still quite far down the schedule.

Because the results of Small Love Song's performance are too dazzling, I arranged it this way.

The final act was once again performed by a highly respected enka singer.

The sampling and testing on the 30th was successfully completed, and the time came to December 31st.

Hanazawa Sakura and Shuya did not go to the Red and White Song Battle immediately.

Before that, they had to attend the Japan Record Awards hosted by BTS TV Station.

This is the second major event.

Ayako Ishikawa and her Little Senior Sister will also be attending.

Inoue Hikoo remains unwelcome; BTS, fearing he might incite public anger, asked him not to come.

In the evening, Shuya and his Little Senior Sister arrived at the venue.

"Teacher Ishikawa, how many awards do you think we can win?"

Shuya asked, seemingly out of boredom.

"You two, with your song selling so well, you're guaranteed this year's Outstanding Work Award and Record Award. Otherwise, it would be too ridiculous and wouldn't be convincing. Don't count on anything else, after all..."

Ayako Ishikawa smiled.

Shuya and the other two smiled but remained silent.

Everyone in Japan knows that the Japan Record Awards have been getting worse and worse in recent years.

There have always been suspicions about "buying prizes".

For those in the industry, this is no longer a question.

After entering the 1990s, several big names announced they would no longer participate, and there were even scandals where award winners did not show up.

But... these things have nothing to do with Shuya and the others.

It's impossible for Hanazawa Sakura not to win this award, unless the TV station wants to completely ruin this grand prize.

But Ayako Ishikawa's words were also quite interesting.

It's obvious that:

The grand prize is yours; don't even think about the other prizes.

We still need to sell them.

Feeling wronged...

Hehe.

... Also.

It's pretty awesome to win a big prize for free.

As the show began, Hanazawa Sakura indeed won the grand prize.

After finishing their song, Hanazawa Sakura and her son parted ways with Ayako Ishikawa teacher, as they had to rush to the Red and White Song Battle).

The journey went smoothly; this kind of travel is common, and everything was prepared in advance.

The roads leading to the Red and White Song Battle House venue have all green lights, and there are police escorts along the way.

After arriving at the venue in a flash, Hanazawa Sakura and Shuya rested for a while before going on stage.

Shuya felt that being able to appear on the Red and White Song Battle so quickly was truly a matter of timing and fate.

Their appearance at the turn of the century, during a Red and White Song Battle festival, is especially significant.

With the host's enthusiastic introduction, countless viewers in front of their televisions eagerly awaited the moment.

"Are you ready, Shu-chan?"

"Okay, let's go, Mom."

Hanazawa Sakura and Shuya exchanged a smile.

They took their first steps.

Stepping onto that magnificent stage---

1999.

December 31st.

On the night the twentieth century came to a close.

On the eve of the 21st century.

Inoue Shuya and Hanazawa Sakura sang "Small Love Song" on the Red and White Song Battle stage.

Is this the beginning of a legend, or just the start of one?

No matter how many years pass, this topic remains...

So much to talk about---

Volume 1,

Section 147 Reflections and Outlook on Volume One

The first volume is finished; it took three months to complete.

Although it was a disaster, at least it was all finished without any major incidents.

I didn't skip a single day of the journey, please give me a round of applause.

Let me briefly explain my original creative plan. The first volume was supposed to cover the protagonist's adulthood, but as I was writing, I suddenly felt that stopping here would be more appropriate.

It's not bad that this special time, from the beginning of 1999 to the beginning of 2000, has come to an end.

The structure of the first volume is actually not complicated. The main storyline is from the beginning to the end of the Alien Baby Hikari-chan's story, and other subplots and some foreshadowing are attached to it.

It begins with Alien Baby Hikari-chan and ends with Alien Baby Hikari-chan.

Finally, a grand spectacle was staged, followed by a glorious finale.

I had originally planned to write a detailed account of the protagonist's journey to the Red and White Song Battle, but I felt it was unnecessary, and it's fine as it is now.

There's no need to spend time on this.

I think this volume is alright. It has a good beginning and an end and doesn't go too far astray. The ending was a bit rushed, but it's still within an acceptable range.

It was a story told in a serious manner.

Then it's about the next volume.

As for the next volume... the protagonist's age range will probably be quite large; he should be in high school by the end of the second volume.

Then Hirano and Haruno are scheduled to appear.

My Oreimo's character might also make an appearance.

The Love Hina will also likely make an appearance.

As for the Morning Drama mentioned in the first volume, it won't be very long because the main character is just a supporting character. Even Mai- chan doesn't have much screen time in the Morning Drama, unlike the Alien Baby Hikari-chan who is a main character.

I don't really have much to say after finishing the first volume, but I'm feeling a bit like I'm in a sage-like state right now.

Anyway, I think this volume is quite satisfying.

On a side note.

When I write a book, I don't want readers to only remember the main character. Other characters also have well-developed personalities; that's what makes a truly engaging story.

This book isn't the kind where only the main character has a presence; the other characters also have significant roles.

That's right, I'm talking about you, Inoue Hikoo!

This guy is about 50% as much of a troublemaker as the protagonist of my last book, and I actually quite like him.

He is the undisputed second male lead in the first volume.

I believe it's relatively rare for a character in an orphanage to have scenes with their parents. I wonder what everyone's thoughts are on this.

Anyway.

Finally, allow me to say one last thing.

Even if you hate Inoue Hikoo, don't hate this book! (runs away)

Lastly, I might take a day off tomorrow.

After finishing a volume, I always feel a sense of bewilderment, like having watched an entire anime series...

Updates will be sporadic.

Chapter 400, Volume 2 Summary, is now available online.