Onstage, Uta had just finished a song. Naturally, she won thunderous applause. Cheers surged through the audience as fans frantically waved their signs and glow sticks...
"On the stage where stardust falls-love's fragile flower blooms-"
A low symphonic accompaniment gradually swelled.
For this song, Uta began with a brief monologue, performed like a scene from a stage play.
Sephiroth, who had specifically requested it and written it into the score, stood not far from the stage with an "I get it" expression.
"I'll make everyone shine like the stars-!"
Uta-reborn! (Not really.)
"For some unknown reason... flames surround me-"
Uta's singing was extraordinarily moving. Once again, the audience was drawn into an almost supernatural communion with the music.
"Imprisoned for so long... the fire never died-"
Even with a last-minute set list change, Uta handled it effortlessly.
This "Revue Starlight" album had originally been scheduled for the concert on Glass Bead Island in the East Blue, a venue with a more "artistic" atmosphere.
"With no kindred soul beside me, against the wind, my heart burns-"
For Karai Bari Island, the original plan had been the more adventurous "Hunter × Hunter" set list.
But everyone had practiced these songs many times, so changing them at the last minute was no great problem.
Besides, the publicity had only promised "new songs," without specifying which ones. The audience would never notice anything amiss.
"Only the stars know what I seek-"
Uta sang beautifully, performing as well as ever.
But the lyrics and melody seemed to turn Shanks, hiding behind the crowd, into a pincushion.
-"The Star Knows."
The song was filled with struggle and conflict, and a faint glimmer of hope.
It brought back memories for the Red Hair Pirates of the day they had left Uta behind.
-Did... you write this, Uta...?