Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093075629868223/episodes/16818792438403690206
(Aira’s perspective)
(T-there are so many people…!)
I can’t even tell anymore if this pounding in my chest is from the sound system or just nerves.
Just one song. One more song.
It’s just standing on stage at the cultural festival and singing, but if I let my guard down, my legs might shake and I’d collapse right here.
“Aira-chan, you’re so cute!”
“Holy crap, the top three beauties in maid outfits… Gotta take pics!”
“The student council president in a maid outfit is insane…”
“This is way hotter than last year’s beauty contest!”
“Haa… Minase really is adorable…!”
“That first-year girl is crazy cute, right? Wait, didn’t I see her in a magazine recently…!”
“Why is the drummer a guy? The quality’s surprisingly high though…”
“Is the drummer Irie-senpai? I’ve thought it for a while, but he’s actually pretty cool…”
Voices from all sorts of people drifted over from the courtyard plaza.
Is this really how many people gather? It’s that crowded. People are peeking out from the school building windows too, and I can’t tell anyone apart anymore. Even the people right up close in the front row, I can’t even look at them properly anymore.
(Have I… grown?)
This stage. As long as we get the crowd hyped and bring in the audience, that’s all that matters.
It wasn’t about profit or attention or anything like that. He said the goal was just to get a lot of people together.
All of it, everything, is for Kirishima-senpai’s sake.
(Irie-senpai hasn’t changed at all since that time.)
Just like when Minase-senpai fell off the cliff during the camp.
This time too, he’s trying to save someone—
♦♦♦
“Huh? I’m singing on stage!?”
―――A week ago, I was called out by Irie-senpai and suddenly told that.
“Ah, well, Yuzuki, Shiori-san, and I were thinking of doing a band as our individual performance… but sadly, we’re all tone-deaf. It’s really embarrassing.”
The wind whistled through.
This was the second time I’d stand with him on the rooftop, facing this wind.
Amidst it, Irie-senpai spoke, looking a little embarrassed.
(…Even Irie-senpai has things he can’t do.)
The Irie-senpai in my mind is, in a word, a prince.
Maybe it’s just because Minase-senpai says so, but he’s good at both academics and sports, a kind person who takes the initiative to help others.
Just like the prince on a white horse girls dream of as children.
That’s precisely why, the moment I heard he couldn’t do something… I’m sorry, but I was surprised.
“Because Shiori-san said, ‘I heard that you are good at singing when I walked you home the other day.’”
“W-well, it’s true… It’s not exactly a special skill, but I’m reasonably decent at it…”
“And you’re good-looking.”
“Good-looking?”
Somehow, the fact that was a judging criterion made me feel a little complicated.
“…I want to gather people.”
“People?”
“Yeah… Honestly, even if I played right now, it’d only be a makeshift, amateurish performance.”
True. Even starting from scratch now, there’s hardly any time.
Since it’s impromptu, the skill just won’t be there. Even if I managed it, it’d barely hold together.
“I know this is rude and unreasonable.”
But Irie-senpai—
“…There’s a girl I want to make smile.”
He said it with a terribly serious expression.
(…Ah)
Well, I’m not exactly confident about this.
When Irie-senpai goes so far as to say something a bit rude to ask for something, it’s probably for someone else.
Or rather, when Irie-senpai acts with such seriousness, there’s definitely someone behind it.
“Minase, senpai…?”
“No, it’s Kirishima.”
“…Is that so?”
Honestly, it’s scary.
It’s different from when I took on the modeling job.
This time, it’s real. I won’t be standing before just one or two people, but a whole crowd.
But if this becomes a source of strength for Kirishima-senpai, and also a chance for me to overcome my fears—
“But you don’t have to force yourself to agree.”
“Huh?”
“Take your time… You don’t have to see this as some kind of forced opportunity. I know Sakurazaka struggles with being in front of people and wants to overcome it. But I know you’re making real progress, so please don’t push yourself too hard.”
…Thump.
When I heard those words, my heart suddenly beat violently.
I know the odds are incredibly slim.
But somehow, right now… Irie senpai seemed to overlap with that person I met back then.
Maybe that’s why… my mouth opened on its own.
“…For some reason, I want you to see it, Irie-senpai.”
“Hm?”
“That I’ve grown too.”
I stood up, not naturally.
I declared it clearly and firmly, facing Irie-senpai.
“I might be unreliable… but I’ll take that job. I’m grateful to Kirishima-senpai, and I’m scared… but if it’s with you, Irie-senpai, I feel like I can do it!”
♦♦♦
I’m still scared.
Just singing one song, just one more song, and my mind feels like it’s going to go completely blank.
Suddenly, I glance back.
minase-senpai with the bass slung around her neck, Karuizawa-senpai standing at the keyboard.
And then—
“(Good job, Sakurazaka)”
There was Irie-senpai, standing in front of the drums, flashing a thumbs-up and wearing an innocent smile.
Seeing him like that, strangely, my heart started racing, and my mind, which had been turning white, cleared up.
(I don’t want to miss this moment…)
Before I go completely blank, I’ll sing this out!
“Next, last song! I’ll give it my all!”
The words “this is the last one” drew disappointed murmurs from the audience.
Time-wise, I think we could probably squeeze in one more song after this one.
But after that, it’s Irie-senpai’s time.
(I won’t get in the Prince’s way!)
The first note of the final keyboard riff reached my ears.
I don’t know where this voice is coming from, but if it could reach Kirishima-senpai too… that would make me happy.
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