Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093075629868223/episodes/16818792438410052465
(Kurusu’s perspective)
Just one song.
From what I hear around me, this level of excitement for just one song?
(And honestly, their playing isn’t exactly impressive either.)
I’m not some expert on bands or instruments myself.
But even an amateur can tell it feels improvised. They’re just trying to make it work, with noticeable timing issues and off-key notes here and there.
After all, they were playing popular J-POP songs. We’re so familiar with them we could hear every little misstep as a jarring discrepancy.
(And yet, the crowd is still hyped…)
Maybe it’s because Yuzuki and Shiori are so popular. Sakurazaka-san’s looks… well, that too.
Surely the schedule was announced beforehand, and just the names of the performers would draw a big crowd if they were students at this school.
But even so, that alone doesn’t quite explain this level of excitement.
Surely—
“Ha-ha!”
“Nice, Sakurazaka-chan! Keep it up!”
“Let’s give it our all for the last song!”
“~~~~♪”
Probably because the person on that stage looks happier than anyone else.
Who cares about mistakes? There’s no need to worry about slip-ups.
Irie, Shiori-san, Yuzuki, even Sakurazaka-san who usually gets stage fright—they all have smiles on their faces.
And that’s spreading through the venue.
Even in places where chants wouldn’t normally happen, they’re happening naturally.
(I wish…)
If only I hadn’t become a model.
Even if I had, if only I weren’t this busy right now.
Would I have been there too…? Could I have enjoyed it with everyone?
(Just kidding.)
Sending envy their way is pointless.
The reality is, someone like me isn’t standing up there.
Right now, I’m just one person standing in this chaotic crowd where I can’t tell anyone apart.
All I can do is gaze at that blindingly bright stage.
(…Ah, no, really, this is no good)
Lately, my mental state just keeps sinking deeper.
I know Irie wouldn’t do something like that, but I can’t shake the feeling he called me here just to rub this scene in my face.
…Even though that’s not true.
I only came because I was curious about what everyone was talking about.
(It feels like I’m being reminded we live in different worlds.)
But I’m the one who made it so we live in different worlds.
I’m the one who kept walking this different path all along.
Why must I be confronted with this reality the moment I finally get it?
(Even if you didn’t like me…)
Just having you watch me would have been enough.
You, of all people, Prince Charming.
(…Hey, you know?)
Now, no one notices me anymore.
Because I’m disguised, wearing regular clothes instead of a school uniform, no one speaks to me or even looks at me.
I don’t really mind that.
But I just wish I could have been seen by Irie… Just imagining not being seen makes my chest ache.
(You’re the only one I feel this way about.)
But I know it’s probably impossible.
The world I live in is now the same as the adults’. Even our environments aren’t the same anymore, and unless we cross over, we won’t be able to meet.
It’s not conceit or bragging.
I heard about someone else from the same agency, a high schooler too… but apparently, they don’t keep in touch with anyone from school anymore.
Even if they did get a message, it’d be obvious they just wanted to use it to say, “I know that popular celebrity girl,” to make themselves look good.
So they stopped contacting them, and even if they did, they wouldn’t have anything to talk about anymore.
Naturally, the more you’re in different worlds, the more distance grows between you, even if you don’t want it to.
(…I wonder if I should go home.)
I don’t know why Irie called me here.
Staying in this chaotic world where I don’t know who’s where… watching you all is truly painful.
So—
“Ah, thank you so much!”
“””Ouuuuuu!!!”””
Just as I thought that and turned to leave, the song ended.
On stage, Yuzuki and Shiori-san beamed as if to say they’d given it their all. Was it gratitude…? Sakurazaka-san bowed her head desperately.
Is it over? Judging by that look, I doubt they’ll do an encore.
(But that’s strange.)
If the individual performances are the same as last year, each group gets fifteen minutes unless it’s a joint performance with others.
It’s tight, but they should be able to do up to three songs.
But judging by the reactions and conversations around me, they’ve only done two songs so far.
I can’t imagine that Sakurazaka-san could fill the remaining time with just talk, so it seems strange for it to end here.
“Huh? What’s going on?”
“Why is that guy coming down?”
Just as I was thinking that…
Suddenly, Irie, who had been sitting at the drums, slowly rose to his feet.
It was so abrupt. I wondered if he was going to say something at the front of the stage? But no.
Irie jumped off the stage and slowly, steadily walked straight towards the crowd gathered in the plaza.
I couldn’t quite understand it.
The audience, which had been wrapped in excitement just moments ago, began to murmur all at once.
“Wh-what…?”
Everyone parted, watching Irie’s path with puzzled expressions.
Slowly, slowly, Irie walked straight ahead without hesitation.
“Wh-why?”
His figure was clearly visible.
Even though there were so many people. Even though I couldn’t see the stage clearly.
Why? Why could I see him so clearly?
Why only Irie’s figure?
(…I know)
Why could I see Irie so clearly?
Because—
“No matter how much you disguises yourself, no matter how many people are here—”
—Irie was walking straight toward me.
“I can find you.”
And then, Irie.
Amidst this sea of people, stepped right in front of me.
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