Chapter 92: Truth
Something doesn't feel right...
I just arrived at CirCLE Livehouse ready to start my part-time shift when I was greeted with an unexpected sight... That is...
"What's with this... again?" I muttered, eyeing CHU² skeptically.
"Ah, Nakasone-san, right on time," CHU² exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "We're having another duel!"
I groaned inwardly. "Another duel? Can't we just... not?"
CHU² chuckled. "Oh, but this time, it's different. We have the support of the entire RAS team!" She gestured behind her, where PAREO, MASKING, LOCK, and LAYER stood.
You're not listening to me.
"I only got dragged here by the way," MASKING mumbled, earning a nod of agreement from LAYER.
"Come on, you two, show some enthusiasm!" CHU² scolded lightly before turning back to me. "So, what do you say? Are you up for the challenge?"
I raised an eyebrow. "I'm guessing I don't have much of a choice?"
CHU² grinned mischievously. "You catch on quick."
"Great," I muttered sarcastically. "Just what I needed, another musical showdown."
"Musical showdown? I guess that's what you're calling it, but... This time... You'll have to perform on a stage with an audience!"
"...WHAT!?"
"Haha! I finally found your weakness! Crowds, right!?"
"...Wrong?"
CHU²'s confident smirk faltered, replaced by a look of confusion. "Hmph, you don't have to pretend to be tough."
"Uh, no, not really. I don't have a fear of crowds."
"Eh?"
...
"Uh, yeah... I've performed in front of crowds before, so it's not really a weakness."
I've performed on the street with my guitar before.
"Wait, seriously?" CHU² blinked in surprise. "But I thought..."
"Nope, no stage fright here," I said with a nonchalant shrug.
CHU² seemed momentarily flustered before regaining her composure. "Well, that's... unexpected. But it doesn't change the fact that we're still going to have a showdown!"
Right... Even though crowds don't bother me, there's still something about this showdown that doesn't sit quite right with me.
...
Oh, whatever, Maybe it's just me overthinking things...
"Marina-san," I interjected, relieved to have her attention diverted from the impending showdown. "CHU²-san here thinks it's a good idea to have another musical duel."
Marina's expression shifted to one of concern as she glanced between CHU² and me. "Another duel? But why?"
CHU² crossed her arms defiantly. "To settle things once and for all, of course."
"Settle what exactly?" Marina pressed, her tone tinged with skepticism.
CHU² hesitated, searching for an answer. "Well... musical supremacy, obviously!"
Marina raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "And how is a duel supposed to achieve that?"
CHU² opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, PAREO chimed in. "CHU²-sama believes that a public performance will determine the superior band between Raise a Suilen and Nakasone-san's solo act."
Marina's eyes widened in realization. "I see... But is this really necessary?"
Uwah... Marina-san is saving my skin! Oh God bless her.
Marina's eyes widened further at CHU²'s firm response. "But CHU²-chan, sometimes it's better to find a peaceful solution rather than resorting to a duel."
CHU² crossed her arms defiantly. "I can't back down now. This is about the honor of Raise a Suilen!"
Marina glanced at me, her expression conveying concern. "What do you think, Nakasone-san?"
"I don't want to escalate things unnecessarily. But if CHU²-san insists, maybe we could turn this into a collaborative performance instead of a competition."
"Collaborate with you? I don't see how that would settle anything."
"Perhaps it could be a showcase of each other's talents, a celebration of music rather than a battle."
CHU² considered Marina's suggestion for a moment before finally relenting. "Fine... But this doesn't mean I'm admitting defeat. We'll do it your way, but don't think I'll go easy on you, Nakasone-san."
"Where should we perform?"
"It's obvious! CiRCLE!" CHU² declared with a confident grin.
"Ohh!~ Good idea~" Marina nodded enthusiastically, clapping her hands together.
"Alright... That's settled then. Just to let you know... This is the last one I would be accepting your challenge," I added, meeting CHU²'s gaze squarely.
"Heh of course~" CHU² responded with a smirk.
With the decision made, we began to plan out the collaborative performance. Marina and I worked closely with CHU² and the other members of Raise a Suilen to choreograph the music and stage elements.
As the day of the performance approached, anticipation and excitement filled the air. CiRCLE was buzzing with energy as fans eagerly awaited the showdown between our two musical acts.
As we entered CiRCLE on the day of the showdown, the sight of the bustling crowd sent a jolt of nerves through me.
"That's a lot of people..." I muttered, feeling a slight tremble in my hands.
"Hehe, you said you don't have a fear of crowds, right?"
"I don't, but I didn't expect to be playing in front of so many people today."
Among the crowd, I noticed familiar faces from other bands - Poppin'Party, Roselia, Afterglow, and Hello Happy World.
Suddenly, LAYER approached me, her expression serious. "What's wrong, Nakasone-kun?" she asked, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
I forced a smile. "Ahh... It's nothing," I replied, trying to push aside my growing anxiety.
But LAYER didn't seem convinced. "Sorry," she said softly, her gaze penetrating. "I have to confess something to you."
Confused, I furrowed my brow. "What do you mean?"
"I was the one who suggested this idea to CHU²," LAYER admitted, her voice tinged with guilt. "And... I know about your past. You... you actually hate music, right?"
My heart skipped a beat as her words hit me like a ton of bricks.
Huh...?
"LAYER-san, there must be some misunderstanding," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the rising unease within me. "What do you mean by 'I hate music'?"
Her expression softened, but there was a knowing look in her eyes. "During your middle school years, you did something remarkable... During a performance with your band, you played every instrument yourself. You covered not just the guitar but also the bass and keyboard parts."
I swallowed hard, struggling to comprehend her words. "I... I don't remember..."
"You're like LOCK, able to master any instrument with your guitar skills, but even better," LAYER continued, her tone gentle yet firm.
Silence enveloped us as I struggled to process the revelation. My hands trembled, and I couldn't meet her gaze.
"Sorry, but this time, Raise a Suilen won't hold back on you," LAYER said, breaking the silence. "So you better give it your all as well. Because... You're like a one-man army."
Her words echoed in my mind as I grappled with the truth she had uncovered.
rustration boiled within me as I clenched my fists, grappling with the weight of the truth that had been uncovered.
"How long do I have to keep up this idiot act..." I muttered to myself, my smile strained as I punched the wall in a burst of pent-up emotion.
Suddenly, a comforting touch on my shoulder jolted me from my turmoil. I turned to see Marina-san, her concerned gaze fixed on me.
"What's wrong, Part-timer-kun?"
I hesitated, unsure how to articulate the turmoil swirling inside me. "It's... nothing, Marina-san..."
Her eyes held a hint of knowing as she regarded me with a gentle smile. "That expression of yours is nostalgic, you know? Back when you were first hired at CiRCLE as a part-timer. You seemed like a lost puppy seeking shelter."
"Please don't make it any worse, Marina-san."
"But it's true," Marina continued, her tone warm. "You claimed to hate music and everything related to it, but over these months... How has it been?"
My smile softened as I reflected on my journey at CiRCLE. "It was... fun," I admitted, a sense of warmth flooding through me. "Everything... From working alongside Poppin'Party, Roselia, Afterglow, Pastel*Palette, Hello Happy World, to discovering Morfonica."
"Is that so?" Marina's smile widened. "Then, after your showdown with Raise a Suilen, show me just how much you truly love music."
"Yeah... I will."
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Yamiru
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