Chapter 600 - The Sea-Color in the Gray
Having somehow overcome the climax of the event, I safely finished my duties at the weekend selection matches. The following day.
Afterward, I went on another little date with my partner, or rather, we went to a nearby dungeon for fun. At night, I visited the Yotsuya residence again, where Sora-san played with me (beat me up) after dinner. When I got home, Nia, who knew about my daytime activities, greeted me with some lukewarm teasing… and so on.
After accumulating a few more additional events, I arrived at Monday.
Normally, I would transition from being a ranker in the virtual world to a student in the real world and focus on my studies, but it's mid-August, and the university is on a long two-month summer break.
This means that I'm legally free even on weekdays, and so—
"Um, well… I get the idea of a celebration party, but…"
And I appreciate the consideration of wanting to reward me for my efforts in the selection match, but.
"Being suddenly abducted to a field I've never seen before on a whim is genuinely startling, so I'd like to request at least a warning or something next time."
"'Never seen before'? You've never been to karaoke?"
"What, Nozomin, are you secretly from a sheltered home or something?"
"I heard you were from an ordinary family."
"I've gotten used to this kind of banter, but you all are truly shameless. Shouldn't you learn from Kaede-kun, who at least looks a little apologetic? Huh?"
"Ah, haha… Um, I'm sorry?"
Summoned in front of the Shijo residence without being told the plan, I was shoved into Mizuki's car with the force of a raging river, just like that one time, and ended up at a karaoke box.
Amidst the clamor that penetrated the less-than-perfect soundproofing from all directions, I found myself sandwiched between the childhood friend pair as usual, nervously complaining about the unfamiliar environment… but ah, yes, I knew it, I knew it, they paid me no mind.
Toshiki, naturally ignoring my complaints, briskly picked up the intercom to order snacks; Mizuki, naturally ignoring my complaints, began operating the karaoke machine with a straight face; and Shoko-san, naturally ignoring my complaints, started rattling off questions with a smile to satisfy her own curiosity, saying, "Hey, hey."
As expected, the only source of comfort among this group is the young lady of the Shijo family.
I'll let it slide that she was the one who gently pushed my back when I initially put up a slight resistance, saying, "Hey, what's with the rush, where are you taking me?" and delivered the final, decisive attack as I was being herded into the car.
"I'd heard about it, but Nozomi, seriously, how gray was your youth in middle and high school? Conversely, what kind of fun have you had?"
"Uhh… Fun… Table… tennis?"
"Huh? What, did you frequent the community center or something?"
"No, in middle school, I was taught by some serious players for the sports festival."
"That's part of a school event."
"I don't think the 'fun' Toshiki-kun is asking about is that kind of thing. Was it really that gray?"
"H-Hey, Mizuki-chan…!"
"Kaede, what song do you want? Your usual anime song—"
"Mizuki-chan!"
And so on, and after a mountain of snacks befitting the vitality of university students' stomachs arrived.
We each raised the glasses we had snatched from the drink bar beforehand—hey, why is everyone looking at me? This is a celebration party to honor me, so why do I have to give the toast?
"…Uh, well then. To me, for a job well done, I guess."
Figuring it didn't matter anymore, I resignedly and half-heartedly raised my reasonably priced glass for a "Cheers," and the recreation began in an extremely relaxed atmosphere.
Bring it on, youth. I'm ready for you.
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"—I'll say it as many times as I need to, but this is my celebration party, right…?"
"I-I'm sorry. Really, I don't think everyone means any harm, but…"
And so, three hours later. Leaving behind Shoko and the other two, who were still full of energy and ready to keep going, except for the sole 'source of comfort,' I stepped outside the building to get some fresh air and uttered a single sentence.
It's not that I hold any ill will; it was just a sigh of exasperation born from camaraderie towards my usual lively and easygoing friends. Kaede, my source of comfort, who had followed me out, probably understood my inner thoughts, but her character is such that she still apologizes.
If it weren't for her Arcadia-otaku side peeking through, she would be the undisputed most sensible person here… well, I suppose that gap is part of her charm.
"Um… I'm sorry for egging you on too. You were so good, I was surprised and thought, 'Is this really your first time?' so I got a little carried away…"
And with that, she combined praise and apology to create a situation where I had no choice but to forgive her—a brilliant tactical play… though of course, that wasn't her intention. Fine.
From the list of sins for making me sing my meager repertoire on a loop, I shall remove the name Shijo Kaede. The remaining three, starting with Shoko, you'd better remember this.
Upon my return, you will be sentenced to sing a randomly selected song to completion with all your might, one by one.
"…You seemed pretty used to it. Do you like singing?"
"Nah, not enough to say I like it. I've gained the courage to sing in front of people through various experiences, and as for that song, I listened to it to death in high school…"
It's not that I'm used to it, but rather that I remember every nook and cranny, so I know how to sing it. Thinking back, those three years were truly extreme; it was the only entertainment that encouraged me as I worked myself to the bone with part-time jobs and studying…
"So, it's not that you like singing, but more like… you like Unagi-chan?"
"Don't call her Unagi-chan—well, something like that. It was just work, study, work, study, study, work, work, study, and I honestly felt like I was going crazy a few times. But I couldn't give up on either, so I decided to implement some healing entertainment during my breaks and commutes."
The first thing that clearly came to mind was 'music,' so I went to a local shop to look for a random CD… and there, I fell in love at first listen with a song playing in the store.
Nagisa Unasaka—I had no way of knowing at the time since I was off the internet, but she was apparently a former independent virtual singer who made her major debut on the strength of her singing alone.
'Former' because, unfortunately, she has since ended her activities.
She appeared like a comet about five years ago and quickly rose to the top, a legendary figure, but she retired after just under two years, much to the regret of her many fans.
When I found that out now, I was, of course, a little shocked. I might just be a casual fan who only bought one CD, but still.
"I don't know… The song, the lyrics, her voice, the way she sang, it all just resonated with me back then… I listened to it on repeat endlessly and got endless encouragement from it."
It's not really a joke to say that I might be here today thanks to Nagisa Unasaka… well, I feel a one-sided debt of gratitude to her, more or less.
"Ah… I see—She's like my Sword Saint-sama or Acrobat-sama."
"Seriously, stop that. It's forbidden."
As I rubbed the goosebumps that came from embarrassment, she returned my sidelong glance with a mischievous smile. I don't think it has anything to do with them being relatives, but they're really similar in these aspects… The two young ladies of the Shijo family are two of a kind.
"Ehehe… Hearing an episode like that, you know. It makes me want to hear it again. Can I request it one more time?"
"Seriously…? How many times are you going to make me rehash my few-song repertoire?"
"Just one last time. Your favorite, 'perfect blue star,' is fine. Please?"
"How are you so casually reading my mind about my absolute favorite song?"
"Eh? I can just tell. The passion in your singing was different for that one."
"What's that? How embarrassing."
As we were bickering, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out and opened the message I'd received… ah, yes, yes, I'm coming back.
A wry smile appeared on my face at the message from Shoko-san, which read, 'You two, how long are you going to be flirting?'—a joke that was harsh in many ways.
"Alright, if Kaede fully showcases her 'usual,' then maybe I'll think about it."
"Huh…? Wh-what, n-no, that's…! That was just Mizuki-chan's joke!"
As I turned on my heel after delivering my counterattack, my friend's reaction, so similar to my partner's, was amusing, and my expression shifted to a relaxed smile—I returned to the room, and afterward.
The fact that I somehow got caught up in the punishment I had imposed myself, and was made to passionately sing an idol medley of a certain pair of little ones that I barely remembered… is another story entirely.
Her name has finally appeared, the author's most beloved heroine alongside Nia-chan…
However, there is an extremely high probability that she will not appear directly in the main story. And 'perfect blue star,' for which the lyrics and music have mysteriously been completed, will never see the light of day.