Chapter 70: Fireworks (Uchiage Hanabi)
*Clap, clap, clap, clap—!*
Enthusiastic applause thundered from below the stage, accompanied by waves of cheers. The once-rowdy crowd now seemed completely captivated by Hikaru Hoshino's performance; everyone had stopped what they were doing, leaving only focus and passion for the stage.
"It's not a movie; it's our youth."
"It's not a movie; it's our summer."
The charm of a classic song speaks for itself, striking the hearts of everyone present simply and directly. Once the music video is released and has a few days to ferment, *Ao to Natsu* would very likely become another signature track for Hikaru.
Standing on stage, Hikaru felt a deep sense of satisfaction as he looked out at the passionate audience. Even if he hadn't written the song himself, his vocal skills had improved, and the audience was satisfied—for him, that was a good enough result.
Some people began chanting the name "Hikari," clearly swept up in the live atmosphere and turning into instant fans.
"Thank you all for your support! Please follow the Hikari channel!" Hikaru bowed slightly. "We have one last performance remaining. Let's welcome Ai from B-Komachi once more to bring today's show to a perfect close."
The version of *Racing into the Night* that Ai had just performed didn't quite mesh with the summer festival vibe, but that earlier set was merely a warm-up. The real highlight was yet to come.
As Hikaru slowly retreated from the stage, Ai stepped up, one pace at a time. When they crossed paths, Hikaru said nothing, offering her only a look of encouragement.
No matter how Ai performed, he supported her unconditionally.
Before her was a familiar face, but one wearing a somewhat unfamiliar expression.
Seeing Hikaru pumping his fist to cheer her on, Ai's tension suddenly vanished completely, and her flawless, practiced smile relaxed into something more genuine.
*Honestly, acting like it doesn't matter even if I mess up.*
*Well then, I'll just perform however I want.*
The orange-red festival lights had been adjusted, casting a soft glow over the center of the stage. By now, the atmosphere had been fully ignited by Hikaru's performance, and the crowd's expectations had soared.
Ai stepped gracefully to the center. Facing the cheerful and expectant crowd, her yukata looked even more vibrant under the lights, and her long purple hair shimmered like stars in the night sky, making it impossible to look away.
"The final song is dedicated to all of you here today, and to this summer." Holding the microphone, Ai flashed a brilliant smile as a firework bloomed above her, framing her in radiance. "The name of the song is—*Uchiage Hanabi* (Fireworks)."
As the words left her lips, the gentle intro began, followed by Ai's tender vocals.
"That shore we gazed at that day, even now I remember it clearly..."
*Uchiage Hanabi*, a collaboration between DAOKO and Kenshi Yonezu. As a theme song for an animated film, this track was not only a massive hit in Japan but also possessed incredible popularity overseas, with countless cover videos spanning the internet.
Ai seemed to shift her style entirely. She no longer used the sparkling "idol song-and-dance" approach, instead standing still, delivering a "pillar" performance. She used her clear, gentle voice to narrate the story and emotions within the lyrics.
"A sudden flash of light blooms..."
"I was watching the fireworks..."
"Surely, summer isn't over yet..."
As the song reached its climax, a massive firework suddenly erupted in the night sky, followed by a second, a third... The fireworks bloomed one after another in the obsidian sky, their multicolored lights reflecting on Ai's face, as the two purple six-pointed stars in her eyes shone brilliantly.
Norika Takegawa looked at the stage with envy, while the blonde girl beside her wore a look of longing, her previous prejudice against idols having long since vanished. She began to understand why so many people became fans of idols; in this moment, the girl on stage was shining with a light that simply could not be ignored. She felt like she was about to become a fan of Ai herself.
As Ai's "solo-stans," Aqua and Ruby's reactions were even more exaggerated. Although they hadn't brought lightsticks, it didn't stop them from calling out for their mother. The two were so excited they started dancing and holding hands, spinning in a circle like some strange ritual; Kana Arima quietly slipped to the side, pretending she didn't know them.
Akane Kurokawa stood silently in place, her eyes unblinking as she stared at Ai on stage, a hint of envy in her gaze.
Meanwhile, Hikaru had returned to the side of the stage, leaning against a pillar and quietly watching Ai perform. Seeing her radiant form, he couldn't help but think of the Ai from before.
The Ai from the anime in his past life.
The shimmering purple hair, those seemingly glowing purple eyes—every gesture and movement defined the word "Idol." She was a natural-born star, an eternal first-magnitude star.
So perfect she almost didn't seem human.
Back then, as the center of B-Komachi standing on a stage watched by ten thousand people, she was so blinding it almost hurt to look. Now, standing alone on this small stage, she still commanded the gaze of every single person.
It was clearly the same person, yet Hikaru felt a subtle difference. The Ai in the anime was an unreachable idol, but the Ai now felt close enough to touch—making one want to reach out and hold her.
"Yo, that's a good expression." Director Gotanda appeared behind Hikaru at some point, puffing on a cigarette and patting his shoulder. "Mesmerized, are we?"
"Who's mesmerized?" Hikaru retorted. "By the way, why are you smoking again? Give it a rest for once."
"It's a summer festival. What's wrong with me wanting to enjoy myself?" Despite saying that, Gotanda put the cigarette out. "Seeing the careers of you young people flourishing is quite gratifying."
"Hopefully this movie will be a success."
"With a top-tier singer like me performing the theme song and so many talented actors participating, if it isn't a success..." Hikaru couldn't help but laugh. "Then I think it's definitely the Director's fault."
As they spoke, Ai's performance came to an end, and the venue erupted in thunderous applause.
"I'm going to find Ai. You should relax those old bones of yours too; there's plenty of work ahead." Hikaru waved and smiled, bidding Gotanda farewell.
"Honestly," Gotanda shook his head as he stood there. "No respect for his elders—just like that 'precocious kid'."
At the mention of the "precocious kid," he suddenly fell into thought. Did that child have potential as a singer too? He had always categorized him as an actor, which seemed a bit limiting. If Hikaru could sing, maybe Aqua had a talent for it as well?
Could that kid sing and dance? If he could develop in all areas of the entertainment industry, his future would be even brighter.
Gotanda's gaze instinctively drifted to Aqua in the crowd. He saw the small, somewhat cold face standing among the people; his fair skin looked almost translucent under the lights, but his eyes were sharper than anyone his age.
He tried to imagine Aqua wearing a shimmering stage outfit, standing in the center of a stage with other boy band members, striking a youthful, energetic pose and flashing a sweet smile while shouting to the fans, "Good evening, everyone!"
Gotanda couldn't help but shudder, a layer of goosebumps prickling his skin.
...Better not.
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