"Eh? Rikki, are you actually scared?"
Hearing Taki Shiina's concern, Chihaya Anon looked surprised.
Why so lacking in confidence this time?
That didn't sound like Taki at all!
"Who's scared?!"
Anon's words were super effective—Taki instantly overheated and slammed the table hard.
"And how many times do I have to say it—don't call me that!"
"Then that settles it."
Anon ignored her protest and continued.
"This is a rare opportunity."
"Even if we get lost, we keep moving forward—that's what we agreed on last time, right?"
"Whether it's RiNG or a music festival, it's the same for us!"
After all, they had already made their determination last time, so making this choice wasn't surprising.
Will they win?
Anon: They will!
In fact, the reason Kamijou Mutsuki had previously agreed to Taki's proposal to hold the live show at RiNG Live House was because he felt their first performance should be more stable and safe.
But now it seemed that, compared to RiNG, the music festival might actually be a stage that suited them better.
Moreover, because of the anime project, MyGO's positioning wasn't the same as a normal band.
As long as they didn't sing like that "Rose Emperor of Rome", there probably wouldn't be any major problems.
As for the fans who had already bought tickets for the original live show, they could simply exchange those tickets for music festival tickets.
Although the festival tickets would definitely be more expensive, Mutsuki didn't lack that bit of money.
The band was what mattered most.
At the same time, they also needed to watch out for the ticket scalpers like last time.
Also, it would be best to hire a few more security guards—just in case some overly enthusiastic fans did something irrational, like secretly climbing onto the top rigging or something…
That probably wouldn't happen… right?
"Since that's the case, this live show will be held at the music festival."
After making the decision, Kamijou Mutsuki took back the tablet containing the data.
"However, the festival organizers also have a requirement: we need at least one new song."
"A new song?"
The girls immediately thought of "Hekitenbansou"
"Don't worry about that. I've already written the new song."
Mutsuki handed the finished lyrics and sheet music to Taki Shiina.
"But the lead vocal will be Taki and Sakiko."
"Huh? Me as the lead singer?"
Holding the lyric sheet, Taki was full of question marks. She instinctively glanced at Tomori Takamatsu, seemingly worried that Tomori might misunderstand and think she was trying to seize the vocalist position.
"It's just one song. And you could say it's basically Taki-chan's character song."
After all, for a first live performance, being too plain wouldn't do.
If the audience didn't find it memorable, how would the band gain popularity?
"A character song…"
Before Taki could react, Chihaya Anon showed a look of envy.
Wasn't the reason she fell into the MyGO rabbit hole because she wanted to be the lead singer?
And now there was even a character song…
With such great treatment, could it be that this scumbag Mutsuki was planning to make a move on Taki next?
In truth, if Anon knew the actual nature of that song, she probably wouldn't envy Taki at all.
"Don't worry, Ano-chan—you'll have one too in the future!"
Noticing Anon's expression, Mutsuki smiled and said this.
At the same time, he wondered when he should arrange "On Distance" for her—if she was willing to sing it.
However, Anon—still immersed in the speculation she had just made—didn't feel happy when she heard Mutsuki's words. Instead, her face turned slightly red.
Could it be that not only Taki—this guy planned to target her as well?
Hmph, in your dreams!
Thinking this, Anon glanced at Wakaba Mutsumi beside her.
Don't worry, Mutsumi. I'm the only one who won't betray you!
No matter how sweet this scumbag's words were, she would never fall for them!
At this moment, Taki Shiina had already opened the lyric sheet. The lyrics were filled with a very realistic tone, which felt somewhat out of place compared to the dreamy style usually associated with a girls' band.
"Alright, that's enough discussion about the Live for now. I'll have Myaamori handle the later arrangements. If anything goes wrong with the Live, just push the blame onto her."
The nearby Aoi Miyamori: ?
Boss… thanks a lot!
"Now, there's one last song to record. It's Mutsumi's."
Another song?
Hearing Kamijou Mutsuki suddenly say this, Chihaya Anon tilted her head in confusion.
Why hadn't they recorded it together just now?
And it was even a solo performance by Mutsumi, with not even "Neko" accompanying her.
After all, "Neko" was practically Mutsuki's personal accompanist.
At this moment, standing in the center of the recording studio, Wakaba Mutsumi held the microphone and couldn't help but feel nervous.
Was she really going to sing it?
Mutsuki had said that whether to sing the song or not was her choice—but what exactly had he meant by that?
Thinking back on everything that had happened recently, Mutsumi slowly closed her eyes.
The entangling pressure from Soyo, the rejection from Sakiko, and herself stuck in the middle, hurt from both sides…
Perhaps, just as Mutsuki had said, she was truly tired.
If that was the case—
Then she would be the one to end it all.
When the girl opened her eyes again, her gaze had completely changed.
Those burning golden eyes reflected her determination.
Like a lion opening its eyes, the cucumber had evolved at this moment.
"I wanted you to rebuild Crychic with me—"
As the recorded accompaniment began to play, Mutsumi's very first lyric was like a thunderbolt.
At the very least, Nagasaki Soyo, who had still been gloomy after yesterday's events and just wanted to finish work and go home, instantly snapped awake.
"Yet you ran straight into the muzzle and sent yourself away."
Soyo immediately remembered what had happened yesterday.
"So you hid at home, satisfying your…"
"…evil thoughts with fantasies."
"Just like a clown!"
Mutsumi: ???
Soyo: …
Just those first few lines nearly broke Soyo's composure.
At the same time, the other band girls also began to sense something was off.
Did this look like normal song recording?
Mutsumi had clearly come looking for a fight today.
"Everyone says my expression looks like a block of wood,"
But this was only the beginning.
"Yet no one thinks that wood can feel pain too."
"You used my love to carefully restrict my freedom,"
"And that's something I can't accept."
The expression on Soyo's face had already turned unpleasant.
The lyrics Mutsumi was singing were practically exposing all of Soyo's little schemes.
All the darkness was being dragged out into the sunlight.
"Every time I talk with you,"
"It always makes me…"
"…walk on eggshells."
Soyo's part was temporarily finished.
Now it was Teacher Sakiko's turn.
"It feels like every sentence might change your mood."
"I try to talk with the gentlest expression,"
"But I still end up touching your bottom line."
Listening to Mutsumi's lyrics—and recalling the story from the anime—the other girls couldn't help but feel a bit heartbroken for her.
"I specially gave up my time just to come to your side,"
"Yet all I hear is that you want to find her again?"
"Did you ever think about my feelings?"
"Though I guess it doesn't matter to me anyway!"
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Note: The song referenced in the author's comment is a modified version of a Bilibili parody song used to "vent for Mutsumi." The lyrics were adjusted to fit the story context and to target both Soyo and Sakiko, and the plot here also differs slightly from the anime.
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