"I have nothing left and all I feel is this cruel wanting"
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Matsumoto passed to the center, demonstrating her intellectual abilities in front of a green board.
Some of the audience seemed bored with such a talent show, because they wanted entertainment, Naoki just wanted to see Kotoko.
The world could not work in unison to please all the men in the room.
When Matsumoto finished there was less applause than in the first phase where he took the baton of applause, and perhaps by taking that course to show his intelligence he lost some points for the final vote.
As soon as she withdrew somewhat indignant at the little public reception with her, the host appeared dispelling the tension formed by Matsumoto, saying:
"I think the last contestant will bring you an amazing surprise" He said enthusiastically. "Please wait a bit so we can set the stage according to what she will show us"
The curtain closed and the suspense soon accumulated among the public, but suddenly it was removed because the curtains of the curtain opened and the host announced:
"Now give a warm applause to our last participant." After a brief pause, he said: "Aihara Kotoko!"
The applause arose, and the stage turned dark, a mysterious black who invaded the vision.
The band members slowly came out and took possession of their respective instruments, accommodating themselves in their intended area and forming part of the stage as a whole.
Kotoko appeared walking from the curtain at a short pace, wearing her loose curly hair, a short-sleeved black blouse glued to the body, also seating her feminine form, a black skirt glued to the body four fingers above the knee, black stockings that showed the color of her skin, and black boots.
Again, she used the color black.
Suddenly, she stood with the microphone in front of her mouth, so that she would not battle to use it.
The silence was sudden, but not uncomfortable.
She turned to see the members of the band and gave them a sign that they could begin, emphasizing on her hand that it was the one that made the signal.
The piano was the first thing that sounded playing the song of "Lost in Paradise" by Evanescence, pressing the chords with subtlety and forcefulness, but the voice of Kotoko when beginning to sing was what caused the difference between the previous songs of some of the participants than hers, because it was soft, melodious and intense.
The cello accompanied the piano, where Kotoko began to grab strength in her voice and her hands clung to the microphone, while her hair rocked with the synergy with which her head moved to the rhythm of the lyrics.
When the whole band joined, the stage was lit by small bursts of purple that intercalated with each other in a faded atmosphere that linked a gloomy place that contained a deep sadness and a feeling of immeasurable loneliness.
If Kotoko accomplished its mission? Of course, there was no doubt for Naoki, who, in turn, contemplated her with longing, quieting inside her the feeling of happiness for having the opportunity to see her in a strong and solemn performance. Seeing the girl he liked on a unique occasion, reflected with him the feeling that gradually grew and grew, and would not stop growing.
Kotoko sang with a lot of feeling, putting her hand on the microphone and the other on the stick that was holding that device.
When he saw her get into the song the most, it was on the bridge, where she seemed to be about to cry, for her eyes became teary and her voice rose, transmitting all the feeling tones centered on her voice.
Part of her singing, of her intense preparation, of her determination to be better, of her endless dedication to things was reflected in her presentation, in all her grace to sing and in all her splendid talent.
It was a direct ticket to appreciate and admire Kotoko more and more.
If he already admired her since she entered the fifty best in high school, now the meaning of her admiration was greater and she clung to her sensation, since it was very pleasant to be inspired to be better.
At the end of the song, Kotoko expressed pain and loneliness, suffering and sadness, passion and love, all focused on her gaze.
"Alone and lost in paradise"
It was how the song ended, in a faint silence that solemnly intoxicated the stage, bringing a wave of applause from the audience, who went crazy with his presentation.
They asked for another song, another outcome equal to the previous one to relive it.
The host came to calm the public, carrying charisma and good enthusiasm to move the masses in a couple of simple words.
"Calm down, please" He asked willingly, reassuring them with his hand. "The judges will barely make the deliberation to determine who will be the winner of Miss Tonan's number 91 contest!" He exclaimed the latter, infecting the public with desire.
Naoki just hoped Kotoko won the contest.
He had to wait twenty minutes for the curtain to open, giving way to the fifteen contestants in a position of firm, smiling and dazzling as they had shown from the beginning.
Naoki meditated before that that the song Kotoko sang he had not heard from her, and his curiosity sprang up in a waste of time. Some things were not clear to him, and it always happened when Kotoko was involved, that however she lived according to her beliefs, and yet he was lost when she evolved or took a step forward, leaving him behind.
He didn't like the feeling of being left behind, in a way, abandoned by the fullness that Kotoko could reach on her own.
He didn't do much to be part of a breakthrough, or to help her see her faults in something, whatever it was, rather the situation was reversed, that is, Kotoko was the one who shone her faults and let them know to the. In short, Kotoko was the one who had motivated him to change his cold personality to a better one, perhaps not changing everything for those around him, but bringing about a good change in him.
He let himself be overcome by any triviality that time without mercy threw straight into his face, but he also let all the opportunities that he himself had in his nostrils pass, and he refused everything that the universe placed in front of him.
Anything discarded, for lack of value, or rather, for mere cowardice on his part.
"We have a winner!" The host roared in excitement, pulling him out of his thoughts. His attention was placed on that important message. He rubbed his fingers, nervous to know who would win the contest. The audience cheered euphorically. "And the winner is ..." There was a silence almost impossible to remain calm, whose relevance would be to wait anxiously for the result. "The winner is ..." He repeated emphatically, causing others to shout impatiently, some standing up from their seats and others trampling the floor. "Calm down, I'll tell you now." He pulled out a white envelope, and opened the contents, taking out a white bibliographic sheet paper. "Contest winner Miss Tonan number 91 is ..." He said enthusiastically. "Aihara Kotoko!" He revealed in an ecstatic shout.
A wave of applause and shouts in euphoria resurfaced throughout the auditorium, including those of his mother, who shouted in joy for the winner.
Kotoko was in shock, stiff from the impression of being named the winner of the contest. He blinked with bulging eyes.
Naoki joined the applause happy for the result, but more than anything, happy for it, because his great dedication came to fruition.
All her efforts had been worth it until the last moment she presented that powerful song, as was her personality.
The applause continued, and the host gave Kotoko a handshake congratulating her on her achievement, she smiled gratefully.
After a silence was made, the host decided to speak:
"Who will be the lucky one with whom you will share the prize?" Said good-naturedly, giving Kotoko the microphone. She took the microphone.
"Irie Naoki of the engineering faculty" Kotoko announced, chuckling. He froze, felt a sensation fluttering in his stomach of vibrant emotion.
She had chosen him.
All the men turned to see him with envy, to which he replied standing up, heading for the stage with his legs weakening and his hands shaking.
When he arrived, he was crowned as the king of Tonan, and Kotoko was crowned just like him.
"Hey, what do you say?" She whispered happily. "I won."
"I know" He grumbled, proud of her, crossing his arms. "Congratulations for you"
"Thank you." She smiled satisfied.
The contest was finally over.
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P.S. ("Lost in Paradise" by Evanescence)