Chapter 36 – The Music Festival's Triple Performance
Mugi's POV
"I'm back."
"Geez, there you are, Mugi. Where were you?" Miharu asked me as I joined up with the group again.
"I was just chatting with a new friend of mine. No big deal."
"Ooh~! A new friend?! Where is she, Mugi-chan?!" Yui-chan asked.
"How do you know it's a girl?" Ricchan asked.
"Well, I highly doubt it's a boy. We've never seen one now or when we still had that anime adaptation."
"Yeah, true…"
"Uh…anime adaptation?" Miharu asked.
"It's too complicated to explain…" Mio-chan replied with a facepalm.
"So, where is she, Mugi-chan?" Yui-chan asked again.
"Well, she's…huh?" I turned around to see that Honoka was nowhere to be found. "She was just here a minute ago."
"Maybe she went somewhere?" Azusa-chan said.
"I guess…"
Come to think about, didn't she say that she was performing here? She could've at least said something before ditching me like that.
"Aw, well. We'll probably meet her later." Ricchan said. "The live performances don't start until late into the day. So, we got a while to see the festival for ourselves."
"Gee. To have the festival be so close to the beach…I should've worn my swimsuit underneath." Yui-chan said.
"If that's the case, then why don't we perform in our swimsuits?" Azusa-chan asked.
"That's a GREAT idea, Azu-nyan! Let's do it, everyone!"
"I-I was only joking, Yui-senpai! No way in hell am I doing such a thing!"
"Not even for your girlfriend?" Miharu and Ricchan teased.
"Sh-Shut up!"
"We're the last to perform. Yui-san said that it'll be best for us if we went after her solo act." Mio-chan said to me.
"I see. That does make sense."
So, if we're last and after Yui-san…where does that put Honoka?
"In any case, let's scope the place out." Ricchan said. "I heard the food here is extremely good."
"Oh, yeah. Guess what, Mugi-chan? They got yakisoba here!"
"Y-Yakisoba?!" My eyes lit up with pure joy after Yui-chan told me the greatest news I've ever heard since being here.
"The hell is yakisoba?" Miharu asked.
"Yakisoba is the greatest delicacy ever to be created by Japanese mankind! The hot noodles, the juicy pork, the steamy vegetables…and it's all seasoned with that delicious sweet & savory sauce that balances it all together! Hah~…a succulent dish made from the heavens of God!"
…
…
…
"It's also Mugi-senpai's favorite food." Azusa-chan added.
"Yeah…I can tell." Miharu gained a huge sweatdrop.
"Yui-chan! Where o' where have you seen this masterpiece of a cuisine?! I must have some right this minute!"
"Uh…sure, Mugi-chan. It's actually a few booths down from here. Let's all go get some together."
"I wholeheartedly agree!" I then grabbed Miharu's hand. "Come, Miharu! Let us have your tastebuds taste the rainbow!"
"T-Taste the rainbow?! Wh-What does that even…H-Hey! Mugi! Slow down!" Miharu started screaming for dear life as I began dragging her by the arm through the festival grounds. Telling me to let go and slow down.
But the only thing currently on my mind is…
Yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba yakisoba YAKISOBA!
Yeah. That.
LATER THAT DAY…
"Damn, Mugi. I had no idea you had such a huge love for that yakisoba stuff. You should freaking marry it if it matters that much to you."
"It's not that important to me." I said to Miharu. "I just happen to love it since it was the first normal Japanese food I've ever eaten. For reasons that are clearly known by everyone at this point."
"I see. Well…it was good. Not gonna lie. First Japanese dish I've had in a while."
"See? I told you. The delectable delicacy known as yakisoba will forever be a part of your meal pallet. No more Knock-Off McDonald's for you. *giggle*"
"As if, you yakisoba loon." Miharu retorted.
After exploring the festival grounds (and eating some of the best food ever to exist), we headed for the stage venue to see the first of the performances. I still had no idea who was up first. So, the anticipation was killing me.
If it really is Honoka, I'll get to see her first live performance as a solo J-Pop idol. I hope it goes well.
"Damn! This place is packed!" Ricchan yelled.
"There wasn't this many people here before." Azusa-chan said. "What's with the sudden change?"
"Because they're here to see me." We then saw Yui-san and the other Takaoka girls walking up to us.
"Wait, so you're saying these overweight, old-as-hell, no life geeks are all here for you?!"
"Hey, who the hell are you calling an overweight, old-as-hell, no life geek, huh?!" One guy in particular overheard Miharu make such an extensive insult towards the Lyrica fanbase.
"Well, you are." Miharu then scanned the guy down. "Though…looking at you, you're more of a grosse baise than anything."
"M-Miharu-senpai!" Azusa-chan yelled.
"What did you say?"
"U-Um…sorry, sir! It was a HUGE misunderstanding! Enjoy the festival!"
"Hmph. Weirdos." The guy then turned back around and left the whole matter alone.
"Miharu-senpai! You almost got us screwed over!"
"Well, sorry." Miharu said. "But I was told that's how these idol fans are like in Japan."
"That descriptive insult? Who told you that?"
"Some girl named Aoi. She said she knew you."
"Cette putain de petit…" From the sounds of it, Azusa-chan just swore in French. Though, what she or Miharu just said, I have no idea.
And it's probably for the best that I didn't.
"A-Anyway…" Mio-chan changed the topic. "…Is it really okay for you to be here, Yui-san? Given who you are and all…"
"It's fine. Lyrica is always seen with a ponytail. So, none of the fans have ever seen me with my normal hairstyle."
"I see."
"Hey, hey, everyone! We're here!" And now, we were joined by the other girls. They had stayed behind earlier to wait for the festival to officially open.
"So. Who's up first?" Jun-chan asked.
"We're not sure." Azusa-chan said. "They haven't announced anything yet."
"Huh. So, it's not you girls and it's not Yui-san…who is it then?"
If I had to guess…
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming! I hope you all are having a good time at the Okinawa Music Festival! The special performance of the famed idol Lyrica is coming soon! For now, though…here's a brand new idol making her first appearance live! Give it up for…μ!"
And then right on cue, the girl came up on stage in front of everyone. Unique outfit and all.
"Wow. I didn't expect her to be here."
"You know who she is?" Kyouko-chan asked Yui-san.
"That's μ. She's a newly debuted J-Pop idol who lives in…Kichijōji, I think it was. She already has her first song out and it's actually pretty good."
"You mean you've listened to it?" I asked.
"Yeah, I did. And to be honest, I'm actually a fan of hers already. That singing voice of hers could easily rival up with mine. It's just THAT good."
"Really now? Well, that's interesting." Was all I said before turning back towards the stage.
I can't wait to tell Honoka this!
"Thank you all for coming! My name is μ and I'll be performing for you all here at the Okinawa Music Festival!"
*crowd cheers*
"This is my first live performance! So, I hope you go easy on me! *giggle* Alright, let's go!"
After greeting the crowd as peppy as she could, Honoka/μ-chan took a deep breath and prepared to sing her song…live for a huge audience for the first time.
A voice to rival Lyrica's…I wonder what it sounds like.
(Quick Note #1: To follow along with the song, search up the following on YouTube: Sore wa Bokutachi no Kiseki (That Is Our Miracle) – Love Live! School idol project Season 2 Opening Song)
Saa... yume o kanaeru no wa minna no yuuki
Makenai (kokoro de) ashita e kakete yukou
Tsuyoi tsuyoi negai goto ga
Bokutachi o michibiite kureta
Tsugi wa zettai yuzurenai yo
Nokosareta jikan o nigirishimete
Tada no omoide sore dake ja iya da yo
Seiippai chikara no kagiri hashirunda
(Chance for me! Chance for you!)
Saa... yume o dakishimetara ue o muite
Kimi no sekai ga ookiku kawaru yo
Saa... yume o kanaeru no wa minna no yuuki
Makenai (kokoro de) ashita e kakete yukou
Atsui atsui kitai no naka de
Bokutachi wa yorokobi o utaou
Onaji omoi kanjite mite yo
Kagirareta jikan o tanoshimou yo
Mou tomerarenai jounetsu no kachi da ne
Kuyamu yori hashiri tsudzukeyou
Fui ni mita sora konna ni mo aoi yo
Daijoubu akiramenaide hashirunda
(Dance with me! Dance with you!)
Sou... ano hi yume mita no wa minna no egao
Kimi no egao sa dakara waratte yo
Sou... ano hi onaji yume o egaitanda
Kagayaku (hitomi wa) ashita o shinjiteta
(Hi! Hi! Saigo made kakenukeru yo! )
Saa... yume o dakishimetara ue o muite
Kimi no sekai ga ookiku kawaru yo
Saa... yume o kanaeru no wa minna no yuuki
Makenai (kokoro de) ashita e kakete yukou
Sou... ano hi yume mita no wa minna no egao
Kimi no egao sa dakara waratte yo
Sou... ano hi onaji yume o egaitanda
Kagayaku (hitomi wa) ashita o shinjiteta
Makenai (kokoro de) ashita o shinjiteta
Ima koko de deaeta kiseki
Wasurenaide bokutachi no kisetsu
*INTENSE CHEERING*
"*giggle* Thank you! Thank you! You all were great!" Honoka cheered as she was getting multiple rounds of applause and chants from everyone in the audience.
"Woah…holy crap, she's good!" Ricchan said.
"And she recently debuted?! That was completely perfect!" Azusa-chan added.
"Those lyrics…I've never heard or written such positive lyrics before in my life! I feel so…inspired!" Mio-chan yelled with a huge gleam in her eyes.
"I have no idea what she just sang…but the song's catchy, at least." Miharu said.
"You weren't kidding, Yui-san!" Jun-chan said to her. "A voice like that can easily rival yours!"
"Yeah, it can. Which is why I'm going to put on a performance they'll never forget."
"Alright! Go, Lyric-mmmph?!"
"Yui…you almost blew her cover." Nodoka-chan said after she had covered Yui-chan's mouth.
"Oops. Sorry."
"Wish me luck." Yui-san said as she made her way backstage to prepare.
"Geez. I know I said that she was amazing…but with both μ and Lyrica here, it's only going to make our performance all the tougher to compare." Mio-chan said.
"Well, we do have Lyrica as an advantage." Ricchan said before looking at me. "But even then, you really gotta outshine her out there, Mugi. We're counting on you."
"Don't worry. I'll do fine." I replied.
Although…I should probably tell them eventually about the deal I made with Yui-san.
"So, you girls haven't gone yet? That means I'm just in time." We suddenly heard a voice talking to us from behind. And when we turned to see who it was…a lot of us were surprised.
"Papa!"
But not as much as Miharu, who rushed over to her father and gave him a big hug. A lot like last time.
"*chuckle* Come now, Miharu. It wasn't that long ago when we last saw each other."
"Yeah, but still! The fact that I get to see you makes me so freaking happy! I could just punch someone!"
"Please don't." Raphael-san gained a sweatdrop.
"Woah! Miharu-chan's dad!" Yui-chan yelled.
"S-Sir, what are you doing here?" Mio-chan asked.
"Her dad's actually an archaeologist whose work brought him here for a few weeks." Azusa-chan explained. "We ran into him a few days ago."
"Well, in my case, literally." I added with a sweatdrop.
"Wow…an archaeologist." Nodoka-chan said.
"That means you dig up fossils, right?" Akari-chan asked.
"That's correct." Raphael-san said. "But I managed to finish early so I decided to come here and see you girls perform. Though, I was a bit late in coming here. Okinawa is a lot bigger than I last remembered it being."
"It's fine. We haven't gone yet." Ricchan said.
"Right now, we're about to watch an idol named Lyrica perform." Jun-chan added.
"Lyrica…I'm sorry. I'm not familiar with Japanese idols."
"Eh. Makes sense. Considering where you're from."
"But don't you worry, Sir!" Chinatsu-san yelled out. "You're about to witness one of the best J-Pop idols in the country! Once you hear her voice, your mind will be SO FREAKING BLOWN! WOOHOO! COME ON, LYRICA!"
"Please forgive my girlfriend, Sir. She's a total fangirl." Kyouko-chan said to Raphael-san with mild embarrassment.
"*chuckle* It's fine. I can understand that much."
"Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is finally over! It's time to move your body and rock out loud to one of Japan's top legendary idols! Give it up for the one…the only…Lyrica!"
"*GIRLY SCREAM OF PURE AND UTTER JOY*"
"Geez, Yui! I get that you're a fan, but calm the hell down!"
"B-But Ricchan…that wasn't me."
"I-It wasn't?"
"If I have to take a guess, I believe it was that girl over there." Raphael-san then pointed over three rows ahead of us. To a girl who was flailing her arms like crazy as she jumped up and down repeatedly.
"Is that…Patty?" Akari-chan asked.
"I knew she was here. But didn't think she was a fan." Chinatsu-chan said.
"I thought you said that she was stuck working at a seashell shop for a talking sunflower." Kyouko-chan said.
"She was. But I guess she got the day off."
"I see…"
"Um…talking sunflower? Miharu, what kind of stuff are you getting into over here?"
"Don't ask me, Papa. I have no idea." Miharu replied with a sweatdrop.
"Hello, Okinawa! Are you ready to have some fun?!" Yui-san (or, as of right now, Lyrica) shouted as she appeared on stage.
*crowd cheers (some, a little too much)*
"Well, that's great to hear! Cause I'm gonna give you all the performance of a lifetime! Ready?! Let's go!"
As the crowd continued to cheer, Lyrica took a deep breath and prepared to sing her song. Something she's used to at this point…but for me, knowing that this famous J-Pop idol is a friend of mine made it more exciting than it's supposed to be.
Maybe after this, I'll start liking Pop music…
(Quick Note #2: To follow along with the song, search up the following on YouTube: Kimi ga Yume wa Tsuretekita – The Pet Girl of Sakurasou Opening Song)
Good-bye sadness!
Girl meets, boy meets girl! Soshite I miss you
Good-bye sadness!
Girl meets, boy meets, girl meets super dream
Ikkaime magure de
Nikaimette dou darou
Guuzen ja nai yo ne?
Sankai me ga au no wa
Kawatta hito da to wari to minna iu kedo
Ki ni natta koto wa chigaunda soko ja nai
Kimi wa tabun junsui de junsui wo magezu
Dakara chiisana nichijou ni sae tachimukatte
Yume wo mottekita
Kotoba ja tarinai yume no arika
Kitto konna fuu ni hajimaru
Atarashii tokimeki sekai
Yume wo mottekita
Kotoba wo shiranai furi shite yukou
Tokimeki to yume no arika
Oh! Welcome happiness!
Girl meets, boy meets girl! Yatto I know you
Welcome happiness!
Girl meets, boy meets
Girl needs super freedom
Yonkaime hen da na
Gokaimette waza to da
Kakunin sae muri nara rokkai mitemireba ii?
Wakannai hito da to toozakatcha sabishii yo
Henken wa yamete nakayoshi wo fuyashite
Boku wa izen donkan de hyotto shite boku no
Yowasa to ka de daiji na
Mono ga kieta no ka mo
Iro ga nottekita
Kokoro wo hirogeru iro no kiseki
Yagate masshiroi kimochi de
Tsunagaru kirameki mirai
Iro ga nottekita
Katachi wa fushigi de setsumei dekinai
Kirameki to iro no mirai
Kimi wa sou sa junsui de junsui wo magezu
Dakara chiisana nichijou ni sae tachimukatte
Yume wo mottekita
Kotoba ja tarinai yume no arika
Kitto konna fuu ni hajimaru
Atarashii tokimeki sekai
Iro ga nottekita
Kokoro wo hirogeru iro no kiseki
Yagate masshiroi kimochi de
Tsunagaru kirameki mirai
Yume wo mottekita
Kotoba wo shiranai furi shite yukou
Tokimeki to yume no arika
Good-bye sadness!
Girl meets, boy meets girl! Soshite I miss you
Good-bye sadness!
Girl meets, boy meets, girl meets super dream
*INTENSE CHEERING*
"Thank you! You all were super awesome! See you all again soon! Sukida yo!" This was the last thing Lyrica had said before heading off stage. Having satisfied her fans once again.
"You know…no matter how many times I hear her sing, I still can't get over the fact that it's Yui up there."
"I know, right?" Sachiko-san said to Kyouko-chan. "Knowing how Yui normally is, hearing her sing and act like that is…surreal."
"Well, when did Yui-san tell you girls about being Lyrica?" Ui-chan asked.
"Well…from what Yui told us, Sachiko knew from the start. As for the rest of us, we didn't find out until two years later when she performed at this school-wide party."
"Though, even before then, Chizuru already knew about it." Akari-chan added.
"She even got to perform with her on-stage that day! I'm still super jealous of that!" Chinatsu-chan whined.
"Chizuru…performing?" Those of us Shiga girls who knew what Chizuru-san was like were in total disbelief of that statement.
"Is it really THAT shocking to you people?"
"Ch-Chizuru-san! Wh-What a surprise!" Mio-chan said after Chizuru-san had walked up to us.
"W-We didn't really mean it like that, Ikeda-san. We're just…shocked that you can play an instrument, that's all." Nodoka-chan added.
"Right…" Was all Chizuru-san said.
"You came to the festival, too?" Kyouko-chan asked her.
"Hiro and Aoi invited me. And I didn't have anything else to do, so I figured why not."
"I see."
"Hey, Chizuru-san. Where is Aoi, actually?" Azusa-chan asked.
"Last I saw her, she was over by the games area making bets with people on who could get the highest score on a rhythm game. It looked like she was having fun."
"Ugh! That girl NEVER learns!" Azusa-chan yelled with a huge facepalm of anger.
"Well, anyway…we're up next! Come on, let's get ready!" Ricchan said.
"Oh, yeah! Time to show Okinawa whatHō-kago Tea Time is all about!" Yui-chan cheered.
"Wish us luck, everyone." Mio-chan and Azusa-chan said together as we made our way to the stage to prepare.
Though, I stayed silent. Still pondering to myself on when and how I should tell the others about the deal I made with Yui-san.
I just hope they can take it…
It was only a few minutes before we go on. And I still haven't gotten the courage to tell the others what I did.
Basically…I declined Yui-san's offer to sing with her. And made the others believe that we were actually doing it. So, now it's been a few days since then and I haven't said a word about it. The guilt of lying to my friends this whole time was eating me whole. I was so freaking scared of how the other girls would take it. Especially Yui-chan. Since she's a huge fan of Lyrica and all.
"Alright…everything seems to be in order." Mio-chan said. "Now, we just gotta wait until we're called out."
"Man…my first time performing in front of a bunch of people…even though a lot of them are just a bunch of grosse baise, I'm still kinda nervous."
"Please stop saying that, Senpai…" Azusa-chan retorted Miharu with a sweatdrop.
*sigh* I guess now's the time to just suck it up and tell them.
"Um…hey, girls. I've got…something to confess about."
"Confess? What do you mean, Mugi?" Ricchan asked.
"W-Well, you see…"
"Hey, why's Yui-san back on stage?" Yui-chan asked as she pointed over to her holding a microphone in her hands.
Aw, geez. This is gonna sting…
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. Our final act of the festival has made some last-minute changes. Originally, it was a collab performance between me and a group of friends of mine in a band known as Hō-kago Tea Time. But now…it's a solo performance made by the band's keyboardist and a good friend of mine…Tsumugi Kotobuki!"
"H-Huh?! S-Solo performance?! Th-That wasn't part of the deal! What is she…"
"SURPRISE!" The other five girls shouted out to my very confused face.
"Wh-What?"
"*giggle* Did you really think you would pull a fast one on us, Mugi?" Ricchan asked.
"We knew you turned down Yui-san's offer. So, we made a deal with her behind your back." Mio-chan said.
"Y-You did?!"
"The deal was…Hō-kago Tea Time would step down from the festival. And in its place, we would have you sing all by yourself, Mugi-chan!" Yui-chan explained.
"And guess whose idea was it?" Azusa-chan said as she stood next to Miharu and held her by the arm.
Which made me realize…
"M-Miharu…y-you did this…f-for me?"
"You've helped me have fun times on this island. Now it's time I did the same for you. Onee-chan." Miharu said with a smile.
I…I didn't know how to react, really. I was a bit angry that they all went behind my back and singled me out to perform in this festival. But at the same time…I wanted to cry. I was so touched that they did such a thing. As a way for me to have at least one good memory about my trip to Okinawa.
I truly have the greatest friends ever.
"So, with that notice, please wait a few more minutes for proper arrangements. Arigatō! Kimitachi wa saikōdesu!"
"It looks like we still got a few minutes. Come on, Mugi! Go change!" Ricchan said.
"H-Huh?! What do you mean "go change"?! You got me an outfit to wear?!"
"Don't worry, you'll love it. Just go! Go, go, go!"
"W-wait, a second! What's this outfit like?! Ricchan! Ricchan!"
*ONE OUTFIT CHANGE LATER…*
"Y-You gotta be kidding me…where did you even get such clothing?" I asked as I stood in front of the others while wearing the outfit they suddenly got for me. A black & white jacket that's mostly unzipped and has "Rock 'n Roll" written on the back, a multicolored bikini bra that was fully showing, a white baggy skirt, and black & white shoes.
My hair was also tied into a long ponytail again. This time fixed with a pink hair tie. And I also have this large blue orb as an earring on my left ear.
I have never been more embarrassed before in my entire life.
"You like it?" Yui-chan asked. "Sawa-chan got it for us."
"I've never questioned Sawa-chan's choice in outfits before, but this is ridiculously embarrassing."
"And now, you see how we feel." Mio-chan and Azusa-chan both said with disgruntled looks on their faces.
"Hey, guys. It's time." Yui-san said as she walked up to us.
"Welp, here we go. Break a leg out there, Mugi." Miharu said to me.
"We'll be cheering for you, Mugi-chan!" Yui-chan cheered as she and the other headed of the stage. Leaving me still confused and embarrassed about what was going on.
"*sigh* Aw, geez…"
"You sure got some great friends, you know." I heard someone talking to me.
"H-Honoka…"
"I overheard what they did to you. I found it quite funny…so I came to laugh at your face."
"Gee, thanks." I said with a pissed off look.
"*giggle* But on a serious note…you really do have some nice friends. To give up their one and only chance to perform at a music festival just to give you a good memory of this place. I sure wish I had friends like that."
"You still hate the ones you had before?"
"Yeah. But…"
"And now…ladies and gentlemen, the moment is here! To close off this year's Okinawa Music Festival, here's a solo performance by the keyboardist of Hō-kago Tea Time…Tsumugi Kotobuki!"
"Well, I'll tell you later. For right now…good luck, Mugi. I hope you do great out there."
With not much left to say, I smiled and gave Honoka a thumbs up before heading out on stage. Welcomed by the cheering audience made up of complete strangers, unexpected visitors, my closest friends, and my dearest half-sister.
"Um…Thank you all for coming! My name is uh…Tsumugi Kotobuki! And I'll be singing to you all tonight for the grand finale!"
*crowd cheers*
"I'm not the best at singing…but I'll do my best! And so with that said, please enjoy my song! Here we go!"
As the crowd continued cheering, I took a huge deep breath and mentally prepared myself to sing this song that was given to sing on my own at the very last minute by my friends.
Well…here goes nothing.
(Quick Note #3: To follow along with the song, search up the following on YouTube: Yasei no Jounetsu (A Wild Passion) – Mugi's Character Image Song #2)
yoru fukai jikan ni heya wo nuke
yane ni nobori miru sekai omou mirai
tsuki ni terasareteiru to uso wa tsukenai no
shizuka ni ne, mezamete yuku tashika na jounetsu
haruka ooki na sora no shita watashi ni dekiru koto wa nani
fuan mo aru kedo jibun wo shinjite mitai no
suki na hito dekitara gyutto tsuyoku dakishimeru wa
nante daitan na musou shichau watashi
ara!?...konna ko datta?
uchuu yori mugen ni tsuzuku jiyuu
yane ni nobori eru kibou oeru kinou
kaze ni aorareru tabi ni yuuki ga tomoru no
te wo mune ni okeba wakaru yasei no jounetsu
hiroku ooki na hoshi no ue watashi ni yukeru basho wa doko
mayoi mo aru kedo kitai ga sore wo uchikesu no
soyogu MAXI no suso aruki nikui kara MINI ni suru wa
nante soukai na ketsudan shichau watashi
maa!?...konna ko datta?
kakete michiru tsuki mitai ni watashi
shizumi uki nagara susundeku
dareka no mae totsuzen araware "Wa!" tte
odorokasetari waraiattari
haruka ooki na sora no shita watashi ni dekiru koto wa nani
higashi kara todoku ichido shika konai kyou no hi
kawaru koto eien na koto zenbu tanoshi mitai na
nante mujaki na negai idaku watashi
kitto!?...konna ko datta...!
dekiru koto wa nani atarashii watashi
yukeru basho wa doko atarashii watashi
*INTENSE CHEERING*
"Woah! She's so good! Amazing, even!"
"That voice of hers is astounding! Is she an idol, too?!"
"I think they said that she was a keyboardist!"
"Well, I wish she was an idol! I would follow her for sure!"
*INTENSE CHEERING CONTINUES*
I stood there in shock as I witnessed tons of people cheering for me and even wondering if I was an idol. I was always embarrassed of my singing talent…case in point when I sang in front of the others at the hotel a few days ago.
But to think that THIS many people would be cheering for me…comparing me to the likes of μ and even Lyrica…
"Th…Thank you! Thank you all! You guys were totally awesome!"
I think I finally have my good memory of my trip to Okinawa.
Miharu's POV
*LATER THAT NIGHT…*
"*sigh* This is the life."
"Okinawan bathwater is truly the best."
"Hey, don't hog all the water, you two." Mio said to Ritsu and Yui as the two were underneath the giant waterfall-shape faucet. Having the water hit their shoulders.
"What? I'm sure you could use this feeling, Mio." Ritsu said. "What, with those giant jugs of yours."
"Leave my breasts out of it, you damn perv." Mio retorted in a threatening tone.
"On a separate note…this was a wild trip, wasn't it?" Yui asked.
"Yeah, it was. So much happened in such a short amount of time. Miharu grieving for her mother, Mugi with her father's passing, Azusa with her…rather strange allergy."
"Are you seriously allergic to citrus fruits?" Ritsu asked Azusa.
"It may sound like a joke, but it's actually true."
"And, uh…what exactly happens when you eat one?"
"I get a swirly orange rash all over my body, my eyes would turn orange, my pupils would dilate greatly, I drool pink saliva, and I act so derpy it's like I'm high on drugs or something like that."
…
…
…
"Wow." Was all the other three were able to say.
"Yeah, I know. Crazy, right?" I added.
"You know, the same thing happens to Akari when she eats a raspberry."
"Seriously?!" The four of us asked Azusa with minds blown.
"Yep. It's something the other Takaoka girls fear the most."
"Man…we really are as weird as those girls." Mio gained a sweatdrop.
"A-Anyway, changing the subject…" Yui said. "What was your favorite part about it, Mugi-chan?"
…
"Mugi-chan?"
"Zzz…"
"She fell asleep." Mio said.
"Makes sense. Considering what she went through these past ten days." Azusa added.
I grabbed a nearby towel and wrapped it around what was left of Mugi's exposed chest. Just so she wouldn't catch a cold.
"Hey, Miharu. Did Mugi tell you what she's gonna do once we get back home?" Ritsu asked me. "You know…with her dad passing and all."
"Well…we already discussed it with Yoriko and Mugi's mom. She and Sumire are moving into the hotel permanently. They both want to live normal teenage girl lives. And they believe that living in the mansion won't let them achieve such a life."
"I see. So, she's giving up her rich lifestyle for good this time."
"Normally, people with such a lifestyle would be extremely happy. But I guess Mugi truly hated that life." Mio said.
"I hope Mugi-chan enjoys the new life she truly desired." Yui said.
"I'm sure she will, Yui-senpai." Azusa said. "After all…we'll be there to help her all the way."
We all looked at the sleeping Mugi one last time. Wondering what she could be dreaming about in that relaxed mind of hers.
She looks like she's finally in peace. After dealing with not only knowing about me for a whole year but the aftermath that came with actually meeting me for the past six months. She truly has been through hell.
But like Azusa said. With this new desired life of hers, we'll be with her all the way. As friends and sisters should be.
"Hey, guys. We should get out now." Mio said. "After all, our flight tomorrow is really early."
"Ugh. ANOTHER early flight? Do you Japanese ever sleep in?" I complained.
"It wouldn't be a problem, Miharu-senpai if you would just go to bed on time." Azusa said.
"Isn't 1:57 am on time enough?"
"No. It isn't." The four girls retorted me with sweatdrops.
"Ugh…" I sunk into the bathwater in disappointment. Slowly looking at Mugi again as she slept peacefully in the warm as hell bathwater.
Maybe I should have a life-shattering event. If I could sleep as good as Mugi right now.
Author's Note: And with this really long chapter, The Golden Week Arc is finally over! This was an unexpectedly long event for this story. Spamming a whole 15 chapters! I could've made this into its own separate story if I wanted to. Thank God I didn't, though.
So, here are some inside facts about this chapter:
Song #1 – The opening theme to Love Live! season 2. I figured that since it was Honoka, it had to be a song from that series. And that song just happens to be my favorite one. So, I went with that.
Song #2 – The opening theme to The Pet Girl of Sakurasou. It's one of my favorite anime of all time and the opening theme is just as good. It was used once before in Chizuru's Lost Happiness. So, I used it here again since it was Yui singing it.
Song #3 – One of the Character Image Songs sung by Mugi herself (or, at least, her voice actor). I actually listened to all six of those songs. And Yasei no Jounetsu (known as "A Wild Passion" in English) was the best fit for Mugi. At least, in my opinion.
Also, the outfit Mugi wore while performing was her second outfit from the "Singing!" music video. I don't know much about it. Other than the fact that it's the ending theme to the movie. I just chose it because it looked good. That's basically it.
And so, with all of that said, this concludes The Golden Week Arc. Next chapter, the girls will be back in school and…I honestly don't know yet. There's still the School Trip and the Cultural Festival…honestly, this story is nowhere near done. But I'm sure some of you are happy with that, anyway.
Thanks for reading. Later.
