Chapter 51 – The School Idol Festival (Part 1)
Azusa's POV
And so, two days later…the day had finally come. The start of Yu's School Idol Festival. We were all on the roof of her school and it was absolutely amazing how much effort went into making it look festive. Especially since she only had about two days.
It's just like Yu to always get stuff done…
"W-Woah…T-To be on the roof of Big Sight is something I never thought would happen in my life!"
"I get what you mean, Sumire-san." Ruby said. "This is an actual dream come true…a once-in-a-lifetime experience!"
"I feel like I'm in some kind of Twilight Zone right now…this can't be real…" Hiro said.
"You guys do know that this is just a regular school roof, right?" Kasumi asked.
"THIS?! REGULAR?!" The trio shouted.
"Seriously?"
"Well, our school isn't exactly on the "normal" side, Kasumi-san." Ayumu said.
"I get that, but still…"
"Alright, everyone." Yu called out to us. "It's 8:00 now and we start in an hour. Get your final preparations ready."
"Okay!" Most, if not everyone cheered.
Meanwhile, I was doing some last-minute tuning on my guitar. Making sure it sounded right for later on. I'm definitely not performing in this festival…but the reason why I'm doing this is rather something.
*EARLIER THAT MORNING…*
"Huh? W-Wait, you want me to perform as backup?"
"Please, Azusa!" Yu said to me. "I know I already asked you so much for this…but the people I hired who were originally going to do it just straight-up canceled on me. And what's worse is that they refuse to give me a refund. So, now I'm out ¥180,000."
(About $1600)
"Y-You saved THAT much for this?"
"Well…part of it was from my college fund. I'll have to get a part-time job to earn it back…"
"I see…" I gained a sweatdrop.
"And besides…you brought your guitar, didn't you?"
"Yeah, but I didn't plan on using it. You really can't get anyone else?"
"*sigh* No. All the music clubs are out on training camps and I have no more money to get a new band. I'm basically stuck before the festival even begins."
"It's that bad, huh?" I then thought to myself. "Well…okay. It would be wrong of me to not help out a family member in need."
"Yes!" Yu cheered as she hugged me greatly. "Thanks, Azusa! I owe you BIG for this!"
"Yeah, sure. I'll make you remember this later."
"Now, with you on board with Aoi's friend, I'll all reassured for backup!"
"Huh? Aoi's friend?"
"I also needed a drummer. And Aoi said that a friend of hers is free to help out. She should be here later on before the festival starts."
"I see…"
Aoi helping out without charging money? That's rare…
*PRESENT TIME*
So, yeah…that's how I'm taking part in this festival. Like I said, it wasn't planned at all. But, in the end…it'll give me something to do while on this unexpected summer trip in Odaiba.
…
N-Not like I was bored or anything…
"Let's see…tune this a little bit more and…there. That should do it."
"Um…hey, Azusa-chan…"
"What's up, Mugi-senpai?" I said to her.
"I know I'm debuting as an idol an all…b-but do I really have to wear this outfit again?"
The outfit Mugi-senpai was talking about was the same outfit she wore at the music festival in Okinawa. I managed to convince her to bring it with her despite her saying that she absolutely hated it.
"Well, it's the outfit people first saw you in. You may be a most wanted new idol, Mugi-senpai…but people need to remember you from that ONE song you did nearly 4 months ago."
"*moan* You do have a point…but this outfit is so embarrassing. Why is it just a jacket and a bikini top?"
"You think I know what goes on in Sawako-sensei's dirty as hell mind?"
"Ugh…"
"I think you look pretty cool, Mugi-san." Riko said as she walked up to us.
"Do I really, though? This isn't something that I would wear in my own home. Let alone, in public."
"Well, it could be worse. You could look like that…" She then pointed over to something that without a doubt burned my eyes the moment I first caught a glance at it.
What…the…hell?
"C-Come on, damnit! Freaking connect! Grrrr…"
*SNAP*
"There! Got it!"
"Wh-What the hell are you wearing?!" I asked Kasumi after witnessing her wearing some kind of…vampire-devil cross-costume thing.
"What? I'm going for one of those Super Sentai villains you see on TV. I'm gonna do a little parody skit before I actually sing."
"Wh-Why?"
"Because…with someone as big-time famous as μ performing in this festival, I gotta go all out in order to stand out from the rest of you girls. The Ultimate Cute Girl Kasumin will NOT be overshadowed!"
"You definitely won't be overshadowed with that thong you got on…" Mugi-senpai said. "…It looks tight as hell."
"*giggle* Thanks. I asked a friend of mine for the sexiest pair out there and this was the top pick. And I can see why…the fabric is making my p*ssy wet."
"We seriously didn't need to know that…" The three of us gained HUGE uncomfortable sweatdrops.
"Welp, I'm off. I begged Yu-senpai to let me go first so that I can WOW the audience with my cuteness! I'll win this festival for sure! Hahahaha!"
We then watched Kasumi as she confidently ran off to begin her…performance? Can I even call it that with what she's doing? How did someone like her even become an idol?
This industry makes no sense…
"So, yeah…you're not THE worst when it comes to outfits, Mugi-san." Riko said.
"At least, I have that going for me…" Mugi-senpai said. "…but I still hate what I got on. I just wish I had something else…"
"Well…it may not be much, but You does have some extra outfits she made with her in case Honoka wanted them. I'm sure she'll let you borrow them."
"W-Wait, seriously?"
"You makes clothes?" I asked.
"She may not look like it, but You can be pretty girly sometimes. Although, she tries to hide it."
"Huh…"
"Well…if You-san doesn't mind, I could take a look at them." Mugi-senpai said. "Is she here?"
"She and Chika should be with Honoka helping with her last-minute stuff. I think they're in the Idol Clubroom."
"All the way there, huh? *sigh* Well, at least the walk will help me ease up these last-minute nerves I got. I'll see you later, Azusa-chan."
"Good luck." I said as I watched the two girls leave.
She's calmer now than she was when we first got here…but I can tell that Mugi-senpai is still tense about debuting as an idol. And I don't really blame her. After all, she was pretty much dragged into this new path in her life without much time to think about it.
I've also heard from Honoka that she really wants Miharu-senpai to see this. And on that note, I can agree. The fact that I haven't seen or heard from her since exams ended has really put me in a secret bad mood.
I mean…I get that she's busy helping Zoé-san. But she can at least freaking call her girlfriend every once in a while!
"Hopefully, she'll pick up this time…" I said to myself as I took out my phone and started dialing the number of my foreign airheaded girlfriend.
"Hello?"
"Miharu-senpai!"
"Hey, Azusa! What's up?"
"What do you mean "what's up?"?! It's been nearly a week and you didn't even bother to call me!"
"W-Well…sorry. It's just I've been really busy lately."
"With Zoé-san, right?"
"Well, no. Zoé went off with Ui somewhere and pretty much ditched me in Harajuku. I ended up walking for a bit until I got completely lost. It wasn't until Yui and Himeko came to get me that I realized that I ended up in a place called Shibuya."
"You walked all the way from Harajuku to Shibuya? Do you know how far that is?"
"Uh…kinda? I really couldn't tell the difference between the two."
"It's amazing how you're speaking to me right now…" I gained a sweatdrop.
By the way...to walk from Harajuku to Shibuya is like 15 minutes. I was just trying to make Miharu-senpai at least somewhat concerned for doing such a thing since she's a foreigner. Clearly, it didn't work...
"Anyway…after Yui and Himeko found me, I met these two other girls, won a free trip to a place called Odaiba, and that's where we are right now. So, yeah…it's been pretty hectic."
"W-Wait, what did you say? You're in Odaiba?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I'm here, too! I've been here since last Wednesday!"
"Wow, really? How come I didn't know that?"
"You would've if you called…"
"Okay, I get it. I'm sorry. So, what are you doing here, anyway?"
"Well…can you come over? It'll be best if I tell you in person."
"Can't you just tell me now? I don't want to get lost again."
"Come on…Odaiba's not that big. I'll even text you the directions. Just…get over here. Please?"
"Alright, alright. I'll see you soon."
"Great! See you soon, Senpai!" I cheered with glee before hanging up the phone.
*giggle* This is great! Not only do I get to spend some time with my girlfriend, but Mugi-senpai can be put at ease about today!
…
But how would Miharu-senpai react to Mugi-senpai becoming an idol? That's going to be worrisome…
Miharu's POV
Thanks to Azusa sending me directions, I was able to find the place she was at. Being…uh…Ni-ji-ga-sa-ki…Nijigasaki? I think I said it right…a-anyway, it's a high school. A pretty big one, from the looks of it.
Looks more like a convention center than a high school…
I was able to meet up with Azusa after walking around a bit. The place looked pretty festive for some reason. Kinda odd since it's summer and schools are usually deserted this time of year. Must be a Japanese thing.
Once we found a place to sit down, she finally told me why she was here and what exactly was going on.
And believe me…I was shocked as hell.
"Woah…so, Mugi's becoming an idol? Like what that Yui girl was back in Okinawa?"
"Yeah, pretty much." Azusa said. "It took a lot of convincing…from both me and Sumire…but eventually, she agreed to it. And she's been practicing for her big debut for the past few days. Although…she's still a bit tense about it."
"Yeah, I don't blame her. Even from what little I know about idols, that's a HUGE change for someone like Mugi. Especially with what she's been through recently."
"Yeah…I get that."
…
…
…
"Can I go see her?" I asked.
"Huh? You wanna see her now?"
"Well, you said it yourself. She's still tense about doing this. Maybe knowing that I'm here will calm her down a little."
"Yeah, but…she is really busy, Senpai. Maybe after the festival?"
"After…" I complained before going silent.
Will Mugi really be alright until then?
"Hey, Azusa! There you are! We're about to start!"
"Oh. Sorry, Yu. I got caught up in something." Azusa said to a black twin-tail-haired girl with the tips being dyed green.
"Yu?" I asked.
"Oh, right. This is my cousin Yu Takasaki. She's the one who's running this whole idol festival thing." Azusa then turned to the girl named Yu. "Yu…this is Miharu Neroni. My girlfriend."
"Ooh~…So, YOU'RE the French girl who swiped Azusa off her feet. To make her go lesbo is a huge accomplishment in its own right. French people really are masters of romance."
"Uh…thanks(?)." I gained a sweatdrop.
"Kn-Knock it off, Yu!" Azusa yelled with a faint blush. "A-Anyway…I'll be helping out the performers with music and such. The stage is up on the roof."
"Oh, okay. I'll head up there once I meet up with Yui and Himeko. I…kinda ditched them in order to meet up with you. Pretty sure at least Himeko is SUPER pissed right now…"
"I see…" Azusa gained a sweatdrop. "…well, see you later, Senpai."
"See ya." I said as I watched my girlfriend and her cousin rush off to get the last-minute stuff of this idol festival all taken care of.
So, Mugi's really going to be an idol, huh? Hope she'll be truly happy with this…
…
…
…
"O-Oh, yeah…I should probably text the others and tell them where I am." I said as I quickly pulled out my phone.
*LATER…*
"Woah…they really went all out with the festive decorations!" Yui cheered as we were now standing on the roof of the building with an entire audience of people.
"Yeah, it's really pretty." Himeko said. "But…the setting of it all…"
"You're still mind-boggled by the fact that this Nijigasaki school is actually Big Sight, right?" Kagami asked.
"Yeah…pretty much."
"Hey, Miharu…how exactly is this a thing?" Kagami then asked me.
"Well, from what Azusa told me…this school is actually pretty popular and this was the only building big enough to house all the students. So…a rich family bought it, turned it into a school, and…yeah, that's basically it."
"What the…"
"That is like, so totally sus." Kirin said.
"It may be totally sus, but it worked out…I guess."
Though, I'm pretty sure none of that was actually legal…
"Aw, who cares how this school became to be? I just want to see the show!" Yui cheered.
"You seem oddly excited about this, Yui." Kagami said. "You into idols?"
"Kinda. I'm honestly just hoping that since this is an idol festival, maybe Lyrica will be here. She's definitely my favorite."
"I see…"
"Lyrica…" I thought for a moment. "…wait, you mean that Yu-mmmph?!"
"Miharu-san, shush!" Himeko said as she covered my mouth in rapid speed.
"Huh? Yu?"
"Who's that?" Kirin asked.
"N-Nobody important. Just Miharu-san talking nonsense again."
"H-Hey!" I yelled while still being muffled.
Right…that Yui girl begged us not to tell anyone about her being a famous J-Pop idol. Highly doubt it'll be the same for Mugi, though…
Azusa's POV
"Hey, guys. I found her." Yu said as the two of us met up with the others backstage. One of them being a girl with magenta-like hair.
Could this be Aoi's friend Yu was talking about?
"Ugh! Finally! What, was talking to your girlfriend so important that it had to interfere with MY performance?!" Kasumi complained.
"You'll understand once you actually get a lover. More like if you get one…" I mumbled that to myself.
"Ha! Oh, don't you worry…after this performance, guys will be lining up to stick it to me! I'll have so much c*ck that I'll put KFC out of business! Hahahahahaha!"
"You have absolutely no ounce of shame in your nympho body, huh?" Aoi asked.
"Tch! Who the hell are you calling a nympho?!"
"Anyway…this is my friend Takane Dezaki. She's a third-year at my school and is really good with the drums."
"Well, that's good to know." Yu said. "Thank you so much for agreeing to do this so last-minute, Dezaki-san."
"Oh, it's fine." Dezaki-san said. "With my friend Haruka out of town for the summer, I really had nothing to do. So, having Aoi call me up about this thing really saved me from boredom."
"I see." I said. "Well, thank you also for looking over our cousin. I'm sure she's caused a lot of grief for you."
"We really apologize for any nonsense she's done." Yu added.
"H-Hey, shut up!" Aoi yelled.
"It's fine, really." Dezaki-san said. We've learned how to handle her."
"T-Takane-senpai, don't sympathize with them!"
"Well, anyway…it's finally time, ladies!" Yu cheered. "Let's get this festival started!"
"Good luck, everyone." Sumire said as she, Hiro, Chika, and Riko went to join the audience off-stage.
I guess You is still helping Mugi-senpai with her outfit…
"Here's the song I'll be singing." Kasumi said as she gave Dezaki-san and I each a copy of the music sheet. "It's gonna blow everyone away in amazement!"
"Yeah, we'll see about that." I said as I looked over the sheet.
"Hello, everyone!" Yu said over the mic. "Welcome to the first-ever Nijigasaki High School Idol Festival! Those of you in the audience here or streaming it at home…you're all in for a great show!"
*CROWD CHEERS*
"First up to kick off this festival…can't believe I'm actually going to say this…" Yu mumbled to herself. "…is the cutest, most innocent, and lovable school idol in all of Japan! The one…the only…the ever so desirable…Kasumin!"
That must've taken a lot of dignity-sacrificing to say…
The crowd continued to (oddly) cheer for Kasumi as the curtain opened up and revealed the spunky egotistical idol girl. Questionable outfit and all.
"*giggle* Thank you, thank you~! The cutest, most innocent, and loveable idol in all of Japan is here to fill your hearts to the brim with love~!"
*CROWD CHEERS*
"*giggle* Time to get this show on the road~! And who better than little ol' me, right~?! Sekushī ni narimashou!"
By this time, Dezaki-san and I had gone over the music sheet…and were completely baffled by what we just read.
"N-No way…is this really…" Dezaki-san said.
"*sigh* You know, I've only known this girl for about a week…and yet, I'm not even surprised that she's doing THIS song." I said.
"Are we really going to do it?"
"We don't really have a choice. So, we might as well get it over with."
So, with that…we began playing the song. Not really sure how the audience would react once they eventually realize the all-too-memorable melody.
How did she even find this song in Japanese, anyway?
(Quick Note: To follow along with the song, search up the following on YouTube: Never Gonna Give You Up (Japanese Ver.) Caitlin Myers)
Ai no rūru wa
Watashitachi mō shitteita
Honki o dasu no wa tōzenda
Ta no dare ka to chigaukara
Kono kimochi o tsutaetai
Nattoku sasenakya
Kesshite yuzuranai
Shitsubō o sasenai
Kesshite okizari ni wa shinai
Kesshite nakasenai
Sayōnara iwanai
Kesshite uso de kizutsukenai
Kokoro ga itande mo
Kimi wa sore o kuchi ni shinai
Iwanakute mo wakatteiru
Sonna asobi o shimashō ka
kimi wa daijōbu to
Minai furi mō yamete
Kesshite yuzuranai
Shitsubō o sasenai
Kesshite okizari ni wa shinai
Kesshite nakasenai
Sayōnara iwanai
Kesshite uso de kizutsukenai
Kesshite yuzuranai
Shitsubō o sasenai
Kesshite okizari ni wa shinai
Kesshite nakasеnai
Sayōnara iwanai
Kesshite uso de kizutsukеnai
kesshite shinai kesshite shinai
kesshite shinai kesshite shinai
Kokoro ga itande mo
Kun wa sore o kuchi ni shinai
Iwanakute mo wakatteiru
Sonna asobi o shimashō ka
Kono kimochi o tsutaetai
Nattoku sasenakya
Kesshite yuzuranai
Shitsubō o sasenai
Kesshite okizari ni wa shinai
Kesshite nakasenai
Sayōnara iwanai
Kesshite uso de kizutsukenai
Kesshite yuzuranai
Shitsubō o sasenai
Kesshite okizari ni wa shinai
Kesshite nakasenai
Sayōnara iwanai
Kesshite uso de kizutsukenai
*CROWD CHEERS*
"*giggle* Thank you, everybody~! Hope you enjoyed your daily dose of cuteness~! Sayōnara~!"
"No, this girl did not just sing Never Gonna Give You Up in Japanese…" Yu said as she stood next to us in total disbelief.
"Yeah…she did." I replied.
"So…is she normally like this?" Dezaki-san asked. "As in…a very questionable person on every level?"
"Yeah…she is." Yu replied.
Author's Note: The School Idol Festival is a go! And with a…very interesting first performance, one could only imagine what the rest of the festival has in store.
So, about the song I chose. Originally, I was going to skip Kasumi because I really had nothing for her (and I didn't want to use 2 Love Live! songs for this section). But then I found the song on YouTube by complete random chance and…it was basically a last-minute addition.
But on a serious note, the fact that someone took the time to fully (and correctly) translate Never Gonna Give You Up into Japanese is pretty damn impressive. Ignoring the meme behind it, it's a really good song and one of my favorites. And this is coming from someone who doesn't listen to music all that much.
This will most likely be the last chapter of the year. As I'm going to be focusing on a different story due to it being almost done. So, I wanted to get at least one more on here done.
Thanks for reading. Later.