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Now then, preparations are done. In the middle of the stage is Kana with a mic in hand, trembling where she stands. Next to her is Aya, looking quite composed, set to back up Kana. And behind them is me, doing final checks on my bass.

“I’m grateful for your cooperation.”
“It’s nothing. We’re also a bit bothered to see the youngest one unable to enjoy herself, you see.”
“In that case, you could’ve invited her for a song.”
“An invitation from old people like us would just scare her, you know.”

I don’t think that’s the case. The man holding a guitar is a big name that even I know. It was their song which I practiced with when I started learning the bass. While they are advanced in age, I’d say it’d be wrong to be hyper-cautious here.

“Still, this is quite the assortment of performers.”
“A few have already gotten drunk, after all. Having them involved could end badly.”

True, a drunk bothering a middle schooler would be terrible. Perhaps because of that, the people who gathered on the stage aren’t really part of the same group, but are of a variety of age and gender. A bit shaky for a session, but we’ll just play without worrying about messing up.

“Still, to think the infamous Unknown can also play the bass. Want to join us at our concert sometime?”
“I’m still not affiliated with any agency, so I can’t. But if you mean as part of the audience, I’d be glad to be there.”
“I’ll send you a ticket later. It should be fine to send it through Sherry.”

Okay, I’m even more motivated now. The part of it being sent through Sherry is ringing some mental alarm bells, but I’m probably overthinking it. If it means getting a ticket for my favourite artist’s concert, then I’ll gladly ignore a bit of danger.

“What’ll be the song order?”
“Let me see. Since we’re limited to songs everyone should know, how about we go from Sherry’s first to fifth songs, in that order.”
“You’re a demon. I guess that’ll help her break loose.”

She’ll be stiff at first, but I’m sure she’ll get brazen out of desperation. If that doesn’t work, I’ll think of something. The goal is to temper this middle school singer’s mentality. It’s by no means necessary, but if she can’t at least enjoy private events like this, then she’ll have a tough time in the future.

“You planning to make the next Sherry?”
“Not at all. After all, with an adequate candidate present, there’s no need to make one.”

As the next Sherry by the name of Aya already exists, there’s no need to make someone who can overtake her. Though it all depends on whether Aya can overcome Sherry’s hellish training sessions. It’s just a hunch, but Sherry probably doesn’t hold back on the singing training. Not that I think Aya would give up.

“What do you think it’ll be, Miss Anne? Will Miss Aya break or will she find success?”
“It’s a foolish question.”
“Hahaha, you’re right about that.”

With how much she loves singing, I don’t believe Aya will break. I’m confident that she’ll stubbornly stick through the end of Sherry’s training. And this sentiment is shared by everyone here who are familiar with her. Also, Rin will probably help her out one way or another.

“Alright, that should do it.”
“In that case, shall we start? It’s Showtime!”

And so, after being forced up on stage, Kana’s struggle began. I guess Sherry will be judging her. Isn’t it a real fortune to have the original artist see you perform her songs? Doesn’t sound convincing at all. If I was ever told that, I’d absolutely refute it myself.

As expected, her nervousness can be clearly seen from her trembling voice and shivering body. But with Aya’s support, she gradually grew more relaxed. She sounded pretty confident around the end, so I’m sure this’ll be an unforgettable event for her.

“Phew. Want another song?”
“I won’t do it!”

Since Kana can respond like this now, then she should be alright. She was pretty nervous but it was also pretty rough for me. The people around me are all top class artists. And among them is me, a hastily trained player, so guess how I feel.

“Aren’t you quite the performer?”
“It took everything to just keep up. Without more practice, I won’t be able to confidently perform with everyone.”
“Don’t think you can catch up to us that easily. We do practice daily, you see.”

There’s a large gap in experience between me, who only practices a bit during my free time, and these guys who play for a living. While I’d probably improve faster in an environment where I can focus on practicing, I’m not in a situation like that. With my chores and job, I don’t have much free time.

“Well, now it’s Miss Anne’s turn.”
“It would be unfair for me not to sing after pressuring my junior, after all. I’ll sing some random song.”
“No, we actually have a request. Could you sing your only once broadcast first song?”
“Eh-”

I was correct in checking not the man’s face, but Aya’s expression. From her wide grin, I realized that I’ve stepped into a trap. To think that she used Kana as bait for me. However, I have countermeasures against this.

“Unfortunately, the smartphone I had doesn’t have the music data. I just borrowed it, after all.”
“A cappella is fine too.”
“That song shines with the instrumental accompaniment. And I haven’t really sung it much, so I don’t feel confident without it.”

I can actually sing it in a cappella, but I’m not above lying. I haven’t given Sherry the data. I only gave it to a few people, so I’m sure Aya doesn’t have it. I’d rather resist with all I have than relive that humiliation.

“Your goal isn’t to hear a half-hearted song from me, is it now?”
“Tsk. You think it’s normal to hold people’s goals hostage against them?”
“I exploit anything I can. Excluding friends and acquaintances.”

I know it’s a bit soft of me, but even I have a line I wouldn’t cross. Though if it’s mutual exploitation, I’m not holding back. And that applies to this case. I make use of the Shimotsuki family for transportation and hiding, while their goal is to have me participate in their event.

“You’ve still got ways to go, Aya. Though I suppose Anne might be just too good.”
“You aren’t going to say that you have the music data, are you? Sherry?”
“Of course not. I tried various things to obtain it, but it was impossibly hard to crack.”

In other words, even Sherry doesn’t have the data. Only my acquaintances have the data, so it’s tightly guarded. Unless you heard it real-time, that song is unlikely to be heard again.

“That’s why we gave up on finding data and instead searched for an individual.”
“Ha?… It can’t be!?”
“It was tough, you know? Probing into it, what played on the radio was a recording of a performance from a certain restaurant. The manager wouldn’t answer anything, so we had to ask the customers that day.”

I’m clutching my head. As usual, while their information network is a mystery, their methods are extreme. They probably had so many people to investigate, maybe even some professionals in the field. And as for who they’ve searched for, even I can tell.

“Fufufu. For this day, we invited the pianist on that day!”
“Are you stupid!?”

In the first place, I sang on the 24th. There’s only a week between that day and New Year. Moreover, since they searched for the music data first, they must have had less time. She used the full extent of the Shimotsuki family’s might for something so stupid. Glancing at the husband, he f̲u̲c̲k̲i̲n̲g gave me a thumbs up.

“The way you do things is ridiculous in scale.”
“I wanted to hear it too, you know. That song of yours has a premium class difficulty of obtaining. To the point that even the full extent of a twelve family’s power can’t acquire it.”
“I’ve kept it hidden, after all. It being broadcast on the radio was practically an accident.”

I seriously didn’t expect it. Shirose did it on her own and due to that, my infamy as Unknown rose through the roof. The reason is because, as Sherry said, there’s no opportunity to hear it again.

“By the way, I’ve had the pianist abstain from alcohol until you perform with her.”
“That’s just horrible. You’re taking the pianist as a hostage against me?”
“I’m not picky with my methods as well. Besides, if I don’t do this much, you won’t sing, won’t you?”

If it was any other song, I would gladly sing it after Kana. However, that one song I absolutely don’t want to sing. Part of it is because it’s embarrassing, but most of all, it doesn’t fit the cheerful mood of this event. That song was a wish for a couple’s future. Piano is the sole accompaniment. It’s by no means a lively song.

“There’s no need to be concerned about the mood, alright. Just as how I want to hear it, I believe everyone here wants to hear it as well.”
“Well that just makes me feel more nervous about it…”
“I think it’s unfair for you to back down after you had Kana sing, you know?”
“That’s right!”

With even Kana saying that, I have no other choice. Steeling myself, I returned the bass and received the mic. The previous participants leave the stage one after the other while the pianist back then rises up the stage.

“Sorry to trouble you.”
“I haven’t been told of the details either, so I was completely caught by surprise. As I thought, the twelve family’s way of doing things is crazy.”

Incidentally, this pianist lady is a personal acquaintance of Shirose. Naturally, she’s not one of the rogues. There is someone among us who can play the piano, but there’s a possibility that the plan would be ruined if someone from the den participated.

“For the sake of my alcohol, please sing.”
“That sounds a bit wrong.”

As expected of Shirose’s acquaintance, she seems slightly off-kilter. Still, seeing the way she bows before the audience, she appears to have a level of class. I imitate her and bow as well. That signaled the start of the performance and simultaneously served to change the mood.

Perhaps it even served to recreate that day.