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With that announcement, our academy concert begins. We won’t sing immediately. We only have one song in our repertoire, so there’s no point in hurrying. Besides, the students still don’t understand what’s going on. And so, to remedy this, we need to set up the stage.

‘Limiters off; go wild.’
‘Okay!’

I signaled Kataribe through hand signs. Kataribe’s other role is to hype up the place with her words. Above are me and Sherry, while below Kataribe manages the stage as emcee. While it’s off the cuff, it’ll work.

“The graduation may have ended, but it looks like, for them, that was just the opening show! The real show, their surprise concert, is just about to begin!”

Kataribe quite rudely called the graduation ceremony an opening show, but she’s not wrong, so I can’t refute her. Will there be complaints from the parents about this? Well, if there are, it will all go to Kataribe. Now, whether she’s speaking with the consequences in mind or not, who knows?

“On one hand, there’s the forever shining superstar songstress Sherry! On the other, it’s the mysterious box-headed rising star Unknown! These two have just suddenly appeared; let me hear your cheers!”
“That girl, maybe I should hire her.”
“Please don’t.”

Sherry covered her headset’s mic and asked me. Seriously, don’t do that. Still, thanks to Kataribe, the students have been brought up to speed on what’s happening, and the sound of excitement is audible even here.

“I obviously wouldn’t have been satisfied with just one song. Did no one anticipate this?”
“And now you dragged me into your problem once again.”
“We’re close, aren’t we?”

What close? We’ve only known each other for a short time, and we’ve only interacted a few times. Don’t say it like we’ve been active together for years. That’ll just invite misunderstandings.

“In fact, I don’t even have any idea what they’ll be singing today! Will they be singing solo, or will they belt out to duets? Quite exciting, isn’t it, everyone!”

Honestly, I planned to talk with Sherry to buy time until the outdoor preparations are done, but it seems like that won’t be necessary. I intended to only use what’s available, but professionals really are no joke.

“The two are currently up on the school rooftop. I can’t see them from here, but a number of audio-visual equipment are successively being set up on the school courtyard. Eh? All this for free? What a bargain!”

Since I have Sherry’s cooperation, plenty of money can be used. To be frank, I didn’t expect something of this scale at all. I was fine with just broadcasting our voices through the academy broadcast system. So why are there multiple widescreen monitors and speakers being brought in?

“Are you really alright cooping up inside there, students?! Is that really enough to satisfy you!? The clock is ticking! Only a few minutes left before it starts!”
“Is she forgetting that this is a live broadcast?”
“That’d be pretty rude to the listeners. In that case, let’s do this…”

I’m hearing, “Will you do it? You will!” yells from below. Dragging the masses with her—what is she even trying to do? Well, I do have some idea what. Having come this far, I guess I’ll just have to do it. I don’t have any path of escape anyway.

“Hey there, listeners. It’s your songstress, Sherry!”
“And dragged up to the stage here is me, Unknown. I can’t believe I’m performing like this.”
“Don’t say it like that. I know you’re all for this.”
“I’m impressed you can tell such a lie right in front of my face.”
“Whoa, and suddenly the two joined our broadcast! What great luck for me!”

I am somewhat responsible for giving you the go sign, after all. If Kataribe gets fired from her station because of this, it’s going to weigh on my conscience. Though if that happens, Sherry will likely employ her. As an exclusive emcee, she could even lend her services to other musicians.

“Once again, congratulations on your graduation, everyone! We’re here to sing for your once in a lifetime milestone!”
“This event is being held as a request from an acquaintance. The organizer is Sherry. There’s no way I can do something like this, after all.”
“Are you sure you can really say that?”
“Stop squeezing the box. I can’t breathe.”
“I’m super curious about that acquaintance, but no prying into it, I guess. And so, let’s show our thanks to this anonymous acquaintance!”

Woohoo! The students in the courtyard erupted in cheers. When someone energetically does something noticeable, everyone tends to follow suit. It’s that mindset of, “If someone is acting strange, then it’s fine if I don’t act any stranger.” In that regard, the members of the rogue’s den are the perfect candidates to take on that role.

“Hey, Unknown! What song are you going to sing today?”
“Don’t ask me. Ask Sherry; she’s more used to this kinda thing.”
“Don’t be such a tease. Don’t worry, you’re plenty experienced enough. We’ve been through many battlefields together, haven’t we?”
“I have no memory of that.”

The previous radio program was the only time I appeared with Kataribe. What she’s referring to is our rogue’s den era. But rather than a battlefield, a poison swamp would be a more apt description. A terrifying one that strengthens everyone deep in the muck. There was no one defeated.

“In that case, let’s ask this one. Shiro, what song will they be singing? You’re an accomplice anyway, aren’t you?”
“Don’t pass it to mye. You knyow can’t handle things like thish.”
“That’s a lot of stammering. No choice then. I have her hostage! If you want her freed, then answer me, Unknown!”

The weapon pointed at Shirose was the mic. The students are excited, so they just laughed at this, but normally this could dampen the mood. Maybe it was a mistake to remove her limiters.

“The banter is fun and all, but time is ticking, so I’ll start explaining. The song we’ll perform today is one of my previous songs remade to be sung by two people.”
“A new song wouldn’t have made it in time, so we’re genuinely sorry about that.”
“We’re absolutely pressed for time, after all. Events should be organized with enough wiggle room in mind.”

On the other hand, I was able to make it in time because it was a song I already knew. If it were a completely new song instead, I wouldn’t have had any time to practice my debut song as well. I can only feel impressed with the schedule management.

“Thanks for the update; equipment setup is complete! The stage is set. Now, are our stars ready to go?”
“I’m fully prepared. As for Sherry, there’s no need to ask.”
“I was all for it from the get go. We’re only performing one song, so make sure to listen. Now then, we’ll be singing Have Hope, Keep Your Spirits Up.”
“The title’s different. Shouldn’t it be in English?¹”
“It’s the same, but there needs to be some distinction, you know. Music, start!”

With Sherry’s announcement, the music started playing and several drones began flying around us. I don’t have any anxiety. I don’t feel people’s gazes on me either. All that’s reflected in my eyes is the blue sky, the far horizon, and Sherry’s biggest smile.

On the empty rooftop. Just singing stationary on a spacious stage would be dull. We didn’t move around during the rehearsal, but now that we’re live, my body naturally moves to the song. I’m feeling great; I can’t imagine failing at all.

In my mind, there was only one thing. Just enjoy the moment. Nothing else.

“Thank you all for listening!”
“Ahh, that was tough. It’s always like this when singing with Sherry, so I’d honestly rather not.”
“No no, you’ve improved a lot yourself. As proof, listen to the cheers from below.”

I hear them loud and clear. I can’t remember what and how I was singing. It’s because I solely focused on giving all I had. I have no idea if this will be usable for the music video. Now then, all that’s left is to figure out how to escape from this chaos. I already have a plan.

“Man, that was pretty great. What do you think, Shiro?”
“I knew it, Ko- … Unknown pulls through when it’s time to perform. Please do as well as this during practices, too.”
“Oops. I made a mistake dragging her here. That was dangerous. I might get scolded as well.”

That idiot damn nearly said my real name. If Kataribe hadn’t taken the mic away from Shirose, who knows what other bombs she would have dropped? Kataribe might be high from the excitement, but she’s still rational.

“You can’t step down anymore. There are fans waiting for you, Unknown.”
“If I back down after coming this far, I’d just be a killjoy. I’ll do what I can.”
“You heard it, everyone! We got a promise!”

Come to think of it, this was being broadcast. There are countless witnesses. The single release was already decided long ago, so I don’t regret this. If not for that, I would have been in a panic right now. And now I hear the sign of our retreat.

“And that ends this celebration on our part. I’d be happy if all of you could think back to this as a good memory!”
“Well then, see you again!”

An approaching helicopter drops a ladder, which Sherry then grabs on. I didn’t realize this because I never had a chance to hear a helicopter up close, but it’s seriously loud. I can’t hear any other surrounding sounds at all.

““Enjoy your future! Congratulations on your graduation!””

Sherry flew up with the helicopter while I jumped off the rooftop.

1. Lyly: Remember, Sherry is an international singer, many of her songs are probably in english