CH 70

Opening Act

First, we started with one song.

When we finished singing our signature song, “persona,” the audience of 1,000 people cheered and clapped nonstop.

In the front row of seats reserved for invited guests, Rinka and Hasumi were staring at me with their mouths wide open.

I grabbed my mic and brought it close to my mouth once more, causing the crowd’s cheers to come to a halt.

Everyone was paying attention, wondering why we were playing here, and “who we were playing as.”

I exchanged looks with my bandmates, and when they all nodded, I took a deep breath.

“Greetings, everybody! On this occasion, we are performing the opening for Synchronicity! We go by the name of Personia!”

When I reaffirmed our band name once more, the venue erupted in excitement again.

People took out their phones and started recording us.

When I say ‘opening’, I mean ‘opening act’.

In other words, a prelude.

I continued addressing the crowd.

“Please bear with us until the ‘star’ of the day, Synchronicity, arrives!”

With my words as a cue, Xina struck her cymbals, signaling the beginning of the next song.

―And so, that was how Personia’s premium live performance began.

◇◇◇

“―Shion!”

At the end of our fourth song, I turned my attention to Suzuki’s voice coming from offstage.

Then, I saw Shiorin, Akarin and Mihorin in their idol costumes staring at me as if they were looking at something unbelievable.

Thank goodness they managed to make it in time…

I had already sent Suzuki a message in advance.

Along with an image, I told Suzuki to bring along any idols that arrived outside the venue.

It was very late, but the crowd’s excitement was at its peak.

If they perform the ending here, then this event might be somehow salvageable as a proper concert.

I put the microphone back on the stand and walked offstage.

I then approached the three girls, their faces crimson red from bewilderment.

Using Shion’s voice, I addressed them.

“Shiorin, Akarin, Mihorin. The fans are waiting for you. Not for us, but for you. Think you can head out there?”

“Y-Y-Y-Yes!”

Even though they seemed nervous, they gave me such a strong reply that I breathed a sigh of relief.

It’ll be okay; they’ve practiced a lot for this moment.

If it’s for their fans, I’m sure their nervousness will be gone in no time.

“There’s only time for one song left, and the only song we can play is Synchronicity’s signature song, “Connect!” Let’s put everything we’ve practiced until now in this song.”

“P-Personia will be performing our song?!”

“We’ve only just learnt it though, so forgive us if we’re not too good at it.”

I laughed as I handed the girls two more mics, giving them a push on their backs.

And so, Shiorin and her friends made their way to the stage.

The crowd, completely hyped up by our performance, got even more excited when Synchronicity came on stage.

No matter how popular of an artist we may be, the ones in the venue right now are Synchronicity fans.

Everyone had been eagerly waiting.

Waiting for Shiorin and the girls to make their appearance on stage.

Shiorin, Akarin and Mihorin nodded to each other on the stage.

Then, taking the mics on stage, they each bowed their heads at the same time.

“Everybody, we’re very sorry to have made you wait…!”

The reason they were late was because they had been sabotaged by Hanami’s despicable actions.

But even so, Shiorin and the girls deeply and sincerely bowed their heads to the audience.

Because that is the duty of an idol.

“Shi~o~rin! A~ka~rin! Mi~ho~rin!”

The fans started chanting loudly at Shiorin’s apology.

Their anger at having been made to wait earlier was nowhere to be seen.

It was as if they were saying they wanted to see Synchronicity’s dancing and cheerful smiles as soon as possible.

Shiorin and the girls lightly bowed to the us members of Personia who each had our instruments in hand and took their positions.

“―Well then, we’ll be performing with the members of Personia! Please enjoy our song, ‘Connect!’”

～～♪

The song, dance, and music that the fans had long been waiting for rocked the entire venue―