Chapter 192
After the opening ceremony, the Idol Song Battle title logo popped up on the big screen at the scene. The idols who were not participating in today's competition took off their makeup and changed their clothes in the backstage and joined the staff. In the empty venue, music as a transition interlude and some on-site rules recited by the staff were heard.
"Anyone who is ready can go up first—"
Backstage, several directors who were not participating in the performance today began directing the idols' actions.
"If you need props, please inform the staff in advance of the time to go on stage——"
"If you want to change clothes, go this way!!!"
"It's a good thing that there are no audiences at this time." Fujimaru Ritsuka, who had no intention of appearing at the front, was now standing with Kirshtalia. "I heard that Kirshtalia-senpai has already prepared a repertoire for the performance. According to the deputy director, although it was selected from a library of cover songs, it goes well with Kirshtalia-senpai's voice."
"I plan to wait until at least a few of them go up before I go on stage." Kirshtalia looked at the entrance to the waiting area for the performance. "Besides - look, someone is already preparing to go on stage."
The LOGO on the screen turned into a light spot like magic and disappeared, and then a thick storybook appeared in the center of the screen. It was slowly opened as the lights came on and the soft accompaniment of the transition interlude sounded. Sakuma Sakiya, who appeared in a performance costume, became the first contestant to appear in this competition.
——What is the Mankai Theater Company?
——That’s me, ‘Sakuma Sakuya’… No, it’s everyone’s ‘home’.
——We in the Mankai Theater are each other’s family.
The cherry blossom-like pink light fell on Sakuma Sakuya, and the light strips on the edge of the stage lit up with a warm bright yellow like the pages of an old book - and then the red-haired actor was like a wandering poet, using his singing to tell the story of the book "Mankai Theater" to the audience.
『はじめての気holdちなんだよ
Hora
What are you talking about?
"Eh? This style of music..." After hearing the melody that started from a certain verse, Fujimaru Ritsuka looked towards Nanami Haruka subconsciously and lowered his voice, "Compared to the song that all of them performed before, this melody is more like the style of Shining Agency--"
"I think you still remember their 'restraint' and what you said." Lanser-Mero suddenly appeared behind the two of them, his eyes reflecting the golden torrent that converged towards the main stage. "The 'higher dimensional world' above will observe everything in the 'lower dimensional world' below, and turn the 'lower dimensional world' below into a story in the 'higher dimensional world' above - this naturally includes the music they composed."
“Moreover, even within a studio that specializes in providing music for a particular project, it is not uncommon for composers and lyricists to resign—and past experiences are also an important part of who a person is.”
"...That's right." Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled relaxedly and turned his attention back to Kirshtalia, "Good luck with your solo performance - let us know when you need teammates."
"Then I'll go and register for the order of appearance." Kirshtalia smiled at Fujimaru Ritsuka, turned around and walked towards the registration point.
At the same time, the story told by the actors is coming to an end - the backstage staff confirms the order of the idols' appearance according to the real-time updated registration order, while arranging the appearance of the next idol.
"Two energetic members in a row..." Ruri Kawaki crossed her arms and looked at the order of appearances displayed on the electronic screen. "Plus, there is no limit on the number of appearances for each idol - as long as it is before the deadline, you can register at any time... So that's how it is. This competition actually has to pay attention to the timing of the appearance - in short, first look at the members who appeared earlier and then decide your own appearance time. This is a personal competition, and even the members of the troupe are opponents."
『あったかいメロディ
I'm so lonely
"Let's Sing "Letter"
The idols who appeared at the end of the previous song with the heartbeat-like drum beats made people feel as if they were still in the warm atmosphere of the previous song. However, the arrangement of this song brought the scene and the backstage into a bright and lively atmosphere that was as if they had turned into notes.
"Xiao Xing's evaluation is very appropriate - two '100% energetic'." Thinking of going on stage early to finish the performance schedule, the performer who focused on his own strengths stood in the position ready to go on stage, subconsciously holding the cane in his hand as if he was wielding a knife, and then used the cane to adjust the hat on his head, "Well, if I finish the performance early, I can go back to rehearsal earlier."
While waiting to go on stage, he even whistled a little along with the accompaniment in his head - but soon, the red lights on the stage turned from bright to dim, and at the same time as the whistle sounded from the accompaniment of the violin, the stage lit up with alternating dark blue and light blue lights, and the steps on the stage opened to the sides, revealing an actor standing behind him, wearing a dark blue costume belonging to the circus leader.
To the accompaniment of music that sounded like moonlight pouring down from the night sky, the performer walked leisurely and naturally to the center of the stage - as if he was performing a circus show, he performed a hat trick while singing, hooking the empty hat with his cane and throwing it into the air, and then catching the hat that fell from the air with his empty hand and putting it back on his head as if performing an acrobatic trick.
Then, as the accompaniment changed, Tsukioka put down her cane and walked forward along the extended stage in front of the main stage.
Under the blue light, the person standing on the stage did not look like any role the actor had ever played before - instead, it was as if all disguises had been stripped off, revealing the actor's true self.
"Now I'm married
A story about going out and disappearing
とり本かれたというならそれでもいいさ
Hora
あの线にのせてみよう』
——Ah, even if I am possessed. No matter what... I want to stand on the same stage with him again.
——That wish has come true.
——But maybe as the lyrics of this song say, "Hope is the best," so I still won't be satisfied with the status quo.
——Yes, that’s right, my wish now is…
——No matter how many years have passed, I want to stand on the same stage with everyone in the troupe, always and forever.
——Although as a drama addict, this is the only wish I can think of...but...
——May the story of our "Mankai Theater" never end.
"Good luck."
In a corner of the backstage, an idol who is about to perform is being blessed by his teammates.
"Oh my..." Fujimaru Ritsuka raised his eyebrows and looked at Lancer Melo, who obviously would not be dragged into today's competition. "The performance piece that the captain registered before should not conflict with others, right?"
"I don't know." Lansemero thought about the songs that all agencies have openly allowed to be covered. "After all, the person with the least solo songs has two songs. With a 50% chance of choosing one of the two, Kirsh won't be so miserable... that he will run into it directly, right?"
"If we clash, we'll have to notify everyone in advance to prepare for the group appearance." Fujimaru Ritsuka sighed helplessly, "It's more reliable to just go with the new Group A... At least the seven of us have no problem with tacit understanding. And we've rehearsed it before anyway - it's much more appropriate than just picking someone up on the spur of the moment."
"Then you go back and inform them. I'll stay here." Lansemello smiled and watched Fujimaru Ritsuka run to the lounge. "But... as for this position - ah, as expected, he is the fifth. Then, let me see the performance of the fourth one."
Compared to the first three performances which could perhaps be considered authentic idol performances, the fourth one's performance was a bit - jaw-dropping.
"As far as I can remember... most of the people here are at least underage, right?"
From among the directors gathered around the monitor screen backstage, someone's hesitant voice was heard.
"Although many people in our office look underage, strictly speaking they are all adults!!!" Ritsuka Fujimaru, who had just arrived here with other members of the new A team, screamed subconsciously the moment he heard this question.
"Forget it, think about it - there are still minors playing mafia characters, right?" Lansemero, who was standing next to several directors, pointed out the fact to them with a subtle expression, "After all, the singer is an adult... Although if you don't consider it from this perspective, his lyrics may mainly sound like he deserves a beating - are all raps of this type?"
"...I think it would be better if the deputy director stopped talking." Fujimaru Ritsuka covered his face in grief, "I didn't realize...that the deputy director actually has a generation gap!!!"
"So, what's happening on stage right now?"
The lights on the stage are now golden like champagne, and in the center of the golden lights is a tower of champagne glasses that have not yet been filled with champagne, and a short-haired young man in a gray suit.
『イケメンで优しくて名で无がなくてすみません
ユーモアもlength も器用さもhold って生まれてすみません』
"Ah, I understand what the deputy director said." Fujimaru Ritsuka, who had already registered for the new A team, had a subtle expression the moment he heard these two lyrics. "People who are Versailles are indeed easy to attract people's anger... I didn't see that this person has such a personality in the previous program..."
"Versailles?"
"It's a social behavior, not the Palace of Versailles in France." Peperoncino glanced at Fujimaru Ritsuka who was already lost in thought, and took the initiative to explain to his companions who didn't know much about this aspect, "Well, in short - it's a kind of showing off. This verse, although it's said to be an apology, is actually showing off."
"If that's the case, then both Wodem's humility and Ritsuka's honesty can be considered part of this." Cadoc gripped his collar uncomfortably. "After all, to an 'outsider', everything they've been through is not a trivial matter at all."