While the audience outside the venue was still fiercely debating the series of events that this live show had triggered, the emotions of the audience inside had yet to recover from the incredibly shocking performance they had just witnessed.
Sore arms and hoarse throats could not stop their current enthusiasm. The calls for an "encore" had continued nonstop from the moment the two members of [Summer Zodiac] left the stage.
Finally, under the watchful eyes of thousands, the venue lights came on once more, and Hoshino Ai and Misumi Uika returned to the stage.
At the same time, the backing band behind them also appeared under the lights.
"...Huh? Who are those kids?"
"No idea, but they look pretty cute too."
"Ah, I've seen them! Uika was the MC for this girls' band before!"
"Right, right, I remember! And their costumes look like they're from the same designer, too."
"What was this band's name again?"
"It's called [MyGO!!!!!]. I've watched that live show so many times myself. It was a little unpolished, but it was surprisingly captivating!"
The audience began to discuss the girls' band.
Just as everyone thought the two idols on stage would explain their relationship and maybe make another announcement, they simply turned to look back and nod. The next second, the final encore song began without any warning—
...
"For this live show, Ai and I will not do any promotion for you, nor do we plan to introduce much about you."
Before going on stage, Misumi Uika spoke very directly to the band members.
"As for the reason, I'm sure you all understand, right?"
"In this atmosphere, having idols who are the focus of the entire internet's attention promote our amateur band would only be counterproductive."
Nagasaki Soyo naturally understood this principle.
"And as the finale of the live show, leaving a certain amount of mystery and anticipation is part of the secret, correct?"
Uika's eyes widened in surprise.
"Did you come up with all that yourself?"
"Of course not. Sakiko told me."
Soyo shook her head.
"Back when she asked Tomori to write the lyrics, she had already foreseen this outcome and gave us a very precise mission—"
"To use the most emotional performance and lyrics to turn Hoshino Ai from a 'god' back into a 'human'."
For Hoshino Ai as an idol, understanding the feelings between a fan and their oshi might indeed be a "historic event" of great significance. But if that was all, then for Ai herself, this live show was still far from perfect.
She became an idol for Chihaya Tetsuya alone, and for that reason, only a song dedicated to him could bring out her truest self. The high-and-mighty "Idol God" mode was certainly awe-inspiring, but if it only created a sense of looking up from below, it would be too much for an idol. It was for this reason that Togawa Sakiko and Uika had decided to use this song to bring her back to her most genuine state: a "girl in love."
And...
(If we don't give her a place to vent her emotions, who knows what she'll do after the live show is over...)
Uika glanced almost imperceptibly at her partner, who was being praised by fans as "pure and cute," and sighed helplessly in her heart.
(If her fans knew that just a few minutes before going on stage, this girl's mind was filled with thoughts of having a baby with her beloved, they would be absolutely terrified.)
In short, ending with this "love song dedicated to Chihaya Tetsuya" was a conclusion reached after considering many factors.
Meanwhile, after listening to their conversation, Hoshino Ai suddenly spoke up.
"Speaking of which, that lyricist, Takamatsu Tomori, isn't she coming on stage with us this time?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Soyo gave her a strange look.
"This is your and Uika's concert. Having our band's vocalist come on stage would be putting the cart before the horse, wouldn't it?"
"Is that so... what a shame."
To everyone's surprise, Ai actually looked a little disappointed.
"I was really hoping to perform with her on the same stage."
"Eh, eh, eh?!" x N.
Before this, Ai had shown basically zero interest in anyone other than Tetsuya. Yet now, not only did she bring up Tomori on her own, she even expressed a desire to perform with her—
"After all, it's the first time I've met someone who can understand the feelings between me and Tetsu so well... If it's her, I'm sure we could become good friends!"
At this, she immediately looked at the dumbfounded Soyo.
"I hadn't officially made up my mind when I met her last time, so I didn't get to say much. After this live show is over, could you give me her contact information?"
"Huh... ah, mhm."
Soyo nodded somewhat slowly.
"I'll talk to Tomori about it..."
"Mhm, thank you!"
Ai's face beamed with a cheerful smile.
"In exchange, I won't hold your little schemes at Tetsu's house against you!"
"..."
As I thought. Compared to the worship-inspiring figure on stage just now, this jealous and highly aggressive version of her feels much more familiar.
Before Soyo could say anything, Chihaya Anon suddenly stepped forward to stand with her—
"Soyo is my brother's secretary now! Whatever they do is their own business!"
"How many times do I have to tell you, it's advisor, not secretary!"
"That doesn't matter!"
"It's very important!"
"Chihaya Anon..."
Facing this "enemy" who had stepped forward on her own, Ai first frowned slightly. After a moment's hesitation, she finally refrained from speaking as harshly as she had during their first meeting.
"Forget it. Considering your relationship with Tetsu, the two of us are destined to deal with each other for a long time anyway."
Ai said.
"However, before we go on stage, there's something I feel I need to confess to you."
"Confess... what?"
"A week ago, on the first day Tetsu and I arrived in Yokohama... he kissed me."
With that, under Anon's gradually stunned expression, Ai flashed the proud smile of a victor.
"As for the details, you can ask 'your brother' yourself... Uika, let's go."
"Why do you two have to fight over him right before performing on the same stage?"
Uika first shook her head, looking exhausted, then turned to the completely frozen Anon and Soyo behind her.
"Anyway, let's all do our best together now."
With that, she quickened her pace to catch up with Ai, who had already headed back into the backstage hallway.
Soyo, on the other hand, wore a thoughtful expression.
"This 'do our best together'... does it refer to the live show, or something else..."
Perhaps Ai's major crisis had been downgraded to a danger that required vigilance, but beyond that, it seemed other chain reactions she had never considered had also occurred.
"Is everything just beginning?"
Soyo first sighed, then gently patted Anon's shoulder.
"Alright, snap out of it. We can talk about whatever it is after the live show."
"...Okay."
Anon nodded, then followed Soyo to pick up her instrument, preparing to go on stage.
At the same time, in her still-unsettled heart, a "fire of revenge" had been thoroughly ignited—
(So he kissed you, big deal?! Don't you get so smug!)
Anon grumbled through gritted teeth in her mind.
(I can lose to anyone, but I will absolutely not lose to you, Hoshino Ai!)
Filled with "rage," Anon secretly made an unknown resolution in her heart...