[player]Things are looking bad... Hmm, Hideki, what should we do now?
[Hideki Akechi]Oh? Are you so sure I have a solution?
[player]Of course. My instinct tells me that you have a way to fix this. Haha, I guess you can call it "blind" trust.
I can't see Hideki Akechi's expression in the darkness, but I can tell from the smile I hear in his voice that he is not affected by the power outage in the theater and is in a surprisingly good mood.
A staff member soon comes with a flashlight to confirm the situation. I see Hideki Akechi stand up and say something in the staff's ear, after which something seems to have dawned on the staff. It's a pity that the audience area is too noisy for me to hear what they are saying.
[player]What did you just say to the staff?
I asked Hideki Akechi the question on my mind after the staff left. Instead of answering my question directly, he laughs refreshingly.
[Hideki Akechi]You'll find out soon.
[player]Huh?
[Actor B]My dear beloved...
I suddenly hear singing in the theater, and despite the darkness around me, I instinctively look towards the source of the sound—the stage! The actors have continued their performance!
[player]Did you get the staff to tell the actors to continue with the performance?
[Hideki Akechi]Music is one of the fastest ways to quiet everyone down. This performance hall was built with the most comprehensive acoustic design control. The designer did this to allow the audience to enjoy the same opera performance with the same sound quality wherever they are sitting.
[Hideki Akechi]If it wasn't because the investors of the opera house forcefully expanding it into a huge performance hall that can fit 5,000 people, today's power outage would not have had any impact on the show as power wouldn't be necessary to make singers' voices heard.
[player]You even know these details. Did you take the time to learn about these things?
[Hideki Akechi]There's no harm in knowing more about things you're interested in, right?
[player]That's true.
Hideki Akechi's facial features are only vaguely visible to me in the darkness. He raises his right hand to make a shush gesture.
[Hideki Akechi]Shush—the next part is the only 10-minute solo singing performance by the male protagonist in the whole show. It was once rated as "the most touching musical love poem" by the media, and it's the part I want you to see the most today.
The ethereal singing is full of longing for his lover and his determination to protect her. Although I can't see the scene on the stage, I immediately think of the century-old castle in which the affectionate young man is locked up.
The melody, the rhythm of pauses, the beautiful harmony, and even the breathing sounds made by the actor are just perfect and gives people the irresistible urge to follow the singing and resonate with the feelings of yearning, mourning, joy, and lament.
The singing cuts through the noise and forces its way into the eardrums of every member of the audience, calming their restless hearts. The music seems to pause time and make everything gentle and beautiful. This is the magical power of music!
[Actor B]From the very first time I laid eyes on you, I decided that you are the one for me... I once asked myself if the person who stole my soul is an angel or a devil... But I know that you're just an ordinary girl... The thing that made me the way I am is the pure love for you in my heart...
Enchanted by the angelic singing, I turn on the flashlight function of my phone and try to illuminate the stage. Hideki Akechi does exactly the same thing at about the same time as me. He looks at the phone in my hand with his smiling blue eyes.
Spurred by our actions, the audience members around us follow suit. Unfortunately, the light of our phones is too weak and could only barely illuminate blurred figures moving back and forth on the stage.
[player]What a shame... We would have been able to see the actors' movements if it wasn't for the power outage.
[Hideki Akechi]But it also makes the performance unique.
[player]You're right. This solo is meant to express the conflicted feelings in the male protagonist's heart, and the darkness brings out a different type of beauty.
At the end of the solo, the male protagonist makes up his mind to resist his father's dictatorship. Fueled by his love, he escapes the cold basement and rushes to his lover's residence.
The very moment the male and female protagonists meet, embrace, and sing together, the backup power supply finally kicks in, and the lighting, choreography, and music embellish the love expressed at this moment.
[Actor B]I must tell you frankly that although my heart is no nobler than another person's heart, I love you with all my heart...
[Actress A]Love is such a wondrous word...
[Actor B]It is my decision to be under your spell! No matter how enviable my past status was, the truly enviable thing I have is the favor of the women I love.
[Actress A]I've asked myself countless times about what I was thinking the moment I made my promise to you. I know there are many sacrifices to be made in the future, but I still want to accept your rose... This idea is so insane that I feel like I've lost my mind!
[Actor B]Admit it, my lover, we're destined to be together forever!
[Actress A]I admit it, my lover, I hope we'll be together forever and ever...
I turn off the torchlight function of my phone and watch the performance on the stage calmly. Ah! Today is a great day to cry for someone else's beautiful love!
[Opera house broadcast]Hi everyone, we apologize for the terrible viewing experience. After discussing this with the performers, we will arrange another performance within one week, and you can reserve a seat for free with tonight's ticket. If you are unable to watch the show due to any time clashes, we will give you a certain amount of compensation for the ticket.
[Opera house broadcast]Lastly, the staff of the opera house would like to express their sincerest apologies to you all for this power outage.
The unhappiness caused by the power outage is soon forgotten in the singing. The three-hour performance ends quickly, and I'm still immersed in it when I walk out of the opera house.
[Hideki Akechi]The night is still early. PLAYER, would you like to have a coffee together if you don't have anything else planned? It'll be my apology for the power outage incident.
[player]Haha, no one can foresee that. It's not your fault, so you don't need to apologize so seriously.
[Hideki Akechi]Either way, it was my lack of foresight. I just hope you won't just remember the power outage when you recall our get-together tonight.
Hideki Akechi frowns slightly, like something is troubling him. This makes me realize that he cares greatly about what I think of tonight's incident. His serious look makes me want to comfort him.
[player]Life is full of surprises, and no one knows whether they will get a good one or a bad one. The power outage may have affected our experience, but the opera show was never the most important thing.
The cold breeze blows past us without stopping for anything. The snow-covered branches of an evergreen pine finally tilt under the weight as flying snowflakes dance in the air and fall to the ground.
While I'm scrambling frantically to avoid the falling snow, Hideki Akechi suddenly starts laughing.
[Hideki Akechi]I see. Then let me try again. I want to spend more time with you. Can I invite you to have a cup of coffee with me?
[player]Of course you can. That's what I was thinking too.
[Employee]Hi! What can I get you?
[Hideki Akechi]The usual signature set meal. What about you?
[player]I'll have the same.
[Employee]Great, please wait a moment.
The café Hideki Akechi chooses has an elegant environment, retro and gorgeous decorations that don't feel extravagant, and well-grown succulents placed in front of the bright window walls. The lights and sunlight blend in together on the wall, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
[player]The employee seems to know you. Do you come often?
[Hideki Akechi]It's been a while since the last time I've been here. We used to meet up at cafés for our club get-togethers as our members love the desserts here.
[player]No wonder you seem so familiar with this place.
Any desserts that can get Hideki Akechi's approval are definitely unique and special. With this thought in mind, I relax and hum along with the love song playing in the café.
[Hideki Akechi]You're quite good at that.
Sitting opposite me, Akechi nods slightly and compliments me without any hesitation.
[player]You heard of this song before?
[Hideki Akechi]Ahem, this song is quite popular recently, and I've heard a bunch of people mention it.
[player]I'm a little surprised that you also listen to pop love songs.
[Hideki Akechi]Well... um, I do listen to them occasionally.
Hideki Akechi clasps his hands together and presses downwards with his palms. According to my extensive movie-watching experience, this is a micro-movement that people make in TV shows when they feel guilty.
I think about what I just said. Did I say something wrong? Maybe he doesn't really like to listen to pop love songs?
