[player]Miss Manager, just let Kana check the equipment with the staff.
Seeing that Kana is standing there without moving for so long, I immediately understand what she is thinking and can't resist the urge to help her persuade her manager.
[Manager]You're one of Kana's greatest fans. You should know that it's physically exhausting for idols to perform in a concert. What Kana needs now is rest and relaxation.
[Manager]PLAYER, when did you arrive?
[player]Um, probably... when you were busy dealing with everything.
[Manager]You're one of Kana's greatest fans. You should know that it's physically exhausting for idols to perform in a concert. What Kana needs now is rest and relaxation.
[player]This is the first concert of the tour after all, so I can understand why Kana is nervous. Why don't you let her go instead of forcing her to rest. I think she'll calm down more after she personally checks that everything is going well.
[Mia]My beautiful manager, let the captain do what she wants, or else her heart will still be on the stage even if she is in the lounge.
[Akane]I agree.
[Kana Fujita]Yeah! That's right!
Mia and Akane speak up in my support as soon as I finish speaking. Kana starts nodding frantically when she sees that others are supporting her, as if that will increase her credibility.
[Manager]Fine, you've convinced me. In that case, PLAYER, please check the stage equipment with Kana.
[Manager]If you notice that Kana is getting too tired, please take her back to the lounge to rest even if you have to force her.
[player]No problem!
[Kana Fujita]We've checked the lifting platform and the wire swing. We've also confirmed that nothing is wrong with the control devices of the cheering sticks. Now we just need to distribute them to each seat.
[Kana Fujita]The assistant suggested that we arrange manpower according to the seat numbers. We're responsible for area A3, which is closest to the stage.
[player]Haha, that's a good arrangement. You'll even be able to watch Mia and Akane's rehearsals at the same time.
I follow Kana as requested by her manager. Only then did I come to realize that so many different types of equipment are used in concerts, and some of them can even be said to be high-tech equipment. The whole process is so dazzling that I wasn't even bored for a second like I thought I would be.
To work more efficiently, Kana and I start placing the cheering sticks from the two opposite ends of area A3. This area isn't very big, so it isn't long before we meet at the middle.
[Kana Fujita]PLAYER, thank you.
[player]Hmm? Why are you suddenly thanking me?
Kana lowers her head slightly, revealing her slender and fair long neck. Her cheeks are light pink, like a half-bloomed rose, and the warm lighting of the venue makes her look more delicate than usual.
[Kana Fujita]It's because you convinced my manager that I could check the equipment in person. I probably would have ended up being more nervous if I went backstage to rest.
[player]So that's the reason?
[Kana Fujita]What's with that tone? This is super important! After all, I'm the captain of W.I.N. Mia doesn't have much time because of school, and Akane focuses more on the music itself, so it's obviously up to me to take care of these trivial things.
[Kana Fujita]I know that my manager arranged assistants to help confirm everything, and her suggestion for me to rest is also very important, but... I just have to see everything with my own eyes before I can relax.
[Kana Fujita]In our group, the manager's words are absolute, so I was about to give up. I didn't expect that you would stand up for me and go against her. Does this mean our hearts are connected?
Kana deliberately brushes my cheeks gently, and her eyes start smiling when she notices my body stiffen slightly.
[player]Ahem, I didn't think that much about it.
[player]I was just believing in my No.1 idol. I believe that you won't make a decision that will disappoint your fans.
[Kana Fujita]In that case, I'll give you this last cheering stick to respond to your expectations as a fan.
[player]Huh?
[Kana Fujita]Why are you so shocked? Don't tell me you haven't looked at your seat number yet. The ticket I gave you is in this area.
[Kana Fujita]This is the best place to watch the concert from, as there are no obstructions to your view. Also... I'll be able to see you immediately from the stage. That's what's most important.
[Kana Fujita]Hehe, look forward to my performance. My No.1 fan, I promise you it'll be an unforgettable experience!
After confirming that everything is going well for the concert, Kana relaxes visibly. She becomes as energetic as always and even starts to joke mischievously.
But no matter how playful she is, she always looks at the stage with firm and pious eyes. I believe that Kana Fujita's stage will not disappoint anyone.
The concert is about to start, fans have already started to enter the venue in an orderly manner, and Kana and her team members are also making final preparations. Before changing, she pushes me out of the dressing room because she wants to "give me a surprise."
I laugh involuntarily and follow her instructions to return to the audience stand. Many fans are already seated here. Although the VIP seats are positioned quite far apart to provide a more comfortable experience, the distance doesn't affect everyone's interest in chatting.
The enthusiastic fans start talking to me as soon as I find my seat.
Fan A
[Fan A]Hey, you look a little familiar. Have we met before somewhere?
Fan B
[Fan B]I also think you look familiar... Ah, I remember now! When I look at you from certain angles, you look like Kana's rumored new lover in the scandal incident.
[player]Ahem, you must be mistaken. I just have a very common face.
The keen perception of the fans put me under a lot of pressure, so I pretend to be calm and hope they won't find out. Fortunately, no one really thought I would be the rumored lover, so they laugh and change the subject.
[Fan B]Haha, speaking of which... I'm actually a little envious of that rumored lover for being able to be in such close contact with Kana-chan.
[Fan A]If you put it like that, I'm more envious of the "mysterious person" on CatChat.
[player]What "mysterious person"?
[Fan A]Don't you know? Whenever Kana-chan posts something on CatChat, the comments made by a mysterious account are always liked by Kana. We call the owner of this account the "mysterious person."
[Fan B]Kana-chan even gave me a like when I was one of the first to reply to that person's comment!
[Fan C]Me too! Hmph, I'm so jealous of that person!
[Fan A]Well... What about you?
Several pairs of eyes stare at me, causing my nerves to tense up again. To avoid being discovered that I am that "mysterious person," I have no choice but to echo what the other fans have said.
[player]I-I'm also very jealous of this "mysterious person." I wish I could switch bodies with this person so that Kana will notice me.
[Fan B]Great minds think alike!
The fan in the front row tearfully held my hands and handed me an umbrella, probably because they were touched by my words.
[player]This is...
[Fan B]Oh, be careful with that. Put it down gently. It's an umbrella that Kana-chan signed! I'm only giving it to you reluctantly because I can see that you're also a fan who truly loves Kana-chan.
[player]This gift is too precious!
[Fan B]Haha, there's also a story behind this signed umbrella. When W.I.N released their first album, there happened to be a major power outage in the city, and they lost the headlines because of this.
[Fan B]Since then, it's like they are cursed with a strange attribute, and their album release always coincides with an accident, which is how Kana-chan ended up being known as the "second most popular trending topic."
[player]Haha, I know what you mean! It's funny how an attribute that should be fragile turns out to be unexpectedly resilient. Kana must be very upset about that.
[Fan B]I was given this umbrella by one of Kana-chan's fans when I went to her signing event in the rain. She said it was Kana-chan who gave her this umbrella. And Kana-chan hopes that it can shield her fans from the wind and rain, and that her fans can help each other.
[Fan B]Since we've been brought together by fate, I'll give it to you now. Hope you'll also pass it on to the next predestined person.
Thanks to Kana's influence, her idol-loving fans are starting to exhibit good qualities such as kindness, innocence, liveliness, and enthusiasm. Perhaps this is what it really means to be an idol.
I accept the umbrella solemnly, becoming one of the torchbearers of this spirit to keep this wondrous thing alive.
The waiting time passes quickly while we chat cheerfully, and the huge screen above the stage starts to play interview videos of the three members of the girl group, heralding the commencement of the Rainbow Light Concert.
[Kana Fujita]The turning point that made me become an idol... At first, a scout found me when I was playing arcade games on the side of the road... Haha, but I realized I loved it from the very moment I stepped on the stage.
[Mia]Of course it is to stand in the center of the stage and convey love and joy to the hearts of everyone who likes Mia.
[Akane]I've written many melodies, and I hope people will hear them... and like them.
[Kana Fujita]Well, I was the first to join this group. I was really nervous about it too, but I'm happy I met such good team members.
[Mia]I'm so lucky I managed to meet Kana and Akane.
[Akane]W.I.N... is where I met everyone.
[Kana Fujita]I want to thank everyone who has accompanied me along the way. You have made it possible for me to keep improving and becoming a better Kana Fujita.
[Mia]The fans made me realize that people out there do notice my efforts.
[Akane]The only thing I can do is to give back to everyone with my singing...
Twang--Twang--Twang--
The strumming of a guitar after all the interviews are played announces the official start of the concert. Music with a strong beat fills the venue. All the lights gather on the stage in an instant, revealing the figures of the three members of W.I.N that the fans are eagerly looking forward to on the stage.
[Fans]W.I.N! W.I.N! W.I.N!
[Kana Fujita]Listen! The stars are approaching on the tails of the clouds...
The microphone sends the girl's light-hearted voice to every corner of the venue, easily touching everyone's heartstrings.
The lighting and glasses-free 3D effects complement each other to create a sea of stars on the stage. Kana, Mia, and Akane start dancing in the stars like fairies in the mortal world.
It can be seen that the team has put a lot of thought into this concert. Both the stage design and the appearances of the members greatly exceed the expectations of the fans.
[Kana Fujita]The light and shadows cast by the shining stars enter people's eyes--
[Fan A]Ahhhhh! Kana-chan winked at me! Oxygen-- I need oxygen now!
[Fan B]Kana-chan! We'll support you forever!
[Mia]In this lonely interstellar space, encounters are miracles--
[Fans]Yeah!
[Akane]Faint starlight illuminates our hearts--
[Fans]Yeah!
[Chorus]You must believe that everything is the proof of love--
[Fans]Yeah!
Their opening song lights up the atmosphere, filling the air with the cheering and screaming of fans. The heated atmosphere makes it impossible for anyone to stay calm and rational. Everyone is waving their cheering sticks and cheering for their beloved idols.
Kana is shining brightly on the stage. The fans around me are all extremely excited, but I feel a little sad and uncomfortable.
The distance between the stage and the audience stands infinitely magnifies the gap between me and Kana. Only now do I realize just how big the gap is between myself and a popular idol like her. Kana has always acted like an ordinary high school student in front of me, which is why I've been able to ignore this problem all along.
Although Kana brought me here to the venue, in the eyes of the other people, I'm just one of many fans.
[player]As an idol, Kana has never belonged to just me...
[MC]Can everyone tell me that I'm not the only person who is enchanted by the beautiful singing of Kana, Mia, and Akane?
[Fans]Don't forget about me--
[MC]Compared to your response when W.I.N takes the stage, everyone's response to me is so half-hearted. Haha, I get it though, after all, half the concert is over by the time I appear here.
[MC]I can't help it though. I need to come on stage. I mean, I've already been paid and I don't want to give it back. Anyway, that's enough nonsense from me. Let's welcome our three members of W.I.N to the stage with our applause!
[Kana Fujita]Hello everyone! I'm Kana-chan, the No.1 idol! Remember to cheer for me today!
[Mia]I'm Mia, and here I come! Boom, boom! Here comes the sweet attack of love! Let's all have a sweet summer!
[Akane]I'm Akane! You and music are both very important to me.
[MC]Oh, I see that you've all changed the colors of your cheering sticks at the right timing. You guys are really paying attention! It's time for the next part of the show now, and the member who wins it will get a "special reward."
[MC]Let's start this game that tests your observation and imagination-- Guess What I Drew!
[Fan A]Kana-chan! You can do it!
[Fan B]Kana-chan, I'll always support you!
Maybe it's because she is enticed by the "special reward," Kana takes the game very seriously and isn't affected at all when the MC teases her.
Mia, the youngest of the three, loses first, and there's only a one-point difference between Kana and Akane. The last question will determine the final winner.
[player]Um... This is...?
When the question appears on the screen, the abstract painting technique used for this drawing makes my eyes twitch uncontrollably as I can only see messy lines. There's no way I can connect this image with the correct answer: cinema.
The fans who see the answer on the screen shout it out loud, but it doesn't help Kana and Akane because they are wearing headphones that block out all sounds.
[MC]First of all, I want to declare that all the images used in "Guess What I Drew" were provided by the W.I.N Global Fan Club. Hmm... I wonder if the fan who created this masterpiece is with us here tonight.
[MC]Let's give Kana and Akane a little time. I wonder who will win this!
It's clear that they are both troubled by the abstract image, and I see Kana frowning with a look of confusion. Suddenly, she raises her head abruptly and looks at me for help from the stage.
