"First off... while I can't reveal his name, this designer is right here in the audience with us today!"
With just one sentence, the audience's attention, which had been focused solely on the stage, was instantly scattered.
They were no longer fixated on an encore, but instead began to look at each other with curious and surprised eyes. However, no matter how hard they looked, they could never deduce the designer's true identity from a single sentence with no real information.
And just like that, Uika's goal was achieved—
"Secondly, this same designer will also be designing the stage costumes for [Summer Zodiac]'s solo live in May!"
The second sentence not only served as promotion but also preserved the audience's anticipation for [Summer Zodiac] to the greatest extent possible, transforming it into a form of "curiosity."
"I'm sure you all want to know what our new outfits will look like, right?"
"Yes!"
"Unfortunately, just like all of you, I know nothing about our upcoming new outfits..."
Uika shook her head with feigned regret. But in the next second, she suddenly looked up, her tone shifting along with her gaze.
"And that's precisely why I've come back on stage! Because in today's live, this designer has also designed the outfits for the new band that's about to perform!"
"So, let's welcome the band that 'shares' the same costume designer as us, [Summer Zodiac]!"
...
"...Amazing."
Sakiko couldn't help but applaud along with the once-again-cheering crowd around her.
"Not only did she promote themselves, but she also perfectly preserved the audience's anticipation and smoothly transitioned the live to the next act."
"Yeah... we really have Uika to thank for this."
Tetsuya, who had thought the live was about to die down, also wore an expression of awe.
"This way, everyone will stop being fixated on the last performance and will start looking forward to Anon's band's appearance, curious about their outfits."
"...It's not that simple."
But just then, Mutsumi shook her head again, speaking in an incredibly calm tone.
"Preserving the anticipation is the same as preserving the pressure... Their next performance absolutely cannot have any mistakes, or else they will be infinitely magnified by the audience, who are now hyper-focused on the stage."
"Ah... that's true."
Sakiko immediately realized this as well.
"It's true that Uika saved the atmosphere... but for the next performance, excessive anticipation is also a form of pressure."
If Soyo's band's performance didn't live up to this anticipation, then Uika's help would be meaningless, and might even cause a stronger backlash.
Uika was indeed helping them, but at the same time... this help also brought with it an incredibly harsh test for a new band.
For those performing on stage, expectant gazes were essentially the same as constraints and pressure.
"Ever since [Summer Zodiac] came on stage, this live has become a complete mess..."
Sakiko couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"Where... is this live even headed..."
...
After Uika finished her announcement, the stage lights and curtain fell, and the band members were finally able to get on stage.
As they connected their equipment, Soyo couldn't help but turn to Uika and say:
"Those lines just now... don't tell me you foresaw this?"
"Of course not. I'm not that prophetic."
Uika replied with a smile as she enthusiastically helped connect the cables for the effects pedals.
"I was just improvising."
"..."
Soyo wore a skeptical expression.
Although it was true that popular idols with stage experience possessed a certain ability to control the crowd, those highly leading lines just now felt meticulously planned, no matter how you looked at them.
But since she wouldn't admit it, there was no need to press the issue.
"Won't doing this make Hoshino Ai unhappy with you?"
"It's fine. Right now, Ai's mind is only filled with one thing: 'monopolizing Tetsuya-san'. A small move like this is nothing to her."
Uika shook her head.
"Besides... don't think that just because I've temporarily stabilized the atmosphere for you, it's a done deal. Whether you can seize this opportunity or not depends on your actual performance."
"Of course, I know that."
Soyo stood up after finishing connecting her equipment.
"Things have already come to this. If we fail to pass your test, we'll only have ourselves to blame for not being good enough."
"Actually, even if you fail, it's no big deal for you. You're just an amateur band made up of high school girls, after all. Even if you don't live up to everyone's expectations, they'll forget about you soon enough."
Uika said with a grin.
"Or do you have a reason that you absolutely cannot back down from?"
"Although we all have different ideals and reasons for forming this band, we do have one consensus right now."
Seeing that the other band members had finished setting up their equipment, Soyo slung her bass over her shoulder and said to Uika:
"And that is, starting with this live, we will aim for a major debut and become a popular band that can surpass [Summer Zodiac]."
"Heh... is that so."
Uika said as she retreated to a corner of the stage.
"Well then, please allow me to look forward to the day that happens."
...
"...Such an unnecessary thing to do."
At the same time, Ai, who had already changed into her disguise, couldn't help but frown slightly upon hearing Uika's crowd-saving words from inside the venue.
"But whatever. Chihaya Anon's band... is no longer important."
She pushed through the dense crowd, re-entered the venue, and walked straight towards the back row.
Soon, when she saw Tetsuya, who was intently focused on the stage in front of him, the corners of her mouth, hidden beneath her mask, curved into a captivating smile.
And so, with light steps, Ai arrived at his side. And in the darkness and noise, she quietly and naturally wrapped her arms around his— (T/N note: it ends like this, no joke)