(T/N: Ts title is taken from the TUYU song of the same name. It is recommended to listen to the song while reading this chapter.)
[Zooming on ahead without looking back at me at all.]
The first line, sung by the bassist to open the song, left everyone stunned. (T/N: I cant help but laugh at this xD)
Although it wasn't exactly rare for other instrumentalists to take on the role of lead vocals temporarily, the moment it actually happened still gave the audience a pleasant surprise.
However, an even more surprising scene followed immediately after—
[I've always been jealous of that talent of yours.]
This time, it was the drummer's voice.
The accompaniment of the lead and rhythm guitars, along with the lead singer's clapping, created a wonderfully clean and unique separation between the two vocal parts.
And then, after this slightly unusual opening, the lead singer finally picked up the microphone—
[Don't you underestimate me! You'll give people the wrong idea!]
...One day ago...
"That's right, I want to change the lead vocals for this song to three people... specifically, you three who were members of [CRYCHIC]!"
Anon said.
"As for who's responsible for which part, I'm sure you'll figure it out once you read the lyrics, right?"
"Hey, wait, you're not kidding, are you?"
Taki instinctively frowned and retorted.
"Soyo at least studied vocals at her prestigious school, but I have absolutely no experience or talent as a singer."
"...But at least you can stay on key, right?"
Soyo suddenly picked up the lyric sheet with great interest.
"We have tried singing harmonies together before, after all."
"But this is for a live performance! Just staying on key isn't good enough!"
Taki was still very resistant.
"You and Tomori sing so well, it'll be a disaster if I drag the quality down—"
"I-I also think... the three of us should sing this song together!"
Suddenly, Tomori spoke up, stopping Taki's retreat.
"When I wrote these lyrics, I was thinking about everyone in [CRYCHIC]. If we want to fully express the emotions of this song... Taki's voice is indispensable! And in my opinion, genuine emotion that can move people's hearts... is the very soul of our band!"
Both her insistent tone and her much louder-than-usual voice were filled with unprecedented resolve.
"And Taki, when you composed this song, you put a lot of your own thoughts into it, didn't you? If it's you, then you must have words you want to convey to Sakiko... to [CRYCHIC], right?!"
Faced with this uncharacteristically assertive Tomori, Taki, who was already used to blindly supporting all her decisions, fell into further hesitation.
"B-but, my voice isn't as nice as you two's..."
"Now that's just a baseless inferiority complex."
Hearing Taki's reason for refusal, Anon couldn't help but pout.
"At least, I've always thought Taki's voice is really cool and crisp. What do you think, Tomori?"
"I also think... Taki's voice is very cool."
Tomori nodded seriously in agreement with Anon's view.
"For a hardcore rock song, it's a pretty suitable vocal style!"
"Guh—"
Being praised to this extent, a bashful blush rose on Taki's face.
"W-wait a minute, Chihaya Anon, weren't you the one who always wanted to be the lead singer? Are you really okay with just giving the chance to me and Soyo?!"
She suddenly asked Anon.
"Don't you want to take this opportunity to experience what it's like to be the lead singer?"
"Not this time. Because this is a song that belongs only to you, the members of [CRYCHIC]. So, it has to be expressed by the three of you personally."
Anon just smiled and shook her head.
"But, if there's another chance like this in the future, I won't miss it, you know? So, I advise you to cherish this hard-won opportunity."
"You..."
Looking at Anon's calm and unquestionable expression, Taki finally had no room to escape.
"...Let's get this straight. If I don't perform well, don't you dare blame me."
"..."
Hearing this, Soyo also withdrew her gaze from Anon.
Ever since learning about Hoshino Ai, this girl, who was once only concerned with vanity, had become more and more considerate of the band.
At the beginning, Soyo had only intended to use her temporarily. But now, she couldn't even imagine what this band would be like without Chihaya Anon.
...
"It's fine. For this live, as long as Taki can sing those lyrics properly, that's enough."
Soyo said as she walked to her position with her bass.
"As for vocal technique, we can save that for future lives... right, Chihaya Anon?"
Anon pointed at herself with a confused look.
"Huh? Why are you suddenly cueing me now?"
"Because your singing isn't that great either. If you really want to be a guest vocalist in the future, you'll have to practice a lot more."
"Whoa, an irrefutable argument... Okay, I get it. I'll have Tomori come over to my place to practice singing more often."
Tomori nodded forcefully again.
"Mhm! I'm looking forward to it!"
"Hey... aren't we going to start practicing?"
Raana couldn't help but strum her strings forcefully.
"If we're going to split the vocal parts, we need to practice even more, right?"
"...Oh my god."
Hearing Raana say this, Anon wore a look of disbelief.
"Raana... you can actually say something so serious!"
"Because this song is interesting."
Raana said, looking at Taki.
"So, I don't want to waste it."
"Aah... alright, alright, I get it! Fine, I'll sing!"
Seeing that even Raana was starting to nudge her, Taki finally stopped hesitating and picked up her drumsticks.
"Well, in that case, we need to adjust our sheet music accordingly. To divide the vocal parts, the rhythm guitar's role will have to be heavier... Is that okay, Chihaya Anon?"
Once again, Anon pointed at herself with a stunned expression.
"Why am I being cued again?!"
"Because Soyo and I have to sing. So, accordingly, your presence in the accompaniment will be greater."
Taki said.
"This was your own performance plan. You're not allowed to complain."
"Huh? I thought I could just slack off and get through this live, but now my workload is even bigger than before..."
"Then, it's decided!"
Ignoring Anon's dazed muttering, Soyo clapped her hands.
"So that our first original song... and our first live, will have no regrets."
"The three of us will say everything we want to say—"
...
Taki: [A mark against me for being no one of value.]
Soyo: [A mark against me for clinging onto you.]
Tomori: [Even if I cry, you definitely wouldn't turn back, right?!]
[I understand everything now.]
"..."
Sakiko stared blankly at the three on stage, her expression gradually shifting from stunned silence to a helpless, wry smile.
"It's all complaints about me, isn't it."
"As the 'center' of [CRYCHIC], and also their emotional pillar, it's only natural that they'd complain about you afterward, right?"
Tetsuya said.
"But besides the complaints, they definitely have other things they want to convey to you—"
.....
As the song reached its final part, Soyo and Taki moved away from their microphones, and Tomori once again became the sole lead singer.
Under Sakiko's slightly wavering gaze, Tomori looked past everyone and directly at her—
[I'm saying farewell to that rock-and-roll you!]
[I'm sure I won't be able to become a flower,]
[But even if I stumble, if I'm stepped on, just like a weed, I'll get back up.]
[I wanna live a rock-and-roll life..]
[That's why I'm saying farewell.]
[Only because you were there, can I stand here.]
[I can stand here.]
It was only after hearing this that the wavering in Sakiko's eyes gradually disappeared, replaced by a smile mixed with relief and emotion.
Complaints, understanding, gratitude, and the firm resolve to move forward.
The Tomori who was once trapped in her own inner world, and the Taki who had always harbored an inferiority complex, were now able to write such a positive and excellent song.
With this, she could finally let go of all her worries and concerns, and wholeheartedly wish [MyGO!!!!!] a brighter future.
On stage, the different road signs reflected the same brilliance.
And below the stage, the audience, who all felt different emotions, erupted in the same thunderous applause.
With that, the first live of [MyGO!!!!!] came to a successful conclusion.