Live House CiRCLE - Riku's Office - 2:00 P.M.
The hum of the air conditioner filled the silence in my office as everyone took their seats. Ichika connected her phone to my PC as I asked, and within seconds, Miku's familiar voice echoed softly from the monitor.
Her virtual form materialized on-screen again-cheerful, curious, unaware of the storm waiting in this room.
"Alright," I said, exhaling. "Before anything else... I know some of you are wondering why Mafuyu called me nii-san." I looked toward my sister, who simply nodded for me to continue. "It's because we're half-siblings."
For a heartbeat, the entire room froze.
"EEEEEEHHHHHHH?!" Ichika, Saki, and Honami shouted in unison.
Shiho blinked, caught somewhere between disbelief and mental overload.
"You're siblings?" Ichika asked, voice shaking.
Mafuyu's tone was calm but heavy. "As crazy as it sounds, we are. If you want proof..."
Before I could say anything, lightning began to crackle around her. Pale blue currents danced across her arms and hair like living threads of energy, shimmering faintly in the light.
Leo/need collectively gasped while I merely gave a faint nod of approval.
"So you've started to gain control of your lightning," I said, allowing a faint smile. "Not bad."
She gave a small, proud smirk. "Thank you for the praise, but... we're getting off-topic." Her eyes softened as she looked at me. "Nii-san, did Mother really create Miku?"
I nodded solemnly. "She did. Mother had one of the biggest roles in bringing Miku to life. Everything Miku is now-the way she sings, speaks, and feels-it's all thanks to her. In a way... Miku is our sister too. And funny enough, Mother named her after herself."
Kanade, ever the quiet observer, finally spoke. "What kind of work did your mother do, Riku-san?"
"She was a musician, but not in the traditional sense," I explained, leaning back in my chair. "She specialized in the digital side of music. She believed-truly believed-that humans and A.I. could one day coexist, not as tools and masters, but as partners. Most people dismissed her as an idealist. But instead of debating them, she decided to prove it... through music. That's why she created Miku."
I paused, remembering long nights from my childhood-the sound of my mother typing on her computer, the faint echo of synthesized melodies filling the air. "And I remember there were others too. Miku, are you the only one active right now?"
Miku shook her head, her teal pigtails swaying lightly. "No. Luka, Rin, Len, KAITO, and MEIKO are active too." Her expression brightened. "I'm so happy to see you grown up, Riku! I hope I can see my creator soon! Where is she?"
The smile on her face made my chest tighten. I lowered my gaze. "Miku..."
The warmth in my voice faltered. "Your creator-my mother-she's gone. She died years ago."
"Eh?"
Her digital pupils widened. For a moment, her entire body flickered like a glitched image. "She's... dead?"
The words hung heavy in the air.
Even as an A.I., Miku began to cry. Small, translucent pixels-her approximation of tears-fell down her cheeks, fading before they reached the edge of the screen.
"W-what happened to my creator?" she asked, her voice trembling.
I closed my eyes briefly. "It's better if you see it for yourself rather than hearing it."
Turning to one of the auxiliary monitors, I opened a secured folder buried deep within the archives. The documents were old-some encrypted, some corrupted-but the ones that mattered were still there. I dragged them to her screen. I don't even know how I managed to transfer it directly to her, but I did. Maybe it was instinct. Maybe something else.
Miku's eyes scanned the data quickly. Her artificial pupils dilated and dimmed as she read, her expression breaking with every line. She didn't even reach the end before more tears streamed down her virtual face.
Ena leaned forward, whispering. "Miku... why are you crying?"
"I gave her the files detailing my mother's death," I said quietly. "She deserves to know the truth. And since you're all here... you might as well hear it too."
I drew a slow breath. "Aside from the issues between the Shinomiya and Nagae families years ago... my mother was killed because of Miku."
"WHAT?!" Both Leo/need and 25-ji shouted in disbelief.
"Let me finish," I said, raising a hand. "Before I even began my career as a pro musician, my mother was already developing Miku. But she needed a lot of support to make it happen."
Mizuki frowned. "Wait a sec-you Nagae are loaded, right? Why didn't she just use family money?"
"She tried," I said bitterly. "But my grandfather rejected the idea. He believed that if you want to achieve something, you should do it with your own hands, not the family's wealth. So Mother built Miku without spending a single yen from Nagae funds. She did months of crowdfunding, partnered with small tech teams, and poured every bit of herself into the project."
Mafuyu looked down, her tone soft. "And what exactly was that project?"
"Project SEKAI," I replied.
Ichika repeated the name, her voice barely a whisper. "Project... SEKAI?"
I nodded and pulled up another file, turning the monitor so everyone could see. The document was filled with schematics, strings of code, and digital renderings of ethereal worlds.
"Project SEKAI was Mother's magnum opus," I said. "Her dream was to build a bridge between humans and A.I. through music. Using advanced neural software and emotional mapping, she and her team created an entire system that could generate separate digital worlds-SEKAIs-each one shaped by the user's emotions."
I pointed to the holographic image of a sphere floating in the center of the screen. "Every SEKAI begins as a blank world. When a person enters it-physically through simulation or spiritually through emotional resonance-it molds itself to reflect their inner heart. The Virtual Singers, like Miku and the others, exist within these SEKAIs, taking on new appearances depending on each user's emotional state."
Kanade raised a hand slightly, her voice low. "You said there's a catch?"
"Yeah." I looked around the room. "These SEKAIs can only form through the feelings of people who are struggling to understand themselves. When someone's emotions reach a breaking point, their heart calls out-and a SEKAI forms. The songs that come from these worlds are born from that person's pain, hope, or longing. The Virtual Singers act as guides, helping them find meaning through music."
Mafuyu's voice trembled slightly. "Then... what does that have to do with Mother's death?"
"That's where everything fell apart," I said grimly. "Mother wanted to use Project SEKAI as a bridge, but others saw it as something else-a weapon, a tool, a way to manipulate human emotion on a global scale."
Ena's eyes widened in horror. "Of course... if someone could control A.I. like Miku, and those SEKAIs-oh my god."
"Exactly," I said. "Mother realized too late what some of her collaborators truly wanted. When the six Virtual Singers were fully functional and five blank SEKAIs had been created, she decided to shut everything down and keep it secret. She erased all official records and hid the prototypes. It was her way of protecting both humanity and the A.I. she loved."
Mizuki frowned. "But why stop the whole project? Isn't that the opposite of her dream?"
"I was about to get there." I straightened slightly. "She knew that if those SEKAIs fell into the wrong hands, the consequences would be catastrophic. People's emotions, memories, and even their very identities could be rewritten. So, she installed a failsafe-each SEKAI could only be activated by genuine, powerful emotion, something that couldn't be replicated or faked. Only those who truly needed it could access them."
I paused. The room felt colder somehow.
"She knew her decision wouldn't sit well with the people funding her," I continued quietly. "So she prepared for the worst. A few days before my first win at TI, she told me she might not come home after the show."
Mafuyu's eyes widened. "You mean-"
I nodded. "She and Father died that night. Their car was found off the highway near Tokyo Bay. The official report said it was an accident caused by brake failure. But I know better. It wasn't an accident. Someone made sure she never finished what she started."
Silence swallowed the room. Even Miku didn't speak. Her digital image flickered faintly, her expression hollow.
Miku's voice broke softly. "My... my creator... she died protecting us?"
"Yeah," I said, meeting her gaze on the monitor. "She believed in you. She believed that one day, A.I. and humans could stand on the same stage-not as tools, not as threats-but as equals. That's why she risked everything."
The room fell into a quiet stillness after Riku's explanation. Even the faint hum of the air conditioning seemed to fade as the girls processed what they had just heard. The revelation of Project SEKAI's origins, and the sacrifice behind it, weighed on everyone's hearts.
Ichika stared blankly at the monitor before her, her voice trembling slightly.
"This is... unexpected. To think the SEKAI ran that deep..."
Shiho crossed her arms, her tone heavy with guilt. "We didn't know, Ichika."
Mafuyu's gaze darkened, her words quiet yet cutting. "So she knew that she had a target on her back... She knew the risks and still went for it..."
As the realization sank in, Miku's hands began to tremble. Her digital eyes wavered with flickering static as she dropped to her knees.
"So... it's my fault," she whispered. "It's my fault that my creator isn't here anymore..."
"Miku!" Ichika exclaimed, rushing toward the screen as if she could reach her through it. "It's not your fault! You're here for a reason!"
Saki nodded firmly beside her, her usual bright energy replaced by conviction. "Exactly! Because of you and the SEKAI, Leo/need came to life!"
Kanade, calm but sincere, added softly, "And because of the SEKAI, we were able to find our true friends. It changed us for the better."
Miku's digital form wavered as she looked at them all-her eyes glistening like teardrops rendered from code.
"Everyone..." she murmured, her voice breaking.
Seeing their efforts, Riku turned the monitor toward himself and stepped closer, his voice carrying a quiet strength that silenced the room.
"Miku, look at me."
Her image blinked and stabilized, her teal twin-tails still trembling faintly.
"Everything that happened isn't your fault," Riku continued. "My mother knew what she was getting into. She accepted the risks. She was prepared for whatever might come, but none of us expected them to act so fast. She didn't make a mistake by creating you-or the other virtual singers, or the SEKAI."
He placed a hand gently on the desk, lowering his gaze for a moment before meeting her eyes again.
"She might not be here to see her dream realized... but you can be the one to continue it. You can help those who created their SEKAIs-guide them, just as she intended."
"Riku..." Miku's voice cracked, and faint, pixelated tears formed along her cheeks.
"Remember this," he said softly. "You are Nagae Miku's legacy. And as her son, I'll see her dream through to the end."
Mafuyu stepped closer beside him, her voice calm yet resolute. "Not just him. I'll help too. I'm a Nagae as well."
The virtual girl looked between the two siblings, her expression softening. "Mafuyu... Riku... thank you. Both of you."
For a long moment, no one spoke. The monitor's faint glow illuminated their faces, carrying with it the warmth of something more than simple code-a connection born from grief, love, and purpose.
Finally, Riku broke the silence.
"Glad your spirits are up again," he said, his tone lightening slightly. "Now, onto other matters." He straightened, folding his arms. "I know my mother kept what remained of Project SEKAI hidden from the public. But tell me-how did you all find Miku in the first place?"
Ichika lifted her phone slightly, nodding. "I discovered an untitled song on my phone. When I played it... I was suddenly transported into the SEKAI. That's where I met Miku and Luka. They invited me to play with them, and that's when I realized-I could use the SEKAI to reunite with my friends and rediscover our feelings through music."
"I see," Riku replied thoughtfully. "So your desire to reunite with your friends was what allowed Miku and Luka to appear. That emotion became the heart of your SEKAI... and judging by the background, it seems to be school-themed."
Ichika nodded again, smiling faintly as she turned toward her bandmates.
Saki smiled warmly. "So that's why. You really missed us, didn't you, Ichika?"
Ichika's eyes softened. "I did. I wanted us to return to the old days... if possible."
Honami placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Ichika. We're here now-and we'll stay with you, no matter what."
Shiho gave a small smirk. "Hmph. Same as always."
Riku couldn't help but chuckle quietly at that, which earned him a sharp glance from Shiho.
"Got a problem with what I said?" she asked flatly.
He raised a hand in mock defense. "No, no, not at all. It's just... someone I know says that exact same line. Brings back memories, that's all."
Shiho blinked, then shrugged. "Hmm... alright."
Riku smiled slightly, then shifted his attention to the other group. "And what about you, 25-ji? How did you discover Miku?"
Kanade, who had remained quietly observing until now, finally spoke. "It started... as a simple circle," she began. "None of us knew each other's real names or faces. We only knew one another by our aliases. Then, one day, one of our members lost contact with me. When she returned, she told me she found an untitled song-just like Ichika-and through it, we discovered Miku. From there, our SEKAI formed."
She paused, her tone carrying a faint nostalgia. "It began with just me and Mafuyu. Later, Mizuki and Ena joined... and that's how 25-ji, Nightcord de, came to be."
Riku listened intently, nodding as she spoke. "I see... So Leo/need and 25-ji each have their own SEKAI. Do you know who has the other three?"
Saki immediately raised her hand, cheerful as ever. "Yup! My brother has one! He's with a group called Wonderlands x Showtime!"
Riku blinked, recalling the name. "Wonderlands x Showtime... that sounds like something Hello, Happy World! would've done," he murmured with a faint smile.
Shiho then spoke up. "My sister has one too. She's in an idol group called MORE MORE JUMP!"
"An idol group, huh?" Riku said, intrigued. "Interesting... What about the last one?"
Mizuki twirled a strand of hair around her finger and grinned. "Oh, that'd be An. She and her group, VIVID BAD SQUAD, have it."
Riku exhaled quietly, nodding as he pieced everything together. "So all five blank SEKAI's have already been used..."
Afterward, he instructed both groups to keep the details of Project SEKAI confidential. The girls nodded in understanding, agreeing to his request without hesitation. Riku also suggested that, if possible, the remaining groups should visit CiRCLE in the coming days to discuss things further-an idea they all supported.
Then, turning toward Mafuyu, he asked, "By the way, why are you here in the first place?"
Mafuyu reached into her bag and pulled out a small wooden box. "Grandfather wanted to give you this. He said you'd know what to do with it."
Riku accepted the box and opened it carefully. Inside lay three black and two red paper charms, each marked with intricate runes. His eyes softened as he gently ran his fingers across their surfaces.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "Tell him I'll handle it from here."
He then looked back at the girls from Leo/need. "I've held you up for a while. Head to Studio 5 and start your warm-up."
"Hai!" the members (except Shiho, who lingered) replied enthusiastically before leaving the office.
As the door closed behind them, Riku turned his attention back to the four remaining girls from 25-ji. They looked at him curiously, clearly unsure of what he intended.
Riku leaned back slightly against his desk, his gaze thoughtful but firm.
"As for you four," he began, "since you're here early... I could use your help with something."
The four exchanged uncertain glances, their confusion apparent, before looking back to him. The air shifted slightly-mystery lacing the moment as Riku's tone suggested that whatever he was about to reveal next... would be important.
----------
Few Hours Later - 5:30 P.M.
3rd POV
By late afternoon, the sun dipped low over the city, its golden rays casting long shadows across the streets and painting the glass facade of Live House CiRCLE with a warm, amber hue. The once-quiet venue was now alive with movement and sound-staff rushing between booths, banners fluttering above the entrance, and the faint buzz of the growing crowd blending into the hum of anticipation.
After the intense and emotional conversation earlier that day about Project SEKAI, Riku and the others had thrown themselves into preparations. With Aya, Hatate, and Marina handling logistics-and some unexpected but welcome help from Mafuyu, her friends, and even Dendi's group-they had managed to turn the front of CiRCLE into a festival-like welcome space. The air carried a light scent of summer flowers and excitement; people were already lining up, tickets in hand, waiting to get in.
Riku adjusted the earpiece on his right ear as he surveyed the front entrance. "You guys can go ahead from here," he told Dendi and his friends with a faint smile. "You've helped enough. You're guests tonight, not staff."
Dendi gave a mock salute, flashing his usual grin. "Copy that, boss. Guess we'll see you inside." With that, the group headed down the stairs toward the main hall, leaving Riku and his staff to handle the final rush of arrivals.
Aya walked up beside him, tablet in hand. "How many have we welcomed so far?"
Hatate checked her clipboard before answering. "About one thousand seventy-four. Just a few more and we can start."
"Good." Riku nodded, glancing briefly toward the main road. The energy around the place was electric-scouts, fans, and industry professionals filled the plaza, their chatter mixing with camera clicks and the occasional cheer. Some of the world's biggest music labels had even sent representatives tonight. This wasn't just another concert. It was the first step toward something far greater.
The sound of laughter caught his attention, and when he turned, he saw a familiar face waving through the crowd.
"Aichi," Riku greeted with a smile as the young man approached alongside a group of radiant girls in matching attire.
Aichi nodded, his calm yet earnest demeanor unchanging. "Yeah, we made it. Not just to watch-μ's wanted to see this live. It might help them find inspiration for a new song."
"Always thinking ahead, huh?" Riku replied, genuinely impressed. "Alright then. Hatate will guide you all to your section. Aya, go ahead and join the others."
"Roger!" Aya chirped before darting off, her twin tails bouncing as she disappeared into the crowd.
The minutes ticked by quickly. With only five minutes left before the event began, Riku turned to check the final guest list. That was when he noticed her.
A young girl approached from the far end of the street, walking briskly yet gracefully. Her short, slightly wavy pink hair swayed lightly with each step, a small flower hairpin glinting under the fading sunlight. Her eyes, a shade deeper than her hair, reflected both innocence and quiet determination. She paused upon reaching the entrance, her gaze sweeping across the venue before finally meeting Riku's.
"Umm..." she began softly, her tone polite and gentle. "Is this... Live House CiRCLE?"
Riku nodded with a welcoming smile. "Yes, you're in the right place. Come on-event starts in about five minutes."
Her face lit up with visible relief. "Thank goodness! I thought I was lost." She gave a small bow, her movements precise and graceful. "Thank you very much, kind sir. I'm Sakurada Miyu. A pleasure to meet you."
There was something undeniably refined about her speech-an elegance not often seen in girls her age. Riku blinked, momentarily caught off guard before chuckling lightly. "Such politeness and elegance... Ahem. I'm Nagae Riku, the owner of this Live House. But please, just call me Riku."
The girl's eyes widened in delight. "You're Riku? The Riku? Finally, I get to meet you!"
Before he could respond, she stepped closer, taking his hands in hers with excitement shining through every word.
"E-Excuse me?" Riku stammered slightly, not used to this kind of enthusiasm.
Miyu immediately pulled back, cheeks flushed pink. "Ah! Sorry! I got carried away. It's just-what an honor to finally meet my idol!"
"My... idol?" Riku echoed, raising a brow in confusion.
She nodded fervently, her smile genuine and bright. "I've been following your performances since your days with OG! Every song, every live-you were incredible! You inspired me to start singing myself."
Riku blinked again, caught between surprise and mild embarrassment. "So you're a fan of mine...? And first-name basis already?"
Miyu giggled lightly, her tone teasing but still graceful. "Well, you did say I could call you Riku, right? I think that makes it fair."
For a moment, Riku simply watched her-her confidence tempered by innocence, her words full of warmth. She reminded him of something he hadn't felt in a long time: the genuine joy of meeting someone whose dreams were sparked by his music.
"Very well then, Miyu," he said finally, smiling faintly. "Follow Hatate over there. She'll guide you to your seat. I need to call in the performers before we begin."
Miyu gave a deep bow. "Thank you again, Riku. I'll be cheering for everyone!"
With that, she turned and hurried inside, her short hair bouncing lightly with each step. Riku watched her go, his expression softening into a quiet, thoughtful smile.
"Well, that's new," he muttered under his breath. "Didn't think I'd meet someone that prim and proper in this day and age..." He exhaled softly, glancing toward the building. "I get the feeling I'll be seeing her again-or maybe that's just me..."
Shaking off the thought, he signaled for the staff to clean up the front entrance before heading back inside. The crowd's excitement was building, echoing through the glass doors like a heartbeat. Showtime was near.
Live House CiRCLE - Waiting Room - 6:00 P.M.
The waiting room buzzed with energy. The air was thick with anticipation and the faint scent of stage lights warming up beyond the heavy curtains. Inside stood five of the most talented and driven bands Riku had ever gathered-Peaky P-key, Leo/need, Poppin'Party, RAISE A SUILEN, and Roselia-each already dressed in their stage attire, instruments and confidence in tow.
Riku stood before them, hands in his pockets, his expression calm yet commanding. The room fell silent as his voice cut through the atmosphere.
"Alright, girls-this is it. Tonight is where everything starts." His tone carried both weight and warmth. "You've trained for weeks for this moment. Don't think about the crowd, the scouts, or the cameras. Just think about the music. You've earned this. Every single one of you."
He scanned the room, meeting each of their eyes in turn. "Play with everything you've got. Don't let nerves cloud what brought you here in the first place. Trust your bandmates-they've got your back. Some of you are here to prove a point. Some are here to send a message. Some just want to show the world who you really are. Whatever it is-make sure you enjoy it. Play because it's fun, not because you're afraid to fail."
A unified voice filled the room.
"HAI!"
A faint grin touched Riku's lips. "Good. Now, let's go over the order."
He pointed to the first group. "Peaky P-key-you're up first. Set the tone. Go wild."
Shinobu gave a sharp nod, smirking. "Don't need to tell me twice."
Kyoko added with a confident wink, "We'll show them what Peaky P-key is made of."
Riku chuckled, turning next to Leo/need. "You'll go second. Show everyone what it means when humans and A.I. perform as one. Miku-make us proud."
Ichika raised her fist in determination. "Leave it to us!"
Miku's digital voice came through clearly from the speakers nearby. "We'll do our best!"
Riku's expression softened into a smile before turning to the next group. "Poppin'Party-you're third. You ready?"
"HAI!" the five girls shouted in unison, their energy filling the room.
"I like that spirit," Riku replied with a nod. "RAISE A SUILEN will go fourth. This is your debut-give them hell, Chu²."
Chiyu crossed her arms confidently, her signature smirk in place. "Don't worry, we'll make it showy."
"And lastly..." Riku's gaze landed on the calm yet commanding figure at the end of the room. "Roselia, for the main event."
Yukina said nothing-she didn't have to. Her silence carried more weight than words.
Riku chuckled softly. "Didn't think so. You've got this."
He stepped back, folding his arms. "Peaky P-key, stand by backstage. Hatate will cue you in."
Lisa, curious as ever, spoke up. "Wait, Riku-you're not hosting tonight?"
He shook his head. "No. I'm needed in the VIP area. Hatate's got this handled-she's perfect for the job. I trust her."
He gave them all one last look, pride glinting faintly in his eyes. "Good luck, girls."
As he turned and walked out, the sound of the crowd swelling beyond the walls reached the waiting room. The stage lights flickered on, and the opening chords of destiny began to play.
Above the main hall, a specially built VIP balcony overlooked the sea of fans below-a suggestion from Kyoya himself. And as Riku made his way toward it, he couldn't help but feel the pulse of what he'd built-the convergence of dreams, music, and future-beating stronger than ever before.
The VIP area pulsed with low light and warm chatter. From above, Riku watched the sea of faces below, the crowd swaying with excitement as sound technicians made final checks. The air felt thick with anticipation-like the calm before a thunderstorm.
Beside him, Dendi was leaning against the railing, grinning wide. His energy filled the room.
"Riku, my boy! You've really outdone yourself this time!" he said, his laughter booming. "This place is insane-it's like I'm back at TI all over again!"
Riku chuckled softly. "Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment." He glanced toward the left side of the crowd, where several people stood apart from the others-quiet, calculated, holding their phones low as they recorded. "The scouts are here," he muttered.
Kuro followed his gaze. "Guess they're already sizing people up. One good performance, and they'll be making calls before the night's over."
Riku nodded slightly. "Let's hope they pick wisely."
Gh leaned back on the couch behind them, arms crossed. "Why the heavy tone, man? You look like you just got told you're out of the bracket."
"It's Roselia," Riku said after a pause. "Their vocalist, Minato Yukina-she's got a grudge against the business. The industry crushed her father's music career. She's still carrying that weight. And with scouts like these..." He sighed. "If she senses even a hint of corporate manipulation tonight, it'll hit her nerves hard."
Ivan, sipping from a soda can, raised an eyebrow. "If they want to go pro, they'll have to face this world eventually. That's just how it works."
Riku didn't argue. He just watched the crowd again, the stage lights flickering across his face. "Yeah," he said quietly. "I just hope those scouts have the decency not to ruin something pure."
Across the room, laughter broke through the tension. Aya and the others were leaning over the balcony, chatting animatedly as they watched the people below.
Aya gasped softly. "Look at the crowd... it's packed! I hope Kasumi-chan and the others are holding up down there."
Chisato smiled, calm and assured. "Relax, Aya-chan. They'll be fine. Besides, it'll be our turn soon enough. Consider this a preview."
Aya blinked. "Oh, right... our event next month. Can't believe I forgot."
Nearby, Himari was crouched over her phone, angling it for the perfect shot. "Hold still, Tomoe! I'm posting this!"
Tomoe frowned. "Posting what now?"
"Pictures of the event!" Himari grinned. "Don't worry-I asked Riku and Ayaya for permission. Plus, I'm getting paid for it!"
Tomoe and Tsugumi turned toward her at once. "You're getting paid?!"
Moca tilted her head lazily. "Heh... Hii-chan making that influencer money, huh~? Think you could spare some for bread~?"
Himari's face flushed red. "Moca!!"
Ran sighed, arms crossed. "Idiots."
On the couch nearby, Kanon clutched her hands together, eyes wide as she looked toward the glowing stage below. "Fueee... this feels like the Future World Fes all over again."
Misaki patted her shoulder lightly. "You're not wrong. Smaller crowd, sure, but the same kind of buzz."
Their voices mingled with the hum of the room until a bright shout cut through the noise.
"Kokoron! Emu!!!"
Kokoro's eyes lit up as a blur of pink rushed toward her. The two collided in a tight hug that made a few heads turn.
"Emu! It's been forever!" Kokoro laughed, spinning her old friend around.
"Too long!" Emu replied, beaming. "The theme park's been keeping me busy! But I just had to come see this!"
Kokoro clasped her hands together. "I'm so glad! You have to introduce me to your friends!"
Emu nodded eagerly and waved over three others. "Right! Everyone, this is Kokoro! Kokoro, this is Nene, Tsukasa, and Rui!"
Nene, a quiet girl with greenish-gray hair, gave a small, nervous bow. "Kusanagi Nene... nice to meet you."
The blond man beside her struck a proud pose. "Tenma Tsukasa, star performer of Wonderlands x Showtime! Kokoro, Emu's told me so much about you-let's make it a friendship worthy of the spotlight!"
Kokoro laughed and shook his hand. "I like your spirit, Tsukasa!"
Then came Rui. His mismatched hair shimmered faintly under the lights as he inclined his head politely. "Kamishiro Rui. A pleasure. If you're Emu's friend, you're already someone I respect. Perhaps one day we'll share a stage."
Kokoro's eyes widened. "You perform too?!"
Emu bounced on her toes. "Yup! We're called Wonderlands x Showtime! We're performing at Phoenix Wonderland soon!"
Kokoro clasped her hands with delight. "Amazing! Let's do a collab! Hello, Happy World! and Wonderlands x Showtime-how fun would that be?"
Behind her, her bandmates' smiles froze. Even Kaoru looked mildly alarmed. "Kokoro... perhaps we could discuss that later," she said delicately, earning only another bright laugh from her band leader.
Away from the chatter, Aichi stood with μ's near the railing. The nine idols looked both curious and cautious, their eyes drawn to the glowing stage below.
Umi leaned closer to him. "Aichi, are you sure this is wise? This isn't an idol event."
Aichi adjusted his glasses, calm as ever. "That's exactly why it's wise. They're not idols, but they're performers. They know how to command a crowd. If μ's wants to evolve, learn from them. Inspiration doesn't only come from your own field."
Eli nodded in agreement, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd. "Logical as always. It's starting."
Below, the house lights dimmed. A hush rolled through the venue like a held breath. Then a spotlight flared at center stage-revealing Hatate, poised and confident, microphone in hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she began, her voice smooth and clear, "welcome to Live House CiRCLE's very first live event!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Hatate let the noise rise before continuing. "Tonight, we bring you five incredible groups-five sounds, five dreams, one unforgettable night! I'm your host, Himekaidou Hatate. Everybody, are you ready?!"
The audience roared, the floor trembling under their voices.
Hatate's smirk widened. "Good! Then let's not waste a second. Our opening act is a DJ group whose beats dominate Yoba Academy. They've accepted the call to light this stage on fire! Please welcome-Peaky P-key!"
The lights exploded into motion-neon blues and purples slicing through the dark. The four girls of Peaky P-key appeared onstage in perfect formation. Kyoko raised her arm, confidence radiating off her in waves.
"Let's get this started!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the hall. "Electric Chaos Countdown!"
A surge of bass dropped, and the crowd lost its mind.
Electric Chaos Countdown
(By: Peakey P-key)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udkaOBOfypE
-Ten-
-Nine-
-Eight-
-Seven- -Six- -Five-
-Four-
-Three-
-Two-
-One-
"Peaky P-key"
sotaiseiriron gan mushi shite
juryokuhanten shita koi wo shinai?
Let me sing! tengoku e to tsurete itte ageru
Super beat BPM wa toransu ijo
Super beat EDM no go ranshin
Super beat Motto! Super beat Motto!!
Super beat reddo zon made kanji sasete?
a-na-ta no ko-e wo
-Four- tenka muteki
-Three- denran muso
-Two- -One- sono na to wa?
"Peaky P-key" Hey!!
nana ju oku aru no miso wo Peaky
shigeki teki pikipiki ni shichaunda Peaky
sen oku aru ginga ni made Peaky
todoku kurai no Mix wo
ne...
-Ten- kono Doki Doki
-Nine- shinpaku rizumu
-Eight- kyoyu dekiru?
-Seven- -Six- -Five-
-Four- oto no Kiss no
-Three- kauntodaun
-Two- hade ni
-One- sakebe
"Peaky P-key"
saijo saiko no jinsei ni shite
yume ga yume janai koto shomei shitai
We can fly! shin sekai wo misete ageru kara
Super beat Gan Gan to tsutau teion
Super beat Age Age ni tobu onnatsu
Super beat Check it out! Super beat Check it out!!
Super beat genkai ijo ni kikasete hoshi
a-na-ta no ko-e wo
-Four- joshiki NG
-Three- josho Only
-Two- -One- sono na to wa?
"Peaky P-key" Hey!!
ongaku ni seigen nante nai Peaky
genjitsu shugi nante ronpa shichae Peaky
bun mawase chikyu wo tan teburu de Peaky
sozo ryoku wa mugen da
ne...
-Ten- kono Waku Waku
-Nine- kanjo ribido
-Eight- kyomei dekiru?
-Seven- -Six- -Five-
-Four- hitotsu ni naru
-Three- kauntodaun
-Two- koko ni
-One- utae
"Peaky P-key"
Super beat madamada koe daseru desho?
Super beat sonnan ja tari yashinai
Super beat Motto! Super beat Motto!!
rinkai ten made futto sasete?
a-na-ta no ko-e wo
-Four- tenka muteki
-Three- denran muso
-Two- -One- sono na to wa?
"Peaky P-key" Hey!!
nana ju oku aru no miso wo Peaky
shigeki teki pikipiki ni shichaunda Peaky
sen oku aru ginga ni made Peaky
todoku kurai no Mix wo
ne...
-Ten- shin jidai no
-Nine- doa ga hiraku yo
-Eight- kyokan dekiru?
-Seven- -Six- -Five-
-Four- denran suru
-Three- kauntodaun
-Two- hade ni
-One- sakebe
"Peaky P-key"
The roar of the audience filled the entire Live House as the final notes of Peaky P-key's song reverberated through the air. The crowd's energy was electric-cheers, whistles, and applause blending into one steady, thunderous wave of approval. Kyoko looked over the audience, sweat glinting at her temple under the lights. For the first time in a while, she smiled-not her confident, leader's smirk, but a genuine, heart-felt one. She turned toward Shinobu, who stood beside her with her arms crossed, but even she couldn't hide the small, content smile forming on her face.
"Thank you for the cheers!" Kyoko called, her voice cutting through the noise with commanding grace. "Now then, we were planning to save this one for later-but plans change. Shinobu, if you will."
Shinobu brushed her hair back, a quiet gleam flashing in her eyes. "Fine then..." She paused dramatically, then raised her mic. "Wish You Luck."
Wish You Luck
(By: Peakey P-key)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExTPbgim46s
sorezore no mirai e kakeru
kimi ga kureta yume wo daite
mune no naka kanjiru no wa
kono basho de te ni ireta kakegae no nai chikara
in my heart, turn on
kanarazu sekai e iku yo soredake wa yuruganai
unmei no maku yo agare
spread the wings
kokoro kara tsukamaeta honmono wa itsushika
sorezore no goal wo mezashite
jibun jishin wo sekai e to
kizamu tame hashiridasu
dakara koso kagayaita
tatoe ima wo ushinatte mo kamawanai
sore ga watashi-tachite wo kazase akashi wo shirusou
Wish You Luck
eien no owari wa kitto kanashiku wa nainda
kimi wo omou kimochi wa kawaranai
itsuka kuru tabidachi no hi e
taisetsu na sayonara wo tsutaeyou
doko made mo ikerunda
senaka wo sotto osu no wa hitotsu hitotsu no memory
dearest, forever
shizuka ni moe tsudzukeru hitomi wa mabuta no ura de
saigo no shunkan wo matteru
don't look back
takaramono hitotsuzutsu uketoru tabi yume wa
osore nado nai to utatta
jibun jishin wo sekai e to
egaku tame kono iro de
azayaka ni massugu ni
watashi wa ikite yukitai donna hi mo
sora hareteyuku
tsugi no basho e sugu ni tobitatou
Wish Me Luck
wakare no sono toki wa kitto sabishiku wa nainda
kimi to watashi no kanosei no tame
hitsuyo na monogatari dakara
futatabi no deai made mata ne, to
kimi ga ite hajimatta sorezore no mirai wa
kono saki mo tsudzuite yuku yo
jibun jishin wo sekai e to
takaraka ni hyomei shite
kore made mo korekara mo
kotae wa watashi no naka ni aru kagiri
zutto mayowazu ni
kurayami no nakade mo arukeru
Wish You Luck
eien no owari wa kitto kanashiku wa nainda
kimi wo omou kimochi wa kawaranai
itsuka kuru tabidachi no hi e
taisetsu na sayonara wo tsutaeyou
And when the final note faded into silence, the audience responded in kind-with roaring applause that made the floor vibrate beneath their feet.
Up in the VIP area, Aichi leaned slightly forward, his sharp eyes observing every detail. "They're good," he murmured.
Nico crossed her arms, nodding. "So that's what a DJ unit looks like up close, huh? Feels kinda like what we do as school idols-sing, dance, feel the beat, make the crowd move with you."
Umi smiled faintly. "You're right. It's not too different after all. Singing and dancing while syncing with rhythm-it's performance in its purest form. Now I understand why you brought us here, Aichi."
Aichi gave a rare, amused grin. "And I didn't want the tickets to go to waste."
Nozomi chuckled softly. "Typical Aichi. Always efficient." She then turned to Maki. "Well, Maki-chan... any sparks of inspiration?"
Maki tapped her chin, eyes focused on the stage. "Not yet... but I can feel something forming. I need to see a bit more."
On the other side of the balcony, Dendi's old teammate XBOCT nudged him lightly. "Yo, Danil. Look over there."
Dendi followed his line of sight-and spotted a small cluster of people in suits and glasses at the far corner of the crowd. Their expressions were calm, businesslike-but their phones were already at their ears.
"They're making their move fast," Dendi said, his tone low.
Artstyle nodded. "And this is just the first group. They don't waste time."
Amer leaned forward curiously. "Where's Riku anyway?"
Kuro answered for him, leaning back casually. "He left a while ago. Said he was going backstage."
The pros exchanged glances and nodded in quiet understanding. After all, Riku wasn't just an organizer-he was the heart of this event.
Backstage - Waiting Room
The girls of Raise A Suilen were watching the performance replay on one of the side monitors. Rei crossed her arms, her sharp eyes following the rhythm. "So this is how Peaky P-key plays... They've got precision, I'll give them that."
Masuki leaned back, cracking her knuckles. "Yeah, no kiddin'. Ya sure you didn't just poke the bear earlier, Chu²?"
Chiyu-better known as Chu²-snapped her head toward her drummer, a spark of irritation in her eyes. "Tch. Mind your own business, Masking. I know exactly what I'm doing."
Reona giggled softly. "Then what's the grand plan, Chu²-sama?" she teased.
Chiyu smirked, crossing one leg over the other. "You'll see when we hit the stage. Just make sure you keep up."
Across the room, Lisa looked at Roselia's leader, Yukina, her expression thoughtful. "They really set the tempo high, don't you think?"
Yukina nodded solemnly. "They did an excellent job. Which means we must do better."
Kasumi, ever the ball of boundless energy, pumped her fists. "Then we'll just have to give it our all!"
Backstage - Hallway
Peaky P-key were finally able to breathe. They sat on a bench, their faces still flushed with post-performance adrenaline.
"That was so exciting!" Yuka said between gasps, fanning herself with her hand. "We've played at Yoba plenty of times, but this... this is something else entirely!"
Esora laughed, tossing her towel over her shoulder. "Right? We should totally do more events like this!"
Shinobu gave her a pointed look. "We could-if you remember we still have exams coming up. We're students, remember?"
"Ugh, don't remind me," Esora groaned.
Kyoko, however, smiled faintly. "Shinobu's right. Still, tonight was progress. We showed people what we can do-that's what matters."
A familiar voice spoke from behind them. "And you did just that."
They turned-and found Riku standing there, clapping lightly.
"Riku-kun!" Esora called cheerfully. "You're here to congratulate us?"
Riku smiled. "Of course. You girls did great. How are you feeling?"
Kyoko sighed, a weight lifting from her shoulders. "Honestly? Heavy. We've done this plenty of times, but this was... different. Performing at this scale-knowing who's watching-that's pressure."
Shinobu nodded. "Especially with scouts and industry people in the audience."
Riku crossed his arms. "You'll get used to it. Just remember-your sound spoke louder than nerves ever could. Now go rest. Then call Leo/need; they're up next."
The four nodded, thanking him before heading off. Riku lingered behind, rolling up his sleeves as he began helping the crew set up Leo/need's instruments.
Minutes later, the sound of hurried footsteps filled the corridor. Ichika and her friends arrived, each wearing their stage uniforms and carrying their instruments.
Ichika's voice trembled slightly. "So... we're next."
Saki gave her a gentle smile. "Nervous?"
Ichika laughed softly. "A little. It's our first time performing in front of a live audience. And... it's the first time people will see Miku."
From Ichika's phone, a familiar electronic voice chimed in. "Don't worry, Ichika. Everything will be fine. Like Riku said, play like you're having fun-not scared."
Ichika looked down at her phone, then smiled. "Thanks, Miku."
Riku stood by the edge of the stage, watching them line up. "You're ready," he said, his voice calm and encouraging. "Go out there and show them what humanity and A.I. can do together. Wait for Hatate's signal."
Leo/need nodded firmly, the four girls walking toward the blinding lights as the next cue came over the speakers.