Today was the day our single was released. Having grown somewhat wealthy from our performance revenue, [Ichigo Production] poured resources into promotion, and our faces were plastered across record stores throughout Japan.
The sight that left the deepest impression on us was the endless queue of people lining up just to buy our album.
"Hehehe.... I'm releasing an album.... I'm an artist now.... I'm finally a musician..."
Our bald bassist, Shuji, looked completely out of it, as if he were high on something.
'Is his normal mental state just naturally similar to being on drugs? Is that how he was able to write Stairway to Heaven...?'
He was trembling, his feet tapping nervously as he sat in front of the computer, constantly refreshing the webpage. Since his behavior looked exactly like someone suffering from drug withdrawal, I was genuinely considering whether I needed to take him back to the hospital.
"Hehe... the masterpiece of my life... I wonder what the reviews will be? My opera!!!!"
Ai watched the scene with a look of pure exasperation. In fact, Ai was the only one currently maintaining a sense of calm.
"Shuji-ojisan, releasing an album isn't that big of a deal! ദ്ദിˊᗜˋ)"
"Ai, how did you feel when your first album came out?"
"I didn't really feel anything at all?"
In truth, despite being an idol, Ai didn't care much for public reaction. Since the image she showed the world was nothing but [lies], she felt the public's response was ultimately meaningless. Though she made an effort to try and love her fans, she didn't actually harbor any interest in them.
"Woo-hyo!!!!!!!!"
"What is it? What's the bald guy looking at??"
Yokishi, our muscular black drummer, hoisted the bald bassist up and tossed him aside to see the screen for himself.
[Enfants Terribles delivers a sharp rebuke to those who look down on popular music!!]
[An album that has elevated pop music to the level of art.]
[It is only two songs, but those two are more than enough to change the world.]
Ratings of 10 out of 10, and some even higher. That was how the critics were evaluating our single. But what about the international response? The crazy bassist checked the critics' reviews first, but the primary goal of this single was to gain traction overseas.
[US Billboard Hot 100 Rankings]
1. Stairway to Heaven
2. Whatever
For a moment, the [Ichigo Production] office fell into a stunned silence. They suddenly realized one undeniable fact: Enfants Terribles had begun their invasion of the United States.
Taking the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 immediately upon release—the sheer power of Enfants Terribles made it no exaggeration to say that a Japanese version of the British Invasion had begun.
"You damn stars!!! I love you guys!!!!!"
Saito Ichigo, his blonde hair slightly thinning and his beard rough, was the one to break the silence with a roar of delight.
.
.
.
.
.
"These kids really were monsters, weren't they?!"
Miyazaki Makoto, the former PD of ASAYAN, was at home watching the breaking news about Enfants Terribles with a wide grin, sipping on a beer.
Bzzz—
Just then, his phone began to vibrate.
ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ
●Hide●
- We need to film a music video to use in the US. Do you know how to shoot one?
- I heard you were also the one who handled the sound producing for ASAYAN?
ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ
Although he had planned to live off his savings for the rest of his life, the thought that working with these troublemakers might be fun crossed his mind.
It looked like it was time to end his unemployment.