The American leg of the schedule concluded with immense success. We had left for America after becoming the first in Billboard history to sweep the top five spots on the charts, but by the time we departed, we had locked down positions one through eight.
For context, our record had surpassed the feat of the Beatles in my past life, who held the top five spots on the Billboard Hot 100.
"So, 'Basket Case' was an autobiographical song, then?"
I was currently in the United Kingdom, conducting an interview with Chris Martin. Yes, the man who served as the vocalist and frontman for Coldplay in my past life.
"Yes, that's right. Before we succeeded, I just had to keep running forward, but after finding success, I found myself looking around at my surroundings."
The reason I had accepted the interview request with Chris Martin was precisely because of a sense of indebtedness. During the [Asayan] quarterfinals, I had used 'Viva la Vida'—a song he composed in my past life—and passed it off as my own creation.
Even if he might never compose 'Viva la Vida' in this world, I knew the success he had enjoyed in my previous life, and thus, I felt a heavy debt toward him.
"Speaking of which, was there a specific reason you accepted my interview request? Enfants Terribles is famous for rejecting media interviews, so I was quite shocked when we received a positive response."
"You always write decent articles, Mr. Martin. I felt like I could trust you."
In truth, I was startled when I first learned he was alive in this world. Since this was a world without bands, I naturally assumed the people who played pivotal roles in rock history simply didn't exist.
What I said wasn't a lie. Usually, the media requests interviews not because they are curious about the music, but because they want gossip fodder. However, even in this life, Chris Martin was a music enthusiast, and that was why I felt I could trust him.
"Ah, this is just a personal thought, but... anyway, 'The Sun' has been trying to play the patriotism card by claiming that Enfants Terribles' music is distinctly British. Isn't that absurd?"
"Haha... British style, huh..."
Our first album was certainly British in style. To begin with, the album titles were taken directly from the first and second albums of 'Oasis,' a band that pursued quintessentially British music. Even though there were tracks composed by Yokishi and Shuji, most of the songs were stolen by me from 'Oasis,' so even if I didn't care for The Sun's intentions, they weren't exactly wrong.
"I do like the atmosphere of the UK. Doesn't my English even have a British accent?"
"It definitely sounds like a Lancashire dialect. Then, are there songs in the first album you wrote while thinking of England?"
While I was smiling as I spoke with him, my heart was weighed down by a crushing discomfort born of guilt and debt.
Sitting across from the man who was the vanguard of post-Britpop in my past life and being questioned about songs I had stolen, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of remorse.
"Oh, of course. I'd say 'Don't Look Back in Anger' is a representative example."
"That song is currently being sung like a national anthem in the Manchester area. Manchester City is even pushing to use it as their official supporters' song."
My expression stiffened at those words. Even in my past life, 'Don't Look Back in Anger' served as a second national anthem for the UK and the anthem for the Manchester City football team. That was just how good the song was. After releasing it, the original creator, Noel Gallagher, had even considered retiring because he felt he had nothing left to show.
"I'm glad the song I wrote is being loved."
Just like the Beatles during their peak, Enfants Terribles was exerting a massive influence on society, politics, and the economy. Before I knew it, I had become an existence that delivered hope to young people.
But is it really right for someone like me, who achieved these results through [lies] by stealing masterpieces from a past life, to receive such treatment? Lost in that thought, I could no longer maintain my smile.
"Uh... you don't look well. Is something bothering you?"
"No... it's nothing. Just a bit tired from the jet lag..."
As that thought crossed my mind, I couldn't look Chris Martin straight in the eye.
"Then you should head in quickly! We can always finish the interview later..."
It would have been easier if he were like the conservative press, biting at us and claiming Enfants Terribles' success was a fluke and that such classless people couldn't possibly keep succeeding. I could have just ignored them. But Chris Martin was showing me genuine goodwill.
"Then let's continue the interview another time."
My mind was too cluttered to continue. I regretted coming; I should have stayed away. I had been struggling to suppress the negative emotions that erupted after meeting Michael Jackson, but this meeting had rendered all those efforts futile.
"Oh, and out of all of Enfants Terribles' music, 'Viva la Vida' is my absolute favorite. Once that track is officially released in the US, it will definitely flip the music industry trends upside down!"
Hearing his final remark, I practically fled the interview room.
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Upon arriving at the hotel, Yokishi called his mother. His mother had told him that she had met his father while she was studying abroad in the UK and he was on a temporary dispatch.
His mother was the daughter of a prestigious family. However, she had been disowned for marrying a foreigner.
"Mother, I'm in the UK right now."
"How are you feeling, Yokishi? Does the water agree with you?"
His mother had said she suffered a lot in the UK because the water didn't suit her. Fortunately, perhaps because he inherited his father's blood so strongly, Yokishi had no issues at all.
"Yes, everything's fine. Are you doing well, Mother?"
"I'm doing well, of course. I'm always listening to news of your success. When you're with your friends, you look just like your father."
His mother had always worried about him. Having stayed by his father's side and experienced firsthand how foreigners were treated in Japan, it was only natural for her to feel that way.
"Are your friends good people?"
Hearing his mother's question, Yokishi looked at a photograph he had taken with the members of Enfants Terribles.
"Shuji is eccentric and sometimes picky, but he always treats me without any pretense. Hide is a genius but remains humble. He's a great leader who always strives to respect us."
Shuji was like a true friend to him. A friend he could play around with without any barriers. And the Master (Hide) was an excellent leader who always saw them for who they truly were. Despite Hide being younger than him, Yokishi called him 'Hyung-ssi' (Master/Elder) as a mark of respect.
"Enfants Terribles is my other home, Mother."
Yokishi wanted to enjoy music with his friends in Enfants Terribles forever. While they were a mess individually, when they gathered, they became the 'Terrifying Children' that no one could stop.