"It's time to end this."
Enfants Terribles performed three songs for their encore, then made a show of pretending to leave the stage.
Fooled by the band's prank, some fans were in floods of tears, sobbing uncontrollably, while others chanted the Stars' names, demanding even more.
"My throat's sore from singing all day, you know?"
"More!! More!!"
The heat of the arena hadn't cooled an inch. Ignoring Hide's playful grumbling, the fans continued to scream their hopes toward the Stars.
Responding to the fervor, the members of Enfants Terribles returned to the center of the stage and took their positions. In truth, they never had any intention of leaving just yet.
"Alright. Whatever it is, just say it."
As Hide spoke, arrogantly snapping his gum, the audience began to chant a single word in unison.
"Acquiesce!!!"
Acquiesce. A song Enfants Terribles wrote specifically for the fans, and their first-ever duet track that had never been performed live before. The crowd at MetLife Stadium was desperately hoping for a live performance of that very song.
"Who are the ones looking for Yokishi and Shuji's voices?"
As soon as Hide finished his characteristically blunt, tsundere remark, Sakamoto Ryuichi—who was filling in on guitar to free Hide up—seized the stage with the crisp, driving opening riff of 'Acquiesce.'
The British publication 'The Guardian' had once called the act of releasing such a masterpiece as a B-side for free on a fledgling IT site like YouTube a decision fueled by the sheer hubris of artists convinced their creative peak would last forever—a move they predicted would herald Enfants Terribles' artistic downfall. In response, the band had simply given that opinion the middle finger.
The reason was simple: 'Acquiesce' was a gift from Enfants Terribles to the fans who cheered so passionately for them. Because of that, the song's copyright was currently released for free use.
As the song reached its climax, the audience began to sing along in a massive choir. 'Acquiesce' was a particularly magical track for the long-time fans of Enfants Terribles.
It captured the band's early sound before their tone shifted darker after the second album. The lyrics of the chorus, pleading that they "believe in and need one another," felt like a moving depiction of the bond between the Stars and the fans who supported them.
Even though the song hadn't been out for long, the crowd sang every word perfectly.
Because we need...
When the song ended, the audience stopped calling for more encores. While they were still heartbroken to let their Stars go, they believed that Enfants Terribles—who cherished them this much—would surely return.
Enfants Terribles gathered for a final bow before heading backstage.
"I'm going to the bathroom!!!"
Sakamoto Ryuichi, experiencing a concert of this magnitude for the first time, sprinted for the restroom the moment they stepped off the stage.
"That guy, after drinking all that beer..."
"Well, it's his first time. It happens."
Rock band performances differed from idol stages in many ways. Unlike idol performances that required constant, repetitive dancing and singing, band members use instruments, which allows for brief moments to catch their breath. Because of this, small snacks and alcohol are always kept in the back of a band's stage setup.
Even Freddie Mercury performed at Live Aid while sipping on beer, didn't he? Of course, I didn't touch the stuff.
Or rather, I couldn't. I was still legally underage. Even in Japan, I rarely got the chance to drink because of the way Ai watched me. The only time I could catch a drink was when I was exclusively with the members of Enfants Terribles.
"I'm jealous you guys can drink during the show."
"Oh, right. Leader's still a minor, isn't he?"
Shuji looked surprised, as if he had genuinely forgotten. Honestly, I probably could have gotten away with it, but if Ai ever caught me drinking during a performance, the lecture would be legendary. I chose restraint.
Personally, I thought the work ethic of Ai, who styled herself as the Ultimate Idol, was on another level.
"But the real reason Hide isn't drinking is because of Ai—"
"Hide!!"
In the middle of our idle chatter, one of Enfants Terribles' sound staff members came running toward us in a panic.
What was going on? We had only just started the tour, so there shouldn't have been anything so urgent. We were bound to cause some trouble eventually, but we hadn't done anything 'yet.'
"Your family is here to see you...!"
"My family?"
When I think of 'family,' only the band members and Ai come to mind. Thinking maybe Ai had made a surprise visit, a bright smile spread across my face.
"Are you talking about Ai?"
"No... someone claiming to be Hide's father is here..."
Father...? I had cut ties long ago with the man I could call father in this life. Wasn't he the man who had abused and then abandoned me after his remarriage?
"And he brought reporters with him!!"
Strangely, I felt a boiling rage surge from deep within my chest. He had abandoned his own child, and now he had the nerve to show his face with the paparazzi in tow?
"Where are you going, Hide?"
"To go beat someone up."
Sakamoto Ryuichi, returning after handling his business, was stunned by the sudden change in Hide's aura.
It was his first time seeing Hide—who was usually blunt but always looked out for him with warmth—projecting such pure, unadulterated fury.
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