[Serialized Novel] "A Song of Love for You 2" #15 Joint Live Performance Under the Moonlight

Click here for the previous episode (#14)

Previous episode:

43. <Reika>

Shota's prediction was spot on. Rumors that the three members of Black Box might be together spread through social media, and people who had seen Takumi singing on the web began to flock to the stadium one after another. The unsold tickets sold like wildfire, and by an hour before the second half of the live show began, the venue was full.

＊

Evening came, and the surroundings grew darker and darker. Normally, the night game lights would be turned on, but that was impossible during the power outage. Could an outdoor night concert be held in such a situation? In contrast to my anxiety, Shota was always calm and positive.

"Isn't this the perfect environment to sing 'Vow of the Starry Sky'? Let's change the song order and sing while the power is still out," he said, just like that.

"It's okay even if it's dark. Lighting enough to see where everyone is will be sufficient. I've asked a helper to go buy portable lanterns. I plan to place them around the stage. It will surely be a magical live show."

The reason they could make changes immediately according to the situation was because they were a small band consisting only of a guitar and vocals. This wouldn't be possible for a live show that required large-scale stage equipment and a large staff. Shota continued.

"Sister, haven't you ever had that experience? When you were a child, feeling excited on a day with a typhoon. I have. And right now, I'm feeling that same kind of excitement."

"…In other words, you're saying I should enjoy even a crisis? Fine, if it's come to this, I'll enjoy it to the fullest."

After Shota's words, lanterns were placed on the stage. It was just about the time the sun was setting. Indeed, a magical atmosphere drifted only in that area. The keyboard was quietly set up in the dim light, and preparations for the second half of the live show were complete.

Since the venue was already full and the confusion on the arena side was still ongoing, the start time was moved up by thirty minutes. The three members of Black Box, who had been waiting for this moment, began to chat with nervous but happy expressions.

"I had imagined it, but I never thought the three of us would really be able to stand on such a big stage. I wonder if I'm dreaming..."

"This is reality, brother. I believed. That Rion would come back..."

"…It's crazy for you to believe in a traitor like me, Sena."

"What are you saying? Twins are connected even when they are apart. That's why I knew exactly how much anxiety you were feeling after you left, Rion."

"…Even so, dragging the owner of 'Great World' out here is a foul."

"I told you many times, I didn't drag him out. The owner was genuinely worried about you, Rion. That's all there is to it."

"Well, well, that doesn't matter right now, does it? In one minute, we'll be standing on stage together as Black Box. Let's just enjoy what we feel and what we see there."

Like a true older brother, Eugene smoothed things over between the two and put his arms around their shoulders.

"...Welcome back, Rion. I'm proud to be able to perform with your keyboard again. And Sena, let your best voice ring out. I'll back you up with the electric guitar."

As the two nodded firmly, the time arrived. "Let's go!" The three of them ran onto the stage in unison.

*

The live stream started at the cameraman's signal. The stage was dimly lit, and their faces were not clearly visible. However, once the performance began, it became clear who was there. A roar of cheers went up, and the atmosphere was filled with a welcome for Black Box.

Unlike right after the blackout when Takumi sang, their live performance, now that they had secured wireless sound equipment, was not deafeningly loud, but both the vocals and the instruments reached my ears clearly.

"Sorry to keep you waiting! Today is Southern Cross's live show, but we, Black Box, are going to take the best part for the first song! You know what it is when you hear the intro, right? That's right, we're singing 'Shake!' Let's all dance, sing, and get excited!"

With the intro of "Shake!" played by Rion in the background, Sena made the announcement. The song began just as the venue erupted in excitement once again.

#

Gathering stardust like konpeito candy, tossing it into the sea, it sparkles and shines. A parent and child whale are taking a walk, what a surprise!! The tide has turned into a rainbow.

I want to see you, right now. I can't hold back my bounding heart. I'll fly away, riding on a shooting star.

Shake! Shake! I'm in love and I want to become one with you. Mix the world! The sky, the sea, everything I can see... I wish it were all you!

##

Gathering clouds like cotton candy, attaching a string, they float softly. A couple of seagulls are on a date, it's so cute! They flew off side by side.

Do you want to see me? Right now? If I jump into your heart, will you catch me? If you love me, that is.

Shake! Shake! I'm in love and I want to become one with you. Around the world! Even to the universe, everything I can see... everything is mine alone.

Here, Sena quickly points the microphone toward Rion. Riding the rap-style rhythm, he sings while showing off his dance moves.

**

Shake, shake. Everything mixed together, flying off to the far side of the sky. Destroying everything. But, in this world where everything is gone, can we even survive? "Hey, answer me..."

☆☆

Shake! Shake!
I'm in love and I want to become one with you
over the world!
If I have you, I don't need anything else
So keep your eyes only on me!

#(Click here if you want to listen to the song)

As the song ends, a massive round of applause is sent our way for the umpteenth time. Rion, having snatched the microphone from Sena, raises his voice to cut through the clapping.

"Everyone, sorry for making you worry! Black Box is still alive and well. We'll keep performing as the three of us! So please keep supporting us!"

The venue felt as if it were a Black Box concert. In fact, many people must have gathered just to see them. They might even outnumber our own fans, but that was something we had already anticipated.

"Let's keep this excitement going all at once!"
Eugene, having received the mic from Rion, called out to the audience. It's our turn to go out next. I steel myself.

44. <Takumi>

Black Box's "Shake!" was amazing. The level of excitement was incomparable to the first song of the first half. So this is the difference in popularity... But I can't let myself get discouraged here. We have our own pride. We also have the ambition of conquering the world.

I try to let out a voice a few times, but my throat still doesn't seem like it will tremble. As planned from the start, it seems best to leave the singing to Tomoatsu. I glance at the lively stage and send hand signals to the two of them.

--Let's go too. The second half will focus on Wing and Reika's songs. Let's entertain the fans who have been with us for a long time!

"Yeah. I'll give it my all."

"I will too. No matter what anyone says, it's a song I wrote myself. I'll sing it with all my heart."

--Alright! The second half of the Southern Cross live show starts now!
Eugene's electric guitar performance begins. We burn with motivation and leap onto the dimly lit stage.

"Everyone who has been supporting Wing and Reika, sorry to keep you waiting! From the second half, we're finally pulling out the old songs to sing!"
Tomoatsu takes the mic and greets the fans.
"First, from Wing's signature songs. 'Crazy Love'!"

Wing was a band that performed with electric guitars, not acoustic ones. Normally, we should switch guitars, but Eugene is here today. To fill the gap of Tomoatsu holding the mic and singing, Eugene's electric guitar reproduces a sound close to the original "Crazy Love".

Is it just my imagination, or does Tomoatsu sound like he's singing closer to my old voice than ever before...? No, not only that, even the sound of my acoustic guitar is starting to sound like an electric one...

The following "Old & New World" was the same. Has my hearing gone strange? Or is it the special atmosphere of this place that is making it so...?

After finishing the two songs from the Wing era, I send a sign in sign language that only Tomoatsu can understand.
--About that singing voice just now, did you consciously produce it with my former voice in mind?

"I didn't intend to, but I also felt it was a voice I couldn't recognize as my own. ...Is your voice close to returning, or are our brains just reminiscing about the past...? Well, that doesn't matter. ...Next is 'Vow of the Starry Sky,' it's your turn. Create a miracle once more. I won't sing, I'll focus on playing."

--I don't know if I can live up to your expectations, but I will 'sing' with all my heart...

I send a signal with my eyes at the moment the venue goes quiet. As the two of us begin to play our guitars, a roar of excitement rises as if they had been waiting for this moment.

I take a deep breath. I hum the lyrics while consciously trying to project my voice from the bottom of my gut.

#

Even though there are as many people as stars
Does it not reach them? The prayer for peace
Conflict, insults, taking from one another...
Why don't we put an end to an era like this?

There must be a world we can see beyond the tears
But I want to keep smiling
Because it's a future I live with you

Under the night sky after the rain, we
Instead of lamenting that things won't change
We sing, until our throats are dry, until we have no voice left

#

I heard my own voice again. It isn't as clear as Tomoatsu's, nor as beautiful as Reika's. But... But I have lived for decades with this raspy voice, and I have called myself a musician using this voice as my weapon.

I didn't like this voice that much. How many times have I compared myself to others and wished I had a voice like theirs...? But having lost it, and now vocalizing again, I think: my own voice isn't so bad after all.

I feel keenly that I am a musician after all. I am so happy that I can sing. I am so proud that I can express myself through song.

##

Before I knew it, I felt somewhat suffocated
I can't be an honest person
Self-denial, cooped up, all alone
Wind, please come and take me away soon

Under the night sky where stars twinkle, we
Instead of wishing to change
We shout, until our throats are dry, until we have no voice left

Under the night sky where stars fall, we
Remember the reason we were born here
Turning our eyes to the distant stars
The words of miracles carved into our souls... those words...

#(If you would like to listen to the song, please visit this past article)

Looking up, there were so many stars twinkling that I usually couldn't see because of the city lights. Occasionally, I could even see shooting stars. The sight became droplets that traced down my cheeks, eventually dampening the earth.

I can't see the fans in the venue from here. But I can feel it. Everyone is looking up at the same sky as I am.

We are one right now...
I naturally took both of their hands.
Thank you, everyone... Thank you...

*

After that, when we performed Reika's "Family" and Black Box's songs, the venue became even more excited. It even feels as if this dimly lit stage is bringing us and the venue together. The fans cannot rely on their vision. I feel that the realization that they have no choice but to sharpen their other senses and enjoy this live performance through the sound and the atmosphere of the place is what is focusing the fans on the "here and now."

*

The live performance reached its final stage in the blink of an eye. Rion, who had crammed the piano piece "Great World" into his head during the intervals while we, Southern Cross, were on stage, sat down in front of the keyboard with Sena.

I had heard the owner and Sena's duet many times since practice, but how would the pair of Rion and Sena perform? We, too, listened to their performance as fans.

Sounds began to ring out in perfect harmony, as if they had been practicing for months. Is this the skill of twins? When the owner played, scenes of nature came to mind, but Rion's performance has a strength that inspires us, the listeners. It sounds as if he is declaring that he has returned here. Surely, he is fulfilling his word when he said he wanted to captivate the audience with the keyboard.

Rion, that guy is playing like he's having the time of his life. Oh, even the moon has come to listen to his performance. Truly, this is the best stage.
The owner said this in a tone as if he were bragging about his own son.

A seventeen-day-old moon floats in the sky where only stars were visible just a moment ago. The pale blue light shines down as if to illuminate Sena and Rion, making the two playing the duet appear fantastical.

So this is the child's true form...
Suddenly, a voice was heard from behind. The person who appeared in the moonlight was...

President...! Why are you here...!?

Reika let out a voice of surprise and at the same time stood in front of the female president. I heard she is called a "beautiful witch" because of her appearance, which is far younger than her actual age, but perhaps the moonlight reveals the truth, as the female president's appearance looked as old as, or even older than, her actual age.

Did you come to take Rion back? I will never let you do that!
Reika vented her anger quietly. However, the female president's eyes were fixed on the owner.

...You provided this song, didn't you?

Yeah, that's right.

I thought so. I've never heard a piano piece that sounds like a mix of every genre anywhere else.

Isn't that why it's good? It's perfect for roughnecks like us to play, isn't it?

"Maybe so..."
I was prepared for an argument if we confronted each other, but it seems that wasn't her intention.

"...Could it be that you came to listen to Rion's piano, President?"
Reika asked with a puzzled look, but there was no reply. However, everyone realized that silence was the answer.

"...We don't have time to chat, everyone. It's finally the last song. Time to get ready."

Prompted by Shota, I was pulled back to reality. As I slung my guitar over my shoulder, Reika, who had been frowning until just a moment ago, stood before me with a dignified air.

"Takumi. The song I'm about to sing is for everyone, but it's also a song to help you find your voice again. So, please, listen..."

—Of course. I'll listen so closely I won't even miss the sound of your breath.
As I replied, Tomoatsu placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Everything feels divine today. I believe in a third miracle. ...If possible, let's harmonize together behind Rei-chan. Let's play 'LOVE & PEACE,' the song we poured our hearts into."
When I nodded, the two of them nodded as well.

Rion and the others finished their piano piece, and a ripple of applause rose from the venue. As I headed toward the stage, Reika faced the female president once more.

"I will save you with my song. Please, watch over us until the very end."
The female president just stared back at Reika without saying a word.

"Let's go, Rei-chan, Takumi. It's time."
Prompted by Tomoatsu, we stepped out onto the field.

45. <Tomoatsu>

Just as Shota had said, I couldn't help but feel that the heavens were on our side. A stadium filled with ten thousand fans. We are standing right in the middle of it now...

Rei-chan gripped the microphone.
"...It's finally time for the last song. The song we're about to perform is 'LOVE & PEACE.' It's the latest track that Rei-chan and I wrote specifically for this live show. May love and peace come to everyone listening to this concert..."

Receiving a signal from her eyes, I began to play the arpeggio. As the lyrics began, Takumi played the chords, and her beautiful voice echoed under the starry sky.

#

Imagination is what creates the world
From the scattered puzzle pieces
Which one will you choose? As for me...

Creation begins when you envision it
Everyone is different, the pieces are colorful
You chose LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

Even if we fight, even if we're different,
That's fine, as long as we accept each other

More than friends, more than lovers,
we are already family.
If we sing this song, look,
the whole world can become one.
PEACE, PEACE...

##

What shall we do? New World
Gathering up everyone's dreams
Have you chosen? As for me...

Creation when we join hands
They're all so wonderful, I can't decide
Let's make them all come true, LOVE & PEACE

Even if we fight, even if we differ,
in the end, we can understand each other.

More than friends, more than lovers,
we are already family.
If we sing this song, look,
the new world will also be connected as one.
PEACE, PEACE...

###

Even if I lose my voice,
even if I fall to illness,
we will never give up,
until our lives reach their end.

Overtaking the dark yesterday,
let's go see the shining tomorrow.
If it's us, we can make it.
Our hearts are one... ah...

#(For those who want to listen to the song, go to this article, same as "Shake!")

After that date, I returned home and, with her, we wove poetry together, heads close. While it was a special time, a feeling that this was the natural shape of the future constantly swirled in my chest. For some reason, I also felt the presence of Takumi, who wasn't in that room, right by my side. Words that connect the small world surrounding us to a much larger one. Rei-chan, right before my eyes, had just sung them out in a beautiful voice.

Yes, this world is truly beautiful. There is no need to fight. Born from the love between a man and a woman, eventually loving each other in turn to create life, nurturing it, and living life to the fullest. A world that should be able to exist on that alone. That is true peace. I believe that is the world as it should be.

When the world described in this song is realized, I will likely stop singing. Everything I have sung until now was because I wanted to shout out the world I wanted to live in, my ideals. When the world becomes overflowing with love, it can be Rei-chan or Takumi who sings of the love that wells up...

The song ended. Quiet applause rang out. An encore. Voices could be heard from here and there asking us to sing "LOVE & PEACE" once more.

"...What should we do?"
Turning around, Rei-chan asked.

--We should just sing it one more time. Actually, I want to hear it one more time too.

Reading Takumi's sign language, I nodded deeply.
"I'm of the same opinion. I was just captivated by it, after all. We'll add an arrangement for the second time."

"Understood. Then, 'LOVE & PEACE' it is."
As Rei-chan turned back, Rion and Sena walked over from the dugout.

"You're answering the encore, right? Won't you let us join in the performance? We want to help liven up the final song together."
As soon as Rion said that, he stood in front of the keyboard.

"It depends on the encore song, but I've got most of Southern Cross's songs in my head, so I think I can do any of them. So, please! Let me play along!"
Sena also stood next to Rion, pressing her hands together in front of her face.

"Thank you, both of you. The encore song is 'LOVE & PEACE.' ...Oh, that's right. Let's have Eugene come over, too. His electric guitar doesn't fit this song, but my acoustic guitar is free. Tell him he's welcome to use it if he can play it."

Following Reika's words, Rion immediately ran to deliver the message. Eugene, though bewildered, took the acoustic guitar and stepped onto the stage.

"I'm thrilled to be allowed to play Reika-san's acoustic guitar. I don't know if I can do it well, but I'll do my best not to get in the way."

"Okay. Well, this is really the end... Let's all unite our hearts..."
The six of them formed a circle, uniting as one. Reika gripped the microphone and said, looking out over the ten thousand audience members.

"Thank you, everyone. In response to your encore, we will sing 'LOVE & PEACE' once more. This time, the three members of Black Box are with us, too. Let's share this special night together."

Amidst the thunderous applause, this time it started with the sound of the piano. It had a different atmosphere from the original song. To complement the arrangement, the guitars were played softly, just plucking the strings.

Then, a familiar voice reached me from beside me. It was Takumi's voice...

(Could it be that he can only speak when the power of the song is at work...?)

I was stunned when I realized that fact. No, I was the one who said, "I believe in a third miracle," but if it happens three times, it's no longer a miracle. The power of the song truly exists and can be effective any number of times. Takumi proved that to me.

As I stared at him, he cast a glance at me as if to say, "You said we'd harmonize, didn't you?" I nodded, and timing it just right, I began to sing as well.

Overwhelmed by the power of the song, I couldn't hold back the tears welling up. No, there was no need to stop them. This, this right here, is the cry of the soul. My heart is sobbing...

Looking over, I saw that both Takumi and Reika were shedding tears. With their own feelings in their hearts, they must be savoring this ending.

Thank you, Southern Cross!
Thank you, Black Box!

What I heard from the audience were words of gratitude directed at us. Those voices gradually grew louder, and before I knew it, the entire venue was overflowing with words of thanks.

"Ah... This is it. This is the world I was hoping for. The song has healed people's hearts..."
Beside me, as I was overcome with emotion, Takumi and Reika nodded.

"My heart feels warm, too. How should I put it... It feels like I'm alive. If I close my eyes, I even feel like I could touch each person's feelings..."

"Takumi. I'm so happy right now to be able to hear your feelings through that voice... I intuitively know that this won't last forever. That's exactly why I want to savor this very moment..."

"...It's okay. You can always hear my voice. As long as you have the power of your songs, I'm sure of it."
Takumi smiled faintly and put his arms around our shoulders.
"I love you, Reika. Always. And Tomoatsu. Let's keep singing together. As long as I'm alive, I won't let you say you're going to stop singing, you hear?"

"Eh..."
Having my thoughts from just a moment ago guessed correctly, I was shaken. Takumi smiled triumphantly.

"World domination isn't over yet. Besides, if we're going to live in the world we've conquered, we'll have to write and sing love songs. 'LOVE & PEACE' is a truly great song. Please write more and more like this. Next time, I'll be the one singing."

"...Understood. Then next time, let's make the world we create together the lyrics."

"Yeah, I'm countin' on..."
His voice suddenly cut off. He clutched his throat and used sign language to say that we could chat another time.

You can read the continuation (final episode) here

*The header image is a processed version of an image created with generative AI.

💖Thank you for reading until the end today as well (^-^)💖
Your "likes," comments, and follows are my motivation.
Please also consider setting up 'update notifications' in the app (*^-^*)

Here are some recommended articles from Irouta that will stay close to your heart↓

🔳Self-Introduction
🔳Irouta's Article Sitemap
🔳A Slow Life for Sensitive Parents and Children (Magazine)
🔳Completed Novel Summaries
🔳Summary of Irouta's Arguments (Magazine)
🔳Summary of Articles for HSP (Magazine)