66 A Vibrant Light

Aya exited the agency with a determined expression, prompting me to swiftly follow her to CirCLE, making sure everything was in place. I allowed her to lead the way, wanting to be the last to enter the studio.

Inside, the girls had been rehearsing the new song diligently, and I couldn't wait to witness Aya's reaction.

As Aya entered the practice room, all eyes turned to her.

"Aya-chan! There you are! Let's rehearse! We have no time left!" Chisato exclaimed.

"H-Huh? I thought everyone's gonna rehearse at the agency studio," Aya stammered.

"Oh? Didn't Kyo-san tell you that we'll be performing in this livehouse?" Chisato teased, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"E-Eh?!" Aya blinked, clearly taken aback.

"We thought it was about time for a special performance. Kyo-kun here has been working hard on something for us."

"But... I'm not prepared," Aya stammered.

"No worries, Aya-chan! You'll do great!" Hina reassured her, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Bushido!" Eve chimed in, adding to the encouragement.

The practice room buzzed with anticipation as I motioned toward the setup, a subtle cue for the girls to take their places

 Aya's eyes sparkled with excitement as she confidently stepped forward, clutching the microphone like it was an extension of her being. 

Chisato's fingers danced along the bass strings, a determined focus etched on her face. Maya's drumsticks tapped against the snare in a rhythmic prelude, her steady gaze fixated on the drum set.

Hina, with her electric guitar slung over her shoulder, flashed a quick grin at Eve, who was adjusting the strap of her keytar with an air of effortless coolness. 

Their eyes met, sharing an unspoken understanding as they prepared to kick off the practice session. 

The room buzzed with anticipation as the opening notes of the new song reverberated through the space. Aya, initially hesitant, gradually found her rhythm and seamlessly melded into the performance.

As the song unfolded, Aya's confidence soared. Genuine smiles graced her face, her voice resonating with an infectious enthusiasm that filled the room, touching everyone present.

It became a moment that transcended mere music—a testament to the deep bonds uniting the members of Pastel*Palettes.

When the song reached its conclusion, I couldn't contain my enthusiasm. "That was incredible, Aya!"

"Kyo-kun, I had no idea," Aya said, her eyes reflecting gratitude, her voice tinged with a hint of disbelief.

"You deserve this, Aya-chan. And it's just the beginning," I said, genuine pride coloring my words.

However, my mind quickly shifted gears. There was a promise to fulfill—the challenge of bringing 5,000 people to CirCLE Livehouse for the performance.

[A/N]1 Let's go back to the phone call scenario.

In a flashback, I recalled the discussion with the manager about rescheduling the performance and the risk involved in the decision.

"Can't Aya make it in time?" the manager questioned, skeptical about the rescheduling.

"It's a precaution, Manager," I responded, attempting to persuade.

"But CirCLE Livehouse? That's a risky move," the manager hesitated.

"What if we surpass your expectations, and get a huge audience?" I proposed, pushing for the opportunity. It's risky but...

"Fine, you win. But you better make this work, Kyo-kun," the manager conceded.

Eh? She just trusted me like that?!

"Thank you, Manager!" 

"Hehe, no problem. Tell Aya to take care too, okay?" the manager added with a hint of care.

"Yes, Manager."

I was ready to get my full focus on the game as a producer and as a part-timer in CiRCLE

Back in the present, I was editing the video teaser for Pastel*Palettes' performance, with Marina-san assisting and Poppin'Party distributing posters.

Honestly, I couldn't done it without Kasumi and the others's help as I am already swamped with work.

The day of the event had finally dawned, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. As the doors opened, the flood of fans exceeded all expectations, filling the venue with an incredible energy that crackled in the air.

The venue was filled to the brim, the anticipation palpable in the air as Pastel*Palettes took their positions on stage. Aya stepped forward, her eyes shining with excitement, greeting the crowd with a cheerful "Hello everyone! Merry Christmas!" The audience erupted into cheers, their voices blending in a symphony of excitement.

Chisato owned her bass, fingers tapping out a steady rhythm that filled the air with a deep, resonant groove. It was the backbone of the whole thing, keeping everything grounded.

Maya on drums was a spectacle to behold. Her sticks moved like lightning, each beat reverberating and adding a contagious groove to the tune, making it impossible not to move along.

Hina on the guitar was a wizard, fingers plucking and strumming with finesse, weaving a melodic web that meshed flawlessly with the bass and drums. Her guitar's smooth tones filled the room, making the melody whole.

Eve, with her keytar, was a ball of energy. Her fingers danced across the keys, conjuring magical sounds that added an otherworldly layer to the mix. Her playful vibes were infectious, lifting everyone's spirits.

As the song rolled on, the synergy between the instruments became more and more evident. The bass kept it steady, the drums brought the heartbeat, the guitar added soul, and the keytar sprinkled enchantment. Each note, each beat, connected with the crowd.

The audience swayed as one, caught in the spell of the music, while Pastel*Palettes spun their sonic magic. Aya's voice soared above the mix, carrying emotions that struck a chord with everyone listening.

I must admit it was really surprising that Aya's voice is beautiful... It's like a vibrant light shining throughout the night

The stage crackled with energy, instruments blending into a symphony of sound that wove a holiday enchantment

The song concluded with a symphony of applause, echoing through the venue. The audience, Marina-san, and Pastel*Palettes' manager joined in the ovation, expressing their appreciation for the enchanting performance.

Aya, with a radiant smile, stepped forward to address the crowd. "Everyone! Thank you for listening! And Merry Christmas!!!" She gracefully bowed, the rest of the members following suit, expressing their gratitude.

As they exited the stage, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of accomplishment and joy. The girls headed towards the staff room to take a break.

Well, that's done... I really need to get some rest now...

Feeling a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction, I made my way to Marina-san, who was engaged in conversation with the manager.

The manager turned to me with a bow, expressing her gratitude. "Kyo-kun, Thank you so much."

"N-No! It was nothing! It should be my thanks for trusting me."

"By the way, Kyo-kun, how about becoming the assistant producer for Pastel*Palettes?" the manager suggested smirking.

Marina's eyes widened, shaking her head. "No, no! I can't do that! Nakasone-kun is part of the CirCLE! I can't give him to you!"

"Uwah! Marina-san is jealous!" 

Turning to me, she pouted, "After all! I can't breathe without Nakasone-kun!"

"Does that mean you can't live without me!?" I playfully retorted.

"Because... It's so heavy, and you also have to clean the lounge since you've been away!" she quipped.

"Oh... I... see."

Haaahhh, After all, that happened I guess I'll leave it be. I'm too tired to think.

Marina bid me farewell with a smile, acknowledging the effort I'd put in for Pastel*Palettes. I reciprocated her bow and turned to leave, ready to head home for the day.

Just as I began walking away, I heard my name being called out.

"Kyo!"

Surprised, I turned around to see Aya running toward me. My initial thought was that she might express her gratitude by saying 'thanks', but before I could react, she swiftly planted a kiss on my cheek.

My face flushed instantly, turning as red as a tomato. I stood there, utterly dumbfounded by the unexpected gesture. Aya, equally flustered, quickly pulled back, her cheeks tinted pink, and gave me the cutest smile.

"Kyo...! Thank you!" she blurted out, then hurriedly dashed back inside the CirCLE, leaving me in a state of bewilderment.

"E-Eh?" I stammered, still trying to process what had just happened. The unexpected encounter left me feeling a mix of emotions—surprise, confusion, and a hint of embarrassment.

Crap... My heart is beating so fast.

The event wrapped up, the crowd gradually dispersed, and the energy in the room settled into a contented buzz. As I made my way out, the atmosphere resonated with a sense of fulfilled cheer.

I know I'm late but happy birthday to Maruyama Aya