Chapter 148: Please~ This is my lifelong request~

[As you said, you plan to hold a "concert" and use your "song" to solve all subsequent problems at once, so you start to use your "connections"]

[First of all, of course, it's the common "connections" between you and Eden. Although the entertainment and art circles are on the verge of extinction with the ravages of the Honkai, there are still people who are tenaciously supporting them. After these people knew that you were planning to officially hold a "concert", they began to promote it with all their might.]

[They believe that this will be the best opportunity to prove to the world that "art is not dead, entertainment is not extinct", so they mobilized all the power they could to start promoting your "concert".]

[Especially when they knew that Eden would also be making a "friendly appearance" at your "concert", they were even more excited... This will be the second time that you two "two stars of the era" will be on stage together (the last time was when Eden performed in Australia, which was also the time of the "Seventh Great Eruption"). They believe that you two "two stars" will shine with unimaginable brilliance.]

[Well... As for how you convinced Eden to perform again, it was very simple. You just simply hoped that she would be by your side during your first "concert"... That's all.]

[This sentence seemed familiar, and Eden could not help but think of her first performance... Then, she smiled and readily agreed.]

[You two are the twin stars that accompany and illuminate each other, so... isn't it natural for you to go on stage together?]

[Of course, Sakura can't be left behind. In order to catch up with your brilliance, Sakura also spent a lot of time learning music theory~ So she must also go on stage to perform a song with you!]

[Sakura was a little shy about this, but she finally agreed. After all... why would she refuse? Right~]

[After that, you began to use your connections within the Fire Moth. You asked the soldiers you were familiar with to come and watch your performance. You also asked the staff to arrange the time and venue for your performance... Everyone agreed happily and even seemed quite excited.]

[Come on, you're actually going to give a "concert" to everyone inside "Fire Moth", and it's your first "concert"! How can this not be exciting?! As soon as many people heard the news, they began to help spontaneously, and even mentioned this matter at work, as if they were afraid that others didn't know about it.]

[For a while, the entire "Fire Moth" was discussing this matter, and after the top management of "Fire Moth" knew about this, it was difficult to stop it...]

[The main reason is that the grassroots' will is too strong, and they really can't issue an order to oppose it… Who dares to raise an objection?! Aren't you afraid of being beaten up by those soldiers? According to the current scale, it will really arouse public anger!]

[And the congressmen who support you, led by Light, are also pushing this matter with all their strength, making it difficult for the top leaders of the "Fire Moth" to impose any restrictions... In the end, they can only let you do whatever you want.]

[This incident also made the top management of "Fire Moth" realize that the existence of you, a "suspected Herrscher"... is really "dangerous", and they must take action.]

[However, that is all for the future. Right now, you still need to use your last "connections"! They are the fusion warriors!]

————————

"Kalpas, why don't you come and participate too..."

"Get out!"

In response to Nozomi's request, Kalpas's answer seemed particularly aggressive.

"Don't be like that. Everyone will be on stage. You can come along too. Isn't that good?"

"You want me to touch your instruments that are so fragile that they will break if you bend them or break if you hold them? Are you kidding me?"

"I know Kalpas, you can control your own power, so..."

"I told you I don't want to go! I don't want to practice! I won't learn either!!! Go back to where you belong! I just need the enemy! I just need to stay on the battlefield!"

Kalpas growled in an almost violent tone.

"Or do you want to fight me? Another bloody battle? I can feel that you are very strong now! You are your true self now! Your original self!!!"

"...Sure~"

Nozomi tilted his head and blinked, but did not refuse.

"…Damn it, damn it! Damn it!!! Why didn't you refuse?!!"

As a result, this answer made Kalpas even more angry. He grabbed Nozomi by the collar and pulled him in front of him, his eyes full of anger under the mask.

"Do you really want to die?!"

He was really a little angry.

"If this makes you happy, if this satisfies you, I don't mind doing this, okay? Kalpas."

Nozomi tilted his head, and his white hair fell down like waves, bringing a slightly cool touch like seawater.

"...Get lost."

As if he was too angry, Kalpas's tone suddenly became calm, and he even slowly loosened Nozomi's collar.

"What you just said..."

"I'm talking to you in anger, are you deaf and can't you hear it?"

"Well... well... can you come and practice with me? It's very simple, just a short melody will be enough. Even if there is a problem with the tone, I will help you adjust it during the performance. After all, my power is very suitable for this~"

"......"

"Please, Kalpas, this is the request of my life~"

"Don't talk like you're dying."

"So?"

"…Bring me the music score!"

"Thank you! Kalpas!"

"Get out!!!"

"Ha ha..."

......

.........

"What's wrong? Kosma? You don't want to?"

"......"

"You're not talking?"

"......"

"Okay, Nozomi, don't rush Kosma... He's just too excited."

Dystopia smiled, then gently pulled Kosma's arm, leaned close to his ear, and whispered.

"Kosma, just agree? Aren't you looking forward to this the most?"

"…I'm not ready yet."

"There's no such thing as being prepared or not. If you miss this opportunity, you don't know if you will have it again next time."

"I haven't practiced the harmonica well yet..."

"Nozomi will help."

"I'm not fit for the stage..."

"It's okay, I'll help you with this!"

"I..."

"Oh, I know you two are getting closer, but isn't it a bit bad to leave me alone like this?"

Nozomi's smiling reminder came from the side, causing the two youngsters to stiffen suddenly, and Kosma's expression and body were simply motionless.

"Ahem... Nozomi and you are the same on this point~ We often see you and Eden setting off flash bombs, right? Um... sometimes you're with Sakura... Oh, really, this is the bad thing about a big star like you, playing two girls at the same time, it's really too much."

Dystopia coughed lightly, then took Kosma's arm and took the opportunity to counterattack Nozomi... but her action made Kosma's body even stiffer, and his eyes were full of panic.

'Oh my~ Such a pure little guy~ I never thought Kosma had this side~'

"Well, I don't have much to say about this... But I won't give up on either of them."

"What a bold statement! If other people knew about this, it would probably spark another round of discussion, right?"

"It's better not to let other people hear it... Sakura will be embarrassed."

"...Really, don't smile so happily... I feel embarrassed to continue talking."

Dystopia said helplessly.

"Okay~"

Nozomi nodded and adjusted the curve of his lips slightly to make his smile less conspicuous... but he couldn't stop the tenderness and smile in his eyes.

"Well, let's get back to the question... Kosma, are you willing?"

"......"

"Please, Kosma, this is the request of my life~"

"......um."

In the end, Kosma nodded and agreed.

"Great! ヽ(^▽^)ノAma, your dream... one of your dreams! It's about to come true!"

"Don't... Dystopia... don't say anymore..."

"Oh yes, Dystopia, you have to come too."

"...Huh?" x2

Nozomi's sudden proposal stunned both of them.

"Y...you want me too?"

There was a hint of nervousness and excitement in Dystopia's voice.

"You don't want to? Go on stage with Kosma or something..."

"No no...no...I do!"

"Huh... That's good. Then... Here's the music score... Actually, you can just practice it casually. I believe in you!"

"No, no, no, we will definitely practice hard! Right? Kosma?"

"...Yeah."

......

.........

"Nozomi... are you sure you want to invite... me?"

"Wouldn't you like that, Kevin?"

"No, I mean... I shouldn't be able to touch a musical instrument..."

"It doesn't matter! You can just go up there and be... be... an air conditioner?"

"I..."

Kevin was speechless for a moment.

"Haha, Kevin, just agree to it. Didn't you tell me that you wanted to learn singing? Why don't you give it a try this time?"

"No, at that time I just... and this time it's Nozomi's concert, it's not appropriate for me to... go on stage, right?"

"Don't you really want to go up there?"

"......"

Faced with his friend's teasing, Kevin was speechless for a moment.

"Please Kevin, this is the request of my life."

Nozomi clasped his hands together and looked at Kevin with determination, the gold in his eyes flickering like stars.

"Why don't you just agree? It would be nice if you could just show your face?"

Su said half-jokingly.

"...okay."

Kevin managed to squeeze out this word.

Although Kevin didn't know why Nozomi insisted on inviting him and why Nozomi insisted on letting him go on stage, but... at least at this time, he was willing to believe Nozomi and agree to Nozomi's request.

'Ha... Come to think of it, I had thought about learning to sing at the beginning, and it was just because of Nozomi and Eden... I always felt that boys who can sing would be more popular with girls... Haha, come to think of it, it seems like a long time has passed... Oh, it doesn't seem like it has been long either.'

"......"

Kevin suddenly fell silent.

It turns out that... not that long has passed...

"Thank you very much~"

Nozomi's cheerful and joyful voice jumped into Kevin's ears, pulling him out of his bitter mood.

"The score will be transferred to your terminal later. Remember to read it more often, Kevin."

"good."

Kevin forced a smile and nodded.

"Okay, Kevin... I will take good care of your performance this time, so make sure you do your best, okay?"

"Ah, actually, I have arranged a short segment for you, Su..."

"...ah?"

"Please~ Su, this is my lifelong request~"

"hiss..."

Su took a deep breath, and the coldness emanating from Kevin beside him almost choked him and made him cough.

And... did he just hear Nozomi say this?

......

.........

"Please, Hen, this is my lifelong request~"

"Have you said this to everyone..."

Facing Nozomi's sincere invitation, Hen rolled his eyes and complained expressionlessly.

"And isn't it inappropriate for you to say this in front of my wife and daughter?"

"Brother Nozomi... is proposing to Dad?"

"puff--"

Griseo tilted her head and asked softly in an innocent tone, which immediately confused everyone present.

"No, wait, Griseo... why do you think so?"

"Because mom said that's what dad did when he proposed to her..."

"Wife, I wasn't that stupid back then, was I?"

"cough..."

Blanca coughed lightly, turned away unconsciously, and then spoke quietly in a voice that only she could hear.

"It's almost the same..."

"Brother Nozomi... isn't that right?"

"...Well, that's not right. I'm just asking Hen to do one thing... I want him to perform on stage with me."

Nozomi skillfully picked up Griseo, who naturally opened her arms to ask for a hug, and replied with a smile.

"This way... then... come on, Dad!"

"Oh! Little Griseo, just watch carefully! Daddy will try his best!"

"Thank you, Hen~ Oh, as expected, Hen is the easiest to deal with."

"What are you talking about, Nozomi? I only participated because of Griseo! Not because of your request!"

"Oh, yes, yes, you are right... Here is the music score. You should practice it more when you have time, okay?"

"Are you underestimating me? I can catch up with you with some practice... No, this shouldn't work."

Hen hesitated for a moment, but still didn't say that "big word".

"Oh ~ Dad is the best!"

"That's right! Little Griseo can stay in the audience and watch Daddy's performance with Mommy!"

"You don't take me, the lead singer, seriously... Never mind~ Griseo will record Hen's figure carefully later, okay?"

"Yeah! And Brother Nozomi's... I can do it, too."

Griseo gently touched Nozomi's cheek with her head. The sky-blue hair rubbed against his skin, making him feel a little itchy.

"That couldn't be better~"

Nozomi rubbed Griseo's little face affectionately... 'I don't know if it's because of the fusion warrior surgery, but Griseo's face is so tender and cute.'

"Ah...really, why is Griseo so attached to you? I don't even know... Hey wait, why are you leaving?"

"Hehe~ Hen, and Blanca, I have something~ I need little Gray's help, so..."

'I'm so tired alone'

"It doesn't matter, as long as Griseo is willing."

Before Nozomi finished speaking, Blanca nodded and said with a smile, then turned her gaze to Griseo, who still had no intention of getting off Nozomi.

"If it's Brother Nozomi, I will help."

Griseo blinked, then nodded, not refusing.

"Thank you very much~ So... please~ Hen, this is the request of my life, please leave Griseo to me~ Well, temporarily."

"??? You kid?!"

"Haha~"

......

.........

"Hey, big star, how come you have the chance to call me? Oh, it's okay. You can come to me directly. I'll show you the magic I just researched... Eh? I'll show it to you directly now. Although it may not be clear, it doesn't matter! Vill-V's magic will definitely surprise you!"

"Well, I believe your magic will be like this. Or rather, it has always been like this."

"That's right! I'm the Great Magician, Vill-V! Oh, by the way, Big Star, do you still owe me a song?"

"Vill-V... you've asked me for more than a hundred songs, and every time I see a different 'you', you always bring this up... you're trying to get the wool from me in different ways, right?"

"Hey~ I'm going to show you my new magic trick, right?"

"I remember you promised me that I don't need a ticket to watch your magic?"

"Really? Oh... I think I did say that... Oh, this is bad. How should Vill-V compensate you, a big star?"

"Help me make some ornaments... and some souvenirs. In exchange, I will sing a song for you."

"Is that all? And... accessories? Who are you planning to give them to? Let me think... Eden, and Sakura? Right~ Haha... As for the song, there's no need~ After all, this time it's Vill-V's debt, and as a [Great Magician], I naturally have to repay it!"

"Ha... That's not necessary. This song is specially given to [you]... So, I hope you can accept it, and... the accessories are for you."

"Us?"

"Ah, sorry, maybe I should be more precise with my words in front of you... It should be for everyone, um."

Nozomi said this with a smile.

......

.........

Just like that, during the preparation stage of the "concert", in addition to the staff who were arranging the venue, Nozomi himself was also busy, instructing the fusion warriors he invited, preparing the songs to be sung, and at the same time sending invitations to the scheduled personnel, such as Mobius' assistant Klein, Kalpas' deputy Imer, and... Sakura's sister, Rin.

Besides, he occasionally had to bring Griseo with him, and do something mysteriously with Mobius by his side... He also had to contact Vill-V from time to time, saying that he wanted to discuss some [details].

He even needed to do some vocal exercises with Eden in his spare time and help Sakura get familiar with the feel of playing again...

For a moment, Nozomi seemed to be busier than everyone else... Elysia wanted to help him, wanted to solve some of his problems, and reduce his fatigue, but he refused.

"Only in this way can I have some sense of reality, some... definite sense of reality, a sense that I am changing something." - Nozomi responded to Elysia.

In the end, even Eden and Sakura, who had been indulging Nozomi in such behavior, couldn't stand it anymore and half-forced Nozomi to rest for a while.

"Okay, Nozomi... it's ready now."

Eden gently pulled Nozomi and Sakura together, half-forced him down, then gently lifted his head and placed it on his soft thighs.

"You've worked hard enough... take a break."

"…Um, sorry for making you worry."

Nozomi paused for a moment before nodding and responding softly.

"Want to get some sleep?"

Sakura also spoke as softly as possible.

Originally, she and Eden had planned to prepare a sleep song for Nozomi... but after careful consideration, they felt that this might instead arouse Nozomi's interest and make him play with them, which would defeat their purpose, so they gave up.

"Okay~"

And as they expected, Nozomi did not refuse. Instead, he stretched out his hand with a smile on his face and spread out his five fingers, as if asking for something.

"uh-huh?"

he didn't say a word, but just hummed softly, and blinked his star-like eyes, looking somewhat cute.

"...Yes, I'm here."

Eden understood and gently took the hand he extended, overlapping their palms and clasping them together.

"…We are here."

Sakura paused for a moment, and also spoke softly, her slender and graceful hands like falling cherry blossoms, quietly falling into his hands and holding his.

"......"

Only then did he seem to be relieved temporarily, slowly closed his eyes, and fell asleep.