Chapter 48: Pure Talent vs Absolute Effort.

"Woah Hoah! Who could have guessed a duel between these two to turn out this exciting? It's so intense! This duel is turning out to be more than I expected, and that's coming from me, I'm a pro at this and have seen many talents throughout my career as an announcer."

The announcer excitedly boasts in his pro entertainer persona.

"Ehem, sorry about that. I got a little too excited for a moment from their overwhelming performance. Anyways, let's move on to the second half portion of this duel. That is, voice control a.k.a. singing competition!"

"Our first singer would be Hitedoshi Fumidai. Mr. Hitedoshi Fumidai, if you are ready please step up and show us what you got!"

With confidence, Hidetoshi smiled and made his way up to the front stage.

He held the microphone, just waiting for the music to start.

[Although many people already know this, Yukiya Saito had not yet been informed of this trivial but widely known fact regarding the genius of a talent that is Hidetoshi Fumidai.]

Hidetoshi Fumidai is the known "all-rounder genius" in the entertainment industry. Being able to perform in almost any of the mainstream talents, excelling in acting, dancing, singing, etc., combining it with his model-like looks and charisma, he captivated the masses with his wide range of skills flexible enough to be put on any projects.

However, there's one weapon people know him for the most, which raises him up to an S-class performer.

Although it is true that due to his rich and influential family, he was able to debut in the industry faster than most, the way he got popular was actually from that of humble beginnings.

Hidetoshi Fumidai was always meant to be part of the entertainment world eventually. From just a random upload of him singing for fun, he trended over social media and became a phenomenon amongst thousands of social media users.

His singing caught the attention of many, his unique and talented voice seemed to be graced by the heavens above that caught many scouts's attention. They adored his cover of songs that they previously thought were already perfect.

People around him suggested that he should go pro. So, he did, and is now currently serving as his current career.

However, due to excessive admiration from fans, peers, and even adults praising him, people who cater to his every need constantly reinforce his importance further boosted Hidetoshi's already inflated ego.

His parents aren't of any help at all as they also contribute to spoiling him even without his celebrity status. The reason why he felt as though he could be forgiven for everything he's done in the past, like missing out on the model shoot with Haruka-san, thinking everyone will side with him like always.

However, this time he received a lot of backlash as Haruka's fan base is no smaller than Fumidai's. And the reason for this duel right now was,

Hidetoshi Fumidai is here to redeem himself, and to remind everyone why people adored him from the start. Which is by demonstrating his overwhelming god-blessed talent.

Taking a deep breath, the music starts and Fumidai's mouth opened.

Emitted from the speaker was a perfectly pitched voice, hitting every note each was pleasing to the ears. A voice that no one can deny was purely born from "talent", that no matter how many years you trained, will never be able to replicate the sound his vocals makes without being blessed with the same voice box.

This was the voice that raised him up to an S-tier performer, a vocal unique to himself that you can't help but be discouraged, yet admire once you hear it.

The crowd cheered for Hidetoshi Fumidai, they even sang along with the lyrics when the chorus came, continuing all the way up to the very end of his musical number.

It just goes to show how much they love the song choice and his pitch-perfect voice. Everyone in the crowds is having an exceptional time. Because to them, from their perspective, this was practically a free concert from a nation-famous performer such as Fumidai Hidetoshi, as he himself is one literally.

Even I was mesmerized by Fumidai's performance. I almost thought of him as if he was actually a professional singer. [He is actually a professional singer.]

I wonder just how much effort he put just to deliver dialogues. From his singing, I could tell that it was probably a lot.

Hitedoshi isn't really known for his dancing. His looks alone and his name and presence were enough to generate the same amount of cheers in his earlier performance. But now, that his main weapon was out, people couldn't help but get excited. The cheers from earlier are incomparable to the scale of people shouting right now.

It now really feels like a genuine concert, with him singing on a stage that wasn't there before. Complete with stereo system and professional personnel, to everyone here, it was as if they had won a lottery ticket to a concert of a famous known idol.

Hearing his voice, I could tell that he had put a lot of time and effort to achieve his current level.

His performance finished, with the stage going silent, the eruption of cheers envelops the area, going louder than the cheers had ever before in our previous dance battle.

Walking over to the back after his national class performance, our eyes met, and I greeted him.

"I could tell, you put in a lot of effort in that. Good job." I complimented.

Seemed to be surprised why I complimented him, he responded.

"Dumb ass," thinking I was mocking him, he somewhat commented with a distant tone. "Working hard is for the untalented."

But in truth, Hitedoshi Fumidai countless trained to achieve his current level. But due to having good looks, and being raised in a fortunate household, people tend to underplay his countless efforts, failing to see past his looks and family background, thinking it was only natural for him to have such talents.

With a menacing tone, and a grin on my face. I said with a seemingly pissed tone.

"Well then, if that is what you think, let me show you what's the meaning of true effort looks like." I declared, covering my face with my hand,

"That talent of yours, I'll crush it."

"Ha, I'd like to see you try," Fumidai complacently responded. "Tho it's futile."

...

Eventually, my turn to perform arrived.

I walked down to the center of the stage, where the microphone was waiting.

"There's no way he's able to beat Hidetoshi Fumidai, right? ...I mean, the guy's voice is blessed by the heavens to the point it's practically cheating" A person in the crowd commented "Or maybe he'll pull off another miracle? Who really knows?"

Not being fully aware of what "Phantom" is capable of, the people anticipate for him to perform they would be the judge of 30% of the results for this duel.

Meanwhile, Kaori and Ayaka after witnessing Hidetoshi Fumidai's performance.

"Wow, his voice is really blessed that it's practically cheating," commented Kaori, having the same opinion as many others.

"So, Ayaka. What are the chances of Chuunibro winning this time around."

Kaori inquired to Ayaka, seemingly overwhelmed by Hidetoshi's talent.

"I'm not sure. Brother has never been the singing type, after all." Ayaka casually revealed.

"Eh, then-"

Just before Kaori finished what she had to say, Ayaka cut her off and inquired.

"What are your thoughts about singing? Is it talent? or a skill?" Ayaka philosophically inquired to Kaori.

Thinking for seconds after giving it much thought, Kaori replied.

"Talent, I guess." replied Kaori, unsure of her answer.

"Well, you're not completely wrong about that."

"Then ...does that mean, Chuunibro has a lenient talent for singing?" inquired Kaori, seeing that Ayaka 'She seemed really complacent this whole time after all, so there's probably a good reason why."

"I said I don't know." Ayaka smugly shrugs her shoulders, seemingly genuine about her response "By the way, you're not completely right either. It was actually a trick question."

"Eh?"

"The real answer is both. Although some people are born with a tone that is aesthetically pleasing to the ears, it is also important to train your voice if you want to reach a level like Hidetoshi Fumidai just now."

People often assume that singing is a talent that you either have or don't, but in reality, it ultimately depends more on how much time and effort you invest in cultivating and preserving your voice than it does on your innate ability to sing.

"In Fumidai's case, he categorizes in both. The vocals he was born with were truly one to be desired. A true natural, however, controlling and configuring his vocals as skillfully as he displayed just now was undeniably achieved through sheer effort." Ayaka concludes that,

"In a sense, people like Hidetoshi Fumidai only got a head start among others, and others need more time to tap into their potential. It's entirely their decision to pursue that potential."

"I see... But still, are you not worried? How come you seemed so confident? " inquired Kaori, searching for 'where is her confidence coming from?'

"Have you heard of the 10,000 hours theory?"

"The theory about approximately taking 10,000 hours to master a skill? Why did you ask?"

"Have you forgotten what my brother is already? To brother, every day is practically vocal training for him." said Ayaka, having been aware that "To him, delivering his lines the coolest way possible was already human nature."

"All we have to do now is to confirm if he has the talent for it or not."

"What if he doesn't have the talent for singing?" remembering what was at stake, Kaori reminded Ayaka that "His face might end up being exposed to the news if he loses."

"Stop worrying so much... After all,"

Ayaka gave this all-knowing smile to Kaori, and said with an assured tone under her voice.

"My brother, is the [Ultimate Chuunibyou]."

Holding the microphone in my hand, and the stand firmly on the other, the music starts playing, finally hearing the singing voice of "Phantom" for the very first time.

Taking a deep breath, I opened my mouth and delivered the first lines of the song.

Skill: [Absolute Vocal Control] activate.

[Insert song: "Down" by MICO]

The whole perimeter fell into silence. In contrast to Fumidai's performance, no one seems to be singing along or cheering. In fact, no voice other than mine can be heard in the whole perimeter. As though I alone was the one with a mouth and everyone stood silent and meek.

'Who's feelings are this? Is this perhaps, Phantom's?'

Everyone felt goosebumps as though the song's and singer's emotions became one, spreading this overwhelming emotion infecting the air, touching a lanient feeling on everyone's hearts.

Even Fumidai himself was no exemption to that, 'Is this that guy's emotions? No.. these feelings, are mine.'

He has never felt this kind of sensation before even through his songs. The ability to influence a person's lanient feelings through a song...

How am I able to achieve such a feat you may ask?

Apart from using my skill [Absolute Voice Control], I applied [Method Acting] treating the situation as if the emotion and intent of the song were completely coming from mine.

After all, how can you voice your character to its fullest potential if you yourself did not understand the character you're playing ...Is this what a voice actor feels like?

I assumed this portion of our duel was for that, to see who can deliver our dialogues better in the form of singing. It requires a lot of voice control in that area after all, so I can see why they chose this as a determinant who has the better control over our voices.

The crowd stood silent, stunned, and thrilled by me singing. It gave them chills at how close it felt as if, the feelings of the song spilled, turned to their own like some sort of pandemic.

By the time the song had already finished, everyone still stood silent, as if they were frozen in time, unsure of what they were feeling right now.

Until one person clapped and broke the silence.

One by one, the others started to follow until the clapping sound you could pinpoint individually seconds ago turned to a thunderous roar of applause, cheering louder than Fumidai's ever was previously.

Through the phone, even people like Kaori who're only watching from a screen were stunned.

She turned her gaze to Ayaka and said with an all-knowing smile.

"You planned all this, didn't you?" Kaori told,"Isn't that right, Ayaka? Or should I say, Lady Shadow Marionette."

Ayaka just smiled back innocently, with a fake-looking smile. Which she replied,

"Who knows?"

Ayaka said it in a way that is vague yet hinting at the real answer at the same time.

"Also, don't call me that in public."

Ayaka advised Kaori, despite her unchanging smile, a threatening pressure was emitting behind her.

Terrified, Kaori replied. "Yes Ma'am!"

...

Hearing the thunderous roar of applause coming from the screen, Ayaka stared off to a distance, processing her thoughts about what she did, and what is happening and will going further.

With a pained, yet determined expression, she sighs in deep thought.

'I shall destroy the world, and create it anew.'