Chapter 25.2| A talent show shouting from the building

Shouting from the building, a nationwide pre-college entrance examination pep rally, typically involves students enthusiastically chanting slogans to cheer up high school seniors. A few years ago, a novel approach was introduced at FHS, leveraging the diverse talents of its students to organize a semi-concert shout-out event featuring a medley of songs. Participants on floors other than the top one held glow sticks, emitting a blue hue. 

As guitar picks strummed electric guitars, the overture commenced, instantly elevating the atmosphere. 

New hands took over old batons, and the three bands from the sophomore year formed an equilateral triangle on stage. The trembling notes of the electric guitar dispersed in the stuffy night air, while the keyboardist in one band's right hand danced on the electric piano, and delicate musical notes twirled in the air. 

The shout-out concert kicked off with "The Show." 

The band's lead vocalist, a female student, had a distinctive and melodious voice. Everyone waved their glow sticks in rhythm, with many singing along, swaying slightly and lifting off the ground. "Just enjoy the show—," the closing note lingered as she adjusted her pitch, "Doctor, actor, lawyer, or singer, why not be a dreamer instead of a president? You can be whoever you want to be…" 

As the performance neared its end, the girl moved the microphone stand to the centre of the stage and, following a new prelude, she tapped her toes to the beat, guiding the audience's rhythm with her hands raised above her head. 

As she began to sing again, her voice changed once more, lowering significantly, and she began a soft and steady rendition of "Viva La Vida." 

"But that was when I ruled the world—," the female lead vocalist pointed to the male lead vocalist of the opposing band. 

He gestured back and took over the stage. 

The fearless domination of the world transitioned into a small love story under the cherry blossom tree, sung with accurate Japanese pronunciation by the lead singer. The female's subtle affection was conveyed by the male singer, providing a unique flavour, yet preserving its essence of beauty. 

"This little brother must be in love," Lin Xipei hummed along and shared her thoughts with Meng Yin, "The song '小さな恋のうた' is making me senior sister want to go to Japan and witness others' sweet romances under the cherry blossoms." 

"I feel the same way," Yin agreed. She didn't know Japanese, but she had heard the song before. 

During the first week of dating Xu Zhiyi, she had it on repeat for a week, even adding it to their shared playlist, which Xu Zhiyi also listened to for a long time. The song perfectly encapsulated the sweet and sentimental emotions, impressively captured by this junior student.

Japanese anime is a source of passion and excitement, contrasting with the imaginative world of Japanese youth films. "小さな恋のうた" serves as a warm-up act for the group, swiftly followed by "Red Lotus," igniting the crowd instantly. Several seasoned otaku rush to the centre stage, engaging in textbook-level otaku support. 

The mix of juvenile delusions is comical yet intertwined, without which the fiery passion of seventeen or eighteen-year-olds would be lost. 

The waves of excitement continue unabated, as the first connecting note plays, plunging the circular academic building into an uncontrollable climax. 

In their generation, everyone's childhood and youth grew alongside "Naruto," with some loving the paper characters, others the stories, and some the spirit and beliefs within. When all the resonances tremble together, it is like a bluebird soaring towards the clear sky.

The music stops but the heat wave remains, as the lead singer of the band turns sixty degrees, lightly tapping his chest twice with a clenched fist, pointing towards the last band ready to burst forth. 

The crowd boils, just like them. 

The wooden guitar strums the strings, unlocking a portal to the seaside. "Can we sprint with all our might towards the horizon, before the twilight fades, it's not the end..." 

Swinging their heads, someone secretly holds a joyful hand. "That's the seaside I've always wanted to take you to..." 

Yin stands in the corridor, looking down and singing, waving slightly. "Let's go to the seaside in summer." Xu Zhiyi stands beside her, quietly saying amidst the bustling crowd, and Yin catches every word perfectly. 

Some say they want to go to the seaside with their loved ones, run and play, watch the sunrise and sunset, witness the tumultuous and tranquil romance of the sea. 

Yin tilts her head, joining in the chorus, answering Xu Zhiyi, "Waiting for a naturally clear day, I want to take you to the seaside." 

As the pivot turns, the portal opens once more, the melody leaks out, welcoming the chorus, the lead singer places the microphone stand in the centre to gather voices. 

"Will there be a day when time truly rewinds, back to our leisurely years..." Some hold their companion's hand, some hook their companion's shoulder, some raise a toast, brewing sweet memories.

 We all stand boldly in the light of youth.

Meng Yin and Xu Zhiyi were both surprised when the last song of the band medley turned out to be "Young Battlefield." However, after their initial astonishment, they exchanged a knowing smile and held hands tighter. 

Following the melody, they sang every word without missing a beat. From that summer's "Young Battlefield" to the present moment's rendition, they stood together, side by side, embarking on a grand journey in the heat of summer.

As the medley ended, the crowd in front of the teaching building kept surging. The microphone was still in the hands of the last singer of the band, facing the audience, shouting, "Are you ready?" 

"Ready."

"Too quiet."

"Ready—"

"1, 2, 3—" 

The male lead singer handed the microphone to the crowd.

"Students, fear not to reach for the stars in your dreams, with vast skies above and wide lands ahead; take a glance back before you go, don't let fondness turn into regret; brothers and sisters, let's have a toast, no regrets in the fleeting years of youth."

This was a blessing from FHS to them, echoing from the depths of their hearts, breaking through the rooftop of the teaching building and soaring into the sky.

It wasn't just a typical "good luck on the college entrance examination," but rather a reminder to "keep going," not forgetting who you are, remembering where you want to go, not missing the opportunity to express your love at the most beautiful moment, and not forgetting the companions in this precious time of youth, for no matter where you go in the future, you will never have such a period of time again, with this group of carefree and innocent friends.

The people below the building continued to cheer, while those above responded in kind.

They laughed loudly and sincerely.

They cried, embraced, and punched each other.

The evening breeze fluttered their school uniforms, and Meng Yin looked at the people beside her.

Xu Zhiyi, Lin Xipei, Xing Xiuze, and Nie Hai, were all there.

In this young battlefield, she and her joyful companions, along with her friends, marched towards the final destination together.

It's wonderful.

To be eighteen, it's wonderful.