Chapter 46. Performance II

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Word's counted --- 1800.

It just songs but enjoy.

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Yes, and a high note there… also, the bass. Okay, now we're ready." Aki made a fist bump with the band. It had only taken five minutes to teach the music notes of five songs to these professionals. He had been quite worried about the rhythm and the music, but they pulled it off. Now, only the performance was left.

As the curtain lit up, Aki took a deep breath, his heart pounding as he scanned the sea of faces before him. He could sense the skepticism in some of their eyes, the doubt in their expressions. But there was also a flicker of hope, a willingness to be surprised.

Determined to meet the moment, he strummed the first chords of his guitar, the sound echoing through the venue. The whole crowd fell into a tense silence, eager to listen and judge the new rising talent.

The hard, melodic notes of his guitar filled the space, and a hush fell over the crowd, their initial skepticism slowly replaced by intrigue. Aki's voice, warm and clear but tough, began to weave through the melody, capturing the attention of even the most doubtful listeners.

The song he chose, "Velonica" by Aqua Timez, was kind of dark, but it carried a motivational undertone. Aki started singing:

"Zasetsu mamire ryuukou ni magire Smeared with frustration, hidden in fades."

"Shiawase na furi o shite utau Singing while pretending to be happy."

Everyone in the audience wondered if Aki was being forced to sing such a heavy song, but the lyrics and his voice were too good to ignore. On the other hand, the girls who knew him best were worried, thinking that Aki might be forcing himself to perform this song. As the song continued, they felt more disturbed and anxious.

"Ikiteru dake te kanashii to omou no wa watashi dake na no? to Saying, 'Am I the only one feeling sad just by being alive?'"

"Tabako no kemuri ga chuu o uneri Cigarette smoke rolls into the air, and disappears into the hollow."

In Russia,

A woman was on the verge of a heart attack hearing the song and its lyrics—Aki's mother.

The performance was being streamed live globally by her influence, and she was also watching it with a heavy heart. Hearing her son sing about feeling sad just by living was deeply unsettling for her.

By her side, two young girls, about nine years old, were watching the screen. They didn't understand Japanese as they were Russian, but they were vibing to the music. Aki's mother spoke up, "Both of you hold this and stay here. Aunty needs to make a call." Saying that, she went to the balcony while the girls nodded and obediently stayed watching.

Aki knew what was going through the minds of those listening, but he kept singing. As his lyrics continued, many began to understand the deeper meaning behind the song.

"Kitto made chikara naki osanai hi ni.

On a day when you were probably still young and feeble."

"Minakute ii kanashimi mitekita wa ima.

You witnessed a sadness you didn't have to see, and now…"

At last, everyone started to grasp what the song was truly about. It wasn't about Aki's own sadness or a desire for death; it was about being true to oneself. Aki was using himself as an example, advocating for everyone's life, and motivating them to live and enjoy it more.

Tears swelled up in the eyes of some listeners as they remembered their past selves. Even the girls sighed with relief, but their eyes remained glued to Aki, admiring him for the kindness in his song. The desire to live and be loved resonated with them deeply.

"The reason for heading toward somewhere not here is… To know that except the heart, there is no place that holds your answers."

With a slow, soft tone, the song ended, and Aki breathed a sigh of relief. As the crowd remained silent, he strummed his guitar again, ready for the next song. "Next, 'Zenryoku Shounen.'"

The audience didn't even have a chance to clap for Aki's performance as he quickly transitioned into his next song. This time, the atmosphere lightened as the song wasn't as dark as before. The piano played first, followed by the guitar. Taking a deep breath, he began to sing:

"I fell and stumbled, then I was left behind.

Today I stagger through the muddy water as usual."

The lyrics painted a picture of nostalgia, of being older and reminiscing about the fun and carefree days of childhood.

"The boys with all of our might."

The crowd, already captivated by his previous song, started to vibe with this one. It was catchy, less heavy, and filled with a sense of longing for simpler times.

Aki then paused briefly, a playful grin on his face. "Okay, are you ready for the third song? Then, 1, 2, 3, here we go!"

He jumped right into the next track:

"Give me, give me… Gi gi gi give me, give me those, overdose, give me, give me…"

Tapping his foot, he fully immersed himself in the performance, singing one of his favorite songs as if it were his own. The energy was infectious, and the crowd couldn't help but vibe along with him.

"Everyone vibe with me, clap your hands!" Aki shouted, his voice filled with excitement.

The crowd obeyed, clapping along to the rhythm as Aki continued:

"To be honest, I knew, I knew it was gonna be hopeless, but still,

Everything that slipped through these hands looked like love."

His voice resonated with emotion, capturing the bittersweetness of the lyrics.

"The words I was sure of take shape, only wavering,

Strewing, drawing, only doing those for sure.

Isn't it boring, reading and comparing our answers?"

Even the most serious faces in the crowd, like Selly's, began to soften as they got lost in the music. Yuki, sitting in awe, watched Aki with wide eyes. The whole audience started lip-syncing along, the lyrics resonating deeply with everyone present.

Meanwhile, Aki's mother, watching the live stream from Russia, felt her initial worries calm down. She smiled, her heart swelling with pride. "Why didn't I notice this talent of his? Sigh, maybe I've been neglecting him lately. I need to spend more time with him someday," she wondered aloud.

Beside her, the two young girls whispered to each other, their excitement clear despite not understanding the lyrics.

"Ya khochu vstretit'sya s etim starshim bratom," one girl with white hair muttered.

"Mne tozhe, sestra," the other responded.

The performance had not only captivated those in the venue but also those far away, drawing everyone into Aki's world through the power of his music.

As the opinion of many people were circulating Aki continues to sing.

Did you really know? Did you really know it was gonna be helpless?"

Aki's voice rang out clear and strong, the emotion behind each word resonating with the crowd. His fingers danced over the guitar strings, effortlessly pulling the audience into the depths of his music.

"Maybe only time passing, filled with questions and answers.

I've got no time to make excuses. I will just go naked.

Surely it will keep piling up, it would be nice if we could end this abruptly."

As he continued, the intensity of the performance grew. The crowd, which had been skeptical just moments before, was now completely captivated. Some swayed to the rhythm, while others simply stood still, mesmerized by the raw energy and emotion pouring from the stage.

"Spoiling and rotting, just like sweet fruit, we start to break.

That's why I dance, sleep, and forget everything. Next to you, all dressed in lies…"

Aki's voice softened, bringing the song to its climactic finish:

"Overdose, you and me,

I don't understand, but even those strangely in-between lies are just fine, so…

What do you think? You and me, a sweet bluff.

Don't stop the music, darling…"

As the last note faded into the silence, the audience was momentarily stunned, their emotions swirling from the intensity of the performance. Then, almost as one, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

"God, how many times will he surprise us?" someone near the front whispered in awe.

"I'm glad I came here today," another voice chimed in, louder this time.

"Me too," said a man nearby, his voice filled with admiration.

From somewhere in the back, a girl shouted, "I love you, Aki!" Her voice was quickly drowned out by the crowd, but Aki caught it and smiled.

"More! More! More!" chanted a group of teenagers, their hands in the air, demanding another song.

A different voice, this time a bit tipsy, slurred out, "Give me your seed!" earning a mix of laughter and cheers from those around her.

"I haven't heard any of these songs before," someone remarked, sounding genuinely curious.

"Maybe these are his originals," another replied, equally intrigued.

"Wow, he's a god…" a fan near the front row said with a sense of reverence, her eyes fixed on Aki.

"Isn't it a bit much to compare him to other top singers?" a more skeptical voice questioned.

"Don't mind me, it's just my opinion—I'm his fan now," came the response, filled with enthusiasm.

"Well, not that I'm complaining, but he will rival them soon," someone concluded, their voice filled with a newfound respect.

As Aki heard the crowd chanting for more, he took another deep breath, the energy from the audience fueling his next move. He grinned at their enthusiasm and shouted out, "Alright, then ready for round 4."

But he mutter to himself,'Time for some originals then… Or maybe an edited original!'

He paused, letting the anticipation build before he continued. "Then everybody answer me… Who's the best?... No need to reply—of course, it's me!"

The venue fell silent for a moment, everyone processing the sudden declaration. Then, a ripple of laughter spread through the crowd, mingled with applause.

"Did he just ask and answer himself?" someone asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, he did," another replied, laughing.

Even the girls backstage in the vvip room couldn't help but crack up at his confidence.

Meanwhile, Aki's mother, watching the livestream from afar, face-palmed with a smile, thinking, "Here he goes again… But, well, what's wrong with a bit of narcissism? He's good at everything—handsome, brave, intelligent… What a good boy he is."

She muttered to herself, proud despite the self-praise. In her heart, no one could tell her otherwise—Aki was her perfect son. And if anyone in the family dared to criticize him, they would face her wrath, for she would defend Aki's honor at all costs.

With a playful smirk, Aki adjusted his mic, ready to deliver the next song that would further solidify his rising star status.

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What do you all think about

(Omnitrix in one piece)?

Thinking of making one!

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