Chapter 36: Toward the Dream
[For a band to go further, commercialization is inevitable. Understanding this, you chose to study Journalism and Media at Tokyo University.]
[Media-related fields inherently involve band production and idol management.]
[This was precisely why you didn't choose to enter Tokyo University's prestigious medical school.]
[Over time, you had witnessed their endless hours of practice.]
[Unknowingly, their dream had taken root in your heart. Their long-cherished ambition to perform on grand stages had also become your own. You were willing to work toward that goal alongside them.]
[To achieve this, you diligently studied band production and media-related knowledge at university. Meanwhile, your talents began attracting the attention of key figures within Tokyo University, helping you establish valuable industry connections.]
[You didn't want Kessoku Band to lose their freedom. Signing with a record label would undoubtedly bring faster recognition, but it would also strip them of their creative and performance independence.]
[Through your exceptional social skills and university connections, you took on internships at various Japanese record companies, gaining first-hand insight into the operations of independent bands.]
[You reassured them, telling them not to worry—because you were there.]
[Like a dam holding back a surging flood, you helped ease their anxiety.]
[The sea was still covered in thick fog, but now, they could see the lighthouse.]
[With complete trust, Nijika entrusted Kessoku Band's management to you.]
[Not a single person objected to this decision, proving your irreplaceable position in their hearts.]
[Holding their trust close, you—who had already audited upper-year courses in advance—began seriously managing Kessoku Band's operations.]
"Did I save them?"
Looking at this line on the simulator, Minami let out a small sigh of relief.
He wasn't even sure why he felt nervous.
Perhaps it was the flood of memories from the simulation…
Seeing Nijika struggling over whether to sign a record deal or remain independent…
Seeing Ryo, who usually acted indifferent, secretly seeking advice from senior band veterans, running around Tokyo for guidance…
Seeing even Bocchi, despite her severe social anxiety, staying up late researching industry details with Kita, losing sleep over it…
Even Minami, who usually preferred to watch things unfold from the sidelines, found himself involuntarily invested.
This playthrough of the simulation had far fewer romantic elements than previous ones…
But their unwavering dedication to their dream made it impossible to look away.
"Have you ever heard the sound of drums still playing in Starry's practice room at 11 PM?"
"Have you ever seen Ryo, so lost in thought over new songs that she nearly stepped into a sewage drain?"
"Have you seen Bocchi, despite her extreme shyness, desperately trying to salvage a performance when the equipment malfunctioned?"
"Have you seen Kita, fingers bleeding from pressing guitar strings, yet refusing to stop practicing?"
Reality is close. Cold. Cruel.
Dreams are distant. Far. Almost unreachable.
Yet they stood in the cold reality, reaching out, trying to pull their dream closer.
[You wanted to be the "thread" that connects them to their dream.]
The First Step Toward That Dream—Financial Freedom
[Under your management, Kessoku Band participated in the Tokyo Youth Music Festival.]
[Their instrumental skills were excellent—good enough to stand out even among festival performers.]
[You seized the opportunity, using the festival's exposure to launch Kessoku Band's official social media accounts and upload their performance videos.]
[With the festival's momentum backing you, the videos quickly gained recognition and started spreading across the internet. Play counts surged.]
[You earned a substantial sum from video monetization.]
[Your business instincts were sharp. As soon as you received the earnings, you reinvested the money into producing Kessoku Band's first batch of CDs.]
[These CDs contained three of their original tracks and would be sold at their next live performance as limited-edition merchandise for 2,500 yen per copy.]
[By this point, Kessoku Band had already gained local fame in Shimokitazawa. Under your management, their popularity rose even further. As you predicted, all 100 CDs sold out instantly at their live performance.]
[According to Seika, a certain beer-loving, bass-playing older sister even dropped by Starry just to buy ten copies.]
[For their second live performance, you reinvested a portion of the profits into temporarily renting Starry for an exclusive show. No tickets were sold—this was marketed as a free live performance to attract a larger audience.]
[Eager to meet expectations, Kessoku Band gave their all, delivering a performance so electrifying that the atmosphere rivaled some of Tokyo's veteran rock bands.]
[Capitalizing on the hype, you launched a ticket-and-CD bundle for the next show. As expected, your initial investment returned several times over.]
[Thanks to your efforts, Kessoku Band's popularity soared. Within two weeks, their social media following exceeded 20,000, and discussions about them flooded Twitter.]
[Through careful strategy, the band's modest online revenue snowballed into a significant sum.]
[Eventually, you arrived at a figure so astonishing that Nijika, Ryo, Bocchi, and Kita could hardly believe their eyes.]
[If they managed their spending wisely, Kessoku Band wouldn't have to worry about financial struggles for at least another year or two.]
[Your financial acumen was so remarkable that even Seika half-joked about wanting to crack open your skull to see how your brain worked.]
[But to you, this was merely the first step toward financial freedom.]
[Their popularity was at its peak. Now was the time to secure their position.]
[You began laying the groundwork to turn Kessoku Band into a true legendary rock band.]
[Throughout this process, Nijika, Ryo, Bocchi, and Kita placed their absolute trust in you. They followed your lead without hesitation, and you, in turn, guided them through the dark night.]
[Your bond with them grew even deeper.]
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