(MASS RELEASE) Chapter 40: I Don't Want to Die in Failure and Loneliness!
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Budo-kan Performance?
Minami had never paid much attention to such things, but he casually opened his phone and typed in the keyword "Budo-kan."
With the all-powerful internet, Minami more or less understood what the so-called Budo-kan represented.
The Japanese Budo-kan is actually a sports venue located in Chiyoda Ward. Its value comes from the fact that many outstanding bands have performed there.
For the Japanese music and entertainment industry, the Budo-kan is almost like a sacred place, similar to the Tokyo Dome, and seems to have a special meaning.
"So this is the place."
Minami turned off his phone.
The Japanese often give common places the title of "sacred" and add unnecessary meanings to them on their own.
But it's no wonder the simulator would say, "This is the closest you've ever been to your dream."
To perform on this stage must have been a dream for the "Kessoku Band" all along, right?
In other words, it's a place for realizing dreams.
Thinking of this, Minami turned his attention back to the simulator.
[This is the closest you've ever been to your dream.]
[You noticed that Bocchi is focused on writing lyrics, Yamada Ryo is diligently composing, Nijika is constantly rehearsing new songs, and Kita Ikuyo is working hard to improve her guitar skills.]
[It makes you wonder, after performing enough songs to fill a perfect concert at the Budo-kan, why are they still rushing to write lyrics and compose music now?]
[But in the end, you respected their decision.]
[Getting to this point is the result of your joint effort. Without any of you, this pinnacle couldn't have been reached. You and the band are already one.]
[The time passed quickly in the not-so-long venue preparation, and soon it was time for 'Kessoku Band' to officially perform at the Budo-kan.]
[The venue was decorated in pink, red, blue, and yellow, with fans wearing 'Kessoku Band' merchandise lining up at every entrance of the arena.]
[As the opening drew near, you finished your work, laid down all the materials, and shrugged off the exhaustion. You sat in the front row reserved for you at the Budo-kan—you wanted to watch them realize their dream from the closest distance.]
[The waiting process was undoubtedly tough, with you standing up and sitting down, occasionally checking the time. You even made a call to Nijika.]
[After confirming that there would be no 'accident', 'sudden illness', or 'death from overwork', you finally sat down and continued waiting.]
[The Budo-kan manager jokingly said you really care about the members of 'Kessoku Band'.]
[You just smiled and casually brushed it off because you knew how long they had prepared for this day.]
[But you still couldn't quite understand. Why did Bocchi write a new song just before performing at the Budo-kan?]
[However, this doubt faded away after 'Kessoku Band' started their performance.]
[On stage, they were mesmerizing, with steady drum beats, thick bass walls, and the exquisite coordination between the lead and rhythm guitars.]
[The atmosphere at the scene was electric. The shouts of 'Kessoku Band' reverberated throughout all of Tokyo!]
[The last trace of uncertainty completely dissipated at that moment.]
[It turned out that, without you realizing it, they had already grown into a national rock band capable of performing independently, without you.]
[You finally let go and began to enjoy their performance like an ordinary audience member.]
[It had been so long since you purely listened to their music like this.]
[Over time, you had become able to hear their emotional changes—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness—through the music.]
[But what puzzled you was that Bocchi's new song was still not played, and they were still performing the songs that had been played before the band's ending.]
[The performance quickly reached its conclusion.]
[But at the very end, Nijika, drenched in sweat, suddenly stood up.]
[She told everyone that the next song would be sung by Bocchi, and it was a song of great significance. She wanted to dedicate it to a special person.]
In the simulator, memories surfaced.
The Budo-kan, capable of holding 15,000 people, was packed to capacity.
Nijika, holding a microphone, stood up and announced that the next song would be sung by Bocchi, the lead guitarist who had no previous public singing experience.
Minami felt worried.
In his memory, Bocchi was still the shy, timid girl who used to hide behind him.
Could she really sing in front of 15,000 people?
He instinctively looked up.
But he noticed she was also looking at him.
Minami saw it.
Her eyes were sparkling.
Like a summer firefly.
Although faint,
it could definitely attract some people.
"The song is titled 'I Don't Want to Die in Loneliness'."
Her voice was still weak, but the next moment—
Buzz—
The guitar roared.
"You hadn't noticed."
"The girl who always hid behind you, shy and never spoke, had unknowingly stepped out from behind you."
"Now,"
"She is staring at you! Shouting on stage!"
"She is staring at you! The guitar is shouting!"
"She is staring at you! She is shouting with the guitar!"
"Down below, you can't tell if it's the guitar shouting or her."
"What kind of person can I become?!"
"What kind of person do I want to be?!"
"I refuse to die in loneliness and failure!"
"The self-pitying, self-resentful me!"
"The clumsy and lost me!"
"I don't want to die in loneliness and failure!"
The guitar emitted a tearing sound.
It gripped the heart.
She only gazed at Minami.
She didn't feel nervous.
Because her stage had only one audience.
The harsh sound waves trapped Minami's feet.
The drums beat!
The bass played!
The song exploded!
Then came an intense guitar solo!
She pressed her lips to the microphone!
"For me, enduring through spring, summer, autumn, and winter!"
"For that clumsy, lost me!"
"For the timid me about to die!"
"I refuse to die in loneliness and failure!"
"I don't want to die in loneliness and failure!"
"I want to die with you!"
"..."
The song ended.
The entire venue fell silent.
The only sound was her weak breathing, close to the microphone.
The next moment—
The applause erupted!
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