I Was Reincarnated as a Mob in a Completed School Rom-Com Manga, and When I Tried My Best to Cheer Up the Broken Losing Heroines, I Realized I Had Surpassed the Original Story - 38

Chapter 38: Colourful 2

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The audience erupted into wild cheers as the five beautiful girls waved their hands lightly and spun in circles while dancing. Even though the season had already turned to autumn, the gymnasium alone felt as if it had returned to summer, wrapped in a wave of heat.

“♫♪♬Do pretty flowers have thorns? Look at what’s inside, not just the outside. I’ll deliver sweet honey to you♫♪♬”

It was Kirari’s solo part. Even though they hadn’t practiced it, the audience shouted their responses in perfect timing, growing even more frenzied.

“♫♪♬I don’t need to become a queen. Everyone’s happiness is my happiness♫♪♬”

There was no room for doubt. Right now, Kirari was an undeniable idol. Her expression, filled with confidence after casting aside her earlier hesitation, dyed the entire venue into one cohesive whole. Since I knew her past, perhaps I had been given something like the courage to live stronger than anyone else here. I felt like I finally understood why Kirari had come to love being an idol.

Before I knew it, I had become a full-fledged fan of Kirari. When the excitement reached its peak, the fourth song began. As the intro played for Cho Capricious Dance, the same idol song where Kirari had served as the lead earlier but now led by Konno-san, the venue, which had briefly regained its calm, began to stir.

While the audience’s anticipation swelled after two popular idol songs in a row, I felt nothing but worry over Konno-san’s current mental state. But, those worries were blown away by the very first phrase she sang.

“♫♪♬I’m still just a chrysalis. The reason I won’t move from in front of you—it’s only for now♫♪♬”

Konno-san’s calm and clear singing voice passed through my ears in the most pleasant way.

“♫♪♬Someday, surely, I’ll become a cute butterfly and fly far, far away. And even if I return then, I won’t care anymore♫♪♬”

From there, the tone of the song changed and gradually became more upbeat. Cheers rang out as if shouting, “We’ve been waiting for this!”

In this another world, who would believe that a girl who sang and danced bathed in so much radiance was being called a “loser heroine”? Today, the world acknowledged Hiyori Konno. She looked so exceptionally radiant to my eyes that it made me think something that dramatic.

The one to close the show—the final performer—was our very own Nazuna Akaboshi. When the fourth song ended and Nazuna stood in the center, voices of support poured from the crowd before she even spoke a word. Flustered as she accepted them, Nazuna bowed deeply, only to bump the microphone she held against her forehead, producing an awkward discordant sound. Her clumsy, adorable reaction filled the venue with warm laughter.

“Do your best!”

“Nazuna-chan, you’re the best!”

“Hurry and let us hear your voice!”

As warm cheers flowed in one after another, a spotlight illuminated Nazuna.

“Th-this is the last song… Please listen—‘See You Tomorrow.’”

The song that concluded the live performance was a calm ballad. Originally, it had been a track by a four-man band, but it became widely known after a certain popular idol group covered it. I suddenly remembered Nazuna saying this song was her favorite. Then, the piano intro began.

“♫♪♬See you tomorrow… I feel happy that I can say those words… Now and forever… always♫♪♬”

Her singing voice couldn’t be called good, not even as flattery, yet not a single person laughed. Perhaps they could feel the emotion woven into her voice. Every one of the several hundred spectators wore an entranced expression as they listened.

Nazuna Akaboshi possessed, just like her name suggested, a charm that captivated people. Up until now, she had simply been overwhelmed by Kirari’s energy, but maybe she was the true star. I had been forced to confront the truth that there wasn’t a single “loser heroine” standing on this stage. And the reason these girls could shine like this now was undeniably because they had overcome painful heartbreaks in their past.

That was why I felt jealous. And strangely, I also felt superiority.

Oi, Shiratori… You really are the protagonist of this world. But… It’s a shame you couldn’t see the expressions of these heroines while they are shining with such colorful, vivid brilliance…

I was glad I could be here. I was glad I was reborn. I was glad… I was alive.

When the song ended and the girls went backstage, relentless calls for an encore echoed through the gym. They performed the encore they had prepared, and the first and last liveshow of Colorful ended in overwhelming success.

The photo session and merchandise sale planned afterward were also extremely popular, with all goods selling out in just fifteen minutes. The photo session drew such a long line that teachers on patrol came over, wondering what was going on. Although most of the audience had originally come for Nazuna, by the end, their numbers were perfectly divided into five, and I wanted to praise Kirari’s strategy yet again.

Even the girls themselves seemed unable to hide their surprise. But that only showed what a wonderful liveshow it had been, and as a member of the manga research club, I felt incredibly proud. And then came an even happier surprise. At the cultural festival’s closing ceremony, it was announced that our manga research club’s idol liveshow had won first place in audience attendance and would be receiving an award.

I had assumed the club president would go up on stage, but Kirari gave that honor to Nazuna. With wide, flustered eyes, Nazuna climbed onto the stage, and the gym erupted into applause.

“Now then, Nazuna Akaboshi-san, representing the manga research club. May we ask you a few questions?”

When the host, a member of the cultural festival committee, asked this, Nazuna received a microphone from a staff member and answered while fidgeting nervously.

“Y-yes…”

“We heard that this is your first and last time doing idol activities. Considering the overwhelming response, is there any chance we might get to see you again next year?”

“Y-yes… For now, this is the only time…”

“But surely I’m not the only one who wants to see you perform again. Right, everyone!?”

The students took the bait of the host’s provocation instantly.

“Please do it again next year!”

“We’re begging youuu!”

“I’ll support you forever!!”

“Everyone is saying that… So how about it?”

At the host’s second question, Nazuna held her head and answered.

“B-but, idols aren’t allowed to date and that would be a big problem…”

With that reply, the atmosphere in the gym dropped to freezing in an instant.

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