My Childhood Friend, who became a National Idol, moved next door to my Run-down Apartment [Dropped]

“Mitsuki-chan, we are cheering for you with all our might!!”

“Do that step again, it was really cool!”

“Yeah! That looked so adorable!”

“Thanks to his perfect accompaniment to my dance, even though it was just practice, I could express myself authentically. But, you know, I think Kazu-kun is the most amazing!”

Initially, Mitsuki tried to remain composed, but her flustered gesture of pointing at me was refreshing.

A mix of the Mitsuki outside and the Mitsuki in front of me made her expression somewhat enigmatic, even puzzling some of the kindergarten kids.

As Mitsuki danced amidst the children, surrounded by them, people were inexplicably drawn to me as well.

“That piano play was amazing!”

“Yeah you are incredibly skilled! I want to hear more of it! And this time it has to be an encore!”

“The part that went ‘Du-Du-Du-Dadam’ was super cool, Piano Guy!!”

“…T-Thanks for the compliments. It means a lot. But, sorry, an encore might be tough. My fingers are kind of worn out…”

The original song piece is around six-minutes long.

The pursuit of making an already fast-paced song even faster and more accurate had resulted in my fingers becoming exhausted quite early.

It had been a while since I had genuinely touched the piano, played it with all my heart, or synced with someone else earnestly.

Yet, playing the piano with all my might had still been enjoyable.

I had nothing but gratitude for Mitsuki, who had ignited my passion to this extent.

The sensation of electric tingling coursing through all five fingers still lingered.

It’s been three years since I last played the piano seriously.

Several times during the performance, my fingers nearly got tangled up. Completing it was almost like a miracle.

In contrast, despite performing such intense dancing and singing, Mitsuki showed no signs of breathlessness.

Even now, she was smiling and dancing with the children, continuing the fun.

“…Mitsuki is incredible, isn’t she?”

“I know, right! Mitsuki-chan’s dance was so cool!”

“Her singing was so beautiful!”

“She was always a bit intimidating, but today she was incredibly cute!”

The kids’ enthusiasm seemed boundless.

“I get it. You guys have a discerning eye. Recognizing that as kindergarteners means you have a lot of potential. Mitsuki is the most amazing, adorable, and flawless person in Japan. The era of Mitsuki is about to begin. I hope you all will continue to support ‘TRUE MIRAGE’ with all your might.”

Saying that, the teacher who had been clapping vigorously from the back came towards us, tears welling up.

“That was an amazing performance! I’ve been a TRUE MIRAGE fan from the beginning, but I’m especially a fan of Mitsuki Toujou! Ohh, it was incredible!”

“If… if that’s the case, I think you should talk to Toujou-san instead—”

“She’s too precious… I can’t look her straight in the eye…!!”

Covering her face with both hands, the teacher collapsed on the spot.

Patting the teacher’s shoulder, a little girl among the kindergarten kids murmured, “Sensei plays TRUE MIRAGE’s song for nap time too. She loves TRUE MIRAGE so much.”

“Just getting to see the adorable Mitsuki-san live was already a joy, but being able to see her shine so brightly up close… It’s an honor as a fan…!! I’ll buy 20 CDs next time…!”

I see, so this person is a hardcore fan.

Even I, as a piano player, would have trouble selling 10 CDs, let alone 20.

The teacher wiped her eyes and stood up.

“…But it’s strange. I’ve never seen your presence in the fan book or at the live shows, whether it’s some famous live events or other places. Members like Toujou Mitsuki-san, Saiouji Kirika-san, and Nanbusaki Saki-san. And it doesn’t seem like you’re Nishikawa-san, the lyricist and composer, or Shirai-san, Mitsuki-san’s exclusive manager, or Kuroko-san, the general manager…”

The details were more accurate than I expected.

I don’t know that, these many people were involved in running this facility altogether.

“I’ve never heard Mitsuki-san sing with such an expression before… It’s so different that it feels like a different person. If she’s that talented, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her play at more live shows.”

“Sensei~, this is insane!”

“Once, I tried to watch anime on the kindergarten’s TV, but all the recordings were too good!”

“We had like 50 fans there!”

The supplementary information from the children was unexpectedly heavy.

“Um, that is… What should I say—!”

How should I explain this to someone who knows so much about TRUE MIRAGE?

While being surrounded and questioned by the children and the teacher, the person who appeared before me was…

“Thank you for always supporting ‘TRUE MIRAGE.’ He is a new musician who has joined us as a Pianist

It was none other than Shirai-san.

Shirai-san raised her glasses with a red rim and spoke to the teacher with a smile.

“Sh-Shirai-san! Shirai-san…! You’re Mitsuki-san’s exclusive manager… the real one…!! That means someday this performance and Mitsuki-san… will be performed live in the future…?!”

“Yes. I hope to present it to everyone in the not-so-distant future. It’s still in the practice stage, so it’s difficult to perform on a real stage, and I haven’t been able to announce it yet… right?”

Shirai-san asked me with a smile without breaking her expression.

I see. She’s helping me with the story.

She’s truly a talented manager.

“…Yes. I want to give my all and do my best.”

I was carried away and said those words, and the teacher grabbed both of my hands.

“I’m looking forward to it! That performance was truly moving! I believe that performance, which brought out Mitsuki-san’s smile, will take ‘TRUE MIRAGE’ to even greater heights! I’m absolutely sure!”

“…..”

“As a TRUE MIRAGE fan until then, I won’t breathe a word about you being Mitsuki-san’s fan! I really want to hear you on stage! Please do your best! Please, I am looking forward to the live show!”

She repeated her words twice as strong.

As for me, I couldn’t find words in response to such a thing.

It wasn’t just Mitsuki who was watching…?

I was just desperately playing to bring out Mitsuki’s full potential.

Just look at Mitsuki.

I want to see more of the expression she hides from everyone.

Was that the reason why my performance resonated so much with her…?

Mitsuki… Mitsuki…

Unconsciously, I searched for Mitsuki.

Our eyes met each other when I noticed her playing and dancing with kindergarten students.

She sent me a V sign with a bashful and radiant smile.

It’s not just about playing difficult pieces.