Vol 1 Chapter 42 – GB【Vol 1 – Turning Point】

When I got home, I had lunch and immediately started preparing for the stream. I placed the mic next to my violin and began to play. Lately, this has been my five-minutes-before standby music.

I practiced violin in SingingSea’s bowed-string instrument section. So the pieces I can play are mostly Celtic or Irish tunes. But in that style, I can improvise quite well.

HatsuBread: Here we go

Babba: Even this pre-start performance is worth a listen, huh

Ryu: I’ll probably be on guitar today

Chai ga Suki!: I want to start a band…

Betoben: The violin I bought is ecstatic!

Wa! Guwaa?!: Super Chat ¥1,000: I’ll toss a tip

Mike: Super Chat ¥10,000: To be honest, I want to invite her to a certain show

Alen: Super Chat ¥10,000: The question is whether she’d come all the way to America

Osio: Enjoying standby music is what true fans do, right?

Gin: Ryu, got any info?

Rina＠Gal: Just puke, YO★

Simon: Hey Mike, is that her performance?

Mike: Super Chat ¥1,000: That’s right

Simon: Wow, awesome

Even though the stream hadn’t started yet, comments were flooding in. An overseas viewer had joined too. Judging by the situation, I figured Mike must have introduced me.

Then, the broadcast started.

“nii-san! nee-san! Thanks for coming today! We’re a bit late, but I’m going to sing my heart out for everyone who’s worked hard all week! Request anything!”

Saying that, I switched to guitar and sat on a stool.

Michi Mama: Rin-kun! I’ve been waiting!

HatsuBread: I wanted to hear more violin.

Babba: Same here. But I want to hear Rin-chan’s voice too.

Ryu: Just sit down. Something amazing is probably happening in Rin’s head.

Osio: I’m a guitar person. But I have to admit the violin is wonderful too.

Gin: My reason for living

Dedede: I’ve been waiting

Rina＠Gal: Rin-kun has arrived――(ﾟ∀ﾟ)――!!

Mike: Super Chat ¥2,000: I’ll comment on behalf of Simon too, so forgive me up to ¥2,000. Our request is “Never Ever”!

The first request was a song called “Never Ever.” It’s from a movie, and it’s really difficult to sing. But it’s one of my favorites.

“Okay, the first song will be ‘Never Ever’! It’s a Western song, but I’m sure many of you know it—so let’s sing along!”

Saying that, I began to strum my guitar.

The comments went silent.

Actually, it’s a song I love, and I hum it at every chance. So I know exactly how to pour emotion into it. I mix shouting with pleading to make it my own Never Ever.

“All this time… never… never!”

I love this chorus. I sing it as if I’m screaming, as if I’m praying, as if I’m clinging—pouring heat from the depths of my soul.

I repeat it over and over, but no two notes ever sound the same. Because the emotion behind each one is different. It’s not a big change, just a small variation.

This is my Never Ever.

When I finished singing, the comments streamed in again.

Mike: Super Chat ¥2,000: Simon and I forgot everything except listening. And Simon is lamenting that you’re not in America.

Ryu: Can we sing together?! You’ve got the most amazing way of singing, you punk!

Osio: I don’t want to sully Rin-chan’s song with my own voice…

HatsuBread: Never Ever is sung a lot, but that’s the best it’s ever been.

Gin: I can’t sing! I can’t sing…

Dedede: No way, this is impossible

Rina＠Gal: I cried…

Alen: Super Chat ¥1,000: It might be worth a million dollars.

The comments were booming. I thought everyone would be singing along with me, but…

But that was the highest compliment. They forgot to sing and just got absorbed in my performance. That alone made me happier than words could express.

“Thanks, everyone! You sure know how to flatter me! Now, next request!”

I thought I’d sing at a fast pace today. I’d been practicing instruments all morning at Tachibana-san’s house, so my throat was in perfect condition. I’ll take on as many requests as I can.

When I said that, the comments all responded with “That’s not flattery!”

HatsuBread: With that song choice, that’s the Simon, right?

Babba: I think so…

Chai ga Suki!: Based on their reaction, it’s GB-level, right?

Wa! Guwaa?!: I mean, if Rin-chan shows up, everyone will hit GB…

“Wait a second—what’s GB?”

Betoben: Golden Button. It’s like the highest rating on Simon’s show?

Osio: Anyway, it’s a golden button.

After that, comments continued explaining. Apparently, on an American talent show, it’s the button that decides who passes the preliminaries. Simon hardly ever presses it, so if everyone did it, that would truly be legendary.

Mike: Super Chat ¥1,000: Simon’s comment was, “I think everyone will reach for GB at the same time. After the song ends, wait a moment.”

“Oh, come on… no matter how much you praise me, I’ll just play the next song!”

I seriously thought that wouldn’t happen.

Dedede: If it were the real Simon, he wouldn’t flatter. He’s harsh.

But I was wrong—apparently my singing really was incredible.