The Guy Who Messed Up Is Gradually Doing His Best - Chapter 56

“Next is our original song!”

♪〜

It’s a bright and upbeat song. As expected of third-year students. Everyone is swaying their bodies side to side, really getting into it.

I always think this, but I believe there are many excellent students among the girls at this school. So far, one out of the two classes has been showcasing original songs, and I’m amazed by their high level of completion. Writing and composing songs isn’t that easy, right?

Since long ago, music industry professionals have been visiting this school’s cultural festival band festival.

It seems that if they catch the eye of those involved, a major debut is not just a dream.

So it seems that groups seriously aiming for a major debut always perform original songs.

“Everyone, make sure to listen to our original songs too, okay~!”

♪〜

Well, there was a silly group that claimed their song was original but included inappropriate lyrics, which led to the cultural festival committee stopping them. However, it was quite popular, and the venue was lively.

It’s just a brief moment until the stop is called and the performance is halted.

I couldn’t help but laugh too. However, the look on their faces when they noticed me was pitifully pale, and they were shaking their heads. They didn’t need to worry that much, but judging by their reaction, it seemed like they did it on a whim.

I look at the program, it seems like a second-year senior.

“Our first song is this one, ‘I Love You All’ (lyrics and music by Sawakaze Kazuya). Please listen.”

I thought there would be some, but there were also about two bands covering Sawakaze-kun’s songs. If I had to say whether they were good or not, it was a bit iffy.

During the lunch break, we borrowed the changing room to avoid confusion and ate there, but everyone had a small appetite and spoke little. They must have been nervous. I could only offer the usual cliché of “Let’s have fun as always,” but I secretly used some relaxation techniques too.

“Huh?”

“Hmm?”

“?”

“Eh?”

Everyone had a puzzled look on their faces, didn’t they?

If I use too much, it can cause big problems, but it really comes in handy at times like this.

Come to think of it, I sometimes feel that since I became aware of being able to use relaxation techniques, I don’t feel as tense as I did in my past life. Could this also be thanks to relaxation? It’s a good thing, so it’s not something to worry about too much.

We will be the last, seventh, in the afternoon session. Just like in the morning, I think I’ll watch the other class bands at the gym venue until it’s our turn.

I can’t help but notice that the audience seems to be increasing. I hope it doesn’t get canceled when it’s our turn because there are too many people.

“It’s finally here.”

I headed to the changing room a bit early to start getting ready, but it was full of other teams.

What I came up with was the storage room I use during gym class.

“That’s great.”

Since there was no one in the warehouse, I decided to change clothes right away… Oh, right. Everyone changes here too.

I was wondering if it would be better to stay outside, but everyone seemed focused and started changing normally even with me there. Their underwear was completely visible.

——…

I felt ridiculous for being the only one conscious of it, so I quickly changed too. Huh? As soon as I started changing, I felt everyone’s gaze on me, but since I had already taken off my jacket, I might as well finish changing quickly.

“Oh, leave the hairstyle to me.”

Sachiko (Makino)-san raises her hand. Apparently, she has a hairstyle she wants a person to do for her. The friend of the neighbor who appears in her favorite anime? Isn’t that from an anime…

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

I was only feeling anxious, but the finish might actually be quite nice. I thought it would be all stiff and spiky, but it has a nice flow with the bangs parted and slightly left, flowing softly back. Huh, it might be a bit cool.

“Thank you, Sachiko-san. It feels really good.”

“Y-yeah.”

Sachiko (Makino)-san blushed and got embarrassed. Still, everyone is getting better at cross-dressing. I think it looks even more so because of the makeup that makes them look a bit like boys, but they didn’t seem very pleased. Even though I was complimenting them.

“You were here, huh? It’s almost our turn, so…!”

After finishing the preparations, I thought it was about time for a member of the cultural festival committee to come all the way to the storage room. However, upon seeing us come out of the storage room, they froze.

Well, I was moving right away, but my hands and feet were moving together, and I almost laughed out loud. Sorry about that.

I was shown to a waiting room that was just surrounded by partitions.

“Please wait here for a little while longer.”

*****

When we got on stage, the venue was in a frenzy.

“Huh!?”

All the seats were filled, and even then, there were people standing to watch. I looked closely, there were also people peering in from outside the windows because they couldn’t fit inside.

“Everyone, thank you for waiting. The grand finale will be performed by the 1st-year Class A band, Gouda-kun, and the cross-dressing girls. Here they are.”

The person in charge of hosting the cultural festival is giving us a band name without asking. Don’t give us a weird band name without permission. We regroup, nod in sync, and play our first song.

♪〜

I chose it from the popular karaoke songs. A cover of Tomoriko’s “Cauliflower.”

Originally, the key is high and difficult to sing, but this time I will sing a slightly rearranged version in a lower key.

The noisy venue suddenly fell silent, which startled me, but since everyone was swaying to the rhythm, I thought it would be okay.

The second song is Ai-chan’s “Kinseika,” which is also popular in karaoke.

Since this is also a women’s song, the key is high and difficult to sing, so it will be a version with a lower key.

“Phew.”

I sang the second song in a row with the same momentum, and my feelings calmed down a bit. It seems I was also swept up in the atmosphere of the venue.

——Ah!

I wonder why I didn’t notice. All the women who collaborated with me on netTube have come.

Yuu, Ai, Mii, and Shii, even Saijou-san (the older sister) from the neighboring prefecture are at the venue waving. Did she come all the way here just for this?

Also, to Kaori-san and the teacher…

——Mai!

It’s my little sister. My little sister is here. Oh no, tears are coming. It’s been a while since I saw her face. I wonder if she’s here with friends; she looks well… Why is she crying? She was waving goodbye while crying…

When I turned back slightly, I heard cheers from the audience, so I hurriedly waved my hand slightly to the entire venue. That’s right, I was in the middle of the performance.

“…Next, we’ll play our original song, and it’s a really good one, so if you’d like, please listen. ‘By Your Side'”

Mom couldn’t find it, but I believe she was listening from somewhere, so I sang with all my heart.

♪〜

While I was singing, I remembered the past and almost cried, but somehow I managed to finish the song. However, for some reason, the venue was silent.

Why? I thought, as I looked into each audience member’s eyes, tears welled up and I could hear them sniffing.

This is…

The moment I thought I had messed up somewhere, scattered applause started, spreading throughout the venue, and eventually, a huge storm of applause erupted.