Arc-3 Ep-21

This year’s Sistema Solare comprehensive concert is being held at the same venue as last year.

That means there are many situations where last year’s experience can be put to good use.

The opening, in particular, remains completely unchanged and exactly the same.

They build a tiered set on the stage, and all fifty-two members of Schus Sola perform “The Light of the Galaxy Is Eternal Forever.”

However, this time my assigned position is completely different.

Last year, as a rookie, I stood somewhere around the middle of the edge, but this year my position is right at the very center, an extremely conspicuous spot.

In the very front horizontal row, and in the vertical column, fourth from the left side of the stage.

Rina-san is on the right side, Erika-san on the left side, and behind me are Tomomi-san and others. It's a position that draws attention to an almost excessive degree.

The timing of my turn is also worlds apart from last year, when I was still a newcomer.

Well, now that I have successfully completed the autumn nationwide tour, I have no worries about stamina, so it is fine.

The other thing is that, in the end, I ended up having to perform a solo song.

This will be my first time performing it in front of people, but for me, with my cheat abilities, there is no problem at all.

I just want to get through it without any trouble and head off to the movie shoot.

An encounter with a rare beauty of an actress is waiting for me.

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“And that is what happened.”

“Moyu-chan, really?”

“That must have been tough.”

Right now on stage, it is MC time after the song performed by the five members of “Dwarf Planet.”

Naturally, Nozomi-chan is among them too.

Unfortunately, both of us have been far too busy, so we have not had many chances to interact or talk much. While waiting in the wings for my next turn, I am watching her talk.

“It's finally time, Mikuri-san.”

“Yeah, Chie-chan. Singing alone in front of such a huge crowd really makes one nervous, even for me.”

Instead, the one standing next to me is Chie-chan.

She belongs to one of the mini-live group teams, so when it is the full Schus Sola comprehensive concert where everyone gathers, her turns are few.

“Even you get nervous, Mikuri-san? If it were me, my legs and voice would be shaking.”

“I think once I start singing it will be okay, but until then, yeah. Right now is probably when I am the most nervous.”

“Well then, let us pass the baton to the next person.”

While I am deep in conversation with Chie-chan, the MC on stage begins wrapping up.

This is where I will be introduced, and it will be the first performance of my solo song.

“Rina Takechi-chan’s solo song just now was really good, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, it was great.”

“Now it is time for Mikuri Kayanuma-chan’s solo song.”

“The title is ‘Koi no Karman Line’!”

“Well then, I am off.”

“Do your best, Mikuri-san.”

As soon as the song title is announced, Chie-chan sees me off, and I head from the stage-right wings toward the center of the stage.

Of the Dwarf Planet members, four head toward stage left, but only Nozomi-chan walks toward stage right.

And at the exact moment we pass each other, I raise my right hand, she raises her right hand too, and we exchange a light high-five with smiles.

“Do your best.”

“Thanks.”

“Uooooohhh!!!”

“Mikuri!!! Nozomi!!!”

“MIKUNOZO!!!”

The fans in the audience who saw that erupted into huge cheers.

Among the deep voices shouting, I could hear some calling out “MIKUNOZO,” that not-very-well-established combo name that a portion of the fans came up with, probably because the pairing sounds awkward.

Dressed in the brand-new outfit made just for the solo, I stand on the stage where the spotlight concentrates, and the music begins to play.

Since it is a currently popular style with a short intro, I start singing right away.

I gather the attention of ten thousand spectators all at once and pour out my voice as if to enchant them.

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The “Karman line” in the song title refers to the virtual boundary drawn at an altitude of one hundred kilometers above sea level that separates outer space from the Earth’s atmosphere.

Apparently, they wrote the lyrics by likening it to the boundary line between adulthood and childhood for a girl who has fallen in love.

Even though it is treated as a solo song, for now it remains attached to the individual.

However, what will happen if my ranking drops in a future popularity poll and I get removed from the internal group “Sistema Solare” has not been officially decided yet.

There is also a plan floating around that if someone falls to “Dwarf Planet,” they will prepare a solo song for the Dwarf Planet members as well, and create a CD album collecting just those fourteen solo songs.

What is firmly decided is that members belonging to the internal group “Schus Sola” will be given at least one solo song to perform every year.

Since I should remain in the top group from now on too, my solo songs will steadily increase.

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“Going back and forth across the Karman line of love!!!”

I finish singing, complete the choreography for the outro, stop my movements, strike a pose, and for a moment the venue is wrapped in silence.

“Kyaaaaaaa!!!”

“Mikurin!!!”

“Uoooooh!!! Mikuri!!!”

But that lasts only for an instant, and immediately an explosive wave of cheers crashes down on me on stage.

In response to that support, I flash a full smile and keep waving both hands from right to left across the audience seats.

“Thank you. This was Terra, Mikuri Kayanuma!!!”

“Waaaaa!!!”

“Mikuri-chaaaan!!!”

“Hyaaaa!!!”

I bring the right hand holding the microphone to my mouth and give a cute greeting, which makes the cheers grow even louder and more deafening.

Amid the support that now includes some almost bizarre shrieks, I introduce the next performer, and my solo turn ends.

“Next up are the seven members of ‘Seven Satellite.’ Please give them lots of cheers too.”

“Understood!!!”

“Don't go!!!”

“I love you, Mikuri!!!”

While being showered with all kinds of cheers, I point to the Seven Satellite members coming out from stage right with my left hand and exit toward stage left.

My next turn comes after the Seven Satellite members, in the order of seniors starting from the first generation, then the sixth-generation group as a unit.

It has been a while since I have appeared as part of the sixth generation, but in rehearsals I was able to sing without any particular problems.