As Takashi stepped forward, the host teased, "Sir, after hearing the previous lady's performance, do you feel any pressure?"
To be honest, Takashi's luck was quite unfortunate.
According to the original script, Hoshino Ai was supposed to be the last performer.
But no one expected that someone else would sign up in the last twenty minutes.
Takashi thought for a moment and replied, "Not really."
It wasn't that much pressure.
After all, Hoshino Ai was just an idol, not a diva.
In the entertainment industry, idols and singers were not the same.
Divas sell their music and take pride in their singing skills.
Idols, on the other hand, sell themselves.
An idol's career is built on their persona—they captivate the public by maximizing their charm and providing a "fantasy romance service" to fans.
Fans invest their time and money, while idols offer emotional value and spiritual comfort in return—it's a mutually beneficial relationship.
But the moment an idol enters a romantic relationship and is "claimed" by someone, their appeal disappears.
At that point, there's no reason for fans to continue supporting them.
Idols don't survive on their singing skills or music.
Their vocal abilities are only impressive when compared to ordinary people, but among professionals, they're the weakest link.
In terms of pure singing ability, they're probably on par with internet singers in the country.
This has nothing to do with effort—it's simply a matter of talent.
The host, surprised by Takashi's confidence, asked, "You seem quite sure of yourself. So, what song will you be performing?"
Takashi answered softly, "I'll Do It!"
"I'll Do It"—also known as Hoshino Ai's execution song.
In reality, this song had nothing to do with Hoshino Ai at all.
But because its melody fit well with anime edits and happened to be popular around the time Oshi no Ko was released, people began using it in edits.
With some fans intentionally pushing the meme and others joining in blindly, it eventually became known as Hoshino Ai's execution song.
In the end, one passionate fan is worth ten haters.
Upon hearing the song title, even though it was the peak of summer with the scorching sun hanging high, Hoshino Ai felt an overwhelming chill in her limbs.
A sharp, piercing pain spread through her abdomen, as if she had been stabbed viciously.
"Strange."
Instinctively, she reached for her waist, confused.
Takashi waited for a long time, but the music never started. He looked at the host, puzzled.
The host looked just as awkward. "It seems this song isn't in the tracklist?"
Takashi was momentarily stunned.
"It's not available?"
He hadn't expected that.
For a moment, he almost forgot—this wasn't his previous life.
"Do you know any other songs?"
Takashi rested his chin on his hand, thought for a moment, and said, "Then, do you have Lemon?"
The greatest barrier in music is language.
A song that becomes a hit domestically might not necessarily do well overseas.
The reason is simple—people can't understand the lyrics.
Very few songs can truly transcend language barriers.
Kenshi Yonezu was one of the few that Takashi knew.
"We have it."
As the intro played, the crowd quickly fell silent.
Narii even raised her phone to start recording.
On stage, Takashi placed one hand on his headphone, lowered his head slightly, and when the lyrics arrived, he began singing with a voice filled with confusion and sorrow:
"梦ならばどれほどよかったでしょう
（If only this were all just a dream）
未だにあなたのことを梦にみる
（Even now, I still see you in my dreams）
忘れた物を取りに帰るように
（As if retrieving something long forgotten）
古びた思い出の埃を払う
（Gently brushing off the dust of old memories）
..."
Each breath carried the melody, blending seamlessly with his voice, piercing straight into the hearts of the audience.
An electrifying shock spread through the crowd, as if an invisible current had surged through them.
Those who had been distracted or playing on their phones gradually put their devices away.
All eyes were now locked on Takashi.
"It's over..."
The moment Hoshino Ai heard Takashi's voice, she knew—her first place was gone.
She had encountered a true powerhouse.
"You liar!!!"
Akari bit her lip, her beautiful eyes glaring at Takashi in fury.
Didn't you say you only knew a little about singing?
Why is your little so different from my little?!
As expected, this guy was a complete liar!
From now on, she wouldn't believe a single punctuation mark he said!
…
"Some happiness can never be relived"
"That was the last thing you told me"
"The gray past hidden in my heart"
"Without you, it will forever remain gray."
On the second floor of the shopping mall, Fujiwara Chika suddenly noticed that Kaguya had stopped walking and was staring downward in silence.
"Kaguya, what's wrong?"
Kaguya didn't answer, simply standing there.
Curious, Fujiwara Chika moved closer and looked down as well.
On stage, a boy with a somewhat mischievous air was singing.
"Oh, he's totally my type," Fujiwara Chika thought to herself.
She did have a slight M tendency.
If he were to take her forcefully, she probably wouldn't resist.
Meanwhile, Kaguya continued listening to Takashi's singing, her expression unchanged.
However, the corners of her lips curled upward ever so slightly—just about a centimeter.
"Without me, your world will remain forever gray? Do you like me that much?"
Kaguya hadn't expected Takashi to be this obsessed with her.
Running into him singing here, she figured this was probably another one of his attempts to get her attention.
It wasn't the first time boys had tried something like this.
"A pathetic tactic. But... I suppose it's not as unpleasant this time."
Now that Takashi had shaved his hair shorter, he actually looked a bit more pleasing to the eye.
"Too bad his gaze is still disgusting. If only it were more fierce, more ruthless—that would be perfect."
Still, overall, her impression of him had improved.
…
"I understand"
" There will never be"
" Anything more painful than this..."
"Who would've thought he could sing this well? I suppose that's one of his few good points."
On the third floor, Maki crossed her arms, watching and commenting.
Nagisa didn't respond. She simply rested her hands on the glass railing, propped her chin up with one hand, closed her eyes, and gently swayed her head to the rhythm.
"No way… does Nagisa actually like him?"
Watching her, a sense of unease crept into Maki's heart.
She wanted to ask, but then she hesitated.
If Nagisa fell for Takashi, she would definitely break up with Tanuma Tsubasa.
That would mean Maki had a chance.
But…
She didn't want Nagisa to be with Tanuma Tsubasa.
And she definitely didn't want to see her end up with Takashi either.
"Him? Someone like him? As if he's worthy of my best friend."
…
"Komi, Tadano, look! Someone's singing."
Natsumi Osana excitedly pointed at the boy on stage and took out her phone.
"I'm recording this!"
"It's Lemon—a really popular song. Komi, have you heard—" Tadano Hitohito turned to ask Komi Shouko, but stopped mid-sentence.
Komi Shouko, who usually had little expression, had her lips slightly parted, and her sharp eyes were slowly transforming into round, wide ones.
On stage, Takashi remained completely unaware.
Just like Shirou's infamous high jump attempt, his singing performance was being watched closely by every girl who had once seen his true self.
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