Volume 13 Chapter 281 Shirogane Kanon, Hardcore Fan Complete Revival Edition
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A few hours had passed since Aqua left the house early this morning.
”It’s about time, my lady,” Pegonia said.
”Thanks, Pegonia. Well then, I’ll leave the two of them to you,” I replied.
Kanoa and Anon were entrusted to Pegonia as I headed toward the PPV venue inside the Shirogane Kingdom.
While the Holy Aqua Church built the Shirogane Kingdom alone, I had one request for Emily-senpai, the site supervisor: create a dedicated PPV facility for broadcasting Aqua’s live performance.
As I walked down the PPV venue’s private corridor, three familiar faces—ones I’d seen more than my own parents—waited for me.
”Kanon-san, you made it,” Nee-san greeted.
”Been waiting, Kanon,” Kaede-senpai added.
Nee-san and Kaede-senpai leaned against opposite walls, radiating an intense energy.
This was a classic otaku moment—I couldn’t help but smile that they hadn’t taken off their iron plates [T/N: cosplay armor pieces].
At the corridor’s end, Emily-senpai stood like a guardian deity.
”You’ve arrived, Kanon,” Emily said with a warm smile.
I returned her grin.
”Sorry to keep you all waiting.”
I slapped hands with my three comrades, ready to face the same battlefield together.
”Today’s Aqua-san’s BERYL live day, right?” Nee-san asked.
I nodded vigorously.
From the moment I found out I was pregnant until I gave birth, I’d held back for the sake of the children growing inside me.
”Since the day I first saw Aqua-kun, I never imagined it would come to this,” Kaede-senpai said softly.
I smiled at her words.
That day, a post on the bulletin board lured me to Tomarigi, and our fate changed drastically.
”All right, let’s go, everyone,” I said.
We piled our hands atop Emily-senpai’s outstretched palm.
”We—the four sisters gathered under the same chinposuki,” Emily announced.
”Wait, what!?” I blurted, tsukkomi-ing [T/N: a sharp retort or comedic correction] her crude word.
She was so cool a moment ago—why say something so vulgar now?
That’s just weird!
”Hehe, Emily. Even after getting married, you’re still the same,” Kaede-senpai teased, a pleased smile tugging her lips.
Why does Kaede-senpai look so pleased?
Oh right, she was that crazy-named Chinposuki, wasn’t she?
”Absolutely,” Nee-san agreed with a grin.
Huh? Why does Nee-san, who usually joins me in tsukkomi, look pleased too?
Speaking of which, everyone calls you Nee-san, so I forgot, but you were that insane-named Cunni-saretai [T/N: vulgar nickname], right?
Hagetoru is also about how to get off, and the other three names are a bit too lewd, aren’t they?
”Kanon, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you can’t tsukkomi because you were the one who said to go jerk off in the past,” Emily-senpai teased.
I turned away from Emily and the others. Um, what was that about again?
I don’t remember that, so it doesn’t count!
”I’ve got the fish print too, you know,” I said.
”No way!?” the three of them burst out laughing.
Ugh, come on! The live’s about to start!
We don’t have time to waste here!
Ignoring them, I started walking toward the venue alone.
”Hey, wait! Kanon,” Emily called after me.
”Hehe, don’t sulk, Kanon,” Kaede-senpai added.
”Kanon-san, I’m sorry. Please cheer up,” Nee-san said gently.
It’s not like I’m angry.
I turned around and smiled.
”Come on, stop messing around and let’s go!”
From here, words wouldn’t reach them.
They nodded back with determination.
In about five minutes, the live show will start. Everyone, please take your seats before the lights go dim.
Looks like we’re last.
We took our spots in the center seat of the third row.
”Hey! Why do I have to look up when we’re in the front row? My neck hurts!!” Kohina Yukari-san complained.
”I told you we shouldn’t sit in the front row…” Nee-san muttered.
Hehe, Kohina Yukari-san’s amazing, but as a fan, she’s still a newbie.
Unlike an actual venue, with PPV, you have to grab a spot where you don’t have to look up.
”Phew…” I exhaled.
Even though it’s PPV, these few minutes before the live start are the most nerve-wracking.
This tense atmosphere quickens my heartbeat.
Ah, during my pregnancy, I mostly watched from my room—this familiar tension feels nostalgic.
I prepared my goods. I even brought a new uchiwa [T/N: Japanese fan] for today.
”It’s here,” someone murmured.
After a few minutes, the venue lights went out, and the curved screen showed footage from the actual live venue.
No one was on stage—that meant a special entrance was coming.
Alert, I immediately glanced up at the ceiling of the curved screen.
”Up there!” I pointed.
Everyone’s gaze shifted to the ceiling.
”Ugh, my neck hurts even more! Just come out normally!” Kohina Yukari-san groaned.
Please, Kohina Yukari-san, be quiet for just a moment. This is a great moment!
Seconds later, a helicopter approached the stage, its propellers roaring.
”Ah, that’s the Rokumaru!!” Nee-san exclaimed.
Only those in the know understand what Rokumaru is!
A rope dangled from the Self-Defense Force helicopter used for disaster relief. One by one, the four members of BERYL descended, Aqua leading.
I worried, Isn’t it bad for Toa-chan!? but he descended safely with Aqua.
Some would drop out early—everyone, keep your spirits! We haven’t even sung a single verse yet!
Aqua and the others who descended from the helicopter grab the microphones and exchange firm nods. The moment the helicopter pulls away from the stage, the song’s intro is already underway.
’Right now, at this moment, someone is calling us in their heart. Responding to that voiceless voice, we grasp it with our hands.’
Oh dear. Thanks to Aqua, who owes a favor to Prime Minister Habu, this became the Self-Defense Force’s CM song.
With the Self-Defense Force’s pledge to protect citizens from disaster or hardship—and BERYL’s mission to reach the silent voices of those suffering—Moja-san wrote the lyrics and composed the music.
’Unheard cries. A pitch-black view. A heart crushed by anxiety. No matter how desperate the situation, we will not give up.’
Aqua, dressed in rescue gear, already looks cool—but paired with the mournful tune, my heart races from the start.
Hey, don’t concerts usually open with a hype song to get everyone fired up? Why start by pulling at our hearts? I wondered.
But BERYL’s surprises weren’t over.
After the final note, a sudden tempo shift sent screams from the crowd at the unfamiliar sound.
”N-N-nNew songgggggg!!” someone yelled.
Emily-senpai and I hugged, eyes locked on the stage.
Aqua, mic in hand, turned his gaze toward us—no, at me.
”Let’s go, everyone! If you’re our fans, you’re ready, right!?”
Ready but not ready, not ready, not ready!! I thought, panicking.
Big letters flashed on the screen behind the stage, matching Aqua’s words:
[We will protect this country!]
Wait—BERYL’s four members in Self-Defense Force uniforms… and Kobayakawa-san!? The footage played on screen.
The audience erupted in cheers at the sight of the entire Heaven’s Sword cast assembled.
[Director: Hongou Hiroko]
Ughhhhhhhhhhh!
”Heaven’s Sworddddddddddd!” the editor next to me shouted, shaking Hakuryuu-sensei’s motionless, pure white body.
[Land! Sea! Air! A special drama with full cooperation from the Self-Defense Forces is set to be released this winter!!]
Whoa. When did they even film this…?
Now I understand—Aqua and the others were able to descend from the helicopter because of this!
[As usual, Prime Minister Habu and Announcer Morikawa will also appear as themselves!]
”Whatever,” I muttered.
For a moment, everyone’s faces went blank, drained of emotion.
Then BERYL’s upbeat song pulled us back.
’No matter how hurt I get, I thought I could protect you if I didn’t give up.’
Heyyy!? The drama hasn’t even started yet—don’t throw in lyrics that sound so anxious!
Otaku can spin wild theories from the tiniest details, you know!? At school, at home, 24/7, 365 days a year, they’re imagining and debating endlessly on forums!!
’I thought I was ready a long time ago. But I feel like I’m about to be crushed by reality.’
Ugh—the otaku in me wants to focus on the song, while the other otaku in me wants to analyze the drama from the lyrics—they started arguing in my head.
Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Aqua, you idiot! Normally, you save announcements like this for the end!!
Why reveal it at the start!? Build the suspense!
It’s like entering a theme park and finding the entrance is a roller coaster.
”This is why I can’t quit BERYL,” Aqua declared.
I nodded hard, wiping drool off Emily-senpai’s mouth.
”Everyone──! You’re not tired yet, right?” Toa-chan shouted.
”Not tired──!!” the crowd roared back in unison.
”Of course, senpai, you’re not tired either, right?” Toa-chan asked Tenga-senpai.
”Ah, of course not,” Tenga-senpai replied.
Toa-chan shook his index finger side to side, tilting his head with a silly grin.
What a cute face…
”No, no. The senpai I called isn’t that one…” Toa-chan said.
”Of course, it’s me, right? Kagami,” another voice interjected.
Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
It wasn’t Tenga-senpai or the senpai with a sore neck—there’s only one senpai when it comes to Kagami.
”Night Shadow Captain is hereeeee!”
Kobayakawa-san’s arrival sent a wave of excitement through the venue.
Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
I couldn’t help but envy the people inside.
’You know I’ve come, right?’ Kobayakawa-san’s presence seemed to say.
He, he, Heaven’s Sworddddddddddd!
I clung to Emily-senpai’s body beside me.
”What, Kanon!? When did you get so proactive… guhehe, has my love finally reached you!?” Emily teased.
”Stop saying dumb stuff and look forward! Look!!” I urged.
I realized why Aqua’s rescue gear looked so baggy—everyone peeled it off, revealing driver suits underneath.
”Uoooooohhhhhhh!” the crowd roared.
”Hey, Emily-senpai!?” I whispered. “You just touched my boobs, didn’t you!? I know it was on purpose!!”
We waved our penlights like our arms might tear off. If we didn’t move something, the pent-up emotion would explode.
”Umm, umm,” Grandmother Mary murmured worriedly to Hakuryuu-sensei, who was being wheeled away in a wheelchair.
Hakuryuu-sensei, the teacher who came to watch the live just to die, is a true fan model.
We all saluted her as she left, her face serious—not one of us laughing.
”Everyone, I’m counting on you from here on out!!” Kobayakawa-san declared, placing her hand on the stag beetle horn attached to her belt.
Ah, armor purge!!
With a bright flash, the stage went dark, and the four members of BERYL—now without their driver suits—appeared.
Wait, no! On stage were only Toa-chan and Aqua!
”Ah, ah, ah,” I whispered.
This is it. Aqua and Ayana-chan sang Hanabi together.
So that means Toa-chan is going to sing Ayana-chan’s part!?
”Ayana-senpai!!” I heard Fran-chan shout somewhere in the venue.
At that moment, our Verification Team saluted Ayana-chan, scattered across the night sky.
”Hakuryuu-sensei and now this… what reckless acts…” Emily-senpai whispered tearfully.
We nodded silently.
Wha, wha, wha──!?
I thought it was a duet with Toa-chan, but no!
In the second verse, Toa-chan passed the baton to Mayuzumi-kun, then Mayuzumi-kun passed it to Tenga-senpai in the third verse.
Each time, I heard people collapsing in the venue.
Ah, what is this? Hearing those sounds, I felt like I’d come to Aqua’s concert—BERYL’s.
It felt like home.
”Looks like we’re the only ones left now.”
No, no. Quite a few were still around, Emily-senpai.
I even saw the lively Kohina Yukari-san move toward the back since some seats were empty.
As the concert neared its end, static appeared on the screen.
What’s going on? I wondered. Did something happen with the filming equipment?
While I pondered, the static cleared.
”Ah, it’s raining!?” someone shouted.
Everyone exchanged surprised glances at the sudden rain.
And it’s not just a light rain. It’s pouring so hard I can see raindrops clearly on the screen.
”Wh-what are we going to do?” I whispered, panic rising.
In any other group, they might have kept going—but BERYL is just four guys.
Everyone was numb after Aqua’s performance, but usually, boys don’t sing in the rain like this.
”Just a little more to go…” I thought. Aqua noticed our anxious faces and shouted into his mic.
”Hey everyone, what’s wrong? You’re not fired up! Raise your voices, pump up the voltage—let’s blow this rain away!”
At his voice, not only us fans but also Toa-chan, Mayuzumi-kun, and Tenga-senpai lifted their downcast faces.
That’s right—Aqua’s not the kind of boy to quit because of rain.
”Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!” the crowd screamed all at once.
Aqua stepped forward on stage, deliberately soaking himself in the rain, raising his voice to sing louder.
Still, the rain only grew heavier.
Would he finish singing first, or would the rain stop him? Either way, I figured no encore would be safe with this downpour.
Maybe Aqua knew that too, because he raised his index finger—one more song.
”This is the last number! I’m not losing to the rain, so everyone, sing along and raise your voices!” he shouted.
His soaked shirt clung tight. Then, with a snap, he tore it off and threw it toward the crowd.
”Ughyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”
Most of the drenched girls fainted right where they stood at the sight of Aqua’s bare chest.
Amazing. Even unconscious, they still waved their penlights. I was so moved!
”The last song is Phantom Requiem. Here we go, everyone!” Aqua announced.
Everyone already knew from that long intro and the violin’s sound.
”I love you, Matsuyama! Everyone in Ehime, let’s make these three days unforgettable!” he shouted.
After that, I don’t remember anything.
Emily-senpai, Kaede-senpai, Nee-san, and I all blanked out, waving our penlights.
”Ugh, ugh, ugh, Aqua’s too cool. What should I do?” I whispered, wiping tears with the hem of Emily-senpai’s shirt and tugging her sleeve.
”What’s wrong, Kanon?” Emily-senpai asked, startled by my tears.
”I-I…” I stammered.
”Yeah? What is it?” she pressed.
”…I fell in love with Aqua all over again.” I confessed.
”Ah, yeah…” Emily-senpai’s voice softened. She put on a calm face. What’s going on?
I always play along with Emily-senpai’s antics, so I hoped she’d humor me now.
”Emily-senpai, I’m going to marry Aqua.” I declared.
”Ah, yeah. But you’re already married, you know,” she replied dryly.
”So I’m saying I’m going to marry Aqua again! Well, I’ll start with dating!!” I puffed out my cheeks.
Emily-senpai hurried to cheer me up.
”I’m not mad! I’m just lonely without Aqua—I’m craving some attention!” I explained.
”Tashinami, so cute… this is definitely the bewitching Tashinami, Mashonami-san,” she teased.
”Don’t make up weird phrases again! That stuff spreads fast!” I snapped.
That’s how I survived the three days without Aqua—by pestering Emily-senpai, Nee-san, and Kaede-senpai with endless chatter.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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