“I want to win ‘Seishun Rebellion’.”
“Seishun Rebellion...!”
At those words, I catch my breath. Is she entering? IRIA is?
“It’s a band competition limited to high school students. I guess you could call it the Koshien for bands.”
“...I know.”
Since Hirosue is explaining it to a confused me, I give a quiet reply.
“We’re planning on entering too.”
“Oh, if you already know, then this will be quick. So, I checked the rules, and it seems that no performances by anyone other than high schoolers are allowed in either the recordings or the live shows. Well, I suppose that makes sense. If even one person doesn't have to be a high schooler, they could just grab some random high schooler, pay them a part-time wage to do handclaps, and call it a day.”
Hirosue shrugs her shoulders.
“The tracks I have now are played by acquaintances I asked for help. Since they aren't high schoolers, I can’t enter the competition as it is. That’s why I need to re-record everything. If I can't find anyone, I’ll have to redo it all with programmed tracks. That would make it feel like karaoke, which I’m not really into.”
Even so, she really has a distinctive way of speaking.
“...Um, sorry. First of all, is IRIA even eligible to enter?”
When I tentatively raise my hand and ask, Hirosue frowns just as I expected.
“Why wouldn't I be eligible?”
“Because, well, you've already debuted, or rather...”
“Debuted? I haven't. I'm a complete amateur. That's how they introduced me on the radio yesterday too. Well,”
She brushes her short blonde hair aside and puffs out her chest proudly.
“I’m certainly more famous than your average professional, though.”
“I guess so...”
Since it seems to be a fact, I can't talk back. Sako and I didn't know, but Yuzu knew, and Azuma seemed to know as well.
“That’s exactly why there are merits for you too, Takuto-san. If you work with me, you’ll become famous.”
“Famous...”
“Yes, definitely.”
“...B-But, is it okay to enter with multiple bands?”
“I don’t know, I’d have to look into it. ...More importantly,”
Hirosue tilts her head and frowns in wonder.
“For some reason, it looks like you've been looking for reasons to refuse this whole time. Why? If you can enter with multiple bands, joining me would be a good thing for your current band too, wouldn't it?”
“That’s, probably, well...”
True, the words 'becoming famous' have a seductive and strangely sweet ring to them.
...But what is this? This sense of discomfort.
It’s not that the way IRIA asked was bad or that I don't like her attitude; I feel like there’s something more fundamental, a factor that prevents me from nodding honestly...
“Probably...? Hey, you guys,”
Looking straight into my indecisive eyes, she asks.
“Why do you want to enter Seishun Rebellion?”
“That...!”
For some reason, I’m shocked by that question and left stunned.
Why? ...What do you mean, why?
As I stand there bewildered, Sako steps forward.
“And what about you? What are you entering Ao-Ribe for?”
“That is, a question, I suppose... right?”
Being asked by the blonde senpai who scolded her earlier, Hirosue regains her clumsy polite speech.
“Yeah. I mean, if you don’t want to debut, you don’t really need to enter something like that.”
“Well, I suppose... you're right.”
“Besides, I heard your song for the first time yesterday, but I didn't get the impression you were interested in anything with the word ‘Youth’ in it.”
Sako tilts her head while remaining expressionless.
That's true. After all, her song title is 'Youth is a Lie'.
Upon hearing that point, Hirosue grinds her teeth slightly and looks our way with a glare.
“...That is the reason.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think youth is—”
Just as she is about to say more.
“Hirosue!!”
A roar flies from down the hallway.
When I shift my gaze, I see someone who is likely Hirosue’s homeroom teacher approaching. He’s the teacher who taught me PE when I was a first-year.
“We have things to discuss regarding yesterday. Come to the faculty room before homeroom.”
“Wait, I’m talking to these people right now.”
“Be quiet! Just come here!”
The homeroom teacher grabs Hirosue’s arm and pulls her.
“Heh— Hey, wait, don’t just do whatever you want...!”
“You’re the one who did whatever they wanted, aren't you?”
“Eh, uwa, wait...!?”
“Sensei, Sensei, I truly understand your feelings, but I believe that is an action unbecoming of the modern educational environment...!”
Despite the very serious atmosphere until a moment ago, Hirosue is hauled off to the faculty room in the blink of an eye. Taira-chan follows after them looking flustered.
She's probably going to be scolded for mentioning her high school on the radio.
I don't know how many people were listening to the radio live, but the school of a masked singer with a song that has over 40 million views is bound to be information that spreads easily.
By now, there might even be blog posts like 'What is IRIA’s real name? What high school is she from? Does she have a boyfriend?'. It would probably end with something like, 'We don't know her real name or if she has a boyfriend! But with such a charming voice, it wouldn't be surprising if she had one! We look forward to IRIA’s future activities!'.
I watched her retreating figure while half-stunned.
At the same time IRIA disappeared from sight, the curiosity of the onlookers moved toward the faculty room, and they all drifted away, leaving only the members of amane behind.
“...Konuma-kun, are you okay?”
In the hallway where only the four of us remained, Ichikawa grabbed my elbow, her eyes wavering with anxiety.