“Yes, drink some water!”
It was time for a short MC break.
“So, Sako-san, do you have anything to say?”
“Huh”
Yeah, that wasn't just her saying a funny single character; it was the kind of question that didn't even need a question mark (and sounded slightly annoyed).
“Even if you’re going to pass it to me, shouldn't it be after this next song?”
“Err... having it pointed out like that makes it a bit embarrassing...”
“What’s with that vocabulary... and stop smirking bashfully.”
“I mean, that’s not it! For this next song... you know. It’s better if Sako-san introduces it, right?”
“...Ah.”
Sako turned toward the microphone.
“...I have a friend who is a ‘handful.’”
The two of them surely shared a past that even I didn't know about.
With a gentle expression, Sako began talking about the ‘demon’ of the dance club.
“She looks like she doesn't think about anything, she loves herself, she’s selfish, and she’s just a cute, stupid girl.”
“Ahaha, ‘that girl’ again,” Ichikawa chimed in with a laugh. Yeah, well, you’re also called ‘that girl’ too, you know...
“But... this is a song I wrote for her, one of my few friends.”
“Sako-sshu...”
Then, I heard a sweet, thin voice.
『Please. About Erina... I can’t do it alone anymore...』
“The ‘Seishun Rebellion’ contest we entered with this song... we lost the listener vote. But even now, I believe there was no other song to record but this one. Because—”
『...Because, Erina, if we’re together, I’ll end up hating myself. I’ll end up hating Sako-sshu...』
『If Erina is around, Sako-sshu and Kenji will never be happy...!』
『It doesn't have to be cool or anything, Erina.』
『Erina. I’m not giving up anymore. It’s true, being with the person you love might be the most painful thing, it might be agonizing. ‘I love you’ and ‘I care for you’ might mean entrusting your heart to someone else. Even so, I want to be with Erina.』
“—Because this song is a ‘Charm.’”
＊ ＊ ＊
『Charm』
That day you overturned the world
With just a single word
From the bottom of my heart
I thought you were so cool
You will surely continue to
Steal this gaze of mine
From the depths of my stomach
I laughed, knowing I couldn't match you
Receiving a share of that courage
Spinning a thread from there
Knitting it vertically and horizontally
Look, a song was born
It might not amount to anything at all
But surely, as much as you think of that person
I like you
What that truly implies is a secret though
If you then say “What’s that?”
And laugh like you always do
If it makes your heart feel
Even a little bit warmer
I’d be so happy I could cry
Hey, just for that, I’m glad I told you
＊ ＊ ＊
And this song held a different meaning for us.
『I’ve received the baton. Leave the rest to me.』
『I want to prove that Konuma’s determination that day, his resolve, was perfectly right. You don’t want a future where that becomes a regret, do you? That’s why I decided to make it come true, no matter what.』
『I’ll make Konuma happy, so make me happy just as you are.』
＊ ＊ ＊
That day you overturned the world
For the sake of someone else
From the bottom of my heart
I prayed for your happiness
Borrowing that resolve
Spinning those words
Knitting them with care
Look, a song was born
It might not be of any use at all
But surely, as much as you think of that person
I like you
What that truly implies is a secret though
If you then say “What’s that?”
And laugh like you always do
If it makes your heart
Look forward even a little bit
That person must feel the same way
Look, just for that, I’m glad I told you
＊ ＊ ＊
『That’s why, Konuma. I’ll cast a special “spell” on you.』
Remembering her resolve, my chest ached as if it were about to burst again.
＊ ＊ ＊
When it’s painful, please sing
If that becomes the power for your usual smile
If it makes your heart feel
Even a little bit warmer
I’d be so happy I could cry
Hey, I’m really glad I could fall in love with you
Sorry it got so long
With all my thoughts and all my prayers
Knitted into it
I made this charm for you
＊ ＊ ＊
『I love you, Konuma.』
『Even though I know this is a love that will absolutely never come true, even so.』
＊ ＊ ＊
If you don't mind
Please keep this song by your side
Please keep just this song by your side
＊ ＊ ＊
『I’m really glad that my first love was Takuto Konuma.』
“One, two, three, four!”