In the living room of Michiya Gōshin's apartment, a floor lamp cast a warm halo of light upon the polished floor, enveloping the two people sitting opposite each other.
Having learned of Kasumigaoka Utaha's inner desire, Michiya Gōshin decided to tell her the idea for Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World.
However, he didn't tell the entire story completely. Since he was merely sharing an idea, there naturally wouldn't be a very detailed narrative thread, just a broad framework.
"The beginning of this story can start with a cassette recorder left behind as a grandfather's memento..."
Through the cassette tape, the protagonist learns that this girl named Aki was his grandfather's high school classmate, and also his first love buried deep in his heart for decades.
However, in that brilliant summer, Aki unfortunately passed away early due to leukemia.
Thus, because of this girl who passed away early, the male protagonist crosses the barriers of time and space to embark on a journey tracing the footprints of his grandfather's youth.
"...Kasumigaoka-san, what do you think of this idea?"
Michiya Gōshin picked up the warm water from the small round table in front of him and took a gentle sip, his gaze falling upon Kasumigaoka Utaha's face, which appeared even more intellectually beautiful due to her focus.
"The core of this idea lies in connecting the past and the present through a special object. It explores not only love but also the weight of memory and the impermanence of life, as well as how the living carry the regrets and deepest love of the departed to continue living bravely."
After listening to this idea, Kasumigaoka Utaha remained silent for a long time.
She lowered her head slightly, a few strands of hair as black as ink falling across her forehead, casting faint shadows on her exquisite cheeks and obscuring part of her expression.
After a while, the girl raised her head and looked at Michiya Gōshin's face with great seriousness.
"Michiya-sensei..."
Her eyes suddenly widened, as if she had figured something out.
"I think this story is very good. If it can really be written, it will definitely gain popularity with the public."
"Yes, I also think this idea is quite good."
Michiya Gōshin knew that Kasumigaoka Utaha's literary literacy was very high and that she was a person who truly knew quality.
Thus, the corners of his lips unconsciously curled up into a gentle and sincere smile.
"It's truly great that Kasumigaoka-san likes this concept so much. I have always felt that the core of this story and its unique emotional tone are very suitable to be written meticulously with the emotional brushstrokes of traditional literature, so..."
He paused, his gaze becoming more focused and earnest.
"I intend to hand this story over to you to write, letting it transform from a rough concept into a complete novel capable of truly touching people's hearts."
In the next moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha was completely stunned. Those beautiful purple eyes widened slightly, filled with disbelief.
"Hand it over to me... to write?"
She repeated these words, her tone carrying a trace of uncertainty. "Inspiration is something that can be sought but not found, Michiya-sensei. You are..."
"Inspiration is just a seed. Wanting it to truly grow into a big tree is not such an easy thing."
Michiya Gōshin interrupted her gently.
"I am only telling you this idea. How to write it out in the end, its story development, and its veins still need Kasumigaoka-san to grasp yourself."
"I believe in your literary talent, Kasumigaoka-san."
He leaned his body forward, his eyes full of encouragement and trust. "Moreover, if we can use this opportunity to help you step back onto that path of literary creation you originally yearned for, I think the significance of this itself might be more important than who writes this story."
"If you feel I'm losing out, you can also say during interviews after it's successfully published that this idea came from me. That doesn't matter."
As soon as these words came out, they instantly pierced through the psychological defense line of Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had struggled in the light novel field for many years and occasionally still felt a bit unwilling.
She looked at Michiya Gōshin's eyes, which were clear to the bottom. A strong sourness uncontrollably surged up her nose. A feeling of appreciation mixed with immense gratitude, deep emotion, and a long-lost sense of 'being understood' flooded her heart like a tidal wave.
"Michiya-sensei, are you serious?"
"Of course."
Michiya Gōshin nodded. This decision was not a sudden whim of his.
Although there were many stories in his mind, he had not yet synthesized the advanced entry [Bestselling Author (Purple)] after all. Therefore, handing some ideas over to others might actually yield better results.
Moreover, he and Kasumigaoka Utaha were friends. After getting along for so long, Michiya Gōshin knew that the other party was not an ungrateful person.
If this novel became widely popular in the end, he could also use this relationship to better gain a voice regarding copyrights.
"It really catches one off guard... Michiya-sensei, handing such an important idea to me really makes me not know how to repay you for a moment..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha presumably saw Michiya Gōshin's firm attitude, so she stared tightly at his face, wanting to capture the changes in his expression.
"In this kind of classic plot, should I say 'This humble girl has no way to repay you, except to offer herself in marriage'?"
Hearing this, Michiya Gōshin was obviously stunned for a moment, then laughed aloud in a low voice as if he had heard something interesting.
"Kasumigaoka-san, classic jokes like that are better left in your light novels."
His gaze was frank, without any dodging.
"To be able to meet someone like Kasumigaoka-san, a fellow enthusiast who can understand each other in the creative field, is a very rare and lucky thing. I cherish this pure and precious friendship we have at this stage."
...Friendship?
Kasumigaoka Utaha's wine-red eyes stared at him blankly. After a while, she murmured again in a low voice.
"Michiya-sensei, you are truly cunning."
"Is that so?"
Michiya Gōshin spread his hands and said with a smile, "Compared to that, Kasumigaoka-san can think first about how to write this story."
"Okay!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's tone became serious and sincere. She elegantly extended her hand, her expression becoming solemn and dignified, as if performing an important ceremony.
"Michiya-sensei, thank you very much for giving me this incomparably precious idea. I solemnly promise that I will do my utmost to write this story out."
"Mm, Kasumigaoka-san, actually you don't need to keep using honorifics. We are about the same age, and we've known each other for a while now."
Michiya Gōshin smiled faintly. "Just call me Michiya-kun."
"Okay, Michiya-kun."
Kasumigaoka Utaha parted her red lips lightly, a gentle radiance flowing in her beautiful eyes.
Today was the first time she truly understood the person before her.
Perhaps he mentioned it casually, or perhaps he did it out of his nature.
But as a fellow author, Kasumigaoka Utaha felt for the first time that it was a very lucky thing.
For the next hour or so, the two continued to exchange views on the creation of this story. Michiya Gōshin acted more as a listener, listening to Kasumigaoka Utaha's literary talent.
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Over the next few days, Michiya Gōshin returned to his busy life.
During the day, on the set of We Made a Beautiful Bouquet, the filming of the movie had already entered the key mid-to-late stage.
The plot was like a train driving into deep winter; the estrangement and divergence between [Yamane Mugi] and [Hachiya Kinu] deepened day by day, like cracks hidden under the ice surface gradually expanding.
From soulmates who once could share every strange idea and talk about everything under the starry sky, they had turned into the most familiar strangers living in the same narrow apartment, their hearts seemingly separated by the entire Pacific Ocean.
Both Michiya Gōshin and Kurokawa Akane needed to invest deeper emotions than before to precisely perform that immense sorrow of watching helplessly as love slowly fades amidst trivial reality and differences in ideals, yet being unable to salvage it.
And outside of this repressive drama, Kurokawa Akane's attitude towards Michiya Gōshin also changed somewhat. Ever since the brave and straightforward 'Honmei chocolate' on Valentine's Day, she had become more frank.
Or rather, her aggressiveness had become stronger.
Her gaze, whether during filming or rest, always followed Michiya Gōshin's figure involuntarily, as if attracted by a magnet.
And after establishing the direction of his own efforts, Michiya Gōshin naturally would not continue to remain indifferent. The relationship between the two indeed became closer and closer.
On the other hand, aside from the intense movie filming, Michiya Gōshin's lessons at the professional music classroom were also like ascetic cultivation, never having the slightest interruption or slackness.
Starting from the most basic scales, chord construction, and functions, step by step deep into more complex harmonic progressions, counterpoint, and arrangement principles.
He spent a large amount of private time striving forward step by step.
[Production Queue 1: Arrangement Mastery (Green)]
[Experience: 19/100]
[Experience: 20/100]
[Experience: 21/100]
Time sped forward steadily and fulfillingly like the never-stopping trains within Tokyo.
Finally, the calendar turned to a special day. The idol group 'noctchill', to which Asakura Toru belonged, was about to hold their large-scale exclusive live concert at the Nippon Budokan.
The Budokan. For all Japanese entertainers, this stage carried special meaning and supreme glory. Being able to successfully hold a concert here was itself the most powerful proof that one's popularity, strength, and industry status had received widespread recognition.
Since he was specially gifted a ticket by Asakura Toru last time, Michiya Gōshin naturally could not fail her kindness.
Also fortunate enough to receive invitations were the 'friends and family group' from the previous Love is a Life Mandatory Course: the enthusiastic young dancer Kumano Nobuyuki, the outwardly cold but reliable band vocalist Morimoto Kengo, and the forever energetic MEM-cho, who was warm like a little sun.
Of course, there was also Kurokawa Akane, who still maintained a good relationship with Asakura Toru.
On the day of the performance, before the evening glow had completely faded, the group agreed to gather in front of a conspicuous landmark near the Budokan.
As the male and female leads of the movie We Made a Beautiful Bouquet, Michiya Gōshin and Kurokawa Akane had to don quite rigorous disguises to avoid unnecessary commotion.
Michiya Gōshin wore a black baseball cap pulled very low, a protective mask of the same color on his face, and a set of logo-free, extremely ordinary dark gray casual sportswear, almost hiding his entire face and body features under this low-key 'protective color'.
Kurokawa Akane chose a black bucket hat with a wide brim, paired with oversized sunglasses that covered almost half her face and a white mask. She wore a loose black hoodie and a long skirt of the same color, similarly wrapping herself up tightly without revealing a single flaw.
Although their faces were deliberately hidden as they stood side by side, that unique upright posture belonging to popular artists and the tacit atmosphere revealed inadvertently still allowed people familiar with them to vaguely perceive their identities.
By comparison, Kumano Nobuyuki, Morimoto Kengo, and MEM-cho appeared much more casual and at ease.
Kumano Nobuyuki wore a black undershirt with a sports jacket casually thrown open over it, standing there carelessly with his hands in his pockets. Morimoto Kengo wore a patchwork denim jacket full of design sense, paired with slim-fit jeans featuring distressed details; his silver hair was styled handsomely, never forgetting to maintain his vocalist image even if just watching a concert.
MEM-cho sported a standard energetic private style: a colorful plaid skirt paired with knee-high white socks and platform loafers, with exquisite and perfect makeup on her face. Upon seeing the figures of Michiya Gōshin and Kurokawa Akane, she immediately ran over waving her arms excitedly like a cheerful little bird.
"Over here, over here! Long time no see!"
"Indeed, you two are busy people; you must do a good job with disguises."
The excited light still flickered in MEM-cho's large, round eyes: "Akane-chan, and Michiya-kun, I heard movie filming is super tough. Just right for today, take advantage of Toru-chan's concert to relax properly and shout out all your worries!"
Michiya Gōshin gently pulled down his mask, revealing a smile that carried a trace of fatigue but remained gentle.
"Kumano, Morimoto, MEM-cho, long time no see. Is everyone doing well?"
His gaze swept quickly over these friends before him who had bonded through a program and were now struggling in their respective fields, feeling somewhat emotional in his heart.
Kurokawa Akane also took off her sunglasses and mask, revealing her face which appeared increasingly exquisite and moving after being embellished with light makeup. She raised a bright smile, greeting everyone skillfully and warmly.
"Alright, alright, since everyone is here, let's not stand here foolishly. Shall we go in quickly? Toru-chan sent a message specifically earlier telling us to go in directly through the relations entrance; it's quieter there."
MEM-cho had always been a little sun full of energy, so she naturally took on the role of temporary organizer, waving her hand as she spoke.
The group of five formed a small clique, carefully passing through the periphery of the stadium—which was like a tide, bustling with ordinary fans filled with excitement, anticipation, and laughter—and arrived at the relatively secluded relations entrance strictly guarded by staff.
Staff members wearing uniforms and work passes were already waiting here in advance to guide them.
Not long after, a figure they were incomparably familiar with, yet who seemed to shine with a different light at this moment, walked out quickly from the brightly lit backstage area.
It was precisely the absolute protagonist of tonight, Asakura Toru.
At this moment, Asakura Toru had already changed into her first performance outfit for the night. It was a short, puffy dress themed in silver-white and ice-blue, embellished with countless hand-sewn sequins and rhinestones. Under the illumination of the hallway ceiling lights, every angle refracted dazzling seven-colored rays.
"Everyone has arrived. Good evening."
Asakura Toru saw them at a glance, a faint smile appearing on her face.
"Toru-chan! Oh my god! You are truly too beautiful today! Like a real princess!"
MEM-cho was the first unable to hold back, rushing up excitedly to give Asakura Toru a solid hug, her tone filled with undisguised envy. She always had an idol dream, but unfortunately, she could no longer achieve it now.
The others also chimed in with a few words of praise, and then Michiya Gōshin's line of sight met Asakura Toru's gaze in the air.
"Tonight, I will look forward to the performance properly."
"Mm, please enjoy it well, Michiya-kun."
Asakura Toru stared firmly at Michiya Gōshin's face, her tone very serious.
"Then let's go in quickly now."
Under the polite guidance of the staff, the five, including Michiya Gōshin, arrived at the relations seating area located to the side of the front row of the audience seats, clearly demarcated by barriers.
The view here was excellent, allowing a clear, unobstructed view of the entire stage performance. Glow sticks officially distributed that could change color via central control had already been thoughtfully placed on every seat.
As the opening time approached step by step, the magnificent Budokan, capable of holding over ten thousand spectators, was like a giant vessel gradually being filled with water, quickly filling up with enthusiastic fans from all directions.
Glow sticks of various colors, like stars, and carefully made banners converged into a vast, undulating, and twinkling ocean in the stands.
The air was permeated with deafening cheers, shouts, and the organized slogans of fan groups. A massive and pure collective atmosphere of fanaticism heated up and fermented rapidly within the venue.
This scale and intensity of a torrent of passion, almost substantial, was something Michiya Gōshin had not personally experienced even when attending the premiere of the movie he starred in, causing him to involuntarily hold his breath slightly.
Finally, all the lighting in the venue suddenly extinguished at the same instant, plunging into a pure darkness that made hearts race.
The long-accumulated emotions of the fans erupted like a volcano, exploding into deafening screams and cheers that almost lifted the roof.
Immediately after, a spotlight as intense as daylight slammed onto the center of the stage. A rousing and rhythmic prelude music exploded like thunder, spreading to every corner of the venue through top-tier sound equipment.
The giant LED screen on stage lit up instantly, presenting highly impactful visual images, while the four members of 'noctchill' slowly rose from the lift in the center of the stage like butterflies breaking out of cocoons, appearing before all the audience.
The concert officially began!
Asakura Toru and her teammates ignited the atmosphere of the entire venue instantly with an opening song featuring a brisk rhythm and catchy melody.
They ran and jumped to their heart's content on the wide stage. Every dance move was tempered a thousand times, precise and full of power. Their faces always brimmed with the most infectious smiles, brilliant as sunshine, constantly engaging in enthusiastic and tacit interactions with the tens of thousands of fans below the stage, interpreting the definition of "idol" vividly and thoroughly.
When the concert proceeded to the colorful mid-section, a representative song with a very high degree of circulation began to play.
In the next moment, the entire audience needed no organization; they stood up from their seats spontaneously and tacitly. Thousands upon thousands of people began to sing the lyrics along with the gentle and deep lead vocals of the members on stage. Countless glow sticks swayed slowly left and right according to a unified rhythm, forming a gentle and magnificent ripples of a starry sea.
Michiya Gōshin was also deeply shaken by this grand and harmonious wave of sound. He stood up involuntarily along with the people beside him, the glow stick in his hand subconsciously swaying gently along with that soothing and deep rhythm.
Just in this moment where ten thousand people sang warmly in chorus and the atmosphere of the scene was pushed to an even deeper and more moving level, Michiya Gōshin suddenly and clearly felt that his right hand hanging at his side was gently grasped by a small hand that was soft and carried a trace of moist sweat.
"?"
He turned his head sideways with a trace of astonishment, following that gentle tactile sensation.
Then.
He met Kurokawa Akane's line of sight.
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