The Budokan was like an ignited melting pot of emotion. The singing of tens of thousands of fans intertwined with the voices of the four girls of [noctchill] on stage, washing over every corner of the venue indiscriminately.
Michiya Gōshin turned his head, his gaze meeting Kurokawa Akane's in mid-air.
On the surface, she seemed simply swept up by the overwhelming atmosphere, making a natural gesture to hold his hand.
But Michiya Gōshin could perceive with incomparable clarity that the girl's small hand carried a tentative sense of caution. When she realized he didn't reject her, she immediately shifted to a firmer action, striving to embed her small hand into the gaps between his fingers, forming a tight, interlocking grip.
After a while, Michiya Gōshin asked in a low voice.
"Akane, what's wrong?"
"Nn..."
Sensing Michiya Gōshin's inquiry, Kurokawa Akane leaned her lips close to his ear. Her warm breath mixed with the heated air of the venue and the faint scent of fruity perfume on her body, bringing a ticklish and strange tactile sensation.
"Yu-kun, when I was scrolling through Insta out of boredom earlier, I saw many girls sharing that list of '100 Romantic Little Things You Must Do with Your Lover in Life'."
Her voice carried a subtle tremor, born from the necessity of raising her volume over the surrounding singing, which revealed her inner nervousness even more.
"Holding hands with the person you like while watching a concert seems to have always ranked near the top."
Kurokawa Akane paused, as if accumulating courage, her voice drawing even closer, almost a whisper in his ear.
"So... I wanted to try it too. Just today, watching the concert hand-in-hand with you, Yu-kun. Is that okay?"
As her voice fell, the girl seemed to have used up all her strength, immediately turning her head back. However, that hand tightly interlocked with his gripped Michiya Gōshin even more forcefully.
Although Michiya Gōshin was somewhat surprised, he did not reject Kurokawa Akane's idea.
It seemed that often, she would use this unique and straightforward method of expression, making brave moves to convey her affection to him.
"...Alright then."
Michiya Gōshin nodded, responding to her expectation, and squeezed her small hand in return.
Although there were no further words or actions, such a response was undoubtedly a signal of success for Kurokawa Akane, whose nerves had been taut all along.
Sweetness immediately rippled through the girl's heart. She continued to stare at the stage with forced calm, not turning to look at Michiya Gōshin, but that tightly pursed lip line unconsciously relaxed, curling upward into a small arc.
Just like that, shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, the two stood in the boiling clamor and blurred lights of the sea of ten thousand people. Like countless ordinary and happy couples, they continued to cheer for the idol group radiating light, sweat, and passion on the stage.
The waves of sound around them remained endless, and the colorful lights continued to flicker and jump madly. Yet, in Michiya Gōshin's currently abnormally acute perception, all the surrounding noise and magnificence seemed covered by a blurred filter. Only the warm tactile sensation coming from his palm became incomparably clear.
This isn't bad either,
He thought.
***
The three hours flew by as if the fast-forward button had been pressed amidst the ultimate audiovisual feast.
Friends who have attended concerts know that when the final encore song ends, people on the scene always feel a sense of being in another world.
On stage, the members, bearing crystal-clear sweat and tears of emotion, bowed deeply to the tens of thousands of supporters below. As they remained bowed for a long time, unwilling to rise, the venue erupted in the final, most overwhelming cheer and enduring applause.
Brilliant streamers drifted down from the sky like a splendid and brief rain, pushing this dreamlike feast to its finale.
[noctchill]'s Budokan Winter Tour came to a perfect close amidst the ultimate enthusiasm and emotion.
As the specially invited friends and family group, Michiya Gōshin and his party did not leave immediately with the slowly flowing crowd. Instead, under the professional and polite guidance of the staff, they took their prepared gifts and headed to the dressing room where Asakura Toru was.
Kumano Nobuyuki and Morimoto Kengo seemed to have bought theirs together—cute square mousse cakes. MEM-cho bought a big gift bag of Ryukakusan (a type of throat lozenge) in various flavors. Michiya Gōshin and Kurokawa Akane each held a bouquet of flowers.
Inside [noctchill]'s exclusive dressing room, the four members had just finished high-intensity continuous singing and dancing. Their faces still bore the glitter and heavy colors unique to stage makeup.
Their hair was wet with sweat, clinging to their foreheads and the sides of their necks. They hadn't yet changed out of their performance outfits, which were covered in sequins and complex decorations, but everyone's eyes shone as if washed by spring water. Their hearts were filled with the excitement of the show's huge success, as well as the exhaustion following physical exertion.
When the door to the dressing room opened, the friends and family group walked in together.
"Um, congratulations to everyone on a successful performance! We brought some refreshments!"
Because MEM-cho was very close with Asakura Toru, she had also gotten to know the other girls in the group. Upon entering the dressing room, she was the first to speak up and say hello.
"Hello, thank you!"
Seeing them enter, Asakura Toru immediately stood up from the vanity mirror covered in cosmetics. A smile appeared on her exquisite small face, and she trotted over lightly like a fawn.
The other three members also stood up to thank everyone for the gifts. Ichikawa Hinana and Fukumaru Koito both appeared very happy, while Higuchi Madoka, when thanking everyone, had a look that flashed quickly past her eyes as she glimpsed Michiya Gōshin standing in the back.
Everyone naturally gathered in a relatively spacious corner of the dressing room, chatting about various wonderful moments from the concert just now. The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant.
Taking advantage of everyone chatting, Asakura Toru's gaze couldn't help but lock onto Kurokawa Akane and Michiya Gōshin, who were standing together. Although they had walked into the dressing room, they hadn't taken off their masks, yet their surrounding aura and presence remained very strong.
Because of the hand-holding incident just now, Kurokawa Akane was currently in a bit of a clingy mood, so she stayed by Michiya Gōshin's side, completely unwilling to move. Even though everyone was chatting, she had absolutely no intention of joining the huddle.
Therefore, Asakura Toru couldn't find an opportunity to chat with Michiya Gōshin alone.
After a while, she could only take out her phone.
The next moment, Michiya Gōshin felt a slight vibration from the phone in his trouser pocket. He took it out for a look and saw it was actually a text message from Asakura Toru, who was in the same room.
"What's wrong?"
Kurokawa Akane was right next to him, so she naturally noticed Michiya Gōshin's movement.
"There are some messages to reply to. You can keep chatting with them, Akane, don't mind me."
After picking up the phone, Michiya Gōshin roughly guessed Asakura Toru's concern. She probably wanted to talk to him, but with Kurokawa Akane being there the whole time, it wasn't easy for her to speak directly.
After all, this wasn't the love reality show set from back then, but a dressing room with teammates and staff present.
"Oh."
After getting an answer, Kurokawa Akane didn't ask further. She knew she couldn't push too hard. Even if they really became lovers with Michiya Gōshin, looking at the other person's text messages was one of the red lines couples absolutely shouldn't cross.
Opening the text messages, Asakura Toru had sent more than one.
[Asakura Toru: Gōshin-kun, thank you so much for coming to see our performance.]
[Asakura Toru: How is your learning going at the 'Harmony Plus' music classroom recently? The music teacher there must be very impressive, right?]
[Michiya Gōshin: The teacher is indeed very impressive. I feel I already have some understanding of music theory.]
He glanced at the system panel.
[Production Queue 1: Arrangement Mastery (Green)]
[Experience: 33/100]
Although the progress wasn't fast, it was moving forward steadily.
[Asakura Toru: That's good. Gōshin-kun's voice sounds very nice. If you sing in the future, you will definitely be amazing.]
[Michiya Gōshin: You flatter me. My current goal is just to master music theory so I can write songs when the time comes.]
[Asakura Toru: By the way, besides learning music and dance recently, I also signed up for an extra course to delve into acting.]
Acting?
Looking at the text on the screen, Michiya Gōshin subconsciously recalled Asakura Toru's scattered bit-part scenes in We Made a Beautiful Bouquet last time. If she really intended to transition from idol to actor, this was definitely not an easy road.
The Japanese entertainment world was strictly hierarchical. Going from idol to actor not only required a tremendous amount of effort but also meant facing constant rejection and bearing immense psychological pressure.
However, Michiya Gōshin felt he could encourage her a bit.
After all, his own future path might head towards capital and film production companies; perhaps he could give her a hand then.
[Michiya Gōshin: Asakura, if you really want to walk the path of an actor, you must be prepared to bear the pressure. But I believe you can definitely do it. I look forward to running into you on other sets.]
[Asakura Toru: Mn, I will keep moving forward.]
Just then, Kumano Nobuyuki suddenly turned the topic to Michiya Gōshin. "Michiya, I heard last time that besides filming movies, you're also studying at a music classroom recently. Are you going to be a singer?"
Michiya Gōshin put away his phone and answered frankly.
"Of course not. I just want to learn music theory systematically and build a solid foundation first."
"Not being a singer? Do you plan to write songs then?"
As a band vocalist, Morimoto Kengo was obviously more interested in this. He raised his eyebrows slightly, asking with the probing tone of a professional, his eyes holding curiosity.
"That's right. I want to try writing songs. If I succeed, I can even sell the copyrights."
Michiya smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the dressing room. "Maybe when I achieve some success in my studies and can write decent tunes, I might even be able to collaborate with Asakura and her group in the future."
As soon as these words came out, a burst of good-natured laughter and chatter erupted in the dressing room.
Asakura Toru immediately walked over, her face wearing an expression of incomparable seriousness. "Really?"
"It's just an idea. If I can't write anything when the time comes, it would be quite awkward. Everyone had better not get their hopes up too high for now."
Michiya Gōshin shook his head, revealing a gentle smile at the crowd's attention.
At this moment, Higuchi Madoka suddenly chimed in. She looked at Michiya Gōshin's face and spoke in a solemn tone. "If that day really comes, it will be our honor. Michiya-san, I look forward to collaborating with a creator like you."
"I will do my best, Higuchi-san."
Because Asakura Toru had mentioned the other party's name several times, Michiya Gōshin had also taken note of this short-haired idol girl.
Her aura seemed somewhat different from the typical sweet and energetic idol, but during the concert just now, there were many fans shouting her name. It was truly a fascinating situation.
Another half hour passed, and the relaxed and happy backstage visit ended amidst laughter and beautiful prospects for the future.
The group said goodbye to the members of [noctchill], sincerely wishing them success in every show of their upcoming national tour and that they would continue to shine on even bigger stages.
After the dispersion, the outside of the Budokan was still bustling with noise, like a city that never sleeps.
Fans who hadn't had enough gathered near the exits, excitedly discussing the performance just now or waiting in long lines to buy limited edition merchandise.
Michiya Gōshin and Kurokawa Akane once again skillfully armed themselves fully—pressing their hat brims to the lowest, covering their noses and mouths strictly with masks, and blocking their eyes with huge sunglasses. After saying goodbye to Kumano, Morimoto, and MEM-cho, they quickly ducked into the black nanny van arranged by Michiya Gōshin's agency together.
When the vehicle drove into the main traffic lane, Kurokawa Akane quietly took off her mask and sunglasses, revealing cheeks that were slightly flushed and carried a hint of fatigue, yet could not hide her excitement and sweetness.
Since he had given Kurokawa Akane a ride today, Michiya Gōshin intended to drop the girl home first. Her home was located in a relatively quiet residential district of Tokyo full of life—a Japanese-style detached house with a small, exquisite courtyard.
The white exterior walls, the dark roof, and the carefully tended front yard all blended harmoniously with the surrounding environment.
This was different from the high-rise apartments chosen by many young people pursuing ultimate convenience and privacy; it revealed the stability, tradition, and tighter familial bonds of her family atmosphere.
The nanny van stopped silently at a secluded street corner a dozen meters away from the main gate of the Kurokawa home, skillfully avoiding conspicuous spots where reporters might be squatting or neighbors might take notice—a matter the driver was very familiar with.
"I'm here."
Kurokawa Akane spoke softly, her voice holding a trace of reluctance and attachment.
"Mn."
Michiya Gōshin nodded, his voice also somewhat low. "Rest early. You shouted for three hours today, your throat definitely can't take it. Remember to drink plenty of warm water."
The two got out of the car one after another.
The residential street at night was very quiet, a world away from the deafening noise of the Budokan just moments ago.
The two did not say goodbye formulaically. Instead, as if guided by an invisible tacit understanding and unspoken words, they walked one after the other with light steps into the small courtyard of the Kurokawa home, which was less than ten square meters but managed in perfect order.
Standing in the center of the courtyard, with fine gravel crunching softly underfoot, the two stood facing each other, speechless for a moment.
"Yu-kun..."
Kurokawa Akane finally spoke. Her voice was much clearer than it had been at the concert, yet it still carried a trace of nervousness that couldn't be completely suppressed, because she wanted to do something even more important next.
"Thank you so much for today. Thank you for being willing to accompany me to fulfill that wish."
Michiya Gōshin looked at her. Under the moonlight, the girl's fair face seemed covered with a layer of holy, soft light, her delicate skin glowing with a jade-like luster.
"I was very happy today too. You don't need to say that, Akane."
The next moment, Kurokawa Akane took a deep breath.
"I know I've said words expressing my feelings many times, possibly even to the point where Yu-kun finds it annoying, but..."
Her tone became incomparably serious, even carrying a meaning of near-piety, of betting everything.
"I still want to tell you, Yu-kun, I really like you. Like you to the point where my heart feels sour seeing you close to others. The kind of like where I want to monopolize you."
Her voice wasn't loud, but every word carried a heavy weight, knocking on Michiya Gōshin's heart.
"Before in the movie, according to the script and requirements, we had a kissing scene. But that was under the director's instruction. That was a kiss belonging to [Hachiya Kinu] for [Yamane Mugi]."
She bit her full lower lip slightly, a ray of determined light rising in her eyes.
"That's not what I want. I want... a kiss that belongs only to Kurokawa Akane."
"..."
Michiya Gōshin looked at the girl's moist eyes, a violent emotional fluctuation similarly surging in his heart.
"Okay."
He had figured out his own heart.
Then, Michiya Gōshin slowly lowered his head, approaching that head which was trembling slightly under the moonlight.
[Advanced Research (Green)]
[Experience: 55/100]
[Experience: 60/100]
His approach, carrying the scent of the slightly cool night breeze and his own crisp, clean smell, caused Kurokawa Akane's breathing to stagnate completely in an instant. The girl subconsciously squeezed her eyes shut tightly.
Finally, their shadows merged together.
Time seemed to be infinitely elongated in this moment. The moonlight flowed silently, like the gentlest witness.
It was unknown how much time had passed. Just as Michiya Gōshin was preparing to end this kiss, Kurokawa Akane, immersed in this immense dizziness and overwhelming sense of happiness, felt her body go soft, and she fell into his arms.
"Akane, are you okay?"
"Yu-kun... I feel so happy..."
Just as Kurokawa Akane buried her head in Michiya Gōshin's embrace, an abrupt sound suddenly rang out from behind.
Click.
A slight sound of the door lock's internal mechanical structure turning. Then, the main door opened.
A female figure appeared at the doorway of the Kurokawa home. She wore ordinary loungewear, her temperament gentle and demure. Her eyebrows and eyes bore a sixty or seventy percent resemblance to Kurokawa Akane's, but she displayed more of the mature charm and calm bearing settled by the years.
Her face was originally lit with a beaming smile as she prepared to welcome her daughter home, seemingly wanting to see if Kurokawa Akane had arrived safely, or to affectionately call her to come in quickly and drink some hot miso soup.
However, when those gentle yet keen eyes clearly saw the two people clinging together in the courtyard, the gentle smile prepared on the woman's face froze instantly, then transformed into obvious astonishment.
Her gaze swept rapidly over her daughter's dazed expression and the face of the male who, although trying his best to maintain composure, could not hide his awkwardness.
As a mother with rich experience and someone who had been there before, she needed almost no verbal explanation to understand in a flash of lightning exactly what kind of event had just occurred in her own quiet courtyard.
However, different from the expected stern questioning or awkward silence, after the initial astonishment, the expression on Kurokawa Akane's mother's face changed rapidly and wonderfully.
The astonishment retreated like a tide, replaced by a light of curiosity and joy.
Her gaze landed on Michiya Gōshin again. Upon realizing she seemed to have seen this face somewhere, she couldn't help but look Michiya Gōshin up and down quickly.
Then, her line of sight turned to her daughter, who wished she could transform into a mole and burrow into the ground immediately, completely daring not to make eye contact with her. The smile in her eyes deepened.
"Akane..."
Kurokawa Aoi finally spoke, her voice carrying the gentleness of an elder.
"This must be Michiya-kun, right? It's truly our first meeting. Hello, I am this child's mother."
"Ahem... Hello, I am Michiya Gōshin."
Since he had been caught red-handed by her mother on the spot, Michiya Gōshin had no choice but to respond seriously.
"I am very sorry to intrude so presumptuously at such a late hour, and to let you see such a rude scene."
His voice carried an unavoidable dryness, yet he strove to maintain the maximum degree of steadiness.
"Not an intrusion, not an intrusion. Michiya-kun, I cooked beef miso soup today. Since it's so late, do you want to come in and have some?"
Kurokawa Aoi took the initiative to issue an invitation.
"This child's father is working overtime today and isn't home. You should have met him before, right?"
"..."
________________________________________
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