Togawa Sakiko searched online using her phone. News about the Spirit Maiden Music Competition was already spreading like wildfire across the internet.
A prize of 16.8 billion—for ordinary people, that was money they might never earn in ten lifetimes.
Compared to before her rebirth, there were far more bands now, and the competition was even fiercer.
But no matter how the world changed, the only thing Togawa Sakiko wanted after being reborn was to make money.
She didn't want to work customer service anymore. She didn't want to rush to supermarkets every day to grab discounted goods. She didn't want to stay in that dilapidated rental apartment that never saw sunlight.
Togawa Sakiko looked toward Wakaba Mutsumi, who was in the same class as her.
Ave Mujica had been exposed by Nyamu Yūtenji removing their masks. Her childhood friend Wakaba Mutsumi had collapsed, developed a second personality, and the commercial band she had painstakingly built had exploded into chaos.
Damn that beanie-wearing idiot.
Back then, she should have added a few more clauses to the contract—if the band disbanded and caused a performance to be canceled, part of the breach penalty should have been borne by Nyamu Yūtenji.
Let's see if she'd still dare to act recklessly then.
At that time, the reborn Togawa Sakiko fell into deep thought. In terms of overall strength, Ave Mujica was definitely stronger than CRYCHIC.
After two band breakups, she had also realized her own shortcomings.
Now she was reborn, and she even had a system as a cheat.
Togawa Sakiko refused to believe she would end up as miserable as before, slinking back to the Toyokawa family in defeat.
Her fate would change starting now.
CRYCHIC—she would keep it.
Ave Mujica—she would build it again.
While checking the system missions, Togawa Sakiko noticed a strange task.
[Go to Budokan and watch Kiraboshi's live performance.]
[Reward: 10 million yen, 10 practice tickets.]
Just watching a live show would earn her 10 million yen? Was this mission really correct?
No matter what, she desperately needed that 10 million right now.
After class,
Togawa Sakiko brought Wakaba Mutsumi to CRYCHIC's practice venue in the band building and announced that CRYCHIC would participate in the Spirit Maiden Music Competition.
Shiina Taki was stunned. "Just us? Participating in a top-tier competition with a 16.8 billion prize?"
"Yes." Togawa Sakiko nodded seriously. "Taki, don't worry. We just need to do our best."
"I... understand," Shiina Taki replied.
Takamatsu Tomori hesitated. "Sakiko... can I really do it now?"
Togawa Sakiko smiled. "Don't be nervous. Participation is what matters. I'll also form another band separately."
Everyone was shocked.
"What?!!"
Nagasaki Soyo's body trembled slightly. A wave of unease rose within her as she stepped in front of Togawa Sakiko. "Sakiko... are you going to disband CRYCHIC?"
Her voice unconsciously turned soft and sweet.
Togawa Sakiko looked at Nagasaki Soyo, her expression instantly becoming complicated. She reassured her, "I won't disband CRYCHIC. I just want to form another commercial band to participate in the competition and aim for a higher ranking."
"This competition doesn't prohibit one person from being in multiple bands at the same time."
Hearing that, Nagasaki Soyo let out a sigh of relief. "I see... Sakiko, do you want to win the championship?"
Although this was the first Spirit Maiden Music Competition ever held, the massive 16.8 billion prize had attracted a huge number of people to form bands and participate.
The competition would definitely be intense.
Wakaba Mutsumi looked worried. "Saki... are you sure you're okay?"
"Mutsumi, I'll explain later," Togawa Sakiko replied.
"..."
"Before participating, we need more practice and more live performances," Togawa Sakiko continued.
This Spirit Maiden Music Competition wasn't a traditional sign-up followed by audition rounds.
Instead, bands would hold live performances or online livestream concerts in the Far East and wait to be selected.
The more lives they held—and the more outstanding the band or idol singer was—the more likely they would be chosen.
Togawa Sakiko didn't understand how the selection process worked. It felt strange.
But that didn't matter.
She had confidence in the two bands she would build.
After settling CRYCHIC's matters,
In high spirits, Togawa Sakiko invited the members of CRYCHIC to attend Kiraboshi's live performance the next day.
She was actually looking forward to this live show.
Just going would earn her 10 million yen.
It felt even better than money falling from the sky.
The next day.
Budokan.
The members of CRYCHIC arrived at the venue. Togawa Sakiko sat in the audience seats, surrounded by spectators. The hall was completely packed.
A completely unknown group holding their first live at Budokan—and filling every seat.
What was it relying on?
Money.
Not only were the tickets free, but attendees also received commemorative gifts upon entry.
Most importantly, after the performance, one hundred lucky audience members would be selected in a lottery to receive gifts worth 1 million yen each.
It was Togawa Sakiko's first time seeing someone throw money at a live like this.
Bronya, dressed in a gorgeous performance outfit, appeared on stage first.
"After seven days of preparation, our concert has finally begun. Bronya thanks everyone for your support."
"Everyone, are you ready?"
"The next song is my personal image song—[Cyberangel]."
Seeing the audience's lukewarm reaction, Bronya didn't mind. She casually snapped her fingers.
"Music~"
At Bronya's command, the accompaniment began.
"Corrupt binary codes infecting my mind
Perform invocation with numbing freeze
Querying for a variable and seizing the time
To recompile and trigger my destiny
Superhot projectiles pierce the wind
I charged up my armor into lightspeed
Querying for a variable and seizing the time
In a new day coming not so far away
Though my wings've been bloodstained and could never rid
I will try hard to soar to the heaven I dreamed
There's no "exception" in this library
For I know I will always go with you
Though my wings've been bloodstained and could never rid
I will try hard to soar to the heaven I dreamed
There's no "exception" in this library
For I know I will always go with my heart"
...
Hearing Bronya's heavenly voice, the audience froze.
They had come prepared to endure noise. After all, it was a free live with gifts and lotteries.
This... was this really something they could listen to for free?
It was unbelievably good.
When the song ended,
Bronya followed up with two more hit songs from other worlds.
"Please give Bronya a round of applause."
As soon as her words fell,
Clap clap clap!
Thunderous applause erupted.
This time, the audience's reaction was passionate.
Three songs were enough to harvest a massive wave of new fans.
"Thank you, everyone. Next, Sister Raiden Mei will perform."
Bronya turned and returned backstage.
"Mei-sis, it's your turn."
"Mm."
Raiden Mei took a deep breath and walked onto the stage.
She sang her personal image song—[Diva of Disruptive World]—followed by "Only My Railgun."