novelraw Chapter 1617 - 1615: Shining in the Present (Curling Up Beside the PC Case)
Chapter 1617 - 1615: Shining in the Present (Curling Up Beside the PC Case)
The immense cloud mass slowly moved forward.
"This is truly bothersome."
Watching the typhoon ahead, Red Ponytail, suspended in mid-air, raised an eyebrow. The typhoon seemed like a massive air elemental monster, mercilessly consuming everything in its path. If things continued this way, Komachi Ryuuguu would surely not make it to the concert in time.
So she had no choice but to step in herself.
"Come on, Fire Joy, Frostmourne!"
Red Ponytail extended her hand, and soon, amidst the eruption of flames and frost, two greatswords appeared in her hand. Frostmourne trembled slightly, showing some dissatisfaction.
"Next world, next world I’ll let you feast to your fill."
Feeling Frostmourne’s dissatisfaction, Red Ponytail had to console her. Frostmourne wasn’t an embodiment of evil, but her craving for souls was never ending. To put it simply, Frostmourne liked souls, somewhat akin to a woman going to a spa, needing it every few days to feel comfortable. If she goes a year without it, she becomes unhappy.
After all, there weren’t many places needing battle in this world, leaving Frostmourne without a use. Being summoned to face an utterly meaningless typhoon left her deeply unsatisfied.
However, she could only protest a little.
Red Ponytail gripped the two greatswords tightly, and soon, flames and frost burst, intertwining and forming a new storm. Then, she raised the dual swords and swung forward.
"———————!"
Fire and ice flashed by, like an invisible hand forcibly tearing apart the typhoon’s fragile defense, causing the typhoon to start twisting and roaring. It was akin to a girl desperately resisting an assault but eventually being pressed against the corner, silenced, and then...
Then there was no more.
"Good, all done."
Watching the gradually dissipating typhoon, Red Ponytail snapped her fingers in triumph.
"Next, let’s see how Komachi Ryuuguu is doing."
Meanwhile, as Red Ponytail dealt with the typhoon, Fang Zheng gathered the others and explained the situation to the girls.
Upon hearing that Komachi Ryuuguu might not make it on time, everyone’s expressions changed.
"Really? Producer?"
"Currently, it’s almost certain they will be late."
Fang Zheng had no solution. Although the typhoon had been eliminated, the traffic congestion and flight cancellations caused by the typhoon wouldn’t be so easily resolved. Even if Komachi Ryuuguu started their journey now, they’d inevitably be delayed.
Fang Zheng could understand the girls’ confusion and unease.
This was 765’s first large-scale LIVE, aimed at showcasing all of 765’s idols. Not only did it have thousands of audiences, but it was also being televised. This was essentially a gamble for 765; a win meant everyone prospered, and a loss meant total disaster.
But the situation had already occurred and needed resolution.
"Now we first modify the program list."
Seeing the girls’ nervousness and anxiety, Fang Zheng understood. For the sake of this concert, the girls had rehearsed for a full week, following the original plan where STARS and Komachi Ryuuguu would be the focus with other opportunities given afterward. Each person had prepared for a week on what to perform and sing.
And now they had to change the program list?
If they were big stars or popular idols, it would be manageable. But these girls were newcomers; this was their first large concert. They had only performed in mini-concerts before with a crowd of at most a hundred people. It couldn’t compare to the current scale with thousands.
Just the thought of standing on stage facing a thousand audience members was enough to make one’s legs weak, let alone having to change the program list last minute...
Backstage became chaotic for a while.
Changing the program list was a hassle. The original plan was cautious; STARS and Komachi Ryuuguu were to start together to warm up the atmosphere and gradually introduce newcomers. STARS and Komachi Ryuuguu would alternate with newcomer introductions, or Haruka, Chihaya, and Meixi would guide newbies to sing a few songs, and finally, everyone would do a grand finale with a group song.
But now they had no choice but to opt for a more aggressive plan.
"Haruka, Chihaya, Meixi."
Fang Zheng focused on the three girls in front of him.
"With the change, we need to adjust the program list. STARS needs to be the first to perform and set the mood, so your task is the heaviest... can you handle it?"
"This is..."
Chihaya hesitated, while Haruka clenched her fist and nodded firmly.
"I’ll give it my all!"
As for Meixi...
"Producer."
Meixi looked up, her eyes shining with radiance.
"Will this make Meixi shine?"
"Of course."
Fang Zheng nodded without hesitation. He gazed at Meixi, observing her excited demeanor with satisfaction. Strictly speaking, Meixi wasn’t the "traditional" protagonist type. Generally, protagonists in animation are believers in "hard work brings rewards" and "success comes through effort." But Meixi was different; she wanted to be an idol effortlessly rather than strive and work hard.
In essence, Meixi just wanted an easy life and happened to have the talent for being an idol. Because of her talent, she found being an idol easy, so she chose this "politically incorrect" path.
Though motivational quotes often emphasize, "Believe in someone who is both more talented and more hardworking," the focus of this saying is "talented."
Unfortunately, ninety-nine percent of people aren’t geniuses.
The remaining geniuses competing with effort and lack of effort have nothing to do with ordinary people.
That belongs to the one percent domain.
Meixi resembled a small animal, seeming simple and direct, yet somehow able to see through the survival dilemma.
But what surprised Fang Zheng was Meixi’s unexpected question.
"So, will Meixi shine more than Komizo Yukina?"
"Hmm?"
Fang Zheng paused, glancing at Meixi, realizing she was seriously staring at him.
What’s going on?
Fang Zheng had no clue why Meixi would care about Komizo Yukina. In his memory, Meixi and Yukina had only crossed paths at a TV station, with Meixi showing no particular emotion towards Yukina. But now, why suddenly mention Yukina?
Though he didn’t know the reason, Fang Zheng only pondered briefly before answering.
"Of course."
After all, Meixi was one of his artists; no way he’d support an outsider over her, right?
Sure enough, upon hearing Fang Zheng’s answer, Meixi broke into a joyful smile.
However, right then, Xuebu rushed over with the program list.
"Producer! There’s trouble!"
"What’s the problem?"
Seeing Xuebu’s anxious expression, Fang Zheng felt a sense of dread.
"There’s trouble with the show’s sequence!"
"Oh?"
Fang Zheng picked up the adjusted program list, quickly scanned it, and soon pinpointed the issue.
"Meixi has to sing two songs in a row? What’s going on? Can’t it be adjusted again?"
"Impossible. I realized it only after adjusting."
Sora looked helpless. Originally, these songs were for Meixi and Komachi Ryuuguu’s Iori to sing together, with other programs interspersed. But now that Komachi Ryuuguu isn’t here, many programs need reordering, naturally causing issues.
"........."
Holding the program list, Fang Zheng remained silent. He never realized how exhausting idols’ lives were until he became a producer, realizing idols weren’t just about showing faces and doing nothing. In his childhood, singers’ concerts would span several hours, simply standing and singing with dancers behind them.
But today’s idols were different; they had to sing and dance simultaneously, consuming immense energy like running a half-marathon. Thus, everyone performed separately so others could rest when others were on stage.
But these two songs were only rehearsed by Meixi; the others couldn’t sing them...
"Producer."
At that moment, Meixi spoke again.
"Meixi wants to try."
"Oh?"
Curious, Fang Zheng looked at Meixi.
"No problem, Meixi?"
"Mm... because the producer said, Meixi will shine more than Komizo Yukina, so... Meixi can do it!"
"Alright."
After pondering Meixi’s response for a moment, Fang Zheng made a decision.
"Then we’ll leave it to you, Meixi."