Everyone Has Talent. If Only We Could Realize It - Volume 1 Chapter 6

Epilogue

“An employee of the major entertainment agency Queen Smile, Shinpei Nakameguro (34), has been arrested on charges of violating the Unauthorized Computer Access Law. Around 5 pm yesterday, an anonymous report led police to a public restroom in Tokyo, where they discovered Nakameguro-san restrained and completely naked, along with numerous pieces of evidence. There had already been multiple reports from talents belonging to the same company about Nakameguro, leading to his arrest. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police are also investigating potential charges of threats, coercion, and assault. At the time of discovery, Nakameguro had sustained bruises all over his body and three broken bones, and it is believed that he was involved in some kind of trouble, which is being investigated as a separate incident.”

The voice from a news program uploaded on WAYTUBE filled our living room.

Shiika, who had been intently watching the news displayed on the smartphone propped up on the kotatsu, glanced at me and murmured quietly.

“Brother, did you do this?”

“What could you possibly mean~?”

“Systema, was it? Some kind of combat technique? Brother, when you’re not playing games, you’re always practicing in your room.”

“Hey, Akiha! Is the tuna ready yet? Shiika’s requesting tuna!”

I diverted Shiika’s probing with a shout towards the kitchen where Akihabara was. Please, let’s not dig any deeper. If it gets out, I’ll be arrested.

“Tuna just needs the lid opened, do it yourself! I’m making sea bream soup here because you lot said you wanted it! It’s super troublesome!”

“An interview with the strongest first-year singer isn’t needed? For real?”

“Begrudgingly granted!”

“Damn it, thank you for the collaboration!”

Akiha, crying tears of frustration, returned to her sea bream soup preparations.

“Don’t add tears to it; it’ll ruin the taste.”

“Monster!”

As we bantered like this.

Ding-dong, the doorbell chimed.

“Akihaー, get the doorー.”

“Move your own legs! Ah, jeez, the front door’s unlocked, just come in!”

Akiha yelled outside in response.

Our apartment, with zero soundproofing except for Shiika’s closet, allows for such primitive communication methods with people outside. The sound of the door opening and footsteps followed.

“Excuse the intrusion. Wow, smells good. Is that soup?”

“Welcome. Oh, so this is Shiika-chan’s place. It’s a bit small, but it’s kept clean inside. Nice〜”

Shibuya Erio and Komae Noakiya appeared in the dining area.

They had gathered today for a reconciliation party, also doubling as a meeting for future collaborations.

“The fact that it smells good and is clean inside is all thanks to me… Being in a position that gets no recognition, man, that’s too harsh…”

Ignoring Akihabara’s complaints.

I gave Shibuya and Komae seats on two sides of the kotatsu. It’s not a very spacious house, but with a kotatsu, we can make room for four. Ah, kotatsus are really convenient. Though it seems there’s no space for Akihabara, she won’t notice while cooking, so it’s probably fine. If she gets angry, I’ll think of something then.

“Shiika, and Rakuto as well. I’m reallllyyyyy sorry for everything up to now!”

“It’s fine. You apologized to Shiika yesterday, didn’t you?”

“I was apologized to. A lot.”

“Yeah, I really lost it. I didn’t know what I was doing or what was important anymore.”

As she gazed at the surface of the barley tea Akihabara had swiftly served, Shibuya said with self-deprecation.

“Last year, my manager told me I wouldn’t make it in the pro world as I was, and I worked desperately to acquire a unique singing voice. I had a hunch that I was cutting short my lifespan as a singer, but since I was seeing results, I couldn’t back down.”

“Actually, six octaves is insane. Even Shiika can’t do that.”

“I could with effort.”

“No, really, don’t force yourself. Seriously.”

“When Shiika denied my voice… it was like being confronted with the fact that I was heading in the wrong direction. I kind of knew it, so I freaked out. Things got awkward with Noakiya too, making it worse…”

“I’m also to blame… I should have taken the time to talk to you more seriously.”

“No, it’s my fault. It’s because of my immature desire to flaunt the power I gained, dismissing the mainstream songs Noakiya wanted to do. I’m the worst.”

“No, I’m the worst. Despite knowing it would hurt Erio, I provided a song like a jab at Shiika. Out of petty jealousy, I…”

“What! I!”

“No, me!”

“Enough! Noakiya isn’t to blame, okay!?”

“Whoa, loud! You’ve got a powerful voice, so don’t yell so close!”

“What? Who’s loud!? Who sounds like Gian!?”

“I didn’t go that far!”

“Ah! Ah! Ah! That’s enough! This place has thin walls! Don’t bother the neighbors! OK!?”

I forcefully interrupted the escalating argument between the two.

Shibuya and Komae, perhaps feeling sorry towards the homeowners, quieted down.

“Sorry…”

“My bad…”

As long as they understand, that’s good enough.

“But you two, even after making up, you’re like this. A quarreling couple, huh?”

“Coupleー. Jigglyー.”

I teased them along with Shiika, and Shibuya and Komae’s faces turned bright red.

“It’s not like that! We’re business partners!” “It’s not! Business partner!”

Denying in unison like that was amusing, and I laughed.

Shiika was also chuckling. …Oh, that’s rare.

Ahem, Shibuya cleared her throat.

“Anyway. That’s why I’ve decided to change my way of thinking. ──I’m terminating my contract with Queen Smile.”

“Because of Nakameguro-san?”

“That too. After hearing everything he did to Noakiya, I was honestly horrified. I can’t forgive it. But──”

Not just for that reason, Shibuya smiled.

“I’ve found a new dream.”

“Dream?”

“Yeah. Honestly, it’s unclear whether Nakameguro acted alone or if the company was involved in this incident, right?”

“Well, true. After all, many talents succeeded under his production policy. It might have been a tacitly accepted practice in the adult world.”

“Right? So, I thought I’d show them.”

“Show them?”

“Yeah! I’ll achieve results on my own that won’t lose to the major agencies! I’ll gain influence to the point where the adults come groveling to me, doing what we want! There’s not just one right way as they think. We can succeed on our own terms. I’ll prove it!”

Shibuya clenched her fists tightly as she passionately argued. Flames seemed to burn in her eyes.

Even a change of heart couldn’t quell her fierce, dogged determination.

“Wow, that’s pretty amazing.”

“As expected of Eri. A real powerhouse.”

We, the Ikebukuro siblings, clapped our hands in applause.

“Why are you acting like it’s none of your business?”

“Because it literally is none of our business?”

“We need growth to the extent that we can make first-rate agencies eat their words. That requires strategy! Both Noakiya and I, frankly, are idiots when it comes to strategizing. Plus, having such an amazingly talented fellow student in the Music Department, it would be foolish not to cooperate.”

“Wait, so, Shibuya. You want to team up with me and Shiika?”

“That’s the plan! Mana will be in charge of publicity & strategy too!”

“While I’m cooking, the discussion has taken a turn for the incredible… Well, it sounds like an enticing proposal, so I’m in! Count me in!”

“Classic Mana. Always understanding~. And then, when we succeed, eventually, we’ll become an agency ourselves. The birth of the ultimate music unit! How’s that? Isn’t it exciting?”

“Oh, uh, what should we do?”

I instinctively leaned back as Shibuya’s face came rushing towards mine with fierce momentum. Her energy wasn’t just storm-like in her singing but in her usual demeanor as well.

It sure sounded like an interesting proposal. It would solidify our standing in Ryoran High School for three years, ensuring we wouldn’t struggle for living expenses. It would mean I wouldn’t have to work.

It was all too enticing.

The decisive factor would be what Shiika wanted. The more people involved, the higher the risk of Shiika encountering unpleasant “sounds.” If she showed even the slightest sign of reluctance, despite Shibuya’s enthusiasm, I was ready to firmly decline with an iron will.

“Brother.”

“Yeah. What do you think, Shiika?”

“I want to do it.”

──Her answer was immediate.

Then, there’s no reason for me to hesitate.

“Alright, let’s do it. Both Shiika and I are on board with your plan!”

“We’re on board.”

“Yay! Thank you, Shiika! I’m so pumped!”

Shibuya hugged Shiika like a plush toy, buzzing with excitement.

Shiika initially looked annoyed at being manhandled but that was only for a moment. The next instant, she seemed as if lulled in a cradle, her expression content.

And me, seeing my sister’s happy expression, felt somewhat relieved.

“Hey, you lot, here’s the much-awaited tai no arajiru! And why hasn’t anyone opened the tuna yet?! Bring out the plates, I’ll open it!”

“Wait, this is some expensive stuff from the department store basement. It looks delicious… but there are only three pieces of fatty tuna?”

“Let’s eat. Here, I’ve secured Shiika’s portion too.”

“Mm. Well done, brother.”

“Then I’ll take the last piece.”

“Don’t even think about it, Noakiya! That’s mine!”

“You’re on a diet. I’m just helping you out.”

“Whaaaaat!? That’s totally unrelated!”

“How come there’s no fatty tuna left for the cook?! Show some appreciation for the chef, will you!”

“Shiika, second piece.”

“Nom… Mmm, delicious.”

“ALL OF YOU ATE EVERYTHING!!”

【Team Name】Ryoran High School Music Department (Tentative)

【Members】

Ikebukuro Rakuto　　　Ichihachi Live　Subscribers: 0 (no account)

Ikebukuro Shiika　　　Ichihachi Live　Subscribers: 36,400

Akihabara Mana　　　　Ichihachi Live　Subscribers: 8,800

Shibuya Erio　　　　　Ichihachi Live　Subscribers: 502,700

Komae Noakiya　　　　　Ichihachi Live　Subscribers: 185,000

Therein lies the birth of a massive force that would shake the entire student body of Ryoran High School.

The inception of this team would ignite the interest and competitive spirit of all the geniuses within the school, eventually leading to a significant movement that would envelop both the streaming and entertainment industries.

However, it would be a little while before we would come to realize that.