The next day, when Tetsuya and Sakiko arrived in front of [RiNG], they were both so stunned by the scene before them that they stopped in their tracks.
"...Why are there so many people?"
Sakiko stared blankly at the live house in front of her, which was more crowded than a shopping mall on a holiday.
"In my mory, [RiNG] has never been this popular."
"Indeed..."
Tetsuya was equally surprised.
"Were there any famous bands invited to the live today?"
"I haven't heard anything..."
Sakiko couldn't help but tilt her head in confusion.
"If there were, [RiNG] would have prepared a solo live for them, not a multi-band event like today."
"...It's because of this."
Just as the two were still marveling at the exaggerated crowd, Mutsumi's voice suddenly ca from behind them.
When they both turned around, the contents of the flyer in Mutsumi's hand imdiately caught their attention—
"[Sumr Zodiac] surprise appearance, and they will be performing their super popular new song 'Wakusei Loop'... Eh?"
Sakiko was stunned for a mont, then imdiately took the flyer from Mutsumi's hand and repeatedly confird the contents.
"Wait, when was this decided? Why haven't I heard anything about it?!"
"Because it was a last-minute decision for them to join today's show."
Mutsumi said as she opened up the social dia platform on her phone.
On the official [Sumr Zodiac] account, a ssage about their surprise guest appearance at [RiNG] had been posted just this morning.
"...A last-minute decision to join the show?"
Sakiko picked up the flyer again and carefully looked at the program schedule on the back—
"Chihaya-nii."
Sakiko showed the program schedule on the back of the flyer to Tetsuya.
"Although it was a last-minute decision, it seems there's another intention behind it."
"..."
Tetsuya looked at the schedule with so curiosity, but when he found the na [Sumr Zodiac] on it, his brow furrowed subconsciously.
"They're not the closing act... they're on right before Anon's band?"
"This is just my feeling, but I don't think this arrangent is a re coincidence."
Sakiko said.
"Judging by the number of people here today, most of them ca to the live house for [Sumr Zodiac]. And... with Hoshino Ai and Uika's abilities, their performance is bound to be the most hyped event of the day. After their performance ends, a large portion of the audience who aren't interested in the subsequent acts will probably leave, and the remaining audience will be in a 'cool-down' state from the intense atmosphere just now. For this new band with no existing fanbase, this is arguably the worst possible environnt."
"...They might even be compared to them."
Mutsumi added.
"The band right now... there's no way they can beat [Sumr Zodiac]."
"..."
Although these words were cruel and absolute, both Tetsuya and Sakiko knew that the truth was just as Mutsumi had said.
Although [Sumr Zodiac] was also a newly debuted idol group, compared to this band that hadn't even passed its break-in period, the professionally trained idols, who had released a super-popular single and had several performance experiences, held an unshakeable advantage.
...
"Chihaya-nii... have you arranged a specific ti to et with Hoshino Ai?"
"Mhm, I asked Uika to pass on a ssage for to et her at the cafe after the live."
(...Uika?)
This na, which she had never heard before, surprised Sakiko for a brief mont, but her thoughts quickly returned to the matter at hand.
"If that's the case, then this impromptu guest appearance and the performance order... must have been intentional."
Sakiko stated her judgnt.
"Suppress Soyo's band with [Sumr Zodiac]'s imnse popularity, and then go to the eting with the posture of a 'victor'. This performance order is probably for that reason."
"...Suppress?"
Tetsuya wore a puzzled expression.
"But why would Ai do that? What benefit does she get from suppressing Anon's band?"
"About that... I don't really understand it either."
According to Hoshino Ai's plan, she should have chosen the closing spot, which offered both high attention and the best performance effect. But not only did she give that position away, she instead chose to deliberately suppress a newly ford band...
"It's almost as if there's a 'rival' she cares about in that band."
"..."
Although he didn't know what Ai was planning, now that the program schedule was set, Anon's band would have no choice but to face [Sumr Zodiac] in this fated-to-fail confrontation.
"I wonder if knowing this will affect their condition."
...
"...The response seems to be quite enthusiastic."
Uika said as she entered the special dressing room and took off her mask.
"Even though the guest performance was only announced this morning, so many fans still ca."
At this, she looked up at her companion, who was adjusting her clothes in front of the mirror.
"So, are you really planning to go on stage in that outfit?"
"...Is there a problem?"
"Isn't that a bit too unfair to that new band?"
Uika shook her head helplessly.
"Just wearing that outfit and walking on stage once would be enough to outshine them."
"...So what?"
The outfit Hoshino Ai had chosen was the exclusive stage costu Tetsuya had designed for her.
On the other side, although Uika hadn't changed yet, a black formal dress with a starry sky the was already laid out on her seat.
"Since you said we'd be performing under the na [Sumr Zodiac], we have to at least show this level of commitnt, right?"
At this, Ai glanced at Uika with serious, unsmiling eyes.
"Or did you co here to be a 'foil' for that new band?"
"...Of course not."
Uika shook her head, then walked over to her spot and picked up the long dress.
"Once I'm on stage... I don't plan on being anyone's 'supporting leaf'. That includes you, Ai."
"Mhm, that's more like it."
A captivating smile appeared on Ai's face.
"Well then, let's 'ruin' today's live as the most dazzling 'spoilers'."
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