Chapter 22: Can You Hear The Music?

The chaos wasn't over.

Kanon pulled one way. Kurumi pulled the other. I honestly felt like my arms were going to be sheared off at the shoulders.

Then—Twist.

A sharp pinch landed on Kurumi’s ear. Another on Kanon’s.

“What exactly are you two doing to Kengo? Making such a scene in public...” Hitomi murmured, her tone so calm it was actually terrifying. Beside her, Shinomiya—Kanon’s manager—let out a weary, soul-crushing sigh.

“Princess, I told you: do not incite a riot,” the manager added.

Miraculously, they both froze.

“We’re sorry!” they squeaked in unison.

I finally exhaled, oxygen returning to my lungs. Thank god... I almost died a pathetic death because of a tug-of-war.

“It’s fine. Just don't let it happen again. And Kurumi, please don't escalate things,” I said, trying to regain some semblance of dignity.

“Sorry, Kengo. I let my emotions get the better of me.”

“Understood. But let's keep it civil, okay?”

Peace returned. At least, the temporary, fragile kind. To stabilize the situation, Hitomi and Shinomiya dragged us all to get ice cream. We sat in a circle—the "Great War" devolving into a quiet debate over chocolate versus strawberry.

“I see... you should have told me sooner, Kengo-kun!” Kurumi sighed.

“I tried. You were too busy being a jealous tornado to listen.”

She scratched her head, looking sheepish. She definitely hadn't heard a word of my explanation.

“Hmph... so you two are actually dating, then,” Kanon muttered, finishing her ice cream with a pout. Her tone was dripping with envy. “I still don't accept you, Kurumi. Remember that.”

The temperature in the room spiked again. Hitomi-nee, help me... I pleaded with my eyes. She pointedly looked at a bird outside the window. Great. I was on my own.

“In that case, I challenge you, Mitsuzu Kurumi!” Kanon stood up, slamming her hands on the table.

“A challenge? You’ve already lost the main prize, haven't you?” Kurumi replied coolly.

“Not that! I challenge you to a singing duel. And Kengo-nii will be the judge!”

What? Why am I the protagonist of this drama again?

“Fine by me,” Kurumi said, eyes narrowing. “If it’s just Kengo watching, I’ll take you on anytime.”

“Not just Kengo-nii. In front of an audience!”

The stakes shifted. This wasn't a small spat anymore. This was a spectacle.

“Challenge accepted. If you lose, stay away from Kengo!” Kurumi declared.

“Deal!” Kanon shot back.

I had to stop this. And I had an idea to deflect the pressure. “I have a better plan. I won't be the judge. The judge will be my brother—Shouta-kun!”

Back at the Apartment

Shouta sneezed. It was as if he could feel his destiny being manipulated from afar.

“What? Bro, you got stuck in your own harem route again? Good grief!” Shouta groaned when I explained the situation.

“What do you want from me? If I don't do this, it'll be World War III.”

“Fine, fine... I’ll do it.”

The Next Day – Rehearsal Stage

We were at a small concert arena. The word had spread quickly—a "rival" to the great Kanon Hoshimiya had appeared. Lightsticks illuminated the stands like a sea of stars. Shouta sat in the judge's chair, looking official. I sat beside him, genuinely curious.

Can Kurumi actually sing? All I remembered was her being too drunk at karaoke to hit a single note.

The crowd roared. “Kanon-chan! Kanon-chan!”

Backstage, Kurumi had changed into an outfit provided by the manager. “Look at that, Mitsuzu. They’re screaming my name, not yours,” Kanon provoked.

“Of course they are. They haven't met me yet,” Kurumi replied with surprising steel.

Kanon took the stage first. She was a force of nature. Her voice was powerful, precise, and perfectly stable. The floor seemed to hum with her resonance. Shouta cheered like a fanatic.

Then—a new voice joined in. Melodious. Crystal clear. Startlingly good.

It was Kurumi. She stepped onto the stage, singing as if her life depended on it.

“Who is that?” “Her voice is incredible! Is she a new member?” “I don’t know, but I’m a fan already!”

The lightsticks moved in a frantic rhythm. The two voices chased each other, harmonizing and competing. It wasn't about destruction; it was about expression. For the first time, I truly heard Mitsuzu Kurumi.

When the song ended, the applause was deafening. Even from Shouta. Even from me.

I looked at them. No anger. No malice. Just the heavy breathing of two people who had given everything. There was no winner that day because both had reached a level I didn't think possible.

The following day, we gathered as usual. Shouta finally mustered the courage to talk to Kanon without fainting.

“Shouta-kun, you never change,” Kanon teased. “Since we were kids, you were always the shyest, but the most active once you got started.”

“Not really!” Shouta turned beet red.

Kurumi and I watched them, smiling. “Kengo-kun... how was my singing yesterday? Honestly?”

“It was great. Both of you were incredible.”

Her face flushed, but she looked a little annoyed. She wanted to be the only one I praised.

The day ended in peace. Too much peace. I knew one thing for sure—whenever my life feels stable, it’s just the universe resetting the trap for something bigger.

I felt like that concert wasn't just a duel. It was the start of something far more complicated. Something that might shake the secrets hidden behind the blinding light of "The Undying Star."