Aside from Nijika, the rest of the girls were visibly surprised as well.
But Aoki had no idea what was running through their minds at that moment.
After briefly offering an explanation, he turned his gaze toward Kita Ikuyo.
He didn't speak right away. Instead, he paused to think for a moment.
Aoki Kei had decided: he wanted Kita to sing "Fireworks."
Unlike last time when he made a rushed decision without considering the consequences—this time, he had thought things through carefully.
Compared to the previous song "Loser," there was no doubt in his mind that "Fireworks" would suit Kita's voice better.
To truly convey the delicate warmth of summer embedded in the song, Aoki knew his own voice and current singing ability weren't enough.
But Kita could do it.
Aside from a few harmonized segments that would benefit from a male voice, the vast majority of "Fireworks" called for a female lead.
From the gentle opening to the emotional high notes in the chorus—Kita was the better fit.
Even though her technical skills weren't yet as polished as Aoki's, that gap could be closed with focused practice.
That's why, without a doubt, she was the best choice for lead vocals on this track.
However…
Even with all that decided in his mind, Aoki still felt a twinge of hesitation.
And that hesitation was understandable.
The consequences of his previous misjudgment still lingered.
Those effects hadn't entirely faded—and he knew it.
If another mistake happened now, if something went wrong again… Kita would be the one hurt by it.
And that was something Aoki Kei couldn't allow—not again.
Especially not if it was his fault.
But even so— He only hesitated for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and resolved himself.
This wasn't a new thought.
He had already considered this situation long ago.
And his reasoning now remained the same as it had been back then:
"Real life isn't like anime. Real life is far heavier."
In reality, unexpected things could happen at any time.
And in such a world, what saved a band from collapse wasn't always dreams or effort—it was the financial support needed to keep it afloat.
That's why Aoki had always believed in moving toward professionalism.
Having fun with music and being serious about it didn't have to be mutually exclusive.
If Kessoku Band could become professional, they'd have the stability to weather whatever storms might come.
He didn't want the band to fall apart just because of an unpredictable crisis.
This wasn't just a hobby. It wasn't a game.
Aoki could've just gone with the flow.
His skills were good enough to carry "Fireworks," even if not perfectly. The movie would've been fine.
But more than anything, Aoki Kei wanted to preserve the bond he had with the band members.
He had spent so long pushing himself, cutting himself off from others, living under pressure.
That didn't begin to change until he met the girls of Kessoku Band—until he started making music with them.
For the first time, something had started to soften inside him.
...
Snapping himself out of his wandering thoughts, Aoki refocused.
This was about the future of the band.
Taking another deep breath, he raised his head and met Kita's eyes.
Some decisions have to be made.
"Fireworks" was clearly better suited for a female voice. And if they wanted the best possible performance, they had to be prepared for some risk.
So he was going to ask Kita to take the lead.
Whatever people might say afterward— That he was being pushy, arrogant, making decisions on his own... even if things fell apart because of this choice—
Just like he had resolved back in that yakiniku restaurant in Kyoto after talking with Yamada Ryo—
If his decision ever caused trouble for the band or one of its members, then no matter what it took, no matter the cost, he would make it right.
And if worst came to worst— If his presence turned out to be what unbalanced the band in the first place, then he'd leave.
Even if it felt like running away, even if it drained his time and emotions, he'd quietly exit the stage, letting Kessoku Band return to the path they were meant to be on.
That was the promise he had made to himself on that day.
But now…
He took another deep breath and cleared away the negative thoughts.
Kita's effort was undeniable.
Aoki truly believed that if anyone could bring "Fireworks" to life, it was her.
There was no need to worry—not if they trained and practiced together.
"Alright," he said at last, locking eyes with her. "About 'Fireworks'…"
Having made up his mind, Aoki Kei spoke clearly.
"In my vision for this song, it's obvious it suits a female voice better. So… Kita-san, I'd like you to be the lead vocalist for 'Fireworks.'"
"...Huh?"
Kita blinked, stunned.
A look of surprise crossed her face, and the other girls also turned toward Aoki with wide eyes.
Even Nijika seemed worried.
But Aoki continued calmly, explaining his reasoning.
"With my current vocal ability, I can't deliver the best possible version of this song. But you can, Kita."
"This isn't like 'Loser'. That time... I really did make the wrong call. But this time, I believe you'll sing it better than I ever could."
"Your voice fits the song. And the emotion it needs—you can express that better than I can."
"So—"
He was confident.
He knew Kita Ikuyo could bring out the full magic of the song.
On the other side, Kita hesitated for a moment.
"But… but what about practice time…" she mumbled to herself, barely audible.
Then she paused.
After a beat, she bit her lip gently, as if bracing herself.
She looked up, her eyes steady.
"I—I understand, Aoki-senpai! I won't let anyone down with this song!"
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