[TL Note - Recommended to read while listening to DAOKO × Kenshi Yonezu "Fireworks"]
Unlike a public concert, a solo performance requires purchasing a ticket.
However, it's also not quite like a full-blown concert either—this type of event is more focused on promoting the movie.
So in reality, the actual musical performance was relatively short.
Most of the time was reserved for interviewing the band members.
That said, despite the brief setlist, the tickets were priced reasonably.
And with Kessoku Band riding high in popularity, it took less than a minute after sales began for the tickets to sell out completely.
Aoki hadn't really paid attention to the whole ticket situation—he wasn't particularly interested in that kind of detail.
After getting familiar with the venue and doing a rehearsal the day before, the next day arrived.
They practiced for a while at the live house in the morning, then headed to the event location in the afternoon to prepare.
The event was scheduled to start at 6 PM, giving them more than enough time to get everything ready.
Since it was their first time doing something like this, a staff member came by shortly before showtime to go over last-minute reminders.
After reviewing everything and mentally rehearsing what they planned to say on stage, it was finally 6 PM.
Kessoku Band stepped onto the stage.
There was a huge crowd in the audience.
Compared to their past performances at the live house or even during the PVC Original Music Competition, the number of people this time was almost overwhelming.
Even though Bocchi-chan had mentally prepared herself thoroughly, the sheer size of the audience pushed her nerves to the limit.
It wasn't just Bocchi—everyone on stage was nervous.
This was their first time performing in front of such a large crowd.
But every song they were performing had been rehearsed countless times.
So even though they were nervous, they weren't likely to make mistakes.
And just before the performance began—
Looking out at the sea of people, Aoki, who had taken on the role of MC for Kessoku Band, held the mic in hand and took a quiet breath.
"Thank you all for taking the time to come support us. Good evening."
As his voice rang out, the stage lighting illuminated him—and the rest of Kessoku Band—bringing the entire stage into focus.
The words echoed through the speakers, and the moment he finished, the crowd erupted into cheers.
He waited a few seconds for the excitement to die down before continuing.
But unlike most concerts where there'd be more of an introduction, he didn't linger—he shifted gears right away.
"Thanks again for being here. Now, we'd like to perform Fireworks (Uchiage Hanabi) for you."
With that, he turned around to face the other members of Kessoku Band.
After exchanging a brief nod of confirmation, he handed the mic to Kita, then walked over to the piano and sat down.
A mic had also been set up near the piano—this was intentional.
Unlike the version of Fireworks featured in the movie Fireworks, this performance had a twist: a duet.
Aoki had decided to harmonize with Kita during the chorus, making it a two-person version of the song.
That's why he had asked the staff to prepare a second mic near the piano.
And now, the performance began.
His fingers gently brushed the keys, and a beautiful melody flowed from the piano.
Soon, the guitar, bass, and drums gradually blended in with the soft piano sound.
Twenty seconds later, the intro ended.
Then Kita's voice rang out—sweet and graceful through the mic.
Unlike the polished, studio-recorded version, live performances have a raw, immersive charm that can't be replicated.
Fireworks is a song overflowing with the feeling of summer, and paired with Kita's voice, even a single line was enough to stir the emotions of everyone in the venue.
"Even now, I remember that day by the sea."
(あの日見渡した渚を, 今も思い出すんだ)
"The words carved into the sand, and your fading silhouette."
(砂の上に刻んだ言葉, 君の後ろ姿)
"The waves washed ashore."
(寄り返す波が)
"Sweeping past my feet, taking something away with them."
(足元をよぎり何かを攫う)
Besides capturing the feeling of summer, Fireworks is also a song about the hopes and dreams of high schoolers in love.
As she sang, the music gradually began to build.
Finally, as the pre-chorus faded out—
"On the calm coastline, twilight quietly slips away."
(夕凪の中, 日暮れだけが通り過ぎて行く)
The chorus began.
Kita continued as the lead vocalist, but now, Aoki's harmonies joined in.
Before entering the venue, fans had no idea that this would be a duet version of Fireworks.
And when Aoki's familiar voice—known to many as "suki-san" suddenly blended in with Kita's gentle yet emotional tone, the entire crowd froze for a moment in surprise.
Then, almost instantly, the venue exploded with excitement.
Meanwhile, on stage—
As Kita sang into the chorus, she glanced back slightly at Aoki.
And then, her soft voice rang out again.
"With a pop, We watched fireworks blooming in a flash of light."
(パッと光って咲いた 花火を見ていた)
"Surely this summer is far from over."
(きっとまだ 終わらない夏が)
"Let's unravel our tangled hearts and tie them close together."
(曖昧な心を 解かして繋いだ)
"I wish this night… could last forever."
(この夜が 続いて欲しかった)
———————————————————————
When the song ended, Kita bowed and softly said, "Thank you."
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause and cheering.
After all, this was the very first live performance of the duet version of Fireworks.
Everyone in the audience could proudly say they were among the first to witness it.
With such a reasonably priced ticket and the chance to hear an all-new arrangement of Fireworks, this event was more than worth it.
———————————————————————
Back on stage—
After thanking the crowd, the role of MC returned to Aoki.
Once the cheering subsided, he spoke again.
He gave a brief talk, then followed the Fireworks production team's schedule by earnestly promoting the movie.
After that, he picked up his guitar and joined the girls to perform Loser.
The crowd's reaction was just as intense.
After Loser, they played a few more songs, finishing with another rendition of Fireworks—this time as a solo by Kita.
By the end of the set, everyone on stage was drenched in sweat.
But it had been a great success. The audience loved it.
Everyone wore subtle smiles of relief and satisfaction.
And once the musical portion was over—
After reintroducing the Fireworks movie and taking a moment to catch their breath, the host finally came on stage.
The interview segment was about to begin.
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