Chapter 451: My Turn!
"It's our turn to go on!"
Upon hearing the girl's words, Yukino, Yui, and the others also cheered up and headed to the preparation area together.
As for Haruno, she glanced at Hachiman and the other person beside him, a smile playing on her lips, before walking to the preparation area as well.
As the applause died down, Hayama and the others were wheeled back from the stage.
Backstage, Yumiko and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, facing such a large audience just now had kept them on edge, fearing any mistakes.
But the outcome was good; their performance was successful, and the audience acknowledged their sweat and effort with warm applause.
Hayama noticed Haruno and the others preparing to go on stage.
"Is it your turn to go on, Miss Haruno?"
"Yes, Hayama. After all, I promised Yukino," Haruno replied with a smile.
Hearing this, Hayama looked over at Yukino, but all he saw was her usual cold demeanor.
He didn't mind, though, as Yukino had always treated him like this.
However, what Hayama didn't realize was that Yukino's current coldness was not only her usual attitude but also her dissatisfaction with Hachiman's behavior.
Always flirting around, he never learns.
Couldn't he have let me help him tie his tie? Even Yui could have done it.
Unfortunately, given Yukino's personality, she would never say such things aloud, so she could only express them on her face.
Since Hayama and the others had already left the stage, it was time for the next performance. Originally, as the host, Meguri was supposed to go on stage, but now she had become the keyboard player, so Minami, the executive committee chairman, naturally went up to announce the next act.
Seeing Hachiman and Saki being intimate, Yumiko didn't hold back. She stormed towards them, intending to separate them.
I can't believe it. Just as I go up to sing a song, you, jerk, can flirt with a girl here, and it's even Kawasaki Saki, who I have issues with. Can't I tolerate this?
But just as she approached them, Saki took two steps back and said, "Alright, Hachiman-kun, your tie is done."
"Huh? My tie..."
Hearing this, Yumiko was stunned. She then noticed that Hachiman indeed had a black tie neatly tied around his collar, apparently just done.
"Yumiko, your performance is over," Hachiman remarked as he noticed Yumiko approaching him, but seeing the girl looking annoyed, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
Um.
Yumiko choked up at this direct question. She couldn't exactly say she was upset about seeing him flirt with girls and wanted to scold him.
"It's nothing, just wanted to see if you needed any help here," she hastily came up with an excuse to deflect.
Hachiman didn't dwell on it, simply nodding in acknowledgment.
"I see. No need for help, though. Saki already helped me with my clothes, and she's really good with a needle and thread."
Saki Kawasaki felt a bit embarrassed at Hachiman's exaggerated praise.
"Oh, it's not as good as you say, Hachiman-kun. You're too polite."
Um, Hachiman-kun... Saki...
These two definitely have something going on.
Hearing their interaction, Yumiko couldn't help but grit her teeth.
No wonder they say girls in love are like Sherlock Holmes, always able to find clues from various little details.
But before she could ask anything, Minami announced the start of the next act from the stage.
Yukino and Yui were officially on stage!
Seeing the girls on stage, Hachiman's eyes lit up, and he turned to Yumiko.
"Let's go, let's go watch Yui and the others perform together."
Naturally, Saki had no objections to this suggestion, nodding in agreement.
While Yumiko had questions to ask, seeing Hachiman's eager expression, she decided to save them for later.
"Sure, let's go together."
Through a small door beside the backstage, the three of them arrived at the other side of the grand stage, where Hayama and the others had already gathered.
Seeing Hachiman and his two companions approaching, Hayama greeted them.
"Hikigaya-kun, Yumiko, Kawasaki-san, you're here."
The trio nodded in response, acknowledging the greeting.
Watching Hachiman in his handsome suit, Tobe couldn't help but be surprised.
"You look quite handsome in that suit, Hikigaya-san. After changing into a different outfit, you look even better."
"Haha, Tobe, don't say that. Hikigaya-kun has always been handsome," Hayama chuckled, trying to smooth things over.
But upon hearing his words, Hachiman smirked.
Feels like you're not quite getting my handsome vibes.
Before Hachiman could say anything, music started playing on stage.
Ignoring Hayama and the others, Hachiman directed his gaze to the center of the stage.
With the dynamic music playing, Yui, holding a microphone, began to sing.
"It's a bit bittersweet,"
"Like the stimulation of chocolate,"
"Your voice echoes in my heart."
After Yui finished singing, it was Yukino's turn for the chorus.
The girl, with her waist-length black hair tied into a long ponytail, strummed her electric guitar and sang along with the rhythm.
"The desire to perform,"
"Unavoidable revelations."
"Today, I must make you understand my feelings."
Next, it was Yui's turn again. The two girls alternated, showcasing their beautiful and moving voices to the audience.
At the same time, even Haruno and Shizuka, who were only responsible for playing instruments, swayed to the rhythm along with their bodies.
Not only them, even the audience below the stage was caught up in the excitement. Some swung their arms back and forth, some nodded their heads, and some waved their phones as makeshift glow sticks.
On stage, the two singing girls found themselves leaning against each other at some point, conveying their passion to the audience through their voices.
Inspired by them, the audience followed the rhythm, clapping in unison, making the atmosphere even more lively, as if they were attending a real concert.
---
There weren't many people left on campus now; almost all students and teachers had gathered in the gymnasium, preparing for the final closing ceremony.
Kotonoha, Saeko, Shizuka, Utaha, Komachi, Mafuyu, Saika, Zaimokuza...
Each familiar person to Hachiman was scattered throughout the gym, enjoying this musical feast together.
---
Good times are always fleeting, no matter how melodious a song may be, it has to end eventually.
As the once lively melody gradually settled down, Hachiman understood that this song was coming to an end.
With that in mind, he turned to the two girls beside him.
"All right, I'm going backstage first. It's my turn to go on stage next."
Upon hearing this, Saki whispered words of encouragement to Hachiman.
"Good luck, Hachiman-kun."
Yumiko echoed the sentiment, "You better work hard and don't embarrass me."
"Don't worry, just wait and see."
Hachiman smiled and glanced at the now attention-grabbing Yukino and Yui before heading towards the backstage passage.
Since you've all worked so hard, how can I not respond in kind?
Backstage, he found Minami waiting alone.
As the chairperson of this cultural festival, she had to deliver a speech and announce the winners for the closing ceremony.
Seeing Hachiman enter, Minami breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, with the last-minute addition of several performances, she was under considerable pressure.
But for Hachiman, Minami was still very grateful.
Her growth to this point was all thanks to Hachiman's help.
Whether it was assisting Yukino or guiding the Cultural Festival Committee, it could be said that Hachiman had arranged everything.
It was precisely because of everyone's help that she could gradually move closer to her own aspirations.
Even now, she was just one step away from achieving her goal.
Listening to the gradually calming music and voices, Hachiman turned to Minami and spoke.
"All right, Yukino and the others are about to finish. Sagami-san, get ready. Once my performance is over, this cultural festival will come to an end. As for the rest, it's up to you to handle."
"Yeah, I understand," Minami nodded.
"Anyway, thank you for this, Hikigaya-kun."
As she finished speaking, the music on stage came to an end, and Minami had to return to the stage once again.
Next—
It was Hachiman's turn.
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