Game Market 1983

Chapter 218: Gala Show

<EP. 42: Gala Show (6)>

"I want to do it."

In her gaze, fixed upon me, I could feel her strong determination. The more I felt that, the more I wished to avert my eyes due to the growing sense of pity. Yet, I knew well that evading wasn't going to resolve anything.

"Even if I understand Sawano-san's feelings..."

"."

Tsubaki-san, biting her lip, had tears brimming in her eyes before I even realized it.

Since receiving notice of her audition success and coming directly to Pentagon Soft herself, she expressed her desire to speak with me, the main director for Virtual Idol.

Guiding her to the meeting room, where she expressed her wish to talk privately, I learned of her ongoing illness. Shocking news.

As I held the coffee cup in my hand, I gazed absently at her, knowing that while it might not be immediate, within six short months or a year, she might pass away.

Hailing from Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, she possessed skin as pure and white as snow.

Her age, written on the audition form, stated 25.

A bit older to debut as an idol, but with her distinct facial features and a slender neck, she exuded an innocent beauty that triggered protective instincts at a glance.

Even as I guided her to the private room, the gazes of Pentagon employees working nearby naturally gravitated toward her.

Yet, this wasn't that simple.

No matter how exceptional her singing skills were, the upcoming Virtual Idol project was a long-term endeavor. Additionally, even if not immediately, the risk Pentagon would bear if her health deteriorated during recording sessions or worse, if she collapsed, was immense.

Lost in thought, I tightly grasped the mug on the table.

"Given her voice and talent, she could be deployed without separate vocal training, much like Kanna. But the issue lies in her health..."

Of course, I hoped it wouldn't happen, but if her condition worsened during recording, rendering her unable to sing anymore, what then?

Coming directly to the company and openly discussing her illness, she wanted to leave proof that she existed in this world through the Virtual Idol project, wanting her parents, who would remain after her departure, to witness that people loved her songs.

"Please. Director..."

"Sigh... Fine."

"Really!?"

"However, I have two conditions."

"What... What are they?"

"Firstly, at least some staff must know about your illness. We can't completely conceal it. In case something happens during recording, someone must be by your side to act swiftly."

Though she wished to hide her illness from the staff, I rejected that request as the first condition. Sawano-san pondered my condition and nodded.

"Yes... understood."

"Second condition."

Was it because of the first condition? Sawano-san slightly tensed, waiting for my words.

Looking at her, I attempted to show a relaxed smile as I spoke.

"Please do your best to maintain your current health condition as much as possible."

"Huh? Oh, yes!! I'll definitely do that."

"I'll also provide as much support as possible. If there are any issues with the recording schedule, please inform us in advance."

"Yes. Thank you. Thank you so much."

"I'm counting on you, Sawano Tsubaki-san..."

Shortly after, as she was about to leave the room, Sawano-san gazed at me with an uncertain expression.

"Do you have anything else to say...?"

"It might be... inappropriate, but I have one more request."

"Please feel free to ask. If it's something I can do, I'll help."

"If the character I'm going to voice... hasn't had a name assigned yet..."

"Ah...? No, not yet... At least for now... We plan to allocate the characters based on the voices of the audition winners, but..."

"In that case, would it be possible for the character I voice to have my name?"

"Your name, Sawano-san?"

&

The song titled "Please hug me" froze the audience in the concert hall.

While the tempo of the song resembled Erica's tunes except for being a tad slower, Tsubaki's "Please hug me" had a penetrating effect. Her poignant voice pierced through the ears, touching the listeners deeply.

"What... is this song?"

Is this how emotions from the singer directly transmit?

Tsubaki, who bravely battled illness while recording her character's voice, was now hospitalized due to her worsening condition after finishing all voice recordings.

Across the stage, Kaoru was capturing the audience's expressions with a small camcorder at Tsubaki's request.

Curious, I turned toward the stage.

Some wore distant gazes, lost in her song, while others closed their eyes, feeling the melody in silence.

"Please hold me. Until my body breaks..."

"Even on days filled with hardship ahead of us..."

"Can we still smile as brightly as we do now?"

The lyrics pleaded for a comforting embrace to steady their wavering hearts. As Tsubaki's resonating voice intensified, the sadness grew palpable.

"Until the end of my life, I want to sing for you."

The true meaning behind her final words might elude the listeners at that moment. Gazing at those absorbed in Tsubaki's voice, I feigned a solitary smile.

As Tsubaki's farewell concluded, the promotion video ended, and I stepped to the center of the stage, clutching the mic.

"The promotional video for Future Idol's 1st generation trainees concludes today. Tsubaki's appearance will be revealed on Complete Laon's release day. Please anticipate it."

Future Idol featured 11 characters, but they'd debut in phases, not all at once, as their abilities varied.

Together with Terada, I selected four talented individuals capable of delivering songs immediately, while the remaining seven would debut gradually over time.

Terada, surprised by Tsubaki's health, opposed her involvement in the project, acknowledging her resilient spirit in facing the camera amidst adversity and her irresistibly enchanting voice. He pleaded for people to look forward to her stage.

His prediction was spot on.

"Wow!!!"

"She's incredible! I'm all in for Tsubaki Sawano from now on!"

"Kanno Azusa was good, but the last character's song was undeniably moving..."

"I... shed a tear during the final chorus."

"Ah... Erica, Sheryl, Azusa, and now Tsubaki. I'm broke! What should I buy first?!"

Tsubaki had already captivated their hearts, even before revealing her full appearance.

"Would Tsubaki at the hospital be satisfied with such a reaction?"

Imagining her delight, I glanced at Kaori, waiting beside the stage.

Had she left to prepare the event we planned three days ago?

The gloominess over Tsubaki lifted a bit with Kaori's smile.

Right... Tsubaki isn't facing any trouble right now. Let's focus on the concert.

Collecting myself, I faced the audience, ready to answer their inquiries.

"Today, we'll take some time to address the most pressing queries from our users attending the concert."

I retrieved the question sheet and began.

"I'm a user eagerly awaiting the release of Future Idol. When Cheryl's appearance was revealed at Pentagon Shop, I fell for her haughty vibe. I'm curious about the voice actress behind her. Is it an actual singer?"

The audience buzzed with curiosity.

"I was curious about that too. From Erica to today's Tsubaki, all four songs are outstanding. Are they sung by real singers? I'm dying to know."

Taking in the audience's reactions, I replied carefully.

"Thank you for your interest in Cheryl. You might also admire the voice actress who portrayed her. About your question, the voice actors for Future Idol aren't just selected for their singing abilities. They've undergone auditions since last fall, practicing acting and vocal skills to properly convey the characters' emotions and expressions in the game. We've chosen four from among them for the 1st generation of Future Idol. While some aspiring singers or voice actors participated, no widely recognized figure took part. Does that suffice as an answer?"

Some heads in the audience nodded in response to my explanation.

Slightly relieved by the lighter first question, I looked at the second query.

"I'm a user eagerly awaiting the release of Complete Laon, Pentagon's first-ever gaming console. Watching Future Idol made me wonder about the console's capabilities. The game aims to train idols and stage performances. I'm extremely curious about how these performances will be portrayed on the actual console. Can you showcase polygon characters as clean and animated as the ones in the promotional video?"

Hmm... the second question is quite sharp.

Considering the disappointment from NEGA's Real Fighter and Sensony's Gear Station at CES, I responded after contemplating for a moment.

"Firstly, it's impossible."

Disappointment showed on the faces of the audience.

Raising one corner of my mouth for them, I continued.

"But, I've found a satisfying answer for all of you."

"Hmm...?"

>

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