Chapter 115
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Cooperation Nicely!
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After school.
I asked Aika and Anastasia,
"Where are you going to perform the songs?"
"We've booked a studio!"
"It's not far from here!"
"I see. Could you give me the address, then? I need to stop by home for a bit. I'll finish up quickly and head straight there."
"Sure! Here it is!"
"I'll wait a few hours, even if you're late!"
"Haha, it won't take that long."
After swinging by the mansion to take care of my errand, I headed right to the studio the two had told me about.
The studio receptionist bowed to me right away—probably because I'd called ahead—and directed me to the room where Aika and Anastasia were.
The studio they'd invited me to wasn't for live performances or recordings; it was a filming studio used for music videos and such.
There was a single chair set up for me, and in front was a stage setup modeled after one for shooting music videos.
I suppose it made more sense—this felt more like a real stage, perfect for hearing their songs live.
"Lord Rubelt! Come on in!"
As I entered, Aika and Anastasia greeted me like they'd been waiting.
"Yeah. So... shall we?"
"Yes!"
"Please have a seat here, Lord Rubelt!"
Once I sat down, Aika and Anastasia, still in their school uniforms, climbed onto the stage.
Then, as they both raised one arm high and snapped their fingers in unison, the backing track from one of their group songs started playing, and their singing began.
The first song was the one they'd debuted with as a duo, followed by their others in order, ending with the final one they'd performed live.
Just seven songs in total from the two of them.
But you could feel the sincerity they poured into every single one.
And hearing them perform right in front of me like this? I couldn't help but be moved.
Blaze Blood is a hugely popular game.
Its OST gets rave reviews too, boasting quality that satisfies most players.
But that's beside the point—even if the characters are idols, the game doesn't include their actual songs.
And songs from their old group days, back in their backstory? No way those would be in there.
When I first heard the two sing in this world, it felt like I'd unlocked some hidden DLC that only I could claim—a rush like no other.
I was so moved back then that I wanted to sponsor them right away, just like in those old days. But I held back, figuring it'd mess up my strategy and I'd miss out on their fun feud banter.
And now, hearing them live up close like this, I wanted to pat myself on the back for that choice.
These two, who'd fallen out and become sworn enemies, coming together again for me and singing on stage right here.
Where else could I get a private live show like this?
"Haa... haa."
Aika and Anastasia panted after belting out all seven songs.
Clap clap clap clap clap!
I gave them a hearty round of applause.
"That was... absolutely incredible! Thank you!"
Seeing my reaction, the two beamed and stepped down from the stage.
"Ehehe! Aika's so happy you're this thrilled, Lord Rubelt!"
"Thank you for listening, Lord Rubelt!"
"I'm the one who should thank you for setting this up. Thirsty? Here."
I handed them the drinks I'd stashed in my <Hepai> from the mansion.
"Thank you."
"Thanks, Lord Rubelt!"
They gulped them down.
"Aika, Anastasia. Actually, I have something to show you two."
"Something to show us?"
"What is it?"
"This."
I pulled a few items out of my <Hepai>.
"Th-this is...!"
"No way...!"
Their eyes went wide like they'd seen something unbelievable.
What I'd taken out were the merch items from when they were active as a duo.
T-shirts with their logo.
Character cards, mugs, and straps featuring their photos.
Wristbands, headbands, fans, all with the group name.
I'd never owned them myself, but I'd had people collect them for me.
"Tw-Twin Star merch...!"
"Lord Rubelt has our Twin Star merch from back then? We barely even sold any...!"
Of course, back in their Twin Star days—their time as a duo—the merch was super limited.
They hadn't gotten proper backing, but for the fans who'd stuck with them, they'd scraped together what they could from part-time jobs and personal funds to make it.
Reports said even that small batch barely sold, so they'd taken the leftovers home at a discount. Sad stuff.
I gazed diagonally upward, reminiscing like in some old drama, and said,
"Back then, I was swamped with lessons to succeed the Eldra family. Still, I kept up my hobby of listening to music—it was my way of staying sane."
This body's specs made it not too tough, but I really didn't have time to meet them in person.
"Among those, I made a point to check out popular songs, up-and-coming idols, new musicians... and that's how I discovered Twin Star."
"Us...?"
"Your songs really hit home. Even if I couldn't get them myself, I had people record your music and film your performances. I watched plenty. The crowds weren't huge... but you two sparkled on that stage."
"Ugh...!"
Aika and Anastasia trembled, their eyes glistening.
"The merch? Same deal—no time to go myself, so I had people gather it. I always thought you two could rise much higher."
"To think you saw that much in us..."
"Of course. And look—you're both top idols now, right? Anyway... I planned to support you openly under my name when you needed serious investment. But then Twin Star disbanded before I could."
"...!"
Aika and Anastasia's eyes widened in shock.
They probably hadn't expected me to say I'd wanted to back them during Twin Star.
"I don't know what happened between you two back then, but I was gutted. The thought of never hearing your songs again... it hurt. That's when I heard you'd both auditioned for different agencies."
"So..."
"That's when you recommended us? And became our agency sponsor?"
"Exactly."
I nodded, and Anastasia asked,
"Lord Rubelt... may I ask something?"
"Shoot."
"Why... didn't you reveal back then that you were our sponsor?"
Nakazawa Aika swallowed hard, watching intently to see how Rubelt would answer Anastasia's question.
The fact that Rubelt had Twin Star merch from their duo days was shocking—and thrilling.
It felt like a die-hard original fan had finally emerged from the shadows.
At the same time, her curiosity grew: why was he only revealing himself now?
'Why wait until now to...'
Rubelt set down the fan and merch he'd been holding and replied to their question.
"It was just my thinking, but... I felt like I didn't have the face to show."
"The face to...?"
"No way?"
"I kept thinking—if I'd supported you sooner, maybe Twin Star wouldn't have broken up. So even after backing your separate agencies, I hesitated to make a big deal about being your sponsor... felt guilty, you know?"
"That's why?"
"Lord Rubelt...!"
Aika and Anastasia covered their mouths with both hands, overwhelmed by the feels.
Who'd have thought he'd hidden it for that reason?
This was peak fan behavior, no doubt.
"But then I saw you two at the academy, and you seemed on bad terms. As a Twin Star fan, that stung. Different agencies or not, I didn't want to see you fighting. So... yeah, I took a hard line right there."
"Ah, aaaah...!"
The second wave of emotion hit.
Hurt by their feud, Rubelt had finally revealed his true identity. It ignited a fierce wave of gratitude and skyrocketing rational attraction toward him.
'Lord Rubelt...!!!'
Aika and Anastasia stared at him, eyes brimming, too moved to even squeak.
"That's the whole reason I didn't say anything back then. Enough for you?"
They nodded vigorously.
"Good. Now my turn to ask. Why did Twin Star disband? If you're okay with it, could you tell me more?"
"Uh."
"Well..."
"No pressure, of course. I don't want to force you just to satisfy my curiosity."
"No!"
"It's fine!"
They wanted to grant this wish from the thoughtful Rubelt.
Besides, enough time had passed since the breakup that dredging up the past didn't bother them.
And so, Aika and Anastasia began explaining the story behind Twin Star's dissolution.