Chapter 143: The Idol Creation Project

In Japan, almost every high school has a variety of quirky clubs, with tennis, basketball, music, and kendo clubs being the most popular. Previously, Nobue Ito had suggested that Anwa join a club, but at the time, he had just taken in Saori Amamiya, a runaway girl, so he declined. However, due to Saori Amamiya’s involvement, it turned out that joining a club was inevitable.

Lost in thought, Anwa, Saori Amamiya, and Keiko Kitajima stopped in front of a classroom door. A sign on the door read “Music Club,” and faint sounds of instruments could be heard from inside.

“Wait here a moment, I’ll go talk to the club president,” Keiko said, turning to them before knocking on the door.

After a short wait, the door opened, revealing a girl with long brown hair and black-framed glasses. Upon seeing Keiko, she frowned.

“Kitajima, what are you doing here?”

“Ah…” Keiko felt awkward at the tone but, considering their purpose, bravely explained, “I have two friends who want to borrow some equipment from the music club, so…”

Before she could finish, the brown-haired girl interrupted sharply, “The music club’s equipment isn’t lent out to outsiders. Didn’t you know that?”

“But…” Keiko tried to protest, but the door slammed shut with force, a gust of wind lifting her bangs. After a moment of stunned silence, she turned to Anwa and Saori, apologetically saying, “I’m sorry. Because of some things I did in the past, many members of this club still dislike me, so… I probably can’t help you.”

“That’s okay,” Saori said nonchalantly, stepping forward to hug Keiko gently. “Don’t worry about the past. After all, Kitajima now is different, isn’t she?”

The sudden comfort, accompanied by Saori’s subtle fragrance, caught Keiko off guard. She stared blankly at the girl in her arms, her lips moving silently, but no words came out; only tears glistened in her eyes.

Seeing this, Anwa couldn’t help but smile. Perhaps recognition is the greatest encouragement for those trying to set things right.

After a while, sensing Keiko’s mood had stabilized, Saori released her and stepped back, folding her hands behind her back with a bright smile. “Leave the rest to me.”

Without waiting for a response, she bounced over to the door and knocked again.

Soon, the same brown-haired girl with glasses opened the door. She had expected to see Keiko again and was about to scold whoever was there, but upon seeing a cute girl with golden twin tails, she immediately softened her tone.

“Hello, what can I do for you?”

“I’m Saori Amamiya, a new transfer student. Is it still possible to join your club?”

Saori blinked her large emerald eyes, full of hope.

If she refused me, I suppose I’d go to hell, thought the brown-haired girl, shivering unexpectedly before nodding repeatedly.

“Of course you can. Our club welcomes all students who love music.”

“That’s wonderful!” Saori cheered, then turned to Anwa, pulling him toward the door excitedly.

“Could you please give us two application forms?”

The brown-haired girl’s gaze lingered on their clasped hands briefly, then glanced at Keiko before nodding.

“Of course, please wait a moment.”

She turned and left, returning shortly with two application forms in hand.

“Just fill out the details. If you play or are interested in any instruments, you can write that down too.”

After the reminder, she watched as Anwa and Saori took the forms and began to fill them out. Crossing her arms, she looked at Keiko with a pout and furrowed brow.

“Kitajima, your friends have already joined. Aren’t you leaving now?”

The sudden remark caught Keiko off guard. Though happy that Anwa and Saori had succeeded in joining, she was momentarily stunned. Seeing the unabashed disdain in the brown-haired girl’s eyes, she nodded.

“Well then, Anwa, Saori, I’ll be going now. I have work later today. Wishing you all the best.”

She waved at them and turned away.

Watching her lonely retreat, Saori felt a pang of sympathy and tugged at Anwa’s sleeve to stop her, but he shook his head silently.

Only after Keiko disappeared around the corner did the brown-haired girl look away, then apologized with a slight bow.

“I’m sorry you had to see that. Normally, our club is quite friendly.”

“Could you tell me why you treat Kitajima that way?” Anwa seized the opportunity to ask indirectly.

The girl hesitated, then nodded and explained, “It’s not really personal. Kitajima’s past behavior was excessive. She often skipped club activities and brought her shady friends from outside school into the club, even helping them steal our equipment.”

“I see,” Anwa nodded, understanding why the brown-haired girl held such a grudge.

If it were him, he’d have dragged her down to the basement for a serious talk.

Fortunately, Keiko was changing, and the stolen equipment could be recovered. He believed that if the music club members understood Keiko’s transformation, there was still hope for reconciliation.

Shaking off the thought, Anwa glanced at Saori’s completed application and handed both forms to the brown-haired girl, who quickly checked them and nodded.

“The applications are fine. Please come with me.”

She opened the door and stepped aside to let them in, closing it behind them.

Inside, Anwa surveyed the room. The music club was about the size of a typical classroom, but filled with various instruments: piano, drums, violins, guitars, and even a guzheng from China.

Suddenly, a joyful voice called out.

“Anwa-kun!”

It was a distinctive male voice.

Anwa and Saori turned to see Ryosuke Kaede in the corner, wearing a bright orange hoodie, cradling a cello taller than half his height, waving excitedly.

Noticing them, he set the cello down, jumped up, and eagerly approached Anwa.

“Anwa, are you joining the music club?”

“Yes,” Anwa nodded, holding Saori’s hand. “Saori is very interested in music, so I’m accompanying her to join.”

“That’s great!” Ryosuke cheered, then turned to the brown-haired girl beside Anwa.

“Hey, Hinata-senpai, Anwa here is an amazing pianist!”

“Oh? Really?” Hinata, the brown-haired girl, looked surprised.

Though puzzled how Ryosuke knew about Anwa’s piano skills, Anwa nodded.

“My mother wanted me to become a pianist when I was young, so I studied for a while.”

“Could you play something for us?” Hinata asked eagerly.

Other club members, fiddling with instruments, paused upon hearing a newcomer would perform.

With all eyes on him, Anwa couldn’t refuse and nodded reluctantly.

“If it’s not good, please forgive me.”

Without waiting for a response, he moved to a piano on the side of the room and sat down. Opening the lid, he tested the keys skillfully before placing his fingers on them and taking a deep breath.

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, illuminating the room. It was quiet, everyone holding their breath, eyes fixed on the boy at the piano.

His slender fingers brushed the keys lightly, like falling leaves dancing, notes flowing freely in the air, gradually forming a beautiful melody.

Anwa’s expression was focused; each keystroke seemed to evoke a unique emotion.

At first, the others watched casually, but as his fingers danced, they too were drawn into the music.

Gradually, the piano softened, and with the final key’s descent, the piece ended.

Anwa lifted his fingers in time.

After a brief silence, the room erupted into enthusiastic applause, eyes filled with admiration and excitement.

“I didn’t expect Anwa to play so well!”

Hinata was the first to approach, her gaze sparkling with admiration, echoed by others.

Anwa was used to such praise and paid it little mind.

Perhaps because of his performance, more people gathered around him throughout the afternoon.

At first, their questions were normal — what piece he played, how many years it took to learn — but soon, someone started slipping love letters to him.

This unsettled Saori, who quickly ran over and, like a little lioness, asserted her claim.

The tactic worked immediately; no one dared to bother him afterward.

Anwa was pleased with the peace and took the opportunity to teach Saori piano.

Time passed swiftly.

By four in the afternoon, music club members began to leave together.

Anwa and Saori got up to go as well. Ryosuke noticed and hurried over.

“Anwa, Saori, are you leaving?”

“Yes, our homes are quite far, so it’s easier to leave early,” Anwa replied, then curiously asked, “By the way, Ryosuke, how did you know I play piano?”

“Because I heard you,” Ryosuke said matter-of-factly. Seeing Anwa’s blank look, he reminded him, “Remember the maid café at the school gate? I went twice and happened to hear you play. It left a strong impression.”

“I see now,” Anwa recalled. During his part-time work, he had indeed seen Ryosuke, but hadn’t paid much attention since he always sat in a corner.

“Hey, how long are you guys going to keep talking?” Saori’s dissatisfied voice interrupted from the door. Anwa looked up to see her standing with hands on hips, pouting angrily.

[Perhaps years later, waking from a midnight dream, Saori would still be glad she took the initiative to call you today; otherwise, the one accompanying you to sleep might not be her, but an adorable boy staring at you with admiration, nearly clinging close.]

The narrator’s voice startled Anwa, who glanced ahead.

Noticing the small distance between Ryosuke and himself, Anwa quickly stepped back, waving nervously.

“Sorry, Ryosuke, I need to leave now.”

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and hurried to the door, grabbing Saori’s hand as they left.

Watching their departing figures, Ryosuke felt a bit downhearted.

He had hoped to learn more about Anwa’s beautiful piano playing.

Recalling Anwa’s sudden escape, the boy doubted himself.

“Could it be that I’m too annoying?”

…

Elsewhere, it wasn’t until they reached the school’s first floor that Anwa let go of Saori.

Seeing his reaction, Saori’s inexplicable jealousy faded, replaced by concern.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just wasn’t expecting it and almost fell for a zero attack,” Anwa waved off casually.

Curious, Saori wanted to ask what he meant by “zero,” but at that moment, a black limousine abruptly stopped before them.

The window rolled down, revealing Saori Amamiya in a sleek black office suit. She raised an eyebrow at the dazed pair and smiled.

“Don’t you recognize me? Get in.”

“Huh?”

Saori was stunned, but Anwa quickly recovered, pulling her into the car. Then he asked the front passenger seat’s occupant curiously,

“Has the company issue been resolved?”

(End of chapter)