A super great writer in the second dimension

　She plays the role of a quiet, naturally innocent idol, and Sanzenin Arashi is quite satisfied with her slightly shy demeanor.

　All the audience members invited by MusicStation entered the venue, and as the music started, their own group and Aoi Eru and Lisa walked from backstage to the front of the stage.

　Sanzenin Arashi stood to one side, where he could faintly hear the sounds from ahead. He wasn't nervous at all; instead, he felt a sense of release, as if he was about to reveal himself to a large group of people.

　Half an hour later, a staff member ran up to Sanzenin Arashi and said loudly, "Please come on stage, Mr. Aoyama!"

　..

325. Sanzenin Arashi's Solo

　"Next up, please welcome Nico Nico's Aoyama!"

　After Kazuyoshi Morita's voice rang out, a plume of white stage smoke rose from the passageway from backstage to the front of the stage.

　Upon entering the recording studio, Sanzenin Arashi saw hundreds of audience members sitting in front, surrounded by a large crowd. The entire recording studio was filled with audience members, who surrounded the artist in the middle.

　At this moment, Aoi Eir's face was slightly flushed, probably from her performance. Lisa was in better shape; she usually pays close attention to exercise, a trait that Aoi Eir, who completely concealed her identity before the live performance, couldn't match, as Lisa had a rock-style. Their styles also illustrate this: while performing, Aoi Eir focused on singing, while Lisa paid more attention to her body language, moving her body joyfully.

　A Yamaha grand piano sits on the huge live broadcast stage.

　"I'm sure everyone is quite unfamiliar with Aoyama!" Morita Kazuyoshi said in an exaggerated tone.

　The audience members all nodded.

　However, when they saw Sanzenin Arashi, they even let out a low gasp, which was a complete conditioned reflex, and a sound of amazement resounded throughout the venue.

　At this moment, the calm and collected expression on Sanzenin Arashi's face vanished, replaced by an extremely domineering expression. People on stage must make more exaggerated movements than usual so that the audience can see them clearly. The camera and distance will 'shrink' the character's expression.

　His conqueror-like demeanor, coupled with his handsome face and refined, elegant temperament, was enough to make any young girl swoon. At this moment, he was dressed in his performance attire, a black swallowtail suit, and an exquisite purple tie. His proportions were also far more perfect than those of Japanese people. At least, you couldn't find someone like Sanzenin Arashi in the current idol scene.

　A chorus of "handsome guy!" and "cool guy!" rang out from the crowd, but Sanzenin Arashi paid no attention, easily interacting with Morita Kazuyoshi.

　"I heard that Mr. Aoyama is an investor in SchoolIdol?" Morita Kazuyoshi put on his comedic persona from his previous life. "Oh dear, don't rush to answer, there are still many questions."

　As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding audience 'cooperated' with a gasp of amazement.

　Putting aside how handsome Sanzenin Arashi is, it's no exaggeration to say he's young and rich. These viewers are basically half-shills, and they're all girls, so it's normal for them to have this kind of reaction.

　"It seems like that's what everyone says about me," Sanzenin Arashi said with a smile.

　To enhance the entertainment value of the show, he also adopted a slightly goofy tone.

　"That's amazing! Now the boss wants to debut!" Morita Kazuyoshi said, pretending to be 'overstepping his bounds'. "And he plays the piano so well, how can anyone else survive? Why don't you just give me a piece of your flesh?"

　"You'll die!" Sanzenin Arashi patted her head playfully.

　The surrounding audience burst into laughter.

　At that moment, the experienced Morita Kazuyoshi's expression changed instantly, and he became serious. Sanzenin Arashi was no less serious, his expression becoming equally earnest.

　"Mr. Aoyama Arashi, who is the number one selling novelist in Japan and also a screenwriter, is at the height of his career right now. But may I ask, are you really sixteen years old?"

　At this moment, Sanzenin Arashi revealed the shyness that was appropriate for her age, and said with a slightly 'shy' smile, "I'll be seventeen after the New Year."

　The astonishment from the audience grew even stronger.

　Interesting glances were cast at him. The Japanese have always welcomed geniuses, one could say they adore them, especially someone like Sanzenin Arashi, who combines genius with handsomeness—he's practically a heartbreaker.

　"And Aoyama, you're here today to perform a piano recital, right?" Morita asked.

　"Yes."

　So, you mean you're really good?

　“Of course, he’s about the same as Li Yundi,” Sanzenin Arashi replied.

　The gasps on MusicStation never stopped tonight. The Japanese may not know Chopin or anything like that, but they certainly know Li Yundi very well.

　The Chopin Music Award winner, vacant for fifteen years, and the only Asian recipient!

　Li Yundi has participated in many programs in Japan, so the audience in that country is very familiar with this musician.

　MusicStation is a prime-time TV program. This type of program doesn't require you to be very fashionable, because it's something for young people. The TV in this time slot is controlled by the head of the household, and it's generally watched by people who have just passed their youth and are approaching middle age. Young people may not be interested in classical music, but these people...

　This group of people is currently in a very ambiguous stage. As they get older, they want to experience things that are elegant, and the piano can just pique their curiosity.

　Amidst applause, Sanzenin Arashi sat down at the piano and placed her hands on the keys.

　"Please welcome Aoyama to perform 'La Campanella' by Liszt!"

　As soon as Morita finished speaking, the room fell silent.

　Then—smack!

　All the lights, including the overhead lights, ground lights, and other normal lighting, were turned off, and a light suddenly flashed in the otherwise gray and gloomy recording studio.

　The white light illuminated the center of the stage, where a handsome young man stood with his piano.

　His handsome face was clearly visible under the spotlight, his profile hinting at a hint of whimsy. The faint smile at the corner of his mouth, combined with the classical musical instruments in front of him, made Sanzenin Arashi almost synonymous with elegance.

　His fingers danced across the piano keys, drawing the attention of the surrounding audience.

　The piano is an instrument with great power, and its richness of scale is only comparable to that of a super-large instrument like the pipe organ.

　and!

　Liszt, a world-class composer, adapted Paganini's violin piece in 1834. It is a piece in G minor with a crescendo and a strong sense of rhythm. The leaps in the extreme scales are breathtaking. Just listening to it evokes the feeling of a great bell tolling, a magnificent and awe-inspiring sound.

　The dazzling fingers displayed superb skills, playing a series of notes like endless waves. The vibrato produced by the four or five fingers seemed to strike the soul. Ordinary pianists could hardly play this, and most audience members who knew the piano were amazed.

　This music program actually gave off the feel of an international music hall!

　There are definitely no more than thirty people in the world who can play a clock perfectly!

　Meanwhile, the performer was engrossed in playing the scales at the piano, completely unaware of the stunned audience around him.

　Not only them, but also Aoi Eru and Lisa were dumbfounded. They were originally lyricists, so they didn't know what to say about this technique.

　..

326. The Gangster's Daughter

　Arashi Sanzenin's performance of "The Bell" undoubtedly shocked everyone present, but this was to be expected. There are only a handful of people in the world who can play "The Bell" perfectly and demonstrate their skill. Anyone who understands music knows that the person sitting in front of them is definitely a heavyweight.

　At the very least, neither Aoi Eru, a lyricist, nor Lisa, who has held her own concerts, can play Liszt's "La Campanella" well.

　However, Arashi Sanzenin did this in front of everyone, on a nationally broadcast program. The pressure he faced was immense. But he did it. Eyes don't lie, and he was still a minor. How could anyone not be amazed?

　This is simply a genius, an enviable talent.

　With his hands off the keys, the entire performance lasted only about five minutes. Sanzenin Arashi didn't break a sweat and felt refreshed, though his cheeks were slightly flushed. His complete immersion in the music gave him an indescribable sense of exhilaration.

　Facing the audience and the camera, Sanzenin Arashi bowed deeply, showing utmost courtesy.

　Then, thunderous applause erupted from the audience!

　“Aoyama-san’s performance was truly astonishing,” Morita said, making a slight gesture as he spoke.

　The lights on set suddenly came on, and the entire recording studio returned to its original red and green lighting.

　"Taking advantage of this opportunity to debut, Aoyama, you're too calculating, aren't you?" Morita Kazuyoshi took the opportunity to bring up the contents of the proposal.

　Sanzenin Arashi smiled and said, "Our company is short-staffed, so I have to do it myself."

　A burst of lighthearted laughter came from the side.

　It has to be said that Morita is quite remarkable. Before, Sanzenin Arashi hadn't shown anything except his face. Only the girls would be interested. But now, after playing a piano piece that could astound the public, his words carry much more weight.

　According to the original plan, those things would be revealed when Sanzenin Arashi took the stage, but Morita improvised and postponed the introduction.

　At that moment, Sanzenin Arashi, with the 'shyness' of a sixteen-year-old, said, "Good luck!"

　Chino and her two little girls immediately laughed and said, "Okay, Onii-chan!"

　At this point, Sanzenin Arashi stepped down from the stage.

　With Kira Tsubasa's single and the COCO group's performance still on her mind, Sanzenin Arashi simply lay down in the lounge and fell asleep.

　……

　While Osaka's nightlife may not be as glamorous as Tokyo's, it is nonetheless dazzling and vibrant. This place has been the residence of the Ooku (inner palace) since ancient times, and for a long period after the fall of the shogunate, it was the center of Japan's fishing industry. Sushi, a world-famous dish, originated as a fast food from Osaka's street food stalls.

　While the top choice for the most luxurious sushi is still Jiro Sushi in Roppongi, Osaka is just as good.

　Since ancient times, Osaka has been the largest gathering place for yakuza in Japan.

　Tokugawa Sanae, the eldest daughter of the Tokugawa Group, was also glued to the television today, waiting to watch the annual MusicStation special program.

　If there's anything special about her, it's her emerald green eyes inherited from her mother, and her long, lush green hair.

　As a young lady raised in the standard Yamato Nadeshiko manner, which in Chinese terms means cultivating the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, the sixteen-year-old Tokugawa Sanae has a great interest in the piano. However, in order to keep up with her classmates' conversations, she still watches every episode of MusicStation. After all, she doesn't have as much time to play as her peers, and that program is the best choice to keep up with the latest fashion trends in the shortest amount of time.

　"They're all strangers." Looking at the members appearing on the screen, I never expected MusicStation to be so innovative.

　The main focus is on anime songs and the emerging idol category, School Idol.

　Sitting in front of the television, Tokugawa Sanae frowned as she heard the singing. She didn't particularly like rock songs, but anime songs all had that feel to them; there were some light and ethereal ones, but very few.

　"Only those few anime otaku in my class would like this kind of thing," she thought. Just as she was wondering whether to switch channels to watch classical music or something, the host's voice suddenly came from the TV.

　"Now, please welcome Mr. Aoyama!" Morita Kazuyoshi's magnetic voice was unique.

　The appearance of the new performer piqued Tokugawa Sanae's interest. Her first thought upon seeing the person on stage was, "He's about my age, right?"

　As the camera zoomed in and showed a close-up of Sanzenin Arashi, Tokugawa Sanae couldn't take her eyes off her.

　Sixteen years old...isn't that the same age as me...?

　It has to be said, this face is absolutely killer for girls.

　The program was progressing quickly when Tokugawa Sanae, who was smiling and staring at the screen, suddenly screamed.

　"Liszt's clock?!"

　This is a piece that almost no one in the world can play well, and this boy of the same age can actually perform it? And in a public place no less?

　At this moment, Tokugawa Sanae was completely focused on it.

　This information is incredibly exciting for piano learners, like Obama suddenly saying "ASS, WE, CAN"—it's unbelievable.

　As the first note sounded, Tokugawa Sanae narrowed her emerald green eyes.

　In the blink of an eye, hundreds of notes had passed, and the girl's eyes were now wide open, like light bulbs.

　'This...this, this...this...this...'

　After the performance ended, Tokugawa Sanae's small hands were covered in cold sweat. She subconsciously held her breath until she reached her limit and came back to her senses from her daze.

　'That's amazing...'

　'That's so cool!'

　The phrase "from indifferent to fan" is probably the most appropriate way to describe her current feelings.

　While this piece sounds beautiful and stunning now, its technical skill is still astonishing.

　During the subsequent MusicStation program, Tokugawa Sanae never looked away, secretly hoping that the handsome young man of the same age from before would come out and play another song.

　And this kind of thing is happening in many places in Japan.

　..

327. A small person with a big mind: Sanzenin Arashi

　After a day of silence following the New Year, the Japanese media became active again. The first thing Sanzenin Arashi did when she got up early was to log onto the Twitter account of the Kira Tsubasa and Coco duo to check the number of followers.

　Kira Tsubasa has 85610 followers on Twitter. This number is neither good nor bad. The girl's idol activities have not yet started. She has only sung "Secret Base" on MusicStation. It is undeniable that the song is really good.

　Most people on Twitter aren't part of the otaku community, and they're in a completely different world from Arashi Sanzenin's hundreds of thousands of followers. Right now, their focus is on the song "Secret Base," a lyrical and elegant song that's universally appealing.

　However, none of this was enough to make Qi Luo Yi's number of followers reach tens of thousands within forty hours.

　What truly captivated viewers was Kira Tsubasa's already impressive 80-point looks before makeup, and her goddess-like beauty that skyrocketed to 90 points after makeup. Then there's her status as a School Idol, which already garnered tens of thousands of followers.

　Female celebrities initially attract more popularity than male celebrities, but their growth momentum is not as stable as that of male celebrities. Once a scandal occurs, a female celebrity's reputation is basically ruined. Variety shows and TV dramas will not invite her to appear, for fear of lowering the rating of the program. At this point, she may only be able to make money by releasing singles.

　However, male stars don't care. For example, Takuya Kimura, even after getting married, still has a legendary 30% viewership rating for his dramas.

　Five minutes later, Sanzenin Arashi refreshed Kira Tsubasa's Twitter again, and the number of followers jumped to 85704.

　Based on this growth rate, Sanzenin Arashi calculated that the final number would be around 15.