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Tohka's eyes shone with longing. All the fairies were here. After the performance started, the vendors closed their shops one after another. They had all come to watch the performance and support Shiori.

They also learned that there was a contest between Shiori and Miku.

Suddenly, a series of "click-click" sounds rang out, and blue spotlights shone from all directions onto the center of the previously dark stage, illuminating Miku dressed in her idol costume.

Next, Miku, standing in the center of the stage, brought the microphone to her mouth and began to sing along to the calm and steady melody.

The next moment...

A sensation similar to goosebumps all over the body penetrated the surface of the skin.

Next, as the melody became more lively, the stage lights grew brighter, revealing the figures of the backup dancers waiting behind Miku. Miku's movements became increasingly exaggerated and intense. As the performance progressed, the atmosphere in the venue gradually rose.

"...That's amazing."

Shiori muttered to herself in a daze, even though she had heard the album, the atmosphere at the concert still gave her goosebumps.

Miku's performance was so overwhelmingly powerful—

The costumes, dance moves, backup dancers, performances, and even the cheering audience waving glow sticks—everything was cleverly combined to create a flawless space.

Now, Shiori could somewhat understand the feelings of the fans who fainted during the concert. Frenzy. The majority of the audience, packed within sight, were literally going crazy and passionate for Miku's singing.

Yosuke Mirai was also very satisfied. At home, Miku would often sing to him. With his encouragement, Miku's inner knot had long been cleared up, and now she sings with her original voice.

As the music ended and the frenzied atmosphere reached its peak, he frowned.

Not only him, but everyone else on the central stage wore similar expressions.

The lights suddenly went out, plunging the entire stage into darkness.

No, that's not all. The music playing from the large loudspeakers also abruptly stopped as the lights went out.

After the incident, noise began to rise from the audience.

Izayoi frowned. This didn't seem like an accident, because Miku had just finished singing her first song, and even the melody of the ending note had faded away. Whether it was sabotage or an accident, it shouldn't have waited until now.

Just then, a faint light appeared in the center of the dark stage.

Next, as if to suppress the noise, a clear and pleasant sound came from the scene.

"【Divine Might Spirit Armor. Ninth Edition】!"

As the sound rang out, a faint light enveloped Miku's entire body, forming a gown of light. It was a magnificent dress made up of many layers of light pleats, and even the crescent-shaped hair ornaments that adorned Miku's hair began to sparkle.

That's right, she activated her spirit form.

Absolutely.

Izayoi Mirai never expected that Miku would pull this stunt when she had the upper hand. It seems she's determined to completely crush Shiori.

Shiori, standing beside her, clenched her fists; Miku's actions had put immense pressure on her.

Miku glanced provocatively in their direction. Due to the distance, others couldn't see clearly, but Izayoi Mirai clearly saw Miku's gaze.

Did I cause this?

He probably realized that Miku was jealous when she saw him with Shiori.

I am such a sinful man.

"Cheer up! The real performance is about to begin!"

Even without a microphone, Migu's clear voice still resonated throughout the venue.

As if in response to her words, the entire venue was once again engulfed in a frenzy.

Next, everyone entered Miku's world.

The sound system fell silent, the lights went out, and there was no microphone or amplifier.

However, Miku's performance, singing, and presence permeated every corner of the venue.

Izayoi Mirai sensed that Shiori was going to be in trouble. Although Miku did not use her spiritual power to control people's hearts, she changed the direction and integrated her spiritual power into her singing, resonating with the emotions of the song. This allowed the audience to be completely immersed in the song and even experience different scenes through the singing.

Don't even mention that Shiori is just an amateur; even top singers would have to kneel down. This is beyond the realm of humanity.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

I'll loosen the soil.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Stormy Song

As the song ended, Miku, dressed in her spirit costume, shone brightly on the stage. Her dazzling light, combined with the lingering melody, overwhelmed everything else with her presence.

Without a doubt, this is the perfect idol.

The audience, snapping out of their reverie from the song, erupted in enthusiastic applause, their cheers like a tsunami that instantly engulfed the venue and continued for a long time.

"Amazing!"

Tohka's eyes sparkled as she was completely captivated by Miku's figure. It wasn't until she exclaimed in surprise that she remembered Miku was Shiori's rival, and that her actions were somewhat like betraying her.

"Shiori, I...you..."

She looked at Shiori with some worry, not knowing what to say because she was not good with words. The Yamai sisters, who were standing to the side, came back to their senses from the music. They also understood that Shiori's chances of winning were very low. In fact, it could be said that she could not defeat Miku based on stage performance alone.

Dangerous Shi Weaves Danger

"I really can't compare."

Shiori smiled and said, "Miss Miku is a professional after all."

Although he didn't seem to care too much, Izayoi Mirai could feel that Shiori's hand was gripping him tightly, and her palms were sweaty, so she was obviously not as calm as she looked.

"come on."

Yoyo Mirai squeezed her hand, "Just show us what you've been training for."

"Ah."

Shiori went backstage to prepare for her performance. It was clear that her gait was somewhat stiff, as if she was trying hard to suppress her nervousness.

After Shiori went backstage, Kotori grabbed Izayoi Mirai, took him to a corner, and glared at him with her hands on her hips:

"What's wrong with you? Don't tell me you don't know why Shiori is participating in this Heavenly Palace Festival, and that she's been training so hard every day, yet you don't show any reaction at all? At least try to help her out! Do you even care about Shiori?!"

Izayoi Mirai was also a little troubled and sighed, "On one side is Miku, and on the other side is Shiori. I can't be biased. At times like this, I have to treat them all equally. Sigh, why can't they get along peacefully? I see that you spirits are quite harmonious."

Kotori glanced at him: "You think you can compare to Shiori? She's fighting for peaceful coexistence between humans and elves. You're just lusting after her body."

"You can't say that. She was the one who pursued me, and you were the one who encouraged her to pursue me."

"I already regret it."

At this point, Kotori gritted her teeth, "Isn't Shiori completely abandoning the idea of ​​sealing you away? She's even putting herself in opposition to one of her original targets, Miku Izayoi. Not only did she have to work so hard to win you over, but she still had to put up with your bad temper. If it were me, I would have dumped you long ago."

"That's why I'm the man you can never have."

Izayoi Mirai retorted, but she was also troubled by the disharmonious relationship between Shiori and Miku. Logically speaking, the best way to eliminate internal conflicts is to create a common enemy for them. But let alone the villain Westcott from Date A Live, who is already dead, even if he is not dead, as long as he dares to jump out, Izayoi Mirai can kill him with a single finger.

Should he bring out Takamiya Mio? But he's not confident he can defeat her yet; it's too dangerous.

Meanwhile, Shiori, who was about to go on stage, met Miku, who had already stepped down from the stage, backstage.

"Was the performance just now alright?"

Miko's smile betrayed her undisguised malice: "I look forward to seeing an even better show from you."

He then left the backstage area to find Yoyo Mirai.

Shiori clenched her fists. She wanted to say that she would not admit defeat, but she knew that even without playing, the outcome of the match was already obvious, and she had no chance of turning the tide.

In the corner, Origami Tobiichi watched the confrontation between the two. During this time, she had been silently observing Shiori, watching her practice the music and watching her be affectionate with Mirai Izayoi.

Origami knew what Shiori was going to do. She was heartbroken by Shiori's gradual departure and felt powerless because she couldn't help her.

Is there anything I can do?

Origami never expected that she had absolutely no singing skills, let alone the cheating level that Miku possessed. She could only watch as Shiori closed the dressing room door.

"who are you?"

The makeup artist in the dressing room was nowhere to be found. Instead, Shiori saw a jumble of irregularly shaped mosaics, and just looking at it made her head ache.

"Who I am is not important. What's important is whether you want to surpass Miku Izayoi?"

Mosaic said in an alluring tone, "Stand on the stage and let the whole world be captivated by your singing."

"Only elves can do this. Are you a new elf?"

Because of Mirai Izayoi's influence, Shiori was unaware of the existence of "Phantoms," but Mirai Izayoi had told her that anything that did not conform to modern technological standards was definitely related to Spirits.

"An elf? You could call me that."

The mosaic swayed, "Will you agree? The chance to surpass Miku Izayoi."

Shiori hesitated for a moment: "Isn't this cheating?"

"Does Miku Izayoi not have any abilities?"

Mosaic's words immediately shook Shiori.

"Don't worry, I will give you the same strength as her."

Seeing Shiori hesitate, Mosaic touched Shiori's forehead, the cool sensation washing over her entire brain.

"This is a belated gift to thank you for taking care of me back then. No, it's only right, isn't it?"

Mosaic muttered a few words and then disappeared.

In the audience below the stage, Izayoi Mirai held Miku's hand:

"Miku, stop thinking about bullying Shiori all the time. She's going to be your sister-in-law eventually."

"You should call me sister."

Miku looked very unhappy and grumbled, "A sister-in-law shouldn't even exist; she's superfluous!"

"You cannot deny what objectively exists."