Chapter 121: Will You Entrust the Rest of Your Life to Me?
[Aspiring to Be a Red-Haired Lead Singer: Long time no see, partner. What brings you to me?]
[AAA District Wholesale Full Rinascita Can Fly No Cilantro: You have ten seconds to get to the plaza. If I don't see you, I'll burn all your good books.]
[Aspiring to Be a Red-Haired Lead Singer: Huh? Wait, wait, it'll take me a while to get there!]
[AAA District Wholesale Full Rinascita Can Fly No Cilantro: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1—]
"Don't do that!"
Seeing Ciaccona send a message one second and then instantly teleport in front of him the next, Aeron couldn't help but marvel at just how much she treasured those things.
"You're late. There was a ten-second delay in the message, so I've already taken care of all of them."
"Whaaaaaat?!"
Hehe, so much fun.
"Alright, alright, just teasing. I'd never do something like that. I just really wanted to see you right away."
"Ugh—partner, you're so mean—"
After signing the contract with Carlotta, Aeron immediately contacted Ciaccona.
Since she was the one who invited him in the first place, it meant she was somewhat mentally prepared.
But Aeron still needed to confirm with her again.
"How have you been thinking about what the Second Young Lady mentioned to you before?"
"You mean being an idol? Well… it feels kind of elusive, like it's both near and far, hard to grasp."
"That's understandable."
After all, the Order had previously been quite strict in overseeing Ragunna's cultural and entertainment industries. The development of the arts only began to improve gradually after the rise of the Montelli Family.
However, "idols" were still too novel for this city, and almost no one had a clear concept of them.
But precisely because of that, Aeron was so eager to push this project forward.
How could he possibly refuse a job that was both fun and paid well?
With no competitors at the moment, as long as the quality was up to standard, the public's acceptance threshold was much lower than imagined.
To be honest, it was no wonder Carlotta was the one. Aeron hadn't misjudged her. Under her leadership, the entire Ragunna would surely thrive and prosper.
"Anyway, before we start, let me hear your thoughts on this?"
"My thoughts…"
Hearing Aeron's words, Ciaccona lifted her head and began to think seriously.
"Although I don't know much, it seems like what idols do is similar to what I've done before? Like singing and dancing in front of everyone?"
"Mm, having that understanding is enough."
"So, does that mean I'm already an 'idol'?"
"There's still a bit of a gap."
Huh… I really don't get it."
"If you could get it, you wouldn't need me here."
Since he had taken on this job, Aeron naturally intended to do everything that needed to be done.
"If I were to explain it… it's probably a difference in emphasis between the two."
Ciaccona tilted her head: "Emphasis?"
"To put it plainly, idols place more importance on you as an individual."
Ciaccona: "...?"
So cute.
"As a poet, you think more about how to convey content through poetry, while an idol needs to think more about how to present themselves on stage."
"Hmm... So it's about considering how others will see me?"
"Yeah, this is the first time I've thought you were smart."
"Feels like you're not really complimenting me."
"I'm definitely complimenting you."
Although in Aeron's world, the definition of "idol" has become quite broad, its essence remains unchanged.
Whether intentional or not, when fame accumulated through skill grows, more and more people will take notice.
From there, while ensuring their skills don't regress, they continue to expand their audience and gain benefits by providing emotional value—this is the broader sense of "idol."
Though it may sound arbitrary, this is the only explanation Aeron could come up with in a short time.
Of course, since this is Ciaccona, her potential certainly goes beyond this.
If she's going to do it, she should be the highest-quality idol!
"After all, in this city, besides you, no one else can truly live up to that title. That's precisely why the Second Young Lady sought you out."
"Is it really that exaggerated...?"
"Not a hint of exaggeration. Ever since Carnevale, you've been the top idol in my heart."
After saying all this, Ciaccona still didn't quite grasp Aeron's meaning, just tilting her head and staring blankly at him.
Well, it seems she never had any awareness of her own advantages from the start. That's good.
This is also why Aeron enjoys dealing with Ciaccona—unlike with Carlotta, where he has to strategize to gain the theoretical high ground, or with Cantarella, where he's utterly defenseless.
"On the day of Carnevale, there were so many people in the audience—some watching for the spectacle, some fearful, some skeptical. But you still completed your performance and revealed the buried truth about your family. Do you know what you are in the hearts of many people?"
"...What am I?"
Ciaccona's voice was soft, as if asking Aeron and also asking herself.
"Of course, a symbol. A symbol of speaking the truth even with limited power. Don't underestimate the impact of such a thing."
Yes, this is Ciaccona's weapon.
This is the path forged step by step by a living person through their own choices.
You could call it "narrative appeal," "charisma," or many other names.
"Idols compete in talent, but you, shaped by your experiences and past, are a thousand, ten thousand times more precious than the most complex dance moves or the most beautiful voice."
After hearing Aeron's words, Ciaccona slowly lowered her head, her fingers tracing the hem of her clothes.
"I..."
She understood that Aeron meant she had the qualities to attract others, but the tightly wound lock in her heart still wouldn't let her muster the courage.
"Those things... were what I had to do. For my father, for the Toccata Family, for those whose names were buried. But an idol... brings joy and dreams to everyone. Would they watch someone with such a past take the stage...?"
As she spoke, Ciaccona raised her head to meet Aeron's gaze, her eyes reddening with sincerity and worry.
"And... if I really become an idol, wouldn't that be turning the family's tragedy and struggles into this kind of..."
Ciaccona's voice grew softer as she spoke, and Aeron naturally understood the meaning behind her words.
She wasn't afraid of doing poorly—she was worried she wasn't worthy, afraid that doing so might tarnish the heavy legacy that had always weighed upon her.
"You've misunderstood one thing, my little poet."
"....?"
"You've already been doing the work of an 'idol,' haven't you?"
"..."
Ciaccona was momentarily stunned, and Aeron seized this opportunity to draw closer to her in the scene.
"Spreading courage and comforting hearts, bringing hope and joy to people—you just haven't used the title 'idol.' But standing on the streets, in the squares, in any place you could raise your voice, that's exactly what you've been doing. You've long been that glimmer of light in the hearts of so many people—offering direction to the lost, comfort to the sorrowful, and an outlet for the oppressed."
"But..."
Ciaccona tried to say something more but was immediately cut off by Aeron.
"Laughter and tears, awe and reflection—these have never been contradictory. You've already proven you can move hearts in the most serious of settings. Now, you're just using a more relaxed, joyful way to plant the same things into even more hearts."
"In the end, entertainment doesn't mean frivolity. The greatest skill is being able to convey profound things in a way people don't resist—even enjoy."
After saying this, Aeron reached out and gently patted Ciaccona's shoulder.
"As for those predecessors... let them come to me. After all, I'm the one who led you astray."
If they really showed up, though there'd be no chance to bring them into a revival match, a little chat would be possible.
Ciaccona remained still, unmoving.
Aeron's final words had finally pried open the lock in her heart.
"So... partner, you mean... I actually... can?"
"Not just can."
Aeron corrected her, his expression turning incredibly serious—a seriousness Ciaccona had never seen before, stripped of all jokes and casualness.
"You've long been on this path. You've always had that spark within you that can ignite others. As a producer, what I must do is let you use the way you're best at and love most—music, poetry, and all of you—to tell this world, look, this is what hope looks like. It can grow from ruins, laugh while bearing scars, and turn the heaviest past into the most moving song."
Word by word, it clearly reached Ciaccona's ears.
The surrounding sounds grew fuzzy, and the morning breeze softened in that moment.
In this moment, Ciaccona could only hear her own heartbeat, growing louder and faster.
Along with it came a surge of anticipation and courage, spreading through her entire body, blazing and fervent.
Aeron looked at the rekindled, even more blazing light in her eyes and knew she was hooked. The biggest improvement he had made during this time was actually his way with words—truly something to reflect upon.
Finally, with the most solemn tone, Aeron asked that question:
"So, Ciaccona Tokata, bard, the last singer of the Golden Anthem."
"Are you willing to entrust the rest of your life to me?"
He extended his hand, palm upward, hovering between them.
Ciaccona looked at that hand, then raised her gaze to meet Aeron's eyes. Those eyes, which always carried a hint of laziness or mischief, now held only pure trust and anticipation.
She knew that signing Carlotta's contract was one thing, but the invitation before her now was something entirely different.
This was Aeron's most sincere invitation to "Ciaccona Tokata."
At this thought, Summer Sky could no longer control the upward curve of her lips. She threw herself toward Aeron, wrapping her arms tightly around him.
"Honestly—partner, you really do like me too much!"
She knew there was no escaping this now.
"My songs, my poems, the rest of my life—I'll give them all to you!"