Chapter 72: The Biggest Winner
Hikaru brushed off his trousers, stood up composedly, walked onto the stage, and smiled as he lifted the trophy. "I am very happy to receive this award. Coming here today, I honestly thought I didn't stand a chance... because everyone seated here is exceptionally outstanding," he said, delivering the scene-setting remarks he had drafted well in advance.
"First of all, I want to thank everyone who has supported me, including my manager at the agency who has backed me all this way, as well as the unsung staff members behind the scenes. And then, I want to thank..."
He paused for a brief moment. "...myself. I thank myself for the time and effort I put in. I will keep working hard and strive to bring everyone even better works."
For a moment, the flashlights flashed relentlessly. Hikaru was in high spirits, completely becoming the focal point of the entire venue.
This briefly made him feel a bit light-headed. *Is this what being a star is like?* Admired and sought after wherever one goes—no wonder so many people break their necks trying to squeeze into the entertainment industry.
But Hikaru quickly snapped back to reality; it wouldn't look very good if he didn't leave and ended up getting ushered off by the host instead. With light steps, he walked down the stage and sat back down next to Ai.
"Congratulations," Ai said in a small voice, clapping softly for Hikaru.
"Thank you," Hikaru replied politely as well.
However, Megumi Fujishima, who was sitting to his side, suddenly spoke up: "They shouldn't have given this award to you."
She paused, "By doing this, I'm afraid you'll only be going through the motions for the Japan Record Award tonight."
Hikaru shrugged, his expression relaxed. "I didn't hold much expectation to begin with. Long-standing awards naturally tend to be given to veteran singers; that's very normal. Being able to take home the Best Newcomer Award has already exceeded my expectations."
After the performance segment for the Newcomer Award concluded, the venue quieted down once again. The stage scenery quietly shifted as a massive installation shaped like a golden trophy slowly descended, and the background music transitioned into a more solemn orchestral piece. The host took the stage once more, holding a golden envelope containing the winners' list.
"Now, we officially enter tonight's main event—the final presentation segment of the Japan Record Award!"
Ten singers took the stage one after another to perform their nominated songs. TBS's twelve television cameras captured every brilliant moment from various angles, and the live director was tensely switching between camera feeds.
As one of Japan's three major commercial television networks, TBS was broadcasting this grand ceremony live to all 47 prefectures across the nation, with the viewing audience expected to exceed thirty million people. The massive screens inside the studio flashed local viewership rating data from time to time; the Kanto region had already broken through a 25% rating.
Megumi Fujishima on the left was the first to take the stage. The exact instant the music abruptly exploded, her tearing high notes pierced through the wall of sound like a roaring beast, striking the audience's eardrums directly. Her vocals carried sharp edges, like sparks of emotion exploding inside her throat, repeatedly leaping and colliding between every single syllable—chaotic and breathtaking.
*Wait, sis...*
*You look so quiet, like a reclusive, melancholic singer. How do you get this wild when you actually sing?*
Moreover, during the morning rehearsal, her stage effects were far worse than this. Hikaru realized—this girl had been slacking off during rehearsals.
He could finally tell that everyone present had their own secret signature trick.
Unfortunately, Hikaru was not known for his vocal prowess. He could only go up on stage with his tail between his legs and perform *Lemon* once more.
"...Of that day..."
He walked off the stage, and the other singers went up to perform. Ai also perfectly delivered a live version of *Uchiage Hanabi* to everyone. Her crystal-clear voice echoed through the venue, bringing everyone watching right back to that summer once again.
After all the singers had finished performing, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. When the host picked up the envelope for the grand prize, the entire venue fell silent.
"The winner of this year's Japan Record Award is..."
The host intentionally paused for a few seconds.
"Hoshino Ai, *Uchiage Hanabi*!"
The entire venue erupted into thunderous applause. Ruby excitedly hugged Aqua. "I knew it had to be her!" Ruby started shaking Aqua back and forth. Aqua felt like throwing up. "If you shake me any more, I'm going to die."
Ai stood up and walked toward the stage, a brilliant smile blossoming on her face. She accepted the trophy and bowed deeply to the audience section.
"Thank you, everyone. This is the first major award I have received as a singer, and it holds profound meaning for me." She paused, speaking sincerely, "This award is not just a recognition of me personally, but a return to everyone who has supported me. From my time in B-Komachi until now, too many people have accompanied me along this path. I want to say to my fans: thank you for your constant companionship and trust. I will keep working hard to repay everyone's love with better music."
She almost smoothly blurted out her usual: "I love you guys too!" But luckily, she slammed on the brakes just in time.
At the same time, Nino, who was holed up in her rented apartment, watched Ai delivering her acceptance speech on the television, so moved that tears filled her eyes.
After the awards ceremony ended, the winners were guided to the media interview area backstage. Journalists from various television networks, newspapers, and online media had gathered here, and the flashlights flashed densely once again.
As the grand prize winner, Ai was interviewed first. She stood in front of a backdrop printed with the words "Japan Record Award," cradling the heavy trophy.
"Miss Hoshino Ai, congratulations on winning the grand prize!" A female reporter was the first to ask a question. "You mentioned before that you wanted to win an award as a singer, and you have also left B-Komachi now and haven't engaged in idol activities for a long time. May I understand this as you wanting to completely graduate from being an idol now?"
"Uh..." Ai was left a bit stuck by the sharp question. "I don't think being an idol and being a singer are opposing identities."
"When I was active as an idol before, I was also a singer. And now, winning an award as a singer, I am still an idol." Ai worked hard to flash a flawless smile.
Another male reporter followed up and asked: "You have already captured the Record Award, which serves as the highest honor. Yet, on the performer list for tomorrow's *Kohaku Uta Gassen*, your name is nowhere to be found. May I ask if you consider this to be the arrogance of *Kohaku*? Or perhaps... the influence of the Record Award is gradually declining, and it is no longer that important?"
It was another trap question. Ai felt a bit angry; what kind of reporters were these, and why were they singling her out to bully her?
Was it simply because she didn't have a powerful agency backing her up?
Ichigo Saitou sneezed somewhere out there.
She maintained her flawless smile: "Kohaku Uta Gassen has its own selection criteria, and I highly respect their decision. For me, being able to win the Record Award is already an immense honor; it represents the industry's recognition of my music. As for Kohaku, if there's an opportunity in the future, I would of course hope to stand on that stage."
Not far away, Hikaru was also completely surrounded by reporters.
"Mr. Hikari, tonight you only won the Best Newcomer Award. Do you feel any resentment? After all, the quality of your works is obvious to all."
"The grand prize has always been preferentially awarded to veteran singers. Do you feel dissatisfied with this current result?" another reporter pressed immediately after.
"Perhaps there is dissatisfaction," Hikaru shrugged. "But..."
"It's no big deal," he said easily. "Can't I just come back and take it next year?"
The reporters were momentarily stunned by Hikaru's domineering statement, and the camera flashes went off non-stop.
"This is merely my starting point, not my finish line," Hikaru continued to make high-profile statements.
The scene grew considerably heated all at once, to the point where even the reporters over on Ai's side swarmed over like sharks catching the scent of blood.
He raised his forearm, "I will use absolute strength to shatter all doubts. Those extreme anti-fans, or negative public opinions—ultimately, they will all be subdued by my capability!"
The Japanese had always admired the strong, so those so-called controversies... were actually completely trivial.
Even if Aqua and Ruby were exposed, causing him and Ai to get thoroughly canceled and blasted online... as long as he remained a powerful figure in the conventional sense, there would always be fans looking for excuses to defend him.
—He was already fully prepared.
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