AKI: "Yeah, looks exactly like it did in their video."
YU: "To think that the legendary µ's became famous on this very spot!"
AKI: "Honestly, I think they were famous before that. They handed A-RISE their only loss and won the second ever Love Live!"
YU: "What about the Nijigasaki girls? Is there any interest in entering that contest?"
AKI: "Nope, it seems like all that everyone is hyped about is the School Idol Festival."
YU: "Sounds like a lot of pressure..."
AKI: "I can handle it. This is something that I MUST do."
YU: "Still... I didn't expect it to be THIS busy out here."
AKI: "Yeah, we should probably keep walking. We don't want to get lost in the crowd."
YU: "R-Right."
AKI: "People are probably flocking to the city for that contest tomorrow. Geez, I wish we had tickets to see that."
YU: "Maybe it'll be on TV?"
AKI: "Presumably, but we've got an exchange program to begin."
YU: "Awww..."
AKI: "But hey, tonight we can see the lights that this megacity has to offer."
YU: "It looks like a lot of advertising to me. At least the music's good!"
AKI: "Music?"
YU: "Don't you hear it? A street performer has her mic set up over there."
AKI: "Hey...yeah, I can hear it. Pretty impressive that you can hear it over all this busy commotion."
YU: "I don't understand a thing she's saying, but it sounds great! Wanna take a closer look?"
AKI: "Sure."
...
*CROWD APPLAUDS*
AKI: "Wow... What a voice..."
YU: "Yeah..."
SINGER: "Thank you very much, everyone! I hope to see you all at my live performance too!"
YU: "Aww... Looks like we arrived at the end of her show. H-Hey, what are you doing?"
AKI: "I'm going to tell her how wonderful her singing was."
YU: "Are you sure she won't get creeped out by you?"
AKI: "Not at all. I think she might be Japanese... And besides, I can speak English remember?"
YU: "I wish my parents made me take English classes..."
AKI: "It's not as fun as you'd think."
...
AKI: "Hello there, I just wanted to say that I thought your performance was amazing. You're such a talented singer!"
SINGER: *Gasp*
Shit... Maybe Yu was right all along.
AKI: "S-Sorry, I didn't mean to come on too strong..."
SINGER: "No, no, don't worry, it's okay. It's just I was a little surprised is all."
AKI: "Surprised? Wait, you speak Japanese?"
SINGER: "Of course, I lived there most of my life."
AKI: "I'm sorry if I startled you."
SINGER: "It's okay, you didn't scare me. I'm just happy that someone complimented my singing."
YU: "Akihiko! Are you sure you're not scaring her."
SINGER: "Akihiko...?"
AKI: "No, Yu, it's perfectly fine."
YU: "Hello, I wanted to say how much I enjoyed your performance!"
SINGER: "Thank you, are you both cousins or something?"
AKI: "Yes, but that's some intuition you've got there if you could tell."
SINGER: "Just a lucky guess."
YU: "Your set up is great too. I see you're using a 5000 Tribute Series Freestanding Microphone. They're the latest model!"
SINGER: *Giggle* "You've got a fine eye for equipment. Yes, you're right. In fact, someone very close to me bought it for me."
AKI: "Yeah, it's good to have friends."
SINGER: "Of course. And when your manager is a friend of yours, it all works out so well for your career."
AKI: "I happen to manage ten girls, a school idol group from-"
SINGER: "Nijigasaki..."
AKI: "Huh? How did you know that?"
SINGER: "L-Lucky guess! They were broadcasting the School Idol Festival trial event from there."
AKI: "Ohhhh. That's right, it got a lot of attention from overseas. It's not ludicrous to assume that people in America saw it."
SINGER: "I hope that the actual Festival goes well for them. They have a tough challenge from µ's ahead of them."
AKI: "Aqours too."
*RIIING*
SINGER: "Oh, sorry, that's my manager calling."
AKI: "It's okay."
SINGER: "Yes? Wait, she wants to do what?! I see... But you've got to wish her the best of luck. Thank you for telling me, I'll make sure the next show is a success! Where am I? Oh, just New York... That's where she's moving to? I see...
But don't worry, I'm sure she'll fight on and make you proud!
Bye!"
AKI: "Managers huh."
SINGER: "Indeed. I'm sorry but I have to go now. It was nice to meet you Yu and Aki. Thank you for your compliments."
AKI: "No problem, make your next show a success!"
SINGER: *Giggle* "For you, I will."
...
YU: "What a nice lady."
AKI: "Talented too. I hope her next show is a success. Wait... Did she call me Aki?"
YU: "I think so?"
AKI: "Huh, she's gone, without a trace. Her intuition is something special if she can even guess my nickname, I tell ya."
YU: "Umm... I hate to ask this but, do you know the way back?"
AKI: "Sure, it's back the way we came."
YU: "Which is...?"
AKI: "...Shit."
YU: "You don't know the way back?!"
AKI: "I'm not some underground kingpin who knows this city off by heart, Yu! I'm a tourist here, just like you are!"
YU: "This is bad, this is bad, we're lost in New York!"
AKI: "It's okay, it's okay... Let's just calm down. I'll see if I can ask someone for directions."
...
*SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS LATER*
AKI: "Come on... Someone, anyone, please!"
YU: "I don't think it's working..."
AKI: "I know that, but... Oh, what about them? They look like they're approaching us."
YU: "A blond boy and a brunette girl wearing a face mask? I'm not sure..."
AKI: "They look like they're our age, so I'm sure it'll be fine."
I hope this works... We'll be sleeping on the streets otherwise.
AKI: "E-Excuse me."
BOY: "Yes?"
AKI: "We're tourists here from Tokyo. We're kinda lost and don't know how to get back to our hotel."
YU: "..."
AKI: "It's okay, don't be shy. I can speak English, remember?"
BOY: "You're from Tokyo, huh? You speak good English."
AKI: "Thank you. My father actually works here as a diplomat."
BOY: "..."
GIRL: "Maxwell?"
Looks like the boy's name is...Maxwell?
MAXWELL: "Huh? Oh, I'm fine, sorry. That's a...nice job. Are you here to visit him?"
AKI: "No, we're here as part of a musical exchange program this month."
YU: "Do they know the way back? I'm getting worried."
AKI: "It's okay, they're nice people."
MAXWELL: "I see. Looks like not everyone is here for the contest after all, Nikki."
AKI: "Nikki?"
MAXWELL: "Uh oh..."
AKI: "Wait... You're the girl from the posters! Yu, it's the girl from the posters! That contest at MetLife Stadium, you're a finalist!"
MAXWELL: "Shhhh, not so loud!"
NIKKI: "You're one to talk! You're the one who told me not to blow my cover!"
AKI: "D-Don't worry, your secret is safe with us. I know what it's like for idols to go undercover."
MAXWELL: "Idols? What are you talking about?"
NIKKI: "Actually, I've heard a little about them in the news. They're singers who are making waves in the far east."
AKI: "You've heard of idols? That's amazing! If I see a TV replay of the contest, I'm definitely rooting for you!"
MAXWELL: "Alright, I can tell that your friend is getting cold. You wanted directions, right?"
AKI: "Sorry for stalling so long. Yes, we need directions."
MAXWELL: "Where is your hotel?"
AKI: "Somewhere by Times Square...?"
MAXWELL: "Is that the Ohara Marquis?"
AKI: "Yes, it is!"
MAXWELL: "That's where we're staying too. Come with us, we'll walk you there."
AKI: "Thank you so much! They know where the hotel is."
YU: "Really? I'm so happy!"
AKI: "Thank you so much, Mr...?"
MAXWELL: "Maxwell Negrini."
NIKKI: "And as you probably know by now. I'm Nikki Maxwell."
AKI: "It's very nice to meet you both. Me and my cousin are so grateful."
MAXWELL: "What's your name by the way?"
AKI: "Oh! Sorry, I forgot. It's Akihiko Suzuki. But my friends like to call me Aki."
MAXWELL: "Nice to meet you, Suzuki."
NIKKI: "Can I just say that your cousin's outfit is so cute! I love it."
AKI: "Really? Thank you, she'll be so happy to hear that. Hey, Yu, she said your outfit looks cute."
YU: "R-Really? Thank you so much!"
AKI: "She says thank you."
NIKKI: "I could tell, she sounded happy."
MAXWELL: "Her name's Yu, right? I could understand that much."
AKI: "Right. She's a musician, like me. Who's also a huge fan of school idols."
MAXWELL: "A school idol?"
AKI: "Yes, they're so cute and perfect! They can captivate any audience with their performances, they even captivated me!"
MAXWELL: "Huh..."
NIKKI: "That sounds cool! I would love to see a performance someday if I ever visit Tokyo!"
AKI: "You would love it, there aren't many things better than school idols!"
MAXWELL: "I'll believe that when I see it."
NIKKI: "Come on, Maxwell. Lighten up!"
MAXWELL: "Okay, I will. Sorry, I'm just a little tired."
NIKKI: "The hotel isn't far from here, right?"
MAXWELL: "Right, let's keep walking."
We thankfully found our way back to the hotel.
Nikki and Maxwell told us all about how their school of Westchester got selected by famous producer Trevor Chase, to compete in a television contest extravaganza. The contest itself has become so popular that MetLife Stadium wanted to host the finals of it all.
It's nice to know that all around the world, people are looking to make an impact in music.
YU: "Nice people."
AKI: "Yeah, I really wish the best for them."
A/N: I apologize for the lack of images this chapter, but the LLSIF Background for Times Square was in daylight. Hopefully the two videos in this chapter should tell the visual side of the story.