*SECOND AUDITORIUM - NIJIGASAKI HIGH SCHOOL - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
AKI: "........."
AYUMU: *Cough* *Splutter*
KATSUO: "Hmph." *Smirk*
SHIRO: "That bastard... I'll-!"
AKI: "I accept."
EVERYONE: "?!"
AKI: "But I'd like to apologize in advance, Katsuo Togo! Because you see, this isn't something that I wanted to do, but you've left me with no other choice.
I've been friends with Ayu for almost my entire life, and I have always stuck my neck out to protect her!
I swore to myself that if anyone laid a hand on her, I'd cut it off!"
KATSUO: "Oh? So what are you gonna do? Chop my hand off in front of all these people? You'll get arrested!"
AKI: "Oh Katsuo, I know that, but you don't understand... Of course I can't take your hand, but I can take what's in your hand."
KATSUO: "The microphone?"
AKI: "Exactly. Because it's not your fake crown that makes you powerful, Katsuo.
It's the microphone you hold. Because THAT is what gives you the platform to commit the atrocities you perform."
KATSUO: "Pfft, I don't get what this guy is talking about people!"
AKI: "See? Just like that you use the microphone to manipulate people.
It's not the King's crown that gives him status, it's his platform, his pedestal.
I'm going to throw you off of it. Because at the Tokyo Dome, I am going to embarrass you. I am going to humiliate you."
KATSUO: "Try as you may! Throughout history, rebels have opposed their rulers all the time, and have faced execution.
The School Idol Festival will be no different, because you're going to try and you are going to fail.
Your humiliation will be your public execution, Akihiko Suzuki."
AKI: "Yeah, I know I'm up against insurmountable odds, but I don't care! Because after what you've done, I know I can't die.
I refuse to die unless I kill you first.
That's why at the School Idol Festival, you and me are going to have a live stage battle and the stakes will be our lives."
*CROWD GASP*
KATSUO: "What?"
AKI: "Relax... I'm not talking about our actual lives. But I'm talking about something just as precious to us, and that's our careers in this industry.
Katsuo and I are both visionaries, we both have very different takes on how we want to shape the future of this industry.
But there can only be room for one of us. One dream. One vision.
Like the visionaries we are, a banishment from the idol industry would feel like death itself, because like in death we would lose everything."
KATSUO: "Finally, something we can both agree on. I will be honest in saying that losing my career as an idol would be the end of me."
AKI: "Likewise. I vowed that I would change this industry for the better, or I would die trying. Which means, getting banished from this industry would feel like death to me.
So, Katsuo, neither of us can afford to lose.
We both want to kill each other.
So at the School Idol Festival, let's do just that.
Put your career as an idol on the line, and I will put mine as a producer up for grabs.
Two visionaries.
There can only be one."
KATSUO: "You must have a deathwish. In case you forgot, I'm not some average male idol, I am the GREATEST male school idol of all time!
This is a no contest."
AKI: "So you're admitting that the reason you wanted to face me was just to humiliate me?
Hmm, seems like you were praising my karaoke skills earlier."
KATSUO: "...Fine. I'm curious to see what you are capable of. It's boring being at the top with no challengers.
An old friend of mine once told me something about genetics and how talent can be passed down within them.
Your mother, The Prismatic Princess, Aiko Takasaki. She was in the same band as my father.
Back when I was young, I used to watch those videos of their old concerts.
Your mom was the one who inspired me to become an idol.
And now, look at you...
I wanted to believe that you would be the second coming of The Prismatic Princess, and that I'd have the chance to stand on the same stage as you.
However, I was wrong. You are a failure, a disappointment."
AKI: "..."
KATSUO: "That's why you stand no chance against me, Akihiko Suzuki. It's career suicide."
AKI: "No. Because to lose would mean the same as death.
You can't kill me!
I refuse to die!
Putting everything on the line will only make me more determined to defeat you.
I want there to be no excuses.
If I lose, then I will accept that I can't change anything after all.
The supernatural may be a hoax to me, but I believe in miracles, Katsuo.
I believe that the miracle that happened that day in Akihabara was all leading up to this."
KATSUO: "Very well. Then if you're going to take me on, I don't want there to be any excuses because you're not ready.
I want you to train.
Train harder than you ever have before, Akihiko Suzuki.
Because I'll be waiting for you at the Tokyo Dome. And I will show you that miracles don't exist.
I accept your terms.
You and me on the Main Stage, the loser will forfeit their career."
AKI: "Then it's settled."
KATSUO: "Because if by some slither of a chance hell freezes over and you defeat me. It won't matter.
Because your fate is already in Kami-P's hands when Liella! win at the School Idol Festival."
AKI: "...I'll see you in Akiba. Where this all started, and where all of this ends. Keep that crown warm for me. Because the King is always fated to be surpassed by the next in line. The prince.
You're the King of darkness, Katsuo Togo.
I'm the Aki-Hiko who will end your reign.
Because, in case you didn't know Katsuo...
The name Akihiko...means Bright Prince!"
*CROWD ROARS*
Applause filled the auditorium at the historic announcement.
For the first time ever, male idols were going to be showcased at the School Idol Festival.
I just didn't expect to be one of them...
AYUMU: "Aki..."
SHIRO: "This is really happening..."
AQUA: "They both hate each other. I see... *Smirk* This could be useful. Wait... That girl's last name is...?!"
???: "Heh, heh, wow.
So they weren't lying. This is the guy who challenged Kamijou.
How surprising you've turned out to be, Akihiko Suzuki.
You're as crazy as they say you are!
Oh how I've been waiting to meet you.
Hmm... Maybe I will?
But how should I introduce myself?
Hmmmm...
This is getting exciting!"
FINAL ARC
SCHOOL IDOL FESTIVAL
ACT I
START!
Technically, I have broken none of the original committee's rules, since Nijigasaki as a school qualified for the Main Stage. Meaning anyone who is a registered school idol can perform on that stage, and can challenge any other school's idols.
For the longest time, I've kept all of this within. But there was always a part of me that has driven me to take to the stage myself. I've always thought of that side of me as a nuisance, getting in the way of my path as a Producer.
But after doing a lot of self-searching within, it was that part of me which sent me back on the right road. But even then, I still kept it restrained... I kept those desires to perform frozen in ice...
When Katsuo dared to put his hands on Ayu and stole her first kiss, he might as well have dropped a nuke on that ice. Because he has lit the fire within me, and has set those desires free.
Because even if the odds are insurmountable, I would do anything to defend the School Idol Club. Even if it means standing on that stage myself.
Even if it means taking on the number one male school idol!
I'd do it for them!
I WOULD-
AKI: "?!"
*CRASH*
Oh... That's right...
Finally, the fatigue.
All of that adrenaline from the panic attack, and now the rush of this confrontation...
My body has finally given up.
Ha... What a fucking day...
First Oda's betrayal and now my impending live show battle on the biggest stage against the top male school idol...
Maybe I could just sleep here...
Maybe it would be better if I never wake up again...
Will everything I've done be for nothing...?
Will all these memories fade away...?
All of our precious moments together, have they all been leading up to our demise...?
Can we overcome an obstacle this big?
I don't know...
In one evening, my entire world...
...has started to...
...SHATTER.
COMING SOON
Love Live!: SHATTER [PART 9]
A/N: A HUGE thank you to @Katsuki_Ch for collaborating with me on this cover by providing me with his excellent artwork of Akihiko. Please be sure to check out his series, 'BanG Dream! The Lost Star!' as it has just entered into its second part!
Also, since it's the end of another book, I am ready to take any questions you may have!