Challenge: The Fool with the Surname Okayamine

Chapter 213 Neighborhood Arc: "Hope to Sing Again"

"Wow~ you could be..."

"It's me, senior! It's so kind of you to remember me..."

Before the pale red-haired girl in front of her could finish speaking, Rion pointed without hesitation in front of her and said with a hint of confidence:

"Did I accidentally provoke a dark-hearted guy who was looking for revenge? Haha! If that's the case, you'd better give up now!"

She spoke proudly, glancing occasionally at Masami Hijikata beside her, who was watching her. After all, any quasi-spirit who could survive for a long time in a place like the Tenth Domain must have some extraordinary abilities.

As for Hijikata Masami, although she didn't understand the situation, the moment Rion looked over, she had already placed her hand on her sword, ready to draw it and kill the light red-haired girl in front of her at any moment.

But this almost imperceptible scene was noticed by the empty girl behind the light red-haired girl. Her empty eyes were fixed on the scabbard of Hijikata Masami's sword. Although she was so blank and dull, she also had a kind of sharpness that could not be seen here.

"Ah! No! I'm not the kind of evil idol who holds grudges against others and seeks revenge in the dark!"

"Huh? So that's not it. If she's not that kind of person... Speaking of which, is Ms. Masami your friend? After all, she just called you senpai."

"I don't recognize them, and most of the pseudo-elves that did recognize me, except for Rainbow Eyes, have already been killed by me."

Masami Hijikata laughed heartily as he uttered words that would never come from an idol.

"Hey! Senior, can you control the girl behind you? She said something that's definitely not something an idol would say!"

The girl looked at Rion with obvious panic, but all she saw was a blank and dazed expression.

"I don't know you, so you are..."

"I am Mayuka! Mayuka Momozono, remember that!"

"Oh, I see. So what do you want with me? If not, then you'd better leave. But if you're trying to harm me, I'm not afraid at all!"

Without hesitation, Rionmu stepped in front of Hijikata Masami to protect him.

"Damn it! You're supposed to be a senior in the idol industry, but what you're saying is really infuriating. How did you become a ruler like that?!"

"Huh? Isn't that something you can do just by being cute? Besides, I had a really good singing voice back then!"

"So now you've lost your ability to sing, haven't you?"

Upon hearing this, Rine's expression froze again, a barely perceptible hint of sadness flashing across her face, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Wow! Don't touch my sore spots! Be careful, or I'll have Zhengmei chop you up! And that lackey behind you, always giving me the cold shoulder, and he's got no manners at all!"

"Uh... this is the only expression I can make," the empty space explained.

"I understand, but you're still very rude. However, I forgive you this time..." After speaking to the void, Rinemu confidently stood with her hands on her hips again, and Mayuka asked with slight confusion:

"So, what were you planning to do again?"

Mayuka's eyelids twitched involuntarily, and her expression became increasingly speechless.

After all, they've been talking to you for so long, and you're only now realizing they're here to discuss business?

But you still tried your best to remain friendly and said:

"I'm here to help you regain your singing ability. Senior, think about it, it's really difficult to be an idol here without the ability to sing. As your junior, of course I feel sorry for you, so I specially found a way to help you regain your singing ability!"

Hearing Mayuka Momozono's words, Rion frowned and muttered to herself, "Is it half true and half false?" Remembering Wuming who had come out with a gloomy expression earlier, she thought for a moment and then excitedly grasped Mayuka's hands.

"Really? You're such a kind person! Tell me about it!"

"Huh? So easily fooled... Kind-hearted, senior. Let's talk in the coffee shop then."

...Kurumi's side after midnight~

After discussing things for a long time without reaching a conclusion, the two returned to the coffee shop dejectedly to discuss what to do next, creating a somewhat somber atmosphere.

After dusk, probably when the concert had mostly ended, the coffee shop was packed with people.

"How to do?"

"It will take three months...right?"

This period of time has been too long.

Although time may pass at different rates in the two worlds, three months is still a long time. I feel like I'd be devastated by not seeing that person for three months.

Moreover, during this period, one must also be a trendsetting idol, striving to showcase singing and dancing skills to the audience and increase fan base.

"It won't be easy; depending on the situation, it could take half a year..."

"How about retiring first and then making a comeback?"

"It's even harder to achieve... Although Cang interfered, you were still able to squeeze into A-level because your performance was very impressive. Asking the audience to forget your previous performance, look at you in a different light, and make a comeback in a month is a bit too fast."

"Even changing it to a multi-type model won't work?"

"The chances are fifty-fifty. Maybe I can squeeze into S-class, but debuting for two consecutive months is too risky..."

"We're at our wits' end."

Just as Kurumi murmured those words, and the two fell silent—

"There's no other way!"

Suddenly, a loud, strange-sounding voice rang out. The two reflexively looked towards the source of the sound.

"I...I can't do it anymore! I can't sing! Just thinking about singing makes me feel nauseous and want to vomit! I don't want to endure the warm, sympathetic gazes of my fans anymore!"

Rion, who was loudly vomiting in the coffee shop, lay on the table and sobbed loudly, while Hijikata Masami, who was next to her, ate pork cutlet rice and smiled as he comforted her.

A girl with light red hair sighed and looked at the scene.

At first glance, with her appearance like a small, weak animal and her penetrating voice, she is definitely an idol.

"But, senior, if you can't sing, you become nothing, just like her."

The red-haired girl was pointing at the girl standing idly behind her.

The Child of Nothingness. The future of quasi-elves, or perhaps, those destined only for this fate. The girl lowered her eyes apologetically.

"See? No reaction at all. You're going to become such a boring girl."

As Rion listened, the image of Wuming's expressionless yet incredibly irritating face flashed through her mind. 'He's certainly very boring, or rather, very irritating…'

Thinking this way, she even still felt that Wuming was the so-called emptiness, even though the nature was completely different.

Hibiki lowered his gaze, recalling how he had once been in that state—a person powerless, with nothing to do, wanting nothing, and utterly bored.

"ring."

Kurumi called her name only once. Hibiki reflexively replied, "Yes!" Kurumi, as always, wore a slightly sadistic smile and gently pinched the back of Hibiki's hand with her fingers.

"What are you doing?!"

“I think you’re thinking about something silly, so I’ll punish you a little.”

"Really..."

Xiang rubbed his hands together, somewhat embarrassed.

"I'm cuter than you guys, that's enough for me to survive."

Rion Yume spoke arrogantly as if nothing had happened. Unable to pretend she hadn't heard, the red-haired girl twitched her eyebrows.

Xiang stared blankly at Rion's face, murmuring:

"...No way."

"What's up"

"Look over there, that's Kiri Rion, the one we met in the tenth village."

"Uh...that seems to be the former ruler's name, right? I do have some recollection of her during my amnesia. I remember she was following 'that guy'."

"That's right. Although the spirit dress is simple, its appearance is unforgettable."

Kurumi glanced at the face of the girl named Rion. "I see, she's quite charming."

Golden hair is very beautiful, but if it doesn't match the facial features, it can easily look vulgar.

In this respect, Rion Yume possesses both elegance and golden radiance.

If a top-tier idol-like quasi-elf were to be the ruler, she would indeed be qualified to manage this ninth realm.

"Speaking of which... why was she ousted from the stage? And why did she follow Wuming to the Tenth Domain, and now she's back? What's going on?"

"I don't know. I should have asked Mr. Wuming when I came here. Besides, his appearance hasn't changed, and just now..."

"She said she couldn't sing, right..."

"It seems so. Should we go say hello?"

"Ah, let's continue listening."

The two girls naturally pricked up their ears to eavesdrop. Although the coffee shop was crowded and mixed, most of the girls were focused on topics such as how to improve themselves or their favorite idols, and didn't even glance at them... or rather, they deliberately looked away.

"That's strange. She's a former ruler, after all; it's only natural that she'd attract attention, isn't it?"

"Yeah... The red-haired girl sitting across from her also has a strong fan base; she's definitely at least S-rank."

Ignoring their hushed whispers, Rionmu continued talking incessantly:

"Ah~~ But being cute alone won't get me anywhere... I still want to sing, to put on a grand and spectacular show! And then embarrass that hateful, smelly Ruiye!"

"Oh really, making them feel awkward? Hmm, it's fine~~"

"Damn it~~~~ That stinky woman~~! All I did was lose a little singing ability, and she immediately put me on a talent show, promoted me to a ruler, and kicked me off the stage!"

How infuriating! What's wrong with being a little carefree because you can't sing?!

"Senior, I feel like you were already quite carefree before you could sing~~"

"Mind your own business! I just need to sing loudly in this Ninth Domain! That way, everyone will be happy to do all sorts of chores for me! Besides, if I become too prominent, things will get complicated! I just need to live a carefree life as the symbol of the domain!"

Former ruler Rion kept making inappropriate remarks, and even though Kurumi already knew what kind of person Rion was, she was still dumbfounded.

"……is that so?"

"Well, she's only interested in singing; as for dancing, she often just dances randomly, even on stage."

"But she has a beautiful face and an incredibly strong singing ability. Even if she does nothing, as long as she fully expresses her cuteness, all her shortcomings can be forgiven."

Rion's insults and complaints have not stopped.

"Ugh, really, I want to sing my heart out~~ but I feel like throwing up as soon as I open my mouth to sing~~ It seems like an idol singing while throwing up is pretty novel! But if it's too novel, no one can keep up with it!"

"...Sigh, I just can't do anything with you. I'll just give you a super-huge piece of news as a gift—for this senior who's now filled with nothing but regrets~~"

The red-haired girl quietly took out an old notebook.

"What is this? Toilet paper? Oh, I just feel like sneezing right now."

"This isn't toilet paper! This is important documentation, please don't get it dirty!"

The red-haired girl quickly stopped Rion Yume, who was about to use the tissue to blow her nose.