"Itsuka kokoro wa itsuka
(Once upon a time, the heart)
Tooi dokoka de
(Somewhere far away,
Minna omoide ni naru to
(If you don't know, it will all become a memory)
..."
During the second verse, Su Yu had completely entered the zone.
The overflowing sadness captivated not only the customers inside the establishment but also those queuing outside or passing by, who all stopped to listen.
Su Yu's dynamic range between notes and his use of vibrato had reached their peak!
It was flawless and beyond reproach!
Especially after Miyamoto Sawa's earlier performance, the audience's appreciation was even more palpable!
Morita Yui, leaning against the window, dropped her wine glass without realizing it. It shattered into two pieces on the floor.
Her beautiful eyes were fixed on Su Yu by the piano, everything else blurring into insignificance.
The profoundly sorrowful song echoed in her ears, and her infatuation with Su Yu grew exponentially.
"He truly is a dangerous man..."
At this moment, Morita Yui finally understood why her sister was willing to risk offending their father to pay attention to Su Yu.
Once you discover this man's extraordinary nature, you are deeply captivated and unable to break free!
With that thought, tears welled up in Morita Yui's eyes. She murmured the song's core phrase, "Ikanaide," imagining Su Yu desperately pleading with her to stay.
...
The piano melody grew more intense!
Su Yu's slightly closed eyes opened.
During the second chorus, the song's emotional climax was reached!
"Aa, ikanaide, ikanaide
(Ah... Don't go, don't go,)"
His voice, laced with despair and a quivering tone, strained his neck, his voice reaching its limit. Yet, his singing was controlled with incredible perfection, the contrast between soft and loud notes as smooth as art.
This was a demonstration of vocal prowess at its zenith.
Compared to Miyamoto Sawa, his singing ability was utterly crushed, and then crushed again!
In terms of vocal technique, they were not even in the same league!
However, it wasn't just that. While Miyamoto Sawa had indeed evoked nostalgic memories, Su Yu's song could undoubtedly rival his classic, perhaps even moving the audience more profoundly and touchingly.
A song that could challenge a classic, coupled with the vast difference in vocal skill, meant that Listening Rain had clearly won.
When the song concluded.
The audience remained silent for about ten seconds. As Su Yu stood up and walked towards his private room, a thunderous ovation erupted!
Hooray!
Then, it exploded into a frenzy!
"I'm crying, I'm crying!!"
"This person is so powerful!"
"This is what you call a vocal tremor, this is called invincible vibrato!"
"I just want to ask, how dare Miyamoto Sawa!"
"Although I hate to admit it, Listening Rain's song truly stunned me!"
"I never thought I would be moved by a Chinese person in music."
"I just want to ask, what is this song called?"
The excited chatter in the venue continued for a long time.
Not only that, but outside the establishment, a commotion arose with applause and cheers.
However, amidst the excitement, everyone was filled with curiosity about the song!
It was a beautiful song, but no one present could recall its title.
"Did Listening Rain write it himself?" someone suddenly said.
"Did anyone record it?"
"Uh, did anyone record it, share it with me!"
"Whoever recorded it, share it with me, I'll pay!"
The venue erupted again!
Listening Rain actually brought a new song to the competition?
Isn't that too extravagant?
After all, Listening Rain wasn't just any producer. Those who participated in "Era Music King" were the pinnacle artists from various countries on Blue Star. The price of a song from such a producer was immeasurable.
He actually used a new song for the competition; it was indeed somewhat extravagant.
...
"You can scan the QR code on the bar's big screen to participate in the voting," the manager announced as he walked onto the stage.
After his announcement, the patrons in the bar quickly took out their phones.
There was no need to even discuss it; they would definitely vote for Listening Rain!
Although everyone liked both songs, Miyamoto Sawa's vocal performance was far inferior to Listening Rain's. Even his proud vibrato was ruthlessly suppressed by Listening Rain.
The contrast was too stark, and the impression was very clear.
Before long, the voting results were out.
Of the over one hundred customers in the bar, Listening Rain received more than eighty votes, winning with an overwhelming landslide!
"Tonight's expenses are paid by Mr. Miyamoto! Let's thank Mr. Miyamoto!!" the manager shouted!
Upon hearing this, the customers in the bar erupted in thunderous cheers!
"Miyamoto!"
"Miyamoto!!"
"Miyamoto, Miyamoto!!"
The cheers even surpassed the support previously shown for Listening Rain!
After all, Miyamoto Sawa was the one paying for the night. It was only right for the customers to thank him and show their support since he had spent money.
However, these shouts and cheers filled Miyamoto with immense bitterness.
"Sigh... I lost again," Jin Chengxian gloomily pulled a cigarette from his pack, lit it, and took a deep drag.
Why did this Listening Rain always manage to make an unbelievable comeback?
Was there really no way to defeat this Listening Rain?
Was he truly invincible?
Jin Chengxian's mind was in a complete mess.
"Why?" Miyamoto Sawa could no longer stand and slumped onto the tatami mat, his legs giving way.
It wasn't about the money; this amount was insignificant to Miyamoto. What he couldn't understand was why he lost, why Listening Rain knew the Japanese language, had such an amazing song in Japanese, and why he would even put such a powerful song here to perform. Didn't he think it was a waste???
"His songwriting speed is terrifying, so he doesn't care about one song."
Sean sighed, picked up a cup of sake from the table, and downed it in one gulp.
However, he felt it wasn't enough. He directly grabbed the sake flask and took a couple of gulps.
Even so, he still felt unsatisfied because he sensed a never-before-experienced emotion surfacing within him.
Fear?
Could it be that he, Sean, was actually feeling fear towards this Listening Rain?
How could it be? I, Sean, have dominated the Era Music Charts for so many years. How could I feel fear towards a Chinese person?
It must be the alcohol. I've been drinking fake liquor!
With that thought, he ran his hand through his hair in annoyance.
Seeing this, Jin Chengxian took out a cigarette from the table and asked tentatively, "Want one?"
Sean froze for a moment, then took it, picked up the lighter, lit it, and took a deep puff.
Ah, comfortable...
"Give me one too!"
It was Miyamoto Sawa who spoke.
He never smoked, but at this moment, he suddenly wanted to try.
In an instant, the private room was filled with smoke.
Occasional sighs could be heard.