When I started Suspecting my Wife of Cheating, I Somehow Ended up Living in the Middle of Nowhere - Episode 24

The cultural festival’s “performance” was held in the gymnasium. Thankfully, the gym wasn’t made of wood and looked relatively new, so it was probably built within the past ten years.

At the opening ceremony, the pink-haired YouTuber “Okari Cecil,” commonly known as “Cecilun,” appeared and gave a message of support.

“A-a-a-uhm… Today is a very auspicious day… I’m deeply honored to be invited to such a wonderful place…”

Holding a microphone, she gave a nervous greeting from the stage. Maybe this kind of awkwardness is considered good among young people? To me, she looked on the verge of tears, but the students in the gym were super excited.

Was it the thrill of having a familiar YouTuber actually come to their village school? Or was this pink-haired YouTuber really that popular? I wasn’t familiar enough with YouTube to know.

“Big sis, is that pink-haired lady popular?”

I figured the best way to know was to ask someone who would.

“Chii-chan would know better about stuff like that…”

When the two of us looked at Chieri, she looked really annoyed, arms crossed. There’s probably a whole young-people-only world and values I don’t understand. I decided not to ask further.

“A-a-and now, starting off, we have performances by the Brass Instrument Club: trumpets, trombones, euphoniums, and tubas!”

That’s a pretty niche group. After that, there were performances by groups like the “Harmonica Club” and the “First-Year Orchestra Club.” Despite the small student body, there were quite a few clubs — and very niche ones at that.

“A-a-and for the grand finale, we have the Kunezaki Brothers!”

The pink-haired YouTuber Cecilun introduced the final act: the Kunezaki Brothers. Not even a “club” anymore, just three siblings.

Kunezaki — that’s the mayor’s surname. So, it’s the mayor’s grandsons performing. Judging by the excitement in the crowd, they must be pretty popular.

Then again, they are the mayor’s grandkids. That probably gives them some influence in the village.

“The song is ‘Mochi Mochi Rock’ by Kumakuma Myu!”

“Whaaaat!?”

Suddenly, Chieri, next to me, started making a huge fuss. What’s going on?

(DUN-DUNNNN!)

The performance began — guitar, bass, and drums. Hinata, the second son who often visited our house, was playing the guitar.

(Screeech, strum-strum-strum!)

The performance definitely felt like it was by middle and high school students — amateurish, but charming in its own way.

Meanwhile, Chieri had a furious, frustrated, complicated expression on her face, like she was about to explode.

Still, the performance continued. I actually enjoyed the song.

“Big sis, who’s ‘Kumakuma Moo’?”

“You mean ‘Kumakuma Myu.’ She’s a famous YouTuber.”

I guess there are famous people like that, even if I wouldn’t know them.

“‘Mochi Mochi Rock’? Isn’t ‘mochi mochi’ soft and squishy? But it’s ‘rock’?”

“Well… it’s just part of the charm. Kumakuma Myu-chan is full of creativity. She usually only shows from the neck down when playing the guitar in her videos…”

Oh, that kind of guitar-playing video sounded familiar. I might have seen one in a recommended video, even without meaning to.

“But why is Chieri so upset?”

That part, I didn’t get at all.

“Wait, is it because she’s Chieri’s favorite YouTuber? I know this one — her oshi, right?”

“Maybe… she’s kind of Chii-chan’s favorite…”

Big sis was being vague. Chieri stormed off somewhere, even stealing my hat. I had no idea why.

Maybe there’s a lot I just don’t understand? I guess young people have their own world… While I’m happy my daughters are growing up, there’s a bit of loneliness too.

As the performance ended and I was thinking about finally heading home, I scanned the area looking for the missing Chieri.

“Breaking news! We have a surprise appearance by Kumakuma Myu!!”

The atmosphere shifted into “Huh? What’s happening?” Then, after a single loud chord, the whole gym was overwhelmed.

(DUN-DUNNN!)

It was the same song from earlier — being played again. But this time, a spotlight was on a small girl on stage, wearing a large hat that obscured her face, holding a guitar.

(WEEE-OOOOH! STRUM-STRUM-STRUM!)

The difference from earlier was shocking. Just a guitar, yet the sound was richer, heavier, more stable — overwhelmingly powerful.

The whole gym of students was electrified. No — they were beyond excited — they were frenzied. It felt like their very souls were glued to the performance.

“Big sis, is that…?”

“Yeah… I think so…”

Big sis looked awkward, confirming my suspicion: that was Chieri, no doubt about it, hiding under that huge hat and shredding the guitar.

(RIP-RIP-RIPPP!)

Her left fingers danced like they were playing piano keys, while her right hand struck the strings with steady precision. Even I could tell — this was no amateur performance!

Her gothic lolita outfit and guitar matched nicely for a cute effect, though the awkward hat seemed totally out of place.

Even the visiting parents were spellbound, unable to move a step.

Probably only a few minutes passed, but she completely stole the show.

After finishing the song, “Kumakuma Myu” — a little out of breath — spoke:

“U-um… They played my song, so… I just thought I’d thank them…”

The gym erupted in wild, screaming applause. Everyone wanted more.

Sensing that, “Kumakuma Myu” raised her hand.

“U-uhh, big sis! Get on drums! And sing too! I can’t carry the next song alone!”

Chieri — or rather, “Kumakuma Myu” — called for her big sister to join her on stage.

“And now! A surprise appearance by Nyatan!!”

Even the pink-haired MC Cecilun was getting the hang of it.

Big sis, Tomoko, quickly took my sweat towel, wrapped it around her forehead like a bandana, and partly masked her face with it.

She sat at the drum set already prepared on stage.

(TOM-TOM-TOM-BANG-BANG-CRASH!)

As if to greet the crowd, she let out a thunderous, skillful drum intro. It was obvious even to a layman that she wasn’t an amateur either.

On top of that, she sang while drumming — a rare and difficult feat.

Even without being an expert, I knew that singing while drumming is really tough. Though, globally, there are a few artists who pull it off.

Chieri and Tomoko — when did they get so good at this? The song they played felt familiar, but I couldn’t place it. Watching them, I had goosebumps racing from my spine to my head.

The students, recognizing “Kumakuma Myu” and “Nyatan,” lost their minds, screaming like crazy.

“Since my big sis Nyatan came, let’s do one more song! Um, the one from our very first video!”

○●○

By the end of the second song, the gym was dead silent — stunned. Students, visiting parents — everyone was utterly captivated.

As the stage lights went out, “Kumakuma Myu” and “Nyatan” also disappeared.

The gym exploded into thunderous applause.

Soon after, Big Sis and Chieri came back, wiping their sweat, still wearing the same outfits — like it wasn’t obvious who they were. Even if it hadn’t been, they’d already attracted plenty of attention.

I quickly gathered the two of them and headed out of the gym.

“That was Kumakuma Myu, with over a million subscribers, and her big sister Nyatan!!”

The announcement from the gym echoed behind us.

Wait, Chieri’s THAT amazing?! Big sis too!?

“Dad, let’s go!”

“W-wait, big sis!?”

They grabbed me by both hands and practically dragged me away from school.

This event would soon start changing the village — and the world beyond it.