Chapter 11: A new start which is not different

Today was the day.

Just as I expected, the Scheinen Wings were invited to perform with Maria at a concert hall for the Queen of Music. While Maria and Tsubasa were the stars of the event, I was involved as well, since Tsubasa is now my partner and we're practically a duo unit.

The performance was to be held at the Yokohama Bay Area, but I was seriously thrown off because...

"I'm the center?"

"Yes, Mei. You're my partner, and you need all the help you can get to boost your popularity."

For the past month, Tsubasa had been aggressively trying to boost my popularity. However, my image is completely different from hers, so while it was working, the gap between her, the number one idol in Japan, and me, still sitting in third place, was rather large.

Because we're a group, our performances are always as a group, but my stamina is nowhere near hers yet. Especially with the crack in my Symphogear, my performance was slowing down and dragging her down a bit.

Some media outlets even mentioned it back then, which almost made Tsubasa angry again. At least she managed to calm down this time, but afterward, she was literally leaking such a cold aura that I felt chilled just being near her.

I know the idol industry is hard, but for it to be this harsh... Well, what else could I expect, since I'm rising this fast because of Tsubasa's popularity? I won't complain, but it frustrates Tsubasa to no end that she can't change people's opinions that fast. So, she was planning this show to boost my popularity even more.

Hibiki and Chris were busy guarding the Solomon's Cane, which was being transferred. With the timing of the attacks they're having, I'm surprised it's following the anime exactly. But now that I think about it, I was recorded joining their team, so that meant Maria's group already knew about me to some extent as well.

But how do I approach this now? Me, Tsubasa, and Shinji were in our room. Since Shinji was in the middle of a conversation with Genjuro, that meant the Noise raid had already succeeded. Shinji then took off his glasses, which made Tsubasa sigh.

"So, what did the Commander say?"

"He's expecting a lot from you two today."

"If you've taken off your glasses, that means you're not in manager mode, Ogawa. If you can't remember your own habits, the enemy will only take advantage of that."

"It's about time."

"Well, let's leave it at that, Tsubasa. Besides, being idols is about healing the hearts of the wounded, so it's a noble cause."

"If you say so, Mei... Then, Ogawa, we're going. But make sure to explain the details later, though I think Mei already knows something about it."

"Well, yeah, but I can't exactly say it, Mei. And yeah, we're off. Shinji, please take care."

"Yeah, please do your best, you two."

Then we separated from Shinji as we prepared to enter the stage, but Tsubasa slowly grabbed my hand, surprising me, and I glanced at her.

"The same can be said for you, Mei. Your habit is showing up again."

"I have a habit?"

"Yes, when you're about to face something important or something dangerous, your right hand always shakes a bit."

She observes me that much, which surprises me a little, but then I remember us being Symphogear users; our senses are always heightened as we're ready to fight, though in Tsubasa's case, she goes to the extreme. Now, how do I approach this?

Then we entered the stage as a trio, and just like in anime season two, the song was "Fushichō no Flamme," which felt weird for me to sing as a trio. But, as expected from the two of them, who have more experience than me, they are more in sync compared to me, and I really tried my best to keep up with them.

This is still the first song, for fuck's sake! Why are they already going all out? But still, the flame really enhances the stage. What's more, this mic, which has the shape of a lance, or was it a sword? I don't know, but it was really annoying to dance with them.

Then, just like in the anime, Tsubasa started to give her speech, and Maria went about her speech before turning to Tsubasa and Maria, though mostly toward Tsubasa, which is fine since I'm still nothing compared to these two. But I see Tsubasa not taking it well, though she hides it well.

"I'm very grateful to participate in this concert, especially with the Japanese number one idol, Kazanari Tsubasa."

"I'm grateful as well, but I already have my own partner as Mei Ursula."

"I see, indeed, a partner is important, as we need to spread that song, have power in them."

Now that I notice, while Maria is hiding it, I can see that she is nervous, but it was no surprise since she will announce to the world to become their enemy. Then she slowly walks in front as she spreads her right arm, which is probably the sign as Noise start to appear all over the stadium.

"As expected, you're looking for a chance to attack me, but do you think the audience can survive the Noise attack? What's more, this concert was broadcast to the whole world to see, and from what I remember, while the Japanese government already announced the existence of Symphogear, they never announced their users yet."

"Don't underestimate me. Do you think that will stop me from saving the people?"

"Well, I like that part of you. If only this world was filled with people like you, the world would be a better place."

While Tsubasa and Maria are in monologue, they completely forgot about me, but still, Maria is there. Instead of Tsubasa, I am the one who is going to worry.

Though I don't think she will attack the audience because Maria at her core is a naive girl as well, though I think I can use this and transform at the right time as her. Then, just like that, throw her mic in the sky, which meant now.

"Granzizel bilfen Gungnir zizzl."

"Custodire Welt Aegis Zizl."

Then I noticed Maria's surprised expression just before her transformation sequence began, just like in the anime. After we finished transforming, she was already wearing the black Gungnir suit, but she turned to me.

"Tsubasa, I never thought your partner was a Symphogear user as well."

'Mei, what are you doing?'

'Sorry, Shinji, but this situation is too much. Besides, I can protect everyone here with my shield, so there's no need to worry.'

"Mei, you...."

"Well, sorry, Tsubasa, but just like you expected, I already knew this was going to happen. Besides, how about you tell the world your plan, Maria Cadenzavna Eve, or whatever your group called Fine was?"

"You know that much? Well, if you're okay with it, then."

After saying that, Maria faced the audience and the camera, bringing the mic closer. I used this time to spawn a lot of shields under my feet, spreading them out while hiding them from view to every noise  on the stage and in the audience seating.

"We are Fine, those who bear the name of the end."

I was almost finished as Tsubasa was about to transform, but I held her hand and shook my head. She bit her lip, and I think Shinji was probably saying something to her because Tsubasa just glared at me.

"We have the power to control Noise, and our demand is simple: cede all your territories to us!"

"Is she crazy?"

Nope, Tsubasa, because that's just a ruse to hide their real objective. I've already marked every Noise, but I should wait a bit before taking action.

"If you do not meet our demand in the next 24 hours, we will use Noise to attack every capital and major city in the world, as my goal is to become the overlord that will rule this world in peace. Doesn't that sound wonderful? How about it, you two?"

"What do you aim to achieve with some baseless threat?"

"You think I'm all talk?"

"Well, for me, yes, because I've already completed my objective."

Then I transformed my shield into a pointed shield that stabbed every Noise I'd marked, killing them instantly. Maria looked surprised, but she only let out a sigh.

"As expected from your partner, Tsubasa, for her to completely obliterate the Noise here. But there are some in the sky."

"Well, I didn't see that one coming."

Yes, just like Maria said, there is Noise flying in the sky right now, a complete oversight on my part. But now what should I do? I don't think I can silently kill them, and Maria is now cautious of me.

"The audience is free to leave."

Although it's different from the anime, she's still letting the audience go. I think Nastassja is clearly not going to be happy with this.

"Now, Tsubasa, I wonder if your determination is still there."

"Seriously, I hope you're not ignoring me because you don't think I'm capable."

Maria aims straight at Tsubasa, who can't transform. However, I step in her way, blocking her microphone and breaking it easily, which prompts her to throw it away before summoning her lance. Her fighting style is completely different from Hibiki and Kanade. I feel like Tsubasa is ready to fight her since she can't accept Gungnir being used for evil.

I think I can still take it easy, but then suddenly a yo-yo starts to aim at Tsubasa, which I block with my shield. Then a scythe flies my way, so I kick it to the side, realizing that their team is complete.

Just as I thought, Kirika and Shirabe join Maria's side, making it three against one. Their output is completely different compared to Chris, Hibiki, and Tsubasa. Kirika and Shirabe need Linker, so their actions are limited before Elfnein improves it.

But seriously, their coordinated attacks are better compared to Hibiki, Chris, and Tsubasa. Still, I manage to hold out because their output is slightly weaker compared to them. Because of me, Tsubasa manages to get away, giving her enough time to transform.

Since the Noise flying in the sky starts to get defeated by Tsubasa, I face the trio on the ground. While I'm thinking about reinforcement, bullets start to rain toward the three of them, but Shirabe and Kirika dodge them, while Maria tanks them with her robe.

Then Hibiki proceeds to punch Maria, but she dodges it, so Hibiki's punch goes into the stage, breaking it. Then the two of them slowly stand on my side as Tsubasa slowly lands right in front of us, pointing her blade at them.

"Hey, can we please stop this? We have no reason to fight each other. If we just talk, we can understand each other."

Somehow I'm not surprised with Hibiki saying that, but the problem is that the other party is already risking too much for this plan, so they really need it to work.

"SHUT UP, YOU HYPOCRITE."

I'll be damned; I really thought Shirabe hated Hibiki this much in the early season. Though, it's not surprising, as they didn't know Hibiki's background. They probably thought she'd lived a privileged life and had no right to comment on their actions.

But still, that was the sign that round two was beginning. Though, I wasn't taking this as seriously as the others. Hibiki, while appearing to fight seriously, was starting to crack under the weight of that earlier comment, which is understandable. Suddenly, the middle of the stadium began to spawn a large, green Noise.

This was probably the signal for their retreat. Maria attacked the Noise with a beam from her lance, which confused Chris, but I knew what was coming. This big guy was the endless regeneration type, one they couldn't even control. They just left it as a nuisance. After doing that, they started to run away.

"Oi, where do you think you're running off to?"

"Chris, now's not the time for that. We need to handle that thing."

"Mei, do you know what that is?"

"Think of it as an endlessly spawning Noise. Unless you kill all of them in a single strike, you can't defeat them."

"Chris, Tsubasa, let's do that."

"You idiot, that's still in the testing phase."

"Well, that's Hibiki for you, but yeah, we need to do that."

Then, the three of them started holding hands, with Hibiki in the middle, as they slowly took a deep breath. But I was holding the Noise back, because this was the training they were doing to catch up with me, and I already knew the name of the attack.

"S2CA TRIBURST."

"Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal, Emustolronzen Finé el balal zizzl, Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal, Emustolronzen Finé el zizzl." x3

Due to a lack of phonic gain, they used this to combine their power and focus it on Hibiki. But, as expected, the strain on Hibiki was getting too much, so I used the new technique I'd learned recently. It's more like a deprivation of the healing one, letting me tank the damage they receive.

"This is...?"

Looks like Hibiki noticed it, as well as Tsubasa; I could feel her gaze on my back, but I ignored it as I kept shielding them while containing the Noise inside the stadium. Then, the light became intense, Hibiki's gear started changing, and she began to combine both gears on her pair of hands into one on the right side.

"Swan Song."

"Combined Arts."

"Cent Harmonics."

The bearing inside the gear starts to rotate, and the sound it creates grows louder, forming a small tornado. Hibiki's gear begins to open as the tornado intensifies, sucking all the noise from around the stadium and killing everyone nearby.

Despite the horrific scene, the view is amazing. However, I can't focus as the recoil from their unrefined technique takes a heavy toll, forcing me to kneel. The same seems to be happening to Hibiki, though I suspect for different reasons.

"HIBIKI, MEI."

"OI, you two, are you alright?"

"Ahahaha, I'm fine. I just overexerted myself, so I need some rest. Besides, I think Hibiki needs more attention right now."

As I say this, the two of them stare at Hibiki, who slowly looks at the three of us and starts to cry, trying to wipe away the tears even though it's useless. This prompts Chris to approach her quickly, placing a hand on Hibiki's back.

"Oi, are you okay?"

"Ah, Chris, I'm fine."

"Like hell you are. Don't tell me that technique earlier put too much strain on you. That's why I said it was too early."

"No, Chris, from what I noticed earlier, Mei shielded Hibiki from the strain, so she should be okay."

"Then why are you crying, idiot?"

"Hey, am I a hypocrite? Even though I should have known how much it hurt."

Now that I think about it, the second season explained a little about Hibiki's background, right? And the reason why she became different compared to another Hibiki, who is much colder than her.

Thinking this, I slowly look up as the other two can't come up with an answer or a way to comfort Hibiki.