7/20 Kusanagi Nene🎂Happy Birthday 🎈

7/20 Kusanagi Nene（草薙 寧々）Birthday Concert:https://youtu.be/LjdhxWSNWUg?si=0rJ9Sr4d0CzD6M7G 💜💗💜💗💜 Story 💗💜💗💜💗 An Encore Written for Nene’s Birthday Before the concert began, backstage was a little quieter than usual. Kusanagi Nene sat in front of the dressing-room mirror, gently straightening the ribbons on her sleeves. The bulbs surrounding the mirror shone almost too brightly, while the distant noise of the audience entering the venue drifted through the walls. She had assumed today would simply be another special performance. “Nene, are you ready?” Otori Emu peeked around the doorway, wearing a smile so bright that it was obvious she was hiding something. Nene stared at her for a few seconds before asking, “Emu, are you keeping something from me today?” “Huh? Not at all!” She answered far too quickly. A moment later, Tenma Tsukasa entered the room. He was trying to maintain his usual confident expression, but the performance schedule in his hands was upside down. “Today’s performance is certain to become legendary! All you need to do, Nene, is sing as perfectly as you always do!” Nene pointed at the paper. “Tsukasa, you’re holding the schedule upside down.” “Th-This is simply the unique reading method of a future star!” Kamishiro Rui was standing outside the door. Upon hearing that, he gave a quiet laugh. “It seems Tsukasa-kun is so nervous that he no longer knows what he is reading.” “Rui! You were not supposed to say that aloud!” Their familiar argument restored the usual atmosphere to the dressing room. Nene’s tension gradually faded as well. Before long, Megurine Luka and Kamui Gakupo arrived carrying drinks. Luka handed Nene a cup of warm water and gently reminded her, “Try not to drink anything too cold before the opening. There are quite a few songs today, so take good care of your voice.” “Thank you, Luka.” Gakupo opened a small box containing several carefully wrapped honey candies. “These are for everyone. If your throat feels dry during the second half of the concert, you can have one.” Emu immediately raised her hand. “Can I have some too?” “Of course, but you cannot take all of them at once.” “You saw right through me!” Watching everyone chat so naturally, Nene decided not to ask any more questions. Since they clearly wanted to keep something secret, she would cooperate for the time being. When the stage cue sounded, the six of them headed toward the entrance together. Thunderous cheers came from beyond the curtain, and colorful lights shone through the narrow gaps in the fabric. Nene tightened her grip on her microphone. The familiar nervousness rose in her chest, but it was soon drowned out by the voices of her friends. “Let’s make today the happiest stage ever!” Emu declared. “Of course!” Tsukasa answered enthusiastically. Rui smiled and added, “Do not worry. Every stage mechanism has already been checked. This time, absolutely nothing will go wrong.” Nene immediately turned toward him. “The fact that you specifically said that only makes me more worried.” Luka could not help laughing, while Gakupo shook his head with an amused sigh. The moment the curtain rose, the entire stage lit up like a field of stars. A carousel-inspired set slowly turned with the music. Colorful balloons floated overhead, and paper flowers and ribbons scattered through the air in time with the rhythm. The audience’s glow sticks formed a shining sea, waving together as the introduction began. Once the first song started, Nene quickly immersed herself in the performance. Tsukasa’s voice was bold and confident, while Emu’s energy made the entire stage feel brighter. Rui guided the rhythm with his calm yet expressive performance, and Luka and Gakupo supported the concert with their mature, steady voices. This was not a solo stage belonging to any one person. Every voice answered another, and each chorus felt like different-colored threads being woven together. Nene could clearly sense how carefully everyone was watching one another. Whenever she needed a breath or a moment to adjust, someone naturally carried the melody forward. When the final song ended, every light in the venue suddenly went dark. A brief murmur of surprise spread through the audience. Before Nene could react, a soft spotlight appeared at center stage. Behind the carousel set, a massive curtain slowly opened, revealing a birthday banner decorated with stars, ribbons, and golden bulbs. It read: Happy Birthday Nene In the next instant, the entire venue erupted in celebration. “Happy birthday, Nene!” Emu was the first to call out, her smile brighter than all the stage lights combined. Tsukasa raised his microphone high and solemnly announced, “Today’s star is our most dependable companion—Kusanagi Nene!” “Tsukasa, please don’t make it sound like an awards ceremony…” Nene complained quietly, though her expression had already softened. Rui looked up at the banner with clear satisfaction. “Everyone spent a great deal of time preparing it, from the design to the lighting controls. Tsukasa-kun even completed all his rehearsals early for once.” “What do you mean, ‘for once’?” “Because you usually keep adding more lines!” Emu said honestly. Luka handed Nene a bouquet tied with green and white ribbons. “We did not want to put you under any pressure. We only wanted you to know that everyone treasures your voice and all the effort you put into your performances.” Gakupo smiled as well. “No matter how large or small the stage may be, singing alongside reliable friends is something precious. Today’s performance is also our birthday gift to you.” Holding the bouquet, Nene looked at the familiar friends standing before her, then toward the countless glow sticks shining throughout the audience. She had prepared many things she thought she might say, but when she finally opened her mouth, only the simplest words came out. “Thank you, everyone.” They were only three words, yet they felt more sincere than any elaborate speech. Rui gently raised a hand, signaling for the musicians to prepare again. “In that case, let us give today’s birthday girl one final encore.” “Nene gets the main part this time!” Emu exclaimed excitedly. “I know.” Nene adjusted her grip on the microphone, and a smile more natural than the one she had worn at the beginning of the concert appeared on her face. The music began once more. No one needed to force themselves to become the brightest person onstage, because every voice was singing for the same celebration. They placed their laughter, their trust, and all the memories they had made together into the final song. Ribbons rained down from above once again, while the birthday banner shone beneath the stage lights. Looking at the friends beside her, Nene suddenly felt that this birthday might become a memory she would still remember clearly many years from now. Not because the stage was especially magnificent. Not because the audience’s cheers were especially loud. But because, within this song, she had never been alone.