Chapter 116 Part 1

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Chapter 116, Part 1: Little Qing, Can You Teach Me? (1)

—

“ACUTE.”

The key to this dance, for the three performers, lies not only in its difficulty but also in addressing the language barrier.

Similar to how Kirimi Miyuki struggled with Daxia songs and felt constrained, the Daxia performers face challenges with foreign-language songs.

Since “Dazzling Stage” is located in Sea City, its audience predominantly consists of locals from Daxia.

They are more attuned to detecting issues in their native language, yet less critical when it comes to foreign songs.

Nevertheless, even with the assistance of a super AI’s computational power, the Tutor Group’s evaluation will remain objective.

Thus, one important question arises.

Ji Shuzhu asked directly:

“Chu Yuanqing, do you know Japanese?”

—

Xie Qingxuan didn’t need to answer for herself.

Fluent in several major languages due to her participation in Model United Nations events since elementary school, she was well-versed in Japanese.

Ji Shuzhu, on the other hand, had no prior experience with the language.

However, her exceptional memory allowed her to quickly absorb, comprehend, and retain information.

Rather than being labeled a dance genius, Ji Shuzhu could be described as a true prodigy in areas requiring memory and knowledge.

Chu Yuanqing nodded.

“I’ve learned Japanese and can communicate at a basic level, but I’ve never sung a song in the language.”

—

Although she hadn’t formally studied it, Chu Yuanqing relied on her innate talent to absorb memories and knowledge from others.

This gave her a functional grasp of many languages, including Japanese, albeit at a conversational level.

With this issue resolved, the three began reviewing the backstory of the “ACUTE” project.

Unlike conventional dance pieces, “ACUTE” is deeply tied to the Virtual Songstress Project and has a rich creative narrative.

Its origins include a novel and manga adaptation.

While versions of the story vary, they all revolve around a classic love triangle.

In short: Hatsune, Megurine, and Kaito were childhood friends.

Both girls harbored feelings for Kaito, but Hatsune, in her kindness, told Megurine that she would step aside.

Megurine, though hesitant, promised she had no romantic interest in Kaito and encouraged Hatsune to pursue him.

Later, Hatsune confessed her feelings to Kaito, who accepted her affection but only saw her as a younger sister.

—

One fateful night, Kaito, under the influence of alcohol, shared an intimate moment with Megurine.

—

When Hatsune discovered the truth, she felt betrayed by both her best friend and her love. In a fit of despair, she attacked Kaito and ended her own life.

The choreography of “ACUTE” retells this story through intricate movements.

It demands not only physical coordination but also emotional depth, requiring the dancers to convey the characters’ turmoil through subtle expressions and gestures.

A single misstep can break the narrative flow, turning a dramatic performance into a confusing spectacle.

Unlike “Dangerous Party,” which relies on bold, energetic movements to evoke visceral emotions, “ACUTE” thrives on its storytelling complexity.

However, this complexity also makes it a high-risk choice.

Without clear interpretation, it can come across as dull and uninspired—best suited for performances rather than competitions.

Additionally, the language barrier added to the challenge of this dance assignment.

Chu Yuanqing hesitated briefly before asking:

“For the male role in the dance, do I need to wear men’s clothing?”

—

She secretly hoped for the Kaito role. Skirts made her feel vulnerable on stage.

Ji Shuzhu remained quiet, her gaze distant.

Within moments, her mind deconstructed and reconstructed the choreography, integrating elements from Latin, Cha-Cha, bullfighting, and ballet.

She mentally mapped out every detail of the story, completing the process in six seconds.

Finally, she broke the silence.

“If I dress as a man, the performance will become more like a theatrical play.

However, since this song is older and fewer people are familiar with its backstory, I think we should embrace the ambiguity.

Even if I wear a dress, the audience might interpret it as a lesbian love triangle, which adds dramatic flair.”

She continued, “I’ll also modify the choreography to make it more suitable for stage performance. If you trust me, I’ll assign each role.”

—

Xie Qingxuan had no objections. She valued Ji Shuzhu’s creative insight and trusted her ability to elevate their performance.

Chu Yuanqing, who had only mastered the basics of dance, nodded humbly.

Her serious demeanor exuded a quiet dignity that caught Xie Qingxuan’s attention.

For a moment, Xie Qingxuan was distracted.

—

Her thoughts drifted to the embrace they shared earlier, lingering on Chu Yuanqing’s soft, pink skin and golden eyes.

—

Memories of a kiss filled with floral sweetness and a faint trace of blood resurfaced, leaving Xie Qingxuan uncharacteristically flustered.

Her normally composed demeanor faltered as her thoughts spiraled into unexpected affection.

Ji Shuzhu watched them quietly, a knowing look in her eyes.

She couldn’t help but wonder—if Chu Yuanqing succeeded in winning over Xie Qingxuan’s heart, would her own place on the stage be at risk?