Meanwhile, Touma returned to his own body.
He first reviewed everything that had happened today through the replay feature.
As usual, everything was calm.
The good news was that his novel was still slowly gaining popularity.
There was another piece of news as well.
Sumita Mana had contacted him, inviting him to some donut eating contest four days from now.
While in Link Start mode, he had declined, saying he had other plans.
Seriously, would anyone actually go to a contest like that?!
Then again, if it was Miss Donut, she definitely would.
Touma unlocked his phone and opened his chat with Miss Donut.
It had already been three hours since he sent his rejection, yet Mana still hadn’t replied.
Something wasn’t right.
A faint sense of unease crept into Touma’s heart.
He typed, “Are you there?” and sent it.
Ten seconds later, Mana replied.
“I’m so sorry, Asai-san.
I was busy with something and didn’t see your reply until now!” A few seconds later, another message arrived.
“Are you really not coming?” It was followed by a crying anime sticker.
Seeing how energetic she was, the unease in Touma’s heart gradually faded.
That pleading tone…
was this really the composed Mana he knew?
After thinking it over, Touma finally replied.
“Because of an unexpected change, I happen to be free four days from now after all.
Let’s go together then.” Mana: “Really?
Thank you so much!” Mana: “Um…
Asai-san, would you mind if I brought one more person…?” …
The two chatted for a while longer.
In the end, they agreed to meet in front of the music store before heading to the donut shop together.
As for the extra person, it would be Mana’s fellow member from the idol group Sumimi, Misumi Uika.
No, to be precise, it should be Misumi Hatsune.
He hadn’t expected to meet the most legendary band girl in the entire story this soon.
To be honest, Touma was looking forward to it.
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, three days had gone by.
Life during those three days was much more peaceful.
Every morning, he would Link Start and enter Sakiko’s body to experience a different life.
At night, he would return to write his novel and memorize piano scores.
Inside the music classroom, the piano gradually fell silent.
“Sakiko” sat before the piano, quietly watching the screen floating in front of her.
[Piano Bonus Lv.1 (100/100)] [Lv.1 → Lv.2] [Piano Bonus Lv.2 (0/500)] [Note: The bonus effect of Lv.2 is five times that of Lv.1.] [Detected that this is the first Special Bonus to reach Lv.2.
Special reward granted:] [Special Bonus Selection Card (1/1): Allows you to choose one additional ability from the current experience target to receive a learning bonus.] There’s actually a reward like this?
It certainly looked useful.
For example, he could use this card right now to unlock Sakiko’s composition bonus.
Of course, he had no intention of using it here for the time being.
In that case, reaching Lv.3 from Lv.2 should probably come with another reward as well.
He just didn’t know what it would be.
[Detected that the host’s piano proficiency has reached the required level.
Ability Level Display has been officially unlocked.] [Current Ability Obtained: Piano Lv.1] [Note: Piano Lv.1 corresponds to Amateur Grade 10.
Lv.2 corresponds to Professional Grade 1.
Lv.3 corresponds to Professional Grade 3.
Lv.4 corresponds to Professional Grade 5.
Lv.5 surpasses the professional level.] Now that there was a level display, it was much easier to judge his actual skill.
So his current piano ability was Amateur Grade 10, roughly equivalent to the foundational level expected of a music conservatory major.
He just wondered how long it would take to reach Lv.2.
After all, that was already considered professional.
As for Sakiko’s own piano level, it was probably around Professional Grade 1 or 2.
Sakiko had no idea that her true level had been completely exposed.
She was still sweating as she stubbornly maintained her act.
“Mm, you’re improving very quickly.
In another three months…
no, six months…
or maybe a year, you’ll probably catch up to me.” A year?
I’ll surpass you in half a month.
Touma said nothing and returned straight to his apartment.
“You’re sure the song is completely finished?” Touma asked after listening to the completed track Sakiko had made.
“Yes, it’s finished.
And I performed beyond my usual level!” Sakiko answered confidently.
“What do you think?” Over the past few days, she had been composing and arranging music until three in the morning every single night.
“It’s good.
Very good,” Touma answered honestly after listening.
At least when it came to pure musical ability, Sakiko was someone he could trust.
Hearing the praise, Sakiko’s voice became noticeably brighter, her happiness impossible to hide.
“Mm, that’s good.” After confirming everything was in order, Touma sent the completed song file to the band that had commissioned it.
The two quietly waited for a reply.
About twenty minutes later, it finally arrived.
The message read: “I can’t believe you finished it so quickly?!
And this song is amazing!
Everyone in our band absolutely loved it after listening!” “Thank you so much for your hard work!” “Um, how should we pay you the 100,000 yen?” Reading the reply, the tension weighing on Sakiko’s heart finally disappeared, replaced by overwhelming joy.
“That’s wonderful!” Touma was also very satisfied.
It was certainly a good start.
Touma replied: “Please give the payment to Matsugi-san.
Also, if you like the song I made, could you help spread the word a bit?
I’d really appreciate it!” The band replied: “Of course, no problem.
Don’t worry about it.
We look forward to working with you again.” After exchanging a few more messages, Touma ended the conversation.
“Let’s go.” He tidied himself up.
“Are we going to collect the money?” Sakiko asked.
“No, it’s too early for that.
First, we’re going to look for a new place to live,” Touma replied.
“Looking for a place?
I’m pretty familiar with the Tokyo area.
I’ve looked around before, so I know a few good locations,” Sakiko said after giving it some thought.
“It doesn’t need to be big, around thirty square meters is enough for one person.
And the location shouldn’t be as remote as this place…” Touma listed a few requirements.
After thinking for a moment, Sakiko replied, “I just remembered one.” Following her directions, Touma soon arrived in front of an ordinary apartment building.
It was fairly close to the city center, the surrounding neighborhood was nice, and public safety seemed decent.
The good news was that there was no real estate agent involved.
He contacted the landlord directly and took a tour of the apartment.
It matched almost all of his requirements.
It was small, clean, and cozy.
Moreover, Sakiko had already inspected the place before, so there didn’t seem to be any problems with it.