As for who was behind RiNG, Touma naturally knew.
It was Kaname Raana’s grandmother, Tsuzuki Shifune.
She was no ordinary person.
She was a well-known figure in the music industry and took music extremely seriously.
This trip was probably going to be difficult.
On the other hand, Sakiko, who knew nothing about her, thought everything would probably work out soon, so she was in a good mood.
Early that morning, Touma arrived at RiNG.
Matsugi Ririko led him to the control room overlooking the live stage, where they had a clear view through the glass.
A band was rehearsing on stage.
They were certainly hardworking.
At that moment, an elderly woman with curly white hair slowly entered the room.
Deep wrinkles lined her face, yet her expression remained stern, giving off an intimidating presence.
The newcomer was none other than the owner of the live house, Tsuzuki Shifune.
Their eyes met.
Looking at the blue-haired girl before her, Tsuzuki Shifune maintained her stern expression.
Trying to use RiNG as a stepping stone?
That depends on whether you have the ability.
“Nice to meet you.
I’m Togawa Sakiko.
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, Manager.
I look forward to working with you.” “Hmph.” Tsuzuki Shifune showed no warmth, her face still expressionless.
“I’ll skip the pleasantries.
As for your proposal, I have no intention of accepting it.” What?
Touma was sure he hadn’t misheard.
She had specifically called him here just to reject him?
That couldn’t be right.
Sure enough, in the next moment, Tsuzuki Shifune changed her tone.
“Unless you can meet one condition.” “What condition?” Touma asked.
“The song Haruhikage was composed by you, wasn’t it?
I’ve listened to it.
It’s fairly good.” “My condition is that, within the next two weeks, you compose three songs.
Two of them must be at least on par with Haruhikage, and one must surpass it.” With her arms folded, Tsuzuki Shifune asked, “Well?
Can you do it?” Inside, Sakiko nearly exploded with anger.
Haruhikage was a song she had spent a very long time creating, pouring countless flashes of inspiration into it.
Even she couldn’t guarantee that any future song she wrote would surpass Haruhikage.
And yet this manager wanted her to produce three songs of the same quality within two weeks?
One of them even had to be better?
Unless inspiration struck nonstop for fourteen straight days, it was practically impossible.
“What do you think?” Touma asked in his mind.
“She’s making things impossible!
Sorry, I can’t do it.
Touma, let’s just leave!” Sakiko said indignantly.
Just then, the system’s voice suddenly sounded.
[Special Mission Triggered] [Mission: Fulfill Tsuzuki Shifune’s requirements] [Mission Reward: Designated Special Bonus Time Double Card ×1] [Card Effect: Doubles the duration of a designated Special Bonus.
For example, if used on Sakiko’s Piano Bonus, the daily effective bonus time will increase from one hour to two hours.] The system was stepping in?
A special mission?
As long as he fulfilled Tsuzuki Shifune’s requirements?
And that reward looked excellent.
He had to get it.
Touma fell silent for a few seconds before speaking.
“A hero doesn’t run away before the battle begins.
Let’s accept it first.
Whether we can actually accomplish it is another matter.” Sakiko felt rather helpless after hearing such a passionate declaration.
“…What’s with that hot-blooded speech?” She sighed.
“I’m telling you now.
If we can’t do it later, don’t blame me!” Touma ignored her and looked back at Tsuzuki Shifune.
“No problem.
It won’t be that difficult.” Not difficult?
Hearing that answer, Tsuzuki Shifune inwardly scoffed.
The challenge she had set, surpassing one’s own current level, was difficult even for the top composers she knew.
How could a fifteen-year-old middle school student accomplish it so easily?
Yet seeing the ease and confidence in the blue-haired girl’s eyes, she suddenly felt that perhaps she had judged too quickly.
Interesting.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Tsuzuki Shifune’s lips.
“Very well.
I look forward to your performance.” With that, she left the room.
“The manager is sometimes like this.
Um…” Matsugi Ririko began trying to comfort him, but Touma interrupted before she could finish.
“Don’t worry, Ririko-san.
I understand.” Seeing the confidence on the girl’s face, Matsugi Ririko swallowed the comforting words that had reached her lips.
“You understand?
What exactly do you understand?” Sakiko, on the other hand, completely disagreed.
Before they had even left RiNG, she had already started complaining inside his head.
“Do you even know how to compose?” “Just writing one song that’s on the same level as Haruhikage could take me two weeks or even longer, let alone three.” …
With her chattering nonstop in his head, Touma felt his brain starting to buzz.
“Enough.
Stop talking.” “I may not know how to compose, but I have a way to help you finish those three songs.
If you trust me, then do as I say.
If you don’t trust me, you’re still going to do it.
It’s that simple.
Understand?” His tone left no room for argument.
Sakiko froze for a moment before obediently falling silent.
The world inside his mind immediately became much quieter.
This Sakiko really needed to be kept under control.
Otherwise, who knew when she’d start blowing up again.
Just then, a light green figure entered his field of vision.
It was Wakaba Mutsumi.
She immediately noticed him as well.
Her eyes lit up slightly as she quickly walked over.
“Saki, good morning.” Wakaba Mutsumi greeted “Sakiko” in her gentle voice.
“Mm, good morning.” Touma returned the greeting.
Then he suddenly remembered something.
“Mutsumi, do you have a piano at home?” A piano?
Wakaba Mutsumi was puzzled.
Did Saki want to play the piano?
She nodded gently.
“Yes.
If Saki wants to, you can come play at my house anytime.” “Would today be okay?” Touma asked.
Hearing that, Wakaba Mutsumi couldn’t hide her excitement and nodded immediately.
“Of course.
We can go right now.” Now this was what a truly wonderful best friend looked like.
How could Sakiko bring herself to scold her so harshly later on?
Touma knew he certainly couldn’t.
He followed Wakaba Mutsumi to her house.
Wakaba Mutsumi was undeniably the daughter of a wealthy family.
The thirteen-hundred-square-meter villa alone made that obvious.
Under her guidance, Touma arrived at the music room on the second floor.
A grand piano stood inside, though a thin layer of dust covered it, suggesting it hadn’t been used for quite some time.
Once everything was ready, Touma began today’s one-hour piano practice session.
He wasn’t worried that Wakaba Mutsumi would notice anything unusual.
His current piano skill was already about the same as Sakiko’s usual level whenever she wasn’t seriously showing off her abilities.