The next day, Touma started experiencing Sakiko’s body early in the morning.
After greeting Ms.
Matsugi, he brought a USB drive with him to the backstage area of RiNG.
The first people he saw were Matsugi Ririko and Tsuzuki Shifune.
Tsuzuki Shifune, an elderly woman already well past fifty, was dressed in casual clothes.
If you didn’t know who she really was, you would have mistaken her for an ordinary old woman.
“Good morning, Manager Tsuzuki,” Touma greeted politely.
“I thought you weren’t going to come.” A faint smile appeared on Tsuzuki Shifune’s lips when she saw the blue-haired girl before her.
At the very least, the other party had truly persevered instead of backing down.
The only question now was how good the results actually were.
“Have you finished all three songs?” she asked.
“Yes.
They’re all on here.” Touma nodded, took out the USB drive, and handed it to her.
“Two of them were composed based on lyrics from other bands, while the last one is completely original.” Seeing how confident she looked, curiosity flashed across Tsuzuki Shifune’s eyes.
She plugged the USB drive into the computer, put on a pair of headphones, and opened the audio files.
Touma simply stood quietly to the side.
“Will this really be alright, Sakiko-san?” Matsugi Ririko quietly asked beside her, her voice tinged with concern.
“Please don’t worry, Ms.
Matsugi.” Touma replied with a reassuring smile.
Seeing this, Sakiko, who had been feeling fairly relaxed, inexplicably grew nervous instead.
It was like holding a lottery ticket that was guaranteed to win, yet still finding your palms sweaty before claiming the prize.
Tsuzuki Shifune treated music with extreme seriousness, so she listened to both the first and second songs with her full attention.
Her ears would tell her the answer.
When the first song ended, Tsuzuki Shifune’s expression remained calm.
“It’s on the same level as ‘Haruhikage.'” After the second song finished, a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.
“This one’s slightly better than ‘Haruhikage.'” To be honest, producing two songs of this quality within just two weeks was already an impressive feat, which was why Tsuzuki Shifune was genuinely surprised.
As for the third song, she had already stopped expecting much.
It was probably just a hastily thrown together piece.
Still, she opened the audio file and listened carefully.
A piano as the main melody?
Then came the sounds of various instruments weaving together in harmony.
Wait…
This song…
Tsuzuki Shifune’s expression instantly turned serious.
In less than ten seconds, she had already been drawn in by its melody.
By the time the song reached its halfway point, she slowly closed her eyes.
The stern look on her face gradually softened as she immersed herself completely, quietly appreciating the music.
Seeing this, Matsugi Ririko looked astonished.
Had the manager…
become completely absorbed?
About four minutes later, the song came to an end.
Tsuzuki Shifune let out a slow breath, removed her headphones, and looked at the blue-haired girl beside her.
“This song, ‘Gunjou.’ Did you compose it yourself?” Since the song only existed in other people’s memories for now, Touma nodded without hesitation.
“It’s completely original.” Hearing that, Tsuzuki Shifune stroked her chin before smiling faintly, admiration visible in her eyes.
“This one is very good.” Matsugi Ririko, standing nearby, stared with her mouth wide open.
It was probably the first time she had ever seen the manager praise someone!
Sakiko was overjoyed.
“That’s great!” “There’s also a version without the main melody.” Touma pointed at the computer screen.
Hearing that, Tsuzuki Shifune felt even more satisfied.
Even after receiving praise, the girl hadn’t shown the slightest trace of pride or excitement.
Instead, she simply reminded her that there was still another track she hadn’t listened to.
At such a young age, she was already more mature than many adults.
“Alright.” Tsuzuki Shifune’s attitude had clearly become much friendlier as she finished listening to the instrumental version of “Gunjou.” In the end, she reached a conclusion.
Once paired with lyrics, this arrangement would be even more complete than the previous version.
“Does this song have lyrics?” she asked curiously.
“It does.” Touma nodded and opened the lyrics document stored on the USB drive.
After reading through it, Tsuzuki Shifune found that the lyrics were excellent as well, fitting the song perfectly.
“Good.
You’ve even written the lyrics.
Have you considered recording the complete song?” “Not for now.
I don’t have the necessary conditions.” Touma shook his head.
“I see.
If you ever need it, you can contact Matsugi.
She’ll take care of arranging the recording venue and everything you’ll need.” “Understood.
Thank you.” Although he thanked her, Touma couldn’t help feeling a little surprised.
The manager’s attitude had changed far too much!
Meanwhile, Matsugi Ririko was equally shocked.
The manager was willing to arrange the recording of “Gunjou” unconditionally?
She was placing an incredible amount of importance on this girl!
“Then about the requirement…” Touma brought the conversation back on track.
“You’ve passed.” Tsuzuki Shifune folded her arms across her chest and answered with a smile.
In truth, she would have considered it a pass as long as the girl had written two and a half songs on the level of “Haruhikage,” because the requirement she had set was practically impossible for anyone to achieve.
Yet this Sakiko had actually met her expectations.
Not only that, she had even created a genuinely outstanding song.
From the tired look on the girl’s face, Tsuzuki Shifune could see just how much effort she had put into these past two weeks.
[Mission Complete: Fulfill Tsuzuki Shifune’s Requirement] [Reward Issued: Designated Special Bonus Time Double Card ×1] The system’s voice echoed in Touma’s mind.
As long as he got the reward, that was what mattered.
“By the way, I heard you’re particularly skilled with keyboard instruments.” Tsuzuki Shifune had already done a bit of research and had a general understanding of Sakiko’s background in the music world.
Touma nodded.
“I’m best at the piano.” “I have a proposal.
I’d like to see your piano skills.
If they meet my standards, RiNG will only take a five percent commission from your contract.” “And you can also choose to perform for two hours a day at the café on RiNG’s second floor.
I’ll offer a fairly generous daily wage.” Touma’s eyes lit up.
There was actually a deal this good?
It seemed he had truly earned Tsuzuki Shifune’s recognition, to the point where she was personally paving the way for him.
“Alright.
I’ll give it a try.” Touma nodded seriously.
The three of them then walked over to a grand piano.
It was a Steinway.
It probably cost around six million yen.
They really were wealthy.
Touma sat down before the piano.
He then used the Designated Special Buff Duration Doubler Card on his piano buff.
[Daily Piano Buff Duration increased from one hour to two hours.
Effective immediately.] At that moment, Sakiko’s voice suddenly rang out.
“Do your best.
This should be easy for you, right?” Since when had Maestro Sakiko become so kind?
Touma smiled but said nothing.
He straightened his posture, rested his fingers on the keys, and began to play.
He might as well use up today’s buff duration while he was at it.