“If you’re not tired, then keep it up.” Touma offered a word of encouragement before asking, “So, did anything happen last night?” Sakiko didn’t really feel like talking to him.
But remembering the good news from the previous night, she immediately shared it anyway.
“After I got back from my convenience store shift last night, someone contacted me and asked me to compose music for their lyrics!” “The response was that fast?” Even Touma was surprised.
It seemed Ms.
Matsugi had really taken his proposal seriously.
“Mhm.
I stayed up writing until after midnight!” Receiving work that actually made use of her strengths had left Sakiko genuinely excited.
The two then discussed the details.
The band had been formed by a Tsukinomori student.
Because she had a good relationship with Ms.
Matsugi and had been referred by her, she’d contacted Sakiko directly.
The requirements weren’t demanding.
The song simply needed to be straightforward and energetic.
Most importantly, the payment offered was generous.
Although the full amount would only be paid upon completion, if the finished song satisfied them, they were willing to pay 100,000 yen.
For someone as unknown as Sakiko, that was already an exceptionally high price.
Naturally, there was no concern about being scammed.
After all, the client had come through Ms.
Matsugi and was also a Tsukinomori student.
It could only be said…
As expected of rich people.
If they were one of those dirt-poor bands struggling just to afford food, they wouldn’t have the luxury of playing rock like this.
“How long will it take you to finish the composition?” Touma asked.
“If I take my time, about a week.” “If I work faster, five days.” Sakiko answered, trying to suppress the excitement in her voice.
Touma shook his head and held up three fingers.
“Three days.” “Three days?” “You’re joking, right?” Sakiko asked in disbelief.
“Why would I be joking?” “Just free up your schedule.” “For example, during the useless classes at school, you can work on the composition in your head.” “You can also quit some of those exhausting part-time jobs that barely pay.” “Push yourself a little harder.” “Then you’ll manage.” Touma said matter-of-factly.
…That actually did sound possible.
But wouldn’t that be squeezing herself far too hard?
Touma: Exactly.
That’s the idea.
Sakiko was reluctant.
Still…
She’d already endured so much hardship.
After gritting her teeth, she finally nodded.
“…Alright.” “I’ll do my best.” “Oh, one more thing.” “I’ll be the one delivering the finished composition.” “If you finish writing it while I’m not around, just leave it for me.” “Understood?” He needed the system to recognize it as part-time work in order to trigger the job bonus.
After all, composing music for another band was still a form of paid work.
That wasn’t much of a request.
Sakiko readily agreed.
…
Compared to an ordinary school, Tsukinomori always carried a faintly oppressive atmosphere.
Even greeting someone there involved proper etiquette.
Today’s classes were much easier.
They were either subjects Sakiko excelled at or practical courses like cooking.
As a result, for most of the day, Sakiko stayed inside her mind composing music while Touma acted as her hands, writing things down on paper.
“My two-handed coordination still isn’t smooth.” “The accompaniment sounds a bit rough.” “But considering how fast I’m improving…” “I’d say this isn’t bad.” Touma summarized while practicing the piano.
Inside the body, Sakiko was utterly dumbfounded.
Was this guy really a piano genius?!
“It’s…
alright, I guess.” “You’re only a tiny bit worse than I was back then.” “Keep working hard.” She shamelessly encouraged him.
Only a tiny bit worse?
Maestro Sakiko’s skin was surprisingly thick in certain areas.
Still…
The fact that she was willing to encourage him at all was already pretty rare.
She was starting to feel a little more like White Sakiko.
Just as Touma continued practicing, someone suddenly pushed open the music room door.
Long light brown hair.
Sky-blue eyes.
And an unmistakable aura of a melancholy widow.
The newcomer was Nagasaki Soyo.
She had only intended to retrieve something she’d left behind in the music room.
She hadn’t expected to run into…
“Saki-chan!” The clumsy piano playing reached her ears.
Nagasaki Soyo’s eyes widened as she stared at the blue-haired girl seated before the piano.
Touma glanced toward the doorway.
Nagasaki Soyo?
What incredible timing.
Meanwhile, Sakiko immediately grew nervous.
Nagasaki Soyo.
The girl whose entire world revolved around her.
There had been several occasions when Soyo’s relentless pursuit had nearly caused her to lose one of her part-time jobs.
“She’s Nagasaki Soyo, my former bandmate…” Sakiko began to explain before being interrupted.
“I know.” “No need.” Touma replied.
Hearing that, Sakiko remained silent.
This guy really did know an awful lot about her.
“Sakiko.” Nagasaki Soyo quickly walked over and stood beside him, gazing directly at him.
Her eyes were filled with both joy and concern.
“Mhm.” Touma merely nodded before continuing his piano practice.
Just seeing Sakiko willing to acknowledge her instantly lifted Nagasaki Soyo’s spirits.
She no longer even noticed how strangely inexperienced Sakiko’s piano playing sounded.
Sakiko must just be practicing.
I shouldn’t disturb her any further.
So Nagasaki Soyo quietly stood beside her for ten full minutes until Touma finally finished practicing.
[Piano Enhancement Lv.1 (40/100)] Another twenty experience points.
After reflecting on the session, Touma slowly lifted his hands from the keyboard before turning toward the brown-haired girl beside him.
The closer he looked…
The stronger that melancholy widow aura became.
“Um…” “Saki-chan…” “It feels like it’s been such a long time.” “I couldn’t find you anywhere around Tsukinomori before.” “Later, Mutsu told me you’d taken a leave of absence.” Nagasaki Soyo said in her deliberately sweet, cutesy voice while absentmindedly twirling a lock of hair.
“Do you have some time now?” “Could we…
have a proper talk?” “I’ve had so many things I’ve wanted to tell you.” Her eyes were full of hope.
If some innocent girl who knew nothing were confronted with a heartfelt plea like this from Nagasaki Soyo…
She’d probably follow along without hesitation.
But Touma was different.
He knew exactly what she was thinking.
“I’m sorry.” “I’m very busy right now.” “I have more things to do than I can handle every day.” “Let’s leave the past in the past.” “There’s nothing to talk about.” Touma rejected her without mercy.
Then his tone softened slightly.
“Of course…” “We’re still normal friends.” With Soyo, he couldn’t be too cold.
But he also couldn’t be too warm.
As long as he maintained the right distance, she wouldn’t have any reason to spiral again.
Just like now.
Nagasaki Soyo stood there speechless.
All the words she’d prepared lodged themselves back in her throat.
“…Okay.” In the end, she could only nod softly.
“Good.” Touma gave the girl a faint smile.
Then he turned around and left the music room.