Hotaru Shiomi and Natsume Izawa

I keep telling you, this needs more sound packed into it!

Do you think so...? I think it is better as it is.

Why? It would be cooler that way! My creator's instincts are telling me so, too!

I do think it would sound cool.

Then what's the problem?

But I think that is only true when you hear the guitar on its own.

Unlike a solo, this will have other instruments and vocals too... I'm worried the guitar's cool sound might get buried.

Ngh...

Wouldn't it be better to let the guitar stand out in the intro or during the instrumental break, rather than keeping it in the foreground the whole time?

*Sigh*... Fine. You're saying it needs more contrast.

! Thank you! I think that will make it an even lovelier song!

I'm tired. Let's take a break.

Okay!

...

(She has started speaking her mind before I even noticed.)

(When she first joined the band, she was much more...)

What do you think of it so far?

Oh... Um, I think it's good!

Listen... If all you're going to do is say everything's good, a bot could do that.

A-A bot...?

You're in charge of arrangements, so give me more of your own ideas.

You're Kanata's student, aren't you? Kanata tried to arrange every phrase I gave her.

Nothing good comes from everyone getting along and agreeing on everything.

Ugh... I-I'll do my best...!

(Maybe she's gotten a little too bold...)

(But she's been through a lot. Maybe she's simply grown more comfortable.)

(Either way, it is a good change.)

(If we're aiming for Comet Rising, she'll need it.)

Huh...? There's no water in the refrigerator... And it doesn't look like there are any extras, either...

*Sigh*...

Hotaru. Here.

Oh, okay!

An energy drink. You can have one.

An energy drink...? Thank you.

What? You don't like them? Then give it back.

Oh, no! It's just that I've never had one before...

But since you gave it to me, I'll try it.

Hmm... The carbonation is a little strong...

Hmph! Just as I thought. You're still such a kid.

Hello. Oh... Is it just you here, Natsume-san?

Looks like the others are running late. Every last one of them, when practice time is so precious.

Um... What should we do? Should we wait until everyone gets here?

Yeah. I'll just play some guitar until they get here.

Okay, I understand.

...

...

Hey... Why are you staring at me like that?

Huh...? Oh, I'm sorry.

I do not often get to sit and listen to your guitar properly, so I got completely absorbed in it.

Hmm...? Well, you can keep watching as long as you don't get in my way.

! Thank you!

...

(Well... It doesn't feel bad. Maybe someday I'll put on a live where I sing and play guitar in front of a bigger crowd.)

(Hm...? Did something just move by my feet...)

...!?

(I-It...)

(It can't be a mantis!!!)

(No, no, no! Bugs? No way! So scary, scary, scary! Just go away already!)

Hm? You stopped playing... Is something wrong?

...!

(Oh no... Hotaru is right in front of me.)

(To Hotaru, Natsume Izawa is the cool senior guitarist... I can't let her see me like this...!)

I-It's nothing. That was an intentional rest. Silence is part of the performance too...!

(Wait... Why are you coming this way, mantis!? I can't move!)

(No, stop, don't come any closer! Ugh, no, no, no...)

Oh, a mantis. Did it wander in by accident?

!?

Please stay still... I'll take you outside now.

There you go. Bye-bye.

...

Phew. I'm glad I could let it out safely. It would have been awful if someone had accidentally stepped on it.

Oh... Natsume-san, were you being so quiet because of that?

Huh...?

So you would not scare the mantis... Right?

Hmph...! You noticed, Hotaru!

I knew it...! You're amazing, Natsume-san. I need to learn from how you always care so much about every guest...!

...

(I wish the others would get here already...)

All right...

(The song we're practicing today should be okay now.)

(Maybe I'll take a short break. There should be some water in the refrigerator.)

(Huh...? This water has different packaging than usual. But if it's in here, I guess it's okay to have some...?)

I'll have some, then...

...!?

*Cough*, *Cough*!? W-What is this...? My throat feels all scratchy...!

What's all the commotion about?

N-Natsume-san...! The water in the refrigerator tastes strange...

Oh. That's because it's hard water.

Hard water...?

Yeah. It's water with lots of natural minerals in it.

Most water in Japan is soft water instead. Hard water has a different feel going down.

You know a lot about this...

Of course I do. I put that in there.

Oh, was it yours...!? I'm sorry. I drank it without asking...!

It's fine. I left it in the shared refrigerator.

I buy them in bulk online, so one bottle isn't a big deal.

Thank you... Do you prefer hard water, Natsume-san?

Yeah. It feels like I'm actually drinking something.

It's good on its own, and I use it when I make coffee sometimes, too.

It makes the flavors more defined. Sharper, maybe? I've heard professional chefs use it a lot too.

Th-That sounds so grown-up...!

Hmph! You're pretty perceptive for a kid.

I'm two grades above you, after all. I see the world differently.

I've never really thought about different kinds of water before.

You should pay more attention to what you put in your body, too. It all becomes part of you.

And you're the vocalist, aren't you? Taking care of your throat is part of the job.

You're right...! I had never thought of it that way.

Seriously. You really don't think ahead.

I'm sorry...

For someone like you, I've got a useful tip.

Huh...?

Eat something fried right before you sing.

Something fried...?

Exactly. Convenience-store fried chicken is a good choice.

It coats your throat with a layer of oil and makes it easier to sing. That's another technique the professional singers use.

Really? You know even things like that? That's amazing!

Well, you could call it something I picked up on the job. If you're interested, I could teach you more.

It might even help your performances, too.

Oh...! Thank you so much! Yes, please!