Natsume Izawa and Houka Izumi

Mmph... Ngh...!

Ugh, no! Something's off. Start over!

Phew... Maybe I need more fuel. I have to get my brain working...

Pwah...

Hard at work, I see... My. You've amassed quite an impressive pile today.

Don't step on those papers. I'm keeping them.

I do appreciate your dedication to composing... But might we do something about this clutter?

There is, you know, a perfectly good wastebasket right here.

These are vital stepping stones. They only go in the wastebasket once the song is finished.

I see... Still, before long there will be nowhere left to step...

Have you considered using a tablet? There should be several models available now at rather approachable prices.

How shallow. Paper and pen are the supreme tools.

I use a computer when I'm polishing things up. But by then, it feels more like work.

That very first moment, when you make something out of nothing. You have to stay analog, take your time, and work through it by trial and error!

I see... That is a composition style one encounters less and less these days.

Most people begin at the computer these days, after all. It does make your approach rather uncommon.

! Exactly! It is uncommon, isn't it!?

Not that I was trying to be different or anything. It just sort of happened that way.

Indeed. I find it quite distinctive♪

You get it, then. You really do have to work with your hands.

And when your brain is completely worn out, drinking an energy drink like this is... Huh?

It's empty already. My caffeine...

Oh my. If black tea would do, shall I prepare some for you?

Really? Then I suppose I'll take you up on that.

Certainly♪ I shall put the water on now, so please allow about ten minutes.

T-Ten minutes!? I want it now...

Of course. Even steeping the tea leaves properly takes a little time...

I don't care about that. Just brew it quickly and bring it over.

I am afraid that simply will not do. It is an essential part of making a truly lovely cup of black tea.

No, taste isn't the priority right now. I just need caffeine, quickly. Do you understand?

I understand. But on this point, I simply cannot compromise♪

What!?

There are no shortcuts to reaching the "real thing." Only time and care will bring it within your grasp.

Perhaps it is not so different from your own way of composing, Natsume-san♪

Ngh... Fine. Do it your way, then.

Very well♪ I shall bring you a lovely cup of tea.

Phew... What is with her?

Hmm, hmm...♪

Oh... Is it just you?

Oh, Natsume-san. Good afternoon. I shall open up in just a moment, so please wait here.

Hmm, hmm...♪

You're in an awfully good mood. Did something nice happen?

Indeed. We've had a few days off from practice, haven't we?

So, to think I shall soon be able to bask in Hotaru-san's music again...♡

There you go saying something strange again...

There. It is open now. Please, after you♪

Hmm, hmm...♪

...

Hey, Houka.

Yes? I shall be finished setting up the drums in just a moment.

That's not what I mean. Why do you play drums, anyway?

Hm...? Why, you ask?

You know, when we first met, you were the vocalist in another band.

I seem to remember you saying there was only an opening for drums here...

Ah, yes. That did happen.

After hearing Kanata-san sing, I would hardly have presumed to ask for the same role.

Well, that's true enough.

But would most people really do that? Going from vocals to drums is a completely different thing.

You were already recognized as a vocalist. I wouldn't give that up and switch parts for anything.

I suppose you are right... It was difficult, moving to an instrument I had never played before.

Even so... More than anything, I wanted to be in a band with Kanata-san.

I simply did what I could to be of some use to her♪

I wouldn't call your level of playing merely "doing what you could."

Why, I am honored♪

Seriously... Why does someone like you have such a gift for drums...?

Oh... I would not call it a gift. I believe it simply suits my nature.

Perhaps I am simply suited to supporting the band from its foundation...

Lately, it feels like you've been doing more staring at Hotaru than supporting anyone, though.

Hehe, so you noticed♪ After all, the drum kit's the best seat in the house for me.

From there, I can watch the radiant, beautiful light of her talent glittering before the audience, right up close.

One might even call it... a perk of the position♡

*Sigh*...

You really are impossible to figure out...

Am I? I'm simply a modest, devoted girl you might find anywhere, you know?

Well... Whatever. As long as you can still perform properly at lives.

Of course. I shall continue to do my very best♪

(Cheese, ham, lettuce... Stack them in the center, then sandwich them...)

(Cheese, ham, lettuce... Stack them in the center, then sandwich them...)

(Cheese, ham, lettuce... Stack them in the center...! I'm getting a little used to it, but this job is brutal...)

(No... I'm doing all this for music...! It feels kind of cool, like I'm paying my dues!)

(The pay is good, and nobody here knows me... This is where I'm going to make my money...!)

Natsume-chan, it's almost time for your break!

! Yes...!

Hey. Where is everyone else...?

It would appear they have not arrived yet.

I see. There's still about an hour until we're meant to meet, so I guess that's only to be expected.

So why are you here this early?

An appointment I had this morning ended sooner than expected. I thought I might as well come here rather than pass the time elsewhere.

I see. That's more or less why I'm here early too.

Since we have the time, shall I prepare some tea?

I'm good. I'll just play around until everyone's here.

...

Natsume-san... Have you purchased another new effector?

Hmm...? You noticed that well. Unlike Nagi, you actually pay attention.

Purely by chance♪ So, what sort of effector is it this time?

This is a looper. The moment I step on it, it can record a phrase and play it back on a loop.

It's limited to short phrases, but with this, I can make two sounds at once all by myself!

My. That seems to be a wonderfully versatile function.

Even so, you do have quite a collection of effectors, Natsume-san.

I am not especially knowledgeable about them, but aren't effectors rather expensive?

Well, they're necessary expenses. You can never have too many options.

I see... You must have worked very hard at your part-time job. At the food factory.

Gah!?

Huh...? What are you talking about?

Oh... Was I mistaken? It may simply have been a misunderstanding on my part.

The mother of someone I know works at a food factory... She mentioned that a Minase student named Izawa works there part-time.

Apparently, she is very diligent, and although she only works on days off, she reliably takes shifts.

So I naturally assumed she must be referring to you, Natsume-san...

N-No...! It isn't me!

My, is that so? Then please forgive my mistake.

Exactly! I spend my days off at a Café in the morning! Working somewhere else helps me reset my mind!

I went today too! I was in such a good mood, I had three espressos!

Oh! I think I left something at home! I'm just going to run back and get it! Bye!

...?

She certainly is a busy one.