Soyo Nagasaki and Taki Shiina

Studio reservation... It's OK...

Ah, Taki-chan. Did you get the next studio reservation?

I did... Where are the others?

Tomori-chan said she has stuff to do at home. And Anon-chan said she's going home early because there's a stream she wants to watch.

And Rāna-chan... When I realized, she was already gone.

Tomori's fine, but those two...

Tomori-chan aside, those two are the same as usual, right?

Well, yeah, but... I was going to remind them about today's rehearsal.

Remind?

Stray cat made arrangements without asking again... And Anon was all like "That's so cool" and encouraging her...

Yeah, she was totally encouraging her.

Seriously, our guitarists are...

Those two really just go with the moment and the vibe. They're like... impulsive?

Yes, exactly. They're the impulsive type. Rāna just goes off when she gets an idea. And Anon makes an announcement when she gets one, and then she goes off too.

It's only the difference between action with words and action without words.

They just have different approaches, but deep down they're the same. Honestly, they never learn...

Yeah~

Well, Anon is... still the better one. If I tell her, she'll practice and improve.

As for stray cat, even if I tell her, she hardly listens to me...

Speaking of which, you never give up either, Taki-chan. You keep giving her the same scolding again and again.

Why should I give up?

I guess you never learn either, Taki-chan.

What did you say?

Nothing.

Well, next time you could make her do it properly, right?

Of course. If we give up on doing it properly, the band will fall apart.

I guess so.

*Sigh*... But talking about it made me feel a little better.

Oh. I am glad to hear that.

Well, I'm going home too. See you at the next practice.

Ah, yeah.

(Come to think about it... Why did Soyo wait for me? She could have just gone home with everyone else.)

(Was she looking out for me?)

...

Maybe I should say thanks to her later...

...

(I guess I got here a little early. I'll spend some time at the Café...)

Um, excuse me!

Oh, yes. Can I help you?

We don't have enough music stands. Where can I borrow some?

It's over there... Oh, I'll lead you there.

Huh...

Thank you very much!

If you need anything else, just call me. Alright, next is cleaning... Whoa.

Isn't 'whoa' a bit rude for just meeting someone?

No, I mean... What do you want, actually?

No, nothing. I was just thinking you're really working hard.

I'm getting paid, so it's only natural to work hard.

That's right, but... I don't know. You seemed happier doing this than when you're taking orders at the Café.

Well... Today I'm helping out around the studio. So yeah, I guess this is more relaxed.

The guests here are all musicians too, so I can relax. And I don't have to put on a smile like I do at the Café, and no one would blame me.

Hmm. I see.

And I was only supposed to work in the kitchen at the Café. But somehow, I was made to do reception too...

Taki-chan, why did you start your part-time job at RiNG?

Huh?

If you hate reception that much, I think there are plenty of part-time jobs out there that don't involve it.

Ah...

...?

No, it's not some reason I can't say... It's just...

I wanted a job that had something to do with music, that's all.

Huh...

(So, that was the reason.)

(That day, when I saw Taki-chan working at RiNG, I was surprised...)

(But Taki-chan has always been trying to engage with music in her own way.)

Taki-chan, you're more of a musician than I thought.

What do you mean?

The literal meaning.

I don't understand what you mean.

It's fine. It's just my thinking.

Well then, I'm going to the studio first.

She's weird...

Welcome... Oh, it's Soyo.

What...? You're quite a rude staff member.

I don't see any need to be polite to you. So? What do you want?

Nothing. I just want to drink something.

Hmm. So, what are you ordering?

I'll have the usual.

You say "the usual," but you switch between Earl Grey and Darjeeling depending on the day.

Taki-chan, you're really... Well, never mind. I'll have a hot Earl Grey, then.

Earl Grey, hot, it is.

Oh, Taki-chan. Wait a second.

Want to order anything else?

No. It's just, if possible, I'd really appreciate it if you could use freshly boiled water.

Why?

It's the trick to making good black tea. That's how I always make it at home.

We have our own way of doing things here.

That's why I only order when you're alone here. I don't order this kind of thing usually, right?

*Sigh*...

I guess I got ignored. Anyway, I'll work on my homework.

...

Earl Grey, hot.

It took a little longer than usual.

What? A complaint?

No, I just thought it was unusual. Well then, I'll have it.

Huh...?

Wait, did you really do it for me?

It's nothing. I just happened to be boiling water. Don't expect me to make it this way next time.

But you did it for me after all. Thank you, dear staff.

Ah, yeah...

Hehehe...

Why are you laughing?

Nothing, I just thought this might feel nice.

?

I was just thinking how you never listen to me normally, Taki-chan, but you do when you're working here~

I guess this side of you is more honest... Hehe.

I shouldn't have done it.

Hehe... Maybe I'll come again when Taki-chan's on shift.

Oh, delicious.