Umiri Yahata and Sakiko Togawa

Next... interview requests. We've received five for next week.

It would be difficult to accept all of them. Let us narrow them down.

I thought so as well, so I looked into them in advance. Here is a summary of each magazine's readership. Please take a look.

Thank you, Umiri. This will be helpful.

There's also an offer for us to appear on a variety show. It's a popular show with high ratings, but...

It does not suit Ave Mujica's image.

Agreed. I am arranging the schedule under the assumption that we will decline it.

You handle things very efficiently. It is a great help.

Then, next...

That is all for now. Lastly, regarding each member's personal schedule...

As expected, Mutsumi has so many requests...

It cannot be helped. We will adjust things carefully and make sure we secure practice time.

And her days off, of course.

Yes, please. We cannot let anything like that happen again.

This seems like a good place to stop for now. We should take a break... Oh, it is already past noon.

No wonder I am hungry.

Shall we have lunch? That said, we still have plans after this... so maybe we will have to order delivery.

Umiri, is there anything you would like to eat?

No, please do not trouble yourself. I brought my lunch with me.

What is that?

You are not familiar with it? It is CalirinMate.

With this alone, I can get all the nutrients I need for the day. It's efficient, and best of all, it makes mealtimes effortless.

It looks like a snack, though...?

It may look that way.

Is that enough on its own?

And I do think meals should also have... a certain enjoyment to them, such as color and texture.

Hmm. You do have a point. But this has its own appeal too.

Would you like to try some? It might feel different once you have tried it.

Here. It is cheese flavor.

Then, if you do not mind... Thank you.

...

...! It really does taste like cheese.

It does. There are many other flavors besides cheese too. I switch between them depending on my mood.

I see... It certainly is convenient to have something quick that gives you the nutrients you need.

But it still feels more like a snack... I would not really feel like I was having a meal.

Yes, that is true. But that is exactly what I like about it.

That is what you like about it?

Yes.

...

(Well... if she is happy with it...)

Next, regarding next week... Achoo!

Oh?

Pardon me.

Do you have a cold?

No, I am fine. The air conditioner was blowing right on me, so I will move seats.

...

Now, about next week's practice... Achoo!

Are you sure you are all right?

Pardon me again... I truly am fine. I make sure to take care of myself.

Please wait here for a moment.

Huh...? Umiri?

Where are you going...?

Sorry to keep you waiting.

I got some things from the office to help prevent a cold.

All of this?

First, gargle solution. Then, throat lozenges. Artists rely on their throats, after all.

Also, hand sanitizer. Sanitizing is basic. And then...

Thank you. I appreciate the thought, but... I truly am fine.

You did sneeze twice.

It was only for a moment... I have moved seats now, so I should be fine.

Then at least put on a mask. I should have a spare in my bag... Oh.

Is something the matter?

No. I used to keep a mask with me, but... I ran into a bit of trouble, so I stopped carrying one.

An issue?

Yes... Back when Ave Mujica had just started, someone passing by said something to me.

What...?

That I looked like Timoris.

I see...

The mask almost caused a bit of a scene.

That must have been difficult.

But you were not wrong to make that choice. It shows you take your role as a professional seriously.

Yes... But the mask is no longer part of Timoris' look. I should put my health first now.

I am going to the convenience store to buy masks now. Of course, I will get one for you too, Togawa-san.

Huh...?

Umiri, wait a moment.

While I am there, is there anything you would like? Hot black tea, perhaps?

Then... yes, please.

Darjeeling, right? If they have your usual brand, I will get that.

All I did was sneeze... and somehow this turned into quite a big deal.

Then I will handle the schedule from here.

Please do.

...

Come to think of it, tomorrow is a day off.

Yes, it is. It feels like it has been quite some time.

Things have been busy lately. What will you be doing, Togawa-san?

What do you mean...?

I mean tomorrow. Do you have any plans?

Nothing in particular... Were you inviting me somewhere?

No, not exactly.

I was just wondering what you do on your days off.

Tomorrow... I plan to work on composing.

Right now, all of my time belongs to Ave Mujica. There is no real line between on and off for me.

I see. Do you have anything like a hobby?

Not particularly...

I see.

Yes.

...

...?

(Was that... not what Umiri wanted to talk about?)

What about you, Umiri? Do you have any plans?

Tomorrow? Nothing in particular. Just the usual.

What does "the usual" mean?

Exactly what it sounds like. I wake up, eat, and go to bed at the same times as always.

I manage my daily routine with apps and timers. It is efficient for practice and schoolwork. That does not change whether I am working or not.

In the sense that I do not really have a concept of days off, we might be similar, Togawa-san.

I see... Then, do you have any hobbies?

Not particularly.

...

...

(The conversation stopped again...)

(Was that not the right question either...?)

Oh... I do like looking at audio equipment.

It still has to do with the band, so I am not sure I would call it a hobby.

No, I think that is wonderful.

It could also mean that you devote all of your time to music... That is one way to look at it.

Contributing to the band is a given.

I knew I was right to reach out to you.

It is reassuring to have you with us.

...? Thank you.

(That should settle things for now... I suppose.)

Um... Togawa-san. Is something going on?

...?

It just seems unusual for you to praise me by going that far. Did something good happen?

...

(So she was not looking for anything in particular...?)

No, it is nothing. Let us both have a good day off.

Huh? Yes.