“Sako-san was really cool, wasn’t she?”
“Yeah, she was...”
After receiving apologies from Maejima-san and Ota-san and settling the matter, the three members of the dance club went back to change from their costumes into their school uniforms. Azuma-san returned to the Instrumental Club room, saying she had to prepare for their performance starting at 1:00 PM.
Ichikawa, Taira-chan, and I were left behind and headed back to the school building.
Suddenly, Ichikawa stopped in her tracks and tilted her head.
“Oh, Tsubame-chan, isn't it almost time for that?”
At those words, the small-animal-like girl jumped in surprise.
“A-Ah, um, um, um, y-yes, it is...!”
Taira-chan’s eyes darted around as she stammered excessively.
“What’s ‘that’?”
“This!”
When I asked, Ichikawa pointed toward the ceiling.
『...And so, registration for the "School-Wide Mystery Solving Walk" is on the first floor, in the Mystery Research Club room! Please come by, everyone!』『Yes, thank you very much! Everyone, please do check it out! That was Amano-san from the Mystery Research Club! The next club is...』
Before I realized it, the school broadcast was playing.
“The school festival executive committee is using the campus radio to promote various exhibits! It sounds like they don't play it during performance times so they don't interfere.”
“I see...”
Actually, a school-wide mystery-solving game sounds pretty interesting...
“So, Taira-chan is the one introducing the Rock Club?”
“Exactly! Since it's a radio show with just one mic, we can’t have a full band. It has to be a solo performance, so I decided to ask Tsubame-chan!”
President Ichikawa explained with an angelic smile.
Beside her, Taira-chan raised her hand slightly.
“Um, um, about that... I still think it would be better if President Amane did it instead... You know, for the promotional effect, or something like that...”
It seemed she had lost her confidence right before the actual performance.
“...Tsubame-chan, are you really okay with that?”
Ichikawa stared intently into her eyes.
“Uugh, that’s...”
Unable to meet that gaze, Taira-chan looked down slightly. Ichikawa continued speaking as if gently guiding her.
“Tsubame-chan, you said, ‘If it’s for the 12:30 broadcast, I’ll do it.’ Doesn't that mean there's a reason for it?”
“Y-Yes...”
“What’s the reason?”
I chimed in from the side, asking the question.
“Well, actually, that time is right before Master Azuma’s Instrumental Club performance, so I thought I could send her a cheer...!”
Though fidgety, Taira-chan expressed her intent.
“But when I thought about it more, I felt that having President Amane sing ‘My Song’ would probably boost Master’s motivation much more...”
Hearing that intention, Ichikawa’s answer was not going to change.
“No, Tsubame-chan.”
She said it clearly and firmly.
“Listen, Tsubame-chan. The thing you want to convey, the feelings you want to deliver—you have to be the one to give them shape.”
Ichikawa’s expression had completely shifted into that of ‘amane’.
“Konuma-senpai...”
Perhaps feeling overwhelmed by the pressure, she looked at me with pleading eyes.
“For example,”
I tried to use the kindest voice I could manage as I spoke to Taira-chan.
“In the upcoming Instrumental Club live, if there were a pianist who played better than Hoshikage-san, would you be satisfied if that person performed instead? Even if you couldn't hear Hoshikage-san's playing?”
“That would never happen! I want to hear Stellar-chan's performance. But...?”
She had a look on her face that suggested she didn't quite understand what I was trying to say.
“The fact that it's Taira-chan is what makes it meaningful.”
“The fact that... it’s me...!”
Taira-chan repeated those words to herself, savoring them as if trying to swallow the meaning.
“Ichikawa and I will both be right here watching, so let’s give it a try.”
When I gave her that final push.
“What’s this? Suddenly saying something so handsome...”
Taira-chan said, looking embarrassed.
‘Suddenly,’ huh.
I really think so too.
But I’ve honestly had enough of being disappointed in myself.
Disappointed in the me who couldn't do anything when Azuma was going through that.
It’s no time to be sulking anymore. I have to do what I can, one thing at a time.
“Let’s deliver Taira-chan’s song to Azuma.”
The three of us stood in front of the broadcasting room.
Taira-chan took a deep breath, adjusted the acoustic guitar that looked a bit too large for her stature, and—
“...Okay.”
She steeled her resolve. Bit her lip softly, and opened the door.
As she was about to enter, she turned back slightly.
“It kind of feels like a married couple coming to watch a parent-teacher observation day!”
She grinned mischievously.
““M-Married!?””
Ichikawa and I were shaken by the sudden words and turned bright red.
“Ehehe, just kidding! Well then!”
Wow, Taira-chan actually has plenty of composure left...
Taira-chan closed the door while greeting the executive committee members with a cheerful “Hello!”
After seeing her off—
“By the way, how is it decided who does the promotions?”
When I asked, this time it was Ichikawa who jumped in surprise.
“Um, well, how should I put it...”
“The Rock Club LINE?”
“Yeah...”
Ichikawa scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“...I still haven't been added to that.”
When I glared at her from the corner of my eye, she mumbled.
“...Konuma-kun, you're quite the popular guy, you know.”
“Huh?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine! Look, let’s listen to Tsubame-chan’s song, okay?”
The broadcast started at a (for Ichikawa) perfect timing.
『Hello! This is Taira Tsubame-san, a first-year from the Rock Club!』
『H-H-H-Hello! I am Taira Tsubame!』
I guess sitting in front of a microphone really does make you nervous.
“She’s stammering way too much...”
“Eh, you’re the one saying that, Konuma-kun?”
She jabbed at me, but I ignored it.
『She’s going to sing a song for us today!』
『Y-Yes...!』
『Then without further ado, please sing after you introduce the song!』
I wonder what song she’s going to play.
Following the flow of the earlier conversation, would we be hearing a Taira-chan version of ‘My Song’?
『Um, um, I don’t know if it was okay for me to be so selfish, but I wrote the music for lyrics written by my favorite lyricist.』
““Hoh...!””
Both Ichikawa and I let out a sigh of admiration.
That’s quite a stylish thing to do.
『Since the original lyrics were short, it’s a short song, but I hope it reaches my respect—senpai! Now, please listen to: ‘Wish’.』
* * *
『Wish』
Lyrics: Yamasu Rui / Composition: Taira Tsubame
Whether in a distant city or a town nearby
You are likely fighting your own breath right now
Checking answers and searching for mistakes
I wonder if I can't just gently stroke your back
I’ve been saved by your words many times
I’ve been kept alive by your words until now
If we were to meet one day
What would I tell you?
Could I say anything more than “Thank you”?
I might even collapse before I can manage that
But
It’s presumptuous, it’s selfish, but
I hope that I, who am here because of you
Can one day become your strength
I hope this miracle-like wish
Will somehow come true
* * *
* * *
The lyrics I recognized—or rather, the lyrics I remembered writing—suddenly flowed from the school speakers accompanied by a wonderful melody.
I believe I wrote those back in middle school when amane-sama went on hiatus.
“...Alright, shall we get started?”
After finishing listening to my beloved disciple’s performance, I whispered softly and looked over all the members in the club room.
“Everyone in the Instrumental Club!”
“““Yes!!”””
“Whether we cry or laugh, today’s performance is the last one we’ll do with these members.”
“““Yes!!”””
Some members already had tearful voices, making me chuckle wryly.
“We’ve practiced over and over to make sure today’s performance is a absolute success.”
“So today,”
Even as I said it, my own tear ducts were getting a bit dangerous.
“Let’s experience our youth with everything we’ve got!!”
“““Yes!!”””
With determination in our hearts, we head toward the stage for our retirement.
Because just for today, we might just be the ‘strongest’ big band of all.
* * *