And so, after school comes again.
I stood up at the same time as the rest of the class, thinking of heading home since I had no particular plans today, when just then, the phone in my pocket vibrated.
Yuri: 『I finished the lyrics!』
When I looked up at Ichikawa-san, she looked back and gave me a little smile.
That sudden eye contact... it’s a bit embarrassing.
I had just stood up, but I immediately sat back down to read the lyrics.
Yuri: 『I want to post them to the Note, so join the group!』
A Note? A group?
Displayed on my smartphone was:
『You have been invited to the group "Project amane-sama."』
What is this? Ah, I see, so this is what they call a LINE group!
Though, the group name is a bit...
I pressed the "Join" button while giving a wry smile.
Immediately, messages appeared:
『Takuto Konuma has joined.』
『Amane has joined.』
Both of our names were lined up together.
Yuri: 『I'm posting them to the Note!』
Then, the lyrics were posted using this new "Note" feature that I didn't know about.
"Oh..."
"Wow..."
From seats a bit further away in the classroom, two small cheers went up.
***
『Weekdays』
I left home chased by my alarm clock
With my leather shoes just barely slipped on
I dove into the classroom just as the chime rang
Everyone laughed at my bedhead
Waking up should be depressing, the train should be cramped, and school should be a pain,
So I wonder why
At the secret messages flying under the desks
I let out an "Eh?" and got scolded
In my place when I was called on in 4th period
My stomach answered and I was laughed at again
Lessons should be boring, studying should be hard, and school should be a pain,
So I wonder why
On the way home, I watched the trains pass by several times
Watching the sun go down from the platform
On the train back, when I remembered my day
It’s strange, it hurts a little bit
The commute home should be a bother, the train should be cramped, and school should be a pain,
So I wonder why
Hey, I wonder why?
***
Those lyrics were an interpretation of my song "Daily Life is Good," turned into proper lyrics.
To be honest, I still don't really know if these lyrics are good or bad.
However, the sheer emotion of having proper lyrics attached to my own song made me read them over and over again.
Before I knew it, Ichikawa-san and I were the only ones left in the classroom.
When I glanced at Ichikawa-san, she was still staring blankly at her phone.
"Ichikawa-san?"
"Konuma-kun... Konuma-kun!"
Raising her head slowly, Ichikawa-san called my name with excitement.
"Yuri, this is amazing! Yuri!"
She said, holding her smartphone high above her head.
"Hey, I want to try singing this right away!"
"I guess so."
I also want to hear what it sounds like when these lyrics are added to that song.
"Hey, Konuma-kun, let's go to a studio now!"
Ichikawa-san suggested, looking restless.
"A—A studio!? The Rock Club's one?"
"No, it's probably not free, so a rental studio in Kichijoji!"
A rental studio is a facility where you can rent a soundproof room for about 2,000 yen an hour.
If one or two people book at the last minute, you can rent it as "Personal Practice," which can be even cheaper. Sometimes as low as 800 yen for two people.
"Hey, hey, Konuma-kun!"
With her eyes sparkling like a dog that had brought back a frisbee, Ichikawa-san looked at me.
When she makes that face, I can't say no.
"Alright. Let's try calling one."
I searched for studios in Kichijoji on my phone and made a call.
Beside me, Ichikawa-san was watching with heavy breathing. Um, you're a bit close... What, do you want to hear the clerk's voice too?
I thought I might have to try several places, but luckily, I was able to make a reservation at the very first studio I called.
"Well then, shall we go?"
"Yeah!!"
Seeing Ichikawa-san's innocent reply, my own expression softened without thinking.
Leaving the school, we headed toward Kichijoji.
"I'm saying this a bit late, Konuma-kun," Ichikawa-san said in a gentle tone as we walked toward Shin-Koganai Station.
"Hm?"
"You really worked hard yesterday."
"Yesterday?"
Even though I actually knew what she meant, I felt embarrassed being told directly, so I pretended not to know.
"About Sako-san."
"No, that was..."
"You did your best, Konuma-kun. You really did."
Ichikawa-san smiled gently, as if cherishing something.
For a moment, I was captivated by that expression.
I shook my head slightly and looked back ahead.
I should tell her properly. One thing at a time.
"It's thanks to you, Ichikawa-san."
"Eh?"
"Because you told me, 'It’ll be okay.'"
I told her while keeping my eyes fixed forward, not looking at her.
My face felt like it was about to boil from embarrassment.
"So, I managed to get through it somehow."
I heard her let out a shy, embarrassed laugh.
The two of us being shy like this made us look like idiots.
Only the distant cry of a crow and the sound of our two pairs of footsteps echoed in the dusk.
"In that case, do you think it'll be okay now?" Ichikawa-san whispered softly.
"Do you think you can tell people that you're making music?"
Asked that, I suddenly fell silent.
I tried to imagine a scene where I showed someone a song I had made while introducing it as my own.
Sako's face from the first time I showed her a song floated into my mind.
That cold expression of hers.
"...I don't know."
I noticed my hands were shaking.
Seeing that, a dry laugh escaped me.
I really am pathetic to the core.
"It seems I'm still scared."
I said, holding my shaking hand up in front of my face.
"...I see."
Naturally, Ichikawa-san didn't grab that hand, nor did she pat me on the back.
But even so, she continued to walk right beside me.
"You really, truly worked hard," she whispered.