Then, after school on Saturday arrives.
The four of us in amane were walking from school to the studio in Kichijoji. Ichikawa and Sako were talking together, while Yuri and I walked side-by-side, chatting.
“Yuri, are the lyrics done?”
“Yeah, they’re finished,” Yuri replied with a nod, showing no signs of sleepiness.
“Oh, as expected... Since you didn't come by yesterday, I thought you might still be writing them on the train on the way to the studio.”
When I said that, Yuri let out a playful grin.
“Hehe, amazing, right? You can praise me, you know. Sometimes it happens to me too—like an 'awakening chapter' in a shonen manga. When your resolve and feelings solidify, your fingers just start moving on their own...! That’s what happened last night.”
“Heh... I wonder if that really happens...”
Thinking about it in terms of my own composing... Well, it’s not like I haven’t felt something similar before.
“In that case, you could have sent them to me as soon as they were done yesterday.”
When I mentioned that, Yuri scratched her cheek.
“Mmm, well... I thought it would be better to do it when everyone is together. I wanted to hand them over with my own hands.”
“What’s that? Is that a line from the lyrics or something?”
“It’s not,” she laughed a little.
I couldn’t quite read the full intention behind those words, but she probably just wanted to see our reactions in person.
And so, we arrived at the studio in Kichijoji.
Once we entered the studio and finished preparing our instruments,
“Alright, shall we get started then!” Ichikawa called out.
“Yeah...”“Mhm...”“I guess so...”
The small soundproof room was immediately filled with a somewhat tense atmosphere.
“Huh? What’s wrong with you three?”
Our guitar-vocalist, the only one in a relaxed, fluffy mode, tilted her head.
“Well, thinking about how today might decide whether we can perform in the live or not...”
I spoke up as the representative to explain the reason for the tension.
“Hmm? Either way, aren't we going to perform in the live?” Ichikawa tilted her head in the opposite direction.
“““Eh?””” our voices overlapped.
“Wait, Ichikawa-san, didn’t you say we wouldn’t go if there was no prospect of finishing three songs?” Sako asked.
“Hmm? But, I mean, we’re giving the new song to Erina-chan, right?” Ichikawa looked at me.
“Yeah, that’s true... I hope it becomes music that stays by her side, something she can listen to anytime...”
“Hey Konuma, don’t just suddenly talk about the feelings put into the song, that’s tactless! I’ve already woven all of that into the lyrics,” Yuri, the lyricist sister, interjected with a sharp retort that seemed to go against her principles.
“Ahaha... But if that’s the case, we have to give her a recorded track, right?” Ichikawa continued with a smile while watching our exchange.
“And this live is the ‘Recording Rights Battle Live,’ right? So, I thought we have no choice but to win here and record it!”
“That’s true...” Sako muttered.
“But you said we wouldn't go unless there was a prospect of three songs...” Sako asked the same question almost exactly like the first time.
“Yeah. That’s why we’re going to make three songs no matter what and go!” Ichikawa laughed confidently.
“Well, if you say so, then fine...” Sako swallowed her words with a faint, wry smile.
“...And, it seems like I’m the only one who hasn't heard the crucial new song yet...?” Ichikawa didn't seem angry or sulky; instead, her eyes sparkled with anticipation, as if she was looking forward to hearing it today.
“Ah... right.” I looked toward Sako and Yuri.
“I’ve thought of the bass line. What about you, Yurisuke?”
Yuri took a deep breath, and then,
“Yeah, the lyrics are done too,” she said, raising her head.
“Thank you! In that case, since we’re here, I’d like to read the lyrics while listening to the demo Konuma-kun made.”
“Got it, let’s do that.”
I stood up from the drum stool and connected my smartphone to the studio speakers.
“Alright, I can play it now.”
As I spoke, Yuri operated her phone.
“Okay, I’m sending them now.”
Her fingers seemed to be trembling slightly.
“Yuri, you okay?”
“...Yeah, this time, well... it’s the best I could possibly write, so I’m a bit nervous, ahaha.”
She said that with a troubled smile.
“But, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
And then, after nodding firmly as if to encourage herself,
Yuri pressed the send button on her smartphone.
Everyone’s phone vibrated.
‘Yuri created a note.’
The lyrics had arrived.
* * *
『Charm』
That day you turned the world upside down
With just a single word
From the bottom of my heart
I thought you were so cool
I’m sure you’ll continue
To steal my gaze from now on
From the bottom of my gut
I laughed, knowing I couldn't compete
I received a share of that courage
Spun threads from there
And when I wove them vertically and horizontally
Look, a song was born
It might not be of any help
But surely, just as much as you think of that person
I like you
What that means is a secret, though
Then, if you ask “What’s that?”
And laugh like you always do
If it makes your heart just a little warmer
I’d be so happy I could cry
Hey, just for that, I’m glad I told you
That day you turned the world upside down
For the sake of someone else
From the bottom of my heart
I prayed for your happiness
I borrowed a bit of that resolve
Spun those words
And when I wove them carefully
Look, a song was born
It might not be of any use
But surely, just as much as you think of that person
I like you
What that means is a secret, though
Then, if you ask “What’s that?”
And laugh like you always do
If it makes your heart just a little more forward-looking
That person must feel the same way too
Look, just for that, I’m glad I told you
Sing when it’s painful
If it becomes the power for that usual smile
If it makes your heart just a little warmer
I’d be so happy I could cry
Hey, I’m really glad I could come to like you
Sorry it’s so long
I wove in all my feelings and all my prayers
Because I made a charm
If you don’t mind
Please keep just this song by your side
Please keep even just this song by your side
* * *
The sound ended, and Sako spoke up softly.
“Hey, Yurisuke, this is...”
“It’s a song from Konuma and us, a gift for Erina.”
Yuri cut her off before she could finish saying something else.
“Yeah, that’s right, but...”
Yuri smiled, looking as if she were about to cry.
“Really, Sakohasu. It’s tactless to ask the lyricist for an interpretation of the lyrics, you know?”
“Sorry...”
Then Yuri bit her lower lip hard, as if enduring something, and turned toward Ichikawa.
“Hey, Amane?”
“...What?”
“Will you sing with these lyrics? This is... the best I can write right now. ...So,”
She exhaled and looked straight into Ichikawa’s eyes as she spoke.
“I want to entrust it to Amane.”
“...Yeah, of course.”
Ichikawa nodded with a serious expression.
Her eyes looked a little moist.
“I’ve properly received the baton. Yuri.”