We practiced the other songs through, and at the end, I had Ichikawa sing the new song one more time. I recorded it on my smartphone before we left the studio.
“So, I guess I’ll see you after the break, then?”
Lifting her hand slightly, Ichikawa tilted her head.
“Yeah, sounds good. Later. Hey Yurisuke, about the bass for that girl’s more intense new song—I think using a pick would be better.”
After giving her a cold response, Sako started walking toward Kichijoji Station while consulting Azuma about the bass.
“I mean, calling her 'that girl'... well, I actually wish I had even a little bit of that spirit right now... Amane, bye-bye!”
As if being pulled along, Azuma offered a quick goodbye and followed her.
“See you, Sako-san, Yuri!”
Perhaps Ichikawa had grown accustomed to Sako’s attitude, as she waved back with a smile that took zero damage.
“Well then, I’ll be going too—”
“Konuma-kun, wait a moment.”
Just as I was about to follow the other two, my sleeve was tugged firmly.
“Hm?”
“Hey, Konuma-kun, do you have plans tomorrow?”
“No, not really...?”
“Then, um... tomorrow, I’d like to see you. Is that okay?”
Ichikawa asked while looking up at me.
“Eh? Ah, yes, it’s not... not okay...”
Wait, does this mean... our first weekend date!?
“Hey.”
Suddenly, my shoulder was pulled back with a lot of force just as I was blushing at the unexpected invitation.
“What are you dawdling for? Let’s go.”
Pulled around roughly, I saw that Sako had returned before I knew it.
Further down the road, Azuma was holding his hand to his forehead with a face that said, “Oh boy.”
“Yes, yes, Sako-san. See you, Konuma-kun... see you later, okay?”
“O-Oh...”
“Hurry up.”
Sako pulled my bag, dragging me toward the station.
“You guys are gross...”
“Don’t call us gross...!”
At the Kichijoji Station platform, we waved to Azuma, who was heading in the opposite direction, leaving just Sako and me.
When I took out my smartphone, I saw a message from Yuzu.
Konuma Yuzu: [Takkun, handle the shopping today!]
Below that, a screenshot of a memo listing ingredients was attached. Why didn’t she just copy and paste the text?
“Is it Takuto’s turn to cook today?”
“Well, she made dinner yesterday, so yeah.”
“Hmph. Then I guess I’ll go shopping with you on the way back.”
With a 0.something millimeter smirk, she made the proposal.
“No, it’s fine, I can buy it myself.”
“No, no, I’m saying it’s good to go shopping together at the local supermarket.”
“No, no, no, why?”
“No, no, no, no, because it feels like a childhood friend thing.”
This girl... could it be...
“Is this because of that manga?”
“Well...”
Unusually for Sako, she looked away awkwardly.
“What, was it that interesting?”
“Yeah, it was fairly interesting. I can kind of understand the feeling of wanting a childhood friend now.”
“I see...”
When was the last time I saw Sako-chan with her eyes sparkling like this? Not since the fireworks at the training camp? If she's saying 'fairly,' it must have been really interesting...
For the rest of the train ride, she talked about which parts of 'I Fell in Love Once More.' were interesting and why.
I thought we might reach our home station like this, but after our second transfer, Sako suddenly changed the subject.
“...So, what did that manager person say to you?”
...I see.
Given how she was averting her eyes, she probably wanted to ask this the whole time.
“If you were that curious, you should have just asked.”
“I thought... maybe Takuto wouldn’t want to talk about it...”
“I guess...”
It seems she just couldn’t hold it in anymore.
...Well, I don’t mind answering Sako.
“So, the thing is...”
I gave her a brief explanation. I told her about how I heard the demo for amane’s 'My Song' but the lyrics and melody were slightly different from now, how Ariga-san said that as 'believers' of the singer-songwriter amane we wouldn't be able to contribute anything to the band, and how she mentioned 'Kyousou' was so good it made her want to hire a ghostwriter, suggesting that might be a hint.
“Hmm...”
“Sako, when you heard 'Your Song', did you think anything of it?”
“Hmm, I wonder. I heard it before you guys did, and the situation wasn't exactly normal. I thought it was a normally good song and I was moved by it.”
“I figured...”
I let out a breath. If even Sako said she was moved, then it really must be the real deal, right?
“No, I’m saying listen until the end.”
“Eh?”
“I said 'but' didn't I?”
“Huh...?”
I thought it was just the kind of 'but' you use when you're about to say 'but that's hilarious!', but apparently, there was more.
“But what?”
Sako nodded once.
“But, I feel like it was better when it was just her singing with the guitar.”
“That’s the killing blow...”
I thought she was going to say something nice after the 'but'...
However, I realized that this was an impression only Sako could give. Of course, anyone could say it, but only Sako and I, who are actually making noise in the band with her, could say it without it sounding like a backhanded compliment.
“No, that’s not it... how do I put it? It was like that during today’s singing too, but when we do it as a band, the vocals get buried a bit...”
“So it's not different... whatever. Then, what about 'Kyousou'?”
I sighed and changed the question.
“Hmm... That song is the opposite; it’s a good song specifically because it’s played by a band. That girl’s voice is really coming out, too.”
“Her voice is coming out?”
“Yeah, it feels like that girl is really giving it her all.”
“I mean, I think she is giving it her all... but... hmm?”
Something about Sako’s words felt like a flash of inspiration. I felt like I could see something sparkling faintly in the distance.
“What is it, Takuto?”
“Mmm...”
Under Sako’s expectant gaze, I crossed my arms and groaned, but...
“Ah, no good... I can’t do it like Ariga-san...”
I sighed again. Maybe my brain was just tired.
“Anyway, is that manager person really that amazing?”
“Yeah, she was amazing. More than anything, her love for amane, or whatever it was, was incredible. I stopped Azuma when he was about to say it, but I really felt like it would be the strongest setup if that person managed her.”
“Is that really true?”
Sako tilted her head.
“Is what true...?”
I frowned, wondering why she was asking now.
“No, I don’t know anything about that person, but if she really knows the singer-songwriter amane so well,”
“Yeah?”
As if it were a simple question, Sako continued.
“Then why didn't she realize 'Kyousou' wasn't Ichikawa-san's song on the day of the school festival?”