“I want to make sure we’re on the same page regarding our objectives for this live.”
Ichikawa’s living room.
While the four members of amane were sitting around an excessively stylish table, Azuma pulled out a notebook and broached the subject.
Of course, leading up to this point, there had been a lot going on—Azuma lamenting, “It’s too much of a shock that Amane was thinking such things...”, Sako spitting out insults like “Ichikawa-san is just a female after all,” and Ichikawa arguing, “Sako-san, you haven’t reflected on the past at all, have you? Besides, if you both think that, it’s a misunderstanding!?” Then there was the moment we arrived in front of the house and I thought, “Wait, Ichikawa’s house is too big...?” and the nice scent once we stepped inside... I feel like a lot happened, but I was so nervous that I don’t remember much of it. It was only when the talk about the band started that I finally began to grasp the situation.
“Even though you say that, you remember quite a bit, Konuma. Besides, your monologue is long.”
“Eh, what was that?”
Azuma jumps in with a retort as if she’s reading my mind. I wish she’d stop; I’m going to end up like one of those dense, hard-of-hearing protagonists...
“Whatever. So, what do you mean by ‘purpose consciousness’?”
Sakohasu coldly brushed it aside and questioned Azuma.
“Yeah, I want us to decide on a goal, like ‘If we achieve this, then this live is a success!’”
“Is that like the thing we usually do in a huddle before going on stage?”
Ichikawa put her right hand forward, saying “Yay!” or something, but Azuma laughed it off with an “Ahaha.”
“That’s fine for personal feelings, but this is about us as a band. In other words,”
Azuma held up a finger and began her explanation. (Ichikawa casually moved her right hand back to her lap.)
“Initially, the live at the external live house was just practice for the audition live, right? Then, after that, it became about winning the recording rights to give the audio for ‘Charm’ to Erina.”
It’s been a while since I heard Erina-san’s name. I wonder if she’s doing well...
“And then, the day before yesterday, it was decided that Producer Daikoku from ‘Youth Rebellion’ and amane’s former manager, Ariga-san, would come to watch us.”
“When you put it that way, a single live has a lot of different meanings layered onto it, doesn’t it...?”
“Exactly. That’s why if we don’t make our goal clear, we might just perform aimlessly and feel satisfied for no real reason. A group that can’t recognize and overcome its challenges can’t grow.”
I haven’t seen that kouhai-like way of speaking in a while either. I wonder if she’s doing well.
“I see.”
Sako nodded.
“What do you want to do, Sakohasu?”
“Mm. For me... I definitely want to win the recording rights to record ‘Charm.’”
“I thought so...”
Ichikawa nodded as if she understood perfectly.
I agreed with that too.
It makes sense. Sako and Erina-san haven’t had a clear reconciliation yet.
“Right, I see. Then, what about Amane?”
“For me, let’s see... I think I want to try appearing in Youth Rebellion.”
“Eh, really?”
Sako raised her voice in surprise.
“I didn’t know that either. Why?”
“Ah, yeah, sorry for the suddenness. ...You see, I want to make amane the strongest band.”
“Amane...!”
Azuma smiled happily.
“Well, ‘strongest’ is vague, and I think music isn’t really something you should rank, so it’s full of contradictions.”
Ichikawa gave a self-deprecating smile before continuing.
“...But, that’s exactly why. If Youth Rebellion is a contest to choose the strongest high school band, then we can’t call ourselves the ‘strongest’ unless we at least take the Grand Prix, right?”
“I see... So, in this live, we’re going to win the scouting rights for Youth Rebellion?”
“Yeah, I guess that’s how it works.”
“I get it. Understood.”
Azuma smoothly wrote down the conversation in her notebook.
“Then, what about Konuma?”
“Me? Let’s see...”
I thought about it.
But the answer was already decided.
“I want it all. The recording rights, Youth Rebellion—everything.”
I declared firmly.
“Ohh...” “How cool...”
I heard voices of praise from Ichikawa and Sako from the side.
Did I do something again? I thought as I turned back to Azuma.
“...You, were you even listening to me?”
Oops. Azuma-neesan looks incredibly fed up... Did I do something again?
“Listen, I’m talking about aligning our consciousness. If you say ‘everything,’ nothing gets narrowed down, right? There’s no point in just acting cool.”
“I’m sorry...”
“True...” “How uncool...”
Hey, you two girls, don’t just flip like that.
“S-So what about you, Azuma? I assume you’ve thought this through properly?”
Driven into a corner, I chose the most pathetic command possible: ‘Counter-attack.’
“As for me,”
Azuma began with a serious face.
“I want to make Ariga Manager recognize amane as a band.”
“I see...”
I nodded immediately after my counter-attack.
Having heard Ariga-san’s talk alongside her, it made a lot of sense to me.
“If you’re worshiping that manager person, isn’t that the same as when you were just a believer of amane?”
Sako asked the question, not to blame her, but out of curiosity.
“No, that’s not it. Ariga-san thinks so highly of the singer-songwriter amane, but she doesn’t value amane as a band, right?”
“That’s true...”
I chimed in. She had even said that Ichikawa Amane alone had more value than the four of us including Ichikawa Amane. ...Thinking back on it makes me a little annoyed.
“...That’s why, making that person recognize us as a band would mean we’ve surpassed the singer-songwriter amane. I think that’s actually the first hurdle we need to clear.”
“Hmm.”
Sako nodded.
“...Is it no good?”
“No, I think it’s fine. Actually, thanks to going along with that person’s smooth talk, I feel like we’re moving forward. I just want to make sure we’re truly succeeding on our own terms, not just being played by her.”
“Yeah, thank you.”
Having gained Sako’s approval, Azuma smiled in relief.
“Then, all four of our wishes are out, right? Which one should we go with?”
Ichikawa tilted her head.
“I mean, if that Ariga person was a judge for both the recording rights and Youth Rebellion, it would be simple.”
Sako muttered her frustration about the impossible.
“Well, for the recording rights, there’s nothing we can do. Though, it seemed like Daikoku-san had asked her to be a judge for Youth Rebellion.”
“Then why?”
“Who knows... she said something like, ‘I won’t do work I can’t take responsibility for anymore’...”
As Azuma tilted her head as well.
“Maybe she’s going independent...”
Ichikawa murmured softly.
“Independent?”
When I asked, Ichikawa laughed and said, “Ah, it’s just my imagination, okay?” before continuing.
“Ariga-san once said she wanted to do everything, not just be a manager. It seems that in a big company like Buddy Music, doing work that crosses departments gets you targeted, so maybe she wants to go independent.”
“Is that so...?”
I don’t really understand the world of adults.
“I don’t know the truth, though. Well, either way, if Ariga-san won’t take the job, there’s nothing we can do! But I think what Yuri said is easy to understand and good. My goal for Youth Rebellion—it feels a bit strange to only be recognized by Daikoku-san. If we make music good enough to make Ariga-san recognize us, I’m sure Daikoku-san will recognize us too.”
Ichikawa conveyed that her goal could be integrated into Azuma’s.
“That’s true.”
“Well, getting Ariga Manager to recognize us is ultimately just a result of amane exerting its full power as a band.”
Azuma and I nodded.
“But what about the recording rights?”
“I absolutely want those too.”
I asserted, jumping on Ichikawa’s question.
“After all, we have to record ‘Charm’ and deliver it to Erina-san. There’s meaning in giving it to her so she can listen to it anytime.”
That was the one thing I wouldn't budge on.
“Uuun, I understand what Konuma is saying, but if we do that, we end up with two goals after all...”
“...Is it no good after all?”
As I watched Azuma’s expression.
“I-I get it already! Don’t look me in the eyes! W-Well, I guess two goals are fine...”
Azuma, suddenly becoming flustered, began writing in large letters in her notebook.
* * *
『Recording Rights Battle Live』 Success Conditions
・Get the recording rights!
・Ariga Manager recognizes the band amane!
* * *
“T-This should be fine, right?”
“Oh, thanks.”
I thanked Azuma as she pushed the notebook toward me.
“Yurisuke is soft on Takuto after all.”
“Right? Sako-san, I think so too.”
“...Can you please stop ganging up on me only at times like this?”