“““““Ughhh...”””””
Four hours later.
The members of amane feat. Tsubame Taira were slumped over the desks in the studio lobby, completely exhausted.
“We didn’t have nearly enough time...” Ichikawa muttered.
“Yeah...”
We had started playing with a count full of expectation, but once we actually tried the pre-pro, our issues became glaringly obvious. It was exactly as Kanno-san had said.
The first problem that surfaced was that it’s incredibly difficult for everyone to play together perfectly without a single mistake.
I never thought we made that many mistakes during live performances, but when you take the form of a recording like this, little mistakes from each of us start popping up one after another.
In terms of rhythm games, it’s like the difference in difficulty between just trying to clear a song and trying to get a full combo.
There were times when one person would achieve a full combo, but getting all three of us to do it at the same time was quite difficult. However, as long as we’re all playing together in the same space, each other's sounds bleed into each other's microphones, making a simultaneous full combo necessary.
Consequently, we decided that we would need to record each instrument separately, one by one.
But when you play a five-minute song, listen back to it, prepare, and then re-record... one hour per person was nowhere near enough.
Moreover, as we went along, fundamental problems arose like, “Wouldn’t this arrangement be better?” or “Wait, was that phrase always like that?” or “Isn't that chord wrong?” It got to the point where I wondered how we even managed to perform live in that state.
As a result.
“It never even got to my turn...”
Because time ran out, we only managed to finish recording my part and Sako’s part.
It makes me shudder to think that this might have happened during the actual recording session.
The time given to us via the free coupons for the actual recording was ten hours.
Adding in the time to set up and adjust the microphones, along with the mixing process, I didn't think we could even finish a single song.
“Sigh...”
“...What should we do?” Sako threw a question toward the center of the table.
“Well...”
Now that we knew it would take this much time, and since I had a feeling more issues would crop up, I wanted to start the pre-pro for the guitar and vocals as soon as possible.
...Tomorrow just happens to be Sunday.
I had one plan scheduled, but well, I should be able to move it... probably.
...Alright.
“...Can we do it tomorrow?”
“Ah...!”
I scanned the other three while pretending not to notice Ichikawa-san’s gaze from the side.
...However.
“Konuma, you...”
“I actually feel a bit sorry for Ichikawa-san.”
“So Konuma-senpai is the type of person who does that...”
The three of them directed cold stares at me.
...No, wait. I mean.
How does everyone know that my original plan for tomorrow was to meet up with Ichikawa?
“...I don't mind personally, but what about everyone else?” Ichikawa asked the members, putting a strange emphasis on her own name.
“Sorry, I put in a shift for my part-time job.”
“I have some plans too.”
“I don't think I'm particularly needed, but I have an errand to run with my mother...”
After being rejected by all three, I slumped my shoulders.
“I see...”
“...And so, Konuma dug his own grave and gained nothing...”
“Urgh...”
Azuma’s words, delivered with an exasperated sigh, pierced my chest. You’re absolutely right...
“But since the drums and bass are already recorded, all that’s left is Ichikawa-san’s part. Couldn't the two of you record together, Takuto?”
“That's true...”
“Sigh... Well then, shall the two of us go into the studio and record, Konuma-kun?”
“Right...”
From beside me, an aura of I-don't-know-if-it's-exasperation-or-resignation, but definitely something ominous, was rising.
That night.
“Takku-n, phone call!”
“I know even if you don't tell me... Hm?”
When I timidly looked at the screen, a name different from the one I expected was dancing there.
Tilting my head, I went back to my room and answered the phone.
“Hello?”
『Good evening, it's Azuma. Konuma, you really blew it, didn't you?』
“What, did you call me just to tell me that...?”
Ever since that live performance, Azuma had started calling me over trivial things.
『Well, there's that. But knowing you, you're probably too scared to contact Amane, so I thought I'd tell you to apologize properly yourself.』
...How does she know?
“I guess she really is mad...?”
『Of course she is! You tried to unilaterally swap a date for band practice.』
“No, but even she did that when 'Song of Tomorrow' was finished...”
『She got permission from Amane first for that, didn't she? This time, you tried to do it without asking.』
“I guess so...”
I understood very well that it was indeed completely different. It was just as Azuma said.
“Anyway, thanks for going out of your way...”
...Not knowing if 'thanks' was the right word, and with no other words coming to mind, I just replied with that for now.
『No problem. Aren't I kind?』
“Yeah...”
She was actually too kind, and I wasn't quite sure how to handle it.
...Precisely because of what happened before, I struggled to gauge Azuma’s true feelings.
『Well, if you ever have a change of heart toward the kind me, feel free to let me know.』
“Stop making jokes that aren't funny in several ways...”
『Now, I wonder if it really was a joke?』
“No, like I said...”
『Ahaha, just kidding, just kidding. If I didn't joke around like this, you'd probably overthink it. Since I'm acting like this, you should just take it easy, Konuma.』
I fell silent. Even if you tell me that...
『I want to trade quips with you too, Konuma. If you're going to acknowledge my resolve, then you better put in the effort not to waste my precious time too.』
“...I understand.”
『Ah, how heavy! Oh, that was a play on words with 'heavy thoughts' and 'heavy' as in...』
“I get it, I get it.”
...I understand, even me.
『Anyway, as soon as you hang up, call Amane and apologize. Over the phone, okay? If you do, she'll definitely forgive you—in fact, you might even get something extra back.』
“Something extra...?”
『Yeah, something extra. Hey, did you know?』
As I tilted my head on this side of the phone, Azuma’s theatrical voice reached my ear.
『Amane is surprisingly easy when it comes to you, Konuma.』
“Is that so...”
『Well then! Good luck!』
With those words, the call ended.
Regardless, I had been given a push. In that case, I had to call her before Ichikawa contacted me...
I mustered up my courage and placed the call.
One ring, two rings, three rings...
Just as I thought about hanging up—
『...Yes, this is Amane.』
A freezing voice answered.
『Or perhaps you have business with Ichikawa?』