From there, about two weeks of intensive training days continued.
I received lessons from Kanno-san, and Sako from Azuma, at a pace of about once every two days. Between lessons, I crushed the issues I identified for myself one by one.
Ichikawa consulted with Ariga-san as well, and as a result, she decided to continue her previous voice training on her own. However, after researching and practicing the singing styles of various singers she respected, her use of breath had become considerably better.
According to her, “I realized that if I think about ‘stuffing’ feelings into the song, my shoulders get tense, and my voice becomes like a blocky, angular mass. But if I sing with the consciousness of ‘placing’ my feelings on my voice, I feel like I can deliver emotions further than before. Then, when I think about delivering my voice as far as possible, I found that what I produce isn’t a loud voice like ‘Wah!’, but more like... how should I say it... the fibers of breath woven together as beautifully as silk thread.” I see, I don't get it at all.
Even though I didn't understand, I rarely heard Ichikawa talk about music with such passion, so I was happy she told me. Though, she puffed out her cheeks and asked, “Why are you grinning?”
In addition to the intense individual practice including lessons, we also layered on band practice, of course.
Since recording is done one person at a time, it’s more efficient to weigh individual practice more heavily, but it’s still important to have a strong image of the finished product.
“Whoa, you look like different people...!”
Azuma, who hadn't been able to come to band practice a few times due to her part-time job, heard our ensemble for the first time in a while, widened her eyes, and let out a sigh of admiration.
“No, is it more correct to say you sound different? Anyway, it's really amazing. You’ve evolved so much I can't believe it's the same band, but I can still properly tell this is amane's music. No matter how you look at it, you’ve evolved in a positive direction...!”
It wasn't that compliments from Azuma were rare, but it felt like it had been quite a long time since she praised us so wholeheartedly.
“Thank goodness...”
At those words, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and looked up at the ceiling of the Kichijoji studio.
In fact, I had a pretty good response to it.
Even so, I think I had been underestimating basic practice.
When I compared notes with Sako, it turned out that both Sako and I had been doing more basic practice than actual song practice.
However, that doesn't mean we could have gotten by without the lessons.
In my case, I was missing parts of the basics that I hadn't even noticed myself. There’s a difference in effect between doing basic practice while understanding its meaning and just doing it vaguely.
“Well then, the recording is finally tomorrow...!”
Ichikawa, who always acts five minutes ahead of schedule, looked up at the clock and brought today's practice to a close.
I didn't think it would be bad to do it one more time, but to preserve Ichikawa's throat as much as possible, it was wiser to end it here at about eighty percent.
As we each packed up our instruments and headed to the front, Kanno-san, who seemed to have started her shift while we were practicing, was standing at the cash register counter.
“Oh, Takuto! And Yuri-bou too.”
Azuma glared at me as Kanno-san waved her hands vigorously toward us. “Why is Konuma mentioned before me...?” Don’t look at me.
“How is it? Takuto has gotten quite a bit better, right?”
“Yes, indeed. Thank you for training our Konuma-kun, Kanno-senpai?”
Ichikawa is picking a fight that wasn't even offered...
“You’re welcome! Anyway, recording is tomorrow, right? Amane-san, rest your throat and sleep today, okay? Don't eat spicy things, alright?”
“Ah, yes...! I’m sorry...”
“Hm? For what? Did you already eat some?”
“No, that’s not it...”
Kanno-san, not realizing a fight had been picked with her, replied innocently and even expressed concern, which apparently made Ichikawa feel guilty. I felt like I saw something rare.
“By the way, I’ve secured Planetary System for the December Lock-on, so we need to discuss the time schedule and ticket prices soon. Let's talk after your recording is over tomorrow.”
“Thank you for everything...!”
Club President Ichikawa bowed deeply.
‘Planetary System’ is a live house in Kichijoji. It’s also the live house where we participated in the recording rights competition live.
It seems that Planetary System and Studio Octa have a deep relationship as fellow music facilities in Kichijoji, and Kanno-san has been acting as the contact point for reservations and such with a lot of flexibility.
“Well, I’m also a student of Musashino International, and a former member of the Rock Club. If the president’s band is recording, it’s no big deal to lend a hand. Plus, you’re using our studio for the recording.”
She looks rough around the edges, but she’s actually a very well-rounded person... As I was admiring her,
“Besides, you don’t want to have regrets about your club activities, right?”
She finished with a smile that showed her canine teeth.
As for what that was the finishing blow to...
“Maika-buchooo...!”
It was to Azuma’s tear ducts as she hugged Kanno-san.