“...So, that’s why you came to me?”
“Yes...!”
The super-popular singer-songwriter IRIA-san—Hirosue Airi-san—looked at me with an exasperated expression.
After I told her I wanted ‘numbers,’ the first task Daikoku-san gave me was:
‘Upload acoustic covers of hit songs, as much as possible every day.’
At first, I resisted, saying, “I can’t do something like riding someone else’s coattails like that,” but Daikoku-san’s response was simply, “Shut up and do it.”
＊ ＊ ＊
“Are you saying I should do anything just to get numbers? But Daikoku-san, didn’t you just say earlier that you wouldn’t tell me to do an acoustic cover in a bikini?”
“When did I ever tell you to do an acoustic cover in a bikini?”
“To me, it’s the same thing. I’m saying that numbers gained by piggybacking on someone else’s popularity or talent are meaningless. What people are looking at isn't me, it's the song, isn't it?”
“...Amane-san, you really are something.”
Daikoku-san let out a long breath.
“Rather than being naive, you sound more like an old fogey who just doesn't understand,” she muttered.
“What!?”
An old fogey...!?
“I’ll explain it simply for your old-fogey brain, Amane-san. People say that back in the day, music appearing in mass media like TV and radio was the only 'major' thing, but now that media has become individualistic, listeners' tastes have subdivided, right? Have you heard that?”
“...Yes, I’ve heard that...”
“That, in fact, is a total lie.”
“Huh...?”
What is she saying, even though she brought it up herself...
“Nowadays, a talent's popularity is exposed to the world in the form of numbers. Just as you say, Amane-san, numbers are important. And the silver bullet to increase those numbers is a cover of a hit song.”
“I understand that. Gaining numbers has become a status symbol for the song itself, in a way...”
“That’s it. And as a result of everyone swarming that fame, the song spreads even more, and its 'hit' nature accelerates. Think about it. Do you think all those idols and voice actors are uploading cover videos because they heartfully love the song and are doing it out of their own free will?”
“I don't think so.”
“Oh, a quick answer. Well, in short, hit songs have become weapons to easily satisfy the desire for recognition. They don't even understand half of what makes the song good.”
“It’s lamentable,” Daikoku-san said, shaking her head.
I timidly raised my hand in front of my chest.
“Um... that's exactly what I've been trying to say from the beginning... But you're telling me to do it anyway, right...?”
“Yeah, that's right,” Daikoku-san said nonchalantly.
“Then we’re back to the start. Those numbers aren't what I'm looking for—”
“That’s exactly why I want you to show me a real song that surpasses them.”
Daikoku-san cut off my protest.
“You’re different from them, aren't you? Then show me that difference. If you claim your singing is more valuable than a cover video from a girl with a cuter face or bigger breasts than you, then prove it with numbers. That should be the kind of number you're looking for.”
“But that’s...”
“Until now, you’ve kept eyes diverted—including your own—from your singing and performance skills by wearing the clogs called 'songwriting'.”
“...!”
“The selling points of active high school singer-songwriter Ichikawa Amane were 'active high schooler,' 'singer,' and 'songwriter.' If any of those were missing, you couldn't fight. That was proven when you became a member of this band—in other words, when you stopped writing your own songs. Just being an 'active high school singer' wasn't enough.”
For a moment, I lost my breath.
She had thrust right into the spot that no one had ever gouged—the spot I hadn't even been able to fully pierce myself—and it went straight through my heart. A pain like being stabbed in the chest with a harpoon washed over me.
“So, kick off those 'self-composed song' clogs and take first place in the most competitive arena. It's like a required song for a choral competition. That's the only way your conditions will be the same as the others you despise, right? When you sing the same song and shine the brightest, that’s when you'll truly hold 'numbers' as a vocalist. Otherwise, you'll just remain a 'former' singer-songwriter who only earned the right to sing Takuto Konuma’s and Yuri Azuma’s songs... someone who can only wrestle in someone else's loincloth. Am I wrong?”
Daikoku-san, with one eyebrow raised, delivered that provocation. Contrary to her tone and expression, it didn't feel like a cheap taunt, but rather a heavy and deep question.
“...I understand.”
In that moment, I finally felt like I was ready to take on the world.
＊ ＊ ＊
“So, I thought I'd try uploading a cover video, but I don't really understand much about the equipment...”
“There must be someone more suitable than me for that...”
“You mean Konuma-kun?”
“So you do know. What about Takuto-san? ...Wait, what's with that scary face?”
“...If I borrow Takuto-kun’s help, it defeats the whole purpose.”
“Hasn't the way you call him changed? I’m the type who cares about how people address each other because I read a lot, you know?”
“............”
When I remained silent, Airi-san sighed.
“It’s not for me to say since I don't use polite speech, but that’s not how you treat a younger person. You’re surprisingly childish, aren't you?”
“...Sorry.”
“Well, I think you're an interesting girl. Fine, I'll teach you. Considering mixing and everything else, it’s not something that can be done overnight, but if you want to try, go ahead.”
“Thank you!”
I took both of Airi-san’s hands and thanked her. She looked at her hands for a moment, then with a expression that was somewhere between troubled and smiling, she said,
“Somehow... I think I understand how everyone around you feels.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing. Well then, shall we go to my place after school today? I’ll show you the actual equipment.”
“Yeah!”
Pulling her hands smoothly from mine, Airi-san asked,
“By the way, what are you going to record?”
“Well, if we're talking about the song with the most momentum right now, it has to be...”
I clearly declared the song title I had decided on yesterday.
“IRIA-san’s ‘Youth is a Lie.’”
Airi-san curled up one corner of her mouth and smirked.
“...You really are an interesting girl.”
...I wonder if Yuri would know what it meant that her cheek seemed to be twitching?