< Kick it up a notch | Story
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1 Week Later
Vivid Street
Vivid Street
Kohane
Ah, this angle is really beautiful! I'm gonna take it, then.
Grumpy-Faced Old Lady
Alright. If you're gonna take my photo, I won't forgive you if you don't make me look pretty, got it?
Kohane
O-Of course! I'll do my best!
Camera clicks
Kohane
(...Ehehe, they turned out nice.)
Record Store Employee
Huh? Kohane-chan, what're you doing in a place like this?
Kohane
Ah, big sister! Hello!
Kohane
Right now, as part of my singing training, I'm taking pictures of the people in town.
Record Store Employee
Taking photos for your singing training? ...Ohhh, another one of those Taiga-san original practice methods~
Kohane
It's not like it's strange...even if I did think it was a little unconventional.
Grumpy-Faced Old Lady
——And, how is it? Did it turn out pretty?
Kohane
Ah, yes! Here's how it looks.
Grumpy-Faced Old Lady
...Huh, you're pretty good! I want to send it to my grandson, so would you mind developing it?
Kohane
Of course! Then, I'll bring it by the shop next time.
Grumpy-Faced Old Lady
Right, thank you. I'll leave it to you.
Record Store Employee
But he's always making you walk around and speak in only English, or making animal noises, right? Kohane-chan, you know you're allowed to complain, right?
Kohane
Ehehe... But, I think it's worth doing that sort of practice as well.
Kohane
While I've been practising with him, I've figured out how to express myself better when singing, I've found it easier to form images in my mind, and it's given me opportunities to rethink certain things...
Record Store Employee
Huh, I guess he's put thought behind it... Then why don't I help you out a little?
Kohane
Huh, is that okay? I thought you were in the middle of something...
Record Store Employee
Nah, my boyfriend just let me know he's running a little late, so I have some free time right now. Don't worry about it! Do you want me to strike a pose or something?
Kohane
Thank you very much! Then——
— Some time later —
Taiga
Little lady, how're you doing?
Kohane
——Ah, Taiga-san! Don't you think this photo came out nice?
Taiga
Ah. Let's see...
Taiga
It's true, that's a nice smile. The old lady at that shop is famous for her scowl, so that's a big deal.
Kohane
Ehehe. Thank you very much!
Kohane
I took every single one of these photos with the help of the people in this town. When I mentioned it was for my practice with you, they all helped out.
Taiga
I was watching from a distance, but it's starting to look like you're getting more familiar with people in this town.
Kohane
Yeah. It's thanks to you taking me around all sorts of places, Taiga-san.
Kohane
...Up until recently, I thought that Vivid Street was kind of a scary part of town.
Kohane
But, in the time I've spent singing with An-chan, and going around with you, I've come to realize that's not true at all.
Kohane
Everybody calls out and makes conversation, and they're all so kind and warm...
Taiga
——Little lady, do you like this town?
Kohane
Eh? Ah...
Kohane
——Yes. I love this town!
Taiga
I see.
Taiga
As long as you have that feeling, I'm sure that this town will come to love you too.
Taiga
If you keep it up, I'm sure——
Grumpy-Faced Old Lady
I thought I heard voices outside my shop. If it isn't Taiga.
Taiga
...Ah, the old lady makes her appearance. Glad to see you're lookin' healthy as ever.
Grumpy-Faced Old Lady
Yeah, well, I'm not kicking the bucket any time soon. I can't until I see you——until I see WALKER take over the world.
Kohane
(WALKER is Taiga-san's stage name...)
Taiga
Haha, so you heard that too, granny?
Grumpy-Faced Old Lady
I've been watching you run around since you were a little brat, haven't I? Of course I'd wanna see it through 'til you became fully fledged, it's only natural.
Grumpy-Faced Old Lady
Do your best over there too, Taiga.
Kohane
(She really supports Taiga-san. She said she's been watching him since he was little...)
Kohane
(...I can't imagine what a young Taiga-san would look like at all.)
Kohane
(But...)
Kohane
(Taiga-san was born and raised in this town...)
— Some time later —
Taiga
Now then, sorry for getting off track. Let's end practice here for today.
Kohane
Alright. Thank you for your time today as always!
Kohane
For now though, I need to get to practice for our next event, so I'll be going now!
Taiga
Woah there, wait a second, little lady. Practice might be over, but I've gotta tell you something before you go.
Kohane
Eh? Um, what is it?
Taiga
Actually, the other day I was invited to go on an American national tour. Of course, I have every intention of accepting.
Kohane
...An American national tour!? That's amazing...! Congratulations, Taiga-san!
Kohane
(That really is incredible... He's teaching me to sing, but he really is part of a different world...)
Kohane
(...Ah, but. If he's accepting the offer, does that mean he's going to America...)
Taiga
——With that being said, I can't keep looking after you for too much longer.
Kohane
That, does make sense...
Kohane
...B-But! Really, congratulations!
Taiga
Thanks. Right then, little lady, why don't you sing for a little bit here, to finish things off?
Kohane
...Eh? You're gonna watch me sing...!?
Taiga
Yeah. But just one phrase. You can take it easy, since I'm sure you're not warmed up yet.
Kohane
I understand. Um, then...
Kohane
♪———— ~ ~
Kohane
...Um, h-how was that?
Taiga
Yeah, I got a good picture.
Taiga
——You've got a lot more power since the last time I heard you sing.
Kohane
...! Do you really think so!?
Taiga
It's no wonder the owner of Crawl Green would approve of you guys. Looks like his eyes are as sharp as ever.
Taiga
Singing is a complicated thing, and just being good at singing doesn't mean you'll resonate with other people.
Taiga
That's why I didn't teach you any of the technical aspects of singing. I taught you something more essential, so you can take your next step forward.
Kohane
Something more essential...
Taiga
You've done well up until now, little lady. Were you able to see a little of what all this practice was about?
Kohane
...Not really. I wasn't able to understand it all. But it did help me realize that I should rethink how I approach things.
Kohane
For example, likening a song to something else strengthens your imagination, as well as creating a clearer image in your head...
Kohane
And I think speaking in a language I'm not familiar with, like English, helped me figure out how to put emotion into my voice, instead of relying on the lyrics.
Taiga
Yeah, that's right. Those're all things that are necessary to improve your singing.
Taiga
For good songs, and good music, "the important thing" isn't technique.
Taiga
Whether it's to be able to develop a clear image in your head, or to express emotion through song, I'm sure you'll eventually learn to do those things at a high level, little lady.
Taiga
And everything else that comes after that is connected to that "important thing". Like I said, it's not just for the sake of being able to sing good songs.
Kohane
...Now that I think about it, you mentioned something like that before, Taiga-san.
Flashback
Taiga
...Well, anyways. It's not just a matter of letting someone hear a good song. You should keep that in mind.
End flashback
Taiga
Yeah, good on you for remembering.
Kohane
...Right. But back then, and even now, it's hard to understand how walking around and remembering the faces of everybody in town will help with my singing...
Taiga
Is that right? But, from what I saw earlier, you're hitting it off well with everybody in town...
Taiga
...In that case, this next event might be a good opportunity for you.
Taiga
Alright, I'll give you one last assignment, little lady. You can think of this as the culmination of everything we've done so far.
Kohane
The last...
Kohane
——Alright. What do you want me to do?
Taiga
At your next event, I want you to go out solo.
Kohane
...Eh!?
Kohane
Y-You want me to go out solo...at our event...!?
Taiga
Yeah, that's right. ...Don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you to quit your team, or to not sing with An and the others.
Kohane
Oh...that's a relief... Then, how do you mean?
Taiga
Let's see, for example——you could do like Nagi did at RAD WEEKEND, and perform the opening act.
Kohane
The opening act...
Flashback
End flashback
Kohane
Y-You want...
Taiga
Right. You can do it however you want, but you'll be able to face the audience easier if you're standing alone. You can hog everyone's attention for yourself.
Taiga
While you've got experience performing solo, performing solo at your own event is a different beast entirely.
Taiga
You should see for yourself what's different when you stand on stage alone.
Taiga
...But, deciding whether or not to do that isn't something you should do here. If you're feeling up to it, you should talk to your teammates about it.
Kohane
R-Right. Thank you very much.
Walking footsteps receding
Kohane
Singing solo at our event...
Kohane
...Is that really okay...?
Kohane
(Being the first to sing——it means I'd be the one to set the tone of the event. ...Just like Nagi-san did at RAD WEEKEND.
Kohane
(This event was only made possible because An-chan and Touno-san did their best to negotiate for the venue, and also——)
Flashback
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Akito
...Well, if we end up singin' at Crawl Green next, I'm not gonna let myself put on a shameful display. I'll get our audience pumped.
End flashback
Kohane
(It's an important event for Shinonome-kun too...)
Kohane
(With all of that riding on it, if I were to make a mistake...)
Kohane
...But...
Flashback
Taiga
Actually, the other day I was invited to go on an American national tour. Of course, I have every intention of accepting.
Taiga
——With that being said, I can't keep looking after you for too much longer.
End flashback
Kohane
(...This might be the only chance I have left to have Taiga-san see my singing.)
Kohane
(If that's the case, then...no, I'm sure I'll regret it if I don't do it.)
Kohane
...I wanna give it a try...