< Kick it up a notch | Story
Shibuya Park
Kohane
(Practice has already started...! Everybody told me it'd be fine if I could make it at all, but...)
Kohane
——Ah.
Arata
Hmmm...Toya-kun, you're taking that sound a little too carefully. It's a waste to have it all wrapped up so compactly.
Toya
...I see, I understand. In that case, I'll try to make it sound a little more rough, and approach the line with more momentum.
Toya
If I were to do that, though...sorry, Akito, but could you leave me a little more space when you sing that last part?
Akito
Yeah, got it. I'll make sure to watch our balance while we're singing.
Kohane
(...They're all so serious. And...)
Kohane
(——The air is tense. Everybody's so focused.)
Kohane
(...But, it makes sense.)
Kohane
(We get to do an event where those three——where RADder debuted, after all.)
Kohane
(At that time, Taiga-san and the others were still high schoolers, around our age...)
Kohane
(When I think about it that way...it feels like they're closer than ever.)
Kohane
(I have to do my best too. Plus, there's what Taiga-san told me earlier...)
An
...Ah! Kohane! You're done practicing with Uncle Taiga, good job!
Kohane
An-chan, thank you. I'm sorry I was late, everybody.
Toya
Don't worry. We told you from the start, we're just happy you could make it in the first place.
Toya
So, what did you do with Taiga-san today?
Kohane
I took photos of everybody in town. Even if I couldn't really figure out how that's connected to singing...
Toya
I see. Unconventional practice, as per usual.
Kotaro
Oh, Azusawa made it!
Akito
In that case, since we're all here. Let's call practice here for today, and get to talking about our event.
Toya
Yes. It would be better to speak about it sooner rather than later, so we can solidify our schedule for practice.
Tatsuya
True. The audience at that venue will have discerning eyes, so I'd like us to tread with caution.
Arata
It'd be one thing if it was a regular event that the owner was putting on, but the venue is rarely lent out for outside events. That alone will get us a lot of attention.
Akito
...In other words, it means it's a huge chance for us.
An
I'm already getting excited. So, what kind of event are we gonna do?
Akito
Let's see... We chose a theme last time, but this time...
Kohane
Ah...um, everyone! I have something I need to talk to you all about, is that okay...?
Akito
Huh, what's up?
Kohane
Um, so... It's...about our next event...
Kohane
I wanna try performing the opening act solo.
Akito
...What's that supposed to mean? You by yourself?
Kohane
Yeah. I was actually just talking with Taiga-san...
— Some time later —
An
I get it, so that's what you were talking about with Uncle Taiga...
Kotaro
I see... Azusawa, if I'm remembering right, you've got experience singing solo, yeah?
Kohane
Y-Yeah. Right after we put our team together I started so I could get more experience. It was only a little bit, though...
Akito
That being said, the events you chose back then were hardly big. An event at Crawl Green is in a different league.
Kohane
Yeah. That's...true.
Akito
But...
Flashback
Akito
(...Maybe we misunderstood something.)
Akito
(Kohane's strength might be way more than we'd thought——)
End flashback
Akito
——I think it's possible.
Kohane
Eh?
Akito
If you think about Kohane's skills, it's not out of the question for her to do a solo. Of course, she'll have to practice to perfect it, but...
Akito
If you can make a jump like you did at STAY GOLD, it's worth a shot, don't you think? The better you get, the more you'll be able to help us.
Akito
...If nothing else, I think I can take a gamble on your singing.
Kohane
Shinonome-kun...
Arata
I can't say anything on the matter. To be honest, if we're talking about doing a solo, I think I'm better suited for it than Kohane-chan is.
Arata
——But...
Arata
If Kohane-chan is the key to us going even higher...I'd like to see it for myself.
An
Go even higher...huh. If Kohane says she wants to do it...yeah, I'll support her.
An
——If everybody's okay with it, can we go forward assuming Kohane's gonna be doing a solo? We still have time before the event.
Toya
Yes, I agree. We can structure it around that, and then make a decision later. If nothing else, there is no doubting Azusawa's ability.
Tatsuya
I have no objections. It's like Shinonome said, if it's Azusawa we're talking about, she might pull another monstrous transformation, like she did at STAY GOLD.
Kohane
...Thanks, everyone. I'm gonna do my best——to see if I can get a hold on something!
— Some time later —
A Few Days Later
Kohane
♪————!! ————!!
Kohane
(My intonation is still weak. I have to sing it more clearly...!)
Kohane
(I have to grab the audience's feelings from zero. I need to create more momentum...)
Kohane
(This might be the last time Taiga-san will see me. Plus, I don't wanna ruin our event at Crawl Green by making a mistake...!)
Arata
That's an incredible level of concentration. I heard that Kohane-chan's kept up this pace up almost every day, recently?
An
Yeah... Aside from our team practices, she's been singing on Vivid Street and in Nonogi Park, too.
An
Just the day before yesterday, it got to be the middle of the night before she even noticed, and she told me she got in trouble with her dad when she got home.
Akito
The day before yesterday? You mean after our team practice?
Toya
I see. I hadn't realized she had stayed behind so late afterwards...
Kotaro
Huh~ I guess that's what you'd expect from someone who practices with you guys. She's got more stamina than you might think.
Toya
But, what I'm a little concerned about is her singing, just now...
Kohane
♪————
Kohane
...*pant*, *pant*
Toya
——Excuse me, Azusawa, could I have a moment?
Kohane
Ah, that's fine. What's the matter?
Toya
I feel as though you may be putting a little too much power into your voice when you sing. I thought I should tell you.
An
Hmmm...you thought so too? I didn't know how to put it, it feels like you're not at your best just yet.
Kohane
Ah...
Tatsuya
Really? There was a lot passion, and I thought it sounded good...
An
Ahhh, well, we've been listening to Kohane sing all the time. So we know how she sounds when she's at her best, I guess...
Kohane
...I was trying to make sure that it wasn't too obvious in my singing, but I guess I should've expected you guys to notice. It really is hard...
Kohane
When I think about how it's my responsibility to set the tone for the event, I can't help but feel a lot of pressure...
Akito
Well, that's a given. But that doesn't mean it's turnin' out bad or anything.
Toya
Yes. You've already accrued more than enough experience. If you keep practising as usual, I'm sure you'll be fine, Azusawa.
Kohane
...Yeah. Thank you, everyone.
Kohane
Um, Touno-san! Mita-san! Even if it's only for a short while, would you mind watching me practice?
Kohane
Both of you have a lot more experience singing solo than I do, so if there's anything you notice, please let me know!
Arata
Ahaha, it feels like you don't even know the meaning of tired. Why don't we continue over there?
Kotaro
Yeah, of course I'm up for it!
— Some time later —
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Akito
The sun's about to set, so let's call it here for today.
Kohane
...Ah! Touno-san, Mita-san, I'm so sorry! You ended up watching me the whole time...
Kotaro
Don't worry about it! I'll stick with you as long as you need, so ask me about anything you want!
Arata
There's a still a few parts where you seem stiff, but if you get used to those before the event, I think it'll be fine.
Kohane
Y-Yes! Alright, thank you very much. I'll do my best to make sure I can do it properly!
An
(...Kohane's really doing her best every single day. I wish I could do something for her too, but...)
Arata
By the way, An-chan. About tomorrow's meeting, something came up, and I can't make it.
An
Ah...I see! I'll take care of it by myself, then...
An
——Ah, I know!
An
Hey, Kohane, do you have time tomorrow? Akito and Toya, you too!
Kohane
Yeah! It's not my turn on the animal care committee, so I was planning on going home early and practising somewhere...
Toya
I have library duties after school tomorrow. But if I tell them my plans in advance, I should be able to leave early.
Akito
I'm free too. I don't have to work tomorrow, so I was just planning on doing my regular workout routine.
An
Then let's all go to Crawl Green together!
Kohane
Eh? Crawl Green...?
An
Yeah. Kohane and Toya, neither of you have actually seen the live house for yourselves, right?
An
If you see it in person, it might get you even more pumped about it, and maybe we can refresh a little before getting back to practice for Kohane. Two birds with one stone, right?
Kohane
Ah, you're right...!
Kohane
...Yeah. I'd like to go too. I'd like to see what sort of a live house it is...!
Toya
I would like to go as well. I've always been curious what the place Ken-san and the others debuted at looks like.
Akito
Sounds good to me. I don't think letting that message go without replying would sit right with me, so I'll go.
Arata
Thanks, everyone. Sorry for the trouble, but I'll leave it to you.
An
Okay! Then, after school tomorrow, let's all meet up at my place, and then have our meeting at Crawl Green!
Kohane
Yeah!