< Period of NOCTURNE | Story
Chapter 2: A Restricted Melody
縛られた旋律 (Shibara reta senritsu)
縛られた旋律 (Shibara reta senritsu)
Character appearances:
WEEKEND GARAGE
Akito
Then let's go with this setlist for the next event.
An
Sure, I've got no objections to that. From what we've done today, this is a pretty good order for the songs.
An's Father
Welcome in. ...Oh, it's you! Been a while!
Male Patron
Yo, Ken-san. Good to see ya. I was thinking I'd ask you something today... Oh!
Male Patron
Perfect timing! I didn't think they'd all be here.
Kohane
...? Hey, An-chan, is that man looking our way?
An
Hm? I think that guy's...
Male Patron
Hey, you guys, you're Vivid BAD SQUAD, right? Would you mind letting me hear a song?
Kohane
Huh?
— Some time later —
Akito
So he's an old friend of yours... right?
An's Father
Yep. A long time ago, he was the sound engineer for a local live house. We'd go out drinking together after events.
An's Father
When I first opened the shop, he helped me out here and there, and he even set up the sound system for the live space back there.
Old Friend
I've been in the countryside for work, but I've come back recently. I went to a live house for the first time in a while, and I ended up coming across the four of you.
Old Friend
I thought I'd come tell Ken-san about these diamonds in the rough I'd found, but...
Old Friend
To think that was An-chan and the rest of you! I thought your singing was similar, but I'm shocked.
An
Fufu, you're real surprised at how big I've gotten since last you saw me, huh?
An's Father
Your attitude's gotten just as big, hm?
An
Hey, what's that for, Dad?
Old Friend
Haha. As happy a family as ever, I see.
Old Friend
So then, if you're alright with it, could I hear another song from you all?
An
Of course you can! You guys down?
An
This old man's always had great advice to give, so we've got nothing to lose!
Akito
If that's the case, then I don't mind. Especially not if it's a friend of Ken-san's.
Kohane
Yeah! I'm okay with it.
Akito
Ah... Since we have the chance, why don't we do the one for our upcoming event?
An
Totally! If we're doing that, maybe we should record it too, since it'll be our first time doing it onstage.
An
Dad, could you record us on my phone? You just need to tap here to start filming.
An's Father
Sure.
An
Alri~ight, let's show him what we've got!
— Some time later —
Old Friend
Man, that was excellent! Thanks, that was a real treat for the ears.
An
Fufu, you're very welcome!
Old Friend
You've gotten a lot more powerful than you used to be, An-chan. Your presence on stage is really captivating, it's hard to take my eyes off you.
Old Friend
The comforting tone to your voice was wonderful too. Thanks to you, the group has a nice variety.
Old Friend
You have a singing voice that sounds so full of emotion, but you're very composed and self-aware when you perform. That sense of balance is excellent.
Old Friend
And as for you, you hit all the notes perfectly even during difficult sections without a problem. Your pitch never wavered the whole time, no doubt thanks to plenty of practice.
Old Friend
The way all your personalities shine through was excellent. Thinking about how you can all grow even more from here, it's exciting stuff!
An
Thanks so much! We're gonna put on an event to blow RAD WEEKEND out of the water someday, so you look forward to that.
Old Friend
You have my full support.
Akito
Alright, let's call it here for today. We're gonna do a run-through with the sound equipment tomorrow, so we're gonna meet up here, not at the park. Don't forget.
An
'Kay~. Then, Kohane, I'll leave your dad to you!
Kohane
Yeah! I'll make sure to pass the event ticket and flyer on to him too.
Toya
(After this... Maybe I'll do some side practice.)
Toya
(Since, at this time of night, my father's probably still awake.)
Old Friend
By the way, could I have a minute?
Toya
With... me?
Old Friend
Yeah. I don't often see kids your age able to pull off that note accuracy like you do, so I was curious.
Old Friend
Could it be that you play classical music?
Toya
...!
Toya
...Yes, that's right. Ever since I was a child.
Old Friend
Ah, so I was right. I had a hunch.
Old Friend
...Then that could be it. The reason it sounded like there's a mold you can't break out of..
Toya
Eh?
Old Friend
I was just thinking that if you didn't restrict yourself, and instead sang to express yourself the way you want to, the song would have more charm, but...
Old Friend
No, for now, polishing up what you have should be your top priority. I'm sure your preciseness will become the backbone of your team. Keep on working hard.
Toya
....Yes. Thank you very much.
Toya
(Restricted by a mold...)
Toya
Sorry, Shiraishi. You recorded a video of us earlier, didn't you? Could I see it?
An
Yeah, of course. I'll send it to you later.
Toya
Mm, please.
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Scramble Crossing
Akito
See ya, Toya. Doing extra practice is fine, but don't push yourself.
Toya
Yeah. I'll be alright.
Toya
The video Shiraishi sent me... here it is.
Toya
"♪------ ♪------"
Toya
(...He was right.)
Toya
(When I listen to Akito and the others singing like this, they're much more expressive. ...They sound free.)
Toya
(But I'm...)
Flashback
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Toya's Father
Your rhythm is off! Play it again.
Toya's Father
Look properly, play it according to the score. How many times must I say it?
Toya's Father
Don't just perform it however you please!
End flashback
Toya
...I…
Toya
Am I...still trapped by classical music...?