Backstage
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Sumire
Call me Sumire.
Again, Shiho, it's great to meet you.
Again, Shiho, it's great to meet you.
Sumire
And thank you very much for coming to see our show, Mr. Hinomori. We promise to put on a good performance, so I hope you're ready.
Father
I am.
Sumire
Still, Shiho, everyone's right.
You really are adorable.
You really are adorable.
Elementary School Shiho
(Is this the “group of ladies” that Dad said he wanted me to meet...?)
Staff Member
Excuse me, Mr. Hinomori?
The manager's calling. Are you free right now?
The manager's calling. Are you free right now?
Father
Be right over.
Shiho, can you handle yourself here for a bit...?
Shiho, can you handle yourself here for a bit...?
Sumire
Oh, in that case, I'll keep her company while she waits for you to come back.
Father
Okay, thanks.
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Sumire
Alright, you guys start checking over the equipment. I'm gonna keep talking with Shiho.
Iolite Member A
What?! No fair, Sumire!
You owe us a big one for this!
You owe us a big one for this!
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Sumire
Anyway, let's chat!
Sumire
I've actually been wanting to meet and talk with you for a little while now, Shiho.
Sumire
Your dad kept telling us how his youngest liked to go see shows with him.
Sumire
I've been wondering what you're like because I heard you always seem to get all anxious and excited whenever you set foot inside a live house...
Sumire
He did.
Also, I'm a huge fan of your dad's work.
Also, I'm a huge fan of your dad's work.
Sumire
I saw him perform at this show I happened to go to on a whim, and I was totally blown away...
Sumire
That was when I decided to ask my friends to form a band with me.
Sumire
Haha... I did try picking up a guitar in the beginning, but one of my friends already knew how to play when we first started our band. So, I ended up on the bass.
Sumire
I know it's not the best reason...
But I really love what I do now.
But I really love what I do now.
Sumire
Well, there's a few reasons...
But the most important one probably has to do with how the bass is key to controlling a band's rhythm.
But the most important one probably has to do with how the bass is key to controlling a band's rhythm.
Sumire
If the bassist can't get a good groove going, then the crowd isn't gonna respond the way you want. So, I like how my performance directly affects how they feel...
Sumire
Aside from that, I have to say the sounds it produces.
Sumire
Yeah, because basses produce this sound that really resonates in your gut. I love how it has this ability to build up energy and excitement inside of me...
Sumire
And it feels so good while I'm playing my bass. Whenever we perform, it feels like an extension of my own body.
Sumire
I do!
Do you play any instruments, Shiho?
Do you play any instruments, Shiho?
Elementary School Shiho
Dad lets me play his guitars sometimes, but I've never played an electric bass before.
Sumire
Really? Then, wanna try playing mine?
Sumire
I'll lend you my bass, so why don't you try getting a feel for it.
Sumire
Yeah. Here, it's a little big...
But you should be fine as long as you use the strap.
But you should be fine as long as you use the strap.
Sumire
O-O-Oh no! Are you okay? Sorry for letting go of it so suddenly. I know it's really heavy...
Sumire
Just gimme a second to adjust the strap...
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Sumire
A bit shorter and... Perfect!
Sumire
Yeah, it suits you really well!
You look like you're in a band already!
You look like you're in a band already!
Elementary School Shiho
Wait, what...?
I doubt you're gonna see anyone like me playing in a band.
I doubt you're gonna see anyone like me playing in a band.
Sumire
Nonsense!
Anyone with an instrument can start playing in a band the very same day!
Anyone with an instrument can start playing in a band the very same day!
Sumire
Next, why don't you try playing it?
Elementary School Shiho
(The strings are so much thicker than the ones on a guitar... Am I gonna be able to get a sound out of them...?)
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Sumire
Oh, it sounds like you went a little too hard there. If the strings don't come off your fingers just right, they end up producing a bit of an ugly noise.
Sumire
So, try to relax a little more this time.
Let your fingers roll off the strings... Maybe just maintain the image of bringing them a little closer to the body.
Let your fingers roll off the strings... Maybe just maintain the image of bringing them a little closer to the body.
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Elementary School Shiho
(It's so low and heavy...
This sound's resonating throughout my whole body...)
This sound's resonating throughout my whole body...)
Sumire
That's great, Shiho. You're so talented.
Sumire
Haha. Sorry.
Sumire
What?
Sumire
Shiho...
Sumire
Hehe. Okay, I'll teach you how...
Sumire
Good. It's okay to take it slow since you're just starting out. Keep strumming alternately between your middle and index fingers, and speed things up when you feel you've got the hang of it.
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Sumire
Yes! You're doing great!
Sumire
For your left hand, keep your fingers pressed down right next to the fret. That should allow you to produce nice, clean sounds with ease.
Sumire
Yeah, electric basses are pretty big...
But you might be able to reach if you tilt it up a little. Why don't you give that a try?
But you might be able to reach if you tilt it up a little. Why don't you give that a try?
Sumire
Sure, give it a go.
Sumire
Okay, if you move your fingers in the order I just showed you, then you should be able to play this riff now. Give it a try for me.
Elementary School Shiho
(Try not to yank the strings.
Just let them roll off your fingers.)
Just let them roll off your fingers.)
Elementary School Shiho
(And move your fingers in the order she just showed you. Then, you should be able to play that...)
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Sumire
I know! That was perfect!
Sumire
Hehe. Still, Shiho, your focus is so impressive.
Sumire
Everyone's been making so much noise while getting ready for the show, but you basically blocked all that out.
Elementary School Shiho
(Yeah, come to think of it...
I became so focused on getting this bass to produce the sounds I want that I ended up ignoring everything else that was happening.)
I became so focused on getting this bass to produce the sounds I want that I ended up ignoring everything else that was happening.)
Elementary School Shiho
(The way time flies while concentrating on accomplishing one thing...)
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Sumire
I know!
Shiho, why don't you take this opportunity to start playing the bass?
Shiho, why don't you take this opportunity to start playing the bass?
Sumire
The way you played just now...
You looked like you really enjoyed it. I'm sure you'd have even more fun if you took it up seriously!
You looked like you really enjoyed it. I'm sure you'd have even more fun if you took it up seriously!
Elementary School Shiho
(When I was playing her bass just now, it felt the same as what happened then.)
Elementary School Shiho
(I got so caught up in what I was doing that I couldn't see anything else that was going on.)
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Classmate C's Voice
Right...
But she promised ages ago that she'd come. Shouldn't this party take priority?
But she promised ages ago that she'd come. Shouldn't this party take priority?
Classmate A's Voice
Yeah...
But if it didn't sound like she was gonna budge...
But if it didn't sound like she was gonna budge...
Sumire
Oh, we still have some time, so why not...?!
Sumire
What?
Sumire
Wait, but...
Sumire
Are you sure...?
Next Chapter: What We Can't Give Up