Scramble Crossing
Ichika
(It got so late while I was in that instrument shop.)
Ichika
(I need to get home and practice.
Also, if I have time, I want to start working on a new Miku song...)
Also, if I have time, I want to start working on a new Miku song...)
Ichika's Voice
<——♪ ——♪>
Ichika
(Oh, that's our song...)
Ichika
(It's being played on that billboard again.)
Ichika
(This still feels a little weird...
I mean, that's my voice being played here.)
I mean, that's my voice being played here.)
Passerby A
Hey, it's that song...
Passerby B
Oh, I know this one!
It's that Miku song!
It's that Miku song!
Passerby B
Wait a second. Miku isn't the one singing...
Passerby A
It's by a band called Leo/need, right?
That explains why they have their own version.
That explains why they have their own version.
Passerby B
Oh, really?!
This band's version is also really good. I might give it a better listen later.
This band's version is also really good. I might give it a better listen later.
Ichika
(Oh, they're talking about us...
That's kind of nice.)
That's kind of nice.)
Ichika
(Still...)
???
<It's hard not to feel embarrassed hearing them talk about us like that, you know?>
Ichika
Huh?
Ichika
Oh, Miku!
Miku
<I came to chat.
Are you all done with practice?>
Are you all done with practice?>
Ichika
Y-Yeah. But is something the matter?
Miku
<Yes, sort of... Huh?>
Miku
<Is something wrong, Ichika...?>
Ichika
Huh? What do you mean?
Miku
<You had this complicated expression on your face.>
Ichika
Oh, umm...
Ichika
It's nothing serious.
But...
But...
Recording Studio
Ichika
Phew...
Shindo's Voice
<Are you ready, Ms. Hoshino?
We'll start from the top if you are.>
We'll start from the top if you are.>
Ichika
Y-Yes...! I'm ready!
Ichika
(They want the vocals recorded separately...
Plus, this is my first time singing in front of sound engineers. I'm getting really nervous.)
Plus, this is my first time singing in front of sound engineers. I'm getting really nervous.)
Ichika
(But this is our debut song...
It's going to be the first one that the masses hear.)
It's going to be the first one that the masses hear.)
Ichika
(We need to make it as good as we can...!)
Ichika
————♪ ————♪
Ichika
...!
Ichika
(My voice is looping back through these headphones...)
Ichika
(What do I do?
I'm starting to get really lost.)
I'm starting to get really lost.)
Ichika
I'm sorry.
Can we try that again?
Can we try that again?
Ichika
————♪ ————♪
Ichika
(It happened again. I'm having trouble singing the way I normally do...)
Ichika
(I need to really project my voice here, but...)
Shindo's Voice
<Is this a bit too different from what your band usually does?>
Ichika
Y-Yes...
I'm having trouble singing the way I normally do, and listening to my voice as I do this seems to be playing a role in that...
I'm having trouble singing the way I normally do, and listening to my voice as I do this seems to be playing a role in that...
Shindo's Voice
<Right.
It's natural to feel uncomfortable since it's your first time doing this.>
It's natural to feel uncomfortable since it's your first time doing this.>
Shindo's Voice
<But as far as I can tell, you are singing the way you usually do.>
Ichika
Huh? Really...?
Shindo's Voice
<Yes, really. I know you're nervous, but try to remain confident.>
Ichika
O-Okay...!
Ichika
*Sigh*
Shindo
Nice work, Ms. Hoshino.
What did you think of your first recording session?
What did you think of your first recording session?
Ichika
Oh...
Ichika
I had a lot of trouble singing the way I wanted...
Staff Member
Would you like to do some extra takes...?
No one else is scheduled to use this place, so we don't mind sticking around for a bit longer.
No one else is scheduled to use this place, so we don't mind sticking around for a bit longer.
Ichika
Are you sure?
Then...
Then...
Shindo
No, let's stop at our scheduled time.
Ichika
Huh...?
Shindo
I understand why you wish to continue.
You're recording your debut song, so you want everyone to hear you at your best.
You're recording your debut song, so you want everyone to hear you at your best.
Shindo
But you've raised the bar very high for yourself because you're so motivated right now. Which probably means you're not going to like anything you record.
Ichika
B-But...
Shindo
It's extremely important to want to sing and sound a particular way.
Shindo
But you really are doing better than you realize, Ms. Hoshino.
Ichika
Mr. Shindo...
Shindo
So, let's do one more take and call things there.
Shindo
Regardless of what happens, that's it.
Shindo
Let me hear you sing, Ms. Hoshino.
Show me everything you've got right now.
Show me everything you've got right now.
Ichika
...!
Ichika
Understood...
Ichika
So, I sang with everything I had and was told that it was my best take...
Ichika
But a part of me keeps wondering if I could have done better here and there.
Miku
<Ichika...>
Ichika
Still...
Ichika
This is what I'm capable of right now.
Ichika
I have to accept that.
Ichika
I mean, things didn't go as planned when Saki and I wrote that song. And the same goes for the recording session...
Ichika
I've been stumbling quite a lot as we take on new challenges...
Ichika
But in order for us to keep moving forward, I have to accept where I am and find ways to improve.
Miku
<You're so strong, Ichika...>
Ichika
Huh? No, I really don't think I said anything praiseworthy...
Miku
<I think it was.
Especially the part about accepting where you are right now. That isn't easy.>
Especially the part about accepting where you are right now. That isn't easy.>
Ichika
Y-You think so?
Miku
<I do.>
Miku
<You're not running away from your faults. You're trying to move forward by facing them head-on.>
Miku
<I believe your ability to do so is one of your best qualities, Ichika.>
Miku
<Because you're so strong, I'm certain that you'll be able to propel yourself even further forward.>
Miku
<Naturally, the others as well.>
Ichika
Miku...
Ichika
*Nod*
Thank you...
Thank you...
Miku
<Hehe. Actually...>
Miku
<Those sorts of feelings may be behind that new area appearing.>
Ichika
What new area?
Miku
<Come to SEKAI.
There's something I'd like to show you.>
There's something I'd like to show you.>
Next Chapter: Beyond the Tracks