The next day
Honami's Room

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

1

Honami

Listen

“After the dog decided to go on his journey, he told the boy this as he lay in his bed.”
2

Honami

Listen

“Just wait.
I promise to find a star that will grant my wish.”
3

Honami

Listen

“And we'll go to that big field again after you get better. We can spend the entire day in the sun playing tag.”
4

Honami

Listen

“So, just wait...”
5

Honami

Listen

(I can read it without stuttering or hesitating now... But I don't feel that I've become all that skilled.)
6

Honami

Listen

(I need to keep practicing and get better at this.)
7

Honami

Listen

(Also...)
8

Honami

Listen

(Around twenty first and second graders are supposed to join us for this event.)
9

Honami

Listen

(Are there any special considerations that I need to keep in mind when reading to small children?)

Sound Effect: Play

10

???

Listen

Thanks for having me over!
11

Haru's Voice

Listen

Hey, wait! You gotta wash your hands first!
12

Haru's Friend's Voice

Listen

Okay, okay! Where's the bathroom?
13

Honami

Listen

(Oh, that's right.
Haru said he'd be bringing his friend over today.)
14

Honami

Listen

That's it!
Mochizuki Household - Living Room

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

15

Honami

Listen

“And they lived happily ever after.”
16

Honami

Listen

What did you two think...?

Sound Effect: Play

17

Haru's Friend

Listen

That was great!
18

Haru

Listen

Yeah, it wasn't bad.
But...
19

Honami

Listen

But?
20

Haru

Listen

Hmm... You're too relaxed, you know...?
You said you're gonna be reading to first and second graders, right?
21

Haru

Listen

It's a pretty long story, so some of them might get bored partway through and start fooling around.
22

Haru's Friend

Listen

Yeah, he's right!
The first graders never sit still during assemblies and stuff.
23

Honami

Listen

G-Good point...
24

Honami

Listen

(I ended up listening very intently because I'd fallen completely in love with this story. But not everyone is going to respond the same way...)
25

Honami

Listen

(And I'm still a novice in terms of storytelling...)
26

Haru

Listen

Also, some kids might not actually like these kinds of stories. What if their parents are making them be there?
27

Haru

Listen

You're gonna have to try really hard to keep their attention. To be honest, you're so nice that some kids probably won't take you seriously.
28

Honami

Listen

Oh...
29

Haru's Friend

Listen

Whoa, that's pretty harsh. She's your big sister. Are you going through a rebellious phase or something?
30

Haru

Listen

What are you talking about?
If I don't give it to her straight now, she might end up paying for it later.
31

Honami

Listen

He's right...
I really appreciate the advice, you two.
32

Honami

Listen

I'll try seeing what I can do to sound more captivating. Thank you both very much.
33

Haru

Listen

Hm? You're welcome...
34

Honami

Listen

(I need to keep on practicing.)
35

Honami

Listen

(Come to think of it, what was the reading I went to like...?)
36

Honami

Listen

(I remember the characters really coming to life. It was almost as if I got to be a part of the story... Oh...)
37

Honami

Listen

(That's it...
By improving my voice acting skills, I might be able to keep the children from getting bored.)
38

Honami

Listen

Okay. Then, I'll start by looking into that.
A few hours later
Shopping Mall

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39

Honami

Listen

(“Fundamental Vocal Projection Exercises”, “Want To Become A Famous Voice Actor? Here's How”, “Modern Acting Methods”... So many books on the subject.)
40

Honami

Listen

(I came to see if they had any that would help with voice acting, but I'm not sure where I'm supposed to start now...)
41

???

Listen

Huh? Mochizuki...?

Sound Effect: Play

42

Honami

Listen

Kusanagi...! Hello!
43

Nene

Listen

Uhh, hi...
Is this a bad time? Do you need a rain check?
44

Honami

Listen

Huh?
45

Nene

Listen

I saw you standing in front of this bookshelf looking kind of troubled. Is everything okay...?
46

Honami

Listen

Oh...
I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry or anything.
47

Honami

Listen

The thing is, my neighborhood is holding...
48

Nene

Listen

I see. And you're here to find a good book on voice acting...

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

49

Honami

Listen

Yes. I'm a complete novice, so I felt that I should learn from a reputable source instead of going it on my own.
50

Honami

Listen

Unfortunately, now I don't even know where to begin...
51

Nene

Listen

Oh...
Voice acting does involve a lot of different things.
52

Nene

Listen

There's all these facets to it, like different acting and practice methods...
53

Honami

Listen

Kusanagi?
54

Nene

Listen

I was just trying to remember if I have any books that you could use...
55

Nene

Listen

But most use really technical language, which might end up confusing you even further...
56

Honami

Listen

Thank you for taking the time to try and help me, Kusanagi...
57

Nene

Listen

Huh?
No, you don't need to thank me...
58

Nene

Listen

If anything, Mochizuki, you're the one who's always helping me out.
59

Honami

Listen

Me...?
60

Nene

Listen

Not only did you teach me how to make scented candles, you even lent a hand during Shibu Schools Fest.
61

Nene

Listen

So, I'd like to take this opportunity to repay the favor somehow...
62

Honami

Listen

Kusanagi...
63

Nene

Listen

Plus, I should be able to help at least somewhat when it comes to acting.
64

Honami

Listen

Then...
65

Honami

Listen

Can I ask you to be my acting coach?
66

Nene

Listen

Wait, me? Are you sure...?
67

Honami

Listen

Yes. If it isn't too much trouble, I'd love to get whatever advice I can from you, Kusanagi.
68

Nene

Listen

Okay, I'll do what I can...
69

Honami

Listen

...!
Thank you so much.
Next Chapter: Two Peas in a Pod