Vivid Street
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An
But the guy at the coffee shop just loves to talk so much. It's already this late and... Huh?
Cat
Meow.
Sound Effect: Play
Vivi
Meow.
Sound Effect: Play
An
I've been seeing so many trucks on the road today... Be careful not to hit by one, okay, Vivi?
Vivi
Meow.
Sound Effect: Play
Truck Driver
Hey!
You guys finished loading everything?!
You guys finished loading everything?!
Vivi
Meow!
Sound Effect: Play
Truck Driver
Hm? Did something move by the bed just now...?
Truck Driver
Or it could just be my imagination.
Alright, I'm heading out!!
Alright, I'm heading out!!
Vivi
Meow...?
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A few days later
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Kohane
(I'm supposed to practice with Taiga today, but I ended up coming way earlier than the time we agreed to...)
Kohane
(Since I have some time, I can warm up at the park... Oh, I know. I can try looking around Vivid Street like I did with him that other time.)
Kohane
(I still don't really understand why I need to see the city to get better at singing...)
An
Kohane?
We don't have practice today... Oh, isn't this your day to practice with Uncle Taiga?
We don't have practice today... Oh, isn't this your day to practice with Uncle Taiga?
An
Yeah, she's a stray called Vivi. You might've seen her before too, Kohane. You know, the gray tabby with dark stripes?
Kohane
Oh, maybe...
I've definitely seen cats matching that description around here before.
I've definitely seen cats matching that description around here before.
An
I get that she might've moved somewhere else since she's a stray, but I've also been seeing all these trucks moving in and out because of this new shop that just opened.
An
I hope so too.
Everybody around here's taken a liking to Vivi, so it just doesn't feel the same without her.
Everybody around here's taken a liking to Vivi, so it just doesn't feel the same without her.
Kohane
Wait, I saw some cats hanging around this place just the other day... Do the people here really like cats or something?
An
Yeah!
Vivi especially since she “understands music”. Because of that, she gets treated kinda special!
Vivi especially since she “understands music”. Because of that, she gets treated kinda special!
An
You know how cats don't really like hearing loud noises? They usually scatter whenever we sing and stuff on the street, right?
An
But Vivi stops and listens when someone good's singing! Otherwise, she just walks on by like nothing's happening.
An
So, everyone does their best to get Vivi to stay and listen! As a result, they all find ways to get better and better.
An
That's why she's become known as the “cat that understands music” who's able to turn aspiring talent into fully-fledged musicians.
An
Hehe. There's no way to know if she's actually listening, but it'd be pretty great if it were true, right?
An
Oh, also... If you still have time until you're supposed to practice with Uncle Taiga, wanna stop by my place? I bought this new CD and was wondering if we could listen to it together.
Weekend Garage
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???
*Sob*
An's Father
Just in time too. Mind talking to our friend here for a bit? Based on what I was just told, she's in a tough pickle.
???
*Sob*
What am I supposed to do?!
What am I supposed to do?!
An
Yeah, she's a freelance photographer.
She took pictures of me when I was little and I got all dressed up for Shichi-Go-San.
She took pictures of me when I was little and I got all dressed up for Shichi-Go-San.
Kawasaki
Huh?
A-An...! It's been so long!
A-An...! It's been so long!
Kawasaki
That's because I am...
I'm supposed to do this big shoot the day after tomorrow...
I'm supposed to do this big shoot the day after tomorrow...
Kawasaki
But all of the models I had booked can't make it anymore...
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Kawasaki
Yes...
This year's theme is “happiness”, so my idea was to take photos of a wedding.
This year's theme is “happiness”, so my idea was to take photos of a wedding.
An
Hey, a wedding sounds like a great idea! I helped out a little at one a while back, and really liked how the air was filled with so much warmth and kindness...!
Kawasaki
Yes, that's exactly what I want to capture! My goal is to get shots of that moment you often see during weddings when “happiness brings everybody together”.
Kawasaki
Yes.
That popped into my head when I attended my friend's wedding some time ago.
That popped into my head when I attended my friend's wedding some time ago.
Kawasaki
There were many guests there, including children and the elderly... All of them seemed so happy when they saw the bride and the groom together too.
Kawasaki
And I had this realization.
“Everybody's there to wish for their happiness.”
“Everybody's there to wish for their happiness.”
Kawasaki
That wonderfully miraculous moment is what brought us together...
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Kawasaki
Hehe. I'm glad you understand!
Kawasaki
Which is why I started hiring some models, booking a venue and everything... Then, I received this call yesterday...
Kawasaki
It turns out that the modeling agency I contacted is going out of business...
Kawasaki
Yes, I couldn't believe it either!
But that's just that and there's nothing I can do about it...
But that's just that and there's nothing I can do about it...
Kawasaki
I've been looking everywhere trying to get ahold of more models, but I'm having trouble finding the right people...
An
And that's how you ended up slumped over our counter... I remember back in the day when you used to come here whenever things weren't going so well.
An
(What if I introduced Haruka to her...?
Oh, wait. She said she's going somewhere with Minori the day after tomorrow...)
Oh, wait. She said she's going somewhere with Minori the day after tomorrow...)
Kawasaki
*Sigh*
Isn't there anyone out there? A photogenic model with the aura to match...
Isn't there anyone out there? A photogenic model with the aura to match...
Kawasaki
Yes.
Ideally, someone with a brilliant spark that shows just how full of life they are...
Ideally, someone with a brilliant spark that shows just how full of life they are...
Kawasaki
Oh...
Kawasaki
Yes, she's right!
To think that the answer was right under my nose this entire time...!
To think that the answer was right under my nose this entire time...!
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Kawasaki
An, please!
I need you to model for me as a bride!
I need you to model for me as a bride!
Kawasaki
With my works, I value soul more than experience! And you're the very embodiment of that, An!
Kawasaki
So, An, I beg you!
Give me a chance to capture that moment when “happiness brings everybody together”...!!
Give me a chance to capture that moment when “happiness brings everybody together”...!!
An
It's important for brides to have an air of maturity and collectedness about them, right? I honestly don't possess any of those qualities...
Kawasaki
No, that's okay! This has nothing to do with experience! I want to photograph you, An!
Kawasaki
Please!
Give me a chance to take that really heart-warming shot I'm looking for!!
Give me a chance to take that really heart-warming shot I'm looking for!!
An
(That reminds me of what Ms. Kawasaki told me back when she took my Shichi-Go-San pictures.)
An
(She's trying to take the best shot possible, just like we're trying to put on the most amazing event ever as musicians.)
Kawasaki
*Gasp*
Thank you so much, An!
Thank you so much, An!
Kohane
An as a model for a wedding...
That means I'll get to see her dressed as a bride...!
That means I'll get to see her dressed as a bride...!
Kawasaki
Wait, I should've noticed you sooner...!
You're An's friend, no?!
You're An's friend, no?!
Kawasaki
Why don't you join us for this shoot?
I was also looking for people to play the part of her friends as her bridesmaids, but having an actual friend there would make it feel all the more real!
I was also looking for people to play the part of her friends as her bridesmaids, but having an actual friend there would make it feel all the more real!
Kawasaki
Also, you have this look about you, so, I'm sure I'll be able to take some wonderful photos! Think of it as creating some fun memories! C'mon, what do you say?!
Next Chapter: Striving To Be Bride-like