The Vivid Old Tale - 2: The One Called Nagi Kotaki

A few years ago

Saturday morning

Sound Effect: Play

Little An

Listen

Alright, I'm gonna give it everything I've got again today!

Little An

♪————!

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

New Live House Hire

Hm?
Whoa, who's that...?! She's so little, but such an amazing singer...!

Live House Manager

Hm? What's up?

New Live House Hire

Oh, boss, I was just cleaning up and noticed that little girl singing over there...

Live House Manager

Ah, you're still new here, so I guess no one's told you yet...

Live House Manager

You know KEN from RADder? That's his daughter, An.

New Live House Hire

Wait, KEN's...?!

Little An

♪————!

Local Residents

Hey, it looks like An's singing already!

Local Residents

Yeah.
The way she's always practicing is so admirable too!

Local Residents

We're rooting for you, An!

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

Little An

Listen

Okay, that should be enough practice songs! Next, I should...

Sound Effect: Play

Attractive Lady

Hi, An!
Getting another early start this morning?

Little An

Listen

Oh, good morning!
Did you just get off work?

Attractive Lady

Yeah, I'm exhausted...
But I feel much better after hearing you sing, An♪ So, thank you♪

Little An

Listen

Hehe. You're welcome!
Stop by to listen anytime!

Sound Effect: Play

Little An

Listen

Oh, you're from the record store! Good morning! Lots of cool piercings like always!

Frizzly-Haired Record Store Clerk

Th-Thanks...
You seem as energetic as ever too, An...

Little An

Listen

Yup!
Oh, I was just practicing that song you taught me the other day!

Frizzly-Haired Record Store Clerk

R-Really?
That's nice to hear...

New Live House Hire

Wow, she seems like a really energetic kid...

Live House Manager

Yeah, not only is she a great singer, she's got the charisma to match. Genetics are probably playing a big role, but... Hey, An!

Little An

Listen

Hm? Oh, good morning!
How are you? Good?

Sound Effect: Play

Live House Manager

Yeah, never better!
Are you at it again today? The thing Ken and the others were...?

Little An

Listen

Yeah!
Because “this street's the best place to practice singing”!

Little An

Listen

Daddy was supposed to watch me practice, but he's busy and still hasn't come yet...

Live House Manager

I see. To be fair, he's a very popular figure...

Little An

Listen

Yup! It's like everyone's a fan of Daddy and his team!

Little An

Listen

Huh...?
Did you hire someone new?

New Live House Hire

O-Oh, um...
I started working here last week. It's nice to meet you.

Live House Manager

This one's a huge fan of your father, An.

Little An

Listen

Oh, really?!

New Live House Hire

W-Wait, that's...!

Little An

Listen

Yeah, I totally get why too. I mean, Daddy's just so cool! You've got a good eye! Hehe♪

Little An

Listen

But I'm gonna become an even more amazing musician than him, so make sure to come see my events when I do!

New Live House Hire

Oh, of course!

Little An

Listen

Now, I should get back to practicing!
See you guys later!

Sound Effect: Play

Little An

♪————!

Live House Manager

That's pretty much what she's like.
Pretty good kid, right...?

New Live House Hire

Yes, she is.
She really takes after KEN...

Little An

♪————!

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

Little An

Listen

Whew. I got in a lot of singing...

Little An

Listen

(I figured out how to sing that new song and got that rap down too. Things are going really well!)

Little An

Listen

(But it's almost noon...
Where are you, Daddy?)

Little An

Listen

(Even after saying that he'd come watch me practice today...)

???

Listen

An, over here!

Little An

Listen

Huh? That voice...!

Sound Effect: Play

Little An

Listen

Aunt Nagi! Uncle Taiga!

Sound Effect: Play

Nagi

Listen

Hi there!
Having another morning practice, An?

Sound Effect: Play

Little An

Listen

Yeah, I've been practicing for like three hours now! Are you two here to talk to Daddy?

Nagi

Listen

Yes, since we need to get ready for today's event. I hope you're looking forward to seeing us sing our hearts out!

Little An

Listen

Yeah, I am! Hehe... I can't wait!

Taiga

Listen

Haha. An just can't get enough of you, Nagi.

Taiga

Listen

So, is Ken still at home?

Little An

Listen

No, he got a call from someone and has been gone since! He was supposed to watch me practice...

Nagi

Listen

Oh, that reminds me... He mentioned something about wanting to talk to some kids before they make their big debut. It could have to do with that.

Taiga

Listen

Unlike me, a lot of them see him as their role model since he always keeps an eye out for them.

Nagi

Listen

You say that, but I've seen you lend a helping hand on more than one occasion, Taiga.

Little An

Listen

Yeah, I remember how you helped cheer that one kid up after they dropped their ice cream!

Taiga

Listen

I couldn't just leave them, could I?
I mean, if that were me, dropping my ice cream would've felt like the end of the world.

Little An

Listen

True. I probably would've felt awful the rest of the day too...!

Nagi

Listen

Haha. Oh, quit exaggerating, you two.

Sound Effect: Play

Taiga

Listen

Oh, I just got a message from Ken...

Little An

Listen

Wait, really?!

Taiga

Listen

Yeah, he says he still can't come...
Which means we have some time to kill.

Little An

Listen

Grr! Daddy!

Little An

Listen

Oh, I know! Can you listen to me sing, Aunt Nagi, Uncle Taiga?

Little An

Listen

I practiced lots and lots, so I bet I'll sound really good!

Nagi

Listen

Sure, I'd love to hear you sing!

Taiga

Listen

But I'll probably fall asleep if you don't deliver, okay?

Little An

Listen

No problem!
Daddy even said that I sounded great yesterday!

Nagi

Listen

Oh, he did?
Then, I'm looking forward to hearing what you have in store for us♪

Little An

Listen

Alright, here I go!!

Little An

♪————! ♪————! ♪—————...

Nagi

Listen

Yeah!
Not bad!

Little An

♪————————!!

Nagi

Listen

Oh, stop there!

Little An

Listen

Huh?

Nagi

Listen

That last part. I think you'll sound a lot better and more powerful if you don't use your falsetto. Here, like this.

Nagi

♪————————!!

Little An

Listen

Wow...!
How did you do that just now?

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

Nagi

Listen

Start by using your diaphragm to project your voice and send it up towards your head. It's okay if you're not in pitch on your first try.

Little An

Listen

Okay!
Um...

Little An

♪~~~~!

Nagi

Listen

Yeah, there you go!
Next, relax a bit more and try to keep your throat open... Go!

Little An

♪————————!!

Little An

Listen

*Gasp*
Yay! I did it!
Thank you so much, Aunt Nagi!!

Nagi

Listen

Haha. It's always a pleasure to teach you since you're such a quick learner, An. Now, fist bump!

Little An

Listen

Fist bump!

Sound Effect: Play

Taiga

Listen

Heh.
You two are more like sisters at this point... Hm?

Boy Rapper A

What?! Don't give me that!

Boy Rapper B

You wanna go?! Meet me out front!

Onlookers

Hey, guys, cut it out!

Sound Effect: Play

Taiga

Listen

Hm? Uh oh. Is that...?

Little An

Listen

A fight...?!

Next Chapter: Normal Life On The Street