The weekend
Rehearsal Studio
Ichika
Good morning...
Ichika
Oh, no one else is here yet.
I might've left home a little too early.
I might've left home a little too early.
Ichika
But I've hit a bit of a wall with my song, so it might be nice to work on it somewhere else for a change...
Ichika
Still... Why am I having so much trouble...?
Ichika
(I'm currently writing a song with a message about helping others when they need it, but... No matter how many times I try, it ends up sounding off...)
Ichika
(I've even tried adjusting the parts of the melody that I thought needed fixing... But that hasn't really led to an improvement in quality.)
Ichika
(Also... I'm trying to get used to digital tools, but it isn't going well. I can't quite get the melody that's in my head...)
Ichika
This is a lot harder than I realized...
Ichika
(But I want Miku to sing my song...
I've come this far already, so I need to at least finish it.)
I've come this far already, so I need to at least finish it.)
Ichika
Still... What do I do in these situations?
I remember Saki saying...
I remember Saki saying...
Saki
Let's get started, everyone!
It's time for Ms. Saki's songwriting seminar!
It's time for Ms. Saki's songwriting seminar!
Rin
Woohoo!!!
Luka
Oh, what's going on here?
Honami
Ichika was asking about how to become a better songwriter, and these two became so excited...
Saki
Alright, Ichi!
Once again, ask me anything you like!
Once again, ask me anything you like!
Ichika
O-Okay, Ms. Saki.
Miku
She's even calling her “Ms. Saki” like she's a teacher.
Shiho
What are you two doing...?
Ichika
S-So...
What do you do when you get stuck while writing a song? Do you have any advice regarding that?
What do you do when you get stuck while writing a song? Do you have any advice regarding that?
Saki
Ah, excellent question.
Many things can cause you to get stuck while writing a song...
Many things can cause you to get stuck while writing a song...
Saki
For example, if you're having trouble producing the sound you want despite having a solid image in your head, you may want to try looking at your song objectively by taking a step back.
Ichika
Objectively?
Saki
Working on a song for too long can cause you to become unable to distinguish between what's good and what's bad!
Saki
So, whenever you find yourself in such a situation, my... Ms. Saki's advice to you is to try listening to the song you're working on using different headphones or somewhere else entirely.
Saki
By doing that, you might figure out what you were missing and get the hint that you need!
Ichika
I never would've thought to do either of those things... Thank you very much for your advice, Saki.
Saki
You're welcome!
And never stop learning!
And never stop learning!
Saki
Alright, to be fair, I'm still pretty new to songwriting and also keep getting stuck...!
Ichika
Listening to it somewhere else entirely...
Ichika
This might be the perfect place...
I think I'll try that while I wait for the others to arrive.
I think I'll try that while I wait for the others to arrive.
Ichika
Let's see... Just plug the cable into my phone and press play...
Miku
♪————
Ichika
Oh wow... The studio's speakers sound so much cleaner... This sounds completely different compared to when I listen to it on my computer...!
Ichika
But...
Ichika
The melody still sounds off...
It's not capturing that feeling of wanting to help someone who's in need...
It's not capturing that feeling of wanting to help someone who's in need...
Ichika
If anything, these speakers are only making the problems more evident...
Ichika
The bass sounds...thin...
The drums sound light too. It's like everything sounds really far away...
The drums sound light too. It's like everything sounds really far away...
Ichika
It's not just the melody. I can see now that I need to also be careful about which sounds I choose... The issues are just piling up...
???
What song is this?
Ichika
Huh...?
Ichika
H-Honami?!
When did you get here?!
When did you get here?!
Honami
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I should've let you know that I was here...
Ichika
I-I'm also sorry.
My back was to the door, so I didn't see you come in.
My back was to the door, so I didn't see you come in.
Honami
No, that's okay.
More importantly, this song... Is that Miku singing?
More importantly, this song... Is that Miku singing?
Ichika
Oh... So, um...
Honami
But I've never heard this song before. It skipped in a few places, and the melody seems unfinished...
Honami
Ichika... Did you write this...?
Ichika
Oh...
Ichika
Yes, actually...
Honami
I knew it...!
You were still trying to write your own song. Not only that, you're having Miku sing it...!
You were still trying to write your own song. Not only that, you're having Miku sing it...!
Ichika
B-But I really just started working on it. I mean, I can't write anything amazing like Saki!
Ichika
I feel bad about making Miku sing such a half-baked song, and...
Ichika
I'm having a lot of trouble.
Using digital tools to write songs is so hard.
Using digital tools to write songs is so hard.
Honami
Oh, you mean using a computer to write music? That's very different from how we usually produce songs...
Honami
Especially since you have to choose which instruments to use and what sounds they're going to make. It sounds tough...
Ichika
Yeah...
I know what kind of song I want to write and have been inputting sounds based on how we usually play...
I know what kind of song I want to write and have been inputting sounds based on how we usually play...
Ichika
But I'm not getting what I want.
I even realized just now that my song has all these other problems with it.
I even realized just now that my song has all these other problems with it.
Ichika
I thought I'd be able to help the band more if I learned to write songs for us...
Honami
Ichika...
Honami
What if you asked Ms. Yoisaki?
She composes songs using digital tools...
She composes songs using digital tools...
Ichika
Oh...
Ichika
That's right.
I remember her mentioning that before.
I remember her mentioning that before.
Ichika
Thanks, Honami!
I'll try contacting her right away.
I'll try contacting her right away.
Honami
Hehe. I sure hope she can help.
Saki
Morning!
You two are here pretty early!
You two are here pretty early!
Shiho
You know you could've gotten started without us, right? Wait, why's only this speaker on...?
Ichika
Oh... Th-The person who used it last must've forgotten!
Saki
Yeah, that is pretty common!
I remember going out and leaving the air conditioner on during summer once, Tsukasa turned into a popsicle the moment he got home!
I remember going out and leaving the air conditioner on during summer once, Tsukasa turned into a popsicle the moment he got home!
Shiho
I feel like the temperature setting you chose is more the issue.
Ichika
Honami, would you mind keeping my song a secret from the others until I've had a chance to finish it...?
Ichika
Partly because it's embarrassing, but mostly... I want the song to be complete when they hear it.
Honami
Hehe. Okay, I promise not to tell them.
And I'll help you when I can to make sure it turns out well.
And I'll help you when I can to make sure it turns out well.
Scramble Crossing
Shiho
Good job today, everyone.
Saki
Bye bye, Ichi!
Ichika
Okay...
Another day, another good practice.
Another day, another good practice.
Ichika
We even got to finalize our decision to make videos moving forward.
Saki
So, which song should we do a video for first?!
Shiho
We'll need to choose carefully.
Our first video's probably gonna leave the biggest impression about who we are.
Our first video's probably gonna leave the biggest impression about who we are.
Ichika
Right... Those who like our first video might become interested in us and even come to see us live.
Honami
Then, why don't we choose a song that we all feel good about and serves as a nice representation of who we are...?
Honami
In other words... It'll be Leo/need's way of introducing itself to the world.
Saki
Yeah!
You said it perfect, Hona!
You said it perfect, Hona!
Ichika
A song that we all feel good about and serves as a nice representation of who we are... I guess that means...
Ichika, Shiho & Honami
Saki's song!
The song Saki wrote!
The song Saki wrote!
Saki
Whoa! You all landed on the same answer!
Ichika
It seems like the right choice for our first video since we practiced so much just to play it during that show.
Shiho
Yeah, I agree.
Shiho
And it means something special to me. All of you working hard to master it compelled me to play with everything I had...
Ichika
Shiho...
Shiho
S-Saki, is that okay with you?
Saki
Of course!
I can't believe it'll be our first video... I mean, I worked super hard on it, so this makes me really happy♪
I can't believe it'll be our first video... I mean, I worked super hard on it, so this makes me really happy♪
Honami
Hehe. For now, until we do our shoot, let's keep practicing.
Ichika
Unlike shows, videos last forever...
And that comes with a different sort of anxiety...
And that comes with a different sort of anxiety...
Ichika
I'll need to practice a lot for it.
Ichika
Hm? Did someone just send me a message?
Ichika
Oh...!
A few days later
Yoisaki Household - Kitchen
Honami
Hello, Ms. Yoisaki.
Thank you for having me over again today.
Thank you for having me over again today.
Kanade
Thank you for coming again, Ms. Mochizuki. Also...
Kanade
Welcome, Hoshino.
Ichika
Thank you for agreeing to help me today. After I suddenly asked you to teach me about digital music tools too...
Ichika
Not only that, you even invited me to your house.
I feel kind of bad about all of this...
I feel kind of bad about all of this...
Kanade
It's my pleasure.
I mean, I happen to have the equipment you need for this.
I mean, I happen to have the equipment you need for this.
Kanade
Oh, however, the house may be a bit of a mess since Ms. Mochizuki hasn't had a chance to clean it yet...
Honami
Hehe. Don't worry. It'll be clean in no time.
Kanade
Thank you...
Honami
So, if you'll excuse me, I'll get started.
Honami
Good luck, Ichika.
And thank you again, Ms. Yoisaki. I hope you two can make some good progress.
And thank you again, Ms. Yoisaki. I hope you two can make some good progress.
Kanade
Me too.
Anyway, shall we head up to my room...?
Anyway, shall we head up to my room...?
Ichika
Yes!
Next Chapter: With The Tune