In This Singing City - 1: A Mind-Blowing Voice

Live House

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1

Shiho

I think I'll be on my way now.
If you'll excuse me.

2

Manager

Sure, and thanks for your hard work today.
Say, isn't your solo show coming up? How's the prep going?

3

Shiho

We're doing everything we can to be ready. The closer we get to the day of, the more focused we feel.

4

Shiho

It's like... We give each other energy just by picking up our instruments together.

5

Manager

I see. That's exciting to hear.
Are you off to practice now?

6

Shiho

Actually, no. My amp started acting up yesterday, so I'm taking it to be fixed.

7

Manager

Really?
In that case, you can use this.

8

Shiho

Huh? Is this...a coupon?

9

Manager

That's right. Do you know Vivid Street?

10

Manager

My brother opened up an instrument shop just off it. Why don't you check it out?

11

Shiho

I see...

12

Shiho

Thank you very much for the suggestion. If you're sure it's alright, I'll accept this coupon.

13

Manager

No problem. And good luck!

14

Manager

I'm looking forward to Leo/need's solo show.

15

Shiho

Thank you. We'll be sure to make it a great show.

A few hours later

Vivid Street

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16

Shiho

I'm going to save a bunch on repairs now...
I have to thank my boss next time I see him.

17

Shiho

(Not to mention all those rare models they had. It was cool getting to try them all out.)

18

Shiho

(But none of them compared to my own bass. I've used it for so long that my fingers are just...used to it.)

19

Shiho

(...
I kinda want to play it now. My amp's in the shop, though, so... I think I'll go over to SEKAI.)

20

???

♪——————!!

21

Shiho

(What's that singing?)

22

Shiho

(They're so good...
I think it's coming from this way.)

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23

Shiho

Oh... Isn't that...?

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24

An

Hey, we're Vivid BAD SQUAD!
How are you all doing?! Are you guys having fun?!

25

Shiho

Yes... It's Shiraishi.

26

An

♪————!! ————!!

27

Shiho

(I've got goosebumps. Her voice is so overwhelming...!)

28

Shiho

(And... My heart aches just listening to her.)

29

Shiho

(I already knew she had a powerful voice from when I saw her at Shibuya Festa. But she's gotten even better now...)

30

Shiho

...
No surprises there.

31

Shiho

(If I remember right, she's trying to surpass a legendary event called RAD WEEKEND.)

32

Shiho

(And she must be serious if she can sing this passionately... So passionately my heart aches.)

33

Shiho

(That's right. We'll also...)

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The next day

School SEKAI

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34

Shiho

(Everyone's in good form.)

35

Shiho

(But, I keep thinking about yesterday...)

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36

Shiho

(That overpowering voice...
That was incredible.)

37

Shiho

(I want to try performing with that kind of power. I bet it could really profoundly resonate with people...)

38

Shiho

(I know. I can...heavily accent my strumming to produce a sort of clean, staccato sound...!)

39

Len

Wow, that was really good just now.
It was like the bass picked up and pulled everything together.

40

MEIKO

They're on a whole new level, including their playing itself.

41

Shiho

Keep it up till the end!

42

Ichika

*Nod*

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43

Saki

That's all eight songs covered! Nice work, everyone!

44

Luka

Hehe. I have to say, you've all built up stamina and improved your performance skills.

45

Honami

Yes, I suppose practice is paying off.

46

Rin

But hey! Shih was extra incredible today, right?!

47

MEIKO

You're right. She was producing an even cleaner sound than usual, and playing with extra feeling.

48

Rin

Did something good happen?!

49

Shiho

Not exactly... But something like that.

50

Len

Huh?

51

Shiho

There's this friend of a friend, and I got to hear her sing.

52

Shiho

And when I did, it was like I was charged up, or like I had a fire lit under me.

53

Ichika

Wow... For you to be that impressed, this person must really be incredible.

54

Shiho

Oh, you probably know her, Ichika. She's Kohane's teammate, Shiraishi.

55

Ichika

Wait, Shiraishi?
So that's who it was...!

56

Ichika

Shiraishi is definitely talented. I learned a lot from her when she taught me about singing.

57

Miku

Wow... I think I'd like to hear this Shiraishi person's singing too.

58

Shiho

I hear she and her team are putting on their own events lately. If you're interested, wanna check one out together?

59

Miku

Really? I'd love the chance to go and listen.

60

Shiho

Got it. In that case, I'll ask Kohane next time I see her.

61

Saki

Kohane's helping us out so much with the flyers for the solo show, so it'd be great to all go support them!

62

Honami

Actually, everyone. Can we talk for a second about those flyers?

63

Honami

It turns out Kohane has some samples of the solo show flyer ready for us to look at.

64

Saki

Whoa! She already got that far with the design we asked her to make?

65

Honami

Yes, and I'd like to get the final product printed soon since there isn't much time left before the show. I had planned to go collect the samples this Saturday, but...

66

Ichika

Did something come up?

67

Honami

Yes, I'll be going on a family outing... I don't think I can go collect them that day.

68

Honami

So, it would be a big help if someone could go instead of me to collect them. Are any of you free?

69

Shiho

Saturday... Okay, how about I go?

70

Honami

Oh, are you sure?

71

Shiho

Yeah. My shift ends early that day, and I think I can go on the way home.

72

Honami

I see... Thank you, Shiho!

73

Shiho

So, where do I need to go?

74

Honami

Um, it's a place on Vivid Street called...

75

Shiho

Weekend Garage...

Next Chapter: A Different Sound