A few days later
Nene's Room
Nene
♪————
Nene
————...
Nene
(I had the others listen to the way I sing in order to figure out what my habits are...)
Nene
(But...)
Nene
♪————...
Nene
...is about all I got.
Did I sound weird or off in any way...?
Did I sound weird or off in any way...?
Tsukasa
Well...
Emu
I didn't really hear anything weird.
I thought you were really good, Nene. Your singing was as pretty as ever!
I thought you were really good, Nene. Your singing was as pretty as ever!
Rui
Yes...
I'm also struggling to find any such faults.
I'm also struggling to find any such faults.
Rui
How about you, Tsukasa?
Tsukasa
Hmm...
We practiced singing a few times during that workshop I attended...
We practiced singing a few times during that workshop I attended...
Tsukasa
But I'm not sure any of the comments or criticisms I or the others there were given that time apply to you, Nene.
Nene
Could you tell me what they told you?
Tsukasa
One person was told, “To sing with a clearer voice from the opening” while another was, “Articulate better so that it's easier to discern the lyrics.”
Emu
Yeah, neither of those really apply to Nene...
Nene
Okay, thanks...
Rui
As far as what the layperson would know, vibratos and glissandos also come to mind... But I can't think of much else...
Rui
You're both an experienced stage performer and a talented singer, Nene. So, your “habits” may have nothing to do with your singing skills...
Nene
This has nothing to do with my singing skills...?
Nene
Thanks, everyone...
I know you're all busy working on your own roles, so I really appreciate your help.
I know you're all busy working on your own roles, so I really appreciate your help.
Nene
I don't wanna take up more of your time, so I'll try giving this some more thought.
Nene
(But I still don't know what my habits are...)
Nene
I guess this director was right. This isn't gonna be easy...
Nene
Huh? It's getting light out...
I completely lost track of time while practicing.
I completely lost track of time while practicing.
Nene
What time is it? Where's my phone...?
Nene
What?! Thirty unread messages?!
From the Wonderlands×Showtime group too...
From the Wonderlands×Showtime group too...
Nene
U-Uh oh...
Did something happen without me realizing...?
Did something happen without me realizing...?
Nene
Huh?
There's a video here...
There's a video here...
Emu
<Hiii, Neneee!>
Emu
<How's singing practice going?!
I hope you're not feeling too lonely.>
I hope you're not feeling too lonely.>
Emu
<Oh, I forgot. Robo-Nene's at home with you, right?!>
Tsukasa
<Emu, wait!
You're getting off track!>
You're getting off track!>
Tsukasa
<Ahem...
Today, Nene, we've put this video together in the hopes that it'll give you some encouragement!>
Today, Nene, we've put this video together in the hopes that it'll give you some encouragement!>
Rui
<We hope you get to watch this.
Now, it's showtime!>
Now, it's showtime!>
Nene
Hehe. They made this for me?
It's a cute video. I like how so many of the plushies are in it...
It's a cute video. I like how so many of the plushies are in it...
Miku
<Hiya, Nene☆>
Nene
Geez, they even got Miku and the others to join in...
Rin
<Nene, we're all really looking forward to seeing your show☆>
KAITO
<And please be sure to visit once it's over. We'd love to throw you all an after-party to celebrate a job well done.>
MEIKO
<We hope that you figure out the solution to your problem and are able to put on a wonderful performance!>
Nene
You guys...
Emu
<Hehe. None of us can wait to hear you sing your beautiful songs as the Cowardly Canary, Nene!>
Tsukasa
<It pains us that we can't be of more help, but we're sure that you'll find a way...!>
Rui
<We unfortunately won't be much assistance when it comes to singing. That being said, we're always willing to lend an ear to your worries.>
Emu
<Ready, everyone?! One, two...>
Everyone
<You can do it, Nene!>
<You can do it, Neneee!>
<You can do it, Neneee!>
Nene
*Sigh*
Talk about a sudden surprise...
Talk about a sudden surprise...
Nene
Also, shouldn't they be practicing instead of making a video like this?
Nene
Still...
Nene
Thanks, you guys.
Nene
I need to figure this out...
Nene
So that I don't end up ruining our show.
Nene
I should start with what I can do...
Nene
But... What can I do...?
I could go back to basics and try to pinpoint my habits...
I could go back to basics and try to pinpoint my habits...
Nene
Also, Rui said that my habits may have nothing to do with my actual singing skills...
Nene
Would seeing other singers perform help?
Figuring out one person's habits or tendencies might lead to something...
Figuring out one person's habits or tendencies might lead to something...
Nene
Alright, I'll check that video site for...
A few hours later
Phoenix Stage
Nene
(I was hoping I could get in a quick nap, but it's already time for us to start practicing by ourselves...)
Nene
(Still, there are some things that I wanna try from those videos I saw. No one else seems to be practicing here, so now's my chance...)
Nene
I saved that list...
Nene
Okay...
Nene
(Those videos showed me that every singer has their own habits and tendencies.)
Nene
(So, I watched as many as I could and created a list of them all...)
Nene
(If I can find someone with the same habits as me, that would really help...)
Nene
(I'll keep looking at this list while I sing and see if anything does match up.)
Nene
(I have thirty in total. Some are subtle, some are fairly conspicuous. It's a lot, but I should test them all before practice...)
Nene
So, let's begin...
Several dozen minutes later
Nene
♪————
Nene
“Peculiar breath timing”...
Not sure that one applies to me...
Not sure that one applies to me...
Nene
“Voice jumps at the end of songs”... No, not really... “Exaggerates vibratos a lot”... Kind of? But I have a hard time believing that's the answer...
Nene
That's twenty-five...
Nene
...
Nene
(Am I going about this right...?)
Nene
(I went through twenty-five of these and I still don't have a clue as to what my problem is...)
Nene
(The answer could be hiding within these last five, but if it's not...)
Nene
(I'd have the restart from scratch...
What do I do then...?)
What do I do then...?)
Nene
(It feels like I'm not making any progress at all despite doing everything I possibly can.)
Nene
(Also, in the back of my mind, I know our show's just around the corner. It's why I've been trying to quickly figure out a solution to all this.)
Nene
(If I am going about this all wrong, I probably won't make it in time for...)
Nene
No, now's not the time for that.
Nene
While I'm running circles in my head, the others are practicing and...
Sakurako
“♪————”
Nene
Running further and further ahead...
Nene
(I have to believe in myself.)
Nene
(I have five left...
The answer has to be in here somewhere...)
The answer has to be in here somewhere...)
Nene
(It has to be. I have to find it. Because...)
Nene
(I... I want to go on stage, sing and...!)
Nene
♪————~~!
???
You'll lose your voice if you keep singing like that.
Nene
What...?
Nene
Seiryuin...?!
Next Chapter: To Close The Gap