Okay! I'll see if I can sing Umi-chan's parts or something!
[ Kotori would sing the duet between her and Umi that sounded like this. Though obviously, it is much better as a duet since she doesn't quite know Umi's parts as well as her own and their voices are definitely different. She'd sing softly again, the lyrics were a little embarrassing each time she tried to practice this since her and Umi hadn't really sung this a whole lot and this was a love song, sort of, after all.
After she finished, she looked embarrassed since she wasn't sure how this guy would rate that song or her voice in it because in her opinion, Umi was a lot better than she was. ]
U-Umm...I tried...it's kind of weird without Umi-chan!
[ As with before, he closes his eyes when she starts singing, but soon opens them again and folds his arms. While his expression isn't critical - and he isn't even looking directly at her, instead at a spot about three feet to her right - it's evident that this one isn't as good as the previous. ]
... I think you need to practice more with your partner. Not only do you need to mind your own parts, you also need to keep time together so the music flows together as a whole.
[ That, as well as dance coordination, but he isn't going to talk about that now. ]
I do! We've been practicing together around each of our schedules! Don't worry! It's definitely better if Umi-chan sings it since her voice is a lot prettier than mine!
[ Umi just wasn't here at the moment, so maybe she should have just sung her song again or showed him the dance routine to it since she was just singing right now, thankfully. ]
Sorry it wasn't very good, Ichinose-san. It will be better at the concert--I promise! We will all have matching outfits I made too! [ She looked hopeful that he would believe her since she knew no duet was complete without the other person--besides! She will look a lot cuter in their outfits she had designed! ]
[ She couldn't help but giggle, thinking that what he said sounded like something Eli would say since she was a professional ballet dancer and helped the group when it came to that sort of stuff mostly. ]
You're right--you sound just like Eli-chan...[ Another giggle here. ] Don't worry! We pay attention to that part to---Eh?
[ She waved her hand as if to say that she was only okay at sewing, when in reality she was fantastic to the point where she had been offered a space at one of the nation's top boarding schools just for fashion design and such...though she would never really boast about that. ]
I'm okay, I guess! I've mad all of Muse's outfit designs and sewed them with the help of Nico-chan and my mom!
[ Kotori definitely doesn't like to brag unless it's about her friends, and honestly she's always had a passion for fashion design while her mom helped her learn to sew. Of course, Nico did help her since her friend knew more about what idols typically wore than she did, but she was still very good at what she does.
And the fact that she was getting even more praise made her smile brightly again and beam up at Tokiya. ]
Really?! I mean...I guess you're right...? Muse sometimes helps me put on small details for the outfits but umm...I think the only one that knows how to sew other than me is Nico-chan, maybe!
[ At this juncture, it seems to him that Kotori probably didn't quite understand what he was trying to get at, so he just drops the subject altogether. He would be able to see her talent at this concert, anyway - and he trusts this place to have enough standard to not make it too shoddy. ]
Keep honing that talent, then. You never know when it might come in useful.
[ She didn't, but really she was just glad that she received another compliment from him since that made her feel better as she didn't do so well at the duet because Umi wasn't here to sing with her. ]
Mhm! I definitely will! [ Oh wait, had she actually asked him to come to their concert yet? Kotori couldn't remember asking him--where were her manners?! Maybe he would even perform too! (Unlikely, since he just got here, but she could try!) ]
Ah! Ichinose-san! Would you like to come see our concert?! You could even perform if you wanted--I could talk to Sayaka-san and Natsuru-san about it!
[ By that he means he will probably come, since he doesn't have much to do other than read and Haruka is not here with him. Sure, he could keep singing what she already wrote for him, but it wasn't perfect. ]
A few days is too short notice. Perhaps next time.
[ She looked excited again, thinking that the fact that he will consider if better than him just saying no! Kotori understood that performing was a bit too much of a short notice since she would have performed last month had she been able to have the time to practice...but she had only been there a month's time. ]
That's okay--You could even join the music group here! Eh--? [ How formal...was this concert was a very good question. Kotori didn't know, but she knew that there would be a stage--right?! ]
I think Natsuru-san and Sayaka-san are taking care of the decorations? So...I think it will be really nice but small--or er...smaller than the Love Live, of course!
[ Smaller than a competition, of course. If anything, he is beginning to expect it to be some sort of a small community singalong stage, from the looks of it. He supposes he could give it a try eventually, since it didnt involve anything too large-scale or complicated. ]
I will speak with them there, then. Are they also members of the music group? Does it have a name?
[ It sounds to him that they could mostly be girls. Which may be a problem. ]
[ It was basically to promote the music group and show how hard they had been working, really, but they were going to have some kind of event afterwards--dancing or karaoke, Kotori couldn't remember. ]
Yes they are! Umi-chan is a member too! It's a pretty small music group right now--and...um...I think the name is just the Holly Heights music group?
[ How original--but it's not like they were a total together idol group--just idols that enjoyed singing and helping each other out, especially since Kotori and Umi were still a part of Muse and Sayaka had her own group--she thinks? ]
[ No branding, then. But then again, they don't need advertising. It sounds like just a casual group. But then again, that might just be what he needs. ]
Yes! You're the first male idol here that I've met or umm...actually in general!
[ Sorry, Tokiya, hope he doesn't mind hanging out with a bunch of girls...not to mention that Kotori had never designed male idol outfits before but!! If he joined she would do her best since she has worked with male clothing before! ]
[ Kotori frowned since he didn't sound like he was too happy, but maybe he...wouldn't mind? If it helped any, two of the girls were married and then there was Umi and Kotori, so maybe he wouldn't be uncomfortable! ]
U-Um...I guess not...I wish there were more boys here that sang! Maybe there were in the past I just...didn't know them?
[ He's right about that, Kotori wouldn't understand any implications unless someone made them share rooms for some unknown reason. She just smiled at him since she thought that it meant that he was totally okay with hanging out with a bunch of girls! ]
Eh? Figure what out? I'm glad you're not opposed to hanging out with us--I promise you will fit right in! Umi-chan, Natsuru-san, and Sayaka-san are all really welcoming!
i'm laughing because sayaka is probably better than him
[ Kotori looked a little discouraged when he sounded so serious about working and training. Sure, she knew that being an idol was hard work, but Muse had lots of fun and were all friends! They all willingly joined and none were really forced to be in the group! ]
Isn't being an idol supposed to be fun? I mean--I guess it is work? But umm...
[ She's trying to say that they are all friends and she enjoys being around all of them, and obviously they take days off to play and get to know each other even better. Muse was a very tight group, really. ]
Um...right! You can help instruct us if you want to!
I think they're about on par naturally but tokiya is underperforming right now due to manpain
[ Ah, this again. Wasn't it supposed to be fun? For her, maybe. But circumstances in the workplace are different, and will be different when she graduates.
When he replies, his voice and expression are both flat - not upset, not angry, but so neutral in its seriousness to make it unreadable. ]
I train professionally. Of course it is work. [ Which he actually used to enjoy. ] Though is good if you can find happiness in it.
[ But the way he says it is completely uninterested, as if it doesn't apply to him. ]
[ Kotori frowned again since it made her sad to think that he sounded like he wasn't enjoying himself or something? Being an idol was supposed to be fun--even if it was work! If she didn't enjoy singing and dancing, then she definitely wouldn't keep at it--or well, she probably would if her friends enjoyed it but she knew that the others wouldn't keep on if they hated it. Honestly, Kotori enjoyed it just because she got to see her friends happy for the most part, but that's just how she is. ]
I...mean I guess it is like your job! But um...Ichinose-san...do you really not enjoy being an idol? I-I mean--sorry for umm...intruding! [ She just wanted everyone to be happy with what they do, okay? ]
[ This is possibly the last question he wants to hear right now. A question stabbing right into the heart of the problem that had been plaguing him for the past two years, one that he couldn't even answer because he didn't know which to give.
Did he continue because he still loved it as he did as a child, or was it because he no longer had any other way to live? ]
I do not dislike it.
[ He finally replies after about ten seconds of deliberation. It felt like the most clear way to give an ambiguous answer - if it could even be called as such. ]
... Please do not ask these sorts of questions again.
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[ Though it will be a little difficult to judge without the other person, but he can try. ]
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[ Kotori would sing the duet between her and Umi that sounded like this. Though obviously, it is much better as a duet since she doesn't quite know Umi's parts as well as her own and their voices are definitely different. She'd sing softly again, the lyrics were a little embarrassing each time she tried to practice this since her and Umi hadn't really sung this a whole lot and this was a love song, sort of, after all.
After she finished, she looked embarrassed since she wasn't sure how this guy would rate that song or her voice in it because in her opinion, Umi was a lot better than she was. ]
U-Umm...I tried...it's kind of weird without Umi-chan!
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... I think you need to practice more with your partner. Not only do you need to mind your own parts, you also need to keep time together so the music flows together as a whole.
[ That, as well as dance coordination, but he isn't going to talk about that now. ]
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[ Umi just wasn't here at the moment, so maybe she should have just sung her song again or showed him the dance routine to it since she was just singing right now, thankfully. ]
Sorry it wasn't very good, Ichinose-san. It will be better at the concert--I promise! We will all have matching outfits I made too! [ She looked hopeful that he would believe her since she knew no duet was complete without the other person--besides! She will look a lot cuter in their outfits she had designed! ]
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Good coordination will enhance your performance as well. Visuals are just as important as actual song work.
[ And of course, since she said she made it... ]
I assume you are adept at sewing?
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You're right--you sound just like Eli-chan...[ Another giggle here. ] Don't worry! We pay attention to that part to---Eh?
[ She waved her hand as if to say that she was only okay at sewing, when in reality she was fantastic to the point where she had been offered a space at one of the nation's top boarding schools just for fashion design and such...though she would never really boast about that. ]
I'm okay, I guess! I've mad all of Muse's outfit designs and sewed them with the help of Nico-chan and my mom!
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This girl really tends to misjudge her abilities. ]
I will be honest with you. Most idols cannot do that.
[ Even he can't... sure, he can fix his clothes, but design them? The agency always assigned people to do it. ]
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And the fact that she was getting even more praise made her smile brightly again and beam up at Tokiya. ]
Really?! I mean...I guess you're right...? Muse sometimes helps me put on small details for the outfits but umm...I think the only one that knows how to sew other than me is Nico-chan, maybe!
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Keep honing that talent, then. You never know when it might come in useful.
[ Back to business it is. ]
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Mhm! I definitely will! [ Oh wait, had she actually asked him to come to their concert yet? Kotori couldn't remember asking him--where were her manners?! Maybe he would even perform too! (Unlikely, since he just got here, but she could try!) ]
Ah! Ichinose-san! Would you like to come see our concert?! You could even perform if you wanted--I could talk to Sayaka-san and Natsuru-san about it!
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[ By that he means he will probably come, since he doesn't have much to do other than read and Haruka is not here with him. Sure, he could keep singing what she already wrote for him, but it wasn't perfect. ]
A few days is too short notice. Perhaps next time.
[ Is he actually agreeing? ]
How formal is it?
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[ She looked excited again, thinking that the fact that he will consider if better than him just saying no! Kotori understood that performing was a bit too much of a short notice since she would have performed last month had she been able to have the time to practice...but she had only been there a month's time. ]
That's okay--You could even join the music group here! Eh--? [ How formal...was this concert was a very good question. Kotori didn't know, but she knew that there would be a stage--right?! ]
I think Natsuru-san and Sayaka-san are taking care of the decorations? So...I think it will be really nice but small--or er...smaller than the Love Live, of course!
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sort of a small community singalong stage, from the looks of it. He supposes he could give it a try eventually, since it didnt involve anything too large-scale or complicated. ]
I will speak with them there, then. Are they also members of the music group? Does it have a name?
[ It sounds to him that they could mostly be girls. Which may be a problem. ]
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Yes they are! Umi-chan is a member too! It's a pretty small music group right now--and...um...I think the name is just the Holly Heights music group?
[ How original--but it's not like they were a total together idol group--just idols that enjoyed singing and helping each other out, especially since Kotori and Umi were still a part of Muse and Sayaka had her own group--she thinks? ]
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... are all of you ladies?
[ Surely he can't be the only male idol around? ]
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[ Sorry, Tokiya, hope he doesn't mind hanging out with a bunch of girls...not to mention that Kotori had never designed male idol outfits before but!! If he joined she would do her best since she has worked with male clothing before! ]
Is that...okay?
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I don't quite have a choice, do I?
[ He just needs to mind his personal space a bit more acutely. It shouldn't be a problem. ]
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U-Um...I guess not...I wish there were more boys here that sang! Maybe there were in the past I just...didn't know them?
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[ He figured that she is probably too inexperienced to understand the implications.
(Or he could just be too cautious, but he doesn't realize that. ) ]
I will handle this on my own.
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Eh? Figure what out? I'm glad you're not opposed to hanging out with us--I promise you will fit right in! Umi-chan, Natsuru-san, and Sayaka-san are all really welcoming!
i'm laughing because sayaka is probably better than him
[ He doesn't have time to 'hang out' with other people. There is work to be done. ]
I can train those who need instruction as well.
[ Don't expect him to stick around too much, Kotori... sorry about that. ]
she is a professional idol so i mean who knows
Isn't being an idol supposed to be fun? I mean--I guess it is work? But umm...
[ She's trying to say that they are all friends and she enjoys being around all of them, and obviously they take days off to play and get to know each other even better. Muse was a very tight group, really. ]
Um...right! You can help instruct us if you want to!
I think they're about on par naturally but tokiya is underperforming right now due to manpain
When he replies, his voice and expression are both flat - not upset, not angry, but so neutral in its seriousness to make it unreadable. ]
I train professionally. Of course it is work. [ Which he actually used to enjoy. ] Though is good if you can find happiness in it.
[ But the way he says it is completely uninterested, as if it doesn't apply to him. ]
pats him....
I...mean I guess it is like your job! But um...Ichinose-san...do you really not enjoy being an idol? I-I mean--sorry for umm...intruding! [ She just wanted everyone to be happy with what they do, okay? ]
manpain2strong
Did he continue because he still loved it as he did as a child, or was it because he no longer had any other way to live? ]
I do not dislike it.
[ He finally replies after about ten seconds of deliberation. It felt like the most clear way to give an ambiguous answer - if it could even be called as such. ]
... Please do not ask these sorts of questions again.
:')
8')
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