[ 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.
[ She has no idea how what she just said caused him to have some sort of inner conflict unless she noticed anything out of his facial expression, which she didn't because he was usually pretty serious for the most part it seemed!
...Though maybe Tokiya wasn't too happy about hearing this question coming from her since maybe she shouldn't have asked that to someone she just met. Kotori just meant it as a simple question because she was so genuine, and because of that she even brightened up when he said that he didn't dislike being an idol since that must mean that he enjoyed it! She definitely felt better, even though he had told her to not ask that kind of question again. ]
Ah!! [ She sounded relieved? ]
I'm so glad you like it! I was almost worried for a second--[ A giggle. ] Sorry! You just seemed like you were...hm...I'm not sure! But!! I'm really glad that you enjoy singing and such just as much as I do!
[ Well, she had to think about it for a moment since she knew she would just go on and on about how wonderful her group was, which honestly...Kotori would be doing anyway. She knew why she loved being an idol, though please excuse her needless rambling for half of it. ]
Okay! Let's see...I enjoy being an idol because it makes me really happy to see the smiles on other people's faces when we perform! It makes me feel good that I can be apart of bringing someone happiness just through music--oh! And my friends are all really excited and love being an idol...so I love to see them be happy in a group that I'm a part of! [ A pause, then a glance away since this was a little embarrassing. ]
I care about them a lot, and if they're happy then I am happy! Unless you mean why...I liked singing? Hmm.. [ Did she even know? ] I hadn't really thought of it before, but maybe just because it's fun?! I started being an idol just for Honoka-chan at first to save the school but...I really do enjoy singing and dancing even if it's hard work! I...um...hope that answers your question?!
[ Have fun listening to small birb going on and on about her friends. ]
[ He does listen without interrupting even once, though his steely expression betrays nothing of what he thought about her words.
Kotori loved singing because it made others happy. It brought to mind when he sang for younger children who asked him for encores, of how his father listened with a quiet smile when he tried it out again at home - they were good memories, but now they felt so very distant. He has no idea where those children are now, and his father had already left. Those were days where he could sing without reservation or pretense; they were long gone now.
If anything, it just made the tangled knot in his chest tighter. ]
... I see.
[ He had to consider the possiblity that maybe he was even a little envious. ]
[ She had no idea what was going through his mind while she kept going on, so she just smiled at him whenever he actually spoke up. Kotori wasn't sure if the short answer was good or bad, but then again she couldn't really tell with him since he did seem to have a serious expression most of the time. ]
Eh? Did I answer your question right? I can...try to answer it better if I didn't!
[ She just smiled again since really, the only other thing she could talk about is how much work they did to save the school along with her passion for sewing...which he already knew about. ]
[ if she knew him better, she would definitely ask, but honestly it's not like Kotori to pry into matters of someone she just met. Don't worry, Tokiya, since she just looked happy about the fact that her answer was good and that's all she was focusing on right now. ]
That's great to hear! Oh! Also--do you have any tips in particular that I could use for my voice alone? I know you said to watch my pitch but umm...
[ He already gave her a bit of advice, but maybe he had some kind of warm-up routine that would help her? ]
[ Kotori appreciated anything he had to say to try to help her out! She was already on a diet, so she just nodded along with him. ]
Mhm! Got it! I maintain my diet pretty well--it's Honoka-chan and Hanayo-chan we have to watch. [ She just giggled since she did miss having all of Muse here... ]
I really appreciate your advice--so thank you so much! [ A slight bow would be given to him here. ]
[ Of course she did---he was a professional idol-in-training after all! Kotori would have been a little star struck had she heard of him before through someone else here as she did Sayaka. ]
Yes! I will! I'll work really hard to where you'll even see improvement at the concert!
[ Kotori flashed him a bright smile, hoping that it would get him to come just to evaluate their group or...something since he seemed just so serious. ]
Hmmm...I...don't think so? [ She was trying to think of something else to ask him since she felt like she should take this opportunity to learn more, but she had no idea? ]
[ She was excitd, sure, but Kotori had realized that he had heard her sing two songs and...being the professional that he is..sort of?? She hadn't heard him sing yet and...she assumed that his voice was really nice and maybe she could even learn something from him just by hearing him sing! ]
I forgot to ask! But...if it's okay--I'd like to hear you sing too sometime, even if you don't join the music group! I think we could learn by hearing a trained voice like yours??
[ Tokiya appears to consider this for a moment. He isn't opposed to showing off, but there could be a chance of blowing his metaphorical cover. However, a quick glance around revealed that the street is mostly empty, so it should be fine. ]
Very well. Listen carefully.
[ He closes his eyes and inhales, relaxing slightly so he could project his voice more accurately. What he sings is an acapella rendition of his most recent song - even without accompaniment, it is something impressive in its delicacy and tonal variation. The only thing that marred his whole performance is that it sounded just so ever slightly repressed. ]
[ Kotori didn't expect him to actually agree and sing right here, but she would definitely listen, nevertheless! And it was true, his voice was something amazing--nothing like she had ever heard before. Her face brightened up and she was smiling sweetly as he kept on singing.
This was what a professionally trained voice sounded like.... Sure, she had heard Maki sing and she had clearly had some kind of training before, but Tokiya had clearly been singing his whole life and that amazed Kotori. She was so impressed and the minute he stopped singing, she started clapping and smiling even more. ]
That was sooo wonderful!!! Ichinose-san, your singing is so nice--ah! Thank you for sharing!! That is such a nice song!!
[ For the first time in their conversation, he allows himself a small smile - confident, of course. His work is always perfect.
Or so he hopes. ]
If you work hard, you may be at my level someday.
[ And yet, he says it with a hint of fondness. He hasn't sang for individuals in a very long time, and hearing their compliments always made him feel a little better. ]
Y-Yes! I hope so! But you're really good so I doubt I will be able to be as good as you someday!
[ She really did mean that even though she giggled after speaking, though she wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not. Something about his tone made her think that it was a compliment or...something like that. ]
Thank you again for sharing. I really enjoyed hearing your voice--but ah...I won't keep you if you need to go!
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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.
:')
...Though maybe Tokiya wasn't too happy about hearing this question coming from her since maybe she shouldn't have asked that to someone she just met. Kotori just meant it as a simple question because she was so genuine, and because of that she even brightened up when he said that he didn't dislike being an idol since that must mean that he enjoyed it! She definitely felt better, even though he had told her to not ask that kind of question again. ]
Ah!! [ She sounded relieved? ]
I'm so glad you like it! I was almost worried for a second--[ A giggle. ] Sorry! You just seemed like you were...hm...I'm not sure! But!! I'm really glad that you enjoy singing and such just as much as I do!
8')
Then, tell me. Why do you enjoy being an idol?
[ He doesn't sound accusatory or hostile, merely serious as before - because he is curious. Perhaps it would help him answer his own questions. ]
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Okay! Let's see...I enjoy being an idol because it makes me really happy to see the smiles on other people's faces when we perform! It makes me feel good that I can be apart of bringing someone happiness just through music--oh! And my friends are all really excited and love being an idol...so I love to see them be happy in a group that I'm a part of! [ A pause, then a glance away since this was a little embarrassing. ]
I care about them a lot, and if they're happy then I am happy! Unless you mean why...I liked singing? Hmm.. [ Did she even know? ] I hadn't really thought of it before, but maybe just because it's fun?! I started being an idol just for Honoka-chan at first to save the school but...I really do enjoy singing and dancing even if it's hard work! I...um...hope that answers your question?!
[ Have fun listening to small birb going on and on about her friends. ]
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Kotori loved singing because it made others happy. It brought to mind when he sang for younger children who asked him for encores, of how his father listened with a quiet smile when he tried it out again at home - they were good memories, but now they felt so very distant. He has no idea where those children are now, and his father had already left. Those were days where he could sing without reservation or pretense; they were long gone now.
If anything, it just made the tangled knot in his chest tighter. ]
... I see.
[ He had to consider the possiblity that maybe he was even a little envious. ]
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Eh? Did I answer your question right? I can...try to answer it better if I didn't!
[ She just smiled again since really, the only other thing she could talk about is how much work they did to save the school along with her passion for sewing...which he already knew about. ]
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You did. I found your answer satisfactory.
[ If anything, it just proved how much of a mess he was. ]
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That's great to hear! Oh! Also--do you have any tips in particular that I could use for my voice alone? I know you said to watch my pitch but umm...
[ He already gave her a bit of advice, but maybe he had some kind of warm-up routine that would help her? ]
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Practice first and foremost. But for maintaining your voice, it helps if you adjust your diet and cut out overseasoned things.
[ Insert a few more tips here because player is not an idol and has no idea. OTL ]
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Mhm! Got it! I maintain my diet pretty well--it's Honoka-chan and Hanayo-chan we have to watch. [ She just giggled since she did miss having all of Muse here... ]
I really appreciate your advice--so thank you so much! [ A slight bow would be given to him here. ]
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Keep working hard and you will get better.
[ It's his way of saying thank you for taking it. ]
Anything else?
[ She can ask him about other things, but if not he should be on his way. ]
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Yes! I will! I'll work really hard to where you'll even see improvement at the concert!
[ Kotori flashed him a bright smile, hoping that it would get him to come just to evaluate their group or...something since he seemed just so serious. ]
Hmmm...I...don't think so? [ She was trying to think of something else to ask him since she felt like she should take this opportunity to learn more, but she had no idea? ]
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I will come, then. [ He is interested in seeing the other members, too. Perhaps they might even be of passable standard in the industry. ]
If you have any more questions, just let me know.
[ As long as it was pertaining to music, it wouldn't be too much of a distraction. ]
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[ She was excitd, sure, but Kotori had realized that he had heard her sing two songs and...being the professional that he is..sort of?? She hadn't heard him sing yet and...she assumed that his voice was really nice and maybe she could even learn something from him just by hearing him sing! ]
I forgot to ask! But...if it's okay--I'd like to hear you sing too sometime, even if you don't join the music group! I think we could learn by hearing a trained voice like yours??
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Very well. Listen carefully.
[ He closes his eyes and inhales, relaxing slightly so he could project his voice more accurately. What he sings is an acapella rendition of his most recent song - even without accompaniment, it is something impressive in its delicacy and tonal variation. The only thing that marred his whole performance is that it sounded just so ever slightly repressed. ]
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[ Kotori didn't expect him to actually agree and sing right here, but she would definitely listen, nevertheless! And it was true, his voice was something amazing--nothing like she had ever heard before. Her face brightened up and she was smiling sweetly as he kept on singing.
This was what a professionally trained voice sounded like.... Sure, she had heard Maki sing and she had clearly had some kind of training before, but Tokiya had clearly been singing his whole life and that amazed Kotori. She was so impressed and the minute he stopped singing, she started clapping and smiling even more. ]
That was sooo wonderful!!! Ichinose-san, your singing is so nice--ah! Thank you for sharing!! That is such a nice song!!
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Or so he hopes. ]
If you work hard, you may be at my level someday.
[ And yet, he says it with a hint of fondness. He hasn't sang for individuals in a very long time, and hearing their compliments always made him feel a little better. ]
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[ She really did mean that even though she giggled after speaking, though she wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not. Something about his tone made her think that it was a compliment or...something like that. ]
Thank you again for sharing. I really enjoyed hearing your voice--but ah...I won't keep you if you need to go!
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