Turns out, the limit of a genius far surpasses what most people can imagine.
After just one night of work, Kazami Haru had managed to compose part of a melody using the lyrics written by Tomori. While it was only about half a song, it was still miles better than where he started at "just created a folder."
"You already finished half?"
Shiina Taki's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. Haru had said last week that he was starting work on the new song.
She honestly thought that his "everything's going smoothly" message in the Line group was just to brush things off. But to see that he actually composed something, relief settled into her chest.
In fact, just in case Haru ran into any issues with the composition, Taki had secretly started studying music theory and arrangement on her own.
Even that much had been hard enough and actually composing something of quality was a whole other level of difficulty.
"I just gave it a shot. It's average, really."
Haru might only be a Level 3 composer, but the songs he'd pulled from the simulation gave him insights that were hard to explain.
So for him, creating high-quality music wasn't that much of a struggle.
Even so, he kept a humble attitude.
"Give it a listen, everyone. I'd really appreciate your feedback."
He opened an audio file on his phone and casually placed the earphones on the table. The girls glanced around at each other.
Now the question was, who'd go first?
Chihaya Anon was clearly tempted to be the brave first listener, but then remembered that Tomori was the lyricist and main vocalist. Even if she was itching with curiosity, she backed off for now.
Even Taki, who looked eager, turned her eyes toward Tomori.
"Then… I'll give it a try."
Without much hesitation, Tomori picked up Haru's phone.
She carefully placed the earphones in her ears and pressed play with her thumb. As the music started, her expression slowly softened, then curled into a faint, gentle smile.
"Tomori, how is it?" Soyo couldn't resist asking, noticing the shift in her expression.
"Mm…"
"Haru's song is really good."
Tomori hesitated for just a moment before answering.
The moment she heard the melody, her mind instantly began to link it to her lyrics, and to her surprise, every note, every beat matched perfectly with what she had written.
But she'd only handed those lyrics to Haru last night.
Forget the quality, it was already impressive enough. The fact that he composed this much in a single evening was just… unreal.
"You're amazing, Haru!"
She clenched her tiny fists with sincerity, eyes locked on him.
Seeing her praise him so earnestly, Haru couldn't help but smirk. He hadn't planned to act smug over composing half a song, but if Tomori was praising him, he'd definitely let himself enjoy it.
"Taki-chan."
Tomori took off the earphones and handed them to Shiina Taki.
Of all of them, Taki being the 'drummer' had the best ear for rhythm and structure. She'd studied music theory and arrangement and had a natural grasp of tempo and form. One listen, and she could tell a song's strength.
"Okay, let me hear it."
Taki took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and settled in with a serious expression.
The moment the music started, it washed over her like sunlight through darkness—soft, emotional, beautifully balanced.
She couldn't find a single fault in the arrangement. She was… honestly shocked.
"Haaah…"
She let out a breath and furrowed her brow.
The gap between them was just too big.
She had tried composing a few things on her own, but putting her songs next to Haru's made her painfully aware of her own limitations. The difference was massive.
"No problems. It's a very good song."
She praised him without hesitation.
But… something about the song felt oddly familiar.
A certain person popped into Taki's mind, but she immediately shook her head to banish the thought. Her gaze toward Haru turned more complicated, laced with feelings she couldn't quite name.
Seeing Taki actually give praise, Anon grinned with mischief in her eyes.
"Hehe~ Who would've thought Rikki-chan could compliment someone so seriously? Guess Haru's song really impressed you, huh?"
"Q-Quit it! Of course I can compliment people… And what's with the whole 'Rikki' thing?!"
Taki's cheeks flushed slightly, but for once, she didn't deny Anon's teasing.
She looked at Haru again, and her expression had softened ever so slightly.
Not only was he capable on the keyboard and guitar, but his composition skills were genuinely exceptional. Taki had spent her whole life training, but his grasp of theory and songwriting went beyond just technical effort, it was raw talent.
Only one other person she'd ever known had talent like this…
"Even Taki-chan is being honest, huh? Then I guess I really need to listen too~" Soyo chimed in with a light tease, her soft gaze dancing with amusement.
"Soyo!" Taki gave her a flustered glare.
"Ahh! Soyo-san, that's cheating! It was supposed to be my turn next!"
Before Anon could listen, Soyo slyly slid in and snatched the next turn. Anon could only pout as she was pushed to the back of the line.
Tomori, watching the others bicker, smiled warmly.
"Phew…"
While the others were distracted, Taki hesitated for a moment. Then she leaned slightly closer to Haru, taking advantage of her seat beside him.
"Haru… can you come with me for a bit later?"
That nervous request made Haru blink.
"You confessing?"
"Like hell I am!"
Flustered by his teasing, Taki's face flushed with pink and she quickly glanced over at Tomori.
Seeing that she was still caught up chatting with Soyo and Anon, Taki let out a tiny sigh of relief.
"I just want to treat you to a coffee. Please?"
"See, if you said that first, I'd have agreed right away."
Haru grinned. After all those hard times and cheap cups from the shop he worked at, getting treated to a real coffee by Taki? That was a luxury he'd savor.
Seeing him agree, Taki finally relaxed a little.
Meanwhile, Anon still hadn't noticed anything strange. Her eyes stayed on Soyo, whose smile had suddenly stiffened.
Just a few seconds into listening, something shifted.
The style of this song…
It reminded her of Sakiko's music.
If Tomori hadn't handed over her own lyrics and explained how they matched, Soyo might have genuinely suspected that Sakiko had somehow left her fingerprints on this composition.
Even so, the resemblance was too close for comfort.
Just like Sakiko... Same Roland keyboard, same role as the band's arranger, and even a somewhat similar musical style. To top it off, even the timid, sensitive Tomori relied on him deeply.
This was a woman's sixth sense.
Nagasaki Soyo was sure: there had to be some connection between Kazami Haru and Togawa Sakiko.
"Though the song is only half done, it should be enough for today's ensemble practice. No time like the present… Let's start training. I already reserved the rehearsal room."
Shiina Taki kneaded her fingers a little, perhaps fired up by the energy of Haru's song. She had this urge, "an almost impatient need," to grab her drumsticks and go all out on the kit.
"Hold up, we're not all here yet." Haru glanced at his phone and made the casual remark, freezing everyone around him.
"Eh? Not everyone—ah!!"
Chihaya Anon's face lit up in realization.
She nearly forgot!
In the "dream world" she shared with Haru, their band had more than just the five people here. There was also her, the stray cat girl who first shook her confidence—Kaname Raana.
But it was thanks to that "stray cat" that her bond with Haru deepened so quickly. So Anon had absolutely no hard feelings toward her.
After all, Raana was like an adorable pet kitten, just someone who loved playing guitar and never had any shady intentions. As a lead guitarist, she was not only dependable but she also didn't have any romantic interest in Haru.
If Raana wanted to join the band, Anon would give her full support.
"I mentioned this in the Line group before, didn't I? I'm bringing in a potential lead guitarist for this rehearsal," Haru explained, staring at the unresponsive chat window on his screen.
"Now that you say it… yeah, you did mention it." Taki blinked, suddenly remembering. All her attention today had been elsewhere, from Haru's new song to the earlier drama, she'd totally forgotten.
"G-Guitarist?" Even Tomori looked blank, and even Soyo's brows furrowed slightly.
"She's a friend I just met recently," Haru said calmly. "She doesn't talk much, and her words are simple… but as a guitarist, she's incredibly solid."
Hearing that, Soyo's brows knitted even tighter, and her eyes trembled faintly.
Her thoughts began to spiral.
A quiet girl with little expression… a familiar image slowly formed in her mind, a cucumber-haired girl from memories.
A chilling premonition swept over her.
Could it be… Mutsumi?
It wasn't impossible. If Haru really was connected to Togawa Sakiko, it wouldn't be strange if he also knew Wakaba Mutsumi, Sakiko's childhood friend.
If it was Haru, he might've actually managed to recruit Mutsumi into the band…
"Still not here yet?"
Haru had no clue about the drama playing out in Soyo's head. He kept staring at his phone.
He'd already added "Kitten" as a contact, but still hadn't received any replies.
That's when it hit him, Raana probably didn't even know how to use a smartphone. Messaging her was basically a dead end.
If she ghosted him after all this, it'd be super awkward.
Her "stray cat" nature was just too unpredictable.
Just as Haru was about to send another message, a small figure appeared beyond the glass doors.
"She's here."
Everyone instinctively turned to look.
Whirrrr…
The second-floor glass doors slid open, and in walked a petite silver-haired girl wearing a loose black jacket over a crisp white dress shirt. Her jellyfish-cut hair bobbed gently with each step. She pulled a large cart behind her.
On it—a metal case and a leather guitar bag.
Her mismatched golden-blue eyes immediately locked on Haru. She broke into a faint, amused smile, then picked up her pace playfully.
"W-Who's this girl?" Soyo froze.
The image she had imagined never appeared. Instead of someone familiar, this short silver-haired girl was clearly someone she'd seen before, but couldn't name.
She wasn't even tall enough to be a high schooler!
Soyo shot a confused look at Haru, silently asking for an explanation.
"This is Kaname Raana—the guitarist I told you about."
His words jogged Taki's memory.
"Right! You're that 'stray cat', aren't you? You sometimes show up on the RiNG stage, play a few songs, then just vanish out of nowhere."
"Stray cat?"
Tomori stared wide-eyed at Raana.
The unique silver-haired girl walked up and immediately locked eyes with Haru, patting her guitar case softly.
Then, her first words:
"Coming or not?"
Her blunt tone caught everyone off guard.
But Haru had a good read on her already, he got what she meant.
"She probably… just wants to play guitar."
…
Whirrr…
Small, pale hands grasped the guitar neck. Slender fingers climbed the fretboard with uncanny speed, smooth chords and perfect pull-offs synced with rapid strumming.
In an instant, her raw skill stunned every girl in the room.
A soft, excited smile curled Raana's lips. The gentle melody that had once lived only in headphones now flowed from her fingertips—beautiful, fluid, haunting.
"That's amazing…"
Anon, slack-jawed, was genuinely impressed.
Raana had glanced at the sheet music only once and immediately committed it to memory and began performing.
That level of mastery wasn't something you found in just any guitarist.
"Ugh… this is kinda demoralizing," Anon muttered, scooting closer to Haru and throwing him a pitiful look.
Raana was younger than her and still completely blew her out of the water.
If not for her "dream world" knowledge, she might've had a full-on meltdown.
"…Or maybe…"
This could be a chance.
Should I pretend to break down again? she schemed.
If she acted crushed, maybe Haru would come console her, just like in the dream. She could replay her "route" and steer the story back in her favor.
But… acting wasn't her strong suit. Haru would see right through it.
Maybe next time.
After a while, the first full-band rehearsal wrapped up.
The coordination was a mess, some couldn't keep up, others went off on their own but still, it was the beginning of a real rock band.
"Satisfied."
After getting her fill of playing, Raana stretched like a lazy cat.
Then, she packed up her worn guitar and pedals, walked straight up to Haru, and leaned in close.
"Haru."
She pouted and held out both hands.
Clearly asking for a reward.
"Anon, take Tomori and Raana out for some matcha parfaits."
"I need to talk with Taki about some composing details."
Haru looked over at Taki, who sat at the drum kit, forehead dotted with sweat. She flinched slightly when she noticed him looking.
"Eh?!"
Anon's eyes widened. Alone?! With Rikki?!
Even if it was about composing… this was dangerous!
Rikki was a textbook tsundere. In the dream world, she even snatched Anon's place as a "Mother." Was she trying to replace her in real life too?!
No way! Not happening!
Anon had to third-wheel this situation, no question.
"Come on, Anon-chan. Let's go~" Soyo said with a teasing smile, like a classy mother leading the kids. She grabbed Tomori with one hand, Anon with the other, and gently guided them out.
"W-Wait up!"
The soundproof door shut behind them.
And now…
Only two people remained in the room.
"A-Anyway, I need to apologize to you first."
- - -
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