Today was another day where nothing in particular happened.
Asai Yu glanced at the performance of his web novel. It was still climbing steadily. If he thought about it, even without the system, he'd probably still be doing just fine in life.
After that, he downloaded the same composition software used by Togawa Sakiko.
Opening the program, Asai Yu sat in front of the computer and thought for a long while. In the end, he made up his mind—
He would borrow the song "Gunjō."
That song perfectly captured the bright, youthful, and forward-looking atmosphere of adolescence. It fit the current stage most girls' bands were in almost too well. For him, it was an ideal choice.
He silently offered his thanks to YOASOBI from his previous life for creating such an incredible song, then got to work.
First, he transcribed the lyrics from memory, word for word, without missing a single line. After that, he began slowly constructing the main melody in the software.
He wasn't very skilled with the program yet, so his pace was on the slow side.
No rush. Take it step by step.
After all, Sakiko still had to finish two songs on her end.
Thinking about their agreement for the next day, Asai Yu went to bed early.
—
The next day, Asai Yu arrived thirty minutes ahead of time at the place he'd agreed to meet the Donut Lady—in front of the instrument shop.
Since the other two hadn't arrived yet, he went inside. Under the shop owner's unblinking stare, he sat down at the piano.
It wasn't that the owner was stingy. Asai Yu had been coming in every day lately to try out the piano, which honestly was starting to affect business.
No problem. Asai Yu already had a plan. Once he saved up a bit more money, he'd buy a huge mansion and line it with ten pianos—one for each day's mood.
As his fingers touched the keys, the melody of "Gunjō" naturally surfaced in his mind. Perfect timing to test out the piano arrangement.
He didn't know a thing about other instruments, but when it came to piano, he was extremely comfortable.
Soon, the lively, bounding melody of Gunjō filled the shop, brimming with youthful energy. The shop owner, who'd been wearing a stern expression, gradually softened as he listened.
When the piece ended, Asai Yu had a much clearer understanding of both his piano level and the piano arrangement for Gunjō.
At that moment, he felt a finger lightly tap his shoulder.
He turned around and saw two girls wearing hats and sunglasses.
One had dark brown hair—clearly Sumita Mana.
The other had medium-length blonde hair, her hands folded in front of her chest. Even through the sunglasses, Asai Yu could feel the way she was carefully sizing him up.
No doubt about it—this was Misumi Uika.
The moment he saw her, an inexplicable image surfaced in Asai Yu's mind: a big golden dog crawling gloomily through the shadows.
Honestly, way too unhinged. Way too cursed.
"Long time no see, Asai-kun. Um… is it okay if I call you that?" Mana greeted him.
"Yeah, long time no see, Sumita-san. And you must be Misumi-san, right? I'm Asai Yu. Nice to meet you." He greeted them politely.
"Yes, nice to meet you, Asai-san," Uika replied.
"By the way," Mana asked as the three of them stepped out of the shop, "what was that song you just played? It sounded really good."
"An original," Asai Yu answered after a moment's thought.
"Eh? Original? That's amazing!" Mana praised him sincerely.
She'd only listened for a short while, but the main melody had completely drawn her in. It was definitely a really good song.
Uika, standing beside them, was also a little surprised.
Something that good… was original?
That's kind of impressive…
No—wait. She was here to help Mana-chan check things out. To see whether this guy had ulterior motives and was deliberately getting close to her.
Uika did her best to stay objective.
"Oh, right," Mana suddenly added, "Asai-kun, you were lying to me before, weren't you? You played the piano so smoothly just now, but you said you were a beginner!"
Hearing that, Asai Yu replied in an extremely urban manner, "I really was a beginner before. I just practiced a bit more these past few days. That's all."
"Eh?"
Mana looked shocked again. "Just a few days of practice, and you went from beginner to this level?"
"More or less. I'm not at a pianist's level or anything—just solid fundamentals," Asai Yu nodded.
"Asai-kun's talent is terrifying!" Mana said, covering her mouth with her mask.
Then she asked curiously, "By the way, how old are you, Asai Yu? Are you already in university?"
"No. I'm just a first-year in high school," he answered.
"I see… You're way younger than I expected. But in terms of being students, Asai-kun is actually a senior to me and Uika," Mana said brightly, smiling.
Uika, standing to the side, felt a little helpless.
She had never seen Mana treat a guy this enthusiastically before—not even during work. This was completely over the top.
As they chatted along the way, Mana suddenly pointed at a clothing store nearby.
"Uika, Asai-kun, look! Donuts! They look really tasty!"
She turned back to them, eyes sparkling. "Do you want donuts?"
"I'm fine either way," Asai Yu replied.
"Um, I'll pass," Uika said, waving her hand.
Even so, Mana came back with six donuts and handed out two to each of them.
"Eating donuts now—are you sure you'll still place well in the competition later?" Asai Yu asked, looking at the brown-haired girl who'd already bitten off half a donut, feeling a bit speechless.
"Aren't you eating one too, Asai-kun?" Mana shot back.
"I'm not competing."
"Eh? You're not?" Mana took off her sunglasses, clasped her hands to her chest, and looked at him with a pitiful, pleading expression.
To be honest, the real thing was far deadlier than any reaction image.
Still, Asai Yu remained unfazed. "Of course not—"
"This competition has a lot of prize money for the top three," Mana whispered as she leaned closer, "and I heard a little insider tip—if we count you and Uika, there are actually only four contestants!"
"I'm competing too?" Uika pointed at herself, stunned.
Hearing about the prize money, Asai Yu suddenly felt that trying it out might not be such a bad idea after all.
"Is registration still open?" he asked.
"Of course!" Mana nodded vigorously.
—
Some time later, the three of them sat at a long table, with the shop hosting the competition right behind them.
Soon, the fourth contestant arrived—a completely unremarkable middle-aged woman.