Tokyo: Oreimo

She looked at Ryosuke Takagi with a slightly complicated expression.

Pursuing her dreams and singing loudly—that's why she gave up her studies to join the company and wanted to become an idol.

Just those few lines of lyrics resonated strongly with Shizuka.

My chest felt like it was blocked, and I was hoping that Ryosuke would continue singing.

“Every time the lyrics are sung, they will transform into dazzling brilliance.”

It's coming, it's almost here!

The progression of the lyrics and melody brought the entire song to a climax.

"Those are fragments of our dreams!"

The drawn-out syllable made Hayakawa Shizuka restless, her eyes seeming to light up.

There's no need to deliberately create beautiful memories.

"Because the sunlight at this moment is the one I love most."

"To indulge in meetings is a sweet luxury for adults."

"It's too early for me to say right now."

The song abruptly ended, but Hayakawa Shizuka was not yet fully detached from the experience. Her chest was filled with the sound of her heart pounding, and the surging emotions that had just been stirred up had nowhere to go.

Yes, it's not time to give up yet.

He was suspended by his company for swearing on stage, and returned to school to continue his studies when his contract ended.

This means giving up on your dreams.

The reason Shizuka came to Chiba Prefecture is precisely because she doesn't want to give up yet, isn't it?

She just wanted to be an idol, to stand on a dazzling stage and let everyone see her. That was her dream, something she loved.

The girl paused in her seat and lowered her head.

"What's wrong? Are you dissatisfied?"

Ryosuke was somewhat disappointed when he received no feedback.

If the other party doesn't accept the offer of using songs as payment, he might have to ask Ling Nai for some money.

He had no other way to make up for the short-term funding gap.

No, that's not it.

Hayakawa Shizuka quickly looked up and denied it, her once bright eyes now slightly red.

"Did Takashiro really not study music? This song doesn't seem like something you can just throw out casually."

She doesn't doubt the originality of Ryosuke's song because the lyrics resonate so deeply with her own experiences.

But what puzzled her was how the other party knew that she had been sidelined by the company, since she hadn't told anyone except her sister.

Was it because I care too much about money that he noticed?

Isn't that a bit too perceptive?

"I don't have that kind of energy. Since you're satisfied, then you can take it and use it."

Ryosuke glanced at the time; the hands had already moved forward quite a distance.

"What a kind person you are, Takashiro-kun. I'll accept this song then, and I can deliver the three background music tracks to you before Saturday."

Hayakawa Shizuka was somewhat glad that she had come to Chiba Prefecture today to keep her appointment.

She no longer cared so much about whether she would get paid for helping with music production.

This song is priceless to her, helping her rediscover the original aspiration that led her to become an idol.

"Let's talk to the agent again and record this song as well."

Hayakawa Shizuka has only one goal right now: to sing the song that Takashiro Ryosuke gave her.

She discussed the details with Ryosuke again, and asked the waiter for a pen. She then sketched out the musical score on a napkin, writing down the melodies of the three songs he requested, including the song 'No, Thanks You' that he gave her as payment.

With the complete melody in hand, all that's needed is to do some simple arrangement according to Ryosuke's request. Recording this action itself doesn't take much time.

"Then, I'll take my leave now."

Ryosuke paid the deposit, then stood up and prepared to leave.

He also had an invitation from an editor to attend, and if he didn't leave soon, it might be too late.

"Okay, let's exchange numbers. I'll let you know as soon as the recording is finished."

"I heard you live in Tokyo, right? Let's meet there sometime, I need to go there too."

"it is good."

After explaining everything, Ryosuke didn't linger and walked straight out of the cafe.

Shizuka Hayakawa watched him leave.

"What a mysterious guy. He brought out these pieces, yet he still claims he doesn't understand music?"

.....

In the evening, after having dinner with Ryosuke Takagi, Rumi Hayakawa returned to the cafe and picked up her younger sister.

"How was your day, sister?"

On the way, Shizuka asked, but she had already seen the answer on her sister's face; she seemed to be in a good mood.

"Yes, Shi Yuze-sensei also brought me the manuscript for Volume 4. The quality is still excellent, and it's still quite interesting."

"And you? How did the negotiations go?"

"Hehe, it's been quite a fruitful harvest."

"is it?"

"Yes, and I've thought it through. I'm prepared to try again with the company. I don't want to give up..."

Hayakawa Shizuka kept her head down, her mind filled with the image of Ryosuke humming the song that afternoon.

"Huh? So it's something we can try to get?"

"I couldn't before, but now I have a little bit of leverage, so I can give it a try."

"By the way, sister, I don't want to give up on my studies either. Can you help me with the transfer procedures?"

"That's certainly possible. Have you decided which school you want to go to? With grades good enough to get into Keio University, other schools in Tokyo shouldn't reject your transfer application."

After receiving an affirmative answer, Shizuka Hayakawa revealed a slightly sly smile.

"As for schools, I'd like to go to Chiba First High School."

"Huh? Isn't that too far?"

Chapter 43, "Tailing"

Compared to the excellent grades of idol girls who can transfer schools at will.

The youngest daughter of the Takashiro family had a very difficult time learning.

After a week of tutoring, Ryosuke increased the difficulty of the test questions again, advancing from the second stage to the third stage.

"What?! Who can solve this problem?!"

Takashiro Ryou slumped into a chair, while Ryosuke beside her wore an expression of utter indifference.

"Who told you not to pay attention in class? It's just a test from the third year of junior high. If you make good use of your previous test-taking experience, you can definitely solve it with some time."

"You're such an annoying guy."

"Same to you."

Inside the room, Ryosuke was still sitting on the tatami mat against the wall, while the blonde girl was still deep in thought, studying her homework.

Ryosuke, as his mentor, felt somewhat gratified by his sister's transformation.

Although they still verbally express their opposition, they have already made it a habit in their actions.

Even when faced with a problem that seems impossible at first glance, they still have the spirit to delve into it.

At this rate, it should be a certainty that they will be raised to a level sufficient for further education.

"I'm going to Tokyo on Saturday, so my tutoring will be suspended for a day."

After checking Ling Nai's answers, today's tutoring session was considered over. Ryosuke informed her of his schedule in advance so that she wouldn't have to wait for him to come home.

"What's wrong with you? You're always running around outside. This is the second time this week. You need to take some responsibility for my studies."

Ling Nai appeared quite dissatisfied; she would never admit that she was jealous.

Compared to Ryosuke, she absolutely cannot go out to play on days other than weekends.

"It's important. The game's draft and music are almost finished, so it's time to move on to the next step."

Ryosuke shrugged; there was nothing to hide.

"I also need to go!"

Upon hearing that it concerned the production of galgames, Ling Nai immediately became interested and eager to try it out.

"No way." Ryosuke refused without even thinking.

What a joke! He's going to meet Phoenix Institute.

Ryosuke Takagi didn't want to be teased in front of his sister.

"I was also involved in the game's development; I was a concept artist!"

"No means no. Cardcaptor Sakura is about to start serialization. Have you finished drawing My Name?"

"Mind your own business, I definitely won't stop updating."

Ling crossed her arms proudly, showing no sign of panic when it came to drawing speed.

Even after all that, Ryosuke still disagreed.

"You, you don't happen to have a date on the way, do you?"