Chapter 24
Finally, the midterm exams were over, and it was time to focus fully on the Chorus Competition. It was decided that we would practice for an hour every day after school.
Now, about those three boys who formed a band… what happened to them was this: when they accompanied the class on the assigned piece during music class, their performance was so poor that their classmates started jeering, and they were ultimately dragged off the stage.
The music teacher, a bright and somewhat handsome young man, said:
“Hey, you guys… do you even know what chords are? I mean, codes. It’s not just about pressing the strings with your fingers. If a proper chord sound doesn’t come out, then it’s not a chord. Meaning, you’re not actually playing the chords. So what are you even doing? More importantly, is that guitar even in tune? Wha— whatever, fine! I’ll praise your enthusiasm. And also, I used to be in a band myself until recently, so come to the music room after school. I’ll teach you not just guitar, but everything about bands from the ground up!”
As for Manami, just as Reiko had expected, the image of her as that gloomy, strange girl who was always absent from school completely vanished. Instead, rumors flew around that she was actually a secret celebrity, or a genius, beautiful pianist who could only come to school between concert tours. Manami’s presence attracted that much attention.
And so, it was decided without any objection that Manami would be the accompanist.
The free-choice piece was the Russian folk song “Roika.” It was Masami’s selection.
While other classes were choosing recent J-Pop hits or other choral standards, Masami chose an extremely simple, childlike song that anyone could sing even without practice.
She explained her reason to the whole class:
“The reason I chose this childlike song is that I thought everyone could hum it even without accompaniment. Furthermore, this piece has a somewhat brisk tempo and is lyrical. If we just sing it plainly, it would be like an elementary school music recital. But here’s the plan: we’ll arrange it in a way befitting middle schoolers, and by fully utilizing Miss Manami’s genius piano skills, we will create a choral performance that maintains a concerto-like relationship with Ami’s piano—something other classes cannot imitate. In other words, we aim to win first place with a piano concerto mixed four-part chorus!”
This was the concept Masami had been devising since summer vacation.
Most of the class, without fully understanding it, got swept up in Masami’s speech. Combined with the privilege of her being the class president, they agreed.
Masami’s speech continued:
“Therefore, from now on, what we practice isn’t so much about singing the song well, but rather about whether we can sing our parts without messing up the structural interplay with the piano. There are piano solo sections. There are also parts where the chorus sings a cappella. It’s quite complex, so first, please memorize the timing for when your part enters. After that, I believe Miss Manami will handle the rest. Everyone, please sing with confidence!” she concluded.
“Hey, hey, there’s no way I can do all that!”
Manami flusteredly retorted to Masami.
“It’s fine! If it’s Ami, you can do it!”
Masami made it sound like it was something Manami could easily accomplish, but she wasn’t actually confident.
And for good reason. Considering the difficulty level—with its complex and bizarre choral structure—even the latest high-pitched, heart-stoppingly intense J-Pop songs would be easier compared to what Masami had conceived.
As proof, even though it was the third week of practice, some students still couldn’t take their eyes off the sheet music.
Masami was growing anxious.
“Maybe I was wrong after all…?”
Masami weakly made her way to Reiko and Manami’s desks to consult them.
“Huh? I think it’s pretty good. And the teacher praised it too, didn’t he? He said it was well done…”
Manami said this to Masami, who was resting her head on her arms on the desk, looking up at the ceiling with a resentful air.
“No good! That easy-going Momo-sensei says that to every class!” Masami lifted her head and told Manami.
“Masami-chan, you don’t need to be so pessimistic. We still have two weeks left…” Reiko also encouraged her.
“What are you talking about? We only have two weeks left! According to my schedule, we should be moving into the refinement phase by now…” said Masami.
“Masami-chan, that’s my line—” said Reiko.
“This is no time for that!” said Masami.
“……”
“Maybe I really was wrong after all…”
For a moment, Masami argued back vehemently, then her head drooped heavily and she stared at Reiko resentfully.
Then, shifting her gaze to Manami, she muttered under her breath.
“Ami-chan… your piano… it’s different from usual…”
“That’s not true. I’m playing along with the chorus, just like Rei said to,” Manami said, looking at Reiko.
“Playing along with the chorus, Ami! If you just play along with such a poorly singing chorus, you can’t show off your true skills!” Masami exclaimed.
“But… precisely because the chorus is poor, doesn’t it make sense to play in a way that supports them and helps them stand out…?” Just as Manami said this, Reiko hurriedly covered her mouth.
“Aah, aah, aah…!”
Hearing that, Masami’s head drooped weakly again. She looked at Reiko’s face and muttered.
“So I was wrong after all…”
Seeing her like that, Reiko and Manami both let out a big sigh simultaneously. Then, patting Masami on the shoulder, they said…
“It’s fine. We’ll pitch in and give it another serious try!”
“Really…?”
“Really!”
“Is it okay to believe you?”
“Please believe us…!”
Masami suddenly lifted her face, beaming with a full smile, and hugged Reiko and Manami.
“Yay! With this, we’ll win for sure!”
But while Masami frolicked about like a completely different person, it was now Reiko and Manami in whom the seeds of worry had begun to sprout.
