"Getting bolder by the minute…"
Glancing at the bass on the floor, Shouko picked it up and strummed a few notes with a smile.
Sadly, it's completely off-key.
After arriving in this world, she never devoted herself to learning an instrument.
Her hearing loss made proper practice impossible.
That's why she chose music theory and singing instead.
After all, singing uses your own voice; as long as your ears aren't totally ruined, you can still manage.
Only by hearing better can you grow in the right direction.
So… I haven't sung in ages—no wonder something's felt missing lately.
She recalled a once-favorite, rousing Japanese song: Wind.
She simply treated the bass as a percussive instrument.
Tapping it lightly, she began to sing softly.
~Holding tight to the dreams in my hands, whenever they're about to spill, I remember.
~That gentle face of yours fills my heart with strength once more.
~Lighting a fire in my careless soul, I still want to seize tomorrow's thrilling moments.
~No longer afraid of the unseen world, believe in the future we once envisioned—let's give it a try.
~~~
Soyo, stepping out of the room, hurried outside Circle-LiveHouse.
She happened to see Mutsumi walking slowly toward her, looking pale.
"Mutsumi…"
Seeing Soyo dash over with a grave expression,
Mutsumi's face turned wooden again.
"Soyo, were you practicing with Shouko inside?"
"Mm-hmm, I got news about Sakiko from Shouko—couldn't be happier."
Watching Soyo's bitter face, Mutsumi was unmoved.
Trying to fish information from me? Too soon.
Say you heard something—then spill it.
Shouko's dangerous; a simple girl like you can't handle her.
Still, Mutsumi pretended to listen.
She wanted to hear what Shouko and Soyo would say about Sakiko.
"Mutsumi, I never imagined little Sakiko went through that."
The more Soyo spoke, the sadder she looked, but Mutsumi saw through it.
As expected, Soyo had gotten nothing useful from Shouko.
"Soyo, Shouko's dangerous—keep your distance."
Those heartfelt words came after Mutsumi's own run-in with Shouko.
Sadly, Soyo missed the point and latched on.
"Yes, she really is dangerous, but for little Sakiko I'd pay any price!"
"Sigh…"
Mutsumi sighed.
Protecting Sakiko's secrets while warning Soyo was a tightrope.
From where she stood, persuading Soyo was nearly impossible.
So she chose to guard Sakiko's information.
If anything happened, she'd pull Soyo out later.
With that, she swiped her card and entered Circle-LiveHouse.
As an annual premium member, she had full access.
Mutsumi's cold attitude turned Soyo's fake gloom into real disappointment.
She sighed and headed back to her rented room.
But at the door she heard Shouko singing inside.
~Seize the stage, let fate fall, the world's best is none but me.
~I can feel it, always believing in the light of hope.
~~~
Listening to that a cappella, fiery yet resolute song,
she gripped the handle but didn't open the door.
Her sorrow lifted under that spirited melody.
"When did Shouko write this? I've never heard it."
"The band's gone, yet she keeps writing—why?"
"Could it be…"
Remembering Shouko's promise—improve enough and she'd share news of Sakiko—
Soyo's eyes sparkled again.
"The path's right in front of me—why waver?"
"Soyo, you can do it—show that stubborn girl your resolve!"
With that, she pushed the door open.
The moment she entered, Shouko's singing stopped.
Then, to Soyo's dread, Shouko unwrapped the belt from her arm.
"Close the door, Soyo-chan."
"Sorry, really sorry, Shouko…"
Soyo shut the door and rushed to bow before her.
"I ran off before you finished—thought Mutsumi was in trouble."
"Luckily she's fine, so I came back—please don't punish me."
Listening to Soyo's rambling excuse, Shouko smiled.
She folded the belt and tapped the chair beside her.
"Go on, bend over, face down."
"Eh!?"
Biting her lip at Shouko's unyielding gaze, Soyo obeyed with a pout.
A crisp belt-snap rang out—smack!
Hiss!!
Sharp pain and burning shame
left Soyo clutching her backside, tears welling as she gazed pitifully at Shouko.
"Know your mistake?"
"But you said I could go see Mutsumi…"
"Mm?"
"I understand…"
"Dare to do it again?"
"No, never."
"Good. Back to practice. You weren't like this before—starting to enjoy it?"
"No, absolutely not."
Seeing Shouko raise the belt again, Soyo scurried to the corner like a frightened bunny before a wolf.
The sight amused Shouko.
"Enough theatrics, come practice. Don't you want news about Sakiko?"
"Y-yes… but it hurts."
"Then stand. You're not some senior citizen."
Unmoved by Soyo's act, Shouko watched her start practicing.
"Shouko, that song you sang just now sounded amazing."