When Noel returned home after his shift at the bar, he did not really sleep well. When daylight came around, he was awoken by the ringtone of his smartphone. Due to having a poor night’s rest, even though he was awake, for some reason or another, he did not feel like getting out of bed.

Fumbling for his smartphone, he looked at the display after managing to find it. It showed a list of the same number that he did not recognise. Suddenly, the memory of face of the man who came over to his workplace and said he was going to be his manager surfaced in his mind. Even so, how did that man know his phone number?

Switching the phone to silent mode and ignoring it, the sound that called for him was cut. One incoming call was displayed several seconds later. It was the same phone number as before.

— Major Debut.

That phrase could not leave his head. It was not like he did not want such a thing. No, it was obviously something he treated as a goal. However, he did not understand what had been acknowledged and why there had been arrangements until now. There was no explanation given to him either. Noel was not an optimist who would happily jump at a deal that was made without his involvement.

(That Sunglasses……what is he scheming?)

That man called Revo said he wanted to produce a record for Noel.

The vibrating sound of his smartphone continued to assault his ears, making it difficult for him to think.

“Ah-! Shut up!”

He grabbed his smartphone which he had left untouched on his and threw it against the floor. A short unpleasant sound came from the phone and it fell silent. It was getting on his nerves.

Those plans that progressed as they like and himself who got shaken by them. It would probably have been better if he had a stupidly happy personality.

Getting up from his bed, he covered his face with both his hands. Letting out a deep sigh, he saw his smartphone which had fallen on the floor. He frantically picked his smartphone up.

“Geh!”

An impressive web-like crack had spread across the black screen. The phone would not respond no matter how many times he pushed the buttons or tapped on the screen.

“Are you shitting me….”

This smartphone had lyrics, scores and even short tunes that he noted down and saved using the memo function during his free time. Correction, they were auto-saved by his smartphone. He relied way too much on his phone’s many functions. It would be great if it could quickly write his music scores too.

Even so, he did not feel much regrets. Instead, his mental state was that he could not care less about anything.

“……Well, whatever.”

Noel mumbled as he looked at the spider’s web that had appeared on the LED display. This way, he would not be able to receive those annoying messages.

He did not want to do anything today. Thinking as such, he intended to sink back into his bed but he did not feel sleepy at all. He was feeling restless, so he got dressed and slung his guitar over his shoulder. He might be able to think of a composition if he went to the studio. Noel left his room in anticipation.

When he stepped out of his apartment, that man was there. That familiar face and familiar pair of glasses. Noel raised his eyebrows at once. That man did not realize that his call would not get through from the beginning. Noel was considering making a U-turn, however that man in front of him turned his head.

“Noel!”

Ichizou Ninosuke. The man who went to the bar yesterday and told Noel that he was going to be his manager.

“………Looking up my phone number and address, are you a stalker?”

A look of relief appeared on Ichizou’s face as he was being glared at by Noel. While Noel was puzzled by it, Ichizou approached him with a smile.

“That’s great. I got worried because the phone call could not get through all of a sudden.”

Worried. The other party said such a word and for the moment Noel could not understand it. He wanted to ask what he was talking about.

What would you be worried, you’re only a guy I met yesterday, aren’t you?

Not noticing Noel’s state of mind, Ichizou continued smiling in an amiable manner, no different from yesterday. Looking at his smiling face under the light of the morning sun, it looked even brighter than it was yesterday.

“I called just now as well but it could not get through. I thought that you might have switched off your phone.”

“It broke so there’s no way it can receive calls anymore.”

Noel gave his explanation roughly and then picked up his pace, walking past the other party. However, as expected, Ichizou chased after him.

“Wa, wait, Noel! I told you yesterday, right? We’ll give you the details at the studio. That’s why I came over here to pick you up. I was worried about y….”

“Saying that you’re worried is just lip-service. I don’t expect you to care.”

“I told Revo-san that I’ll bring you to meet him! It’s okay if it’s just this once! You might be able to make an arrangement with him like this, right?”

“I’m not thinking of that at all.”

Chasing after Noel, Ichizou clapped his hands together and begged him in such a way.

“If I don’t bring you over, I might get fired! Please, I’m begging you!”

“Do I look like I care?!”

“……And if I lose my job, I’ll get scammed by some weird people and become penniless….then I’ll wander the streets, leading a homeless life and after that, die an unknown corpse……uuu, I’m sorry, everyone….”

“That’s too negative! How far ahead are you thinking?!”

Without thinking, Noel feet stopped and he turned around when he heard Ichizou’s quaking voice.

“Or rather, why would you get fired if I don’t go over?”

“If I don’t bring you over, then the discussion about your debut would be over, then if that reaches my boss…..then I would get fired, wouldn’t I, after that….”

“Aren’t you jumping too far ahead? Or is that Sunglasses the kind of person who would threaten people by firing them?”

“N, no, Revo-san is not that kind of person at all! Well, about that….”

Ichizou started shaking his hands and head in denial but his eyes drifted sideways behind his glasses.

“……Look, you met him before, right? It’s almost like… you can’t really figure out what he’s thinking….More like, perhaps in the world where Revo-san was from, it’s normal to be like that…?

“World?”

“Haven’t you heard? There are rumors that Revo-san is from another world. I was also doubtful at first, but now it’s a possibility th—“

Speaking of which, Eiji seemed to have said something like that when he was looking up information about Revo. However, Noel was not in the mood to listen to jokes like that and he interrupted Ichizou with a sharp tone.

“So he is a suspicious person after all.”

“Ah, but!”

Noel spoke, firmly believing that he was correct, but Ichizou shook his head in a flustered manner and then smiled at Noel again. However, his eyes were full of sincerity when he looked at Noel.

“…….That person is serious when it comes to music, to the point that it’s a bit terrifying. It’s always so overwhelming….I think his music is amazing, they even transcend worlds.”

“He wha….?”

He could not imagine it at all. That was what he felt when he thought about that face and voice. Ichizou’s seemed to show a strained smile when Noel had that kind of attitude.

“Um, you probably find it a bit hard to believe. However, that Revo-san did say that he wanted to produce music for you. There were others who came to talk about production but until now, Revo-san did not want to get involved with any one of them!”

“Did he ask you to be part of this as well?”

“Ah haha….”

Ichizou laughed in an attempt to dodge the statement but his eyes drifted sideways. Noel had a deep-rooted mindset that humans who “had a personality that cannot lie” did not exist, but he thought that perhaps this guy might just belong to that category.

“About that……eh.”

Ichizou looked at Noel straight in the eye.

“I wanted to listen to the songs produced by that person and sung by the singer called “Noel”.”

(……This guy, is probably a music maniac.)

Noel understood by looking past those glasses. As though he knew exactly what his goal was, those eyes were not hesitant. To the extent that Noel could not help but be a bit envious.

(At the very least, he has a better eye than the guys who aren’t serious about music.)

He could feel that Ichizou had the ambition to create good music and for that purpose, Ichizou poured all his energy into his duties.

However, to the current Noel, that ambition felt a bit too overwhelmingly hot for him.

Until this point, Ichizou had been staring intently at Noel but he suddenly lowered his brows in a pitiful manner and smiled apologetically.

“But….If Noel can’t agree to this, it would be wrong for me to forcefully drag you there. Sorry.”

“……It’s alright. Weren’t you just wrapped up in this whole mess as well?”

As Noel said this, Ichizou smiled and scratched his cheek in a troubled manner.

“I won’t deny it but I’m delighted to work for Revo-san.”

“Didn’t you just say you won’t deny it?”

Noel rebuked the statement and Ichizou smiled once more then unexpectedly his expression changed to one of worry.

“However, if we just stop here, those talks might still proceed without you knowing, don’t you think? Are you alright with that?”

“That…”

There was no way he would be alright with things as they are. Once those discussions come to a halt, only Noel would be losing out.

No……would that man really continue with this project. Of course, Noel did not know that man called Revo well, so there is a chance he might not. However, that minute chance is still there.

“Moreover!”

Ichizou suddenly grabbed Noel’s shoulders forcefully said while looking straight at him with a seriousness like never before.

“It would be bad if money was poured into this before you can reject them! It would be too late once they are serious about it, right?! It’s going to be awful & awful if the penalty for breaking the contract is ginormous!”

Noel stared at Ichizou with bewildered eyes as the latter trembled as though it was him who would be penalized. He kept the thought that he found the situation enthralling a secret.

“…….Are you just doing your job or are you worried about me? Which is it?”

“Eh, u—m…”

After giving some thought while looking into space, Ichizou said with a smile on his face.

“Both! I would hate to be fired, I also wouldn’t want you to get into trouble. In addition, I really & really want you to sing the songs Revo-san produces!”

With that smiling expression on Ichizou’s face, his eyes which were behind his glasses looked straight at Noel.

“When I heard you sing for the first time, I truly felt that something was being thrust into my chest. It was the same when I listen to Revo-san’s melodies. Even if I just listen to it once, the melody remained in my heart, unable to be forgotten. If both you, your voice and his melodies were put together, I have this feeling that certainly, an amazing creation would be made……I want to make that feeling a reality.”

With an expectant smile, those frank words and gaze were directed at Noel.

“………………………….”

“Noel?”

How was he supposed to react, he had no idea. He felt like his energy was getting sapped out by that smiling face.

After letting loose a long exhalation, Noel spoke.

“What are you, some kind of maniac…”

“Ehh?! What?!”

This was the type of person that Noel had never met before until now. He was getting riled up.

After letting out a sigh once more, Noel looked at Ichizou and gripped his fist tightly.

“I understand. I’ll go with you. I want to get things cleared up……!”

“Really?! That’s great……! Ah, my car is parked up ahead, let’s go!”

As though he was going to head to battle, Ichizou faced Noel and spoke with a voice that had no trace of nervousness while patting his own chest. Noel felt that he was unable to summon up any fighting spirit against that voice.

★

The place where Ichizou safely drove to was the main building of a major recording company, BUNNY ONION.

The colours of the clear sky reflected onto the building that towered over its surroundings and the building shone in a blue light.

“I was told to bring you directly to the studio so I’ll guide you there.”

“O, okay…”

Just like Ichizou said, Noel was led around and they got out of an elevator onto a floor that was dead silent. There were several doors which were soundproofed. It seemed as though this floor was completely dedicated to studios. Without thinking, Noel started looking around.

(If I manage to get a debut, I can do my recordings in a place like this……)

Such a thought suddenly popped into Noel’s mind and he shook his head to get rid of it.

(What the hell am I thinking?! I won’t do it, this is the end! Even though I didn’t come here willingly……! What’s up with him, that Sunglasses!)

“Noel?”

Noel returned to his senses as Ichizou called out to him when he was in the middle of venting his anger within his heart. Noel responded with a “It’s nothing” and turned his face away from Ichizou. He did not want Ichizou to notice his current feelings.

He just wanted to refuse the deal as soon as he can and leave quickly. He must return before there was a misunderstanding and he got false expectations that he could record in such a wonderful place.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Ichizou opened the door near him as he said that.

What could be heard from that open door was a light and delicate piano melody. Mixed into the gentle sound of the piano was a melancholic rock beat.

As though he was guided by that sound, without realizing it, Noel had stepped into the middle of the studio. He subconsciously searched for the source of the music. However, he did not need to search, it was before his eyes the whole time.

Past the sound proof glass which partitioned the recording booth stood a massive black grand piano. A melancholic melody was played on the grand piano and it was singing with a large mouth. And the one playing the piano was a man dressed in colors darker than the piano.

“Why is that guy….”

Noel’s eyes widened as he stared at Revo who in the recording booth.

“This tune….!”

Ichizou who was beside him muttered softly. Noel looked at him and saw a delightful child-like expression. Ichizou held onto the sides of his stomach, as though expressing that joy. It was likely a melody that he recognized.
(T/N: Wow…that’s a weird way of expressing joy. Joyful till there are butterflies in the stomach? This reaction is like from those cooking manga…)

While listening to the tune, Noel’s heart rate started to rise gradually.

(What is up with this tune? What is this feeling……!)

His heart was pumping hard, sending blood throughout his body. Just like the engine of a car that had to follow the impulse of needing to speed forward.

–I want to sing.

He seemed like he was about to shout. The loud throbbing of his heart felt like it can even be heard from outside his chest. Noel realised his exhilaration and he clamped his mouth tightly while pressing a hand against his own chest.

(……Shut up)

It was not just the noise of the voices and sounds around him. He felt that the sound of the furious thumping from his own heart and the sound of his blood rushing through his body were noisy as well. Right now, he only wanted to focus on the sound from the piano.

“Prong”, the last high note resounded once. That sound announced the end of this melody to Noel.

However, he had yet to return to his senses, the beat of the song continued to ring out in his heart as though it had been carved deeply into him.

(I….was actually engrossed in listening…to this? You got to be fucking kidding me–)

What words could be said to justify why he had lost himself to the music. Those words that were too warm to handle came from his throat, Noel wanted that sound.

(–I want to listen to that again?!)

If he listened to that again, he would definitely sing. He wanted to show his singing on this impulse. Confidence that appeared for no rhyme or reason welled up from the depths of Noel’s body.

Inside the booth, Revo, who was facing the piano, saw Noel. He waved at Noel in a leisurely manner.

Noel did not want that man to know that he was excited. Also, he started to regret thinking that he wanted to sing this man’s compositions so he glared in return.

Revo just shrugged off the glare from Noel that could cause one’s eyes to start hurting. Noel glaring gaze moved away from the other party’s face. Revo disappeared from his field of view, however his voice was delivered to the room through the microphone.

“Shall we give it another go? From the start.”

Those words were likely not directed at Noel alone. However, those words caused Noel to subconsciously return his gaze to the booth. Revo had already glanced at Noel and resumed facing the piano.

He pressed the piano keys as if caressing them gently and the same tune was sent straight to Noel’s brain through his ears. The sounds in the form of a tune entered Noel. Again, the beating in his chest became stronger and faster. At the same time, Noel’s urges also seemed to become stronger.

–I want to sing. I want to sing. I want to sing.

(What kind of joke……!)

He had never experienced such an impulse before.

— I want to sing!

The melody flowed out of Noel’s mouth as a way to cry those words out.

They were nothing like lyrics. It probably could not even be termed as a song. It was just a sound that traced and layered upon the sound and melody coming from the piano.

And yet, the feeling of the vibration in his throat.

The music and voice that took center stage in his ears.

The reverberation in the air.

They felt comfortable.

“He remembered it just by listening to it once….?”

“What an amazing voice….”

Someone said something. But he could not care less about it. His focus was only on the song.

He could sing with all his heart. The looks from around him, the words and so on, even his own thoughts became part of the song and disappeared. He only had to concentrate on the song. That brought him joy.

A smile naturally formed on Noel’s lips.

“It’s no good if it’s not Noel.”

After hearing such a statement from Ichizou, with a “plong”, the tune had ended. A small feeling of loss and comfort trailed behind, filling up Noel’s chest. After a moment of silence, what he could hear was the loud sound of applause.

Opening his eyes which he had closed without thinking, he saw that all the people who were present had their attention on him and they were clapping their hands. Noel, realising that the applause was for him, became enveloped with surprise, confusion and embarrassment, and turned his face away.

(….It’s the first time for something like this)

Before he had given it any thought, he had already sung. It was the first time there was a song that made him feel a powerful urge to sing. Even his own compositions did not make him feel this way.

(Tch, I sung….shit!)

He was mortified that he actually sung. No, more than that – he was mortified that his heart was filled with contentment.

If one looked carefully, one would notice that his hands were shaking. Noel probably surprised himself by being able to sing with such feelings and the refreshing impulsive act. As though to hide that, Noel clenched his hands tightly.

Just then, the door to the booth opened.

Noel’s line of sight returned to where it was and he met the other party with a threatening glare.

Revo made light of Noel’s gaze and smiled while lightly raising one hand. It did not matter if that hand played that tune just now, the eyes still followed.

“Yo. So you came over, Noel.”

Just like before, a calm elusive attitude. And as expected, even in this place, that figure was suspicious.

Noel fixed a glare on the sunglasses which the smiling Revo was wearing, which contributed to thirty percent of the suspiciousness.

“….I just did not want you to do whatever you fucking wanted. Doing things your way, suspicious Sunglasses.”

“Calling me suspicious is so mean. At least call me the genius producer.”

“Have some shame in your demands! Most importantly, what is this about my debut—“

“Revo-san!”

Ichizou who had kept quiet till now loudly called Revo’s name. The sudden loud noise surprised Noel, and those words blocked the shout he was trying to get out. However, Ichizou did not take any notice of Noel’s reaction and walked up to Revo.

“That song just now, that song! It always feels so warm……! As expected, it’s a song you made for Noel?”

(Always, warm….? Was it some song that he from some time back?)

Before Noel had started thinking of such matters, Ichizou was already talking such that everyone could hear. As one could see, the timing to yell and shout had slipped away.

“I, actually, I was thinking of having Noel sing this song….ah, that’s impudent & impudent for me to say….”

Nodding in approval at Ichizou’s words, Revo crossed his arms as though he was thinking of something.

“Un, that was what I had intend—“

“Like I thought!”

Before Revo could finish what he wanted to say, Ichizou’s delighted voice had piled right on top of it. There was a tinge of redness on his face and that was likely not due to his red spectacle frames.

“—ed, originally….h—mm….”

“? Is there something wrong?”

It was not just Ichizou, the other staff also had focused their attention on Revo who was pondering.

After thinking amply, Revo said bluntly with a smile.

“That song just now, let’s throw it out.”

The staff members stiffened at that single statement said by Revo. No, it would be more appropriate to say they froze over. Even Noel had the feeling that the air around him just dropped by five degrees. The faces of the staff members turned ashen.

“Hm?”

Revo, who was the only one who remained calm, tilted his head in response to the reactions of everyone else.

“Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?!”

With Ichizou being the first, the staff members exclaimed. At a loud volume which could be heard not only throughout the studio but even outside.

Noel seemed like he was going to shout too. However, he could not. This was called being speechless.

(What is up with him……!)

Yelling out in his heart was the best he could do. He only continued to look at Revo with disbelieving eyes.

“Th, throthrothro…..Throw it out….It’s going to be shelved & shelved, is that it…?”

“Yep.”

Revo’s expression remained unchanged despite Ichizou’s shock and he readily nodded. In an instant, Ichizou and a number of the staff members looked at Noel with eyes widened in fear. As though representing the rest, Ichizou pressed Revo for an answer.

“Hey, wh-wh-wh-why?”

Glancing to the side and seeing a shaken Ichizou which seemed amusing, Revo answered in a nonchalant manner.

“I heard Noel’s voice and felt that it was a biiiiitt different~ from the image I had in mind.”

The staff members clenched their fists upon hearing what Revo said. With a look of despair on their faces, they spoke in soft voices.

“Ho, however, there isn’t much time left, this seems to be good enough, i—-“

“It won’t do.”

Almost like sliding in between the gaps in the staff members’ voices, Revo spoke clearly. With that statement, the studio became quiet. The atmosphere which was peaceful though tinged with some tension suddenly changed to one which seemed to be stretched thin. It was the man before them who was able to do it in an instant.

Revo’s words left a weight bearing down on the place. However, out of the blue, seemingly to lift all their spirits, a smile appeared on his face and he flapped his hands gently.

“Oh dear-, what’s with that. Even if all of you aren’t worried about it, I’ll make another song~. Of course, it would be even better than the previous.”

The air became lighter suddenly, and the tension that was present till now had disappeared.

“……We understand. Haa……we probably have to pull an all-nighter.”

“This is how it is, he can’t compromise at all, this person……”

Even if they were sighing, smiles appeared on the faces of most of the staff.

That incident showed the deep level of trust they had in Revo. The statement of “I’ll make a better song” could bring relief to the rest of them.

A mere single statement was enough to silence all the staff. This man had that much prestige and skills……

Even if he knew that, Noel could not help but raise his voice.

“Oi, wait.”

The gazes of everyone in the studio fell on Noel who had called out.

Noel approached Revo. His own face which looked like he was about to pick a fight was reflected in the latter’s sunglasses.

Revo raised his eyes as though in surprise towards Noel’s words.

“Oya? Could it be that you felt it was a pity that I decided that? I’m glad to hear it, NoeNoe~!”

Revo’s words sounded like someone gushing to a small infant and Noel’s face grew warm suddenly.

“Wh….who is NoeNoe?! Don’t give me such a weird nickname!”

“Eh—I thought it sounds friendlier?”

“I don’t want to get friendly with you! Stop it!”

Even though he was getting yelled at, Revo kept the calm smile on his face. No matter what Noel said, it was just going to be glossed over so he returned to the main conversation.

“……More importantly, why did you reject that? It makes me look stupid since I went and sung it……!”

It was the first time he could sing in such a way. A song that made him want to sing just by listening to it.

It was frustrating. In front of Noel who had clenched his fists tightly, Revo nodded in an earnest manner.

“Un un, it was a song that I devoted my whole body and soul into writing after all. I understand if you really wanted to sing along.”

“Shit, getting on my nerves every single time……! In addition, even if you are a sham of a producer, you should know how much effort is needed to compose a song right?!”

“Of course I do. However, this and that have nothing to do with each other. The song just now did not suit you. That imbalance will be picked up by the listener.”

Revo’s sunglasses turned in Noel’s direction. His eyes could not be seen beyond that. Even so, it was understood that those eyes reflected Noel.

“That feeling….I’m sure you understand it, Noel.”

(Th, that ….)

Noel tightened his clenched fists, frustrated.

–Deciding that I can understand.

He was told that by the members who used to be in his group.

[Isn’t that good enough?]

[There’s no more time, let’s just agree with this already.]

[To be so particular about such a part, who would know anyway?]

He hated it when such half-hearted music was put out. How was he supposed to feel happy when he had to make a compromise? Who was going to know, regarding that, just thinking that one person might realize it made him uncomfortable.

He had protested but they fell to deaf ears. With the feeling of indigestion, the song was released. He felt guilty while having people listen to it.

(I do understand but I still can’t forgive him for this……! Saying something like the song and voice doesn’t match, rejecting a song for such reason, I can’t do something like that……! And this guy just–!)

Noel glared at Revo.

He said that he wrote that song with his whole body and soul. He could throw it away. And the staff were convinced and agreed with his decision in one go. Revo was like that and Noel wanted to yell at him, beat him and deny him. How could such a selfish act be allowed? However.

(Not allowing any kind of compromise – this guy has the power to do it……!)

Single-mindedly pushing forward while refusing to compromise on music. He was envious of the other party being able to have this attitude.

As Ichizou saw that Noel kept quiet, he spoke instead.

“Revo-san, that song just now, even from a while back, wasn’t it something you prepared for Noel….? And since Noel liked it as well….”

Noel wanted to deny that he liked it but since he actually sung it, he could not. Holding his tongue was his only option. Also, hearing that something was prepared for him from some time back, he was not quite sure how to react to it.

Ichizou probably liked the song just now immensely and was obviously disappointed. Ichizou’s shoulders were slumped. Revo patted his shoulder while laughing.

“I already said I will write a new song. We have to record a debut song soon after all!”

“We really don’t have much time left for this…”

The staff members muttered, their faces still ashen, to Revo who was cheerfully smiling.

At that moment, Noel exclaimed out a “ha”. He had just remembered his intention for coming here.

(That’s right, didn’t I come here because I wanted to talk about that! Dammit….!)

He was dangerously close to being carried away by the entire situation.

To forget about such an important thing, it must have been the shock of experiencing Revo’s attitude towards music head on.

He was the prime example of a suspicious character but displayed such seriousness when it came to all things music-related. It was to the point that Noel remembered a kind of yearning for this kind of attitude.

As though ignoring that yearning, Noel glared at Revo and spoke in a rough manner.

“Hey, Sunglasses! I haven’t agreed to anything yet!”

“Eh, is that so?”

“Of course! Why are you so surprised?!”

“I made an extraordinarily huge announcement and since I didn’t hear a word of complaint from you, I assumed that you were alright with it.”

“As if! Do you think I would be delighted to be bestowed a debut just like that?!”

“Not at all.”

In response to Noel’s furious words, Revo smiled and spoke bluntly which being indifferent about it. Seeing that Noel was at a loss for words, Revo continued talking.

“I thought there was no way you could refuse if I did it in such a way~! However, I managed to convey how serious I am about being your producer right?”

Making a huge announcement and having staff who were dedicated to this project. Revo probably put a lot of consideration into producing for Noel. Anyone who was dying to get a debut would surely agree with great joy.

“Do you think I would say yes when you do it like that?”

“I was hoping that I did not have to convince you, ahaha.”

Even though Noel was shooting daggers at Revo, he still joked and laughed. Then he extended out his right arm and pointed at the studio. The human talent, environment, financial support, information….the stage that Noel strongly desired was right there.

“This is how serious I am about wanting to deliver your songs.”

He was smiling but for some reason, Noel knows that behind those sunglasses were a pair of earnest eyes. While that gaze pierced straight through Noel, Revo spoke.

“What do you think? Do you have a song that you want to show us that is better than the one earlier?”

A song better than the one earlier. He had the feeling that his heart contracted particularly hard with a thump when he heard that.

–Something better than that, does it really exist?

Beating that thought that flashed through his head to dust, Noel raised his voice.

“Tch……! There’s definitely one!”

The song earlier only had a charm that made people want to sing it. It did not have lyrics at all. Persuading himself as such, Noel stared at Revo intently.

Revo received that stare in a relaxed manner and pointed at the booth.

“If so, would you like to show us your skills now?”

“……Yeah, sure.”

Noel nodded strongly, shaking off his hesitation.

Revo looked at his staff and they started to move.

The complete preparation was done. The equipment was adjusted and a simple sound test was done to get the microphone in the recording booth ready. Revo chose the instrument, that is, an acoustic guitar, and spoke.

“Do you need anything else?”

“No.”

Glaring while answering, Noel stepped into the booth.

Revo shut the door to the booth and the surroundings became a world of silence. He could hear the ringing in his ears which sounded noisy. From the direction of the soundproof glass, the gazes from the staff were on him, watching him attentively.

Revo’s composition was definitely astounding but Noel had also put his whole body and soul into his compositions till now and could continue singing.

A song which he had played and corrected, sung and corrected countless times, a perfect composition.

(It’s alright, I can do this. I can sing this….!)

Speaking to himself in his head, Noel raised his head. The first to cross his gaze was Revo.

His voice, which went through the microphone, could be heard.

[You may start anytime.]

Noel glared at Revo through the glass after the latter said that.

(I also have a song that I want to deliver!)

With that feeling filling his gaze, Noel used his right hand and strummed his guitar with force.

The engines in Noel’s body started as the sound flew out of the guitar.

–I can sing!

Inhaling a lungful of air, a song brimming with energy came from the bottom of his belly.

A powerful voice resounded throughout the booth.

A man who was right at the bottom trying to crawl upwards alone. He did not believe in any god. The only thing he could believe in was the strength he had developed till this moment – Even so, this battered man still sought out light, a song with such strength. It was probably a bit vulgar. However, it was a song that suited him and he liked it.

As he was reaching the high point of the song, Noel became flustered.

(This isn’t it……tch!)

The part of the song that should have been stressed on was sung far too gently.

He had thought of going straight over it but corrected it in an instant.

He had fumbled but was able to cover it up.

(But still……why….!)

The more he sang, the more anxiety built up within him. Perhaps it was the anxiety, this time, the guitar went ahead of him.

Focus, thinking that to himself, the singing continued.

There was no mistake – that was how it should have been.

(Fuck….! There shouldn’t be any mistake at all……!)

The discord grew just as large as his singing skills. He had never felt anything like this before.

The verse that he should have sung perfectly did not echo within him.

–I don’t enjoy this, it feels horrible.

The moment he felt this, Noel understood the source of the growing discord the more he sung.

(I can’t sing something like his song….!)

The feeling of wanting to sing it rose up like a fountain. It was as though the song made him grow wings on his back and he could fly, leaving himself behind. But now, he remained in that place.

At present, Noel had to wring the sound out of his entire body. The song that came out of himself seemed more like blood that was being sprayed around.

The more he sung, the more he understood the difference between his song and Revo’s.

He realised that all the things he composed so far pale in comparison.

Even so, Noel did not lose focus until the last verse of his song. He could get the song out as the thoughts went through his head.

When the song ended and he looked downwards, drops of water dripped next to his feet. For a split second, he really could see blood, however it was just sweat that had fallen from his forehead.

[Noel.]

At the sound of Revo’s voice, Noel raised his head quickly. Revo was also looking at Noel.

His mouth seemed to be moving in silence.

[Was that song really something you wanted to sing from the bottom of your heart?]

“Tch….!”

He was at a loss for words but he still answered.

(You’re wrong….I know that this is not what I want! I want to sing from my heart, a song that I want to deliver……!)

Even though the question was asked in as gently as possible, Noel’s pride will not forgive him for that.

If Noel allowed this to continue without resistance, the core that he had been trying to protect will be crushed- he was terrified of that. Even if he had to lie to himself, he must resist with all his might.

While gripping the guitar tightly, Noel glared and shouted at Revo.

“It is! I felt like dying just from composing it.”

It was not a lie when he said that he felt like dying from composing it. He racked his brains, thought about the people who would listen to it and finally this single song came out. The labour put in was not a lie.

Revo could see through such a thought process and he spoke in a calm tone.

[It would be better if you sang more from your heart….Even though it would be frightening to face your own weakness.]

Weakness.

That was the word that Noel could not approve of the most.

–If I admit that, then I…

“What’s up with that……! Are you trying to say that I’m weak?!”

[I don’t know about that. However, that song is merely a façade of strength, what you want to deliver will never make it into anyone’s heart. And the evidence is–]

Revo abruptly extended his arm out and pointed behind his back to show what he meant. There were a number of staff and each and every one of them had returned to their work and were busy working. Even Ichizou was speaking with a staff member, his eyes had left Noel.

The only person who was watching Noel was Revo.

The black sunglasses and the thick soundproof glass. With those partitions, Revo announced to Noel.

[–Right now, not one person’s heart was captivated by your song.]

Those words were only spoken for a mere moment then Revo returned his gaze to Noel in an awkward manner.

The anxiety that could be felt in that gaze pierced through Noel.

“Tch……!”

Everyone paid attention when Noel just sung while tracing Revo’s composition without any meaning. It might even be appropriate to say that the whole body felt the song.

(It wasn’t my song that made me able to sing like that. It was the song he made….!)

Noel’s composition could not deliver anything at all. He put a lot of thought into the lyrics, even the song itself and the melody. But the song still did not make him sing in such a way. That was what the other people’s attitude towards his music told him.

Of course, music that was uninteresting was at best, background music, or worst still, mere static.

(Why… why is it like this…tch)

–I only have music.

Putting down the guitar in an upright position, Noel opened the door of the booth with all his might. The eyes of everyone in the vicinity were gathered on Noel. He did not want attract attention in this kind of way. However, once he had started moving, even he could not stop himself.

Noel moved towards Revo and grabbed the front of his coat.

“Wait, Noel….!”

“Stop that right now, you!”

Ichizou and a male staff held onto his shoulders but Noel’s hands would not release Revo’s collar.

He would release it if he could.

There was detestable feeling of tension in the air.

–This is wrong. This is not what I want to do.

Even so, Noel was still glaring at Revo with his eyes full of fury and his hand that was grabbing onto the coat lapel was still exerting force.

Revo was being glared at such a close distance, but he did not cower at all. In that state, he smiled in an air-headed manner and shrugged.

“That’s no good, NoeNoe. Those hands of yours are meant for grabbing the microphone and guitar, they’re not for venting your anger, don’t you agree?”

“Shut up….!”

Noel could only manage to squeeze such a phrase out and Revo responded right away.

“And that voice is for you to sing about your feelings.”

–You exist for the sake of singing,

That was the meaning that was being delivered to him. Something within Noel wavered and the strength within his hand that was grabbing onto Revo’s coat lapel relaxed. His own face that was reflected in the sunglasses lost its threatening appearance and was replaced with one that was miserable and trembling.

“Anyway, you want to deliver those feelings through music, huh.”

Speaking as such, Revo gently released himself from Noel’s grasp. The moment the entire atmosphere relaxed, Noel’s hand quickly released its prey. The hand which had nowhere to go to lost its power and fell downwards.

The moment Noel’s hand left Revo, Ichizou and the male staff who had been holding onto Noel’s shoulders let go as well.

“Noel…”

The staff member was completely relieved but Ichizou just looked at Noel, worried.

Revo continued speaking as he straightened his lapel as though nothing had happened.

“Rather than thinking about this and that with that head of yours, surely you can make use of and directly deliver that smouldering thing that’s within your chest.”

“What kind of……!”

The thing that was smouldering in his chest. It would not be good to reveal this thing.

Whirling and spinning around behind his chest, boiling within his stomach, messing up his brain, were the dark feelings that ran rampant throughout his whole body. As though that was about to completely spill out, Noel held onto his own chest immediately.

He had been hiding it as though his life depended on it until now.

–If this gets revealed to anyone, it feels like something is going to break.

Pon, a distracting sound was heard and Noel raised his face which had been lowered for a while. It was the sound of Revo dusting the lapel of his coat after straightening it. Revo placed his hand upon his own chest and looked at Noel.

“If you are a musician, then the thing that’s smoldering within you, even feelings that you do not want to show, should be put into your songs for all to see. If you can’t even do that, then you should stop singing.”

Revo said it smoothly in the tone as though he was talking about tomorrow’s weather. However, those words were thrust deep into Noel’s heart.

–You should stop singing.

Those words were brutal to Noel. That pain and shock caused his heart to start to beat faster.

“….do it, I’ll do it.”

The anger he felt against Revo had clawed away the pain he felt in his chest.

“I should just stop singing….? That’s not something other bastards should decide for themselves!”

Noel focused his eyes on Revo and said in a voice that travelled outside the studio.

“I will definitely make you acknowledge me, I will make you know that I do not need your help!”

Revo who had been listening to Noel speak his part till now, heard that declaration, smiled gently and opened his mouth.

“Then, Noel.”

Calling out that name quietly, Revo lifted up three fingers in front of Noel.

“I’ll give you three days. During that time, compose a song that will resound with my heart. If you can come up with a song like that, I’ll do whatever you say. If you want me to resign as a producer, I’ll do it.”

The surroundings became filled with chatter in response to Revo’s words. Noel was surprised as well, but he quickly regained his composure.

“Heh….Anything I say, huh.”

Noel held back the rising irritation he felt about Revo’s ample confidence and showed a taunting smile.

“….bastard, it’s said that you come from a different world right? Then, if I ask you to return to your own world, you’ll go back? If I told you to never show up in front of me for the rest of my life, you’ll do it?”

“Aa, of course.”

Revo nodded in response to Noel’s words without showing any hint of bewilderment.

“Wha…..!”

The ones who raised their voices were Ichizou and the staff, not Noel. Could it be that the staff here all believed in the rumors, those urban legends?

Noel clenched his fist hard when he looked at Revo ,who had a smile on his face and was nowhere near being angry.

“….then, if I tell you to stop making music?”

“Hey, that’s too much……!”

There was one staff member who was approaching Noel, however, Revo held him back and nodded, still smiling.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll stop.”

“Revo-san……! Please stop messing around!”

The staff member was yelling in anger but the smile on Revo’s face was unchanged.

(This guy, you got to be kidding me.)

There was no way he could say such a thing. This man was serious about music. There was no way Noel could believe such a thing. It was irritating.

Noel saw the grin on Revo’s face as though he was up to mischief somewhere.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“I’ll do it….!”

He does not need this kind of person to be his producer. He was going to push forward even if he had to do it himself. He had always been living by himself all the way till this present moment. It was not going to change even in the future.

If he could not surpass this man, it would be impossible for him to continue on alone.

(I will make him acknowledge me)

Glaring sternly with a gaze filled with those thoughts, Noel walked past Revo and headed for the door.

“I look forward to what you come up with.”

Before the door to the studio closed, Noel heard those words that Revo spoke in his ear. That voice did not carry a tone of challenging someone, Noel was stunned for a moment but he still forcefully closed the door.

He will definitely surpass that man.

★

As he walked a distance away from the building, he heard footsteps and a voice from behind him.

“Wa, wait up! Noel!”

Noel looked over shoulder and saw Ichizou, who was out of breath, running towards him.

“Why are you following me?”

“It’s just that, I was worried….Tentatively, I’m still your manager.”

“Haa? That’s only if the debut goes through. It’s not my problem, so you don’t have anything to worry about.”

Noel said that to Ichizou then he went ahead. However, Ichizou caught up and walked alongside him.

“Bu, but….about that…is that alright?”

“Ah?”

Noel briefly stared at Ichizou. His eyes have drifted sideways and it seemed like he wanted to say something. Noel looked at Ichizou with an expression of bewilderment.

It was not just a reaction that showed concern. It seemed more like he sympathised with Noel, a face of pity. And Noel realised why.

The fast pace earlier had slowed to a complete stop and Ichizou also came to a halt next to Noel in a flustered manner.

“No, Noel?”

“Cou…could it be that, I”

Staring at his own trembling hands, Noel said with a face of despair.

“Got taken for a ride….?”

Without thinking, he looked up towards Ichizou as though looking for some agreement. Far from just averting his gaze, Ichizou had turned his head away completely. However, when he felt Noel looking at him, he gave a small nod and then said.

“……I don’t really want to say it but you got taken for a ride & taken for a ride, yeah…”

“Ahhhhhhhhhh! That fucking Sunglasses!”

Ichizou spoke in a small voice that could barely be heard. However, Noel clearly heard it and he yelled loudly despite being in the middle of the streets. He knew that he had attracted the stares of the pedestrians around him but he did not have the luxury to care about that. He could almost hear the sound of Revo laughing.

“That asshole….! If I meet him now, I will definitely trash him….!”

“Do, don’t do something that would turn into an assault case……”

With an ashen face and a small voice, Ichizou stopped Noel, who was burning with rage.

However, something that had been said could not be stopped anymore.

It was true that he had the desire to surpass that song…still, to be able to come up with a song that can surpass that one when he had practically no time to think about it, can the current Noel really do it? Even under normal circumstances, his compositions do not turn out well and he only sung depending on his mood, that was his mental state right now.

(….No, I have to do this. I’m not going to let those Sunglasses leave me in the dust, that is not an option.)

As though to cheer on his own weak heart, Noel clenched his fists tightly.

“…… Anyway, I will compose the song. Stop following me already.”

Noel walked away after talking to Ichizou who was still looking at him with a sympathetic and concerned gaze. However, Ichizou was still hot on his heels.

“Wait, Noel! How about your phone?! I didn’t manage to contact you at all today, right?! Would you at least allow me to have a way of keeping in touch with you?!”

While walking at a fast pace, Noel replied without looking at Ichizou.

“It broken so it’s a no go.”

“You mean you weren’t lying, it really broke?! Then we have to buy one now….!”

“Didn’t I say I would be composing music from now on?!”

Ichizou grabbed Noel’s arm quickly as the latter was trying to shake him off.

“Wait!”

“Enough alrea….!”

If Noel wanted to, he could easily overpower Ichizou. However, Noel stopped his own arm that was trying to break free.

“Please.”

It was not even said loudly. However, there was something in that voice that brought Noel back to his senses from his highly agitated state.

Noel looked at Ichizou and was slightly pulled in by his gentle expression. Behind the red and green spectacles were eyes shaking with strong emotions.”

“In these three days…I will try as far as possible not to contact you. However, if anything should really happen and I have no way of contacting you, I will be worried.”

(What the heck is up with him…?)

He realised that in the depths of Ichizou’s eyes were a swirling vortex of sorrow and fear.

Noel stared back at Ichizou, not moving from where he stopped and then suddenly those emotions vanished and Ichizou released Noel’s arm.

“Ah, sor, sorry!”

Ichizou averted his eyes and kept up his usual smiling face. However, there was something in that smiling face that seemed fake.

“Just like you said, I am not your officially your manager yet, so we should go with whatever communication method you are more comfortable with, right? There probably is a way for you to communicate with Revo-san dire—“

“Deeeeeeefinitely not.”

“Even if you don’t hate it that much….”

Ichizou’s words were covered by Noel who rejected his idea strongly and he could only give an awkward smile in response.

“If there’s anything you need, I can inform him and we’ll do something about it.”

“….Got it.”

Clicking his tongue, Noel nodded at Ichizou. Ichizou gave a look of relief and started searching for nearby place which had a phone shop.

“Ah, there’s one nearby. Let’s go, Noel.”

“Yeah…”

Noel nodded and glimpsed at Ichizou’s face. His side profile did not look like someone at his wit’s end.

(What was that, this guy’s face just now…)

Ichizou’s expression had strangely caused some discomfort within him.

The two entered the smartphone shop and Ichizou started looking at the smartphones on his own accord and recommending them to Noel.

(I could have come here by myself….how troublesome….)

“How about this one, Noel? It has a good quality audio. It’s the same model as the one I’m using. It’s pretty user friendly. Ah, how about the newest model –Noel?”

Ichizou left the spot he was standing while Noel opened and closed a blue flip phone and spoke.

“This one’s fine.”

Ichizou’s eyes widened at Noel’s words.

“Eh, You actually went for a feature phone?!”
(T/N: Basically a non-smart phone hand phone)

“As long as I can make phone calls and send messages, I have no complaints at all.)

“Well…that is true.”

Noel went past a stunned Ichizou as he spoke, then quickly settled the contract related matters.

After the shop employee explained to Noel about this brand which he was unfamiliar with, he responded appropriately and signed the contract. He thought he did not see any sign of Ichizou in the shop, and after that he left the shop, it turned out he was waiting outside.

“Why were you waiting? Go back.”

Noel spoke in a snappy voice but Ichizou only smiled back in a troubled manner.

“We have to exchange numbers first. I will give you the contact numbers of the people I know. Revo-san’s one as well.

“Why would I want his?”

“Eh, when you come up with a song, you’ll have to contact him right?!”

When Ichizou said that, Noel clicked his tongue on reflex, feeling a great reluctance from the bottom of his heart. After the exchange of numbers was completed, the question of whether this man who had an overly caring personality would really not contact him rose up within him. Noel looked at Ichizou and the latter seemed to realise what Noel was thinking about.

“You don’t have to worry, I will not contact you as far as possible.”

After Ichizou spoke with his shoulder’s slumped, he suddenly made a face of realisation.

“Ah, but you have to eat your meals properly, and it would be better if you get proper sleep too. If you don’t get enough nutrition or if you don’t sleep enough, your work efficiency will worsen. Also, you need to take note of getting into the bath and relax—“

“Are you reaaaaaaallly going to not call me?!”

Noel glared at the other man and Ichizou made a face of returning to his senses, then he smiled awkwardly while scratching his head.

“So, sorry, I have a lot of siblings so I go a bit overboard when it comes to taking care of other people…I probably seem meddlesome, sorry…. But really, I’m worried that you’ll push yourself too much. Noel, don’t overdo it.”

Looking at Ichizou who seemed worried, Noel gave a faraway look and sighed.

“That’s enough….I understand that you’re that kind of person.”

“That kind of person, what kind of person?! I’m do worry about being worried but, rather than that—“

Ichizou’s eyes sparkled behind his glasses and he said to Noel while tightening his hands into fists.

“I really look forward to your composition. I wonder what kind of song you’re going to make.”

Noel was unable to respond immediately when met with unexpected words.

“I’m a fan of Revo but I’m kind of like your fan too. I wonder what kind of song this duo would be able to let me listen to. Actually, I’m pretty excited right now.”

Ichizou said and a child-like smile appeared on his face. He looked towards Noel.

–Do you really have expectations for me.

It was a smile that made him detest himself for holding such suspicion.

Ichizou asked Noel if he would like to be sent home, but Noel declined as he wanted an end of the persistent hounding.

“I look forward to it!”

When they parted, Ichizou said those words to Noel once more. Noel responded in a vague manner and quickened his pace to leave that place.

He did not want to see that smiling face that was behind him anymore.

(He’s crazy…)

Ichizou could make a face that showed his sincere expectations for Noel, then there was also a sorrowful face and a terrified face that could make him stop in his tracks. As expected, he was the type of person that Noel had never met before.

(…Speaking of which, that guy said that he had a lot of siblings but he didn’t really talk about his family.)

It was not anything significant. He probably only wanted to emphasise that he had many siblings. However, the unexpected expression that he saw on Ichizou’s face crossed his mind.

(Also, he was unusually concerned about not being able to contact me.)

He kept pressing for Noel to get a phone until even he felt angry about it.

–Please.

Noel wanted to shake him off but because of that voice that was not so loud and that look of desperateness, he was pushed into doing it.

(Perhaps, something happened to him before.)

Perhaps there was someone who Ichizou wanted to call but was unable to answer him anymore.

Looking down at his new phone, he somehow thought of such a thing.

Then he returned to his senses, remembering that this was not the right time for that.

“This isn’t the time to be poking my nose into other people’s business.”

Noel spoke without thinking, then stuffed his phone in to his pocket and picked up his pace.