Solis Records
1
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Shindo

Hello, everyone.

2
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Ichika

Hello.

3
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Saki

Hello!

4
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Saki

What are we gonna talk about today, Mr. Shindo?! Oh, do you have the sales figures for our debut song...?!

5
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Shiho

Saki, calm down.

6
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Saki

Why? I know for sure that we're gonna hear some good news today!

7
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Saki

I mean...

Everyone's been talking about our song♪

8
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Shindo

Yes, you're certainly right.

I'd like to begin by discussing that with you all.

9
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Shindo

Your song has shattered our projections.

It's already brought in double what we were initially expecting. We couldn't have asked for a better start.

10
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Shindo

Congratulations.

11
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Saki

...!

12
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Shiho

You two did come up with a pretty amazing song, Saki, Ichika.

13
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Saki

Hehe! We did it, Ichi♪

14
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Ichika

Yeah...! I'm so glad...

15
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Shindo

Yes, the song itself is very good, but the VIRTUAL SINGER version becoming a big hit has played a key role in its success.

16
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Honami

Oh, hasn't that already reached around eight million views...?!

17
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Ichika

I remember us marveling at it getting a million views after it'd gone up. But that number just kept increasing, which was a little scary...

18
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Shindo

Haha. That's perfectly understandable.

19
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Shindo

But the VIRTUAL SINGER version did give our sales figures a massive boost...

20
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Saki

Really?!

21
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Shindo

Yes, it worked as a nice piece of advertisement. Many people apparently decided to listen to the Leo/need version after hearing it.

22
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Ichika

I had no idea...

23
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Shindo

That phenomenon got a few of us in the office talking with regards to what your band should do moving forward.

24
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Shindo

I'd like to discuss that with you today.

25
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Shiho

What we should do moving forward...?

26
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Shindo

If you don't feel comfortable with this idea, that's okay.

27
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Shindo

But we were thinking that you could produce Leo/need and VIRTUAL SINGER versions of every song that you write in the future.

28
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Ichika

What...?

29
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Ichika

For every song we write?

30
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Shindo

Yes.

31
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Ichika

...

32
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Honami

Ichika...?

33
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Shindo

As I just stated, uploading the VIRTUAL SINGER version provided us with a huge benefit...

34
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Shindo

We've even received word about you doing a collaboration on the condition that you produce a VIRTUAL SINGER version.

35
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Honami

Wait, a collaboration...?

36
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Shindo

Yes, it involves the Oishi Beverage Company's sodas.

37
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Saki

W-Wait, don't tell me...

FizzYum Cider?!

38
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Shindo

Correct, Ms. Tenma.

39
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Shiho

That's a pretty big company.

40
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Honami

But why us...?

41
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Shindo

Your debut song becoming such a big success is the main reason...

42
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Shindo

Another is how your band's image seems to go well with the theme of the commercial they're currently producing.

43
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Ichika

Our band's image?

44
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Shindo

Yes.

The theme for their next commercial is “This Moment With You!”

45
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Shindo

The idea is to capture the smooth and refreshing taste of their beverages via students enjoying their youth.

46
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Shindo

And Leo/need apparently checks all the boxes in terms of who they want to appear in it.

47
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Ichika

This moment with you...?

48
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Shiho

Yeah, that does sound like us...

49
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Saki

Wow...!

50
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Saki

Their commercials always have lots of kids our age having fun at the pool or riding their bikes and stuff!

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Saki

Seeing those commercials made me want to enjoy life the same way as those kids!

52
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Honami

Hehe. I remember you saying that when we were little.

53
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Honami

It's wonderful that we're being given this opportunity to appear in one of their commercials, but...

54
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Ichika

...

55
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Shindo

If there's something on your mind, Ms. Hoshino, please don't be afraid to speak up.

56
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Ichika

Oh...

57
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Ichika

So, I'm grateful that we're being given such a nice opportunity...

58
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Ichika

But the thought of having Miku also sing all of our songs moving forward worries me...

59
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Saki

You're worried...?

60
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Ichika

*Nod*

61
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Ichika

I don't know how to describe it...

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Ichika

I'm really sorry. I know it'll help advertise our songs, and how we're being asked to make one for this collaboration...

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Ichika

But I can't shake this feeling...

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Shindo

Ms. Hoshino...

Let me use this moment to tell you how I feel as both your producer and manager.

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Ichika

Huh...?

66
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Shindo

First, to reiterate what I just said, simultaneously producing VIRTUAL SINGER versions of your songs should be hugely beneficial.

67
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Shindo

Just like what happened this time around, they'll help increase the odds of your song getting listened to and shared on social media. In other words, they'll boost our sales figures.

68
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Shindo

Obviously, that'll be a good thing for both this company and your band. Furthermore, they won't take anything away from the music you produce as Leo/need.

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Ichika

R-Right...

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Shindo

Alright, that's how I feel as a producer.

Now, let me say this as your manager...

71
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Shindo

Ms. Hoshino...

I have to think that there's a reason why you feel so uncomfortable about all this.

72
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Shindo

Regardless of what we all decide, it won't be good to move things along without dealing with that first.

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Shindo

So, for the longevity of your career, it'll be important to talk about this now.

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Ichika

For the longevity of our career...

75
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Shindo

Yes. This company is heavily in favor of your band producing VIRTUAL SINGER versions of all your songs in the future.

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Shindo

However, I don't believe you have to do what this company says verbatim every single time.

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Ichika

What...?

78
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Shindo

Of course, letting you all do whatever you want won't lead to any good outcomes.

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Shindo

However, if this is a matter of conviction as opposed to simple wants or desires, then you shouldn't be afraid to speak your minds.

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Ichika

...

81
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Ichika

But this collaboration hangs on us producing a VIRTUAL SINGER version, right...?

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Shindo

That's right.

83
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Shindo

But this is a matter that's going to have long-term consequences, so I recommend that you try to reach a consensus before making any hasty decisions.

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Ichika

...

85
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Ichika

How long do we have to decide...?

86
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Shindo

They've given you until the end of the month.

87
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Ichika

Understood...

We promise to let you know our answer by then.

Next Chapter: Bubbling Hesitation