I'm eager to get started today, Soma.

Haha. You're so old-fashioned. It's no biggie. I'm just giving you a few tips regarding sampling.

No, I need to properly show my appreciation since I'll be taking up so much of your time with this.

I get how you feel, but let's just try to have fun, okay? Anyway, let's get started!

By the way, Aoyagi, you already know a thing or two about sampling, right?

Oh, yes. I know a little bit.

You take existing sounds, phrases and whatnot from existing songs, and create new works out of them, yes?

Yeah, that's right. To be more precise, it's not just songs. You can use sounds from the natural world, people, machines... Anything that creates noise, really.

However, you're pretty much spot on when it comes to street music, Aoyagi.

Is this how you've always made your own songs, Soma?

No, I started doing this for the very first time after I got into street music.

I wanted to learn as much as I could about the culture surrounding street music, and sampling became a part of that.

Oh, speaking of culture, you mentioned something the other day that caught my attention.

Hm? I did?

Yeah, the thing about having a background in classical music keeping you from fully understanding sampling and street music culture.

Why would knowing how to play classical music make things more difficult?

Ah, well...

This has to sort of do with my own feeling.

When I was still playing classical music, my dad taught me to give absolute respect to each note of a piece of sheet music.

He was adamant about understanding the motives of the composer and playing said music the way they originally intended.

On the other hand, sampling involves using snippets of songs. You're essentially doing the opposite of what the creator intended, which I seem to have trouble dealing with...

For instance, my dad once said that it would make sense if one were to use an entire movement from another composer's work, like Chopin did.

Yeah, I understand.

That would make the process of picking and modifying one part of a song kinda hard.

At the same time, in my mind, sampling is actually really similar to what you just described.

Huh? What do you mean?

At its core, sampling involves properly respecting the works that others have made.

You borrow the parts of songs that you want to use, but if you don't know how to use them effectively, it ends up being a pointless exercise.

You sorta need to be open about how it's influenced you. Only then can you create something that's new and reflects who you are.

I see. I never thought of it that way...

Yeah, songwriting's interesting because you can look at it from so many different angles.

Also, it's really cool to hear about how much you studied classical music!

Oh, um... My dad's a classical pianist and a composer...

Wait, what?! That's incredible!

Life wasn't easy since he was a very strict teacher...

But thanks to you, Soma, I was able to discover the connection between classical and street music. It's put me at ease.

Alright, since we've sorta laid your fears to rest, why don't we give it a go...?

You write songs on your laptop?

Yup.

This is the one I used when Arata and I still sang together.

And here are all the audio files that I was collecting until four years ago. They're all in this sampling folder.

Oh, there are so many!

This one's titled... “Crowd”?

And this one's “Underpass”?

Yeah, I like to use snippets of existing songs, but I also enjoy using sounds you can hear from the world around us.

I see...

And there seems to be more. Cracking an egg open, the sound of slippers and other things from regular life...

Haha. I guess you can chalk it up to me interpreting all these sounds as music.

Also, by using these kinds of sounds, you can tie your music to day-to-day life.

Hehe...

That's a nice way to think about it.

Isn't it? Since you're saying that, let's try putting a song together!

Well, that's what I want to say...

But I can only use one of my hands right now, so typing and stuff's a bit of a challenge. Thanks for taking over...

No, this is the least I could do since you're going out of your way to teach me.

Now, let's start by choosing a beat.

Right. We can't begin unless we do that.

We'll need a base sound... What should we use?

Oh, I know.

There's this song I listened to a lot on my way to school. We can try creating a beat by looping its intro.

To me, this song says, “You may not feel great now, but something good will happen tomorrow.” It's really uplifting and always found a way to cheer me up.

This song must mean quite a lot to you, Soma.

Yeah, it does.

Listening to it in the morning gets me so pumped up!

So, we can try making a song that encapsulates a fun and happy morning. Once we've finished inputting everything for the bass and drums, let's move on to phrases...

A sax should help jazz things up and make it sound more hip. Also, it might be fun to throw in an acoustic guitar somewhere.

That's what's great about all this. You can express yourself however you like and just go with what you feel when you hear these sounds. It doesn't matter if something personal comes to mind either.

Something personal... Does that mean you'd try using some of those sounds from day-to-day life here, Soma?

Hey, you're pretty sharp.

Yeah, I'd probably toss in the sounds of some dishes clinking or birds chirping.

Oh, but Arata would usually say, “These clash too much with the other sounds,” when I got a bit overzealous...

I see... I will bear that in mind.

Um... Toya, by the way...

Why do you seem so determined to write your own songs?

This is just based on my own experience, but I feel that good performances are what get a crowd going.

So, I really don't think you need to focus so much on writing your own stuff. If Shinonome's good at that, then I feel you can just leave it to him.

But...

...

Aoyagi?

Akito said that I should just keep trying until I feel satisfied...

Which means he's willing to wait until I finish my song.

But I can't make him wait forever.

Azusawa started singing not too long ago and is growing at a tremendous pace. She has a natural talent for it and surprises me every time we perform together.

Shiraishi has guts and is very good at interacting with the audience. Every musician in town admires her very much.

And Akito has this uncanny perception when on stage. He's able to monitor what's going on during a performance and support the rest of us while keeping his foot on the gas pedal.

Right...

Arata's told me all about Vivid BAD SQUAD. You guys are all such powerful performers and seem to really care about one another.

Yes, I can always count on them for help...

Which is also the reason why I can't make them wait more than they need to. I want to show them some good results.

I want to be more of a contributor...

When it comes to singing and performing, I feel confident about keeping up with the others now. However...

I can't help but be bothered by the things I'm still now able to do. Am I asking for too much...?

...

No, I don't think so.

That's just how life is, right?

Yes, well...

You too, huh, Aoyagi...?

You wanna be more of a contributor...

Excuse me, Mr. Miyata.

Huh?

Oh, you have a friend visiting.

I'm sorry, Mr. Miyata, would you mind coming with me? It's time for that test...

Oh, that's right!

I completely forgot that I was supposed to do that today!

Sorry, Aoyagi, I need to go for a bit! I'll be back in like thirty minutes!

O-Okay... Um...

Oh, right. You won't have much to do while I'm gone. I know. You can try listening to the other sounds on my laptop!

They should all be in the folder at the very top!

Alright, we really need to get going.

Again, sorry! I'll be right back!

Oh...

I feel kind of bad...

I didn't realize that he had to do a test today.

But I have some time on my hands now. What should I do...?

Soma said that there were more sounds in that folder. Is it this? The newest one...?

Hm? It was last used yesterday?

These songwriting tools also seem to have been used fairly recently.

He said that I could listen to them, so I guess I'll take him up on his offer and...

*Gasp*

This song...

Sorry about that, Aoyagi!

It went by quicker than expected.

Wait, that song...

Oh, Soma...

This is the incomplete song that Tono showed us. Were you working on it just recently?

Oh, wait... The very top...

Okay, that was my mistake. Of course you'd find it...

But you're right...

Remember how you said you want to be more of a contributor, Aoyagi? I feel the same way.

I want to help Arata as much as I can, and I decided to finish the track I was working on before my accident.

For Arata...

Yes, I see.

Um, Soma...

Yeah...?

I really enjoyed the new parts you've been working on too. They feel so free, liberating and harsh, but also kind.

They're a wonderful expression of your courageous nature and sensitivity...

I would be very envious of the person who got to sing this track.

What...?

Ohh. Haha...

You have this way of catching me off guard whenever I talk to you, Aoyagi.

It's just... You were so straight with me that I feel a bit stupid for being awkward...

I'm slightly embarrassed by what you said, but I also really appreciate it. So, thanks!

Unfortunately, I haven't really been getting anywhere with it, and I'm not really sure when I'll be able to finish it.

Is it giving you that much trouble?

Yeah, not being able to move my body around freely has something to do with it...

But remember how I said Arata and I used to work on stuff together?

Ah, yes, I remember.

I prefer to create as I go based on how I feel, but Arata's the logical type. It doesn't matter that he isn't great at coming up with phrases since he is good at putting things in the right order.

Which is why it took both of us to create a song from start to finish.

Ah, that explains why Tono said you were the one who wrote that song...

To be fair, it sounds like he can do just about anything on his own now...

The truth is, I wish that I could write entire songs on my own...

Um, Aoyagi, can I ask you for a favor...?

Every so often, could you stop by to give me your take on things like you did just now?

Yes, of course, but my opinions? Are you sure?

Yeah, I'm sure. Arata and I used to discuss which sound is best for a given part, and that always helped a lot.

But I sorta get lost when I have to write songs all on my own like this. That's why I need to hear from someone else. Only then will I know how I'm really doing.

If you're okay with me being that person...

But why me...?

Can't you just make them again with Tono...?

No, I'd like it if you didn't tell him about this...

What?

For Arata's sake, as well as mine, I want to finish this song. I don't know if I'll be able to make it right, but I really want to avoid disappointing him by not doing so.

Which is why I don't want him knowing what I'm doing right now. If possible, can you not tell anyone else about this?

Understood.

I won't tell Arata, Akito or anybody else.

Thanks, that helps a lot...

No, it's okay.

I can tell that you care deeply about this song.

Yeah. I wanna finish it someday and hand it over to him.

(Hand it over someday...)

I know how you feel, Soma, since I also have teammates that I care very much about.

I also wish to be there for them as much as possible.

Aoyagi...

Um, Soma. You asked me to give you my thoughts, but is there anything else I can do to help?

I'm also not very good at coming up with phrases and such, but I think I can assist you by adjusting sounds and arranging everything.

No, I shouldn't take up more of your time. I mean, you still have to get ready for that event, right?

I know how serious all of you guys are about it, so I don't want to get in the way of you succeeding.

No, that won't be an issue.

I have every reason to help you right now, Soma.

Every reason...?

Yes. They say learning by doing is best, and I stand to benefit and learn quite a by watching the way you write songs.

I'd like to make some progress as well. So, Soma, will you be willing to help me with that?

Help you...?

I wasn't expecting to hear that.

Okay, got it.

Alright, Aoyagi, I'll lend you a hand.

...!

Thank you very much!

Sure thing, but...

Let's hold off on working together until just before you guys' event.

Wait, but...

I honestly don't know how long this is gonna take, so I can't really ask you to stay with me until I do.

But it'll be like us trading this for that. You'll help me with my track and I'll help you learn as much as I can about songwriting. How's that sound?

Okay, I understand...

I'll be looking forward to working with you prior to our next event.

Thanks, Aoyagi! I'll be looking forward to your help!

Yes, I'm looking forward to helping as well.