Interesting. Going over how counterpoints work again was a good idea. I might be able to put them to use in my song...

Hm? It's three in the morning?

I seem to have lost track of time...

(That explains why I'm starting to feel sleepy... But I don't have time for that right now...)

I'll go pour myself some coffee...

<Aha, I knew it. You're still up.>

...!

Oh, Miku, it's you...

What brings you here so late?

<I was just patrolling around.>

Patrolling?

<Yes. I heard that you've been tasked with writing all of your team's songs for surpassing RAD WEEKEND.>

<So, I came to see if you weren't pushing yourself too hard.>

<But I guess you were...>

Oh, I was just...

No, you're right...

I'm up this late, so it's only natural for you to think that I'm burning the candle at both ends.

I apologize for making you worry. I promise to be more careful.

<Okay, as long as you understand.>

<By the way, what's this book you were reading just now...?>

Oh, this?

I borrowed it from my dad's study.

I was hoping that it'd contain some helpful information.

<Oh, it's your dad's?

It looks old, but pristine at the same time.>

It is.

He likes to take good care of his books.

I remember reading many during our lessons together when I was little...

<Toya...?>

Oh, I'm sorry...

It's nothing that important...

But I was just reminded of how I accidentally damaged one of his books...

<Oh, I see.>

<Still, I'm having a hard time imagining you doing that. What happened that time, Toya?>

After practices, I always made sure to stay in my dad's study whenever I decided to read one of his books...

Because I wanted to learn to do what he could.

However, one day, I took a book into the living room and ended up falling asleep on top of it...

As a result, a few pages got creased...

<Oh, I'd be scared too...

I mean, I can see your dad getting really mad.>

Yes, I can't think of any other time in my life when I panicked so much.

But then, my mom came along and said...

<Your mom's so nice.>

Yes, she made me feel a lot better that time...

We went over to my dad's study together afterwards.

<So, what happened...?>

When I showed my dad the book, he immediately saw the creased pages...

I still remember vividly the way he moved his finger along the folds...

But...

He didn't scold me in any way.

<What?>

He said, “Take good care of any books you read.”

“That being said, it's good that you're so studious. Just be careful next time.”

...is what he told me.

<Hehe. I see...>

<Both your mom and dad noticed how hard you were trying.>

Yes. As hard as those lessons were, they always watched over me with a warm gaze.

(But...)

(Despite all the affection they showed me, I ended up disappointing them...)

(No...

Now's not the time to be reminiscing.)

(I have work to do.

I need to focus on that..)

Thank you for stopping by, Miku.

It was nice having someone to talk to like this.

But I'm going to keep working for a little while longer. I need this song to be extraordinary...

<Okay...

Then, I'll head back now.>

<But don't forget that we're watching over you too, Toya, so feel free to ask if you ever need any help.>

<Anyway, good night.>

Thank you. Good night.

Back then and even now, I have people watching over me.

Which is why I need to succeed this time.

I'm not going to disappoint anyone.