User:Masatoswife/MySandbox

April erzählend melody

This next year, I will be in the same class as him… Thinking about it makes me feel nervous.

Masato Hijirikawa: “…Hm? Is there something on my face?”

Haruka Nanami: “Ah, n-no… It’s nothing…”

I was caught staring at Hijirikawa-sama.

I wonder if he thought I was strange…

Otoya Ittoki: “Hey! Masa, Natsuki and I wanna become idols, but what about you? You also aiming to become an idol?”

Haruka Nanami: “Eh… Ah… I’m an aspiring composer…”

As soon as I said that, the girl sitting next to me jumped up from her chair.

???: “Are you for real? There are girls who want to be composers?! How old are you? What’s your name?”

Haruka Nanami: “U-um… I’m Haruka Nanami, 15 years old…”

???: “15… So we’re the same age. Composer, huh... That’s amazing... Ah, I’m Tomochika Shibuya. Tomochika is fine.”

Haruka Nanami: “Eh.. ah, of course. Uhm… Tomo-chan.”

Tomochika Shibuya: “Tomo...chan, huh? Feels kinda refreshing. Hey, Haruka. Let’s be friends!

F-friends!?

Haruka Nanami: “U-um… Am I good enough?”

Tomochika Shibuya: “Yeah! I want to be your friend.”

That’s… That’s the first time someone has told me that since I was born! Aaah, thank the gods!!

Haruka Nanami: “Ah, um… Nice to meet you.”

I bowed with gratitude.

Tomochika Shibuya: “Haha, you don’t have to be so formal. Actually, I’m banning all the formalities! You can talk casually to me.”

Haruka Nanami: “Ah… O-of course.”

Tomochika Shibuya: “Alright!”

Otoya Ittoki: “Heeey, I wanna be your friend too!”

Natsuki Shinomiya: “Being able to meet you was such a lucky encounter. The more friends we make, the better. I’d love to get to know you.”

Tomochika Shibuya: “Sure, that’s fine by me. What are your names?”

Otoya Ittoki: “I’m Otoya Ittoki.”

Natsuki Shinomiya: “My name is Natsuki Shinomiya.”

Tomochika Shibuya: “Otoya and Natsuki, huh… You’re OK with them too, right?”

Haruka Nanami: “Eh...?”

Tomochika Shibuya: “So, friends. Let’s all be friends together!”

Haruka Nanami: “Eh, ah… okay. …I don’t have a lot of experience with friends, but... it’s nice to meet you.”

I bowed my head to Ittoki-kun and Shinomiya-san.

Otoya Ittoki: “Haha! That reaction sure is something. Nice to meet ya, Nanami.”

Natsuki Shinomiya: “It’s nice to meet you as well, Nanami-san.”

Otoya Ittoki: “...Hm? What’s up, Masa? You’re spacing out. You should become friends with these kids too!”

Masato Hijirikawa: “Mh... Ah, I apologize. I am not quite familiar with this kind of atmosphere.”

Hijirikawa-sama looks puzzled.

Thud!

Suddenly, the classroom door opened and Hijirikawa-sama’s attendant appeared.

Jii: “You will not, young master! Becoming friends with such chatty girls...”

“Even if otento-sama were to permit it, Jii will not allow you!”

Masato Hijirikawa: “I don’t think this is your class, Jii. Step back...”

Haruka Nanami: “Eh…?

Jii-san? I did meet him during the entrance ceremony, but… his ‘class’?

There’s no way.

I must’ve misheard.

Jii: “No, I will not step back! Not only did you form a friendship with these common boys, but this time even girls…”

“Jii… Jii is very sad.”

The old man called Jii began to cry into the white handkerchief he was holding in his hand.

Masato Hijirikawa: “Jii… I’m grateful you’re worried about me and were admitted to this school.”

Eeh!! He’s actually a student? At this academy?!!

Woah... He entered out of concern… Even though the competition is extremely high here…

Hijirikawa-sama is very loved, huh…

Masato Hijirikawa: “However, aren’t your little interferences going overboard? I, too, am not a child anymore…”

Jii: “No! The young master is definitely still a child. If Jii does not offer you protection…”

Then, the moment Hijirikawa-sama let out a perplexed sigh... ???: “So this is where you went, Jii-san. Don’t be an idiot on the first day!”

...S Class’s teacher, Ryuya Hyuga-sensei entered the classroom.

Ryuya Hyuga: “Your classroom is over here. Homeroom is starting, so come here already! Geez, causing so much trouble…”

Eeeh!! On top of that, he’s in S Class… Jii-san… What in the world are you?

Hyuga-sensei grabbed Jii-san by the neck and dragged him back to S Class.

From around the corner, Jii-san’s voice could be heard calling out to Hijirikawa-sama, screaming ‘YOUNG MASTEEEER!!’

He really is worried about Hijirikawa-sama, huh…

Otoya Ittoki: “…… Who was that just now?”

Ittoki-kun asked with a shocked expression.

Masato Hijirikawa: “Ugh… It’s our family butler. Perhaps it is because he’s been educating me since I was younger that he often gets a little overprotective.”

“Even when it was decided I would take the entrance exam here, he insisted he’d take the exam as well. However, for him to be admitted to S Class…”

Otoya Ittoki: “Woaah, amazing… Imagine if he wanted to be an idol...”

Ittoki-kun said it with a joking tone.

Masato Hijirikawa: “He’s an aspiring composer. Come to think of it, it was also Jii who taught me how to play the piano… He was definitely skilled.”

Hijirikawa-sama muttered keenly.

It’s true there are no age restrictions for the composition course, but… Still, he must have great power, or rather… a fighting spirit.

Haruka Nanami: “Um…”

Select the Phrase! A You learned to play the piano? +10 Music Points

Masato Hijirikawa: “To be fair, the piano is not something you ever stop learning.”

Otoya Ittoki: “But you can play it, right? How much can you play? Can you accompany a chorus contest?”

Masato Hijirikawa: “…I suppose so. I can play that much.”

Haruka Nanami: “Um… If we get the chance, would you mind letting me listen?”

Masato Hijirikawa: “I don’t mind, but… In all honesty, it’s not anything special. Please do not have high expectations.” B I’m also learning to play the piano. +5 Love Points

Masato Hijirikawa: You are…? You did say you were an aspiring composer. Since when have you been playing the piano?”

Haruka Nanami: “I’ve been learning in a classroom in the neighborhood from kindergarten until entering this school. My teacher was really great.”

Masato Hijirikawa: “Ah, this school has a dormitory system. Is that why you had to break it off...? ”

Haruka Nanami: “Yes, but I’m looking forward to taking piano lessons here too.”

Masato Hijirikawa: “I see… Perhaps a day will come where I can listen to your performance.”

C I’d like to hear you play the piano. +20 Love Points +5 Music Points

Masato Hijirikawa: “It's not like I'm a competent pianist. I wouldn't want to raise your expectations too much.”

Otoya Ittoki: “But can you play it just fine, right?”

Masato Hijirikawa: “I don’t know how you’d define your ‘just fine’, but I’m an amateur. It’s not anything special.”

Haruka Nanami: “Still, I’d like to hear it just once.”

Masato Hijirikawa: “You’re a curious one, aren’t you… Very well, I’ll perform if there’s an opportunity to.”

Haruka Nanami: “Thank you!”

Soon after, Ringo Tsukimiya-sensei, our homeroom teacher, walked into the classroom.

Male Student A: “Oh my! It’s Ringo Tsukimiya, the real thing!”

Male Student B: “Uwu~! I’m so glad to be alive! Marry me, Ringo-chan~!”

The super popular idol Ringo Tsukimiya is our homeroom teacher. Everyone in class was in great excitement to be living in such a happy reality.

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Ahaha! Thank you~! It seems like everyone knows me already. Right?! Hmm… Masato Hijirikawa-kun!

Tsukimiya-sensei pointed to Hijirikawa-sama, who was sitting in the foremost seat.

After the gesture, he stood up.

Masato Hijirikawa: “Of course. Ringo Tsukimiya is a male idol who is primarily active in variety shows as an androgynous character.”

“Recently, he’s been demonstrating his capabilities as an actor through appearances in movies, dramas, and so on. Furthermore, he is skilled at live broadcasts as well as narrations…”

“You wanted me to bring up those sort of things, didn’t you? Would you like me to mention your CD that’s currently on sale as well?”

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Nope, just that’s enough! Thank youuu! Mm, chu~!”

Despite Tsukimiya-sensei blowing him a kiss, Hijirikawa-sama sat back down with a deadpan expression.

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Oh? No reaction. ...Must be the cool type. But there’s a charm to that as well.

“A-ny-way! Now everyone knows just how big of an idol I am, right?”

“This coming year, everyone will be doing their best to become an idol like me, but…”

“It’s a bit heavy to work so hard on your own, don’t you think? So, you will be aiming for debut in pairs, consisting of one composer and one idol.”

“When it comes to singing, it may seem like it’s something you do on your own, but the opposite is true. You’ll have to keep that in mind from now on.”

“Ah! Let’s ask a question. You know, when singing a song, which do you think is more important? Technique or sensibility?

“You over there! Please answer.”

Haruka Nanami: “M-me…? U-um…”

Select the Phrase! A Technique. +5 Music Points

Ringo Tsukimiya: “That’s right, technique is important. But it’s not all you need.”

“Sensibility is a necessity as well. It might have been a bit of a mean question, but both were required to answer correctly.”

B Sensibility. +5 Music Points

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Yeah, feeling is important, of course. But without technique, you can’t make use of it!” “So, the answer was… both! Perhaps it was a little mean of me?”

C Both. +10 Love Points +10 Music Points

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Correct! Ahaha, incredible~ You didn’t fall for it!”

Ringo Tsukimiya: “It is possible to refine both technique and sensibility on our own, but…”

“When there’s no one to give proper judgment on those refinements, you may end up wondering, ‘Is it really good enough?’”

“But if there are two of you… When there’s someone right by your side, you can exchange opinions. It allows you to view yourself objectively.”

“Rather than getting help from teachers, there are some things that can only be improved by students in the same position, encouraging each other to work harder.”

“Therefore, I want you to work hard in pairs. ...That said, you guys only just met and haven’t gotten to know each other well.”

“So in order to change that, I thought I’d let everyone introduce themselves!”

“Now… Yes! You over there.”

With a swoosh, the teacher pointed his finger.

Select the Phrase! A M-me? +10 Love Points

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Yes, you! Since it’s the first greeting, make it impressive!”

B P-pass. (No points)

Ringo Tsukimiya: “You can’t paaaass. Everyone will be taking their turn, so please prepare yourself.

C …… +5 Love Points

Ringo Tsukimiya: “What’s wrong? Please start! We won’t know who you are if you stay silent.”

Haruka Nanami: “Ah, ehm… Well…”

I wonder what I should say to introduce myself… Uhm… uuuhm…

Masato Hijirikawa: “...There is no need to be overwhelmed. If there’s anything else you want to say after stating your name and ambitions, you can do so.”

“If you can’t think of anything, those two things will be sufficient.”

Haruka Nanami: “Ah… okay. I’m Haruka Nanami, an aspiring composer. Nice to meet you.”

Saying only that, I lowered my head in a bow.

Masato Hijirikawa: “That should do. …Well done.”

Hijirikawa-sama praised me with a voice so soft, only I could hear.

After that, Ittoki-kun sang acapella, Tomo-chan recited a poem, and Shinomiya-san handed out cookies to everyone.

…But his cookies had a taste I don’t think exists in this world…

Then…

Masato Hijirikawa: “I’m Masato Hijirikawa… My forte is the piano. …That is all.”

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Oh, that’s it? Boooriiing. Hey, if you can play the piano, why don’t you play for us? Hm? That’s okay, right?”

Masato Hijirikawa: “As you wish. If the teacher says so…”

Then, Hijirikawa-sama took a step forward.

The classrooms at Saotome Academy —even the ones used for ordinary classes— are soundproof and have a grand piano placed in each of them.

Our classroom is no different.

Masato Hijirikawa: “I’ve never played anything aside from our piano at home, however... A piano is a piano. There shouldn’t be too much of a difference…”

Hijirikawa muttered to himself in front of the piano.

Then, that moment…

Jii: “YOUNG MASTEEEEER!!!”

CRACK!

Haruka Nanami: “Eek!!”

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Nooo!! The glass shattered into pieces...”

T-the glass…

Hijirikawa-sama’s butler broke through the window pane and entered the classroom.

Masato Hijirikawa: “Jii…”

Among all the agitated people in the class, Hijirikawa-sama did not bat an eye at all.

With a very cold expression, he stared at Jii-san.

Jii: “Something is bothering you, right, young master? Jii’s young master SOS antenna was blaring!”

Masato Hijirikawa: “Nothing you would call ‘bothersome.’ I was merely trying to play the piano. Rather, this current situation is what’s disturbing me.”

Jii: “The piano… Wh-WHAT! You will not be playing a piano that has been marked with someone else’s fingerprints! You will NOT!”

Whether or not Jii-san heard Hijirikawa-sama’s words, he snapped his fingers.

Then…

Out of nowhere, a horde of footsteps could be heard, and a grand piano was being carried.

Ringo Tsukimiya: “W-what?! What in the world is going on?!”

But… Although I can see the piano, I don’t see anyone carrying it.

Haruka Nanami: “G-ghosts?”

Masato Hijirikawa: “Not quite… They are the bodyguards of the Hijirikawa family.”

Haruka Nanami: “...But, I can’t see anyone.”

Masato Hijirikawa: “They may be wearing the latest camouflage clothing. The Hijirikawa guards want to remain top secret.”

Haruka Nanami: “M-my goodness...”

Masato Hijirikawa: “Jii… Do not bring the guards into these kind of things all the time. This is not the mansion.”

Jii: “But, young master!”

Masato Hijirikawa: “In the future, refrain from doing such things altogether. This place has its own rules. Please take the piano home as well.”

Jii: “…Understood.”

When Hijirikawa-sama scolded him, Jii-san turned back home with a disheartened face.

The piano that had been carried in was also taken back home by the invisible people.

Masato Hijirikawa: “Good grief… Jii is quite the troublemaker.”

Ringo Tsukimiya: “I knew amazing kids were going to enter this school, but this is beyond expectations...! Hehe, I’m already excited for what seems to be a chaotic year~!”

“Well then! Let’s get back to where we left off… Please play the piano for us!”

Then, Hijirikawa-sama gradually started playing.

Ah... The atmosphere changed.

There’s such a gentle, delicate, and beautiful color to his tone. I feel calmer just by listening to it.

His expression had been a little stiff, but right now it’s very mellow, making his deep love for the piano readable on his face.

Large palms, fingers long and graceful. His white hands move smoothly across the keyboard and establish a world out of a melody.

They’re confident movements, something that can only be achieved by practicing over and over again and gaining experience. Every single sound lures me in and lingers inside my heart.

I also play the piano, but… I can’t play nearly as well as this. Incredible…

Like an aphrodisiac, the sound soaks into the depths of my chest and saturates me.

It’s those beautiful hands that are creating this separate world.

Magical hands.

Hijirikawa-sama’s hands contain the power to embody such a world, so I thought ‘magical hands’ sounded suitable.

Once he finished playing the piano, he lightly bowed his head and returned to his seat.

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Waah~! You’re the best!! What a wonderful performance. I’m starting to like you!”

“Hehe, Maa-kun. Please play again sometime. Mm- chu~!”

Tsukimiya-sensei blew another kiss, but Hijirikawa-sama slightly tilted his head and dodged it.

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Aww~ You’re still so cold... But that kind of charm is also won-der-ful!”


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Then, we had Tsukimiya-sensei guide us around campus.

(SCENE CHANGE)

At this academy you can freely access the rooftop to eat lunch and bask in the sun during lunch break.

(SCENE CHANGE)

The broad sports grounds, mainly used for PE classes. It seems that there will be a sports festival next month, which I’m looking forward to.

(SCENE CHANGE)

Various concerts and live performances are held at the auditorium, which is where the entrance ceremony took place as well.

(SCENE CHANGE)

In the huge school building, there are a lot of full-blown recording facilities called recording buildings.

There are more than 100 of them, their scale varying from big to small…

Students can use the small ones for practicing when they’re not in use...

After all, since there needs to be a lot of strength put into songs, the scale of the facilities has to be tremendous in order to catch up.

(SCENE CHANGE)

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Now, we’ve finished the self-introductions and I’ve showed you all around campus. Next up, we have to decide on a partner. Tadaaa~! The red thread of fate!”

Tsukimiya-sensei took out a bundle of long threads.

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Alright! If you’re aiming to be an idol, hold the end of the string over here. If you’re aiming to be a composer, please hold the other end!”

Then, the red threads were presented to us. The bundle was tied together in the center with a big ribbon.

Aspiring idols and composers are divided into left and right, each one taking one end of the thread.

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Do you all have your threads? Then, once I remove the ribbon in the middle, please pull with all you’ve got!”

“The person on the other end of your thread is who you will be working hard together with this year!”

Haruka Nanami: “Um… Is this like drawing lots?”

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Oh, of course not~! The red thread of fate will lead you to your eternal partner!”

Haruka Nanami: “…I see…”

The red thread of fate… In a way, it’s actually a lovely concept. I wonder who I will partner up with.

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Well then, let’s pull! 3, 2, 1… Now!”

Upon his shout, everyone pulled at the thread all at once.

Masato Hijirikawa: “Oh...”

Haruka Nanami: “Ah...”

On the other side of the thread… it’s Hijirikawa-sama.

The person I had a shocking encounter with, who treated me kindly… As well as the person who can make the piano sing a melody that’s out of this world…

That person is my partner… Somehow, it feels like a dream.

Haruka Nanami: “Ah, um… Let’s work hard together.”

I lowered my head to him.

Masato Hijirikawa: “Likewise, let us do our best together.”

Haruka Nanami: “U-um… It really is fate, isn’t it? This morning… I…”

I unconsciously stroked my lips with my fingertips.

Just remembering it is enough to heat up my body from the core.

Masato Hijirikawa: “Hm? This morning… Ah, that… It was an accident. It would be better to forget about it soon.”

Haruka Nanami: “Eh…”

Masato Hijirikawa: “Accidents do not have any meaning. You should forget about it as soon as possible.”

Select the Phrase! A I can’t. (No points)

Masato Hijirikawa: “...I see. It can’t be helped, in that case. But I at least want you to pay mind not to bring up this morning’s events to me.”

Haruka Nanami: “…Okay.”

B …I’ll try my best to. +10 Love Points

Masato Hijirikawa: “It would be of great help if you do. If it’s always going to be on your mind, you will never be able to find inner calm...”

“That said... I’m sorry to have done you wrong...”

Haruka Nanami: “You… haven’t done me wrong…”

Masato Hijirikawa: “If that’s the case... then I suppose it’s fine…”

C It made me happy… +20 Love Points

Haruka Nanami: “Uhm… You treated my wound… It was the first time someone had ever been kind to me like that…”

Masato Hijirikawa: “I see… It wasn’t much, but I’m happy to receive your gratitude.”

“However, what happened before that… It was an accident, not… ‘that’ kind of thing.”

“So, in the end… I would like you to forget about it.”

Haruka Nanami: “…I don’t know if I’ll be able to forget… But I will try to avoid thinking about it as much as I can.”

Masato Hijirikawa: “Very well… It would be of great help if you do.”

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Alright! Everyone’s partners have been decided~! Since the men to women ratio isn’t equal, pairs of a male and a female are rare…”

“No matter how many of these couples the red thread of fate has chosen, associations between the sexes are absolutely forbidden.”

“Well then, class dismiiissed~! If you have any questions, feel free to ask, okay?”

And so, this first day’s homeroom has come to an end.

(SCENE CHANGE)

Otoya Ittoki: “But love is forbidden, huh... If I come to like someone, I don’t think something like school rules could stop those feelings.”

Masato Hijirikawa: “If it is our goal to become idols, isn’t it only obvious to prohibit love?”

Otoya Ittoki: “I guess so, but the school rules can’t just ban everything.”

Masato Hijirikawa: “In my position, even if prohibited by school regulations, it’s not too different from what I’m used to. It comes down to the same thing, in both cases.”

“My parents decide who I will marry. For me, there is no decision to be made.”

Otoya Ittoki: “Oh, right, Masa’s family is very rich, was it? Seems tough...”

“But if love and marriage aren’t connected for you, finding love while married should be okay, right?

Masato Hijirikawa: “Once you formally associate with someone, you have a duty to take care of them until the end.”

“There would be no good in challenging a relationship if you’re not determined to take care of them, even though you may not know what will become of the marriage.”

Hijirikawa-sama… He’s such a serious person.

And then, his piano performance… It was breathtaking.

Select the Phrase! A I wonder if we can get along. (No points)

I wonder if the heir of a conglomerate will be okay with a commoner like me.

Either way, I shouldn’t be doing anything impolite.

B I wonder if our songs will be just as breathtaking. +20 Love Points

He has a wonderful voice, so I’m looking forward to hearing his songs.

C I’m going to be writing this person’s song. +5 Love Points +5 Music Points

Let’s make a song that you’ll like and work hard for.

I’ll have to do my utmost best and make something good.

Then, I will definitely debut with him.

(SCENE CHANGE)

Ringo Tsukimiya: “Well then, for now, I thought I’d start a private lesson!”

“Ah, right right! Before I start the lesson, I think I’ll have you take a test to check your sense of rhythm.”

“Of course there are people with a natural sense of rhythm, but since it can be improved depending on the effort you put in, don’t feel too discouraged if you do badly.”

“From here on, the two of you will practice carefully and level up at a steady pace!”

“First, I’ll show you what to do, then you’ll try to follow me!”

“Well then! Let’s start~!”

(SCENE CHANGE)

Rank D + C Rank B Rank A Rank S + Full combo

Perfect combo

Feeling happy about my perfect grade, I immediately reported to Hijirikawa-sama.

Masato Hijirikawa: "You have a good ear. I am glad to have been partnered with you, I will have to thank fate for that."

I'm the one who should be thanking fate. Because I got to partner up with such a wonderful person.

I'll have to do my best every day so I won't slow him down.

(END)