"Hey... you've got to be kidding me..."
Yuutenji Nyamu stared at Togawa Sakiko in utter shock.
"This song... did you really compose it, Sakiko?"
"Mhm, that's right."
Faced with Nyamu's question, Sakiko tilted her head in confusion.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, no, it's not a problem, it's just... I can't believe it..."
Nyamu picked up the phone from the table again and pressed the play button—
"This style... no matter how I listen to it, it's way too mature, isn't it?! A high schooler writing metal music on her own? Is that even possible?"
"In terms of style, this song should be classified as gothic metal, to be precise."
Sakiko corrected her.
"And this will be the initial musical style for [Ave Mujica]. We'll focus on gothic metal and folk metal, later supplemented with strongly narrative lyrics and a certain degree of theatrical performance to construct a worldview that is uniquely ours... Of course, if possible, I'd like to try writing some symphonic metal in the future, provided we have the funds to hire symphony musicians by then."
Sakiko laid out her plans.
"Going back to this song, for you, Yuutenji-san, who's just starting out, the drum arrangement should be quite friendly. But for the vocalist and guitarist, both the performance difficulty and technical requirements will be higher than in a typical band."
With that, she looked over at Misumi Uika, who also had a hint of surprise on her face.
"What do you think, Uika? In terms of melody and structure, this song should meet the standard for a major debut, right?"
"Meet the standard? This song is mature enough to be sold to professional metal bands overseas."
Uika commented, completely in awe.
"By the way, if I'm not mistaken, the vocal style for this song... is probably very particular, isn't it?"
"Mhm. For now, I've tentatively set it as a classical singing style, similar to what you'd hear in a musical."
"Hah... That's quite the imperious choice for our band's debut song."
Hearing such an outrageous requirement, Uika's reaction wasn't resistance or unease, but a sigh as if she had expected it.
"I understand. I'll step up my classical vocal training."
"Mhm, I'm counting on you, Uika."
Sakiko cast a look full of trust at Uika.
"It's precisely because you're the vocalist that I dared to use such a bold arrangement."
"I know. I already saw that when you wrote [Idol]..."
Uika said in a joking tone.
"As a creator and a leader, you're really good at pushing people to their limits."
"My goal is to make this band the number one commercial band in all of Japan. To achieve that, I'll have to ask everyone to bear with a little hardship."
Sakiko said, her expression unchanging.
"Next is Mutsumi. Since Uika will have to focus on the vocals for this song, your task is also quite demanding."
"Mhm... I have no problem."
Wakaba Mutsumi nodded, her face impassive.
"But, bass aside, what about the rhythm guitar and the violin parts in the backing track?"
"We'll just have to poach someone from next door."
Sakiko spread her hands.
"Fortunately, Soyo has a reliable foundation in string instruments, and that Kaname Rana-san's skills are also quite outstanding."
"..."
Mutsumi, who also knew the skill level of those two, nodded in reassurance.
"Then... should I be the one to talk to Soyo and the others?"
"No. As the arranger and the person in charge of this band, I will personally ask the members of [MyGO!!!!!]."
It was a matter of business. Although she had resolved not to look back on [CRYCHIC], Sakiko, who was determined to take responsibility for everything, was not about to lose face over something like this.
"As for the bassist... I plan to scout various live houses soon to see if there's anyone who meets our requirements and standards—"
"Ah, about that."
Suddenly, Uika interjected.
"There's a bassist in our class who's on pretty good terms with Taki."
"Hm?"
Hearing this, a look of keen interest appeared on Sakiko's face.
"What's her name?"
"Umiri Yahata. I haven't spoken to her much, so I'm not sure about her actual skill level, but according to other classmates, she's currently a support musician for about a dozen bands. A 'mercenary' who's deeply trusted by everyone."
"...A support musician for a dozen bands?"
This description, which sounded almost exaggerated at first, deeply piqued Sakiko's curiosity.
"An average bassist couldn't handle being a support musician for so many bands, and that number is enough to prove she can handle many different musical styles."
The more Sakiko thought about it, the more excited she became, and she immediately nodded.
"Understood. I'll ask Taki to learn a little more about this Yahata-san."
"I'll leave it to you, then~"
And so, as the members continued their discussion, problems were solved one after another...
Only Yuutenji Nyamu remained in a state of deep shock, unable to recover.
(Wait, wait, wait, what are these girls talking about? Gothic metal? Theatrical plays? A symphony? Is this really the kind of stuff a group of high school girls should be doing?)
(And also, isn't the goal of being the 'number one commercial band in all of Japan' a little too high? Well, I guess they already have a number one popular idol right here, but have you guys considered whether my skills can keep up with your ambitions!?)
If it were ordinary high school students talking about such a lofty goal, she would have scoffed and dismissed it as bragging and empty words. However, after actually hearing that incredibly stunning demo, and considering the identities and backgrounds of the girls in front of her, this was clearly no simple joke.
At this thought, an indescribable sense of insecurity and a heavy weight washed over Nyamu.
She was just a rookie drummer who had just gotten into this to find content for her channel! Even with the gimmicky talent of being ambidextrous, her skills were only at an amateur level...
Although she could still imagine the considerable traffic and profit she'd get from riding on Uika's coattails, what would happen in the future if the band's activities really reached a certain level and she held them back because of her lack of skill?
Will I get flamed by Uika's fans? Or will I just get kicked out of the band?
Just thinking about that future was enough to make Nyamu break out in a cold sweat.
And at that moment, Sakiko suddenly turned the topic back to her.
"Yuutenji-san."
"Y-yes!"
Nyamu subconsciously straightened her posture.
"What is it?"
"That's all for the band for now. Next, I'd like to talk about what Mutsumi mentioned to you before, about promoting a clothing brand."
Sakiko said.
"Please tell me which day you're free. I'd like to take you to meet the founder of the brand, who is also the core of our band's formation—Chihaya Tetsuya."
"...Yes."
Hearing the name of this "behind-the-scenes boss," whose status seemed even higher than the girls in front of her, Nyamu could only nod nervously.
"Then, let's set it for this week's... ah, no, let's make it next weekend."
The beauty blogger, Yuutenji Nyamu, was under immense pressure.