CONNECTIONS THROUGH MUSIC:


Interesting, I had no idea that she practiced her performances here.


The Akihabara streetside stage. Emma likes to sing her songs as well as children's rhymes here.


It's such a nice thing to do, I'm happy Emma invited me to join her today before I meet Yoshiko later.


Hmm, this is a pretty busy street, though.


AKI: "Here, Emma. Drink this. It's good for your throat. Let's take a short break."



EMMA: "Thank you. I love this drink you make. After our break, I'll get back up there!"


AKI: "Hey... Why don't we go somewhere else?"



EMMA: "Oh? Does it bother you that not many people are listening here? *Giggle* Compared to Switzerland, there are more than enough people listening."


AKI: "Had I known sooner that you perform here, I would have suggested writing more songs for you. You don't have a lot, so you end up singing mostly children's songs."



EMMA: "Huh? I'm not just singing children's songs because I like them. Besides, it's not about the songs."


AKI: "It's not."



EMMA: "Any song has the power to draw people in. I just don't have the strength to help them do that yet.
I mean, of course I wish more people listened to my singing, but there's no point in trying to rush it. Like Ayumu says, I need to take it one step at a time."


AKI: "Yeah..."



EMMA: "Still, at this rate, I'm not sure if we can grab that kid's attention next time.
No... Every time we go, we do get a little bit closer. We just need to work a little harder for him."


AKI: "Emma... You're working so hard, but what am I doing? I'll go get you an audience!"



EMMA: "Huh?! Hey, wait!"


AKI: "Hm?"


EMMA: "Hey, I'd like you to watch and see if my songs are reaching people. Just believe."


Emma's singing voice... It's so gentle and warm. But just singing children's songs won't grab attention.


???: "SWEET! EXCELLENT! UNSTOPPABLE!"


Oh? Looks like I was wrong, someone looks interested!


Wait... That flamboyant use of English... Th-That can only be one person!


I'm starting to get paranoid that Mari actually has a tracker on me.



???: "Your voice! It's a sign! A vocalist like you is exactly what I need!"


Oh, phew, it's not Mari. It's just some kid.


EMMA: "Huh?"


AKI: "Looks like someone's got a fan!"


EMMA: "Y-Yeah!"


Looks like Emma's a little flustered. I should take the wheel of the conversation for now. Time to use Emma's teachings of how to not scare kids away.


AKI: "Hello there little girl! Emma is very happy that you liked her per-"


???: "Pardon...?"


AKI: "Are you a fan of rhymes? I could put a very super special request to Emma for y-"


*KICK*


AKI: "OW! MY SHIN! Wh-What was that for?! Where is your mother?!"



???: "I'm not some kid! Watch your tone!"


AKI: "Emma, do kids really just hate me that much?"


???: "I'm not a kid! I'm a high-school student!"


AKI: "Wait... That outfit is a high-school uniform?"


???: "Now you're talking sense. Now leave me to talk to my latest client!"


EMMA: "Client?"


AKI: "Excuse me? But who do you think you are marching up here, kicking me and trying to take Emma?!"


???: "You don't know who I am? I thought everyone knew about us by now! Pareo you lied to me! You said the whole city knew us!"


AKI: "I-I'm so lost. Who are you?"


???: "Who am I? I'm the brightest 14 year old producer to hit this world! The Ankle-biting Child of the Revolution! The mastermind behind-"


AKI: "Enough, just give me a name!"


???: "Impatient! I was getting to that. I'm the leader, member and the producer of the revolutionary girls band RAISE A SUILEN! Chiyu Tamade! Though you may call me by my stage name CHU²."


AKI: "Doesn't ring a bell."


EMMA: "Wait, is that the band from the posters?"


CHU²: "Of course! We are the ultimate band after all, lead by a kind, generous producer like me!"


AKI: "Kind, generous producer? I'll believe that when I see it."


CHU²: "You're doubting me?"


AKI: "Why wouldn't I? All I've seen from producers is nothing but corruption, what's supposed to convince me that you're not like the others?"


CHU²: "Because I'm going to change the world!"


AKI: "What?"


CHU²: "Me and RAISE A SUILEN are going to revolutionize the world with the strongest music!"


AKI: "And wait... 14? Aren't you a little too young to be doing this?"


EMMA: "But aren't you a producer at 16 years old?"


AKI: "Th-That's different! I'm not a professional yet!"


CHU²: "This girl really gets it! Emma, right?"


EMMA: "Right."


CHU²: "Your vocals are incredible! I've been looking for a new client and here you are!"


EMMA: "Um, I'm not sure I understand."


CHU²: "I want to manage you! With your talent and my intellect, we can really take the revolution to the next level!"


AKI: "Sorry to burst your bubble there. But Emma isn't interested in joining some band."


CHU²: "We are not 'some band' we are RAISE A SUILEN! And I wasn't recruiting her to join us, I want to manage her as a solo act!"


AKI: "I don't think band experience translates into idol experience."


CHU²: "Great, if only those Pastel*Palettes girls were here... *Ahem* I'll have you know that I have seen a Promotional Video of the School Idol Festival. I see the waves these school idols are making and now I want to manage one!"


AKI: "Keep walking. That's my job! Emma is already signed under the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club name and I am its leader!"


CHU²: "He's your producer?"


EMMA: "Yes, Akihiko's a great producer. He always works hard to help us."


CHU²: "I'll believe that when I see it. But you're really talented Emma, I can see your name in lights!"


AKI: "For someone who's 'leading a revolution', you sure sound like every other producer in Tokyo."


CHU²: "At least I'm actually leading a revolution! I've never even heard of you before today!"


AKI: "That statement goes both ways!"


CHU²: "Enough, my business isn't with you, boy."


AKI: "Huh?"


CHU²: "It's been very nice meeting you, Emma."


EMMA: "You too, Chu²."


AKI: "Wait, don't treat me like I'm invisible!"


CHU²: "Sorry, but I'm running late to my band meet. If you ever want to turn professional and join a real revolution, just let me know! I'm no amateur."


AKI: "Amateur? Hey was that a shot at me?! Take that back!"


CHU²: "Here's my card. I think we can make something special together someday, bye for now!"


EMMA: "Bye!"


AKI: "Hey, we're not done here! Don't walk away! Get back here! Chu²! What the hell?!"



EMMA: "Calm down, it's okay."


AKI: "Ugh, all producers are the same."


EMMA: "Her offer was good, but I don't see myself anywhere other than the School Idol Club."


AKI: "Thank you, that's reassuring. I should really look for more people to come watch you."


EMMA: "It's okay, really."


AKI: "Nope, I insist! I need to prove that I'm not some 'amateur'!"



EMMA: "Wait! Oh... He's gone. *sigh* Reasons like this is why he's our manager."



...


AKI: *SIGH*


I feel like a total idiot asking people up, down, left, right and center if they want to see a performance.


Geez, maybe I really am some amateur?


No, I need to prove myself to the musical world that I can make my clients successful!


So just hold on Emma... Huh?


It's that boy. He's singing with Emma!


...Wait, why?!



EMMA: "Hey there, what are you doing here?"


BOY: "I heard that really loud song from over here again... But you were singing it by yourself. I don't like it. Don't sing by yourself."



EMMA: "Oh, I see. That makes me really happy. You have no idea how happy I am that you're here.
I don't like singing by myself, you know. Why don't you join me?"


BOY: "It's fine, I guess... Hey, it's you."


AKI: "Um... Hey there."


BOY: "Sorry about what I said."


AKI: "Don't worry about it, you wouldn't believe how many people say it. Maybe I do need a haircut?"


BOY: "No, your hair is cool."


AKI: "R-Really? Thank you!"


BOY: "I only said it because you don't sing."


AKI: "Huh?"


BOY: "Everyone always sings together on Sundays. But you don't join."


Did I leave a bad influence?



EMMA: "I was surprised at how well everyone sang. Why don't you join us?"


AKI: "I...don't sing. Oh, it looks like the kids have a request for you."


Huh... Maybe I did.


AKI: "D-Don't worry, you're not missing anything. It's probably better if I don't sing."


BOY: "I'll sing if you sing."


AKI: "Huh?! Me? But isn't this just like a live show? Why is everyone watching now?!"



EMMA: "What a great idea! Everyone, let's sing together! I would be so happy if you could join me."


BOY: "Come on, hurry up!"


AKI: "G-Gah!"



EMMA: "Akihiko?"


AKI: "F-Fine. Just... Forgive me if I can't sing as well as you two!"


Wh-What have I agreed to?!


What am I doing?! I need to run!



EMMA: "Alright, let's start with Do-Re-Mi!"


AKI: *Gulp* "Okay."


No backing out of this now.


EMMA: "Do - a deer, a female deer!"


BOY: "Re - a drop of golden suuuun!"


EMMA: "Mi - a name I call myself!"


BOY: "Fa- a long, long way to ruuuun!"


EMMA: "So - a needle pulling threeeead!"


BOY: "La - a note to follow Soooooo!"


EMMA: "Ti - a drink with jam and breaaaad!"


AKI: ☆"Which will bring us back to Dooooooooooo!"☆



EMMA: *GASP*


AKI: "Huh? I-Is everything okay?"


EMMA: "..."


AKI: "Emma?"



EMMA: "Uh y-yeah! F-From the top! Do- a deer a female deer!"


When we started singing Do-Re-Mi together, a bunch of people stopped and joined in.


I guess Emma brought so much power to the song!


Looks like I'd better be on high alert to make sure that nobody scouts her away.

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