That was a pretty good meeting with Aqours. I'm glad to hear that the progress of everyone's solo performances is going smoothly. Now onwards to collect my bags and head back to Tokyo.

Though, I guess I should count myself lucky that I was able to turn up to the meeting alive.

Chika had to explain to her dad the whole situation about how she tripped and fell into the sand. Her explanation really saved my life back there. Phew, at least he doesn't know that we slept in the same bed together one time, although it was kinda accidental since we were both talking all night and just kinda passed out.

Chika's dad is protective. It's like he thinks that I'm dating his daughter or something.

Really? Like someone like me would actually be dating Chika.

That's...That's not a bad thing...

RIKO: "Hey!"

AKI: *SCREAM* "I'm sorry for thinking that, please don't hurt me sir!"

RIKO: "...Huh?"

AKI: "Oh, it's just you, Riko. Thank God."

RIKO: "Sorry, did I scare you?"

AKI: "Kinda."

RIKO: "Looks like we're even, you started me quite a bit when you first came here."

AKI: "Is that so? Sure, looks like we're even."

RIKO: "What was all that about thinking something?"

AKI: "N-Nothing, don't worry about it."

RIKO: "Okay...? Anyway, I wanted to walk with you before you leave."

AKI: "You do? Sure, that would be great. It'll be nice to have some company."

RIKO: "I'm not much but I'll be the best I can."

AKI: "No, seriously. You're great company, I've still got a plethora of questions to ask you."

RIKO: "Really? Like what?"

AKI: "Like, do you start with the music or wait for the lyrics to be made first when you compose songs for Aqours?"

RIKO: "Hmm, the lyrics come first. That's why I get a little anxious when Chika is having trouble writing them."

AKI: *Laugh* "I can see why. You can't get to writing any music if the lyrica aren't settled."

RIKO: "But she comes up with such wonderful lyrics when she mulls over them. The words are packed with her hard work and intense desire to shine."

AKI: "I get that sense, too. My heart lights up when I listen to Aqours' songs. That includes both Chika's lyrics and your music, Riko."

RIKO: *Giggle* "Thank you."

AKI: "..."

Wow.

RIKO: "Hm? Is everything okay?"

AKI: "Y-Yes, n-not *Ahem* Not only do your songs cheer me up, but I also learn a lot from your songs as a songwriter myself.
I understand why you use certain chords in certain places and get surprised by the different combinations of notes you come up with.
I mostly listened to and played classical music before I came across school idols, so everything about school idol music is new and interesting to me!"

RIKO: "The same goes for me, too. There was so much I didn't know about school idols, so I often found myself perplexed when I first joined Aqours.
It felt as though my whole concept of music began to change when I listened to some of the school idol songs Chika recommended to me."

AKI: "I imagine it was songs by μ's?"

RIKO: "Yeah, and now it's the kind of music I listen to and make practically every day."

AKI: "It just goes to show that you can't predict what might happen. I make new songs by researching music every day and thinking about what songs will match everyone, too."

RIKO: "Not that you mention it, the Nijigasaki girls prefer to perform solo, rather than as a group, right?"

AKI: "That's right."

RIKO: "That means you're always composing songs for nine different people. Isn't that tough?"

AKI: "Well, I can get away with writing fewer songs when only some of the members have scheduled live shows or when I can convince the girls to write their own lyrics. However, composition is always on my part.
When everyone is performing at the same event, I have to write nine songs at once, which can be...
*Laugh* Yeah, it's pretty tough. I feel lucky that I'm not a school idol myself, I don't think I can write songs for ten people. Way too difficult."

Thinking about it, what kind of song would I even sing?

I have no idea, I don't plan on ever performing either.

RIKO: "I'll bet it is. For Aqours, all nine of us sing the same song, so we usually only have to write one song. Even then it takes a really long time to finish composing it.
But writing nine songs all at once... I can't even begin to imagine what that's like."

AKI: "It's like a giant wall towering over me. I always wonder will I climb it? Will I succeed? I'm so exhausted at the end of it that I wonder how I'm even managing to breathe."

RIKO: "I don't blame you. It does seem like it'd be quite satisfying, though."

AKI: "It definitely is! All the Nijigasaki girls tell me they love the songs I write, and it feels amazing to hear the girls finally sing them on a spectacular stage.
And then the audience goes wild for their performances. Seeing all of that makes me glad I wrote the songs anf could have the girls perform them."

RIKO: "What about yourself? Have you ever considered performing?"

AKI: "Not a chance in hell."

RIKO: "Why?"

AKI: "It's not cut out for me. Besides look at the girls after they've finished singing. I get to cheer them on from the frontlines.
Writing songs and hearing the girls sing them... There's no greater feeling in the world."

RIKO: "I know how you feel. That's exactly what I thought when I performed the first song I ever composed on stage with all of Aqours."

AKI: "Daisuki Dattara Daijoubu."

RIKO: "Wow, you really are a fan."

AKI: "Of course, I'm no amateur when it comes to all things Aqours."

RIKO: "When Chika and You's voices filled the stage with the melody I created, it gelt like that was enough to wash away all of my troubles."

AKI: *Laugh* "I think we might be on the same wavelength."

RIKO: *Giggle* "Maybe you're right. Perhaps it's because we're both in charge of writing songs.
Oh, look we're almost at the station."

AKI: "..."

RIKO: "Missing us already are you? Don't worry, we have our Committee meeting every week, remember?"

AKI: "...Hey, Riko? Do you wanna come hang out at Nijigasaki High School some time? There's still so much I want to talk to you about."

RIKO: "That's not a bad thing. I like the sound of that."