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“Um… they said you need a composer.”

“Oh, yes…”

In the awkward atmosphere of our first meeting, I sat facing Rain.

But really, this broadcaster doesn’t match at all.

Why is she so dignified?

I thought she’d be a bit daft.

“I’m working on some tracks.”

“Oh, I know. You were recruiting composers on the broadcast, right…?”

“Yes, I need to finish a few more tracks, but I’m out of ideas.”

“I see…”

After thinking it over, I realized that even though I’m churning out songs, I plan to compile them into an album later.

So, I really only need two or three more tracks maximum.

Then I can confidently go to my manager and say I’ve made an album, so please arrange a concert.

There are other conditions, but honestly, once the songs are finished, it’s as good as done.

“So you want me…”

“Yes, the manager praised you quite a lot.”

She talked about me as if she couldn’t stop.

Given the level of favor they showed me, it seems I’m one of the eye-catching ones among the third generation.

“Did the manager really say that?”

Rain looks visibly surprised at the mention of the manager’s praise.

“Why do you look so shocked?”

“Ah… I actually get scolded often.”

“Oh… how so?”

“Excuse me?”

“Ah, I was just curious.”

I mean, it’s hard to picture the manager scolding someone.

To be fair, to the first generation, the manager seems friendly, but for the second and third generations, it might be different.

“Well, they keep reminding me about my mistakes. I tend to slip up a lot.”

…I guess, still, the manager’s personality would mean they’d gently correct her.

I’ve heard that a few times myself.

“Anyway, thank you for coming right away. It might have been a bit rude.”

When I mentioned how I bulldozed my way to contact her instantly, Rain waved her hands as if to say it was nothing.

“No, no! I’m actually grateful to you, Miro.”

“For me?”

Was there really anything I did? I asked, and she seemed shy, quickly averting her gaze as she continued speaking.

“Uh… it was because of me you said that on the broadcast, right?”

“Oh, that thing?”

Well, that’s true… but as I thought back then, I wasn’t exactly making up things that weren’t there.

“I just said what I thought.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I would’ve made a mistake too, I think.”

“Wow…”

Rain’s eyes widened in surprise at my actions.

“…Why do you look like that?”

“You’re so kind.”

“Oof, that’s a phrase I’ve never heard before.”

Just now, I almost got goosebumps.

Me, kind? That doesn’t suit me at all.

“Anyway, they say you compose well.”

“Are you redirecting the topic?”

“…I heard you graduated from art university.”

“Ahahaha… I’m not graduated yet.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I’m on a leave of absence.”

It seems the manager might have been misinformed then.

But at least it’s true she’s from an art university.

“But saying you’re from an art university makes me feel pressured…”

“…Did that show?”

“Did it show a lot?”

As she said that, Rain smiled slightly, then hesitated before continuing.

“Would you like to come over to my place? It’s actually nearby.”

“Your place?”

“Yes, I have my tracks and sound equipment there. Want to take a look?”

“Let’s go right away.”

If that’s the case, I’m all in.

**

Following Rain’s lead, I arrived at her house.

“…You live here?”

“Hahaha, it’s one of those typical places.”

Typical place, huh.

I sensed it when I arrived at the apartment complex, but it’s surprising.

“How big is this place?”

No wonder the entrance to the apartments felt off… Standing in front of the entrance, the size and space were unfathomable.

How much would this apartment even cost?

These days, even regular apartments have crazy prices… as a commoner, I’m too scared to even imagine.

“Well, I just know it’s large. Oh, my parents aren’t home, so feel free to come in.”

“Ah, okay…”

Living in such a spacious home and not knowing the square footage—what a classic rich-kid thing to say—Rain guided me inside.

As I followed her into the house, the marble floors and furniture immediately caught my eye.

Entering the living room, I was met with a huge TV.

…Looks better than the one in Anna’s house she brags about.

“First, let’s go to my room. You should put your padding down.”

“Ah, sure.”

Rain looked a bit older than when I saw her at the café. Is this the power of capital?

As I entered the room behind her, it was tidy and spacious.

“Uh… wait just a moment. Let me get you something to drink.”

She said that and went out, returning with some fruit juice in glass bottles, often bought for hospital visits.

…Looks like even rich people drink the same kinds of beverages.

“I wish I could offer you something fancier, but this is all I have at home, sorry.”

“Juice is juice.”

Anyway, while sipping the juice, I glanced around.

Are the sound devices in another room?

Besides, for someone who broadcasts regularly, there isn’t much equipment around the computer… do they usually have it stored elsewhere?

With those thoughts swirling, I turned back around and found myself locking eyes with Rain, who was staring at me intently.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Oh, it’s just hard to believe Miro is right in front of me.”

“Huh?”

We just had a smooth conversation at the café, and traveled by taxi to get here, so what’s this about now?

Being looked at like that made her a bit shy as she averted her gaze.

“Hahaha, actually, I used to watch your broadcasts a lot. I listened to your songs. So you seem a bit like a celebrity to me.”

“A celebrity, really…”

“The sunglasses are probably the reason, right?”

“Oh.”

I sheepishly took off the sunglasses that were still perched atop my head like an accessory.

“Sometimes people recognize me.”

It’s not because of some celebrity disease—I actually do get recognized sometimes.

So usually, I wear them when meeting members of the Celestial Realm.

“Hahaha… what amazed me most was when Miro came to the debut broadcast.”

“…Other members went too.”

“Ah, Anna also likes you.”

“Only the major ones, huh?”

“Haha… but I made a mistake.”

Seeing her awkward smile, it really seems like she only follows major names.

Well, when members of the Celestial Realm are streaming, it’s usually Anna or me at the top, so…

“It felt like the floor was collapsing, but you kindly pointed it out.”

“I don’t think you need to worry too much about it.”

Now that I think about it, it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but I surely overreacted.

“Hahaha… I’ve heard so much about your side since I was young… I think I answered without thinking.”

She said that with a defeated expression, leaving me a bit dazed.

In this fancy apartment with a spacious layout, busy parents, and political conversations I heard growing up…

At this point, a startling thought crossed my mind.

“…Are your parents…?”

“Haha… my father is in politics right now.”

The moment I heard that, Rain’s image in front of me changed drastically.

From a slightly surprising rich-kid junior to a graceful rich lady.

“Feel free to talk to me. Sister.”

“Ah, no need to do that.”

She waved her hands in denial at my words, but that’s fine.

Wait? If she’s a politician’s daughter, I should bow down and serve her.

My knees almost buckled, wanting to kneel in admiration.

“Uh… well, come to the room where I do my broadcasts.”

“Huh? What about here?”

“This is the bedroom; the room for broadcasting and making tracks is separate.”

“Oh, I see.”

No wonder there isn’t much equipment on the computer then.

But to have two rooms in her house and a separate bedroom and workshop?

My home has never seemed small before, but today it really feels shabby.

Anyway, we left Rain’s room and walked through the hallway into the broadcast room.

“Wow…”

When I first entered the room, I couldn’t hold back my admiration.

“This whole wall is soundproofing, right?”

“Yes, I just remodeled it into a soundproof booth.”

“…I bet that cost a fortune.”

“My mom said it was noisy when I practiced my instruments.”

Ah, I see.

Well, having seen the house, I suppose I stopped reasoning about it.

But it really looks amazing.

Unlike my cramped soundproof booth, this has the size of a decent master bedroom.

On one side, there are professional instruments and sound equipment, and on the other, a computer that seems for broadcasting.

And on the desk in the middle, there are figures and posters.

“Hahaha, my room has guests sometimes, so this is where I can fully enjoy my hobbies.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Want to take a look? These are my prized possessions.”

“Sure.”

Since I was a bit interested, I moved closer to examine the goods Rain had collected.

I thought a rich kid would have incredible items, but surprisingly they were quite normal.

But what took up most space was a particular character.

A character with white hair and white eyes, holding a sake bottle.

“Oh, this is…”

“Ah, my Osira…”

“Osira?”

Osira… I haven’t heard that name in ages.

It was one of our memes from the early broadcast days.

“Yes, this is my favorite character.”

More importantly, this…

“This is Izakaya Sake!”

“That’s right! And you know Sake too?”

When I called it out casually, she seemed curious and asked.

Ah, I guess she might not know?

Even the viewers, let alone the first-generation members, probably have no idea that Sake and I have a relationship.

“No, I just… saw it once before.”

“Oh… really?! You, in person?”

When I said I saw it, she visibly got excited.

Does she like it that much?

Well then…

“If the track is good, I might ask for a featuring.”

“Huh?”

Would saying this boost her motivation a bit?

“I have a bit of a connection.”

A connection made through bribery, but still…

 

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