Challenge, Improvement, and What Lies Beyond

[nebulancer]

 Challenge, Improvement, and What Lies Beyond

[applause and cheering from audience]

Announcer: And with that, we’ve got an early listen to QUELL’s long-awaited new song! Us on the program are the first to listen, what with the release date being next week, but… wow! That was a wonderful song!

QUELL: Thank you very much!

Announcer: I’d like to touch upon topics concerning the new song and more, but first, composer, Izumi-san.

Shu: Yes.

Announcer: As QUELL’s weapon of choice, the sense of refreshment was used as the base for its sound. With the powerful vocals added alongside it, that made for an amazingly fascinating song! If you had a theme of sorts with it, please do tell us.

Shu: QUELL is often compared to water, but I pair up its kindness of being able to nourish life alongside the rough and strong aspect to it. This time, I attempted to display the shining beauty that lies within a hidden strength.

Announcer: I see… This is off topic, but I’ve personally been supporting QUELL’s songs since your debut, and…

Ichiru: Wait, man, seriously!? …Ah!

Shu: *amused* Ichiru…

Ichiru: No— uh— I’m sorry. I was surprised to hear that…

Announcer: No, it’s fine! Since we have the chance now, Ichiru-kun, could I listen to what you have to say?

Ichiru: Ah! Yes, of course!

Announcer: This time, you had a solo in which your gallant voice reached upward directly. It felt nice listening to it.

Ichiru: Thank you so much.

Announcer: Did something change in your progression of things? These few recent songs have had you sing with an even greater stretch than before.

Ichiru: Uh… umm… *whispering* What d’you think?

Issei: *whispering* Ichiru! Don’t look at me. Say what you think.

Ichiru: *whispering, gets louder as he progresses* But! There’s no way in heck I’d know for m— D—uhh. What I mean by “I don’t really know for certain” is… even now, I get nervous when I do recordings.

Announcer: Wow…! I didn’t hear you being nervous, though. Ah, but this is a question that isn’t just for Ichiru-kun. It’s something I felt from everyone else as well! What about you, Horimiya-san?

Eichi: Umm…! Well, let me see. I definitely do think that I’ve gotten less stiff. For a while after debuting, each and every thing was a completely new experience to me. I’d always been thinking, “Is this really okay for me to do?” Heheh.

Issei: I didn’t even know much I was supposed to let out my voice in the first place.

Ichiru: Me neither! But recently, there have been times where I think, “I wanna sing this way!”— wait, no. “I want to sing this way!”

Issei: Mmhmm. And if it doesn’t go well, everyone will definitely tell me whether the things I was doing were wrong. Regardless, we’ve become capable of doing things that we put our minds to, haven’t we?

Announcer: Issei-kun, there are times they tell you when you’re doing something wrong?

Issei: Hmmm… Haha. Actually, I don’t believe there have been. When I sing in two different ways, I’ve been told things like, “This way is better,” and so forth.

Eichi: Yep. We’ve become capable of trying out all sorts of different things now.

Shu: If we were to rerecord our initial songs now, our singing styles might just be different, ever so slightly.

Announcer: I see…! Your improvement and trust in one another are being shown in your songs, aren’t they?

QUELL: *chuckles with each other*

Announcer: And, rather than being limited by the genres of music there are, you continue to change flexibly to fit the state you are now. The way you maintain your boldness while keeping up your delicate sense… QUELL truly is fascinating, perfect to be compared to water.

Shu: I’m incredibly glad to receive such high praise. QUELL’s composing and lyrics are publicly written with my name being credited, but until I finish writing it, I receive many suggestions from the other members. From now on, the four of us will continue to build on and make a brand new QUELL.

Announcer: I look forward to seeing what will surprise us next time. Now then, please give today’s guests, the members of QUELL, another round of applause!

[applause and cheering from audience]

QUELL: Thank you very much for your time!

—

[footsteps pattering]

Eichi: Good work, everyone!

Shu: Good work.

Ichiru: Whew! Haaah, that was embarrassing~ Sorry for saying weird stuff.

Eichi: No, it’s fine. The program this time wasn’t done live, so it’s all right.

Issei: Yeah. Plus, the announcer backed us up well. I don’t think there’d be anything wrong with airing the program as is.

Eichi: He was really good at asking us questions and paying attention.

Ichiru: You got that right! It sounded like he was telling the truth when he said he’d listened to all of QUELL’s songs.

Issei: I wish we could’ve heard to him talk more about it… …Oh no! Ichiru, we have to get ready right now, or else we’ll be late getting to the studio!

Ichiru: Eh— You’re right! Crap!

Shu: If memory serves me right, you two were going to a gravure photoshoot?

[Issei and Ichiru get ready.]

Issei: Nn— Yeah.

Eichi: If possible, I would’ve wanted them to set it for another date, but they just couldn’t fit it into our schedule… Sorry.

Ichiru: Nmgh— GH! It’s totally fine! I’ve still got some stamina left.

Eichi: Didn’t you just say you were tired? Should I come with you?

Issei: Really, it’s fine. The two of us are used to going alone now, anyway. Eichi, you can take it easy back home.

Ichiru: Yeah, what he said! You’re not gonna treat us like kids forever, right?

Shu: What time are you planning to finish?

Issei: We’re supposed to finish before midnight at least. We’ll call you once we leave the work location.

Shu: Aah, please do.

[The sound of a zipper zipping up]

Ichiru: All right! Let’s head out, Issei!

Issei: Okay then! We’re leaving—

Eichi: See you later!

Shu: Be careful.

[The door closes.]

Eichi: Whew. The two of them have gotten so reliable.

Shu: Yeah. It makes me feel a bit lonely.

Shu and Eichi: *chuckle*

Shu: Eichi, do you have any plans after this?

Eichi: Nope. I’m done for today. You too, right?

Shu: Yeah.

Eichi: Hasn’t it been really long since the two of us have finished early, all on our own?

Shu: You’re right. I wonder how long it’s been since the last time it happened?

Eichi: Isn’t this… the first time this has happened since QUELL was founded!?

Shu: Here’s where I’d like to say “That’s definitely too long,” but… I don’t recall this ever having happened to you and me simultaneously.

Eichi: Exactly! Shu, is there anywhere you want to go? We’ve got the car today, so we’ll be fine if we go somewhere faraway, too.

Shu: No, nowhere in particular. I’m in the mood to take it easy at the dorms for the first time in a while, actually.

Eichi: Then let’s head right on home! Ah, I want to drop by the supermarket on the way home, but… is that okay with you?

Shu: Of course. 

Eichi: Thanks! Aah, but… The two of us would stand out if we were carrying shopping bags, huh…

Shu: What was that, hmm? Are you planning to leave me in the car yet again?

Eichi: Wheh!? Uh— No, um… That’s not what I was…

Shu: I’m going with you.

Eichi: Ah— *laughs lightly* Oh, fine, I got it. We’ll be buying a lot, so please help me with carrying the things! I’ll be counting on you!

Shu: All right. Leave it to me. …Ah.

Eichi: Eh, what is it? Something wrong?

Shu: There’s nowhere I need to visit, but if I had to say what I wanted to do… I’d like to take a few detours on the way back and have an easy drive.

Eichi: Hehe. No problem. Then, I guess we should get ready to leave, too.

—

[silverware clacking]

Shu: Thank you for the meal. Haah, I’m full as can be.

Eichi: Thanks for eating! Here you go.

[Eichi slides a bowl of soup to Shu.]

Shu: Thanks.

Eichi: How was today’s meal?

Shu: It was delicious. Sorry for making you do this even though you’re tired. It would’ve been fine for us to get food from the dorms.

Eichi: I didn’t make anything that complex, you know. I’d feel happier if you didn’t worry about me too much while enjoying it.

Shu: Of course I’d enjoy it. For me, the taste of home is the food you make. I’d like to eat it every day, if that were possible.

Eichi: The way you praise people is always so exaggerated… But, hearing you say that makes me feel like it’s worth making it.

Shu: But… *sighs* If it’s just the two of us, all on our own, it feels a little bit strange. It’s too quiet.

Eichi: Right~? I wonder what those two are doing right about now…? I think the photoshoot’s ending soon…

Shu: You worried?

Eichi: Fufu. At first, those two were the ones getting nervous. I guess it’s become a habit to worry about whether or not they’d be looking uneasy. I think I’m the one who can’t catch up to how quickly they’re growing.

Shu: I know perfectly well how you feel. I’m the same. [takes a sip of soup] Ahh. But… I’d like an exclusive manager very soon.

Eichi: An exclusive manager? For QUELL!?

Shu: Yes. Up until now, either one of us have been working to manage QUELL ourselves, or when we’re particularly busy, we’ve had some company employees with free time look after us. At this point in time, though, work is steadily increasing. Even you’re starting to have less time to look after those kids, Eichi.

Eichi: Well, that’s… something I can’t deny. It’s fun for me to do manager work, and I have loads of urges to watch over those two, but…

Shu: It’d be bad if you didn’t prioritize your work as a member of QUELL. You’re not going to say something along the lines of “I should’ve been a manager instead,” aren’t you?

Eichi: Of course I wouldn’t! I’m genuinely happy that I’ve come this far and managed to work as a talent, as a member of QUELL. Actually, I could say those words right back at you. It’s been this long already. Don’t doubt me at this point in time. If you’re serious about that, then I’m really going to get angry at you.

Shu: I wasn’t doubting you, but… Sorry. My phrasing was bad.

Eichi: Oh, fine, then. I’ll let you off easy this time. As a special treat!

Shu: *chuckles* Thank you. [takes a sip of soup] …Hh. Regardless, it’s high time we get an exclusive manager for QUELL. But…

Eichi: Is there a problem of some sort?

Shu: Actually, there have been several vacancies in the managing department recently. The personnel department’s waiting on some responses, but we can’t make use of them right now.

Eichi: I see… In that case, we’ll first have to get the vacant positions filled. I guess getting our own exclusive manager will be a story for later.

Shu: I can’t help but think things like, “This is such a waste, since QUELL’s activities are finally being put in motion…” If we don’t get a hold on the reins for work, we might have to prepare for opportunities to let chances slip us by. I’d like to hurry and find someone talented and calm myself down, but…

[phone rings]

Eichi: Oh, it’s my phone. Is it Isse and Icchi?

[Eichi takes a look at the name as it continues ringing.]

Eichi: Eh— Umm, Shu. Could I take this outside for a bit?

Shu: Yes, of course. Go ahead.

Eichi: Thanks. [talks to the person on the phone.] Hello? It’s been a while since we last talked. Ah, yes! Of course I’m doing well. …Aah, you listened to our songs? I’m glad to hear that… ……Eh? Ah… Umm, I’m sorry— You’re cutting off… Um, what’d you say just now…? ……Eh!? Your company went bankrupt!?