Track 10

Here, have a listen. I made it based off the world of you and your friends.

……!!

It’s completely different from before… But, it has the same, no, more… heart trembling-ness…)

So this… is how, you… see me…?

Yeah. A world filled with diverse sounds, constantly overflowing with vividness.

At least, that’s how I hear it.

Nanamegi…

(He’s understood, unraveled, and accepted me and my individuality… to this degree…)

(But…)

……

Ah, um, I guess… you didn’t like it?

Th-that’s not it…! I, really, like it. Genuinely.

It’s, something else…

…Oh, how you got asked to revise your sketches?

Mm…

I heard it from Akuta and the others. For the record, I liked what you drew.

…

Nanamegi… how are you… able to, take in criticism… so easily…?

Huh?

I don't think… I'm capable of that. Like, you guys, could tell me, that I did a good job... but as soon as, the curator, rejects it, my mind goes blank.

Or, even if, 999 people, tell me they like it... it’ll, feel painful… as long as 1 person disagrees...

I’m afraid… of showing, others, my work.

……。

…

Ha… haha.

Why’re… you, laughing…

Sorry, my bad. I thought you were indifferent, but you’re actually quite greedy.

Gree… dy…?

I mean, think about it, it’s kinda impossible to get the whole world to agree with you.

Well… yeah… but…

The curator told you it’s not enough if you only make something enjoyable for yourself. Do you agree with that?

Y… Yeah…

Why?

Because… it’s probably right… if an adult, with more experience, and knowledge… is the one saying, it.

Really? Personally, I don’t think others can enjoy what I don’t enjoy.

…!

The reason why that okiagari resonated with me so much was because you put your whole heart into it.

(It’s jam packed with interpretations, respect, and wishes.)

So to answer your question from earlier. I’m able to proudly show my music, because I had fun making it.

I believe that if they’re created this way, they’ll definitely be appreciated by someone.

But, for something… so, disgusting, to…

I don’t really think it’s disgusting. Did the curator tell you that?

N-No… They… did say, they liked it…

Then isn’t it fine to believe that? I mean, I personally appreciate it when you tell me you like my songs.

…

I think you should make something that you enjoy and then adjust it according to what the curator wants.

That’s… too, hard…

Of course it’ll be hard, but I’m sure you can do it. Because within you, is an unmatched talent that you’ve been steadily honing.

(Nanamegi… has been, thinking of me… like that…)

Whenever you get lost or lose your confidence, you're always welcome to come talk to me like this.

And together, we can be like, “Those idiots, they've got no taste!” getting mad and feeling sad together while we continue to work.

Don’t you think that’d be pretty fun?

Getting mad, and sad… is fun…?

(I thought that anger and sadness was something that paints over the heart, drowning whatever thoughts came to mind.)

(But, if I were to let these feelings swell, mixing up my impurities and purities in the process… would that be fun?)

Are… you sure…?

(He might, be right.)

(If it’s with Nanamegi, and the others…)

(If it’s with my friends.)

Of course. After all, we’re geniuses. …Right?

Nanamegi…

Can you, send that song to me, right now?

I have to… sharpen, my pencil…

No worries, master artist! For I, Isotake Akuta, have prepared a dozen sharpened pencils just for Y.O.U! AND in addition, I have set Mr. Nanaki’s insanely cracked demo of a song to loop infinitely at MAX volume!

Kiroku, have you eaten yet? You can’t work on an empty stomach…

This is direct advice I received from Natsuyaki-san, but when someone is concentrating, if you slip an amino jelly packet by their mouth…

The Tao-san teachings of No-Look-No-Breath drinking!!

Wait, you're telling me these are all drafts…? They all look good enough to be the real deal…

It’s not done, yet. It’s only, 80%, finished… but, I have to, increase that… or else, nothing will, be conveyed…

You have produced many quality works. I shall organize them for you.

So? How many drafts are you making?

…100.

ONE HUNDRED!?

…I’m rearranging, elements bit by bit… by adjusting… the remains of my, DNA… and the things… I enjoy drawing, in each one.

I want them… to tell me, through this… how much, individuality… I’m allowed, to express.

Because, 3 drafts, wasn’t enough… to show, the real me… probably. I think.

So you’ll shut them up with sheer numbers. You can be pretty aggressive, Golem.

Kiroku… You’re really amazing.

(To a jealous degree… no, reliable degree. After all, we’re both expressionists.)

I gotta brush up on the track too…!

(I'm going to enjoy drawing these 100 sketches, for myself.)

I’m going to draw… my world—what Nanamegi showed me.

To give, and to receive, and then to give to someone else again…

(Even if they still reject me next time, or don’t understand…)

…For now, this is enough.