|
|
|
Tenshi no Uta
Act. 2
[] = thoughts
pg 96
Lyrics: Watashi no te kara nanika ga umareru
Something will be born from my hands
Tougo: Failure!
Tougo shakes a piece of note paper under Mayu's nose.
Tougo: Failuuuuure! Failure, failure!! FAILURE!
Mayu is covering her ears and wincing away.
Mayu: *Ugh! Stop scolding me!*
Tougo: I looked over all the lines! This is just an ordinary poem.
*pon* *tap*
pg 97
We see a sign that says that they are at Sound Mist Music Rehearsal Studio.
Mayu [her voice is strange and scratchy]: I've been telling you so since the beginning. I don't know how to write song lyrics!!
Tougo: Fix all the errors and missing bits!! Use you common sense!!
*peshi peshi* *whap whap*
Tougo: Is the right side of your brain filled with maggots?
Ichi: T...tougo-kun, don't be so cruel. Poor thing......
Tougo: The deadline for the audition is almost here!
: The judgment of the preliminary tape marks the start of their decision-making.
: If we stumble from the first, then what?
Kei: Should we rely on your tasteful lyrics as usual then, Tougo?
*keh*
Tougo: ...Bastard.
pg 98
Tougo: This is the long-awaited "New Phase", so we have to take a chance and broaden the range of our music..........
: Hey! Mayu!! Don't fall asleep!
Mayu: *Unya?*
: Skip over the talk.
*afuu* yawn*
Don't expect so much from me.
Tougo: Say that again.
Mayu: ....Huh?
Tougo: Say something!!
He has her by the wrist and has dragged her off of the stool she was sitting on.
Mayu: Kyaa! Kyaa! Kyaa!
Tougo: ...You...
: What happened to your voice?
*giku* *gulp*
She tries singing, but the results are horrendous.
Mayu: Thiiiis izzz maaaiii saaang....
Arrow: This is all she can sing.
Ichi: Uwaa! She's losing her voice!
pg 99
Tougo is glaring silently at Mayu.
Mayu: [H-he's scaring me.]
: Y-yesterday night.
: After Kurashika Yuuya's concert at the Boudokan
: We all went out from midnight until morning.
Tougo has a large roll of duct tape in his hand as Mayu is speaking.
Mayu: So then... I went home and slept, and when I woke up.....
: My voice was like this.....
*beta*
Tougo tapes her mouth shut with a big X.
Ichi: Ah! She's Usako-chan!
: *How cute!*
[Note: Usako-chan is the rabbit in the Miffy series with an X for a mouth.]
Mayu: Mmph...?
Tougo: Don't speak.
He suddenly rounds on her in a fury.
: Don't eat!! Don't talk!! Don't breathe!!
Mayu: Mmph--!
Kei looks annoyed.
Kei: That'll kill her, Tougo....
pg 100
Tougo: Until I say it's okay, no singing.
: Sit there and think about lyrics.
*pooon* *black funk*
Mayu sits alone in a corner while the boys start to practice.
Ichi: *Where should we start?*
Tougo: *Good question--*
Mayu: [Whaaat? I didn't want my voice to be like this. I know we have to practice today.... I know.....]
: [...I guess it is my fault.]
*tohoho*
She notices a notebook on the amp beside her.
Mayu: [What's this.....?]
*para* *rustle*
It's filled with words and diagrams as she flips through.
Mayu: Tougo's.....?
: "Look for your switch"? "A dim flash"? "A crusty body"? "A grain of soda"?
She's a bit confused.
: I don't get what this means at all.
: Linguistics isn't my strong point.
: He shouldn't be demanding this of me.
pg 101
: What kind of song...
: would Yuuya write?
?: Good job, everyone.
?: *Good job.*
*bi* *rip*
Mayu rips the tape off.
Kei: *pu* *muffled laugh*
Ichi: She still... looks like Usako-chan. *kukuku*
*blush*
Mayu: Wha-!?
*pakon* *whap*
Tougo cuts her off mid-word by whapping her over the head with something.
Tougo: Here.
Mayu: Torotchi?
Tougo: Incentive....... Don't swallow anything cold. It'll just aggravate the inflammation.
: And also
: until you can sing again, you don't have to come to the studio.
Mayu: Eh....!
pg 102
*suta suta* *step step*
Tougo walks away.
Kei: Do you like Kurashiki for his looks?
Mayu: His song too, but...
Kai: Then look over his songs. Try to grasp what the words mean.
Ichi: Good luck, Mayu-san! <3
Mayu looks a bit stunned as they walk away too.
Mayu: [What the words... mean?]
Later, at school, Mayu is throwing balled up pieces of paper everywhere.
Mayu: It's no good! Just as I thought, it's no good!!
*poi poi* *toss toss*
pg 103
*hyoi* *whoosh*
Mimori appears.
Mimori: How's
: the song for DESSERT coming?
Mayu: Really badly.
Mimori: Heh?
Mayu: I've been banned from singing.
: The lyrics refuse to rest in peace,
: and everything is just awful.
Mimori: You're broken-spirited already? You've just started....
Mayu: Mimorii~, Japanese is your best class, right?
Mimori: You can't think of any lyrics?
: Well.....
She pulls a paper out of her pocket.
Mayu: What's this? Another concert ticket?
Mimori: Ah, yeah.
: It's an invitation to be part of an audience for a TV music program. I sent in a postcard and won.*
: The guest this time is Kurashiki Yuuya. Coming?
Mayu: Of course!
Mayu: Oooooh, Mimori-sama, I loooove you!<3
Mayu has acquired cat-ears, and is rubbing herself against a rather startled Mimori.
*goro goro* *rub rub*
Mimori: You look weird; stop that...
pg 104
Mimori: But is it really alright? Doesn't DESSERT have practice?
Mayu: He told me not to come to the studio until I finished the lyrics.
Mimori: EEEH!?
Girl: Mayu.
: There's a shoe sale today. Want to go?
Mayu: Yeah! I'm coming! I'm coming! <3 <3 <3 *Wait up a sec!*
Mayu: A sale! A sale! It's been so long~!
*iso iso uki uki*
She packs up singing a little song. Mimori stands silently nearby, looking worried.
Mayu: What's with that face?
: Don't worry about something that can't be done! It can't be helped! Stop! Stop!
Mimori: Mayu....
Mayu: When the audition deadline approaches, I'll zone-out and Tougo will probably write the lyrics. He's done it before.
: One way or another, it'll get done!!
pg 105
Mayu: See ya, Mimori!
Girl: *Here, Mayu, this's the flier.*
Mayu: *Wow, so cheap!*
Girl 2: Those are cute!
Mimori watches Mayu walk off with a look of disbelief on her face.
Mimori: ....Does that girl
: not realize she's in a band...?
Later. Mayu is clutching a big bag that says "SHOES".
Mayu: Wow!
: What a great haul!
Girl: You bought everything, Mayu. Are you rich?
Mayu: I just got my pocket money. And I was relieving stress.
: I really can't deal with desk work. ....Huh?
She sees a music shop, and inside...
pg 106
*pomu*
She goes in and taps Tougo on the shoulder. He's working at the store, and taking a break to read one of the magazines.
Mayu: Yo!
Tougo: ............
: What are you doing here?
Mayu: That's what I was going to ask you.
Tougo: Huh? Can't you tell from just looking? I'm working. Work-ing!
: I want more studio time,
: and I want a new guitar.
: I don't want to ask my parents... to help out with my music.
Mayu's conscience troubles her, as she feels the shoe bag weighing her down.
Mayu: [Suddenly... I feel awful....]
: Ohhh? That's great of you.
Tougo: Not really. I'm doing it for something I love. It's what anyone would do.
pg 107
Mayu watches him with sad eyes as he takes care of a customer.
Mayu: [His "It's what anyone would do" is really special....]
Tougo: *Thanks for your purchase.*
Mayu: Say, what were you reading earlier? "FLY DAY"?
Tougo: It's probably better if you didn't see this week's issue.
Mayu: Eh? Why? You're worried I won't give it back?
: *Let me see! Let me see!*
Tougo yanks it up over his head and out of her reach, and she ends up running into his chest.
*ba* *yank*
Mayu: Ah!
*bofu* *whumph*
Tougo: Oh.....
: Sorry......
pg 108
They're both blushing, and she's still nestled against his chest.
Mayu: N-no problem....
She pulls away.
: More importantly, didn't you get lipstick on your shirt?
Tougo: Wha?!
He turns around to pull a store apron on over his shirt... Mayu is flipping through the magazine behind his back.
Mayu: You look like a perv.
*para* *flip*
Tougo: You're the one who did it! Ah!
He's noticed. Suddenly Mayu's heart begins to pound.
*dokun* *heartbeat*
Magazine: Kurashiki Yuuya dating Sagaya
: Is a new lover coming to light?!
: His partner this time is the beautiful and favored model from the cosmetics commercials.
: An inside source tells us they are intimate friends.
Tougo: ...That Kurashiki. Rumors about his women just never die out--
: Last time it was an actress, now it's a model.
Mayu is trembling, and the magazine is being crushed in her grip.
*gyu* *squeeze*
Tougo: ....They just thrive, and...
pg 109
She throws the magazine to the ground.
*pan* *bam*
Mayu: This...
: I won't give it credence!
She finishes shouting and runs off.
Tougo: Mayu...!
He picks up the magazine.
: Why...
: Was she taking it so seriously...?
pg 110
Mayu is sitting in the dark, curled up in a comfy chair and watching videos of Kurashiki's TV appearances.
Mayu: [I've managed... to make that feeling go away.]
TV: This week on Music Bravo! I'll introduce our guests.
The announcer is surrounded by stars, with Yuuya right behind him. Yuuya is relaxed and joking with the other guests.
Mayu: [Even before, after all, I've been separated from the people inside the TV.]
: [Even with the rumors; even if he has a lover-]
: [....I still think he seems lonely.]
: [But no matter how I wished.....]
: [Right now....]
pg 111
: [To be the one sitting by his side-]
: [If I were the one laughing over there....]
TV: Well then, let's start the singing. Here's Kurashiki Yuuya with his "TWO".
*pachi pachi pachi* *clap clap clap*
Mayu begins to cry, quietly.
Mayu: [Somehow....]
pg 112
The next day, after school. Mayu is sitting out on the lawn with her girlfriends, laughing with an almost maniac intensity. Mimori is watching from a window above them.
*KYAHAHAHA!*
?: And THEN for the paint he paid $500! He cried and cried when it was thrown out.
*hahaha*
: It's a tragedy!
: *Don't laugh!*
Mayu spots Mimori and waves at her.
Mayu: Ah, Mimori!
: Come on down too. Aren't you hot up there?
Mimori: You seem pretty care-free, but have you finished the song?
Mayu tosses her hair.
Mayu: Ehh? What are you talking about?
Mimori gets angry and launches a book at her.
*zaku* *whoosh*
Girls: Whoah!
Girl: What are you doing, Mimori?!
: That's dangerous!
Mayu curiously picks up the book.
pg 113
Book: How to Series #2. How to Write Well-crafted Songs
Mayu: .........
Mimori: Everyone is trying their hardest! And you're just sitting there.
: The other bands are getting stronge-!
Mayu [quietly, without looking up from the book]: I know.
[looks up]: I know.
: But...
: the truth is...
: Nothing is coming to my mind....
: [The words are fading from inside of me......]
: Thanks for the book.
: I'll borrow it.
pg 114
Mimori: ............
At Sound Mist
Mimori: Hello.
Tougo: Huh?
Ichi: Mimori-san.
: What's wrong?
Mimori: As I thought, Mayu didn't come?
Tougo: 'As you thought'?
Mimori: She went home with some classmates after school,
: So I figured she'd be going to karaoke.
Tougo: Karaoke? She is so fickle.....
pg 115
Ichi: It's because you told her not to come here!
: Without Mayu-san we can't knock this thing together!
Kei: That's enough. Just this once, can't we compromise?
Tougo: Don't underestimate this world.
: Time is money; let's start.
Ichi: Tougo-kun....
At the Karaoke-kan
Girl: Next is the song by SPRING!
pg 116
*hyu hyu* *wolf-whistle*
Girl: Nagiko-chan, you're really gorgeous!
*hahaha*
Everyone is having a boisterous and fun time.... except Mayu.
Mayu: [Why.... Something's not right.... When did karaoke become this boring?]
: [Tougo and everyone are probably at the studio right now.]
: [...The song isn't hurrying along at all.]
: [The deadline's almost passed; what should I do....?]
Girls: Maaayuuuu!
Mayu: Eh?
Girl: You're up next! It's a Yuuya song!
Girls: Mayu's singing is incredible.
: Eh? Sing! Sing!
Mayu: ...........
Monitor: Angel Eyes by Kurashiki Yuuya
Mayu: [This song....]
pg 117
: [That day I sang with Yuuya....]
Memory Tougo: Until I say it's okay, no singing.
She pulls the box of throat drops he gave her out of her pocket.
Mayu: ..........
Girl: What's wrong, Mayu? The song's already started.
Mayu: I'm sorry.
: I
: can't sing.
She stands up and walks out.
: I'm really sorry.
*gatch* *door click*
Girl: Mayu!?
Mayu: [I've been saying... that I want to meet Yuuya someday.]
: [Well then, I have to practice....]
pg 118
: [I can't betray myself.]
She leaves the karaoke building, and is surprised to see Tougo waiting for her, guitar case in hand.
Mayu: ....Tougo.....
Tougo: Yo.
Mayu: I.....
Tougo: You didn't sing?
Mayu: Yes.
Tougo: I could tell when I heard your voice.
Mayu blushes and wipes away some tears which are welling up. She smiles.
Tougo: Mimori gave this to me to take care of.
He's holding the ticket to the TV program.
Mayu: Oh, the TV program invitation?
: [She said Yuuya would be there.]
Tougo: It's a good opportunity.
pg 119
Tougo: We can check out the enemy's position and get-up.
At the MHK station. Yes, MHK. Copyrights, you know. IT is packed with screaming fans.
Announcer: Well this week we're presenting from the Music Palace SOUND WAVE.
: Well then, this week's first guest is Kurashiki Yuuya.
Yuuya: Hello.
: Nice to meet you all.
*kyaaa!*
Girls: Yuuya! Yuuya! Kyaa!
Tougo: Holy cow...
An.: We gave questionnaires to the audience you see before you right now, Kurashiki-san. Look at all these!*
: Please answer honestly <3!
Yuuya sweatdrops at the stack facing him.
pg 120
An.: You look a little frightened. Well then, this one.
*kasa kasa* *rustle rustle*
: Let's see...
: This one is good for a TV show. It's from Sakuraii Miho-san.
: Where do things actually stand between you and the rumored model?
*doki* *heartbeat*
The audience erupts. The announcer and Yuuya sweatdrop.
An.: ...That's a lot of booing.....!
Yuuya: That's a false rumor. I've never even met her face-to-face before.
An.: Oh really~?
Yuuya: When I read that article, I think I was the one who was most surprised.
An.: Well, there you have it. That's great news for all you fans, isn't it?
Yuuya: I'm innocent!
*hahahahaha*
pg 121
Tougo happens to glance over to the side, and he is shocked and captivated by the soft, glowing smile on Mayu's face as she gazes at the stage.
An.: Well then, the next question...
Mayu: Hey, Tougo.
Nervous he's been caught staring, Tougo jumps and blushes. Mayu doesn't notice.
Mayu: What did you write on that paper?
An.: *Kurashiki-san, do you read manga?*
Yuuya: *I sure do! NIGHTMARE and such...* (laughs)
Tougo: ...Me? I didn't really write anything...
Mayu: Eh? Why? That's a waste.
Tougo: Well then, what did you ask?
Mayu: I...
An.: Well then, this is the last question.
: From Tatebayashi Mayu-san.
Mayu: EH!
*doki*
They both are shocked.
pg 122
Mayu: Ah, that's right.
: I never told Yuuya my name that day....
: He'll never make the connection...
An.: This is a frank question for you, Kurashiki-san.
: Please teach me your knack for writing songs. All of the earnestness, all of the binding power.
: It looks like Mayu-san is having troubles with a band of her own.
Tougo: You wrote about THAT?! *Huh? And you even used your real name!?*
Mayu: B-but I didn't think that they would actually use it!
Yuuya: My knack...
: Hmm....
: I take notes of even the most trivial things that happen on a usual day.
An.: I hear that a journal is effective too.
pg 123
Tougo: That's the usual answer, but it's true enough.
Mayu: [...notes?]
: [Ah!]
She remembers Tougo's notebook.
: [Ah!]
Memory Mayu: I don't get what this means at all.
: Linguistics isn't my strong point.
: He shouldn't be demanding this of me.
Mayu is completely embarrassed.
Mayu: [That! It was notes for making songs!?]
: *Kya! Good thing I didn't ask him about them!*
Yuuya: And also sometimes my personal experiences have a hand in things.
An.: For example?
Yuuya: My song "Yuki no Koe".
Of course this catches Mayu's attention, as we all know that the song was written about her.
pg 124
An.: Ah, that painful and beautiful song.
: Does that voice actually exist?
Yuuya smiles faintly.
Yuuya: Who knows.....?
An.: ...And he puts us off with a smile, but it looks like we're on stand by. So, without further ado, we will hear this "Yuki no Koe" and he'll continue with a second song, "TWO".
pg 125
*kyaa*
The lights flash on and Yuuya strikes a pose.
Tougo: Mayu.
Mayu: Mm?
Tougo: Do you know why the professional songs linger in our hearts?
Mayu: ...Eh?
Tougo: It's because no matter how many times we re-read the lyrics
: The words, one-by-one, soak into our souls.
pg 126
Tougo: You certainly have talent.
: But
: As of right now, all you can do is parrot memorized lyrics to a melody.
Mayu: You're saying that you can put more emotion into something you've written yourself ....?
Tougo: Yes.
: And it will contain more expression.
: Kurashiki sings spontaneously, as if he were talking.
Mayu: [Yuuya is sending out]
: [his feelings.]
pg 127
Mayu: [Yuuya.]
: [YUUYA.]
Tougo: Whoever has this "Snow Voice" [Yuki no Koe]
: must be happy.
Mayu: [I want to send out my feelings, too!]
pg 128
Back at Sound Mist Studio.
?: Did you finish the song?
Mayu is clutching a paper and looking embarrassed and worried.
*kaaa* *blush*
Mayu: Yeah. But...
: I think it's no good! It's not fit to be sung in front of you! *It's a little embarrassing!*
Kei (to Tougo): Can I strangle her?
Tougo: ........
The boys are not impressed, and Tougo rips the paper from her hands.
Tougo: It doesn't matter if you're embarrassed!! We're out of time!
*ba* *grab*
Mayu: *Yeeee!*
Tougo: We have a short time to raise our quality!! Got it?!
Ichi: Calm down. *This isn't DESSERT. <3*
Kei: Oh, really?
The next few pages show them practicing, Mayu mailing in the tape, Mayu remembering Yuuya, and more practicing.
Mayu: Mukanshin de sure chigai bakari no
Meeting by chance
pg 129
Shashin de shika shiranai anata no
I only knew you through photographs
pg 130
Kodomo no you ni nemuru anata no
You were sleepy as a child
pg 131
Dareka no kokoro yurugasu you na
My heart beats as if
pg 132
Mou ichido dakishimetai......
I want to hold you once more.....
?: Good job, everyone.
sign: Music room entrance. Staff only.
Mayu: Well done!
: Hehehe!
: Today was my best performance yet!
: I could sing more and more and more! *Yay!
Mayu is nearly bouncing off the walls. Ichi looks frightened of her.
Ichi: M-mayu-san.
Mayu: Look! Look! I've been using karinshu [quince alcohol] for my throat! Want a sip?
Tougo: I'm too young to die.
Tougo attempts to avoid the strange beverage, but Mayu is persistent.
Mayu: *You say no, but I'll make you drink it!*
*gu gu* *wrestle*
Tougo: *Cut it out!*
Ichi: By the way, Mayu-san.
pg 133
Ichi: The 'you' in the "Tenshi no Uta" song.... is it your ex?
: Or not? Is it fiction?
Mayu smiles mysteriously and holds a finger to her mouth.
Mayu: No comment. <3
Tougo: ........
Mayu: Speaking of which, it's been a while since we sent the audition tape in,
: but we're still waiting for the results of the selection. Aren't you all a little too calm?
Tougo: You think so?
Mayu: 'You think so'...?
pg 134
Tougo: We made it into the preliminaries, didn't we?
Mayu is momentarily stunned by their smug looks before bursting into laughter.
Mayu: Hah! You guys never change!
Letter: Notification of Passing the Preliminaries
|