"But! This is a one-time thing! I don't want to hear any more objections from you!" Hiko scanned the five people, each wearing different expressions, then spoke decisively.
"Okay~" Ai responded.
"Okay~" The others, seeing Ai respond, followed suit.
"I'm not singling you out, but you really don't understand the value of a song producer. If it were any other group, the moment they heard about guidance from a composer and choreographer, they'd be crying and begging to cling to his leg. Only you don't realize how important this is."
Hiko, seeing that the plan he'd made last night was successfully implemented, complained, "Leaving aside the difficulty of composing, arranging, and writing lyrics, if someone else were to choreograph my song, they'd have to thoroughly study the lyrics and the theme to create a suitable dance. You may think that when a choreography teacher does it, it looks simple, but it's not as easy as you imagine."
"Emotion is information conveyed through movement. A choreographer must first find movements that express the emotions of the lyrics from the meaning of the words and the music. But the combination and arrangement of dance movements are ever-changing. Choreography not only needs to match the message of the song but also needs to make the dance smooth and continuous…"
Hiko went on for a while, but when he saw they weren't very interested, he stopped. "All of you, go and learn for yourselves how difficult choreography really is. Just hearing me talk about it won't give you a deep understanding. Of course, if any of you are interested, you can study professional books in depth."
"Okay~" all five responded.
Hiko was satisfied with their obedient behavior.
'That's more like it. What's with talking back and picking fights with me every time I speak?'
'As expected, it's best to exert pressure using the difference in status. And by now, Ai should already the de facto leader of the group, right?'
Hiko thought to himself, then played the song he'd finished yesterday afternoon. "This is the song. The lyrics are also marked for you."
He handed them five notebooks with the lyrics copied down.
"Since I don't know the qualities of your voices yet, I've only arranged the lead vocal parts. The other four solo lines still need to be assigned."
Ai took the lyric book from Hiko's hand and flipped it open.
Her parts as lead vocalist were clearly marked, as well as chorus sections, with four blank spots reserved for other names.
It was written with impressive detail.
He had said yesterday afternoon that he needed to record the song, and after going home, he had still marked all the lyrics. Did he stay up all night?
Ai looked at the neat and careful writing in the notebook and paused, but she didn't say anything. She just kept studying the contents, trying to memorize them.
"You can change the lyrics if you want," Hiko said after they'd all read them once, "but the replacements must be excellent."
This time, no one spoke. They all knew their own limitations.
Hiko waited, and seeing no objections, continued, "Since there are no requests, quickly assign the parts. If you can't resolve it yourselves, sing one by one for me and I'll help assign them."
"This place isn't suitable for practicing songs. Let's go to the vocal room," Ai suggested at the right moment.
"Ai-chan is right, this place isn't good for practice," Niino quickly agreed.
The other three nodded as well.
So, the group moved to the vocal practice room.
First, he let them get familiar with the lyrics and the song.
But Niino kept glancing at the others, looking hesitant, as if she wanted to say something but held back.
"What's wrong with you? Is there something you don't understand?" Hiko asked when he noticed her expression.
"Nothing!" Niino panicked. She was worried that if she admitted she couldn't read the English words, he would scold her, or even fire her. So she quickly denied it: "I have no problems at all!"
"Then keep getting familiar with the lyrics and music," Hiko said, dismissing it.
Niino regretted not asking directly, but with Hiko still there, she couldn't ask the others either.
'There are only a few English words. Not many. As long as the others sing first, I can memorize them by following along,' she thought, clinging to hope.
"I see you're all fairly familiar with it now," Hiko said after a while, "so now you'll audition one by one. Do your best."
"Let's start with Niino. You sing first," Hiko called her out directly.
Niino froze, staring at the lyrics in her notebook, then looked helplessly at Hiko.
'It's over! He picked me first! Why me, of all people?! It's always the things you least want to happen that do.'
With no way out, she confessed awkwardly, "The English written here… I can't read it…"
Hiko was momentarily stunned. So that was what she'd wanted to ask earlier.
Luckily, the song START:DASH!! only had a few English words. He didn't need to teach much.
He looked at the others and asked, "Who knows it? Whoever does, sing first."
Arisa, afraid of provoking Hiko again, glanced at Watanabe instead.
Watanabe, not wanting to be first, looked at Takamine.
Takamine sighed. Since no one else stepped up, she volunteered. "I know it. I'll sing first."
"Alright, then you go," Hiko nodded, playing the accompaniment and starting a recording on his phone.
Takamine listened carefully to the melody, glanced at the score and lyrics, then began to sing:
"I say…
Hey, hey, hey, START:DASH!!
Hey, hey, hey, START:DASH!!
Ubuge no kotori tachi mo (Even baby birds swaddled in down)
Itsuka sora ni habataku (Will someday flap their wings and take to the sky)
Ookina tsuyoi tsubasa de tobu (They'll soar high with wings that grow big and strong)"
As Takamine sang, Niino scribbled down the pronunciations, repeating them under her breath and practicing silently in her mind.
The song ended.
Hiko pressed stop, saved the recording, and said, "Though there are flaws, it's acceptable. Next, Watanabe."
Takamine heard his critique and wasn't satisfied, but she stepped back obediently.
Watanabe had no choice but to step forward when her name was called.
She steadied her breathing, then began to sing.
Soon, all four had sung once, and Hiko had recorded them all.
"You need to practice more," Hiko told them bluntly. "Your first attempts were only barely acceptable."
He replayed the recordings, then distributed the parts according to their unique voices. "Alright, from now on, sing according to this arrangement."
"Okay~" the four responded in unison.
"Now," Hiko ordered, "all five of you practice the song together."
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Hiko x Ai - 62: Negotiation Again
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Hiko x Ai - 101: Collaboration?
Hiko X Ai - 102: Sponsorship
Hiko x Ai - 103: Looking Away
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