After Kokomi nursed Carter back to health with help from Joey, it was time to continue on practicing. The Clockworks have wasted one day worth of practice because of Carter and Albert so they mustn't waste anymore before the competition.
The band members met up in the studio and began going through each song while recording them so they could hear any mistakes that were being made. The recordings are done so that each member could listen to one another's playing in case they made any mistakes so that they could correct them. The speakers in studio sometimes hindered the members from hearing their own instruments so the recording really helped to perfect things.
The band started with the local song from Malaysia first that they had chose which Carter had to sing. He had practiced this song many times until he memorized the lyrics perfectly, Kokomi and Nahida had help him with his pitching as well so now he can sing while the band played the instrumentals.
During practice this time though, Carter's pitch became a little off when he got to the chorus. His pitch went off 3 times. That's what go Beyond fuming after they had to record the same song again and again.
"What's going on Carter?! Have you practicing or not!," Beyond bellowed.
The whole room went quiet.
"You've made a mistake 3 times now! Either you resolve your petty mistakes or quit! We can't have someone stopping The Clockworks midway," Beyond shouted again.
"Calm down old man, the boy just got better. You can't just accuse Carter of interrupting the band's progress. That's absurd," Nahida said, crossing her arms after getting up from her comfortable seat on the couch.
"Nahida's right Yonder, don't let the stress get to you yet. We still have time to practice, let's make it count," Simon assured.
Not a word came out from Carter's mouth after Beyond's outburst, he stood there in shock but then he shook his head to get his mind to focus and nodded quickly at Beyond. They can't afford any mistakes when they are this close to competition day.
Kokomi wasn't too worried about Carter because she knew that he had good confidence after he nodded with a determine expression on his face after Beyond had scolded him. Kokomi smiled softly at Carter, feeling adoration for his determination to get better.
"Alright, how about we take a short break and settle this after a few minutes, clear?," Kokomi suggested.
Everyone said 'clear'
During break time, Kokomi and Albert tried to reassure Carter that Beyond's outburst wasn't intended at him only, it was at everyone else as well. Kokomi explained that Beyond was quite stressed when he made the same mistake thrice so he shouldn't take any of Beyond's words about leaving the band to heart. She smiled and promised to help him practice until his voice sounded like and angel. Well, not exactly, more to sounding suitable for the listener to be at awe.
After a few minutes of resting, Kokomi grabbed Carter and dragged him towards Albert's keyboard. She turned it on and sat on a stool facing the keyboard. She guided Carter to stand beside her. Kokomi dragged her fingers across the keys of the keyboard softly as a warm up. Kokomi figured that his pitch was wrong again because she and Nahida didn't do vocal exercises with him for 2 days now.
Kokomi wanted Carter to practice his pitching so he could practice at home. She had thought of a simpler method from watching a splendid film called 'The Sound of Music'. Since Kokomi couldn't help him professionally, she'll help him joyfully instead so that he could have fun.
"Carter, let's do some basic vocal exercises again. Listen closely and follow me", Kokomi said as she began playing a simple instrumental to accompany her singing.
Do (doe), a dear, a female dear
Re (ray), a drop of golden sun
Me, a name, I call myself
Fa (far), a long long way to run
So (sew), a needle pulling thread
La, a note to follow So
Ti (tea), a drink with jam and bread
That will bring us back to Do, oh, oh, oh
Carter eyes widen in sheer adoration at her voice, his heart was began to beat faster. He felt that his ears were blessed by her singing. The adrenalin was kicking in as she sang the song in her sweet voice. He couldn't help but try to follow along.
Lady luck was on Kokomi's side that day because Carter indeed found this method quite easier to remember. He began singing with her when she repeated the song again. Nahida's ears perked up at Kokomi and Carter's singing and got up from her seat and waltzed towards where they were. She smiled brightly when she heard Carter's pitching was getting better each time they repeated the song.
Soon after, Nahida joined in the two's singing, cheerfully sang along with them as Kokomi added percussion to the keyboard's melody. The other three boys to peak at Carter's practice section only to see Nahida, Kokomi and Carter singing 'Do Re Mi' for a third time now. Kokomi paused her playing when she saw Albert appraoching her with a curious look.
"May I join in?," he asked.
"Of course, more the merrier!," Carter said.
Kokomi stood up from the keyboard to let Albert play it in her place while she went off quickly to grab her bass. Albert kept the keyboard's instrument on 'piano' as he waited for Kokomi to retrieve her blue bass. Kokomi plugged in her bass and strapped it around her, she then hit the recording button on Beyond's laptop which they used as a recording device.
She signaled Albert to start playing the tune as she provided, well, the bass. Soon, the lot started singing the song which encouraged Carter to keep on singing. When they've finished, Kokomi told Albert to stop playing.
"Now you understand the notes, you now know how to control your pitching when singing songs," Kokomi said.
"Indeed, I appreciate your efforts in helping me practice, everyone. I give my sincere thanks," Carter said.
"No problem, you're my friend and that's what friends do," Albert said, getting up from his seat by the keyboard and gave a friendly pat on Carter's shoulder.
"I wouldn't be doing my job as manager if I didn't help," Nahida
Kokomi unplugged her bass and set it down on its stand. She then walked towards the three, feeling happy because her idea worked.
"That was the method my brothers used to teach me about pitching, that song has a special place in my heart," Kokomi explained.
Carter was glad he got hear Kokomi's sweet voice again, he hadn't heard her singing ever since he joined the band because he had taken the place as the band's vocalist now. He had replaced her for a good reason. He wanted to thank her again and again for this opportunity to shine.
After Carter got his pitching perfectly when practicing the local Malaysian song they had chosen again, Beyond nodded in approval. He saved the recording in his laptop. Next, the band practiced the other language song they had pick and also the purely instrumental piece. Kokomi and Beyond discussed about this many times whether they should pick a video game soundtrack of just perform a cover of classical music in their own style. For this time, they decided to arrange a classical music piece into a Ska genre.
Albert's keyboard would fill in for the brass section of the arrangement so that Beyond could stay on guitar. They decided to do an arrangement for a classical piece by Johannes Brahms called Hungarian Dance no.5. Albert suggested the piece because of it's upbeat tempo and simplicity in arrangement. The piece can be arranged into various genres but they decided to go with Ska.
Ska is a music genre originated from Jamaica in the late 1950s. Ska is characterized by a walking bass line accented with rhythms on off beat rhythms. Kokomi explained that it would attribute to their band's lack of faithfully staying in one genre only. She thought that the difference in genres between the 3 songs that had chosen would cater a unique experience to their audience.
Beyond had arranged a set list for them to follow, the haunting sound of 'Asmaradana' which was the local Malaysian song would be performed first. Next, came the purely instrumental song to cheer up the audience from the previous frightening sensation. Carter needed to rest his voice so they decided to place the Japanese song at the end of the set list. Kokomi thought it was a great idea for Carter to practice backstage and catch his breath while the rest of them performed the second song in the set list.
"By the way, has anyone thought of potential costumes or outfits for the band?," Nahida asked.
"I thought that was your job," Simon said.
Nahida sighed in frustration and pinched the bridge of her nose. She then ignored Simon's question to calm herself down so that she wouldn't burst her anger out and act childish in front of everyone.
"Anyone else?," Nahida added.
"Oh, maybe we could dress formally," Beyond suggested, placing his black guitar on its stand.
Nahida raised an eyebrow at his suggestion and denied that request.
"Well, maybe we can establish our image by dressing in fashion from various periods. Let's make our debut with dressing formally first, Nahida. We have no time left to think about costumes now, maybe in the future we can," Carter helped explained.
"Alright, reasonable explanation," Nahida agreed.
Beyond rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Well then, clear you schedules for tomorrow morning everyone. Let's stop by the mall to make our purchase of additional garb and grab lunch together," Kokomi said.
"Will do," Carter said and everyone followed suit, agreeing with Kokomi.
The Clockworks ended their practice section early in the afternoon and head home to prepare for their trip to the mall. When Joey came to pick up his little brother, Kokomi explained the plan to him whilst Carter took his seat in the passenger seat of the car. Carter smiled as he bid goodbye to Kokomi, though Carter couldn't see Kokomi's smile, he imagined that she too smiled back.
During the car ride, Carter kept thinking about Kokomi's sweet singing. Joey noticed his warmed up cheeks and decided to tease him a little.
"So, when's the wedding?," Joey jokingly asked.
"Huh? What wedding?," Carter asked confusingly.
"Between you and that girl," Joey answered.
"N-No, no, we're not dating! Heck! I haven't even proposed to her...yet," Carter said, frantically waving his hands.
"Is that a 'yet' I heard?," Joey teased.
"No! You heard nothing!," Carter yelled.
The conversation ended there apparently. Carter then stares out the window at blurry lights and figures walking down the pavement of this quaint town. Carter wanted to stay quiet but Joey decided to start up the conversation again.
"I'm glad you found someone competent to crush on instead of some random person who just like you for your looks," Joey started.
Carter didn't turn to face him but instead just say "Thanks, I guess".
"You know, I told Mary about you and Kokomi. She said and I quote "I'm excited to see this relationship blossom like an anime romcom" and end quote," Joey said.
"I'm never introducing Kokomi to you all after hearing that," Carter replied.
"Too bad, we're gonna meet her anyway during your competition. Oh, and I'm bringing Mary," Joey said with a smirk on his face.
Carter groaned in annoyance because he couldn't stop his brother from coming to spectate the competition. He stayed quiet in the whole car trip after that until he reached home.