The girls gathered around as we prepared for our first practice together. Maya approached me with a curious glint in her eyes, "Nakasone-san, do you play any instruments?"
I nodded, "Yeah, I play guitar. Not as good as all of you, but I can manage."
I can play every instrument though not as good as everyone. I'm not that OP after all.
Hina chimed in, "That's awesome! We can have a jam session sometime!"
"Come on, everyone. Practice first, Questions later." Chisato says as she grabs her bass guitar.
They all took their positions, fingers poised on their instruments. Aya, with a microphone in hand, tapped it lightly and exclaimed, "Shuwarin-Dreamin!"
Then, with a burst of energy, they started playing. As if it feels like magics starts conjuring around them.
The first time I heard "Shuwarin Dreamin'," the keytar melody instantly caught my attention, creating a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere. Aya's vocals added a layer of energy and joy, making the song an instant favorite. The way the guitar, drums, and bass seamlessly joined in, creating a musical tapestry, was nothing short of exhilarating.
"The chorus with the iconic 'shuwa shuwa' just makes everything feel so energetic and happy," I remarked, unable to contain my enthusiasm. "It's the kind of song that lifts your spirits."
As the instrumental section kicked in, a subtle shift in the mood occurred. The balance between the emotional and more serious tones added a depth that resonated with me. It was a brilliant addition, turning a catchy and lively tune into a multifaceted musical experience.
Discussing the nuances of the song with the members of Pastel*Palettes, I could see their passion for their craft. It was moments like these that made me appreciate the intricacies of their music and understand the magic behind the scenes.
After the song ended, they all panted slightly, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.
"Wait... You guys got tired after that?"
"E-Eh? W-We're not tired!" Aya insisted, avoiding eye contact.
"Then look at me while saying that."
"We're really not tired!"
I turned to each of them, a hint of concern in my eyes.
"More importantly, Nakasone-kun, how did we do?" Chisato asked.
"Y-Yeah! I'm kinda nervous since you've been observing us seriously," Maya added.
"I-I'm sure it's not that bad, right?" Hina turned to me with a pleading look.
"Well, you guys did great. The energy, the coordination—it was all spot-on. No need to worry; you nailed it."
Their faces lit up with relief and smiles.
"Really? That's a relief!" Aya exclaimed.
"Phew, I thought we might mess up," Maya admitted.
"See? I told you guys we can do it!" Hina grinned.
Chisato, with a satisfied expression, nodded. "Thank you for your feedback, Nakasone-kun."
"No problem at all. You're all incredibly talented."
There's one issue... and I'll be completely honest... their talent level isn't quite on par with more seasoned performers, but their dedication and hard work are undeniable. The synthetic strings and horns, a standard in idol music, are skillfully handled by the keytarist.
Hina, the guitarist, wields a modern telecaster-style guitar, prominently featured in their performances.
To my surprise, she incorporates funk rhythms and techniques like palm muting and muted notes, seamlessly blending both rhythm and lead duties—a unique approach compared to other bands.
The overall sound is polished, a characteristic of idols/pop, but calling it overproduced might be unfair.
Whoever crafted this song may have taken shortcuts...
However, as their producer, it's my responsibility to guide them toward musical excellence.
Just then, Hina made a suggestion that genuinely startled me.
"By the way, how about we all hang out? A welcoming party for Nakasone-kun."
I paused, slowly looking at her, "Eh?"
"Not a bad idea." Chisato nodded, looking at me with a smirk.
Don't smirk!
"I'm in!" Eve chimed in.
I'll get stabbed in the back!?
"W-What's wrong, Nakasone-san? Why is your face so pale?" Maya asked.
...
"Nothing... Nothing..."
"Do you perhaps not want to?" Aya looked at me.
"N-No, I'm fine actually."
I'm not fine. I'm gonna get stabbed in the back for sure!
but even so, we ended up at the family restaurant... I didn't have much of a choice anyway, with them pleading like cute kittens.
As we entered the family restaurant, all eyes were on us... Especially from the male patrons.
"Who is that guy?"
"Dude... The Pastel*Palletes are here but who the hell is he?"
"Is that their manager?"
We located an unoccupied group of five seats and settled in. With all eyes on me, I attempted to divert my attention elsewhere.
But the eyes of the customers and some of the staff are just overwhelming, it feels like I'm in the middle of an interrogation.
Aya noticed my discomfort, "Nakasone-kun, are you okay?"
I forced a smile, "Yeah, just not used to being the center of attention."
Hina giggled, "Well, get used to it, Nakasone-kun. You're part of PasuPare now!"
The waiter arrived to take our orders, and I quickly focused on the menu, trying to avoid the prying eyes.
"Potato fries!" Hina raised her hand.
"I'd also like Potato fries!" Maya chimed in.
"I'll go with spaghetti," Chisato says as she taps her cheeks thinking carefully.
"Bushido!" Eve added, seemingly excited.
"Eve-chan, that's not on the menu... haha," Aya chuckled. She then looked at the menu, "I'll have the cheeseburger."
"Hmm?" Chisato smirked at Aya.
"W-What?"
"Trying to stay fit, Aya?"
"I-I won't gain weight!"
Hina turned to me, "What about you, Nakasone-kun?"
"I-I'll go with... potato fries."
The waiter nodded and left to place our orders. The atmosphere became a bit lighter, and I could see the genuine smiles on their faces.
"So, Nakasone-kun," Aya began, "tell us more about yourself! What kind of music do you like?"
"Oh, uhm, I enjoy a bit of everything, really. Rock, pop, jazz... I appreciate the diversity of music."
"That's cool!" Hina chimed in. "Maybe we can try different genres for our next song!"
"Sounds interesting," I replied, feeling a bit more at ease.
The chatter continued as the group settled into the cozy atmosphere of the family restaurant. The clinking of cutlery and murmurs of other patrons created a background symphony.
"I-I need to use the restroom," I said as I stood up and headed to the toilet.
"Poor Nakasone-kun," Hina remarked with a playful smirk, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Why do you say that?" Aya questioned, her gaze curious as she took a sip of her drink.
"He looked like he was going to pass out when we invited him for a meal," Hina giggled, making a quick glance in Nakasone's direction.
Chisato joined in with a subtle smile. "Well, it's not every day that a part-timer gets caught up in the whirlwind of an idol group."
"He seemed pretty composed when observing our rehearsal, though."
"He has that serious 'producer' look," Aya added, her eyes reflecting admiration. "I wonder what he thinks of us."
"Perhaps he thinks we're like warriors on a musical battlefield, fighting for the glory of Pastel*Palettes! Bushido!"
Hina chuckled, "Bushido even during mealtime, Eve-chan?"
Just as I headed back from the toilet, they looked at me. "W-What's wrong?"
"Nothing~" they all grinned.
D-Did I miss something?
The waitress glided over, expertly balancing our ordered dishes on the table, each aroma enticing.
I remained on my feet until... I lost track, finding myself in a chair without realizing it.
"Huh? Where did I choose to sit?" I mused, a faint crease forming on my brow as I attempted to recall.
"Nakasone-kun, what are you waiting for? Sit down," Chisato urged, her gaze fixed on me.
"Yeah! Sit down!" Hina chimed in, offering an encouraging smile.
The room held an expectant pause.
Two empty seats, one beside Shirasagi-san and the other beside Hikawa-san, presented a silent dilemma.
I hesitated, feeling the weight of the decision. "I'll... um, take that seat," I said, gesturing toward the chair beside Shirasagi-san.
I settled into the chair beside her, my movements deliberate, careful not to meet her gaze. My cheeks warmed, a subtle blush betraying my nervousness.
Holy... I'm actually sitting beside her. This is nerve-wracking...
"Hm? What's wrong, Nakasone-kun? Your face is red..." Chisato observed, concern evident in her voice. She reached out, placing her hand on my forehead. "Are you sick?"
My face flushed even deeper, and I attempted to keep my composure. "No, I'm fine... Must've been the heat."
"That's right... The food is here," she said, shifting the focus to the arrival of the dishes.
The aroma of food wafted through the air as the waiter delivered more of their orders to the table, each plate a colorful arrangement of various dishes.
"Hmm, this hamburger looks good!" Aya exclaimed, eyes lighting up at her cheesy delight.
Eve surveyed her plate with a determined expression. "A meal fit for a warrior!"
Wakamiya-san... That's enough and eat already...
Chisato's gaze shifted from her own plate to Aya's, and she couldn't resist a teasing remark. "Careful, Aya. Remember, we don't want any extra 'weight' on stage."
Aya blushed slightly. "Oh, come on, Chisato-chan! I can handle a cheeseburger or two!"
Maya, meanwhile, was deep in thought, examining her dish. "I wonder if there's a rhythm to eating spaghetti. Should I drum with my fork?"
Oi... That's enough now... I'm kinda curious.
Hina laughed, "You and your drumming, Maya-chan. Just eat it like a normal person!"
"I agree."
The evening air greeted us as we left the fast-food haven, and my wallet felt a bit lighter after treating them to the meal.
Hina, walking alongside me, couldn't contain her curiosity. "Hey, producer, have you ever listened to one of our songs?"
I shook my head. "Not yet, but I plan to give them a listen later."
"Awesome! Be sure to tell us what you think, okay?" Hina's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"I'll give you all my honest feedback."
"Now then, shall we head back? We can't let our producer down, after all." Chisato winked at me, causing me to quickly avert my gaze.
"Yeah, let's get back to practice!" Eve exclaimed enthusiastically.
"I'll go talk to the manager about something," I mentioned to them.
"I see. Well, we're heading to practice now. Shall we?" Hina asked, and the rest of Pastel*Palettes said, "Yeah!" in unison.
Although I haven't listened to one of their songs yet, I need some time away from them to create a song that truly fits the idol-rock genre. I realize I don't fully understand how idol-rock works, and I need to immerse myself in the style to produce something that aligns with Pastel*Palettes' unique sound.