My name is Nishikino Maki, I am 13 years old, and I am currently a second-year student at Shimamura Middle School. I am the young lady of a wealthy family whose parents run a large hospital, and I am currently studying various related subjects with the goal of inheriting my parents' profession as a doctor.
But recently, I've been a little troubled because the elusive Izumi-dono, who sits next to me, often hums songs during break time. Although the songs feel pretty good, it's really too noisy.
Besides that, I also feel like he seems to have other intentions.
…
"These lyrics, are they hinting at something?"
The girl blushed.
Every day we pass by, though they gradually grow more numerous,
Our hearts always hope to be by each other's side forever.
Even if you and I cannot meet, we never feel lonely.
Although we can force a smile, it is mixed with sighs.
"No, no, no, how could that be?"
Nishikino Maki shook her head, shaking off this inexplicable thought.
If it came to liking someone, Sawamura wasn't worse than her, right?
They were childhood friends, and their feelings were even deeper.
Finally, she couldn't help but speak up.
"Izumi-dono, why do you sing all day long?"
"What, am I bothering Nishikino?"
He asked back.
"No, that's not what I meant."
She pursed her lips, speaking a thought different from what was in her heart.
"Then it's fine."
He turned his head back.
"Ah, what am I saying?"
Nishikino Maki turned her head away and couldn't help but pat her cheeks.
She could have spoken up!
Was it because he was an acquaintance that she was hesitant?
It was truly incomprehensible!
Back home, the girl felt a little depressed and listened to her favorite songs.
Suddenly, she remembered the song she had heard earlier and couldn't help but search for the lyrics.
"Eh, it's not there? Why?"
Nishikino Maki was very surprised.
Did I remember the lyrics wrong?
That makes no sense.
With her memory, it should be impossible for her to get the lyrics wrong.
Having listened for so long, and still not knowing the song's name, she thought for a moment and suddenly felt a bit dejected.
The next day, after class, she heard her deskmate humming the song again.
"Izumi-dono, what is the name of this song?"
Nishikino Maki asked.
He finally couldn't hold back, could he?
Izumi Chihiro was delighted.
After fishing for so long, he finally reaped the rewards.
"This song doesn't have a name yet."
He said calmly.
"Ah?"
Nishikino Maki looked surprised, "No name, what does that mean?"
"Because it hasn't been truly created yet."
He continued.
"You mean this is a song still in the process of being composed?"
The girl suddenly understood.
"That's right, the music for this song hasn't been composed yet."
Izumi Chihiro replied.
"Is that so? That's a bit of a shame. If it could be fully completed, it should be a pretty good song."
Nishikino Maki suddenly felt a bit regretful.
Although it was a cappella, under Izumi Chihiro's karaoke-level singing skills, she could still completely tell the quality of a song.
"It really is a bit of a shame. It feels like it would be a good song, but no one can compose it…"
Izumi Chihiro's eyes lit up, as if he had discovered some treasure, and he turned to stare at the girl.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Nishikino Maki felt a little embarrassed.
"I was thinking, isn't there a suitable candidate right in front of me?"
He smiled.
"Me? I… I'm not suitable."
Nishikino Maki hesitated for a moment, then refused.
"Why? Is it that Nishikino can't compose? But Nishikino is already quite adept at playing the piano, isn't she?"
Izumi Chihiro feigned confusion.
"Whether I can compose or not has nothing to do with that… But I can indeed compose, I just don't want to do something so meaningless."
Nishikino Maki stated.
"Is watching a good piece of music, a good song, come into being by your own hand truly meaningless? But I remember the old Nishikino wasn't like that. That happy smile when you played the piano must have come from your heart, right?"
He frowned.
"…"
Nishikino Maki fell silent.
Because of his words, the girl couldn't help but recall those past times. Back then, she, with her musical dreams, was indeed very happy.
However, once people grow up, they have to adapt.
"Is it because of your parents?"
He added another sentence.
"Hm?"
Nishikino Maki looked at him in surprise.
As if asking: How do you know something like this?
"Nishikino, don't look at me like that. Isn't this something that's easy to guess? You don't dislike music yourself, so the only ones who could influence you would be your dad and mom, right?"
Izumi Chihiro had a matter-of-fact expression.
"…You're smart."
Nishikino Maki bit her lip.
To some extent, this was her deepest secret, and she never thought it would one day be laid bare.
This feeling was truly agonizing.
Giving up, sometimes, is a very difficult thing. Even if she was determined to abandon it, she constantly endured that pain.
"Actually, Nishikino could try to communicate with your dad and mom? Sometimes, perhaps you're putting too much pressure on yourself. Maybe they would even support your ideas…"
"No need to say more."
Just as he was about to continue persuading, he was interrupted by the girl.
"Izumi-dono's real goal is actually to get me to compose, isn't it? I can agree to your request, but you have to agree to one condition of mine."
"What condition?"
"Never mention this matter again… And, you can't mention it to my father and mother either."
"I don't really have any opportunities to meet your uncle and aunt… But since Nishikino is asking for it, I can agree. However, I hope Nishikino can compose two pieces for me."
"Two songs? It won't take much time… Alright, as long as you agree to my request."
Ultimately, after negotiations, both of them got the results they wanted.
Nishikino Maki looked out the window, propping her chin on one hand, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds outside, her eyes unfocused, her mind lost in thought.
"Sigh…"
Seeing this, Izumi Chihiro couldn't help but feel a little regretful that he hadn't been able to change the girl's mind and encourage her to take the first step bravely.
However, his initial goal had been achieved.
Given Nishikino Maki's talent, composing music was naturally not a problem, especially since the tunes he hummed could be easily replicated.
Once this was completed, the production of the white album game could proceed smoothly.
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Some Power stones