Tokiya Ichinose - Meant that as a compliment

"Did you make this?"
Although we exchanged some words yesterday and today, Nanami-san had little self-assertion. She was modest and the shyness that stemmed from her meekness was severe.
But, this song….
Generally speaking, it was dynamic and flashy, and yet I noticed the delicate parts here and there as well.
I couldn't help but look at her from head to toe.
"Did you really make this song?"
I asked in order to emphasize my question.
"…Yes. Ah… how… was it?"
"It’s not quite complete, is it? If you want me to sing this, you’ll have to work harder."
"Ah… You’re… right. I’ll do my best."
"In addition, unlike you, I’m quite busy so we won’t be able to practice together often. Please try to work as hard as you can on your own. All right?"
"Yes."
She really seemed to be practicing hard on her own after that.
"Oh…. Here’s her name again…."
Whenever I went through the booking process to reserve a recording room, I caught sight of her name on the request form quite a number of times.
It looked like she pretty much shut herself in the recording room yesterday and the day before for 3 to 5 hours.
On top of that….
She was also actively taking the supportive curriculum for composition alongside her regular classes.
It’s good to be ambitious.
No, this was the least she could do as my partner.
"Sensei, I made a song! Could you listen to it?"
"Hm? What is it, Nanami? You’ve made one already? That’s quick. All right, sounds good.  Let me take a look."
"Okay!"
I heard voices from within the staff room and when I turned to look, I saw Nanami-san and Hyuga-san talking.
Evidently, it seemed Nanami-san wanted Hyuga-san’s opinion as well.
Hyuga-san is a caring person and, as he likes motivated students, he’ll listen to their songs and offer his opinion as long as he has the time.
His ears are trustworthy.
And his advice is spot-on.
I concluded that she should be able to develop further without me for the time being.
As Hyuga-san started listening to her song, Nanami-san suddenly raised her head and looked around….
Her eyes immediately met mine.
"Ah! Ichinose-san!"
When she saw me, Nanami-san ran up to me, looking happy.
Like a faithful dog.
It reminded me of a dog which has been staying at home and runs up to their owner with all they have the moment they spot them.
I just happened to be here.
That aside, what had made her so happy?
I struggled with understanding.
"Are you feeling alright? You’ve been absent for a week and I was worried…."
That’s right, it’s been a week since I came to school.
Of course, I hadn’t contacted her at all during that time.
Did she mean to say she was worried for me because I’m her partner?
"Yes, I’ve completely recovered. It’s the reason why I came to school today. However, I'll only attend class in the morning because I have something to do in the afternoon…."
To catch up, I had come here to book a recording room and do some practice on my own after I come back.
"I’m glad you’re feeling better! Ah… I’m currently working hard on making the song, could you listen to it once it’s done?"
"Yes, that’s fine, but I don’t want to listen to it in an incomplete state. Please be sure to finish it all the way through first, okay?"
"All right! I’ll do my best!"
"If the quality is good enough, I’ll even sing it."
She was in such high spirits that I couldn’t resist saying something like that.
"Really? Ah, that makes me happy! Then, I’ll work very, veeery hard to make a great song!"
Nanami-san laughed.
Again, why was she so happy? It should only be natural for me to sing her song considering we’re partners.
"Nanami, I finished listening. You want to hear what I think?"
Hyuga-san beckoned.
"Yes! I’ll be right there. Well, I’ll be going now."
She quickly bowed her head and ran back to him.
She seemed like a restless person
Although, it was also a good thing to be committed and optimistic.
She still had much more to learn as my partner, but I don't have time to deliberately be hands-on. If she’s self-motivated, all the better.
I’m unaware of her true abilities as of yet, but for now, she doesn’t seem to have any major flaws which would cause a dissolution to our partnership.
That is, however, only the case for her as a composer.
Her usual self is a bit absentminded and I have always thought that is something she needs to work on.
Then, there was that unbelievable situation.
All I’d done was leave my book with her. Despite that, how did she get herself locked inside of a storage room?
To put it frankly, Nanami-san is a klutz. She is too kind.
I was the one who brought a book to a sports festival. I’m the one at fault, so she should have just let it go….
I won’t say I was surprised that she, honest to a fault, came to get it back and got locked up in the process.
I had no intention of defending those who locked Nanami-san up, but in this industry, that sort of thing is a daily occurrence.
Could she really survive in the entertainment industry?
I grew a bit anxious.
Plus, the thing about her being HAYATO’s fan….
No matter how much we look alike, it bothers me when I’m asked to do the same things HAYATO does.
Turned out she was just another mindless groupie.
She was working so hard because she figured if she were to be accepted by me, she could get the opportunity to meet HAYATO. That had to be it.
While I was relieved that I had figured out her scheme, I was a bit confused as to why I myself also felt disappointed.
Everybody works hard for their own sake, for their own desires and dreams.
And I wouldn’t be surprised if HAYATO fans were seeing HAYATO through me.
And yet, why am I disappointed…?
"If it was taken from you, it would have been all right to just give up since it was something you couldn’t help."
Maybe it was because I was disheartened, or because I wanted to rebuke Nanami-san’s hasty action, but I realized that my tone had become cold.
"I couldn’t do that."
Oddly enough, Nanami-san strongly objected to it.
Oh….
I thought she was just a timid person, but even she could make a face like that.
I was a little surprised.
"…Why?"
It shouldn’t have been that hard to simply give up on the book and explain the situation to me.
"Because Ichinose-san is my partner…. You trusted me and gave me the book. That’s not something I can betray."
She spoke while looking straight at me.
"I see. Partner… is it…? Now that you mention it, have you finished the song?"
"…Not completely… but… a small part… Um…"
The song she started to play was something truly wonderful.
I was surprised when I first heard her play it and I was amazed at how good her sense was... but it was even better than I imagined.
And this song…
It was designed with me in mind. It was made to be sung by me.
I didn’t understand what she planned to do to get my attention, but….
It seemed that at least as a composer, she was putting in effort to carry out her role as my partner.
"It’s still lacking, however…"
I spoke sternly, despite recognizing her talent and ability. She probably hadn’t reached her full potential.
You have grown so much in the last month.
You can’t stop that development here. You should push it even further.
"...In any case, more like this…"
If you see mistakes, correct them.
If you know your strengths, develop them.
It’s simple.
And, I can help with that.
"It’d be better if we do it like this over here as well."
"Ah, then, let’s change it here too… How does this feel?"
This…
For a moment, I was at a loss for words surprised by the level of completion in the melody she had played.
Even though I had given just a little bit of advice, to think that she managed this much….
"Yes, I think this is better."
I wondered if this is what catching on quickly is like.
That was the first time she’s been able to meet me as an equal.
I decided I had to change the impression I’ve held of her up until now.
“Quality”, “Willpower”, “Optimism”. It seemed like she had what’s needed to be my partner.
I was delighted.
Just how far will she be able to grow from here, I wondered.
I began looking forward to the next few months.
"It’s unrefined, but… Apparently, it seems I have no choice but to recognize your sense of composition."
I wasn't planning on complimenting her but that was my honest opinion.
Though that was probably due to her efforts.
Apparently, it seems okay to expect a little more of her.
I ask you, please don’t betray those expectations, okay?
If possible, I would like to attend the graduation audition with your song.
The fact that I’m thinking this far ahead is because you have the talent.