Chapter 22

Chapter 22: 022, Then Why Don’t You Sing It Yourself!

Yoshimura Daitomo worked efficiently. Only a day later, he found a music teacher who specialized in vocal training for artists.

He brought Nagayama Naoki to a Western-style building. The room was filled with instruments, music books, and simple recording equipment, clearly used for teaching students and letting them listen to their own singing.

“Naoki-san, this is Tokunaga Sachiko-sensei from Toho Gakuen College of Music,” Yoshimura Daitomo introduced upstairs. “She is also a specially contracted vocal instructor at our agency and has trained many idol singers.”

“Nice to meet you, Tokunaga Sachiko-sensei. I’m Nagayama Naoki. Please take care of me.” He bowed politely.

“Nice to meet you, Naoki-kun. I’m pleased to meet you as well.” Tokunaga Sachiko appeared delighted to see such a young and handsome visitor.

“Since introductions are done, I’ll leave the rest to you two.” Yoshimura Daitomo nodded and quietly left.

After the door closed, Tokunaga Sachiko served hot tea and said, “When Daitomo-kun told me about you, I was very curious. A songwriter with a famous composition who cannot write notation?”

“Yes. The inspiration came suddenly, and I never formally studied music theory,” Nagayama Naoki admitted honestly. “Last time I relied on a friend to write the score.”

“So you only have fragments of melody in your head?”

“No, Sachiko-sensei.” Nagayama Naoki produced the written lyrics. “The lyrics are finished, and the melody is basically complete.”

“Ah, so it’s already almost a complete song.”

“Yes. I can sing it myself, but I cannot convey the melody to others or play it.”

Tokunaga Sachiko read the lyrics. “How unusual. I’ve met students who claimed to compose songs without knowing notation, but they usually only had fragments.”

“The lyrics feel somewhat sad.”

“It’s a song about regretful love.”

“I understand. Please sing it a cappella first. Judging from the lyrics, I’m expecting an excellent piece.” She seemed emotionally moved already.

Does everyone in music have such strong emotions? Nagayama Naoki wondered, then softly began singing “Sakura: Anata ni Deaete Yokatta”.

Although originally a female song, it carried a unique charm in a male voice. Nagayama Naoki’s voice was clear and resonant, like polished jade.

After finishing, Tokunaga Sachiko remained immersed in the song.

“Sachiko-sensei?”

“Ah… it truly is a good song. Very touching,” she said. “But Naoki-san clearly has never studied singing. Your technique is incorrect, despite having excellent vocal conditions.”

“Ah?” -_-||

“Alright, Naoki-san, let’s begin writing the score!” she declared excitedly.

Without even drinking his tea, Nagayama Naoki began working with her.

A true professional worked far faster. What had taken three days with Hoshino Suzumi was completed much quicker here. After hearing the song once, Tokunaga Sachiko drafted the rough melody, then had Naoki hum repeatedly while refining the detailed notation.

Finally, she played the piece on her piano for confirmation.

In total, the score was completed in about three hours.

“Incredible, Sachiko-sensei. Last time it took three days.”

“It’s simply transcribing by ear,” she replied calmly. “That part isn’t difficult.”

She added, recalling many students who struggled to compose, “The truly difficult part is creating the melody itself. Talents like yours are rare. Many composers exhaust themselves without producing such a melody.”

Nagayama Naoki felt embarrassed, knowing he was borrowing “future knowledge.”

“I was just lucky.”

Remembering the need for a demo, he said, “Sachiko-sensei, could you help record a version? I want people at the agency to hear the complete song.”

“A demo is fine. But without accompaniment, can you play piano?”

“Sumimasen, I cannot.”

She laughed. “I expected that. Then why don’t you sing it yourself? Your voice is quite good.”

“Eh? Didn’t you just say my technique was wrong?”

“It’s fine. I’ll correct you as we go.”

With no way to refuse, he agreed.

After three or four corrections, he could sing the song smoothly.

Tokunaga Sachiko inserted a blank cassette into the recorder, began playing piano accompaniment, and signaled him to start singing.

Everything progressed rapidly. The demo version of the future classic “Sakura: Anata ni Deaete Yokatta” was completed.

Watching her skillfully label the cassette with the song title, performer, lyricist, and composer, Nagayama Naoki thought composing and recording did not seem so difficult after all.

Realizing he might recall more songs in the future, he asked, “Sachiko-sensei, may I study composition and singing under you?”

“Of course. The agency commissioned me to train artists.”

“Especially a handsome and talented student like Naoki-san.”

Oh no. Is this teacher also captivated by my looks?

Since improving his fitness and appearance, Nagayama Naoki had experienced attention he had never known before. Even walking on the street, girls occasionally approached him.

Fortunately, he rarely went out and usually had transportation arranged.

No wonder handsome men wear sunglasses.

Lost in such thoughts, Yoshimura Daitomo parked below the Waseda apartment.

“Thank you for the trouble, Daitomo-san.”

“It’s fine. This is a manager’s job… I mean, the agency’s responsibility.” He almost treated Naoki as an official artist.

“Haha. Daitomo-san, please deliver this demo tape to Ito Shuichi-san and see whether it can serve as the advertisement’s background music.”

“I will deliver it.”

“Many thanks.”

Only after the car’s taillights disappeared did Nagayama Naoki go upstairs.

While walking, he thought: it might be time to buy a car.