Tokyo Agent: Starting with Picking Up a Problem Girl

Chapter 31 Tsukumogami Festival Song

Inside the apartment.

Asuka locked the door from the inside, glanced furtively out the window to make sure no one was around, and then moved to the bathroom mirror.

"So..."

The girl took a deep breath, imagining Onodera Mizuki's opening scene, and raised her slender arms.

"Hopefully, Wangwang Mao Rifa's performance will bring you some protection...!"

"..."

"It's obviously impossible! It's simply not going to work!"

Asuka has done her best.

But no, it's completely impossible, it's too shameful!

She grabbed her hair in frustration, feeling utterly miserable.

It turns out even a simple wink is this difficult, yet Nakajima Hiroshi, a grown man, mastered it after just one look...

Moreover, climbing scales was also very difficult.

He said he'd get it done in an afternoon and show it to Nakajima Hiroshi, but in the end, the Ti just wouldn't work.

She originally thought that climbing scales was like this, and even secretly consulted the owner of the music store.

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, the other person spoke in a comforting tone, saying things like, "Everyone has their own area of ​​expertise, don't be discouraged..."

The words were kind.

Even if Asuka is incredibly dense, she can tell that she's making terrible progress on this matter.

I have no talent...

Perhaps, even worse than the average person?

Asuka rubbed her ears, feeling a terrible headache coming on.

"Ti..."

"Ti—!"

"...Ti".

"Nakajima..."

Yes, that's right. Nakajima Hiroshi must have had his eye on something by keeping me here.

I might be very suited to dancing; he even found someone to choreograph a dance for me.

Yes, that must be it, definitely.

If you practice dancing and master it, you can become an artist too.

We absolutely cannot let him down!

Asuka peeked at the gate; Nakajima Hiroshi hadn't returned yet. He seemed unusually late today.

Give it a try; maybe with a little effort, you can create an amazing dance.

Like Nakajima Hiroshi, he only watched it once, and...

That's impossible no matter how you look at it!

I... I didn't even remember all those movements!

After thinking it over, the only thing that left a clear impression was Onodera Mizuki's sweet wink, since she had made it to him, and he had considered her a competitor at the time...

opponent?

Asuka's throat felt tight.

The two are not even in the same league.

Facing failure alone is more unsettling than having Hiroshi Nakajima watching from the sidelines.

No.

Asuka felt her face was incredibly stiff.

She tried her best to force a sweet smile, but no matter which angle she looked at it from, it looked like she was disgusted, provoking, and viciously picking a fight!

Damn it, I shouldn't have acted like that before. I should have learned to seduce men like those cute, naive girls!

I'm just a pretty face...

This situation made Asuka feel extremely suffocated.

Sudden.

Asuka's ears perked up as she heard familiar footsteps approaching from afar.

It's Nakajima Hiroshi.

She immediately darted back into her room like a startled rabbit and pretended to talk to the tuner.

"La-Ti-!"

"Click-clack..."

"Asuka, are you in there? The door seems to be locked from the inside..."

Asuka then remembered that she had locked the door while practicing because she felt embarrassed.

"Yes, I'll open the door right away!"

As soon as Nakajima Hiro entered the room, Asuka felt her breath catch in her throat.

He reeked of alcohol, and also of some kind of...sweet, cheap perfume.

She recognized that smell from the women in the bar.

Did he go find another woman, or...?

Asuka's sour speculation.

But this jealousy didn't last long, because...

Hiroshi Nakajima looked extremely tired.

His eyelids were somewhat dark and his buttons were crooked.

But when I saw Asuka Kirara, I rubbed my eyes and regained my focus.

"Practicing the 'Ti' sound?"

"Um……"

Asuka's delicate fingers twisted the hem of her clothes.

He's been drinking?

Is it because his progress is too slow that he feels anxious and needs to go out and drown his sorrows in alcohol?

No, it's probably more than just anxiety; he's probably already disappointed in himself...

Could that woman be someone who will replace me...?

Various speculations raced through her mind, making her afraid to look Nakajima Hiroshi in the eye.

"Sing a full octave, let me hear it."

Nakajima Hiro leaned against the wall, closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, all the weariness inside was forcibly suppressed.

Misaki Tachibana's products are still too pure.

Asuka swallowed nervously.

Is this the last chance...?

Start with Do.

The first few notes were relatively steady, but as she got closer to Ti, her breathing became more disordered and her voice began to tremble.

Nakajima, I really tried my best, please don't fire me...

The last "Ti" was almost a strained sound, producing a short, flat, strange noise.

The girl lowered her head, waiting for Nakajima Hiroshi's criticism.

It was quiet.

Or, even a sigh would be fine, Nakajima Hiroshi, don't be like this, at least give some reaction...

It was incredibly difficult to endure.

"The pronunciation of 'Ti' is incorrect; the throat is too tight."

Hiroshi Nakajima pulled Asuka closer, pressing his fingers against her collarbone.

"pronounce."

"...Ti".

Even Asuka herself didn't feel offended.

"Remember, this is called the resonance point."

"When pronouncing a sound, the vibration should start from here, while the area around the throat should be relaxed."

"Don't force the sound out; just keep the humming feeling, and the pitch of Ti will naturally stabilize."

Fingers from bottom to top.

"The sound travels along this path, originating from the nasal cavity; find that feeling."

He crouched down, took Asuka's little hand, and placed it on the side of his neck.

"Ti."

A slight vibration.

"Can you feel it?"

Asuka nodded gently.

Nakajima Hiroshi then slowly stood up.

He shook his head vigorously, took a deep breath, took out new clothes from the closet, and went into the bathroom to wash up.

He looks very tired...

Is he sick...?

"Nakajima...aren't we going to the agency?"

Asuka longed to return there as soon as possible and get back to practice; it seemed that only then could she feel at ease.

But considering Nakajima Hiroshi's condition, I feel he should get a good night's sleep.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom.

"Practice here for now, I'll talk to you later..."

Under the dim light, Nakajima Hiroshi's muscular physique could be vaguely seen.

Asuka tiptoed and opened the door a crack...

Warm light, and misty water vapor.

The girl wasn't quite sure why she was doing this; she seemed to just want to make sure the drunk guy wouldn't pass out.

After all, Nakajima Hiroshi looked really tired...

"Close the door, Asuka."

Under such superb sound quality, these subtle movements simply cannot be concealed.

"Oh, okay, I just..."

mean.

It's not like we haven't seen it before.

"Ti..."

Hearing the commotion outside, Nakajima Hiroaki probably perked up.

He was exhausted after taking care of Yukino all night.

But Asuka has already practiced to the last note, and I can't let my progress be delayed.

He listened to the original melody of the "Tsukumogami Festival Song" over and over in his mind.

With the aid of perfect pitch, the sheet music was quickly broken down into clear curves.

It's immediately clear which part flows smoothly, which part is abrupt, and where the sections can be divided.

It looks just like a human-shaped musical score.

With such terrifying abilities, she should have been the master of music, but Asuka...

Nakajima Hiroshi secretly planned out the remaining time for his fame.

They have about ten days left.

Asuka Hanazawa needs to familiarize herself with the music, learn the dance, and maximize the stage presence in such a short time.

very tight.

The arrangement should not be too complicated.

Nakajima Hiroshi hesitated for a moment, then selected three melodies and tried to fine-tune them in his mind.

The intro can be climbed by two octaves of the same melody, and then the other two sections can be interspersed like this.

The ending can be cleverly handled; oh right, how about this...

Asuka was outside, listening to the rushing water as she practiced quietly.

The mind is restless and distracted.

Although she was unaware of her perfect pitch, her innate keen hearing was indeed present.

Asuka could vaguely sense that Nakajima Hiroshi was sitting motionless under the showerhead.

he……

He must be very troubled right now, just like me...

like me……