Character Story 5: The Composition of a Love Song
Translation notes
[1] 千変万化 (senpenbanka) is an originally Chinese idiom meaning literally "1,000 changes and 10,000 transformations", or figuratively "innumerable changes".
[2] 孤軍奮闘 (kogunfuntou) is an originally Chinese idiom meaning literally "a lone army fighting bravely", or figuratively "a person or group struggling without support".
Scene: Inside a guild house.
Nozomi came to talk about something with Yuuki.
Nozomi
What do... think of this? I tried writing the lyrics to a new song. It's a love song...
Nozomi
My manager has written these kinds of songs for me before, but this is the first time I've written a love song myself, so I wanted to hear your thoughts...
Yuuki
1. "Seems tasty."
2. "Seems strong."
Option 1.
Nozomi
That's... not a compliment, is it? I guess lyrics like "my feelings for you are so deep, they make my stomach feel rumble" are too weird though, huh...
Option 2.
Nozomi
Uhh... I guess lyrics like "unending changes"[1] and "the lonely struggle"[2] don't fit very well, huh?
End of branches.
Nozomi
Ah... This doesn't sound very much like a love song after all, does it? I wanted to put the feeling of true love in these lyrics, but I don't really understand that feeling much myself...
Nozomi
Sigh... I'd already thought as much, myself, but you also think these lyrics don't work now that you've read them.
Nozomi
But what was I supposed to do -- idols aren't supposed to have love affairs. If I haven't done that, how am I supposed to write a love song!?
Yuuki
1. Write it using your imagination.
2. Just fall in love.
Option 1.
Nozomi
It's not that simple. The lyrics won't turn out well if I'm putting fake feelings into them...
Option 2.
Nozomi
Like I said, it's not that easy. Idols aren't supposed to have boyfriends.
End of branches.
Nozomi
Or, what were you saying? Are you offering to be my practice partner?
Nozomi
Wha!? What did you just say? You'd actually be my practice partner?
Nozomi
Umm... I definitely heard you say it. You can't pretend you didn't say anything after all!
Nozomi
Then, it's decided! So that I can learn about true love, we'll go on a date!
The next day...
Nozomi
Then, let's start the date. I'd want you to take the lead, but have you actually dated anyone before?
Nozomi
You haven't? You don't have a girlfriend? What a relief...
Nozomi
Um, what I mean by that is... It wouldn't be fair if I was the only one who didn't know anything about love. That's all I meant, so don't worry about it.
Nozomi
Then, for today's date, let me take the lead. I've seen plays and read books about this, so I can handle it. So, to start with... How about we go shopping?
...
Shopkeeper
Welcome!
Nozomi
Whoa! These clothes are super cute! Hey, hey, what do you think?
Nozomi
Really? Hee hee, if you think so, then maybe I'll go ahead and buy them!
Shopkeeper
Ma'am, if you're looking at those clothes, then they'd go even cuter with this bag.
Nozomi
You're right! And those shoes over there also match this outfit! But will we be able to carry all this stuff?
Nozomi
You'll carry my bags for me? Thank you! Then, please.
Shopkeeper
Why don't you try matching these accessories, too?
...
Shopkeeper
And this hat over here also suits you, too! I think your friend will like it, too!
Shopkeeper
And how about this sword? It'd be wonderful if you got a matching pair with your boyfriend!
Shopkeeper
Also, this armor over here is super popular with couples!
...
Shopkeeper
Thank you very much!
Nozomi
Clothes, a bag, accessories, a hat, a sword, and armor... I guess I bought a little too much, huh? Isn't it heavy?
Yuuki falls.
Nozomi
Ahh!? You collapsed under the weight!? Are you okay!?
Nozomi
S-Sorry. I got a little carried away buying things. Because you kept complimenting me, so.
Nozomi
And the shopkeeper kept calling you my boyfriend... People who run shops like that are really good with words. But... Did we really look like a couple?
Nozomi
Ah! You must be hungry, right? Let's go eat lunch! As an apology, I'll pay for it!
...
Nozomi
You really look like you enjoyed the food. Ha ha, I'm happy to see that you liked it.
Nozomi
M-Me? No, I'm okay with just a drink. You remember, right? I'm on a diet.
Nozomi
Ah! My stomach's growling... Ah, forget it! Let me have some of that!
Nozomi
Nom nom... Ahh, so good! Let me try some of that, too! Hee hee, sorry.
Nozomi
... After this? If you'd like, how about we see a play? The truth is, yesterday, I came up with a whole date plan.
Nozomi
After the show, how about billiards? Or bowling? After that, we can do horseback riding, go to the beach, go mountain climbing...
Yuuki
1. Your schedule seems pretty tight.
2. I don't think we don't have that much time...
Option 1.
Nozomi
Heh heh, take a look! My perfect scheduling table! If we finish each activity within one hour... Huh? There's no time to get from place to place?
Option 2.
Nozomi
No problem, no problem! I don't know when my next day off will be. Since we're here, I've got to do all the things I want to do with you!
End of branches.
Nozomi
Huh!? It started raining? We'll be fine going to the play, but the beach, the mountains, the farm...
Yuuki
1. We'll just do those next time.
Nozomi
Yeah... It's just too bad. Then, with the extra time... How about we chat a little?
...
Nozomi
Ha ha, in the end, we didn't even end up going to the play -- we just passed the time talking. But it was a lot of fun!
Nozomi
Thanks for today. I didn't know what to expect from a practice date, but... Once we tried it, I had a surprising amount of fun!
Nozomi
And... I also got to know a lot of your good traits. I didn't really know you well at all before this...
Nozomi
Hm? You also learned a lot of good things about me? Is that right... Somehow, that makes me happy.
Nozomi
... Yeah! I think I can write the lyrics for the love song now! I'll give it a try now. Thank you!
Several days later...
Nozomi
It's done!
Nozomi
I think I did a really good job! "I want you to turn your head, to notice me, so that I can tell you" -- I really kept girls' feelings of unrequited in love in mind as I was writing the lyrics!
Nozomi
He should be coming soon, and I want him to read them right away! I'm looking forward to it so much...
Nozomi
Hm? Um? Showing him... these lyrics...?
Nozomi
That... For some reason, that would be... super embarrassing!?
Nozomi
Why was I writing lyrics about unrequited love to begin with!?
Yuuki opens the door.
Nozomi
... Wah!? W-What is it!?
Nozomi
Eh? L-Lyrics...? Right, I promised I would show them to you today... But, um, that is... They're not... done... yet...
Nozomi
(There's no way I can show you these!)
In the end, Nozomi didn't show the new lyrics to Yuuki.