In truth, when Kamijo Mutsumi had first asked her to do voice acting, Ano-chan's heart was already beating like a drum with nervousness.
But for a layman, "voice acting" is just reading lines from a script. It's easy to fall into the illusion of "I could do that too."
Plus, Tomori and the others were all inexperienced newbies just like her, so the pressure on Anon wasn't as great as she'd imagined.
However, performing music for an anime was a completely different story. That was something that only a professional-level band would be qualified for.
In the original timeline, she had dragged her feet just to play a single live show, let alone a high-stakes event like this.
This was tantamount to being forced to fight the Soul of Cinder right after leaving the Firelink Shrine. Who could possibly handle that?
"This should be what you're best at, right? Is there a problem?" Kamijo Mutsumi asked, feigning confusion as he looked at the already sweating Anon.
"Ah... well, that's true, but we are just a new band, after all," Anon replied, quickly finding a reason after a moment's thought. "We were literally just formed today... Isn't performing the OP and ED for your anime a bit too difficult for us?"
Anon's reasoning was met with agreement from Taki and the others. Taking on a professional-level job right after forming was indeed too big a leap.
"What Ano-chan says does make sense..."
Naturally, it was impossible for him not to have considered this problem, but...
"I have my reasons, too. It has to be you all. No one else will do!"
He'd already brought the actual people here. How could he let someone else perform the OP and ED?
He would never accept that.
"Ooh..."
Why is this scumbag suddenly being so serious?
Anon blushed slightly.
After all, what girl could refuse that "it has to be you" type of line?
Even the expression on Taki-chan's face softened considerably. She crossed her arms and turned her head away slightly.
"Hmph! Such a smooth talker!"
"I was once a fan of CRYCHIC, so I know a little about all of you. I believe in your abilities."
Moreover, while the requirements for recording for an anime were higher than simply playing a live show, it had one advantage the latter did not.
"Furthermore, our company has the best sound engineers in the industry. All you need to do is your best."
With a good enough sound engineer, even a terrible rap performance could be autotuned into a beautiful love ballad.
And in that regard, he considered himself something of an expert.
"I... I'll try my best to sing! I definitely won't let Mutsumi down!" Tomori was the first to speak up in his support, her amber eyes shining with determination.
She had already let Sakiko down once before. This time, she would not let him down!
With Tomori having spoken, Taki naturally wouldn't object.
Raana only cared about shredding her guitar, and Soyo just wanted to finish quickly so she could go home and bother Sakiko. In an instant, only Anon was left, isolated and without support.
"..."
At this point, the fact that she had only formed the band to fit in and didn't even know how to play the guitar was something she could no longer say out loud.
Anon could already picture the scene where her lack of skill was exposed and she was kicked out of the band.
"...Alright, everyone, get familiar with the sheet music first. Ano-chan, come with me for a moment."
Seeing that the script in Anon's hands was about to change from a band story to a "quitting the band" storyline, Kamijo Mutsumi decided not to enjoy her suffering any further.
"I can't play! You should find someone else!"
The moment they were out of sight of the others, Anon instantly dropped the act, speaking with an indignant huff.
"This is your band's very first performance. Are you sure you want someone else to take your place?"
"Ugh..."
His words immediately silenced her.
Even though she had only wanted to form a band out of vanity, the thought of another girl taking her place for their first performance made her feel inexplicably annoyed.
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
Perhaps because he already knew her most embarrassing secret, Anon didn't bother with any pretense when facing him.
"I barely know the basics of the guitar... I'll definitely be exposed the moment I get on stage... Are you doing this to me on purpose? Just tell me what to do now!"
"Don't be afraid, my precious Anon! I have a plan!"
Tomori and Raana could both reach a professional level under the right conditions. Soyo and Taki were a step below but could barely keep up. Only Anon...
If only she knew a little, it wouldn't be a case of knowing nothing at all.
At the same time, Anon wasn't the bassist like Soyo, who could get away with slacking off without anyone noticing.
But since he had made the request, he naturally came prepared.
"The method you were talking about... is this thing?"
Looking at the two-heads-tall chibi sticker of herself that he had pulled out from somewhere, an expression of doubt appeared on Anon's face.
Also, why does he have a sticker of me? Don't tell me he actually has ideas about me?
Kamijo Mutsumi paid no mind to her reaction and instead looked for a place to put the sticker on her.
However, as he caught the faint, pleasant scent from the girl in front of him, he realized that the distance between them had, at some point, closed to less than five centimeters.
Bro, you smell so good!
Completely different from that blue-haired fool, but no less captivating.
"..."
Anon also suddenly realized how close they were, and her face instantly turned scarlet. But surprisingly, she didn't back away. Instead, she looked at him with a warning gaze.
However, combined with her flushed cheeks, this probably only served to increase a criminal's attack speed.
"..."
Oh no. My 'star' has been awakened!
For the first time, he felt a different kind of delicious temptation from one of the band girls.
"Can I kiss you?"
"Is... is this also part of your solution?"
Faced with his abrupt request, Anon's voice trembled slightly.
He's not trying to trick me with this excuse, is he?
Does this guy take me for an idiot?
"No. I just want to kiss you," he said, always one to speak his mind.
"..."
"Pervert!"
Ano-chan almost lost it on him.
Seriously, how could this guy make such a request so matter-of-factly? Was he really sane?
Anon complained endlessly in her mind, trying to suppress her runaway heartbeat.
After nearly getting beaten up by the羞-and-angry girl, Kamijo Mutsumi's "big head" finally regained control of his body.
"In any case, let's get down to business first. We can talk about the other stuff later."
"What other stuff do you want to talk to me about later?!"
Anon almost couldn't hold back. What else does he want to talk about? Does he really want to kiss me?
Does he think Chihaya Anon is such an easy girl to win over?
He might look decent enough, but he's got a long way to go before he can win her over!
However, after he forcibly placed the sticker on her forehead, all the chaotic thoughts in the girl's mind vanished.
"This feeling..."
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