"Mio, I need to head home."
After finishing breakfast, Yui had changed back into her own clothes.
"You don't have to rush off, you know. It's a day off anyway." Mio looked at Yui, feeling oddly reluctant to let her go. She wanted to spend more time with her.
She didn't notice this feeling herself.
"We're having guests over today, so I don't really have a choice. But next time I have free time, I'll come visit again—as long as you don't mind me bothering you."
"Well... alright then. Be careful on your way home."
After seeing Yui off, Mio figured she'd use this free time to get some writing done.
But just then, Mashiro suddenly appeared beside her and gently tugged on her sleeve. "Mio, I want to go to karaoke."
"Mm... for reference material?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Mashiro's eyes. She hadn't said anything—how did Mio already know what she was going there for?
Mio chuckled softly. Mashiro was drawing a manga based on a script she'd written, so naturally she knew what kind of scenes would appear. More importantly, Mashiro didn't seem like the type to sing for fun. If she suddenly wanted to go to a karaoke place, it had to be for research.
"No problem. But before we go, you need to change your clothes!"
"Why?"
Mashiro looked down at her pajamas, seemingly finding nothing wrong with them.
Mio didn't bother explaining. She just dragged Mashiro back next door and started helping her change.
Chihiro Sengoku, who had zero trace of a teacher's dignity at home, looked curious when she saw Mashiro come out in different clothes. "You two going somewhere?"
"Yeah. I'm surprised you're not at a mixer today, Chihiro-sensei."
At the mention of mixers, Chihiro let out a deep sigh. She turned her attention back to the comedy show on TV. "Not in the mood this week. Maybe next week."
"Mashiro and I are heading to karaoke. Want to come along, Chihiro-sensei?"
For a moment, Chihiro seemed interested. She started to stand up, but then appeared to remember something and flopped back down on the couch. She waved them off. "Nah, nah. I won't intrude on you two."
Though Chihiro's behavior seemed a bit odd, Mio didn't think much of it and left with Mashiro.
Having just transmigrated not long ago, Mio had no clue where any karaoke places were nearby. But no worries—with a smartphone, she could find pretty much any information she needed.
Twenty minutes later, Mio brought Mashiro to a karaoke place with decent online reviews. The environment was nice, the drinks were unlimited, but the rooms were kinda small.
Still, the high schoolers in the plot wouldn't need a big room anyway.
Once inside, Mashiro leaned against Mio and carefully observed the room.
With her memory, all she needed was one good look and she'd remember the layout.
To be safe though, Mio still pulled out her phone and snapped a bunch of photos before picking up the song selection tablet.
Most of the songs were ones she'd never even heard of, let alone knew how to sing.
Just then, having finished her observations, Mashiro rested her chin on Mio's shoulder and looked at the tablet. "Mio, are you going to sing?"
"I'd like to, but there's nothing here I know how to sing." Mio paused as if remembering something, then set down the tablet and picked up the mic. "Actually, I came up with a theme song for White Album. Want to hear it?"
"Yes."
Looking at Mashiro's calm expression, Mio smiled helplessly. Normally, when someone says they "created" a song for your manga, wouldn't you be shocked?
Why did Mashiro look completely unsurprised, as if it were only natural?
Maybe... in Mashiro's eyes, it'd be more surprising if there was something Mio couldn't do.
"This song is called 'Todokanai Koi.'"
Mio had originally wanted to say she was dedicating this song to Mashiro, but after thinking about it, she decided against it. This song wasn't really appropriate for Mashiro.
Before transmigrating, Mio had been a hardcore White Album fan. She'd listened to this song so many times that even when she didn't understand Japanese, she could sing it from start to finish. Now that she did understand it? Easy. The only shame was the lack of a guitar or piano—otherwise she could've handled the accompaniment herself.
Even without accompaniment, Mio's clear, melodious voice was beautiful enough on its own.
After finishing the song, the system's voice suddenly chimed in: "No wonder the host never chose any singing-related skills before. Turns out you already had this kind of ability?"
"Hmph. There's a lot you don't know about me."
Back then, she'd made so many preparations trying to get a girlfriend—preparations she never got to use. Now, ironically, they were coming in handy on her journey to becoming someone else's girlfriend.
What a complicated feeling.
Just then, Mio felt someone gently pat her head a few times.
Mashiro's voice followed: "Mio, don't be sad."
"I..." Mio opened her mouth but ultimately didn't explain.
She casually set down the mic. "So, Mashiro—what'd you think of my singing?"
"Beautiful."
"Then do you want to try singing something?"
Mio looked at Mashiro expectantly.
Mashiro shook her head. "I don't know how."
An expected answer. Before coming to Japan, Mashiro's entire life had revolved around drawing. Even now, she was still working hard to become a manga artist.
If there was ever a chance, Mio thought, she'd take Mashiro out to have more fun—without disrupting her art, of course.
"That's fine. Just listen to me sing then."
They'd already paid for the room—Mio didn't want to waste the remaining time.
Even without accompaniment, humming a few bars was nice.
Looking at the unfamiliar songs on the tablet, Mio suddenly thought about bringing some of her favorite songs to this world. Not for money—just so she'd have something she actually knew how to sing next time.
But that was just a small thought. Before that, she needed to finish the novel she was submitting to the contest.