"The wind is blowing fiercely
My heart is also slightly shaken
Watching you, so earnest and focused
Makes my heart skip a beat
...
..."
The first impression of "Marigold" is a'summer love song', but not a hot summer; rather, it's the afternoon sun, a relaxed, bright, and lazy atmosphere.
It also conveys the straightforward and passionate feelings between lovers.
Although Akira did not specify, Rin still chose to pick up the acoustic guitar and sing it herself.
At the same time, she was also infected by it, immersing herself in the atmosphere created by the song.
"You, wearing a straw hat
Like a swaying Marigold
That was a summer with blue skies
A nostalgic, carefree, passionate love from that day
...
..."
However, words like 'nostalgia' and 'reminisce' that occasionally appear in the lyrics make one feel that this might be a song about missing the beautiful past of a relationship after a breakup.
Is it a summer romance, or nostalgia after a breakup?
Rin couldn't quite tell.
However, amidst the overall relaxed, comfortable, and slightly lazy atmosphere of the song, all of this seems like just the dazed confusion after a nap.
But regardless of the situation, it seems there's no need to worry about it; just continue to comfortably enjoy this afternoon laziness.
Perhaps this hazy feeling is the very essence of this song.
Until the song ended, Rin remained immersed in the comfortable atmosphere created by the song, until Akira gently clapped his hands and praised her sincerely:
"That was sung so well, Miss Shimizu!"
Ever since he first heard her sing, he had never doubted her vocal skills, nor her ability to interpret and express emotions.
However, hearing it again this time, he still felt very amazed.
He hadn't told her about this song yet, and it was her first time trying to sing it, but her grasp and interpretation of the song's emotions were not far off, even when compared to the original version in his mind.
No wonder every record company that had talked to Rin before wanted to sign her as a diva; this singing ability was truly impeccable.
"...Thank you."
Coming back to her senses, Rin nodded gently and praised him sincerely as well:
"Mochizuki-kun too, this song is written so well."
When they first met, he had commented that her songs didn't have particularly catchy parts, and wouldn't make people reminisce in their hearts after listening.
And now, he seemed to have taught her a lesson with his actual actions.
Even though she had just finished singing, the melody of "Marigold", especially its chorus, kept circling in her mind involuntarily, unable to dissipate for a long time.
Is this what the songs she wrote were missing?
Rin reminisced in her heart.
"By the way,"
Just then, she suddenly thought of something and asked Akira curiously:
"Why did you choose Marigold as the song title and symbol for this song?"
"Hmm..."
Hearing Rin's question, he pondered for a moment and said:
"I just picked it randomly."
"..."
After the two looked at each other in silence, Akira couldn't help but grin sheepishly, while Rin couldn't help but roll her eyes at him in annoyance.
She shouldn't have asked.
Back to the main topic.
In any case, at least from her perspective, "Marigold" was undoubtedly a very pleasant and excellent song.
Although she couldn't gauge the requirements of record companies, at least she could be sure that the probability of success after pitching this song was much higher than her own original song.
If the previous instrumental music created for the manga might have had some element of luck, then with this "Marigold", Akira's musical talent was unquestionable.
In that case...
It might really be possible to succeed!
At this point, her doubts completely vanished, and she turned to look at the next sheet music in her hand with curiosity and anticipation—
"snow flower".
And this time, as expected, she was once again immersed in it.
If "Marigold" was a summer love song, then "snow flower" was a winter love song.
Although both were love songs, the content expressed and the emotions conveyed were completely different, just like the seasons they represented.
The melody of "snow flower" was also soothing, and the emotional expression was cold and beautiful, yet deep and passionate.
Just like lovers who, despite being in the cold winter, could huddle closer because of it.
However, in the sentimental and beautiful melody of the song, there was also a hint of faint sorrow, as if describing the happy yet insecure state of mind of lovers.
Both were about love, yet Akira could create two songs with completely different styles; this was really...
Rin was completely speechless.
Perhaps this was what a genius was.
At the same time, she suddenly thought of another thing and said softly:
"Why is Mochizuki-kun so good at writing love songs?"
Hmm?
For some reason, Akira seemed to smell a hint of danger.
But on this matter, he could only helplessly say:
"Of course, it's because I'm good at fantasizing. Could it be because I've actually been in a relationship?"
However, it couldn't be said that he had absolutely no experience; after all, he had watched quite a few romance anime, played quite a few Galgames, and conquered quite a few heroines.
Like, what was it, Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru 2...
Cough!
This example seemed a bit strange; anyway, that's about it.
"Is that so?"
However, Rin doubted it:
"I think Mochizuki-kun should be very popular at school, right?"
"Well, about that..."
Akira was also slightly taken aback by the question, because it seemed that was indeed the case.
The Original Owner had such good conditions, and there was no rule against puppy love here; logically speaking, as long as the Original Owner was willing, it shouldn't be the case that he had never been in a relationship, right?
So he carefully recalled, and somewhat speechlessly discovered that it really was the case.
Just as Rin said, the Original Owner had indeed been liked by many girls at school.
And the Original Owner was like a dense male lead in a shonen manga, putting all his heart and mind into drawing; even though many romances rained down on him, they were all dodged by the Original Owner one by one.
Akira wanted to say something but held back.
No wonder the Original Owner's drawing skills were so great; it turned out he had been practicing 'virgin' skills.
"Sigh."
Although she didn't know why Akira sighed, seeing his reaction, it seemed he really wasn't lying, and Rin couldn't help but slightly curl the corners of her mouth, feeling happy for some unknown reason.
"By the way,"
Putting aside the Original Owner's experience for now, he suddenly thought of something and asked Rin with a smile:
"Never mind me, Miss Shimizu should be very popular at school too, right?"
Since this topic was brought up, it would be too unfair if only he answered.
"Eh, me?"
Rin was slightly startled; she didn't expect him to turn the question back on her.
However, facing this question, she quickly answered:
"Maybe. However, I think the boys at school are all too immature, so..."