Moments after the doorbell rang, Gaku received his visitor and let him in as he signed to go inside.

  "It's been a while… not really. We haven't seen each other for a bit, but we've basically in contact all the time."

  As they walked the hall way of the house, Gaku swiftly wrote in his tablet, "How are you recently, Yuka Gin?"

  "Feeling great, surprisingly. My fiancee's niece was born a few days ago and I've helping here and there in any way I can. Aside from that, it's the usual.

  You?"

  "I'm somehow hanging in there between school and music.

  I didn't take you as someone to dye your hair."

  "Not sure if you're going to believe me, but my hair lightens naturally in occasion for a few years now then grow back to black again. Best that you don't dwell on it.

  Anyway, you'll be starting work training in November, right?"

  "Yes. But we still don't know where we will go."

  "G could put a good word for you at his workplace."

  This time, Gaku took his time to write.

  "I'm thankful if that happens, but I would prefer if there is at least a bit of element of music to it besides art."

  "Hmm, I think that's quite a hard find here in Ginga. Only a few ateliers have decided to settle here in the past few years but there have been a lot of oil painting classes popping up around here. Cobalt Institute… I don't know if they'll accept more STEM-inclined students. IIAT, I'm also not sure.

  Hate to say, but it's probably a hard ask."

  "It's completely fine. I was just wondering if there is a studio like that nearby."

  Entering the recording room, Gin was taken aback by all the props lying around in the usually clean sound treated room of the house.

  "What happened here…?"

  "Dad just finished sound designs for a game, so he's taking it easy for a bit. I'd also like to clean this, though."

  "Want me to help?"

  "I can do it by myself. We're pressed on time, anyway."

  "Right, we are."

  Gaku hurried on the seat in front of the audio workstation and played a video in the monitor accompanying a music track containing Gaku's voice. Intently, Gin observed the visuals that would occasionally jump from polished motion animations, to rough ones, then to a completely empty screen sometimes.

  And as the guitar of the track slowly fades out, Gaku started writing in his tablet anew, "I'm so sorry we had to redo so many parts because of me."

  "Nah, lyric changes are nothing if it means it's going to meet your vision."

  What was an original song project initially announced at the time of December last year has now been pushed back up to October of the current year with a release date still tentative. Due to the changes in the lyrics and the visuals that Gaku wants to see to, production has been postponed and restarted to some extent in the midst of contact with animators, mixers, editors, and illustrators such as Gin who was also employed in the project.

  "Still, this is a hard lesson to learn in your age. I don't know how comfortable you are with getting a manager and I know that you feel bad about it, but delays like this affects everyone involved in the project. And there's also the PR that goes with it.

  You're doing one heck of a great job though for holding on against all the stress."

  With those words follow a generous pat on Gaku's head.

  "Anyway, I need feedback on this pose for the blank frames in the video. After this, we're completely done with the storyboard then we can send it to the editor."

  "Maybe we can make the shadows a little cooler and open the left arm further to make it more dynamic."

  "Got that.

  Man, gotta hand it to you, it's easier working with a client when they're also an artist. Wait, no, maybe sometimes it could also get annoying when there is conflict in ideas, but you're very easy to work with, Gaku.

  Sounds like someone is improving at school."

  Gaku bashfully looked away.

  "I'll continue recording the guitar parts."

  Something that can't be translated in written words is the nuance behind spoken ones. Yet, Gin was visited of the thought that the body doesn't lie, and that the slight embarrassment was visible in the way Gaku moved.

  Nonetheless, he left him on his own devices and silently drew on his tablet in the middle of the props left in the recording booth.

  ~ ~ ~

  "…ku.

  Gaaaaaku."

  At the sudden call, Gaku flinched and turn around as if winded.

  "H-Huh? Is something wrong, Yuka…?"

  "Nah, I just thought you probably got too absorbed playing that you started singing for a while so I had to call out to you. Or did you finish recording already?"

  "Ah…" a look into the waveform in the computer screen, the recording has been going for almost an hour, and so Gaku finally pressed the stop button.

  "I'll go get something to drink. Would you like anything, Yuka?"

  "Maybe the strawberry milk that you offered me in the past. But I'm good with water if there is none."

  "I'll be there in a sec."

  Shortly after, Gin was able to enjoy the strawberry milk.

  "Right, we haven't really talked in person in a while… so are you able to talk a lot more now?"

  After a swig of water, Gaku's eye wandered around as though deep on thought for a moment.

  "I think… I'm getting there.

  But something that I've been thinking about is that… I still want to learn sign language after all."

  "Oh?"

  It was a very curious decision. Gin recalled that all this time Gaku had always relied on his abnormally quick handwriting which did not necessitate that the people around him, family and all, did not have to learn sign language, and not even himself."

  "That's nice, but what brought that on?"

  "I still really don't know how long I can overcome this condition. Maybe as long as I still vividly recall what happened with my actual family, so I figured that I want to learn and also maybe interact with a sign language community, and it can also be a new acquired skill for me.

  And even if I completely overcome it, I don't want to feel like I'm leaving behind something, so I want to at least contribute."

  "Hmm, if you decide to commit to it, maybe you can also teach me about it?

  I just had the thought of what if I encounter someone that has a speech or hearing disability? I hope I can be able to sympathize with how lonely it can be for them, and I can just imagine the surprise and excitement when they meet someone that can understand them.

  Also maybe… I can say that I've become a better person if I can help someone like that."

  "That's quite noble."

  "Nothing of that sort. Just making amends. If anything, it's you who has a noble cause.

  Anyway, while we're on a break… I kept yapping about your work training earlier, but you still have the Open Event this coming holiday, right?"

  "About that… there's something I want to do, but I don't know how possible it is."

  "I'm all ears?"

  "I… kind of want to perform in the Open Event…"

  Weighing in the possibilities yet not knowing what Gaku's intentions are, Gin fell confused.

  "Uh, who is going to perform?"

  "Ah, I'd rather have my identity concealed, still. It would be weird for me to suddenly be able to speak when my disability is known in school.

  I would like to see if it will bring about some change in me, and maybe gain some confidence."

  "Well, that's quite a plan, but does Blue Ink even have your target audience? I'm speaking on somewhat of a business standpoint, since I feel like that could be a promotional opportunity."

  "So you know about those stuff, Yuka?"

  "Ugh, I may only be high school graduate, but my bosses are businessmen through and through. Even I learned a lot about them."

  "I-I see. But I think I've heard my pseudonym quite a bit in school. A lot of them recognize songs from anime after all."

  "Gee, only a few years passed and anime really has gotten mainstream, huh. Question though: have you decided on a release date for your original?"

  "That… if we can get the MV and the mix done in a few weeks, then maybe I can release it by next month. I don't want to put up another delay anyway since it affects a lot of people, as you said."

  "Then why not do a surprise announcement in the Open Event if you're confident that people—mostly students—know about you?

  Actually, I just thought of an idea, but I'll hold off on that one for now. So how about it?"

  "That doesn't sound bad. Maybe I'll think up of a plan abo-"

  "Wait, sorry. One thing, though.

  I'd advise you to announce that you will be present at the very last minute. I wouldn't want the school to be stormed with outsiders that just want to see you and cause a headache."

  "Oh goodness, that sounds awful. I don't want to cause or get in trouble with the school. Is there maybe something I can do?"

  "All I can think of right now is announcing it five to fifteen minutes before you go onstage or something."

  "I'll keep that in mind…"

  All of a sudden Gaku fell silent and his eyes wandered anew. Unknowing whether his voice fading again, he spoke weakly.

  "Just a thought, Yuka Gin…"

  "Yes?"

  "Maybe I can hire you as my manager?"

  "No."

  "Ehh…"

  ? ? ?

  October.

  As the night grew quieter and the family has dispersed to wind down, Gin gave the floor of his living room a cursory wipe. His living area had always been oddly spacious to the point that there is ample space between his couch and the wall which makes moving furniture around easier.

  The year has now reached its point where, as per tradition, the kotatsu is to be brought out. But as he lost his own bedroom in the duration of the construction of their new house, he gained a lot more freedom on how he makes his living room as it currently substitutes as his bedroom at night with a futon.

  Ordinarily, moving around a table that has a futon and a heater underneath every night would pose extreme inconvenience, but in Gin's mind and whims, the urge to satisfy his curiosity has took him over and shrugged that its displacement would be nothing especially if it is him.

  After a minute of staring at his rather empty living room with his hands on his hips, he decided to finally situate the heated table and bring out a legless chair.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Odd and perhaps childish excitement has visited him as he rubbed his hands and placed his laptop and a pen tablet over an insulated surface on the slowly warming table.

  "Why have I never done this in the past…"

  Sat on the legless chair, he beheld the sight of an optimal work space as he connected his computer into his television, projecting a larger display of his screen, while the small Kyupi has found himself on Gin's lap over the futon.

  The house has gotten silent, a happi is over his shoulders, his legs are warm, and he managed to ergonomically sit on a makeshift work space. A painting program has been opened, and Gin finally picked up the stylus to work…

  Until he heard the clink of keys and his door opening.

  Immediately, he pulled the display cable from his laptop as Rin walks into the house.

  "U-Uh, need something?"

  "I think I forgot to bring out something in your fridge…

  You look mighty comfy, though."

  "And borderline shut-in."

  Not even a fingertip touching the handle of the fridge, Rin turned from the kitchen and excused herself into the kotatsu beside Gin.

  "It's already 10. You're still doing work?"

  "More like I'm just about to start," Gin declared as a can of energy drink opened on his hand.

  "This is… rare. Are you going to pull an all-nighter?"

  "Maybe I'll go to bed at 4 or 5 or something. I want to crunch and finish this client work ahead of schedule since we're nowhere near done with the project.

  Looking back, that guy commissioned so many illustrations, goodness."

  "I can't see?"

  "Noooope. No exceptions. You'll have to wait until it releases like everyone else. Now I ask you not to fall asleep here so I can do work."

  "Five minutes."

  "I'm going to carry you back if you pass out."

  "Then maybe I should?" Rin teased, only for Gin to stare at him blankly.

  "You know… the way I'm sat right now feels perfect so I don't even want to get up. So you better not fall asleep."

  "Boo," she grumbled as she sank further into the kotatsu. "Want something for a midnight snack? I'll whip up something for you."

  "I appreciate it, but it's already late. But maybe I can ask you to fill up the electric kettle and bring it here with two cups of curry ramen?"

  "So this is what I'm going to deal with when I start living here…"

  "Am I permitted moments where I can be a slob?"

  "More like the question is how likely I am to also indulge."

  "Should we sign up for a gym membership?"

  "You already have weights here, and didn't we talk about getting a treadmill previously?"

  "Ah, right."

  ? ? ?

  Open Event.

  Blue Ink High School has once again opted to hold their biggest event for three days instead of a weekday from the 15th to the 17th.

  As Cotona Week may have been a week-long holiday in the province, it did not mean that construction would halt nor the work at the restaurant. With the busyness having occupied Gin's time, the only day he could excuse himself from work is the last day of the Open Event which he aligned with the aforementioned plans he made with Gaku regarding the announcement of his first original song.

  It is the day where live bands formed by students are to perform in the gymnasium, and Gaku had gone through all the hoops to get permission for his publicity stunt. One face to face look at the principal and Gaku felt an inkling that he already had an idea of his background. Nevertheless, Gaku was at that moment in no position to verbalize his intentions through his voice and yet the principal nodded in approval which led his plans towards the stage where it can materialize.

  "Ain't that neat."

  Face to face as Gin walked into the school gate was… a face. More specifically, it was what seemed to be an installation of a face towering around two meters in the middle of the open campus space. The form of the face was held by armature that are partly exposed, while some spaces are artistically covered with papier mache to define the form further.

  What caught Gin's eye was that the entire installation seems to be formed by wires, and supported by wires. As there is prohibition from touching the exhibit, he couldn't confirm how structurally sound the piece is, but judging from the occasional blows of wind, he assumed that the artwork has been in display for its third day and it is still standing.

  "'Parts of the installation are sourced from reused materials, and all of the paper used were taken from all around the school,'" he read from a pedestal in front of the giant face and continued, "'Upon conclusion of the event, all materials will be recycled or reprocessed, and will be documented accordingly.'"

  And below all the text showed that it was signed in the name of "Blue Ink High School Art Club".

  "Huh. Guess there's no need to worry about the club dissolving anytime soon."

  ~ ~ ~

  Donned with a cap, face covered with a mask, and a hood up on his head, all in the color of black, Gin entered the gymnasium with a guest pass on a lanyard, before the audience are allowed in for the live performances that are almost underway. There, he met with Gaku similarly dressed and completely covered up with sunglasses to fully cover his face.

  "Man, I wish I could lend him a white mask, but that will give me away."

  "How is prep going?"

  "We've already done our tuning," he typed on his phone. "But I'd like us to do one final run of the songs."

  "Roger that."

  With Gaku came along a guitarist and a drummer that he used to perform with several times in his live shows, including the one that was held in December last year. And to complete the four-man band, Gin presented himself to be in the keyboard.

  "You know, this is probably my first time performing as a band. I used to play once on a crowd as a piano-violin duo but that's about it. I'm surprised you actually agreed when I'm inexperienced."

  "I know you can pull it off, Yuka Gin," he uttered in his voice.

  "I'm not sure on what basis you got your reassurance, but I appreciate it."

  "Sorry I ran late…!"

  Came running from the gymnasium doors was Nagi similarly dressed in all-black, and spared no time to set up his cameras without even catching a breath.

  Gin then leaned towards Gaku and whispered, "I'm not sure if you've seen him around, but that's Nagi. He's an alumnus and a film grad as I think I've already told you."

  "O-Okay…"

  Upon waiting for Nagi to finish setting up and put his camera around his neck, Gaku walked up to him and extended his hand.

  "*N-Nice to meet you, I'm Zero—to."

  "*I'm Nagi. Pleasure working with you today. I was surprised when Capy_nina approached me about this, and I didn't know he was working with you."

  "*It was thanks to him that I was able to find someone to film."

  "*With that… do you mind if I start filming already? Since this is a documentary, I'd like to capture as much as I can even if won't make the cut.

  *And can you clip this mic somewhere around your collar?"

  "*Thank you. But I'll be backstage for a bit if that's okay."

  "*You got it."

  Upon Gaku's exit, Gin all of a sudden snatched the camera around Nagi's neck and looked at the viewfinder.

  "Hmm, I wonder how you're going to film our singer there in the dark."

  "I'll find out when we get there."

  "You sure you should be taking on this job? Michelo is going to retire soon, right?"

  "I can make time. I feel like I'm going to rot away if I only work on those projects."

  "You say that, but we have to record audio-only when we go bouldering with your other two genmates in a few days, then you have to redraw the gym because you're adamant in keeping even the smallest hint of our location away from public."

  "I still have so many eyes on me, so I can't take a risk. But I'm having filming withdrawal so I need this side gig.

  Still, I'm surprised to find out you're working with Zero—to."

  "It just happened. But if we're all done here, let's head backstage then we can do rehearsals."

  "Sure. But just so you know, I'm working with him and I can't even see his face, so I only took on this job because you referred me to him."

  "Fair, but you probably don't have to worry about that."

  Time swiftly passed by and entrance of students and guests alike was shortly followed by solo and band performances that felt like an eternity and a blur.

  "*Nervous?" asked Nagi behind the camera at the backstage, as he found a momentary candid shot of Gaku feeling restless.

  "*This… might be my biggest live show yet."

  The keyboardist, that is Gin, then approached Gaku on his seat and gestured with a finger gun and reminded, "*You're going at 15."

  Gaku took a deep breath. He nodded at Nagi to come over as he pulled out his phone and opened Witter. There, the lens focused on the phone screen.

  "Woah, this man types incredibly fast."

  In just a minute, he tweeted out an apology of short notice and a surprise announcement of a live performance, and shared the post across his other social media accounts.

  The following few minutes felt like a calm before the storm as the backstage listened to the performers slowly winding down.

  "*Please give me a second," said Gaku and headed into the washroom.

  It was only for very short moment as he immediately stepped out looking somewhat different, and his visage, or the lack thereof, appear monolithic as an opaque, black visor concealed around his entire face.

  "*Woah, hold on. I didn't know about this…" Gin exclaimed, and Gaku followed with a whisper to him.

  "I got it from the principal just today."

  "*Can I touch it?"

  "*Um, sure?"

  A quick touch on the reflective visor and an immediate "I see" came out of Gin.

  "*Did he let you keep it?"

  "*He emphasized that I could."

  "*Good to know. Then let's break a leg out there."

  "*Wait a sec, Gi- I mean, Capy. Is that…"

  "*Polycarbonate," was the only thing Gin said.

  Chatters have gotten louder that it could be faintly heard in the backstage after the previous performers have left the stage.

  The curtains closed, and before the band enters the stage, Nagi reached out his fist as the other hand held the camera. Understanding what it meant, Gaku bumped fists with him and thus Nagi exited to film outside.

  Tuning sounds of a guitar and bass reverberated from the speakers, and isolated shouts could be heard from the audience and the chatter grew louder.

  "*You have a lot of female fans?" Gin joked.

  "…"

  The windows in the entire gymnasium blacked out, and the curtains pulled apart. The lights showered down on the band, except for Gaku who was only illuminated by surrounding bounce light in the center.

  More than Gaku, it was a strange sight for Gin to be the one on stage, and seeing hundreds of people with potato heads. Even he was not immune to stage fright, and so he gave his fingers a shake to rid him of the nerves. However, he was able see the faces of Rin, Shiro, and even Yukihime in the middle of the crowd of tuber heads.

  "Did Rin sneak her out of work? Surely I didn't tell her about this, so she's just here for fun?"

  But then, the sound of the microphone pulled him back to where he is currently at.

  "*Hello everyone, my name is Zero—to."

  And a part of the crowd roared once more.

  "*I am a singer, or as some called utaite, and I make music and post them in YouCube. I post music videos of song covers that are primarily from Japan whether they are standalone tracks used in anime and other media.

  *I would like to thank Blue Ink High School and Principal Taketo Juushiro for allowing me to perform here on such short notice, so I hope that you will all enjoy the songs that we will play today.

  *Well then… the first song will be 'Eden.'"

  The very first word of the song was immediately followed by a brief isolated acoustic guitar. The piano and the bass entered at the second verse, which would define the base of the entire song, while the drummer doubles as a DJ with a mix station on his side.

  But in the midst of it all, the instruments are a backing to showcase Gaku's voice and bring the audience up to speed on who they are listening to, which is why it was chosen as the first song of this small concert.

  And slowly, with this journey of watching Gaku make a song, Gin has learned that music is an art within its art. Beyond the performance itself, there is also performance and storytelling before and within the stage.

  "Dammit, Gaku. You really are good at this."

  Some thoughts are better off not said aloud, which is why Gin would decide to keep to himself from anyone that, perhaps with a tinge of bias, this is the best performance of the day.

  ~ ~ ~

  Encore!

  Encore!

  Encore!

  Encore!

  Encore!

  The curtains have closed, but past that was the loud cheers in the gymnasium, asking for them to go back after they have exhausted their set list.

  By the time the third song came, what was once scattered cheers have united the entire gymnasium into one voice, and even those that not unfamiliar with an encore have also joined in on the sea of lights that enveloped the audience as phone flashlights lit up.

  "*This… might be… an oversight on my end," Gaku's voice trembled. "*I didn't expect we'll be received this well… I was only supposed to do the announcement after all the songs…

  *Should I just come clean that we're out?"

  "*Hey now, hold your horses. Didn't the three of you always play together on Zero—to's previous live shows?"

  The drummer and the guitarist nodded on Gin's question.

  "*Should we play something from December's live show? We didn't touch any of those today. Oh, I was there watching. I can go step out."

  "*No, you're not leaving, Capysan."

  "Eh?"

  "*Are there by chance anything you can play from last year's set list?"

  "*Um… Betelgeuse, I guess? I think I can only do lyrical, though."

  "*That's fine. I'd like us to go with it. I'll make the announcement first."

  "*Okay, okay. Can I move on the back, then? I'm not sure how well I can do an adlib of the melody, so please cover for me."

  The guitarist then stepped further forward as Gin physically move the keyboard back. And so in their signal, the curtains opened anew and the crowd roared

  "*Once again, thank you for listening to us. But before that, I'd like to use a bit of time to make an announcement.

  *Then… without further ado."

  The screens around the gymnasium lit up, and a short video played out with moving visuals and a voice that are still fresh in the audience's minds. And appeared at the end of the preview is the title of the song.

  「静かな声」 / "A Quite Voice"

  As they expected, it was not enough to pull back in the vigor observed from the prior songs, but it was adequate to see how much from the audience are assumed to have been listeners of Zero—to from before this show.

  "*The music video of my first original song will be released on the 20th of October at 8:00PM JST and at the 21st at exactly 12:00AM JST, which means that it will be released an hour earlier in this timezone. They will be both releasing in Japanese and English, so I hope you listen to all of them.

  *Now for my final song… As much as I'd want to sing my original song right now, I'd like it if everyone comes to listen to the song and appreciate the music video as thousands of hours of work were put on by a lot of amazing people. The QR codes will be displayed in the screens, so I hope you look forward to my song.

  *For real this time… our final song for today—'Betelgeuse.'"

  ~ ~ ~

  As the sun completely sunk into the horizon and the darkness engulfed the school, the installation art of a face lifted up into the air from within its surrounding curtains with a series of thick wires to support its weight. Per safety precautions, no one was allowed under the centerpiece while students gathered around to conclude the Open Event.

  But as per what is now a Blue Ink tradition, the installation lit up as a face no more but as a sphere of wire illuminating the school and spinning like a disco ball.

  In the moments when the school was distracted with the performances happening in the gymnasium, the curtains that concealed the piece have transformed it into something new, which lends into the efforts of this year's Art Club.

  "Wait, we're not supposed to be here at this hour, are we?" in the middle of Gin and Yukihime, Rin raised a question while holding a paper box of food.

  "Nope," Gin answered succinctly.

  By 5:30 in the afternoon, it is by protocol that the only ones that must remain in the school premises are students and school staff.

  "You're just telling me that now after we're an hour in on potentially trespassing in this school?!" needless to say, Yukihime panicked while Gin was waving at a student passing by that recognized him as his former teacher.

  "Did you have fun though?"

  Regardless of the sourness on Yukihime's face, she replied, "Yeah."

  "Then that's all Tenth could ask for. Don't worry about it."

  "On the other hand, though. Were you the pianist in Zero—to's performance, Potato?"

  "Hmmmmm~? Whatever are you talking about?"

  "You have a habit of flicking your wrists before you play the piano."

  "Uh, what? Do I really?"

  "Yeah? I've noticed you've always done that."

  "So you're saying we've known each other for eight years and this is the first time you're telling me that?"

  "Give me a break, dude. I thought it was common with others. Turns out it's mostly just you. And before I even forget, that was freaking Nacchi filming for him earlier, for crying out loud. Are you guys working with the big leagues now?"

  "She just called him 'dude,'" Yukihime funnily thought to herself.

  "I'm just going to ask you later how you happened to work with him. I'm not even surprised at this point."

  "With a hanging light and all, you can interrogate me later… But I'm going to be heading out for a bit. I'll be back in a minute then we can maybe go home."

  Heading out he said, only for the two ladies to find him walking closer to the closing ceremony's centerpiece and sat beside one of the students. From that distance, Yukihime and Rin could not hear what was being talked about and thus only watched the two having an idle chat…

  Until they realized that it wasn't a conventional conversation as the student seemed to show his phone to Gin every time he speaks to him. And all of a sudden, Gin brought out his hands and sloppy made gestures to which the student responded the same way.

  "Huh, I didn't know he's practicing sign language."

  "Your fiance sure likes hiding a lot of stuff from you."

  "Don't say that."

  …

  "Alright, let's stop with the sign practice since it's getting late. But man, it was a wild day, isn't it?"

  "I just want to sleep when I get home. All we need to worry about is the release of the song."

  "How did sneaking back to your class go?"

  "It was hard acting like nothing happened."

  "Sure it did. You just set an entire crowd on fire earlier."

  "Please don't make me sound like I'm an arsonist."

  "I'll stop.

  Though I've never asked you this, but what are you going to do after you release your original song?"

  As quiet as Gaku already was, it felt as though he became quieter as translated from the tranquility of his demeanor. He pulled back his phone, and this time his thumbs moved slower than usual.

  "I really want to pursue both art and music after all."

  Gin felt a sudden well-up of joy in his chest seeing the sincere words written by the student he once taught.

  "Hahaha, good on you, then," and the full weight of his arms met Gaku's shoulder, "I hope you don't lose sight of that goal whether you have something vague or anything specific in mind."

  "…I-I won't…"

  "Oh… huh. Look at you, stepping it up now."

  Next