Since the end of training camp, Sayo had been completely focused on Roselia's continued progress. Though their rehearsal schedule was still fragmented, their playing stayed excellent.
This was achieved for a few different reasons. The first was drive; after the training camp was over, each member of the band felt motivated to keep pushing the band higher. They stayed focused on their goal. The new song was a part of that, a reminder of where they were going.
Another reason, one that Sayo thought was just as important, was a slight change to their rehearsals. Though their schedules were just as convoluted as before, with different members often missing rehearsal, they came up with a plan to compensate for that.
Ako came up with the idea, after listening to the Zeal of Proud recording on the train. She suggested that they record part of each rehearsal, to send to the member who missed it. That way they could hear what the band worked on that day, which would help keep them all on the same page.
It was a great idea, so they started doing it their first practice back. When they made a change to the music, or noticed something sounded different, Sayo would take out her phone and record their next run of it. She sent them out at the end of rehearsal, making sure to note which song it was. When she was gone, Lisa took over the job.
When Sayo received the recordings, she found it helpful to listen to them and practice with them. With them, it didn't feel like she missed as much.
The problem wasn't solved completely, but this certainly helped. It kept them moving forward at least, preventing backsliding to where they were before the training camp.
Now, as they continued to polish the new song, they needed to take even more steps forward.
Sayo had been working towards the goal they set, trying to find a way to get the band on television. As expected, this was proving to be a very difficult task. She spent time each week searching the internet for any new opportunities, looking into any new leads.
This weekend, Sayo would take a break from that. Her school schedule had been quieter since the semester change, with her new classes ramping up slowly.
This left her with time to do something she'd wanted to since the start of the school year; hang out with Tsugumi. This upcoming Saturday was remarkably free, with only a few hours in the morning blocked for Roselia practice. The afternoon was wide open.
Previously Sayo would've filled that with practicing, but not this time. She knew exactly how she wanted to use it.
It had been hard to find a time slot, but the largest challenge came in the form of asking Tsugumi to join her. Going to Hazawa café was much easier, since Sayo could just show up unannounced. Contacting her ahead of time and asking if she wanted to spend time together was significantly more intimidating.
However, Sayo wasn't one to back down from a challenge. She ignored the fluttering in her stomach and texted Tsugumi, asking if she was free Saturday afternoon.
The response came almost immediately, that she'd be available after 2:00. It had an exclamation point on the end, which was a clear mark of excitement.
Sayo certainly shared the emotion as she texted back, along with increased nerves, asking if Tsugumi wanted to hang out then. Her heart raced as three little dots appeared, showing that Tsugumi was typing back.
The enthusiastic reply was accompanied with a heart.
Sayo tried to control her own.
Sayo lingered by the train station, dressed in light clothes so she wouldn't be too warm. Though it was getting later in the season, the sun still beat down strongly during the day. She had picked her outfit carefully to match the temperature, more nervous about her clothes than she typically would be. Sayo told herself to stop worrying about it and settled on a white button-down shirt with black pants, an outfit she'd worn before. She thought about tying her hair up, before deciding to leave it loose.
She had stopped home to have lunch and put her guitar away before coming, making sure to arrive a few minutes before the designated time. Making Tsugumi wait for her would be a terrible way to start their afternoon out together.
Luckily, Tsugumi arrived exactly on time. She waved as she approached, beaming from ear to ear. She wore an outfit Sayo had seen before, with a gold lined white blouse and green skirt that was decorated with white spots. Her hair was free in the slight breeze, rustling around her face. She looked… Sayo's brain stumbled just at the sight of her.
Sayo reminded herself not to stare, clearing her throat as Tsugumi reached her. "Hazawa-san, it's good to see you."
"Hi Sayo-san, same to you!" Tsugumi was chipper, with a slight bounce to each step. "Where do you want to go?" They hadn't decided ahead of time, leaving it until the day of.
Sayo had been thinking about it all week, even harder than about what to wear. It had been so long since they'd hung out like this. "How about the mall?" That was the perfect place, with a wide variety of stores. They'd certainly find something to do there.
Tsugumi gestured towards the station. "Let's go." She started walking that way when Sayo nodded, heading to the correct train line for their destination. Sayo followed half a step behind.
Once they reached the platform, they only needed to wait a minute for the train to arrive. Only a few other people stood on the platform with them.
"How's school been going?" Sayo asked, genuinely wondering what was happening. The third year of high school was the hardest one, especially with entrance exams in second semester.
Tsugumi tucked her hear behind her ear. "Busy since summer break ended, I've been studying more at the café." She was standing with her body angled towards Sayo, making direct eye contact. "Entrance exams are coming up too."
"Have you decided what to do?" That was what Sayo really wanted to know. She still remembered giving Tsugumi a tour around her school, and what her friend told her that day.
Now Tsugumi's smile faltered, shrinking distinctly. "Not yet," she shook her head. "It's a big decision." That was why Sayo asked about it.
"I'm sure you'll make the best one." Sayo offered a word of encouragement as the train pulled up to the station.
Tsugumi didn't seem reassured, as her expression had continued falling over the last minute. "I hope so. Thanks, Sayo-san." Her statements felt like an end to the conversation, like Tsugumi was closing the conversation.
Sayo's stomach sank; this had been a bad start.
Once the doors opened, Tsugumi stepped onto the train and took a seat near the door. She looked straight ahead, as if she were lost in thought.
Sayo followed closely, sitting next to her. "We could talk about it, if you want." She offered, not wanting to let the topic go with Tsugumi looking so glum. Sayo had been working on her people skills, on trying to understand others better, ever since she joined Roselia. "Maybe I can help."
Wide brown eyes snapped to hers. After a moment, a hint of pink dusted Tsugumi's cheeks. "When it gets closer, I'd like that." Her lips crept up slightly, into the hint of a smile.
That was enough for Sayo. "Of course." She'd do some research on culinary schools to be prepared.
"How was Roselia's training camp?" Tsugumi changed the subject for good this time, voice coming up and eyes returning to their usual energy level. This was clearly a much more comfortable topic for her.
Ah right, she hadn't talked with Tsugumi about that yet. Sayo told her about the house they rented, the cookies they made, and the new song they recorded.
When they reached their stop, they both got off the train and continued to talk. Tsugumi listened eagerly to each story, chiming in with what Afterglow had been up to as they entered the mall. It was fairly busy, with many people walking around the building.
"Moca-chan wants to enter us into a big contest." Tsugumi explained as they walked, her voice raised slightly so that Sayo could hear her. "We need to make a video, but nobody can agree on what song to perform."
"What are the requirements?" Sayo asked, intrigued by the premise.
"Just one song, recorded in a single take." Tsugumi counted to two on her fingers as she explained.
"If you can pick a song, it sounds like fun." One take meant there was no room for editing out errors.
"Yeah!" Tsugumi beamed. "If we win, the band could get on tv." She seemed excited about the idea.
Now that piqued Sayo's interest, far more than it had been before. "Like a live performance?"
Tsugumi brought a hand up to her chin, before shrugging. "I'm not sure, Himari has the details."
"Can you ask her to send them to me?" Sayo asked, a thrum of excitement running through her. This could be what Roselia was looking for, to take them one step closer to their goal.
"For sure!" Tsugumi took her phone out for a moment, typing a message on it. Once she put it away, she looked around the mall. "Let's go there!" She pointed to a nearby department store, one of the larger ones in the mall.
Sayo followed her into it, where there weren't quite as many people. They walked through the aisles, past women's clothing and accessories. None of the clothes really caught Sayo's eye.
When they were about halfway through the store, Tsugumi stopped dead in her tracks next to a table, causing Sayo to almost bump into her. "What's wrong?" Sayo asked, feeling a cold flash of concern.
Tsugumi reached across the table, which appeared to contain a variety of hair clips, then turned slowly to Sayo. She looked determined and serious as she stepped closer, eyes locked on Sayo's.
Sayo's breath caught in her throat as Tsugumi lifted her hand up to the side of her face, brushing it against her hair. Sayo's face felt hot; what was happening? She practically held her breath as Tsugumi withdrew her hand, still standing far too close.
Tsugumi nodded resolutely. "I knew it." She said, only confusing Sayo more. Her brown eyes practically glimmered.
"Huh?" Sayo had hoped to form a complete question, but only managed one word. She also hoped her face would cool off.
Tsugumi just smiled. "I'll show you." She reached forward, one hand closing lightly around Sayo's wrist, before tugging her gently. Sayo didn't have it in her to resist. Tsugumi only pulled her a few steps, to a nearby mirror. "Look." She said, pointing into the mirror as she released Sayo.
Sayo did as instructed, taking in her appearance. Everything was the same until she reached her face. Her cheeks, which had warmed, were far pinker than they should've been. Sayo scolded herself to get under control. It was easier said than done.
Another change, also involuntary, was the addition of something in her hair. A small green object was pinned on the left side of her face, which on closer observation was a butterfly pin. The center was green, with lighter blue tones on the wings.
"I knew it would match your eyes." Tsugumi grinned as she also examined Sayo's reflection, clearly satisfied with the clip.
As Sayo looked carefully at the mirror, she could see that Tsugumi was right. "It's nice." Sayo commented, bringing a hand up to touch it. It felt sturdy enough as she removed it, looking it over carefully. This wasn't the type of thing she'd typically wear. "Thanks for picking it out."
"I'll get it for you." Tsugumi extended a hand for the pin, speaking those words so casually.
"Oh, no you don't have to do that." Sayo shook her head, it wasn't right to have her friend buy her something she could get herself.
Tsugumi moved her hand closer. "Please let me, I want to." She looked so earnest; it was hard to say no.
Sayo managed it somehow. "I can afford it." She insisted, checking the price tag on the pin.
Tsugumi screwed up her nose, pouting slightly. After a moment, she gasped, expression morphing and eyes sparking. "I have an idea." She said, hitting the bottom of one fist into her other hand. "I'll let you buy it, on one condition."
"Alright." Sayo said, though she didn't remember agreeing to these terms ahead of time.
"Call me Tsugumi-san, just this once." Those words cut deep, straight through to Sayo's soul.
Was this what she wanted all along? Moca was supposed to be the trickster, not Tsugumi. Sayo looked down at her angelic expectant stare, her look of excited anticipation.
"F-fine." Sayo was certain that she was blushing again, as she tore her eyes off Tsugumi. "I'll buy it myself, T-tsugumi-san." She hadn't meant to stutter, to stumble over her words, but she couldn't help it. She glanced back at Tsugumi, to see her reaction.
The look of pure joy on Tsugumi's face made the whole exchange worth it. Sayo wondered if she should've said her first name more, if Tsugumi liked hearing it that much.
It would be hard to do, but she'd consider it.
They soon went to check out, with Sayo purchasing the hair pin as agreed. She admired it again after they left the store, thinking about which clothes it would look best with.
She would certainly wear it next time she saw Tsugumi, since she was the one who found it.
That was a nice thought, seeing Tsugumi again. Though her schedule would be busy for a while, Sayo promised to make plans again soon.
She called her by her first name again when the parted, drawing a dazzling smile.
Sayo would never get used to that.
After spending the afternoon with Tsugumi and buying the pin, Sayo had almost completely forgotten about the contest.
Her phone buzzed later that evening, with a message from Himari containing the details. She sent Sayo a link to the website, along with a comment that Tsugumi "enjoyed their date."
Sayo thanked her for the info, ignoring the second half as part of Himari's antics. She opened the link to check out the website. As it turned out, she had seen the ad for this contest before. She hadn't clicked it because it involved making a video, so she never found out about the prize.
The contest was for a show broadcasting in a few months. It would feature amateur bands from around the country, showing them off to a large audience. Roselia could compete to get on one of the episodes, if they met the requirements. All they would need to do to get started was create and submit an audition video. The requirement was an original song, recorded in one take.
Sayo immediately forwarded the link to the band group chat, to see what the others thought. Over the next hour they each responded, expressing general enthusiasm for the idea.
Lisa even started working on a plan, so they could make their recording next week. Sayo helped her with the details. Unlike Afterglow, it was easy to pick a song. Zeal of Proud was the only real option, the product of their hard work this year.
They continued to plan throughout the week, until the day of their next full rehearsal came.
Midway through their practice, it was time to record.
Sayo put her music stand away and retuned her guitar once again, making sure the strings were perfect. If they wanted to win, this video couldn't be anything less than immaculate. Around her, her bandmates did the same.
Only Rinko looked nervous, casting glances towards the camera. Though they'd been recording audio more often since the training camp, it still wasn't part of their regular routine. Sayo could understand her nerves.
Marina stood at the front of the studio, behind the camera in question. She had a steady hand and a good eye, so Lisa asked if she could help out. It wouldn't have been fair to ask one of their friends, since they could also enter the competition. Marina had been delighted at the request and had taken a few minutes to come record.
It was a simple job; she just needed to set the camera on the tripod and then start and stop it at the right times. Hina probably could've done it. No, Sayo took that back, Hina would've wanted to wander with the camera.
That didn't matter right now, as Sayo prepared to play for the recording. As they decided earlier in the week, Zeal of Proud was their best bet. It carried their new sound strongly, showing off just how far the band had come.
Once they were all ready, Marina started the recording and Ako counted them off. They were all in view of the camera as they played, each looking straight ahead instead of at the lens.
For Sayo, this was a performance like any other. She poured her energy into the piece, tackling each phrase with precision. She sang her parts clearly, in perfect time.
As a whole, Sayo thought the band sounded excellent. Their practice since training camp was paying off, keeping them playing together. Their new sound was becoming even more refined each time they practiced.
The song went smoothly and ended strong. Marina stopped the recording, then clapped lightly.
"It sounded great!" She said, smiling broadly at the band.
"Thank you so much for your help!" Lisa stepped forward to take the camera back, as the rest also added their thanks.
Later that night, Lisa would export the video. She sent it to the rest of the band.
On the website, Sayo wrote up their application. She filled in each box carefully, before uploading the video. It uploaded slowly, leaving her computer byte by byte.
Once it was done, the submit box turned green. It would take a few weeks to find out if they made it, but Sayo was optimistic.
She clicked the box.