"Know your weakness and strive to improve yourself~"
"How should I put it… Pretty average. Not great, but decent by normal standards."
That was Fujiwara Chika's evaluation of Rinji's singing.
"Average is fine. It's not like we need to sing perfectly during the anthem at morning assembly. Just knowing it is enough," Rinji replied.
"True. But you did learn surprisingly fast." Chika smiled. "Looks like I have a real talent for teaching."
"I won't deny that."
"Next up…"
Chika turned her gaze to Shirogane Miyuki.
"That leaves only you, President."
"Uh… right."
"You should be able to learn faster than Rinji. After all, he memorized the lyrics on the spot, and you've already got them down."
"That's true… but the pitch issue…"
"How bad is it?"
"Just a little off."
"Then it's not a problem." Chika smiled. "Give it a try—sing a song for us."
"A-alright… I'll sing then…"
"Don't be shy, go ahead~"
...
...
"PLEASE STOP SINGINGGGGG!!!"
Fujiwara Chika clutched her ears and crouched on the floor in agony.
Shirogane Miyuki's singing was absolutely terrifying. If a normal bad singer just made people uncomfortable, his voice felt like torture.
It was like sticking sea urchins in your ears.
"President, you idiot! Why did you lie to me!?"
"Huh? What did I lie about?"
"You said you were only a little off-key! Why is it this bad!?"
"I… I thought it really was just a little…"
"Look at Takamine-kun—he's passed out standing!"
Chika pointed at Takamine Rinji, who stood frozen in place, his eyes blank.
"Hey! Rinji! Are you okay!?"
Shirogane hurried over and shook his shoulder. Only then did Rinji snap out of it.
"Ah, President. That was honestly terrifying."
"Even you think it was bad?"
Shirogane finally began to reflect on his singing.
"Is it really that awful?"
"Actually, I didn't hear the whole thing."
Rinji removed the earplugs from his ears. He hadn't fainted—he'd just been blocking out the conversation with earplugs.
"If I had to describe the first part… it was like several weak flashbangs exploding beside your head one after another. Extremely… effective."
"I don't even know what that means, but it has to be bad!"
"I recorded it. You can hear it for yourself."
Rinji pulled out his phone, connected an earbud, and placed it in Shirogane's ear. Then he pressed play.
"…"
"Well, President? Can you feel it?"
"No way… This… this is really my voice? This garbage-level singing…?"
Shirogane was shaken to the core by his own singing.
Most people never hear their true voice due to bone conduction. What they think they sound like is often completely different from what others hear. That's why Shirogane had thought he was just "a little off-key."
Rinji had recorded it on purpose. From the moment he heard it, he realized Shirogane's voice could be used as a torture device—and a highly effective one at that.
"I don't think it's hopeless. With some practice, you could at least reach a normal level," Rinji said comfortingly. "Although, singing isn't really my strong suit either."
Fujiwara Chika nodded. "True. Takamine-kun's violin playing is amazing, but his singing's just average."
"You say that like you're an expert. Aren't you one of those girls who's great at piano but average at singing too?"
"I am not! Don't forget I taught you the school anthem!"
Chika was clearly dissatisfied with Rinji's comment.
"If I could teach you, then I can definitely teach the president too."
"Oh? Want my help?"
"Not needed~" Chika confidently thumped her chest. "I might be average at other things, but in music, I'm a genius. You can go back to class now, Rinji."
"Alright then. President, Fujiwara—do your best."
"Got it."
After Rinji left the music room, Chika stood tall and faced Shirogane.
"President, from now on I'll teach you from scratch—be prepared!"
"Okay…"
—Five Minutes Later—
"Takamine-kun!! Save meeeee!!!"
Fujiwara Chika deeply regretted everything.
She cursed her own stupidity—for she had personally opened the gates of hell.
Shirogane Miyuki's singing had no talent whatsoever. She couldn't see even the faintest glimmer of hope.
"Why can't you even tell the difference between so and re, President!?"
Shirogane sang them as if they were glued together.
"Uh…"
Just then, the music room door opened and Rinji walked back in.
"Did you call me, Fujiwara?"
"Thank goodness! Takamine-kun, you finally came to save me!"
Chika cried and threw herself at Rinji like she had suffered some great injustice.
"You have no idea—President just—"
"I know. I was worried, so I stayed outside the whole time," Rinji said, peeling Chika off. "The President's problem is with pitch. That'll take time and practice."
"I knew it…"
Shirogane sat on a bench with a bitter smile.
"I've never been good at singing. Back in elementary school, my teacher told me not to push myself. In middle school, classmates told me, 'Just mouth the words during choir.' If this keeps up, I'll always be a burden to those around me."
"It's okay, President."
Rinji gently placed a hand on his shoulder with a warm smile.
"There's still one week before the next assembly. I'll help you practice during that time."
"Really?"
"Don't give up, President!" Chika added. "We've still got a week—let's all work hard together!"
Shirogane Miyuki's story deeply touched Fujiwara Chika, making her forget the hellish trauma she had just endured.