My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 546

"That's true."

As expected of Hihama-san and Iroha, they know me very well. I also know myself very well, so I nodded in agreement.

Yukinoshita did not join in, and turned to face Yuihama.

"Although there aren't many guests, some parents will be attending. Please help record their attendance. Also, please check the student ID numbers using the student handbook."

"I'll have those errand boys, like Senior Tobe, stay at the reception desk. If a dispute breaks out, I'll leave it to them first, then call me or Senior Yukino."

"good--"

Isshiki carefully added, and Yui Hama responded easily. So, the Ministry of Revenue is considered a menial worker... He has to stand there the whole time...

"As for the senior..."

"Um……"

Isshiki glanced back and forth between me and Yukinoshita, who didn't continue speaking. She bit her lower lip lightly, seemingly thinking about something, but didn't give any instructions.

Judging from the conversation just now, I only have two options left: sound control and lighting.

"The lighting must be coordinated with various performances; if you don't understand the whole process, you probably can't do it."

I looked at Isshiki next to me, and she nodded as well.

"Yes. Then, I'll trouble you to assist with the sound control, senior. I'm basically in charge of it, but there are times when I have to leave temporarily. It would be great if someone could keep an eye on things the whole time."

"Understood. Is there anything I should pay special attention to?"

"The program has track numbers on it; just play according to the program. We'll also give a signal when it's time to play music. That should be fine, right?"

"I see, I understand."

With a well-organized track list and the audio source ready, plus someone signaling when music is about to play, all that's needed after that is to pay attention to technical issues.

"Can I try it first?"

I pointed with my thumb to the control room on the left side of the stage. Although I was only there to assist, and no one knew what would happen after the show started, I should at least have some basic practical experience.

"Ah, that's true. Let's go then."

Led by Yise, we walked together toward the control room.

The group climbed the dark staircase extending from the side platform and entered the small room. Yuihama followed Yukinoshita in, looking around curiously.

This isn't a place we usually go into. I saw the sound equipment once when I helped out at the school anniversary celebration, but I've never actually operated it.

While worrying about whether I could do a good job, I glanced at the loudspeaker system placed near the small window on the wall, where a small red light was shining faintly.

Following Ichiro's instructions, I sat down at the table. On the table were a protective instruction manual and a track list filled with notes.

The loudspeaker system has washi tape indicating the upper limit, making it easy for students to operate. The volume knobs, which may be used, are also wrapped with colored tape for easy identification. It seems the operation is working correctly.

"I'll practice playing some music."

"Please go ahead."

After obtaining Isshiki's permission, I pressed the button. Then, electronic dance music that people like Hobu would tap their feet to played started playing.

I checked the audio source against the flowchart and track list to ensure there were no missing tracks, and then played the tracks once to familiarize myself with the overall process. It seemed there were no problems.

The next thing to check is... I looked at the flowchart and the loudspeaker system, and suddenly it occurred to me.

Logically speaking, the sound controller should not only play music, but also be responsible for all sound-related functions. In that case, managing the microphones is also my responsibility.

Where are the microphones located? How many are there?

"Huh? Oh, wait a minute..."

Ise hurriedly flipped through the flowchart.

Before she could answer, Yukinoshita spoke up:

"There's a wired microphone of mine on the right side of the stage, Isshiki has a wireless microphone, and there's a spare wireless microphone on the left side of the stage."

Yukino took out a piece of plain white washi tape from her coat pocket, tore it into three pieces, and stuck them onto the volume controls of the three microphones. I picked up a pen from the table and wrote "Yukino", "Isshiki", and "Spare" on the tape.

With that, the microphone check is complete. The remaining task is… I flipped through the flowchart to confirm and saw a line of unfamiliar text.

"What does this slide mean...?"

I tapped on the flowchart and asked a question. Isshiki leaned over to look and made an "Ah—" sound.

"Oh, this. We collected photos of graduates from many people and made a video. It's not exactly high-quality."

"oh……"

It seems the prom planning has been updated quite a bit without anyone noticing. In this day and age, all you need is a mobile phone to easily edit videos. Regardless of the quality, it's quite cost-effective to make graduates happy and create a lively atmosphere without spending too much effort.

I see, that's quite a thorough consideration. I admired him in my heart, and circled that part of the flowchart in red.

"In that case, the only complicated part is probably the slides. What equipment will we need to play them?"

I turned around in my chair and came face to face with Isshiki. However, the answer to my question immediately came from beside her.

"Output from the computer. We already confirmed this with the lighting team during the technical rehearsal. The video will be played from our end; you just need to adjust the volume."

Yukinoshita was already preparing to turn on the computer, seemingly intending to demonstrate it to me. In that case, I'll take this opportunity to clarify all my questions.

"Understood. Will there be a black screen at the beginning? For how many seconds?"

"After a ten-second blackout, there will be a ten-second countdown."

"Can it actually be played once?"

"Okay. Isshiki-kun, can I trouble you?"

"...Huh? Ah, yes!"

Isshiki was startled when Yukinoshita suddenly called her name, but quickly came to her senses. Yukinoshita looked puzzled at her flustered appearance.

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's just that you guys are unusually talkative..."

Isshiki looked at Yuihama, seeking her approval. Yuihama gave a wry smile.

"They've always been like this..."

She smiled and stroked her bun, unsure how to respond. Yukino and I both fell silent. The atmosphere in the room became awkward, and everyone instantly fell silent. I couldn't stand the atmosphere and reflexively made a self-deprecating remark.

"I'm so sorry. People who are usually completely silent only talk a lot at times like this, it's disgusting, isn't it?"

"Oh? Yes, that's right..."

...Is that right? Does Isshiki think I'm disgusting? I glared at her resentfully, while she coughed twice, feigning ignorance and checking her throat. Then, she pretended to pick up the microphone with one hand, adopting an attitude that looked like she was just rehearsing, and spoke without any enthusiasm.

"Alright. Now, it's time for the slides. Let's give them a round of applause!"

"...Alright, Isshiki, please leave. The lights will gradually dim. Once it's completely dark, we'll start showing the slides."

Yukinoshita acted like a stage director, explaining the following procedures while operating the computer, and finally pressing the ENTER key to indicate that the task was completed.

The screen on stage displayed a black screen. During this time, I turned down the music and muted the microphone, while increasing the volume of the computer audio source.

I peeked out the small window at the stage, and the screen switched to a countdown. The numbers decreased with the click of the film reel, and after counting down to 0, the tear-jerking melody I often heard in commercials started playing, and the slideshow began.

The graduates' past memories, accompanied by touching music, are projected one by one onto the screen.

Oh, not bad at all—as I admired it from the sidelines, I suddenly noticed something.

I think this is the first time I've seen the content on the slides.

So, what is this emotion that's welling up inside me...? Just as I was wondering, Yuihama murmured her answer:

"It feels familiar..."

"With this piece of music, it would naturally turn out like this..."

I can't describe this feeling of familiarity in words. Isshiki, who produced this film, snorted.

"What does it matter? Simplicity and ease of understanding are the most important. As long as it's tear-jerking, isn't that enough?"

"I think people will laugh and say I'm imitating some kind of work..."

Yukino gave a helpless, bitter smile.

However, I can understand what Isshiki said.

The film itself doesn't employ any particularly unusual techniques or boast any extraordinary special effects; it simply strings together various photos of graduates. However, accompanied by tear-jerking music, and viewed from the perspective of those graduates, it will undoubtedly become a moving film. The emotion it evokes is probably beyond words.

As the slideshow came to an end, the music faded out, and the beautiful background displayed the words "Congratulations to the graduating seniors!" The video ended.

"After the video finishes playing, the lights gradually brighten. Then it's time for the MC segment."

I nodded in response to Yukino and noted the length of the video on the schedule.

"...I roughly understand. This should allow me to play videos as well."

"It would be great if you could help. Technical rehearsals are handled by people who are available, but it's difficult to have extra staff for the actual broadcast..."

"Hmm. I'm basically always here, so I'll come. Can I operate the machine and check some things? It'll make some noise, though."

"There were no problems before the start."

"Understood. Is that about right?"

I flipped through the schedule, then looked up to ask if there were any other matters that needed to be confirmed. Then, my eyes met Yukinoshita's.

Her bright eyes were squinting because of her smile, but I felt like she was gazing into the distance, which made me reflexively look away.

"...Okay, I'll leave the rest to you. Isshiki-kun, go check the lights."

Yukinoshita called out to Isshiki, then turned and left. Isshiki quickly followed.

"Ah, I understand. See you later, senior."

I slightly raised my hand in response, then turned around to face the loudspeaker system again.

The hurried footsteps behind me gradually faded away, interspersed with the creaking sound of a chair being pulled out.

Turning my head, I saw Yui sitting in the chair next to me.

"Is everything alright?"

She asked worriedly, and I shrugged.

"...Hmm, it should be fine."

Even after I gave that answer, Yuihama still showed a faint unease.

"Really... What you just said sounded really complicated, so I'm a little worried."

"If you get used to it, there's always a way."

I smiled at her and turned my gaze back to my hands.

That's right. It's just that I'm not used to it yet.

To get used to it as quickly as possible, I reached my cold fingers toward the play button on the amplifier system and slowly pushed the volume control up to play an unknown piece of music.

This is an electronic dance track I've never heard before.

The pop music I imagine hearing in nightclubs makes me subconsciously frown. But I guess I'll get used to this type of music after listening to it for a while.

The use of a mixer, unfamiliar dance music, piercing whistles, and deep bass coming from the depths of the speakers.

In the end, it all becomes taken for granted, and you gradually get used to it.

× × ×

The setting sun shone through gaps in the black curtains along the catwalk. A spotlight beam mingled with the light reflected from the disco ball.

Judging from this scene, they are probably conducting a final lighting check.

There was very little time left before the show started.

As the person in charge of sound control, I was also busy with final confirmation.

"Test, test... ah—test..."

I checked the wired microphone on the side. As soon as I opened my mouth, the speaker emitted its own sound.

I looked towards the control room at the other end, where Isshiki, who was also in charge of sound control, peeked out from a small window. I made a big circle with my fingers towards her.

Isshiki looked at it, then smiled and tilted her body slightly, making a large circle with both hands just like me, resembling the logo of Hakutsuru Perfect Sake. What's with the cute act...?

"Hikigaya-san."