The shooting of the main videos has started, but I'm still continuing my guitar practice.

I'm working hard, thinking how great it would feel to be able to sing and play on stream.

But I'm not improving much.

The problem is probably my dexterity, isn't it?

In games, acquiring music skills is something like dexterity + agility + INT, right?

It probably depends on the game, but dexterity has a strong influence.

And that crucial dexterity just won't go up at all.

What's going on?

At the edge of the classroom, I whisper the magic words secretly.

"Status Open."

Pretending to look out the window, I check my status screen.

===========================

Sakura Haruto

LV21

Strength E

Stamina E

Intelligence E

Agility E

Dexterity E

Charm A

Luck C

Skills

Speechcraft 'Special': LV3

Healing 'Special': LV3

Skill Granting 'Special': LV5

Purification 'Special': LV3

EXP Granting 'Special': LV6

Pleasure Granting 'Special': LV7

Singing: LV6

Playing: LV1

Active Effects: Holy Light Barrier 'Remaining 37:50', Deep Darkness Barrier 'Remaining 37:51'

===========================

It hasn't gone uuuuppppp.

I've been checking my status screen frequently, since the Goddess told me to keep an eye on it.

My skills have gone up quite a bit, but my actual ability stats haven't gone up at all.

Even though my level has risen quite a bit...

No growth in abilities.

That's weird, isn't it.

Do I just have no talent... Could there be a cap?

...Having a maximum stat of E would be awful, you know.

Someone, please explain how to read this status screen...

Also, it's weird that spells have been cast on me without me noticing.

It says Holy Light Barrier and Deep Darkness Barrier.

I don't know what they are, but they don't seem to have a bad vibe, so I've left them alone, but they've been active all this time. I don't understand this either.

"Sakura-kun."

"Eh, hah, ah, what!? What, what?"

That startled me.

"?"

"No, no, sorry, sorry, I was just thinking."

It's Kamishiro-san.

She's a wonderful girl who has now settled into a position like my secretary or strategist.

Cute and clever! And kind... such a good kid.

"There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

Lately, I've been asking a lot of Kamishiro-san, so I'll cooperate with anything I can.

Tell me what's up.

"How about playing the results of your guitar practice for everyone in class, just once?"

"...Huh?"

I let out a stupid-sounding voice without thinking.

"No, no, no, no."

I shake my head.

"I'm still nowhere near ready, you know? I'm not at a level to let people hear."

"I'm aware of that."

Kamishiro-san answered immediately.

Ah, right. I think so too, and Kamishiro-san thinks so too.

...You could have said just a little bit like, That's not true, you know?

"But even so, it's fine."

"No, well, normally it would matter."

"Actually, this time, the timing is more important than the skill level."

"...What do you mean?"

"The city's video distribution will start soon."

"?"

"Before that, I thought we should tell everyone in class about it beforehand."

Hoh.

What does that mean?

According to Kamishiro-san, springing that kind of information on them later would deeply hurt them, as they take pride in being in the same class, so it's better to tell them as early as possible. Of course, we need to control the information, but... she says.

I see, that makes sense.

If we're in the same class, but they weren't told about a classmate's debut...

They'd probably be sad...

Indeed, that wouldn't be good.

But why the guitar?

"I'd like to use the guitar as a trigger for announcing your streaming debut. After Sakura-kun performs the song he learned on the guitar, if you explain the video streaming yourself, I thought they'd be happier than hearing it as a message from us."

I see.

That also makes sense.

"So, please."

She bows her head.

Hmm. When you put it that way, it's hard to refuse.

Or rather, when Kamishiro-san asks me something, I mostly can't refuse.

"...Alright, I got it. But in exchange, I'm really bad, okay?"

"That's no problem. I'm absolutely sure everyone will be happy."

"You think so?"

"I do. Also, I have one more request. At that time, I'd like you to do that..."

What do you mean, that... geez…

* * *

After school that day.

Today is a guitar practice day with no video shooting. In other words, today is the day to do it.

It seems word had already been spread in the class, and in response to Kamishiro-san's call of "Just those who can stay, could you spare a little time?", everyone remained in the classroom.

The caretakers set the stage.

They moved the lectern to the side and cleared the front.

With my guitar, I stand in front of everyone.

They sit in their seats, looking at me silently.

It's quiet.

"Um, thanks for staying today... I'll play 'Lullaby of the Ash Garden', which I've been practicing."

It's a plaintive melody, the most common guitar practice song in this world.

I'm still bad at it... but I steel myself and start playing.

Plonk, plonk, awkward sounds echo through the classroom.

♪♪♪

I stumbled a bit in the middle, and my fingers slipped a few times, but I managed to play it through to the end.

"...Um, that's it."

I raise my face.

...

No one says anything.

Thirty pairs of wide-open eyes are just staring steadily.

Not a single cough, not a creak of a chair.

Scary.

Huh, what is this?

Is it always like this? Isn't this too much of a non-reaction?

Oh, right, is this also because of the school rules or the Male Protection Act?

But even so, could I get some kind of reaction?

"..."

An indescribable atmosphere.

Unable to bear it, I look at Kamishiro-san, and she quietly nods just once.

Then, when she claps, clap, clap, as if on cue, everyone in the class starts applauding all at once.

"...O-oh."

Applause is on a permission basis.

What a world this is.

...The fact that this no longer feels strange to me means I'm already pretty far gone.

"Um... thanks for listening."

I bow my head lightly.

Alright. Let's move on. Just as instructed, the announcement, the announcement.

"Actually, I've decided to start video streaming soon."

"........"

No reaction. Silence.

"Actually, there's a channel in West Tokyo City called the Nishito Channel, and I'm going to be appearing on it. Not just once, but on a regular basis."

"........"

They don't move a muscle, just keep their eyes fixed on me.

"...Er, so, there, I'll be doing city announcements and helping with PR, but I'll also have my own segment where I plan to do various things."

"........"

"Various things like singing, cooking, game streaming. I'll make it a fun video, so everyone, please support me."

"........"

"Also, for safety, I'll be using a different name there and making sure my address can't be identified, so I'd like everyone to keep me a secret too. Like what school I go to, or where I live. If it gets out, I might not be able to come to school anymore. So please, I'm asking you."

"........"

No reply. They're just watching. Is this okay?

Kamishiro-san? Is this going as planned? I'm worried, you know?

"...Er, well then, as a bonus, I'll sing a song. I'm thinking of eventually singing on video streams too, so today I'll let you all hear it first."

"........"

...This is the second thing Kamishiro-san asked me to do.

It's okay, right? I'll start.

I look over at Fujishima-san, the guitar teacher who's been supporting me.

"Fujishima-san, please."

"Okaay."

She immediately came forward with her guitar.

"Alright, here we go."

The promo live show for Class A begins.

The first song is a popular song by a girl band.

The second song is a huge hit from a few years ago.

♪♪♪

I sing my heart out in front of the unresponsive girls, accompanied by Fujishima-san's guitar.

I get no feedback whatsoever.

I've never auditioned or anything, but is this what it feels like?

And the problematic third song is 'Unspoken Love', by request of Kamishiro-san.

It's a pretty old song, but when I sang it once before it was well-received? so it's often requested when we do karaoke. However, this time, Kamishiro-san told me, "Just sing the first verse." Well, it's a long song. Still, the fact that she specifically said just the first verse is a little puzzling.

The music starts.

Fujishima-san's guitar is perfect.

I lay my voice over it.

I've sung this 'Unspoken Love' many times, so I think I've gotten quite a bit better.

♪♪♪

Ohh, my voice is in great shape today. It feels like it's coming out better than usual.

What is this?

I'm in good form.

When I finish singing the first verse, Fujishima-san brings the song to an end.

"........"

The classroom falls deathly silent.

There's even less of a reaction than before, but it's slightly different.

Some are blushing and looking down, some are staring blankly.

Some are gripping their shoulders with their arms, and some are keeping their eyes closed, staying still.

No one moves.

Huh, what's this?

Did I screw up? Was it boring? Or are they too moved to move?

Has my singing ability really gone up that much?

"...Um?"

Just as I'm about to speak without thinking, Kamishiro-san, her face flushed red, and Mizuno-san, trembling slightly as well, exchange a glance for just a split second. Then, Kamishiro-san nods slightly.

"...That is all."

I say it quietly.

With those words, the atmosphere finally returns.

A moment later, applause arises.

Fujishima-san with the guitar also lowers her instrument as if drained and lets out a big sigh.

...What was that just now?

It's not a story where I did something wrong... right?