Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Viva la Nina / Story
One week later, in Karenina's secret base.
Hff...
Karenina saunters off the small stage as the last note on her guitar lingers.
She puts away her guitar and hangs it back on the wall before wearily approaching you as you sit in front of the recording equipment.
Well?
How could it be flawless? That was only our first full rehearsal. Give me some more feedback.
What is it? Be more specific.
We've spent the whole week on the music arrangement and we've barely paid any attention to how the performance looks on stage.
Ahem... What do you mean? Can you be more specific?
Hold on! You were recording? I wasn't ready...
Ugh... What's the point of recording it? I've sung the song a thousand times during the arrangement.
...Forget it. Doesn't hurt to review it, I guess. Go on. Play it.
In the video, Karenina is standing on the stage with her guitar, humming along to the music.
Watching herself in the recording, Karenina's focus and solemnity slowly turn into annoyance and embarrassment.
Noticing something off about Karenina's expression, you instinctively pause the video.
Alright! Enough!
Halfway through the video, Karenina can no longer hold back and press the pause button on the terminal.
I just have one question: is that really me in the video?
Hah... Hahaha...
Sitting despondently on the couch, Karenina curls up, her face buried between her knees.
I wish I were dead.
She does not appear to be alright.
Really? Is that what you think?!
She looks up with a mix of anger and sadness, and she grabs your shoulders, shaking you.
I dare you to look me in the eyes and say it again!
Answer my question!
This isn't time for jokes!
Hmm... I'm not sure.
Constructs can download knowledge data directly through their ports, allowing them to learn rapidly.
After all, Karenina does not have any prior experience with performing on stage. Learning everything from scratch in such a short time is nearly impossible.
Therefore, you asked Leonie from WGAA for some data on performances by Golden Age idols.
Karenina only managed to complete the choreography and music arrangement in such a short time by referencing this data.
I didn't sing off-key, and my dance moves couldn't go wrong since they were pre-arranged, but it still feels like something is missing.
Yeah. It was like memorizing a formula without understanding its logic. You can't create anything new this way.
That's why I hate learning things through data transfer. It never feels like mine.
But what's missing here...? Argh, I don't know.
I've heard of WGAA artists getting discouraged by creative blocks. Now I understand how they feel.
We're running out of time. I'm still trying to win first place here.
Of course! Have I ever not been serious? I said we'd win this, and that's what we're going to do. What will Teddy and the others think otherwise?
You actually found out that the performance is not a competition at all after you looked over the sign-up rules, but you do not want to dampen her spirits when she is so enthusiastic.
After all, what Karenina really wants is to deliver the best possible performance instead of something perfunctory.
I thought about it, but the entire WGAA is busy working on the festival. I doubt anyone has the time to help us.
Horizons? What do you mean? Just spell it out already.
You stand up from your seat and reach out a hand toward Karenina.
Now? Are you serious?
Karenina seems surprised by your sudden suggestion at first, but she quickly catches on to what you mean.
Even if you say so—
The Engineering Force intended to let Karenina relax during this vacation so she could do what she normally could not.
But Karenina's perfectionist nature has been keeping her on edge.
Sigh... Fine.
Karenina smiles wryly before standing up and stretching.
I suppose being cooped up here isn't going to help.
I'll hang out with you for a bit, then. Who knows? I might get inspired somehow.
But only for an afternoon. In return, you're staying up late tonight to help me work on some new lyrics, okay?
It's too late to regret now. Let's go.
Deal. Let's go.
With that, Karenina grabs your wrist and drags you away from her secret base.
