Do I really have a thing for female voice actors?

84. The piano music he liked.

Inside the music room.

I sat in his usual spot, silently staring at my phone screen, hesitating before pressing the call button.

Deep down, I was very worried that Tazaki-kun would be like Rin-chan and not answer my calls.

What's going on? A man and a woman alone in the same room, and neither of them answers my calls. Are they afraid I'll hear their embarrassing moaning at night?!

When the night is deep and quiet, even cats seem to start having wild thoughts.

Fortunately, Tazaki-kun is not that kind of person.

He answered my call very quickly, as if he had already figured out what I was thinking and was afraid that I would overthink it, and responded to me immediately.

"Hey, Tazaki-kun?"

I was thinking, what if I heard Rin-chan's husky, irritating voice on the phone?

Fortunately, that didn't happen.

Good evening, Ms. Hina.

Hearing his voice, my tense body relaxed, and a feigned strength surged within me, transforming me into Hina Aoki.

During our conversation, the frustration that had been bothering me all day miraculously dissolved into the air and vanished.

But there is one thing.

"Look at how happy Rin-chan is. Anyone who didn't know better would think she's going to find freedom."

Originally intended as a teasing remark, Tazaki-kun smiled slightly for some reason.

That's absolutely right.

What does it mean to be absolutely right?

What's so good about it?

I wasn't praising her, can't you even tell that?

Yes, that's just the kind of person Tazaki-kun is, so it's not surprising that things have turned out this way.

Given his personality, it's impossible for him to have that kind of thing with Rin-chan.

Even though I know better than anyone else, I still feel very uneasy.

That's why I suddenly brought up practicing the piano.

Actually, I didn't want to say it.

I desperately hope that the Hina Aoki in his heart is a perfect girl who can do everything perfectly.

I won't play the wrong melody, and I won't forget the lyrics.

Even though I know I'm not perfect.

But if I can get his comfort, it doesn't seem so bad.

"Then... can we have a video call?"

"Now?"

"Now!"

"it is good."

His free and easy voice made me feel excited, and I couldn't wait to pick up my guitar and show him what I could do.

I was completely relieved when Tazaki-kun appeared on the screen. He was still wearing the same clothes he had worn when he left, there were no other people around, and I could no longer hear the sharp sound of the clip.

Sure enough, I've become a girl who loves to overthink.

In front of him, I began to play the song he had written.

I would never make a mistake in front of him, and Tazaki-kun has praised me more than once, but even though he only uses very limited words like "very impressive" and "you can remember this?"

For me, his praise was truly very pleasing.

Praise me more, pay more attention to me.

As long as I can get his approval, what's wrong with letting that girl sing the song?

But then I realized that the hotel room he was in was the same room as Rin-chan's.

In that instant, that feeling returned.

Just like when I practiced with the other members of MyGO, my fingers wouldn't obey me.

It was like seeing Miss Yang Gong nervously singing "Spring Shadow" in front of me.

Suddenly, I found myself disliking Tazaki-kun, who was right in front of me.

It's strange, how could I possibly dislike Tazaki-kun?

He is gentle, talented, speaks with elegance and politeness, and does not like to lie.

Ah, that must be it.

I hate him because he lied.

Maybe they've already hooked up while I wasn't looking. Every night when I'm asleep, Rin sneaks downstairs and gently knocks on his door with a pre-arranged signal frequency.

"Miss Aoki?"

After the door opened, Tazaki dragged her into the room, impatiently pinning her against the door, and then...

"Miss Aoki?"

"……what?"

I suddenly came to my senses, and there on the screen was Toru Tazaki looking at me with concern.

I opened my mouth, but couldn't get the words out, so I instinctively covered it up with a smile.

"...Sorry, I played the wrong note."

“I’ve heard Miss Aoki play that chord many times before, and she always plays it very well. It’s not necessary to blame yourself for occasional mistakes. Miss Aoki is just too harsh on herself in this regard.”

no.

I find it hard to say.

If I were to say something like, "Now is not the time to talk about playing the piano," Tazaki-kun would definitely look astonished, thinking that I've been possessed by something strange.

But this is my honest opinion.

At that moment, I had lost even the slightest interest in plucking the strings.

I really love the songs he writes, but now I find his expression incredibly annoying.

She even considered never asking him for advice on composing again.

Also, you are not allowed to use my computer or my keyboard.

It would be best if you left my music room and didn't step into the second floor, so that I could return to being alone.

Ah, that doesn't seem right.

This house belongs to Rin-chan, and the music room also belongs to Rin-chan.

Could it be that I'm the one who should leave?

"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Tazaki-kun."

"It's getting late, and I shouldn't bother you any longer. I'll hang up now. Goodnight."

"Eh? I understand. Goodnight, Miss Aoki."

Look, he can't wait any longer.

Rin-chan is probably hiding under the table right now. Once he hangs up the phone, she'll slither up onto his body like a slimy eel.

No, Rin-chan probably can't do that kind of thing; she's not that flexible.

After the video call ended, I rubbed my face, wiping away the smile that was on my face.

I seem to have gained some weight recently, and my hands feel especially good to knead.

Looking at the MIDI keyboard in front of me, I felt inexplicably annoyed and wanted to play a bunch of random notes. Just as my fingers touched the keyboard, the phone suddenly rang.

I was immediately startled, and in a moment of panic, I forced a smile and hurriedly answered the call.

"Tazaki-kun, is there anything else? I should go take a shower and go to bed."

"Well... it's not that anything's wrong, I just wanted to ask if you're alright, Miss Aoki."

"Eh?"

"If I said anything you didn't like to hear, I apologize in advance."

"I'm not good at talking. I thought that a girl as capable as Miss Aoki would not confide her troubles to others unless she had suffered some injustice or had something she couldn't handle on her own."

He was right.

But I refuse to admit it.

"...Tazaki-kun, why do you think that?"

"Perhaps it's because Miss Aoki's smile tonight is noticeably different from her usual self."

"Me as usual?"

"Because Miss Aoki always wakes up very early, you are the first person I meet every morning when I wake up, and I am familiar with your smile."

"I apologize for saying some nonsensical things and even making serious assumptions. If Ms. Tachibana from across the street knew, she would probably tease me."

"...Across the hall?"

Isn't Rin-chan under the table?

"Yes, there was some trouble earlier, but she's back in her room now. You're absolutely right, Ms. Tachibana is completely bad at dealing with other people."

"Not sleeping together?"

"what?"

I realized I had spoken out of turn and immediately covered my mouth.