Fujino was thinking.
Nearby, Sonoko and Ran were chatting.
As they talked, the subject turned to Akitani Reiko coaching the kids tomorrow.
Sonoko could not help complaining, "Those little brats actually said there was something wrong with me. I've clearly been teaching them seriously, so why can't they learn?"
"What's wrong with me? Everyone agrees that I'm a good singer!"
"There must be something wrong with them!"
"Ran, don't you think so?"
"Well..."
Ran touched her chin and recalled Sonoko's teaching, falling silent for a moment.
She was trying to find a way to put it without hurting her best friend's self-esteem.
In the end, she could only cast a pleading look at Fujino.
Fujino: "..."
How was I supposed to know what she was doing wrong?
I hadn't even seen how she taught those kids to sing...
Why did you two besties have to pick on me alone?
Fujino felt rather helpless about the difficult problem Ran had tossed his way.
He recalled the experience and knowledge from his singer profession:
"Sonoko, I don't think it's a matter of anyone being wrong. It's a matter of methods."
"Methods?" Sonoko tilted her head, confused by Fujino's words.
Fujino continued, "Sonoko, your singing voice really is lovely."
"Hehe!"
Sonoko chuckled, raised her chin, and wore an infatuated expression. "That's what I'm saying!"
"..."
Fujino was speechless at that expression.
He usually would not use the word sleazy to describe a girl.
But Sonoko's appearance really could not be described any other way.
"But!"
Fujino poured cold water over Sonoko's excitement. "Singing well doesn't mean you can teach well. Can you tell me how you taught them?"
"I just taught them the techniques I usually use when singing."
Sonoko thought for a moment. "Like how to project their voices and stuff."
"That's