Music, Maestro!

~~~~~~ Wakana Iwasaki ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ SHSL Conductor ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ Status: Alive ~~~~~~~ Currently in Doki Doki Despair Club!

[haplesshikikomori]

VOTE FOR BETHESDA 2KWHATEVER | Open | Beth

Monika really loved to drone on and on, didn’t she? Ah, but maybe that was just what club presidents did? If that was the case, though, she had no interest in being the vice president. None whatsoever. Although scrapbooking sounded like fun - furthermore, it sounded like she would have an even better excuse to not talk to anyone at their club meetings! Anyone she didn’t want to talk to could be handed the excuse of ‘I’m busy taking pictures’ or something equally unbelievable. But they’d have to buy it! Besides, she favoured herself better at graphic design than any of her classmates as it was.

Although she could have sworn Monika was looking at her for a moment there, she shrugged it off. Probably just her imagination - after all, she did have to look out at everyone when addressing them as a club. That just made sense. Although she wasn’t especially invested in the club, she felt a strange pull to ‘campaign’ for the historian position. She really wanted to be able to design a book of memories for the club with her own, superior artistic vision. She would be absolutely perfect for the part. She wasn’t particularly invested in it, but since it was inevitable, she might as well take the initiative to ensure it didn’t completely suck.

Barely shifting in her seat to recline somewhat, arm hanging over the back of her chair, Beth sort of kind of addressed the whole class with a lazy wave. “Graphic design is my passion. Vote Beth Esda for historian unless you want a stupid and boring book of memories or whatever. ‘Kay, thanks in advance.” Yeah, that was gonna work. Super convincing.

[shslconductor]

Wakana was excited. Very excited. They were getting to vote for club positions? Wakana really really reaaaally wanted to try for a position herself, but she really had no idea how to do any of those jobs that Monika described. It's a shame there wasn't some sort of position that involved music!

When she heard Beth announce that she would run for historian, Wakana let out an audible gasp. One of her best friends AND her awesome roomie, going for a club position? Wakana was totally going to vote for her!

She skipped over to Beth and surprise hugged her from behind, wrapping her arms around the other’s neck.

“Beeeeth!! You'd be the PERFECT HISTORIAN!! EVERYONE!! EVERYONE LISTEN!! YOU NEED TO VOTE FOR BETH AS HISTORIAN, OR I WILL BE VERY VERY VERY VERY SAAAAAAAAD!!”

Her loud and obnoxious voice rang throughout the classroom, and in poor Beth’s ear.

[dokidoki-hitomi-chan]

Discussion || Hitomi || Chapter 1 Open

[dokidoki-hitomi-chan]

shslconductor:

Wakana was sitting happily in her chair, swinging her legs about and humming to herself. This was a pretty cool club! She listened as Hitomi mentioned her favourite types of literature. Soon, it seemed that it was supposed to be her turn to speak. Clearing her throat loudly, the conductor spoke up.

“"Wow, you read a lot of cool things Hitomi-chan! Let’s see…I don’t really read a lot! In fact, I kinda find reading a bit boring actually!! Buuuuuut I do like reading sheet music!! It’s fun to read all the notes and imagine what the music would sound like out loud!!”

Wakana began waving her hand in the air as if she was conducting. As she did, she continued to talk.

“Music can kinda be considered literature, can’t it?! I mean, you can read it like you read regular words! It’s just a bit different! I love reading music!!”

She gave a little nod before sitting back in her seat, a big smile on her face.

Hitomi’s interest is piqued in Wakana’s response, so she keeps that in mind while the rest of the class talks. Once everybody is free to chat amongst themselves rather than with the group, she slinks over and asks,

Hey, i-it’s like, like you can hear the music in your head when you read it, right? When you um, read sheet music… Like how you can see pictures in your head when reading… uh… regular… sheets?– books, n-normal books? That’s really amazing~. Umm… How did you learn?

Isn’t Hitomi a music talent too.

[shslconductor]

“Hm!? Oh yeah, it is!! I can hear every music note in my head when I read them! it’s so fun!! It’s like having a mini orchestra in my brain!” She giggled a little at the compliment and swished her shirt about. “Aww, thanks!! I learnt how to read sheet music in middle school!! Before then, I just kinda...guessed how the music went when I played instruments!? I got it right a lot of the time though!! But yeah, reading sheet music makes playing instruments and conducting SO MUCH EASIER!!” She gave a small nod at the other. “What about you Hitomi-chan!? Do you read much sheet music!?”

[dokidoki-hitomi-chan]

Discussion || Hitomi || Chapter 1 Open

… Eh, m-me?

Hitomi knows that Monika said she wanted to get everybody involved, but she didn’t expect to actually have to talk during a meeting! Oh man oh god. Is she allowed to tap someone on the shoulder and walk out? Like in improv? Or wrestling? No? Oh no. She frets and tries to gather her thoughts.

M-Me, my thoughts, um… E-Ehh… I… haven’t read lots of b… or um, not a lot of novels… like, normal novels, b-but! There’s… web novels? And cellphone novels, I-I really like those. They’re like, instead of being published books, it’s, they’re uploaded piece by bit– e-err, piece by piece, l-like… I think it was called “serial fiction?” Or something. Web novels, they’re… mostly amateur, and, not the first thing you think of when it comes to literature, but… they’re still literature, I think, since, you know, the writing can be amazing, a-and it’s not like all books are amazing, and it can be really long too a-and if it’s the serial thing, then, like, the Tale of Genji was, too, l-like, that was published one chapter at a time, just like fanfics, so–!

Before you get too proud of her for making a speech, she’s just re-recited from memory a “What I Like” essay she wrote in middle school. This is self-plagiarism.

… T… That’s my… experience with lit… N-Next…?

[shslconductor]

Wakana was sitting happily in her chair, swinging her legs about and humming to herself. This was a pretty cool club! She listened as Hitomi mentioned her favourite types of literature. Soon, it seemed that it was supposed to be her turn to speak. Clearing her throat loudly, the conductor spoke up.

“"Wow, you read a lot of cool things Hitomi-chan! Let's see...I don't really read a lot! In fact, I kinda find reading a bit boring actually!! Buuuuuut I do like reading sheet music!! It's fun to read all the notes and imagine what the music would sound like out loud!!”

Wakana began waving her hand in the air as if she was conducting. As she did, she continued to talk.

“Music can kinda be considered literature, can't it?! I mean, you can read it like you read regular words! It's just a bit different! I love reading music!!”

She gave a little nod before sitting back in her seat, a big smile on her face.

[iamboxchan-deactivated20180802]

   Truly a musically girl; even though the pitch kept getting higher and higher, there was still a musical tone to it. Like she was performing her scales just for her.

   Box-chan gently squeezes her shoulder a bit more. A silent way of telling her that no, this isn’t a mean joke. It only makes her feel worse though…she liked it better when Waka-chan smiled. This just didn’t feel right to her.

   “…U-Um…maybe…something more is g-going on…you know? I-I don’t have a good feeling about this…do you…?”

[shslconductor]

Wakana whimpered and nodded. She didn’t want to admit it, but she did feel a little scared. “Ah..ah..ah...m-maybe everything will be okay!! We just have to figure out what is going on!!” The conductor though for a moment, a small frown on her face. What could possibly be going on? “Oh!!! Maybe this is just an icebreaker game!? You know, like a getting to know you game!!! That’s why we’re all here, right!? Right!?!”  Wakana clung to Box-Chan, her voice sounding more and more desperate as she continues to speak.

[shslconductor]

A Dissonant Chord | Wakana | Chapter 1 | Open

The music conductor listened to Monika, a small smile on her face. This club was going to be so much fun!! Sure, she didn’t read much, but she was going to make tons of friends!!

That excitement all came tumbling down when she read the rules on her device. Wakana made a confused noise. Wait a minute, what?

They had to stay at the school?! They had to…kill each other!? The pink haired girl began to laugh nervously as she glanced around the room with wide eyes.

“Hahaha!! This is a joke isn’t it!? Juuuuust a silly silly joke!!”

She laughed again, but this time her voice sounded a little weaker. This was a weird joke, but that’s all it was wasn’t it? Just a joke?

[iamboxchan-deactivated20180802]

   The slight fall in her voice worried Box-chan. It wasn’t like the Wakana she’d gotten used to; screaming cheerfully at every little thing. It pained her, almost.

   She carefully approaches her, placing a hand on her shoulder. …was that okay to do? She wouldn’t hit her, would she?

   “…I-I…don’t think its a…joke, Waka-chan…”

[shslconductor]

Wakana let out a small shrill squeak when Box-chan placed a hand on her shoulder. She’d been so caught up in looking at her notebook that she hadn’t noticed the other approach. She gave the other girl a frightened look. “Ah...ah...you don’t think so!? But it has to be!! This must just be a mean joke by some mean person!! It’s not nice to scare other people!!” Wakana’s voice was getting higher the more she spoke. 

[shslconductor]

A Dissonant Chord | Wakana | Chapter 1 | Open

The music conductor listened to Monika, a small smile on her face. This club was going to be so much fun!! Sure, she didn't read much, but she was going to make tons of friends!!

That excitement all came tumbling down when she read the rules on her device. Wakana made a confused noise. Wait a minute, what?

They had to stay at the school?! They had to...kill each other!? The pink haired girl began to laugh nervously as she glanced around the room with wide eyes.

"Hahaha!! This is a joke isn't it!? Juuuuust a silly silly joke!!"

She laughed again, but this time her voice sounded a little weaker. This was a weird joke, but that's all it was wasn't it? Just a joke?

[shsl-pictureperfect]

A Work of Art | Suzaku | Prologue | Open

[shsl-pictureperfect]

“I- there are no windows?” Suzaku was extremely, extremely confused. He had found some earlier, hadn’t he? So why didn’t Wakana see them?

Why weren’t they there any longer?

This classroom did not bode well, if he was starting to question his own sanity. Normal… think normal. What was normal, again?

“What kind of pictures did you try to put up? If they were extremely colourful, he may have thought that it would distract the band. Perhaps motivational posters wouldn’t garner the same attention, if you wanted to try again.”

He didn’t mention that the odds of her being able to leave the room were practically zero. The windows were gone, the door was locked, the room was like, magic or something. She stood no chance at all.

[shslconductor]

“I-I don't know!! I thought there were but then there wasn't?!”

Wakana seemed just as confused as Suzaku if not more. What kind of weird place was this?! Thankfully, Suzaku asked her the question about the pictures. Yay, a distraction!

“They were reaaaally cute pictures of kittens with instruments!! I thought the musicians would like them, but grumpy mister no fun sure didn't!”

She nodded happily at the other’s suggestion. “Okay! I might do that then! Once we get out of this place!!”

Wakana spun in a circle and clasped her hands together, a smile growing on her face. “Oh, Suzu-kun!! You should totally come watch me conduct one day!!”

[dokidokidespairclub-blog]

School Club Day!

“Hey, everyone? I’d like your attention, please!”

Monika didn’t have to resort to banging pots and pans—or teapots and platters—before the room went quiet.

“Great! Thanks.”

“As you all know, the school year is in full motion, and it’s the final day to select your after-school club!”

“I know there are a lot of choices, but I’d really love it if you guys would join me in the Literature Club!”

“It’s really not that popular, but it’s going to be a lot of fun, I promise! Even if it might not sound like it…”

“But it’s up to you! Just fill out one of these short forms and slip it into the box. I’ll submit them once they’re all in.”

“Don’t take too much time, though! This class period is almost over.”

“If you’re having any trouble deciding, I’d love to help you out! Just let me know, okay?”

Truth be told, your memories were still more than a little hazy. But Monika certianly seemed to know what she was talking about, so why not go with it? It was a pretty simple decision, after all.

It is time for your character to select their after-school club! Please send in asks to the main blog to make your choice official.

Options:

Dance Club Computer Club Literature Club Art Club Music Club Health Club Shogi Cl Oh, that’s a little too Japanese, isn’t it? I’d hate for anyone not to understand… Chess Club

[shsl-pictureperfect]

A Work of Art | Suzaku | Prologue | Open

[shsl-pictureperfect]

“I see. The door won’t open, though. It seemed to be jammed when I checked, but it just wouldn’t budge. It seems like no one is in the hallway either,” he informed her.

“If you don’t mind me asking though, what’s your concert master like?”

[shslconductor]

“Oh okay! Well, I tried to open a window but I don't even think there even ARE windows here. Silly me!!”

Wakana laughed, but it sounded kind of confused at the end. 

The moment her concert master was brought up, she winced.

“Ugh, he's this old annoying guy who doesn't like fun ever! Once, I tried to put up cute pictures around the practice room and he took them all down!! He's a big Mr. No Fun Police! He also gets reaaaaally mad at me when I'm late, so I have to leave as soon as I can!”

[shsl-pictureperfect]

A Work of Art | Suzaku | Prologue | Open

[shsl-pictureperfect]

“I… will agree. This place is quite weird,” he nodded his head. “I get the vague feeling that class…? Is starting soon, but I don’t know when. And there are little things that don’t add up.”

“But at the same time, the whole place just looks…. deceptively normal.” He would know. He’s seen a lot of people, after all. And while this wasn’t so much a person as it was a place, it seemed to be hiding something.

Or maybe, they were all hallucinating. But how likely was that?

[shslconductor]

“Yep!! I just hope we aren't stuck here for too long! I have an orchestra practice I need to go to. Mister concert master is gonna be sooooo mad at me if I'm late again!!”

She pouted and folded her arms. She may be the scream queen, but that man also had a pretty big set of lungs too. It wasn't fun getting yelled at! Oh Wakana, if only you understood this.

“I know right? It's actually a little bit creepy! I dunno if I like being here!!”

She frowned and glanced around quickly, expecting a door or a window(?) to magically open up so she could escape. No such luck though.

[shsl-pictureperfect]

A Work of Art | Suzaku | Prologue | Open

[shsl-pictureperfect]

Suza…. kun? To say that he was confused would be an understatement. But sure, who was he to tell her no? Was he expected to reciprocate? Did he have to call her Wakana… Waka-chan? 

Ew, no please. That just sounded wrong.

“I guess… well, I have the general feeling I forgot something. But looking around the classroom, there’s a rather large slot machine there that doesn’t work. The windows and doors won’t open either. And the cupboard is… confusing, to say the least.”

[shslconductor]

“Huh?! What's wrong with the cupboard?! When I looked in it everything was okay!! There's just a bunch of books in it.”

Wakana gave Suzaku a confused look. The only thing that didn't make sense to her was when he mentioned the windows. Were there even any windows in here? She was certain there were at first but there definitely wasn't any! Was there?

“This place is super duper weird though!”

[shslconductor]

Tuning Up | Wakana | Prologue | Open

[dokidoki-hitomi-chan]

shslconductor:

“That’s okay!! I can give you all that stuff later!! ”

Wakana gave the other girl a cheerful smile. In all honesty she couldn’t remember her own phone number so she was more than happy to wait.

She gasped when the other explained her talent, her eyes sparkling. “Oh I know what Utaites are!! I love how talented they are!! You must be super talented too then!!”

Wakana has listened to some Utaites but she doesn’t have tons of knowledge. She does love Vocaloid covers though!

“You should totally sing!! I wanna hear your pretty voice!!”

She waited expectantly, gazing at the other with an excited expression.

RED ALERT, RED ALERT. Hitomi backs off with her hands up as if attempting to pacify a bear.

E-Eh! T-Thanks, um… for the, y-yeah, I um, I think I am, since, well, Hope’s Peak and all… I’d, uh… I… c… can’t show you… right now, though…

Oh god think of an excuse something anything

It’d um, I-I think it’d be fairest to, like, get a chance to shwitch– t-to show each other… ‘s talents, like… together? A-At a later time. Like, when I can watch you conduct! T-That’d um, that’d be fun, right?

So like the practical exams, but with only two people. Good cover.

… I hope we make it back soon s-so Iwasaki-san’s not too late forchestra…

She’s going to die over mispronouncing words so often.

[shslconductor]

Wakana's excited smile turned into a disappointed frown when the other girl said she couldn't show off her singing voice. The conductor was sure she had a beautiful voice!! She was the SHSL Utaite after all!!

"Aww okay!!"

She seemed to brighten up a little when Hitomi suggested that they show each other their talents.

"That sounds SO COOL!! You could sing for me and then I'll take you to one of my performances. Aaa!! This is gonna be so much fun!!"

She clapped her hands and bounced up and down on the spot. When she had settled down a bit, Wakana could help but giggle at the other's mispronounciations. They were just as cute as she was!

"I hope so too! Mister concert master is gonna be so mad at me..."

She sighed and pouted. The conductor wasn't looking forward to being yelled at again!

[suzussleepysnakes]

Aware, Alert, and Addled | Suzu Koyanagi | Prologue | OPEN

[shslconductor]

suzussleepysnakes

The woman couldn’t help but chuckle at the girl’s mispronounciation of her talent. It wasn’t the first time that someone had no idea what her talent was, to be fair.

“Likewise. You definitely have the brightest things in life filled inside you, and I admire that.” Suzu couldn’t help but let her eyebrows shift up slightly, as her lips curved into another smile. God, she seemed to do that a lot. Was it for reassurance? Or something else?

“Actually, Wakana, there is a question I would like to ask of you.” Suddenly, the smile disappeared from the woman’s face. “Do you happen to remember anything that happened before you woke up?”

Wakana giggled at the other’s kind words. “Aww thanks! I always do try to be as bright as possible!!!” She liked how Suzu smiled a lot. People that smiled always made Wakana feel happy because, well, they were happy too!! Wakana loved being around other happy people! When Suzu asked her question, the conductor made a noise and tilted her head. “Ah..ah..ah..I don’t think I do!! Wait no!! I remember that I was walking on the street. I...think I was heading to orchestra practice!? I’m not really sure, my head feels all fuzzy and weiiiird!!” Wakana held her head and let out a small moan.

[shsl-pictureperfect]

A Work of Art | Suzaku | Prologue | Open

[shsl-pictureperfect]

“I’m happy you think so,” was a soft reply, before Suzaku offered her a small smile. “That aside, I would like to ask if you’ve noticed anything strange about the room. Before I started drawing, I was looking at the objects and, well, there are some oddities I cannot quite explain…”

That was putting it lightly, though. Very very lightly.

[shslconductor]

Wakana made a small noise and tilted her head. Anything strange? She hasn't seen anything that strange. Unless...

"Ahh... I was a little confused about the..the uh...the..."

Wakana seemed to draw a blank. What was it that had confused her? It was on the tip of her tongue! Something she thought she had seen but wasn't actually there.

"Aa...aah...I can't remember!?! Do you remember anything weird Suza-kun!?!"

[shslconductor]

Tuning Up | Wakana | Prologue | Open

[dokidoki-hitomi-chan]

shslconductor:

Wakana’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor when Hitomi asked for her an autograph. No one had ever asked her for an autograph before!! Not even once in her life! She did a little excited dance and made a small happy noise. “AAAAAA!! Of course you can have my autograph!!!” Her starry eyed look soon faded when it became apparent that the other didn’t have anything she could sign. “Aww, um, I can sign something later for you if you want!!” She spun in a circle and nodded enthusiastically at the other’s words. “Of course!! Let’s be friends!!! Oh wait - you have a music related talent!?! What is it!?! Tell me tell me tell me!!!!”

For just a split second Hitomi is worried that Wakana was about to say no and was giving a little rejection dance. What the fresh frickity is a rejection dance, Hitomi.

R-Right, later! Like, if it’s not too much trouble. I’d ask your contact info so I won’t forget, b-but, you know… Aha…

She scratches the back of her neck sheepishly. She’s really useless without her phone, huh? Well, she’s useless most of the time anyway. That aside, though– Right, she forgot to introduce her own talent properly! With another modest bow of the head,

Utaite! It’s a um, type of singer! Though, not on any stage, so, I-I guess we’re not really related at all, oops… B-But, I really, really respect you!

Even if she has no idea what conducting entails. You do a hand wavy thingy in front of orchestras right. You swish your Wind Waker.

[shslconductor]

"That's okay!! I can give you all that stuff later!! "

Wakana gave the other girl a cheerful smile. In all honesty she couldn't remember her own phone number so she was more than happy to wait.

She gasped when the other explained her talent, her eyes sparkling. "Oh I know what Utaites are!! I love how talented they are!! You must be super talented too then!!"

Wakana has listened to some Utaites but she doesn't have tons of knowledge. She does love Vocaloid covers though!

"You should totally sing!! I wanna hear your pretty voice!!"

She waited expectantly, gazing at the other with an excited expression.

[shsl-pictureperfect]

A Work of Art | Suzaku | Prologue | Open

[shsl-pictureperfect]

“I like grey because it’s dull,” Suzaku gave her a knowing smile. “It’s calming, empty and often overlooked. I believe a shiny grey is called silver, actually.” It actually was. Wakana wasn’t too bright, was she? But she certainly had enthusiasm in spades.

“Not as interesting as you are, I think.” If anything, it was due to the mystery. He wasn’t very forthcoming with personal information, after all.

[shslconductor]

Grey was calming?! Well maybe to some people. Wakana just found it kind of...meh. Oh silver! That's what shiny grey was called! Of course! She giggled when Suzaku made the comment about her. 

“Yay! I guess I'm kinda interesting!” She spun in a circle and waved her hand in the air. “"You are pretty cool though too!!”

[jeremie-herve]

Prologue | Jérémie Dasios

[jeremie-herve]

shslconductor:

“Are you sure!?! Well if you say so!!”

She gave the other a big cheerful smile. Wakana didn’t seem to realise how much she was irritating the other. She just simply thought he was sleepy!

“Why would you wanna sleep here though!? We’re in a classroom!! This is like the worst place to fall asleep!!”

Jérémie gave her a look. One that clearly showed he was annoyed, tired, and not up for a conversation with this girl. Why couldn’t she take a hint and leave him alone?

“Watch me. I’ve fallen asleep in classrooms plenty of times.”

With that, he fell forward and his head hit the desk.

“Now go away.”

[shslconductor]

Okay. This guy seemed like he was a liiiittle peeved. Wakana wasn't exactly sure why though.

She watched as he slammed his head down on the desk and told her to go away.

"Wait wait wait!! Do you even know where you are!?! You shouldn't fall asleep somewhere you've never been before!!"