From Elise's Perspective, formerly Eric

"Yum! Delicious!" I was moved by my first taste of something called chocolate.

"Elise, you did it! That’s a perfect pass," she complimented me, making me feel bashful.

So that's it. The bizarre ingredients I added and the excessive amounts I used were why my creations turned out so grotesquely.

It's embarrassing that I couldn't apply the basics I teach Akira in magic to my baking.

"How about we go to karaoke, Elise?" Ryoko suggested.

"Karaoke?"

It seemed she was inviting me to sing.

I was led to a high-tech room. "Let's do a test. Choose any song you like."

What? Is she going to decide on her relationship with Akira based on my singing?

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"Understood," I said, taking the machine and trying to operate it myself.

From the songs I listened to yesterday on CD, I chose one that was catchy, easy to sing, and yet demanded skill from the singer.

"Chose that song, huh? It’s a tough one, but are you sure?"

I nodded earnestly. The song seemed closely tied to the faith of this world, but I thought it was purely beautiful.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound," I sang.

Ryoko listened intently until I finished.

"Remarkable, you really could be from a world where you cast spells with music. Your vocal skills could even stand up in a conservatory. The vibrato is also perfectly pleasant, no complaints."

"Thank you!" I bowed.

"Alright, I've decided! You'll perform at tomorrow's recital!"

"What?!"

Her sudden proposal caught me off guard.

Just when I thought she was acknowledging my relationship with Akira, she took an unexpected turn.

"But it’s just a small-scale recital among friends in a local hall. The original singer for the jazz piece 'Summertime' fell ill, and we needed a replacement."

"Can I really do it?"

"If you can sing like that, you'll be fine. If not, I’ll take responsibility. We even have a dress that would fit your size perfectly. I’ll make some calls right now."

Ryoko then phoned someone to say, "I've found a great singer."

Can I really handle such a big role?

Although I remembered "Summertime" from the CD I listened to, I definitely needed to practice it more.

Unlike in my world, here, music isn't made for advancement or livelihood but purely for entertainment.

I savored the joy of singing as I immersed myself in the music, practicing late into the night.