tl: check out my discord at https://discord.gg/zmZEwrErsw if you’d like to be pinged when i update
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“I’m home……”
I, Catalina Macrae, was back home today after another performance at the opera house.
Entering my flat, I’m greeted by a pitch black foyer.
I find it lonely that there’s not even a single person here and no lights are on.
“Can’t think like that, can’t think like that. Right now I need to concentrate on music!”
When the body and mind are weakened by fatigue, humans are creatures that can’t think straight. I ended up thinking about something that was so unlike me.
I left my house because I wanted to pursue a career in the world of music, that’s why I’m living in the Royal Capital.
It’s not a world where you can survive with naive thoughts like you’re lonely because you’re all by yourself.
I scolded my weak heart as I took off my high heels.
“Ouch, ouch…… Another blister.”
After taking off my shoes, I see my heels are red.
I was so focused during the performance that it didn’t bother me, but as soon as I finished my work, it started to hurt.
“I don’t want to wear them anymore.”
Every time I put on a new pair of heels, this happens.
Though I’m letting out such whining, since it’s for work it’s unavoidable.
Not only is a performer’s musical skills important, their appearance is as well. This especially true for musicians active in the Royal Capital and even more so if they are trying to make a name for themselves. Not just on stage, but also on the streets they can’t relax.
However, there are still times when I just want to walk around the city with flat sneakers.
With such carefree delusions in my head, I put on my indoor shoes and walked down the hallway.
After turning on the living room light, the dark room brightens up.
And then, my sloppy life is revealed.
On the sofa, a number of dresses are piled on top of one another, and the table is crammed with cosmetics and accessories. On the floor are shoes and socks that I’d taken off and left.
For me, from a young age, I’d been raised with the idea that such chores should be done by servants, so my hands just couldn’t move. No, saying it like that is just an excuse. As long as I live alone, this should be my own responsibility.
“……But, I just can’t push myself to do it right now.”
I decided to pretend I didn’t see them and moved to the sofa. As I threw myself and flopped down on it, it made a creaking screech and the dress I was wearing slips off.
After I pushed the dress over my head and hung it over the back of the sofa, I could finally catch my breath.
“Haa, I just want to sleep like this.”
But that’s not okay.
We have another concert next week.
No matter how much I’ve practised, it’s important for a performer to practice everyday. If you don’t do that, your skills will soon rust.
Besides, I’m also hungry, even though there are breaks in the performance schedule, what I was supposed to be doing during that time was to prepare for the next piece.
I didn’t have the time or energy to eat lunch, and in the end, today I only ate breakfast.
I was already starving.
“Let’s eat something light and practice.”
I whipped my exhausted body and somehow got up to head to the kitchen.
When I checked the refrigerator to see if there were any ingredients, I found only wine, shrivelled carrots, cucumbers, and other miserable foods.
Oh no. I was too busy that I completely forgot to go shopping.
At a quick glance, the shrivelled vegetables were a little damaged, but not yet rotten.
If there was at least one piece of meat, I could at least make a vegetable stir-fry.
I rummaged around in the fridge and found a pack of meat in the back.
“There it is! Meat — it’s no good. This is…….”
But when I looked at the pack, there was only what looked like a blackened lump of meat stuck inside.
Even a fridge couldn’t store meat for such a long time.
I was also not in the mood to fry and eat only shrivelled vegetables.
I resolved to give up on dinner for today.
Like I was venting my frustration due to my hunger, I closed the door of the refrigerator a little forcefully.
Then a slam echoed, and the wine bottle inside rolled a little due to the vibrations.
“……Still, couldn’t this be a little smaller?”
The refrigerator has a strong presence in the kitchen. Thanks to this revolutionary magic tool that made use of ice magic stones, my food situation has improved a fair bit.
However, I’m dissatisfied by the size of this refrigerator.
Well, since food is stored in it, it does need to be somewhat big, but couldn’t it be more compact?
Zirc Louren, the magic tool specialist who created the refrigerator is quite famous in Royal Capital, but his flaw is that he doesn’t respond well to such specific needs.
Perhaps he has no further interest in his finished creations.
The magic stove also requires a lot of force to twist the knob, and a woman like me has some difficulty adjusting it.
Even the hair dryer is inconvenient because I want to use it outside but its shape is too large to carry around.
If there can be smaller magic stoves, I feel that a small hair dryer can also be made.
I’ve sent him many letters of request for such magic tools, but it seems like he’s completely uninterested in improving his products.
Magic tools are a lifesaver for people like me who are not good at housework.
That’s why I want him to continue to make magic tools that will support people like us.
In order to have that hope realised, I will not stop sending him written requests.
Because that would still definitely be faster than improving my housekeeping abilities.
“Well then, I must practice my violin…….”
Having given up on dinner, I promptly take my instrument out of my violin case.
After activating a soundproofing magic tool, I lay out the sheet music for the piece I will be playing at the next concert and concentrate.
<~~♪>
As I was about to play a note by pulling the bow across the strings, I heard a cheerful man’s singing voice coming from the next room.
“…………”
Just as I was about to focus on practising, the noise from my neighbour annoyed me.
While the soundproofing magic tool prevents noise from the inside leaking out, sounds from the outside can still be heard.
The singing was in tune and very rhythmic, but it wasn’t something I’ve heard before.
I wonder what region this song was from?
“Ha! I don’t have time for this. I have to practise!”
This is not the time to be listening to my neighbour’s singing. I have to do what I must.
I refocused my mind on the sounds of my next concert.
However, as if to cut off my concentration, the cheerful singing voice comes back to me.
A strangely nice voice that sounds quite happy.
Even though I’d done my best to try and work. This careless inconsiderate singing was irritating me.
“Enough! If you want to sing, at least use something like a soundproofing magic tool!”
I turned off my magic tool and kicked the wall of the room next neighbour’s with all my strength.
However, I ended up kicking too hard, and even though I was wearing shoes, I felt a strong impact on my foot, and I fell in pain.
“~~su!?” In the end, on this night, I couldn’t get any decent practice because of my troublesome neighbour.
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