Author's Note: I am not an editor or a professional writer. I will write this and edit it to the best of my ability. I also do not own Uma Musume, which is owned by Cygames. Watch the animes and read the mangas, for they are pretty good. Finally, please enjoy.
Juna Uzumaki POV
After spending those two weeks at training camp making meals large enough to feed the monstrous Oguri Cap for an entire day, I cheered at finally being able to rest. I handed my responsibilities over to my chefs and assistant dietitians, allowing myself a much-needed week off.
However, after just one day of resting, I heard a knock on my door.
When I opened it, I found my rock buddy, ImP, standing there alongside the music meister herself, Black Diamond, or BlaD for short. She was cool, especially when she joined our air-guitar rock-off and showed off her own sound.
It was great! Her style was a version of rock I'd never heard before, and her passion and pride in her music were easy to hear.
We soon got to talking, and before long, they invited me to help them make some sick-ass music. How could I refuse? I grabbed my guitar and the rest of my gear, and we headed to the music studio.
It was located in the music building, where we passed the dance studio. Vic and Lily were practicing like crazy in there. We also passed the design studio, where Norn and GW were taking measurements of Sweets, Steel, and Mama herself.
Next was the writing studio, where Gray, KiWi, and Jo were working on different projects.
After that, we passed the filming studio, where Rain, Rose, and Spice were filming promotional material for the team.
Everyone was busy working alongside the staff, and the department heads were just as occupied. Mina had gone with Iguro and Ayana to interview people, leaving Takeshi and Suzu to run things in their absence. Meanwhile, Hachi, Mana, and Hana were preparing for our upcoming travel schedule.
Then there were Takeshi and Yuto, who were working together on the team's race-day strategies.
Finally, there was Ana, who was in the room we were heading toward.
Ana and I were about to help the team create some great music.
We soon arrived, and when Ana saw us, she looked surprised.
"Juna, what are you doing here? Don't you have the week off?"
I smiled and replied, "I do, but these girls asked me to help make some rock and roll with all of you. Now, how can I refuse such a great offer?"
She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.
"BlaD, can I talk to you for a second in the other room?"
BlaD and Ana soon left the soundproof room together. Despite how dire the situation looked, I wasn't too worried.
After a while, Ana returned looking defeated, while BlaD nodded at me, signaling that we were good to go and could start making some rock.
Ana and her team began working on their own songs, while BlaD, ImP, and I started writing ours.
We discussed what we wanted to create and eventually agreed on a rock-based song that combined punk rock with traditional rock and roll.
As for the lyrics, we wanted absolutely no holding back emotionally and no censorship of any kind. However, the lyrics still had to make sense. We wanted the song to be about fighting free from the shackles of what music had become in this world.
A song anyone could sing, but one that couldn't belong to any other genre besides rock.
That meant the sound couldn't be inspired by any pop music from this world.
I thought that would be difficult, but BlaD immediately picked up her guitar and played a rock sound I'd never heard before.
It was undeniably rock, yet so different from anything I'd ever heard. And as a rock junkie, I'd heard plenty of rock in my life!
BlaD really was the music meister.
ImP loved the sound and began adding his own punk-rock elements. I joined in, contributing my own style of rock to complement what they were creating.
We started by experimenting with different instruments and sounds, with Ana helping us along the way. She ingeniously brought together the sounds she found harmonious.
She was a freaking genius! She absolutely deserved her position as head of music and dance.
Before long, we were playing the song together. BlaD took the drums, I played the guitar, and the assistants helped us with the other instruments, while ImP handled the vocals.
We made plenty of mistakes along the way, but once we finally got everything right, what I heard that day blew my mind.
Soon enough, presentation day arrived.
Boss Mina, Ana, Suzu, and the other players gathered to hear what we'd created.
The first songs were presented as recordings played through the stereo. BlaD introduced each one, starting with Jo's theme song.
"This is the theme song for Jo, and its name is..."
She announced the title before playing the song, then watched everyone's reactions to see whether they liked the finished product.
So far, everyone loved the songs. BlaD and Ana had worked with everyone to create music that suited each individual, and every song had been a banger.
Vic's song was called "Can You Handle This," while Mama Blues's was called "Raising."
Yes, sometimes the titles were based on the people they represented. Gray's song was called "Oops, Did You Hurt Yourself," while Rose's was called "Drink It In."
Next was GW's song, "See Me Shine," followed by Rain's "Ride with Me."
Lily's song was called "Here for You," while Steel's was titled "Another One."
Next came Spice's "War Witch" and ImP's "Wider World."
At this point, it became obvious that some of the titles were based more on the don than on the person themselves, especially with those last two.
The next song was BlaD's, titled "This Is Rock," followed by Sweets's "Parts of You."
After that came Jo's "New Step" and Norn's "Fall for Me."
Then came KiWi's song, "King (Kill) Me," followed by the organization's theme song, "Out of the Way."
Soon enough, every department head had a theme song announced. However, since they felt those songs weren't necessary for their roles, the idea was put aside, though not scrapped entirely.
The songs we'd created for them would still be used from time to time, but they wouldn't be as important. They were songs for the people working behind the scenes, those who weren't usually meant to be in the spotlight.
With that settled, we moved on to the main event.
It was finally time to present our song.
The song we'd named "Fighting Free."
BlaD stepped forward and announced, "The last song tonight will be the team's theme song. Everyone, I present to you... Fighting Free!"
The projector turned on, and the music video we'd produced began playing.
It wasn't anything particularly special, just a recording of us playing the song. Even so, we'd made sure the stage looked great for this performance.
Soon, the music began, and everyone was blown away.
They'd enjoyed all the songs so far, but this one made them rise to their feet in excitement.
The music flowed through them, and they enjoyed every moment of it.
When the song finally ended, so did our presentation.
By the end of the day, the song had spread throughout the entire organization. Even Ana, who hadn't heard the finished product beforehand, had to acknowledge how good it was.
We'd done some great work.
Still, my vacation would soon be over, and I'd have to return to cooking epic meals.
I picked up my guitar, slung it over my back, and began walking away, just as I'd done a thousand times before in my life.
That's when I saw Ana waiting for me in the hallway.
Once she noticed me, she spoke.
"Good evening, Juna. I must say, you've done good work over these last few weeks."
"Good work to you, too, Ana. I couldn't have done it so quickly without you."
She smiled before asking, "Where are you headed now?"
I was confused. We worked in the same place, so she should already know the answer to that question.
Still, I answered politely.
"Back to my actual job. You know, the one I was hired to do."
She replied dryly, "That is not what I meant, Juna. I want to know if you're willing to come back for future projects."
I smiled.
"I respect you, Ana, and I enjoy working with those two. So, if you'll have me, you know where to find me. Still, talk to the boss about it first. I might be busy doing my actual job."
With that, I walked away while Ana smiled behind me. I glanced back just in time to see her bow politely before heading in the opposite direction.
She hadn't been sure about me at first, but I'd earned her trust along the way.
Now it was time to put down my guitar and pick up my spatula.
The first tournament was almost here, and everyone was going to be hungry.
I soon began preparing for the work waiting for me tomorrow.
It had been a good vacation.