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?

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "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.