After finally proving herself to be a competent technician, her schedule began filling up. Unfortunately, one day while she was setting up the studio, she received a call. The artist she was expecting had just cancelled. Although she was disappointed, she knew that this was going to happen eventually. Now that she had some free time, she decided to look over some of the paperwork that had been left for her. As she was sorting through the pile, she noticed that there was a music score. Attached to it, was a note:

            Dear Machi-san,

                      I was talking to Tachibana-sama and he said that you have a good ear. Could you please look over this song for me? Something just doesn't seem right and I can't seen to pinpoint it. Let me know what you think. I would really appreciate it.

             Thanks,

             Haruka Ino

Dawn immediately recognized the name. Haruka Ino was the agency's top composer. Dawn was shocked. Why in the world would a composer as well known as her be sending me a score? Just because I have a good ear? What does that mean? I'm only a recording technician, what can I possibly do to help a composer? Dawn was worried that this might be a mistake, so she decided to call the composition department just ot make sure.

"Composition department, how may I direct your call?" the operator asked.

"Hello, I'm trying to reach the office of Haruka Ino-sama" Dawn said politely.

"And who shall I say is calling?" the operator questioned. It was obvious that she was screening the calls.

"Machi-san. Please tell them it is Machi-san from the recording department."

"Please hold."

"He... hello? Ma... Ma... Machi-san?" stuttered a young woman on the other end.

"Yes, this is Machi-san" Dawn replied.

"Oh, my! Thank you for calling. I never expected you would call us so soon. I mean, I only just..."

"Hold on a moment" Dawn intervened "What is going on? Who am I speaking to?"

"Please forgive me," the young woman calmed down a bit "This is Haruka Ino. I completely forgot to introduce myself. I'm so sorry."

"Oh, no I'm sorry. I thought that they had transferred me to one of you secretaries. I didn't realize it was you."

"Yes, I was afraid that might happen too. So, I told the operator to notify me immediately if you should call. That way you would be transferred to me and nobody else. I didn't want there to be any confusion. I must say I'm surprised, I didn't expect you to call so soon. I mean, I only sent you the score this morning."

"Wait a second. You mean... you did send this score?"

"Yes, I did. There should have been a note attached."

"Oh, yes there was."

"Good, I tend to be forgetful." Haruka breathed a sigh of relief. "So, what do you think? Do you have any ideas?"

"Well the truth is, I just got the score and I thought it might have been sent to me by mistake" Dawn said as though she were walking a fine line. She knew that Haruka was not a person she should offend. "I just wanted to make sure someone in your office didn't send it to the wrong person. I mean, no one has ever sent me a score before."

Haruka laughed. "I understand. Yes, you were supposed to receive the score. Tachibana-sama said that you have a good ear and a keen sense. He also said that I could trust your judgment. I've been working on that song for three days now and I just can't seem to figure out what is wrong. I know that you have never done this before, but do you think you could just listen to it and tell me what you think? It would really help to have another set of ears. Please?"

"Well I guess it couldn't hurt."

"Oh! Really! Thank you so much!"

"Wait a moment. I said I'd listen, but I can't promise that I'll be of any help."

"No really, thank you! I have a really good feeling about you. I'm sure you are going to be able to figure it out" Haruka said with absolute confidence. The trust and certainty she had in Machi-san's ability, left no room for doubt.

After hanging up the phone, Dawn turned all her attention to the song. After listening to the CD that was sent with the score, Dawn became confused. For some reason, it sounded fine to her so she listened again. That was when she noticed that the recording didn't have the vocal line. Without the missing melody, there was no way she could accurately analyze the song.

She knew that if she could just hear the song with the vocal line, she would be able to figure it out. There was no one around, so she decided to use the studio. She would record the melody and combine it with the rest of the song on the CD. She set up the studio and started recording. She had never recorded herself before, but she knew that there was no other way. So, she gathered all her courage and sang the melody.

Unbeknownst to her, while she was recording Toma had entered the sound booth. He stood there amazed at what he was hearing. He thought that there was no way she could possibly surprise him anymore, but he was wrong. He never expected to see her singing, but what surprised him most was her voice; It was beautiful.