The following week was uneventful yet filled with progress. The girls practiced; Umi composed the last song and the bonus one, so they were now ready to be recorded; Aya, Tomokazu, and I planned more things for the album's release; and the second floor was renovated.
Although the reception area, the art and sewing office, and the gym were going to be left for later, we finished setting up the dance and recording studios. The girls finally had a proper space to practice and Umi could record the last two songs.
Help was always welcome, however. The new choreographer and sound engineer were hired, chosen with everyone's opinions in mind, and they were eager to give a good first impression.
Aki and I walked through the glass door five minutes before twelve o'clock—the normal start time of our work schedule. Both the choreographer and the sound engineer sat on the sofa in the reception area. I glanced at them and they jumped up and bowed.