Stars' Song: Clef

Chapter 24 : The Sunset, the Full Moon, the Clear Sky

24-1

Being the opening performers gave you a huge advantage. Not only do you set the judges' expectations, but you also have a fresh crowd to listen to you. At the start of the event, the onlookers have the energy to willingly watch your performance.

The Battle of the Bands contest is known for stretching until the stars cover the pitch-black sky. There was one instance where, due to technical difficulties, the tournament ended at midnight. Therefore, the bands that did not have Lady Luck by their side in the draw lots were severely affected. Most patrons do not have the time and power to see the whole show through. Being one of the last contestants meant that you would be playing in front of a smaller audience.

Since the viewers are a part of your motivation to play, noticing them leave one by one before or during your performance is rubbing salt in the wound. I knew this because we were the final candidates in our very first participation in the contest. The four of us witnessed the supportive mob decrease, all the while impatiently waiting for our turn. It was painfully discouraging, and we couldn't do anything about it. We also can't ignore that 'audience impact' is part of the criteria. Although, I have no idea how the judges grade the bands with much smaller listeners than the starting groups.

In the end, this was a science high school—there's no point in hoping for a pristine system. Problems in these aspects are pretty much impossible to avoid, especially when ensuring that a musical affair like BOTB goes smoothly is not one of the top priorities of a STEM-focused academy.

Alongside Pollux, I blended into the spectators and surveyed the current contenders. Keith constructed a makeshift megaphone with his hands as he conveyed his support through shouts. Cyril, when impressed, would gently clap his palms. Amber did the same, but she would let out a tiny 'ooo' of wonderment every now and then. Ronin? Well, he stood on his feet, focusing on his phone as he played a MOBA game. It may have been buried by the music, but I was able to catch a faint 'you have been slain', which was likely the cause of his groaning. 

A tug on my sleeve prevented me from becoming a backseat gamer. "June?" Amber called.

"Yeah?"

"Are the results going to be announced today?"

"Yeah. At the end of the competition, it will be announced."

"That means we have to go through every performance..." The sentence she communicated was quivering.

"Right. It might take a while... Are you tired?"

"Not at all." Her crown shook, then turned forward to continue watching the gig.

"Argh! What the fuck?! This piece of shit game, man! It's so cancer!"

"Why did you do that? You're underleveled, idiot. Plus, that was a marksman you fought with. Are you truly Mythical Glory rank?"

"Shut up, Keith. I'm not messing around right now."

During the obscene cavils of Ronin, my vision landed on Amber's feet. I realized that her sentences of dismay were not the only things quivering. Her legs delicately trembled as if struggling to maintain balance. After considering the possibility that I might seem bothersome, I decided to ignore it. 

Strange. It was nighttime, yet I hadn't seen her once. I've been standing here for hours, but she was not in sight. When I studied the vocalist's act on stage amid my contemplations, I grabbed my phone out of my pocket. One ear of mine was shielded from the blares of instruments. This was a bad place for a phone call, but my concerns brushed this fact aside.