Solo

The count down has begun

The three days before the semifinals flew by in a blur of rehearsals, strategy sessions, and a constant undercurrent of nervous energy. The weight of the competition was heavier than ever, and we all knew it. But this was the moment we'd been working toward, and I was determined to see us through.

Our practice space—a rented studio a few blocks from the café—had become our second home. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and walls lined with acoustic panels to help with the sound. A large mirror covered one wall, reflecting our every move as we worked on perfecting our performance.

I stood at the front, facing the others as they took their positions. Mina was behind her guitar, her fingers already poised to play, her cheerful smile always managing to lift our spirits. Kami, ever the enthusiastic one, held his bass, a wide grin stretching across his face as he adjusted the strap. Kiri, the other guitarist, gave me a nod of determination, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by a fierce focus. Kacchan... well, Kacchan was behind his drum kit, glaring at it as if daring the drums to challenge him.

"Alright, guys," I began, my voice cutting through the quiet. "We've got two songs to prepare for the semifinals, so let's make every minute count. Today, let's focus on tightening up the transitions between the songs and making sure our harmonies are solid."

Kami nodded eagerly. "I'm ready! Let's show everyone why we're the number one band here."

Mina grinned, twirling a drumstick she'd borrowed from Kacchan. "You got it, Deku. Let's kick some ass."

Kiri cracked his knuckles and settled into his stance, guitar in hand. "I'm with you, man. Let's do this."

I took a deep breath, letting the familiar rhythm of our band settle into my bones. We'd practiced these songs hundreds of times, but this felt different. It felt like everything was on the line. And in a way, it was.

"Okay," I said, my voice steady. "Let's nail this."

Mina's fingers flew across the guitar strings, setting the tone with a bright, energetic melody. Kacchan followed immediately, his drumming precise and powerful, driving the beat forward. Kami's bass added depth to the sound, grounding us with a steady, rhythmic pulse. Kiri's guitar roared to life, his riffs sharp and electrifying, cutting through the air like a blade.

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the music wash over me, and then I joined in, my voice weaving through the melody. This was where I felt most at home—on stage, with my bandmates, creating something that was greater than the sum of its parts.

We moved through our two songs, focusing on tightening our harmonies, perfecting our transitions, and making sure every note hit with the right amount of impact. It wasn't just about playing the songs; it was about telling a story, about conveying the emotion behind every lyric, every chord.

After an hour of non-stop practice, I called for a break. Kami immediately flopped onto the floor, panting slightly. "Man, that was intense."

Mina took a swig from her water bottle, wiping sweat from her forehead. "But we're getting there. I can feel it."

Kiri nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, but we've still got a few rough spots to smooth out. That last transition was a little shaky."

I nodded in agreement. "We'll work on it. But overall, we're in good shape. Just remember, we need to stay focused. These next three days are crucial."

Kami tugged at his shirt like a child, looking up at me with wide eyes. "We knew that?"

I chuckled softly. "Yes, Kami. Now let's keep moving."

As we got back into position, I took a moment to analyze what needed improvement. "Kami, on that bridge in the second song, your timing was a bit off. Let's try tightening that up. Mina, your harmony in the chorus could be stronger, and Kiri, I think we need to make the transition into the final verse smoother."

They all nodded, taking in the feedback. One of the things I appreciated about our band was how open everyone was to constructive criticism. We all wanted the same thing—to be the best we could be—and that meant pushing each other to improve.

"Alright, let's run that second song again," I said, clapping my hands together. "We need to make sure the tempo is tight and that the harmonies are on point. Kami, focus on your timing, and Mina, let's bring out that harmony more."

We dove back into the music, the room filling with the sound of our instruments and voices as we worked through the song again and again until we got it right. By the time we finished, I could feel the exhaustion setting in, but it was a good kind of exhaustion—the kind that came from knowing you'd given it your all.

As we packed up our gear, I could see the fatigue in everyone's faces, but there was also a sense of accomplishment. We'd made progress today, and that was what mattered.

"Good work, everyone," I said, giving them a tired but genuine smile. "We're almost there. Just a little more, and we'll be ready for the semis."

Kami stretched, groaning a little as he did. "I'm gonna feel this in the morning, but it's worth it."

Mina chuckled, slinging her guitar over her shoulder. "Same. But hey, no pain, no gain, right?"

Kiri gave a thumbs-up. "We've got this, guys. We're gonna crush it."

Kacchan, who had been uncharacteristically quiet during the session, walked over to me as the others began to chat amongst themselves. "You did good today, Deku."

The compliment caught me off guard, and I blinked in surprise. Kacchan wasn't one to hand out praise easily, so hearing it from him meant a lot.

"Thanks, Kacchan," I said, a smile tugging at my lips. "I'm just trying to keep us on track."

"You're doing more than that," he replied, his voice softening slightly. "You're leading us. And you're doing a damn good job of it."

The warmth in his tone made my heart flutter, and I felt a surge of confidence. "We've got this, Kacchan. I know we do."

He nodded, his usual scowl replaced by a look of determination. "Yeah. We do."

As we left the studio, the late afternoon sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting the city in a warm, golden light. The streets were busy with people going about their day, but for once, I wasn't thinking about the competition, about the pressure or the expectations.

Instead, I was thinking about how far we'd come—how much we'd grown as a band, as friends. And as we walked down the street together, I felt a sense of calm settle over me.

Kacchan fell into step beside me, his presence comforting in its familiarity. "Hey, Deku."

"Yeah?" I glanced over at him, curious about the sudden shift in his tone.

"Don't overthink it," he said, his voice unusually gentle. "You've got this. We've got this."

I smiled, feeling that same warmth from before. "I know, Kacchan. Thanks."

He gave me a small nod, his gaze softening just for a moment before he looked away. "Just don't screw it up, nerd."

I laughed, the sound light and easy. "I won't. I promise."