Hello, from The Heights: Post-Grad

Chapter 1

Tim Simonec - Upswingin'

Beep... beep... beep... bee-

I yawned, shutting off my alarm clock. School has finally ended. Now from here it's work, work, work... but I don't wanna work...

Ring, ring, ring, ring!

"Yeah?..." I said, answering my phone, "What is it, Ayame-nee-san?..."

"Do you know what time it is?" She said over the phone. I looked to my clock—8:47 AM!! "Ryoichiro, you'd better get to the-"

"Sorry, sis, no time to talk!" I exclaimed, getting myself dressed quickly, "I'll see you at 9!" Of all the places, Ayame had to rent a downtown studio... I hung up the phone and ran out the door. I ran right past Mei Nguyen-senpai, who was late herself. She's honestly amazing, I wouldn't be able to run with a bari sax in its case like she does.

"Slow down, Ryoichiro!" She exclaimed, "Practice doesn't start until 9:30!"

"That's not just it, Nguyen!" I exclaimed back, "I'm supposed to be expecting a new drumset!"

Uptown Melody Heights is a far enough distance away from Downtown Melody Heights. Obviously. I ran into the music store in the Block 7 Plaza, a tired mess, dragging myself to the drum room.

"Ah, Ichibangase, you've made it," the clerk said, "I expected the pudding-haired lady and not... well..."

"A...Zeraora...right?..." I asked, "Much less...a talking one..."

"Very much so," he responded, "Anyhow, your Akoya Maestro Maple* kit arrived yesterday evening. We have it in the backroom, do you have a form of transportation for it?"
*Pearl Masters Maple

I froze up, embarrassed. "Oops. I was in such a rush I forgot."

"No worries, we can hold it for you until your sister finds a form of transportation for it."

I sighed in relief. "I can take my drumsticks though, right?..." I asked.

"Of course." I was handed V.Fortune Western Classic 85A* drumsticks. Well, I can play with something at least, my old pair broke not too long ago (as in, last week). And I still have my Akoya Reference** kit.
*Vic Firth American Classic 85A
**Pearl Reference One

"I've already paid for them online, and I'm terribly late, so I'll be off!" I said, leaving the music store.

I made it downtown by 9:12. On foot. Mizuki Kimura, one of Mei's street music friends, was already there with her trumpet case in hand.

"You look tired," She said, "I thought Pokemon were supposed to be energy-hoggers."

"I...you know that...I'm human-like..." I replied, huffing and puffing, "I'm the... exception..."

"Do you know when Takahashi is supposed to be returning?" She suddenly asked me. I snapped back to normal.

"Kazuya?" I asked, "Well, he's off in Alola somewhere... probably gigging around."

Suddenly, Kazuya appeared behind Mizuki, startling her. "Hey guys, I'm back. I landed in last night, so I'm kind of jet-lagged." I almost jumped for joy.

"The genius is back!!" I exclaimed, "How was Alola?"

"Awesome," he replied, "I rekindled old relationships with people I had long ago... 7 years go by and your first love changes a lot."

"There's someone OTHER than Asami that your heart belongs to?" Mizuki asked, intrigued, "I never knew this! Spill the beans!"

"My heart belongs to Asami's like Ryoichiro's does for Mako," Kazuya told Mizuki, "Acerola and I were just friends with benefits for the 4 months I was there."

"I heard Asami let you two go on dates," I put in before Mizuki cut in herself.

"You're FWB with one of Ula'ula Island's trial captains?!" She exclaimed, "How did you manage time for that?... how did she!?"

"It just kind of worked out," Kazuya replied. Ayame-nee-san soon arrived.

"Sorry for being so late you guys," Sis said before unlocking the door. Mei then arrived, and then slowly but surely so did the other band members. We had a little time to warm up ourselves and our instruments. I didn't have time to stretch this morning, obviously, so I was a bit stiff around the kit for a few minutes, but I eventually loosened up. Our first song for warmups was Mingus Moanin'. Mei's favourite song. I still remember our first gig, when we were a small ensemble and I was lead Alto Sax. We were all so nervous until Mei interrupted with a Bari solo until going into the actual song. That lifted our spirits.

And now we're here. 2025, and with a lot more members and a full big band! 5 trumpets as well! Well, it can only get better from here...right?...