Music often brings people together in unexpected ways, as it speaks naught to the person, but to the core of their being.
Shirota Mahiru is coaxed into accompanying his friends to a free mall live show, globally hosted every year by STRIKE Organizat...
"I said that, but..." Mahiru sighed as he dragged his feet. "It's been two days, and I couldn't think of a plan to recruit more members in secret."
He felt bad for keeping this information from his childhood friends, but he just somehow saw the need to. He had already finished beating himself up over such an unreasonable prospect, and he had come to the conclusion that he rather refrain from thinking about it at all.
He adjusted the strap of his schoolbag over his shoulder and straightened up, looking ahead instead of down at his shoes.
"Well, it's not like we have a deadline, right? Kuro might start nagging me to give it up already, but that won't affect me," he thought, rechecking his firm decision. Mahiru sighed, then resumed his trek towards his school.
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"What do you mean we have a deadline?!"
"Well... not exactly a deadline, but you gotta find someone within the week, else I go join these other old guys who need a temporary drummer for an upcoming gig. Seems their original drummer lost his kick to a torn ligament." The voice that came from the other side of the phone had an undistinguishable tone, and Mahiru couldn't tell whether or not he was actually hoping to join the 'old guys' rather than form a new band with a highschool student.
"Alright, fine, got it! I'll get us a bassist by the end of the week. Possibly a vocalist too." "That's some good determination. Don't let it possess you. Bye."
The call ended, and Mahiru was left to stare at the top of the other buildings infront of him. After a while, he managed to pocket his phone.
"The guts... Is he even an adult?"
"Well, it's kinda my bad for dragging him into it, but he didn't exactly disagree, so I guess he's actually looking forward to it?"
He smiled, involuntarily. He was just getting ready to get back to his friends to have lunch when someone spoke to him.
"Hey, couldn't help but overhear. You guys in need of a bassist?" "Huh?" Mahiru took a step back, startled, when a shadow landed infront of him.
"I wanna." "... You what?" "I'll be your bassist. I can play." a tall, blonde man was infront of him, wearing the school's prescribed uniform, although not in a proper way. He looked like a college student, and his face was a little too devoid of emotion to be considered friendly. Mahiru couldn't help but think he looked dangerous. The blonde man looked like he could wrestle a person to submission with his perfectly-built figure.
Mahiru got defensive, although, he allowed a smile to cross his features. "Well, I guess you could start by introducing yourself?" The other individual nodded.
"Sendagaya Tetsu. 15. Nice to meet you." He threw up a peace sign, although his voice and face remained flat and emotionless.
Mahiru took the time to process what he'd just seend and heard.
"You're... You're one year my junior? Can I see your I. D. ?" "Sure."
After having handed his identification card, Tetsu crossed his arms and continued to stare at the brunette, eyes shining with eagerness. Confirming his identity, Mahiru stared in wonder.
"How are you so tall?" "I drink milk everyday and sleep eight hours." "If only that were effective on everyone... well, anyways, it's nice to see you're willing to join a starting band like this one! Haven't seen you play, yet, but if you're okay with it, we'll be going to Yokohama after class to introduce you to our other member." "Okay. I'll just text my dad about it later."
Mahiru nodded. "Make sure to do it. We don't want you getting in trouble for this." "Yeah. By the way, I have a cover recorded on my phone. It's been a long time, but I guess I can still play." "Really? That's awesome! Are you actually a pro?"
Tetsu shook his head as he opened his phone. "Old hobby."
Mahiru watched, spirits getting even better, as Tetsu presented a recorded cover of a popular song released by another well-known band about three years ago. It was a simple song, but he played cleanly, with precise timing.
"That's amazing! How did you learn? And when?" the brunette asked after the end of the video. "Internet. I think I started when I was ten." "So you're a pro!" "No. I don't play often." "Haha, just kidding. But you're good at it, Tetsu! I'm the one in charge of the lead and a temporary vocalist for now. Until we find an actual vocalist, well, you guys gotta settle with me."
Tetsu nodded, pocketing his phone, then his hands soon after. He continued to stare down at Mahiru, unintentionally intimidating the older male due to the height difference. He had cold blue eyes to boot, but the shine in them could reassure anyone that he did not have any ill intent. Unlike Kuro's red eyes, those on Sendagaya Tetsu evidently belonged to a young spirit who had more to live for.
Mahiru almost physically grimaced upon remembering the luster of the former vocalist's look up onstage, then comparing it to his current state. It was almost painful to think such a transition could happen within the span of a few months.
Snapping him out of his depressing train of thoughts was Tetsu, who said, "Do you guys plan to join the live shows this summer?" "Huh?" he was caught off guard. "Live shows?" "Oh. So you don't." "... What live shows are you talking about? An event?" "The annual elimination held by STRIKE. Don't tell me you don't know about it?" "I actually don't. I mean, I didn't really care about music and the entire industry before things happened. Now I want to keep that spark I found, alive."
Although the two of them had literally just met, Mahiru went on to share his reason for learning how to play the guitar, and for wanting to form a band. Tetsu listened intently.
"So, I went to watch a performance with my friends— ah, crap, speaking of, they're waiting for me right now—" "Shouldn't you go?" "Damn, you're right. Well, meet me at the gates after class, and glad to have you on board, by the way, Tetsu!"
As Mahiru rushed down the steps, the blonde looked at his back until he disappeared. Somehow, the way he spoke and moved reminded Tetsu of his older brother, someone he admired greatly, although was a little reluctant to talk to.
He tore his gaze away from the bottom of the first set of stairs before typing a message for his father back at home.
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i'm really trying to simplify my writing style here lol. try to bear with the inconsistence, i think i'll come to a sure point soon. thanks for reading! did tetsu's appearance come as a surprise or was it expected? comment your thoughts, thanks!
