Free! & Hope

HOPE 2

As weeks pass, the day came at last for classes to come to an end. The bell rung for the last time, summer was about to commence! Daisuki was just writing a few notes on guitar practice and try out a new solo to train, get better at what she does. They all sat in an empty class for an important meeting, those who agreed on a good manager for their band and help tutor them all while they're there. "Okay, so we found Shun Young. He's a professor at Hidaka University who studied music and has lead a few bands in Japan growing up, people say he's pretty good from what I've read. What do you think?" Suggested Kurumi, the three girls looked impressed. "What?! How'd you even get to contact with Mr. Young?!" Asked the brunette, clearly knowing who it was. "Hell yeah, Fukushima! I wasn't expecting a famous music writer to be contacting us! I'll have to agree with Akane, indeed how did you contact him?" Follows Daisuki, crossing her arms while laying her back on the back near the board. "Well, my uncle tends to know people... remember the song we released and posted past summer? He sort of... saved it. According to him, Mr. Young mentioned we have talent and was willing to give it a go." They all gasp, still shocked about the occasion. "With someone like that, I'm sure we can undoubtedly have a great new beginning for the Resistance!" Said the ravenette, referring the name of the band they came up with years back. A knock was heard on the door, shocking them all as their eyes narrowed. "Come in!" Yelled out the small brunette, curious to see who have just knocked. As the door opened, the girls spot a familiar face, an elder male who appeared around around his fifties, with greyish shoulder-length hair tied in a ponytail with glasses had entered and waved his arm at the girls. "So it's true then, this is really what you do? Where's your studio?" Daisuki raised a hand to speak, there was a determined look framed to her face. "We can take you there, sir!" She spoke out loud, the rest of the girls appeared surprised to see their friend so fired up to start rehearsing again. It made them want to laugh, and Kurumi did a little. "It's not that far from here!" The dark brunette added, and the older man raised a brow.

As they head to where the area is, Mr. Young appeared to be...! Quite unimpressed, if not disappointed. "This is your studio?! What kind of joke is this?" He asked, they all looked away sheepishly and slightly afraid. "Well yeah, we couldn't afford a good one since our last manager left the school." Said the brunette regrettably, still averting her eyes. "Should've said nothing about this-" Kurumi says quietly, and Emiko nods in agreement. "Well, I suppose I can help you find something more manageable. But let's see what you've got, I know what I saw. But that was in the past, I want to see nowadays and see how much you've improved." The elder man spoke, crossing his arms and hoping to be convinced. They all suddenly felt like they were on the pedestal. "Ah, right!" The girls gathered to pick up their instruments and cleaned them up, setting them to place. Kurumi smirked while looping the drum sticks in between her fingers, ready to play. Emiko held her base guitar, while Daisuki and Akane grabbed their electric guitars and microphones. "Ready?" Asks the dark brunette, looking at everyone to nod in agreement to begin at last. Shun was starting to worry that he may not be convinced, sitting by the hot sun with only an umbrella to cover his upper body. "Alright, get on with it." He says, a but of nervousness on the back of his mind.

In the process, Kurumi began with the beat of her drums, following by the girls' guitars. And as soon as Akane raised her velvety yet powerful voice, he was taken aback by what he was expecting. Not to mention, as the music builds up heavier and diving into metal, Daisuki's backup voice was strong and gruff. He was surprised during their performance, definitely seeing their potential this time. The man stood up and tried to play his cool, close to being in tears. "Excellent... you did an outstanding." They all grinned, surprised to have such words from the musician. "Sooo... it's official right? You'll be our manager?" He sighs, but his expression softens and smiled while nodding. "You have talent, I'll give you that. Just... Miss Higuri? Err... Akane, yes? You had some minor slip ups. I understand it's difficult doing both at once, but I want to see you improve while I'm hear. Kurumi, your formation was perfect but don't get too excited. I can tell that you went off and sounded disconnected. Daisuki, you need to warm up your voice or you'll ruin your vocal chords by growling the way your doing. But not to worry, I can teach you an easier way without your voice getting too hoarse. Overall, you did well and I'm looking forward in teaching you all." The girls got pouty as they hear their slip ups, but were more than happy to have found a good manager for the band who can definitely help them. "Well, I'll see you both tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your evening, remember to stay hydrated. Especially you, Daisuki and Akane. A singer's voice is no good-" His words were cut off by the two girls whom he spoke to. "We know." They both spake at the same time, causing the other two bandmates to laugh. Once their manager had left, they stood in their storage area to hang out for a while before heading home. Kurumi spots her best friend on her sketchbook again, she always carried one around which she found funny. Her head peaks over the brunette's shoulder, and she immediately backs away. "Hey!! Don't just sneak up on someone while they're drawing like that!! You know it's rude!" She yelled out, clearly showing an embarrassment growing on her cheeks. Kurumi looked unfazed, presenting an unamused expression before snatching the sketchbook off her hands. Akane whines a little, trying to take it back. But the dark brunette took a look and had the sliest of grins. "Ohoho~ I didn't know you were drawing him too now, Akane." With a cherry face, the brunette almost passed out from embarrassment. "Kurumi!!" The girl laughed, shaking her head. "Relax! It looks great... you got the anatomy on point too." She said, patting her shoulder. Daisuki took the sketchbook from her hands and smacks her forehead with it lightly, the girl groaned a little and faked her pain. "Calm down, I could seriously hurt you the next time." She threatened with a funny glare, Kurumi pouts and looks away. "You draw well, Akane. I wish I could draw like that. I don't draw at all." She compliments, handing over her sketchbook with a small smile. "Thanks..." What was she thinking? She felt like a total creep for just drawing him without consent. Then again, it was something she did often.

Emiko was playing a game on her phone while lying down on the ground, most likely talking to Hazuki. "Emi, get off the floor or you'll get sick and dirty your hair. We should get going... it's getting late." Spoke the older sibling, standing from her seat. Emiko groaned as she was just lying down comfortably, sitting up before following her sister. "You guys staying?" Akane asked at the other two band members, both pondering for a moment. "Nah." They respond, making the sisters giggle. As they all walked their separate ways, Daisuki goes back to texting her boyfriend once again. "Hey, sorry for the delay. I was just rehearsing." She wrote, not long after he was writing her back. "That's fine. Did you find a new manager?" Daisuki smiles at the question, flattered that he remembered. "Yeah. You know Shun Young, right? One of my bandmates' relative got in contact with him." The ravenette can only imagine how surprised he must be by now, anticipating on his response. "Woah! You got Mr. Young? Lucky! I'm sure he'll coach you guys well." Dai smiled small, finally getting home and lets go of her bag and sat on the couch on her living room. "Right? I'm excited what to do with the band this summer. I still miss our solos though..." The ravenette can feel her heart pound in the moment, eyes focused on the screen. He responds immediately. "Me too... let's try it out next time you visit?" Daisuki pouts, plopping her head on the nearest cushion. "Or you can visit me for a change?" Her body turns side ways, observing him respond. "You know that it's hard to find the time with my schedule... I can still pick you up." With that said, she sighs. Daisuki was looking forward to their future plans together, it was just tough at the moment. "Yeah, I figured." She waited for a response, turning on the TV and thought about watching some old films. "Sorry. This is temporary, once we're done we can finally live together." The ravenette hears her phone ring, smiling warm in the way only Rin Matsuoka can. "Don't apologize, you big dummy." The redhead lied down on the bed of his dorm, and in came his roommate, a gray haired boy with distinguishable childish features. "Oi, Matsuoka-senpai. You've been in the room a lot lately, is everything okay?" He asks worried, normally he'd go out for a jog around this time but tonight he just stood inside which peaked his curiosity. "Huh? Can I not relax for once?" He asked a little annoyed, sitting up from where he laid down. "Ah, sorry. I was just worried is all." The maroon haired male shook his head, laying back down and responds to his recent text from Daisuki. "I still can't help but feel bad, but thanks for understanding, love. I'll be thinking about you during the upcoming relay, that way I won't loose!" He wrote, doing his best to hide the mischievous smile. "Matsuoka-senpai, do you have a girlfriend by any chance?" Niitori asked when sitting next to him, the redhead looked a little surprised in response. Was it that obvious? "What's that question have to do with anything?! Quit getting on people's personal business." It was so obvious he was flustered, and Niitori took note of this but god forbid if he continues. There was no way he'll further the conversation, seeing how angry he got by the question. "Ah! Sorry about that!" He answered, frantically moving his hands. "I'll talk later. Goodnight, Dai. ❤️" He wrote to finish their conversation and put his phone away, ready to sleep soon. The ravenette placed the phone over her chest, closing her eyes and let the silence sink in and relaxes her body. "Goodnight, Rin..." With that said, she kept her eyes on the larger screen.