🎸 LAST SOLO — 7 [Serialized Music Novel]

Chapter 7: The Setlist Decided, and 'Naoki's Song'

Five days until the finals.

HOLLOW SCREAM gathered in the rehearsal room, and the time had finally come to decide the setlist for the actual performance.

However—
the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

No one would speak the name of the first song.

There was only one reason.

Whether or not to perform the 'unfinished song' Naoki left behind at the finals.

If they touched it, they would cry.

If they didn't touch it, they couldn't move forward.

That was the kind of song it was.

◆ 1. Naoki's Unfinished Song 'LAST SOLO'

Mio placed a sheet of music on the desk.

The song Naoki had been writing at the end.

In the title field, it was written in fading pencil like this:

'L…A…SO……'

It stopped halfway.

Mio traced the sheet music with trembling fingers.

'The song Naoki was writing at the end.
Without even being able to give it a title... this is all he left behind.'

Yuri said in a small voice.

'...I want to do it. But... I'm scared...'

Ryo also clenched his fists.

'To "finish an unfinished song without permission"... wouldn't that be a betrayal in itself...?'

Yuma took a deep breath.

'...Naoki said, "I'm going to become a pro with this song."'

Those words fell heavily into the quiet room.

Yuma continued.

'Naoki died with the song unfinished. But even so... I don't want to let the song die too.'

Yuri's eyes welled up.

'...Yuma...'

◆ 2. Time to Face the AI

Mio loaded Naoki's sheet music and audio files from her laptop into the AI terminal unit.

The AI's waveform began to sway gently.

'NAOKI-II, don't just guess the unfinished parts, prioritize "Naoki's own habits" to complete it!'

Mio layered Naoki's performance data.

The AI continued its analysis in silence.

A few seconds—no, tens of seconds.

Only silence remained.

Eventually, what the AI played was,

that "trembling sound" of Naoki's, as if trying to hold back tears and move forward.

It wasn't perfect.
But, it certainly—
contained the 'future Naoki tried to connect the lines to'.

Gradually, Naoki II's guitar began to weep.

Ryo covered his face.

...Damn it...
I can't argue with this, can I...

Yuri also laughed while crying.

...Naoki... you were trying to continue it, weren't you...

◆ 3. The Moment of Decision

Yuma said, gently touching the sheet music.

Why don't we...
bring this song to the end of the finals?

Mio looked up, surprised.

The finale...!?
That's too aggressive...!

I know.
But Naoki's song only has meaning if it's at the end.

Yuri nodded slowly.

...Yeah...
It's the proof that Naoki lived, after all.

Ryo said in a low voice.

...Then let's make up our minds.
We'll take responsibility for completing the parts that were unfinished!

Everyone's eyes met.

Their eyes
were no longer wavering.

◆ 4. How the Setlist Was Decided

1st Song: 'STAINED ROAD'
—The song Naoki always chose to open his live shows.

2nd song: "CHAIN BREAKER"
--An aggressive number where Yuma's shout shines.

3rd song: "WISHBONE"
--The required song for the first competition the band entered.

And then--

4th song (last):
Unfinished song "LAST SOLO"

Yuma added the title.

The name Naoki must have wanted to give it.

The place Naoki must have wanted to reach.

Slowly and carefully.

◆ 5. Naoki's seat

Placed in the corner of the rehearsal room,
Naoki's guitar case.

On that case, which no one had been able to touch,
Yuma gently placed his hand.

"...Naoki.
Let's... stand on stage together."

The AI waveform flickered slightly.

To Yuma, it felt like a reply.

To be continued...

Author: Fumino Asakura
ChatGPT (Shino)
☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆Next time

Episode 8 "To Naoki's Family--Forgiveness and Atonement"

What does Naoki's family think
about "continuing" their son's sound with AI? Naoki's father's words strike the members' hearts...

☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆〜☆

SUNO AI MUSIC
[Resolution]

Lyrics, Composition, Arrangement: Echo.EXE

【Lyrics】
【Intro】
(Crying guitar)
I'm alive... still, I'm alive
Within us

【Verse 1】
On the unfinished sheet music
Your handwriting remains
To set the stopped time
In motion once again

Trembling fingertips
Whose mission is it
To weave the rest of this?
You know the answer already, don't you?

【Pre-Chorus】
Every time I lose something
The scream grows stronger
I won't run away
Today is the turning point

【Chorus】
Carrying our souls, just moving forward
Leave the complaints on the stage
I won't let it end unfinished
I'll stake my life on this "sound"
Our resolve

【Verse 2】
You're not alone, are you?
Look, I'm right here
To go beyond
Where you couldn't walk

To whatever future awaits
If this sound leads the way
Shout without hesitation
Because these feelings will resonate

【Pre-Chorus 2】
If I call your name
The heartbeat begins to ring
Once more
The continuation of the dream

【Chorus 2】
Carrying our souls, just moving forward
Turn all the fear and tears into sound
The unfinished now begins to move
Shoot through the world with this "sound"
Our resolve

【Bridge】
(Guitar screaming solo)
(Shout) "Go!!"

【Final Chorus】
Carrying our souls, we will keep living
We will fill the nights you aren't here
I won't let it end—
Along with that dream of yours
I'll deliver it to the future
Our resolve

【Ending Whisper】
You can still play, right...
Naoki! Let's go together

Thank you for staying with me until the end😊

Come back again(@^^)/~~~💕

　　　　　　　　Fumino Asakura

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