[Novel] Strum the Sky! Episode 12

It had become Soraku's daily routine to return home after practice, eat dinner, study, and then take a bath after the rest of the family had gone to sleep. Late at night on the eve of the event, after her bath, Soraku stepped out onto the balcony of her room and looked up at the moon while drying her hair with a bath towel. The cool autumn night breeze blew through the sleeves of the T-shirt she wore as pajamas. Soraku shrugged and shivered. When she rested her elbows on the balcony railing, she felt as if the railing had become slightly lower than she remembered.

The middle school life she had welcomed with both hands full of expectations and anxieties ended in a blur of confusion and desperate effort. Although only half a year had passed since she started high school with a heart full of longing for a band, another half year would bring her second year. The train of time, which continued to run relentlessly, was carrying Soraku along whether she liked it or not. Soraku closed her eyes while looking up at the moonlight. Come to think of it, half a year ago, she never would have been awake alone after her family had gone to sleep. She was being entrusted with more things, and at the same time, the responsibilities were piling up on her back. She was moving toward adulthood, one step at a time. When her third-year high school birthday arrived, she would be an adult. That day, which she had felt would never come, was now approaching to the point where she could see it. It would surely arrive in the blink of an eye. And then, she would join the ranks of adults. Soraku thought of the members who were now closer to her than her own family. This time, which felt like it would last forever and which she wanted to last forever, was by no means eternal, and high school life would end in just three years. One-sixth of it was already coming to an end. Would they be able to continue the band like this even after graduation? Even as she tried to picture it behind her eyelids, it was still difficult for the current Soraku to imagine the version of them that had graduated from high school.

However, the future, which was hard to even imagine, was right there. No matter how much she resisted, she would reach graduation in the not-too-distant future. Soraku opened her eyes. The moon, which her parents, their parents, and their parents before them must have looked up at, had remained unchanged since ancient times, casting a quiet light. Everyone was under this same sky. While wrapped in the same moonlight, the people Soraku knew were breathing. Rumi, Kotona, Rokugen, Shizuku, Tomonari-kun, Kita-raku from Russian Roulette, Kodou-san, Mina-san, Satoshi-san, the cunningly cute Meri-chan, the mature and enchanting younger Rian-chan, the cheerful Mitchy-san from Shimanuma, the reliable Sawaki-san from the coffee shop, Rumi's father and Shimanaka-san who built the practice space, Raiko-san and Manager Haitani from Tyvas, Hitomi who wouldn't forgive Kotona, and the people from Kokushi Musou who were probably already back in Tokyo performing live. Everyone was living under the same sky. There were many paths, and each of them was walking a different one. The band members, with whom she spent more intimate time than with her family, might just be walking side by side for a brief moment.

"Eternity is cruelly short, isn't it."

Soraku held up her open right hand to hide the moon and took a deep breath.

"Soraku, what is your dream?"

Soraku said it out loud while looking at her raised right hand. When she slowly clenched her right hand, the overflowing moonlight wrapped around her fist.

"What is... your dream?"

Soraku didn't even know if a dream was something you found or something you created.

＊

On the day of the live concert, STUNNUTS, who were performing third out of six bands, had their rehearsal at 3:00 PM, the fourth slot in the reverse rehearsal order. Soraku and the others had discussed arriving at the venue thirty minutes early, but the five of them, including Shizuku who was helping out, decided to meet at the shopping street where Tyvas was located, have lunch, and spend time having tea until their call time.

Today, Kotona also brought her snare drum and bass drum pedal, so she had a lot of luggage. The five of them entered a coffee shop with an old-fashioned atmosphere in the basement of a building that looked like it could accommodate them even with their bulky instruments. Bench-style seats flanked a heavy, thick table. Soraku and the others leaned their instruments against the wall and sat down on the benches. The seat cushions sank deeper than she had imagined, and together with the equally soft backrests, they enveloped their bodies.

"Whoa. This is an amazing chair. I feel like I won't be able to stand up."

"We have to keep an eye on the time so we don't be late."

"If I were alone, I would have fallen asleep and been late."

"Before that, wouldn't you have just not come into this shop if you were alone?"

"True."

Soraku and Rumi laughed together. The five of them each ordered desserts like coffee jelly and parfaits.

"Something about this area..."

Soraku said, pressing her right hand against her chest.

I feel like I'm slowly warming up. It's close to being nervous, but it's a little different.

I kind of get that. I'm nervous too, but it's not just nervousness, it's an exciting kind of nervousness. Compared to that, you two are always business as usual.

Kotona looked back and forth between Rokugen and Rumai.

I get nervous too, you know.

When Rokugen said that, everyone, including Shizuku, said "Really?" in unison.

No, I really do get nervous. Once I start playing, I focus on that, so my performance is no different than usual. But right up until I play the first note, my heart is pounding pretty hard.

Is that so? It's amazing that it doesn't show on your face or in your sound at all.

My face, anyway. I'm pretty conscious about keeping a cool look. Like, I've got this under control.

Rokugen said that and laughed.

What about you, Rumai? Do you get nervous?

Sora turned to look at Rumai.

I don't think I really get nervous much.

That's amazing. You don't get nervous no matter what you're doing? Like, for example, speaking in front of a large crowd?

Yeah. I don't really get nervous. There are times when I don't want to do something, though.

So you don't even get nervous when people are watching you?

Yeah. Because I'm doing it to be seen.

Sora was startled by Rumai's words. She chased after the words echoing in her head and caught them.

That's it.

Sora said it loudly and hurriedly covered her mouth.

Sorry. I was too loud. But that's it. That's what I was missing.

Rumi, who had been taken aback by the sudden loud voice, smiled.

Kuura recalled the people she had performed with so far. Meri, who was overwhelmingly conscious of how she looked. Rian, who wore costumes that suited her music and captivated those around her. Russian Roulette with their heavy sound, Kokushimusou with their straightforward rock, and everyone else had also been trying to show themselves and their performances to the people gathered there to entertain them.

"I was only enjoying it myself."

"I don't think there's anything wrong with enjoying yourself. Because seeing Kuura sing as if she's having fun makes the people watching have fun, too."

Rokugen said.

"Yeah. But that's not enough, is it? I want everyone to enjoy it, both the people who come to see us and the people who come to see other bands."

"Our leader making a huge discovery just hours before the show."

Kotona poked at her parfait.

"I feel like my nervousness is slowly melting away."

Kuura placed her hand on her chest again.

"That's right. I'm not being watched. I'm showing them. I'm showing them."

Kuura said the words she had grasped out loud as if to carve them into herself. The other four watched her with smiles on their faces.

"Alright, it's almost time, so let's take a commemorative photo here before we go to the venue."

Shizuku placed her mobile device on a small tripod on the table.

"The equipment has been upgraded."

Rumi laughed. The five of them huddled together and took a picture. The furnishings that had been in this place since before the five of them were born watched over their irreplaceable moment.

*

When Kuura and the others arrived at Tyvas, Russian Roulette was just finishing their rehearsal. When they entered, Raiko stopped them, and the members received performer backstage passes, while Shizuku received a staff pass. Kuura and the others stuck them onto their clothes.

Kuura and the others entered the dressing room while glancing at Russian Roulette, who were making noise on stage. The dressing room had simple round chairs and a table, and the other bands' luggage was piled up by band along the walls. On the lively wall, covered in backstage passes, miscellaneous stickers, and numerous autographs, a copy of the day's performance order was taped up with a marker. The performances were in order: Merry-Go-Round, Soul Brigade, STUNNUTS, Russian Roulette, Lost Digit, and Pile Driver. Aside from Merry-Go-Round, which was Meri in a band format, and the expected Russian Roulette, the other three groups were indeed bands they didn't know.

Kuura and the others exchanged light greetings with Russian Roulette after their rehearsal and went up on stage for their own. In a battle-of-the-bands event where many unknown bands appear, Russian Roulette, who should have been rivals, felt like friends, and they felt a sense of camaraderie like comrades-in-arms preparing to face new rivals together. Kuura and the others remained at the venue after their own rehearsal and watched the rehearsals of other bands from the audience. When Meri's band, who were the last to arrive at the venue, finished their rehearsal, Raiko called out to the performers remaining in the audience.

"Doors open in five minutes. Please give priority to the next performers for the dressing room. If other performers are staying here, please stay at the back of the audience area or somewhere that won't get in the way of the customers who bought tickets. Also, if you're going to hang out with customers after the show, please do it in the lobby or at a nearby shop. Please, I'm begging you, don't loiter on the road in front of the shop. I'm serious, we'll get complaints, so please cooperate. Stage changeover for the actual show is ten minutes, so clear out as soon as you're done. Get ready as soon as possible too. Please do everything as soon as possible. Alright, good luck with the show. Let's get everyone hyped."

When the doors opened, customers began to trickle in. Since the first act was Meri's band, Meri's fans and students from Higashi High School were prominent. By five minutes before the start, a considerable number of people had entered, and the venue was much more crowded than Sora had imagined.

"How are you feeling?"

It was Sawaki who called out to Sora, who was standing at the very back of the audience area.

"Sawaki-san, you came."

"Of course."

"Are you going to watch from the beginning?"

"Yeah. Until the end. You see, I like this kind of thing."

Sawaki said "Good luck" and moved through the floor, which was packed with people, as if weaving through them.

The members of the first act, Merry-Go-Round, appeared on the darkened stage and began their preparations. The audience on the floor was still chatting and buzzing. When the house lights went down, cheers and applause erupted from the audience. When the drummer counted off with his sticks and the first sound rang out, the stage lights came on with perfect timing. The lighting equipment and techniques at the live house were incomparable to those at summer festivals or school festivals, and Sora was overwhelmed by the power of the lighting effects. Looking at the PA booth, which seemed to be embedded in the back of the audience area, it looked like Manager Haitani was in charge of sound and Raiko was in charge of lighting.

The live house stage was closer to the audience than at summer festivals or school festivals, and Meri moved from one end of the not-so-wide stage to the other, charming the audience everywhere. The front of the floor was incredibly lively, and cheers went up for every one of Meri's gestures. The lighting effects highlighted Meri's cuteness, and she looked even bigger than before. Merry-Go-Round had become a so-called three-piece band with only three members: guitar-vocal, drums, and bass. With the lead guitarist gone, Meri changed her playing style to firmly fill in the chords, and she even added guitar solos. Sora felt once again that Meri was not just an ordinary idol singer, but strangely, she didn't feel the impatience she had felt before.

The second band, Soul Brigade, was all male, and they didn't look like high school students, but Sora couldn't tell if they were in their early or late 20s, or maybe even 30 years old. This band had a keyboardist and a vocalist who sang without an instrument, a five-piece lineup, and before playing their first song, they greeted the audience by saying, "We are the soul brigade, Soul Brigade." Partly because of the keyboard, it was a pop song, and the vocalist's singing in the quiet parts sounded like a whisper, which was charming. There was a large dynamic range between the parts where he sang expansively and the parts where he whispered, and Sora felt the high expressive power of this vocalist. The arrangement, which used the keyboard effectively, highlighted the vocalist's high singing ability, and Sora felt that this band had a very strong, distinct color.

"Amazing."

No matter how much they advanced, there were people running even further ahead. Sora was excited by that fact. She wanted to listen more, but Sora and the others went into the dressing room around the time this band finished their second song.

There was no one else in the dressing room, just Sora and her group. Each member sat in a chair, Kotona warmed up by swinging her sticks, and Sora, Rumi, and Rokugen each tuned their instruments. Shizuku was filming the scene.

"It's finally time."

Sora said. The dressing room door was not soundproofed, and the sound from the stage reached them somewhat muffled.

"Every band is amazing. They all have their own personalities and play cool music."

Sora looked around at her friends while sitting with her guitar in her arms.

"I think we've evolved completely differently from the summer. But we're still not that solid, and above all, we have little live experience. The bands playing now are also incredibly amazing, and I think it will be difficult for us to win a prize this time."

Sora continued, looking straight at the members' faces.

But I'm not disappointed at all. I feel like I'm starting to properly understand where our strength stands compared to the bands around us. Even when I see amazing people, I don't get weirdly discouraged. I feel like I understand our strengths and what we're lacking better than before.

Rumi nodded, looking into Sora's eyes.

There are many people who came to see us, and there are also people who came to see other bands. There are surely people who aren't fans of any particular band but came because they love music. Let's reach them. Let's show them that there's such a great band here.

Yeah. If you think about it as having broken everything down and started over from the last time, today is like our first stage. It's not about awards, and it's not about who won or lost against whom. We'll show what we've been doing since the summer. That's today's goal.

Kotona gripped her two drumsticks in her right hand.

I, for one, love this band. I think it's the best to play music here with you guys. Today, I get to perform live with those best people. It doesn't matter what kind of live show this is. I'm performing with you guys. That's the most important thing to me.

Rokugen adjusted his glasses.

Nice. I'm a little happy that Rokugen called us 'you guys'.

Sora said with a laugh. Exceptionally loud applause was heard, and the area outside the door began to buzz.

The previous band finished. It's finally time.

When Sora stood up, the members stood up one after another. Looking around to see that everyone was standing, Rumi put her hand in the center. Everyone naturally placed their hands on top of hers.

Sora. I'm proud of myself for deciding to follow you, Sora. There are so many amazing bands today that I'm trembling with excitement, but to me, you're the coolest, Sora.

Sora stared at Rumi's face in surprise.

Strum it with all your might, Sora!

Rumi shouted with a volume I had never heard before, and Sora felt a power she had never felt before filling her inside.

Okay. Let's go, STUNNUTS.

Yeah!

*

STUNNUTS first performed a rearranged version of the song they had also showcased in the summer. Although familiar faces from last time stood out in the audience, the students from Higashi High who seemed to have come for Meri had also stayed. Sora sang the first song while looking around the audience. Before, she was barely able to just sing, but this time she had the leeway to see what kind of expressions the audience had while she sang. The middle-aged men who always seem to enjoy whatever we show them were drinking and swaying in high spirits this time too. Sawaki, who had come to seriously enjoy the music, was watching the stage with a calm expression. The members' parents had also come, and before we knew it, they were gathered together watching. The song, which had become much harder than in the summer, seemed to be received with a generally good reaction.

We transitioned into the second song as if piling it on right after the end of the first. This was also a remake of a song we had released for the summer festival. The members had discussed until the very end whether or not to play the first and second songs back-to-back, but since we didn't really have any announcements to make even if we included an MC, and we figured people wouldn't really want to hear an MC from a band they didn't know well anyway, we decided to take the plunge and play the two songs consecutively. While performing this second song, Sora found Hitomi from the brass band in the audience. Hitomi was standing alone in a corner, watching. Hitomi, who had told Kotona they were through. Hitomi, who must have felt betrayed by Kotona, with whom she had worked so hard together in junior high school. Sora sang, pouring every bit of her feelings into it.

After the second song ended, Sora introduced the band during the MC. She talked about how we were planning to release songs and videos online from now on, and how we still didn't have any social media accounts despite it being nearly half a year since we formed, which drew laughter from the audience. While talking, she kept Hitomi in the corner of her vision. I want you to watch until the end. I want you to understand that Kotona isn't someone irresponsible. Sora wished.

"The next two songs are ones we wrote relatively recently. First, please listen to one of them. 'Colors'"

The stage went dark and Sora's guitar rang out. She sang while strumming the electric guitar like an acoustic guitar.

The snare drum's rhythmic closed rim shots and the bass playing long notes in the high register came in. Sora's guitar became a bit rougher and wilder.

When Sora closed her eyes, the image of Kotona switching her right-hand stick while playing a fill-in packed with intricate notes floated behind her eyelids. The bass descended into the low register and joined the drums. Rumi's guitar enveloped the live house with a sprawling sound. Sora opened her eyes.

The band broke into a rhythmic phrase, and everyone fell silent. A stillness descended as if time had stopped for a moment. At the start of the chorus, the four of them converged at a single point.

Sora's guitar moved to the high position, continuing to play the same phrase regardless of the chords. Rumi's guitar flew around it, changing the colors.

Sora, singing with all her might, could hear every sound the band was making. Each of them was displaying their own color to the fullest. The four colors mixed in the center, mixed with their neighbors, and were connected by gentle gradations. None of them were muddy, and it felt as if they were filled with infinite colors.

After finishing the third song, Sora realized that the audience was truly enjoying themselves. Playing a song born from the time spent with band members, together with those very members. Delivered to the audience through the lighting and sound of the live house, and everyone was enjoying it. Being in a band was starting to change from an end to a means for Sora.

“It was incredibly fun and went by in a flash, but this next song is our last. I want to perform in front of everyone again. I want to stand on this stage. I truly felt that way. Thank you. Our final song is our newest one. 'Morning Star'”

I stepped back half a pace after finishing the MC. The lights dimmed, and a narrow spotlight hit Rumi. The clear sound of Rumi's guitar enveloped the venue. As Sora approached the mic stand, the spotlight reached there too. Once bathed in the light, the audience became invisible. I couldn't see them well, but I knew for sure that many people were there. People living under the same sky, each walking their own path. People who know Sora. People who don't. People Sora knows. People she doesn't. Every single one of them is looking at Sora.

Sora begins to sing.

Over the quiet sound of Rumi's guitar, Sora's voice, singing softly, rang out with exceptional clarity. Sora got goosebumps. It felt like her voice had never sounded as beautiful as it did just now. As she sang, Sora reached her hand out toward the spotlight.

I clench my outstretched hand. Every possibility is spread out before Sora. Sora lowers her hand and plays the guitar. At the same time, the stage lights begin to move, and Kotona and Rokugen provide a medium-tempo rhythm.

The friends standing on the same stage right now. Walking alongside them might only be for a short time. But perhaps, we might end up walking together for a long time to come.

What does it mean to understand? If I understood, what should I do? A sense of frustration welled up. Friends who have become more important than family. The time with them that is inevitably finite. What do I want to do? Feelings with nowhere to go surged from deep within my chest. Sora strummed her guitar and poured out her voice.

My feelings overflowed, and a high tone, tinged with a sadness I had never heard before, rang out. Rumi's voice harmonized with Sora's melody as she sang freely, as if to nestle close to it. Sora felt something seep out from her brain and envelop her entire body.

I sing, putting the words I've spun into a melody. When I created it alone, the song didn't hold much power, but by playing it with my bandmates and harmonizing with Rumi, it gains immense strength. I want to sing. With Rumi. With Kotona. With Rokugen. I want to sing with them forever. Sora raised her right hand, which had been strumming the guitar, and clenched it into a fist.

The stage lights were turned up to full intensity, and Sora felt the fire in her heart blazing. I will burn this moment with all my might, more than anything else. On this day that will never come again, I am playing music with my irreplaceable friends. I want to keep singing until the final day comes. I want to keep playing until the last day arrives. That was my wish. That was my prayer. Surely, this is a dream.

After finishing the performance, Sora bowed deeply. Applause beyond her imagination reached her from the audience. When she looked up, many smiling faces were turned toward her. Hitomi was clapping while wiping away tears. Sora thought that she would surely never forget today until the day she left this world.

*

After finishing their set, Sora told Kotona that Hitomi had come, then hurriedly packed up her instruments and went out to the audience. She searched around the area she had seen from the stage and found Hitomi, who was about to leave. Sora pointed at her and pushed Kotona's back.

"Hitomi!"

Kotona called out as she ran over. Sora followed a little distance behind.

"You came. Thank you."

When Kotona said that, Hitomi wore a smile on her lips.

"I haven't forgiven you. I haven't forgiven you, but I understand that you, Kotona, are taking music seriously now that you've quit the brass band. The brass band club is fine. Even without you, Kotona, we won silver."

"I see. Congratulations."

"I'm not satisfied with just that. While I'm still a member, I'll make sure we win gold. You work hard aiming for the top too, Kotona."

Hitomi turned around after saying that.

"Thank you, Hitomi."

Kotona's voice trembled. Hitomi turned only her face back.

"That's not like you, Kotona. I won't forgive the Kotona who quit the brass band. But I acknowledge the Kotona who is in a band. So, I'm retracting the breakup. Buy a ticket for the next live show directly and invite me."

Hitomi said, pointing her index finger at Kotona.

"I understand. Come see us again."

“Right. That’s good. See you again. I’m glad, really. I’m so glad I could cry.”

Hitomi turned her back and left Tyvas just like that. Sora leaned into Kotona, who was watching Hitomi’s back until it disappeared from sight.

Returning to the audience area, Sora and the others enjoyed the performance by Russian Roulette, and watched two other groups: Lost Digit, an all-male band with the same lineup as STUNNUTS—guitar-vocal, guitar, bass, and drums—and Pile Driver, a trio consisting of a female bass-vocalist and guitarist, and a male drummer.

Lost Digit played straightforward rock, but I didn’t feel any standout personality. Every element was just okay; it was well-put-together, but there was nothing that drew me in. Watching this band, Sora realized once again that the merits of a band cannot be easily defined. Even though she didn’t really know what made them different from Kokushi Musou, she still wanted to go see Kokushi Musou perform again. Sora couldn’t yet put into words where that mysterious charm came from.

The final act, Pile Driver, featured an older woman playing hard, which was a huge inspiration to Sora. As an example of continuing band activities after graduating high school, it was easy for her to imagine her own future overlapping with theirs. Even though there were only three of them, Pile Driver’s music was dense, and while the singing didn’t feel like what you’d call ‘good singing,’ it had a thickness that felt humid and clung to you. Here, too, Sora experienced music that possessed a pull like a force she couldn’t explain.

Once all the performances were over, Manager Haitani stepped onto the stage.

“Uh, testing, testing, everyone. Please don’t leave just yet. Oh, if you’re in a hurry, go ahead. It’s fine to head home. From here on, I’d like to present the Tyvas Manager’s Award to one of the six groups that performed today. Starting this year, this award will be given to the band recommended by Tyvas here in Asahikawa for the National Live House Amateur Band Contest. This is a contest event for bands and their fans where bands recommended by live houses across the country compete via online voting, and finally, the top bands are gathered for a joint gig. If you climb to the top, naturally, the chance for a major debut will emerge. We’re participating because we want to produce future superstars from our local area, and live houses all over the country are joining in.”

“So that’s what it was about.”

Sora whispered to Rokugen, who was standing next to her.

“I didn’t know either.”

“Now, everyone. Which band was the best? Honestly, I’m having a happy dilemma. They were all so good I wanted to recommend them all. I can’t narrow it down to just one, but I have to. I agonized over it. Well then, I will announce it.”

Some of the customers who were still in the audience area and the bands that had performed were standing around, vaguely grouped by band. Sora looked around at the performers. Kita of Russian Roulette was praying with her hands pressed together. Meri was standing with her arms crossed, staring at Haitani on stage.

Strangely, Sora felt calm, with no nervousness or excitement. She looked at Haitani, who was getting strangely worked up on stage, with somewhat detached eyes.

“The Tyvas Manager’s Award goes to... Soul Brigade.”

The audience buzzed. Sora felt no agitation at all. Soul Brigade’s music was polished, and above all, their singing was wonderful. She thought it was a well-deserved award. She had thought that perhaps the part of her that had been slightly hopeful somewhere might feel disappointed, but that didn’t happen at all. She was surprised by the fact that she hadn’t been expecting it at all, more than she had thought.

The members of Soul Brigade went up on stage and received a surprisingly impressive glass trophy and a certificate from Haitani.

Sora looked around at her members. Every face was refreshingly clear, and there were no faces regretting that they hadn’t reached the award. Shizuku was filming the members, but it didn’t look like it would be usable footage. Looking around at the other performers, she saw Meri, who was already packing up to go home, and the members of Russian Roulette, who were huddled in a circle and patting each other on the shoulders. Meri looked visibly irritated and wasn’t trying to hide her frustration. The people from Lost Digit were standing quietly without showing much emotion, and the experienced-looking people from Pile Driver were having fun as if the award hadn’t been on their radar from the start.

After Sora and the others greeted the customers who had come to see them and sent them off, the members other than Sora went outside first, and Sora stayed behind to settle up with the live house before joining her friends.

“We made more than I thought we would.”

Sora said.

“They said we get fifty percent back on everything sold over the quota. So, the system is that we get 1,000 yen for every ticket from the twenty-first one onwards. And today, even though our quota was twenty, we sold forty-seven including the walk-ins at the door. So, believe it or not, today’s earnings are 27,000 yen.”

“Amazing. I thought we’d reach the quota, but I never expected us to make a profit.”

“From now on, let’s save that kind of money as band funds. We can use it to buy things we need for the practice space equipment. With 27,000 yen, we can buy a microphone for the chorus right away.”

“That’s true. I’ll make a wallet for the band.”

Sora put the earnings she received into an envelope and tucked it into her guitar case.

“And one more thing.”

Sora paused with a mischievous look on her face and glanced around at the members.

“We did it. Manager Haitani told me the band has gotten really good. He said he was surprised, thinking I was going to go solo, but that he didn’t expect us to come together like this.”

Sora said, theatrically imitating Haitani’s tone of voice.

“We did it. Goal achieved.”

Rumai laughed, and everyone else followed suit.

“Well, for now, we’re definitely tired, so shall we head home?”

When Rumai said that, Kotona and Rokugen replied, “Yeah, let’s.”

“Wait a second.”

Sora said, raising her hand.

“Before we go home, there’s one more thing I want to tell everyone.”

The members stayed silent, looking at Sora and waiting for her to continue.

“I’ve found it—my dream.”

Sora slowly looked into the eyes of Rumai, Kotona, and Rokugen in turn.

“I want to be in this band with you all for as long as I possibly can. That is my dream. To keep playing in a band with these members for as long as possible, forever.”

Kuura took a deep breath.

"I think the best way to do that is to debut with this band. That's why I'm aiming for it. I'm going to aim for the top with you guys in this band."

Everyone laughed at Kuura's tone.

"Alright. Then I'm aiming for it too. I've intended to follow wherever you go from the start, Kuura."

Kotona smiled.

"That means it's unanimous. We'll work toward debuting as STUNNUTS. It's decided."

Rokugen held out her fist, and the other three bumped their fists against it.

"Thank you, everyone. Thanks to you all, I've found my dream."

"You're one to talk. You're the one who brought this dream to us, Kuura."

Rokugen laughed.

"By the way, since we've been practicing non-stop, I was thinking of taking tomorrow off. Is there anyone who thinks they can take a break and relax?"

Kuura said, raising her right hand.

Seeing that no one raised their hand, Rumi spoke up.

"If it's me, I'm fine with coming in tomorrow too."

The laughter of the four echoed through the night shopping street. A slightly chilly breeze blew through. The moon looked down from high in the sky.

<<End>>

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*This work is fiction. It has no relation to any real places, stores, schools, organizations, or individuals. That said, real place names are used, and other proper nouns besides personal names have been altered but are based on real models. If you visit the model locations after reading this work, please be considerate so as not to cause trouble for the local residents.

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