A roar shook the air. I leaned against the wall at the back of the venue and absentmindedly watched the concert. There were around two hundred and fifty people standing in the pit. The cheers of the audience were like a tidal wave. The entire place swayed in time with the music, like one undulating mass. The lights flickered at dizzying speeds, and the vocalist carried a high note that sounded both sprightly and heavy at the same time; their voice clearly rang throughout the room.
I could see the stage past the audience. Maruido was currently performing. The crowd’s euphoric fervor attested to their skills. They were on a different level than us. My body trembled just from listening to them at a distance.
“Hey, everyone! Hope this song adds a little kick to your lives!”
They had meticulously acquired those skills. The singer’s voice was full of emotion. This was what a real band was.
“On to our fourth song! Let’s go, everyone! Keep up!”
The singer passionately MCed and jammed out a riff that felt like sparks scattering in the air. The snare drums cut sharply through the atmosphere, and the cymbals burst with life. The bass’s deep, heavy notes reverberated through my very core. Cheers exploded once more. Everyone in attendance lifted their arms, raised their voices, and shook the floor. All that ardor produced by their music swirled into one.
I stood there motionless as I watched that scene. The crowd’s probably already forgotten about us. Maruido’s music has the power to change the world. They’re the embodiment of what we’re aiming for. I know this band is going to make a major debut in the future and rock the world. Compared to them, we’re just a bunch of high schoolers who made a small buzz online. It’s a miracle that we even got to stand on the same stage as them. It’s presumptuous to even compare us.
No. Those are just excuses. If I were taking this seriously, I would be trying to beat them. I finally get it. I’ve learned the weight of being serious the hard way.
“They’re awesome, huh.” Serika watched the dazzling stage next to me.
“They really are.” If we want to put on a spectacle like this, then we need a big mindset change. “I’ll go talk to Mei.”
“Yeah, I’m counting on you. Saya went a little too far.”
I need to have a proper conversation with him, not one where he’s just being criticized. I left the venue and stepped outside. However, I didn’t see Mei anywhere in the vicinity of the music club. Huh? He said he was getting some fresh air, right? Did I pass him without realizing? I went back inside, headed through the lounge, and was on my way to the back room when I bumped into Yamano.
“Um, have you seen Shinohara-senpai?” she asked.
“No, I’m looking for him too,” I replied.
“When I went to the greenroom just now, his things were gone...”
“Did he go home without us?”
“I think it’s because I flew off the handle earlier and said too much.” Yamano hung her head, her face rife with anxiety.
Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. It was a RINE notification. Mei had sent something to our band’s group chat. With a sense of foreboding, I opened the message.
Shinohara@animefan: I’m sorry for holding you all back.
Shinohara@animefan: I’m quitting the band. Thank you for everything.
His message hit me hard.