Though we were called the headliner of the concert, we were only the sixth band playing, so our turn came sooner than I anticipated. Plus, the starting first-year band had only had a month to practice, so they’d performed just one song. They did pretty decently, but this sort of thing comes with experience, so I hope they keep plugging away.
We took our spots onstage. The clubroom was crammed full of students. Evidently, people expected a lot from us. It was intimidating to see the audience packed together this close-up.
“We’re Mishmash Leftovers, reborn as Stray Luminous.” I began MCing as I checked the mic volume. “We changed our name because one of our members changed after last year’s school festival.”
I took in the audience. The front row was filled with light music club members. Hikari and the others were assembled somewhere around the middle. And Yamano’s friends were in the back of the room—Matsui-san and her girls had come as well.
“Our drummer, Iwano-senpai, retired to study for his entrance exams, so taking his place we have Yamano, a first-year.”
Yamano energetically pounded on her drums when she was introduced. There was a smattering of applause. Someone yelled, “Saya, you got this!” from the back row. Yamano smiled softly as she twirled her drumsticks.
“On the bass we have Shinohara Mei.”
Mei skillfully slapped out a few bars. Funayama-san stood at the end of his gaze, waving her hand.
“On the guitar, Hondo Serika.”
Serika ad-libbed a phrase from Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” She did a great job pumping up the audience and then pointed into the crowd—straight at Iwano-senpai, who had come without my noticing. He gave us a thumbs-up.
“And the vocalist is me, Haibara Natsuki. We’re continuing band activities with these members.” After I made that announcement, the light music club members spearheaded a wave of powerful applause for us. “On to our first song. It’s a new one, ‘Stray Luminous.’”
Since everyone took time out of their schedule to come, we better put on a killer performance and make them smile. My gaze drifted from Serika to Mei, and then to Yamano. Yamano nodded and smacked her sticks together thrice. With the song Yamano and Serika wrote, we’re going to change everyone’s world!
✦ ✦ ✦
The fun lasted for what felt like a split second.
“Saya! You killed it up there!”
“R-Really?! Girls, thanks a ton!” Yamano, surrounded by Matsui-san and her other friends, was effusive.
I watched her with my arms crossed.
“You act like you’re her dad,” Serika said, standing next to me.
“She doesn’t feel unrelated to me, for some reason,” I replied.
Her lips curved into a smile. “Thanks, Natsuki.”
“What for?”
“Our band didn’t break apart thanks to your efforts.”
“Eh, I just didn’t want to let go of it.” This band has become an important place where I belong. I won’t give up on it that easily. I hope the four of us keep at it for many years to come.
“It was a good concert,” Serika said contently.
“We’re only just getting started.” It wasn’t good enough to be called miraculous.
“Yeah, I know.”
Nevertheless, I definitely felt something. We’re advancing steadily. “Our journey is going to continue for a long time.”
“Our dream’s to play at the Nippon Budokan, right?”
“Uh, I think you’re dreaming too big there.”
“Dreams are better when they’re bigger. Didn’t anyone ever teach you that?” Serika thrust her fist out at me.
I bumped mine against hers.