It was a cold day- but the sun was shining so beautifully. After a week of being accepted at one of the Glee club's band, Suzuka had spent rough days because of the spartan teaching- which she already expected- and seeing their private room that afternoon made her sigh. Nazarene came to her and sat on the piano seat.
"Having a hard time? It seems like Mr. Murase is tough to you freshmen as well." Nazarene said and Suzuka just smiled at her- and approached.
"May I ask you a question, Naza-sen?"
"Go on."
"You are the leader of Prevail High but you are on the back-ups. Why is that?" Suzuka asked her but Nazarene didn't even flinch- she perhaps expected that question to come her way.
"I guess I should tell you that, being my closest band member back then." Nazarene answered and pressed the A key on the piano. "I decided to lay-low, but that leadership, it's because I guide them and ensure they're disciplined."
"I-is that it?" Suzuka said, her eyes widening, and her heart shattered into pieces.
"Yes. That's pretty much it." Nazarene said and smiled at her.
However, just as they were about to have an exchange, the other freshmen came to the door and greeted the both of them. Nazarene was all smiles, but Suzuka didn't even show a bit of emotion. Shiro went to her and placed her arm on her left shoulder, making Suzuka flinch and realize that they needed to practice already.
"So, before we practice, has everyone thought of a name to our band?" Kirin, the tall, black-haired and handsome boy that had taken over the piano asked them as they set-up their instruments.
"Oh, yeah, there was that thing yesterday. I thought up some names like- Sugar rush, Flower Dust, and Banderitas." Clyde [black- shoulder-level hair, brown eyes, tall, handsome], on the drums said and smiled.
"What's with those names? For me, I don't really think we should wear our crown with that name since we are all aiming to replace the originals, right?" Faye on the violin remarked, making everyone turn to her. "What? Don't tell me I'm the only one aiming for that."
"So, we share the same sentiment." Shiro said, leaping towards them and left Suzuka to arrange the microphones. "That's great, however, how about all of you?"
"Shall we aim to replace them? Hmm, sounds good to me." Bom on the bass agreed and smiled as well.
"Perhaps I will join you." Clyde said and smiled- "however, it's a surprise that they are opening the auditions for non-glee club- that is- through recommendation."
"I find that very strange as well- I mean- the theatre back then was too crowded, and everyone seemed to audition for it surpassed five hundred on the first day. Are there some people who possibly can perform who never auditioned?" Faye said as she finished tuning her violin.
"Come to think of it- you are right." Bom agreed and plugged her bass on the amplifier. "Either way, let's practice."
"Have you taken a look at the music sheet Mr. Murase sent us last night?" Suzuka asked and finally finished setting up her microphone.
"Yeah- that. I really didn't get why but the sheet was an acoustic one." Bom said and placed the strap on the violet bass that she held dearly.
"Want us to rearrange it and make it a rocking one?" Clyde proposed.
"That's a great idea- but who will do it?" Faye asked.
"Let's all help." Suzuka smiled and the others agreed into submission. "The battle's next month, right? So that means that we are all going to need some time to practice alone."
"Too bad- and- can we really beat them? I mean, I am quite confident on my skills as the guitarist in our band but I am going to battle against Kota-san who we all know as superior in skills." Gene asked and tuned his guitar. "And I was really shocked because he's a freshman like us."
"I've heard that he was recruited when he was in Katakago Junior High School- meaning he sent all of his senpais flying away from their spots on Prevail High." Shiro said.
"He's with Josef- the violinist. They were a part of Prevail High for three years now." Faye said, looking worried at the competition between her and the prodigy.
"So they got recommendations- and now- I wonder who the recommended people are this time." Suzuka said and looked at Shiro.
"I wish we could perform with Camie." Shiro said, saddened over the fact that Camie is uninterested in music.
__________________________
The day just ended with them deciding how to add a punch on the music they were given- and to safely say it- they disliked the music because it was too slow, and making it into pop, or rock was a pain in the ass they had to deal with.
As they cleaned up their room, Murase entered their room with a poster in his hands and ordered everyone to come follow him towards the room of Prevail High. They came and the moment they opened the door of the music room, they saw a mini stage where the official Prevail High members gathered, and they had their instruments clutched onto them like babies. There was a heavy atmosphere that surrounded the room- and seeing them in an intense concentration like that was nerve-racking for the freshmen.
"Yo. If it isn't the newly-formed freshmen band."
A greeting from behind them made them all flinch at the same time and the official members came leaving their instruments behind to greet everyone. However, Murase glared at them and they were pushed to assemble seats and settle down.
"Roll call. Freshmen band [Present!], Sophomore band [Present!], Senior band [Present]. Okay, now. I will announce how the most important event next month will commence." Murase explained and he displayed a banner on the board. "Seize the Light- that'll be the title of the concert this club would hold next month, at the field. A huge stage would be assembled for all of you and all the students are expected to go there- even junior highs- since they would also be having recommended participants. Now, erase all your entitlement on the Prevail High since you are all back to zero, and all official members are required to go back to their former bands- Kuu, and Josef, I have special tasks for you."
"What that-" Kuu said playfully and pouted, making everyone look at him and be captivated by his cuteness.
"There are eight recommended participants this time. two from the junior high, two from the freshmen and sophomores, and two from the seniors. Come in and introduce yourselves."
People came from the door and went beside Mr. Murase- some nervous, some overwhelmed, and some emotionless. Shiro and Suzuka looked flustered and excited- seeing someone they know in front as she tried to hide behind Mr. Murase's back.
"Hi everyone, I am Ash, I'll try out for Vocals- from Junior High."
"I am Ameh- trying out for Violin. JHS."
"I am Benedict. Second year, trying out for guitar."
"Cedric, Third year, for vocals."
"David, Second year, bass,"
"Ivan, for clarinet, third year."
"Camie, freshman, V-vocals."
Everyone clapped their hands for the participants and checked them all out. However, ABCDE interjected.
"I only see seven people, sir. Where's the other one?"
"That- she hasn't confirmed it yet- or rather- I haven't persuaded her yet." Murase's saddened eyes made everyone oblivious of the [secret] participant that failed to show up that day. Who is that person to have Mr. Murase, who never recommended anyone for auditions make a look like that? "that aside, Kuu, and Josef, you are assigned to create your own band, together with these people. That being said, I am counting on you to persuade someone I know you know to join."
"Sir, why does it appear like you are head over heels with this person?" Satori asked, intrigued by Murase's remark.
"It's because it'll be such an honor to see her perform again- for her to come back to mus- hey, I've said enough. Go practice." He said and stayed on that room to roast everyone's playing.
"So you were recommended as well, huh." Kuu said as he approached Camie, who looked like she was panicking. "Best of Luck."
"L-likewise." Camie replied, but as Kuu left, she tried to stop him by holding his wrist which he shoved off in an instant. "Sorry about that. But… Kuu-senpai, please help me convince Akuji to come back and do music again."
However, Kuu eyed her. "I am going to ask her if she wants to, but if she said she won't do it, then I won't push her. From what I saw, she was afraid of music now- and I don't want her hurt. It's best that you leave her to decide for herself- if you badly want her to come back to her old self- why not you go and convince her? Now that'd be sincere. I'm not a senpai. Can't you see how cute I am?!"
Camie was awestruck and dumbfounded- because she knew in herself that the moment Akuji sees her, she'll be hurt again because her face will just remind her of her hardships. She completely ignored Kuu's remarks.