He reminded me of my best friend Izanagi with his fiery blonde hair... a more aggressive version.
The moment I returned to my room, he just stared at me as I dipped my head in greeting.
I... had rearranged the rooms after I heard that I would be sharing. Taking the top bunk and making a desk space underneath it for my laptop, a smaller more private studio.
The kid was on his side of the room but the intense stare made me on edge the moment I entered.
"Ehm..." My mind was blank but I tried to fish out the memory I was looking for. "Hayate Tanjiro-san right? I'm Fukuda Kagami."
He nodded.
"I hope you don't mind me rearranging the room."
He was looking elsewhere and resumed unpacking his things.
"S'fine."
I wanted to lay down some ground rules but didn't want to pressure him too much. Let's not get my ass kicked on the first meeting...
"Ahem." I coughed upon going to my side.
"I hope our time rooming together will be a peaceful one, in efforts as not to get on each other's nerves..."
I heard a sigh but pushed on.
"We should come up with some rules. Why don't we make a list of things we don't like? On the bulletin board there I already posted mine. I have to practice again soon but I'll be sure to take a look at it once I get back."
He glanced at the board and just squinted.
"T-then I'll see you later!"
I got out of there fast.
Hayate Tanjiro, I looked him up as soon as I left on the project website.
Comes from a single-parent home, and has a history of getting into fights at school.
He was both a singer and a guitarist, watching his recorded clips, I felt for a second I was looking at another Izanagi. There are some similarities but also contrast differences in their mannerisms when performing.
How to explain it? Izanagi was the type whose energy tended to condense in on itself, whenever he performed he was lively, his energy would only continue to spike making him more enthusiastic, it would always be hard to look away.
Tanjiro on the other hand felt like a survivor struggling to survive in a wasteland, a slowly rising rebellious spirit was lit like a candle...it was awe-striking...
A survivor from what you might ask?
Well, melodies. What stood out most in their band was the twin bass players. Their songs in general had addicting melodies, and the switch up between the twin basses playing at once to Tanjiro alone then back to the twins, then to Tanjiro and one twin then altogether. It was... hair raising. The sensation of feeling like you're drowning in their sound...
I can see why their in this project now. Their band was unique. I'm starting to feel a bit jealous. To think I'm roommates with such a talented person, ahhhh. Shit.
A stray strand of hair fell into my vision. It was too long to be my own.
Huh?
"Here it was, I thought I heard Tan-kun's voice. So it was you?"
A kid with long silky black hair tied up into a bun coming undone peered over the ledge of the handicap ramp overlooking the bench I was sitting on at a lower level.
I recognized him right away, the drummer from Tanjiro's band. His long hair had a bad habit of spilling out over his shoulders whenever he got too into it. A boy with sleepy-looking droopy eyes that excited their fans for his dreamy looks.
"Are you a fan?" His voice sounded sleepy too.
I smiled, but I was nervous. Having the person from a video you were watching suddenly pop up out of nowhere... it's kind of scary. "Huh? Ah, I was just watching the clips of other bands performances."
His smile was wide. "Checking out the competition huh? I see, I see."
He let himself slip off the ledge above and flipped his body landing on his feet on the bench.
He held up his arms like he had just accomplished an olympic feat before squatting down to ask me.
"Can I watch with you?"
He's quite the character huh? "U-uh...sure."
I had only been planning on watching Hayate's band but with this rando here, I had to watch the other bands for real.
This kid had a lot of questions on the other groups and I took my time answering what I knew.
"Hmmmm... you sure know a lot."
"It's on the project name website, anyone can look it up for themselves."
"Well, whatever. Ah, but you're one too right? How come I haven't seen your band?"
Thankfully I didn't get to answer.
"Shirai-san! The hell are you doing out here?!" The person yelled suddenly, I thought they were far away but they were standing right next to us it startled the both of us.
Shirai nearly got his ear yanked off by a taller guy in black, he seemed to bear some resemblance.
"Ah, wait I was in the middle of a conversation!"
"Is a conversation more important than band practice? You damn brat!"
I've never felt so thankful for a distraction in my life but also concerned about him... that question. I really didn't want to answer.