"You want to join a band?", Joey questioned.
"Yes", Carter answered.
"Are you sure?", Joey questioned again.
"Yes", Carter answered monotonously, crossing his arms.
After the jamming session with the Meerkats at Santoro's Music Store, Carter returned home in the afternoon. He returned in one piece as per Kokomi's promise to his elder brother, Joey. Carter had inform Joey of tomorrow's audition after dinner. At first, Carter intended to ask for permission by force but soon extinguish the idea. Carter's 18 year's old now, he can make his own decisions if he wanted to.
After hearing his little brother's request, Joey sat Carter down on the dining table's chair and proceeded to discuss things further with him.
"Are you really sure?", Joey questioned him for the third time, making sure he heard his little brother correctly.
"For the third time you deaf baboon, YES", Carter shouted, he then realized his mistake and let out a small 'sorry'.
Joey let out a gentle sound resembling a sigh, shaking his head lightly. Joey felt a little worried for Carter, especially with his disability. 'What if he got lost somewhere? What if he got hurt and no one will help him? What if he got kidnapped? What if he falls and breaks something? Will there be anyone who can take care of him like me?'
All of these thoughts were going through Joey's head. He had his hand to his chin. thinking to himself. Carter is starting to get bored waiting for a minute now.
"You're overthinking again. I don't like it", Carter said.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry, I'm just really worried about you", Joey said.
Silent fell around the room as the two decided to stay silent. Then Carter spoke up.
"I'm bored with my routine. It's been the same for 3 years now, until that night when you took me to that concert", Carter revealed his frustration and reason.
"I see now, you feel trapped here. I'm sorry that I can't give you everything that you desire", Joey said.
Carter's face fell into a sad frown. A frown that Joey would misunderstood for normal begging instead of guilt.
"I haven't finished. Since you told me all of this, I will let you audition for the band", Joey said, smiling.
Carter's frown turned into a small smile, he felt happy, excited even.
"Really?", Carter asked as he stood up from the chair.
"Of course, I only want to see that smile of yours everyday, Mary and I both. Please forgive me for not realizing this sooner", Joey apologized, hugging his brother.
"It's not your fault, but technically it is. I do understand though, you can't understand someone truly unless you've been through their problem yourself", Carter reassured.
"Alright, you have an audition tomorrow so go rest up. I'll see you in the morning", Joey said.
"Okay", Carter said.
Carter then walked into his bedroom and shuts the door. He climbs into his soft bed and laid down on it. He then told SIRI to call Kokomi.
"Hello?", Kokomi answered.
"Hey Miss, it's me", Carter said.
"Oh pretty boy! What do you need?", Kokomi aksed.
"My brother will be giving me a ride to Santoro's tomorrow. You don't need to pick me up", Carter informed her.
"Alright, can't wait to see you blow Beyond's mind away. By the way, do you know which song you want to sing tomorrow?", Kokomi questioned.
"Yes, I'll reveal it tomorrow though", Carter said.
"Yes, yes, surprises shumises. I can handle the wait", Kokomi mocked.
Carter chuckled after hearing her adorable banter.
"I can't wait to see your face tomorrow", Carter said.
"Uh huh, bye bye", Kokomi said then hanged the call.
'Did she got the hint?' Carter thought. He tried to flirt with her just now, seems like it didn't last for very long.
Oh well, Carter tucked himself into the covers and went off to sleep. What tomorrow may be like? He wouldn't know and so wouldn't you.
The next day, Joey drove Carter to Santoro's Music Store. The band practice will start at 9 a.m. as Simon said. Kokomi stood outside of the shop's doors, waiting for Carter to arrive. A car soon parked in front of the store and the car door opened revealing Cater and a glimpse of his brother.
"You're here! Ready for the audition?", Kokomi asked.
"Yes indeed miss", Carter answered and closed the car door.
Joey winds down the window of Carter's side.
"Hey you! What's your name again?", Joey called out to Kokomi.
"Kokomi", Kokomi answered.
"Ah yes you, could you take care of Carter for me?".
"Of course Carter's big bro. I shall protect him from the dangers of today", Kokomi agreed poetically.
"Yeah, yeah whatever, just have him at one piece until I come back", Joey worriedly said.
"Don't worry, I ensure his safety", Kokomi bows playfully.
Carter chuckles at their conversation.
"Ugh, don't do that ever again. Alright, I'm off to work. See ya, Carter", Joey said as he winds up the window then proceeds to drive off.
Carter and Kokomi watches the car droved towards town. She then checks her phone to see that it was almost time for Carter's audition. She grabs Carter's forearm and guided him into the store, down the stairs and finally into the underground studio.
"Beyonderrr, I've brought our candidate. Well our only candidate", Kokomi announced.
Beyond cut his conversation with Simon short and turned around, seeing Kokomi standing beside Carter with a wide smile on her face. The rest of the band were already sitting in the break area along with Nahida.
"Morning Carter!", Nahida excitedly waved.
Carter followed the sound and waved back saying 'good morning' as well.
"Alright, before we start our practice for the competition, let's go forth with the audition now", Simon said.
"May the forth be with you", Albert said in a monotone voice, basically telling him 'good luck'
Nahida turned towards to Albert in confusion.
"It's June though", Nahida stated.
"I know, I know, Simon said the word 'forth'. I couldn't help making a joke about that as encouragement", Albert explained.
"Anyways, come Kokomi, bring the boy to the microphone", Beyond ordered.
"Coming!", Kokomi called out and gently grabbed Carter's fore arm.
She guided him towards the microphone and then released her hold from his forearm. Carter used his hands, trying to find the microphone's position, soon he felt a round and scratchy surface. 'That must be the microphone's head' Carter thought. 'Then the holder must be below the head. That's what Joey explained to me anyway'.
Carter had been practicing yesterday, through the evening before Joey found out about his audition. He practiced singing a familiar song because there wasn't time to learn a new one in time for the audition. He's been also practicing during his morning shower, singing his heart out. Joey heard the whole thing and thought that it's pretty good.
Carter nervously let out a quick breath to let his nervousness escape before he started singing. He didn't want to stutter or make his chances less by forgetting the lyrics. The music soon began to play, an 80's pop beat blasted through the speakers making Beyond almost impressed by his music choice. But, he couldn't judge him for music tastes, he had to judge him through voice and performance.
Well, voice first, performance later. It's only an audition after all, practice can come later. He just wanted to see how well could this boy sing. Better than himself? Better than Simon? Even better, could he out perform Kokomi's singing? Only if boy began singing, he judge him. Kokomi instantly recognized the song just from the opening which made her pretty excited to hear him sing. 'So, pretty boy likes dark anime hm?' Kokomi thought.
The intro reached it's first verse, that's when Carter started to sing.
Who's that man?
Who is he? Who is he? Who is he?
He is called the Devil
The Devilman, he's Devilman....
Carter's voice came out in a tenor tone. A tenor's voice range lies between the countertenor and baritone voice ranges. To put it simply, tenor is the highest male chest voice type. 'His voice sounds heavenly when he sings high notes' Kokomi thought. Beyond and Simon watched the boy intently as he sang the 80's pop beat song of the 'Devilman' anime. Though he had trouble finding where to breathe after singing a certain line, his voice didn't sound that bad.
'Not bad, we could use this to our advantage since most bands would take a female singer', Beyond thought.
The song ended, with Carter heaving for air like he ran a marathon. He had him hands supporting on his knees as he bends. The entire studio clapped for him, some probably showing support or was impressed by his singing.
"Are you ok?", Albert asked.
"Clearly*puff* not", Carter croaked, still trying to steady his breath.
Nahida let out some cheers and whistles. "Awesome singing, Carter!", she cheered.
"Yes, quite marvelous indeed", Simon added, standing up from his seat.
Kokomi came closer towards Carter and gently clapped for him, since he can't see.
"So, what did ya think, Miss?", Carter asked Kokomi.
"You're supposed to be asking me, rookie. I'm the judge", Beyond scolded, crossing his arms.
"Ah yes, I forgot. What did you think?", Carter asked.
"You did fine, I must say. Quite the voice you have there", Beyond said.
"You did amazing! I love your voice", Kokomi said, standing beside Carter.
"So...am I in?", Carter asked.