「Let's Make a Band!」

[nebulancer]

Translation of the first part of the ALIVE Side: S Vol.1 CD that details SOARA's formation!

For the second part: nebulancer.dreamwidth.org/20513.html

[Sounds of people talking and footsteps]

Sora: *pants* Mori! Sou! Hey! *jumps*

Morihito: Ah! S-Sora! What’s wrong?

Soushi: Sora? What’s up? Around this time… Ah, that’s right. You’re part of the third years’ graduation committee?

Sora: That’s right! In order to send off our upperclassmen in a colorful flurry of flowers, I, who will fulfill everyone’s expectations in a single moment—

Soushi: Yeah. Everyone was expecting things from you while you were absent from a cold.

Sora: It’s a wonderful feeling of friendship! Once I recovered and came back, I’ve been in the committee ever since! Hey, anyways! Sou, If you were there, you should’ve stopped them as my best friend!

Soushi: Sorry about that, Sora. The class seemed of one mind with that, so I was powerless in front of it. It also sounded interesting, so I let it happen.

Sora: That latter half was your true reason, wasn’t it!

Morihito: *laughs* I tried to offer myself in your place, but…

Sora: As expected of Mori! The class’ conscience!

Morihito: Then everyone said, “It wouldn’t be funny that way…”

Sora: Eh, as expected of class 2-3… They don’t show mercy. Well, whatever. Even if it’s a sudden bother, I’m the type of guy to do it to the fullest, but…

Soushi: ‘Sup, manly man.

Sora: Yeah, yeah. But listen to this! My talk with the teachers didn’t go well at all!

Morihito: I-is that so.

Sora: That is so. Saying stuff like “no bringing food,” or “no using gunpowder because it’d be dangerous” and all that. No this, no that. All my ideas were shut down with “no’s” I couldn’t decide on anything. And, you know, I got what the teachers were saying, but with everything I couldn’t do, there’s nothing we can do to make it interesting.

Morihito: *laughs* We are a school, after all. It’d be an uproar if something bad happened to the students. Doing a lot would have to require consultation with businesses, and it would be troubling for the teachers.

Sora: I know, but… At this rate, it’ll be no different from any other year. Singing together, parting words, and playing a video? Is that all?

Soushi: It’s like that every year. If memory serves me correctly, it was like that last year, but I don’t remember it very well.

Morihito: You’re right.

Sora: *sighs* I feel guilty for having thought that they could have made it a little more interesting last year. Maybe the committees even up until now were agonizing over this behind the scenes too.

Morihito: That could be so. Someone who loves events like Sora would definitely want to do something more.

Sora: Yeah! Graduating from high school is such a momentous thing— it’s the biggest event, you know? It’s different from graduating elementary or middle school. It’s where people tug apart and move ahead on their own paths. Such an important accomplishment deserves the grandest of congratulations! Like… something that people would remember, a “youthful!” *sparkles* feeling to it.

Morihito: You’re right. Leaving elementary and middle schools, everyone had only one destination, so we didn’t have the feeling that we were going our separate ways. But high school’s different. We start talking about going to university, and then we split up too. Some go to specialized schools, and there are some who go to work immediately after.

Sora: You see?

Morihito: Yes, I do see. And I understand very well how kind you are to want the best congratulations to cheer them on.

Sora: I-I haven’t thought it out that much… *laughs*

Soushi: Mori’s mode of giving unintentional compliments manifest themselves again today.

Sora: Yeah— That’s— embarrassing, Mori! *hits Morihito*

Morihito: Wh-what’s wrong?

Soushi: Don’t get flustered over every little thing, Sora. While we’re on the subject, I kind of understand how you feel, and I get how you want to send them off with the greatest congratulations, but… What’s a “youthful” feeling? It doesn’t come to mind.

Sora: Eh? It’s easy, isn’t it? With the blue sky as the background, with a feeling of jumping out, Y-O-U-T-H! [Triumphant fanfare plays]

Soushi: What does that mean.

Sora: Wait, Soushi-kun! Isn’t your imagination a little bit lacking?

Soushi: Compared to yours, which is halfway into delusions, I guess so.

Sora: Ah— That’s cruel! This guy’s cruel!

Morihito: Now, now, Sora. [Rustling noises] Do you want some candy?

Sora: Oh, thanks! *nom* *muffled eating noises*

Soushi: Me too, Mori.

Morihito: Here you go.

[Eating noises]

Sora: *sighs* I heard that, five or six years ago, the graduation party was pretty lax and you could do what you wanted.

Morihito: I heard that too. But I also heard that lots of things happened back then.

Soushi: Ah, you mean all those legends? Like around the time when the committee got so fired up it made a decorative cake, and after eating it, someone got food poisoning and had to be hospitalized?

Morihito: Lighting stuff up caused a lot of concerns, and the dance party was so loud we received a complaint from the nearby shrine.

Sora: Seriously?! This is the result of them wanting to prevent that again? *groans* With this, the restrictions have gotten even tighter. What do I do…?

Nozomu: Mori-san, you in?

Morihito: Huh, what? Nozomu? Ren, you’re here too.

Soushi: Looks like a loud one’s come. What’s up, Nozomu, Ren? Pretty rare for you to be coming to a class in a year above.

Ren: Nozomu borrowed a dictionary from Morihito-senpai and hadn’t returned it yet, so we came to give it back. I’m sorry, senpai, for causing trouble for you.

Nozomu: Oh! I found some candy~

Ren: N-Nozomu!

Nozomu: I’m taking one~ *eating noises*

Soushi: Don’t eat them without asking. *hits Nozomu*

Nozomu: Ow! However! I am not the kind of person to be deterred this easily! *eating noises*

Sora: Hah, what’s that show of bravado?

Ren: Hey, Nozomu! Don’t take others’ food without asking!

Nozomu: Now, now, Ren. Our bodies are growing right now, so I gotta eat when I want to eat. Anyways, Sora, what’s wrong? You got this strangely serious look on your face. Are you thinking about something?

Sora: Well, sorry if it’s strange. Hey, compared to that formal language that you’re using to talk to Mori with, you’re treating me on a pretty familiar status, aren’t you! Even though I am, for the record, a year older than you.

Nozomu: You don’t mind that kind of thing, don’t you, Sora?

Sora: I guess not. But even for someone like me, someone like me has his very own deep worries, you know. *sighs* Geez… *eating noises*

Ren & Nozomu: ?

Morihito: *laughs* Sora’s worrying about how to have the third years graduate, since he’s a part of the committee that sets it up.

Ren: The third years’ graduation party…? Ah, it’s around that time, isn’t it?

Nozomu: Graduation party? We’re only first years, so this would be our first time at this school. Wouldn’t it be the same as when we graduated middle school, and we gave everyone flowers when it ended? Isn’t it the same?

Soushi: It is the same. That’s why Sora wants to do something about it.

Sora: Flowers, huh? That could work, I guess, but that’d be too boring. If we’re doing it, I want it to go “BOOM!” with more impact to it!

Nozomu: Like having the flowers go “BOOM!” or something?

Soushi: That would end up being an incident.

Ren: Then, how about we have Sora-senpai go “BOOM!”? [Explosion noises]

Sora: HEY! Wait, wait, wait! Ren-kun, what’re you saying with such a serious face? What happens to me? Is the me in your imagination unharmed?!

Soushi: Impact, you say…

Morihito: Continuing on, you not only want something that people will remember, but also something that’s “youth”, right? *sparkles*

Ren: Mm, what does “youth” *sparkles* mean?

Morihito: Using Sora’s own image of it: with the blue sky as the background, with a feeling of jumping out, youth! *sparkles* It seems.

Nozomu: Uh, blue sky as the background…

Ren: … Feeling of jumping out, “youth”? *sparkles*

Sora: Wha— now that you’re saying it over and over, it’s pretty embarrassing! I feel… kinda sorry?

Nozomu: But, you’re just sending off the third years, right? Doesn’t seem like it’s that much to do. When Nii-chan was a student, the student representative just said some parting words, and it ended after they gave out some flowers.

Morihito: Your brother was a student here too? How many years previously?

Nozomu: Uh… Five years, I guess?

Soushi: Right around the time things changed up.

Ren: The time things changed?

Morihito: Apparently, before that, it was pretty flashy. They baked cakes, set up stalls, and even had dance parties.

Nozomu: Eh, sounds interesting!

Soushi: Didn’t it? So, because it was so interesting, lots of things happened after. What your brother did, saying parting words and giving out flowers, wasn’t different from the kind today.

Ren: Huh. Lots of things… happened?

Soushi: Yup. Lots.

Sora: Parting words, huh? I don’t think I can really come up with that many amazing words…

Morihito: I don’t believe it has to be that amazing; I think what matters is that it comes from the heart.

Soushi: You could have Ren help you with that. This guy got first place in the mock exam a while ago.

Ren: What?

Soushi: If I remember correctly, you got a prize in the prefectural speech tournament, right? Got that information from my mom.

Ren: W-waah—!

Sora: Soushi and Ren’s houses are close to each other, aren’t they. It’s incredible how quickly word travels through the moms in a neighborhood… Some time ago, during that last test, I got freaked when two ladies from the neighboring houses told me, “Do your best!” on that very morning.

Morihito: Word certainly does travel fast, then…

Sora: Your house doesn’t have stuff like that happen?

Morihito: Oh, I’ve never felt that kind of thing happen.

Sora: As expected of a celebrity, part of the upper class, waving fans with an “ohoho” laugh!

Morihito: I don’t actually do that, nor am I a celebrity.

Sora: Really? Since your parents wrote autobiographies as violinists, I kinda get the idea that you’re pretty loaded. *sparkles*

Soushi: I get you. Kinda pushy, severely so.

Nozomu: For the time being, Ren’s decided as the one to write the parting words! Nice idea. Ren, you’re good at this stuff, aren’t you? Ready to write stuff that’ll overwhelm them with a “BWAHHH”?

Ren: Th-this one here is pushy as well, Morihito-senpai! I can’t, I can’t, I can’t! I-I can’t do it, okay?

Soushi: Really? Nah, you can, you can.

Ren: You’re being blatantly irresponsible, Soushi-senpai.

Nozomu: Congrats, we got person for parting words decided.

Ren: I’ve seriously been decided?! *sighs* *whispers* I have to look up a lot once I get home.

Nozomu: And what else… Can we do anything? My brother went and did stuff like “PAHHH” with his club after the party itself, I think.

Sora: Club, huh? Around that time, people could be surprisingly free with how they planned stuff out, right?

Ren: Your brother was part of the light music club, wasn’t he? If memory serves me correctly, he performed a graduation live, right?

Sora: !

Soushi: A live, huh? That’s amazing.

Nozomu: Yeah, yeah! You did good remembering that, Ren.

Ren: It’d be obvious, with how much you talk about it.

Morihito: A graduation live? That would really be exciting.

Nozomu: Yup! It really did excite people. Wow, that’s what you call an emotional graduation. Ah, I actually snuck in that day. That feeling of being all together was so wild! I hadn’t even enrolled yet, but I felt as if I’d already graduated.

Soushi: I don’t get it.

Sora: Oh~...

Morihito: Sora? You look like you’ve been in deep thought since some time ago. What’s wrong?

Sora: That’s it!

Morihito: Eh?

Sora: Yes, that! That’s it, that’s it! We could still do that!

Soushi: Hah?

Sora: Hey, guys! How about forming a band to play at the third years’ graduation party?

All except Sora: Band?

Sora: Yeah! Singing and dancing along to a song that’s befitting of a graduation, we’ll put on a live for the third years! We’ll do a graduation live too! If we’re inside the auditorium, they won’t say we’re being way too loud! It won’t be something that bores people out of their minds, we won’t use fire, and we won’t need handmade cakes!

Soushi: A live, huh? I guess… it’s not bad.

Ren: It does fulfill the requirements.

Nozomu: Ooh! That’s nice! I’m in~

Morihito: Sounds fun, Sora. But who’s going to…

Sora: Aah, the more I think about it, the more it’s coming into shape. I’m gonna go ask the teachers!

Soushi: Hey, wait, Sora!

Sora: Now we have it: the result of three days of harsh battling. Auspiciously, the teachers allowed it with a go-ahead! The band has finally begun!

[Sparse clapping]

Morihito: Congratulations. Good for you, Sora.

Soushi: Nice job.

Ren: Isn’t that nice, Sora-senpai?

Nozomu: Congrats, congrats.

Sora: Man~, that took a while. But everything seemed to be already there for us, and I’m totally grateful to the members of the light music club!

Nozomu: You’re grateful, grateful.

Soushi: Yeah, yeah, you sure are grateful. So who’s doing it?

Sora: “Who,” you say?... For what?

Soushi: “For what,” you say. Isn’t it obvious? The band members. You can’t be in a band by yourself.

Sora: Eh…? The band members are… you guys, of course?

Morihito: Eh—

Soushi: Hah?

Ren: What?

Nozomu: Ooh…

All except Sora: EHHH!?

Morihito: Eh— Wait, wait, Sora— I didn’t hear about this!

Ren: What do you mean?!

Soushi: Ba— Sora! What’re you deciding all by yourself?!

Sora: Eh…?! What’s up with your reactions? *stammers* But, don’t you remember how I said, “Guys, I was thinking of making a band for the graduation party. What do you think?”

Nozomu: You sure did.

Sora: And you guys went “Not bad” or “Sounds fun” and whatever!

Morihito: We sure did… say that.

Ren: We did, but…

Soushi: *sighs* Hey, you know, with the way things were going like that, you’d usually think that it would be a suggestion for the performance at the party, and not that we ourselves would be doing it!

Sora: Eh, uh— That same feeling was what you were feeling? The feeling of it? That passion?

Soushi: I have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s impossible, I tell you.

Sora: *sighs* All right. Got it. Let’s make a band!

Soushi: Now you’re saying it?!

Morihito: *sighs* I can’t believe this happened.

Ren: It’s completely unbelievable. The few parting words I’d managed to think up flew right out of my mind.

Nozomu: Ah, that’s just like Ren. Even if it’s on the fly, you’re thinking it through.

Sora: It was my fault for the misunderstanding. I thought everyone wanted to do the band~

Morihito: *bursts out in laughter* Fine, I got it, Sora. You even consulted the teachers, anyway. Since we’ve come this far, we can’t not do it. I’ll do it.

Sora: *gasps* Ahh! Mori!

Soushi: Ah, it’s here. Mori’s generous self appeared in the blink of an eye.

Sora: *laughs* Sora worked hard up until now, so I wanted to help out. How about it, Soushi?

Soushi: “How,” you say… I’ve been thinking this for the longest time, but, Mori! You’re too soft on Sora.

Sora: Unlike Sou, my childhood friend, who’s quite the cold person.

Soushi: Instead of a relationship of being childhood friends, it’d be more correct to say I'm stuck with you. It’s been that way since elementary school and middle school.

Sora: Then make use of that relationship, and form a band with me!

Soushi: *sighs* This guy doesn’t give up…

Sora: There’s no way I could give up! We went and formed a band, and we have the perfect group of guys assembled here. Mori’s good at singing, and he can play the guitar. Soushi’s playing drums right now. Ren’s on keyboard, and Nozomu’s bass. See, look! It’s perfect. There’s no way the god of youth isn’t telling us to form a band!

Ren: Some new kind of god has come into existence.

Morihito: Uh, Sora? Not to destroy your expectations after you’ve built them up, but my singing and harmonizing is only karaoke-level, and I’ve never played guitar in front of others. Is that fine? I feel bad saying it, since I already agreed.

Sora: It’s fine, it’s fine! Since you’re doing it, it’s completely fine! I still remember your singing from when we went to karaoke back then. You were seriously good!

Nozomu: Heeh, I’m looking forward to it~ Oh, I can do bass too.

Sora: Nice, Nozomu! Looks like we got a bass.

Nozomu: Hehe. You better take a good look at my Big Bro’s starter bass, okay?

Soushi: Your brother played bass too, doesn’t he?

Nozomu: He didn’t just play bass; it’d be more correct to say that he’s playing right now. He’s become a super cool bassist. That’s the Big Bro that I brag about. *sparkles*

Morihito: Speaking of which, on the CD that Ren lent me the other day, there was a name that I remembered on the staff list. I recall going, “Could it be?”

Ren: Wasn’t it the drama’s original soundtrack? It seems Nozomu’s older brother played for its theme song and other parts of its soundtrack.

Morihito: Yes, yes, that was it. It was amazing.

Nozomu: Right? I got the feeling that I’d be a really good bassist, so I’m doing bass~

Sora: Well said! I’m counting on you, Nozomu! Next, we need a keyboard…? *voice trails*

Ren: !

Sora: I really would like Ren to play the keyboard…

Ren: *whispers* It came! *groans* I can’t do it, Sora-san. There’s no way I could be in a band.

Sora: But you played piano as a kid, right?

Nozomu: You even won competitions.

Sora: You’re a pretty boy, so the looks are a perfect match.

Nozomu: That so-called thing where your “looks are set to be on stage,” huh?

Sora & Nozomu: Staaaare…

Ren: *stammers* …Um, but, I’ve been busy with kendo practice recently, so I haven’t been able to play. And… that…

Morihito: Come on, you two. Sora, Nozomu. Don’t you see you’re bothering him? You shouldn’t demand so much of him. We’ve formed the band already, right? There’s no point if each member himself doesn’t decide that he wants to do it.

Soushi: You sure said it.

Sora: Ah— I guess you’re right. Sorry about that, Ren.

Ren: No, it’s fine. It’s nothing to apologize about…

Sora: Hmm. Just so we’re clear, I didn’t want just anyone who could play the piano to be in the band. I thought that it just had to be you.

Nozomu: Me too, me too.

Ren: Sora-senpai… Nozomu…

Sora: So, even though it’ll make Mori angry, let me hold out just one more time. You really, seriously can’t do it? *clasps hands*

Ren: Ugh…

Nozomu:: You truly, definitely can’t do it? *clasps hands*

Ren: Urgh… *gasps*

Sora & Nozomu: Pretty please? *clap hands together*

Ren: Urrrgh… *groaning noises*

Soushi: Well, you don’t have to think about it that deeply. For the time being, why not test it out and see if you like it? I’m gonna try it out with that mindset at least.

Sora: *gasps* Sou?! You’re gonna do it?

Nozomu: Nice, Sou-senpai!

Soushi: Things have gotten this far already, so that’s good enough, isn’t it? Anyway, I quit my club, so I have some free time that I wanted to do something with. I wanted to start up drums to pass the time in the first place.

Ren: Is that so?

Soushi: Yeah. Until I quit the team because of my shoulder, I was practically eating, sleeping, and breathing practice every day since middle school. It was obvious that I had free time.

Ren: Sou-nii…

Sora: Heh. All right, Sou, let’s slam into the band with that excess of passion you have! Trade that basketball for drumsticks, and it’s youth! *sparkles*

Soushi: I wasn’t wrong, but being told that for the first time kind of pisses me off.

Sora: You’re cruel!

Morihito: *laughs* Um, Ren, not to force it on you so suddenly, and I know I told you that you had the right to choose. But if you’re not completely opposed to the idea, why not do what Soushi’s doing and go at it with a mindset of “for the time being, I’ll try it out” without thinking it through too much. Our live is to cheer on the third year upperclassmen that we’re sending off, right? We’ll put our hearts into doing it, and do everything we can. Even if we slip up a little on the music, everyone will laugh it off and forgive you. Our school’s always been one to promote this kind of atmosphere of having an event, right?

Ren: Morihito-senpai…

Nozomu: Ren, I’m telling you, you’ll be fine! I’m probably gonna be the one to screw up most, after all. [Triumphant fanfare plays]

Soushi: Hey, is that a declaration?

Nozomu: Give it a try, Ren. I want to try doing the band with you. It won’t be fun without you if I’m by myself.

Ren: Nozomu.

[Triumphant fanfare plays]

Sora: Please, Ren! A high school graduation— it only happens once in your life, right? If we’re gonna make it happen, it shouldn’t be something that’ll fill them with regrets; it should be fun with a “BOOM!” and give people joy! That’s why… please, I’m counting on you, Ren!

Ren: Ugh… *sighs, then exhales* I understand. I’ll play the keyboard.

Sora: *gasps* Ren! Thanks~!

Nozomu: We did it!

Sora: *sighs* Finally, the band’s here! Our band’s formed…!

Morihito: You seem happy, Sora.

Sora: Yeah! I’m super happy. It looks like there’s a lot I can do, so just thinking about it gets me excited. Ah— thanks, Mori. It’s because you were the first one to say he was in that everyone else joined.

Soushi: Yeah, I guess it seemed that way.

Ren: It sure did.

Morihito: I didn’t think about it that much; I wanted to get in on Sora’s energy. I can’t get carried away the way Sora does, so I thought it was really nice. I admire him.

Nozomu: If Mori-san gets carried away like he does, everyone else would cry. The girls would— especially the girls.

Morihito: Eh?

Soushi: That’s true.

Ren: I can understand that.

Sora: Hey, you guys, are you saying that my getting carried away would be the one at fault for making the girls cry?

Soushi: Hah? That’s pretty much it. What’re you saying at this point in time?

Ren: What a shame that this is the famous Sora-senpai, huh.

Sora: I got told something obvious by Ren?! *groans* Ahh, this serious damage put me in critical condition.

Morihito: *laughs nervously*

Soushi: Since we’ve gotten the roles for our band in place, let’s end it here and go home.

Nozomu: All right~

Morihito: Also, Sora… What’ll you do for the songs?

Sora: Huh? Songs?

Morihito: Yeah. Seeing how we have the band already, I thought you’d be making your original songs too…

Sora: Eeh?!

Ren: Eh? Sora-senpai, you can make songs?

Nozomu: That’s surprising.

Sora: Eh… No, not really… *laughs nervously* *whispers* Mori! That was supposed to be a secret from everyone.

Morihito: Huh? Really? Sorry, I thought everyone knew already…

Sora: Well, whatever, I don’t mind…

Soushi: Will you make them, Sora?

Sora: Hm.

Nozomu: Heeeh, That’s cool, Sora. What kinda songs do you make?

Sora: What kind? They’re… normal. Just normal songs. They just come to me in a “PAAH.”

Ren: That itself is amazing! What kinds of songs have you been making up until now? I want to hear them.

Nozomu: I wanna hear them~

Sora: Eh!? Um, ah… Look, it’s getting late. Let’s continue this some other time, okay?

[Rattling noises]

Morihito: Sora…

Sora: I’m home.

[Door closes]

Sora: *sighs* Ah, I’m tired. *yawns* I feel sleepy. We’re really gonna do a band, playing music with everyone. Mori, with Sou, with Ren, with Nozomu, and me. It’s gonna be so fun. *breathes happily* I wonder how it’ll feel. But… I was surprised when Mori suddenly asked me, “What’ll you do for the songs?” at the end. I made them a lot in middle school, didn’t I? I thought about them a lot, desperately making them every day. I even left the folder the way it was… Ah, that’s right. This one, here. *clicks on the laptop*

[McGuffin’s instrumental plays]

Sora: Ah, this song that I quit making halfway through is still here. Heh, how long has it been? Whoa, the latest update was almost two years ago. It’s almost as if time’s completely stopped inside this folder. Composing, huh? It’s been so long already. Can I even make them like before?

[Phone buzzes]

Sora: Huh? A call from Mori? *picks up* What’s up? Mori?

Morihito: Hello, Sora. Good evening.

Sora: You too. We just parted some time ago, though?

Morihito: Y-yeah… You’re right.

Sora: So, what’s up?

Morihito: Um. Remember how I didn’t know that your making songs was supposed to be a secret, and said that to everyone right before we left? That’s why I wanted to apologize… and say sorry.

Sora: Eh? About that? I don’t mind. How do I say it… It’s not like I was trying to go out of my way and hide it from everyone, anyways. Soushi knew in the first place. I’m the one who’s sorry for being so cautious.

Morihito: No, I really am sorry. I expected you to be able to make songs again without a doubt, and I was so happy, just like that, I…

Sora: Ah. Could it be, was that the reason you entered the band immediately?

Morihito: ...It’s not “could it be”... That was the whole reason why.

Sora: Ugh— Just how much are you looking forward to my songs?!

Morihito: Sorry! That’s how much I love your songs, and how much I love your singing!

Sora: *exasperated* Without hesitation, your true intentions of who you want to be the vocals have come out! I said that you’re the vocals! I’m guitar— I won’t sing.

Morihito: You can sing. Please sing, Sora! I want our band to have twin vocals. I won’t budge on this.

Sora: Why are you suddenly so stubborn?

Morihito: Because I want to sing alongside you!

Sora: Ngh… Mori.

Morihito: I want to sing with you. If possible, with the songs that you wrote. When we first met, you said that you went through a lot in middle school, and this was as far as you went with music, remember? But, seeing you so motivated saying that you wanted to do the band, I think that you really do love music. Also, I don’t know how you yourself feel about it, but I love the songs you compose. I think they’re great. Even now I remember it: when I first listened to your songs on the Internet.

[McGuffin’s instrumental swells]

I can’t put it into words well, but with the sounds my world opened with a bang. It was amazing. I downloaded it and I’ve been listening to it ever since. Your songs and your singing have that much of a power to them.

Sora: *sighs* Mori, you know, that tension you had when we first met?

Morihito: Eh—

Sora: Being asked, “You’re Oohara Sora?!” like that? I was so surprised, being named directly by a person I’d never met before.

Morihito: For the record, I’m extremely sorry for that. I was just shocked by how much of a coincidence it was, and I even thought to myself, “No way!” Ahaha…

Sora: Mori.

Morihito: Huh?

Sora: I’m… in front of my laptop right now. And I opened up one of my old folders by chance. The whole time, I’d left the music folders on my desktop the same as they were before, and the songs inside were still unfinished. Almost as if time had just stopped.

Morihito: Is that so?

Sora: I considered tossing them in the recycle bin at some point, but I could never bring myself to do it. I wanted to remake the time that the things inside this folder had lost, that I’d do it some day, some day… I might’ve been waiting for it myself. *voice shakes* Because, right now, I’m so happy. That’s how happy I am. *voice trembles* I was so, so happy that you told me that… I thought, “I’m so glad I did music.”

Morihito: Sora…

Sora: *sniffs* Mori, can I even do it? Can I write a song that you and I can have fun singing, and that the third years will be happy to listen to?

Morihito: *laughs* You can. During these three years that I’ve continued listening to your songs, I know it. Everyone’s waiting for the fun world that you create and your wonderful music. That’s why— let’s start the music.

Sora: *yawns*

Soushi: Good morning, Sora.

Sora: Ahh… Nnrah? Good morning, Sou. *yawns*

Soushi: You look sleepy. Pretty rare for someone like you, who’s always running around in the morning.

Sora: Well, y’know, I just got into the flow when writing songs, and before I knew it, it was already morning. *yawns*

Soushi: You decided to make songs, huh?

Sora: Ah, oh. I have to tell you about it, don’t I. Um, you know…

Soushi: Yeah.

Sora: You know already, but a bunch of little things piled up about my songwriting, and I had this kind of trauma— a black mark on my history in middle school.

Soushi: You sure did. Your ever-optimistic self was unusually depressed and shut-in.

Sora: Shut up! Well, that happened. I dragged you all into forming the band with me, so I thought I should make the most of what I could do for everyone. So, when I thought about it, this was the least I could do.

Soushi: Hmm? Mori probably convinced you.

Sora: How do you know that?!

Soushi: Just as I thought. It’s because you’re easy to read; regarding this subject, Mori’s easy to read, too.

Sora: Uwah, I can’t deny that… We could choose to be pulled along by a song someone else wrote, and, honestly, that would be easier. But, seeing as how we want to do it, I thought we should have everyone listen to the songs I wrote myself. What do you… think?

Soushi: Whatever. If we start with the feelings of wanting to do it, we better not do it halfheartedly. We should at least do it properly. Just don’t crash asleep in the middle of class and produce some good grades. Or else your mom’ll get mad.

Sora: Ngh! You really hit where it hurts!

Soushi: You have no shortage of blind spots.

[Footsteps]

Sora: Hmph! Now then, thank you for waiting! Here’s the demo!

All except Sora: Ooh… *applause*

Sora: Fufufufu, I put hard work into making this, so you guys better listen to it. All right, I’m playing it.

[Hanasaku Oka de’s instrumental plays]

Sora: How… is it? I’m fundamentally the kind of person to go on instinct and write songs in a flash, so in a while I might end up fixing some little problems, I guess, but…

Nozomu: Ooh! Super cool!

Soushi: Yeah, that’s amazing, Sora. This can work really well.

Ren: That was great, Sora-senpai. I was overwhelmed.

Sora: Eh— ah—  You really think so?

Morihito: Yes. I really like this song. Actually, I really do like your music. This isn’t the first time I’ve thought this, but it’s been so long since I’ve heard a new song, I’m happy. Good work, Sora.

Sora: D-don’t compliment me so much, geez! I’m embarrassed, you know! Ngh! *hits Morihito*

Morihito: Owowow…

Nozomu:: All right! Now that we’ve gotten the song, let’s get fired up and practice!

Everyone: Yeah!

Nozomu: *winces* My finger cramped…

Ren: Nozomu! Are you all right?

Nozomu: Aagh, now I’ve gone and done it… Owowow…

Soushi: Hm? Your finger cramped? Ah, just bend it out.

Nozomu: Owowowow!! Wait, no! Don’t do it! Seriously, it— IT HUUUUUURTS!!!

Sora: I like Ren’s piano playing~

Ren: R-really? Thank you very much.

Morihito: That won’t be a reason for your guitar playing to be slow, is it? *sparkles*

Sora: Ghk! I-I’ll try my best~

Nozomu:: Eh, Mori-san’s scaryyy. His eyes aren’t laughing. Not at all! Does Mori-san become a harsh guy once a switch is flipped?!

Ren: Speaking of which, Morihito-senpai’s always a nice person, so I’ve never seen him get mad at anyone. But in that vein, if someone were to upset him, he’d be scarier than anyone else.

Nozomu: I really didn’t need to hear that right now.

Morihito: Nozomu, how are you doing?

Nozomu: Ah, yes! ...I’m fine!

Soushi: What kind of response is that.

Sora: Ahh, we can’t match up at all.

Morihito: Um. It’s probably too early to put ourselves together.

Nozomu: I-it’s impossible. My body knows how Nii-chan feels now.

Ren: I’m the same. I apologize. I keep failing.

Soushi: Well, that’s just how it goes in the beginning. We still have some time. Let’s do it gradually.

Sora: Yeah, you’re right. One more time, from the top— *stomach growls* Ah.

Morihito: Ahaha! Sora, are you hungry?

Sora: W-well, of course! Singing really takes away calories! Come on, let’s focus again and— *stomach growls* Tssh…

Soushi: Pfft! Ahahaha, what’s up with that? This really is it.

Sora: Y-you’re wrong! Ngh, geez, what now?

Morihito: But I am hungry. Like Sora, I’ve been singing, so my need for calories is pretty intense.

Nozomu: I’m hungry too. I can’t do anything.

Morihito: All right. We’ll end up falling apart at this rate, so let’s stop for today here.

Sora: Uhh. Well, we can’t help the fact that we couldn’t make a breakthrough the first time. Got it. We’re ending it here for today.

Nozomu: Then let’s go out to eat ramen! Ramen!

Sora: Ooh, nice! Let’s go! You guys are all coming with, aren’t you?

Morihito: Ramen, huh? I guess I’ll come.

Soushi: I’ll go. Ren, you’re coming, right?

Ren: Eh? Is it… okay for me to come?

Soushi: That’s a given.

Ren: ! Then, I’ll go too! Thank you for having me!

Sora: Okay! Takeoff! To the ramen shop!

Nozomu: Ah… I really can’t play.

Soushi: I told you, your finger goes like this.

Nozomu: TOH! *strums*

Soushi: I’m— telling— you—, listen to what other people say! We have only around a week until the performance!

Nozomu: I know already~

Morihito: Hah… We can’t really concentrate like this, so let’s take a break. See, I brought cookies today.

Sora: Nice! I’m eating them!

Ren: Sorry, Morihito-senpai, you’re always bringing snacks for us.

Morihito: Hehe. I’ve gotten used to bringing snacks, so it’s become a habit. Don’t worry.

Soushi: To feed Sora, huh?

Sora: *muffled* Hm?

Soushi: Wait, you’re eating way too much, Sora!

Sora: *saying stuff with his mouth full*

Soushi: I have no idea what you’re saying.

Ren: Then I’ll… take one too.

Sora: But this… is pretty fun. No, uh— I was just so, so happy that everyone could practice together making music with the songs I wrote. Singing is so fun. This might be the first time I’ve had so much fun while singing. That’s right… Music is fun.

Morihito: Yeah, you’re right. Good for you, Sora.

Sora: All right! I wanna sing again! I’m gonna get back to practice!

Morihito: *laughs* I’ll get back too.

Soushi: Then, once Nozomu manages to play, we’re putting the song together.

Nozomu: Hey, isn’t that putting pressure on me?

Soushi: Idiot, of course we’re putting pressure on you.
Ren: That’s a good idea! Okay, Nozomu, one more try!

Nozomu: Bwah… Ren’s become harsh too~

[Everyone giggles, and they all break out in laughter]

Sora: Nozomu, do your best!

[Laughter fades out]

Sora: We’re finally here…

Morihito: The days seemed to pass by in a flash.

Nozomu: Just how many people are here? *looks* Geh, this many?

Soushi: That sure is a lot.

Ren: Our school has always been famous for having a large number of people, so even the first year has lots of students. But I didn’t expect this many to show up for the live.

Morihito: I’m glad that this many people are looking forward to our performance.

Nozomu: Yeah, seriously. For the audience to be expecting this much, that means we’re amazing to them, right?

Ren: *whispers* I envy you for being so optimistic now. *sighs*

Soushi: What’s up, Ren? Getting nervous?

Ren: No, not at all.

Soushi: Look me in the eyes and say that. You’ve always been like that.

Ren: Ngh… Sorry.

Soushi: You’ve got nothing to apologize for. If you haven’t changed from before, you’re fine, aren’t you?

Ren: Huh?

Soushi: You’re the kind of guy to do something to the end, no matter how anxious you are beforehand, aren’t you? Your consistent hard work pays off, so don’t worry.

Ren: Is… that so? That’s good, but…

Soushi: I’m telling you, trust your long-time pal “Sou-nii,” okay?

Ren: *stammering* S-S-Soushi-senpai, please don’t bring up things from the past without warning!

Nozomu: *laughs* Ren, let’s take it easy. Take it easy. Remember? If you screw up, then I will too. [Triumphant fanfare plays]

Sora: We didn’t need that confidence… *laughs*

Morihito: They’re done with setting up the audio and the lighting. The curtain’s about to raise, so let’s head onstage.

[Tuning up noises]

Soushi: ‘Kay. I’m ready to start at any time.

Morihito: I’m ready too.

Nozomu: I’m OK too.

Ren: Me too.

Morihito: Sora, are you okay?

Sora: [almost inaudible] I’m ready.

Morihito: Sora!

Sora: (What is this— My throat’s suddenly— What’s going on at a time like this? I can’t get nervous right now! I can’t— my voice can’t come out. Calm down! But… singing in front of so many people, if I mess up, like I did in middle school… Not only my songs, but if even my entire existence ends up being denied completely, I’ll—) *coughs* *chokes*

Morihito: Sora!

Sora: *wheezes*

Morihito: Sora, calm down. You’ll be fine.

Sora: *gasps* Mori.

Morihito: See, look over here, Sora. I’m—We’re with you.

Soushi: I’m here for you.

Sora: Soushi.

Nozomu: I’m here.

Ren: I’m here… too.

Sora: You guys…

Morihito: See, you’ll be all right, Sora.

Sora: *breathes* You’re right. This isn’t just my song. I didn’t make it all by myself. It’s the best song that I made with everyone. It has nothing to do with what others think about it. I just have to sing with everything I’ve got. To sing this song to support our upperclassmen who are leaping out into a new world.

[Audience begins to cheer]

Soushi: Can you do it? Sora.

Sora: Yeah. I’m all right. Okay, everyone. Now, let’s start the music!