Why play in a band if not for life?

"You were a great help," Ryo said with a rare smile. "It took some getting used to, but composing purely with pen and paper isn't something I'm entirely comfortable with yet."

"I'm glad I could help..." Rinko replied with a shy smile.

Next up was designing the outfits.

"Summer End Plan," Day 1, by the riverbank, on the grass.

"...Um...Yamada-san..." Rinko finally couldn't help but speak to Ryo on the blanket. "Excuse me... is something wrong?"

Ryo was still staring at Rinko's hands, or more precisely, at the garment she was sewing. She seemed to be talking to herself, "If I did this here, would it be better..."

"Hm? You mean... where?" Rinko looked back at her own work.

Ryo reached out and gestured over the clothing, "Look, if it were like this..."

Gradually, the two began to discuss clothing. Rinko's initial nervousness slowly faded. As the conversation progressed, their distance also unconsciously began to shrink.

In the distance, Nijika and Lisa watched the scene with relief.

"This is nice~" Nijika sighed. Come to think of it, she and Lisa had grown closer first because of their shared roles, then because of similar personalities and common interests. It was quite similar to those two. But of course, they wouldn't be as troublesome as those two gloomy types.

The two silently high-fived.

Lowering their hands, Ako and Shiko still looked at each other with a tacit understanding. Before them, the small stage in the bar had been temporarily decorated. As always, Shiko was solely responsible for the stage design, and this time, she had surprisingly compromised on Ako's suggestion, making the stage full of a Western fantasy style.

"...Is this also Roselia?" Yukina held a torch, standing in front of the stage, her expression as stoic as usual, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.

"Of course!" Ako excitedly jumped next to Yukina.

"No, I mean..." Yukina wasn't looking at the stage, but at the torch in her hand. "When the time comes, it would be better to replace the torches with oil lamps."

"The costumes are... also finished." In Rinko's room, the two looked contentedly at the two design drafts.

There were still 3 days until the live performance officially began.

Chapter 12: Wandering Band

On stage, Kessoku Band's practice had just ended. Although they had a recording studio, because there was only one drum set, it was always kept on stage, making the recording studio almost useless now. Besides, as a recording studio, the room's performance was only so-so. "You can't expect an ordinary student to design a recording studio up to modern standards, even with enchantments," Shiko had said.

In short, for various reasons, the recording studio had never been used, and their usual band practice was held in the bar. It was the same now.

"Kita-chan, can't you lower the temperature of the flames?" Nijika wiped the sweat from her face. This was the consequence of extensively using flame effects. There were no lights on stage. Because Shiko really didn't have the energy to set up a permanent main light for the stage. Other than that, their only light sources were the torches, Nijika, and Kita. If Nijika were to glow all over, or if torches were stuck all around her, it would guarantee the lighting for the entire live performance, but the scene was enough to make one chuckle just thinking about it. So, they could only incorporate a large number of flame effects into the performance, ensuring stage effects while also taking lighting into account. If all else failed, Shiko could push herself to her limits and create a jade slip. As for Roselia, they had their own methods, but they were keeping it a secret from Kessoku Band for now.

Kita responded apologetically, "No matter what, this is fire. Unless I can somehow transform the nature of fire like Gotou-san one day, it probably won't work."

"Ikuyo, for the opening part, can you add a little more fire towards me? I can't see very clearly." The others were still trying to practice under these conditions.

"Next, let's practice the new song," Nijika estimated the time after a long practice. "Kita-chan, are you okay?" The first time she saw the lyrics for the new song, she had clutched her chest and fainted.

"Ah... Ah? Okay, of course, no problem!" Whether it was the heat from the flames or not, Kita's face was flushed red.

The others naturally had no problem. "Okay, one, two, three, four!"

Unexpectedly, Kita sang very fluently. It was clear that she must have practiced many times in secret. It's just that... (Kita, why don't you just look at Ichiri the whole time? Isn't it troublesome to keep glancing around? We all understand, and it's quite rock and roll...) Shiko stifled a laugh and focused on her playing.

"Stop for a moment," Ryo suddenly said. After everyone else stopped, she frowned and looked at Shiko, "Shiko, you made a mistake again just now."

"Sorry, sorry."

This song was practiced many extra times. Shiko didn't play it accurately from beginning to end even once. It was still like that even when practice time ended.

"Are you not recovered yet?" Ichiri asked with some concern. If anyone among the five had the most emotional connection to this song, it was undoubtedly Shiko herself. But she still made so many mistakes, which could only be explained by physical reasons.

"Why don't you rest well for these two days? We'll handle the other preparations before the live show, or you could discuss it with Roselia and postpone it by a day or two," Nijika suggested.

"No, it's fine. I just haven't played for a few days, so my fingers are a bit stiff. I'll practice a bit more by myself," Shiko looked truly apologetic and didn't seem to be forcing herself.

"Hmph~" Kita looked into her eyes for a moment before asking suspiciously, "Don't push yourself too hard. After all, holding a live show now is just for relaxation."

Everyone else left. Shiko lit a torch and placed it on a nearby stand. Ryo stayed behind and asked Shiko one last question, "Are you really not doing it on purpose?"

"You guess."

Although it was hard to see clearly in the dim torchlight, Ryo felt that Shiko was particularly punchable at that moment.

"Well, whatever." She sighed and changed the subject, "Have you seen the design drafts I gave you before? Are the performance outfits ready?"

"They're ready." Shiko had already prepared them and handed Ryo two bags. "This is ours, and this is Roselia's."

Ryo nodded, took the bags, and left. She went to find Rinko. Rinko was naturally in her room. Ryo stood at the doorway and heard the sound of a keyboard coming from inside. Unlike Shiko's fanatical, even slightly heavy playing, Rinko's keyboard melody was steady, powerful, and as solid as a rock. Ryo stood at the door, not pushing it open. Even as free as she was, she wouldn't interrupt someone while they were playing. Only after the piece ended did she push the door open and swagger in.

"Ah, Yamada-san..." Rinko noticed her and stood up.

"These are Roselia's clothes." Ryo handed over the bags. "If you don't mind, would you like to take them out and look together?"

Rinko nodded.

So, the two took out the finished products from the bags together. At the same moment, smiles naturally appeared on their faces. "As expected, it's a great design."

There were still 2 days until the live performance officially began.

Shiko happened to run into Yukina, who was contemplating the live show.

"Say, should we give this live show a name?" she asked Shiko.

Shiko tilted her head. "You're really quite enthusiastic about this live show."

"Yeah. It's been a while since our last live show. After the last live show..." The two unconsciously met each other's gaze before looking away in tacit understanding.

I don't know why, but I suddenly want to fight. Mostly, I want to be beaten by Yukina. Unfortunately, we can't fight here. Shiko's face turned red, but thankfully the darkness of this place concealed everything. She quickly steered the conversation back, "By the way, how about calling it 'Wandering Band'? It fits our current state pretty well."

"Oh? Is it from that movie?" It wasn't Yukina who answered her, but another voice. Kita walked over from around the corner, igniting a small flame.

"Huh? When did you get here?" Shiko was almost startled.

"Just now." Kita's voice seemed to hold a hint of joy.

Even if I'm a normie, Kita thought smugly, one day I'll be able to get Wu-san's jokes... No, why am I getting smug about this! With that thought, Kita immediately put on a stern face, imitating Yukina. However, this change in expression was entirely illuminated by the firelight, and both Yukina and Shiko saw it.

There was still 1 day until the live officially began.

Until the live, Shiko still couldn't play the new song perfectly. She was fine with other songs, but whenever she got to this one, she'd run into all sorts of problems.

"Are you sure you're okay? How about we skip this song?" Nijika, who was literally glowing, looked at Shiko with a frown.

Shiko smiled mysteriously, "Just you wait and see."

Chapter 13: Live Day

Roselia took the stage first. "Idochi-kun, we don't need the spotlights," Yukina signaled to Nijika. Nijika, confused, extinguished the starlight on himself. Without a light source, how were they supposed to perform?

However, after Nijika completely extinguished his starlight, he still saw a sliver of light.

It was sunlight.

More precisely, it was sunlight being reflected little by little from mirrors. Nijika looked towards the source of the light and saw that mirrors were continuously reflecting sunlight from the outside into the dark space at the center of the airship. "The ancient Egyptians used this method to illuminate the pyramids," Yukina explained proudly.

But a mere sliver of light wasn't enough. With a snap of Yukina's fingers, four small flames lit up from the four directions. They were four oil lamps, held in the hands of the other four members of Roselia. Illuminated by the oil lamps, the entire stage was filled with a mysterious and alluring atmosphere.

Now, there was enough light, and the performance began.

Compared to last time, Roselia's performance has improved significantly, Nijika thought. Every live is a step beyond the last...

Instruments derived from abilities can indeed do things that ordinary instruments can't, Ryo realized that Sayo was perfectly utilizing this. We have three such instruments now. Can we be as good as them?

As expected, besides guitar, I still have a long way to go in terms of vocals... Kita's ears seemed to be completely captivated by Yukina's singing.

When will I ever be able to perform at my full potential on stage... Ichiri, for some reason, was feeling self-pity again.

On the contrary, Shiko thought nothing. She simply clasped her hands together, accepting Roselia's baptism with emotion. If she had to say she had a thought, it was—Magnificent, no words needed!

The last song, Roselia's newly written song, Thorny Path, ended. Yukina looked very relaxed, finally releasing the pressure she had accumulated over the past few days.

The interlude between the two bands was a duet by Rinko and Ryo. Everyone helped clear the stage to make room for the organ. The two exchanged glances, nodded simultaneously, and began to play.

It was as if a torrential rain was pouring down. Shiko felt like she was standing alone in an ark. The flood had lasted for a hundred and fifty days and nights. The rain of judgment, the rain of anger, the rain of the end, it seemed like it would never stop. The flood would engulf the world. Shiko was completely immersed in a desperate and oppressive atmosphere, the gloom blocking her throat, rendering her unable to make a sound.

And then, the rhythm shifted, and Shiko saw the rain in the sky begin to subside. Clear sunlight pierced through the layers of dark clouds and shone upon her. The wind of a new century blew around her. The floodwaters began to recede. Shiko took deep breaths of the fresh air, her soul undergoing a metamorphosis, the old impurities gone with the torrential rain. She was crystal, she was a feather, a spirit flying freely in a transparent world.

White doves brought her an olive branch.

This was Crow, White Dove, Olive Branch.

"Hey~" Nijika waved in front of Shiko's eyes, "Little Shiko, wake up~"

"Ah!" Shiko suddenly snapped out of the musical world. Nijika and the other members of Kessoku Band were in front of her. Rinko and Ryo's duet had long ended, and now it was their turn to go on stage. Suppressing a hint of reluctance, Shiko signaled that she was ready.

"Then let's go together." Although Nijika was still worried about the new song, since Shiko had insisted, she didn't nag anymore. The two of them stepped onto the stage together.

"The rest is up to you," Yukina handed the microphone to Kita. "Don't disappoint me."

Kita looked at Yukina with full confidence and nodded heavily, "Yes!"

The first song should have been Guitar and Loneliness and the Blue Planet. However, before all the instruments began to play, Kita leaned into the microphone. The understanding developed from long training made the others look at Kita in surprise. The song wasn't supposed to be like this! What was she doing?

The moment Kita sang the first note, everyone realized. This wasn't Guitar and Loneliness and the Blue Planet! This was their new song—Time Flows, Triangular Day and Night!

Kita's gaze provocatively flickered towards Shiko. Without needing words, Shiko understood. The corner of her mouth curled up, and she perfectly matched Kita's rhythm. The others, as if waking from a dream, immediately followed suit.

The first song is a new one? No, that's not right... Yukina noticed something.

At first, there was nothing special. But as the keyboard played, the sounds from the other instruments seemed to be led by Shiko, and crimson notes detached themselves and floated in the air. This was an unprecedented phenomenon! And as the notes peeled away, the entire piece became even more complete, as if it were meant to be this way!

Kita hummed inwardly. I knew you were hiding something big! She sang with even greater focus.

The notes gradually gathered in the air. Shiko seemed to be playing, and also seemed to be conducting the notes. The feeling she gave Yukina and Roselia now was— "No way..." Lisa's mouth fell open.

The notes arranged themselves in rows in the air, staff lines appearing out of nowhere, designating their positions. The newly formed musical score surrounded Shiko, surrounded the erupting flames, and surrounded all the members of Kessoku Band!

"Is she composing?" Ako asked incredulously, "Impromptu?"

"No," Yukina pointed out, "The song was written long ago. She's just... bringing it to life for the first time."

Shiko now played the song that was most important to her at this moment with perfect execution. The intentional mistakes made during practice, the errors committed to interrupt the song, were all gone, replaced by an unprecedented perfect rendition. She and Kita, as if dragging the other three along, forcefully pulled everyone into their own rhythm, driving their bodies to play!

Notes danced with flames!

When the music ended, everyone was gasping for breath. It felt not like playing one song, but like playing for three days and three nights straight. In the final tempering of the flames, the musical score was completely formed. The notes shed their crimson hue, returning to their simple black, and were absorbed into the papers Shiko produced, becoming an ordinary musical score.

"It's done," Shiko murmured, stroking the score, a mix of tears and laughter on her face.

"[Erosion Armament: Love and Separation]."

Chapter 14: Mistaking the Scent of Ink for Your Lingering Presence

Fifteenth day after departure, Sunny, aboard the Kyuushuu-go

The song you commissioned me to write is finally nearing completion. I'm very sorry, I didn't completely adhere to the original agreement, and some parts have been distributed to others. But please let me explain.

In my last letter, I mentioned Kita's new gear—the [Corrosive Armament: Unobtainable]. It seems to manifest from intense emotions, taking the form of something strongly associated with them. Actually, I received this kind of gear before Kita did. No, it was just a half-finished product. That's right, it was the half-score you gave me. When I got it, I felt this. If I could complete it, it would definitely grow into a full Corrosive Armament and become my strength. But is that all? Unlike a guitar, can the power of a musical score be shared with others? During that performance, Ichiri and Kita's improvised playing further refined the score, and at that moment, I felt its power being shared with them. So I realized that as long as I let others participate more in the creation of this song, they could also share in this power. I gave the rest of the song to Ryo, specifically asking Nijika to participate in the composition, and then gave the lyrics to Ichiri—now, this song blends the essence of everyone in Kessoku Band, while also protecting everyone. The song you left behind will become our driving force.

P.S. I really couldn't think of a reason to have Roselia participate in the composition... I'm sorry...

"I felt that if I just played it through completely, the score would fully take shape. What a great chance to show off, so of course I had to save it for the live show," Shiko said as if it were obvious. But the way everyone else looked at her changed. After the live show, everyone sat by the counter eating together.

Kita, sitting to Shiko's left, looked at her speechlessly. "So, that's why you kept messing up earlier? Just to look cool at the live show?"

"Yeah, wouldn't anyone do that?" Shiko turned to the other side. "Ako, you agree, right?"

"Yeah, wouldn't anyone do that?" Ako's expression was exactly the same as Shiko's.

"It's about the ritual—it's perfectly normal," Lisa said casually while drawing a pattern on her omurice with ketchup. "So, what are the specific effects of that score?"

Shiko opened her status panel. "For me, it's +2 filth resistance and Keyboard Technique +Lv1."

"Same for me, but it's Guitar Technique," Ichiri said.

The rest of Kessoku Band were the same: +2 filth resistance and +Lv1 in their respective instrument techniques. Kita gained Vocal Technique.

"I'm so jealous~ Putting aside the filth resistance, which I still don't quite understand, just getting one level up in instrument technique is incredibly precious." Lisa, being the technically weakest member of Roselia, was the most envious of such a bonus.

"I'm sorry, I'll definitely bring Roselia next time if there's a chance," Shiko said, clasping her hands together towards Lisa.

"You really don't need to apologize..."

"There's no need to be jealous," Yukina pointed out. "These kinds of bonuses might not even be effective once we return to reality. If they can't be brought into the real world, they're meaningless."

"Exactly," Sayo agreed. "Only by improving our skills through our own efforts is the true path."