Why Play in a Band If Not for Life

"I was in a band before, and I still play sometimes," Ms. Marina said with a hint of nostalgia, not elaborating further.

Since she didn't want to say more, there was no need to press the issue. I nodded and brushed past Ms. Marina.

After saying goodbye to Ryo, I headed towards the storage room. On the way, I passed the front lobby. The door next to the reception desk led to the recording studio, and through the window on the door, I could see Kiko still practicing her guitar.

Seeing a hardworking girl always made me happy.

However, some people worked too hard... The front door opened, and Shiko, drenched in sweat, walked in.

"How many times have I told you, it's dangerous outside at night," I said, deliberately lowering my voice to avoid being overheard.

Shiko looked embarrassed, unable to meet my eyes. "I just went outside for some fresh air..."

"I can sense that CiRCLE has been re-energized."

My heart was filled with not only gratitude but also worry. If I forced her not to go out hunting secretly every night, would she listen? But I couldn't control her after all...

Shiko couldn't argue back. After thinking for a moment, she spoke.

"Everyone is working hard for their dreams, and this is all I can do," Shiko said with a slight smile before heading to the bathroom. A little while later, Shiko returned to the dormitory, clean and changed into her pajamas.

As soon as she entered, she saw Nijika squatting by the trash can. Seeing Shiko, Nijika waved at her.

Shiko looked and saw a ball of pink filling the entire trash can. No wonder Ichiri couldn't be found anywhere.

The pink ball was still making noise! "I can't think of it... I can't think of it... I can't think of it..."

"She's in charge of writing lyrics, but it looks like she's having a hard time," Nijika said.

"Ah, right, lyrics—I can write them, I can write them, I can write them..." The pink ball in the trash can suddenly stretched out, forming a human shape. Ignoring the two people beside her, she left the room and locked herself in the backstage area.

At first, the two of them thought it was just one of Ichiri's usual episodes.

But the next day, and the day after that, Ichiri didn't appear before them.

For a whole week, Ichiri didn't come out.

"It's been a week... What exactly is going on in there?" the group stood outside the backstage door.

"I know!" Shiko clenched her fist. "A secluded retreat, a battle with oneself—either a rebirth or utter destruction! Ichiri, you were prepared for this..."

"It's all my fault!" Nijika regretted deeply. "I put too much pressure on her, that's why..."

"This is," Kiko said with tears in her eyes, "what it means to be in a band..."

"Sigh—" Ms. Marina's sigh conveyed more than a thousand words.

Ryo was chewing on a croissant.

"Creak—" The door opened a crack.

Seeing this, Shiko quickly handed over a paper bag. "Here's today's meal."

The door closed.

"I-Chi-Ri—" "Boc-chi-chan—" "Go-to-san—" "Go-to-san—"

During this week, without Ichiri's control abilities, the group's hunting strategies had to become more cautious. They only dared to hunt weaker prey. They wouldn't touch anything like the "meat mountain" they encountered on the first day.

The next day, Ichiri finally emerged from the backstage.

Oh, dear readers, I find it difficult to describe such a touching scene: as the door opened, seven firecrackers sounded, symbolizing the seven days of seclusion. From the opened gate emerged Ichiri, our hero, in a triumphant stride. The path she walked was paved with flowers picked from Flora's Garden, and her great achievements would be inscribed on a monument, adorned with gold and agate. What dark seven days she had endured! In the face of boundless despair and pain, with what perseverance did she shatter her confusion, and with what noble spirit did she pluck her crown—look, those heavy dark circles under her eyes must symbolize the torment of several nights...

In reality, she only endured one night.

Last night. As soon as she fell asleep, Shiko was woken up by someone.

When she opened her eyes, she saw a very familiar woman!

"Who are you?" Shiko couldn't see clearly in the dark.

The visitor didn't speak but tugged at Shiko's sleeve. Dazed, Shiko followed her into the backstage area.

Chapter 8 Guitar and Loneliness and the Blue Planet

As soon as they entered the small room and the door closed, the lights turned on, and Shiko finally understood.

Oh my, isn't this... that person? The one I haven't seen in a long time...

"Who are you?" Shiko asked in clear, precise tones.

Ichiri lowered her head, looking on the verge of tears. "Please don't joke like this, I'll really get hurt..."

It was indeed Ichiri, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. With her Water Control ability, she had managed to stay clean even after several days. The room was mostly unchanged, except for a few more trash bags by the trash can. Shiko sniffed. There was a faint smell of mold.

At this moment, Ichiri held a notebook in her hand and handed it to Shiko. "I'm very sorry to bother you, but I've finished writing the lyrics and wanted you to look at them first..."

"Why me?" Shiko took the notebook and opened it, her eyes immediately shining brightly. Wow! What a find!

"Because I feel like you listen to this type of music a lot..." Ichiri suddenly realized something was wrong and reached out to cover the page Shiko was looking at—it was filled with her self-designed signatures from when her mind went blank! She absolutely couldn't let anyone see it!

Too late. Shiko grabbed Ichiri's wrist like a predator. Ichiri saw the ferocious look in her eyes. "First, sign one of each of these for me."

"...What?"

"Signatures. Sign one of each of these for me first," Shiko's eyes seemed to burn with flames.

"Eh...? Then..." Ichiri was stunned for a moment, then the corners of her mouth twitched uncontrollably, "Then you can just tear this page off..."

Shiko solemnly tore off the autograph. She decided to make a thousand copies of it, just like the first one Ichiri had given her. Ichiri, blushing, watched her meticulous actions. "Please hurry..."

As soon as Shiko finished, Ichiri quickly snatched the notebook back, flipped to the lyrics page, and handed it back.

Ichiri calmed herself and began to read.

"You are not alone..."

"Dreams will surely come true..."

"Believe, come, keep moving forward..."

The lyrics were full of positive energy. It wasn't that they were entirely false, but that they lacked any sincerity.

"You should write something you actually want to write," Shiko said, handing the notebook back with a blank expression.

Ichiri was a bit flustered. She had chosen to imitate the lyrics of popular bands, focusing on youthful themes, because she was afraid her own lyrics were too gloomy. Considering Kiko's personality, such lyrics would be more suitable for her. Yet, Shiko had dismissed them so easily...

"You know I love listening to those kinds of youthful songs," Shiko continued. "Those lyrics are distilled from the sparkling, gem-like everyday lives of their lyricists, with the help and encouragement of their friends. They are true reflections of the lyricists' inner selves, which is why their songs have the power to move people."

"Instead of writing things you don't believe yourself, it's better to use your most genuine feelings to move those you can move."

After hearing Shiko's opinion, Ichiri seemed moved but still hesitant. "But... will anyone really like lyrics that are too gloomy?"

"I will," Shiko said without hesitation. Ichiri could see no trace of pretense in her eyes.

Ichiri lowered her head, speechless for a long time. Seeing this, Shiko quietly left and returned to her futon.

The next day, Ichiri, with dark circles under her eyes, submitted the lyrics she had rewritten all night.

"Very niche lyrics," Ryo commented.

Ichiri's heart skipped a beat. "(As expected...)"

"But they'll definitely move some people."

Ichiri saw the corner of Ryo's mouth twitch into a barely perceptible smile.

"They're really good! Bocchi!" Nijika also gave her praise.

"I love this line!"

"This one too!" Kiko pointed to a line.

They were all praising her lyrics... Beyond the praise she received as Guitar Hero, Ichiri once again tasted the happiness of "being acknowledged."

Ichiri noticed that Shiko was also looking at the lyrics, a genuine smile on her face.

It was so good to have Shiko around.

It was so good to have joined the band...

That evening, Shiko passed by the backstage area and heard activity coming from inside.

"(Didn't Ichiri come out?)" She opened the door and peeked inside. Ryo was sitting in front of the computer, typing something.

Unconsciously, she walked in and stood behind Ryo. The screen displayed music composition software. Watching the familiar melody take shape in Ryo's hands, she hummed softly.

Ryo noticed her arrival, took off her headphones, and looked up. "Ah? It's Shiko."

"Sorry, I came in without realizing," Shiko said sheepishly. "Are you composing?"

Ryo nodded. "I got inspired after reading Bocchi's lyrics."

This was naturally the birth of Guitar and Loneliness and the Blue Planet. Shiko hadn't heard this song in a long time. Her desire to hear it outweighed her shyness, and she asked if she could listen to Ryo's current work-in-progress.

"Here," Ryo said nothing, simply handing her own headphones to Shiko.

Shiko put on the headphones, and the familiar melody washed over her. From the crevices of her memory, some precious emotions were stirred. Shiko struggled to maintain her composure, not wanting to show it too obviously.

But as she listened, she frowned. A part of the melody was completely different from the Guitar and Loneliness and the Blue Planet she had heard in her past life.

"Where did you get the inspiration for this part?"

When it came to music, Ryo became excited. "I got the inspiration for this part from the night view here. That day, I was sitting on the rooftop, and all I could see was an uninhabited landscape, with only the natural starry sky above. The sense of loneliness in the desert night perfectly echoes the lyrics, and transforming that feeling into melody was my proudest achievement."

She seemed very satisfied with it.

Although it was just a listening session and she shouldn't have spoken out of turn, Shiko couldn't help herself. "But... considering the lyrics..." Shiko was not good at giving advice and stammered.

Ryo didn't seem to mind, glancing at Shiko. "Just say it. Whatever you think, just say it."

Encouraged by Ryo, Shiko began to explain her reasoning. "Loneliness is one aspect, but Ichiri's lyrics are more about a desperate craving for attention, a frantic desire to show herself. So, if that's the case..." With a flick of her wrist, a blank sheet of paper appeared in her hand. With another flick, new musical notation appeared on the paper.

Ryo looked at it for a while, tried inputting it into the composition software, put on her headphones, and closed her eyes to listen carefully.

"This part is indeed good, and it fits the overall style of the song... but..."

They tinkered for a long time, but in the end, Ryo stuck to her original idea.

"I'm sorry, I said more than I should have, especially since it was just a listening session," Shiko said as she left. She appeared calm.

Ryo waved her hand. "It's fine. I'm glad you could offer some input." Even so, her expression remained unreadable.

Shiko left. Ryo put on her headphones and listened to the melody Shiko had originally written again. She glanced in the direction Shiko had left.

There was something she hadn't mentioned before: she had heard Bocchi play a song Shiko had written herself, but this melody was completely different from the style she had heard from Bocchi. Instead, it sounded like Ryo's own style.

Once out of Ryo's sight, Shiko's expression changed instantly. Hidden by the shadows, everything was unclear.

The day of CiRCLE's audition soon arrived.

Chapter 9: Audition

On stage, everyone in Kessoku Band was a little nervous.

In the audience, only Marina and Shiko were present.

For this audition, they were facing familiar faces. Ichiri felt even more pressure than last time, but it was an encouraging pressure. Ever since her identity as Guitar Hero was revealed, she had been practicing guitar more diligently than ever, just to live up to that title. This audition would determine if Kessoku Band could continue as a legitimate band. This was the first band she had joined, and she absolutely could not let this story end here!

"Next, we will perform Guitar and Loneliness and the Blue Planet!"

This song was Kessoku Band's first song, and it would definitely not be their last!

Ichiri's guitar playing had clearly improved. Kita poured her all into the drums and bass as well. Even though she was the weakest member of the band, she wouldn't lose to anyone!

"Foolish Me Will Just Sing"

This song was Kessoku Band's own music, a fusion of different personalities, music that only Kessoku Band could create. Ryo loved this kind of music and wanted to keep playing it, to write even more!

"Why Am I Getting So Fired Up, I Can't Stop"

Ever since Bocchi was revealed to be Guitar Hero, Nijika had been carrying a lot of pressure. Bocchi's personality was the only thing holding her back from showcasing her true strength; if she could overcome that hurdle, others might become a burden to her. That's why Nijika had to give her absolute best. Once they found a chance to return to reality, Kessoku Band would surely become an incredibly strong band, and her dream would come true soon! Now, they had to take an important step! And then, they would make the name Kessoku Band known everywhere they possibly could!

"Shall I Pour It All Out to the Stars"

The song ended.

"Haa... haa..." The four of them panted in unison.