Chapter 351

Ichiji Nijika produced a comb from somewhere.

"Ah, no need!"

Don't be shy~

"Hey, wait..."

Sakurakoji Talent, sensing something was amiss, reached out to stop him.

But it was too late. She had already lifted her pink hair from her forehead, revealing the other person's Hidemi eyebrows and forehead.

"..."

Time seemed to stand still. The next second, a childlike song seemed to rise in the space, ready to take away the lifeless souls.

Gotou Hitori's eyes lost their luster, his entire body slumped into a heap, gradually withering away, turning into dust, filling the entire room...

"Holy crap! Bocchi-chan has withered!"

"Her body couldn't withstand the pressure of having her face exposed!"

After a short while, the room returned to silence.

"Bocchi-chan is dead..."

"Do I need to find a new guitarist, or should I start learning from scratch?"

"Ah, uh~!!!"

"Senior, what's wrong?!"

"Suddenly I feel dizzy! The room suddenly feels damp, and the air feels thin... Ouch! I inhaled it into my lungs!"

"No, I think so too!"

"I can't go on, my body is gradually losing strength..."

"Is this... Gotoh-san's curse...?"

Thump~ thump~

After the two sounds, the two collapsed to the ground.

"I'm so sorry, I've always tried to overcome problems with a positive attitude... I really apologize..."

"I'm so sorry I didn't sing well, and also, I'm so sorry I'm too cute..."

Um?

Kanau blinked, looking at her three teammates who had collapsed to the ground with her, puzzled. After thinking for three seconds, she also squatted down on the Tatami, placing her Hands on her abdomen with a peaceful expression.

With her last ounce of strength, Ichiji Nijika sent a message to Yamada Ryo on her phone. "From now on, I'll leave it to you to carry the team on your own when we go on stage."

"..."

Sakurakoji Talent's crimson eyes were veiled by a dark filter as she stared blankly down at the four lively characters in their various poses, her eyelids twitching, feeling utterly out of place with them.

After a long while, he pushed open the door, walked out of the room, and went downstairs.

"Uncle~ Auntie~ Do you have scissors?"

As evening fell, the group began their journey home.

"Wow~ I didn't know Mr. Talent could cut hair! Bocchi-chan looks even better after getting his bangs cut!"

"As expected of Talent-senpai! But isn't this putting too much pressure on Gotoh-san?"

"Hoo hoo~ Bocchi woke up to find his hair cut, how funny~"

What they were talking about was how Sakurakoji Talent took advantage of Gotou Hitori's unconscious state to re-trim her bangs with water and scissors.

"It's nothing, I just learned a little bit from watching beauticians style my hair since I was a child."

He found it amusing to think about the abrupt, surprised expression on Gotou Hitori when he woke up.

"Since we're going to be wearing regular clothes anyway, it'd be good to fix her hair while we're at it—by the way, if she's not wearing regular clothes, don't let her participate in training."

"Haha~ Well... I understand!"

After a slight annoyance, Ichiji Nijika quickly relented.

Back under the Starry.

"Then, let's begin today's training."

Sakurakoji Talent cracked his knuckles, making a snapping sound, and gave a cruel smile. "Nijika, text Ryo to come over too. We're having intense training tonight!"

"Ah, but Rakuna can decide her training time based on her mood; she can leave whenever she wants."

"Huh? You're kidding me!"

"Why?!"

"Hehe,"

He gave the two of them a dangerous look. "You don't actually think I only give tasks to Bocchi-chan, do you?"

"She's working so hard to overcome her weaknesses, and you all still have the nerve to live a peaceful life?"

"..."

X 2.

Chapter 370 Theoretical Training and Freebies.

In reality, livehouses are not used for performances very often.

One limitation is the size of the audience, and the other is the number of bands that need to be considered in the election campaign.

Even small to medium-sized livehouses like Starry, located in big cities, only host two or three shows a week at most.

In the rest of the time, he earns money by renting out recording studios and selling related merchandise and drinks, while also completing his daily work.

The job mainly involved campaigning, conducting rehearsals and sound checks for the selected bands, having the PA (Programmer) tune the songs they were going to perform, adjusting the lighting, creating posters and promotional materials, and so on.

After he arrived, they added a food sales business to their operations—which, in fact, is the scope of their original business license!

Because of his popularity, even on days when he doesn't perform, many outside customers and band members come to buy his music after the show ends—so even when he's not performing, he can't stop.

On the other hand, once he finishes selling everything, he can go home—although most of the time, he's pulled away to do other odd jobs.

Since I took the day off today, it doesn't really matter; I wasn't required to work anyway.

But he believed that even if it was another workday, Ichiji Hoshika wouldn't ask him to do anything else.

Why? Because this proud and aloof sister-complex guy wouldn't let these things interfere with his sister's study and learning time!

After having dinner with the group on a street outside, and with Ichiji Nijika also calling Yamada Ryo over, their training officially began.

Considering Kanau's abilities and age, he didn't assign her too many tasks; it was about time for her to go back.

Oh dear! I never expected that the most reliable member of the whole band would be this little cat who doesn't really follow orders... This is truly an emergency!

"Alright! First, let's cool down."

He looked at the equally unconventional Bass, his gaze turning colder. "Your technique needs improvement. Is it acceptable for Bass to be completely inaudible during a performance? Can't you just play your guitar like Rakuna and the others, making a 'thump-thump' sound?"

"..."

Yamada Ryo stared blankly at him.

"..."

Ichiji Nijika and Kita Ikuyo, who were standing nearby, were also stunned; they couldn't even bring themselves to say such a thing.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I just want you to play with more presence."

He rolled his eyes at her, took the Bass from her hand, and said, "Give it to me."

He took her Bass, which was different from the previous ones—an "expensive" and "heavy" model—and strummed it a few times before improvising a piece.

Thumb thump thump thump thump thump... buzz buzz buzz buzz...

His hands moved as freely and quickly as if they were gliding across a guitar, without any of the hesitation one would feel when switching instruments.

The same lifeless low notes, when played by him, seemed to come alive, Legato becoming a bit louder, making them unexpectedly pleasant and melodious, so loud they made my eardrums buzz...

He took the instrument back to her and asked, "Did you understand? Do you know what it means?"

"Should..."

Yamada Ryo reluctantly nodded.

She seemed to know what he wanted to say.

"Never let go of the metronome in your daily routine. Increase your speed practice, starting with speed and gradually increasing stability. This is the most basic requirement for professional level."

"At the same time, the plucking force must be consistent. Even if different fingers are used, the pitch produced must not deviate in the slightest; it must be even."

"While training these skills, it's also important to focus on training 'rhythm.' The harness and posture should be maintained the same as during a live performance, allowing the body to develop this muscle memory anytime, anywhere..."

"Also, since you'll be the arranger and composer for the Kessoku Band, I'll be testing your knowledge of music theory, sheet music, harmony, chords, and ear training. If you're not up to par, I'll put you through a lot of hard training, so be prepared!"

[Note: The guitar and Bass are played using TAB tablature, which only shows position, not pitch and rhythm.]

Although Yamada Ryo's instrumental skills are not the highest among them, her composition skills and creativity are the only ones who can shoulder the main responsibility.

Gotou Hitori completely lacks this ability; Kanau is for her to be able to enjoy playing the instrument. Ichiji Nijika's skill level is even lower than hers, and Kita Ikuyo can only move her voice...

So this band...

Fortunately, although he didn't spend a lot of time on music, his greatest strength lay in theory.

Because this kind of thing only requires memorization, it's much simpler than playing a piece that requires repeated practice to maintain the feel for it, isn't it? It's practically a one-time learning experience!

Under the guidance of his private tutor, the first thing he learned and was exposed to was music theory.

Later, dissatisfied with their step-by-step instruction, he bought textbooks from many well-known music universities, and after reading them, he would ask them questions if he didn't understand something.

So much so that his theoretical level, without exaggeration, is at the master level!

Even university professors might not know as much as him—because their memories aren't as good as his.

He can still remember the first words that the beautiful teacher said to him when he was six years old during his first music class, "You're so cute~".

Can they do it?

What was his answer again?

"I know"?

He tilted his head, deciding to put those old stories aside and focus on the present.

Objectively speaking, in his opinion, Yamada Ryo's composing and arranging skills were just so-so.

Therefore, in order for the Kessoku Band to go further and achieve greater success, he needs to subject Yamada Ryo to even more rigorous training!

"Did you understand? Your task is the most important!"

"Yes, yes!"

Yamada Ryo answered with a trembling face, no longer displaying the carefree and natural demeanor he had when he was out in public, and secretly felt bitter inside.

"Talent-senpai is amazing! I love how serious he is too! Speaking of which, I never knew Ryo-senpai had such a vulnerable side~ He only shows that to Talent-senpai... Sly!"

"Haha... Is that weakness? It looks more like fear! Speaking of which, I'm starting to worry about what will happen to us..."

After giving his feedback to Yamada Ryo and letting her practice on her own, he walked over to the Drum Kit.

"Next up is Nijika. Come here and play a one- or two-minute snare drum exercise with sixteenth notes for me. After that, play a double bass drum with 32nd notes so I can check your progress over the past few days..."

"Ah, oh, okay!"

A bead of sweat trickled down Ichiji Nijika's temple as she nervously sat down in her seat.

Thump thump scrub! Thump scrub thump scrub...

The exercise is over.

"Um..."

He pondered for a moment, then took out his notebook and began to take notes. "The 16-point ones are alright, but the 32-point ones aren't so good. They're rather chaotic and unstable, with some parts being rushed..."

"Yes..."

Ichiji Nijika gripped the drumsticks tightly in her small hands, her brows furrowed and head bowed, listening with a hint of disappointment... Yue-Yi Liu also began to doubt (Part 4) 3si