EpsilonΦ Band Story - Chapter 4, Episode 1

<
Band Story

>

Chapter 4: Episode 1

Shimokitazawa
After a successful live, the members share their thoughts. Haruka is nowhere to be found, instead visiting a music store alone.

 Tadaomi:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎EpsilonΦ’s solo live was a success.

 ‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎My body got so hot it felt like it was boiling, like the sounds and words were bubbling up and overflowing out of me.

 ‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎That day, a "something" I didn't even know existed was born into my heart.

 ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

— EpsilonΦ Sharehouse —

 Tadaomi:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎... I wonder how we, such disparate people, were able to make such a sound.

 Kanata:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Woah, how poetic! Did something happen?

 Reiji:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎You're referring to the solo live, right?

 Tadaomi:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Yeah ... it’s still on my mind. I can’t forget it. I just want to know what it was ...

 ‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Just once more, I’d like to turn over that “toy box,” as Shu-kun calls it.

 Reiji:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎... It is quite peculiar.

 ‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎On a fundamental level, layering dissonant sounds that don't follow any rules should result in a grating cacophony.

 ‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎However, that’s not the case with us—because of Shu.

 Kanata:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎What do you mean?

 Reiji:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Shu manages to hold our sounds together.

 ‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎It’s as if in addition to being a vocalist, he’s also a conductor.

 Tadaomi:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Shu-kun, huh ...

 Kanata:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Oh, I see— ... I see, I see ... Ah, I’m so bored ...

 Reiji:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎You ... you should pay attention when others are talking.

 Kanata:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎But I’m just so bored. Aniki’s gone off somewhere else, too. Hey, Karasuma-senpai, do you have any interesting stories to tell?

 Reiji:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Stop messing around with me, and don’t sulk in the living room. You’re getting in my way.

 Kanata:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎How mean! You know, haven’t you been in a bad mood ever since the live ended?

 Reiji:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎... I’m the same as usual.

 Kanata:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎I’m sorry, really! Please don’t take your anger out on me!

 ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

*\*Door opening\**

 Kanata:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Ah, welcome back, Shu-kun! You went to Shimokitazawa, right? Did you have fun?

 Shu:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎What is it. Yer so annoyin’ ... quit clingin’ to me.

 Kanata:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Oh no, what’s with the long face? Were you maybe rejected ...? Poor Shu-kun.

 Shu:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Thanks, I guess. I hope ya don’t lose yer “precious Onii-chan” as well.

 Kanata:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎... What do you mean?

 Shu:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎They seemed to be havin’ quite a lotta fun at the music store. The guy with Haruka looked kinda familiar, too. I think he’s—

 ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

— Musical Instruments Store —

 ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

*\*Guitar playing\**

 Haruka:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎... Hah? Who the hell is that ... they sound awful ...

 ‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎... It's that guy.

 ‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎... Tch.

 ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

*\*Footsteps\**

 Haruka:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Hey, knock it off—you sound horrible. With that kind of skill, why would you even think of playing here?

 Yamato:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎...? Are you talking to me?

 Haruka:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Who else is there?

 Yamato:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎The store manager gave me permission to try this guitar out. There shouldn't be a problem.

 Haruka:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎I can’t stand listening to you ... if you want to play, stay in your room and practice by yourself.

 Yamato:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎... Hm?

 Haruka:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎You ... are you even listening? ... Hey, what the hell’s up with you ... stop staring at me like that.

 Yamato:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎... I remember now. You’re the one who was doing that street live with the green-haired guy.

 Haruka:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎!! That ... you were there ...

 Yamato:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎The green-haired guy stuck out more, but your technique was amazing.

 Haruka:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎What? ... Wait, you—are you Fuurai’s guitarist?

 Yamato:‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎Yeah. I’m Fujin RIZING!’s Tsubaki Yamato.