Story written by Fred,

Draft02 – My Prideful Soloist

I wonder what's this feeling welling up inside me is.

The girl is at the side of the stage, watching a band perform their greatest song ever played. They are not true professionals not even true musicians. In fact, they were just high school students.

It is XX High School's annual cultural festival. Besides the stage setup at the Gymnasium, there are lots of events happening within the school, it includes student booths, food stalls, and other fun places to go to. For short, it is just also an ordinary but fun school event being held once every year.

The setting is a stage, and a gathering of a huge portion of the school's student body. It is an annual school festival. Banners are setup, the stage is brimming with lights. The audience are holding their respective placards for support to their classmate participants. There were lights, people, supporting materials, lights, and people everywhere. The venue is really noisy due to the cheering of the crowd, especially to the students cheering on their performing classmate at the stage.

Everyone is supposed to be having fun. But the girl standing at the side of the stage seems to be the only one out of it while watching the band perform. She listens to the music reverberating throughout the gymnasium along with the cheering and heating up of the crowd.

She listens. She listens. She listens to the sound that even she could not produce herself.

As she’s standing there, it is actually only a few minutes. But it feels like hours for her. She stands there, being mesmerized just as like she's watching her favorite artist perform a full live concert for hours.

The boy singing at the center is a real thing, but the supporting members of the band is also pretty confident on their own way.

Why is everyone lively? Why is everything like this? This is the very first time I've experienced something like this.

But why?

Even though it is hard to admit. I'm getting drawn to their music too. But why? I could play too. I could play hundreds of levels better than them. But why is everyone getting drawn onto their music?

Everyone... Including me?

---

A scene of a happy family living a daily life is a scene that the girl normally sees as she wakes up. She gets up, brush her teeth, take breakfast, and leave for class. At evening she will just casually arrive at home, do some chores, eat dinner with her family, and play her guitar at late night.

A boy older than her but not really looking that much older entered her room without permission. He’s the older and pushy brother. He’s got the distinguishable looks from his mother, unlike the girl who’s mostly got her looks from her father. Still, they really are siblings without a doubt.

“I see you really love dad’s acoustic guitar.”

My older brother’s name is Shouichi. His nickname is Sho and I’ve been calling him that way since I could remember. He might be a little pushy but he’s still my older brother so I always keep in mind to treat him with respect.

“What do you want? I’m practicing. Can’t we leave it for later?”

“Nah, really, it’s just quick. I need to borrow your hair dryer.”

“Can’t you just ask mom or dad to buy you one?”

“Nah you already have one so I could just borrow it anytime. Also can you please dry my hair? I’m afraid I can’t use your dryer properly. You could just count these little things as sis-bro bonding moments.”

“You pervert! You Siscon!”

She throws a pillow at him.

We’ve been acting like this but we’re just really that close. In fact, I don’t have any problems with my family.

My mom was a famous artist. She’s really at her peak of career when she met my dad. She never had any problems with her career and just have to retire to take full responsibility on being a housewife.

My dad… Ugh…

My dad is one of the most distinguished figures during the age of underground rock music. But that was only until he met mom. They somehow became well-known on the whole music industry, and are still accepting gigs and live performances up till this moment.

Somehow, meeting mom changed their music style, but the distinct quality of their band’s music and I still love the songs they release. Ah, that goes for my mom too.

For short, I’m a fangirl of both my parents.

“Ah, yeah, I forgot to tell you about this.”

The brother put on two pieces of paper at the desk in front of her.

“We’re having a live house downtown. You could bring a friend with you.”

Sho’s really confident about his skills, but in reality the band’s just still an amateur. The studio that they’ve been performing is a close friend of dad’s, so he’s been asking him to let Sho’s band practice and perform there at times.

If I were to compare the music Sho’s band produces to that of my mom and dad’s, of course it would be inferior in every aspect. But that’s because Sho still has lots of room to grow… Or not.

But don’t get me wrong. It’s not like I’m not supporting my older brother’s hobby.

“Okay, I’ll go. But you’ll need to find another one to give the other ticket to. I’ll be needing just one.”

“Hmmm. Still no friends, I see. Why don’t just form a band? It’s the easiest way to get friend—”

The girl picks up a pillow and throws it to her brother.

“GET OUT! PERVERT! SISCON!!”

The girl continued to play her guitar, which produced a sound that calmed her. She’s good with guitars. Whether she’s a prodigy at it, or just because she’s playing it day by day. She’s agitated due to her brother’s teasing. But the sound and melody coming from her strumming soothed the distortion at her face.

She starts singing.

---

I’m a daughter of two distinguished figures at the music industry.

I’m someone that’s supposed to play better, and I’m someone that’s supposed to be far superior. But still…

The contestants line up at the center of the stage for the awarding ceremony. The girl’s performance was the best but the results are pretty obvious.

“And the champion of this year’s XX High School performance competition is Gin’s band!”

The announcer announced the winner. The girl could do nothing but to just clench her fist while holding her guitar and putting on a congratulatory mask as she looks into the announced winners.

Of course it’s too obvious.

I still did my best, and I’m also trying my best to be not angry about it. But the way they performed…

They did not come here to win. It seemed like they just formed a band out of a whim and decided to play for fun. Still…

Why does their face show fulfillment?

Why is the crowd cheering more loudly than they was with me?

Why do I, too, feel like they’re more deserving to win than me?

---

“Please accept my club application.”

“Hey, I know you, you’re one of the contestants at the performance competition last month! You’re the grumpy girl that’s very obviously hiding her face of disappointment because she didn’t win!”

“Hey that’s already in the past, please don’t rub it on my face anymore.”

“Now, now, Shin don’t be too harsh on the girl. She’s applying to be a member. We should be hospitable on our end.”

I’ve been thinking through this a lot. Losing to them only means that there’s an aspect that they’re better than mine. Also, there should still be room for improvement for me.

And the best way to know that…

Is to be at the same environment they’re currently in.

I should expose how they practice, how they compose their songs, how they interact with their selves, how they find ways to improve their skills.

Everything…

“—Hello! You still there?”

“Ah, yes, sorry I spaced out.”

“Okay then, I will accept your application”

“Eh, seriously?”

“So, can you please introduce yourself?”

“Ah, yes. My name is Kylie, I’m a second year student. My hobby is singing and playing the guitar. I’m an artist-aspirant and my dream is to become as successful artist like my mom and dad.”

“Wait-wait-wait!! Uhm… Kylie, are you perhaps, the rumored daughter of…”

“Hmp. And what if I am?”

Kylie gave a cute pout in response to Gin’s inquiry.

“Whoah… so the urban legend is actually true…”

“Hey! Since when did I became an imaginary figure that exists on tell-tale stories?”

“Stop it Gin, and you too Kylie, just please don’t quarrel in here.”

Why am I getting so agitated in the first place?

I have always hated this part of me that don’t want to be known just because I’m a daughter of two known artists.

This sucks.

The girl comes to a halt as she noticed that she’s spacing out again on her thoughts. She came to a realization that she need not to be friends with them, but to…

“Yeah! That’s right! Also, that’s why I’m trying my best to build my name here at the school as the best musician. Actually I already was. Not until you guys stole that title from me!”

“What did we even do to you?”

“Ah… I get the feeling that you’re not really here to join our club to perform with us.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The girl points her finger to Gin to point out her declaration of war.

“Next year!”

The four boys at the clubroom are shocked.

“I promise you I’ll be reclaiming my title as the best musician here at this school! We’ll have a fair fight at the performance competition, me at my solo performance, and you guys at your play band!”

Kylie said proudly as she pointed out her finger towards the four boys.

“Well you heard her. Better start introducing yourselves now. I’ll start. My name is Gintaro. You can call me Gin. I play the lead guitars and sing too, if you could remember. I’m also the manager of the band, and the president of the club.”

Kylie gets shocked about the multiple roles Gin have mentioned.

“I’m Shin. I play the drums. I’m a happy-go-lucky one. Pleased to meet you!” –he gives Kylie a handshake like she is a daughter of a famous artist, which she really is.

“I’m Kojiro. You can call me Kou-kun. Welcome.” -The one the speak next is the silent-looking Kojiro.

“Aah! There you go again Kou-kun. Sorry. He plays the bass. He’s really quiet but he’s a good person. Please take care of him. I’m Yuuichi by the way, you can call me anything you like. Ah not really, just call me Yuu-kun like they do. Pleased to meet you! I play the keys!” –the last one that talk is the talkative Yuuichi. He also gives Kylie a handshake.

“Well now that we’ve also introduced ourselves I guess I could accept your challenge.”

“EEH?!!” -The other boys shout in shock as a response to Gin.

“Bring it on!”

---

The scene of a usual afterschool club activity after Kylie has joined the light music club. The band set is ready to be used and they just proceed to their respective instruments. Shin sit at the small bench behind the drumset. Kou picks up his bass while Yuu positions himself at the front of the keyboard.

The instruments are ready; the amplifiers are set. The room is quite isolated at a far part of the building so the practice won’t bother much of the other clubs. Still, if someone near the vicinity is to pass by, they will hear the sound of a band practicing at the light music club room.

“Okay, we’ll start with the ‘Starry Sky, Starry night’ song.”

“Yes that’s a great idea. Okay! One! Two! One-two-three!!—”

Staaaaareeee…

“Now… We can’t start our practice if you stare at us like that. Kylie-chan can you please not stare at us that much? If you want you can practice with us too. I could teach you the chords. You’re a guitar genius. I’m pretty sure you’ll immediately adopt our pace.”

“No, thank you. Please continue like you always do and like I’m just a ghost that you can’t see.”

“Now that’s very unsettling.”

“Kylie, I’m going to ask you a question.” –Gin asks her with a calm voice and smile on his face like he usually do.

“What is it?”

“Do you want to be stared at while you’re eating?”

“I… Of course not!”

“Then please don’t mind us and go practice too.”

“What’s the difference anyway? Of having a single audience and having a standing ovation?”

“Gin. Kylie’s got a point.”

“Siiigh… Well then, can you please point out to us what it is that we could improve?”

“Don’t make fun of me, you title stealer guys.”

---

It's been so long since I last went in this place.

Kylie is standing at a front of the studio downtown. It looks like a shabby studio that has an 'underground' feel. The lights at the establishment is flickering, an indication that it's not being well-maintained. Still, there are people lining up at the entrance. There's a scheduled gig and they are there to support a performing band.

She looks at her ticket. She's holding the same ticket she got from her brother.

Well, let's get this over with.

I'm not really fond of metal rock music. The music dad's band produces before he's married with mom was not really my cup of tea too.

I've been here at this place before. The performing bands are mostly amateurs who plays death metal for fun.

The only thing that keeps me coming here is due to my brother's request. Besides the music they play is quite...

"So-so?... In any case I've got to line up before the crowd gets heavier."

She finds the last person at the line and stood there like a normal audience.

"The roster is too far. I can't read it here. What time will brother perform and is there any new band"

"Oh! lil'sis! You're here! Glad you could come."

"Ugh... Speak of the devil."

Sho grabbed her arm like she's his lover. Kylie gets startled upon the sudden actions of Sho.

"Hey! Wha--!! You siscon! Pervert!"

"Hahaha! Stop it, I'm your brother and I will be performing later, of course it's only natural to give you a backstage pass!"

Sho's always like this. It really bugs me that he’s doing this in public with no care at all. But I knew he means no harm and he's just a loving older brother of mine and he's done so much for me too. Besides...

He's the only one I could talk to since I don't have any that much friends at school.

So the very least I could do is support him in his band stuff as his fan.

"Jeez, we're causing too much scene here. Just let go of me already I'll come with you peacefully."

Kylie and Sho meet up with his band at the back entrance of the studio. As they enter, the vibe changes according to the place. Kylie can hear the faint sound of the bands practicing at their respective waiting areas.

"Have you brought the ticket I gave you?"

"Uhn... Yeah, I have it with me."

"What?! Then you could have presented it at the entrance so they could let you in right away! That is a VIP ticket!"

"Hahaha! As expected of Sho's imouto." –on of his bandmates teases Kylie.

"Jeez, don't make fun of me. You guys always do this..."

My brother's bandmates always tease me like a little girl every time they see me. But they mean no harm, that's just the way they always are.

"By the way, Kylie, you did by chance told me you've joined your school's light music club, right?"

"Yeah."

"Okay then. You might want to stay a bit longer after our performance."

"Wha?!--"

What is that supposed to mean?

---

The area for the audience is very crowded. The VIP is not really the typical "VIP" area where the audience are being treated with utmost care. The audiences are being mashed up in a mosh pit where they just jump and bump with each other as the band continues to play stuff.

Yes, that's my brother for you. Still the same taste in music as ever.

I support my brother's hobby. It's only natural since we're son and daughter of some famous musicians. There are times that he's asking me to teach him guitar playing techniques since it is a natural born talent on me. He's quick on the pickup and is adapting to things fast.

And that's why he and his band produces this good music through hard work. It's not really on him. His supportive bandmates also contribute on their own way to produce good music.

"Heh, don’t get too cocky, older bro of mine... Besides being a siscon, you dare defy me with this music."

Of course I'm still far superior compared to them. It is to be expected of a music prodigy daughter like me.

The stage lights up one final time for their last song. It is a slow rock that is one of Kylie's favorite songs. It may seem like Sho really prepared the song just because he knows Kylie will come to watch them perform.

“I want to thank my lil’sis that gave all her precious time to watch me perform here! I love you sis!”

“PERVERT! SISCON! GO TO HELL!!”

“”WHOOOO!!” –the crowd answered with a cheering upon the scene.

“I really hope you could perform here someday Kylie! Ah, sorry, guys but that’s really the last song. I’m afraid having an encore would eat up much more time. Actually I was about to introduce a new band. They’re juniors from my alumnus on my high school days. They’re new and aspiring band so please take good care on them.”

That’s when Gin’s band climbed the stage to setup their instruments.

Ah why…

That moment I didn’t care anymore as Sho introduces them to the crowd.

What I care for at this moment is that how could this wheel of fate start turning at our lives.

This town is small after all. Even the whole world is small. You’re going to meet the same and the same person that you’re always fated to meet.

But I’d constantly consider meeting up with him in this small city a curse. I mean… He’s the one who’s put me on my dilemma. The cruel god of fate seems to be playing with me.

“Uhm… Hi! My name is Gintaro. I’m really a fan of my senpai’s music I’ve always been asking him to let us play here. It really feels like a dream come true. Our only goal for tonight is to make everyone hear our music and have them know that, ‘ah, yeah, we’re here!’”

Gin nodded to his bandmates as a go signal.

“For starters, let us heat up the venue with an upbeat song! ‘Late Afternoon Velvet Sky’.”

And they started playing. The crowd suddenly become even livelier than when Sho’s band was performing. It may be their reflex but they’re at a live house so when a band starts performing an upbeat song, it’s only natural to get carried away by the music and jump with the upbeat.

Ah, this again.

I feel like I’m really one step closer on closing the gap between us…

…But with this, it really feels like I’m left out again.

But still, I can’t help but to get carried away by their pace: their music.

“This can’t be…”

Yes. At that moment I fully realized the resemblance.

“It might be only me, but it really feels like listening to one of dad’s old songs.”

Kylie doesn’t notice by that time that she’s already tapping her feet and grooving to the beat. She’s already drawn into the mosh pit.

---

“HEEEY!! Kylieee!!”

Kylie is waiting for Sho outside of the live house as they will walk home together. There’s actually nothing to do after. The staff will be the one maintaining the place but at least it’s a clean before you leave policy. So Sho promised Kylie that he will be away for a few minutes and he will meet him at the entrance afterwards.

That was when Gin and the others arrived.

“I was really shocked!! Who would ever imagine that you will turn out to be Senpai’s imouto! Give me a high five!”

Kylie is in a grumpy mood and don’t want to talk at that moment, especially to her sole rivals.

“No. don’t talk to me. After all that, you still have the face to show up here.”

“Shush! Don’t be too grumpy! Come on smiiiile!!”

Gin hold Kylie’s cheeks like it was nothing and pulls it up to form a forced smile.

“Pufff. Buwahahahaha!! What’s with that face?!!”

Kylie brushes his hands off and make a full burst.

“Stop it! Don’t forget that I’m your sworn rival! I will be claiming my spot as the better musician at the school don’t forget about that!”

“Yeah, yeah. It’s always been like that. I won’t forget. And I won’t back down. So it’s your time to accept my terms and conditions too.”

“Wha—What is it?”

“Promise me if you lost you’ll be joining my band, as the main vocalist.”

“WHAAAT?!”

The four of them is startled.

“Ah wait, why are you guys shocked too?”

“What do you mean? You didn’t tell us anything about this!”

“That’s right! I thought it would be just the four of us!”

“Yes, I’m really hoping for that.”

“Yes! Don’t make sudden decision by yourself and consult it to me too! I’m the one being pressed here!”

“Eeh? But you’re such a great talent. It would be a waste to let you off so easily after beating you.”

“Wha?!! Say that again!! Fine I’ll take your terms and conditions. Just you make sure to not come crying to your bandmates when I win.”

“Hahaha! Challenge accepted.”

“Aaah. There they go again with their catdog fight.”

And as the two of us quarreled that night we also didn’t noticed the days of the calendar slowly passing…

…And then goes our second year.

---

Kylie enters the clubroom.

“You’re late! We’re starting our practice!”

“And since when did I start to cooperate with your practice?”

“I didn’t mean you’ll practice with us. You can practice at your own, but I just don’t want you thinking that we’re pulling one ahead on you just by practicing earlier.”

“Nah, I’m telling you, I’m ways better than you even If I don’t practice. And sorry If I got delayed. I still should commit on daily classroom duties. IF YOU BLOCKHEAD DIDN’T JUST DITCHED ME OUT TO COME HERE AND PRACTICE WITH YOUR BANDMATES.”

“Oof. You did that for us Gin? I’m touched!”

Kylie arranges her items at the couch near the table. Today she’s brought an electric guitar. It’s quite different from her usual. The boys of the club get shocked as she suddenly placed an amplifier near Gin and started tuning her guitar.

“What? Am I a ghost that will suddenly steal your soul away or something? Haven’t you seen a girl that could play electric guitar?”

“There’s really nothing a daughter of two famous musicians can’t do in terms of music.”

“Nah, I’m still a human… So…”

“What?”

“What do you mean, what? Let’s start practice!”

“Kyliiiieeee!!”

“Ah don’t get me wrong. Don’t get too excited. I’m doing this to help you improve and me too. I won’t ever join your band. I’ll be good on being a solo artist myself someday.”

Kylie is blushing a bit as she tries to hide her embarrassment on the situation. She really still doesn’t intend to join the band but by playing with the ones who she’s catching up with is also a good experience for her.

“Ah, the guitar’s my dad’s anyways.”

“EEH! SERIOUSLY! THE LEGENDARY—”

“And please stop already, we’re wasting time more than we could afford.”

“Ah yeah, right.”

After practice, Kylie is packing up her things when Gin approached her.

“Ah I forgot to tell you Kylie, please clear up your Saturdays from now on.”

“Why? No I won’t accept any date requests from you.”

“Wha—No! Silly! We’re going on some outdoor practices.”

“Eh?! Wha—”

The that’s the start of my long running practices with Gin’s band during weekends.

---

The LMC (light music club) goes to the mountains. Kylie, being out of shape and one of the worst on P.E. in their class, is already out of breath as she follows the four boys. Being the only girl of course the boys don’t have her carry the camping stuff. But she’s still impressed by the immense stamina they have.

The distinct distance between her and them indicates that she’s really out of shape.

“HEEEY KYLIEEE! ARE YOU STILL FINE?!!”

“Huff… Huff… I’ll catch up, just go.”

“NOOO YOU MIGHT GET LOST! WE’LL CONTINUE ONCE YOU CAUGHT UP YOUR BREATH!!”

“Huff… Huff… Fine…”

She still catches up with them though.

The LMC also goes to the bowling arena. Kylie is starting to wonder why they are having recreational activities instead of practicing, yet she still goes with them to play.

“I still wonder when we’ll be going to practice?”

“It’ your turn Kylie. Don’t be such a killjoy. We’ll hit the live house later.”

“Siiigh… Fine.”

The LMC also hits the arcade at times. The other boys tries to tease Gin and Kylie to competing at most of the arcade games. Their efforts aren’t going futile though. Gin and Kylie would take the bait at times and compete like kids.

“Why are you always good at this?! I didn’t expect a music neet like you could be this good at games!”

“Bro’s practicing me a lot! You can’t beat me! HA HA HA!!”

“Aaaaargh!! Now it’s come to this. Shin, hold her.”

“Eh?! Wha—?!”

“You cheater!”

LMC also never forgets the town’s festival. Kylie is walking that night on her casual clothes. She’s been asking the club to just practice, but it’s her brother Sho that convince her to go to the festival with her club.

She walks towards the venue of the festival with her casual clothing and a hoodie. There she meets up with the boys at the band on their respective yukatas. Their looks give her a sudden shock which left a funny mark on her face.

“What’s wrong? Do we look weird? And also, we’re expecting you to wear your kimono too.”

“Well… I’ve never been to festivals before. I’m just a kid that used to play and play instruments and listen to music a lot…”

Kylie’s embarrassed that she’s the only one that looks different from the members of the club. She tries to hide herself with her hoodie but…

“Stop…”

Gin stopped her hands that’s going to have the hoodie cover her face in embarrassment. He moved a bit closer to her face and look at her seriously.

“Why are you trying to hide? You know you look cute too even if you don’t wear your kimono. No joke.”

Kylie can’t help but get embarrassed even more and turn bright red.

Gin realizes it a moment later and pulls away immediately from her.

“We—Well you could always wear anything you’re comfortable with. It’s not like we’re trying to force you to go along with us with everything. Well let’s go. I know a place where we could watch the fireworks.”

Gin hold’s Kylie’s hands and pulls her in with them as they start walking.

“Eh?! All of a sudden??”

The climb up a bit at an uphill just above the shrine. It’s not a deserted area since there are people going in there too but it’s not as crowded as the regular area.

“Ah, you’re right it’s actually a bit less crowded here. But still. Wasting precious time for practicing with all these recreational activities. You sure have lots of time, considering the next school festival is nearing. Are you sure you could play something better than me now?”

“Sure. I’ll take on your challenge anytime. But sometimes you need to have fun. Stressing yourself just to improve isn’t good.”

“Well… In a way, that’s true. But still—”

“Say… Are you afraid of the crowd?”

“Eh?”

I don’t understand the question, but I think I’ll play along a bit.

“I’m… Not… Dad always brings me to his gigs when I’m younger so I’m quite used to it.”

“Lucky you… I’ve always been afraid of the crowd. Shinn, Kou, Yuu, they’re the ones that have always helped me overcome my fear. They’re always there for me.”

Why does he start talking like this?

“Say… How long have you been like this? Honestly I’m expecting a little jollier imouto when he tells us stories about you. But when you joined the club and told us you’re the daughter of two legendary artists, and more over when Senpai told us about the coincidence. I’ve started to wonder what made you to be like that?”

“What are you getting at?”

“You see… Music… I think it is really something that’s way more fun when you share with others. When you play it with others. And when you know that people are getting to know the music you’re sharing with somebody.”

“So you’re saying that way I’ve been playing everything is wrong? How cocky can you get to tell me that?”

“No, but… still, I really want you to have a fun experience while having people hear your music. I mean… You always have that stiff look whenever you’re performing.”

“You mean the way I’ve been playing my music is always wrong?”

“You’re good, yes. But are you going to keep playing for better until forever? What if you’ve improved? What if you’ve reached the top? What would be your goal next?”

“That’s…”

“Think about it. No need to rush. I’ll always be by your side until you find the answer.”

Gin gives Kylie a smile but it’s too dark to see it.

Then the first firework lights up the sky like it’s broad daylight. The face Gin is making towards Kylie is not that of a teacher, a preacher, nor an advising fellow musician. It’s just a plain smile of sincerity like his brother, who is happy as long as he could play music and let others hear it.

Ah this might be it.

Brother you’re right…

…I think I’ve found someone..

…Somebody I could play and share my music with.

With him… maybe…

Kylie’s cheeks are bright red, but she paid no mind. She just reverts her look from him towards the fireworks.

“Ah… They’re beautiful.”

“Are you happy at the moment?”

If you ask questions like that… Then I won’t have any way of answering…

…Well if it’s him, maybe I could play music with somebody…

For now… that is…

---

A year has passed since I've joined the light music club. My original goal is to find something or learn something so that I could improve more on music and to beat Gin's band.

Yet I'm still here, stuck, and conflicted on myself.

The girl is standing at the same stage exactly one year after. The day of their promised competition. Kylie and Gin's band. Having to perform before Gin's band, Kylie musters up all her courage and go up the stage.

But...

I can't…

Why can't I play something?...

What I just really wanted was is to let others hear my music, and let them know that...

...I'm here at the stage. Standing... and performing at my very best.

"But why..."

Kylie's eyes welled up with tears that she's keeping from falling. Despite being lost and not knowing what to do, the determination she has is the one that still keeps her standing. But no matter what she does, what she thinks, she still can't start playing her guitar.

"Why..."

Come out... please Kylie, just this once, even if you don't win it's fine. Just...

Remember your goal,

remember all the times you've practiced with them.

It was then several scenes flash from her memories. The times they go went to the live house to watch her brother’s live performances; the times they practiced at the clubroom; the other activities they had besides practicing their performances.

Kylie turned her face downwards to muster up courage. She hears the crowd now starting to wonder why she’s not starting to perform.

“Ah! There you are! We’ve been finding you everywhere!”

Eh? Why?

Kylie turned her gaze towards the side of the stage where participants enter. There came Shin, Kou, Yuu, and of course, Gin who just talked to her.

“I’m sorry we’re late! Hahaha! Talking with the organizers sure took time.”

Gin talks to her as the other members of the band start to set up their instruments.

“Ah, don’t get this the wrong way Kylie. This isn’t free. We’ll make sure you teach us later some playing techniques on our instruments.”

“Yeah, actually I’m going to spill it. This is really Gin’s idea.”

“Yeah, he’s really fond of making you enjoy playing music. He’s never been like that before you joined the club… Really…”

“Hey guys! Stop spilling the beans, let’s just get this over with.”

Gin tries to position himself at the stage besides Kylie where he would not block the other band members. He then looked at Kylie with a sincere face, like asking ‘What are you waiting for?’

“Seriously. Why?”

“Uhm.. Ehem Ehem! Everyone it seems that there’s a minor change on the performers lineup for the last minute! The first performer will be Gin’s band, feat. Kylie the soloist! Everyone! Please give them a round of applause!”

The emcee of the event stated the changes on the participants.

“Tell me you planned this from the very start.”

“Not really. But I won’t deny that I just want you to enjoy this day.”

He’s always been like this…

…he always try to make me look like a clown, but still he supports me on every way he can. And it really makes me feel uncomfortable.

But still…

He’s here and I know I got somebody… no…

…People I could trust.

Kylie then looks up and check the bright spotlight shining on each of them. She then looks at the audience, there standing and just waiting for them to play.

Bro… so this is what you’re trying to reach out to me. I’ll guess I’ll play along.

Kylie looks at Gin as her beautiful face shined brightly. She smiled at him.

“So. What are we playing?”

Gin blushed upon seeing Kylie smile radiantly for the very first time.

“I guess we’ll start with your ‘From the Skies Down to My Heart’.”

“Eh? My song?!!”

“Yeah, we’ll do an upbeat version, so keep up the pace. I know you could. I trust you.”

“I’ll make sure to hit you guys later with this guitar if you mess the song up.”

“Okay! We’ll start! On my count! ONE! TWO!! ONE TWO, ONE TWO THREE GO!!!”

---

Kylie is walking at the school corridors heading towards the LMC clubroom. At her shoulder she carries her guitar bag that’s way bigger than her original bag. She’s humming a song. As she walks, she looks outside where the snow piled up at the school yard.

She breathes a sigh which creates a white steam due to the coldness of the surroundings.

She arrives at the front of the clubroom and opens the sliding door.

My name is Kylie, and I used to play music solo.

Meeting this band…

…Meeting Gin, I’ve realized something.

Well it’s pretty obvious since I already accepted my loss and at the same time, became a member of their band.

Playing music with someone… No…

Playing music with a special someone is waaaaaay more fun than going at it alone.

“Kylie you’re late.”

“Well yes of course! Who ditched the class duties just to get here first and secure a spot besides the heater! What an irresponsible club president you are!”

Four boys we’re sitting around the heater like it’s a camping trip. They smile at Kylie and give her a warm welcome again at the LMC.