The easy melody drifted from the corner, a delicate thread of sound that blended seamlessly into the calm atmosphere of the studio.
Haru stayed still, not turning or moving, just keeping a steady, rhythmic tap of his finger on the desk, quietly supporting her music.
He stayed glued to the computer screen, acting like he was looking at some spectral analysis that didn't really matter, giving her the best chance to remain anonymous.
After almost twenty minutes, the playing came to a halt. I heard a gentle rustling sound, and then I caught the slightest click as the back door shut.
The studio was calm again, but this time the silence felt different, almost alive. The air felt alive with the fading sounds of the music that had once filled the room.
He finally turned around in his chair. The corner was empty, just sitting there all alone.
For a brief moment, he found himself questioning whether he had just made the whole thing up in his mind. But then he caught sight of it.
On the floor, exactly where she had been sitting, lay a single, slender guitar pick, a soft, shell-pink hue.
It wasn't just forgotten; it was set down carefully, right in the middle of the floorboard.
Thank you.
A gentle smile began to bloom on Haru's face, radiating warmth and sincerity that he hadn't experienced in weeks. He strolled over and grabbed it.
The warmth lingered in the air.
He slid it into the little tray on his mixing console, marking the first piece for this blank canvas of his dream museum.
The next day, the light rain was back, giving the streets a soft, gray hue. Haru was struggling with a pesky audio interface driver, the sort of tech hassle that seemed to eat up hours without giving anything back.
Just then, a different kind of noise burst out from the street. This time, it wasn't just one soloist trying to make it work; instead, there was a lively mix of voices all chatting at once, mixed with the awkward thud of gear being dropped right outside his front door.
"Watch out, Kasumi! Whoa, you were so close to that lamp post!"
"Hey Rimi, check out this spot! Check it out; it says, 'Haru's Studio!' That sounds super mysterious!"
"I wonder if this is the correct address? The rain's making it tough for me to see the numbers clearly."
"Hey Tae, could you please not lean your bass against that wet wall?"
Haru got up and looked through the frosted glass. On the other side, vibrant, blurred shapes danced around. He took a deep breath to calm himself and pushed the door open.
Five girls were gathered closely together under a small, not-so-great umbrella.
They were surrounded by guitar cases, a keyboard bag, and a drum hardware bag that looked like it might burst open and spill everything onto the sidewalk.
Everyone stopped in their tracks, gazing at him with big, curious eyes.
The girl at the front, with her lively brown hair and an energy that felt electric in the humid air, flashed him a bright smile.
"Hello!" she sang out, her voice cheerful and lively. "I'm Kasumi Toyama! We're searching for a place to practice! Our usual spot got flooded!" She gestured dramatically to the drizzle behind her.
"..."
Haru's ability kicked in automatically, without him even thinking about it.
He glanced around at the group, noticing their well-used yet simple gear, how everyone seemed to look to Kasumi for guidance, and the blend of excitement and nervousness showing on their faces.
A band. A new one, by the looks of it.
He listened closely, noticing the little nuances in how they spoke—the lively frontman, the anxious bassist, the soft-spoken keyboardist, the dreamy guitarist, and the down-to-earth drummer.
He casually leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed comfortably. "Practice, huh? You know this is a professional studio, right?"
Kasumi kept smiling, but there was something a bit more urgent about it now, like she was trying to hold onto that happiness a little tighter. "We can pay! Well… maybe not a lot. But we're serious! We're Poppin'Party!"
He didn't recognize the name at all, but there was no doubt about the fire in her voice. He glanced beyond her, taking in the other four people nearby.
The girl with the dark twintails, Rimi, seemed like she was just about to bow her head and say sorry for even being there.
Tae, the tall one with dark hair, was completely absorbed in staring at a crack in the pavement, almost as if it held some kind of secret just waiting to be discovered.
The drummer, Saaya, offered a small, hopeful smile, while the keyboardist, Arisa, just looked deeply skeptical of the entire situation.
"...Interesting," He thought.
Haru paused for a bit, letting the silence stretch just enough to create some tension, then he gestured toward the inside with a nod.
"Get your gear in before it gets ruined. You can tell me how serious you are when you're not drowning."
They all felt a wave of relief wash over them. They rushed in, carrying the smell of rain, shampoo, and a sense of youthful energy.
They scanned the studio, sharing the same wonder as the brown-haired girl, their voices buzzing and bringing the place to life.
"Whoa! Look at this console!"
"The acoustics in here are wonderful!"
"Is that a genuine Rhodes sound?"
Haru gave them a moment to wander around before gently clapping his hands together. "Alright, Poppin'Party. Setup in the live room. Let's hear what you've got."
They buzzed around with a lively, excited vibe, connecting cables and getting everything ready. While getting ready, Haru spotted something moving by the back door.
The girl with pink hair, Hitori, was there, her door slightly ajar, letting one big, curious eye peek out at the unexpected noise.
As soon as he spotted her, she quickly disappeared, but he could still see the shadow of her feet lingering under the door.
She was sticking around to listen.
He shifted his focus once more to the band, allowing the vibrant sounds to envelop him. "Whenever you're ready."
They erupted into a melodic performance, their voices intertwining in a harmonious celebration of sound. It was really lively.
Kasumi had a strong voice that was full of emotion, but it often went a bit off-key.
The timing between the guitar and bass felt a bit off, the drummer was rushing through the chorus, and the keyboard sometimes wandered into the wrong key.
It was such a lovely, passionate chaos.
They wrapped it up with a big, loud chord, all of them panting, their faces red from the hard work and excitement. They gazed at him, waiting for his decision.
"..." Haru.
He just didn't smile at all. He strolled into the living room, taking his time with each step. He came to a halt right in front of Kasumi.
"You have a really great voice," he said, and her face just lit up with a smile.
He went on to say, "But you're pushing from your throat, not your diaphragm. After just two songs, you might find yourself feeling a bit hoarse."
He looked over at the drummer, Saaya. "You're excited for the chorus. I totally understand why you're feeling excited. But you're dragging the entire band down with you."
He glanced over at Rimi, who was playing the bass. "You're sticking too close to the drums; make sure to focus on the kick instead of the hi-hat."
He went over to each of them, sharing one clear and detailed observation. He wasn't mean, but he was straightforward.
His words came from a deep understanding that picked up on every tiny detail. When he was done, the hopeful looks on their faces had faded into disappointment.
He strolled over to Kasumi's microphone. "The issue with the bridge," he mentioned, "isn't the melody."
"It's the phrasing." He was humming a bit of their song, but he switched up the rhythm a little, putting the stress on a different syllable this time.
That easy tweak really made it more appealing and felt a lot more genuine. "Give it a shot that way."
Kasumi, her expression one of surprise, gave a slow nod. At first, she sang the line a bit hesitantly, but as she went on, her confidence began to build and shine through.
Her face clearly displayed the words "It actually worked!"
Haru took a moment to glance around at everyone in the group. "You're all focused on your own thoughts, not really hearing one another."
"Music, especially when you're in a band, feels a lot like having a conversation with your bandmates. If you don't share what's on your mind, they won't have a clue about what you're looking for."
"Take a moment to really feel it; let your eyes communicate those vibes to everyone around you."
Haru finally smiled gently at them and began speaking. "Try it again, and this time," he said, glancing at everyone, "be sure to chat with one another."
A fresh kind of silence settled over the studio, filled with focus rather than hopelessness. They began once more.
This time, the change was subtle, but definitely hard to miss. The beat had a sharper edge, and the singing was clearly more on point.
It wasn't perfect, but you could definitely see the progress. Things were definitely better than before.
While they were having fun, Haru took a quick look back at the door behind them. The shadow lingered on, unwavering and constant.
This time, he felt like he noticed the door crack open just a little bit more.
He glanced back at the band, and a plan started to take shape in his mind.
He had a studio, where a shy guitarist once lingered within the walls, and now it buzzed with the energy of a chaotic, passionate band filling the live room.
It was still chaotic, but at least it wasn't quiet anymore. It was the very first, genuine, chaotic hint of something fresh and exciting.
(TBC)