Yukina Minato, the Lone-Wolf Songstress, was troubled. The problem was in her mind for a long time and it resurfaced again after watching Poppin' Party's performance. The said band had a "special something" in them that Yukina couldn't describe. Despite their clear lack of skills, their music was wonderful. Like there was an invisible force that made their songs amazing. Was it because their leader had her hair styled like cat ears? Surely that wasn't the answer.
The silver-haired girl just continued listening to the band's performance without noticing that she already had a small smile on her face. Roselia's music was already amazing but for Yukina, it was far from perfect. No matter how hard they practiced, they couldn't do the best concert. In her mind, Poppin Party had a chance of making the best concert ever since she saw their potential but she wanted to do it before they could. That was why she wanted to know how their music works. What makes their imperfections sound perfect.
"Oi. Yukina. Hello?", a voice called out.
Yukina looked at her side and saw Lisa, her childhood friend.
"What?", she asked.
"I've been wondering… do you want to go to an accessory shop after this?", Lisa asked.
"No. I'll go home and practice", Yukina answered without hesitation.
Lisa let out a small and dejected laugh.
"Music huh? That's right. We're aiming for Future World Fest. That's why we need to step up our game", Lisa said.
The sounds of various instruments in the live house stopped and the audience cheered.
"Everyone! Thanks for coming!", Kasumi, the leader of Poppin' Party, thanked.
Yukina immediately left and Lisa followed her. They silently walked out of the live house and the silence continued until they saw a cat.
"A cat huh? Reminds me of Kasumi's hair. I'm surprised that you can keep a straight face in front of her", Lisa said.
"What are you talking about?", Yukina asked.
Lisa giggled at her friend's denial.
"You've been observing PoPiPa's concerts lately. Are you becoming a fan?", Lisa asked.
"Their music…"
Lisa paused and waited for her friend to continue.
"I've always thought that we were fine if we continue our pace. But when I saw them, I saw something in them that wasn't there in us. If we can have that too, the Future World Fest will not be a distant dream", Yukina explained.
"That's why you've been observing them that much"
Yukina nodded.
"But after all this time, I still don't have any clue. What makes the different from us? Our practice sessions are stricter than them and we strive for perfection in all fields. We polish our skills at every opportunity. How are we so different from them?", Yukina asked.
Lisa put a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Yukina… Don't overthink about it. Sure you want our band to be perfect but Roselia is Roselia while PoPiPa is PoPiPa. We don't have to copy them", Lisa said.
"We're not copying them. We're learning on how to improve from them"
They arrived at their homes which were next to each other.
"Bye Yukina. See you at tomorrow's practice", Lisa waved goodbye.
"Bye"
Yukina entered her house and immediately heard someone singing. It was a male's voice but it wasn't her father's.
(Donna Toki mo Zutto)
(by: µ's)
Tama ni wa yukkuri kimi no peesu de
Yaritai koto tachi mitsumete goran
Sono ato ganbare! Zenryoku de ne~~
Kibun ga harete oozara e maiagaru yo
Donna toki date kimi o mitsumeteru
Yukina's dad and a boy were in the living room. The boy had blue hair and amber eyes. He was holding a blue electric guitar and on his right hand was a white guitar pick.
"You've certainly improved. How long ago was it since we last met?", Yukina's dad asked.
"Around 10 years ago", the boy answered.
"I see. I can't believe that I'm that old", Yukina's dad said.
That statement made the boy smile.
"Dad. Who's that?", Yukina asked.
"Oh. Welcome home", her dad welcomed her.
"So is this her?", the boy asked.
"Yes. This is my daughter, Yukina", he introduced.
###
A few hours earlier…
Ryoma Takada arrived at the city after being cooped up in the train for hours. He left his home town so that he could get quality education in the city. His father had a friend who was willing to let him stay. It was a relief for Ryoma since he didn't wasn't to be a burden to his parents.
When he got out of the station, he immediately felt the vibes of the city. There were many people talking to their phones as they walked, the cars were honking their horns, and students were walking to their homes.
"Ahhh. The city… The buildings sure are big", he said to himself.
He then saw a big screen. It showed girls in cute outfits and were holding instruments.
What?, Ryoma asked in his head.
(Shuwarin Dreamin)
(by: Pastel*Palettes)
Shuwa shuwa hajiketa kimochi no namae oshiete yo kimi wa shitteru?
Shuwa shuwa!
Dori dori~min yeah!
The music continued as Ryoma watched. The pink-haired girl sang as her bandmates played their instruments.
"Hmmmm… Not that bad but not that good either… Guitars are good and so are the drums. The bass and the keyboard are passable… but the vocals… hmmm…. It's good but needs more improvement", he muttered.
The music finished with a close-up on the pink-haired girl's wink.
"And that's a show from Pastel*Palettes! With shows like this, it truly is the rise of the era of girl bands", a reporter said.
Girl bands? Do they really have to differentiate it from normal bands? I mean… Boy bands, girl bands, and mix-of-boy-and-girl bands are the same since they all make music, he thought.
He didn't try to think it further and dragged his luggage. Ryoma walked towards his destination and when he arrived, he didn't expect the house he would live in would be big.
Feeling intimidated, he hesitantly pressed the doorbell on the side of the house's gates. The door opened and a black-haired man walked out.
"Ah… Ryoma... You've arrived", the man said.
"Hey there Uncle", Ryoma greeted.
The man was Yukina's dad. He used to be a musician until a certain incident happened. Ryoma haven't heard the full story from his father but he knew enough that Yukina's dad quit music.
"Come in", he urged and Ryoma entered.
"Pardon the intrusion", Ryoma muttered.
They both went to the living room and Ryoma was told to place his luggage at the corner for a while. Yukina's dad saw the guitar case Ryoma which was part of the boy's luggage.
"Am I right in thinking that guitar is that one?", Yukina's dad asked.
"Yes", Ryoma took out a blue guitar from the case.
The black-haired man let out a sad smile as he remembered what he used to be.
"To think that you kept it after all this years", he said.
"Yes. After all, you're the one who showed me that music is wonderful", Ryoma replied an strummed a chord.
"My daughter is now a singer. Maybe you could get along"
"I sure hope so"
Silence ruled over them. Ryoma came to the city for 2 reasons. One was to go to school and the other was to help Yukina's dad. The truth was, Ryoma's father was a fan of the band which Yukina's dad was part of.
Ryoma began strumming his guitar.
(Donna Toki mo Zutto)
(by: µ's)
Ureshii kara kimi ni ai ni ikou
Sabishii kara kimi ni ai ni ikou~~
Sonna kimochi ni narunda
Susumu toki nayamu toki
Tsunagatte irunda ne zutto
Honki no~ yume de~
Asu o~ tsukamu~
Kitto dekiru yo kimi nara
Tama ni wa yukkuri kimi no peesu de
Yaritai koto tachi mitsumete goran
Sono ato ganbare! Zenryoku de ne~
Kibun ga harete oozora e maiagaru yo
Donna toki datte kimi o mitsumeteru
Yukina stood there and listened to Ryoma's singing.
"You've certainly improved. How long ago was it since we last met?", Yukina's dad asked.
"Around 10 years ago", Ryoma answered.
"I see. I can't believe that I'm that old", Yukina's dad said.
That statement made Ryoma smile.
"Dad. Who's that?", Yukina asked.
"Oh. Welcome home", her dad welcomed her.
"So is this her?", Ryoma asked.
"Yes. This is my daughter, Yukina", he introduced.
"What's going on?", she asked.
"Yukina, this is Ryoma Takada. He's staying in our house until he finishes high school", Yukina's dad introduced him.
"Hello there. Feel free to call me Ryoma. And don't worry. I'm already a 3rd year so I'll be leaving soon", Ryoma said.
"I welcome your stay, Ryoma", Yukina said and immediately went to her room.
"Now that was cold", Yukina's dad commented.
"It's okay. Girl's aren't my forte anyway"
"Anyway, I'll show you your room"
They went inside the guest room and there was a bed, closet, desk, and window.
"I'll leave your things here, School starts next week and your dad said that I'll watch over you"
"Got it"
Ryoma started arranging his things.
"And Ryoma…", Yukina's dad called out.
"Yep?", he asked.
"Help Yukina",he said and walked out of the room.
"What was that about?", Ryoma asked himself.
Hey guys. Guess Secrets of your Blood didn't work out and I sort of kind of got hooked into Bang Dream. (Glad that I gave it a chance after the not-so-interesting-in-plot-and-art first season). Now I can't help but be inspired to write a fic about it. Please bear with me before I update You Can Be a Villain... Seriously