Prologue: Crazy Train
A bullet train's carriage is always silent. Apart from the usual chugs and the repeating announcers, there was no sound on board the fastest vehicle on Earth. Its speed could have been deemed slow by two particular passengers. One, a working-class princess from a high-class family with long blond hair. The other, a hipster who always hides his face from anyone other than the princess, like a knight defeating the fame dragon. The slow rush, alongside the deafening silence, was just enough to take in what had happened that lead up to the journey…
...
It was just another summer day in the home study. A perfect day for Tsumugi Ergo to check any finances and recording contracts. Whenever her husband Archie was busy doing his stint as a radio DJ, and bands weren't filling her ears with genres galore, paperwork and budgeting for their independent record label would be her top priority. Apart from writing or producing songs for bands she managed to sign on, living in a working-class neighbourhood in North Yorkshire was one of her best rewards for deviating from a high-class lifestyle under the Kotobukis.
As part of her paperwork routine, Mugi would usually count checks, update bands, and take calls. Rings were never to be missed, because even she knew that one would change her future. Therefore, she was quick to answer a call after she finished her paperwork; she picked up the handset from the cradle, and answered.
"Hello, Darjeeling Records," Mugi greeted in English.
"Is this Mrs Tsumugi Ergo?" asked the caller in Japanese, with a little sniff preceding the question.
"Yes, that's me. How can I help?" asked Mugi, as if to discuss business.
"Hello, Mugi, this is your friend, Nodoka Manabe," answered the caller.
"Hello, Nodoka," said Mugi, her voice turning casual. She had known that particular caller since high school. "What's on your mind?"
"I'm sorry, Mugi," Nodoka stammered, on the verge of a breakdown. "You'll have to go back to Japan for a few weeks."
"Why?" asked Mugi, noticing her friend was tearing up on the phone. "What's wrong?"
"It's Yui and Azusa," cried Nodoka. "They're dead."
"Dead?" asked Mugi, trying to hold her tears. "How?"
The mention of two familiar names shook her to the core. The two people she helped start a career were now in the music studio in the sky. Disbelief filled Mugi at first, it was so unexpected. How could that happen so soon?
"They were both assassinated during a small gig," Nodoka murmured, ensuring the explanation was coherent.
And so, it happened. Two guitarists, the cute Yui Hirasawa and the serious Azusa Nakano, were both tragically killed doing the one thing they loved the most. Having heard the news from their close friend on the phone, Mugi was touched not by one angel, but two. It was that popular duo who added to the experience of her musical rebellion back in Japan. For them to lose their lives so soon could have been considered devastating. All the cheeriness she had in her life drained out of her eyes in tears. And after a half hour of crying and disbelief, Mugi decided that Nodoka was right. After five years in North Yorkshire, it was time to go home.
...
As the train approached Kyoto station, Mugi continued to silently reminisce high school memories, like she has done since she and Archie took the plane to Tokyo. She managed to keep her composure as she hired an assistant to manage the paperwork and contracts whilst they were gone. After their business was sorted out, Archie and Mugi would usually reminisce about Yui and Azusa's impact, with Archie learning more about these two friends who had helped Mugi go forward with her music career. To lose the very people that inspired them was quite saddening; without Yui and Azusa, Darjeeling Records would have never been formed. Archie and Mugi would never have even eloped to Britain.
Mugi's reminiscing came to a halt, as the train stopped at Kyoto Station. All they needed to do now was to scan a ticket, exit the station and take a taxi booked in advance. But little did the couple know that the taxi ride marked the beginning of a new adventure...