Cram Session

They could hear the cheering out of the darkness. They exchanged looks, listening to that standing ovation. Sure, they'd been dressed in silly costumes, but that didn't matter. What mattered … was that they'd done it. They'd gotten up on that stage, and they'd rocked …

"Ugh," Mio muttered, lifting her head off the table. She blinked, willing the world into focus. She stared down at her notes, despairing at the jumble of letters and words that greeted her.

"Gotta wake up," she said, as fleeting memories of her dream fled her mind. It was Ritsu's fault, that she dreamt of high school. It was also Ritsu's fault that she couldn't stay awake.

"Great idea … stay up all night at a bar. Hmph," she murmured, stretching and rubbing her eyes.

"But it was fun, though … and I got to see Mugi and Yui again. And Azusa too … that was a surprise."

Mio pinched her cheek, trying to focus. Most of her exams were tomorrow, and she barely felt prepared, at all. She pushed her notes to the side and started skimming through the chapter she'd been reviewing, before she nodded off.

"This pisses me off," Ritsu's voice said.

"You and I both, Ritsu," Mio said.

"Wouldn't it be great if we could get the old band back together again?"

Mio frowned. Why was she remembering that? And why did it matter? Ritsu had been thoroughly plastered when she said that. Drunk people didn't always say what they meant, right? Or was it that drunk people were free to say what they wouldn't have otherwise? Mio didn't know.

"If you hadn't had your nose buried in books, maybe you would've noticed…"

"Noticed what, Ritsu!" Mio said, before cupping her hand over her mouth. Ritsu hadn't given her an answer, only some vomit on her shoes. Mio looked over to the other bed, and breathed a sigh of relief when its occupant didn't stir.

Mio bit her tongue … the finite element method wasn't going to learn itself.

It was two in the morning, when Mio next looked at her clock. She looked down at her notes again.

"Ugh … why isn't any of this sinking in?"

Truth be told, her mind was still back at that bar. Still back on that performance Azusa gave.

"Oh!" She said, pounding a fist into her hand. Yui'd given her a gift, hadn't she? As far as Mio knew, it was still in her handbag. She'd been too busy studying to open it.

"Well, I guess I should see what it is," she said softly, standing up. "Stretching my legs would be good too."

Mio picked up her handbag, looking inside. In a moment, she extracted the small package and looked it over. It felt hard inside the gift wrapping, and she didn't hear anything while shaking it.

So, finally, she just decided to open it. She tried to do it properly, carefully pulling at the tape.

Rip!

Well, maybe trying to do that sleep-deprived wasn't the best idea. Shrugging, Mio tore the rest of the wrapping off, throwing it aside. What she found herself holding was a CD.

"Why would Yui get me a CD?"

Especially one whose case had no obvious markings. She opened it, and what she saw was a CD-R with "The Couch Crashers" written on it with a Sharpie. It was then that she realized that there was also a note inside the jewel case.

\( ﾟ◡ﾟ)/ Happy birthday, Mio-chan! \( ﾟ◡ﾟ)/

I forgot what your e-mail address was, so I burned you a CD instead. Azu-nyan's sooo cool! At least I think so. Now I gotta think of how I'm gonna get this to you on your birthday.

XOXOXO

~* Yui *~

Mio groaned as she walked out of the lecture hall. Her head hurt, and so did her hand. The exam didn't have many questions, but each had several parts, and each part required a lot of mathematical derivation.

It was, pretty much, like the two other exams she'd had. And that wasn't good news, because she'd worked right up to the allotted time for all of them.

She tried to tell herself that it was out of her hands now. That there was nothing to do but wait for the grades to come back. A near-impossibility for someone as fundamentally anxious as Mio could be.

Her stomach rumbled, feeling sour. She started for the vending machines … a can of tea would've been a good thing for her, just then.

Buzz!

"Ah!" Mio's eyes went wide with surprise. She reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone.

"A message? From Ritsu?"

She looked it over, with a little frown on her face:

"Hey Mio! Remember what I said the other night? What do you think?"

"What's there to think about," Mio said out loud, tapping out a response. "You were drunk, Ritsu."

As she reached the vending machine, her phone vibrated again.

"What … Ritsu … again?"

"Cmon, I'm serious! :-\"

"So am I, Ritsu," Mio said, listening to the thuds of her can of tea being dispensed. "I'm too busy to be wasting time like that."

She didn't even have time to open her tea before Ritsu replied.

"Mugi's busy too, and she'd be cool with it. ;-)"

"Ugh, Ritsu. Go play with Mugi, then," Mio tapped out what she hoped would be her final word on the matter.

Buzz!

":-("

"Hmph," Mio said, putting her phone away. She went to find a quiet place to sit down and try to enjoy her tea.

Why would Ritsu even think trying to reunite everyone was a good idea? Probably because she wasn't thinking, Mio thought, as she sipped her cold tea.

It was the same way that first night they'd watched that televised show at the Budokan, though, wasn't it? She remembered how Ritsu shook her in her excitement.

"It's not going to work this time, Ritsu," she said to herself. "I'm … I'm still mad at you," she added, sighing.

And how did Mugi think it was a good idea? She was in Finland for much of the year, wasn't she? How would that even work? They'd obviously never get Azusa back, and Mio wasn't even willing to speculate about Yui …

Her eyebrows went up. Right … that CD Yui'd gotten her. She should listen to that … it'd take her mind off of Ritsu's crazy idea, wouldn't it?

It was another late night in Mio's dorm room; she had her laptop set up, and her headphones on. The first couple of tracks on the CD weren't anything special … she'd already heard the songs live, and somehow, they just didn't have the same impact now that she was listening to them on CD.

Well, maybe it was the drumming. Whoever was doing the drumming for them when they were recording, they weren't Sumire. They lacked her precision, and tried to make up for it with enthusiasm.

"Just like Ritsu," she said. Again, she had to speak softly, for her roommate had already gone to bed.

Her breath caught in her throat when the next track started. Instead of a rumbling, galloping, metal entry, it was Azusa's Mustang. Alone, and clean, with the barest hint of overdrive.

"I was raised by musicians.
So let me make clear my position."

That was Azusa's voice! Mio frowned, Azusa never sang solo during Houkago Tea Time's tenure at the Light Music Club. This must've been something that came to her later.

Just then, Azusa's single guitar became darker, overdriven, and distorted; and it was joined by the rest of the band. However, her vocals shone clearly though it all.

"This thing, it's been there all of my life.
Through times of good and the times of strife.

This thing, it's been here all along.
Though friends have come and friends have gone."

Mio found that she was nodding her head, even as the tempo of the song picked up.

"It's driving me on.
Now I'm writing a song.
I'm putting it on.
And now I'll rock it all night long.

It's coming so fast.
Though I want it to last.
It's going to last.
From my future to my past.

It's the best thing that's happened to me.
I feel nothing but joy and the ecstasy.
It's like a first date and I've fallen in love.
So long as my bandmates are next to me,

We'll explore the music, because music's a … drug,"

Mio squeaked, slapping her hand over her mouth. It'd been just Azusa singing, right up to the word 'drug,' when she was joined by the guttural growl of the band's main vocalist.

"Because music's a drug.
Because music's my drug.
Because music's our drug.
It's something that we just can't get enough of…"

The song went on and Azusa kicked into a short bridge solo, but Mio leaned back in her chair.

"That song was written by you, wasn't it, Azusa?"

Was that why she'd never joined them at university? Because she wanted to actually pursue being a musician? And if that was the case, she was sacrificing a lot to do so.

Where did Ritsu get off suggesting the same thing?

"Stupid Ritsu," she murmured. Still … her gaze turned toward her closet. It had been quite a while since she'd last played her bass, and listening to Azusa's band had awakened the old itch to play.

Applause. The short girl with the long twin-tails stood up clapping. The members of the band looked at each other, smiling. It'd been a lot of work, but they'd pulled it off in the end.

"It wasn't very good," the girl with twin-tails said.

"What?"

"But I wanna listen to it over, and over again," the girl said.

Mio yawned, exiting yet another lecture hall, after having had her brains pounded to a paste by yet another insanely-difficult exam. It didn't help that her sleep had been plagued by still more dreams of high school.

She shrugged her shoulders, trying to adjust to the weight of the gig bag that she carried. It was weird how heavy it felt, after all this time. Did she really used to carry that that thing around all the time in high school?

Her legs carried her, on autopilot, to a place they all used to go; when they started at the university. To a place she hadn't seen in a very long time … the meeting room of the music club.

She paused, pursing her lips. She had no idea how many of the members she might've known would still be there, or even if they would let her play.

She thought, just then, of Ritsu. Ritsu would've just marched right in, and assumed the place belonged to her.

She bit her lip, forcing herself to keep walking. There weren't many other places on campus for her to do what she wanted to do. It'd have to be the music club. The worst they could do was say "no," right?

"Oh no … what if Kana's still there?" Mio moaned. She shook her head a moment later, the old mercenary graduated a couple years ago, didn't she?

"L-let's just do this, Mio," she said to herself. She'd just have to introduce herself. Although, at least, she'd be able to be polite about it. Unlike Ritsu.

She was there before she knew it. She knocked, timidly.

"A-anyone there?"

Nothing.

She knocked again, and was greeted with the same response.

Mio took a breath, and slowly opened the door.

"Mio!"

Mio screamed. When she forced her eyes open, a moment later, she started to blush.

"Oh, Ayame, it's just you."

"Well, who else would it be," Ayame replied, grinning. "Come on in! Gosh, I don't think you've been in here in…"

"Yeah, it's been a long time," Mio said, cutting Ayame off.

"That show was crazy good, wasn't it?" Ayame said.

"Uh huh," Mio replied.

"Did you know that the drummer of that band is Mugi's adopted sister?"

Mio nodded, it was something Mugi mentioned, when they were all in college.

"That chick's crazy-good," Ayame said, grinning. "She reminds me a little of Chris Adler, Mike Heller, or even Gene Hoglan … oh, you brought your bass!"

"Yeah," Mio replied, smiling nervously. "Yui gave me a CD of the band's songs … and it's got me in the mood to play."

Ayame laughed. "They must've had quite an effect on you." Her expression sobered. "Honestly, I was wondering if you'd ever come back here … after what happened between you and Ricchan."

Mio pressed her lips tightly together. "I still can't believe she decided to drop out. Even up to now."

"Hey," Ayame replied. "It happens. Sucks that it happened to both Ricchan and Yui, though."

"Yeah," Mio said, nodding.

"So," she said, after a few moments. "Is the practice space open right now? I don't hear anything."

"Well," Ayame replied, looking away. "I think we'd have to ask Akira that … but you know the rules … the practice space is for dues-paying club members only."

Mio felt her spirits sinking. She felt a dull ache in the pit of her stomach to go with her sense of sudden shame.

"Oh … well … sorry to waste," she said, just as Ayame held up her hand.

"That's what Akira would say, anyway," she said with a quick smile. "But, look around, it's pretty dead right now. And for an old friend like you, I'd love to make an exception."

Mio looked at Ayame, and then she smiled.

"Thank you," she said. "I really appreciate it."

Ayame grinned. "Hey, it's no problem!" She said, falling silent for a moment, before running a hand through her short, blonde, hair. "Say, you want some accompaniment? There's a drum kit in the practice space."

"I don't want to be a hassle," Mio replied, as Ayame shook her head.

"Oh no," Ayame said. "I'd love the chance to get some practice in! And I'd love the chance to play with a friend!"

The two of them stood together in the empty practice space. There was a bulletin board on one side that was papered over with flyers advertising bands. Next to it was a scheduling sheet that had the names of a number of groups on it.

"How many bands are part of the club now?" Mio said, adjusting the strap on her bass.

"Like, five, I think," Ayame replied. "The economy's been terrible," she added. Mio nodded, pursing her lips. There'd been at least ten when they first joined the club.

"So, anything, in particular, you wanna play?" Ayame said, sitting down behind the drum kit.

"Um," Mio replied, licking her lips. She could only vaguely recall a couple of OnNaGumi's songs, and she wasn't going to insult Ayame by suggesting they try to play one of Houkago Tea Time's.

Ritsu, Mio, and Mugi looked at each other. They could work with Yui ... but they had to get her to stay. Bribery hadn't worked, so out of desperation they decided they'd try music. In retrospect, it should've been the first thing they tried ...

"Do you know Tsubasa wo Kudasai?"

"From Eva 2.0? Do I ever," Ayame replied, grinning. Mio blushed a little.

"I don't know it from there," Mio admitted. "I know the original version."

Ayame grinned. "Well, I've heard that too ... they're close enough for what we wanna do. Too bad we don't have a pianist here, though."

"Yeah," Mio replied, before smiling. "I think we should be okay, though."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," Mio said, nodding. Truth be told, she was trying not to shake. It'd been a long time, and here she was, about to play with an experienced musician.

"Hey Mio," Ayame said.

"Yeah?"

"Calm down. Just take a breath ... I remember your bass playing. For you, it'll be like riding a bicycle. You'll be fine!"

Mio took a deep breath, and then another.

"Thanks Ayame."

"No problem! You ready now?"

"Yeah," Mio replied. She smiled ... she did feel ready now.

"Okay, here goes ... one, two, three ..."

Ayame began to play, and Mio closed her eyes, her ears picking up the beat.

Wait for it ... the worst thing for a bassist to be is a Russian Dragon. And ... there!

Mio opened her eyes, watching her fingers. The notes came slowly, and her fingers stumbled several times ... but she found herself pushing through it, following Ayame's beat. Don't rush the tempo, and don't drag it down, she thought. I can do this ... I can do this ... I'm doing this ... I'm doing this!

Before long, the last beats, and the last bass notes faded away. Mio and Ayame looked at each other.

"Hey, not bad," Ayame said. "You did really good there! I'm sure with some more practice, you'll have polished off all the rust in no time."

"You ... you really think so?"

"Absolutely," Ayame replied, flashing a bright smile. "Say, you wanna play something else?"

Mio pressed her lips together. "I dunno," she replied. "That ... was harder than I remembered."

"Hey, no biggie," Ayame said. "Look ... if you wanna, I'll talk to Akira if you wanna come down here again and play some more. We'd love to have you."

"I," Mio started to say, her lips snapping shut. She'd just had the itch to play, that's all ... right? She totally wasn't thinking about drunk Ritsu's stupid, impulsive, idea. And classes didn't look like they were going to get any easier, so maybe she shouldn't ... but ...

"I don't know," she finally replied. Ayame looked at her, tilting her head. After a moment, she shrugged.

"Well, I'll talk to Akira anyway," she said.

Smack!

Ayame slammed her drumsticks down on the snare.

"Oh crap! I almost forgot ... the club is having a little Battle of the Bands next month. It's nothing like the kind Kana used to have. Think of it as an ... um ... jam session with a competitive spirit. If nothing else, you should at least come by and watch."

Author's Notes:
- And so ends the third chapter of Bandmates! The seeds drunken Ritsu planted in Mio's mind are starting to germinate.
- If she can get over why she's angry at Ritsu. Stupid, drunk, Ritsu.
- The editor didn't eat my emoticons ... yay!
- The editor keeps eating my underlines ... boo!
- The hardest part about writing this chapter? Coming up with Azusa's strangely apropos song.
- All the drummers Ayame names are metal drummers. One must wonder at the direction the Light Music Club took after Azusa, Ui, and Jun graduated.
- Yes, Akira inherited the university music club from Kana.
- A russian dragon is a bassist who both rushes the tempo and drags it down. Pretty much the worst kind of bassist, because it's hard to guess how they're going to suck.
- Thanks for reading! Leave reviews ... the feedback really does help!
- See you next chapter!