Chapter 5

The next morning, Ace and Seiya got into the agency, while most of the idols were preparing for their debuts.

"Seiya, in mornings, every idols are so busy, right?"

"Well, a few years ago, when me, Yaten and Taiki, the three of us rehearse for some concerts; There were a lot of idols."

"They really have different styles, some of them look classy, some of them look decent."

"They play music in different genres, you know."

"Which genres do the idols play the most?"

"It really depends, Ace. Some may play rock, some may simply play the piano, you see the guy in a nice tuxedo suit?"

Ace stared at the person who is adjusting his bow tie in the makeup studio.

"He looks fancy in the suit, he doesn't have anything to prepare?"

"He is going to play the piano in solo, Ace."

"In a short period of time, Seiya?"

"He trained to memorize the music piece for a few months. This music piece was from Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons, he will be performing 'Winter'."

"Winter?"

"One of the pieces for his performance, the chorus of Winter really needs a lot of practice, your fingers need to be fast; once you played the wrong note, suppose all of the audience supposed to be captivated by the intense melody, Then the mood will disappear."

"And so, for the concert later, we need to practice."

"I can help you out." Seiya said.

"Can I get something for you?"

"We can go to the supply room. It has all of the instruments."

The man in the tuxedo suit halted them.

"Hey, Seiya!" the man said.

"You scared me, Kanata san."

"Sorry, Seiya. By the way, it's been a long time since you got back from the studio."

"Studies, Kanata."

"Who is that guy next to you?"

"I'm Ultraman Ace. This suit is trying to give an audience an impression of keeping a secret."

"Ace, your name is interesting."

"Your name is Kanata, what relationship are you with Seiya?"

"Well, he is my friend, we met when we first stepped in the studio. We hung out if Yaten and Taiki have something to do."

"I'm a singer also, but I usually do piano. I taught him to sing in sync, how to maintain the rhythm."

"You're his senior right?"

"Sort of, Ace."

"You taught Seiya really well."

"Just an assistance, this is their stage." Kanata said.

"So, Ace. Let's begin to practice."

"In coincidence, I have to prepare for my rehearsal, so see you soon." Kanata said.

"Bye, Kanata san."

Seiya and Ace bid farewell to her friend as they got into the studio.

"You got the drumsticks?"

"I have it."

Seiya then briefly introduced the instruments that he had.

"So, Ace. Now you've listened to my song, 'Search for your love', so today we're going to practice for the song. It's just me solo."

"Sang the song in solo?"

"I have to sing it in front of the audience, now I'm also in charge of the other's parts."

"Are you able to handle it alone?"

"I got to speak to Tanaka san first, However, let's start."

Seiya turned on the CD player, while Ace sat on the stool near the drum set, waiting for her call.

"This stool just fits me perfectly."

"That's the only stool, Ace. Get used to it."

"How can I perform this?"

"First, let me teach you the basics for drums, if you hit it on the center, it would have a loud noise, but, if you put it near the corner, it would become soft."

"Like this?" Ace said, holding the drumstick as he hit the drum on the center.

"Yes."

"And for the cymbals, the left is the hi-hat, the top is the crash cymbal, and the other one is the ride cymbal."

"I have to hit the cymbal?"

"Yes, that's right. So, shall we start?"

Seiya clicked the play button as the melody started, Ace closed his eyes and listened to the music, he enjoyed the music. However, he doesn't pay attention that Seiya had already sang fir the first sentence.

"Ace, come on. Hit the beat!" Seiya said.

"What?"

"When I sang, please hit the drum."

"I thought you mean I can only wait until you hit the chorus."

"No, Ace. The first part of instrumental, you don't need to hit the beat, but when I sang the first word, you need to hit."

"Alright."

Seiya pressed the play button once more, and the song played; Ace this time didn't get captivated by the voice of the Starlight; he this time hit the drumstick in the corner, it let out a soft sound. Seiya this time smiled a bit after hearing Ace be able to hit a small beat.

"Good job, but I would like you to hit the beat first in the corner, then you hit the middle; afterwards, hit twice on the corner, then the middle. Let me show you."

Seiya sat on the stool as she hit the drum as she told Ace about the pattern.

"That's it?"

"Today, we're going to practice until the 2nd verse, we will save the chorus for next week."

"2nd verse, is?"

"Here, Ace. Until the phrase ended in 'Sweetheart', that's it."

"So fast?"

"In the past, Yaten and Taiki negotiated for this song, since we must make sure the audience are able to focus on the song; and they are able to keep up on the rhythm. Some would sing along with us, if one of us either sang off beat, then the audience would feel confused."

"The concert is really important for you girls."

"Take the rehearsal seriously, Ace. This comeback is a rare opportunity for me and you, and it includes the Starlights. I know you like my voice, Ace. But holding a concert really needs a lot of time."

"You said a few months, Seiya."

"But that doesn't mean you need to slack, Ace. I almost thought you don't treat this practice seriously."

"What makes you say that, Seiya?"

"Some of the idols have conflicts with each other bandmates, I met one."

"What happened?"

"One of the bands fought with each other, due to the miscommunication and one of the members keep on being late on rehearsals; not behaving well during practices, he always eat when the leader told him to practice." Seiya said.

"Any injuries?"

"Is not that serious, Ace. Just simply having fist fights. Their manager was furious to see them fighting, because of this; the manager had to separate them for fighting."

"Simply separate them?"

"The manager told them to take a holiday for almost a month until they managed to calm down."

"That's a serious matter, Seiya."

"Don't blame me for being strict, Ace. I'm doing it for your own good. And this is also for you to experience how rehearsal feels like."

"I didn't blame you, after for what you said, is challenging."

"Let's continue the rehearsal."

Ace followed on what Seiya said, they rehearsed for 3 times on the opening; afterwards, they moved on to the second phrase, it went on the same thing as usual.

"Not bad, Ace. Now you managed to maintain the beat, so next week, it would be starting to get challenging. After we finished the chorus; we have to do it again, from the top."

"From the top?"

"I have to make sure you remember my teaching, Ace. There must be no mistakes during the concert." Seiya said in determination.

"No mistakes. I understand."

Haruka and Michiru are eating ice cream after leaving from the ice cream store, which is a few blocks away from the studio.

"Haruka, how do you like the ice cream?" Michiru asked.

"Tastes good, Michiru. I always want this flavour."

At the other side, Seiya and Ace left the studio and stretched their arms.

"Remember what I told you about the pattern of the drums, right?"

"I remember, I won't disappoint you."

Haruka and Michiru, along with Seiya and Ace walked pass to each other shoulders. Ace gave a short glimpse on the two figures and turned his head.

After a while, Seiya looked at Ace.

"Ace, what's the matter."

"I think I just saw, a blonde and a green haired girl walking."

"Don't tell me it was Haruka and Michiru?"

"Haruka and Michiru? Are they your arch enemies?"

"Just Haruka herself."

"Haruka hates you?"

"She is so sensitive in some times. I didn't even lay a hand on Usagi or Michiru, then she's like this."

"Well, if she appears, you better need to tell her to calm down, I'm on your side, Seiya." Ace said.

"I'm not going to fight with Haruka, I'm here just for rehearsing."

"I know. Don't worry about it."

Haruka and Michiru also got a glimpse of Seiya after walking a few steps.

"I saw Seiya, Michiru."

"Seiya? She's back?"

"I hope she wasn't hurting Usagi or somebody else."

"Maybe that's not the case, Haruka? You maybe thinking too much. Plus, the figure next to Seiya stared at us."

"I won't forgive her for hurting you."

"Isn't this the time for you to stop fighting with Seiya, Haruka?"

"Why should I, you supported me."

"That's the past, Haruka. You gave her a vow by protecting the princess, haven't you?"

"I did, but I still can't forgive her."

"If you meet Seiya again, you need to ask her what she is doing with the figure. If she doesn't bring any harm, then that means nothing to us."

"Ok, Michiru. I must control my temper."

"Save the worries later, Haruka. Sets is waiting for us."

I learnt drums when I was little, so I knew about the basic structures of a drum. How are you liking this story so far? Reviews are welcome, see you in the next chapter.