Chapter 1: Echoes of Darkness
Ami and Yumi stood backstage, their hearts racing with excitement as they prepared for another sold-out concert. The crowd's cheers reverberated through the walls, a symphony of anticipation that fueled their spirits. Ami adjusted her guitar strap with practiced ease, her fingers itching to strum the first chords of their latest hit. Yumi, beside her, tuned her bass with a serene focus, her mind already drifting into the melody that would captivate their audience.
But amidst the bustling energy of the concert hall, a faint unease lingered. Ami glanced at Yumi, sensing her friend's subtle tension. "You okay, Yumi?" she asked, voice soft yet concerned.
Yumi nodded, her trademark smile flickering briefly. "Just a strange feeling, Ami. Like something's... off."
Before Ami could respond, Charlie, their ever-loyal manager and confidant, rushed into the room with a hurried expression. "Girls, we've got a problem," he announced, voice urgent yet hushed.
Ami and Yumi exchanged a quick glance, their senses instantly on high alert. "What's wrong, Charlie?" Ami asked, her voice tightening with worry.
Charlie hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "It's Eldwin Blair," he finally said, his voice low. "He's up to something... something involving Satan."
The name sent a chill through the room, a name whispered in hushed tones among those who knew of Smiling Friends' darker mysteries. Ami's grip on her guitar tightened. "What does he want with us?" she asked, her voice steady despite the rising anxiety.
Charlie shook his head, his brow furrowed with concern. "I'm not sure yet, but we need to be cautious. Eldwin Blair is not to be underestimated, especially with someone like Satan at his side."
Yumi's fingers stilled on her bass, her expression thoughtful yet resolute. "Then we'll face them head-on," she declared, her voice carrying a quiet determination that echoed Ami's own resolve.
As the trio shared a solemn nod, the distant echoes of darkness grew louder, heralding the beginning of a battle that would test their bonds of friendship and their strength as musicians.