The Class 1A Band Crew
Welcome everyone to the latest, and possibly shortest, chapter of Hailstorm Vol. 2! No guest reviews to answer this week, so let's just head right on into the story!
U.A.: Class 1A Extra Class Time
'So we've got exactly one month to pull off this song and dance show,' mused Clay as he finished up one of the latest assignments. 'That's more than enough time for someone who's had practice on an instrument to prepare, but the real kicker is gonna be who in class actually has musical experience besides me, Slade, Jirou and Momo. And Momo's more of an emergency band member at the moment as we both play piano/keyboard.'
"You actually still thinking that hard about the school festival," said Slade, breaking him from his musings, "that's a bit unusual for you."
"Well 'usually'," replied Clay, "but usually we're not part of the main show. I was always the guy who moved stuff around with his clouds, which is still probably gonna be part of the performance depending on whether or not we want to use effects. And then of course there's coming up with the music itself which'll affect what types of instruments we use and what kind of sound equipment we'll need to procure. And that's not even beginning to mention-holy shit I'm mumbling aren't I?"
"At least you caught yourself," said Slade, "Midoriya would've been through a laundry list and a half by now."
"I don't mumble that quickly," said the green-haired boy, "and besides Clay's right. A three person band is doable but we're looking to get the whole class to participate and it'd put too much on just the three of you, not to mention a percussion section is more or less an absolute requirement for just about any type of band performance. Then there's the logistics of making the dance costumes, pinning down what we can and can't do on stage, the types of effects we can create using both equipment and quirks-."
"And I'm stopping you now because that's already a laundry list right there," said Slade.
"Oh no I mumbled while trying to say I don't mumble!" Realized Midoriya as he grabbed his head.
"Ah don't worry about it Deku," said Uraraka with a friendly smile, "We've all had the school festival on our minds ever since it was decided what we'd be doing."
"And besides," added Tsuyu, "The rest of the class is brainstorming stuff right now, so we may as well focus on catching up with our studies."
"That's reasonable I suppose," Said Slade as he pulled out the next text book for their lesson, "why don't we see what we-oh great, it's English Lit." 'And that means it's time for me to step up to the plate again,' thought Clay with a sigh as he also pulled out his own text book and got to work. One of the few things that hadn't changed since their arrival in U.A., Slade and the others still needed a teensy bit of help with his native language.
Later That Evening: U. A. Heights Alliance
"So you managed to figure out a fair bit I see," observed Clay as he and the rest of the work study students listened to the plan the class had come up with so far. Thankfully it was all pretty straight-forward as their brains were a bit fried after finally catching up with the rest of the class academically.
"We're going with new rave type club rock music," said Tsuyu, noting how much of a mouthful it was to say.
"Jirou on bass and Clay on keyboard are obvious choices in this case," said Kirishima, "And Slade can shred on lead or backup guitar. But I'm still not sure I'm hearing right when you say Bakugou's on the drums."
"It is a bit unexpected," admitted Uraraka as she turned the image over in her head.
"You all got a problem with it?!" Exclaimed Bakugou in his usual shouting voice. The three U.A. students shook their heads at that, saying no to his question.
"Relax," said Clay, "It's just amazing to everyone that you have a skill in something that doesn't involve blowing stuff up or potential murder weapons."
"Bite me rain cloud," said Bakugou as he crossed his arms in a huff.
"Well its one problem solved at least," said Tsuyu, "but we still have the problem of who's going to sing the all-important vocal part."
"I thought Jirou was singing," said Clay and Uraraka at the same time before laughing a bit at the coincidence.
"W-well I," Jirou stuttered out nervously. Fortunately, or unfortunately in this case, she was saved by Mineta jumping in.
"If it's singing you want then I can do it," declared the Grape Boy, "It'll make me way more popular."
"I might could perform as a singing disco ball," added Aoyama.
"Well I don't know how to play an instrument," said Kirishima, "but you better believe I can sing." He then proceeded to pick up the mike that had been set up with some of the sound equipment and began singing, elevator jazz? The music was good but he sounded more like a patron at a karaoke place.
"I don't think that's the genre we're going for," commented Uraraka with a sweat drop. Right genre or no, it was still better than what came next: Mineta's unholy screeching into the microphone that was about one step above nails on a chalkboard. Slade was quick to shut him up with a chop to the back of the head. Then there was Aoyama's which was, better, than the last but only by a slim margin. He could only hit Falsetto, out of tune.
"Yeah I think Ochako and Clay are onto something," said Hagakure as she turned to Jirou, "I mean your singing is great whenever you teach us in your room."
"Hey, you'll make everyone's expectations too high-," Jirou started to say before Clay handed Hagakure the mike and she set it in front of Jirou.
"Just give it a shot," urged Hagakure as she moved the mike closer.
"It'll be fine Jirou," said Kirishima, "we're all rooting for you so give it a whirl." The rocker girl still looked a bit unsure, but steeled her nerves as she took hold of the mike and breathed for a moment to calm her nerves. Then, she began to sing.
"You know everyone," she began slowly, "wants to sparkle, like the stars in the, niiiiight skyyyyyy. In this wondrous place, filled with all our dreamsss. I've been waiting for, the tiiiiiime." As she finished the short piece, she looked back up to the rest of the class nervously. "So, how'd I do?"
"Maybe the slightest bit sharp on one note," Remarked Clay, "other than that, well, what'd you guys think?"
"MY EARS ARE SO HAPPY!" Exclaimed most of the girls in the class as everyone else cheered.
"I believe the decision is unanimous on this one," said Iida with a smile.
"Uh, great, moving along then," said Jirou, somehow still embarrassed about her musical talent. "Anyway, we need guitars now, two more to be precise."
"Oh I can, it looks so cool to play an instrument!" Exclaimed Kaminari happily.
"Don't you dare put your hand up unless you're absolutely gonna kill it dimwit," threatened Bakugou. Kaminari was about to reply to that until the sound of strumming was heard in the main room.
"Hate to say it but I think I'll be taking the lead on this one," said Slade as he shredded a couple of notes on the yellow instrument. "But if you think you can learn fast, then we can make it work."
"Well I can sort of play guitar," said a less sure Kaminari until the sound of more shredding was heard, from Tokoyami of all people as he played a purple guitar.
"You can play?" Said a surprised Shoji, "Why didn't you ever mention that?"
"To my shame I was once bested by the F chord," admitted Tokoyami, "I heard it brings down many a beginner, but eventually I picked the aux up again."
"Well let's see what you brought with it," said Slade as he carved out a rock and roll riff on his guitar. Tokoyami, while still outwardly stoic, responded with an even more complex riff. It was answered in kind by a string of notes from the density shifter's guitar which was matched again by the shadow quirk wielder. Before long the two were matching strumming speeds for a solid minute, then halting suddenly.
"REVELRY IN THE DARK!" The two guitarist said as they clasped hands.
"Uh, what just happened?" Asked Kirishima after witnessing the little duel.
"I think they just became guitar bros," remarked Clay. Everyone else shrugged before breaking into smaller groups to figure out who would be in the band, on the dance crew, and part of the effects team. It took them 'til one in the morning to get it all finalized, but at last, Class 1A's song and dance crew was fully assembled.
The Next Day: Gym Gamma
"Do you really think it was necessary to come here this early in the morning," questioned Clay as he plugged a couple of aux cables into his keyboard, "I mean it's not the first time I've had an early morning after a long night, but this still seems excessive for a little performance."
"You know this 'little' performance is supposed to be stress-relief for everyone, right." Replied Slade, "and besides, are you telling me you're not excited to play that keyboard in front of a large audience?"
"'Excited' isn't quite the word I'd use," Said Clay, "I'm always up for playing this little instrument but the audience size I perform for is five people or less in most cases. Not that I much care what the rest of the school thinks of our class. At this point they don't like us for any number of reasons and I honestly don't feel like keeping up with any of them or apologizing for stuff outside of our control."
"Then let's put our feelings into this jam," said Slade as he plugged in his own guitar and checked to make sure the sound was coming out of the speaker, "alright, we're set so, let's start this off!" The density shifter began with one massive note on his instrument, then two more as Clay came in with a fast-paced keyboard tune. From that point on they hardly slowed their pace at all, putting all their skill into this little warm-up. Clay in all honesty had to do his best not to sing the lyrics out loud as he didn't technically have a vocal part in the upcoming performance, for now, but he still couldn't resist saying a couple lines under his breath.
In another minute, the final note was struck as they ended the tune, allowing silence to reign over the gym once more. "Well," said Slade in between breaths, "at least we know the equipment works." Clay was about to respond to that until the sound of some applause was heard behind them. Turning around, they noted that the rest of Class 1A had entered. 'Whoops, seems we had a little audience to this test,' thought the cloud user.
"That was China Groove wasn't it," observed Jirou, impressed the two were able to pull off a tune like that.
"Well, yeah it was," replied the two as they rubbed the back of their heads sheepishly.
"Hey!" Yelled Bakugou in his usual angry tone, "we're supposed to be practicing together! Are you trying to show the rest of us up or something!"
"Ah relax, this was a warm up," assured Clay, "so, what say we get to practicing." The class collectively agreed to that as they got to work setting up the gym for what would hopefully be a great show. But in the shadows outside the gym sat a figure wearing visor-like shades with a scowl on his face. 'A song and dance show,' he thought irritably, 'can this class be any fuller of themselves?' His annoyance caused his quirk to activate slightly before he calmed himself and made the objects he absorbed retreat back into him. 'Just you wait Class 1A, you're little show isn't gonna overshadow us.'
And so it seems there are those whose dislike of Class 1A will be more, problematic, than expected. Hopefully what wasn't problematic was the length of this chapter as it's pretty much a prelude to hustle and bustle that'll be our heroes lives setting things up for the next chapter or so. Until then, feel free to leave a comment or review about what you liked/disliked or if you've got any neat ideas for future chapters. Be sure to stop in next time as our heroes prepare and Clay helps give a little tour of the school to Eri. 'Til then.