Chapter 7 First Band Practice
Saki's POV
The following Monday after school, Airi, Ichika and I were waiting for Ena at the gates of Miyamasuzaka Girls' Academy.
"Hey there, girls", she greeted when she arrived.
"Hey there, Ena", Airi greeted.
"Great", I said happily. "Now that we're all here, let's head over to the studio for our first ever band practice!"
"Right", Airi said excitedly. "Youthful/Friends, move out!"
…
We had arrived at the studio that we would be renting to do our band practices in.
"We're here", Airi said when we arrived.
"This is so cool", I said excitedly. "I can't believe that we get to practice in an actual studio! It makes makes us feel like an actual band, doesn't it?"
"It does", Airi replied, before putting her bass case down. "Now then. Shall we get started?"
"Yes", Ichika replied, before realising something. "Um…how should we start?"
"I…don't know", I admitted.
"Well, whatever it is, we have to make sure to wrap it up before I have to get going to my night classes", Ena reminded us.
"Right", I said. "So…what do we do?"
"Hmm", Airi started as she thought about what to do. "Why don't we start off by picking a song to practice?"
"Good idea, Airi", Ena said. "Anybody got any song recommendations?"
"How about a Miku song", Ichika suggested.
"Miku", Ena asked. "As in, Hatsune Miku?"
"Yep", I replied. "Ichi-Chan is a huge Miku fan!"
"Is that so", Airi asked. "Well then, in that case, we'll let you pick out a Miku song, Ichika."
"Really", Ichika asked. "Thank you everyone. I'll think of a song that shouldn't be too hard to play."
With that, Ichika took out her phone and went through her playlist of Miku songs. After she found one that should be easy for us to play, we all looked up how to play along to it with our respective instruments.
"Okay", Ichika started when we were done setting up. "I think I'm ready to begin playing. Is everybody else good to go?"
"Keyboard ready", I replied excitedly.
"Bass ready", Airi replied.
"Drums ready", Ena replied.
"Okay then", Ichika said. "Let's begin. Ena-Senpai, can you count us in?"
"It's my first time doing it, but I'll try my best", Ena replied.
Then, she clapped her drumsticks together.
"Three, two, three two, one…"
With that, Youthful/Friends played together for the first time, and…we didn't sound that good.
"How was that", Ichika asked when we were done.
"It…definitely needs some work", Airi replied honestly.
"Yeah", Ena agreed. "Not only was all of our individual playing kinda rough, but we didn't blend well together either."
"You're right", I replied sadly.
"There's no need be upset, Saki", Airi reassured. "Not only are we all pretty rusty when it comes to playing our instruments, this is the first time we've all played together as a band. Of course it's going to sound rough. But I'm sure that we'll get better! We just need to practice!"
After Airi said this, she began thinking.
"Okay", she started after she was done. "Here's the plan! Let's all spend Tuesday and Wednesday practicing our individual parts by ourselves, and then we'll practice playing it together on Thursday and Friday."
"That's a good plan, Airi-Senpai", Ichika said.
"But…", I started. "…where will we get the time to enjoy our youth if we're just practicing all week?"
After I said this, I began thinking.
"I've got it", I exclaimed when I got an idea. "As an award for all the hard work we're gonna do this week, let's do something fun together during the weekend!"
"Great idea, Saki", Ena said.
"But what should we do then", Ichika asked.
I began thinking, and soon got another idea.