Chapter 18 First Street Performance
Ichika's POV

It took a few weeks to earn enough money to buy Ena and Saki new instruments. Then, it took some time for them to get used to their new instruments. But after all of that, we were finally ready to put on our first street performance!

Currently, we were setting up our instruments on the side of a street in Miyamasuzaka.

"Who knew this stuff would be so hard to put up", Ena asked. "Plus, it's so warm out!"

"Yeah", Saki agreed. "But, it's all worth it! Because our instruments are set up and ready to go!"

"Great", Airi said happily.

"Saki", I heard a familiar voice suddenly call out.

I then looked, and saw Tsukasa coming up to us with a group of three other boys.

"Onii-Chan", Saki said happily before rushing up to him. "What are you doing here?"

"I am here to cheer you on at your first street performance, of course", Tsukasa replied. "And, I brought my group along to watch!"

With this, I looked at the rest of Tsukasa's group. Then, Airi and Ena gasped in shock after they saw one of the members.

"Akito-Kun", the former exclaimed.

"Akito", Ena started as she rushed to the boy with orange hair. "What are you doing here?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing", the boy (who was named Akito) said.

"Wait a minute", Tsukasa started. "Airi, Ena, you know Akito?"

"He's my little brother", Ena revealed.

"What", Tsukasa exclaimed.

"Would you look at that", a purple haired guy said. "It's a small world after all."

"Akito, isn't this amazing", Tsukasa asked as he wrapped his arm around him. "Our sisters are in a band together!"

"Yeah, yeah", Akito said, before brushing Tsukasa's arm off of his shoulder.

"Anyway", Tsukasa started. "Allow me to formally introduce the members of my group. This is Shinonome Akito, Kamishiro Rui, and Aoyagi Toya."

"It's nice to meet you all", Akito greeted.

"Indeed", Rui agreed. "Tsukasa is always talking about his sister and her band."

"It's nice to meet you all", Toya greeted. "And it's good to see you again, Saki-San."

"Good to see you too, Toya-Kun", Saki greeted.

"Huh", Ena said in shock. "You know my brother's singing partner, Saki?"

"Onii-Chan and I have known Toya-Kun since we were kids", Saki revealed.

"Wow, it really is a small world", Airi said. "Anyway, enough talk! We need to start with our performance!"

"Good luck, Saki", Tsukasa said. "I'll be cheering you on!"

"Thanks, Onii-Chan", Saki said.

Then, we all made our way to our spots.

"Airi, why are you still wearing your hat and sunglasses", Ena asked.

"Is it because of the sun", Saki asked.

"I don't want anyone to recognise me", Airi revealed. "Otherwise, the audience will be focusing on just that and not our playing."

"That makes sense", I said.

"Anyway", Airi started, changing the subject. "Is everybody ready to perform?"

"I'm good to go", Saki replied excitedly.

"Me too", Ena added.

"And me", I added.

"Great", Airi replied. "Then let's get started! Ichika, can you introduce us to the crowd?"

"Me", I asked in shock. "Why me?"

"Because you're the lead singer", Airi pointed out. "Which means you're front and centre."

"You…have a point", I said nervously.

Then, I took a deep breath.

"Okay", I said.

Then, I looked up at the audience, and got closer to my mic stand.

"Um…", I said nervously. "H…hello everyone. "My name is Hoshino Ichika, and, um…"

"You can do it, Ichika!"

When I heard Tsukasa's encouragement, It gave me a boost of confidence. Then, I took a deep breath, and spoke up again: a little louder this time.

"Hello, everyone", I greeted. "We're Youthful/Friends! You hope that you will take the time to listen to our song!"

With this, I turned around to face everyone.

"Everyone ready", I asked. "Ena-Senpai, count us in."

"Right", Ena said, before clapping her drumsticks together. "One, two, one two, three four!"

With this, we performed our song. We didn't get a huge crowd or anything, but a few people did stop to watch us.

When we were done, Tsukasa and his group came up to us.

"Saki, you did wonderfully", he praised. "So did you Ichika, and Airi and Ena."

"Thank you for cheering me on, Tsukasa-San", I said.

"Anything for one of my sister's friends", Tsukasa said. "Anyway, now that your first performance was a success, what are you going to do next?"

"We'll do more street performances", Airi replied. "And build up our performance experience!"