My love is abyss mode

Chapter 151 Band Assessment (4.2K)

Kuronuma brought over two chairs and sat side by side with Matsusaka Kanon and Inada Masashi, who had just returned with cola, below the stage to watch the band's audition performance.

Perhaps because there were two more people suddenly in front of him, the guitarist on stage, wearing a rock-themed T-shirt, began to tremble in his left arm, and the lead singer's voice began to sway and float, with the sound of him breathing quite noticeable.

This was a simple four-person band with two guitarists, no keyboardists, and the drummer and bassist were quite good, steadily controlling the melody and rhythm, but an accident still occurred.

The lead singer, who is also the back guitarist, slipped her guitar pick from her nervous, sweaty fingertips. Instead of picking it up with fingerstyle strumming, she looked down to find the pick, and her singing came to an abrupt end.

Snap, snap—

Inada Miyabi clapped her hands lightly, interrupting their performance. She shook her head with some disappointment and said with regret, "Let's stop here. It's clear you're not ready to officially take the stage yet."

Her statement was quite tactful, without directly criticizing anyone.

This is somewhat different from the strict rice paddy supervisor that Kuronuma had in mind; it seems that she was indeed much more relaxed after resigning from her job.

Perhaps it was because he had found what he truly wanted to do, Kuronuma guessed in his mind. He picked up his cola, took a sip, and his gaze followed the band as they bowed and left the stage with their instruments, stopping at the backstage entrance leading to the stage.

"Are there many bands to be audited?" he suddenly asked.

"There are many, and we are already selecting the best for evaluation."

Inada Masashi turned the laptop on the table in front of him so that the screen faced Kuronuma Kiba and showed him the long list: "There have always been quite a few people who like music, and Shimokitazawa is the spiritual home of Japanese rock. However, people who are not interested will basically not care. I had never watched a boxing match before I heard that you went to boxing."

"Do you need me to advertise for you?"

"Forget it, instead of advertising for this store, you should use your connections to support the band. The opening act of K1's year-end competition is also a rock band performance."

"Is that so?" Kuronuma Kiba turned to look at Matsusaka Kanon, who was sitting on his other side, and asked with his eyes.

“Yes, I’ve discussed it with their agency. If they’re popular enough, we can try to compete with the Kohaku Uta Gassen for viewership.” Matsuzaka Kanon smiled and nodded in response, indicating that Kuronuma Kiba didn’t need to worry, as she had already arranged everything.

Her beautiful grey eyes sparkled with wisdom, a stark contrast to Shinkai Shiona's innocent foolishness.

They grew up together, so why is there such a big difference between them?
As Kuronuma Fang pondered this question, he turned to look at the stage. While the three of them were chatting, the previous band had already packed up the stage, and a new band was about to take the stage.

"Good evening, everybody!"

The drummer, sporting a somewhat familiar princess-cut hairstyle, raised his drumsticks high and greeted the three below: "We are HoneyBomb! Please enjoy our first song! 'Want to Be a Cat'!"

As the drums beat and the instruments begin to play, this song, released in 1994, comes alive with new energy in the sweet voice of a young girl.

This band seems to have a lot of performance experience. They instantly become immersed in their own world, creating the atmosphere a livehouse should have even when there are only three people in the audience.

Kuronuma Kiba turned his head to Inada Miyabi, his gaze fixed on the drummer with the princess-cut hairstyle, and asked in a low voice, "Have I seen them before?"

"They started performing here as soon as the store opened, and this audition is to secure the best time slots."

"I see." He nodded, drinking his cola and quietly watching the performance.

All afternoon, Kuronuma Kiba spent the time assessing the band with Matsusaka Kanon and Inada Masashi. He was also a regular at LiveHouses, so he could at least tell how good they were.

However, compared to the number of bands, he saw many more completely different hair colors. It seems that people who play in bands always take special care of their hair and pursue all kinds of fashionable hairstyles.

A little after 4 p.m., we finally arrived at the last band, which was the band he was in, for the audition.

First up was Ryo Hatsushino. She carried the heavy electric piano and synthesizer onto the stage by herself, helped set up the drum set, and finally went backstage to get the expensive burgundy alien bass, standing on the left side of the stage near the corner.

He was dressed the same as usual, in black cargo pants, a large coat, and wooden clogs. What might have seemed a bit odd on a normal day actually gave off a "this is what a band should look like" vibe.

Momo Shirakawa stood on the right side of the stage, between the synthesizer and the electric piano, with her left and right hands each on one side. Her musical talent was outstanding, and the keyboard was destined to be the most outstanding part of the performance.

Perhaps because it wasn't a formal performance, her outfit was the same as usual: light blue jeans paired with a white sweatshirt.

Shinkai Shiona had specially prepared a performance outfit: a black mini skirt with an irregular hem, a sassy style, paired with matching long boots, and a soft white sweater tucked into the skirt's waistband.

This is probably why underachieving students have a lot of stationery. Unfortunately, she was sitting behind the drum set, which was located towards the back of the stage, so she couldn't be noticed from below.

Holding a guitar, Chitose Toyama stood slightly in front of the center of the stage. Her long purple hair was styled with a curling iron, and shadows covered half of her charming face.

She pulled the microphone over, her crystal-clear purple eyes meeting those of the black fangs, a sly smile playing on her lips: "An original song, 'Timely Rain,' written especially for someone. Please feel the emotions it evokes."

Since the time for her performance had already been set and the audience consisted of familiar faces, Toyama Chitose didn't stand on ceremony. She turned to look at Shirakawa Momo and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Because Shinkai Shiona couldn't effectively act as "conductor," the first sound to be heard wasn't the drums, but the muffled sound of the guitar.

As the backup singer, Shirakawa Momo's pink lips parted slightly, and her voice, which resembled a monologue, was not as soft and gentle as when she usually spoke. Instead, her voice gradually grew louder and pulled out a hoarse singing style.

"Flower heart, かす男"

"しかしながら~"

"抜け出せない——"

The sound of the electric piano followed immediately, with a powerful and brisk rhythm dominating the game. The drums, which had been delayed, finally began to play, but were almost negligible amidst the bass melody.

As the lyrics struck his eardrums, Kuronuma Kiba gave an awkward laugh, his heart filled with anticipation for this original song.

After the intro melody ended, Chitose Toyama stared straight into his eyes. After stepping on the distorted tone effect pedal, her fingers quickly plucked the strings. The sound, which should have been incredibly familiar, gave people a completely different feeling.

It was like the hoarse wind tearing through the gray sky during the humid and sultry plum rain season.

"The time of the day, the limit of private life, the limit of privacy, the limit" (I was at the end of my rope at that time)
"それでも" (Nevertheless)

"干ききった俺に君は大雨をdropらした~" (But you dropped a heavy rain on me who was dry and exhausted)
As the speech gradually quickened, the vibrating strings slowed down their rhythm.

"Rain is not practiced yet~" (The scenes in the rain cannot be released)

"いつしかsolid and solid" (seems to have solidified unknowingly)
As the first verse ends, there is a brief pause without human voices, and the melodious tune echoes in the air, as if trying to draw the listener into a rain-soaked night through the music.

Kuronuma Kiba shifted his gaze from Toyama Chitose's beautiful face to Shirakawa Momo on the right side of the stage, who was playing the keyboard with her head down, her expression unseen.

The gap was only a few seconds long, just as the second verse was about to begin, when a heavy drumbeat suddenly blared. Everything was in disarray.

This was Kuronuma's first reaction, but fortunately, the bass and guitar tones kept the rhythm going, so the minor flaw didn't affect anything.

"What's wrong with me?" (What am I dissatisfied with?)

The melody quickly moves to the chorus, the tempo suddenly speeds up, and Chitose Toyama's hoarse voice is about to sing the chorus, her nimble fingertips performing the most beloved high-speed guitar of Japanese rock.

Kuronuma Kiba was filled with anticipation, wanting to experience the feelings that Shirakawa Momo wanted to convey through this method.

At this crucial moment, the drumbeats completely went off track, losing all rhythm and failing to coordinate with other instruments, thus disrupting all other timbres.

The chaotic drumbeats, like a cat trapped in a cardboard box, thrashed about, revealing their ugliness even as the bass tried to mask them.

"stop!"

A cold voice interrupted the performance, the chill emanating from the tone sharp and biting.

Shirakawa Momo glanced back at Shinkai Shiona, who knew she had made a mistake and looked nervous, and took a deep breath to suppress the anger rising in her chest.

"This is not the time to be angry," she thought to herself. Turning to face Inada Miyabi below the stage, she said in a slightly apologetic tone, "I'm sorry, Miyabi-san. We will practice hard before the performance. If we still can't reach the level required for the performance, I will change the song."

After speaking, Shirakawa Momo glanced at Kuronuma Kiba's regretful expression out of the corner of her eye, and walked straight off the stage.

Because she usually has a cold expression, if you don't know beforehand, it's hard for Kuronuma to tell from her expression how bad the cat's mood is.

Fortunately, we were prepared.

He ignored the people packing up their instruments on stage, told Matsuzaka Kanon to go find Shirakawa Momo, then got up with the iced kaffir lime cake and headed towards the door leading backstage.

The two met in front of the long-term rented rehearsal room. Shirakawa Momo walked past Kuronuma Kiba with a blank expression, making no intention of stopping.

Why is my cat ignoring me?
Kuronuma Kiba turned around and looked at her back in surprise. Just as he was wondering what was going on, Shirakawa Momo turned around and whispered, "We're about to open for business. Let's go to the sound room."

"I bought you a cake. Are you in the mood to eat it?" Kuronuma Kiba walked to her side and handed her the cake box he was carrying.

"I eat because I'm not in the mood."

Upon arriving at the sound room, Shirakawa Momo unlocked the door with her key before taking the cake from his hand: "This is terrible. She was able to play the entire song perfectly last night."

"Performance on the spot depends on your condition, right? And playing drums seems quite tiring."

Kuronuma Kiba wasn't trying to make excuses for Shinkai Shiona, but rather because her performance on stage just now truly showed that she had given it her all, and coupled with her nervousness, her forehead was even covered in a fine layer of sweat.

"I know." Shirakawa Momo sighed softly, led him into the sound effects room, sat him in his usual chair, and placed the cake box on the workbench to open it.

The 4-inch cake is small, decorated with orange slices and smooth white cream, with a special chilled calamansi jam in the middle.

She used a plastic fork to cut off a small piece, her thin lips slightly parted, and just as she was about to put it in her mouth, she changed her mind and handed the cake to Kuronuma beside her: "Don't worry about me. Tell me as soon as Shiona-chan's matter is settled. I'm going to give her a good scolding."

"He just insulted her?"

Kuronuma took a bite of the cake, laughing as he ate, and said in a nasty tone, "I can beat her up for you."

Shinkai Shiona definitely wouldn't mind, and might even like it. Maybe she could even get Shirakawa Momo to join in so she can vent her frustrations.

Hearing this, Shirakawa Momo glanced at him with disdain and asked speechlessly, "You think I don't know anything? Shionai-chan can't hide her feelings at all."

Her easily seen through his act caused Kuronuma's smile to become increasingly awkward. Shirakawa Momo ignored him, turned her gaze away from the pests, and began to eat her cake in small bites with a plastic fork.

After a while, once Shirakawa Momo finished her cake, he asked in a concerned tone, "What are your plans? Do you want to change the song?"

Shirakawa Momo silently tidied up her workbench, threw the trash into the bin at her feet, looked up at the stage, her golden eyes filled with uncertain emotions.

Changing songs is indeed the best option. It's common for bands to cover three songs for their first performance, and many bands even only play one instrumental piece for their debut performance.

Even if Shinkai Shiona is incredibly slow, if you give her a song with a beat around 130 BPM, the drum beats won't be a problem.

If Shinkai Shiona is in poor condition on the day of her performance, Hatsushika Ryo's superb bass skills can cover up many flaws.

However, if we abandon original compositions
Thinking of this, Shirakawa Momo gently shook her head, her golden eyes meeting Kuronuma Kiba's with a determined look, and said firmly, "No, we must insist on original songs. I'll think of other ways."

What she's so persistent about isn't the original music, but the feelings she wants to convey no matter what.

Cats' awkward nature means they have a lot they can't say, and music is indeed more powerful than words. Things that can't be expressed in words, that can't be described with precise words, and that can't be clearly explained can be clearly conveyed through this medium.

"Do you like this song?" Shirakawa Momo turned her face away, her eyes drifting towards the workbench, her voice suddenly softening.

The outline of her ear, peeking out from between her short black hair, had a faint pink tinge, barely visible in the dim light.

"This is the best gift I've ever received."

Kuronuma raised his hand and rubbed her head, then leaned down to kiss her delicate profile, whispering, "Although I can't think of any good ideas, perhaps you could discuss it with Chitose-senpai, Ryo, and Shiona. Don't be too stubborn."

“No need.” Shirakawa Momo immediately refused, her face full of stubbornness.

"I hope you'll do that, after all, the band is a whole, right?"

"Tsk, what help can they possibly be?"

"Just give it a try."

Kuronuma's hand slipped through her hair and pinched the back of her neck. The cat immediately became much more obedient, pouting as she reluctantly agreed, "Okay, we'll meet at the mountaineering club tomorrow at noon, you have to come too."

Seeing the mocking smile in his eyes, Shirakawa Momo instantly suppressed her smile, slapped away the hand pinching the back of her neck, and said in a gradually cold voice, "Go away, I have to work, don't bother me. Also, only Shionai-chan doesn't know about the party right now, keep it a secret from her."

"Okay, I'll go find her." Kuronuma Kiba reached out and ruffled her short black hair, then turned and left under the cat's cold gaze.

As I pushed open the door to leave the sound effects room, Shinkai Shionai stood in front of me, her hands behind her back, her back leaning against the corridor wall, her head drooping, looking like she was seriously reflecting on her actions.

(End of this chapter)