Shiori spun her bass pick between her fingers, her eyes flicking to her bandmates who were already in position.
"Alright... let's just start."
Nerissa gripped the mic. Bijou raised her guitar. Fuwawa placed her fingers over the keyboard. Mococo twirled her drumsticks with excitement.
Shiori gave a nod—and the count began.
One... two... three...
Music burst into the studio—though "music" might've been generous.
Nerissa entered too early with her vocals. Bijou's guitar came in sharp and jagged, clashing with Fuwawa's uneven keyboard. Mococo, meanwhile, played on a completely different rhythm from Shiori's bassline.
For a moment, it almost resembled a song.
Then—
THUNK!
Bijou abruptly stopped playing and groaned, "Okay, stop! This is a disaster!"
Fuwawa folded her arms. "What do you mean 'disaster'? I was playing the right chords!"
Mococo pointed her drumstick. "Maybe the bass is off!"
Shiori shot her a glare. "Oh, so it's me now? At least my bassline had structure—unlike your kiddie-sounding keyboard!"
Fuwawa gasped. "Hey! That's harsh!"
Nerissa sighed, sitting atop the amp. "You're all more interested in blaming each other than figuring out what's wrong. But honestly... even I'm confused. Why does everything sound off?"
They all exchanged frustrated glances—until Bijou raised her hand.
"I know why."
Four pairs of eyes turned to her.
She crossed her arms and tried to hide a smirk. "It's not us. It's the instruments."
Mococo tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
Bijou pointed to her guitar. "The strings feel off. I don't think this is a decent setup."
Shiori plucked her bass again, testing the tone. "Hmm... Now that you mention it, it does sound flat."
Fuwawa pressed a few keys. "Even the keyboard sounds unstable…"
One by one, they examined their instruments—and slowly, realization dawned.
Nerissa folded her arms. "So we're not talentless. The studio's just garbage?"
Bijou grinned. "Exactly."
They all looked at each other, then nodded.
"Alright," Shiori said. "Tomorrow, we bring our own instruments. Let's prove Advent isn't just some second-rate band."
"I'm in!" Fuwawa raised a fist.
"Hope my drum set's still in one piece," Mococo muttered.
"Then practice ends here," Nerissa stood and stretched. "Tomorrow, we try again."
Their first rehearsal had been a mess—chaotic, argumentative, and dissonant—but it lit a new fire in them.
A-D-V-E-N-T
ROCK ON!
---
After leaving the studio with mixed feelings, the five members of Advent decided to cool off together before heading home.
"Let's eat," Fuwawa suggested. "A full stomach helps the brain work better!"
They all agreed. Their feet led them to a cozy family restaurant near campus, its warm lighting and the savory scent of food offering a comforting escape.
They gathered around a corner booth. When their meals arrived—omurice, pasta, burgers—Shiori tapped the table.
"We need to talk," she said.
"What now?" Mococo asked, still chewing on fries.
"Our first song."
The mood shifted. Choosing their debut piece wasn't just important—it would define them.
"Maybe we can cover a song from one of the school's alumni?" Nerissa suggested, stirring her drink. "They've already made a name in the music industry."
Bijou nodded. "Good idea. But whose song fits us?"
They tossed around names.
"Suisei-senpai has amazing tracks," Fuwawa said. "Like Stellar Stellar."
"Or Step and Go by Tokino Sora-senpai," Mococo added.
"Don't forget High Tide from Moona Hoshinova-senpai," Bijou chimed in.
"ALiCE&u from Ayunda Risu-senpai is also great," Shiori said, tapping her fingers rhythmically.
They discussed each option—tempo, difficulty, emotional resonance, and how well each fit their current lineup.
"Sora-senpai's song feels too... idol-esque," Nerissa noted.
"High Tide needs a vocal powerhouse," Bijou agreed.
"ALiCE&u is sweet, but not punchy enough for a debut," Shiori said.
Then, they all looked at each other—thinking the same thought.
"Stellar Stellar," Shiori finally said.
Nerissa leaned back, smiling. "It's a masterpiece. Emotional, powerful, and challenging enough."
"Great keyboard moments," Fuwawa added, eyes shining.
"Strong rhythm section too," Mococo nodded.
"And killer guitar in the chorus," Bijou grinned.
Shiori lifted her glass. "Then it's settled. Our first song—Stellar Stellar."
They clinked glasses, smiles growing. Their first rehearsal had been rough—but now they had a purpose.
A-D-V-E-N-T
ROCK ON!
---
After dinner, the girls parted ways. Shiori walked with Bijou, while Fuwawa and Mococo headed off with Nerissa.
On the moonlit sidewalk, Shiori walked with her hands in her pockets. The night breeze played with her silver hair.
"Honestly, I still can't believe we're actually doing this," she murmured.
"You mean forming a band?" Bijou asked, kicking a stray pebble.
"Yeah. Of all the things I expected in life... leading a band wasn't one of them."
Bijou chuckled. "Same. I thought my after-school life would just be games and snacks."
Shiori glanced over. "Speaking of which, Kaela was wondering why you didn't log in last night."
Bijou groaned. "Ugh, yeah. I kinda slipped and told her about the band."
"Classic," Shiori smirked.
"But seriously, do you think we can pull this off?" Bijou asked, her tone softer. "I can play guitar, but I've never been on a real stage."
Shiori was silent for a moment. Then, "I don't know. But when I'm forced to do something... I go all in."
Bijou smiled faintly. "That sounds like you."
"And one more thing," Shiori added. "I hate losing."
"To Justice?"
Shiori nodded. "I can't stand Elizabeth's smug face. And Gigi... I want to wipe that smirk off her lips."
Bijou laughed. "Well then, Captain—consider me fired up. Let's crush them."
They continued walking in a comfortable silence, each lost in thoughts of Advent's future.
A-D-V-E-N-T
ROCK ON!
---
Elsewhere, Fuwawa, Mococo, and Nerissa strolled through a livelier street. They passed open shops and a bakery whose scent almost made them stop.
"Want something?" Fuwawa asked Mococo.
She shook her head. "Still full. But go ahead if you want."
"I'm good," Fuwawa smiled, and they kept walking.
Nerissa, a few steps ahead, glanced back. "So... what do you think about this whole band thing?"
Fuwawa and Mococo exchanged looks.
"I think it's exciting. Unexpected, but exciting," Fuwawa replied.
"Unexpected? It's insane," Mococo grumbled. "Form a band or get expelled? Who comes up with that?"
Nerissa chuckled. "Yeah, but now that we've picked a song, we've got a goal."
"Stellar Stellar, huh?" Fuwawa smiled. "A tough one—but beautiful."
Mococo folded her arms. "Still... we all have different styles. I'm not sure we can click."
"That's the challenge," Nerissa nodded. "But isn't that what makes it fun?"
Fuwawa tilted her head. "You're right."
"But if we fail..." Mococo muttered.
Silence fell.
Then Nerissa smirked. "Then we don't."
Mococo snorted. "You're too optimistic."
"I just hate quitting before trying," Nerissa said. "And if we can make Elizabeth and Gigi eat their words, it'll be worth it."
Fuwawa laughed softly. "Now that's a reason I can get behind."
Mococo sighed. "Alright, alright. We'll see what happens."
With that, the three of them continued on, hearts gradually igniting with newfound purpose.