Chapter 21: Ch. 21
( Haru Pov )
" Okay, so your name is Haru, correct?" A woman asked as she sat in front of me.
" Mhm." I nodded as I acted like a proper child.
" And... do you really wish to join our industry?" She asked with a concerned face.
" Mhm, my grandpa is ill, and I want to help him by using my talents." I replied with a higher pitched voice to sound more innocent.
Although I said that Gramps was sick but in reality, I fed him some horrible glob that I cooked up.
Which brought the question.
' Should I use this on my enemies as well?'
But seeing Gramps passed out onto the floor, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
" I...I see." Her face softened as she looked at her colleges, who were also judges.
" Ahem, well then, Haru. If you wouldn't, please. Can you sing this line? Line paragraph 3, line 7. "
A judge with glasses spoke.
I looked at the page and easily memorized the lines.
' Sing? I thought this was for actors.' I thought in my head as I started singing.
Luckily, I started practicing in my [ Acting ] and [ Singing ] in my room for the past few days after they scheduled a meeting.
" In a world of dreams, where hopes take flight ?"
" I'll sing my song with all my might~"
"Through highs and lows, I'll find my way,
In every note, emotions sway~"
It was short, and I'm sure I'll easily pass.
" You failed." They replied
I stood outside, looking at the building with a blank stare.
" Welp. Fuck you too." I muttered under my breath as I started walking away.
" Ex..excuse me."
" Huh?" I wasn't in the mood as I turned to look at a timid woman with glasses who held out her card with both of her hands.
" Please join!!" She shouted as she bowed while handing out the card.
I took the card with one hand and read its contents.
It was another agency, one I never heard about.
I was a little hesitant, but knowing my skills and experience, I'm sure I could survive. Hopefully.
" Sigh, sure." I replied as the woman stood straight and beamed.
" Yes!!" She celebrated.
It wasn't an agency but a band. Apparently they heard one of my singing which thought would work perfectly with their music.
Which is how I ended up in some club performing a small gig.
" You ready kid?" The lead singer, Haruto.
He was pretty cool until he gets into my.personal space. He seems chill as he took a liking to me because we both wore sunglasses.
" Sure, as long as I'm paid." I replied as inheld the guitar in my hands.
" Don't fuck up." The drummer, Emi spoke as her dead eyes locked with mines.
" Shut up." I replied which made her smirk.
" Not now..." The bass, Hiroki muttered.
There have only been a few hours of playing together that I git an understanding of them, and I'm sure they did as well to some extent.
And no one complained about a kid performing in a club as long as many people were cheering.
I didn't realize it, but I was having some fun at the moment and forgot everything that was worried about and focused on playing.
After Haruto sang his peace, he lowered the microphone down to my level.
" Your turn kid!" He grinned as I opened my mouth to sing from what I remembered from the rehearsal.
" Don't let my love float away~" Please stay~~"
I felt the wind carrying a certain smell that reminded me of my friends, though it lasted for a split second, but the faces of my friends stayed in my mind.
I plucked the strings and swayed with the wind that carried the music across the room.
A few hours ago, the band dropped me off with their van as I exited the van and stepped in front of my house.
" Oi kid! Here." Haruto gave me a guitar case.
" Huh? Haruto... isn't this your father's?" I looked at him.
" Yeah, but... seeing you play like that tonight... reminded me of those times. Keep practicing, kid. I'll let you know when we'll have another gig." He smiled as he closed the door.
I held the guitar case in my arms as I felt the air breezing behind me as i sidestepped a cane from above.
" Hmph! Seems your training has paid off. But where were you?" Gramps looked at me with a stern face.
" Music." I replied.
" I think I found something I love." I smiled and walked inside the house.
They were stranger sure, but I should also be thankful for the new spark I had.
( Gran Torino )
He was smiling, and it wasn't a fake smile this time but a genuine one.
I sighed as I felt relieved but also conflicted about Haru hanging out with strangers.
But, the boy having no parents must've been depressed, which is probably why he wasn't smiling that much for the past few months.
" Sigh, well... I should be happy he finally grounds something he loves." I shook my head and walked back inside the house.
( Haru Pov.)
Two months have passed.
Attending school, practicing on my skills and guitar.
During these times, I had gotten on many gigs with the band.
Playing music had become a passion of mine as continued to play.
The band sat outside of a small stadium our band finished playing in.
" Man... that was... epic." Haruto smiled as he drank his water bottle to help with his dried throat.
" Yeah... never knew so many people would be here." HIroki muttered.
" Eh, could use a drink, though." Emi grumbled.
" Guys! That was amazing!" Our agent Fuyuki came running towards us with excitement.
" Woah! What up? You never had that kind of smile before." Haruto smiled seeing the usual shy Fuyuki excited.
" I managed to get you guys in the Tokyo music–" Before she could finish, Haruto interrupted her.
" No way!!" He grinned as he looked at us.
" This is it, you guys!!" He opened his arms and leaned his hea dback to look at the sky.
" This is where we announce ourselves to the world!" He shouted.
Emi and Hiroki celebrated as sat there watching them celebrate.
Eventually, everyone was happy to perform on a bigger stage.
I, too, was happy as I continued to play with the band.
Every moment I spent playing with them, I had forgotten my objective, my future and past.
I felt truly happy as I became a lead singer with Haruto.
Everyone in this band came together for a reason.
Haruto, to honor his old man which was to become the top singer.
Hiroki met Haruto while traveling and came together for a gig for extra cash, which made them great friends.
Emi, she fell in love with the way Haruto sang, which caused her to join with her drumming skills.
And the manager, Fuyuki, albeit shy, she had a good ear for music and helped the band with practice.
Weeks past as we practiced as much as we could, and I always had to ask Gramps for permission before leaving the house, which caused him to grunt.
" You ready?" Haruto looked at me withba nervous smile.
I hugged the guitar to my chest, and I nodded.
" Yeah." I replied.
" Well, don't pee yourself." Emi spoke as she waited next to Haruto.
Hiroki tapped my shoulder and gave me a thumbs up.
I nodded as we waited for chance to perform on the bigger drag as the last band finished.
" These guys... can we even top that?" Haruto muttered as he watched the band step off the stage and pass us with tired expressions.
Haruto gripped his guitar with nervousness.
I sighed as I looked at the guitar given to me by haruto.
' Looks like I'll have to use that.' I thought as I manipulated the mana to my finger and plucked the guitars string, giving a beautiful melody.
" Alright, don't waste your talent. Save it for the audience." Haruto spoke as we all walked to the stage.
I nodded and followed them.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone