Chapter Text
Vivid street.
A street filled with street musicians both left and right, Vivid street is a place where a musician's dream has a chance of coming alive. It has been like that for years, and it will stay that way for many more years to come.
In this specific street exists a café bar named WEEKEND GARAGE.
In this café exists a person who created an event so astonishing that it has had such a large effect on everyone who had the ability to see it.
Especially for one group who only has one dream…
surpassing that same event, the event that has affected so many peoples lives up until now.
RAD WEEKEND.
The group that is dead serious on wanting to surpass this one specific event happened to be called vivid BAD SQUAD, and it consists of four members.
Azusawa Kohane, Shiraishi An, Shinonome Akito and Aoyagi toya.
Four people, different in every single way, yet got together to surpass the thing that all got them together. The one dream that found them all in the right place, at the right time.
But there is one slight problem the group is phasing at the moment…
Right now they were sitting inside WEEKEND GARAGE, deciding on where to hold their next event.
It was quite hard to decide where to have their next live, considering that most of their live shows have been repetitive lately, earning a sigh and groan from all of them.
“My god… We’ve already performed in all of these live houses in the span of like- 5 weeks!” An explains, waving flyers of live houses in the air. “What are we gonna do..!” Everyone just looked at her, before looking down at the table.
No one knew what to say. Well, before Akito responded with something.
“I mean, there must be bigger liver houses around here, right? I've seen some bigger live houses around here but I've forgotten what they were called…'' Akito said, searching something up on his phone.
“well, yes, but are we really ready for that?” Kohane chimed in. “I know that we have progressed a lot as a group, but is it really enough to be able to get us into one of the bigger live houses?”
“I mean, with how well we’ve been performing these past few weeks, we should have a decent chance of getting into one of the larger live houses. Plus, we can always ask Ken-san for more information.” Toya said, taking a sip of his coffee. All of them nodded.
''Good idea, Toya! I'll ask my dad when he comes around!'' An said, throwing an arm around Kohane, making her gasp a little, before leaning into the touch. ''Considering that practice is ending soon, maybe you two can go around vivid street and look for live houses we can sign up for!'' An said, pointing towards Akito and Toya. ''Me and Kohane will stay behind and ask dad if he knows anything.''
''Sounds good to me, I do recall a new live house being finished quite some time ago so we can go and check it out.'' Akito said, putting away his phone to begin packing things up.
''Sounds good to me.'' Toya replied as he also began packing his things.
It didn't take long before Toya and Akito were out the door of WEEKEND GARAGE. Simply wandering Vivid street.
They still had some time to kill before they had to go home, so they decided to spend that time searching up the live house Akito had mentioned.
They had a comfortable silence while they walked. Hands slightly brushing against each other, but both were embarrassed to reach out and hold the other person's hand. So they decided that a light brush was enough.
It didn't take long before Akito broke the silence.
''Hey Toya, did you know that the live house I was talking about earlier is actually owned by a pretty big musician here on Vivid street?'' Akito asked, turning to Toya.
''Really? Do you know who?'' Toya asked, turning as well to look at the boy next to him. He seemed curious to know, at least to Akito it seemed like it. Having known each other for years, it has become quite easy to read each other's expressions.
''From what I know their name was Aikawa Hakaku. From what I know he's around maybe 18-21? Honestly I am not sure.'' Akito said, showing him a picture of the guy on his phone.
Aikawa Hakaku… a street musician on Vivid street who has made it big over the past few years. He's known to have tutored some other musicians in the past and is now opening up his own live house. He had white short hair with black at the tips, forming a gradient. Tanned skin with grey/green eyes, fashion sense was just some simple street fashion, and just like Akito said he did look around 18-21.
''Oh my… Honestly I didn't expect a young person like him to end up this far… and the fact that he's had the ability to tutor some musicians? He must be good at what he's doing.'' Toya responded. He was right. The fact that he was able to do so much in such a short amount of time is quite astonishing. You could easily become envious of him, but at the same time be so excited to hear that someone had been able to get so far in such a short period of time.
''Yeah, that is true. I'm starting to get quite envious not gonna lie…'' Akito muttered before shaking his head. No point in getting jealous now, he still has many days and months to improve so he shouldn't worry too much. ''By the way, we're here at the live house.''
''Oh my…'' Both boys looked up at the live house that happened to be across the street from where they were standing. When Akito said it was a big live house, he really did mean that it was a BIG live house.
The house was two stories tall, lights shone so bright it could basically be considered day time, and it was… honestly quite mesmerising to look at. It somehow clashed so well into its surroundings that both Akito and Toya looked at it in awee. Both the boys have never seen something like this before, and it was honestly kinda intimidating. But who said a more intimidating challenge wasn't good?
''Say, why don't we go in and take a look? We should still have some time, right? Why don't we use that time to get to know the live house better and then report back to An and Kohane the next day?'' Akito asked, turning to Toya who looked back at him.
''Sure, why not?''
And with that the two boys wandered across the street and into the live house.
Walking into the live house, the first thing they noticed is that it was even bigger on the inside. From what they could muster up in their brain after being struck in even more awee, it appears that they were in a lounge with 2 check in booths on each side. The floor was made out of white and black marble, the walls were painted in a nice blue and black colour scheme and there was a red carpet going from the beginning of the room to the door which leads to the stage area, and on each side of the door were a staff/performer only door. Everything clashed so well that you almost couldn't even muster up the words on how good it looked.
''Holy shit… this is larger than what I expected..!'' Akito said with an astonished sound to his voice.
''Yeah, it really does..'' Toya said with the same glimpse of tone in his voice, looking around the place.
Suddenly, a voice could be heard.
Both boys looked around, before seeing a certain white-haired boy come from one of the staff doors.
Aikawa Hakaku.
''Oh my, I didn't expect to have some visitors at this time of hour, how lovely!'' Hakaku said, clapping his hand together as he walked up to the two.
''Welcome to 冴咲 (sara) livehouse! My name is Aikawa Hakaku. We opened this live house about 2 weeks ago and we currently have the live house opened 24/7 for musicians to come in and check the place out.'' He said, standing in front of Akito and Toya. ''And who may you be?''
''It's very nice to meet you, Aikawa. My name is Shinonome Akito. And this is my partner, Aoyagi Toya.'' Akito said, bringing his hand up to Toya to somewhat show him off. There he goes again with his 'good boy' persona…
''It's a pleasure to meet you, Aikawa.'' Toya said, bowing down a bit.
''Oh my, are you polite! There is no need for that, no worries.'' Aikawa said, waving his hands slightly in front of his own face. ''I've heard about both of you for quite some time now. If I remember correctly, both of you are in the group 'vivid BAD SQUAD'.. am I correct?'' He tilted his head a bit.
''Yes, you are correct. I'm assuming you know about our two other members, Shiraishi An and Azusawa Kohane, right?'' Akito asked, bringing his hand up to his chin to hold it. 'Seriously when is he gonna stop with that 'good boy' persona of his…?' Toya thought for a bit, before being snapped back to reality by Aikawa's voice.
''Of course I've heard about them. It's kinda hard not too when one of them is the daughter of the one and only Ken-san, one of the creators of the event RAD WEEKEND. '' The sentence RAD WEEKEND slipped off Aikawa's tongue like it was nothing. Like he's said that same sentence multiple times throughout his lifetime.
''Ah, I am guessing you know about RAD WEEKEND as well? Quite an amazing event, wasn't it?'' 'My god Akito please stop with the goddamn politeness-'
''Why of course! I was there to witness it myself! Quite a splending event indeed… such a shame no one has come close at all to surpassing it yet…'' … Aikawa said, basically cooing the last sentence like it was directed at them.
''... what do you mean by that? While yes there are still a lot of improvements to be made for those who wanna surpass it, but that doesn't mean that none of us are close at all. '' Akito spat out. 'Ah, his persona is slowly fading. He's always so defensive over things he cherishes…'
''Oh, I'm not directing it at any of you (you literally just where.) I'm just saying that some of you just lack the talent to surpass it! Especially some of you…'' Aikawa muttered that last sentence, making it hard to hear unless you were actually listening. His last sentence also sounded like venom . Like resentment in some way.
''Hah?! The fuck do you mean by that? Most of us are talented in our own way. You can't just spit out that all of are talentless like they're nothing??'' Akito said, his goodboy persona completely forgotten about, and now turned into a more defensive tone. 'Honestly if I wasn't here he'd probably have his fist in Aikawa's face at this point… ok even if I was here he'd still punch him.'
''Oh my! No need to get so defensive Shinonome-kun! '' The way Aikawa said his last name sounds like he'd just been called a slur and Akito doesn't like it one bit. ''But you know I'm right. Especially for someone like you. I feel like you've already gone through this conversation before, no? No wonder you've turned so defensive… you already know!'' His voice sounds like a snake who's ready to bite into their victim and release it's venom.
''Oh you shut the fuck up-'' Akito had already clenched his fist so hard that his knuckles where turning white, Luckily Toya had noticed it and placed his hand on his shoulder.
''Akito.'' It didn't take long before Akito calmed down. But there was still a glimpse of despise in his eyes when he looked at the man in front of him. 'That stupid fucking grin… his face would look good with a bruise right on his cheek.'
''Tch, tch, tch… really bad at holding your temperament eh? Your just like him…'' Aikawa cooed again.
''Like who?'' Akito spat out. He didn't wanna be here anymore, neither did Toya.
''I have a feeling you already know who…'' Aikawa said, putting his hand onto his chin to lean on it. ''By the way, you know that I am a singing tutor right? Here, have my number! Just call or text me if you need any help. Some of you may need it. ' Aikawa handed them both a business card. If it wasn't for Toya, Akito would've just punched him right there and left. But without saying anything, they both took the business card.
''Well, I should get going now. anyway, it was a pleasure having a little chat with both of you! But now I have to bid farewell.'' And with that, Aikawa walked out of the live house. The tense air was still lingering even after he left.
''... Akito, are you ok?'' Toya asked, he seemed concerned. Of course he is.
''Yeah no worries…'' Akito just shoved the card into his pocket. ''C'mon, let's get out here.'' Toya nodded as they walked out of the live house, and they walked home in a somewhat uncomfortable silence.
They walked until they reached Akito's house.
''I'll see you tomorrow then?''
''Yeah… goodnight, Toya.''
''Goodnight.'' And with that the two parted their ways. Akito, into his own house, and Toya walking home.
Just as Akito stepped in, all he wanted to do was just lay down and just sleep. Not caring if he had homework the very next day.
He took off his shoes and quietly walked up the stairs (even though he probably didn't need to, Ena's usually always awake at this time. Tch, why does she need to be so nocturnal…)
He made his way into his room and just planted face first onto his bed and sighed.
It's been a long day, he took off his jacket and the business card fell out of the jacket pocket.
… oh right. Aikawa's business card…
Akito just groaned as he picked it up, and chucked it onto his desk. He will not admit defeat. He does not need help. He knows what he's doing. He knows that if he ever needs help, he can always ask his own group.
….
A quick text was sent to the number that was written on the card before Akito shut his phone off, chucked it onto the floor (honestly he doesn't care if it breaks at this point) and just goes to sleep.
(Akito)
'Hey, still hold that offer up?'