Chapter Text
The familiar sight of Yamada Ryo's belongings made Nijika sigh, albeit with some semblance of mixed fondness and exasperation. Three amplifiers occupy the area under her bed, along with a single bass guitar propped up on a stand—just in case.
Perhaps Ryo just wanted to leave a trace of her existence in this everyday space of theirs. It's not as if Nijika is surprised by her eccentricity. Those people who tried to approach Ryo always ended up giving up on socializing. That dead fish-eyed stare, combined with made-up peculiar excuses, frightened them away.
"...That's what you're like," Nijika muttered, still with a slight smile on her face. "Dummy. You're always so unique, aren't you?"
Nope. Nijika knew that if she gave too much praise, it would go straight to Ryo's head. She didn't want to deal with Ryo's smug, knowing grin and her constant talk about how amazing she was. They had this conversation several times, and it always ended with Nijika begrudgingly agreeing while face-palming.
It's not as if it's a false statement.
They were a pair who tended to bicker on the surface level, exchanging prodding teases and snide remarks. However, there was never any actual malice behind their insults and quips. This is who Nijika is, as someone whom everyone sees as an energetic girl with big dreams.
Nijika didn't want her friends to see that part of herself. She sometimes wonders if she had used others as mere tools, as a means to an end, solely for the purpose of achieving her dreams—no, that's not it—it's more accurate to say that she's trying to maintain a certain facade in order to conceal her own insecurities.
Those thoughts plague her mind sometimes... Not that she can help it, no matter how hard she tries to shake off those negative thoughts. It's not that easy; it never was.
The drummer sighed again.
"Ryo's a pretty good listener though..."
Her mind wanders back to the time when she found Ryo alone on the school rooftop, gazing pensively at the horizon. She ponders what motivated her to approach the other girl and what made Ryo's short hair sway gently in the spring breeze, while her unique blank eyes stared in boredom into the distance. Her classmate looked lost…
Nijika had thought so at that time.
"—I prefer being alone," Ryo said simply during their first one-on-one encounter, as if she could read her mind. "no need to force yourself to accompany me just to make me feel better."
She blinked twice at the straightforward statement.
"But I want to get to know you better!" she blurted out without a second thought.
"Bass guitar's my favorite instrument." Ryo answered after an awkward silence, "It's fascinating to look at, but hard to handle, just like me. It can be loud, and it doesn't have to be pretty."
"That's not true! Drums are also important!" Nijika protested, her hands swinging wildly.
"A drum is a beat. Bass provides the rhythm and harmony. Without both, there would be no music."
Nijika pouted, and Ryo just chuckled at the blonde's indignant expression. "So, you play the drums?"
She nodded eagerly in response to Ryo's question.
"Cool." Ryo nodded back once, never breaking the calm atmosphere between them.
"Say, I have a dream..." Nijika started. "...wanna listen?"
(A friendship formed between the bubbly drummer and the aloof bassist; one that will last, or at least—for a very long time.)
If you were to ask Nijika about Ryo's role in the band, her answer would be: The heart and soul behind Kessoku Band's songs and melodies. There's no denying the talent possessed by the blue-haired girl—whether it's singing, composing, or even playing the electric guitar. All of these skills were honed and polished through Ryo's own efforts.
Her own unique style of music is one of the factors that contribute to the distinctive sound of their band. However, Nijika knows otherwise. Ryo is determined to create something that will be remembered—something that will leave a lasting impression.
"I'm going to create something worth remembering," the bassist told her as they walked alongside each other after classes had ended for the day.
Nijika could still remember that moment as if it were yesterday. She could still hear the determination in Ryo's voice and see how serious Ryo was when she uttered those words. Beyond the sounds of the murmuring crowd, the signals of traffic lights ringing, and the gravel crunching underneath their shoes—those golden irises had a certain way of conveying the heart & soul—only Ryo herself holds.
"I won't write trendy and commercialized songs."
Nijika completely understands that. Ryo's calm eyes revealed a subtle pained look in her placid eyes, accompanied by a stutter and a crack in her voice. It's not obvious, but the blonde is very perceptive and can tell. Ryo doesn't really talk much about the aftermath of her old band's fallout, if she could help it.
"They became desperate for sales... trying to keep up with the latest modern trends... what happened to writing honest lyrics that shake people's hearts to the very core...?"
The memory brings a small smile to Nijika's lips, and she lets out another breath, this time a little louder than before. Her fingers delicately glide along the strings of the instrument in question—a bass guitar—and she briefly closes her eyes, relishing the familiar sensation beneath her fingertips.
A gentle breeze blew against Nijika's face, sending strands of hair to flutter slightly in response.
The drummer opened her vibrant, crimson eyes once more.
"That's what I like about you, even if you purposely make me mad sometimes..." she whispered softly with a chuckle.
"Dumb bassist."
Those words were spoken with fondness.
The bass guitar's gleaming body reflects the sunlight streaming through the windows, creating a shimmering effect on its surface. Nijika reaches out towards the neck of the bass guitar—her fingers caressing the cold metal and tracing over every groove and bump on the surface.
The loud crash of cymbals reverberated in the live-house during one of the many Kessoku Band live performances. Ryo's fingers moved swiftly across the strings of her bass, utilizing bass-slapping techniques while Nijika's drumsticks danced in the air, keeping tempo with the song.
Kita and Hitori played their instruments with precision and passion as well. Each member complements the abilities of another perfectly. Nijika could feel a rush coursing through her veins, and a smile formed on her face as Kita began singing the passionate lyrics written by their beloved "guitar-hero". The addition of Ryo's own sound in this composition added to the excitement as she sang back-up vocals alongside Kita.
Nijika closed her eyes, focusing on Ryo's basslines and melody. The song's energy flows through the entire live-house, filling up every crevice and corner of its walls with warmth—the drummer felt as if reached right into her very core. She admired Ryo's ability to convey emotions so well through her bass.
This feeling of euphoria, this feeling of happiness. It's as if the universe has stopped, and all that matters is that this one moment will last forever. The drummer opened her eyes once more and glanced towards the audience. Lights were flashing everywhere, and cheers were erupting from every corner—it made Nijika's heartbeat quicken. Her chest tightened a bit, and suddenly it became harder to breathe, but she doesn't care.
Nijika is the backbone of this band, providing the foundation for the music they create. Ryo keeps everyone together by infusing the song with soul. Four of them work seamlessly together, creating a harmonious blend of sounds and emotions that resonate deeply within each individual listener—and Nijika wouldn't have it any other way.
Her sweaty hands gripped the drumstick tightly as she continued to bang on it with a furious pace—keeping the rhythm nice and steady.
The song ends with Ryo playing the final chord. A massive wave of applause erupted from all directions as everyone cheered enthusiastically.
After taking a moment to catch her breath, Kita spoke with a dazzling grin, "Thank you so much! We are Kessoku Band! We hope that our music has reached you!"
The four members bowed down respectfully before walking towards the backstage, leaving behind a deafening roar from their growing number of fans. After exchanging a flurry of 'good job!' and 'well-done!', Nijika couldn't help but sport a wide grin as they reached the backstage area. Ryo took this rare opportunity to ruffle her blonde locks, causing the latter to whine cutely at the gesture. "Ryo! You messed up my hair!"
"What? It's already messy, anyway. Also, you look cuter like this."
"I am not a little kid."
Kita giggled as the two girls start bickering while walking to the dressing room, and Hitori follows suit. "You two never change! Always getting along so well!"
Hitori hid a nervous giggle quietly to herself, smiling at the familiar routine again. It's always entertaining to see how these two can argue and still remain close friends. It demonstrates the level of trust and love they have for each other, even with all of their playful teasing.
"What?! We're not! Ryo's being annoying, that's what!"
Ryo snickered in response to her outburst. "I don't hear you denying that you enjoy headpats, though."
"Why, you little...!"
They enter into another state of bickering until they become exhausted. As Nijika walked behind Ryo, she muttered, "You did well today"—something she rarely ever says because it would cause Ryo's ego to inflate ten times its normal size. She heard the bassist humming with contentment, appearing satisfied.
That calm gaze from her honey gold eyes and the slight curl of her lips upward, Ryo appeared so peaceful and serene in that moment, as if embodying a completely different persona. Nijika huffed with a puff of her chest, "Just keep up the good work and don't slack off."
"Duh. I need my daily dose of compliments," Ryo replied dryly, rolling her eyes with a dramatic flair. "I'm sure that I won't ever get enough praises coming out of your mouth."
"Ugh! Now listen here, you..."
As the duo continued where their bickering left off, Hitori and Kita could tell that there wasn't any real malice behind their words. Just like always, they were both enjoying their usual friendly banter. They watched as Ryo and Nijika walked ahead, their arms crossed, talking in hushed tones.
Happy. They look happy. That's all that matters now.
In Nijika's train of thoughts, there were many questions swirling inside—questions about her own insecurities, doubts about what she wants, and uncertainty about her future path. But, being able to stand side by side with the people she loves and cares for the most, Nijika decided that she'll take it one day at a time.
"So, about the new song we should be working on..."
For now, this moment is enough for her. Nijika's content.
She doesn't want this moment to end—ever. In the end, her drums would always be in sync with her bass. Unwavering, strong, and unbreakable, the bond they share is something special and irreplaceable. That's the power of rhythm and heart.
Nijika's drumbeats, Ryo's basslines, Hitori's lead guitar, and Kita's vocals with her rhythm guitar. All combined, they form the melody that represents Kessoku Band—the zip-ties will remain intact as long as Nijika and Ryo keep the band together, just like they have done. They started out with just the two of them, after all.
"If you have some time, mind playing some bass for me?" Nijika asked on the rooftop one fine day, before they even formed a band in the first place.
"Why?" Ryo bluntly questioned back.
"Because I love Ryo's bass!" Nijika beamed brightly. "It gives off an amazing vibe!"
"...You're strange. But alright." Ryo sighed in resignation after a long silence, grabbed her bass, and pulled it out of the case that was propped against the nearby wall.
And so, the blue-haired girl played a simple melody, plucking away slowly on her instrument. Nijika watched intently as Ryo's fingers moved along her bass guitar, fascinated by the way she strummed and picked. She was completely mesmerized by her apparent skill.
The catalyst has been planted. Now, it's up to fate whether it blossoms into something meaningful. For now, Nijika enjoys the music that Ryo produces, immersing herself in the rock'n'roll melodies of those one-of-a-kind basslines.
(This is only the beginning. As the seed begins to grow roots, the flower will slowly bloom. Nijika's sure of that.)