Chapter Text

Chapter 1: The Single Sword

A crowd clamored for more excitement–more sounds–more raw energy. The sound of a guitar, bass and drum rang through the arena, but the sounds were waning.

As the sounds waned, a single person walked down a hallway, each step forward unwavering.

“Miss Hitori, are you sure you can handle this?” A woman asked as they followed the person, staying behind them so as to not get in the way of their confident stride.

“Of course I can,” Hitori replied. “Nothing is too much for Swordmaster.”

Hitori was a teenager with long pink hair, a blue and gold cube hairpiece, and a pink tunic and pink pants. On her side was a black sword that had a blade lined with gold.

Hitori exited the hallway, coming face to face with the massive, shapeless crowd, three dark visages of musicians, and a massive creature.

The creature was thirty feet tall, its thin, blinding blue body made of many glowing diamonds. It had huge swords floating at its sides like many fingers, and its eight large legs were bent like a spider’s. Across its body were openable ports to release projectiles and other dangers.

Despite the immense foe, Hitori simply walked toward the creature. She drew her sword with a loud whistle across the air, the crowd cheering.

“That’s it?” Hitori muttered as she walked toward it. “I can handle that.”

The creature noticed her, taking no time to shoot its swords toward her, the swords audibly ripping through the air. Hitori ran toward the creature and brought her sword backing, swinging hard as the blades reached her.

Hitori and the creature met with dozens of strikes to each other’s weapons, moving just as fast as one another as Hitori approached it. Every strike Hitori released caused a pink shockwave to roar across the area, emitting the sound of a metal guitar.

The creature pulled the swords into a massive gathered blade, swinging it at Hitori., Hitori replied with a single hard strike into its blades.

The strike ripped the large blade into pieces, scattering the swords across the arena. The crowd SCREAMED in excitement as a loud guitar riff flew across the arena, a pink shockwave cracking the arena and distorting the air.

Hitori dashed toward the creature as fast as she could, turning into pink blur as she approached. The creature released a bunch of spears from the ports in its body and Hitori just deflected each one, short notes playing with each strike.

Once she got close, Hitori entered a lunging position, brought her sword back, and narrowed her eyes. With the audience’s rising cries, she lunged at the creature, dodged many more shots midair, and then reached its chest.

Hitori shot her sword toward at its chest as fast as she could.

And she woke up as she slammed her fist into a nearby nightstand with all her strength.

“AHH!” Hitori jumped up from her bed before falling to the ground and clutching her swollen fist. “Ow, ow, ow, ow, OW!”

Hitori rolled around for a while before finally stopping, grumbling as she laid flat on her stomach. 

“Hitori! Wakey, wakey!” Michiyo, Hitori’s mother, called out from the other side of the door. “School’s starting soon and you’re not missing the first day!”

“Ohhh...” Hitori groaned. “Just when I thought the pain couldn’t get worse...”

Hitori rolled onto her back and looked at the corner of the room, seeing her black-bladed, gold-rimmed blade. 

As she looked at it, she thought back to how she had gotten it...and why she hated school.

Hitori remembered her earliest classes, when she was a little Hitori. She stood in the corner watching everyone play, and her only friend was the teacher. Even when they were outside playing, Hitori found herself too quiet to join, and too nervous to tell the teacher that she wanted to be with the other students.

Hitori grew up the same way. Throughout every school year, she stayed away from friend groups, hid during free times, and went straight home without loyalty to any club. She spoke to no one on the streets or the neighborhood. And as much as she loved each person in her family, she didn’t talk with them much.

It’s not like her family wasn’t odd. She had never seen her father’s eyes, her mother was always cheery, her little sister was, uh...better than her in every way...and the shiba inu was a hateful creature. But none of them were as introverted as her.

But everything changed one day in middle school, when her calling came into her life in a moment.

She rested in her living room reading the newest comedy story. She stayed far away from normal adventure stories, because the heroine grew as a person (and she couldn’t), and she most certainly didn’t touch romance stories. 

But as Hitori dropped her book and then knocked it under the couch with professional clumsiness, she had to search under her couch. As she did, she found a bottle with a bright light inside.

Opening it, Hitori allowed the light–a Memory–out. Memories held recordings of creative events–songs, plays, dances. They were created by performers projecting their passion into physical space...so Hitori sure as heck never made any.

The Memory she found looked like any other, but its contents were more amazing than any.

She saw her father and his band facing off with a Musika Mekanic, the massive diamond robot creature from her dream. He and his bandmates rushed the creature with their weapons ready, the creature releasing a storm of attacks at them.

Hitori’s eyes lit up as she watched her father clash with the creature. The whole band played, but the guitar sounds from his blade were all she could hear.

Halfway through, as her father entered a wild solo, she felt eyes staring at her. She shivered before having to look away from the Memory, finding her father staring at her nearby.

“Ah...D-Dad, how long have you been watching?” Hitori asked.

“Long enough! Haha, I wondered where I had put that memory!” Naoki, her father, walked over to her. “Did you like the song?”

“I-It was...” Hitori glanced at the Memory. “Um...Do you...still have your sword? C-Could...I use it?”

Naoki grinned widely, nodding.

From there, Hitori went to his room and snatched his sword. She found a book with his old techniques and notes for songs, quickly realizing that learning to use the sword would be complicated...and very painful.

But Hitori launched into her lessons. She started by beating on an old training dummy her father still had, but soon progressed to facing off with Stonems, large multi-armed rock Golems that could be found in the fields near her house. 

Then, she went on to fight Stalams, a stronger type of Golem. When she found that was easy enough, she faced off with Reflems, the final type of Golem known for their reflective bodies and ability to shoot lasers. Against all the Golems, her music became stronger, more confident, and advanced with every fight.

As she fought these creatures, Memories were formed, though they only showed Hitori’s perspective, allowing viewers to see a tousle of pink hair and her father’s blade. Naoki recommended she start naming the Memories for anyone who passed by them, and even gave her a moniker to go by.

People knew the many memories of the field belonged to “Swordmaster”, some young, incredible swordswoman capable of fighting Reflems and making a good song out of it. 

She did sword covers of popular songs, which turned out quite popular with the locals and any groups that passed by the area. Swordmaster touted quite the reputation; though...her unique songs (which were as depressing as anything could be) weren’t incredibly popular...

So she just pretended to be a super happy girl with the perfect life! She had envisioned such a thing her whole life, so it wasn’t that hard to pretend.

Hitori was amazed by all the work she had done. That was until one day, where she watched the sunset and realized...SHE HAD MADE NO FRIENDS DURING ALL OF MIDDLE SCHOOL.

She had no new friends, did nothing throughout middle school, and no one knew she was a musician. Becoming a musician had only alienated her more! And it wasn’t like she could join any school events to show off her skills...the time had passed.

Which meant Swordmaster was left to fix her loneliness in high school. She had to finally reveal herself to the world in high school.

“Or die trying...” Hitori got up from her bed. “I...will play at the school festival this year!”

Hitori strode over to her sword, grabbed its handle, and lifted it high. Her hand flinched from lingering pain and she dropped the sword onto her head. Aand then it fell onto her foot, making her yelp again.

“Wh-Who am I kidding...” Hitori sighed as she grabbed her sword. “I’m in no band; I can’t talk to people, I can’t look at people; I-I stutter every time I talk, no one knows my name, people stay away from me at school;  people probably hate me, they probably wish I could cease my existence; EVERYONE IS GOING TO BE ROOTING AGAINST MY HAPPINESS!”

As Hitori continued to rattle off her fears, her little sister Futari and their dog Jimihen listened, giggling with each other. They ran off as Michiyo knocked on the door again, calling out to Hitori to get ready.

Hitori snapped out of her funk, taking a deep breath. “No...I-I have a plan this year to start things right...I’ll go to school head-to-toe with music paraphernalia. People will have to ask–They’ll become my friends–They’ll tell me to go to the festival–I’ll play–I’ll make a billion yen and be set forever...Yes...”

Hitori put on her normal pink outfit before putting on a shoulder guard, cape, some light armor, and other accessories, all of which related to bands. She also took a Memory she had bought showing off some boy band.

“I’m ready!” Hitori declared.

On her way out of the room, Hitori’s shoulder guard banged against a wall, causing her to begin twirling around. Jimihen ran by her feet, making her fall over and splatter a bunch of items across the ground.

“Are you okay, Sister?” Futari and Jimihen tugged at her hair.

“No...” Hitori muttered.

***

Hitori looked at her new school, finding a large castle and many other buildings. There were also many, many people, which made her feel even smaller than normal.

With some confidence, though, Hitori flung the door to her class open, expecting numerous people to turn to her with wide, amazed eyes. Instead, the four people there noticed her and immediately turned back to what they were doing.

Hitori went to a seat way in the back and struck a cool pose, showing off her accessories. As people flooded into class and merely glanced at her before looking away, Hitori quit doing the pose. As class continued and it seemed like everyone did what they could to not even look at her, Hitori began tossing her accessories into her backpack.

The most attention she got was when her Memory suddenly went off, Hitori having to throw it out a window before the class would start staring at her.

Class soon ended, Hitori stumbling out in defeat. Some people bumped into her and she rapidly stuttered apologies to them, but they just walked away like they had grazed some lifeless mannequin.

I-I guess that’s all I was with this plan...Just some toy showing off a bunch of things... Hitori realized. If they don’t care about music, then of course they won’t pay attention to me...Everyone will think I’m weird...and even the people who would want to talk to me would stay away if everyone else thinks I’m weird...

Hitori went down the hallway with only her sword at her side, her head hung in failure.

“Hey, that person has a sword,” a student spoke up nearby, Hitori whirling around to face them.

She gasped as she found three girls, including a girl whose bright face and red hair radiated an incredible energy. Energy so incredible that Hitori felt like it was melting her from across the hallway.

“B-Bright...” Hitori grabbed her sword and stuffed it down her jacket. “A-And they’re talking about me...”

Hitori fled away, the girls murmuring about her sword. The red-haired girl caught a glimpse of Hitori as she ran by an open window, seeing her fall over.

“She’s interesting...” the girl muttered. “And I like her sword.”

***
Hitori stumbled home, doing her best to stay away from people and avoid all eye contact. She was afraid news of her fumbling at school had spread across the city. She would be a pariah soon enough...Well, even more of a pariah.

I-I’m sure it’s not...that bad... Hitori slumped onto a playground swing, her sword clanking against it. I-I mean, there are plenty of lonely people out there!

Hitori looked at a man slumped on a bench nearby, letting out a breath of relief. She winced as the man’s family came by, hoisting him from the bench like angels, before they all walked away.

Hitori stared at the empty playground, sighing. “Why do I even go to a playground...People are going to think I’m a creep.”

Hitori got up to leave, but she heard some steps coming near. She looked toward them, noticing a blonde girl that was seemingly around her age, was at the same height, and was...smiling.

“Ohh, I thought they could have been like me...” Hitori grumbled.

“A sword!” The girl suddenly yelled toward Hitori, Hitori flinching. “Y-You! You have a sword?”

“Y-Yes–No–It’s a toy–Why do you care?” Hitori watched the girl rush toward her. Am I about to get robbed?!

The girl stopped in front of Hitori, looking up and down her before her eyes lit up. Hitori slowly raised her hands in surrender, trembling.

“Do you...know how to use a sword?” The girl wondered.

“Wh-Why...do you want to know?”

“We had a musician for a performance that’s coming up, but they ran away...Sooo...could you stand in for them?” The girl requested.

Hitori’s eyes grew wide, fireworks going off in her ears. I-Is this girl asking me to join a band?! Has it always been this easy to join one?! She realized. No...No, this is a blessing from heaven! The Gods appreciated my effort today and sent me this angel!

The girl stared at Hitori as she kept thinking, tilting her head. “Hello? Um...Can you help us?”

“Yes!” Hitori yelled, wincing as her throat strained from being loud for the first time in forever. “Ow...Uh...Y-Yes, I can help.”

“Great!” The girl cheered. “I’m Nijika! Let me bring you to our live house–Starry, have you heard of it? It’s pretty pop–”

“No,” Hitori stated.

The two stared at each other.

“C-Come on...” Nijika marched away, Hitori following.

***

The duo eventually reached the street where they could find Starry, Hitori looking around the unfamiliar area. Nijika asked if she had ever been around Starry, at least, and Hitori had to admit that she pretty much never left her house.

Nijika then asked what Hitori DID know, Hitori saying that she was good with her sword. Nijika almost dug further, but she saw Hitori shivering from the questioning and let it go. Hitori was grateful, thinking about how any slip-up could quickly turn God's gift into just another humiliation for her.

Of course, this event was one-of-a-kind. A girl like her wasn’t this lucky normally. She had to do everything right.

Every moment felt like a quick-time-event, with every movement and word being coolly calculated ahead of time. Hitori had dreamed of this situation before and was well-ready to make sure it went perfectly.

“Here it is,” Nijika told Hitori while walking down some stairs. She stopped as she heard Hitori mindlessly continuing down the street. “Hitori?”

“Huh?” Hitori ran back to her. “Oh, uh...I-I stopped paying attention...”

“A-Are you okay?” Nijika asked. “You’ve been jerking around a lot and you keep stumbling on words.”

“I-I’m fine, I...I was just excited and...you know...” Hitori began to mumble to herself too quietly for Nijika to hear.

“Eh..Hehe. I hope you’re more confident with your playing...” Nijika gave her a halfhearted smile.

The duo walked into Starry, Hitori’s eyes lighting up as she looked at the venue.

The venue of course had its necessities–chairs, tables, counters, drinks, people that Hitori refused to look at. In her many years of life, she had become quite acquainted with such things.

But what was most amazing to her was the stage at the end of the venue. It was a fairly large stone circle that several people could easily maneuver around Golems at. It had scars from all the battles that had taken place on it, Hitori imagining herself battling with Golems on the stage.

However, she noticed that the stage wasn’t large enough for Mekanics. It seemed extendable for larger opponents like Wyverns, but she realized that the place was definitely for small bands.

As they walked in, Hitori finally glanced at the people, seeing the musicians and workers were minding their own business. Her fast-beating heart calmed down with every step.

These people...are like me... Hitori realized. I’m finally around my people...

Nijika suddenly began to say hi to people, everyone replying with warm smiles. They always looked at Bocchi afterward, seeing her hiding her face in her jacket.

“Hey, PA!” Nijika called out.

PA? Bocchi lowered her jacket and looked forward.

She found a gothic, dead-eyed girl staring back at her. The girl smirked at her, Bocchi shivering.

“Hello, Nijika...Who’s this?” PA asked.

“Hi-Hi-Hi-Hi...” Hitori repeated.

“H-Hello...” Pa repeated. “Who is this?”

“Y-You’ll see. I need to talk with Ryo, though!” Nijika dragged Hitori away.

“Wh-Who is Ryo?” Hitori wondered. “Is that your bandmate?”

“Yup! She’s, uh...” Nijiika narrowed her eyes. “She’s a...person.”

Could...she not think of something nice to say?

The duo stopped in a backroom, finding a sleeping girl with short dark blue hair resting against a staff leaning against the wall.

“Ryo...Oh...Does she use a staff?” Hitori bet.

“No...Why are you sleeping on my staff, Ryo?!” Nijika spoke up. “You usually fall asleep standing up!”

“Huh?” Ryo’s eyes fluttered, noticing Nijika and Hitori, and she still decided not to get up. “Oh, you’re back. Hey, your sister left a message for you...She’s not very happy that you ran out during our practice time.”

“Ah...” Nijika winced.

“Sister?” Hitori whispered.

“I-I had to find another musician! You won’t believe it, but I really found someone!” Nijika moved Hitori forward. “She uses a sword! Just like the last one!”

“Really?” Ryo finally got up and moved inches away from Hitori’s face, her dead yellow eyes staring deep into Hitori’s. “How do we know she won’t run away too?”

Hitori glanced at Nijika’s staff now that she could really see it. It was split into different materials across its body, with its user capable of using different parts of it to make various sounds.

“Ah...I-I-I won’t...run...away...” Hitori leaned back from Ryo. H-Her eyes are so emotionless...and she’s so quiet and slow...I-I wonder if she’s maybe an introvert like me!

“Don’t be so scared of her.” Nijika patted Hitori on the back. “I can call her odd and she’ll take it as a compliment.”

“Don’t reveal my weakness to the new girl...” Ryo bashfully rubbed the back of her head, her face glowing with pride.

“Eh...Hehe...Y-You are odd...” Hitori commented.

“I don’t know you. Don’t call me that,” Ryo replied.

“Ah...” Hitori shriveled up.

“Anyway! There’s no time to waste! We need to practice! Our show’s coming up!” Nijika grabbed Hitori and Ryo’s hands. “Let’s get to it!”

Please let go... Hitori shivered as she felt Nijika’s burning hot hand.

“I don’t know her name.” Ryo pointed at Hitori. “Is she that temporary?”

Hitori winced, throwing her head back like a punch flew into it. “T-Temporary?! I’m not temporary! I-I’m going to be a part of your band!” She told them. “I-I’ve used a sword for years now! I’m really good at it!”

“Just using an instrument doesn’t make you a rockstar. You have to be a part of the culture,” Ryo argued. “I visit music stores across the country, see monuments to the greatest musicians of our time, and just know everything about everyone.”

She...She does what?! Hitori gulped. Sh-She’s not an introvert! She can’t be! I-I can’t go anywhere alone!

“You also blow all your money on pointless stuff and have no money to feed yourself,” Nijika scoffed, Ryo’s face glowing with pride. “CAN WE GET TO PRACTICING?!”

Hitori prepared her sword as Nijika grabbed her staff. Ryo, meanwhile, grabbed a large double-sided axe.

The duo moved over to some training dummies. Nijika told Hitori to follow her lead, Hitori nodding.

The trio raised their weapons, took deep breaths, and then Nijika banged her staff against the ground thrice.

The trio launched into a song together, swiping against the dummies to release shockwaves of sounds across the air. Their sword, axe and staff—guitar, bass and drums—rang proudly across the room.

After a few minutes, the trio stopped.

Nijika and Ryo looked at each other before nodding. They looked at Hitori, Hitori’s face lighting up slightly as she expected a compliment.

“You suck,” Nijika stated, Ryo snickering.

“Huh?!” Hitori flinched.

“O-Okay, maybe that’s a little harsh. I’m joking,” Nijika admitted. “But–”

Nijika stopped as she noticed Hitori crumpling toward the ground. Ryo tilted her head. “That hurt her...”

“I-I didn’t mean it!” Nijika repeated. “Y-You’re okay, but you weren’t playing with us! I-It’s like you were playing alone!”

B-But how...could I be bad?! THIS IS ALL I’VE BEEN DOING FOR YEARS! Hitori fell flat on her back, her sword flipping onto her chest. 

“H-Hey, I’m sure we’ll get over it! Don’t just die!” Nijika pleaded.

I don’t understand! I’ve fought hundreds of golems–covered dozens of songs–People love Swordmaster! Being in a band has been my dream! How could I...I... Hitori looked at Nijika and Ryo. I...have never done a song with anyone else...

“I think you broke her,” Ryo stated. “There’s enough time to find another one.”

Nijika bonked Ryo on the head, Ryo letting out a bored groan.

Ohh, I’ve never played with a band before! I-I can’t just do it now! Hitori realized. I’ve always played alone! I’ve never had to work with others! I-I can’t pick up on any cues–I can’t even look people in the eyes! This IS IT! MY GIFT FROM THE HEAVENS WAS...A CURSE! IT WAS OVER FROM THE START!”

Hitori dropped her head back, a small spirit of her popping out of her chest and floating away. Ryo prayed for the spirit, Nijika groaning.

“Hey!” Nijika stuffed the spirit back into Hitori “E-Even if you can’t play that well, we just need to survive today! Get back up and play with us, Hitori!”

“Ugh...” Hitori sat up. “B-But I can’t play with you two...I-I’m terrible in a team!”

“We’ll practice later! None of us have a chance if you don’t help us.” Nijika moved her hand toward Hitori. “We need you, Hitori.”

“Need me?” Hitori’s eyes lit up. “Ah...No one’s ever said that.”

Hitori took Nijika’s hand and got onto her feet, Nijika smiling. Ryo let out a straight-faced “wahoo.”

“Now, you two! There’s a crowd waiting for us to do our best!” Nijika told them. “Even if we’re not a great team, we all have spirit! Let’s do–”

“A crowd?!” Hitori flinched. “W-Wait, I can’t play in front of other people!”

“You were playing with us, though,” Ryo noted.

“You’re angels!”

Nijika and Ryo blinked a few times.

“I-I mean...” Hitori shook her head. “I-I can’t play if anyone’s watching me! There has to be a way to just...not have them watch!”

Ryo rubbed her chin as she walked away. Nijika shook her head. “People HAVE to watch, Hitori! That’s the whole point!”

“But you don’t have to see them...” Ryo walked back to them with a large box labeled with a mango drawing. “Henceforth, you’re the blind swordswoman ‘Mango-chan’.”

“Ryo, that’s–”

Hitori took the box and put it on. “Th-This is perfect! I-I can do it now!”

“What?!” Nijika flinched. “How are you going to fight a Stonem like that?!”

“A Stonem?” Hitori tilted her whole body. “Don’t worry...I can fight one without seeing.”

“Are you serious?”

“Uh...Yeah. Pretty sure.” Hitori raised her sword. “D-Don’t make me think about it too much.”

Nijika sighed before walking past Ryo and beckoning the duo. Ryo puffed her chest out proudly as she followed Nijika, Hitori stumbling after them.

***

The trio took the stage after the last band’s wonderful performance, everyone immediately noticing Mango-chan stumbling around the stage. With some hesitation, PA tapped around a board of glowing metals, finishing by stabbing a small dagger into a slit on her board.

The stage shook as the middle of it opened. A Stonem’s large hands grabbed onto the stage before lifting itself out of the hole, the stage closing itself afterward.

The Stonem flailed its four arms around before rushing toward the group. Nijika tapped the ground thrice, exchanging glances with Ryo and Hitori, before the trio rushed toward the golem.

The crowd watched as Nijika, Ryo and Hitori fought the Stonem “together”. In reality, while Nijika and Ryo were mostly good about striking it together and helping each other to block, Hitori was running around on her own. Each of her strikes were out of time with the other two and were way too loud or quiet, messing with the sounds of the drums and bass.

Nijika and Ryo noticed, however, that Hitori wasn’t lying about fighting the Stonem blind. She was able to dodge and block its strikes without even seeing them coming, and, surprisingly, her slashes across its body bore deep into the stone. Ryo and Nijika only did the same when releasing harder or repeated attacks.

Hitori still completely failed to follow the other two’s lead, though, so the song sucked. But they got through it, and they had enough energy afterward to flee the stage before they could hear anyone jeer them.

In their back room again, Nijika tossed Ryo and Hitori a towel, both failing to catch it. She sighed as she wiped herself off.

“That went...horribly, haha!” Nijika shook her head. “I-It might have been worse than our practicing! But we got through it, right?”

“That’s all that matters...” Ryo shrugged. “With that done, we’re on the path to becoming the greatest ever...and making a lot of money.”

“We are...Hitori, thanks a lot for helping us,” Nijika said with a smile. “You really saved us.”

“Even if you were bombing the most the whole–” Nijika covered Ryo’s mouth, Ryo continuing to mumble into her hand.

Hitori sighed as she lifted the box off herself, the duo gasping as they found she had a determined look in her eyes.

“I...I’ve learned a lot today...” Hitori confessed. “My skills...my flaws...and how much I still need to do before I can achieve my dream.”

“Hitori...” Nijika’s eyes lit up. “Are you...determined to keep working hard like us?”

“I-I think I’m doomed to never get better.” Hitori dropped the box back onto herself. “My whole life has been a waste. I will die like the bugs people were swatting away during the show...”

“H-Hitori!” Nijika groaned. “D-Don’t tell me you’re giving up!”

“I-I can’t!” Hitori replied. “Y-You two are the only chance I have!”

“The BEST chance you have. I did perfectly earlier,” Ryo replied.

Nijika bonked her again, Ryo rubbing a growing bump on her head.

“Ohh, you two don’t understand...My life has been so pathetic...I-I can’t run from a chance like this...” Hitori explained. “B-But I think I’ll hold you back the entire time...J-Just give me a chance to prove myself!”

“Are things really that bad for you, Hitori?” Nijika walked up to her box. “I saw how you moved. You’re really experienced and strong! Just...not a good teammate yet.”

“P-Please don’t make me reminisce to explain my failures to you...” Hitori muttered.

“I think it is that bad,” Ryo scoffed. “But we can use this, Nijika. She has to work with us. She can’t run like the other girl. Let’s have her stay and you can train her.”

“Yeah–What do you mean ‘I’ can train her?! We’re a team!” Nijika reminded her. “Y-You gave our band a stupid name because of that idea!”

“What...What’s the name?” Hitori wondered.

“Kessoku Band,” Ryo declared.

“Kess...Kessoku Band?” Hitori lifted her box. “D-Doesn’t that...word mean...”

“Zip tie...” Nijika sighed. “The name’s stupid, but Ryo won a coin toss and now we have to go with it!”

“Heh.” Ryo grinned.

“Hitori, we...we want you to stay. Any problem you have we can fix,” Nijika reassured her. “You seem like a great swordswoman...We need you on our team.”

“Nijika...” Hitori finally tossed her box off. “That...That means a lot to me to hear...” she admitted. “P-People don’t really pay attention to me...Anywhere...I don’t think anyone would notice if I disappeared...”

Ryo nearly commented, but Nijika bonked her again, Ryo genuinely whining as the bump grew worse. Nijika sighed as she rubbed Ryo’s head, Ryo purring quietly.

“I-I want...to stay...and be a part of a band...I-I don’t think I’ll ever be that good, but...I’ll do my best,” Hitori stated. 

“That’s all we need from a friend.” Nijika nodded.

“Friend...” Hitori’s eyes welled up with tears. “No one’s called me their friend in...however old I am...”

“Ouch. You really have no friends?” Ryo realized. “No funny stories or nicknames? I have plenty for Nijika.”

“Tell her about the time I had to work at a diner for you because you ran out of money...” Nijika glared at Ryo.

“That was funny,” Ryo stated, Nijika growling.

“N-No, I don’t have anything you would get from friends...” Hitori admitted. “The closest things I have to nicknames are ‘you’, ‘hey’ and ‘move’.”

“Th-Those aren’t nicknames...” Nijika muttered. 

“Hitori, I got it.” Ryo patted her on the head. “You are all alone, so you, Hitori, will be...Bocchi.”

“Wuh–That’s terrible! We can’t keep calling her a loner now that she’s joined the band!” Nijika argued.

“She likes it.” Ryo pointed at Hitori, Nijika looking at her to find her face lit up with endless joy. 

“Ohh...” Nijika sighed. “Bocchi it is...” She clapped her hands together. “Well, let’s celebrate, Bocchi! You’re officially a part of Kessoku Band!”

“C-Celebrate?” Bocchi straightened. “A-Actually, um...I’m totally out of energy...I-I should probably go home...Th-This place is like, two hours away from home anyway...”

“What?! We did one show against a Stonem! H-How are you tired?!” 

“B-Because I’ve been talking with...people...for hours,” Hitori noted. “I-I’m exhausted.”

“But...”

“You can go, Bocchi. I’m tired too...” Ryo lowered her head. “Just...come back some time tomorrow...”

“G-Got it...” Bocchi muttered.

“R-Ryo, you did even less than she did! Y-You were sleeping while I was–” Nijika gasped as Bocchi fled away. “Wuh–You...Ohh!”

Nijika sighed as she heard Ryo snoring. Her staff fell to the ground nearby, clanging.

“There’s no ‘ties’ in this band at all!” Nijika whined.

***

Bocchi walked home, her sword swinging against her side with every step.

A band...I’m really in a band...I-I might not be as good as I thought...but I’ve really taken the first step toward accomplishing my goals! Bocchi let out a small smile come onto her face. Though, I didn’t actually find the band myself, and I totally messed up our first show, and I had to wear a mango box the whole time, and I did several really stupid and cringy things, and...

Bocchi stopped in place, pouting. She took a deep breath before sighing.

I’m in a band! Bocchi thought. I-I can move forward from here! That’s all that matters! Kessoku Band...I’ll make it the best! And everyone will know me! I-I can already feel so much confidence from–”

“Hey, she has a sword,” Bocchi heard someone mutter nearby.

Bocchi hurried away, hiding her sword again.

“M-Maybe I shouldn’t be confident yet...How the heck am I Swordmaster and the weakest part of the band? Bocchi sighed. Oh well...I...just have to keep trying...I've officially started a new life!

~Arc 1: The School Performance~