Part 1

The crisp evening air brushed against my face as I made my way to the studio. The quiet streets of our town were a stark contrast to the storm of thoughts raging in my mind. Music had always been my escape, my secret garden, but lately, it felt like I was standing at the edge of something greater, something unknown.

As I reached the studio, a small, nondescript building at the end of an alley, the familiar sense of anticipation bubbled inside me. This was our haven, a place where our band, 'Echoes of Tomorrow,' came to life. The studio was cramped and cluttered with old equipment, but to us, it was perfect.

I was the first to arrive, as usual. I enjoyed the silence before the others came, the quiet before the storm of music and laughter. I sat at the old piano in the corner, my fingers instinctively finding their way to the keys. The melody that flowed was new, something I hadn't played before. It felt like the notes were pulling me, guiding me towards an unseen destination.

Akehiro was the second to arrive, the rhythmic tapping of his drumsticks against his leg ceased abruptly as he listened to the haunting tune flowing from the old piano. His usual boisterous energy was replaced by a quiet fascination. "Whoa, Itsuki, that's something new," he remarked with a raised eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe. His gaze lingered on the piano keys, reflecting a mix of intrigue and admiration for the unexpected depth in the melody.

Haruto entered next, his bass guitar slung over his shoulder. He paused, taking a moment to truly listen. "This is different from our usual stuff," he noted thoughtfully, his reserved demeanor giving way to a slight smile of approval. "It's... captivating." He set down his bass, drawn closer to the piano, listening intently as if trying to decipher a hidden message within the notes.

Yuna, arriving last, had a more visceral reaction. Her eyes widened as the melody washed over her, and she walked straight over to the piano, standing beside me. "Itsuki, this is beautiful," she said softly, almost in awe. "It's like you're telling a story, one that's a bit sad, but incredibly powerful." Her voice held a tinge of emotion, a testament to how deeply the music had touched her. She leaned against the piano, her expression one of deep contemplation, as if the tune had stirred something profound within her.

Yuna stood beside the piano, her eyes closed as she absorbed the melody that Itsuki played. After a few moments, she began to hum along, her voice tentative at first, searching for the right pitch to match the haunting tune. Then, softly, words started to spill out, her voice gaining confidence as the melody inspired her."Underneath the starlit sky, we dream alone..." she sang, her voice wavering slightly. She paused, frowning slightly, then shook her head. "No, no, that's not quite right," she muttered to herself. She took a deep breath and tried again, her voice clearer this time. "Beneath the canvas of the night, dreams whisper secrets untold..."Her words trailed off again, and she bit her lip, thinking. Itsuki continued to play, the steady rhythm of the piano giving her a backdrop to weave her lyrics into. After a moment of thoughtful silence, her eyes lit up, and she started again, this time with more conviction."In the echoes of the twilight, shadows dance and stories unfold," Yuna sang, her voice melding with the melody seamlessly. "Whispers of a forgotten path, in the melody, our fates are told." Her voice rose and fell with the tune, each word fitting into place like pieces of a puzzle. She smiled, pleased, as the lyrics flowed more naturally now, her initial hesitation giving way to a creative outpouring that complemented Itsuki's haunting composition perfectly.

There was a moment of silence. Then, Akihiro broke into applause, his drumsticks clicking together in appreciation. "That was amazing, Yuna, seriously!" he exclaimed, his usual energy bubbling to the surface.

Haruto joined in with a slow clap, nodding in agreement. "It's really good, Yuna, Itsuki. There's a lot of emotion in it," he said, his voice tinged with respect. "But, I'm not sure if it's the right fit for tomorrow's gig. It's... different from what our fans are used to."

Yuna looked thoughtful, her excitement dimming slightly. "You're right, Haruto. It's more introspective, not really the upbeat vibe we usually go for in our performances."

Itsuki stopped playing and turned towards the group, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "I know it's a departure from our usual style. I just got carried away with this new tune," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "Let's stick to our planned set for the performance. We can always explore this new direction later."

The atmosphere in the studio shifted as we collectively decided to return to our planned set for the upcoming performance. Akihiro set his drumsticks down on the snare, his fingers deftly beginning to tune the drums, ensuring each hit would resonate perfectly during our practice. He always had a meticulous approach to his setup, believing that the foundation of our music lay in the precision of his rhythms.

Haruto unzipped the case of his bass guitar, carefully lifting it out. He ran a cloth along the strings, a ritual he performed before every practice. It wasn't just about cleaning; it was his way of connecting with his instrument, a moment of silent communication between musician and tool. Once satisfied, he began tuning, his fingers adjusting the pegs with practiced ease, his ear finely attuned to the subtle shifts in pitch.

Yuna, meanwhile, flipped through our songbook, her eyes scanning the lyrics we had written together over the years. She hummed snippets of our songs, warming up her voice. Her process was less technical than the others, relying more on intuition and feel. She moved around the room, stretching her limbs, her voice gradually gaining strength and clarity as she prepared herself mentally and physically for the rehearsal.

I sat back down at the piano, running through scales to warm up my fingers. The piano keys felt familiar under my touch, each press a comforting reminder of the countless hours spent in practice. I glanced over the setlist, mentally preparing the transitions and cues for each song. As the unofficial leader of the band, I felt a responsibility to ensure our practice was focused and productive.

Our practice session began with the usual warm-ups, but there was an undercurrent of excitement. Tomorrow's performance was important for us; it was our chance to prove that our small-town band could make it big.

The studio, with its peeling paint and posters of old rock bands, vibrated with our sound. Akihiro's drumming was a heartbeat, strong and unyielding, providing the foundation upon which our music was built. Each beat resonated with a passion that spoke of his fiery spirit, his sticks dancing across the drums in a mesmerizing display of skill and energy.

Haruto's bass was the soulful undercurrent, a flowing river of sound that weaved seamlessly with Akihiro's rhythms. His fingers moved with a grace that belied the strength of the notes he played, each one a deep, resonant pulse that you could feel in your chest. There was a quiet intensity to Haruto's expression, a focus that told of a mind lost in the music, living in the spaces between the notes.

And then there was Yuna. When she sang, it was like the world stood still. Her voice was a force of nature, powerful yet imbued with an emotional depth that could make you feel every word. It was as if she wasn't just singing the lyrics, but living them, each word a story in itself. Her eyes closed, her expression a tapestry of the emotions conveyed by the song – at times a fierce glare, at others a soft, wistful gaze. Together, we were more than just a band; we were a symphony of dreams and determination.

As I spread my fingers over the keys, a sense of melancholy washed over me. The notes seemed to echo a farewell, each chord resonating with a subtle finality that I couldn't shake off. It was a peculiar feeling, as if the music itself was alive and aware of my nervousness. My fingers moved over the keys in a familiar dance, but my mind was adrift in a sea of uncertainties about the future. The melodies we created were more than just a sequence of sounds; they were the expression of our shared dreams and aspirations, yet on this night, they felt like an icy wind, blowing through and freezing my soul.

The rest of the band was lost in the rhythm, their faces alight with the passion and energy that our music always sparked. Yet, amidst the harmonious blend of sounds, I felt an undercurrent of something unspoken, a sliver of foreboding that I couldn't quite place.

Our session ended late into the night. We were exhausted but exhilarated.

As we finished packing up our instruments, Yuna approached me, her expression thoughtful. The dim light of the studio cast shadows across her face, giving her a contemplative look."

Hey, Itsuki," Yuna began, her voice cutting through the silence that had fallen over the room. "You seemed a bit off today. Everything okay?"

I hesitated for a moment, my hands fiddling with the small Crack that lay on the left-side panel of the piano. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking, I guess. About tomorrow, and, well, everything beyond that." The words came out more honest than I intended, a small window into the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind.

Yuna leaned against the wall, her gaze fixed on me. "I get it. It's a big day for us. I get that you're nervous, but you have no reason to be. You know, when you play, you have this fire in you. It's like the music is a part of you. Don't lose that, okay? No matter what happens." Her tone was earnest, a rare sight in contrast to her usually bubbly personality

I nodded, feeling a sense of comfort in her words. "Thanks, Yuna. It's just that sometimes, I feel like music is taking me somewhere unknown, somewhere exciting yet intimidating. Do you ever feel that way?"

Yuna pushed off from the wall and moved closer, her dark blue eyes reflecting the dim studio lights. "All the time. Music isn't just notes and rhythms, Itsuki. It's a journey, an adventure. It's scary because it's unknown, but that's what makes it thrilling."

I felt my cheeks flush as Yuna drew closer. While she might not have noticed, I was painfully aware of how much I loved and respected her.

"Together even, we both put our all into our music. It's almost as if music is our child, wouldn't you say?"

I felt my head begin to heat up with warmth as thoughts began to bounce around in my head. I knew I needed to say something, as Yuna locked her head to the side in anticipation. But, all I was able to do was sputter out some incoherent syllables.

Yuna laughed, "Just kidding nerd!" She chopped my on the head before slinging her backpack over her shoulders. "Bring your A-game tomorrow, Aki, we're gonna rock our first real gig!"

I watched as Yuna began her exit, waving casually to her as she left. "Our first real gig, huh?" I whispered under my breath.

I locked up the studio and began my walk home. The streets were silent, the town asleep. The moon was high in the sky, casting a gentle glow over the world. It felt like the world was holding its breath, waiting for something momentous.

As I walked, the melody I had played earlier echoed in my mind. It was haunting, ethereal, and it seemed to resonate with the very core of my being. It was more than just a sequence of notes; it felt like a call.

Just as I reached my home, a strange sensation washed over me. The world around me seemed to blur, the moonlight intensifying, enveloping me in a warm, bright light. The last thing I heard was the echo of the melody I had played, like a lullaby leading me into a deep sleep. And then, everything went dark.