Wednesday 2 September 2000
The next day, Zaboru, Sanika, and the entire Zaraki band gathered together. At this point, the band had four main mbers: the usual Kingo and Masayoshi, along with a new addition, a bassist nad Bradley Kiyotake. Bradley was half Japanese and half Arican, and also a close friend of Masayoshi. Zaboru had personally approved his skills, as his bass playing was solid and his voice was strong enough to support as a second male vocalist. Zaboru particularly liked that combination, and Bradley had officially joined the band just last month.
Now, the group of five, along with Sanika, planned to visit Sanika's friend at the Mizuno household. However, in the end, only Zaboru and Sanika would actually go. The other three mbers headed directly to the studio to prepare everything in advance, ensuring that once Zaboru arrived later, things would already be set and ready.
Kingo grinned. "Boss, I'll prepare the studio while you visit her."
Zaboru chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, I'll leave it to you, Kingo."
There was a brief mont of understanding between them before the group split up. Kingo, Masayoshi, and Bradley headed straight toward the studio, already discussing preparations and equipnt setup as they walked away.
anwhile, Zaboru went with Sanika. The two of them headed toward his car, moving at a relaxed pace.
It wasn't anything flashy or luxurious.
Just a simple Honda Civic—one he had owned for years.
Despite everything he had achieved, Zaboru never felt the need to replace it with sothing more extravagant. For him, it was more than enough.
The engine started smoothly, and soon, the two of them were on their way to the Mizuno household.
Not long after, Zaboru arrived at the Mizuno household. The car ca to a smooth stop in front of the modest ho, and Sanika smiled softly as she looked at it.
"Here it is, Nii-san."
Zaboru nodded, turning off the engine before stepping out. He briefly observed the house. It wasn't large or luxurious, but it felt warm—lived-in, cared for despite its simplicity.
Together, they walked toward the front door. Sanika reached out and rang the bell, the soft chi echoing inside the house.
A few quiet seconds passed.
Then, the door slowly opened.
Kana Mizuno stood there.
For a mont, she completely froze.
Her eyes widened the instant she recognized who was standing in front of her. Hearing about it yesterday was one thing… but seeing Zaboru in person made everything feel unreal.
"Hello, Kana-chan! Sorry to bother you… and this is my brother, Zaboru."
Zaboru gave a calm, polite smile and raised his hand slightly.
"Miss Mizuno."
Kana's thoughts stopped.
"S… Sani-chan… a-and M-Mr. Renkonan…"
Her voice trembled, her body stiff from shock.
"P-please… co in…"
She stepped aside quickly, almost clumsily, still trying to process the situation. Her heart was beating fast, and even as she welcod them inside, it still didn't feel real.
It felt like a dream she hadn't woken up from yet.
Zaboru smiled as he and Sanika stepped inside. The house was small and simple, yet it felt warm and comfortable. There wasn't much furniture or decoration, but everything was clean and neatly arranged, showing the care Kana had put into maintaining it despite their situation.
Inside, the family was already gathered. Kana's father, Kazu Mizuno, stood near the table, while her younger brother, Kei Mizuno, watched quietly with curious eyes. Nearby, Kana's mother, Kawau Mizuno, sat in her wheelchair, her presence calm but clearly weakened.
For a mont, the room fell silent.
The entire family looked at Zaboru in awe, almost unable to believe that soone like him was standing inside their ho. Only Kawau remained composed, her gentle gaze observing him with quiet understanding.
Zaboru greeted them politely before taking a seat with the family, his deanor calm and respectful, without any sense of superiority.
After a brief exchange, he excused himself for a mont, then returned carrying a package.
"Here… just a small gift from . So gyoza."
He handed it over casually, as if it was nothing special, but the quantity was more than enough for the whole family.
Kazu smiled warmly, clearly grateful. "Thank you very much… we really appreciate this."
He looked at the food for a mont before adding, almost shyly, "We might save it for tomorrow."
Zaboru simply smiled, nodding without any concern.
"I don't mind at all."
His tone was light, but genuine, making the atmosphere in the room soften just a little.
Then Zaboru looked at Kana with a calm expression before speaking. "Kana-san… may I call you that?" Kana nodded quickly, still a bit nervous. "Y-yes, Mr. Renkonan…" Zaboru let out a small chuckle and shook his head slightly. "Zaboru is fine."
He leaned forward a little, his tone becoming more direct but still gentle as he continued. "I've seen your guitar skills on your YouTube channel, and honestly… I'm impressed. Your singing ability, your tone, your control—and your guitar playing as well. You have a solid foundation." Kana listened quietly, her hands slightly tense on her lap as she tried to stay composed despite the pressure building inside her.
"But skill alone isn't everything," Zaboru went on. "What matters is how you use it—how you perform under pressure, and how well you can adapt when playing with others. Playing alone is one thing; you control everything—your timing, your rhythm, your pace. But in a band, everything changes. You need to listen, to adjust, and to move together with others. And sotis… you need to keep going even when things don't go perfectly." A faint smile appeared on his face, calm but slightly sharper, as he observed her reaction.
Kana swallowed quietly, feeling the weight of his words, while Zaboru leaned back slightly. "But that's also what makes it interesting," he added, a quiet confidence in his voice. "So, how about it?" he asked again, this ti softer but more focused. "Would you like to test your abilities and see if you're good enough to join my new band?"
Kana was clearly surprised. This was an incredibly rare opportunity—sothing she had never imagined would co so suddenly. Yet instead of answering right away, her eyes slowly shifted toward her mother as hesitation filled her thoughts. Part of her wanted to accept imdiately, but another part held back, thinking about her family, her responsibilities, and everything she might have to leave behind. For a brief mont, she was on the verge of rejecting Zaboru's offer.
But then her mother spoke. "She will take it, Zaboru-san." Kana froze. "M-Mom!?" Her mother's voice was gentle yet firm, carrying a quiet certainty that left no room for doubt. Soon after, her father smiled and stepped in as well. "Yes… she will take it." He looked directly at Kana, his expression warm but serious. "Kana… don't worry about us. We all know how talented you are. This is your chance to make your dream co true." His words were steady, filled with both trust and encouragent, while beside him Kei nodded eagerly and added, "Go for it, Nee-san!"
The support from her family ca all at once, surrounding Kana and gently pushing her forward, and in that mont, the hesitation in her heart began to fade.
Kana's eyes began to tear up slightly, emotions quietly building within her. But instead of breaking down, she took a small breath and steadied herself, her resolve becoming clear.
"Yes… I want to try it."
Her voice was soft, but there was a firm determination behind it.
Zaboru chuckled lightly, clearly satisfied with her answer. "Great. Let's go."
Kana gave a small nod, her heart still beating fast, but now mixed with a sense of anticipation.
Zaboru excused himself politely to the family, and soon after, he, Kana, and Sanika left the house together. Before stepping out completely, Kana glanced back at her family one more ti, quietly holding onto their encouragent.
Not long after, they arrived at the Zaraki band's new studio.
The environnt was completely different from what Kana was used to. The space was larger, filled with professional instrunts, sound equipnt, and an atmosphere that imdiately felt serious.
For a brief mont, she stood still, taking everything in.
Then she moved.
Kana quickly began warming up, adjusting her breathing, testing her vocal range, and lightly strumming her guitar. At first, her movents were slightly tense, but gradually, she began to find her rhythm.
Zaboru watched her quietly for a mont before speaking.
"You're really good at singing 'Zankoku na Tenshi,' right?"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Let's play it."
Kana looked surprised. "E-eh… play it now? But… I haven't even rehearsed it…"
Zaboru chuckled lightly, his tone calm and reassuring. "Don't worry. We'll follow your lead. Just go with it." His confidence was steady, almost contagious, making it hard to refuse.
Kingo, Masayoshi, and Bradley all nodded in agreent, already preparing their instrunts without hesitation. Their movents were natural, as if they were used to jumping into a performance at any mont, showing just how experienced they were.
At the sa ti, the studio staff began setting things up quickly. Caras were adjusted, sound levels checked, and recording equipnt prepared. It was clear that this wasn't just a simple test—Zaboru intended to capture everything, treating it almost like a real performance rather than a trial.
He even planned to upload this to YouTube later.
Kana noticed that, and her heart skipped for a mont as the realization sank in. This wasn't just a casual test anymore—it was sothing real, sothing that could be seen by others.
She took a slow breath, trying to calm herself, then another, letting the tension settle. Gradually, she steadied herself, forcing her thoughts into place.
Kana tightened her grip slightly, then closed her eyes for a brief second before opening them again—this ti filled with resolve. The hesitation that had been there before began to fade.
Then she began to sing.
Her voice ca out strong, clear, and controlled, carrying a presence that filled the room. As she continued, her confidence naturally grew, just like it always did whenever she stepped into music.
No matter the pressure, she never backed down when it ca to singing, and that part of her remained unchanged.
Zaboru noticed it imdiately—the shift in her expression, the way her presence sharpened as she perford.
And he smiled faintly.
"Zankoku na tenshi no you ni
Shounen yo shinwa ni nare.."
As Kana's voice carried through the studio, the others began to join in, carefully matching her tempo and supporting her performance. The transition was smooth, almost natural, as if they had rehearsed together before, even though this was their first ti playing as a group.
Her voice remained steady and powerful, blending perfectly with the instrunts. The band adapted to her rhythm, covering her seamlessly, allowing her vocals to stand at the center while enhancing the overall sound.
Zaboru watched closely, a grin slowly forming on his face. She wasn't just good—she had presence. Her voice had weight, and more importantly, she didn't falter even under pressure. As the performance continued toward the end of the song, her confidence only grew stronger, filling the entire room.
When the song finally ended, there was a brief mont of silence before Zaboru clapped, followed imdiately by the others.
"Hahaha, that was great, Kana-san."
Kana blushed slightly, nodding as she tried to catch her breath. "T-thank you, Zaboru-san…"
anwhile, Sanika looked genuinely happy, her eyes shining with excitent. "Kana-chan, you were so cool!"
After that, they continued playing a couple more songs, testing different styles and pacing. With each performance, Kana beca more comfortable, gradually syncing better with the band.
Not long after, Zaboru called for a break. He then brought Kana into a separate room, where the atmosphere shifted slightly as they prepared to discuss sothing more serious—the contract.
Zaboru smiled calmly before explaining, his tone steady and clear. "If you join my band, Zaraki, you should know that we don't perform very often in public. Most of our appearances are limited to ZAGE events or when we are recording new video clips. It's not a traditional band in that sense."
He leaned slightly forward, making sure she understood every detail.
"But of course, you will be paid. All band mbers receive a monthly salary, and your main focus will be improving your skills and performing when needed. I will pay you around 70,000 yen per week."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"On top of that, you will also receive a percentage from any songs you are involved in. So the more you contribute, the more you earn."
His gaze softened slightly.
"And as a bonus… I will take care of all your mother's dical expenses. You won't need to worry about her treatnt anymore. She will receive the best care available."
He let those words settle before asking calmly,
"So… what do you think, Kana Mizuno?"
Kana remained flabbergasted, her thoughts still trying to catch up with everything she had just heard. She took a small breath before speaking, her voice slightly unsteady. "U..m… how much..? 70,000 yen per week?"
Zaboru smiled and nodded calmly. "Yes. But that doesn't an you can relax. You won't be allowed to fall behind—you'll need to keep improving yourself consistently." His tone wasn't harsh, but it carried clear expectations.
Kana lowered her gaze for a mont, still processing, then looked up again, another part of the offer hitting her even harder. "C..cover my mom's dical expenses..?"
Zaboru didn't hesitate. He simply nodded again, his expression unchanged. "Yes. I will take care of it."
For a brief mont, Kana froze completely. The weight of those words settled deep within her, and all the worries she had been carrying for so long suddenly felt like they were being lifted.
"I… I agree," she said, her voice trembling slightly but filled with determination. "I want to join!"
Zaboru smiled, satisfied, before calmly finalizing the contract. Everything was handled smoothly and professionally, leaving no room for uncertainty.
After that, he introduced her properly to the rest of the band mbers. Kingo, Masayoshi, and Bradley welcod her without hesitation, their attitudes relaxed but supportive, making it easier for Kana to settle in.
Not long after, they began practicing together. This ti, Kana felt different—more grounded, more certain of her place. Zaboru also handed her an advance of her first salary, sothing she hadn't expected at all.
Kana held it carefully, her eyes widening slightly. The reality of her new life was beginning to sink in, and a quiet sense of joy spread through her as she realized that everything was truly changing.
Later that afternoon, Kana returned ho, her heart still filled with everything that had happened. The mont she stepped inside, her family imdiately noticed the change in her expression.
"Kana…?" her father called, sensing sothing different.
Kana took a small breath, then spoke, her voice still slightly emotional but steady. She explained everything—from Zaboru's offer, the band, the salary, and most importantly… the promise to cover her mother's dical expenses.
At first, the room fell completely silent.
Kazu stared at her, unable to react imdiately, while Kei's eyes widened in disbelief. Even Kawau, who had remained calm through most things, looked genuinely surprised.
"…Is that true?" her father finally asked, his voice quieter than usual.
Kana nodded firmly.
The reality slowly settled in.
Then, almost at the sa ti, relief spread across the room.
Kazu let out a long breath, his shoulders dropping as if a heavy burden had been lifted from him. Kei broke into a wide smile, unable to hide his excitent, while Kawau's eyes softened, a gentle expression forming as she looked at her daughter.
"I'm… really proud of you, Kana," Kazu said, his voice filled with emotion he rarely showed.
Kei nodded repeatedly. "That's amazing, Nee-san!"
Kawau simply smiled, her gaze warm and full of quiet gratitude.
Not long after, things began to move quickly.
An ambulance and dical staff arrived at the house, their presence calm but efficient. Kana stood to the side, watching as professionals carefully checked her mother's condition and prepared everything for transport.
Kazu assisted where he could, while Kei stayed close, observing quietly.
Kawau was gently moved, treated with care and respect as she was prepared to be taken to a proper hospital—one far better than anything they could have afforded before.
Kana watched the entire scene, her emotions quietly building again.
This ti, it wasn't worry , it was relief, .It was change.
As the ambulance doors closed and her mother was taken away for proper treatnt, Kana finally understood that her life had truly shifted onto a new path.
This wasn't just an opportunity.
It was a turning point.
And now… the Zaraki band had its new female vocalist.
To be continue
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