After Anon told the others about the relationship between Tetsuya and Ai, both Soyo and Taki fell silent.
"That guy has a past like that with a popular idol..."
"It just sounds so unreal."
Both of them expressed their disbelief.
Then, Taki couldn't help but ask Soyo:
"Soyo, do you know this idol nad Hoshino Ai?"
"Mhm. Anyone who pays even a little attention to social dia should know about her."
Soyo said.
"A beautiful girl who had high hopes placed on her from the mont she debuted, a 'first star' who skyrocketed to fa at an unprecedented speed, a popular idol predicted to perform at the Budokan within a year..."
"Now it sounds even more unreal."
Taki couldn't help but shake her head, then she imdiately looked back at Anon.
"Are you sure you didn't get it wrong? Could it be soone else with the sa na?"
"I'm sure. I confird this with my brother a long ti ago."
Anon said with utmost seriousness.
"In [Sumr Zodiac]'s first music video, that stage outfit that got everyone online talking was designed by my brother for Hoshino Ai."
"...Chihaya-san is quite an incredible person himself."
Taki raised an eyebrow again.
Before, she had only thought of Tetsuya as a very talented young designer. She never expected him to have such an impressive "battle record"...
Co to think of it, is it really okay for them to ask such an amazing designer to design their stage outfits without any psychological burden or cost? Should they consider paying him sothing after this?
Taki fell into so very realistic thinking.
anwhile, after hearing all this, Soyo suddenly spoke up again.
"So, what does this have to do with our live show?"
She asked with her arms crossed, a look of confusion on her face.
"I can understand that you don't want Hoshino Ai to take away Chihaya Tetsuya's future... but what can our newly ford band possibly do?"
"Well..."
A flicker of hesitation crossed Anon's face when questioned by Soyo, but she still managed to say what she had to say.
"I want our band... to use this live show as a starting point and begin our activities with the goal of a 'major debut'."
"Major debut!?"
Hearing this term, Taki couldn't help but exclaim.
"Hey, you do know what that ans, right?"
Unlike bands that students just play in for fun, a band aiming for a major debut needed the skill to attract a record company, sign with them, and release comrcial albums. And once they were truly scouted and recognized by a record company, they would no longer be amateurs, but would officially beco professional musicians.
Never mind their band, which had been ford less than a month ago; even many bands that had been active in various live houses and bars for years couldn't reach that level—
"Setting aside the feasibility of this goal... what happens after we make our major debut?"
Soyo continued to press.
"What do you hope to change by having a major debut?"
"The sa thing Hoshino Ai wants to do... I hope that through this, we can increase our influence and protect my brother."
Anon said.
"Even if we can't reach Hoshino Ai's level, at the very least, we can't let her do whatever she wants."
"..."
Soyo fell into deep thought.
On the other side, Taki said:
"It's impossible. According to what you just said, it seems Hoshino Ai is planning to show her hand in May, right? That tifra is way too tight for a band. In less than a month, we'll only have enough ti to release a few singles. Without our own album, there's no way our band can gain the popularity and influence to compete with a top idol."
Although she was refuting Anon as usual, this ti, Taki was analyzing the situation seriously and without any petulance.
"And among the five of us, besides Raana, the other four, including , are nowhere near the level of a major debut. Especially you. Although you've been practicing hard lately and have made obvious progress, you're still a long way from the level of a professional guitarist."
"Ugh..."
A look of frustration appeared on Anon's face.
At first, she had wanted to form a band just to get everyone's approval and beco popular at school. But now, with the appearance of the girl nad Togawa Sakiko and the whole entanglent between Tetsuya and Ai, she gradually realized she couldn't be so carefree anymore.
Of course, she wasn't ignorant of the objective analysis Taki had laid out. In fact, she was more aware of her own lack of skill than anyone.
But, if she really did nothing, she would probably have to just sit back and watch her brother be snatched away by soone else—
"...If we're just working towards that goal, it should be fine, right?"
Just then, Soyo suddenly spoke up.
"For us, it just ans increasing our training a bit, participating in as many live shows as possible, and raising our profile."
"Huh? Are you serious?"
Taki shot Soyo an incredulous look.
"Given our current skill level, it's not as simple as just 'a bit'. And... if we really plan to have a major debut, that basically ans our future career paths will be decided. This isn't sothing we can decide with just a few words."
"I know. So, we're going to discuss this together now."
Soyo calmly took out her phone.
"I'll call Tomori over. After she gets here, the five of us will make a decision together... Anon."
"Hm?"
"About your brother... This is just my personal opinion, but I don't think he'll really let Hoshino Ai willfully strip away his career as a designer."
Soyo said.
"There's nothing that can't be solved with proper communication. This is a lesson your brother taught , and he must know it himself. Given your brother's... eloquence, I don't think you need to worry to that extent... However, your desire to do sothing about it isn't wrong. At least personally, I'm not opposed to us aiming for a 'major debut'."
"Soyo..."
Anon stared blankly at Soyo for a good while before speaking.
"Even though you're always complaining about my brother, you really do respect him in your heart, don't you?"
"...Hello? Tomori? Could you co to [RiNG] right away? We have sothing important to discuss with you."
"Ah, I'm being ignored..."
Although she was ignored so rcilessly, Anon's expression showed no sign of dejection. Instead, a smile appeared on her face.
Whether it was Taki or Soyo, although their viewpoints differed, neither of them had opposed her motive to "protect her brother."
This band, which had slowly co together with Tetsuya's help, was at least quite united when it ca to matters concerning him.
"This live... has to be a success."
For the future of this band, and to protect my brother!
"Speaking of which, how is Taki's song coming along?"
"It's finished. It's just that our ti slot that day allows for one more song. It's not realistic to write another new one, so I was considering what to cover—"
"You guys have another song, don't you?"
Anon said.
"The one created by your [CRYCHIC]—'Haruhikage'."
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