* * *
“Hey, Takuto... what is this?”
In front of the large speakers at the Hasu residence.
“It’s incredibly good...!”
My black-haired childhood friend pinched the arm of my shirt and pulled it, her eyes wider than usual.
“Right?!”
“To think there's a rock band like this in Japan...! But at the same time, this sense of wabi-sabi or atmosphere—I don't think anyone but a Japanese person could produce it. What is this, it's unbelievable, it's insane...”
While she talked volubly with a review that oscillated between being articulate and having no vocabulary, she turned her sparkling eyes toward me.
“As expected of Takuto, finding this was a total win.”
“It wasn't really me; the Tower Records in Ikebukuro was the win.”
The Doors, The Shaggs, Oasis, Miles Davis, The Beatles... Sako and I used to listen mostly to Western music and Jazz records or CDs.
Today, I happened to have business in Ikebukuro.
On the way back, despite not having enough allowance to buy new releases, I went to Tower Records since I was already there. I ended up listening to an album by a Japanese band in a listening station on a whim. And then, unable to sit still because it was so wonderful, I spent my meager allowance to buy it and bring it home. That was this CD.
While playing with phrases from all sorts of music from all times and places, the melodies were catchy yet not too pop.
The lyrical lyrics were evocative; even if you didn't quite know what they were singing about, they somehow pierced your heart.
Ever since they debuted in their teens, they had always been both unorthodox and mainstream, leading the Japanese music scene from a unique position that couldn't be imitated no matter how hard anyone tried. This band grabbed the hearts of Sako and me, who had only just started listening to music, and didn't let go.
“What was the band's name again?”
I took the CD out once more.
“...Wow-Flutter.”
I read the band name.
“Heh... Wow-Flutter. What does that mean?”
“If I remember correctly, I think it meant something like the distortion in the sound of a record.”
“Hmm... Hey, do they have any lives? They’re living Japanese people, right? I want to go.”
I couldn't help but chuckle at the expression 'living Japanese people.' Well, we really do only listen to the opposite kind of music... I didn't say it out loud, though.
“Oh, it looks like there's a tour for this album coming up.”
I read out the small flyer enclosed in the CD.
“Let's go. Let's apply for tickets right away.”
We successfully got tickets through the CD buyer's pre-sale, and Sako and I ended up going to our first standing live performance together.
The way to the live house was filled with talk about Wow-Flutter, but the way back was something else entirely.
“The live was even better than the recording!”
“Right! I was worried it might sound thin live because the recording has so many layers of sound, but it wasn't like that at all. Amazing...”
“Yeah! And today they were a three-piece, you know? Unbelievable!”
Her voice bounced and popped, reflecting off the window of the empty train.
“If we ever form a band someday, then—”
Then, she innocently raised the corners of her mouth in a wide grin.
“Let's definitely do a tai-ban with Wow-Flutter!”
“Yeah...!”
“Yeah! It’s a promise!”
“Ahem... excuse me, young lady, your voice is a bit loud.”
That was probably the only time, before or since, that Sako received such a warning.
* * *
...Or so I thought.
“Wow-Flutter?!”
“Hey, Sakohasu, your voice is too loud...! Wait, was that really Sakohasu's voice just now?”
Yuri Azuma—amane's lyricist and manager—frowned and scolded Sako after returning from a phone call in the lobby of Studio Octa, a rental studio in Kichijoji.
“No, it's soundproof here. That doesn't matter. Hey, Takuto, did you hear?”
“Ah, yeah, I couldn't believe my ears but...”
The news Yuri just gave us made the fact that Sako raised her voice irrelevant; it was making my brain burn with a white flame.
“Yuri, just to confirm, does that mean... we can do a tai-ban with Wow-Flutter?”
I confirmed with her slowly before letting myself get too excited.
“Yeah, that's what it means. Well, the number of participating bands is more than usual, but a tai-ban is a tai-ban.”
The person on the other end of the call to Yuri was from the live house Planetary System.
As a 30th-anniversary event for Planetary System, they were apparently going to call ten bands to play from afternoon until night on the day of the anniversary, and this was an invitation to perform at that live.
And, it seems Wow-Flutter is scheduled to appear as a secret guest to be revealed on the day of the event.
“Hey, Yurisuke, is Wow-Flutter *that* Wow-Flutter? The ones celebrating their 30th anniversary this year?”
“Yes, the Wow-Flutter celebrating their 30th anniversary. It seems they want it to be a gathering of those from the same 30th year. Apparently, they used to perform there when they first debuted.”
“Seriously? Isn't that amazing?!”
Sako's excitement was palpable in her rising, jumping tone. It was unthinkable compared to her usual self.
However, this time it was only natural. It would be strange if she wasn't like that.
Wow-Flutter had been active since before we were even born, and even now, they are a band that continues to lead what is known as 'Japanese Rock.' Countless band members have been influenced by Wow-Flutter. Sako and I are among them.
“It's amazing...! I've listened to them many times since Konuma-kun told me about them, so it feels kind of strange.”
Even Ichikawa Amane was lost in deep emotion.
“Besides, being chosen as one of the ten bands for Planetary System is something to be really grateful for!”
I quietly looked at the palm of my hand.
“...I see, we've come this far.”
In days where I gained confidence only to have it crushed, where dreams I thought came true shattered, feeling like I took three steps forward and three steps back.
Still, inside the pitch-black tunnel, the footprints I kept moving forward had somehow brought me this far.
“Wow-Flutter...”
I whispered that name again, the reality of it still not sinking in.
On the way home.
The Musashino Line drew dotted lines of light across the twilight town.
Inside the car, Sako and I sat side-by-side, dazed.
“Wow-Flutter, huh...”
I muttered the band name again, a name I couldn't say enough times. This was about the fifteenth time.
“...That day.”
Sako whispered softly.
“—I'm glad we didn't quit that day.”
'That day' probably referred to that Christmas when we were about to disband amane.
“Because we didn't quit that day, because we decided to continue, we have today, right?”
“Yeah...”
The train rattled along. The scenery visible from the window.
Commuting alone, I listened to Wow-Flutter over and over while looking at this scenery.
On days with a cloudless blue sky, on rainy mornings, and in March when the first gale of spring blew.
Just like amane, they are undoubtedly one of the bands that shaped who I am today.
As I was getting emotional again, Sako turned toward me.
“Takuto.”
“Hmm?”
“Pinch my cheek.”
I couldn't help but let out a dry chuckle at the unexpected request. She's kind of childish for her appearance.
“Is there any point to that?”
“Just do it.”
Reluctantly, I tried pinching Sako's cheek.
“...It doesn't hurt at all.”
“Too bad, then it was a dream...”
I'm disappointed too...
“No, it's because Takuto pinched me too gently. Do it harder.”
“Don't say it in such a weird way.”
“Geez. Takuto is too kind, so I'll pinch you.”
Saying so, Sako pinched my cheek.
“Yeah, it definitely hurts.”
When I said that, Sako still looked a bit worried.
To reassure her, I spoke with conviction.
“...It's okay, it's not a dream.”
The next day.
Once again, at the rental studio in Kichijoji, Studio Octa.
amane's 'Secretary-chan,' Yuri, stood in front of the whiteboard and said.
“So, let's put together the setlist for the Planetary System 30th Anniversary Live!”
<Author's Comment>
Long time no see.
Starting today, I will upload a short story divided into three parts over three days!
I hope you enjoy this return to 'Bedroom Musician Loner' after a while.