And thus, we arrived at the training camp.
After finishing the work of unloading the equipment and luggage, we were gathered once in a place called the hall.
There was a small stage at the front, where chairs, a piano, and amps were lined up for the Instrumental Music Club.
Standing on that stage together were Ichikawa and Azuma. Did they form a unit or something?
“Well then, the explanation for this camp will be given by me, Ichikawa, the President of the Rock Club, and—”
“Azuma, the President of the Instrumental Music Club!”
Ichikawa and Azuma both spoke up to start things off.
The members of the Rock Club gave a lukewarm round of applause. The Instrumental Music Club members, on the other hand, gave a somewhat sharp, disciplined applause.
Huh, so they’re giving us an explanation. I better listen properly.
...Wait, Azuma-nee-san is the President of the Instrumental Music Club!?
“Now, please look at the bookmarks in your hands.”
Ignoring the turmoil in my heart, Azuma took over and began to speak.
“First, the schedule is for three days and two nights. Today and tomorrow, we will split into our respective clubs and bands for practice. Um, please open to the next page.”
The sound of paper rustling echoed through the room. Sounds really carry well in this hall.
“The training camp site is divided into three main buildings. The first is the Central Wing. The Central Wing contains the front desk, the cafeteria, and the hall. The Instrumental Music Club will practice in this hall. The second is the Studio Wing. This building has many rooms acting as studios for bands. For the Rock Club, a studio has been prepared for each band. Amane, do you have enough for every band in the Rock Club?”
“Yep! That’s right!”
Ichikawa replied while flashing a V-sign. Since she did that, it looks like there are only two bands, though.
“Heh, that’s impressive. The Instrumental Music Club has also rented one private studio, so those on drums, bass, or piano who aren’t participating in the hall practice should practice there. Please make sure not to slack off.”
““Yes!!””
I assume they were the first-years of the Instrumental Music Club; they answered with perfect discipline.
“Oh, that’s great. Of course, this goes for the Rock Club, but if anyone from the Instrumental Music Club has any questions about how to use the studios, please ask me!”
“Thanks, Amane. Um, sound production is allowed from 5:00 AM to midnight. Let’s practice like our lives depend on it.”
“Even though she says that, lights out is at 10:00 PM! After that, please stay in your rooms! ...Well, theoretically, okay?”
Ichikawa laughed mischievously, and everyone else chuckled along with her.
“Wait, Amane... Also, on the final day, each club will perform here in this hall, and we’ll listen to each other. Instrumental Music Club, please play with the mindset that this is the actual performance for the school festival.”
Ah, I see. I’m looking forward to hearing the performances.
But isn’t Azuma-nee-san taking the 'life or death' thing a bit too far?
“The sleeping quarters are in the Bedroom Wing. That’s where you all put your luggage earlier. The rooms are divided into groups of three to five people. The room assignments are written in the bookmark.”
I had dropped off my luggage earlier. I was in the same room as the four members of the Cherry Boys.
“We’ll have fireworks and a test of courage at night, so everyone be prepared!”
Prepared for what...? Wait, there’s a test of courage? That’s scary...
“Alright, we’re dismissed for now! Rock Club, you’re on individual band practice in the studios until dinner!”
“““Okay—”””
“Instrumental Music Club will practice here as is, so be ready in forty seconds!”
“““Yes!!”””
The difference in response between the two groups was amazing.
I thought it was just the difference between Ichikawa and Azuma’s personalities, but it’s probably more about the difference in how strict the clubs are.
Even so, I wonder how many people actually caught Azuma’s Laputa reference? Everyone was moving so frantically with desperate looks on their faces and sweat pouring down that I felt a bit sorry for them. And for Azuma.
“Eh, ah, awawa...”
See, someone’s already panicking.
‘The second-years of the Instrumental Music Club retire after the cultural festival in September. I feel like I have to pour all of my youth up to this point into it.’
Suddenly, the serious face Azuma had when she said those words crossed my mind.
It’s currently July. I see, her youth is already in its final stretch.
Since the explanation in the hall was over, I hoisted my heavy luggage and immediately headed to the studio with Ichikawa and Sako.
“Let’s see, our room is this one.”
““Oh...””
My voice and Sako’s overlapped.
It wasn’t like it was a particularly special studio.
It was just rare for a studio to have a window where you could see the scenery outside.
But I was honestly impressed that we could use this like a private studio as much as we wanted.
“...So, I’ve been wondering when I should bring this up.”
“Hmm?”
“Takuto, why do you have so much luggage?”
“Oh, this? I brought it just in case.”
I answered while looking at Sako’s exasperated face.
“These are my bedroom musician goods.”
A ‘Ta-da!’ sound effect played in my head.
“Heh...?”
Since we’re setting up, shall I show them my treasured goods?
I sat cross-legged on the floor and took items out of my backpack one by one.
“First, this is the familiar MacBook Pro. The DAW software I use is Logic Pro.”
“DAW software...? Logic Pro...?”
“And this is the audio interface. Thanks to this, I can record up to 16 channels simultaneously. Usually, 8 channels is plenty, but I thought we might do a live recording of the whole band, so I bought this one specifically for this occasion.”
“Audio interface...?”
Why is Ichikawa acting like a little kid? Well, whatever.
“And I brought microphones too. Though, with a high schooler’s budget, I couldn’t get a full set, so I’ll probably use them in combination with the 57s and 58s this studio has. If we’re recording vocals at the same time, dynamic mics are better than condenser types anyway, so I think this will be fine. I can use phantom power with this, though.”
““...””
Both of them nodded in silence, perhaps impressed by the gear I had assembled. Fuhaha.
“And I have three sets of monitor headphones. Unfortunately, the setup means everyone will hear the same mix. You won't be able to adjust individual levels. Sorry about that. But I did buy two new pairs. It’s my first time recording live drums properly, so I’m not sure if it’ll go well.”
Hmm, I wonder how I should set everything up.
“Um, excuse me, can I say something?”
Ichikawa raised her hand slightly.
“Yes, Ichikawa-san!”
Since she raised her hand, I called on her. For some reason, I like being in this position for once!
“If only our room has all that stuff connected, I think people might find out that Konuma-kun is a bedroom musician...?”
The air suddenly froze.
“You didn’t realize?”
Sako asked with a 0.1-millimeter exasperated look.
“Eh... wait, so all of this is useless...? Even though I went through the trouble of bringing it...?”
I looked up at the two of them while clutching my equipment.
““Ugh...””
Ichikawa and Sako’s voices overlapped again.
“Hey, Takuto, don’t make that face...”
The two of them looked at me with troubled, lowered eyebrows.
“You’re right, I’ll put it away... We can still do normal band practice. Let’s do our best...”
As I began packing the gear I had so excitedly brought out back into my bag—
“...It’s okay, it’s okay, let’s use it! We’ll just say Konuma-kun is a recording otaku! You did the PA at Rock On, so I’m sure it’ll be fine!”
“Yeah, exactly. Takuto has that kind of face anyway, so I think it’ll be okay.”
They both followed up to support me.
“Really...?”
““Yes!””
“I see... Thank you...!”
Thank goodness...
Feeling happy, I let the corners of my mouth turn up as I began lining up the equipment once more.
“I feel like this might be the first time in my life I’ve realized my own maternal instinct...”
“I wonder how many times it’s been for me...”