The park's beauty offered little comfort to the aching band members. Haruto groaned, "I can't feel my fingers!" Ren added, "My back feels like it's going to snap!" Even Aoi, assigned to bench cleaning, felt the exhaustion. Only Kaito seemed smug, "I told you serenades were better!"
Yuji, however, grinned, holding up a heavy bag of cash. "We did it! Enough to fix and upgrade our gear!" The others forgot their aches, the money representing more than just funds; it symbolized their teamwork and resilience.
Walking home, laughter replaced groans. Sore muscles and blisters were just part of the story now, a funny memory to share. The effort had been worth it.
Weeks later, the band room buzzed with a different kind of energy. Aoi and Yuji returned with the repaired instruments, gleaming with fresh coats of paint – a vibrant electric blue for the bass guitar, a fiery crimson for the drums, and a sleek, midnight black for Yuji's guitar. Even the old keyboard sported new, stylish stickers. "Wow!" breathed Haruto, "They look amazing!" Ren, stretching his still-sore back, grinned, "Okay, now that our instruments are fixed, let's get serious about practicing!"
Yuji, bouncing on the balls of his feet, added, "We need to improve! We need to be ready for anything!" They launched into a practice session, the initial clumsiness gradually giving way to a smoother, more confident performance. "We're actually sounding good!" Ren exclaimed, a genuine surprise in his voice. Haruto nodded, "Yeah, at this rate, we might actually write a song and make it big!"
A wave of excitement washed over them, quickly followed by a dose of reality. Yuji cautioned, "A hit song is a long shot. Most songs never even get heard, let alone become famous. It's a tough business." Aoi, ever the pragmatist, offered a solution, "We could try posting our music online. It's cheaper than paying for a venue, and we can perform live shows once we're ready. But we'll need a good manager."
The idea of a manager sparked a flurry of excited chatter. "A manager, huh?" Ren mused, "I bet she'd be a total badass, all business and sharp wit, but secretly a softie." Haruto chimed in, "Or maybe a stylish, super cool woman who knows the music industry inside and out!" Kaito, usually quiet, added softly, "Maybe someone really understanding, who helps us navigate everything without being too pushy." Aoi rolled his eyes, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's focus on creating something amazing first." Yuji, his eyes shining with determination, declared, "Okay then, let's write a great song and find a manager!" The others erupted in agreement, their imaginations already running wild with visions of their future success.