Chapter Text
The red string of fate ; that’s what the Chigiri family believes to be the reason behind their remarkably bright and glistening hair that is tinted in the wide range hues of red. Given its strikingly deep crimson depth that can be likened to the color of a well-planted and taken-care-of red roses, it is not an uncommon occurrence for a family member belonging to the Chigiri family to have people turning their heads over to their direction whenever they pass by. Science, too, has proven from their countless experiments that the first color a human eye would notice from a clear and bright prism would be the color with the longest wavelength out of the seven— red.
Every member of the family shares a respective similar event in their lives in which every one of them would have an encounter that leads them to meeting their significant other due to their hair. For Hyoma’s mother, her fiery medium-length cascade of ruby-colored hair swooned his father the first time he encountered her shopping at a local grocery mart. His father would reiterate this tale, of how he knew at first glance that his mother would change the course of his life starting that fateful day, often during dinner time when all members of his family are present. His sister, on the other hand, has a passionate vermillion curls that caught the attention of a well-known fashion agency stylist—now partner—when she was starting her career as a model at the young age of 23. They have been seeing each other for 3 years now, and recently, Hyoma’s sister announced at their family’s luncheon date last Sunday that she’ll be engaged to her girlfriend in a few days time.
Hyoma mindlessly reaches out to his coral red locks and twirls a few strands of it around his right finger and wonders if he’ll ever encounter an experience similar to what his mother and older sister went through. He’s currently attending his Social Studies classes at Rajitsu Tech University, and he finds himself spacing out, mindlessly staring at his noticeably conspicuous hair that is being reflected at the window to his left. Seeing his own reflection has always reminded him of the narrative his family strongly believes in. And truthfully, such matters are nothing but trivial and insignificant for the young Hyoma who has little to no interest with other people except for those whom he shares his interests with. Although various people have claimed that he is quite friendly and easygoing, word has it that there is a noticeable gap that Hyoma puts between himself and other people, as if he’s purposely avoiding people to come into his life and get to know him better. And Hyoma is actually well-aware of that— he couldn’t find any reason to deny the word that has been going around about him because even he, himself, believes it to be a partial truth about himself that he has yet to figure out in full.
Inside his mind, he constantly feels the unexplainable need to put a distance between himself and other people—like a defense mechanism—and it is deeply rooted in a currently–forgotten fear, tied with an uncomfortable incident from his past that gives sensations resembling what an individual’s sensory signals passes through the whole nervous system after a traumatic experience. Hyoma couldn’t remember much of it anymore, it’s like his system has forcibly shut out that particular memory from him, rendering him ignorant and clueless of the reason behind his actions. He often ponders about this matter when he is finally left alone inside his room after an exhausting day, like a routine he subconsciously does to seek answers so he can better understand himself, and perhaps present himself to other people better, too.
For now, his mind is pulled back down to Earth when his thoughts are interrupted by the loud 4 pm bell signaling the end of today’s classes. “Oh, it’s over…” he thought to himself as he watched his classmates packing up their notebooks and tidying up their desks and bags, preparing to make their respective way back home. Half of his class has already made their way out in less than 10 minutes. As for Hyoma, he opens his phone to reread this morning’s messages, as well as check whether there is an update regarding the scheduled practice with his bandmates today.
Reo
agenda: practice
when: 17:30 - 20:00
tracklist: to be decided later
Reo
today's practice is voluntary so, don't force yourselves to come if you're unavailable
Nagi
then i'm not coming
Reo
for your case, it's mandatory
Ran
bro, what happened to it being voluntary...
Giyo
that's because he rarely attends
Giyo
it could be an end of the world situation and he will still prioritize his nintendo switch
If there is one thing that could truly sway and capture his heart, it’s music. Expressing repressed emotions has always been difficult for an individual like Hyoma who regularly stumbles finding the right word to say or express what’s on his mind. Oftentimes, people would either misinterpret or give other meanings into what is supposed to be simply taken at a face value. And in some cases, he comes off as cheeky and brazen with his voice intonations and speaking mannerism. With music, however, he can fully express himself in the way his fingers strum along the strings of his guitar, putting every unspoken feelings into notes, combining each beat into patterns and successions of chords, resulting in a tune that gives justice to the depth and intensity of what is residing in his heart and mind. It is only in the harmonies between the rhythms and melodies of a song that he feels he can truly connect with the world and people who share the same passion for music as he does.
He scrolls down to read the new unread messages on their LINE group chat, chuckling silently to himself while reading the hilarious exchanges between his bandmates.
Ran
must be nice to be a genius...
Reo
? i don't want to hear that from you of all people
Giyo
will you be coming today, chi?
Nagi
unless someone decides to get on the princess' nerves today, he will come
It seems like today’s practice would proceed as planned, and Hyoma is looking forward to this practice session the most.
Reo
update: practice will proceed as planned
venue: shinjuku's sound studio noah
Reo
i've paid for the rental fee of our room already. sei and i will be heading over there first
Giyo
reo, i might run a little late today
Giyo
i'm on class duty
Chi
my class just ended. packing up to go there now as we speak
Reo
be careful, you two! i'll see you guys soon here
Ran
reo
Ran
i'm coming today, too.
Reo
WHAT
Chi
oh, wow??
Nagi
now that's new
Giyo
IS YOUR HEAD OKAY
Ran
why are you all surprised...?
This is because this will be the first time he’s meeting their band’s bassist, who is also their lyricist and composer. He has interacted and talked with the man in question a couple of times in their band’s group chat, exchanging messages and banters about music, school, and random topics that surfaces the group chat whenever someone feels like talking or opening up a conversation. However, he has yet to meet Kurona Ranze in person, even after being in the band for more than 6 months.
Hyoma is a very curious individual— this naturally leads him to inquire to his band’s leader, also keyboardist, Reo, one time they get to go to the studio together, about the sporadic presence of their band’s bassist; supposedly someone who should be present at all times due to his important role in the band.
Hyoma had his classes end early that day, so he met up with Reo—and by extension, Nagi Seishiro, too—at the station after their classes at Hakuho High University, they bought crepes together with him before they made their way towards Studio Noah. “I just don’t understand why someone supposedly important is so absent all the time,” he complained before letting out a frustrated sigh and took a bite of his crepe. “I mean, he seems like he’s a chill and nice guy who can participate in group discussions and plans online, I get it! I talked to him, too, in the group chat. But, I don’t understand what makes it hard for him to attend in real-time.” Reo, at that time, simply took a quick glance at the dispirited Hyoma before shifting his gaze to stare off into the distance. While he was formulating the best reply to give to Hyoma, Seishiro answered in his stead. “Then why not ask him?” he replied with his mouth still full of his crepe bite. “You seem to have a lot of questions for him, why not directly ask the person instead?”
“You idiot–” Hyoma reached out to give him a light and playful head chop with his free hand. “I, at the very least, know that it’s rude to ask something as personal as that to someone you barely know yet. That’s the very reason why I’m asking Reo instead since he was the one who recruited him.”
“Now, now,” Reo tried to get in between the two so their playful banter wouldn’t escalate into an argument. “Nagi has a point, too.” he chuckled before fixing his gaze to Hyoma to answer his question properly. “I am not exactly in the position to answer that question, Chi.” Before Hyoma’s expression turned into a dejected one, Reo gave an explanation which he deemed to be the best to give for the time being, hoping that his answer would satisfy Hyoma’s curiosity. “He has his own circumstances, but I don’t think he’s half-hearted with this band just because he’s rarely ever so present. I know so, I’m the one who recruited him, after all.”
“Plus,” he took a few playful hops and steps to face Hyoma directly, stopping him in his tracks. “My hunch is telling me that you’ll get along well with him just fine.” He turned around to focus at the studio within his gaze, signaling that they are near their destination already. A warm and tender smile was plastered on Reo’s face, surprising Hyoma as he rarely sees Reo thinking of something so fondly, so much that he would see such a mellow and pleasant mien on Reo. “He loves and understands music the most out of all of us. That is to say, I think he might understand you the best once you get to know him.”
The memory of that conversation resurfaces Hyoma’s mind as he was wrapping and tidying up his things. He dusts off the fine particles that might have accumulated on top of his desk, ties his hair into a ponytail, then slings his bag over his shoulders, before making his way out with his guitar case tightly gripped in one hand. He thought of changing his shirt before he rendezvous with the group, but he decided to do so instead at the studio’s powder room. He wouldn’t want to be late for any practice, as much as possible.
While making his way down the stairs, he hears a faint strum of a bass, accompanied by a recording of a drum and guitar that strikes a sense of familiarity to Hyoma’s ears, coming from the music room on the 3rd floor. Hyoma’s classroom is located on the 5th floor, and as far as the man is aware, there are little to no people present from his section nor the others who would use the university’s music room at this time of the day. Self-debating about being punctual and taking a quick peek at the music room, Hyoma finds his feet dragging himself towards the direction of the room, an attestation that his inquisitiveness won over him again .
Near the music room, at the end of the hall’s corridor, a stairway can be found that shares the same function as the primary one, which would lead anybody passing by down towards the main hall; similar to the main stairway often used by the students. Hyoma is not foreign to this area, as he would often stay here during his free time to practice—and consequently, avoid people, too—and he would take this route to make his way to the main hall and exit the building. He doesn’t want to come off as an intrusive, nosy stalker, so he plans on trying to come off as a random student, casually passing by the music room, while taking a quick look inside through the glass window. The music is getting louder and clearer, and he can hear his own heartbeats in his ears as he is nearing the room. He is never the type to easily get nervous and cold feet, but something about the familiar tune coming from the music room is making his heart race extremely fast. He’s 7 steps away from the music room when Hyoma thinks to himself, “I’ve heard of this tune before…”
An instrumental version of Blue Spring and Weather Sky; he has grasped the chords of this song. He has played and practiced countless songs with genres varying from one another to hone his skills with the guitar, and a familiar melody should not be tying his stomach in knots and making his fingers shaky and jittery. However, the way his ears and music senses are cognizant of Yoichi’s electric guitar riff, Seishiro’s drum beats and tempos, Reo’s established synth mix, and
his own
guitar play style and voice in background music used to practice the bass with all leads him to the single thought—
is that Kurona Ranze inside the room
?