Not long after, Togawa Sakiko and Wakaba Mutsumi also arrived at the cafe, and the pre-arranged meeting officially began. As the one who proposed the meeting and the intermediary with close ties to both parties, Misumi Uika naturally served as the bridge for their communication.
"This is the classmate I mentioned before, Umiri Yahata, who serves as a support musician for over a dozen bands."
Uika introduced the girl next to her, who had black, shoulder-length hair, a cool aura, and handsome features.
Umiri Yahata gave a nod to the group before her. Her concise response was in perfect harmony with her appearance and demeanor.
"Actually, after that, I specifically asked Shiina-san about her, and it turns out her skills are far more amazing than I previously knew. So, Shiina-san, I'll let you explain."
"Rather than me explaining, it's better to let everyone see for themselves..."
With that, Shiina Taki took out her phone and handed it to Sakiko.
"This video is a recording of a live performance where Umiri was a support musician. I don't need to say anything; with Sakiko's and Mutsumi's eyes, you'll understand her skill level once you've seen it."
"..."
Sakiko took Taki's phone with great curiosity, and Mutsumi leaned in to watch as well.
Then, as Sakiko pressed play, the live video on the screen began.
"This style... is Funk."
Just from hearing the intro, Sakiko's expression immediately became incredibly serious.
It was a Funk band with a very mature style, and a major characteristic of Funk music is its heavily emphasized bassline. As the support musician, not only did Umiri Yahata show no signs of awkwardness, she even managed to blend in perfectly...
This video directly showcased Umiri's adaptability as a support musician, as well as her own incredibly solid fundamental skills.
"Her stage presence is also very mature..."
Mutsumi nodded in agreement.
"Very composed, and very cool."
And so, with high praise from both of them, the first demonstration video ended.
Just as Sakiko thought the skills showcase was over, Taki switched to a second video.
"This time, it's pop-punk..."
It was another professional band, and she was again the support bassist, but this time, Umiri displayed a performance style completely different from the previous video. In pop-punk, the bass's function is, as most music lovers know, to serve discreetly as part of the low-end accompaniment. In terms of playing style, it was a world away from Funk, but even so, Umiri blended in without any awkwardness and perfectly fulfilled her role.
"She's outstanding whether she's playing the main melody or simply serving as the low-end."
Sakiko's expression changed from initial curiosity and seriousness to one of admiration.
"This question is probably redundant, but I'll ask just in case. I assume you can handle metal styles as well, Yahata-san?"
"No problem."
Umiri answered decisively.
"I've been a support musician for four different metal bands."
"What types?"
"Mainly heavy metal and pop metal."
"Very good. As an equivalent exchange... here is our band's first original song. You can listen to this and then decide whether you want to join us, Yahata-san."
With that, Sakiko took out her phone just as before and played the demo she had recorded.
Aside from Umiri, this was also the first time Taki had heard a song from [Ave Mujica]—
"!"
The ferocious, aggressive metal style and the cold, melancholic piano were skillfully fused together. The textbook-like, layered structure and the unforgettable melody instantly drew Taki into the atmosphere created by the song.
Meanwhile, after hearing the demo, Umiri couldn't help but show a slightly stunned expression.
"...Is this a song you composed yourself?"
"That's right."
Sakiko nodded.
"This song is the starting point for our band, and it also represents the initial musical style of [Ave Mujica]."
"Gothic metal?"
Umiri looked at Sakiko again.
From the ambitious and ingenious arranging ability to the band lineup in front of her, filled with profound commercial potential, everything was proving Togawa Sakiko's prowess to her.
"There aren't many gothic metal bands in the country to begin with, and with this mature arrangement, this doesn't seem like the kind of band people our age would form."
"The same could be said for you, couldn't it, Yahata-san?"
Sakiko replied with a smile.
"Funk, punk, metal... since you can master these three styles so skillfully, it means you could join almost any band in the world that needs a bassist... Did you agree to Uika's invitation because of your relationship as classmates?"
"It wasn't just Uika. Taki also asked me before if I wanted to join a band where I could make full use of my talents."
Under Sakiko's surprised gaze, Umiri continued.
"She told me that being just a support musician was a bit too lonely for me, and that it was about time I had a band of my own. She even promised that if I joined this band, the two of us would definitely have a chance to perform together in the future—"
"You don't need to tell everyone that part!"
Taki hurriedly stopped her friend, who was about to spill all of their secrets.
"Anyway, Sakiko, Umiri's skills should meet the standard, right?"
"Mhm. I even feel that Yahata-san's abilities far exceed our band's current level."
Sakiko nodded in acknowledgment.
"Now, as long as there are no problems with our initial chemistry, the lineup for [Ave Mujica] can be set. What do you think, Yahata-san?"
"No problem. I can start anytime."
Umiri's response was incredibly swift.
"Just tell me the specific meeting time."
"Mhm. Well then, there's no time like the present. Since all the members are here, let's head straight to the studio later and begin our first rehearsal—"
"Eh? Is that all it takes!?"
Seeing how quickly and simply this new member joined, Yuutenji Nyamu was dumbfounded.
"Don't we need to tell this Yahata-san about [Starry Sky]?"
"About that, since Yahata-san is only joining us as a bassist, she won't have much contact with them, aside from the costume design process before a live performance."
Sakiko explained.
"In fact, due to our different roles and specialties, only you, Yuutenji-san, need to maintain a high level of cooperation with [Starry Sky]."
"No way..."
Nyamu sighed sadly.
"I thought I'd have another newcomer to share the pressure from that Chihaya-san with me..."
"...Pressure?"
Sakiko was taken aback by the word, then shook her head with a smile.
"Please don't worry, Yuutenji-san. Tetsuya-kun isn't the type to easily put pressure on people. Once you actually interact with him, you'll understand—"
"I just called him before you guys got here! That Chihaya-san's tone and mood were incredibly cold!"
Nyamu couldn't help but say with a miserable face.
"Even Uika said she's never seen Chihaya-san like that before..."
Sakiko turned to look at Uika.
"Is that true?"
"Well, Tetsuya-san's tone was a bit strange just now."
Speaking of which, Uika also had a confused expression.
"He wasn't angry, but he was definitely much colder than usual..."
"...Cold?"
Sakiko frowned and thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"I'll ask Soyo about it tonight. To get our first original song ready as soon as possible, let's stick to our original plan and start [Ave Mujica]'s first rehearsal... Oh, and Taki, thank you for making a special trip for us today."
"It's nothing. After all, I'm also looking forward to the day your new band officially begins its activities."
Here, Taki paused for a moment before continuing.
"By the way... our band's new song is almost finished too. It might not be on the same level as yours, but it's a song we're very proud of!"
"Is that so? Well then, let's see which of us finishes recording our new song first."
Seeing Taki's unflinching gaze, a smile appeared on Sakiko's face.
With that, the band [Ave Mujica] was officially formed.
And at the same time, while everyone was busy with their own careers and dreams, a brown-haired girl stood downstairs from the Chihaya family's apartment building. Comparing the address on her phone, she looked up at the building in front of her.
"This... should be the place, right?"
Sumita Mana muttered to herself as she clutched the gift in her hand and walked through the entrance of the apartment building...