After school, RiNG recording studio
Hotaru, Anon, and Tomori arrived for the new band's first practice. End Band had no session, so Hotaru, pressured by Anon and Tomori, tagged along to check their progress.
Rikki, Kairin, Nika, and Soyo were already there, Rikki booking the studio with student and employee discounts.
Soyo stared at a Roland V-Combo VR-730 keyboard, dazed, recalling Sakiko's use of it.
Hotaru, Anon, and Tomori entered.
Rikki's gaze sharpened at Hotaru. "What're you doing here?"
"Tomori invited me. Want to hear her sing," Hotaru smiled, adept at handling Rikki.
Rikki paused, turned to Tomori. "Is that right?"
"Rikki, Qiu's with us," Tomori nodded, easing her.
Rikki softened, "Listen from the side then."
Soyo and others greeted Hotaru, no objections.
Rikki moved to the drum kit. "Let's practice."
"So soon?" Anon, surprised, suggested, "Band name first?"
She swiped her tablet. "Names: unknown, anone, asonouimo."
Rikki glared, "Those are your names!"
Others eyed Anon oddly.
"Eh, are they?" Anon played dumb, rubbing her head.
"Names aren't important. Practice!" Rikki urged.
"Ugh… Rikki!" Anon muttered, pouting.
"What?" Rikki's sharp gaze snapped to her.
Anon, recalling Hotaru's warning, chuckled, changing topics. "What song?"
"Haruhi kage," Rikki said.
Anon smiled, "Sounds good, Tomori's KTV song."
"It's Tomori's," Rikki said, arms crossed, obvious.
"Haruhi kage?" Soyo stepped in. "Another song?"
She pulled out her phone, searching.
"Problem with haruhi kage?" Rikki asked.
"It's cry…" Soyo stopped, realizing her mistake.
Rikki leaned in, whispering, "Still thinking about that band?"
Soyo fell silent.
Anon stepped back, intimidated.
"Let's do haruhi kage," Soyo conceded, glancing resentfully at Hotaru, sensing her possessiveness over the song.
Rikki distributed sheet music.
Nika glanced, "Got it."
"Wait, that fast?" Rikki frowned, thinking Nika wasn't serious.
Nika returned to her spot, played, improvising, smiling.
Anon felt her lead guitarist spot threatened.
Rikki, speechless, checked with Kairin, "How is it?"
"No problem," Kairin said, playing.
Anon and Soyo, unable to play without music, grew anxious.
Practice began, Hotaru observing.
After a few strums, Anon and Soyo's weak skills showed.
Rikki stopped, frowning, "What's wrong with you two?"
"Not proficient yet," Anon said awkwardly, skills rusty.
Soyo nodded, "Sorry, Rikki, keyboard's different from piano, not used to it."
She noted Anon's poor guitar skills, hoping Rikki's disdain might push her out.
"Again," Rikki said.
They stopped soon after.
"Again!"
Interrupted again.
Rikki sighed, "You two aren't completely hopeless, are you?"
"Sorry…" Anon and Soyo mumbled.
"Rikki, don't be mad," Tomori pleaded, glancing at Hotaru.
Hotaru spoke, "Let Anon and Soyo watch. I'll practice with you."
Rikki eyed him skeptically, "You?"
"I'll play keyboard," Hotaru said.
Rikki nodded, letting Anon and Soyo practice alone, curious about Hotaru's skills.
Nika perked up, standing.
Rikki offered sheet music.
Hotaru waved it off, "Heard it, memorized the keyboard part."
Rikki, unconvinced, "Don't mess up."
"Impossible," Hotaru smiled.
Practice started.
Tomori, initially timid, found her groove with Hotaru's familiar keyboard.
No interruptions from Rikki.
Mid-song, Rikki felt pressure—not from keeping up, but Hotaru, Kairin, and Nika's proficiency with a new song.
Hotaru's better than Sakiko? A genius?
Rikki's chest tightened, staring at him.
Hotaru blinked, signaling, No mistakes, right?
His hands stayed steady.
Rikki, distracted, missed a drum beat.
Kairin and Hotaru glanced questioningly.
Rikki blushed, embarrassed, refocused, pushing aside stray thoughts.
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