The chapter is available to read for free from February 25th, 2022 until March 10th, 2022. Please support the series by buying the volumes and reading on the original website.
No pictures, besides the previews posted by ebookjapan and @digrock_ml, will be included.
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The first page opens to a wild concert, fans screaming in answer to Tsugumi's "Are you guys readyyy!?" and Akane's "Still got juice for more?", before revealing the preview's double page with RUBIA Leopard and Impish Crow.
Scene change to after the live, where two fans excitedly talk about how exciting the concert was: one comments that Inkuro was in top shape, whereas the other complains about how packed the venue was... She wishes they had larger ground for concerts but, as her friend comments, such a large concert hall is near impossible for indie groups to book. She answers that it's a boomer, she's sure they'd bring more people in with how talented they are! She wonders why, in that case, they don't go pro.
At the same moment, someone shouts in the middle of the crowd to make way.
The person bumps into the young ladies, and it turns out to be Tobikura Sora, Impish Crow's manager! He makes sure the fans aren't hurt by the commotion. Tobikura then rushes away the following second, under the fans' curious gaze: a man in a suit...
They comment how Inkuro has brought new fans in, notably males. Laughing, they add that they weren't expecting that kind of reach, understating that they didn't expect a businessman to show up in a live house!
Tobikura is now backstage, in the staff only area, taking deep breaths, focusing, before opening the door with a bright smile. He immediately is greeted (more like spooked) by Toki's wild strumming—Tsugumi interrupts his attempt.
The camera switches to inside the small room where all of Impish Crow are rehearsing. They seem deep in tweaking finer details for a song: Toki grimaces at Tsugumi who comments that the vibe is entirely different once he plays along with the melody (compared to his performance, supposedly); Mitsuru adds that he, too, feels like this change may add to his own play. Tsugumi asks for Hibari's input, to which he answers that he doesn't hate it. Toki, grumpy, adds:
Toki: "But ya don't like it either, is whatcha mean."
Hibari: "Aw come on now, you're overthinking way too much, Toki-kun~."
Tobikura is still stuck by the doorframe, dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, Mitsuru continues strumming, talking about how he should ride the melody if he were to take advantage of it.
Under Tobikura's poor attempt at being noticed, the group keeps wildly discussing that melody Tsugumi composed, tweaking and trying to make it work: seemingly unable to find what's missing, they toy with the idea of entirely rewriting/erasing Tsugumi's melody so that they don't waste their time with a boring song.
Suddenly Tobikura gets violently pushed over by one of the live house staff, yelling: "FOR FUCK SAKE!! How many times will I have to repeat myself before y'all get it, Impish Crow! BE QUIET IN THE DRESSING ROOM—!"
Tobikura immediately apologizes for their behavior, repeatedly bowing—that's when Impish Crow finally notices their manager and casually greet him. The staff angrily asks Impish Crow to apologize as well:
"Don't get too cocky with me just 'cause ya filled the venue up to 120% more, you little shits!"
"Do it again and I'll kick yer ass, capiche?"
"And you! If yer their guardian then act like one! You should scold them more than that!"
Impish Crow half ass an apology in the middle of the scolding, and the staff finally leaves.
Immediately changing topics, Tsugumi asks when did "Tobi-chan" listen to their performance today, since he thinks that he saw him starting from the second half of the second song. Tobikura is surprised that they saw him, and says that he was actually going to be there from the beginning, but...
Toki: "You got busy with work so ya missed a bit, yeah?"
Tobikura: "Yes. Of course, work is important. But so are your live performances to me.
Even if you play the same song, no two days will be the same."
Hibari: "Spoken like our true, first fan."
Tobikura continues:
"No one better than me can talk about your talent. Furthermore, you're a band with the potential to become popular—better yet, I WILL make you famous!"
"So, I'll ask you... How about debuting under our DIGNITY PRODUCTION?"
Tsugumi crosses his arms in a X above his head: "NOOOPE! We won't!"
The rest of the band just stands there at how straightforward that answer was, Toki commenting that at least was easy to understand. Tobikura bashfully laughs that it's fine, he doesn't think he can change Tsugumi's mind that easily, he hasn't made any approach to the company in five years anyway.
Tsugumi, more calmly, explains that he's sorry but... They don't feel like going pro—ah, but he's running late! Despite it being almost 9PM, Tsugumi informs that he has to go to the konbini for his part-time job. Tobikura wishes him luck, and off goes the vocalist.
Toki apologizes again, that situation always ends up the same way no matter the attempts. On the contrary, Tobikura would rather have such a reaction than a vague answer! It fires his spirits up!
Mitsuru chimes that Tobi-chan never gets discouraged♪
Toki lowers his gaze, seemingly a bit at loss: "We really appreciate the offer and all, but..."
Tobikura gently answers: "No need to apologize, I understand, you are more than free to refuse as much as you like if you don't feel up for it yet."
Tobikura: "Once you make up your mind, I hope you will pick DIGNITY PRODUCTION to produce your professional career. But until that day comes, I won't stop trying!"
Cut to Hibari's university amphitheater, one of his classmates invites him to go out with him; he politely declines the offer as he already has plans to rehearse with Impish Crow. She asks, a bit sulky, if he really has to practice his drumming so much. Hibari says that they're in the middle of creating a new song, and if he skips today's practice they won't be able to meet all four for a while...
His classmate, clearly bothered, says that it's exactly the excuse he told her last time!—to which Hibari pretends to apologize for.
Sways in another of his classmates, happily announcing that she managed to grab a ticket for Impish Crow's next performance! Hibari thanks her with a shy smile as she goes on that all of her friends were completely wiped at their last gig! Hibari apologizes: they're still trying to increase the seats available, but to no avail so... She reassures him: no, it's from how much they cheered them on, not the lack of space!
Hibari realizes that he's running late and must get going; his fan-classmate encourages him as he tries to make a quick escape under the sparks of his two classmates taunting each other: "You're trying too hard to get on his good side, cringe."; "And a gal who can't even support him is just as cringy."
Now on his way to rehearsals, Hibari gives a call to Mitsuru: he asks how work is going at the studio, and if Mitsuru can come to practice that evening—Mitsuru answers that he thinks he can go.
Hibari says that he just got out of university, which prompts Mitsuru to ask if his friend is tired:
Hibari: "Ah... You cornered me. I can't hide anything from you now, can I?"
Hibari reassures that he's feeling fine, it's not that big of a deal anyway. He was simply thinking about how being born from a wealthy family and with a nice physique was more of a curse than a blessing, at times. Mitsuru doesn't answer, confused, but Hibari assures once again to not worry about him—wishing him luck for the work ahead, they both end the call with a simple "See you later then!".
The next panel shows Mitsuru staring at his phone, before looking up from it with a smile, thinking: "Hibari said that he was alright, but he sounded really tired still. I'll treat him to some vanilla milkshake later."
Mitsuru then sends a first message ("You did well"), typing another ("Let's practice") before being interrupted by a staff member of the studio.
The staff asks if he had plans to meet with the others today, remembering that Mitsuru has that indies-hobby-gig going on... Mitsuru corrects him: his group is named Impish Crow.
The staff chimes: right! Impish Crow! They're pretty diligent to go all the way to a studio and meet for group rehearsals. Mitsuru comments that he just wants to play as much as he can, and they enjoy practicing anyway.
The staff then adds that the sales for their live show seem to be going on pretty well, and if everyone is as good as Mitsuru is, they would be far more popular if they were to record in a real studio—it would be way more profitable!
The staff then continues: they do gain an audience by doing live performances, but they don't know how they compare to other bands on the market... Doesn't that tickle their interest? Or bother them?
Mitsuru considers the question: it would bother him if no one listened to them, but that's not the case here, so...
Scene changes to a cafe where Toki seems to be still hard at work: from the other side of the cash register, the owner of the place thanks him for the work today. The owner asks for Toki's next available days, as he will be busy on the weekend, to which Toki says he can come by for a couple hours on Saturday. The old man happily answers that he's in his debt for always asking so much out of the young man. He's sure that there are better places with a higher pay than this independent coffee shop such as theirs... Toki answers with a kind smile that the freedom he has with his schedule is just as much of a life-saver to him.
Toki pays his goodbye to his boss and, once in the changing room, notices a message from Mitsuru: it seems like everyone will be there for practice today.
But soon enough, his smile changes for a scowl as his mother's number appears on screen:
"Hi mom, what do you want? I thought I told you the other day that I wouldn't be back for a while, didn't I? Between university and work, I'm real' busy you know? Yeah, I do have a part-time job now.
So... No, my job ain't to get famous or to make tons of money, it's..."
His mother goes on and on without leaving him time to explain himself and, frustrated, Toki ends the call.
A little while later, Tsugumi is off from his part-time job as well: Toki had been waiting for the end of his shift outside the konbini, to Tsugumi's surprise. Toki explains that it was on his way to the station, so he stopped by, but that's not exactly what Tsugumi meant! Toki could have waited inside, as everyone in the store knows who he is after all!
Toki answers: "No way in hell, they'd give me once-overs. Also what the hell did you tell your co-workers about me?"
Tsugumi: “Well, easy stuff, y’know! Like how we used to grow up next door since we were kids but moved from our hometown together, and how you’ve been the guitarist in our band since middle school. Also that you spend your time cleanin’ and doin’ the laundry and ironin’ and—”
Toki cuts his explanation short: was that last part really necessary!? That doesn’t stop Tsugumi who now brings up Toki’s childhood crush and how he even wrote a song for them—Toki, half-angered half-flustered, yells back at him to stop. Tsugumi laughs wholeheartedly: at the time, Toki was even proud of how cool that song was!
Toki comments, now clearly irritated, that Tsugumi has got no business pricking at old wounds like that… If he dares tell that story to anyone else, he’ll kill him for real—Tsugumi passively nods: it will be their little secret.
Now at a WcDonald’s, Tsugumi and Toki settled for hamburgers, waiting for Mitsuru and Hibari: while Mitsuru got held back for a bit at work, Hibari informed that he was making his way to the other two.
On the other hand, Tsugumi seems to have something on his mind, which ticks Toki’s interest: Tsugumi wonders how interesting playing with different people can be for a studio musician such as Mitsuru, to which Toki supposes that he must be enjoying it quite a lot, otherwise he would have quit a long time ago.
Tsugumi: “I mean, it’s music, it’s always somewhat fun if you can produce your own stuff and whatnot…”
An announcement suddenly breaks into the speakers of the restaurant: “That's it for this week's hit ranking! Next week, we’ll see how high in the chart can RUBIA Leopard, currently on tour, and their new album get! Look forward to it!”
Toki repeats in a hushed voice: RUBIA Leopard… But he gets caught by Tsugumi, a hamburger shoved in his mouth, who didn’t quite hear what he said. As Toki fumbles with an answer, caught off-guard, the speakers continue: "They seem to be doing quite well on daily charts as well. I heard that their tour tickets were sold out almost instantly! Perhaps we can expect additional performances to drop soon? Rubileo seems to be on a roll, and it’ll be hard to keep your eyes off them! Well, that’s it for now! See you next week!"
Toki listens without a word, seemingly deep in thought as he considers with a scowl the information—he’s cut by Tsugumi, asking for a sip out of his oolong tea. Toki doesn’t really hear him until Tsugumi calls for him once more, which triggers an automatic “Ah, yeah!” from the guitarist, awkwardly pushing over his cup.
Tsugumi, surprised, asks what’s wrong; Toki, contemplative, asks instead if Tsugumi still doesn’t want to debut as a professional band.
Tsugumi answer, a bit dumbfounded: “Not at all? What, you wanna go pro?”
Toki: “Wait, it ain’t about me… It’s for you—”
They get interrupted by Mitsuru and Hibari’s arrival, joining their table. Hibari comments that he didn’t expect Toki of all people to give them a last minute call, whereas Mitsuru says they still have some time ahead so they’ll grab something to snack on—it’s actually an excuse for Mitsuru to indulge in fries and treat Hibari to his milkshake.
Tsugumi: "Mitsuruuu, while you’re at it can you get me chicken nuggets?"
Toki, sighing: "Ya still got room for that?"
Tsugumi, now sipping on Toki’s cup: "Hmm, that much’s fine though—"
Toki: "YOU ASS! I SAID ONE SIP!"
Under Hibari’s awkward laugh, Tsugumi winds up finishing Toki’s drink without meaning to, to which Toki angrily says that he’ll have to pay for his drinks. Tsugumi taunts him, saying that he’s got no other choice but to buy him something else now to get his mood back on track. Toki mumbles a “No need to make me look like I was being hella selfish to you, damn it…” as Tsugumi leaves, opening a seat for Hibari to call Toki’s attention.
Hibari wonders with a smile what kind of conversation Tsugu-chan and he must have had for Toki to have such a grim look—it struck Hibari ever since Mitsuru and him entered the restaurant.
Toki looks away: “Must be yer imagination.”
Hibari: “Hm~m?”
Toki: “...What now.”
Hibari: “Hm, oh, nothing. It must be my imagination, don’t you think?”
Toki pauses, considering an answer without looking back to Hibari.
Suddenly, Tsugumi’s phone vibrates: Toki observes, half-exasperated, that he must have forgotten it again; if he keeps this up, he’ll lose his phone for good.
It turns out that Tobikura is the one calling, and it seems that he won’t give up until someone answers him—Hibari suspects that it may be something urgent.
Toki decides to answer in Tsugumi’s stead: whatever it is, he will forward the message to Tsugumi.
The conversation seems to take Toki aback, as the camera doesn’t show his expression throughout the call. All we can hear is Toki wanting to consult with his fellow member, suddenly remembering that they have a practice session that may get in the way for discussion…
The shot then cuts to Toki confidently announcing that they will call Tobikura back that same evening.
A side shot of Hibari’s lips show him slightly smiling, saying to himself: “You really are overprotective of Tsugu-chan, aren’t you, Toki-kun.”
A few days later, Tsugumi is all by himself on a busy street after being called by Tobikura to meet him. Checking the meeting place, hoping he didn’t get it wrong, Tsugumi wonders what it is that Tobi-chan absolutely wanted to show him. Around him swarm crowds that he can barely pay mind to before hearing his name called out by Tobikura.
Tsugumi apologizes for making Tobikura wait after him, since his part-time job delayed the end of his shift—Tobikura is just as apologetic, as the map he handed him probably wasn’t all that simple either, and he could barely be there to guide him.
Immediately changing subject, Tsugumi wonders what could be happening around here for so many people to be gathered. Tobikura answers that a concert is about to take place, RUBIA Leopard’s to be exact—as they’re from his agency, Tobikura wonders if Tsugumi ever heard of them. Tsugumi answers that Toki and Hibari sometimes brought their name up, but he knows nothing about them. Tobikura chimes: no need to worry! He will, soon enough.
Tsugumi grows more confused as Tobikura invites him to get inside the live studio, as they have a special pass to enter, and hopes that the young vocalist fully enjoys his time there.
Now inside the venue, Tobikura and Tsugumi oversee the audience and stage from a balcony where Tsugumi marvels at how packed the place is.
Tsugumi: “The show hasn’t even started yet I can already feel the fans’ excitement from there... Is this what you wanted to show me, Tobi-chan?”
Suddenly, the loud strumming of a guitar overtakes Tsugumi’s thoughts, stunning him on the spot.
Lights on, the overwhelming aura of RUBIA Leopard now overwhelms the stage the group stands on.
Akane: "Err’body! Y’all better let yerself loose and follow our lead—!"
end chapter.