"I said I'd find a Livehouse, but..."
Standing with hands on hips facing the bustling crowds of Tokyo, Yu felt troubled as he stepped out of the rehearsal studio.
Ultimately, Livehouses were too scattered. Running to each one was not only inefficient but also made it impossible to confirm if there were available performance slots.
If possible, it would be best to have a "veteran" to lead and introduce him, but unfortunately, he didn't know anyone with that kind of connection.
He couldn't exactly walk into a random café or Beef Bowl chain, grab someone, and ask, "Miss, do you happen to play in a band?" He'd definitely be arrested as a suspicious person!
In contrast...
"Whew!"
A five-minute walk to the train station, less than ten minutes on the train, then another five-minute walk. The only thing Yu was quite satisfied with in Japan was the commuting system; as long as it wasn't too remote, the train could get you there!
His destination was the famous Shimokitazawa. Compared to Minato Ward, this place was a sanctuary for vintage clothing and trends—the kind of place where you'd run into celebrities just walking down the street!
As for the trendiest spot within the trends, it was naturally "Village Vanguard," famous because of Japanese dramas!
Of course, this Shimokitazawa branch was just one of many, but the sentiment was there. The difference between the flagship store and the branch could be ignored for now!
...
"Yamamoto! Damn your ancestors! You said if I carried my instrument and acted 'edgy' at the entrance of Village Vanguard, girls would come talk to me!"
His toe idly kicked a pebble, playing a bit of keepie-uppie. A blonde-dyed youth leaned against an imitation marble pillar, head bowed and waist bent, trying his hardest to look "lost." But the constant stream of curses from his mouth exposed his far-from-depressed state of mind.
Truthfully, young people play in bands to look cool! To put it more bluntly: priority mating rights.
Training day and night, and in the end, their skills grow but they can't land a girlfriend for the life of them. Isn't that just putting the cart before the horse?!
"Just wait... the internet wouldn't lie about this!"
Carrying his bass, Yamamoto Sosuke stared at his toes with vacant eyes. The summer heat was about to melt him!
But he held his breath; even with a beckoning air-conditioned bookstore right next to him, he refused to compromise. Edgy! He had to look edgy! He heard older "Big Sisters" love the melancholic vibe of younger guys!
However, as the two whispered their complaints to each other, they suddenly noticed their rhythm guitarist wasn't reacting at all.
Turning to look, they found the guy had already lost consciousness, looking like he was about to burn into ashes! However—how could a brother be as important as a girlfriend?!
"Hold on?"
"Hold on!"
Giving up halfway is no different from failing at the last hurdle. Yamamoto and the lead guitarist exchanged a glance and made the "scummy" choice to let the rhythm guitarist bake a little longer—until he was golden brown on both sides!
Fortunately, hard work pays off. The very next second after their silent exchange, Yamamoto felt someone tap his shoulder!
His heart skipped a beat. Holding onto a sense of salvation that someone finally appreciated him, he whipped around with a relieved smile...
"Um, you guys are band members, right?"
Tapping the "toasted and crispy" guy in front of him, Yu was glad to see band people as soon as he arrived at Village Vanguard. After all, on such a hot day, who else but active band members would be running around with guitar bags?
Wearing a gentle smile, he looked into a pair of eyes that had already lost their light from disappointment and said apologetically, with a complete lack of social awareness: "Sorry for the intrusion, but do you have any recommendations for Livehouses you frequent? I have a band here that wants to try out a performance hall."
"..."
Despair sometimes comes after excessive hope. When Yamamoto Sosuke realized that the person tapping his shoulder was a man, the "flower of love" blooming in his heart was violently trampled.
And to make matters worse, the guy was a "newbie" band person. How was this different from being "NTR-ed" to his face?!
This kind of behavior was like spitting on the already broken flower of love, then grinding it into the dirt twice for good measure!
"You brat! Where's your sense of timing?! Can't you see what we're doing, you bastard!"
"Doing what...?"
Band people are a bit unfriendly, aren't they? But Yu wasn't angry. Even though the other party was hostile, he understood that he was the one intruding.
"Aimlessly standing under the sun to waste time?"
"Even though you're technically right..."
Clenching his fists, Yamamoto was about to cry. The lead guitarist was already in tears, not knowing how to describe his feelings.
They were college students! What was wrong with wanting to play in a band to find a girlfriend?! Why did the heavens send down this "dork" to stab them in the heart?!
"Enough! We have nothing to say to you! Go ask someone else!"
"Exactly!"
"Eh...?"
Brows slightly furrowed, Yu stared with "dead-fish eyes" at the three teary-eyed guys, unable to fathom what had triggered them.
Although he had heard that band people weren't very approachable, this was his first time encountering "bad people" who started shouting the moment they met.
Of course, the "bastard classmates" at Izu University didn't count—those guys were scumbags who could turn into demons in a second and hurl verbal abuse at their colleagues over the "Three Golden Flowers"!
Taking two steps back to give the band members space to huddle and comfort each other, he hesitated for two seconds and looked around, only to find no other band people besides these three.
"Ugh..."
It was a bit embarrassing, but he might still have to bother them. However, given their "non-violent non-cooperation" attitude, Yu felt he might need some "tactics"!
"Yamamoto! Don't be sad! You'll find one! You'll definitely find a girlfriend!"
"Dammit! Why couldn't I be a bit more handsome? Is it my destiny that even with a bass on my back, I can't attract girls?"
"Um..."
His shoulder was tapped twice again. Yamamoto Sosuke turned his head violently with teary eyes, shouting while holding back a sob: "I said I don't know! You guy, don't push your luck—"
Halfway through, his momentum slowly weakened.
Looking down at the massive shadow cast on the ground, he slowly tilted his head back. His gaze traveled all the way up the firm lines of the torso until it reached the top; the blonde mushroom-cut hair seemed to be shrouded in a "holy light" under the refraction of the sun.
Finally, he stepped out of the shadow of "heartbreak" and recalled a detail he had seen but selectively ignored just now—this kid asking for directions was carrying what looked like a full drum kit!
"Th-That... I admit my voice was a bit loud just now..."
Watching the irritable band youth instantly transform into a "cute little boy," Yu threw his removed jacket over his shoulder, his "white-eye" look nearly flying into the sky.
Honestly, Japanese college students these days can speak perfectly well, so why do they start shouting as soon as they put a guitar on their backs? Art is meant to improve one's cultivation, not to be used for self-importance!
"Don't worry, I absolutely won't use force against strangers. I just wanted to ask if there are any Livehouses nearby that are friendly to newcomers."
"Yes, yes..."
After apologizing, Yamamoto didn't even dare to lift his head. He couldn't help it; although the youth in front of him looked a year or two younger than him, those solidly-packed pectoral muscles were something he could never achieve in his lifetime.
And how could "looking thin in clothes but muscular without them" be so exaggerated?! This was practically a transformation!
If the guy had spoken to him in this form from the start, how would he have dared to snap?!
"H-Here! These are the Livehouses we frequent. Please take them!"
"Thank you very much..."
Accepting the business card handed over by Yamamoto, Yu bowed politely in thanks. After all, the person had helped him; basic etiquette was a must.
However, in Yamamoto Sosuke's eyes, the two-meter-plus muscular giant bowed slightly, bringing their faces to the exact same level!
And to top it off, Yu added an afterthought as a reminder: "Don't be so impulsive next time. When you meet a stranger, please at least speak properly..."
Gulp!
Interpreting this as the giant's dissatisfaction with his earlier rude attitude, Yamamoto nodded his head so fast he left an afterimage, trying to ensure he would never forget the "big boss's" teachings!
"Hey~ dear guests, please do not argue in front of our shop. Is there anything our shop can help you with?"
"No, no! Just asking for directions, right?"
"Mmm-hmm-hmm!"
Nodding frantically, Yamamoto had a flash of inspiration. Taking advantage of the intervention, he and the lead guitarist hoisted up the rhythm guitarist and said their goodbyes: "Since the problem is solved, we'll be heading out first! Janna!"
"Bye-bye?"
A soft sigh. This was why Yu didn't like using his "Muscle Form" in daily life; even if he just wanted a chance to communicate, he might scare people.
The PaB Club and bars were much better—people actually got more excited when they saw his Muscle Form.
"Sorry to trouble you, wait..."
Turning to apologize to the shop assistant, Yu was about to say he'd navigate to the address given by the band guys, but his eyes froze on the assistant.
Familiar brownish-gray eyes, a refreshing short haircut, and that exceptionally noticeable dark skin...
"Hiss... the café from this morning?"
"Yes! I'm working part-time here too. The bookstore is my second shift after the 12:00 PM handover!"
Seeming happy that Yu recognized her, the dark-skinned girl clapped her hands, giving off a sense of vitality and good mood. She glanced at the Livehouse address in Yuu hand.
"Are you trying to form your own band?"
"No, actually it's a friend's band. I'm just helping find a performance hall."
"I see..."
Looking Yuu packed muscles up and down, the dark-skinned girl immediately imagined a band of steam-billowing, white-smoke-breathing muscle giants.
"Actually, I have friends who play in a band too. Based on your style, I recommend you try that place!"
"Eh? Really!"
Yu's eyes instantly lit up. He threw his jacket on in a flash and shook the girl's hand vigorously. There really were many good people in the world! His impression of band people had improved!
"Thank you so much! I'd love to check it out!"
"Yes, I'll write down the address for you right now. Also, looking forward to your next visit!"