Chapter 1
July 3, 2014
Rin Moriyama, to put it mildly, was an absolute fool.
She was not only a fool but a music fanatic too. Had she merely been a music fanatic, she would have been harmless to me. If only a fool, our paths would never have crossed. But she was an unbearable music-crazed fool. One who had a knack for dragging me into her chaotic situations.
Despite her appearance as a refined and adorable young lady, one should never judge a book by its cover. Rin was not a princess who would quietly stay inside her sheltered world; rather, she was more likely to break out through a window out of sheer boredom. That was Rin.
It was the summer of our senior year of high school.
It was a daunting period where anything other than studying for exams was not permitted; even meal and sleep times were to be sacrificed. Rin transferred to my class during this time, and in a place where she did not know anyone, she declared her intention to form a band for the school festival.
Her reason for transferring to Kita High, a school notorious for its band activity ban, was simple. It was the alma mater of her favorite band. No other reason.
She had no experience in writing lyrics or music, could not play any instruments and had no influential connections. Despite her forceful personality, akin to a runaway steam locomotive, she was not physically strong. Yet, with a voice that seemed to pour out the power pent up in her petite frame, she was determined to realize her dream, inspired by the school festival where her favorite band had made their debut.
Her dream was to form a band and perform at Kita High's school festival.
She would bulldoze her way through life without hesitation, casually laughing off any chaos she caused along the way. She was like a ten-ton truck with no brakes, but more compact. I often found myself in her path. Here is one such example.
Satoshi! I'm so sorry! I gave them the wrong CD for the broadcast. I wasn't thinking clearly!
Rin laughed casually while making a gesture of apology with one hand.
You two, again?!
The student council president approached us, clearly annoyed.
I grabbed Rin's hand and we bolted from the classroom to escape the president's anger. We headed straight for the broadcast room.
You're an idiot! We need to stop this broadcast now!
The sound, more like noise, of a dreadful guitar melody, paired with an overly enthusiastic singing voice, reverberated throughout the school during the lunch break. The contrast between the two was not music to the ears.
It was a CD of us playing in a moment of pure enthusiasm. It had been stashed away in my closet and was not meant to see the light of day. Now it was being played throughout the school and giving me no end of embarrassment.
But . . . I kind of like how I'm singing, you know?
So not only is your brain messed up, but your ears too, huh . . .
My ears are fine! I mean, this song really is good. It makes me feel great!
Rin laughed.
I had the urge to flick her on the forehead, but I held back.
Anyway, we need to get to the broadcast room before the vice principal and grab that CD quickly. Otherwise, we're done for . . .
Ooh. And we went to so much trouble to get the broadcasting club's help.
And whose fault is that?
I grumbled as I ran alongside Rin.
Rin Moriyama, Satoshi Shinohara of class 3-1. Come to the staff room after school.
. . . I knew it.
I muttered under my breath as I smashed the offending CD.
It was the vice principal, the leader of the opposition to our band activities, who had summoned us just before the end of lunch break.
Although we managed to retrieve our CD without getting caught by any teachers, the vice principal was convinced that we were the culprits. After school was where we had to offer our defense.
This is a miscarriage of justice.
I kept pleading.
Oh no! The plan was to grab everyone with our music, but not like this.
Rin crossed her arms.
Hmmph.
This is your fault, you know. Not only is performing live at the Kita High Festival impossible now, but we can forget about even recruiting people to join our band.
It's okay, don't worry. We'll figure something out. I'm sure we can convert people with our music!
There was not a hint of doubt in her eyes. It was delusion at its finest.
Stop doing foolish things and it might go well.
Ah! There you go saying things like that again!