Act 1, Chapter 25: Just A Moment

Friday, 3:45 PM. The new Sakuragawa Light Music Club room pulsed with renewed energy after the chaotic interruption of Aoi Mizuno’s violent rescue of Hasumi Sakakibara. Yakomori had reset their performance of 1 Week Go to Hell, their fury now tempered but no less fierce.

Hasumi’s return, free from her father’s shackles, had reignited their spirit, transforming their earlier rage into a composed, blistering showcase.

Riku’s black Jackson King V roared through his Line 6 POD’s Diezel VH4 patch, its high-gain distortion like a primal scream echoing in the room. Daichi, power-stancing with his red Schecter Zacky Vengeance model, unleashed Avenged Sevenfold-esque demonic harmonics, stomping his boot against the stage’s PA speaker. Kenta’s ESP Phoenix bass growled with grungy distortion, his aggressive downpicking matched by frenetic headbanging in a crab stance. Gojou’s relentless drumming on the black Tama kit turned the room into a gladiatorial arena, snares and kicks shaking the soundproof walls.

Riku’s guttural screams tore through the chorus:
“1 WEEK GO TO HELL! WE WERE JUST GET ON! SOMETHING DIED INSIDE ME BUT IT’S NOT JUST MY HEART!”
“1 WEEK GO TO HELL! WE HAVE SEEN IT ALL! SOMETHING DIED INSIDE US WITH NO POINT OF RETURN!”

The room erupted, louder than ever, a war won with Hasumi’s liberation. Some screeched in delight. Whilst Hiroki, Aoi, and Junichi watched quietly, Hiroki was relieved at Hasumi’s recovery.

Yakomori’s performance mirrored Saturday’s private showcase but was elevated with modulated guitar effects, adding depth and fullness. As the song transitioned into a softer bridge, Gojou's drumming paused, Riku smoothly switched to a clean modulated patch, and his raspy vocals carried a desperate edge, creating a moment of respite in the room's intense atmosphere.

The final chorus exploded. Riku, Daichi, and Kenta screamed in unison. Riku cranking his wah pedal, abusing the Line 6 POD’s expression pedal, and channeling Matthew Tuck's precision and James Hetfield's grit in a shredding frenzy.

Daichi joined, his Zacky Vengeance-inspired pitch bends soaring, guitar raised to his nape for a blistering solo. Gojou shifted to a punk-rock groove, fueling the duel. The room roared as their licks traded blows, a showmanship of raw skill.

The song closed like a supernova. Riku, Daichi, and Kenta bellowed “1 Week Go to Hell!” one last time, their gutturals rattling the walls. Gojou’s drum solo thundered—snarling snares, pounding toms, relentless kicks, and crashing cymbals. Daichi’s outro harmonic wailed, Kenta slammed all four bass strings, and Riku let his guitar’s open strings ring.

But Yakomori wasn’t done yet!

Riku set his Jackson King V on the stage, its feedback screeching, and grabbed the mic.

“HASUMI! COME HERE, YOU LITTLE TWAT! SCREAM AT YOUR OLD COOT!” he roared, pointing at Hasumi among Toriteba’s girls.

The room froze, wondering if Yakomori had ulterior motives. Hasumi burst into laughter, relief washing over her like a warm wave on a sunny day. Daichi banged his Schecter’s neck, fry-screaming, “COME ON, GIRL! TEACH THAT OLD COOT A LESSON! CHIN UP!”

“SCREAM AT YOUR OLD COOT!” Kenta added, his voice raw.

To everyone’s shock, Hasumi climbed the stage, chuckling, accepting Yakomori’s wild invitation. Riku raised her arm like a wrestling champion, bellowing, “SHOUTOUT TO THE MVP OF SAKURAGAWA LMC, YOU DIPSHITS!”

Gojou unleashed a doom metal-esque drum break, with Daichi and Kenta chugging in sync with crab stances. Riku’s guttural scream transitioned to Hasumi, who let out a banshee-like screech, less intense than her earlier meltdown but brimming with joy, venting her fury at her abusive father. The room erupted in laughter, charmed by Yakomori’s quirky madness yet heartfelt gesture, and Hasumi’s healing release amidst the chaos.

Gojou’s final cymbal crash sealed the performance, with Daichi and Kenta raising their instruments like war trophies, their distortion ringing.

In a wild flourish, Riku, Daichi, and Kenta lifted Hasumi gently, feeling the weight of her triumph in their arms, her fists raised in a teary, triumphant chuckle. The audiences cheered wildly, stunned by Yakomori’s showmanship and bizarre, heartwarming finale.

It’s good Hasumi’s healed. Hiroki thought, relieved no one noticed Aoi’s earlier violence. But thank God it stayed secret.

Yakomori’s 1 Week Go to Hell showcase wrapped with cheers and laughter. Toriteba’s girls chanted Hasumi and Yakomori’s names, their voices blending in harmony, the room pulsating with a shared sense of connection. And this moment cemented the LMC’s unbreakable spirit.

***

Friday, 3:50 PM. Yakomori’s 1 Week Go to Hell had set the new Sakuragawa LMC’s room ablaze; their second attempt was a polished triumph after Aoi Mizuno’s disruptive rescue of Hasumi Sakakibara.

The unexpected finale, where Hasumi joined Riku Tanaka for a banshee-like scream, sparked cheers and laughter from the audience. Hasumi, now free from her father's abuse, descended from the stage, embraced by Toriteba's enthusiastic hugs and screeches, symbolizing her liberation.

Stepping forward, Sora Nakamura, Yakomori's coach, adopted an analytical tone. “That was unexpected. This is why we are carefully selecting only twelve first-years. To filter out who’s here for fun versus who pushes competitiveness, creativity, and discipline. Crafting an original song forces you to think outside the box and step out of your comfort zone.” The room nodded, absorbing his words.

“Solid band chemistry, stellar performance, and bringing Hasumi onstage? Brilliant crowd interaction, foreshadowing your Halloween Festival set tomorrow, October. Mega job!” He led another round of applause.

Yakomori’s boys high-fived, raising double devil horns, Sora’s praise a badge of honor. Mika Sato chimed in with an analytical yet cheery tone, adding a vibrant dynamic to the conversation. “I preferred the first performance’s raw fury—fueled by Hasumi’s abduction. But this second one was polished and balanced. Mega job!” She flashed a double thumbs-up, her bubbly smile infectious.

Furuya Fujikawa, Omanjou's saxophonist, gasped, his chuckle betraying his surprise. “Is it me, or is our arrogance backfiring? This wasn’t some casual LMC gig—it was a literal rock concert with thousands of mosh pits!" The room roared with laughter.

Doubt clouded Hiroki's mind as he pondered the implications of Furuya's cryptic words. Furuya’s words hinted at a darker history of Sakuragawa’s LMC, secrets buried before the first-years arrived. What happened back then? he wondered.

Furuya continued, casual but pointed. “You Yakomori boys proved us wrong. Like Sora said, push your creativity and step out of your comfort zone. Hit the tour after graduation, yeah?” He winked, and Yakomori responded with guttural chants of their band name, double devil horns raised, taking his words as a challenge.

Reina Kuroda, Omanjou's guitarist, spoke nervously, her voice betraying a hint of apprehension. “Yakomori… weird name, not gonna lie.” Laughter erupted—Hiroki surprised at her audacity, knowing such a jab at a metal band could be a death warrant.

Yet Yakomori stayed chill. “I’m not into metal or hardcore screaming, but setting bias aside, your performance was solid, chemistry perfect, and that ending? Unexpected. Mega job!” She gave a double thumbs-up, the room applauding.

Haruto Minami, Ayano Tsukamoto, and Daiki Yamamoto raised mock devil horns, mimicking Yakomori’s screams, speechless at their outburst.

Sora pointed at Yakomori. “Round of applause!” The boys descended, shaking hands with the seniors, their showcase a triumph.

Sora side-eyed Suede’s trio. “Now, for the finale of our second LMC meeting showcase—Suede!” He pointed like an arena announcer, the room erupting. Toriteba and Yakomori chanted “Suede!” expecting Death Homesick to stun the seniors.

Hiroki raised his hand, hesitant. “Uh… just a moment!” The room fell into confused silence, taken aback by Suede's apparent unpreparedness for their performance.

Hiroki, Aoi, and Junichi huddled, whispering urgently. “Guys, slight change of plan!” Hiroki whispered, sparking a brief debate over their Death Homesick performance, like soldiers strategizing mid-battle.

Seconds dragged as the crowd’s chants grew louder, impatient for Suede. Suddenly, the trio shouted, "BANISHMENT IN THIS WORLD!” Facing the audience, they declared in unison, “We’re ready!”

Sora and Mika nodded, signaling them to take the stage. Hiroki strapped on his late brother’s black-gold Les Paul, Aoi had her weathered black GSRM20B, and Junichi gripped his drumsticks, ready for the LMC’s Tama kit.

“Hiroki! Good luck!” Takane called. The trio turned, snapping their fingers and pointing at the crowd. “We won’t miss!” their response sparking screeches and blushes from Toriteba’s girls, Suede’s charisma melting hearts.

As they ascended, Aoi removed her eyepatch and bandages, unleashing her full potential. The stage was set for Death Homesick to end the showcase with a bang.