_A_TOUCH_OF DISSONANCE
(Vol. 1 Track 4)

Kurono: Eh?! So, where is he going?

Akane: Dunno, no clue. Didn’t ask.

[sfx: phone tapping]

Kurono: Damn it! He’s turned off his phone.

Akane: Awh, well, that’s pretty standard when he’s like this.

Kurono: I should have dragged him here by force. You have far too much sympathy for him, Akane-san!

Akane: Even if you forced him, you can’t make him do something he hates…

Kurono: Hates?

Akane: He said he hates practicing.

Kurono: He has absolutely no sense of professionalism! I can turn a blind eye to his playboy attitude or whatever he gets up to in his private life. I don’t care, he can do what he likes! But this…!

Akane: We’ll play just fine without him, let him do whatever.

Kurono: But…!

Akane: Hey, hold it, what are you getting angry at me for?

Kurono: … I’m sorry.

Akane: Plus, he used to be a studio musician before. He’s probably confident he can play well even without much practice.

Haiji: That reminds me actually, I saw Mashiro-san at a session once, where he was stepping in for someone else last-minute. He was amazing.

Kurono: You knew each other before the band? I didn’t know.

Haiji: Oh, no, not really. I was just working part time at a livehouse back then. I don’t think Mashiro-san would have remembered me.

Akane: You didn’t try to talk to him?

Haiji: I didn’t, I was worried he’d just ignore me. Though if I was a girl, he probably would have been more than happy to chat me up.

Kurono: You’re not wrong…

Akane: Ah, can’t defend him there.

Haiji: But I remember everyone was really surprised! He was brought in super last minute, but he got into the groove of it really quickly.

Kurono: He must have less interest in it now. It doesn’t matter how much talent you have if you won’t put in the effort to improve and keep up practice!

Akane: So stop sulking whenever he does anything!

Kurono: I am not sulking!

Akane: (humoured sigh) I love your guitar-playing, y’know.

Kurono: (taken aback) Th-Thank you…

Akane: I didn’t choose to make music with you ‘cause I felt like I couldn’t get rid of you. It doesn’t matter how good of a person someone is, if their music doesn’t take my interest, that’s the end of it. 

Kurono: Right. Hearing that you think so highly of me… makes me very happy.

Haiji: Before RUBIA Leopard, you two were in a band together, right? Then me and Mashiro-san joined, and now it’s all four of us.

Akane: Yup. Same thing there, I chose you and Mashiro because I liked your style of playing. That’s all. So remember that, Kurono, and stop being so moody. All of you are in Rubire because I chose you with confidence. You can just focus on doing your job.

Kurono: But still…!

Akane: (short laugh) Jeez, even after laying on all that praise you’re still not over it? Are you really that stuck on Mashiro?

Kurono: I’m not saying all this because I want to! It’s his fault he’s such a layabout!

Akane: I’s actually pretty nice of you to always be looking out for him and telling him off. Hold on, is it like that thing they say? That love and hate are two sides of the same–

Kurono: I hate him!

Akane: Ah, do you now?

Kurono: Even I’ll admit he’s very talented. And more importantly, you chose him because you’re certain he has what it takes. I don’t want to dislike him for no good reason. But even still, after three years of being in a band together, I still cannot find a single likeable thing about him as a person!

Akane: Then, if you hate him so much, don’t go out of your way to fight with him!

Haiji: There’s no need to worry, I’m sure Mashiro-san will be just fine!

Kurono: Who said I was worried about him?! If he comes back and the quality of our music has fallen, I’m seriously take a swing at him. 

Akane: Oi, watch it! You’re making it sound like you’re looking forward to our music quality dropping.

Kurono: I didn’t mean it… like that.

Akane: (short laugh) You’re a real pain in the neck, you know that?

Haiji: Uhm, sorry to interrupt! Do you think we could still practice together, the three of us? It might be a little difficult without Mashiro-san here, but I’m feeling a little anxious since I wasn’t able to play yesterday so… I’d appreciate it!

Akane: Sure, roger that. Let’s get started right away. Sound good, Kurono?

Kurono: Of course! I’ve made time for that especially.

Haiji: Thank you!

[sfx: Haiji playing drums, Kurono tuning up on guitar]

Akane: Haiji, can I have a sec?

Haiji: Sure! What’s up?

Akane: Thanks for that.

[sfx: Kurono continuing on guitar]

Haiji: (laughs) That? It really was just me being selfish. I’m sorry for complaining about being anxious right before the performance.

Akane: That so? I get it now. So this is why Iwahara-san puts so much trust in you.

Haiji: I hope I’ve been able to be helpful to him, even a little.

Akane: I’ll be counting on you from now on.

Haiji: Of course! I’ll be in your care!

[sfx: music stops, van door opening]

Iwahara: You guys head on in to the venue first, I’ll go park the van around back.

Kurono: Understood! Let’s move, Akane-san.

Akane: Right behind you.

Mashiro: (yawning obnoxiously) I definitely prefer local venues, this morning was absolute paradise!

Kurono: It’s the final day of the tour, when do you plan on finally waking up? 

Mashiro: What’s the issue? We’ve still got time ‘till the performance.

Kurono: That’s exactly what someone who’s slacking off would say.

Mashiro: You really are like some kinda drill sergeant ^[1], aren’t you?

Kurono: Hey! Listen properly when people are talking to you!

Mashiro: (not listening) Whatever you say, chief!

Akane: Well, when you really think about, don’t they actually get along pretty well?

Haiji: Gan-chan! Is there anything needing carried into the venue? I’m happy to help!

Iwahara: Uhh, nope, we’re all good!

Haiji: Oh, turn to face me for a second, will you? 

Iwahara: Hm?

Haiji: Your necktie. It’s crooked. Let me just… There, perfect.

Iwahara: Sorry. Thanks a bunch.

Haiji: Those dark circles really are something. You didn’t get home until dawn, did you?

Iwahara: Ah, so I woke you up after all…

Haiji: I was sleeping pretty lightly. Probably just nerves.

Iwahara: I’m sorry. All the preparations were getting a little down to the wire…(yawns)

Haiji: Enough about me, are you doing alright? 

Iwahara: I’m good. I’ve just got to get through today, I don’t really care what happens after.

Haiji: There you go again, putting yourself second. Maybe I should get my driver’s licence too? Being able to take over driving in cases like these would be convenient.

Iwahara: You idiot. What kind of manager lets his talents drive him around? And more importantly, if there were some kind of accident it would be incredibly serious. There’s no need for you to get a liscence.

Haiji: Oh c’mon, don’t suddenly go all manager mode on me!

Iwahara: We are here for the final performance, after all. How you doing? You alright? No issues, ready to get this show on the road?

Haiji: Of course!

Iwahara: And you’re not still hung up on Mashiro ditching rehearsals? Kurono was absolutely seething that day.

Haiji: All good there! We’ve been performing pretty nonstop for the last two days, after all.

Iwahara: He’s in a good mood so long as he’s playing music, huh? Jeez, each and every one of you guys is some type of lovable idiot… Oh, right. How’s Akane?

Haiji: Akane-san? I haven’t noticed anything in particular, but… Has something happened?

Iwahara: Nah, if you haven’t picked up on anything, that’s a good sign. Sorry for keeping you so long. Go join the others already. I’m counting on you to put on your best show!

Haiji: Of course! I’ll give it my all! 

[sfx: Haiji walking off]

Iwahara: I’ve got to get some of that enthusiasm too. I hope nothing goes wrong… Well, I guess we’ll see.

[sfx: rubire all practicing their instruments, minus Akane]

Mashiro: Ah, excuse me, PA-san! Could you put the monitor ^[2] level back to where it was, just a little higher please? 

Kurono: Also, for this song, could you make the vocals during D section just a touch louder?

Staff: Understood!

Akane: Hey, PA-san. Could I have the volume for the guitar part a little higher on this monitor here?

Kurono: Will that not interfere with your vocals?

Akane: I find it easier to sing when you’re playing louder.

Kurono: Very well! 

Mashiro: I mean, it’s no fun if the guitar’s behind held back. It’s the real flower of rock, after all.

Kurono: (sarcastically) Well, I’m sorry I don’t have any flowers for you.

Mashiro: You look so refined, but you’re always raring to go for a fight with me, it’s so cute!

Kurono: Don’t flatter yourself. You’re not the one I’m playing for. 

Mashiro: Aha, playing like that? Ah, sorry, I shouldn’t laugh…!

Kurono: I’m looking forward to seeing whether or not you’ll still be able to laugh after the live performance.

Akane: Oi, you two! Don’t start a brawl during the live!

Kurono: I would never! Also, we don’t get along at all. 

Mashiro: Well, our fight are pretty adorable, compared to Akane’s vocals anyway. 

Akane: Just how violent is my singing, then?

Mashiro: Since we get along so well, how about we all try starting a brawl together? 

Akane: I’m on vocal rest.

Mashiro: Oh, come on! It’s the final day, let’s cut loose a little!

Kurono: Don’t put even more responsibility onto Akane-san!

[sfx: Haiji interrupting by playing on drums]

Haiji: The sound changes quite a lot when you’re out in the open air like this, doesn’t it? Almost as if it gets absorbed by the big blue sky.

Mashiro: What’s this? There’s some poet here... 

Haiji: I might be feeling a too giddy. I’m a little nervous the music might run away from me…

Mashiro: In the wide outdoor world, us rhythm folks carry a lot of responsibility, don’t we?

Haiji: I’ve asked them to make the click track louder than usual, so it’ll probably be fine.

Kurono: There’s no need to be nervous. I’ve never heard you lose the rhythm in all the time we’ve been playing together. 

Akane: And, if something were to go wrong, Mashiro will take care of it.

Mashiro: Oh my, the king has requested my aide!

Haiji: I’ll be relying on you!

Mashiro: That’s some serious responsibility! I’ll just have to put in twice as much effort as usual!

Staff: Now then, could you please test again with the current settings?

Kurono: Of course, thank you for your help!

Akane: Ah, I’ll go listen from the audience for a bit.

[sfx: footsteps, Answer instrumental]

Iwahara: Good work, Akane.

Akane: Iwahara-san! So, this sound good to you?

Iwahara: It’s nice, I like it.

Akane: Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say ‘no’ to something like that.

Iwahara: That’s because my job is to create an environment where you talented bunch can work comfortably. If I do that job right, it’s only natural you guys always sound good.

Akane: I hear you.

Iwahara: I’m no music specialist. But even still, I can learn a lot just by watching you play. I’m just a guy who was in the right place at the right time.

Akane: As expected of DIGPro’s wisest manager.

Iwahara: And what about you? What do you think of Rubire’s music? 

Akane: Can’t say I have complaints. I chose the members, after all.

Iwahara: Hmm?

Akane: What was that hmm for?

Iwahara: Don’t worry, nothing.

[sfx: staff member running up, panting]

Staff A: P-Please excuse me!

Staff B: What’s wrong?

Staff A: Are you able to spare any people? All the merch has sold out, and the lines have all broken up, it’s a bit of a disaster…! It’s becoming incredibly difficult to handle…

Staff B: Then, should we send over some people from the internal side of things? It might only be a drop in the bucket, but…

Iwahara: If it’s alright with you, we could lend you two or three people from our talent agency.

Staff A: Both of those would be such a big help! I feel like I’d even accept help from a cat at this point!

Iwahara: Is it alright if I just tell them to go to the main office? 

Staff A: Yes, thank you so much!

[sfx: staff member A taking off]

Iwahara: This you, Tobikura? Sorry, it seems there aren’t enough people to help guide ticketholders. Could you take some people and head to the main office? Yeah. Mm. Yeah, thanks a lot. Looks like we can transfer over at least 3 people. Tobikura is from our company, he’ll bring them to the office, so if you could please give them instructions from there.

Staff B: I’m very sorry about this, Iwahara-san, looks like my estimations were far too low. 

Iwahara: Please, don’t be, we’re asking for quite a big favour with today’s stage setting. Please don’t hesitate to tell me if there’s anything amiss. I’ll do whatever’s in my power to help. 

Staff B: Understood, sir. I’m very sorry for causing trouble during your rehearsal, Higurashi-san. 

Akane: Nah, it’s nothing, thanks for all your help. 

Staff B: Looks like it’ll turn out to be a great concert! I’m looking forward to seeing you perform. Now, if you’ll excuse me.

[sfx: staff member B walking away]

Akane: I wonder what kind of face everyone would make, if I told them we were disbanding today.

Iwahara: Oi. Akane.

Akane: I won’t. We won’t, though. 

Iwahara: Don’t say such stupid things with that bored look on your face. You’re the face of the band!

[sfx: Iwahara smacking Akane on the back]

Akane: Ouch…

Iwahara: You’ll bring down morale.

Akane: Nobody’s even listening!

Iwahara: I’m listening. Fix that childish habit of yours and… Oh, it’s here… 

Akane: Hm? Has something happened?

Iwahara: No, it’s nothing. (frustrated sigh) I’ve got to head off now. I’ll leave rehearsals in your hands.

[sfx: Iwahara walking away]

Akane: Childish habit, huh? Oh, yeah, Iwahara gave me that USB stick, I forgot to check what was on it. I should probably take a look at it now…

Mashiro: Hey, Akane! 

Akane: Hm?

Mashiro: It’d be real nice if our grand vocalist could finally make an appearance!

Akane: On it!