_DIDN'T_GO_AS EXPECTED
(Vol. 2 Track 3)

[sfx: car pulling up, window rolling down]

Tobikura: Good morning! I hope you weren't waiting long. Please, hop in!

[sfx: van door opening]

Tsugumi, Mitsuru, Hibari: (in sync) Good morning!

[sfx: Toki getting in]

Toki: Good morning, Tobikura-san.

Tsugumi: You're the one driving us today, Tobi-chan?

Tobikura: My driver's license is spotless, you have no need to worry!

Hibari: What about the roadie?

Tobikura: They'll be getting to the event their own way. Once they arrive, I'll be there to help, however I can.

Tsugumi: You know how to deal with musical equipment, Tobi-chan?!

Tobikura: Yes! I know the basics of setting stage, at least.

Hibari: Really? You're a multi-talented man.

Tobikura: Well then, shall we be off?

[sfx: doors locking, car accelerating]

Tobikura: Oh, right! Have you all seen the daily single ranking?

Mitsuru: I've seen it. RISE is getting popular!

Hibari: We didn't quite make it into the Top 10, but it was close.

Tobikura: That's a fantastic result for a debut single, though! This is thanks to your music steadily bringing in the fans!

Tsugumi: Still, I thought for sure we'd make it to number one! It's some of our best work, after all.

Toki: Whether we make it to first place or not isn't even the issue, there's some well-established names releasing new music this week as well.

Tobikura: I'm sorry about that… We weren't able to move the release date for a few reasons.

Toki: No, please don't apologise! It's not your fault, Tobikura-san.

Hibari: Definitely. I think it's better we sit back and observe for now.

[sfx: phone camera shutter]

Mitsuru: There. I'll show people next time I'm at the studio.

Tobikura: The… studio?

Mitsuru: My part-time job, I have a shift there next week.

Tobikura: (sounding surprised) Part-time job…

Tsugumi: Oh, Mitsuru! I wanna keep that screenshot too! Can you message it to me?

Mitsuru: Sure! Uhm…

[sfx: typing sounds, notification jingle]

Tsugumi: Thank you~! I should show this to my manager to prove we really debuted!

Hibari: You're still working at the convenience store, Tsugu-chan?

Tsugumi: Yeah! I told them we were gonna debut, and they were super supportive, so I thought I should. They were really helpful and let me change my shift this week!

Mitsuru: They give you free bento too, I'm a little jealous.

Tsugumi: As you should be! It's been a real help with saving on meal costs!

Tobikura: Uh- Uhm!

Tsugumi: What's up, Tobi-chan?

Tobikura: It's, uh… Well… If anything ever gets in the way, please to come to me for advice too!

Tsugumi: Hm? Sure I will! You are our manager after all, Tobi-chan!

Tobikura: That's right! I want to be someone you can depend on, so I'll work as hard as I can!

Tsugumi: What're you being so serious for!? You're super dependable already! Right, Toki? …Toki?

Toki: (distractedly) Uh, yeah. Totally.

Tsugumi: You've been on your phone for ages, what'cha been looking at?

Toki: Oi, Tsugu, quit shoving!

Tsugumi: Monthly Album Ranking?

Hibari: Album? Not the singles ranking?

Mitsuru: Oh, that one. That's Rubire's album.

Tsugumi: This month's number one?

Hibari: Ah, it's still holding the top spot, is it? If I remember correctly, it was number one on the daily rankings for a whole week after it came out too.

Tsugumi: Huh?! Really?!

Mitsuru: Yeah. And it stayed in the top 10 for a while after that too.

Hibari: That's right, isn't it? Then, it's not surprising it's the month's top album.

Tobikura: They did a national tour along with the album release, you see. And then, their additional performance at the end was truly something spectacular.

Tsugumi: What do you mean by something spectacular ?

Hibari: It's obvious, right? Continuing on with the show, despite performing in the pouring rain out on that outdoor stage. They just went on with it, despite all the difficulties.

Toki: I heard that the power went out right as they were about to begin.

Tsugumi: No power?! If they didn't have power, how did they perform?!

Mitsuru: I heard they played acoustic for some of it.

Tobikura: That's right. The band members set up, put together a setlist, and arranged the songs all on the spot. They were originally going to focus on performing new songs, since the tour was to celebrate their new album, but by mixing together both old and newer releases, they left a good impression on the fans.

Toki: Oh, so that's why their older albums went up in the charts recently too.

Tobikura: After the live, their early albums completely sold out. Digital downloads shot up as well, apparently.

Hibari: They took advantage of the issues they faced and managed to turn it into fresh sales.

Toki: Geez, are they even human?

Tobikura: Seems fans are already referring to it as the 'legendary performance.'

Tsugumi: Uh… So, like… Are these guys super famous or something?

Toki: Huh? You're asking that now ?

Hibari: Tsugu-chan, you went to see Rubire live, didn't you?

Tsugumi: I mean, I guess I did… Now that I think about it, the venue was super packed.

Mitsuru: I heard from people at the studio that they couldn't even fit all the staff in.

Tobikura: Yes, depending on the day, it can be hard to get a seat. Apologies for any inconvenience…

Tsugumi: But then, why do you guys all know so much about this?

Toki: We know a perfectly normal amount.

Hibari: And if you're talking about that live in particular, it was pretty popular topic online.

Mitsuru: Mhm. People were posting a lot of pictures too.

Tobikura: As for me, I was actually there on the day to help out.

Toki: It's not that we know an absurd amount — you're just absurdly clueless, Tsugu.

Tsugumi: Huuh? But, still…!

Toki: (at the same time, deadpan) Inkuro is the best.

Tsugumi: Inkuro is the best! … Wh- Hey! Don't copy me!

Toki: You're just easy to predict, Tsugu. But for real, if you don't know your enemy, how are you supposed to fight them?

Tsugumi: With talent!

Toki: As if!

Hibari: (giggle) That's one of your strengths, Tsugu-chan.

Tsugumi: Right?

Mitsuru: I really want to see Rubire live at some point, though

Tsugumi: Huh? Why?

Mitsuru: Rubire's bassist is really good. I want to hear him play live, at least once.

Tsugumi: Whaaat?! But you're definitely way better than he is, right?

Mitsuru: I still think that the way I play is the coolest. But… being confident in my abilities, and wanting to hear another talented bassist play, those are different things.

Tsugumi: Is that how it is?

Mitsuru: That's how it is.

Hibari: Regardless, with this momentum they've got, I think they'll be in next month's charts too.

Toki: Yeah, seems like they'll probably make Top 5 at least, right?

Tobikura: They can worry about that, let's just focus on us! It's true that Rubire are a very talented band. But, Inkuro's moving at it's own pace!

Tsugumi: Well, I guess you're right, but…

Mitsuru: Tobi-chan, what's today's venue like again?

Tobikura: You'll be in the shopping centre's central event space! The stage here is larger than yesterday's! So, let's give it our all!

…

[sfx: knocking, door opening]

Tobikura: Excuse us!

[sfx: Tobikura and co. walking in]

Tobikura: This is the band that will be part of today's event, Impish Crow.

Event Manager: Ah… Pleasure.

[sfx: event manager getting out of his seat, with very little enthusiasm]

Tobikura: I'm their manager. My name is Tobikura!

Event Manager: Right, yes. Tobikura-san.

Tobikura: It's a pleasure to meet you! And then, these four are our band members…

Tsugumi: Hiya~! Nice to meet you!

Toki: Thank you very much for hosting us.

Mitsuru: Hello—

Event Manager: Yeah, alright, your straight-laced introductions are appreciated. I've left the reception office open as a waiting room if you want it. It's at the end of the hallway, here's the key.

Tobikura: U-uh, right! Thank you very much…

Tsugu: Hey, Hibari didn't even get to—

Hibari: (whispering) Ssh! Tsugu-chan, forget it.

[sfx: event manager returning to his chair]

Tobikura: Uhm, actually…!

Event Manager: Huh? Was there something else you wanted?

Tobikura: Erm… Could you tell us who's in charge of the event…?

Event Manager: (groans) Apologies, but that kind of thing is handled directly by the store, we only manage the schedule for the event space itself.

Tobikura: R-right! I understand…! We look forward to working with you!

…

[sfx: door shutting, footsteps]

Tsugumi: Geez! What the hell was his problem?

Mitsuru: Hibari still hasn't gotten a chance to introduce himself…

Tsugumi: Right?!

Hibari: It's fine, don't worry about it!

Tobikura: I'm sorry, perhaps I should have met with him alone first…

Toki: We're heading to meet the store staff now, right? Would it be better if we stay in the waiting room?

Tobikura: Good idea! You can all introduce yourselves afterwards.

Hibari: In that case, I'll look after the key.

Tobikura: Alright then, here you go…! I'll meet with the store briefly and then be right back!

[sfx: Tobikura walking away]

Mitsuru: Tobi-chan looks stressed…

Tsugumi: Can't believe it, that piece of shit old man…

Toki: Tsugu , what are we gonna do if he hears you? Come on, let's just head to the waiting room.

Tsugumi: But, c'mon Toki…

Toki: No buts. If we cause any problems, Tobikura-san would be the one that has to deal with our mess, yeah?

Tsugumi: Oh… Yeah, right…

Toki: Trust me, I'm just as pissed as you are. I'm not saying they need to throw us a welcome party, but it'd be nice if they put at least a little more—

Hibari: This feels like a realistic first step into the entertainment industry if you ask me. I don't think it's all that bad! (giggling, speaking quietly) And it's refreshingly new for me to be so completely ignored…!