_SHAKEN_UP_
(Vol. 2 Track 3)

[sfx: Haiji playing drums, testing things out]

Haiji: Hmm… I'm not really sure how to add fills to this section…

[sfx: door opening, Akane and Kurono enter]

Akane: Sorry we're late.

Kurono: Apologies.

Haiji: Oh, Akane-san, Kurono-san! Good morning!

Akane: I had some things to do, took longer than I thought.

Kurono: I'll finish setting up as quickly as I can. You only need to wait a little longer, Haiji.

Haiji: No worries, take your time! In the meantime, I had something I wanted to ask you, Akane-san.

Akane: …Me? That doesn't happen often, what's up?

Haiji: I was given this sheet music the other day, but I'm having a bit of trouble with it…

[sfx: Haiji flipping through pages]

Akane: Oh, you're practising this already, are you? We're trying out something new for this next single, right?

Haiji: Ah, yes! Gan-chan told me! When I got given the score, I just got the urge to try it out, but then…

Akane: (short laugh) I see. Well then, give me a chance to hear what you have in mind later.

Haiji: What… I have in mind?

Akane: Yup. You're our drummer, after all.

Haiji: But, your vision as a composer is far more important than my feelings!

Akane: I'll need to hear it before I let you change anything of course, but we have plenty of time. Running through some trial and error together isn't such a bad idea.

Haiji: Thank you! But, Akane-san… You're amazing, you know? We already had three or more demos ready for the album, but you're still writing something totally new.

Akane: There's nothing amazing about it, it's not even done yet. Honestly, it's just because I felt like it. That, and I'm feeling a little greedy… Sorry you've had to wait so long.

Haiji: No, it's all good! We still have plenty of free time in our scheduele, so please use it to write something you'll be satisfied with!

Akane: Thanks. In my opinion, what it's missing is some impact. It's gonna be a love song, after all.

Haiji: That's right, we've never really released a love song before, have we?

[sfx: Kurono tuning up on guitar]

Akane: Yeah, we haven't. Not sure why, though… Maybe that's why none of the demos were working.

Haiji: You mean, at the time, you weren't writing them as love songs?

Akane: Exactly. So then, I might as well write something new entirely.

Haiji: I'll be excited to hear it! Akane-san's long-awaited love song!

Akane: When you say that, it makes me feel like I'm being watched. Makes me nervous.

Haiji: (giggling) Fufu!

[sfx: Kurono finishing setting up]

Kurono: On a different note, seems Mashiro doesn't plan on turning up for practice today either.

Haiji: Oh, I tried to call him earlier, but it looks like he's at the other studio today, for that job offer he got.

Kurono: Ah, one of his backing band gigs?

Akane: It's for that collab with a bunch of other musicians, right?

Kurono: It's virtually the same thing, isn't it? What's more, it's put Mashiro in an annoyingly good mood… I can't imagine why Iwahara-san would offer him a job like that.

Akane: What is it? Are you jealous?

Kurono: That's not it! Since the artist he's working with is a woman and all, I'm just… worried.

Akane: Hmm? … I'm kinda jealous, if I'm honest.

Kurono: Akane-san…?

Akane: Not of Mashiro getting to flirt with some girl, I couldn't care less about that. But, when I think of him being out there and socialising with other musicians, playing for them instead, it pisses me off.

Haiji: I didn't expect you'd think of it that way, Akane-san…

Akane: He might not be perfect, but he's our bassist. But… It's not like I can tell him that to his face. It's Mashiro's choice, he accepted the offer all on his own. And so far, it hasn't interrupted his work with Rubire in the slightest. And then on top of that, Iwahara told me not to be childish about it… With that look of his, like he just caught me red-handed. Kind of hard to argue with the boss, huh?

Haiji: Gan-chan shouldn't be saying that kind of thing… Plus, it would have been better if he'd let you know ahead of time when he had a moment.

Akane: Well, what he said wasn't totally off.

Kurono: It's all Mashiro's fault for being so ignorant. He's meant to be a professional, he's Rubire's bassist, he should be more conscious of these things. Always running after every woman he sees, just flirting away with them! Who knows, maybe he's lying about even being at the studio today and he's—!

Akane: Hey, Kurono, stop that. Don't go speculating on anything we don't know for sure, that's too far.

Kurono: But he's—!

Akane: If you wanna say something about him, say it to his face. If you don't, you're just shit-talking behind his back.

Kurono: I… I'm sorry…

[sfx: Kurono standing to leave]

Kurono: I'll go outside for some fresh air, to clear my head…

[sfx: Kurono walking off, door closing]

Akane: Just mentioning Mashiro is enough to tick him off… Sorry Haiji, I kinda killed the mood.

Haiji: Not at all, don't worry!

Akane: I'm really glad you're here, seriously.

Haiji: What's gotten into you all of a sudden?

Akane: I'm just thankful. If you were as prone to flying off the handle as the other two, I think I'd be bald by now.

Haiji: (laughs) I'm glad your hair is still intact, Akane-san!

Akane: Pfft, don't laugh, I'm serious. Still, Haiji… It's alright if you want to be a little selfish too.

Haiji: Selfish? Really, I'm happy enough just getting to be here, as part of Rubire.

Akane: Hmm…? That so… Well, I'll keep working hard so it stays that way.

Haiji: You know, Akane-san, somehow you seem full of energy lately!

Akane: You think?

Haiji: I do!

Akane: (short laugh) I've been found out then, huh? You're good at this.

Haiji: Did something good happen?

Akane: Something like that. I tend to get fired up when there's some kind of obstacle in my way.

Haiji: I know you do! What happened at the outdoor live was a thorough first-hand initiation.

Akane: (short laugh) Sounds about right. They're calling it the 'legendary performance' , apparently.

Haiji: I'm glad our legend has a good ending.

Akane: Exactly. Whenever I remember live, it's like, how do I put this… Until recently, it felt like I've been slacking off.

Haiji: But, you write the songs, the lyrics, and you're even our sound producer sometimes too… How have you been slacking?

Akane: Ah, hmm… That's not it… Like, that thing Kurono tends to say, that it wouldn't be Rubire without me in it? I mean, it's only me talking, but doesn't it feel like we skipped all the hardship bands usually go through? I used to think being in a band was only about the music, but I've been thinking recently, maybe we should've been more greedy, you know?

Haiji: Really? I really appreciate that I've been able to focus and really devote all my time to making music. And that's all thanks to you, Akane-san, and your talents pushing us forward. I'm super grateful.

Akane: (short laugh) You're really good at flattering people, you know that? But if I could do it all on my own, I might as well just debut solo. This band… is what I really want.

Haiji: Akane-san…

Akane: So, if there's anything you guys need, I'll take whatever route I need to get it. Oh, right. Haiji, have you heard this before?

Haiji: Oh, that CD…

Akane: Impish Crow, our agency's new face.

Haiji: This is the song you played on the radio before, isn't it? I still haven't heard the full thing.

Akane: Then here, take it.

Haiji: Eh, really?!

Akane: I already got the audio file from Iwahara-san, so… Ah, I dunno if you'd remember, but that's what was in that USB stick you gave me.

Haiji: Uhh… Oh! The one that Gan-chan asked me to pass on to you? That?

Akane: Yep, that.

Haiji: It's a good song, then?

Akane: Hmm… That's a secret. I'd like to know what you think, without my opinion getting in the way.

Haiji: Alright. Then, I'll think of it as homework!

[sfx: Haiji taking the CD]

Haiji: Thank you! Now that I think about it, its been so hectic lately, I've been listening to nothing but Led Zeppelin…

Akane: Why them? Their music isn't exactly soothing… Oh, are you a Bonzo fan?

Haiji: Yes! Whenever I listen to their music, it's as if the rhythm of my heart matches the beat of the drums.

Akane: Really? Well, they are rock music royalty after all. When it comes to you, Haiji, I gain a little more respect for you each time you go all out on those drums.

Haiji: Eh? Do I really do that?

Akane: Oh definitely, and I love it.

Haiji: (laughs) Are you sure? I feel like that doesn't sound like me at all. But… I guess no matter what I'm playing, I'm always searching for that feeling of playing straight from the heart.

Akane: I get it. In that case, you're free to start screaming at our next live. As an homage to Bonzo.^[1]

Haiji: I am not doing that.

Akane: Why not? Well then, I'm the composer and that means I'm in charge, so maybe I should give you some backing vocals instead.

Haiji: (laughing) No way! Absolutely not!

[sfx: door opening, Kurono barging in]

Kurono: We have a problem!

Akane: Huh?

Haiji: Kurono-san… Is everything alright?

Kurono: You'll want to see this.

Akane: A magazine?

Kurono: I found it sitting on a sofa in the lobby.

Haiji: (gasp) … This is…?

Akane: Ahh…

Kurono: Damn it! That idiot!

…

[sfx: Kurono slamming his hands on the table]

Kurono: What on earth is this, Mashiro?!

Mashiro: And as always, here you are, bursting my eardrums.

Kurono: I asked you a question! Answer me!

Mashiro: I know, I just don't know what you want me to say! When did they even take it? This damn photo…

Kurono: Mashiro…!

Haiji: Kurono-san. Calm down.

Kurono: How am I supposed to stay calm?!

Akane: Well, his face isn't in it, for starters. I don't think anyone would know it's Mashiro at first glance.

Mashiro: Right? That's what I'm saying! I know you'd understand, your highness, you always get me!

Kurono: You stay out of this!

Haiji: But, even the article itself doesn't seem that incriminating…

Akane: The headline's just talking about a superstar musician's comeback, so I don't think we have anything to worry about.

Mashiro: Exactly! I was on my way to work and just so happened to get tangled in this mess is all!

Kurono: You're lying! No matter which way you look at it, this is clearly another of your private ventures!

Mashiro: We were just hanging around outside the studio for a quick breather! It's been a while since she last sang, you see, so I felt obliged to help calm her nerves. After all, indulging the adorable whims of esteemed musicians is something I consider a very important—

[sfx: Kurono grabbing Mashiro forcefully]

Mashiro: Wh- Hey- Hold on, hold it!!

Akane: (scoffs) Alright, that's enough! Kurono, stay!

[sfx: Kurono letting go, Mashiro shaking himself off]

Mashiro: Gosh… That gave me a fright…!

Akane: Well, something this minor's never going to make any impact, so I guess we'll be fine, but… Mashiro, you better make sure you don't end up in the headlines for anything else with her.

Mashiro: (laughing) As if! Never, I would never! I mean, I'd never mess up something like that!

Kurono: That's enough from you—!

[sfx: Akane stopping Kurono from lunging at Mashiro again]

Akane: Kurono.

Kurono: Akane-san! Please talk some sense into this idiot!

Akane: If hitting him would make you feel better then I wouldn't stop you. But I know you, you'd just sulk and feel bad about it later, so cut it out.

Mashiro: Kurono's a sulker? How cute~!

Kurono: You shut your mouth!

Haiji: (seriously) Stop it, both of you.

Kurono: H-Haiji…!

Haiji: Resorting to violence won't make these photos disappear. What are you going to do if you cause Akane-san even more trouble than we're already in, Kurono-san?

Kurono: …! That's…! I was just…

Haiji: And you, Mashiro-san. Apologise properly, without trying to turn it into a joke. Even if you don't have any intentions with her, not everyone will see it that way. And if anything were to happen that would interfere with your band responsibilities… Then, I'll really be angry.

Mashiro: You're clearly already angry!

Haiji: Mashiro-san.

Mashiro: ?!… I-I'm sorry, alright? I'll be more careful from now on.

Haiji: Don't forget that you promised that just now.

[sfx: Haiji standing]

Haiji: I'm sorry, Akane-san. Is it alright if I finish early today?

Akane: Sure, great work today. Sorry for all this.

Haiji: It's alright. I'll get in touch with Gan-chan to let him know what happened. Excuse me.

[sfx: Haiji leaving, door closing]