They dropped the needle on the record...

A crackle, a hum, as the needle traced its way along the grooves, and then, in the next instant...

"Sssshh, sssshh, sssshh, sssshh..."

The sound of drums filled the air. Followed by the intense strumming of guitars, creating a sensation like being blown away, topped off by the vocals... all blasting at maximum volume from the stereo.

"Whoa!" Waves of shock, shock, shock!

The quartet instantly became fans of Led Zeppelin...

"How was it, guys?"

"Awesome, amazing!"

The quartet erupted in excitement!

"The guitar is awesome!"

"That thumping sound, awesome!"

"The vocals, awesome!"

The quartet, lacking in vocabulary, just kept repeating "awesome".

"Anyway, how did you get hold of this?"

"It's my old man's! He used to be into this stuff back in the day!"

"Your old man was a musician?"

"Yeah, thanks, Dad!"

"Hey, come back anytime!"

Even on their way home, the quartet couldn't stop talking about Led Zeppelin, buzzing with excitement to the point where they didn't even care about getting into trouble.

"We're home! Where's Dad?"

"He's out drinking now. He said to look forward to a surprise."

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After a while, Dad returned slightly tipsy.

"Welcome back, Dad!"

"Hey! How was Zeppelin?"

"It was incredible! Amazing!"

"Good, good. You're definitely my kid!"

"What were you two talking about?"

"Listen to this! Ryosuke became a Zeppelin fan!"

"Wow! That's great!"

"Let's talk about the greatness of Zeppelin together from now on!"

"Sorry! I have work now!"

And with that, Mom hurriedly left the house.

After talking extensively about Dad and Zeppelin...

"Dad, were you in a band like Zeppelin?"

"Yeah! It was cool! Well, everyone was into Zeppelin back then..."

"Were there a lot of bands?"

"Yeah, they were called cover bands."

"They copied Zeppelin's songs and played live at clubs!"

"Wow, that's cool!"

"Alright, let me show you something."

Rummaging through the closet... what he pulled out was an album.

"Look, it's me and your mom!"

There, a photo of two shining figures basking in their youth caught their eyes.

"That's cool, I'd like to have a youth like Dad's..."

"Then why don't you?"

"Huh? Why not?"

"A band, a B-A-N-D!"

"But we don't have instruments..."

"I'll buy them for you!"

"I've never played..."

"Practice!"

"Don't be wishy-washy like a girl! Just do it!"

"Okay!"

He immediately called his friends, and they all agreed enthusiastically.

Dad watched them with a grin as he sipped his drink.

The next day, on the school rooftop...

"What should we start with if we're going to start a band?"

"First, who's doing what..."

"Then, I'll take the guitar!"

"That's not fair! I want to play the guitar!"

"It's me, it's me!"

"No, it's me!"

...In the end, everyone played guitar...

"Anyway, let's go to the music store after school!"

As they rushed to the gate, they heard Mr. Arai's voice...

"Don't you have a record today?"

"N-No!"

"Where are you going after this?"

"To the music store in Susukino!"

"Oh, you guys are starting a band?"

"Yes!"

"Good luck!"

They were smacked on the rear with a bamboo sword.

"Excuse us!"

"Oh, Arai!"

"Yes?" Ryosuke was called, holding his head.

"Next time, lend me that record!"

"Huh?"

"I'm a Zeppelin fan too!"

"Okay, got it!"

"Alright! Off you go!"

On the way to Susukino, Masaya said,

"Hey, what about the band name?"

"It's already decided!"

"What is it?"

"The Youthful Band!"

"The Youthful Band! Nice!"

"From today, we are The Youthful Band!"

Under the sunset-lit road, the four of us ran with all our might.