Ringing... ringing... the phone keeps ringing.

This is a live house located in Chuo Ward, Sapporo.

It's still daytime, so they aren't open yet.

Ringing... it shows no signs of stopping. Finally, the owner answers the phone.

"Hello, this is..."

It's a girl's voice.

"Can high school copy bands also perform at this live house?"

After school, in the club room, they discuss while looking at the music sheets.

"Hey, shouldn't we decide on the song first?"

Kyoko persuades them.

"No, the song has been decided a year ago."

A sheet of music is placed on the table.

"Rock and Roll" – a song that struck them to the core.

"You all remember the impact of that time, right?"

"Of course, dude!"

"Ah, finally ready to do Zeppelin?" Arai enters the club room happily.

"What do you mean by finally?"

"You guys have been good enough to play Zeppelin for a while now!"

"Whoa, really?" Everyone gets excited.

"So, here's the thing... Kyoko,"

"Yes?" As Kyoko looks around at everyone,

"Our next live performance will be at a live house!"

They expected cheers, but silence falls...

"Huh?" Kyoko is puzzled.

"A live house, you mean where professionals play...?" Koji speaks up.

"That’s right, but..."

Kyoko’s voice trails off.

"Woah!" The excitement is delayed, but it erupts.

"We are professionals!"

"Yeah!"

"Uh, sorry to interrupt your excitement," Kyoko tries to calm them down,

"It's not a one-man live, we are just one of many bands performing. It’s like a festival, really."

"What a letdown..." The energy visibly drains from them.

"But!" Arai interjects,

"Tonight, we have extracurricular activities!"

"We’re going to check out that live house right now!"

...And they are kidnapped again...

The live house looks small from the outside, with a narrow staircase leading down to a tiny door and a narrow hallway...

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They expect a small hall, but inside, it's a large space that could fit 250 people, with roaring fans and a vocal that screamed over the loud music... The group of four couldn't help but get carried away.

"Okay, I know you're excited, but we're heading back!"

They seemed reluctant to leave the lively atmosphere,

"Kyoko, did you really think we could fill such a big place all by ourselves?"

"We can do it!" Ryo excitedly insists, his eyes shining.

"Remember our street live? How many people showed up?"

"...Three..."

"Listen, if you want to play at a live house, you have to audition and sell tickets, understand?"

"Yes..."

"Let’s head back, then."

"Was your sister always this tough?" Koji nods, "She's always like this."

"What did you say?" Kyoko glares.

"Nothing at all!"

Kyoko... scary... that's what the group of four thought.

"So, when is our next live? I hope it's not in another two weeks," Ryo asks, peering in.

"Don't worry, we have six months. The live event is on Christmas. Romantic, right?"

Six months... They could manage something in that time, Ryo thought as if reading his mind.

"The audition is next month, though."

Next month... that's in two weeks...

The Light Music Club, their third sleepover... or rather, overnight practice.

They passed the audition with just a demo tape, which was a relief, but before they could relax, "Next up is the actual live audition at the live house!" Kyoko announced.

There was more to come... The members felt like crying,

"If you tell everyone that the four of us cried, I’ll..."

"That's the last thing we want!"

The thought of that was unbearable! The practice sessions became even more intense.

Then, the day of the audition arrived.

Two judges sat in chairs.

"Okay! Name of the band, please!"

"...The Youth Band..."

"Speak up! You call yourself a vocalist?"

"Again!"

"The Youth Band, thank you for having us!"

"Alright! Start whenever you’re ready," the man lit a cigarette and instructed.

"Yes, sir!"

1 ... 1.2.3.4... Koji's drumsticks count in.

They passed the audition! However, the manager had some criticisms.

Among various comments, one stood out: "Harmonize!"

"Harmonize? What’s that?"

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"That's great, you passed!"

"I heard later that it was a first-come, first-served event that anyone could pass."

"What? Really?" she laughed as she asked.

"I think that was probably the manager's love, you know, everyone gets carried away so easily..."

"The live performance is finally happening!"

"But there's something before that, right?"