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The Youthful Band!
Rift in Friendship

Rift in Friendship

It’s been a year since they started street performances.

During this time, a few things have changed: Kyoko entered North High School, joined the "Light Music Club," which soon became recognized as the official "Light Music Club." They got used to performing and significantly expanded their repertoire.

They perform street lives three times a week.

That woman still claps along as usual.

The number of people coming to watch has increased a little... though it’s just by two people.

Today is a practice day. Toru heads to the music room.

Only Kyoko is there, and it’s silent.

"Everyone’s late today..." she says while starting to set up.

Koji and Masaya, the 'rhythm section,' arrive.

These two have become particularly close since forming the band.

"Ryosuke isn’t here, huh?"

"Maybe he has some errand?"

"Maybe it’s a girl?"

"No way, man!"

Ryosuke was actually at home.

Lying down, eating an American dog, his eyes slightly vacant.

He was reminiscing about the first time he listened to Led Zeppelin.

The noise from the record needle, the guitar that pierced through him, the drums and bass that vibrated in his stomach...

He couldn’t forget that.

"This wasn’t supposed to happen..." He mumbled as he rolled over. The phone rang, but he ignored it.

"Maybe I’ve lost my drive..."

He then drifted to sleep.

The next day, a street performance day, Ryosuke was nowhere to be seen.

"What the hell is he doing!" Toru raised his voice.

"No choice, let’s play without vocals today."

Ryosuke was wandering the streets of Susukino. Being at home was too boring.

He was hassled by some thugs but managed to escape by ducking into an alley.

The following day, a day off.

Toru came knocking at Ryosuke’s house.

"Hey, Ryosuke, you there? Come out!"

There was no response from inside.

Masaya and Koji also arrived. "No good, he ain't here."

Ryosuke was crouching in an alley in Susukino's entertainment district.

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"Damn, that hurts!"

He staggered home where Toru was waiting.

"Man, where have you been! If it’s a fight you want, invite me next time!"

Ryosuke, battered, finally spoke up.

Toru's expression stiffened.

The next day, everyone crowded into Ryosuke’s house.

"What’s going on here!" Masaya was furious.

"Chill out!" Koji tried to calm him.

Toru said nothing.

"...Let’s disband the band."

Ryosuke murmured quietly.

"I wanted a fiery, passionate youth! But here we are, doing Beatles cover bands, unpopular street lives. I didn’t start a band for this!"

"So what should we do, huh? You were the one who said let’s start a band! Take some responsibility, man!" Masaya was raging.

"If you’re satisfied with our current life, keep doing your cover band!" Ryosuke’s breath was heavy.

"You wanna go?"

"Bring it on!"

The clash between the two began.

"Stop it, both of you!" Kyoko screamed!

But no one stopped them.

Because everyone understood both sides.

Toru, Masaya, and Koji also couldn’t forget the shock of encountering Led Zeppelin, the very reason they formed "The Youth Band."

Yet, they all felt the dilemma of needing to improve their skills.

Finally, the fight ended. A draw. Ryosuke and Masaya were so exhausted they could barely breathe.

After bowing to his father who came home, Masaya carried Ryosuke out.

Without cleaning up the messy room, Toru sat down, poured a drink, and sighed heavily, speaking to Ryosuke lying there.

"What’s up?"

"Dad, I..."

"Yeah?"

"I just want to live a shiny youth like you and mom did!"

Ryosuke sobbing,

"That’s it? Just do it! Do Zeppelin!"

"But I’m still not good enough..."

"Doesn’t matter!"

"I might disappoint the people who come to see us..."

"Doesn’t matter, you’re overthinking!"

Still, to the crying Ryosuke,

"How long are you going to whine? Just do it if you can!"

As Ryosuke was about to leave,

"Hey, Ryosuke,"

"Take care of your buddies, go for it!"

Outside, everyone was waiting for Ryosuke.

"Guys, I’m sorry. It was my fault..."

"What are you talking about?" Masaya said.

"That you're at fault is nothing new!"

Masaya and Ryosuke looked at each other and then burst out laughing.

"Shall we do it? Zeppelin?"

"Let’s do it, Zeppelin!"

Everyone’s feelings were

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"Wow, it was really a crisis with the band disbanding and friendship ending, huh?"

"I still feel bad about messing up the house back then."

"So, you're saying you quit doing Beatles cover bands?"

"Well, Led Zeppelin is the band that got us all wanting to start a band, so it makes sense."

"Things should go smoothly from now on, right?"

"No, no, there were still hurdles ahead..."