All the members picked up their instruments. The band name was decided. The genre to play was set to be hard rock.

All that's left is to do it... Yes, just do it.

Thinking like that, Dad asked, "Don't you guys need amps?"

"What's an amp?"

"From there..."

Dad uncovered his face and explained that to produce the sound of a guitar, you need something called an amp.

"Normally, Marshall amps have better sound, but they're expensive and delicate... Well, for practicing at home, this should do," he recommended a small amp.

"And picks!" He didn't explain further.

"And this, and this!" The basket was full in no time.

While doing all that, Koji came by.

"Sorry to bother you, Dad. Could you teach me how to choose drums?"

"Sure! Unlike guitars, drums aren't easily replaceable, so let's choose something good," he said and disappeared into the back...

About two hours passed in the blink of an eye.

Everyone was supposed to take their guitars and amps home, but drums weren't that easy. Still, Koji insisted on taking them home, so they decided to take just the snare drum.

At home, when they connected the guitar to the amp and played, Dad shouted, "Think about the neighbors' peace!"

"And do you even know about tuning?"

"What's that?"

"Well..."

"Tomorrow, gather everyone again, we're going shopping once more!"

Third time at Shimamura Musical Instruments.

"Today, I'll teach you the basic usage of the instruments. Applause, please!"

Clap, clap, clap... Dad's getting into it too.

Since drums were outside of his expertise, Dad told the staff to teach Koji.

"Now, first, about tuning..." They taught using a tool called a tuning fork.

"For electric guitars, strumming with a pick is popular, so I'll teach you the stroke technique using it."

"Especially with bass, downstrokes and upstrokes change the sound easily, so practice to make them sound the same. It's mundane, but do your best!"

"And most importantly, it's about the sense of rhythm. So always practice with a metronome."

"Next! You might know, but I'll ask anyway. Can you guys read sheet music?"

"......"

"We know, we know!"

"While ear copying is a staple for cover bands, there are convenient things like this now!" He brought out a book of sheet music.

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"This is called TAB, and it shows which string to press with numbers. With this, even if you're not confident in ear copying, you can play."

"So, I'm giving this sheet music to everyone!"

On it was written, "The Beatles."

"Dad, isn't it supposed to be Led Zeppelin?"

"Straight to Led Zeppelin sets the bar too high!"

"First, let's firmly master The Beatles! Every rockstar starts with their songs!"

Ah, I see... so we're supposed to master this first.

As they were talking, Koji returned.

"That's it for today!"

On the way home.

"Come to think of it, where are you guys going to practice?"

"At home..."

"Not like that, I mean when everyone's together! Koji probably wants to play the drums to his heart's content."

"Normally, you'd rent a studio for practice," Dad pondered.

"But you guys don't have money..."

"Alright, leave it to me!" He went to a public phone and made a call.

"Ah, Arai? Yeah, it's me..."

(Again, Arai-sensei?)

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, don't say that, just do it!"

"Oh, alright, I leave it to you then! Sorry about that!" He hung up.

"You guys! Bring all your gear to school tomorrow and gather there! I'll help Koji!"

"Again? Well, let's just go along with it."

The next morning, carrying guitars, they went to school, where Arai-sensei was standing in front of the gate waiting.

"Good morning, Sensei!"

"Hey! Good morning!" (Even though it's a day off, he doesn't seem angry...)

A truck carrying drums honked as it arrived.

"Hey! Sorry about that!"

"Senpai, you're asking too much."

"But you did it, right?"

"Well, because it's your request."

"Really appreciate it!" He clasped his hands together.

"Dad, does Sensei call you senpai?"

"Oh, Arai is my junior from university, we were in the same club."

"Club?"

"A rock research club!"

"This guy plays the keyboard in this band!"

"Senpai! You don't have to say it here!" Sensei's face turned red.

"Alright then, let me reintroduce you to Arai-sensei, the advisor of Hokkai High School Light Music Club! Applause!"

Everyone was dumbfounded.

"Practice will be in the music room! You can use it during lunch breaks and after school, however you like! If you don't understand something, ask me! That's it!"

Sensei walked briskly into the school building...

We, the "Stay-at-home Club," became part of the "Light Music Club"? It's funny, but since we got a practice place for free, we can't complain.

"Dad, thank you!"

"If you're thankful, tell Arai!"

"Alright, you guys! Our first goal is this year's cultural festival! Let's make our debut there!"

"Alright!" They raised their fists.

"Huh? Cultural festival? But it's only two weeks away!"

"It's impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

They all screamed in unison. Then Dad said,

＊＊＊＊

＊＊＊

＊＊

＊

"I really didn't know anything back then."

"In hindsight, it's funny though."

"But still, Ryosuke's dad is quite something, huh?"

"Haha, if he wasn't like that, Ryosuke wouldn't make it!"

"Finally, it's our first live performance!"

"It's all thanks to that, we're here now."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you see..."

"It's okay! If you're determined, you can do it! Or rather, you better die trying!"