Heart Tribute/Band Story 1 (Light of Life)

Chapter 1 - Special Day

''Kirasaki Akiko is your average middle school student. Well, until her sister starts a band. Jealous, she decides to create a band of her own.''

Kirasaki Residence - Living Room

Akiko: Ah..life is pretty great.

Akiko: Nothing to get me frustrated, nothing for me to work too hard on.

Akiko: Most importantly, no annoying older sister!

''The door opens and Emika comes in. She puts her guitar case down.''

Emika: That practice was amazing! I think my vocals are really improving.

Akiko: You’re such a narcissist. And what do you mean by 'practice'?

Emika looks annoyed

Emika: Band practice. You know, the band I started? Purely Purple?

Akiko: ...?

Emika: You’d know if you actually listened when I talked.

Akiko rolls her eyes and Emika huffs, walking up the stairs.

Akiko: Stupid Sis. She only cares about herself! *Sigh*

Akiko: I’m sure that band of hers sucks too. What was it called again? Oh, yeah, Purely Purple.

Akiko: You know..that gives me an idea.

Akiko: I’m going to start a band!

Street

Akiko gets a text message from her mother, Nina.

Nina: 'We’re going to go out for dinner tonight! Meet us at our usual pizza place at 6:00.'

Akiko: Ah, yes! I’ve been craving pizza from there. But I’m not focusing on pizza right now. I’m going to scout some band members.

???: Did you say band?

A girl appears behind a startled Akiko.

Akiko: ..Who are you?

Yurika: Aiza Yurika! I love music! Can I be in your band?

Akiko: Well, Aiza-san...do you play an instrument?

Yurika: Guitar! I call mine Rose.

Akiko looks extremely annoyed.

Akiko: Uh..we’ll see if you can join when you prove that you’re good. And please, lower your voice, it isn’t a baseball game!

Akiko: (Jesus Christ..what’s wrong with her? She acts like a 6 year old! And Sis at least acts like a 12 year old!)

Yurika: O~kay! Bye bye, Miss!

Akiko shuffles away

Akiko: Yeah. I’m gonna try again.

Chapter 2 - Pizza Scouting

''Akiko and her family are at the pizzeria. She decides to look for members there, too. Will she actually be successful at a pizzeria??''

Pizzeria

Nina: Well, your dad and sister are watching sports at the bar, so anything new happening?

Akiko: Yes actually! I want to start a band so I can beat Sis!

Nina doesn’t look too happy about why she wants to start a band.

Nina: Bunny, you can’t start a band just to one-up Emika. That’s an awful reason to play music.

Akiko: But Mama! She’s so narcissistic! Today she even said her vocals are getting better! See what I mean?

Akiko’s whining doesn’t go over well with Nina.

Nina: Akiko. That’s not narcissisism. That’s progress. Now stop whining and eat.

Akiko: ..Yes, Mama.

A few minutes later

Akiko: Can I at least look for bandmates here? Playing music is fun!

Nina: ...Fine.

Akiko gets up and goes to a nearby girl

Akiko: Hello! Are you interested in music?

???: Yeah. I actually play the bass.

Akiko: Well, lucky for you, I’m starting a band! I’m Kirasaki Akiko, star vocalist!

???: Star vocalist? Weren’t you being reprimanded by your mother a few minutes ago?

Akiko looks offended, and the girl raises her eyebrow

Akiko: How does that define my vocal talent?? Argh, what’s your name anyway?

Airi: Aisaka Airi. Third year at Kamogawa Chuou Middle School. And student council president!

Akiko: I go there too! And I’m aiming to go to Tsukinomori next year.

Airi: Sweet! So, can I join your band?

Akiko: Well, I’d like to hear you play first. Meet me at CiRCLE tomorrow for an audition.

Airi: It’s a deal!

Chapter 3 - Auditions at CiRCLE

''Akiko is holding auditions for the band. She’s ready to scout talent, but only talent that adheres to her specific tastes. Will she be able to find her dream bandmates?''

CiRCLE Lobby

Akiko: Hello, Lillie-chan! There should be a reservation under my name there.

Lillie: Yes, there is! You can head to the practice room now, if you’d like.

Akiko waves to her sister’s best friend and heads to the audition room.

Akiko: Alright! Let’s get down to business! Auditions are now..open!

A half hour later

Akiko: Argh..not one callback so far. This sucks!

Airi walks in with her bass in hand.

Airi: I’m ready to do this! Time to play!

After the song

Akiko: Well, you’ve demonstrated that you have the talent to be in my band. You’ve got yourself a callback, Aisaka-san.

Airi: Sweet! You can call me Airi, by the way.

Yurika runs in

Yurika: I’m here to audition! Yay!

Akiko: (Oh, no..not her! I’m getting a headache already!)

''Airi leaves the room as Yurika starts to play. She’s pretty good.''

Akiko: (As annoying as she is..I’m going to have to give her a callback. She’s good at her part.)

Yurika: So, how was that, Aki-chi?

Akiko: You’ve..got a callback, Aiza-san...

Yurika: Really?! Yay! Thank you, Aki-chi!

Later

???: Uh..I’m here to..audition.

Akiko: And who are you? What position are you auditioning for?

Yuina: O-Osaka Yuina..keytar.

Akiko: Okay, Osaka-san. Let’s see what you can do.

Yuina: (This is so scary...she looks so commanding! Like a dictator..!)

''Yuina plays with a forced smile on her face. She’s more scared than excited.''

Akiko: Good, good. I’ll be seeing you tomorrow, okay?

Yuina: ..?

Akiko: Ah, I see you’re not too well-versed in the entertainment industry. It’s called a callback. It means you did well.

Yuina: O..okay...

Akiko: You’re the last audition for today, so..wait, I haven’t gotten a drummer yet. I’ll have to do another round of auditions.

Yuina: Well, my childhood best friend-

Akiko: Um, why are you still here? I gave you your callback, and that means leave!

Yuina nods and leaves, obviously blinking back tears

Akiko: (What a crybaby. I hope she can handle the band. She better be able to, or I’ll just replace her. It’s that easy.)

Chapter 4 - The Callbacks

''Yurika, Airi, and Yuina are going to Akiko’s house for callbacks. They introduce themselves, and are ready to face the leader. Emika answers the door, and the four of them chat for a bit.''

Kirasaki Residence - Front Steps

Airi: Oh, hey, it’s you!

Yuina: Ai-Aisaka-san..?

Airi: Yeah! You’re definitely Osaka-chan, right?

Yuina: Yes. We’re classmates. I recognize you now.

Yurika arrives and greets Airi and Yuina

Yurika: Hey! So we’re the callbacks?

Airi: Yeah! And..your voice sounds deeper than it was before.

Yurika: Fufu, you noticed? Well, I like to play jokes on people, and I decided to prank Akiko.

Yuina: Prank Kirasaki-san? That..won’t go over well. Sometimes we can hear her yell from the class next door when she’s angry.

Airi nods

Yurika: Well, I’m sure she’s not that bad. I go to school with her sister at Senmeikawa.

Airi: Oh, you’re older than us? Maybe it’s best if I call you Yuri-senpai instead of just Yuri.

Yurika: Anything’s good with me.

Yuina knocks on the door

Yuina: I hope she’s not angry that we’ve all come early..

Emika answers the door

Emika: Are you guys in my sister’s band?

Airi: Yep! I’m Aisaka Airi, Kamogawa Chuou’s student council president!

Yuina: Osaka Yuina, just a regular student at Kamogawa Chuou.

Yurika: And I’m Aiza Yurika! I’m on the softball team at Senmeikawa.

Emika: Oh yeah, Aiza-san! I’ve seen you around.

Airi: Anyways, Emika-senpai, you’re in a band, right?

Emika: Yeah, PurPur! Akiko actually started your band because she wanted to be better than me.

The three others are shocked

Yurika: Seriously? I knew she was kind of a bitch, but that?

Yuina: She wasn’t very nice to me at auditions, and I assumed this band was going to be really tough..

Airi: That explains why your mom was so mad at her. You see, she talked to me at the pizza place. I told her that I played the bass and wanted to be in her band. She told me she was a star vocalist, and she got angry when I questioned her on that.

Emika: Yeah, she’s like that. Just don’t make her angry. You really don’t want to see Kirasaki Akiko angry.

Yurika, Airi, & Yuina: Understood!

Emika: You can come in. And good luck!

Chapter 5 - Scouting a Drummer

''Akiko takes the others to CiRCLE for a concert. Little do they know, they’re not going to be enjoying the band. They’re going to look for a drummer.''

Kirasaki Residence - Akiko’s Room

Yurika: So, Aki-chi, what’s up~?

Akiko: We’re going to attend a concert at CiRCLE. We’ll be leaving shortly.

Yuina: I was trying to tell you yesterday that-

Akiko: Osaka-san. You know I don’t trust your judgment.

Airi: Hey, what do you mean by that? If she knows a drummer, then maybe we should see how good she is.

Yuina: Thank you, Aisaka..no, Airi-chan.

Yurika: You know, you really don’t need to be like that, Akiko.

Akiko: ...Did your voice get deeper?

Yurika: Uh..well..

Yurika: This is just how my voice is. I was joking around when I was auditioning and stuff.

Akiko puts her hands on her hips

Akiko: So it was just a practical joke..I could do without those. No more, okay?

Yurika: Understood.

Yurika: (She’s not mad???)

An hour or so later

CiRCLE

???: Alright. It’s time to do some serious practicing! I’ve got to get my drum skills up!

Yuina: Chou-chan?!

Chou: Huh? Yui! It’s awesome to see you on a day off!

Airi: Oh, so this is the childhood best friend you were talking about.

Yuina: Yes. This is Utsukushi Chou-chan. Chou-chan, these are my bandmates, Aisaka Airi-chan, Aiza Yurika-senpai, and Kirasaki Akiko-san.

Chou waves to her friend’s bandmates.

Akiko: You play the drums, Utsukushi-san?

Chou: Yep! Since forever.

Akiko: If you don’t mind, I’d like to hear you play.

Yuina: (..I told her that I knew a drummer. Why didn’t she listen before?)

Chou: Sure! I’ve actually got a solo performance at tonight’s show!

Airi: Sweet! I’m excited to hear you play.

Live House

Chou: Alright! Let’s play~!

Akiko: (She’s good..I think Osaka-san was right. I think she should be in the band.)

Yurika: Wow! She’s got good rhythm.

Airi: You’re right. She’s going be a good addition to the band!

After the performance

Chou: So, how was that?

Yuina: I think you did very well, Chou-chan..!

Chou: Thanks~✩

Akiko: That was good. I’d like you all to meet me at the studio tomorrow afternoon after school.

Yurika: Alright. See you guys tomorrow.

Aisaka Mansion - Corridor

Airi: Kousei! I’m home!

Kousei (Airi’s brother): Hey, Sis! What’s up?

Airi: The band’s been doing well. But there’s..something.

Kousei: Yeah?

Airi: Kirasaki-san is a little..commanding. Yuina even called her a dictator. We were texting earlier.

Kousei: Pretty commanding? She sounds like a dictator.

Airi: Well..you’ll understand when you’re in middle school.

Kousei: Dude. I’m a year year younger than you. I think I know these matters.

Airi: Yes, but-

Kousei: Sis. I’m here for you. Always.

Airi: Thanks, little demon.

Kousei: I told you not to call me that anymore! Sis!!

Chapter 6 - The Band

The members of Akiko’s band think about what’s in store for them

The next night

Utsukushi Residence - Chou’s Room

Chou: Ahh~ Glad to be home. And glad to be in a band!

Chou: But something feels..off.

Chou: Akiko...is a total jerk!

Chou: But my bandmates are super cool. We’re the true band.

Osaka Residence - Yuina’s Room

Yuina: Sigh. Tomorrow’s band practice. But strangely, I’m more excited than usual. I’ve got friends in this band, and I’m happy to see them.

Yuina: It doesn’t matter if Akiko is a horrible person...! What matters is that we’ve got each other..!

Yurika calls the group chat

Yurika: Hey little monsters! I was wondering if you guys wanna join me for some Call of Duty? I can make some snacks, I’m a frickin boss at making popcorn!

Chou: Sure, popcorn sounds nice. How do you play that game again?

Airi: First person shooter. It’s fun, me and my little brother play it sometimes.

Yuina: F-first person shooter? That sounds a little scary..

Yurika: I’m sure you’re gonna love it! It’s so frickin cool!

Aiza Residence - Living Room

Yuina: (I’ve never been to a high school student’s place before..well, a sophomore’s place, at least.)

Yurika: ‘Sup, little monsters? Like my living room?

Chou: It’s pretty nice! I like the loveseat.

Yurika: Thank ya thank ya! My ‘rents’ve been together since high school and this used to be my mom’s house. She came from a rich-ass family and my grandfolks gave the house to her when they retired.

Airi: (Sophmores are scary as heck! I’m only in middle school and I can’t believe I’m hanging out with someone a good 2 years older than I am!)

Airi: So, shall we get started?

Chou: Sure!

Yuina smiles

Yuina: This game is much more fun than I expected..! I’m not usually a fan of these types of games, or horror in general.

Yurika: I’m more of a romance fan, but horror stuff is so interesting! The characters are always totally stupid. The smokin’ couple always dies first because they’re making out in the middle of the woods in a broken car. The hot party-obsessed guy always goes next.

Airi: You really love movies, don’t you, Yuri-senpai?

Yurika: What can I say? The actors are always cute!

After a while, Yuina and Chou go home

Airi: Hey.. Yuri-senpai, have you ever dated someone?

Yurika: Yeah. I’ve had a few boyfriends throughout my high school career.

Airi: Y-you’re only a sophomore! Anyway.. I think I have a crush on.. someone.

Yuri perks up.

Yurika: Is it alright if you spill?

Airi nods

Airi: It’s.. Yuina. She’s so pretty and sweet! How could I not have feelings for her??

Airi: But my parents don’t know that I like girls and they want me to have a super dreamy husband but I don’t think husbands are dreamy!

Yurika: Calm down, Airi. I gotcha! There’s no need to worry about liking a girl. I’ll support you! I’m bisexual, but you already know I have a bit of a preference.

Airi: You’re totally boy crazy, aren’t you? I get it, but my parents are never going to get me!

Chapter 7 - We’re Heart Tribute!

''Akiko calls the others to her house for an emergency meeting. They have much to discuss.''

Senmeikawa High School - Class 2-B

Ibuki: I heard your band has a concert coming up! Are the rumors true, Yuri?

Yurika: Probably. We haven’t had one yet.

Sayaka: You don’t have a set name, correct?

Yurika shakes her head as her phone buzzes.

Yurika: Hello?

Akiko (over the phone): Emergency meeting at my place after school. Be prompt.

Yurika: Well, bye guys. We'll hang out tomorrow!

Kirasaki Living Room

Chou: So, what's up?

Akiko: I've quickly realized that we need a band name. Any ideas?

Yuina: W-w-well, I pres-sume our pop-punk style would generat-te a bit of an outland-d-dish name, yes?

Akiko: Stop doing that! I get that you have a speech problem, but that's getting a little irritating!

Airi: Hmm.. maybe a name like Heart Tribute? Our costumes are a little cutesy, so maybe we could, y'know, mislead the audience!

Chou: That could work! Our song is literally called Flight of the Doves, so it's guaranteed to be a little deceiving.

Yurika: I love that! I think we've got ourselves a band!

Akiko smiles slightly

Akiko: (These girls.. they're alright.)

CiRCLE

Chou: Alright! Let's get rehearsing. Our gig is tomorrow!

Airi: (Y'know, being in a band is kinda fun. Tomorrow night is gonna be nice, I think.)

Akiko: Okay, let's practice Flight of the Doves first. Chou, can I get a count.

She nods

Chou: One, two, three, four!

Afterwards

Yuina: Whew! That.. was a r-r-rush!

Yurika: Woo-hoo! That felt great! Our music slaps, our vocals slap, everything is going fantastic!

Akiko: Good job, everyone. My only nitpick is our stage presence.

Airi: Huh? Stage presence?

Akiko: I don't want us to look like dolls who play instruments and sing. Smile! Look like you're having fun! Let loose!

Yurika: Akiko Kirasaki telling us to let loose? Huh, that's new.

Akiko: Shut the hell up, Aiza. I want us to look good because we are good. We're going to dominate the industry after this! We belong in this band.

Chou: I agree. This is our band, and we're Heart Tribute!

Yuina: T-t-that's.. right!

Airi: Yeah.. we're Heart Tribute!

Yurika nods

Akiko: (Heart Tribute.. that's not my band. That's ours.)

Chapter 8 - The Show

''It's time for Heart Tribute's first live performance! Will it go well? Spoiler alert: it probably won't...''

Aisaka Mansion - Airi's Bedroom

Akiko: Thank you for the invite, Aisaka. Your room is kinda nice.

Airi: No problem, Akiko. I'm excited to perform tonight. I've been practicing bass all day.

Akiko: Good. Saturday Night Lights is a big thing.

Airi: I heard they do it every Saturday. So if we don't do well, we can just try again, right?

Akiko: Oh no, we're going to do well. Or I'll be very upset with you all.

Airi: (Jesus..)

CiRCLE Stage

Announcer: Welcome everyone, to Saturday Night Lights! Your one and only rockin' and shockin' weekly concert series! Today we're kicking the show off with an up-and-coming pop punk band!

Yuina: (It's time. I think we've got this.)

Announcer: These girls are Akiko Kirasaki, Yurika Aiza, Airi Aisaka, Yuina Osaka, and Chou Utsukushi. And they make up.. Heart Tribute!

The audience claps

Akiko: Hi. I'm Akiko. This is my band.

Yurika: Aw, Akiko, you gotta have more personality onstage than that! I'm Yuri! Me and Akiko sing, I play guitar, Airi's our bassist, Yuina's on keys, and Chou does the drums. Here's our first song! This is..

Akiko: Flight of the Doves!

Afterwards

''The audience cheers.. not very loudly''

Airi: (Huh? I thought we did well!)

Akiko: Thank you! We're Heart Tribute!

She bows