The next week was quick. The band had moved their equipment into Haine's apartment and spent most of the evenings practicing.
Till the day arrived. The girls had gathered in the closest booth to the stage in Little Paradise.
"Think we will sound good?" Ai asked the others.
"The song's fineeee..." Triss answered with a slight tinge of nerve as she laid back into the booth seat.
Haine held her hands above her head. "It is the GREATEST song to EVER EXIST!"
A small chuckle.
A call from the far side of the bar. "A.C.O.B.I? Your up."
They stood.
As they stepped closer to the stage Ena paused. The others who were following behind her waited.
"It won't be perfect."
She took another moment before taking the next step forward. "But it's something."
The girls got set up. Haine taking reigns of the drums to the far left of the stage. Triss armed with her bass closer to the centre on Haine's end. Ena took centre with the microphone and Ai with her guitar to the right.
She took a breath.
"Pour out my emotion, fil it up with thoughts -"
Haine hit the crash cymbal and the drums and guitar came in force.
"now I'm in an ocean, I'll try not to get caught."
As the girls played they struggled with the realisation that compared to their first impromptu performance the crowd was not near the same size.
A couple, a solemn elder gentleman, a tired office worker. Not the most confident start, but they had a song to play.
"We need to wake up stop grasping for stars. light up the spark and brighten our hearts-"
Ena closed her mind to the audience. This song was theirs. A passion that wasn't going to be diluted by such a disappointment. The song's drawing curtain didn't bring out any further flux of people.
"And that doesn't sit right with me."
Ena finished, and the group let out a cheer.
For a moment it felt like they were the only people in Little Paradise. After a moment of congratulating eachother they stepped back into reality, where the mood was more dim. Approaching the bar Ai spoke.
"Did as well as we could."
A drink handed to one of the few customers along the bar.
"It was good. Keep it up."
The grouped pushed forward.
"So will you be available for Thursdays?"
Ai turned back first, with the others following after.
"What do you- our turnout?"
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
The man behind the counter shook his head. "It was never going to be busy today regardless."
Ai continued. "and A-RISE? weren't they suppose to...?"
The man had taken out a clipboard from underneath the counter and was writing on it.
"Never showed up. Now will you be available Thursdays?"
The mood was much more jubilant as they left Little Paradise.
"NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT WOOOOOOOooOO-" Haine ran ahead cheering.
"I'll be gone now, catch you later." Triss gave a wave which the others returned.
Ai and Ena's walk was quieter, though Ai made no secret of her joy.
"It was good." Ena said.
They walked a good distance more.
"You should talk to them." she said continuing their last conversation.
They kept walking till their journey split.
"Maybe."
One of Triss' brother's opened her door. She looked down at the grinning child.
"You really should be in bed."
She walked through to the small kitchen, a bowl of turnip soup. foil covered the top along with a small note.
"For my beautiful daughter-"
It gave Triss a short smile as she endulged herself.
"Mam asleep?"
"Mhm!"
She left the bowl in place. "Come on now, let's get you to bed."
As Ena continued her walk now on her lonesome, she came across a poster for Four Leaf Clover.
She started at it for a moment before pulling herself forward.
Getting back to her apartment, Ai looked back at the group with A-RISE.
One of the girls had sent a link to a video of the day when ACOBI performed in their place.
They were confused. Hurt. Annoyed?
Even so.
When she finished writing the reply Ai tried to fall asleep as soon as she could.
Ai: I am sorry. I should have told you before things became official - it moved quickly but that shouldn't be an excuse. Lately I had been feeling disconnected with the band. I had not heard from anyone for the past few weeks and in truth, I had felt like I was not wanted here even before now. I do hope you find success without me, and I think you can. I wish you all the best.
- Ai Takanaka
Emotions - Full Lyrics
( CHORUS )
Pour out my emotion
fill it up with thoughts.
Now I'm in an ocean
I'll try not to get caught
Are we all just lost
in this endless sea?
Drowning in the cost,
finding it hard to breathe...
Well that doesn't sit right with me!
( Verse 1 )
We need to wake up,
stop grasping for stars.
Light up the spark and brighten our hearts.
Then even the darkest days are no more
we'll be ready for what's in store for us
and if that's not what we do,
then I'll be ready again to
( CHORUS )
Pour out my emotion
fill it up with thoughts.
Now I'm in an ocean
I'll try not to get caught.
Are we all just lost
in this endless sea?
Drowning in the cost,
finding it hard to breathe...
Well that doesn't sit right with me!
( VERSE 2 )
Too much hate fills our mind,
it's making us blind
and it's taking our time,
I think you'll find that
if we unwind
we'll free our soul
and want to be kind
and if that's not what we do,
then I'll be ready again to
( CHORUS )
Pour out my emotion
fill it up with thoughts.
Now I'm in an ocean
I'll try not to get caught
Are we all just lost
in this endless sea?
Drowning in the cost,
finding it hard to breathe...Well that doesn't sit right with me!
Who is your favourite member of ACOBI so far?
