The Unifying Power of Song
Tae-il loved karaoke. Even back when he'd gone to Gunma to cheer for Sakuya, the time spent in the karaoke room had been the most fun. He figured that Rena and Sakuya getting so close might even be thanks to the power of karaoke, in a way.
Singing. It was embarrassing in front of others, but in a karaoke room, there was no shame at all. It was a space where you could shed all your worries and anxieties and just enjoy the music purely. Music and song were truly magnificent. They had the power to bring harmony even among humans with different ideologies and upbringings from entirely different worlds. Humanity trusted that power so much that they loaded the Voyager 1 and 2 probes with the Golden Record, filled with music representing Earth. It was an attempt to leave a trace of human civilization for any extraterrestrials. Some worried about hostile alien civilizations, but Tae-il believed in Carl Sagan's romantic choice, even as he faced the most realistic problems. Any alien who heard the music born from human civilization would surely be moved—just like in the Macross series.
The legendary American jazz pianist Bill Evans once said, "Everyone has a universal musical thought." Or, put differently, like how males seduce females with their unique calls, every lifeform has its own species-specific musical instinct. Intelligent beings go without saying. Aliens would be the same. Otherwise, how could the walls between capitalism and communism—where each side found the other more alien than any extraterrestrial—have crumbled to the Beatles' songs? Who could have predicted it? That the mighty Soviet Union, unyielding to the West's military might or economic and political ideologies, would fall to the soft power of the Beatles code.
The band Tae-il had formed was the same. Though they were in a cold war standoff now, someday all the members would unite through music. Choosing karaoke as the afterparty spot was Tae-il's carefully considered conclusion. He believed in soft power. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that a nation's image and prestige, spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, rested on soft power. That's why karaoke. That's why song.
Sakuya loved singing. So did Rena and Iris. If Tae-il's memory served right, Ayane didn't hate it either. She'd even gotten openly jealous—not subtly—when he mentioned going to karaoke with Sakurena combo. Yeah. Rehearsals were great, but nothing beat song. It wasn't just time spent sweating together that broke down psychological barriers. Let's sing. For Sakuya's Interhigh victory celebration, if they all sang together in karaoke, their relationships would surely improve dramatically.
But fat chance.
"Stop."
Iris halted the song.
"Shin Tae-il. Hand over the mic nicely."
"Huh?"
Tae-il's fantasy of everyone holding hands and singing cheerfully in harmony shattered miserably with Iris's second song choice. Tae-il glanced at her warily and handed over the mic.
"Good. From now on, no interrupting when I sing. Duets only. Okay?"
"Got it…."
The glorious first song that kicked off the karaoke race had been an anime tune sung by today's star, Sakuya. To amp up the mood right after, Iris picked one of BARD's rare upbeat tracks. Truth be told, it was about the only song she knew well enough. She knew others, but had no intention of singing them in front of people. She hadn't practiced, so she wouldn't be perfect. On the flip side, Iris's BARD rendition was near-perfect, even by her own standards.
But then Tae-il butted in cluelessly, ruining the song's polish, and Iris got mad. Tae-il got chewed out again. Any camaraderie from their duet embarrassment in front of Izumi was long gone.
"What happened…?"
"No idea…."
Kiriko, who had come up late after a phone call, looked flustered at Iris's scary expression as she scolded Tae-il. The heated atmosphere cooled instantly, like a bucket of cold water. While getting lectured, Tae-il unwittingly knelt politely.
"No interrupting when I sing! I warned you, right? Do it again, and you're really in for it!"
"Yes…."
Tae-il visibly deflated after the warning. Iris resumed singing, and Tae-il slunk to the sofa corner, muttering cheers like "Waaah, milky-white Iris. I can't live without you" under his breath.
"Shin-jjang looking all down… kinda suits him, huh?"
"See? That's the creepy girl type—most dangerous."
"Ahaha…."
When Rena pointed at Ayane grinning slyly at Tae-il, Sakuya gave an awkward smile.
"I'm fine with singing together, unlike Iris…."
"Well, everyone's different."
Tae-il didn't care if he sang badly, as long as they enjoyed it together. Iris was the opposite, stubbornly picking only songs she could nail perfectly and singing solo. "Do our old memories come back to you…!" Songs had to be sung with full power and sincerity. No interruptions. Same when others sang—you focused and listened. That was Iris's creed. Especially BARD songs—no joking around. They were songs from the band that would become Japan's greatest.
"With you, it feels like I have the whole world!"
Until Iris finished, Tae-il quietly bobbed his head side to side, clapping. Ayane was similar. When Tae-il subtly grabbed the mic to check if he could join….
"Sh-Shin-jjang? It's not even a duet, so even Ayane thinks it's a bit…."
When Tae-il asked if harmonies were okay too, "Harmonies? No, Ayane hates that even more…."
Downcast. Tae-il set the mic down and huddled on the sofa again, clapping. Tambourine? Iris confiscated it. Tae-il fancied himself decent at it, but Iris said it disrupted her focus. The party room had other rhythm instruments like small drums for hype, but they were all snatched before he could touch them.
"What are you doing playing percussion in karaoke!"
Tae-il shed tears. The silver lining was Sakuya and Rena's open-mindedness on this front. When it circled back to Sakuya's turn, she quietly offered the mic to the deflated Tae-il.
"Tae-il, wanna sing together?"
"Sakuya…."
"Don't be such a crybaby. Come on, quick. Let's sing."
"Rena…."
Touched by their kindness, Tae-il teared up again. No time for the tears to dry. At least when those two sang, Tae-il could belt along freely without worry. Naturally, Ayane started holding back too.
Huh? Am I acting like Iris? Despite her childhood friend advantage, Ayane was the most anxious here.
"Um, Shin-jjang…?"
"Ayane?"
"Ayane wants to sing with Shin-jjang too…."
"Sure!"
Ayane finally mustered her resolve and shyly approached Tae-il, suggesting a famous Korean couple's duet—not just any song. But….
"Who're you calling a kid… seriously hilarious… *cough*!"
"Kyaa! Shin-jjang's voice is wrecked!?"
"Uhahahahaha!"
"Kuh…!"
Proposing the duet too late meant Tae-il's throat was already shot—far from sweet, it turned into a laugh riot.
"From one to ten, all… *cough cough*!"
"Shin-jjang! Ayane's sorry! Stop singing! Just stop!"
"Tae-il, you… *cough*! Pfahahaha!"
"What's with Shin, kyahahahaha!"
"K-Kuh…! I didn't laugh. Didn't lau— pfft!"
The hellish karaoke medley dragged on for a full five hours, even after Tae-il's voice gave out. There were Sakuya's mukbang breaks, but the main event was singing. Iris stuck to BARD songs every turn. Rena favored tracks from their first karaoke outing. Ayane picked popular tunes girls her age loved. Tae-il and Sakuya covered everything from hits to anime songs. Objectively, the karaoke afterparty was a huge success. Sakuya blended seamlessly into the band. No sharp clashes with Ayane, Iris's biggest worry. Though Tae-il's voice was the sacrifice.
And finally.
"Sigh."
Iris sighed, watching Tae-il huddle on the sofa every time it was her turn.
Is not singing together that upsetting…?
Weirdos abounded among musicians. Tae-il was no exception. Fitting the harmony goal, Iris decided to ease his grudge at the end.
"Hey, Shin Tae-il."
"What…?"
"Last song now. Wanna join?"
"For real?"
Tae-il's gloom vanished instantly, eyes sparkling like it was all a lie.
"No mic."
"Mic or not, my voice is gone anyway…."
"Pfft! True!"
Iris whipped her head away, clamping her mouth at Tae-il's grandpa voice.
"What song?"
"Ending's gotta be Chachachak☆One-Sided Love-C!"
Sakuya, having scarfed a chashu ramen bowl, suddenly hung on Tae-il's neck and jumped in. Iris blinked in confusion.
"Chachachak what? What's that?"
"No way! Iris, you don't know this one!?"
Sakuya gaped. Iris eyed Rena and Ayane alternately; they shrugged or shook their heads in turn. They didn't know either. Tae-il tsked at three out of five not knowing.
"Tch. Don't even know this…."
"Right? With all the parodies…."
The duo shook their heads at the members' pathetic otaku cred.
"Look at these guys?"
Iris's gaze chilled. Acting like normies on something any otaku should know pissed her off. But she held back. Because it was Shin Tae-il. And today's celebrant, Sakuya.
"Fine, you two do verse one. I'll follow verse two after hearing it."
Maximum concession from Iris, but Sakuya looked dissatisfied.
"That kills the group sing vibe…. How about It Has to Be You?"
"No clue."
"It was huge in elementary school?"
"Told you, don't know."
Same pattern. Unlike Iris's tepid response, Sakuya, shocked, turned to Ayane and Rena for allies.
"You two? Know Nozaki? Right?"
"Nope? Creepy girl, you?"
"Ayane might know if she hears it…."
"The more I want to know you~"
"Oh, yeah, kinda rings a bell? Seen Shin-jjang watch it late-night a few times."
Tae-il nodded from the side, arms crossed. "Wow, gonna lose it with these normie otaku posers…."
Iris's glare iced over. Oblivious to her image shift, Sakuya geeked out on otaku trivia, forgetting her own closet status. Whatever. Sadly, Japan's scene was full of pure otakus. Their influence was massive. Even BARD had sung multiple anime OPs/EDs. Same in the West—JoJo theme covers were audition staples for cover utubers.
Anyway. Rare group sing chance. Tae-il and Sakuya debated seriously.
"Something Iris might know…?"
"Give Me Wings?"
"You find that hype, Sakuya…?"
"Hm…."
Not really hype on second thought. The anime's end-of-world vibe didn't help.
"No choice. How about a Precure OP she's probably seen?"
"OPs? Zero recall."
"Prism?"
"Easy-to-Dance?"
"…."
Sakuya realized, despite shared otaku-dom, their tastes had huge gaps. Pondering, Tae-il suggested slyly.
"BARD's remake of My Friend instead?"
"Oh, I know that one."
Ending from the basketball anime that sparked a national craze. All-sports-conquered Sakuya agreed, and Tae-il inputted it. A melody straight out of the '90s flowed from the machine.
"Ah! This song!"
Iris reflexively grabbed the mic at any BARD tune.
"Can I sing?"
Tae-il nodded, and Iris nailed the pitch to catch the beat.
My Friend started high. Sakuya and Tae-il exchanged glances.
"Yay! Group sing, Iris!"
"Kyaa!"
Sakuya tackled Iris, sharing her mic. Tae-il snatched the distant tambourine, shaking it charruk.
"Seriously…."
Exhausted from anger, Iris smiled resignedly and relaxed.
"Just thinking of you…."
They'd aimed for hype, but My Friend wasn't that upbeat. Still, BARD-style easy listening. Iris grasped the vibe, easing her throat more than usual. Verse one stayed chill, mindful of Ayane-Rena duo hearing it fresh. Verse two ramped up. Tae-il's tambourine boomed; Sakuya arm-in-arm with Iris, belting non-harmonies. Rena and Ayane hummed along, ripening the mood.
"Heh. Nice sight."
Kiriko's lips softened while tidying Sakuya's bowls. The famously stubborn Iris yielding to blend with members was heartwarming. But.
"What do I do now…."
Zenjiro's advice? Kiriko's worries deepened regardless.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The singing stopped in the party room. Dinner time, but snacks and drinks had filled them up—no one was hungry. Too drained for more songs, not even a finger twitch. Iris proposed a compromise.
"One hour rest, then head out? Cool?"
Unanimous agreement. They scattered in the room. Exhausted, Tae-il and Ayane lay side-by-side on the bed chatting, then conked out fast. Sakuya ordered dessert. Rena, pacing stamina better than last time, wasn't collapsing but still tired, so she snuck into Tae-il's arms. Iris soaked her feet in the party room pool for rest.
"Haa!"
Enjoying the footbath, she stretched, legs forward. Water splashed out with a splash.
"Resting well?"
Sakuya peeked from the balcony, spoon in mouth.
Iris patted the spot beside her.
"Join?"
"'Scuse."
Sakuya dipped her feet. True to tallest-in-group, her legs dwarfed Iris's.
"Sang your heart out. Hey, Sakuya, throat okay? You went as wild as Shin Tae-il."
"Don't lump me with him."
Sakuya shot Iris a glare. Titanium vocal cords? Her voice was pristine despite the shredding.
"Fine, sorry."
Iris grinned apologetically; Sakuya grinned back, offering ice cream quietly.
"Want some?"
"Thanks."
Vanilla. Iris tasted with the same spoon, rating briefly.
"Decent. Next time, chocolate."
"Sorry. Don't like chocolate except Valentine's gifts from now on."
"Not White Day?"
"Valentine's better. Feels like confessions."
"Hm."
Chat lulled; brief truce. Truth was, they were still a bit awkward. They'd recognized each other since semester start, but never dreamed of getting this close. Even then, Tae-il-mediated; without him, awkwardness spiked fast. Iris broke the silence first.
"The band."
Their sole overlap, dragged out forcibly.
"Joining?"
"Tae-il told you?"
Iris nodded.
"Sneaky. Hasn't told me yet."
Sakuya glared at resting Tae-il inside. Second time someone else spilled band talk to her.
"Idiot."
Sakuya chewed ice cream instead of retorting.
"Can't help it with that idiot…."
Sakuya flinched at Iris's jab.
"What? You knew?"
"Just know? Watching his messy girl situation makes me sigh."
Iris shrugged. Ayane as childhood friend, fine—but Sakuya, Rena, and Izumi? Headache-inducing.
"Heard musician guys are popular, but this much?"
"Dunno?"
Sakuya shrugged back, mirroring Iris.
"Honestly, Tae-il level's normal for me…."
"For real?"
"Ahaha! Plenty worse—purely physical chasers."
Promising? Targeted. Cute face? Targeted. Ugly face but hot bod? Targeted. Sakuya had dealt with shady approaches since elementary.
"Tae-il seems pure, though?"
"Does he~?"
Iris eyed the room suspiciously. Obvious—Tae-il.
"His clueless flailing's kinda cute, right?"
"Rose-tinted glasses fully on, huh?"
Iris thought self-aware was worse. Better oblivious like romcom protags.
"Wish you girls got how I fret over the band because of him…."
"Haha, noted. Especially me and Ayane."
"Thanks."
Iris propped her chin. Sakuya finished her ice cream, setting the bowl down.
Iris asked.
"Joining?"
"Yeah."
"Tough. Lead guitar load's heavy from Tae-il's composition."
"Means he trusts me that much, no?"
"So positive."
Iris couldn't fathom Sakuya. A rebel. Rail-walking sufficed for dreams, yet she derailed.
Fine up to there. Adolescent rebellion, common.
Problem: post-derail choice.
Band.
Iris had no clue on Sakuya's dream, but it wasn't music-related. Yet she wasted time joining anyway.
Love? Blindness?
Who knows.
"Welcome."
Iris respected it.
"And come on in."
To Yuuma High's unnamed 7th Light Music Club. To Iris's welcome—foreboding rough roads—Sakuya grinned fearlessly.
"Please to meet ya, Iris."