Flower-Bird Relations (9)
“Nngh!”
Arisugawa Iris stretched in the hallway.
It was a little past lunchtime, and music was starting to drift in from all over the place.
“Suuuup.”
She spread her arms wide to the sides and took a deep breath. Fresh air—well, maybe not pristine, but invigorating—filled her lungs.
Tae-il, who had just finished chatting with the shop manager separately, saw her and handed over a cold ion drink.
“Practice room feeling stuffy?”
“A bit?”
The air purifier and AC were running nonstop, but a cramped space was still a cramped space.
Iris took a big swig of the drink and stuck out her tongue.
“Monday's already got me worried. Our school's practice room is smaller than this place, right?”
“Small enough to feel sorry comparing them.”
Yuuma High School's practice rooms were really more for individual wind instrument practice than full bands.
The Light Music Clubs had their own clubrooms, sure, but by the time it came to the seventh one, any soundproof practice rooms were out of the question.
“Arisugawa and Ayane might have to face each other while playing.”
Worst case, it was basically the size of an old Korean goshiwon room—unavoidable positioning.
“The gear there is gonna suck compared to this, too.”
“This place has weirdly pro-level stuff. Our school's private, so it should at least be average, right?”
“Eh...”
Unlike Iris, who held onto a sliver of hope, Tae-il's reaction was extremely negative. The school amps were basically the Yamaha version of SD's SG-15—the Korean “national amp” equivalent. The provided drum kit wasn't even a full set; multiple toms and cymbals were missing, leaving it pretty skeletal.
At least it had AC—be grateful for small mercies.
Iris looked stunned just imagining it after Tae-il's explanation.
“Whoa. Think I could last 30 minutes in there?”
“That bad?”
“It's not just the stuffiness. Staring at Ayane for almost two hours straight would be torture.”
Tae-il tilted his head. He'd heard girls liked pretty girls, unlike guys who got sick of even handsome dudes' faces.
“Ayane's looks wouldn't get old no matter how long you stared.”
“Whoa...”
Iris let out another gasp bordering on shock.
She was so stunned she could barely close her mouth.
“Just to check... how pretty do you think Ayane is?”
“Crushes most idols flat?”
“Hmm...”
Ayane would puff up hearing that, but it wasn't wrong.
Iris, who'd seen so-called underground idols while hitting live houses, compared them mentally. Underground idols were cute and pretty by default, but Ayane all dolled up would outshine them handily, if not crush them outright.
But hearing her childhood friend state it so casually was far from ordinary.
“For reference, my idol benchmark is fully made-up Korean idols.”
“...”
Not ordinary—straight-up otherworldly.
Iris pressed her forehead, figuring the bro-con was terminal at this point.
“You know how thick idol makeup is, right?”
“Yeah. I knew a Korean idol trainee.”
“Really?”
“Ah...”
Tae-il, mixing up his past and present lives, waved his hands frantically.
“Trainee, trainee. No idea what she's up to now.”
“Didn't debut?”
“Idol debuts aren't easy.”
“True.”
Iris recalled an idol audition show she'd binged last year.
It mimicked K-pop systems perfectly and got slammed with every curse in the book—last year's biggest controversy.
The producers and agency reps pushed trainees brutally, to the point Iris thought “abuse” wasn't too strong a word.
But fortune favors the bold, or whatever.
The seven surviving girls formed a J-pop K-idol group that exploded onto Japan's music scene right away. Compressing their growth story into one show hooked viewers—they couldn't help but root for the members.
And those seven girls, forged through relentless grind, were straight-up jewels in Iris's eyes.
Impossible not to love.
The problem? The path to get there was hellish. Iris shook her head.
She rooted for them deep down, but no way she'd watch a sequel.
“I'd die before doing that.”
“Yeah?”
“What's with that reaction? Flip it—would you let Ayane be an idol?”
“If she wanted to.”
“She might not be able to see you anymore.”
“Why not? Holidays at home, and I'd go to her shows as a fan.”
“Hmm. That type, huh...?”
“?”
Tae-il just tilted his head, not getting it.
“Dunno, but idols suit Arisugawa more than Ayane.”
“Why?”
“She dances well.”
“What kinda reason is that?”
Iris snorted and shoved Tae-il's shoulder playfully.
Tae-il remembered her dancing an idol routine at the school trip talent show in the original story.
Manga version was meh, but the anime made it high-quality for no reason and went viral. All 2D key animation shocked everyone.
Especially since it was from the group of a female idol whose dance boosted the original manga's hype.
She even posted a touched review on her SNS right after the episode, hitting trend #1 and real-time search #1.
Anyway, remembering that, Tae-il blurted his honest thought.
“Seriously suits you...”
“Idol? Screw that.”
Iris shook her head vehemently, rejecting the idea outright.
“Band's the only thing for me.”
Band, no question.
Band, period.
Band or die.
Iris muttered “band” like a mantra.
“What about idol bands? They're trending lately. All over SNS.”
“Idol... bands?”
Iris, who'd been band-babbling nonstop, made a subtle face at “idol band.”
Tae-il had a hunch why.
It's about time they stir things up.
Rival.
The one who'd left deep trauma in Iris.
“Okay, so Monday 10 a.m. at school?”
“Yep.”
“You're way more hyped than before practice...”
Ayane shot Iris a dirty look for her weirdly elevated mood post-rehearsal.
Iris noticed and thumped Ayane's shoulders.
“Ayane, build some stamina. What bassist collapses after one easy song?!”
“Ow, that hurts! Ayane's working hard too!”
“Good! That's the spirit!”
Iris grinned slyly, then turned to the next victim: Tae-il.
“Remember: 30 days.”
“Y-yeah...”
“What happened to that initial fire?”
“It's nothing...”
Tae-il, freshly aware he was the odd one out, wore an obviously depressed look.
Ayane floated a question mark watching their meaningful exchange.
“What're you two talking about without Ayane?”
“Uh... mmph?”
“Shh. Ayane doesn't need to know.”
Iris jammed her index finger over Tae-il's mouth as he tried to spill the bet.
Lips sealed, Tae-il stared at her in panic.
“Mmph?”
“Our little secret, right?”
Tae-il's eyes widened, then he nodded obediently.
The second Iris released his lips, Ayane shoved her aside and clung to Tae-il.
“Shin-kun! What is it? Tell Ayane too!”
“S-sorry... Promised Arisugawa.”
“Muuu...!”
Ayane glared at Iris, fuming.
Iris, finally landing a solid hit, covered her mouth and giggled.
“You'll find out in a month anyway, so don't rush. Practice hard so you have no regrets, Ayane.”
“Ayane would anyway!”
“Yeah, yeah. Work hard. I'm looking forward to it.”
“Really...?”
Ayane eyed her suspiciously—Iris looking forward to her?
“Duh. After today's progress, how could I not?”
“Still full of mistakes?”
“Yep. Figure out why—that's your homework till Monday.”
“Shin-kun, Iris is playing teacher now. Intervention needed as president.”
“Sounds like a good idea to me.”
“Eek!?”
Iris effect indeed.
Ayane's reactions were richer than before, willing or not.
“Ahaha! Can't even break even, Ayane?”
“What'd you do to Shin-kun while Ayane was asleep, Iris?!”
“Nothing?”
Not a lie.
Iris hadn't done a thing.
If anything, Tae-il was the one who'd acted.
“Miss, it's about time.”
“Got it. See you Monday, Ayane, Shin Tae-il.”
“You don't have to come, Iris!”
“Haha. Monday, Arisugawa.”
The two bickered like sworn enemies to the end before parting. Iris got into the car.
Seemed over, but the window rolled down as she stuck her upper body out.
“Eek! Miss, dangerous—don't stick your face out the window!”
“Bye-bye!”
Even as it drove off, Iris waved frantically. They waved back.
Once the car vanished, Tae-il dropped his arm.
“Exhausted. Arisugawa drains the soul.”
“Ugh, Ayane totally agrees.”
Ayane slumped in solidarity. Dealing with her sucked the energy right out.
“Iris is a total gumiho...”
“Haha. Gumiho cosplay would look cute on her.”
“Shin-kun?”
“Sorry.”
Apologizing, but Tae-il's fantasies continued.
Today's extra snippy Ayane would rock a haughty nekomata cosplay.
“What now for Ayane?”
“Huh? What?”
“Head home or hang out a bit.”
Ayane's droopy eyes lit up instantly at Tae-il's suggestion.
“Really?”
“Would I say it if it wasn't?”
“No, really...?”
Tae-il gave a wry smile at her skeptical squint.
To rebuild trust, he explained.
“Arisugawa soured your mood all day. Figured we'd make up for it—haven't eaten lunch, so no rush home.”
“Ayane approves!”
Ayane whooped, hugging Tae-il's arm and dragging him off.
Practice fatigue gone, she buzzed like heading to an amusement park. Tae-il smiled softly.
“P.S., Ayane's fine with Saizeriya for lunch!”
“My tastes are cheap, but even I draw the line at frozen food just us...”
Tae-il was beat too—no way he wanted cheap frozen grub.
“Then that new homestyle place by Citizen Park! Mom said it's so good she wants to learn the recipes!”
“No afternoon break?”
“Nope! Closes at 4 p.m., no dinner service!”
“How packed can it be...?”
Hope there's seats.
Tae-il fretted but followed Ayane's lead.
“Oh no!”
“F-Forgot something, miss?”
“Forgot to grill Shin Tae-il about the fedora!”
Iris slammed the armrest in frustration.
“What...?”
“Was gonna interrogate him about Yahiro!”
“Yahiro—as in BARD's bassist you love?”
“Yep. That guy's a pro!”
“...”
Anyone could see she got caught up enjoying herself, but Kiriko wisely kept quiet for her own sake.
“Turn around? Could invite them for dinner naturally.”
“Nah. Dinner with Rena-chan tonight.”p>
Rena-chan's iffy on Shin Tae-il. Iris propped her chin, tapping the seat with her finger.
“Call it part of the 30-day grace period.”
“30-day... grace?”
Kiriko eyed Iris warily in the rearview, sensing ominous vibes.
“Hehe.”
Thankfully, Iris gazing out the window looked even more amused than morning.
Dinner with Rena would energize her more.
Kiriko relaxed and asked.
“How was your day? Nice people?”
“Eh, seemed good. Definitely not bad eggs. Hiding stuff, though.”
“Relief. Anyone you like might find it tiring.”
“They might?”
“Right?”
“You must be beat too. Rare day off—want a vacation?”
“Haha. I'm a workaholic; vacations are my nightmare.”
“...”
“Miss...?”
“...”
“I'm shaking scared here!? We'll crash! Say something!”
“Shut up and drive.”
“Yes'm!”
Kiriko beamed and drove smoothly.
Lots to do at home.
First, prep for relatives—Mom's death anniversary soon. Why she'd been summoned home often lately.
Next, compile easy-practice song list for Ayane, tabbed out.
Tae-il would handle teaching, but his bro-con today screamed for Iris's tough love occasionally.
Then, probe Tae-il and BARD connection.
BARD's manager definitely saw them off politely...
The fuzzy photo memory: not shooing a pesky fan, but courteous send-off.
Today's chats revealed facts.
One: Ayane wasn't even a casual BARD fan, let alone lute obsessive.
Two: Tae-il roamed live houses and busking spots since kid.
Too early to say for sure, but...
Tae-il calling Yahiro “bro,” wearing Izumi's gifted hat that Yahiro once had.
Plus BARD docu timing with Yahiro's hat vanishing, Ayane's bass start, Tae-il's sudden club hustle despite zero interest before, and today's Izumi bombshell.
All pointed one way.
“Fun.”
Iris smiled slyly.
Hated to admit it, but time to.
Shin Tae-il.
Beyond skill now—he was too hooked to let go easy.
Iris gripped her feathered necklace tight.