< Kick it up a notch | Story
WEEKEND GARAGE
Kotaro
...H-Hey. Are Shiraishi and Touno still hashing it out at Crawl Green?
Kohane
It feels like they're taking a while...
Akito
Well, they mentioned that the owner isn't an easy guy to win over. I just hope that negotiations are goin' alright...
Toya
...Everybody seems quite uneasy. Not that I can calm down, either.
Kohane
Today's the day that decides whether or not we can do an event at Crawl Green, after all. And also——
Flashback
.png)
Akito
Taiga-san might come to see our next event.
Kotaro
Taiga-san's gonna watch our event!?
Akito
Yeah! ...Well, it's only if we're able to perform at Crawl Green.
End flashback
Kohane
(Everybody must really want Taiga-san to come.)
Kohane
(I do too——I'm curious to see how Taiga-san feels when he sees our event...)
Kohane
(I want him to see the songs I can sing now——)
Kohane
——Ah, An-chan, Touno-san! Welcome back.
An
We're back~! Maaan, I hate talks like that! I got so nervous~!
Toya
Well done, Shiraishi. Touno-san, as well.
Kotaro
A-And, what are the results!?
Arata
Yeah. He decided to give us the green light.
Akito
Thanks. It really helped that you guys went and negotiated for us.
Kohane
Yeah! An-chan, Touno-san, thank you very much!
Arata
No, no, it wasn't just us that made this possible. It's thanks to the second event we put on as well.
An
Yeah, yeah! The owner, he watched the footage of our event in complete silence until the end...then he turned to us, and he asked "When do you wanna do it?"!
Toya
I see...! That event was challenging for us, so I'm pleased to hear that.
An
Yeah! So this is a victory for all of us!
An
Ah! And also! I told the owner that thing again one more time, jut to be sure!
An
Remember, the thing Arata said before——
Flashback
Arata
When I told him, "Our event will completely bury the live house in cheers, even more than when RADder made its debut", he seemed pretty amused.
End flashback
Tatsuya
Ah, that. So were serious about that.
Arata
——Of course. If we took it any less seriously, surpassing RAD WEEKEND would be a dream inside of a dream.
An
...Well, when I said that, the owner said "It's too early for you guys!"
Tatsuya
I can imagine the way he said it... He's got a sharp tongue. I noticed it every time we went through his process.
Arata
And——perhaps unusually, I have a message from the owner to Akito-kun.
Akito
...To me?
Arata
"I remember your face and your name. If you sing pathetically on my stage again, I won't let it slide this time," is what he said.
Akito
...So he remembers...
Akito
——Well, it's whatever. We get to put on our next event at Crawl Green!
Kohane
Yeah! Now Taiga-san will come watch our event, like he promised!
An's Father
Oh, you guys're as lively as ever.
Kotaro
Ah, Ken-san!
An's Father
Something worth celebrating happened, huh? I'll treat you guys to one drink each, on the house.
An
Really? Thank you, Dad! Then I'll take everyone's orders~
Toya
As always, thank you for everything.
An's Father
You guys're regulars, so this is nothing.
An's Father
Speaking of which, I was only kinda listening...is what you were saying true?
An
That we're performing at Crawl Green?
An's Father
No, that too, but... Is Taiga really gonna be at your next event——
Bell rings
Taiga
Yo, Ken. I'm barging in. ...Wait...
An
Uncle Taiga! Great timing!
An
Listen to this! It's been decided that our next event is gonna be at Crawl Green!
Taiga
——Oh. That's pretty impressive, if you were able to win over that stubborn old fart.
Taiga
...Then, a man's gotta keep his word.
Akito
...! Thank you very much!
Kohane
I'm so glad...! You're really gonna come...!
Taiga
Oi oi, you guys're making too big a deal outta this. It's just one more face in the crowd.
Taiga
...But now that I think about it, going alone wouldn't sit right with me, either. ——Hey, Ken.
Taiga
Why don't you come with me?
An's Father
——Well, I guess it might be fine every once in a while.
An
...Eh!? Dad, you're coming too!?
An's Father
Yeah. It's rare for Taiga to invite me somewhere. And accepting an offer like that feels like it'll bring some kind of luck.
Taiga
Hahaha. With the blessings of Taiga-sama, business will surely prosper!
Taiga
And with that, you guys'll have two more people in your audience. When you've got all the details figured out, then...I know, just tell me through Ken.
Kohane
R-Right...!
Tatsuya
Hey, come on, seriously...
Toya
...It was already hard to believe with Taiga-san, but now, Ken-san as well...
Kohane
Y-Yeah. I'm starting to get nervous now...
An's Father
Now then...An, have you taken those orders yet?
An
...Ah, y-yeah! I know, you don't need to tell me!
An's Father
And, Taiga. What are you gonna order?
Taiga
Ah, let's see here——
Phone vibrates
Taiga
——Ah, my bad, Ken, I'll have to step out for a sec.
Bell rings
An's Father
...Jeez, he's always so busy.
An
Here, I brought pizza! Everybody, move your cups!
Sets plate
Kotaro
Ohhh! Thank you! Warm n' toasty pizza, gimme a slice!
An's Father
(Taiga's...not back yet. Seems like his phone call's keeping him longer than expected.)
An's Father
(...It's getting dark out. I'd better turn on the lights outside.)
Bell rings
.png)
???
"———"
An's Father
(...Hm? That voice...?)
Taiga
——Huh. Starting in LA, then going cross-country to New York, not bad.
Taiga
...Right, I get the idea. I'll be back over there soon. We can discuss the rest of the contract then.
Hangs up
Walking footsteps
An's Father
Oi, Taiga.
Taiga
...Oh, Ken. I didn't know you were standin' there.
An's Father
You're going back to America?
Taiga
Oi, oi, you were listening in on my phone call?
Taiga
...I got a call from some of my music buddies over there to ask if I wanted to do a tour of the US. I've got no reason to refuse.
An's Father
But, you——
Bell rings
Kohane
Oh...the two of you are out here. I have to go home soon, so I thought I'd say bye before I left——
Kohane
Thank you for the meal. It was very delicious today.
An's Father
Yeah, glad to hear it. Drop by whenever you want.
Kohane
Right! Ah...and Taiga-san, I'll see you again for practice next week!
Taiga
Diligent as usual. See you then.
An
Then, Dad, I'm gonna walk Kohane home!
An's Father
Right. It'll get dark soon, so you two be careful.
Walking footsteps receding
An's Father
...
Flashback
An's Father
(I've seen that look in Taiga's eyes before.)
An's Father
(Her and the little lady, he really is——)
End flashback
An's Father
——Are you done with the little lady, then?
Taiga
...Ah, you mean with the practice?
Taiga
Done or otherwise, it was just a passing whim. I feel bad for her, but I'm out of time.
An's Father
But, you really think——
Taiga
——Who knows? Enough about that. I'm thirsty. I want a beer.
An's Father
...
An's Father
...Take it easy, drink in moderation. I heard it's gonna rain today.
Bell rings
.png)
Scramble Crossing
Kohane
The forecast only said it'd start raining later tonight, but... Thanks for letting me borrow an umbrella from the shop.
An
No, don't worry about it! We've got a bunch stocked so we can give em out to customers just for situations like this!
An
——By the way, today was super surprising~
An
I didn't expect that Dad would end up coming with Uncle Taiga, y'know?
An
Yeah. It surprised me, but...it makes me happy. If they're going out of their way to watch us, we really have to do our best to get everyone fired up!
Kohane
...Let's make sure your dad, Taiga-san, and that strict owner all approve of us.
Kohane
(And to make that happen, I have to do my best at practice with Taiga-san next week...!)