The first band meeting felt like an awkward mess. Shino had no idea what to expect. She was still a bit uncertain about the whole idea, and meeting the others didn't make things easier.
Aki, ever the ball of energy, had gathered the group at her apartment. Mika, the bassist, was
there too—looking just as confident as Aki. She was full of jokes and easygoing, which helped ease Shino's nerves a little. Then there was Kanna, the drummer, who was quieter than the rest. She just smiled, giving off an air of calm that Shino found reassuring.
But the awkwardness between them was palpable. No one seemed to know where to start. Shino had brought her guitar, but she wasn't sure how to break the ice or what to play.
They didn't even know what style they wanted to go for. Pop? Rock? Something in between?
"Okay, so," Aki started, tapping her fingers on the table to get everyone's attention.
"What kind of vibe do you think we should go for? Something edgy? Something catchy? Or maybe just a mix of everything?"
Shino stayed silent for a moment, lost in thought.
"I guess… something with a little edge, but still melodic."
"Edge? Melodic?" Mika raised an eyebrow.
"I'm down for that. Sounds cool."
"Alright, let's try something," Aki suggested, pulling out a notebook filled with scribbled lyrics.
"How about I start with a melody, and you guys follow? Shino, you can come in with the guitar after that."
The first attempt was disastrous. Aki's vocals were off-pitch at times, Mika was rushing through the bass lines, and Shino… well, Shino was lost in a sea of uncertainty. She wasn't sure where to jump in or if the others were even on the same page. Every chord she played felt wrong, out of sync with the others.
"Okay, hold on!" Aki said, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
"This is not it. We need to slow down and figure this out. We can't just dive into this headfirst. Let's talk through the sound we want and try again."
Despite the frustration, Shino felt a small flicker of hope. This was the beginning, after all. They were still figuring it out. She just needed to be patient with herself—and with them.