The next day.
Sunlight spilled through the windows onto the corridor as Chihaya Anon stood at the door of CRYCHIC's practice room, a brand-new guitar case slung over her back.
Her fingers clutched her phone tightly, the screen displaying the address Togawa Sakiko had sent her.
From inside came the faint sound of instruments—drums, bass, and keyboard weaving together into a beautiful melody that made her heartbeat quicken involuntarily.
That music seemed to carry a kind of magic, drawing her in while also stirring a trace of unease.
"Is this really okay?" she muttered to herself, glancing at the brand-new black electric guitar case behind her.
She had bought it only yesterday, spending two full months of allowance.
Even though she still didn't know how to play, just imagining herself standing on stage with a guitar, becoming the center of attention, filled her with uncontrollable excitement.
Taking a deep breath, Chihaya Anon raised her hand and knocked on the door.
The music stopped abruptly. Footsteps approached from inside. The one who opened the door was a girl with long brown hair and blue eyes, her gaze like a spring breeze—warm and gentle.
"You are?" the girl asked, her voice as soft as her appearance.
"I—I'm Chihaya Anon. I was invited by Togawa Sakiko to be the guitarist..." Anon's voice trembled slightly, though she tried her best to appear calm.
"A member of the new band?" Nagasaki Soyo raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise passing through her eyes. "I'm Nagasaki Soyo, the bassist of CRYCHIC. Please, come in."
Chihaya Anon followed Soyo into the practice room, and the sight before her made her freeze instantly.
There were already five people inside.
This band clearly wasn't lacking members at all.
Her face burned hot, a wave of intense embarrassment surging through her.
Ah—no way, I wasn't tricked, was I?!
Come to think of it, what kind of band would invite a complete beginner like me with zero experience?!
"Hello."
A pleasant voice sounded beside her, like a clear spring flowing through her heart.
Chihaya Anon turned toward the sound. A blonde, blue-eyed foreign beauty was looking at her.
The blonde girl's gaze was clear and deep, as though it could see straight into one's heart.
"Y-You're Angelia." Anon's voice carried unmistakable excitement.
"You know me?" Angelia Schariac tilted her head slightly, revealing a captivating smile.
"Yes! I really love your singing—it's so beautiful!" Anon looked like a fan meeting her idol for the first time, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Thank you. You're the new member Sakiko recruited, right?" Angelia's voice was gentle and warm.
"Mhm, that's me." Anon nodded vigorously, an inexplicable sense of relief rising within her.
I wasn't tricked. That's such a relief!
Chihaya Anon stepped fully into CRYCHIC's practice room.
"Play the guitar once for me," Angelia Schariac said calmly.
"But... I don't know how to play at all yet..." Anon admitted honestly, a hint of shame in her voice.
She had only bought the guitar yesterday.
"That's fine. I can teach you." Angelia smiled faintly. "Here, let me take a look at your guitar first."
"Here." Anon opened the black case, took out the guitar, and handed it over.
Angelia received it. Her slender fingers lightly plucked the strings, and a smooth, beautiful melody flowed through the air at once.
"What would you like to learn first?" Angelia asked, her gaze gentle and focused.
"I..." Anon hesitated before saying softly, "I don't know anything. You won't mind, right?"
"I won't," Angelia replied evenly. "If you're willing to learn, I can start from the basics."
Anon nodded firmly, determination shining in her eyes. "I'll definitely work hard!"
"Then let's begin with the most basic fingering." Angelia handed the guitar back to her. "Place your left hand here. Yes, like that..."
Pain!
Following the instructions, Anon pressed her fingers onto the strings. A faint stinging sensation pricked at her fingertips, but she clenched her teeth and made no sound.
"It might hurt a little, but you'll get used to it," Angelia said softly. "Now try plucking this string..."
The string vibrated, producing a crisp tone.
Though it was only the simplest single note, Anon felt her heartbeat resonate with the sound, as if in that moment, a strange connection had formed between her and the music.
"Next is the second string..."
And so, under Angelia's patient guidance, Chihaya Anon began her very first electric guitar practice session.
Though her fingers soon grew sore, she couldn't bear to stop.
Each time she managed to play a correct note, Angelia offered encouragement, giving her a sense of accomplishment she had never felt before.
"All right, put the guitar down for a moment."
Angelia gently took Anon's hands—the ones pressing the strings—into her own, wrapping them softly and blowing lightly over her fingertips. "Does it still hurt?"
"Eh?!" Anon's eyes widened. "It doesn't hurt at all anymore."
She could clearly feel the pain in her fingers fading rapidly.
"Good. Let's continue." Angelia stood beside her, correcting her fingering from time to time.
Her fingers adjusted Anon's hand positions gently, occasionally brushing against the back of her hand, sending a subtle tingling sensation through her.
A faint blush crept across Anon's cheeks. She could clearly feel her heartbeat accelerating, as if it might leap right out of her chest.
"Is this better?" Angelia's voice sounded close to her ear.
Anon nodded. "Yeah, much better."
"Very good, Anon. You're improving quickly." Angelia smiled, her voice like a spring breeze brushing past, making Anon's heart race again.
"Really?" Anon looked up, her eyes shining with excitement and anticipation. "I always feel like my fingers aren't flexible enough. I keep pressing the wrong strings."
"That's normal at the beginning." Angelia gently patted her shoulder. "You're already doing better than many people when they start. Be patient. Take it slowly."
Anon nodded, the unease in her heart gradually dispersing.
She lowered her head again and focused on practicing the basic fingering Angelia had taught her.