Chapter 17 Section 8

Terao has some recording equipment at home, and using those equipment, he made a test tape of six songs.The finished tape is like a shining gem in Naoki's eyes. "Ah, it would be great if we stayed in the United States!" Koda said, holding the tape in his hand. Everyone asks why. "Isn't it said that the United States is a country with more opportunities? It has nothing to do with affiliation, experience or race. Those who are capable can be properly evaluated and promoted to any position. Knowing that Madonna was not famous back then, she wanted to be successful. What? She got in a taxi and said, 'Take me to the center of the world!' That's Times Square in New York."

"There will be opportunities even in this country," Terao said with a smile, "People who listen to this tape will come here in a hurry." If only that would be great!There was such an expression on the faces of the other members. "Hey, what if several companies reply to the letter?" Kenichi asked. "In that case, let's talk about everything first, and then sign with the company with the best conditions." Koda said. "No, it's not a condition. The important thing is to see who understands our music better." Terao retorted Koda's utilitarianism as usual. "If a choreographer who doesn't understand anything makes you sing idol-like songs, it's really depraved."

"I won't let you sing a song like that." "But many of them failed with other people's songs at first. I will never do that!" "I couldn't help it at first, but as I gradually became famous, I would be able to make my own decisions. Wouldn't it be good to do something I like at that time?" "I'm talking about not selling your soul." "Don't keep saying those childish things, you'll lose your chance if you keep saying that." It's time to fight again.Atsushi and Kenichi hurriedly said, "Okay! Okay!" He stepped between them.Naoki just smiled without saying a word.

The so-called how to sell the fox fur if you haven't caught the fox yet, is such a thing.Even so, such a conversation is a kind of happiness for Naoki, and it makes him realize the greatness of his dream again. When I returned to the dormitory that day, I received an email from the university.At first I thought it was a revised report and sent it back, but it turned out not to be.It is an explanatory material about transitioning to a regular course.That is to say, it is no longer a correspondence education but a general university course. Zhigui forgot to eat and read those materials repeatedly.General college courses are his dream.According to the material, if you pass the exam, you can transfer to the regular course. He has heard that this kind of exam is not very difficult.

Imagining that he can also study in the university every day like ordinary college students, Zhigui is very excited, and there must be excitement that is not available in face-to-face lectures.Moreover, if you transfer to a regular course, you can tell anyone that you are a college student.Of course I can say it now, but I still have a guilty conscience, or a sense of inferiority. However, it still doesn't work! Naoki sighed and closed the explanatory material.If you are transferred to a regular course and cannot work during the day, and there is band practice at night, you cannot say that if you want to work, you will not go to study.The other members also have jobs, trying to squeeze out time to participate in practice.

And, he thought, you can't stand on two boats with your dreams.The biggest dream right now is for the band to be successful.If this is the goal, the university affairs should be ignored a little bit. Although I want to switch to a regular course, doing so is a serious betrayal to other partners. I have music, I have a band, he mused, throwing away the explanatory material. The second performance was held at the concert hall in Shinjuku.It's a bit bigger than the previous one, but it's still close to full capacity.Maybe it's because of the publicity in many places, but I still think it's because of the good reviews of the last performance.

Naoki was still very nervous, but compared to last time, he took a look at the situation around him.Apart from the accident that the strings of Kenichi's guitar broke during the performance, there were no other problems. I don't remember who I gave the concert tickets to, but Yushiko and two friends were still waving in the front row that day.Not only that, after the performance, they also came backstage. "Great! So handsome!" She was excited, not only talking to Naoki, but also to other members.The others expressed their gratitude to her even though they didn't know what to do.

"She's a bit noisy, she doesn't look like Naoki's girlfriend!" Atsushi said after Yushiko left. "Not my girlfriend, just a girl from the company." Strictly speaking, it does not even belong to a company, but it is too troublesome to explain and is omitted. "However, she likes Zhigui, isn't it great, to be a girlfriend. Isn't she a girl who has no relationship now?" Dunzhi still pestered. "I don't have that much free time right now. If I have time to play, I'll spend it on practice." "It's not enough just to practice, just go out with girls occasionally."

"You are overplaying!" Terao's interjection drew everyone's laughter. Afterwards, several concerts were held in a row, and the rental fee was very high, but all the members were as enthusiastic as if they were fascinated.Naoki also feels that this is a very important period for him. It was after the fifth recital that an unknown man came backstage.He looked like he was in his thirties, with a leather jacket and jeans, and rough clothes. "Who's the boss?" the man asked.After Terao came forward, the man took out his business card, but it didn't belong to this man.

"This man said he wanted to talk to you. If you want, come to this store now." He said, and he handed over a matchbox.Like matches in a coffee shop. Holding the business card, Terao looked at it and his expression changed.He opened his mouth and didn't speak for a long time. "Understood?" the man asked with a wry smile. "Understood. We'll go right away." "Then we'll wait." After speaking, the man walked out. Terao turned to Naoki and the others: "This is terrible!" "What's the matter? Who is waiting?" Koda asked.

Terao turned the business card in his hand to everyone. "Ricardo Company. People from Ricardo Company came to see us." After hearing his words, everyone fell silent for a moment. "Nonsense! Is it true?" Finally Koda said as if moaning. "See for yourself!" Koda took the business card from Terao.Kenichi, Atsushi and Naoki gathered around him. The words "Ricardo Company Planning Headquarters" jumped into Naoki's eyes. Ricardo's company is the largest company in the industry. "Hey! I've said it before." Terao stood with his legs crossed and looked down at Naoki and the others, "This country also has a chance. How about it, this is not here." Koda nodded, and the others imitated him. "This opportunity must not be let go!" Terao stretched his right hand forward and made a grabbing motion. Naoki also subconsciously clenched his fists. Waiting in the coffee shop is a man named Nezu.He looked to be just past thirty.Broad shoulders and a thin jaw create an impression.There is a beard around the mouth, which goes well with the black suit. "What is the most important thing about music?" He asked Naoki and the others.Terao replied: "Heart. To catch the audience's heart, this is the most important thing." Naoki felt that the answer was correct, and the other members seemed to agree. So Genzu said: "So, do you want to make a piece that can capture the hearts of the audience? Explore how to achieve it, then try to make it, practice it, and play it in a concert, is that right?" "Is not it good?" "It's not bad," Nezu took out his cigarette and smoked, "But that won't work." Terao looked at Naoki and the others, as if asking, is my answer wrong?But no one can advise him. "No matter how hard you try, it doesn't touch people's hearts. Know why? The answer is simple, because your songs don't reach them. A song that you haven't even heard is definitely not moving or anything. The most important thing about music is the people who listen to it. No one, no matter how satisfying the music you make, it can’t become a famous song. No, it’s not even music in the first place, what you do is just a kind of self-satisfying thing.” "That's why we held the concert." Terao said a little unhappy. Nezu nodded expressionlessly. "Playing at a concert, even if few people hear it, it will gradually spread, and it will be successful sooner or later, right?" Is there anything wrong with thinking this way?Naoki couldn't understand.Everyone thinks this way all the time. "Indeed," Nezu went on, "you might find examples of this if you look up the careers of successful artists, but you'll find the same thing if you look up the careers of unsuccessful artists. Idol-worshiping girls don't care if they're on the streets of Shibuya. No matter how you hang around, even if you are spotted by someone who is looking for newcomers, the chance of success is low. In the same way, even if someone finds out that an artist who has performed on stage may not necessarily become popular. You think you have to make good music , will be recognized by people sooner or later. Success is only a matter of strength, isn't it?" Yes.It's always been discussed like this.So no one objected. "I just said that if there are no listeners, there will be no good music or bad music, but a collection of notes. A little audience at a concert is almost the same as no audience. So you are making music now and not Pretty much the same." "However, Mr. Nezu, isn't it you who greeted us after watching our concert?" Nezu smiled wryly at Terao's rebuttal. "If you think your music has been recognized, I say no. If the bands that are well received in the concert hall enter the show business one by one, we can't do business. I went to see your performance Yes, not because I heard everyone’s comments. It can be understood that it was an accident. We continued to dig in order to find one out of ten thousand rough stones. Although the probability is very low, we are experts in finding rough stones. It doesn’t emit light, and we need to grind it to become a gem. If you think that your own light attracts me, it’s a big mistake. I want to make this clear to you in advance.” Naoki slowly understood what Nezu wanted to say.The important thing is that it's not that he approved of Naoki's music, but that it would shine after he processed it, no, it might shine. "Almost let's get to the point," Nezu looked at all the members, "it's about wanting you to make music, not for fun, but for serious music." After breaking up with Nezu, Naoki and the others went to the small hotel they often go to.I want to congratulate after the concert, but tonight's situation is different, there are more important things than the success of the concert.My wish to officially perform on stage as a rookie is finally coming true.Zhigui still felt like he was dreaming, and wanted to talk about it with others to make sure it wasn't a dream. However, there is no particularly cheerful atmosphere.Because the words I heard from Nezuna are always in my mind. "You have strength and charisma. However, those are barely brought out. It's just a white canvas. It's up to me to paint what kind of painting on it. You just have to do as we tell you. In that case It will definitely work.” He also said that don't think about getting ahead yourself, how to get ahead is the job of our experts.It is music when everything comes together, and music cannot be made by just having instruments, singers and music. "What's the point of relying on our own original works? Can we still play other people's compositions today?" Terao drank beer quickly, and soon complained in a drunken tone. "I didn't say that we are not allowed to play our own original things. I just said that how to introduce us is up to them. The method of introduction. I am afraid it will not work if such a thing is not entrusted to their professional people. Now it is Such an era!" Koda said comfortingly. "Hmph! After all, he is the son of an advertising agent, and even what he says is like an advertisement. If you don't play our personalities, what's the fun?" "I didn't say don't play it, just say don't play it yourself. You need a way to show your personality. Right, Yusuke, don't be so stubborn, look forward. It's hard to get this opportunity!" "Yes, it's an opportunity!" Atsushi also said. "We are finally going to officially perform on stage!" Kenichi said deeply, looking at Naoki. Zhigui nodded, but did not speak. "Yeah! It's finally going to be on stage. No matter what the format is, Yusuke will be happy." Koda said so, yes!Terao just smiled with half of his face. That night was the best night for "Cosmic Light" since its inception. Zhigui hesitated whether to write this matter into the letter to Gangzhi.I didn't tell him before that he wanted to start making music seriously, and he was going in a professional direction.What kind of reaction will you have if you suddenly say that you will officially perform on stage?But Naoki felt that Goshi would be very happy too.Gangzhi hopes that his younger brother will be successful, and university is just a symbol.If there were other ways to achieve that end, there would be no dissatisfaction. But I don't even have time to write letters.Everyone got instructions from Nezu: to make a few new original songs, and if it goes well, maybe one of them can be used as the debut track. I have such a feeling.Terao is of course going all out, and the other members are also doing their best to gather together to practice.Naoki has to take care of part-time job, school and band, go back to the dormitory and just sleep, and this kind of life has been going on.Terao seems to have launched a university, but Naoki has not yet made up his mind. Koda, Atsushi, and Kenichi arrive at Naoki's dorm for one of those rare evenings when there are no college classes and no band practice.Zhigui just came back from the company and hasn't taken off his work clothes yet. "I want to tell you something," Koda said as if representing them, the other two bowed their heads behind him. "Okay, come in! It's just that the room is small." Naoki let the three of them into the house. Perhaps it was intuition, he felt an ominous omen.