Ch. 1: Pulled Along By the Hand
Land of Studies, Litoria, Month of Mist…-
??: “Move it move it move it~!”
Carlo’s loud voice echoed in the early afternoon of the town.
His spiked hair shone vibrantly in the sun.
OO: “Carlo! Where are we going!?”
I had arrived in Carlo’s country after he’d called on me, and now I was out of breath as he pulled me along behind him as he ran.
Carlo: “I’ll show ya, they’ll be getting here soon!”
As soon as we’d met up, Carlo had said there was somewhere he wanted to go. Then he grabbed my hand and started running.
Townsperson A: “Ah, it’s Prince Carlo.”
Townsperson B: “You came to town again? Just try not to cause any more trouble for the king ok~?”
The people called out to Carlo as we passed by.
Carlo: “Shut up-! I don’t have any interest in living like a celebrity! I live the punk life!”
OO: “P…punk?”
Carlo: “Yeah! I’m sure you’ll like it too!”
Carlo grinned at me like a mischievous child.
That was the beginning of my punk days with Carlo.
Ch. 2: Let's Live Punk!
Accompanying Carlo, we finally came to a corner in the crowded town…-
There was a loud, reverberating sound, and I instinctively covered my ears.
OO: “W-what is that…?”
A large group of people were dancing and rocking to the sound of the music.
In front of them I saw a guitar player and drummer performing.
OO: “A band…?”
Carlo: “A street performance! It’s super punk!”
He put his arm around my shoulder and moved his face close to my ear.
Carlo: “Whaddya think OO?! I wanted you to hear these guys play!”
OO: “It’s really fun.”
Carlo: “Right!? I thought you’d like it!”
OO: “I don’t really get it.”
Carlo: “This is why we were in a hurry! Just listen! You’ll like it!”
Carlo: “And…make sure you don’t speak formally to me! Just call me Carlo, got it!?”
OO: “Yes….ah, yeah, I got it.”
Carlo: “Nice! That’s the spirit!”
Carlo smiled happily, and I started to enjoy myself.
At that time…-
Carlo: “I got it!”
There was a sudden gleam in his eyes as if he’d just thought of something.
Carlo: “You should try getting up there and singing!”
OO: “What!?”
Carlo: “You’ve got a good voice! You definitely gotta do it!”
OO: “I-I’m good.”
Carlo: “Alright, it’s decided! You’ll be the vocalist! And I’ll play backup for ya!”
Seemingly unconcerned at my bewilderment, Carlo snapped his fingers.
Ch. 3: Music is Limitless
In the morning as the light filtered through the downpour of rain…-
Carlo called for me, and I went to his room as soon as I’d gotten up.
There was a huge grand piano in Carlo’s room.
Carlo sat at is as he turned to look at me.
Carlo: “OO, let’s sing!”
OO: “What…?”
I could see his eyes as he looked at me, sparkling with expectation.
OO: “Alright.”
Carlo: “Yeah! That’s the spirit! Also, don’t say ‘yes’, say ‘yeah’!”
OO: “I can’t.”
Carlo: “You can’t just go sayin’ ya can’t when you haven’t even tried yet. As a punishment for speaking to me formally, you have to sing.”
OO: “I don’t really have any confidence that I can sing well though.”
Carlo: “That’s fine! The music’s in your soul! If you play with your soul, you can carry on no matter how bad you are! Famous musicians all think they sound bad in the beginning! And then they practice…”
Carlo spoke to me of many different musicians.
OO: “Carlo, you really know a lot about music.”
Carlo: “Cause I love studying about music, and only music!! I can play any instrument!”
Sitting facing the piano, Carlo began to play.
His fingers glided across the keys, and a smooth melody came from the piano.
OO: “Wow…you’re really good!”
Carlo: “To play rock, you gotta know about stuff like classical and opera!”
OO: “That’s so cool!”
Carlo: “Y-you think so!?”
I had spoken without thinking, and Carlo’s fingers stopped on the piano.
OO: “I’m really jealous of people who can play the piano. It’s so wonderful…”
Carlo: “Y…you just say whatever’s on your mind, don’t ya!”
OO: “Eh…?”
Carlo turned his face away, but I could see his ears were red.
OO: “I wonder if I can play too.”
Carlo: “Well, if you follow my guidance, you’ll be great at it in no time!”
OO: “I’d like to hear you play more.”
Carlo: “You got it! We’re gonna have the best sound!”
Once again, Carlo slid his fingers across the keyboard, however…
Carlo: “By the way, you should hurry up and sing.”
As if he’d just remembered about it, he urged me on.
OO: “Oh, no. I just want to hear your amazing playing on the piano.”
Carlo: “Amazing! Yeah that’s right! You got it!”
Remembering the exchange, I closed my eyes as I became lost in Carlo’s beautiful playing.