* Name Reminder
Haphuco - The main character
Merodi - Haphuco's co-worker at Ba restaurant, she has a band
Van - A man out of no where want to help Merodi's band
Suki - Drummer of Merodi's band
Rubi - Bassist of Merodi's band
Miruki - Former guitarist of Merodi's band
Tina - Queen of Rock, one of the founders of Talent
Ba - The Vietnamese style restaurant owner where Haphuco is working for
Haphumi - Ba's daughter
Hakyo - The name of the city where Haphuco is living in
As soon as Van opens the door, he sees Merodi, wearing more clothes, standing right next to it, with her electronic guitar on her back.
Her face is pissed. Funny enough, pissed means angry in North America English while it means drunk in British English which is how she was last night. Well, she is sober now.
It looks like she gonna punch someone.
Van : Oh hey, Merodi. I see that you are in proper clothes...
Van ( Punched in his face ) : now...
The punch is so hard that Van got sent a mile away.
Merodi : Bastard...
It appears that a conversation is going to happen so let's change location. A cafe located on the first floor of the apartment is an ideal place for that.
Van ( Touch his nose ) : My nose is still kinda hurt.
Merodi ( Thought ) : Maybe I overreacted. Afterall, thanks to him that I was able to get home last night.
Merodi ( Thought ) : And apparently, he truly did not do anything harmful to me. Nothing stolen and for the Mother love, he did not do anything pervert to me.
Merodi ( Thought ) : I should sorry.
Merodi : Hey, sorry for punching into your face. I should be thankful for the situation last night.
Van : Oh, it's alright.
Van ( Speak with a straight face ) : By the way, did you know you have a really nice body. You must be exercise a lot.
Merodi ( Triggered ) : Oh, so this guy is really a perv.
Not really, girl but beat him up. He deserves it.
[ One beating latter ]
Here's your black coffee !
And here's your... Wait, what's wrong with your face ?
It's alright, just the face of Van being beaten up. Here's his Matcha Frappuccino.
Van ( Recover quickly ) : Oh, black coffe. Isn't it extremely bitter ? You don't even add a milk to it.
Merodi : I don't like sweets. They are bad for your heath.
Van ( Drink his Frappuccino ) : I like sweets though. They help me a lot in work.
Merodi : Okay, you said you want to join [Dream Sky], is that right ?
Van : Yep !
The idea of recruiting a new member since Miruki departure has lingering quite some time in Merodi's mind but considering that the band members have been static for more than five years so it feels hard having to cope with new faces. Not to mention, they need to be able to handle the holes that Miruki left which is not an easy task.
Maybe this guy can be a start.
Merodi : Then I will ask you a number of questions. Is that okay to you ?
Van : Oh, this must be the recruitment interview. I am excited.
Merodi : So your name is Van ?
Van : Yes, I am Van, V - A - N. That's the name my raiser gave me.
Merodi : How's old are you ?
Van : I am 22.
Oh, he is the same age as Merodi. And Haphuco too.
Merodi : Are you doing any job ?
Van : I am a freelancer but it's nothing really fancy to say.
Okay, respect.
Merodi : When did you start playing music in general ?
Van : Since I was young, my raiser has always been interested in music so I kinda got taught this and that.
So he must know a lot in music ?
Merodi : How much do you know about Rock ?
Van : Hum...
Merodi : What's wrong ? It can't be a hard question.
Van : Well, I am thinking what is the easiest way to describe Rock.
To you, readers who may don't know or even don't care what the hell ís Rock or think Rock is rock.
Van : ...
Van : It's a type of music !
Merodi : You got to be kidding me. That's all ?
Van : Now now, you have to respect that not everyone can feel the same thing. Like not everyone when they come to a museum can describe the beauty of the paintings inside more than saying they looks great or they are beautiful, not everyone can understand and appreciate music in general and Rock in particuar.
Merodi : Okay...
Van : So first, people just need to know Rock is a type of music.
Van : Second, Rock is a strong type of music.
Van : Its rhythms are fast and steady, making it feel intense and full of life.
Van : To sum everything up, Rock is a strong type of music that stirs everyone up.
Van : Not only the audience but to the PLAYERS themselves !
Merodi ( Thought ) : Hum...
Van : That's why Rock is my favourite type of music.
Merodi ( Thought ) : Same...
Merodi : Not a bad answer.
Van : Should I tell more about other things like the history of Rock.
Merodi : No need, this is not a Rock lesson.
Merodi : Two more questions, how can you contribute to the band ?
Van : I can be create songs for the band.
Van : I can see that the quality of the band's songs went down recently.
Merodi ( Can not deny ) : ...
Van : Not to brag but I have quite a lot of collections of songs that I created.
Merodi : Really, do you upload them to MuTube ?
Van ( No clue ) : What's MuTube ?
MuTube is a platform where everyone can upload anything related to music, whether it is just a song audio or a video of live performance. Guess this guy doesn't know.
Van : I can also become the band's Manager.
Van : I did not the see the band's Manager last night. Was she sick or something ?
Merodi : She has taken a break from pregnancy.
Van : Oh, that's great for her and also for me then. I can show my ability right away.
Van : You may not believe but I am quite a meticulous person. I can handle the band's background work nicely.
Considering that he folded the clothes taken from Merodi last night nice and clean, he maybe really a tidy person, unlike Merodi, her room is always a mess.
Van : Finally, I can play any musical instrument.
Merodi : Huh ?
Van : Yeah, any musical instrument.
Merodi ( Thought ) : Maybe he is just bluffing.
Merodi : Final question, why do you want to join [Dream Star] ?
Van : ...
A scene appears inside Van's head, he was just one of numerous audience looking up to the stage where the Rock's Got Talent Competition was being held. And the person his eyes are attracted the most is...
Merodi !
Van ( Smile ) : As a person who is amazed by the band's performance in the last Competition, I can not stand seeing the band declining.
Van : That's my reason.
...
Van : Wow, so the band's studio is located right underground of the apartment !
Merodi : The room was originally made to be a public area for the residents but the plan was eventually removed. We then just made it our studio for convinience.
Suki and Rubi were given a break today as there was a performance last night.
Merodi : Now show me what kind of musical instrument you can play.
Van : Let's see...
Van then heads to the drum and plays it.
Merodi ( Thought ) : He's good.
The most basic thing to play drums well is to keep a steady rhythm with relaxed and controlled movements.
And he did just that.
Merodi : So you plays dru...
To Merodi's surprise, Van then switches to bass and plays it. Like drum, he also plays it really well.
Most surprisingly, bass is not meant to be played solo but support the music. Yet, he is playing the instrument as if he is playing a guitar.
Merodi ( Unconsciously clap her hands ) : Impres...Huh ?!
No way !
As if it is not enough, Van turns to the electric guitar, the soul of Rock.
He smiles and plays it.
The most basic thing to play electric guitar well is to control your rhythm and cleanly switch between chords or notes without rushing.
And he did it perfectly, as if it is played from a machine.
As a fellow guitarist, Merodi can see that his music is...
UNIQUE !
His music has Identity.
Merodi : How could you do that ?!
Van : Didn't I tell you that I could play any instrument ?
Merodi : Well yes, but I thought you were just bluffing.
I just met an amazing person today.
Maybe with him in being in the band, the band can...
the band can...
Van : Now, show me your music !
Merodi : Huh ?
Van : You heard me, I want to hear the music of the guitarist of [Dream Star].
Well, if he says so...
And so she plays, but...
Van : Wrong !!!
Merodi : What ?!
Van : I clearly told you to show me your music.
Van : That's not your music...
Van : That's Tina music !
Merodi : ...
Van : You can never be better than Tina if you keep playing like her.
Van : But you actually can be better than her.
Van : If you play your own music.
This guy...
He is different from everyone else.
Other people would be amazed and cheer for me when I am closer and closer to be able to play like Tina, the "Queen of Rock".
But not this guy.
Merodi : What do you expect me to play ?
Van : Close your eyes.
Van : And play anything you feel like to play.
Merodi ( Thought ) : Close your eyes.
Merodi ( Thought ) : And play anything you feel like to play.
Van : Don't play like Tina, play like yourself.
Merodi ( Thought ) : But I have been playing this way for my entire life.
That's when Merodi remembered what Tina said to her which has haunted her a lot.
Tina ( Point right into Merodi's face ) : Your music lacks...
Tina : Identity !
Merodi ( Thought ) : No !!!
Merodi then starts playing, her sound is stronger than ever and she is constantly playing without taking a single break.
Van : That's it !
Van : Show me your Identity !
Merodi ( Keep playing ) : Yah !!!
Merodi's body is burning up. It feels like her body is covered by a red aura that grows stronger and stronger until it turns into a mysitcal creature.
Coooooooo !!!
Van ( Smile ) : So it's a phoenix.
...
Merodi ( Clearly tired ) : Hah, hah, hah...
She did not know how long did she play but she felt completely numb. She unconsciously sat down and then lied down.
Van : Is this your music ?
Merodi : I think so.
Merodi can feel it.
With this guy being in the team, [Dream Star] can not only go back to its once prime but even exceed it.
Van ( Give Merodi a hand ) : I guess I passed the recruitment interview, didn't I ?
Merodi : ...
Merodi ( Catch Van's hand ) : Yeah...
Merodi : Welcome to the [Dream Star], Van.
...
The afternoon of the day, Van is playing music inside his room. The display from Merodi gave him an inspiration for a song and as a gifted man in music, he seems effortlessly finalizing it.
What's name should I give to the song ?
I know !
Considering she was completely exhausted after the display, I will name the song...
"Numb" !!!
Well, it's time for Van to work.
He needs to pay for his room's monthly installments, doesn't he.
And he then walks outside his room with a big guitar bag behind.
...
[ Ba's restaurant ]
It's time for the restaurant to be closed. Merodi, on her first-ever day bringing her guitar to the restaurant, takes the guitar out and plays. Maybe she is being a bit excited over what happened today.
Ba : Wow, I knew you said you are from a band but I did not know you can play this good.
Haphumi : For some reasons, your music sounds different from normal.
It shows that her music starts to be away from Tina's.
Her Identity is growing.
Haphumi : I likes it !
Ba : I know, how's about we have karaoke now, we have a karaoke machine attached to the TV right here.
Haphumi : Great idea, dad !
Ba : This machine can give you the score for the song you sing.
Haphumi : It was always between me and my dad singing. I often got 80s while it is opposite for dad.
Haphumi : How's about you sing first,...
Haphumi : Haphuco Senpai !
Haphuco : I don't know, this is my first time but sure !
At this time, Merodi thinks back about what Van told her before leaving.
Van : We need another vocalist.
Van : [Dream Star] has lost a quality vocalist like Miruki and the combination between you and Miruki for duet songs.
Van : So we should be able to find a vocalist that can rival the ability of Miruki as soon as possible.
Time matters here as the selection progress for the next Competition has already begun.
Holding a Zero Coke can to her mouth to drink, Merodi wonders how she can find someone that can be as good as Miruki.
Haphuco : Here's I go.
...
She almost dropped the can...
when the song was sung...
and then she said :
Merodi : Holy sh*t !!!
End of Chapter 11 : Phoenix
Next Chapter - Chapter 12 : Shy Girl