Shino had always been the quiet type. The girl who found solace in her guitar, who practiced for hours in her bedroom without telling anyone. Music was her escape, and yet the thought of sharing it with the world terrified her. She had always been afraid of judgment, of failing in front of others. But that was before she met Aki.
It was at a tiny café near her apartment where their paths first crossed. Aki was loud, spontaneous, and full of life—a stark contrast to Shino's quiet and reserved demeanor. They didn't talk much at first. Shino was just strumming her guitar in the corner, lost in the rhythm when Aki had approached, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of curiosity and enthusiasm.
"You play guitar?" Aki had asked, sliding into the seat across from Shino.
Shino nodded, her fingers moving instinctively over the strings, trying to avoid eye contact.
"Yeah."
"I've been looking for someone to jam with," Aki continued, her voice bubbling with energy.
"You know, start a band. Got some ideas for songs, but I need someone who can play real music. I think you've got the potential."
Shino blinked.
"A band?"
"Yeah!"
Aki grinned, clearly excited by the idea.
"Come on, don't tell me you haven't thought about it. Don't you want to perform live? To make something real out of all this practice?"
The idea of playing live had always been a fantasy for Shino, but hearing Aki's enthusiasm made her heart race. She wanted to say yes, to take that leap. But the fear of failure was like a heavy chain, holding her back.
"I don't know…" she muttered, not meeting Aki's gaze. "It's a lot to take on
Aki didn't back down.
"Listen, it's not about being perfect. It's about having fun, about making something together. Trust me, Shino, we could really make something awesome. What do you say?"
Shino hesitated for a long moment. Finally, she nodded, a small, quiet smile forming on her lips.
"Alright. Let's do it."