Good evening, Mr. Shindo.
Um... How can I help you?

<I'm sorry. I know it's late.
I was hoping to discuss dates with you regarding what Mr. Ota said about wanting to see your band perform.>

<The earliest he's free is next weekend, so I'd like for you all to be ready by then.>

Next weekend...?

(I don't think any of us has anything scheduled then...)

(But I'm really not sure we'll be able to blow him away like we're supposed to the way we are now...)

...

<Is something the matter...?>

Huh? Oh, I'm sorry...
Next weekend? I'll let the others know.

<...>

<Is there something on your mind?>

What...?

<You sounded a little worried is all.
I'll be more than happy to listen if something is bothering you.>

<After all, it's my job to as your manager.>

Oh...

Thank you very much.
So, the thing is...

<I see. You tried discussing what each song is really about in order to get on the same page, but that caused you to lose some of that energy you had before...>

Yes...
But I was hoping this method would help us stay in sync more...

<Right...>

<Actually, the solution to that's fairly simple.>

What?

<Someone just needs to carry the band.>

Carry...?

<Based on what you just told me... It sounds like your band is currently like an orchestra without a conductor.>

<You're all looking to each other for clues as to what to do, which is causing you to lose focus.>

<So, how do you solve that problem?
Simple...>

<Someone needs to step up and lead.>

...!

<That person will need to understand where each member is at and drive the band forward. They'll need to know what every song is about and how you should all be feeling as you play.>

<That should allow you to play as a single unit with plenty of energy. In other words, you'll be able to perform at your best.>

(One of us has to lead while playing...
That should solve both problems and allow us to perform the way we're supposed to.)

(He's right...
That means...)

Okay... I'll do it...!

It's my duty as the leader to carry our band forward... I have to do whatever it takes to ensure that we perform at our best.

No, I don't “have to”...
I want to.

<I see. I was hoping that's how you'd respond, Ms. Mochizuki...>

<However, putting this plan into practice won't be so simple. The person leading needs to be very skilled technically.>

<These skills require more than just a day or two to learn. It's going to take time.>

Well...

(I knew this wasn't going to be easy...)

(But...)

(But I don't want to give up...)

(Because if I don't do something, we'll never be able to play at our best.)

(Which means our audience won't be moved by our performances, and neither will Mr. Ota...)

(And Leo/need... Everything we're aspiring to achieve... We won't be able to...)

(No, I don't want that to happen...)

(I don't want any of us to feel any regret. I want everyone who comes to see us perform to understand exactly what we're trying to do...)

No, I won't back down...!

I'm fully aware that I still have a lot to learn as a performer.

But I want to do this.
Because I want us to put on amazing performances...

I don't know how I'm actually going to make that happen...

But I'll practice as much as I need to in order to become the leader that we need...!

<I see...>

<However, you won't be able to reach that level overnight.>

<If you still feel compelled to do something about this, it'll mean practicing much harder than ever before.>

<Even then... The benefits will be marginal.>

...

<Still, if you're willing to fully commit...>

<Let's do some training together, Ms. Mochizuki.>

Huh...?

U-Umm... I'm looking forward to working with you today.

Yes, likewise.

So, why don't we just dive right in...?

O-Okay, but...

Haha. I'm guessing you're wondering what I could possibly know about playing musical instruments.

The truth is, I used to dabble in them myself. I tried all kinds, so I know how to play several.

But words alone probably aren't enough.
So, let me play something for you...

(This is...!)

(The way he's snapping his wrists. They're so flexible... There's no way he was only “dabbling”...!)

Alright, that should be enough...

So, let's get started, shall we?

Oh...

Yes...!

Practicing the drums is all about maintaining a steady rhythm for as long as possible. Not only does that involve staying in tempo for on-beats, but also never missing any off-beats. Listen for the ticking and match that timing.

You need to be able to adapt to any situation. It's all but impossible to perform on stage as well as you do during practice. So, the goal for practice is to achieve perfection.

Right...!

A good paradiddle requires having perfect control over each stroke.

Up, down, tap.
The muscles in your arms will also need to learn how to automatically adjust and switch between them.

...

You're forgetting about the rebound.
And your rhythm is starting to fall apart.

Succeeding just once isn't enough.
Each note needs to be even and clean. No matter how tired you are, you have to maintain a steady beat and volume...

Understood...

(My arms... They feel so heavy...!)

(But...!)

(I need to keep going...!)

(I want us to perform at our best...
So I need to learn to carry us forward!)