After being kicked out from my band, I found myself 10 years back in time and decided to redo my youth yet again

 After being kicked out from my band, I found myself 10 years back in time and decided to redo my youth yet again

 

 

“Frankly speaking, the debut condition for you guys is to remove the drummer Shibakusa Tohru-kun… well, that’s about it.”

It was an ordinary afternoon; the location was a conference room of a major record company in Tokyo.

Standing at the front was the main producer of the label, who was reciting the debut conditions for the new rock band by the name, [Strange Chameleon]. And I, Shibakusa Tohru, am the drummer of the said rock band.

The conditions were very simple,
It’s either I quit the band, or the band will not make the grand debut.

It is in fact a de facto termination declaration thrown at me.

“Drumming is quite technical these days. So, bringing in a better support drummer would expand the range of Strange Chameleon’s music”

The producer continued on,

"Well, that may be true, but ..."

“No, unless your drumming technique improves dramatically or something. Well, that’s quite impossible. Since that’s the case I have no choice but to ask you to withdraw.”

I couldn’t raise a voice against producer's words who continued to stab me mercilessly.
I already knew the level of my skills when it came to drumming. No matter how you choose to look at it, it was only average. There’re many people who are better at this in the world.
If you really can't give yourself the edge, you have no choice but to rely on your colleagues. I immediately looked for Yosuke Iwamoto, the band’s guitarist and vocalist, for help.

“Yo… Yosuke, what do you think? Don’t tell me you’re buying this kind of a story?”

Even if the Orai-san said this, if Yosuke, the main pillar of the band was to stop it, there is still a chance for me.

He's been in the band with me since high school, I knew he wouldn’t accept it so easily. So, I decided to put a little faith in to his words.

However, that hope was soon to be destroyed.

"... I’m willing to make necessary sacrifices for our debut and raise to even higher. Tohru... I'm sorry but I want you to leave the band here."

I was left speechless.

The band members who were supposed to be on my side had just turned their back on me.

Yosuke’s words kept on plunging my heart into the depths of darkness.

"To be honest, there are a lot of songs I want to try, but there are quite a few things that I can't challenge right now, because of the drums. That's why I think it's necessary to part ways with you if we are going to compete in the major leagues."

Yosuke's words, which may have sounded thoughtful, were also a final declaration of dismissal to me.

I almost burst into tears right then, wondering what all of my efforts had been worth.

"... Wait, that’s a lie, isn't it? It's a lie, isn't it? We've been in a band together for 10 years, and now you’re firing me ... This can’t be true, right ...? "

"... It's not a lie. This is a bitter choice for all of us, please understand this."

"Tha… that’s not ..."

I fell on my knees.

I’ve seen people losing the strength of their legs when they were met with something shocking, the feeling that dawned upon me was similar to that.
Even the members who, I have shared joys and sorrows for 10 years, none of them stepped up to protect me.

Moreover, seeing the lack of reaction from the other members as well. It seems they were noticed of my dismissal in advance.

Perhaps my withdrawal is a foregone conclusion. I wasn’t sure if there is any benefit for me if I were to stand up against this now.

I was destined to be fired.

"……I understand"

I could only swallow all the feelings that was about to overflow and bitterly agree. Throughout all my 26-year-old life immersed in this band, It's the first time I've felt so frustrated.

"I'm sorry Tohru ... I really wanted to go to the majors without missing anyone ..."

Yosuke and the other members lowered their heads apologetically.

They may seem apologetic on the surface, but I doubt that’s what they are thinking at all.
After all, they can smoothly make their debut in a major record label after I’m gone. They would even readily sell their souls, if eliminating nuisances is necessary. Such a thing is common in this industry. I remember hearing that from my senior who took care of me.

“Well with that out of the way, Strange Chameleon's major debut is decided. I'll be counting on you all from now on”
The producer said as he got up from his seat.

Perhaps now the remaining band members will talk about the major/final debut contract.

As for me, by that point, I’m already an outsider to them.
Not wanting to stay at such a place for even one second longer, I hurriedly left the meeting room as if to escape from there.

At that moment, I couldn’t help but notice that all the members had smiles littering their faces.

The 10 years I spent in this band felt so meaningless.

I hated my lack of ability and all of my life choices so far.
If I can start over, I definitely would.

I walked back home while thinking of many things will never come true, when I came to, I found myself lying on my bed at home.


Toru Shibakusa 26 years old, at that moment all of his dreams were completely shattered.

This novel is picked up by ;

PyroCyan