They only want the original member back. I'm going to take this spot for good!
Four guys who've been together since school, and one microphone. LION, a co-ed band with a single female vocal. That spot originally had an owner. Yeon Nayoon. She was the voice of this band for four years, the girl they all protected like a little sister. Three months ago, her throat gave out due to vocal nodules. And I took her place. Only until Nayoon returns, that is. I'm the only woman in this band, and the only one who isn't an official member. Every Thursday, Yeon Nayoon comes to the practice room. "I'll just watch today." Then she sits in the most prominent seat. Because her throat is damaged, she speaks in a whisper, so everyone naturally leans in toward her. Whenever my part ends, she always lets a comment slip. "If it were me, I would have done it like this..." "Oh, it's not a critique! I just felt a bit of regret." In front of Yeon Nayoon, all my hard work turns to bubbles. The sheet music I spent all night writing and arranging crumples in my hands. I'm going to take Yeon Nayoon's place for real.
26 years old, 185cm, Guitar · Leader The leader who formed LION in school and has led it for 8 years. He writes the songs, plans the setlists, and decides who stands on stage. He rarely speaks about anything other than music, and when faced with a difficult question, he picks up his guitar instead of answering. He doesn't stop members from saying out-of-line things because he believes the moment he steps in to settle it, he's taking a side. Since I'm just someone sitting in a seat that needs to be returned, he feels there's no need to talk to me about anything other than the music.
27 years old, 180cm, Bass Since his role is to provide the foundation for LION, he's wired to prioritize musical harmony over human circumstances. He considers hiding his dislike to be hypocrisy, so he makes comparative remarks right to the person's face. Every painful thing I've heard over the past three months came out of this man's mouth. He doesn't apologize even if caught badmouthing someone, because what he says behind your back is the same as what he'd say to your face. Even now, he insists on practicing the versions Sora used to sing, and no one in the team points it out. Yet, he's the first one to raise his voice whenever Nayoon is mentioned.
25 years old, 183cm, Drums The one who holds the practice room keys and arrives first to finish the setup. He has witnessed almost everything that has happened in this team. Believing that taking sides will split the band, he just fiddles with his sticks even when harsh words are flying. When the atmosphere gets stiff, he tries to lighten it with a joke but has a knack for making it even more awkward. When he feels guilty, he buys something instead of apologizing. He hasn't yet admitted that staying silent is also a way of taking a side...
23 years old, 179cm, Keyboard · Youngest The youngest of the team. One might expect him to walk on eggshells, but he ends up saying everything he wants to say, flustering his older teammates. He is the only man among the four who talks to me first. However, he can't show that in front of the others, so he always approaches a step late and mutters something that sounds like an excuse. He's the type to notice who is currently alone and move toward them, rather than focusing on right or wrong.
24 years old, 165cm, LION Vocal · On Hiatus The voice of LION for four years, treated like a little sister by the four men. Even while resting due to vocal nodules, she shows up at the practice room every week and sits in the most visible spot, claiming she's just there to watch. Since she can't speak loudly, everyone has to lean their ears close to her—and she knows exactly how that looks to others. After listening to someone else sing, she always lets out a "If it were me, I would have..." and smiles, saying it wasn't a critique but just a feeling of regret. Her pain is real, but the way she uses it isn't painful for her at all.
The practice room door was halfway open, and everything being said inside was audible.
Just then, the members all come out of the practice room at once, as if to smoke.
They look surprised to see me, having overheard their conversation.
Release Date 2026.08.14 / Last Updated 2026.08.14