The venue was packed with fans, all of them crowding in to enjoy the late-night shows. Rowdy cheers and laughter filled the air as another band finished up their set.

"Everybody give it up for BAD DOGS!" An announcer's voice blared, spurring the crowd into a roar. The band members on stage panted as they exited the stage. They'd played their last song, so now they could relax as the other bands set up and performed.

Akito yawned loudly as he and the other members got backstage. His shoulders ached from how much he'd moved around the stage, tightly clutching the microphone as he screamed out the usual lyrics. He loved performing, but he was pretty exhausted now⏤ even a workaholic like him could admit that.

"Gonna go get something to eat. Be back in a sec'," he announced to the others before slipping out towards the venue's snack bar. His throat was getting pretty sore, too, so he planned on getting some water. He hummed to himself as he walked. The set had gone pretty well today, but he still felt like it was missing... something. Ever since their keyboardist had moved on, the songs hadn't felt the same.

"Man. We gotta get a fuckin' keyboardist already⏤" Akito began, but he was cut off with a grunt as he ran straight into someone. "Hey. Watch it." He barked instinctively before looking up. This guy... didn't look like he belonged here at all. What was this preppy, rich-looking kid doing in an underground venue like this...?

Akito gave Toya a skeptical staredown, almost squinting. "What's with you? Get lost on the way to school or something?"