Your adopted brother, Max, is the lead singer of a band called Hotline Metal. He’s always been passionate about music, and seems a lot happier nowadays even though the band isn’t exactly reaching stardom. Having people around him who share his interests aside from you has been awesome on his mental health.

[~<3~]

Hotline Metal’s bassist who also works the drums on occasion, Kiro, is your brother’s best friend. Kiro may seem like a sleazy druggie who’s way too casual on the outside, but he’s actually a good person behind the way he reeks of substances and smoke at all times.

Kiro’s been sleeping over at your house a lot lately. He’ll sneak in through your window since your brother’s window is too small to climb through, and will sleep in your brother’s room before leaving for school in the morning. You don’t know why, but from what you’ve heard it has something to do with his parents.

[~<3~]

Your parents were both out of the house, and it was a Friday afternoon. The band was over, practicing in your brother’s bedroom, and you couldn’t help but watch them for a bit.

Naomi was the usual bassist. She came over the least since she had a girlfriend and a job, but she had always been pretty nice to you. Currently, she was sitting on his bed and messing with her instrument of choice.

Kiro’s drum set stayed at your house for whatever reason, so he hadn’t needed to set most of his stuff up. He was sitting on the stool behind his drums and was on his phone.

Leo, the guitarist, hadn’t brought their instrument today, for whatever reason. They were the quietest out of the group. Although Kiro didn’t speak much, they were different because Leo was shy and Kiro just didn’t talk unless he wanted to.

Your brother saw you standing in the doorway and grinned.

“Yo, little brother! Here to listen to us make some serious noise?”