Given (Givun / ギヴン)

I started playing guitar in sixth grade,

when my dad gave me the guitar he wasn't using anymore.

Of course, I wasn't going to be Thom Yorke or Keith Richards right off the bat.

I never could handle things not going the way I wanted,

so I was soon consumed by music.

And by the time I started high school,

I was finally able to play the way I wanted to.

But before I realized it, the more I sharpened my skills,

the more my old excitement faded.

And that's it for class.

Uenoyama, let's go buy some bread.

Hey.

Hello?

Bread.

Nah, I'm tired. I'll pass.

Hey, how about some basketball, then?

I'm taking a nap.

You're gonna skip fifth period, aren't you?

Take notes for me.

Recently, I found a spot no one goes to.

The sun hits it just right, and no one will bug me.

So I can get a good...

You're... from the class next door.

What's his name again?

Look, use your damn words.

You're creepy as hell.

And your strings are rusty. That's why one of 'em broke.

Fix it already!

Why do you own a Gibson if you can't even mainta—

Uh... What?

This can be fixed?

Huh?

This... can be fixed?

Of course it can!

Really?

Yeah.

Like, right now?

I mean...

Can you fix it right now?

Probably not right this second...

God, you're annoying! Let me see it!

Stop looking like the world's gonna end just because your string broke!

You owe me a nap!

There, all done.

Wow...

Hey.

Yes?

Be happier! Praise me, damn it!

Or at least pay for the damn strings.

Is it ready now?

Not yet.

Hold your horses, newbie.

The chord I played at that moment was a bad idea.

Hey!

Huh?

Could you... teach me how to play that?

Huh?

Thinking back, it was this encounter

that set my world racing forward at full speed.

I'm gonna tell him no. I mean, there's no way I can teach him.

Hey, Uenoyama.

So... wanna play some basketball?

I'll pass. Sorry.

Okay.

Hey.

Uenoyama-kun.

Here. To thank you for yesterday.

Huh?

Please teach me how to play the guitar.

Uh... You don't need to pay me.

Then...

Here.

Really? Listen...

Yes?

It doesn't matter if you pay me in cash or bread.

I've never taught anyone guitar before. Learn on your own.

You could join the light music club or something.

Huh?

Hey.

H-Hey, don't be so depressed.

Uh, hello?

Studio Payton

East Bay Studio

Hurry up.

Heya.

You're late.

And, uh... Who's that?

I feel like I've picked up a stray puppy.

Sorry, what?

You need to properly greet him!

Stop hiding!

Kaji-san's scary, but he's a good guy.

I mean, his face is still scary.

Well, yeah...

Heyo, sorry I'm late.

Uh... Who's this?

This is our bassist, Haruki-san.

C'mon!

It's nice to meet you.

Uh, what's this?

No idea. Uenoyama brought him here.

I'm Mafuyu Sato.