Hey, man, I'm Ivan, and I've been managing the band Gaikoku for 2 years. It has been around for a long time, but it has only had real success for about a year.
My brother, Indigo and the band's drummer, got me into it.
And through him, I've known the band for a long time.
I want to tell you the story.
It started in China about 4 years ago.

~~~

"Hey dude! Fuck off!"
4 guys hit and kicked me a few minutes before the class started.
Another year, just another year - I always secretly thought to myself and endured it quietly.
"Yeah, piss off you Japsenfresse!"
"He's Russian to be precise, let go of him!"
Thank God, our director.
They let go of me.
"As for you, Ivan ... don't be pushed around like that. Are you almost 17 or not?"
"Y-yes, sir."
"Then behave yourself like that. Go inside."
I went, albeit slowly.
It was always like this when my brother was sick, and it has been a lot lately.
I'm not talking about indigo, no. Not that one, he's really healthy.
I'm talking about my twin, Taichi. Doesn't sound like Japanese?
That’s why they all call me jerkin.
But now back to the main topic.
So I came into class and had to introduce myself. I have to add that it was my first day at this school. I had tried many others.
So there I was now.
"Folks, this is Ivan. Please be nice to him, he hasn't lived here long and has to find his way around first. Do you want to say anything to Ivan?"
"Um ... no ... Just that I don't think it's okay to be called Japsenfresse, I'm Russian, not Japanese."
"Is that good?"
"Yes."
"Sit next to Saiko, there."
The girl waved to me and I sat down next to her.
"So your name is Ivan. I'm Saiko, I'm happy."
She held out a hand to me.
I took it and and shook it.
"Tell me, do you have hobbies?"
"Doesn't everyone have it? Well, I like listening to music and I sit at the computer a lot."
"Really? Cool. You know my brother Fynn is looking for people who are enthusiastic about music and maybe ..."
"Nene better leave it. With Indigo, my little brother, you will probably have better luck."
She smiled at me as if to tell me to come. I felt something there, but immediately got it out of my head.
Since I loved to draw in class, I also drew straight away, but I was able to answer every question specifically.
At some point the bell rang for the break.
Everyone put their stuff away, including me, and went out.
I ran to Indigo and met him with a boy.
"Hey brother."
"I tell you Ivan, this school is awesome! Much better than the others, especially not as racist. Taichi will surely like it too!"
"Well I hope so! And who is your buddy?"
He held out his hand to me. I took this and he shook it right away, like with Saiko.
"I'm Fynn, you must know my sister Saiko, she should go to your class.""Eh yes. Hi Fynn. My name is Ivan, as you heard."
"Yes, I have. Sounds very Russian in contrast to Indigo and Taichi."
"Yes, that's true, although indigo shouldn't be rare here. Our parents are weird. Oh, um, have you already asked him?"
"What? Oh no. Whereby, Indigo, would you like it? I'm about to start a band and I still need people."
"Oh, achso. Yes, of course, why not? Do you need a drummer?"
"For everyone! Now I just need a singer and a bass player."
"And what about managing?" I asked him without further ado to see if he had any idea. He replied: "Oh, I'll do that in addition to playing the guitar. It's not that much. It's still in its infancy."
"Well, I want to correct you. There is a lot to do right now."
"Do you think so? We're just a school band."
"That doesn't mean it's little."
"hmm ... that's right, I'll handle it"
"Okey. Hey look, there comes Saiko ~"
"OmG nurse alarm ~ save yourself who can.", Then my brother giggled briefly.
"Nene Saiko is cool, Indigo."
She ran towards us.
"Well you? You listen to your survey has brought something! You surely know Sam and Luke, they are both your age. Well, they would like to join you."
"Great! Then we're completely foreigners! Hmmm ... How about Gaikoku? It's cool!"
"Hmm yes but aren't we in trouble?"
"Never ... China is a free country ... at least we young people are free," said Fynn playfully.
Suddenly an announcement came to my brother and me. We said goodbye quickly and ran to the secretariat.
"Ivan and Indigo? You have to see the director across the street."
"Oh thank you anyway."
"And be prepared for the worst."
"OK."
Shrugging our shoulders and giving my brother an indifferent look, we went into the opposite room.
"Chin-taiyou ..."
"Your brother is in the hospital. Your mother just called. It seems bad."
My little brother fell right around my neck, weeping silently.
I clenched my fists.
"You are welcome to take the rest of the day off and go to him."
"Yes, please. That's very nice of you.", I replied and whispered to my brother "let's go."
And when we were finally off the premises I said to him:
"Now more than ever! Brother, you're doing this because of Taichi, and you're making the band a success, and I'll help you! And when we've done that, then he'll be proud of us and we can help him."
"I-Ivan ..."
"I'm serious! More than just serious! We can do it for everyone!"

~~~~

And so it started. The moment that would change our future.