Nagae Estate – Riku's Room
10:30 P.M.
3rd POV
After their visit to Momo's soon-to-open pastry shop, the four decided to extend their date until six in the evening. Before parting ways, Momo handed both Riku and Aichi a small, elegant box each—inside, the same triple chocolate cheesecake that had nearly sent Eli and Kotori to dessert heaven.
Dinner followed at a quiet bistro by the river, laughter and easy chatter filling the evening air. When they finally returned to the Nagae Estate, the sun had long dipped below the horizon, replaced by the soft glow of the courtyard lamps. Rinko and Miyu were already waiting in the foyer, accompanied by their maids.
Riku explained what had happened during their outing—how Momo had prepared the cake herself, the brief chaos that followed, and the impromptu "food coma" that claimed Eli and Kotori. Rinko listened, smiling faintly, while Miyu's expression softened, clearly pleased that her sister had enjoyed herself for once.
Then Riku presented the box from Momo, revealing the chocolate cheesecake. Its aroma alone drew immediate attention. Before long, Tina, Mafuyu, Aya, and Hatate were invited to join the tasting. As the first bites were taken, a series of muffled squeals and gasps echoed from the parlor. Moments later came the unmistakable sound of Nazuna, Sakurako, Kazehana, and Mitsuri screaming in delight—clear confirmation that Momo's dessert had once again caused an emotional explosion.
Meanwhile, Riku and Aichi slipped away, leaving the chaos behind.
Inside Aichi's room, the two immediately got to work. They arranged the lighting, positioned the camera, and set up the prizes they had collected earlier in the day. Once the gear was ready, the recording began.
"Alright, everyone!" Aichi greeted the camera with his usual energy. "We're back for part two of the Arcade Challenge! Today, me and Riku are showing what we got within two hours and how much we spent."
Riku simply gave a nod beside him, a calm counter to Aichi's animated tone. They went through the items one by one, explaining their haul and trade-offs.
When it came time to tally the results, the scoreboard looked close—too close.
Aichi: "Okay, so I won forty-five prizes, while Riku got forty-three. That's point one for me!"
Riku smirked. "But I've got this." He held up a crisp ¥10,000 bill while Aichi stared down at the ¥3,000 left in his own wallet. "That's point two for me."
Aichi groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Ugh, that means the final point's up to the viewers."
"Exactly," Riku said, leaning back with a faint grin. "Voting lasts a week. Whoever wins gets to punish the loser."
The word "punish" made Aichi grin like a devil. "Oh, I already know what I'll make you do if I win."
"Then I'll make sure that doesn't happen," Riku shot back with his usual cool tone, though the corner of his mouth twitched.
Once the camera stopped recording, silence replaced the earlier banter. The two cleaned up the setup, then sank into their chairs, the fatigue of the day finally catching up.
Riku stretched. "Hey, how're we getting our uniforms tomorrow? School starts early."
"Oh, that?" Aichi pointed lazily toward the hallway. "Kotori's mom sent hers over earlier today. As for you, can't you just use that teleportation circle Kanako gave you? Go home, change, and come back."
Riku tilted his head. "Right. Forgot about that."
By the time he returned to his own room, the clock had already struck half past ten. The estate was quiet, the kind of stillness that only came when everyone had finally called it a night.
He sat at his desk, the soft hum of his computer the only sound. Papers covered the surface—forms, evaluations, and short profiles—all belonging to Totsuki freshmen candidates.
Hours of sorting and reviewing had come down to this final moment. Riku picked up the last sheet, glanced over it, and set it neatly atop the others.
"Finally... it's finished," he murmured, leaning back in his chair. "All that's left is to hand this over to the Elite Ten."
A faint blue glow appeared over his right hand as a voice echoed in his mind.
"[You seem pretty exhausted, partner.]" The gem embedded in Riku's hand shimmered as Albion's voice took a lazy tone.
"Picking people from an elite school isn't easy work," Riku admitted, rubbing his temple.
"[I can tell. Watching through your eyes, I'd say the chefs in your world are ridiculous. Half of them could probably fight dragons if they wanted to. Wouldn't surprise me if some had Sacred Gears hidden in their kitchen knives.]"
Riku chuckled under his breath as Albion joked about it. "Now that you mention it, I might actually believe that. How're things on your end? Settling into my mindscape fine?"
"[Quite comfortably, actually. Compared to my past hosts, this place is... spacious. I've even claimed a few islands as my territory. Iku doesn't mind.]"
Riku blinked as he heard that Albion already has his own territory in his mindscape. "You claimed islands?"
"[Your mindscape's that massive, partner. When I landed on one, I sensed an immense magical seal buried there. I wanted to break it, but it might hurt you, so I decided to wait until Iku and I figure out what it is.]"
"Probably for the best," Riku said.
"[Anyway, I'm heading out to explore again. Don't burn yourself out.]" The blue gem dimmed and disappeared, leaving a faint shimmer of light that faded into the dark as the Divine Dividing de-materialized.
Riku exhaled and turned back to his screen just as a soft notification pinged. A photo appeared on the monitor—Chiyu and her band, standing on a stage with a trophy in hand, all of them grinning wide beneath the spotlight.
He smiled faintly. "So, Chu² won the tournament. Not bad, Chiyu. That's a good start."
His gaze lingered on the image for a moment, the pride and nostalgia quietly mixing in his chest.
"I wonder if she's told them about my engagement yet..." he muttered. "Anyway..." He stretched his arms with a quiet groan. "Let's see if I've got any homework left."
He clicked through his folders, the faint glow of the screen painting his face in soft blue light. Outside, the night deepened over the Nagae Estate, calm and steady—the kind of peace that comes only before the next wave of chaos.
June 21, 2021 — 7:45 A.M.
Hanasakigawa Girls High School – Class 3-A
Riku had called it a night after wrapping up the last of his schoolwork—tedious, but necessary. Morning came too soon, sunlight bleeding through his curtains and drawing him out of bed. This time, he skipped his usual routine and went straight for the garage. Today, he'd be the one driving: Miyu to Arisugawa, and Aichi, Kotori, and Eli to Otonokizaka.
He wanted to check his car as well. After the last few long trips, it was due for a close inspection.
An hour and a half later, the quiet hum of his BMW filled the garage. Satisfied that the machine purred like new, Riku took a quick shower and changed into his Hanasakigawa uniform. The crisp jacket and tie felt heavier than usual—maybe because his mind was still half in gear oil and half in academic obligations.
By the time he reached the dining room, Mafuyu, Aichi, and Kotori were already eating, uniforms neatly pressed. The familiar sight made the morning feel steadier. They talked lightly over breakfast—bits about schedules, a few jokes, a reminder or two about the day's plans.
After everyone was set, Riku grabbed his keys and led them out.
Otonokizaka was their first stop—it sat closest to Hanasakigawa. The drive there was calm, broken by Eli humming softly in the passenger seat and Kotori laughing at something Aichi said in the back. Once parked, the three of them gathered their bags.
"Don't forget," Aichi said, turning back before stepping out, "drop the crane game prizes at the children's hospital later. They'll love those."
"Already planned on it," Riku replied.
Eli leaned in, brushing a light kiss against his cheek before heading out. "See you after class," she said with a smile that lingered in the rearview mirror as he drove away.
Next was Arisugawa. Miyu's friends were waiting by the gate, waving as the car pulled up. She joined them quickly, giving Riku a small bow of thanks before darting off. Then, finally, it was his turn to reach Hanasakigawa—with just fifteen minutes to spare before the first bell.
Inside Class 3-A, he didn't even make it to his seat before the whispers began.
"Riku-san, what happened to your left eye?" one girl blurted.
"Yeah, it used to be gold, right? Now it's blue!" said another.
"Am I crazy, or did Riku-san just get more handsome overnight?" added a third, to a round of giggles.
Riku raised a hand, half amused, half resigned. "One at a time, ladies. It's nothing wild. My family's eye color changes as we age—it's normal for the Nagae. Just... only my left eye got the memo this time."
The girls exchanged whispers again, fascinated, before slowly retreating to their desks when he gestured toward the front. "Come on, bell's about to ring."
As he sat down, Sayo leaned across the aisle, eyes narrowing. "There's more to that story, isn't there?"
"Yeah," Riku said with a faint smirk. "I'll fill everyone in at lunch."
She nodded, satisfied for now. "Fine. Oh—how was your date with Ayase-san?"
Riku tilted his head. "Rinko told you, huh?"
"She did. And while I don't exactly approve of juggling multiple fiancées, if Rinko's fine with it, then I don't have room to complain."
Before Riku could respond, Chisato turned from her seat, practically glowing. "Onii-sama! You went out with Eli-san?"
"Yeah, though it was more of a double date. Aichi and Kotori came along."
Chisato's mouth dropped. "Wait—Aichi-kun and Kotori-chan are together now?"
"Engaged, actually," Riku corrected. "Arranged, but they seem genuinely happy about it. Anyway..." He glanced toward the front row. "What's with her?"
Kaguya was slumped over her desk, sleeping like she'd been tranquilized. Kanon answered in her usual quiet voice, fumbling through her explanation.
"W-well... she's been like that since she arrived. Udongein-san carried her in and said she stayed up all night. We tried to wake her, but she won't move."
Riku stared at the peacefully drooling girl. "You're telling me she sleepwalked here?"
Kanon shook her head. "No. She was carried."
He sighed. "Of course she was."
He leaned in, nudging her shoulder. No response. Another poke. Nothing. Then—
Kaguya mumbled, voice thick with sleep. "Hehehe... suck my ass, you oarfish bastard... first place is mine..."
Riku froze mid-reach. A dangerous vein twitched on his forehead.
"Serizawa," he said slowly, "can I borrow your bat for a sec?"
His classmate blinked. "Uh—sure? But... why?"
No answer. Riku simply took the bat and walked back toward Kaguya with a look that made everyone scoot their chairs back. Rinko started to stand—too late.
WHACK!
"ITEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"
Kaguya bolted upright, clutching her head, a massive bump already forming. Her wild eyes locked on Riku.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR, YOU OARFISH BASTARD?!"
Riku rested the bat on his shoulder, utterly calm. "Felt like it, you lazy shut-in princess. You wouldn't wake up, and honestly, what you said in your sleep pissed me off."
She growled, rubbing her head. "You could've just shaken me!"
"I could've," he agreed dryly. "But I didn't."
Kaguya glared but then paused when he added, "By the way, I talked to Eirin-san. She's giving you another once-in-a-lifetime request."
Her anger deflated instantly. She crossed her arms, muttering, "Fine. I'll let this one go. Do that again and it's open war."
Riku handed Serizawa her bat back, unbothered. The rest of the class stared in silence. Then—ding. The bell rang, and their homeroom teacher, Fudo Yukino, entered.
Yukino was a tall, composed woman with sharp eyes and a Princeton degree in mathematics. She could've lectured anywhere, but chose to teach at Hanasakigawa—to shape minds, she said.
"Good morning, class," she began, setting down her materials. Then her gaze landed on Kaguya. "What happened to Houraisan-san?"
Without hesitation, Sayo raised her hand. "Riku-san woke her up."
"I see," Yukino said, nodding once. "Moving on."
The entire class exchanged stunned looks. She brushed it off like someone mentioning the weather.
"As I was saying," Yukino continued, "today's schedule will be shortened. Classes will end at noon."
The room erupted into chatter.
Riku lifted an eyebrow. "So... half day?"
Rinko's tone carried authority. "Sensei, as student council president, I should've been notified. Why wasn't this announced sooner?"
Yukino clasped her hands. "It was a last-minute directive. Even the principal was caught off guard. Apparently, the Ministry of Education ordered all Kanto schools to close early for the day—they're upgrading security systems."
Sayo frowned. "So they're clearing out students to work faster?"
"Exactly," Yukino said. "Which means all afternoon classes and club activities are suspended. Now, let's take attendance."
As the teacher began calling names, the earlier commotion melted into soft murmurs. Rinko leaned over to Riku.
"You didn't know about this either?"
Riku shook his head. "No. For a second, I thought the family heads might've pulled strings, but since Yuyuko-san was caught off guard too... probably not."
"Strange," Rinko murmured. "Feels like something bigger's happening behind the curtain."
"Maybe," Riku said, resting his chin on his hand. "For now, I'll just wing it."
He looked toward the window. The morning sunlight had shifted—soft and sharp at once, scattering across the desks. Beneath it, the room seemed peaceful again, as though the chaos moments earlier hadn't happened at all.
But Riku's thoughts were already elsewhere. A half-day meant extra time. Maybe he'd check in on Momo's progress at the pastry shop, or follow up on the security upgrades himself. Or maybe—just maybe—he'd finally take a proper nap for once.
Knowing him, though, the day would find a way to stay interesting. It always did.
----------
A few hours later....
Geitondei — 1:00 P.M.
Riku's POV
Classes ended exactly at noon, as our teacher said. The moment the final bell rang, groups of men in uniforms marched into the school grounds, hauling boxes of what looked like security equipment—cameras, panels, scanning devices, you name it. The air buzzed with quiet curiosity. Whatever the government had planned, they were taking it seriously.
I was going to show the girls Albion during lunch, but decided against doing it at school. Too many people, too many eyes. CiRCLE would be better—neutral ground, familiar to most of them, and away from prying ears. Still, before heading there, I figured we could all get lunch together first.
Geitondei felt like the right call. It had a cozy charm and a layer of nostalgia for a few of us. Rinko and Sayo immediately perked up when I mentioned it—apparently, they hadn't been there for a while.
By the time I finished sending messages, our group had grown larger than expected. I'd called Ran and Kaoru from Afterglow, Rinko and Chisato asked the others from Haneoka, and I checked in with Aichi to see if he and μ's were free. They said yes without hesitation. Even Chu² wanted in and asked if we could meet up since she had something to discuss.
As for everyone else—Miyu politely declined, saying she'd been invited to a tea party Haruna was hosting. Remi, Flan, and Sakuya had prior commitments, while Kaguya was apparently too busy fighting for her life to buy some limited-edition game. Mafuyu and her circle were headed to check on Kanade, who'd gone quiet for days.
So for now, it was me, Youmu, and the Hanasakigawa girls gathered outside Geitondei. The place had just opened for lunch. Through the glass windows, sunlight hit the wooden floor and glimmered against rows of teapots behind the counter.
The door chimed open, and a familiar voice rang out.
"Welcome to Geitondei~ Let me take you to your—what in the?!"
"Yo, Miyoi," I greeted with a small grin. "Sorry to bother you at this time."
Her eyes widened, then narrowed in disbelief. "Riku-kun! Why are you here?! Don't you have school right now?"
"Morning classes only," I said, shrugging. "Some big inspection across Kanto. Figured we'd use the unexpected break for lunch."
She leaned slightly, glancing behind me. "I see Rinko-san, Sayo-san, Chisato-san, and Kokoro-chan. But who are the others? And—hold on—there'll be more of you?"
"Yeah," I said, tone dry. "You might want to warn the kitchen."
Miyoi pressed her lips together, clearly fighting a laugh. "Then come in. I'll take you to your seats. Oh, and—" she did a small curtsey, "—I'm Okunoda Miyoi, Geitondei's main waitress. Please, follow me."
Misaki muttered under her breath as we followed, "She's kind of... chummy with you."
Tae added, "Yeah. And she's cute too."
I gave a tired smirk. "She's an old friend. We go way back. I also know the owner here, so don't start weird rumors."
Inside, the faint scent of tea leaves and baked bread filled the room. Polished wooden beams framed the ceiling, and the faint hum of jazz played in the background. The shop had just opened, so the air felt calm, almost too quiet for the storm of chatter about to hit once everyone arrived.
I took a seat near the counter, Youmu sliding into the stool beside me. The rest of the band girls scattered across tables—bright chatter mixing with the sound of chairs scraping against the floor.
Kokoro looked around, eyes shining. "This place hasn't changed a bit!"
Chisato nodded, resting her chin on her hand. "You're right. It feels like I'm a kid again."
Aya blinked. "You've been here before, Chisato-chan?"
"Of course," she said. "Me, Kaoru, Ran-chan, and Kokoro-chan came here when we celebrated onii-sama's tenth birthday."
Rinko sighed softly. "A pity I couldn't come."
"You were sick back then," I reminded her, glancing over. "I remember you crying when I told you what you missed."
Rinko's cheeks flushed pink as she crossed her arms. "You didn't need to bring that up."
I chuckled under my breath. Some things never changed.
A few minutes later, the door chimed again, and the Haneoka girls entered—Ran at the lead, followed by Ako, Lisa, and Yukina.
"Sorry we came late," Ran said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You're just in time," I said, gesturing to the tables. "Find a seat."
They spread out quickly—Ran and her band took the six-seat table near the window; Yukina, Lisa, and Ako joined Rinko and Sayo; Kaoru drifted to Kokoro's side as usual; Maya and Hina slid in with Aya, Chisato, and Eve.
Rokka hovered awkwardly near the edge until I gestured her over. "You can sit with us, if you want."
Her eyes brightened. "Really? Thanks, Riku-san!" She slid onto the stool next to Youmu, her guitar case bumping lightly against the counter.
Moca leaned toward Ran with a teasing grin. "Ne, Ran~ since when do you know this place?"
Ran rested her chin on her hand. "Since I came here with nii-san. For his tenth birthday."
Kaoru sighed dreamily. "Ah yes, the days of innocence, when we didn't yet shoulder the burdens of adulthood. I even wrote ani-sama a poem that day."
I looked over, a faint smile tugging at the corner of my lips. "And I still have it."
Her eyes widened slightly before softening. "I'm very happy you kept it all these years, ani-sama."
Misaki blinked. "Wait—you wrote a poem?"
Kaoru chuckled, raising a finger dramatically. "Why yes, my dear Misaki. Aside from my passion for the stage, I seek the beauty of words. Poetry is another realm I wish to conquer."
Ran rolled her eyes. "And she's still as dramatic as ever."
Misaki stood across from me, her usual calm expression masking the faint exhaustion in her tone. "Hm... right. Riku-san, I did what you asked. Kokoro didn't do anything excessive throughout the weekend."
She handed me a neatly written report. I took it, scanning through the details—her handwriting clean and methodical, the report thorough enough to rival a security log. I couldn't help but smile. Misaki really went all in.
Kokoro, sitting across from me, leaned forward with her usual sparkling eyes. She was practically vibrating with energy.
I sighed and set the paper down, a small smile creeping onto my face. "Well, as promised... I'll let you choose who you want to face in your next danmaku battle."
That was all it took. Kokoro's entire body lit up with excitement as she pumped her fists into the air, like a child finally getting to pick her favorite amusement park ride. The other girls looked at her, confusion painting their faces, while I simply waited to hear her answer.
"So," I asked, resting my chin on my hand. "Who do you want to fight?"
"I want to fight Flandre!"
The room went still.
My jaw dropped. From behind the counter, a plate slipped from Miyoi's hands and shattered against the floor. She froze, eyes as wide as mine.
I blinked once, then twice, just to make sure I'd heard correctly. "Kokoro... who did you say you wanted to fight again?"
"I want to fight Flandre!" she repeated, voice bright and full of unshakable cheer. "Can you do that for me, onii-chan?"
She hit me with the puppy-dog eyes—the kind that could melt steel. I was still processing that suicidal request when the door slid open and the sound of chatter flooded in. Aichi walked in with μ's, followed by Chu², Masuki, Rei, and Reona. They caught the last part of Kokoro's declaration, and their faces immediately twisted into disbelief.
Aichi blinked. "Wait—did I hear that right? You want to fight Flandre Scarlet from the get-go?"
Chu² crossed her arms, unimpressed. "You do know she doesn't know how to hold back, right? She's in the Epic Rank. Are you asking for a death wish?"
"Perfect timing," I muttered, looking up at the two. "Aichi, Chu². You're right on time."
"Yeah, yeah," Chu² waved a hand. "Anyway, what's this about Kokoro picking who she wanted to fight?"
I rubbed the back of my neck, chuckling lightly. "Kokoro went a bit overboard last week, so I punished her with no hugs from me and no acrobatics for the rest of the week. In exchange, I told her I'd let her pick anyone she wanted to fight next. And well... she picked Flan."
Aichi gave me a sympathetic look that said you're on your own with this one. "Well... since you promised, you kinda have to make it happen."
Chu² scoffed, leaning back against the booth. "Tch. To think that Kokoro gets a danmaku fight before me."
"Your ability's too dangerous to use in a fight just yet," I replied simply. "Give it some time."
She clicked her tongue. "Fine, fine. Oi, LOCK! I'm taking your seat!"
Rokka sighed but moved without protest, letting Chu² slide in beside me. Aichi and μ's took the long table near the window, the chatter starting to fill the air again.
Miyoi approached, her professional smile returning as she handed out menus.
I raised my hand. "Alright, everyone. Order anything you want. The bill's on me."
A collective gasp of excitement ran through the group. My childhood friends' eyes gleamed like predators spotting prey. I instantly knew I'd made a tactical error.
Chu² grinned. "Then I'll take the Premium Kobe Katsudon! Double it up too!"
Aichi followed without hesitation. "Ultra Deluxe Unagi Set for me."
Chisato rested her chin on her hand, smiling. "I'll take the Neo-Napolitan Pasta, please."
Ran's voice was calm, but her eyes betrayed anticipation. "Hidden Mist Ramen for me."
Kaoru flipped through the menu with theatrical poise. "I'll take the Fugu set—if there is any. Otherwise, the Golden Fried Rice shall suffice."
Rinko quietly lifted her menu. "Um... I'll have the 777 Burger."
Kotori smiled politely. "Clear Miso Jewel Ramen for me, please."
And then, of course—Kokoro raised her hand high. "I'll take the Black Ox Stew!!!"
Everyone froze. The air went tense for a beat, then Arisa leaned forward, squinting at the menu.
"WHAT THE HELL?! THESE ARE HELLA EXPENSIVE!" she yelled, nearly flipping her page.
Ako-chan looked horrified. "¥110,000 for the 777 Burger... Rin-Rin!!"
Rinko only shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Sorry, but it's been a while since I had that burger. It was so good I just want another one."
Moca leaned back, whistling. "Hoooo~ Ran's ramen costs ¥80,000~ Maybe I'll order one too."
Ran gave her a side-eye. "You hate seafood ramen, Moca. Don't."
"Aww man~"
Maya, scanning the menu beside Chisato, gasped. "The Neo-Napolitan is ¥35,000!!"
Chisato smiled, nostalgic. "Worth every yen. I had to save up the first time I tried it."
Misaki turned to me with a raised brow. "Riku-san... are you sure about this? You did say anything."
I nodded, smiling faintly. "Don't worry about the cost. What matters is that you all enjoy your meal."
That's when Kasumi, who had been suspiciously quiet up to now, suddenly spoke up—her voice filled with enthusiasm. "I'll take the Geitondei Special!!"
Every head in the room turned toward her.
I froze mid-breath, staring at her as if she'd just declared war on the gods. "Kasumi... are you sure you want to order the Geitondei Special?"
Ran set her menu down, frowning. "Toyama, that dish isn't meant to be eaten by one person."
Chisato leaned forward, whispering, "It's a party meal set. Even if you share it with the rest of PoPiPa..."
Kaoru added, dramatically shaking her head. "I doubt you'll be able to finish it."
Kotori smiled gently, though her voice held warning. "And it's the most expensive thing on the menu."
Kasumi blinked, glancing between all of them. "Well... it sounds so good when I read it. I want to try it."
Chu² snorted, impressed despite herself. "You're not wrong. The Geitondei Special uses the best ingredients in Japan. It's expensive as hell, but... still, are you sure you want to order it?"
The restaurant went silent. Even the kitchen staff peeked from behind the counter, waiting for her response.
Kasumi looked back at her bandmates—Arisa, Rimi, Saya, and Tae—all of them wide-eyed but quietly supportive. Then, with a firm nod, she turned back toward Miyoi.
"Yes," she said, her tone surprisingly steady. "I still want to order it."
I let out a quiet sigh and gave Miyoi a small nod. "Welp... didn't say I didn't warn you," I said, turning to her. "You heard her, Miyoi. One Geitondei Special. And for me... I'll take the Devil's Breath Ramen—Level 15."
Her pen froze mid-note. Then it snapped clean in two between her fingers.
"Riku-kun..." Miyoi's voice dropped an octave. "Are you taking that challenge?"
"I am." I leaned back with a small grin. "I'm confident I'll finish it."
That made the whole table go still for a moment.
Tomoe tilted her head. "Ran, what's the Devil's Breath Ramen?"
Ran didn't even look up from her menu. "Geitondei's spiciest ramen. You can pick a spice level, one through fifteen. But if you pick the max—Level 15—and eat it without drinking anything, your meal's free."
Masuki raised an eyebrow, half intrigued, half skeptical. "There's a time limit to it, right?"
"Yeah," Ran replied. "Forty-five minutes. Fail, and you pay double. Only a handful of people have ever cleared it."
Masuki grinned, leaning forward with that daredevil spark in her eyes. "Interestin'... I'll take what Riku's havin'. But make mine Level 8."
Tomoe slammed her menu shut. "Me too. Level 8 for me."
Ako-chan tugged on her sister's sleeve, worried. "Onee-chan, are you sure you're okay with it?"
Tomoe smiled confidently. "Don't worry, Ako. I can handle spice."
Rei glanced toward Masuki, her brow raised. "Are you confident about this?"
Masuki's grin widened. "Hell yeah. Might even get some ideas for my own ramen recipes outta this."
With everyone settled, Miyoi gathered our orders and told us to give them an hour to prepare. Once she walked off, Chu² turned toward me, her usual mischief dimmed into curiosity.
"So," she began, eyes flicking toward my left eye. "What happened there, exactly?"
I exhaled softly. I'd been expecting that.
So I told them everything—well, almost everything. I skipped the part about my date with Eli, but explained the rest: how I'd acquired the Sacred Gear, how it manifested, and how it changed me. I even summoned it for a moment, letting the faint white glow ripple through my arm.
The reactions were a mix of awe and concern. Some of the girls leaned in, others recoiled at the sight of the faint energy pulsing along my veins.
"It won't affect me badly," I reassured them, closing my fist. The glow faded. "I can turn it on and off. As for the eye... the Sacred Gear's a Dragon-type. It aligns with me perfectly, so it changed the color of my left one."
They were quiet for a moment, digesting that. Then Honoka spoke, voice soft. "What does it do?"
"It can divide anything I touch," I said simply. "Energy, matter... even power itself."
Chu²'s eyes immediately lit up with a spark of interest that made me uneasy.
"Hmm... say, Riku," she said, leaning closer, "are you doing anything this weekend?"
"Saturday's open," I replied cautiously.
"Perfect," she said with a smirk. "I'll be visiting the Estate then." She didn't elaborate, which was never a good sign.
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. "You didn't tell Rei and the others about my engagement, did you?"
She looked at me, mildly surprised I even had to ask. "No. Not yet."
That caught me off guard. For someone who usually moves fast, she was oddly restrained.
"Why?"
"Because we're still in the middle of the tournament," she said matter-of-factly. "Didn't want to distract them from all the drama."
That, at least, sounded like her.
An hour later, our food began arriving—and the sight alone was enough to silence the entire restaurant.
Every dish looked like it had been plated for royalty. The Kobe katsudon glistened like gold. The Neo-Napolitan Pasta shimmered with sauce rich enough to bankrupt someone. The 777 Burger was so tall it looked architectural.
When the waiters carried out Tomoe and Masuki's ramen, both Rei and Ako-chan exchanged worried glances. The broth was a deep, angry red—like molten lava.
Masuki stared at it, then laughed nervously. "Heh... doesn't look that bad."
Tomoe, however, wasn't laughing. She gulped, but still picked up her chopsticks. "Alright then... time to test our limits."
Then came my bowl.
The table went quiet. The broth wasn't red—it was blackish crimson, almost glowing under the light. Even the air around it felt heavy, like the spice alone could choke someone.
Tomoe and Masuki's faces paled instantly.
"...That's darker than ours," Masuki muttered.
I just smiled, cracking my neck before snapping my fingers once.
"Let's do this."
Before we could start, Miyoi returned with a small digital timer and set it down beside our bowls.
"Alright," she said, her usual cheerful tone gone. "For those attempting the Devil's Breath Challenge, the rules are simple: no drinks, no bathroom breaks, and finish within forty-five minutes. Fail, and the meal costs double."
She looked at the three of us. "Riku-kun, Tomoe-chan, Masuki-chan... ready?"
Tomoe clenched her chopsticks. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Masuki grinned. "Bring it on."
"Very well," Miyoi said, pressing the timer. "The time... starts... now!"
Tomoe and Masuki dove in first, taking brave, full bites of their noodles.
They lasted exactly three seconds.
Their eyes widened. Their faces went scarlet. Steam almost literally came out of their ears.
"TOO SPICY!!!" they yelled in unison, fanning their mouths desperately.
Laughter erupted around the table. Rimi nearly spilled her drink from laughing too hard, and even Kotori was hiding a giggle behind her hand.
Meanwhile, I just kept eating. Calmly. Steadily. Chopsticks twirling.
Chu² stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "...Are you seriously okay right now?!"
I slurped another mouthful of noodles, shrugged, and kept going.
The spice hit like liquid fire, burning through every nerve in my tongue—but I'd eaten worse. Years of training under the more eccentric cooks at the estate had turned my taste buds into something unholy.
Within minutes, the others had stopped cheering for the challenge and started watching me instead.
Tomoe and Masuki were on their third bites, sweating, coughing, and occasionally whimpering, but refusing to quit.
Meanwhile, I was halfway through my bowl.
Miyoi looked at me, genuinely astonished. "Riku-kun... you're just... eating it."
I smiled faintly. "Told you I'd finish it."
Me? I set my chopsticks down, bowl empty.
The timer blinked red at 31:46.
A hush fell over the table. Then Kasumi burst out cheering, followed by the rest of the girls.
Chu² clapped, grinning. "Well, I'll be damned. The man actually did it."
I leaned back, wiping my mouth with a napkin. "Told you I'm confident."
Then I glanced at the Geitondei Special that had just been placed in front of Kasumi—an absurd, mountain-sized spread of seafood, meats, and rice that could feed a small village. Her jaw dropped.
And I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Good luck, Kasumi," I said, smirking. "You'll need it more than I did."
----------
Live House CiRCLE – Riku's Office
3:30 P.M.
Somehow, I managed to down the Devil's Breath Ramen Level 15 without flinching. Tomoe and Masuki weren't as lucky—though to their credit, they cleared the challenge with seconds left on the clock. Both were red-faced, sweating buckets, and chugging milk like their lives depended on it. The sight was something else—two drummers who could keep perfect tempo, but completely lost rhythm against a bowl of noodles.
When Moca asked how I could eat that monstrosity so casually, I just shrugged and said I was used to spice. No need to tell them about the years of moon rabbit cooking and Joichiro-san's "experimental" lunches. Some things are better left unsaid.
After we paid the bill—a painfully heavy one, even after the challenge discount—I asked what everyone's plans were. PoPiPa had to call off their next stop since Kasumi was clutching her stomach and groaning about the Geitondei Special. They decided to crash at Arisa's place instead.
Pastel✽Palettes got summoned by their manager for a commercial shoot. RAS, fresh off their Osaka Rookie Fes win, decided to rest for the day. Chu² just gave a lazy salute before heading off, probably already scheming her next project. Kokoro mentioned that Hello, Happy World had a full massage session booked. Honestly? That didn't sound bad at all. Maybe I should schedule one for myself.
That left me, Youmu, Aichi, Roselia, Afterglow, and μ's heading to CiRCLE. The trip there was quiet, but comfortable. Once we reached the doors, Marina greeted us from behind the counter, her usual gentle smile in place.
"Riku, you're early," she said, tilting her head.
"School ended sooner than expected," I answered, setting my bag down. "Can you man the front for a while? I'll check on a few things in the office."
She nodded without question, already used to this routine. I left the others to practice or rest in the studio spaces—Roselia and Afterglow were already deep in discussion about their next live set, while the μ's girls were already making training regimens with Eli in charge.
My office was quiet, save for the hum of the computer fan and the low tick of the wall clock. I booted up the monitor and scrolled through the latest news. The Western Europe PBC headlines were interesting—Team Liquid's guitarist, MATUMBAMAN, had announced that he will retire after the next TI. A small pang of nostalgia hit me; he'd been a veteran since I was still learning my first riffs. Another name stepping off the stage.
Further down, another article caught my eye. Virtus.pro had rebranded to "Outsiders" to dodge restrictions and compete internationally. Politics seeping into music and games alike... it never seemed to stop.
The phone on my desk rang, pulling me back. I answered, and Marina's voice came through, calm but a little breathless. "Riku-kun, Leo/need just arrived."
"Got it. Entertain the others while they get changed," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Once the other groups show up, tell them we'll meet at the stage downstairs at five."
"Understood," she replied before hanging up.
The clock read 3:57 P.M.—a bit too early to start preparations. My body felt heavy, that post-spice fatigue kicking in. I yawned, stretching my arms above my head.
"Marina did mention one of the Kessoku Band members lives far from here..." I muttered to myself. "Guess I'll find out later."
Homura padded over from his spot by the couch, his tail giving a lazy wag.
"Homura," I said, glancing at him. "Wake me up ten minutes before five, yeah?"
WOOF.
I smiled faintly. "Good boy."
It's strange—most people wouldn't believe a dog could read time, but after being trained by Kasen-san, Homura could probably run a household.
I reclined my chair, letting the sunlight from the blinds stripe across my desk. The sound of distant tuning, laughter, and faint drum taps drifted from the studios below. It was the kind of noise that reminded me why CiRCLE existed in the first place—musicians from every background, every dream, coming together just to play.
My eyelids felt heavier with each passing second. Somewhere between thought and dream, the spice from earlier still lingered faintly on my tongue, warm and sharp. My last coherent thought before sleep pulled me under was simple: today's calm won't last long.
Homura gave a small huff and settled at my feet, guarding the door like always. The quiet of the office deepened, time slipping by in gentle rhythm. Outside, the world kept spinning—bands gathering, preparations building, and the soft hum of music threading through CiRCLE's walls.
Whatever came next, it would start soon enough. For now, I allowed myself the smallest luxury—a few minutes of rest before the curtain rose again.
Meanwhile at the Front Desk
3rd POV
At Live House CiRCLE's front counter, the air was quiet save for the hum of soft indie music playing over the speakers. Ichika and Shiho were running things while Marina had gone out to buy guitar strings from the nearby music store. Outside, Saki and Honami were lounging at the café patio, keeping an eye on the light afternoon crowd.
Shiho leaned her elbows on the counter and sighed. "Onee-chan and the others are running late."
Ichika glanced up from the clipboard she was organizing. "Did you give her directions?"
"I gave her a physical map, for crying out loud," Shiho muttered, tapping the counter with her pen. "Honestly, onee-chan can be an airhead, but this is taking it to another level."
Ichika tried not to laugh at her friend's growing irritation. Shizuku and her group, MORE MORE JUMP, were supposed to arrive half an hour ago. Given Shizuku's track record with directions, though, this delay wasn't exactly shocking. Ichika was about to call Airi for an update when a familiar voice spoke behind them.
"Is something wrong, you two?"
They turned to see Hatate, the calm and sharp-eyed informant of CiRCLE, leaning casually against the entranceway.
Ichika greeted her politely. "Hatate-san. It's just that Shiho's sister and her band haven't shown up yet."
Shiho crossed her arms. "They're probably lost by now. Onee-chan's sense of direction is... well, nonexistent."
Hatate chuckled under her breath. "How about I find them for you? I've got some free time and no clients today anyway."
Ichika tilted her head, curious. "I've been meaning to ask, Hatate-san—what exactly is your role here?"
The woman smiled faintly, brushing her hair back. "I'm the live house's informant. If it involves the music or entertainment world, I can find it—for a price, of course."
That last part made Ichika blink. "You charge for that?"
"Only when the information's worth something," Hatate said with a wink. "Now, before I head out, can I see what your sister looks like?"
Shiho pulled up a photo of Shizuku on her phone. Hatate studied it briefly, nodded once, and slipped out the door with the same quiet confidence she'd entered with.
The silence didn't last long. As the door swung open again, four girls stepped into the live house, carrying guitar cases and backpacks that looked almost as big as they were.
The first girl, who walked at the front with a bright but slightly nervous smile, had long blonde hair tied in a side ponytail, a floating ahoge bobbing with each step. Her vermilion eyes practically glowed with energy. She wore a white blouse with a red ribbon patterned in polka dots, a navy pleated skirt, white socks, and red sneakers.
The second girl had short blue hair, yellow eyes, and two neat black hair clips on her bangs. Her expression was calm—stoic, even—and her uniform was tidy: collared shirt, dark sweater, leggings, and loafers.
The third had red hair and a spark of charisma in her golden eyes. She wore a sailor-style uniform, white with red accents, her sleeves rolled slightly as if she was always ready to play.
And the last girl stood a step behind them, clutching her guitar case a little too tightly. Her long pink hair was tied loosely with a cube-shaped hair clip, her aqua eyes darting around nervously. The tracksuit she wore over her skirt was casual, even mismatched—but it fit her somehow.
Ichika and Shiho immediately recognized them as newcomers. Ichika straightened and greeted them with her usual calm professionalism.
"Welcome to Live House CiRCLE," she said warmly. "In the words of the owner-san—'This is the place where any aspiring musician takes their first step.' I'm Hoshino Ichika, and this is Hinomori Shiho."
"Yo," Shiho added with a lazy wave.
Ichika smiled faintly. "May I ask your names?"
The blonde girl stepped forward and gave a polite bow. "Of course! I'm Ijichi Nijika, second year at Shimo-Kitazawa High. I'm the drummer and leader of Kessoku Band." She turned to her friends. "Ryo, Kita-chan, Bocchi—introduce yourselves."
The blue-haired girl nodded curtly. "Yamada Ryo. Same school and year as Nijika. Bassist."
Ichika blinked—her tone was flat and cool, eerily similar to Shiho's. She looked sideways at her friend, who just shrugged.
Next, the redhead beamed and raised a hand in greeting. "I'm Kita Ikuyo! First year at Shuka High, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist! The one behind me is Gotoh Hitori—we go to the same school. She's our lead guitarist!"
The pink-haired girl, clearly flustered by being mentioned, gave a small bow. "...Um... h-hi." Her voice was barely a whisper.
Ichika smiled gently. "I see... so you're Kessoku Band. Marina-san mentioned inviting you to perform."
Nijika nodded. "Yes! We usually play at Starry, but the owner insisted we accept this invitation."
"It's a smart move," Ichika replied. "Performing in different live houses helps a band grow—it exposes you to new crowds, new energy."
Kita's eyes sparkled. "That's such great advice!"
Nijika hesitated. "Though, um, we did arrive a bit early..."
Shiho gestured toward the hallway. "If you want to warm up, the studios are open. Invited bands can use them free of charge—just don't break anything."
Nijika's eyes widened. "Free of charge?"
Kita lit up. "That's amazing! Ijichi-senpai, Ryo-senpai, let's take this chance to practice!"
Ryo nodded calmly. "Good idea. We brought our instruments, might as well make use of it."
Ichika grabbed a key from the rack. "Studio 10's free. Down the hall, first door to your left." She handed the key to Nijika, who bowed again before leading her bandmates down the corridor.
When the sound of their footsteps faded, Ichika exhaled. "They're an interesting bunch."
Shiho smirked slightly. "Yeah. But that pink-haired one—she looked like she was about to pass out."
"You think she's sick?" Ichika asked, concerned.
Shiho shook her head. "No. More like... socially allergic."
Ichika snorted softly. "You mean shy?"
"Same thing."
Before Ichika could retort, her phone buzzed. Shiho peeked over. "It's Saki."
Ichika answered, and Saki's cheerful voice came through. "Hey, Ichika! Things are calm right now—you two should grab something to eat while it's quiet."
Shiho leaned back in her chair. "Go ahead. I'll hold the fort."
"Are you sure?" Ichika asked.
Shiho nodded. "Yeah. Just bring me back something sweet."
Ichika chuckled. "Got it." She grabbed her wallet and headed toward the door. "Don't scare the customers while I'm gone."
Shiho rolled her eyes but smirked. "No promises."
As Ichika stepped outside into the warm mid-afternoon air, the soft chatter from the café drifted over. Inside, Shiho rested her chin on her palm, glancing toward the hallway where Kessoku Band had disappeared.
"They're... different," she murmured to herself.
From the faint sound of tuning and a hesitant guitar riff echoing down the corridor, she could tell the pink-haired girl—Bocchi, was it?—had already started playing. The notes were shaky at first, but there was a strange, quiet beauty to them.
Shiho allowed herself a small, knowing smile. "Guess even the shy ones have something to say when it's music."
She leaned back, letting the rhythm from Studio 10 fill the silence of the front desk—soft, clumsy, but honest.
The kind of sound that belonged in a place like CiRCLE.
5:00 P.M.
Riku stirred awake, the dull hum of the air conditioner the only sound in the quiet room. Something heavy pressed against his chest. When he blinked his eyes open, he found Homura sitting squarely on top of him, staring down with patient brown eyes.
Riku groaned and chuckled. "You really woke me up at five. Good work, boy."
The dog barked once, tail wagging in smug satisfaction before hopping down onto the floor.
Right then, the intercom buzzed. Riku pressed the button.
"Riku, all the invited groups are here," Marina's voice said. "MORE MORE JUMP just arrived—Hatate-chan took a while to find Shizuku-chan."
Riku rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "She got lost?"
"Apparently so," Marina replied, a touch of amusement in her tone. "Shiho-chan told me Shizuku-chan tends to get lost even when she already knows the place. As for the other group, they'll be here any minute."
"I see. Thanks for the update. Tell everyone I'll head down soon." He paused and looked at Homura. "Want to come with me?"
The dog tilted his head, then turned in a slow circle before curling up near the chair.
Riku grinned faintly. "Guess that's a no. Keep an eye on the office, alright?"
Homura let out a soft woof—almost like a salute.
Riku stood, stretching until his shoulders popped, then grabbed his black OG jacket from the rack. Sliding it on, he felt the familiar weight settle across his shoulders, grounding him. He pushed open the back door of his office—the one that led directly onto the stage floor below.
Live House CiRCLE - Stage
The live house was alive with chatter and the subtle echo of tuning instruments. The air carried that familiar blend of coffee, dust, and fresh strings. Several bands were scattered across the stage and floor, finding their places among cables and cases.
Kessoku Band had taken up a corner, talking animatedly with Afterglow. The easy rhythm of conversation filled the room—except for one spot. Off to the side, Hitori sat rigid on a stool, clutching her guitar case like it was a life vest. Her pink hair framed her face as she avoided eye contact with everyone.
Ran noticed. She excused herself from the group and walked over, boots clicking lightly on the stage.
"Oi, you okay out here?" Ran asked, voice even but kind.
"HIIIIII!"
Hitori's sudden shriek made Ran flinch back.
"W–Whoa, easy!" Ran blinked. "You good?"
"S-s-sorry..." Hitori stammered, clutching her guitar case tighter. "I'm... not used to talking to anyone... at all..."
Ran leaned against a speaker. "A loner, huh? I was kinda like that once."
Hitori blinked. "Eh?"
Ran's gaze softened as she looked past the crowd for a moment. "Back in middle school, I barely talked to anyone. Spent most of my time alone. Didn't think people were worth the trouble. Then... there was nii-san."
Hitori tilted her head. "You had a brother?"
"Not by blood," Ran said, closing her eyes for a moment. "But yeah. He was there when I needed someone to listen. Taught me how to play. Helped me realize I wasn't as empty as I thought. Still, when school split us up, I ended up isolated again. The girls—Tsugumi, Moca, Himari, Tomoe—they were in different classes. I barely saw them."
Hitori shifted, listening more closely now.
"One day, Himari decided to form a band," Ran continued, her lips curling into a small smile. "Said it was the only way we could stay together, even if we were apart in everything else. That's how Afterglow started."
Hitori's fingers loosened on the case. "So that's why you formed the band... to stay together."
"At first," Ran nodded. "But over time, it changed. We started to play because we wanted to. Because we loved the sound, the chaos, the memories we made together."
Hitori's voice dropped to a whisper. "That's... amazing. For me, I just... I wanted to..."
"Be famous?" Ran guessed.
Hitori froze. "...Y–yeah."
Ran let out a quiet laugh. "Not a bad goal. But if fame's the only thing you're chasing, you'll burn out fast. You need something real underneath it. A reason that keeps you going when the crowd isn't cheering."
"A... purpose," Hitori repeated, almost testing the word.
Ran nodded. "Why'd you join Kessoku Band in the first place?"
Hitori's eyes darted to the floor. "Nijika-chan kinda... dragged me into it. Before that, I was just a nobody. I didn't even leave my room much... that was two months ago."
Ran's tone softened. "Then you've already taken your first step. Doesn't matter how small. You've got people now. That's more than most ever find."
Hitori followed Ran's gaze toward her friends—Nijika laughing with Tsugumi, Ryo stoically trading guitar tips with Moca, Ikuyo's voice bubbling through the air. Something inside her unclenched. For once, the weight of her own awkwardness felt lighter.
She turned back to Ran, eyes shy but steady. "Thank you... I think I needed that. Um... who are you again?"
Ran blinked, then smirked. "Right. Forgot to say. Mitake Ran, Afterglow's vocalist."
Hitori straightened, trying to mirror her composure. "G–Gotoh Hitori. Kessoku Band's... lead guitar."
Ran extended her hand. Hitori hesitated, then shook it. Her palms were rough, the skin calloused from long hours of practice.
Ran raised an eyebrow. "Your hands... they've been through a lot."
Hitori tried to pull back. "I know, they're ugly..."
Ran shook her head. "Nah. They're proof of work. Respect, honestly. How long've you been playing?"
"Three years straight," Hitori replied quietly.
Ran let out a low whistle. "That's serious grind. You've got the bones for it, that's for sure."
The two shared a small, unspoken moment—musician to musician, awkward to reformed loner. Somewhere between their silence and the faint hum of tuning strings, a quiet friendship began to form.
Across the stage, the rest of their bands noticed.
Nijika smiled softly. "Looks like Bocchi-chan made a new friend."
Himari chuckled. "And so did Ran."
Ikuyo clasped her hands together. "This might be the first step for Gotoh-san to really come out of her shell."
Tsugumi tilted her head. "By the way, why do you call her 'Bocchi'?"
Ryo, ever deadpan, didn't even look up. "Because of hitoribocchi."
Moca let out a lazy snort. "That's kinda lame if you ask me~."
Ran caught that exchange from the corner of her eye and gave an amused exhale. Hitori, catching the nickname conversation, hid her face behind her guitar case, cheeks burning.
But this time, she wasn't shrinking from the noise.
She was listening to it.
Part of it.
And for once, that felt enough.
The stage lights flickered to life, their soft glow spreading across the live house and catching everyone's attention. Conversations hushed as all eyes turned toward the lone figure walking from the wings. Riku adjusted the cuffs of his jacket, his steps unhurried, carrying a quiet authority that naturally drew the room's focus.
"...I take it this is everyone—" His gaze swept across the gathered groups, then paused. "Ran? You got invited?"
Ran turned from her conversation with Hitori, a faint smirk curving her lips. "Yeah. After Roselia's last performance here, we realized we can't afford to lag behind. So when Marina-san extended the invitation, Afterglow couldn't refuse."
Riku chuckled under his breath. "I see. I'm guessing Marina took advantage of your rivalry with Yukina."
Ran crossed her arms, rolling her eyes lightly. "Wouldn't put it past her."
Before Riku could reply, another voice chimed in from the side—gentle but firm.
"Riku-san, we came here as promised." Haruka stepped forward, her calm presence grounding the lively room. "Have you made your decision?"
"I have," he replied, "but I'll announce it once everyone's assembled. No sense repeating myself." His tone softened as he turned to the unfamiliar faces nearby. "And I take it you four are Kessoku Band? I'm Nagae Riku—owner of this live house."
The group of four straightened instinctively. The blonde girl stepped ahead, bright and earnest.
"I see! I'm Ijichi Nijika, Kessoku Band's drummer and leader," she said, her cheerful energy filling the air. "The one on my left is Yamada Ryo—our bassist."
Ryo gave a curt nod, her expression unreadable. Riku noted the sharpness in her eyes—a quiet type, but confident where it counted.
Nijika continued, gesturing to the red-haired girl beside her. "And this is Kita Ikuyo, our rhythm guitarist and vocalist."
Ikuyo waved enthusiastically. "Nice to meet you, Nagae-san!"
Riku nodded in return, smiling faintly at her open demeanor.
"And behind them," Nijika finished, turning to the timid pink-haired girl half-hiding behind her, "is Gotoh Hitori—our lead guitarist. But we usually call her Bocchi-chan."
Riku raised an eyebrow. "Bocchi, huh? You mean 'alone'?"
Hitori flinched, her voice barely above a whisper. "...H-hai..."
That was enough for Riku to read her—socially awkward, easily startled, yet holding something deeper beneath that shyness. He'd seen that look before in countless young musicians who poured their voice into their instrument instead of words.
"Well," he said, his tone steady but kind, "I got your profiles from Marina. It's just you four, huh? Normally, five's the standard for a band—but confidence counts more than numbers. If you trust your chemistry, you might surprise us once the Live begins."
Before he could continue, the sound of the front door opening drew everyone's attention. A soft, composed voice followed.
"Sorry we're late."
Four figures stepped inside, their presence distinct even before Riku got a good look at them.
The first girl led with quiet confidence—long black hair brushing her shoulders, silver-gray eyes glinting under the lights. She wore a black jacket layered over a long white top, the hem swaying just past her waist. Torn black jeans and heeled shoes completed the look, simple but striking. A faint metallic gleam from a necklace caught Riku's eye, adding just enough edge to her calm appearance.
The second was a sharp contrast—a short girl, barely reaching her friend's shoulder. Tousled blonde hair framed her mischievous face, bright yellow eyes dancing with energy. The oversized sweatshirt hanging loose on her frame featured a cute bear graphic, the hem nearly covering the black lace skirt beneath. Her boots clacked softly as she walked, exuding casual charm.
The third figure carried herself with elegance. Wavy lilac hair fell gracefully down her back, framing gentle gray eyes. Her plaid coat and soft green skirt gave her a warm, motherly aura—one that rivaled even Saaya or Lisa's calm presence. The fur-trimmed boots completed her look, polished yet kind.
The last to step in was taller, composed. Her short, dark hair contrasted with her light-gold eyes. A long black coat layered over a gray turtleneck gave her an androgynous look—one that might've fooled anyone at first glance. But Riku knew better. He recognized that calm confidence instantly.
His brows lifted. "Aoi? Is that you?"
The girl chuckled, her smile widening. "Good to see you again, Riku. How've you been?"
The girl with lilac hair tilted her head, her soft voice carrying just enough curiosity to break the air between them.
"You know him, Aoi-kun?"
Aoi glanced her way, the familiar grin forming almost instantly. "Yeah. Me and Riku go way back. You could say we're... sworn siblings."
That made the smallest of the four—blonde hair tousled and expression caught between shock and amusement—blink rapidly. "Wait, you mean... you actually did that? The whole oath thing?"
Aoi smirked. "We did. But don't get the wrong idea—it was supervised by his family, so it's fine."
The black-haired girl beside her sighed, folding her arms. "Quite a risk, Aoi."
"Maybe," Aoi said, her tone turning faintly wistful. "But Riku's family is basically my second home. It felt right."
Riku rubbed the back of his neck, trying to suppress a chuckle. "Sorry to interrupt your nostalgia hour, but could you maybe introduce your friends before we turn this into a family reunion?"
Before Aoi could speak, the black-haired one took the lead. Her voice was calm and commanding, eyes cool as glass. "Aoi doesn't need to. I'm Aoyagi Tsubaki—Rondo's vocalist."
Riku blinked at her bluntness. "Right... noted."
Next was the blonde girl, who puffed out her chest despite her petite frame. "Tsukimiyama Nagisa. Rondo's guitarist. Nice to meet you."
Riku's brow furrowed, an eyebrow twitching upward. "Who let a middle schooler in here?"
The silence that followed was deafening. For a moment, the only sound was Aichi's muffled laugh breaking from the back. Eli, Kotori, Ran, and Aoi all slapped their foreheads at once, the synchronized motion almost comical. Around them, several girls bit back laughter behind their hands.
Nagisa, however, turned scarlet, her eyes wide with outrage.
"I-I-I-I AM NOT A MIDDLE SCHOOLER! I'M ALREADY TWENTY!!"
A wave of disbelief rippled through the crowd. Even Riku blinked in surprise. "You're... twenty?"
Nagisa huffed, crossing her arms. "Yes! A college student, thank you very much."
Riku exhaled softly, hands raised in mock surrender. "My bad, then. So you're a year older than me... huh. Didn't see that coming."
"Che. Don't mind, don't mind." Nagisa waved dismissively, though her cheeks were still red. She shot Aoi a sideways glare. "Oi, Aoi-san, you said he was blunt—but you didn't tell me he was that blunt."
Before Aoi could reply, the last of the four stepped forward with a calm smile. Her voice was smooth, professional. "Settle down, Nagisa-chan. I'm Yano Hiiro—Rondo's VJ. A pleasure to meet you, Nagae-kun."
"Riku's fine," he replied. "Family names make things feel... stiff."
Her smile softened. "Then Riku-kun it is."
Before the conversation could continue, the side door opened again, and Marina strode in with her usual brisk pace, clipboard in hand. The mood in the room shifted immediately.
Riku straightened. "Marina, you said earlier you invited five groups to perform, right? Where are the other two?"
"That's... what I came to talk about," she said, voice quieter than usual. "Two of the bands backed out."
Riku froze. "Say what now?"
The room stilled. Even the chatter from the other groups faded away. Riku frowned, tension settling on his shoulders as he turned to her. "Why?"
Marina hesitated, glancing down before meeting his eyes again. "The first group was involved in a car crash four days ago. Their vocalist... didn't make it."
A heavy silence fell over the room. Faces that were once full of excitement now turned somber. Riku's hand rose to his mouth as he bit his nail, a faint tremor betraying his frustration.
"Damn..." His voice dropped low. "What about the rest of them?"
"They're alive," Marina said softly. "The other four sustained injuries—nothing critical—but they'll need time to recover."
"I see..." Riku exhaled through his nose, the air thick. "And the second band?"
Marina's next words landed like stones. "They fell apart. There was a fight—two of the members turned on each other. It escalated badly."
Riku's head snapped toward her. "What the—how badly?"
"The authorities intervened before it went too far. But with two members arrested... they've disbanded."
For a moment, all Riku could do was stare at the floor. A swirl of anger and pity twisted in his chest. It reminded him too much of the chaos from CiRCLE's first live—the uncertainty, the scramble, the sheer weight of responsibility pressing on his back again. He took a slow breath, forcing the tension out of his shoulders.
"This is the worst," he muttered. Then, more firmly, "...But the show must go on."
Marina nodded. "Exactly my thought. We've already invested too much into this event. Canceling would taint CiRCLE's reputation."
"Yeah," Riku said quietly, eyes scanning the gathered musicians. "Backing down now isn't an option."
For a brief moment, the only sound was the soft hum of the lights overhead. Then something in his expression shifted—resolve tightening his jaw, a flicker of an idea forming behind his eyes. He turned his head toward the two idol groups at the side of the stage—μ's and MORE MORE JUMP—each filled with faces of quiet determination. Then his gaze slid toward the bands—Afterglow, Kessoku Band, and Rondo.
Five groups. Each one different. But all standing here now, ready for something more.
He raised his voice just enough to carry through the hall.
"With the exception of the two who backed out..." He paused, letting the silence build around him. "Rondo. Kessoku Band. Afterglow. MORE MORE JUMP. And μ's."
Every eye turned toward him, the air tightening with anticipation.
Riku drew in a slow breath, then said clearly, "Let's begin CiRCLE's Second Live Event Meeting."
For a heartbeat, there was stillness. Then the tension broke—excitement flickering back into the room like a pulse. Conversations resumed, instruments clinked, and the faint buzz of energy filled the space again.
Riku looked out over them all—the bright faces, the determined ones, even the nervous ones like Hitori—and allowed himself a small, tired smile. Despite everything, the night still had promise.
And that was enough reason to keep moving forward.
To be Continued...