Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dearest Grandmother,

It's been an enchanting month since our thrilling Triple S Concert. The memories still feel like a dream, yet the days that followed have been filled with joy.

I've composed more than ever, and it still surprises me how far we've come. It wasn’t long ago that we were just students, yet now-

A sudden knock interrupts her thoughts.

Eh…? A knock?

Haruka blinks, setting her pen down as her brow furrows slightly.

Rising from her chair, she crosses the room and opens the door, only to be greeted by Tomochika, beaming as she lifts a plastic bag brimming with drinks.

"Haruuuukaaa!" Tomochika exclaimed, her words filled with joyful energy. "I got us some drinks~!"

Haruka's eyes lit up. "Tomo-chan..!"

She rushed forward, her heart swelling with joy. It had been too long since they last saw each other.

Tomochika grinned, closing the distance between them before taking Haruka’s hands in hers, giving them a gentle squeeze.

"Morning, Haruka!" she chirped. "Hope I'm not interrupting! I was wondering if you were busy?"

Haruka shook her head, smiling warmly. "Not at all! I was just writing a letter to my grandmother."

"Ooooh? Is it about The Triple S?"

Haruka giggled at her spot-on guess. "It is... I was telling her about the incredible time we had during the event."

“The Triple S... ” Tomochika sighed dramatically as she plopped onto the couch, stretching out with a contented groan. “It’s been a month, and people are still talking about it! It’s totally bonkers!"

Haruka joined her on the couch, folding her hands in her lap. "It was a huge moment for STARISH, QUARTET NIGHT, and HEAVENS," she mused. "Even now, it still feels like it happened just yesterday."

“Right, right~!? I swear, that concert was pure magic!"

Haruka chuckled, the memory vivid in her mind. "It really was."

"Still, they totally caught everyone off guard!" Tomochika exclaimed, animatedly gesturing with her hands. “I mean, HEAVENS was officially out of the concert- everyone was so bummed! But then, bam! The second you blink, they’re descending from the ceiling like some dramatic movie scene!"

Haruka chuckled, shaking her head as she sighed. "Mhm.  It’s surreal to think all of that happened in just three weeks," she mused.

"And they couldn't have pulled it off without you." Tomochika nudged her shoulder with a grin. 

Haruka’s cheeks warmed at the compliment, but she waved it off with a soft laugh. "Awee, you're too kind, Tomo-chan!” she said, returning the playful nudge.

The two giggled, their excitement slowly settling into a comfortable warmth.

♬

The two had been chatting for a while now, with Tomochika passionately ranting about her strict upperclassmen.

"...And he was like-"

She abruptly stopped as a loud alarm rang through the room, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Haruka blinked before sighing, a sheepish smile forming on her lips.

"Ah… I completely forgot," she admitted, setting down her drink as she stood.

"I have a meeting to attend. Sorry to cut our conversation short, Tomo-chan…”

She gave Tomochika an apologetic look. "I-Is that okay...?"

Tomochika waved her off with a wink and a thumbs-up. "No worries! My ride should be here any minute anyway."

Haruka exhaled in relief. "Thank you, Tomo-chan!"

She walked to the door, pausing to offer a warm smile before stepping out. "Thanks for the drink and the company! Hope to see you soon."

Tomochika grinned. "Of course, girl! Now go and have a great day~!"

With that, Haruka left, heading off to her meeting as their conversation lingered pleasantly in her mind.

♬

Haruka strolled out of the building, a contented expression gracing her face.

"Today has been fulfilling," she told herself excitedly.

Maybe I would even start composing early that afternoon…

As her car came to a gentle halt, she turned to the driver and offered a soft bow. "Thank you, sir."

Taking in a breath of fresh air, Haruka began making her way to the gate of Shining Agency, her papers tucked firmly against her chest. She paused momentarily to take in a breath.

In the confines of her own mind, Haruka couldn't help but reminisce.

Had it really been a month since that concert? that impossibly bright, unforgettable performance that still felt like a dream? I’d been composing more often lately, pouring everything into the music.

With a bittersweet smile, she reflected on the journey that STARISH had undertaken thus far as she felt an overwhelming sense of pride, taking a deep breath.

Haruka's stride slowed as she looked up and saw STARISH approaching, each bearing a wide grin.

"Everyone..?" she murmured, surprised.

"Ne, Nanami! Listen to this!"

Otoya exclaimed with enthusiasm, followed by Syo's equally excited reply.

"We have a great idea!"

Starstruck by the sight of her friends so full of energy and joy, Haruka was speechless.

"We're going to hold a concert."

Haruka's eyes widened as her friends proposed their idea. "A concert?" she repeated, unsure.

Tokiya and Syo beamed back, nodding their heads eagerly.

"That's right! But! Not just any concert!~" Natsuki said, his enthusiasm palpable.

Ren glances at Haruka with a genuine smirk. "A concert with STARISH and QUARTET NIGHT,"

"And HEAVENS will be performing, too." Masato continued.

"It's a concert featuring all of us!" Cecil cheered.

Haruka was overcome with surprise and delight when she heard the proposal. Her eyes widened as a sweet smile spread across her face, causing her STARISH to pause and admire her beauty.

With the wind gently blowing through her hair, she giggled with joy.

"That sounds wonderful!" she exclaimed happily. "I mean, really, really wonderful!"

Haruka’s excitement was so overwhelming that the boys couldn’t help but chuckle at her adorable reaction.

“We just knew you’d love it, Nanami!” Otoya grinned, a faint blush on his cheeks.

Haruka bowed, gratitude shining in her eyes. “That sounds so wonderful..! Thank you, everyone.” Then, tilting her head, she asked, “Um… have you told the President yet?”

“Haha… not yet,” Syo admitted, rubbing his neck sheepishly.

“We wanted to tell you first, my princess,” Cecil added sweetly, his smile warm.

Haruka glanced between them. “O-Oh, I see!”

Ren stepped closer, gently taking her hand.

“And what kind of men would we be if we didn’t put our Little Lamb first?” He says with a playful smile, his voice was as smooth as honey, making her heart race.

“Jinguji.”

Masato’s sharp voice cut through the moment, his expression stern as he reached out and yanked Ren back. The two locked eyes in silent annoyance, their silent battle of wills palpable.

“Ahem,” Tokiya cleared his throat, his gaze flickering between the others.

“Let’s not waste any more time,” he said, his tone firm with urgency. “We should bring this to the President right away.”

The group exchanged glances before nodding in agreement, a shared sense of resolve passing between them.

"Then what are we waiting for?!" Syo shouted loudly, his adrenaline surging.

His outburst electrified the room, shifting the atmosphere from calm to brimming with energy. Swept up in his enthusiasm, Haruka, Natsuki, Otoya, and the others sprang into action, racing toward the building.

Their hearts raced and their breaths became quick and shallow as they followed him, shouts and laughter filling the air. The tension that had previously clouded their minds cleared instantly, and they ran away, sprinting with excitement.

♬

QUARTET NIGHT was relaxed in the lounge. Ranmaru's fingers caressed the strings of his bass, Camus sipped his tea, Ai was focused on his computer, and Reiji munched happily on fried chicken as he watched his companions with amusement.

This was what they had come to enjoy - the tranquil, relaxed atmosphere.

Suddenly, Syo and Cecil burst through the door with surprising force, as it shook the group from their relaxed state.

Everyone jumped in surprise, catching Camus in the midst of taking a sip from his tea. The sound of liquid being spat out permeated the air.

Ranmaru was so startled that he practically leaped out of his seat. Ai remained focused, unruffled by the chaos, while Reiji coughed and choked on his fried chicken, causing everyone to turn to the source of the noise.

In a flash, both Haruka and Otoya bolted towards Reiji, but not before he let out a short cough.

"Kotobuki-senpai?!" Haruka gasped, rushing toward him, her hands hovering in alarm.

”R-Rei-chan?! A-Are you okay!?" Otoya followed, eyes full of concern.

Not far behind, Natsuki’s voice rang out. “Wait! Let me help!”

Before anyone could react, Natsuki lunged forward and locked Reiji in an enthusiastic bear hug.

“gOh—gAgH—cOhG—coHG—!” Reiji choked, flailing wildly as his soul attempted to escape his body.

“NATSUKI, YOU’RE MAKING IT WORSE!” Syo shouted, exasperated.

“You…” Ranmaru’s blood vessels bulged as he stomped toward the group, his entire presence radiating fury.

“WAIT A M–M-MOMENT, Kurosaki-san!!” Masato yelped, flinging out his arms like a human barricade. “Please! Allow us to explain first!!”

Ranmaru’s glare sharpened into something deadly. Everyone instinctively flinched.

Even Tokiya, who had been silently calculating the best angle to bolt, found himself abruptly jerked backward.

“Wh- REN!?” he choked out, shirt collar yanked tight as he stumbled. “What do you think you’re doing!?”

“No escape for you, Ikki,” Ren said coolly, his grip ironclad on Tokiya’s collar. “If we’re going down, you’re going with us.”

“HUH!? I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS!!”

Camus choked violently on his tea, sputtering before finally managing to spit it out. He gasped for air, his breath ragged, but as soon as he recovered, his gaze snapped toward Syo and Cecil.

Cecil shivered. Syo, drenched in sweat, felt his stomach drop. Then, their worst fear became reality.

Camus seized a nearby baton, his grip white-knuckled as his eyes gleamed with fury. His voice boomed through the room, dripping with wrath.

"UNFORGIVABLE! I'LL TEAR YOUR LIMBS APART, YOU WORTHLESS PEASANTS!"

"GYAAAAAAAAH!" Syo and Cecil let out ear-piercing screams, spinning on their heels and sprinting for their lives.

Behind them, Camus charged like an enraged beast, the baton raised high. His heavy footsteps shook the ground as he roared, hellbent on retribution.

Meanwhile, Ai barely spared a glance from his laptop.

"Reiji’s suffocating, Ranmaru’s screaming, and now Camus is in berserker mode…" Ai muttered as he sighed in exasperation.

"I don’t get paid enough for this."

Without another word, he calmly packed up his laptop and walked toward the exit, expertly avoiding the madness..

"WHAAAAT'S WITH ALL THE NOISEEE???"

Everyone looked up towards the voice with shocked expressions, while Ai and Camus remained unfazed.

The voice belonged to Shining Saotome, who was floating through the air with fabric tied around his torso.

"Principa-" Tokiya began, only to quickly correct himself. "I mean, President!" he stuttered in embarrassment.

The gravity of the situation started to set in, their gazes turning towards Shining as he hovered in the air.

They all began to sweatdrop from the realization that they had caused quite a ruckus.

"Moooouuu~!"

A familiar whine pierced the air, followed by the sharp click of heels.

Ringo strode into view, hands clamped over his ears, looking thoroughly exasperated.

"Why the heck is it so noisy today?~" His tone was both scolding and dramatic, making Haruka’s eyes widen in surprise.

"T-Tsukimiya-sensei!" She blurted out, her tone filled with shock.

"It's unprofessional," Ryuya chimed in as he stepped forward behind Ringo with a disappointed expression.

Syo's jaw dropped as his eyes widened at the sight of Ryuya, unable to contain his surprise.

"H-Hyuga-sensei?!"

"Mou~! You kids better behave!" Ringo scolded, hands on his hips, his motherly concern was evident despite his playful tone.

The weight of the situation fully settled in. One by one, they bowed their heads in shame.

"We’re truly sorry," they mumbled in unison, voices subdued.

Ranmaru clicked his tongue in irritation, ruffling his hair as he shot a sharp glare toward Syo and Cecil.

"What the hell was with the sudden door-busting anyway, huh!?" he snapped, his voice laced with frustration.

The two troublemakers stiffened under his glare, frozen like deer caught in headlights.

Sensing imminent disaster, Masato and Ren quickly stepped forward, bowing in apology.

"We sincerely apologize on their behalf," Masato said, his tone firm yet diplomatic.

Ren, ever the smooth talker, attempted to downplay the situation. "Yeaaah, they just got a little too excited. I mean, who doesn’t feel the urge to kick down doors when they’re pumped?"

Masato sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in disappointment.

"Us?!" Ranmaru and Camus yelled in agreement.

Ai, watching the exchange, quirked a curious eyebrow. "Oh. Now you’re in sync," which caused them both to shoot a glare at Ai.

“Huh. You're still both in sync," he says monotonously. Camus and Ranmaru glare at Ai, then at each other, before facing away with a scoff.

"NO. WE'RE NOT."

Reiji couldn't help but let out a laugh under his breath.

"Hmmmmmmm..."

Shining's deep hum startled the others, making them all sweatdrop in unison as they felt uncomfortable with the prolonged sound.

Reiji, sensing the discomfort settling over the group, forced a laugh and raised an eyebrow. "Uh... Shiny-san..?”

"HMMMMMMMMMMM...."

Shining responded with another low, ominous hum, dragging it out even longer.

Ringo blinked his eyes, "Shiny...?~" he wondered out loud.

"MWUAHAHAHA!" With a loud laugh, he burst into action, performing a graceful backflip and landing on the floor with a smile.

The room collectively tensed. Eyes widened. Jaws dropped. No one spoke, too stunned by the absurd athleticism they had just witnessed.

Shining, ever the showman, twirled in place before throwing his arms out wide.

"GURĀTO! (GREAT!) We’re all gathered in one place!" he declared triumphantly. Then, his gaze zeroed in on Haruka.

His expression gleamed with mischief as he pointed dramatically at her.

"Y’know what that meaaans… Miss Nanamiiiiii…?"

Haruka blinked.

"...N-not really?" she admitted, utterly lost.

Tokiya crossed his arms, his brows furrowed. "With all due respect, President," he said, voice calm yet firm, "what exactly do you mean?"

The room fell into silence as everyone waited for an explanation.

Shining, however, simply smirked, clearly reveling in the suspense. "You, STARISH, should knoooow what I’m talking about!" he declared, pointing at them dramatically.

More silence.

The members of QUARTET NIGHT exchanged glances, their expressions blank.

STARISH, equally confused, looked between themselves, waiting for someone to understand what was happening.

"Oh."

Heads snapped toward Ai.

"I get it."

His face remained neutral, as unreadable as ever.

Ranmaru squinted. "…Ha??"

Ai sighed, speaking in his usual monotone. "According to my data, Saotome meant to point out that this is now an opportunity to tell the 'big news' - considering how we're all gathered in one single place."

Ai continued, completely unfazed. "That said, I have no idea what the ‘big news’ actually is."

He turned toward STARISH, eyes narrowing slightly. "But it seems the responsibility falls on you, STARISH."

"CORRECT, MIKAZE AI!" Shining shouted as if it were some kind of grand revelation.

It took a moment for the group to fully process the announcement.

Excited smiles gradually spread across STARISH as the realization settled in. QUARTET NIGHT, on the other hand, watched with intrigued expressions, waiting with bated breath to hear more. Even Ringo and Ryuya, initially confused, leaned in slightly, their curiosity growing by the second.

Haruka exchanged nods with the members of STARISH. They all inhaled deeply, their excitement palpable before declaring in unison:

"We're going to hold a concert!"

Ryuya and Ringo blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "A concert?" they echoed in disbelief.

"Yup! And it's unlike any other concert~!" Natsuki chimed in, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm.

Syo pumped a fist. "It's a concert featuring STARISH—"

"QUARTET NIGHT," Ren added smoothly.

"And HEAVENS," Masato finished, his voice steady yet filled with anticipation.

QUARTET NIGHT visibly stiffened, their reactions a mix of shock and curiosity.

Tokiya nodded, a rare smile breaking across his face as he turned to the group. His gaze briefly met Haruka’s before he continued, his voice carrying the weight of their ambition.

"The three of us, along with Nanami-san-will make this project a reality."

Cecil beamed, his voice brimming with determination.

"And together, we will create the most legendary concert in the history of the idol industry!"

Otoya turned to Haruka, his excitement mirroring hers. They shared a knowing smile before speaking in perfect sync:

"We will call it… Maji LOVE Kingdom!"

"INCREDIBOLUUUUU!! (INCREDIBLE!)"  Shining’s voice boomed through the room, shaking the very air with his explosive enthusiasm.

Before anyone could react, he sprang upright, his entire being radiating energy.

"MWUAHAHA! ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!"

Out of nowhere, a rope appeared-(Where'd it come from? No one knew.) and in an instant, Shining was swinging across the room in an unpredictable arc, his laughter echoing like thunder.

The room fell into stunned silence.

Everyone simply stared, their faces a mix of disbelief and amusement.

Camus closed his eyes briefly, processing the announcement in his own refined manner. When he reopened them, a small, knowing smirk played at the edges of his lips.

"Not bad," he remarked coolly, his tone carrying the weight of unspoken approval.

Ranmaru stared at them silently, his lips set in a straight line. With a click of his tongue, he turned away without a response.

Reiji, ever the instigator, grinned and nudged him playfully. "C’mon, Ran-Ran! I know you secretly love the idea!"

Ranmaru scoffed, "We just finished a competition against each other… and now we’re expected to work together?" He grumbled, though the slight edge of amusement in his tone betrayed him.

Camus sighed dramatically, barely sparing Ranmaru a glance.

"Always so stubborn. How typical of a commoner like you." His voice dripped with aristocratic condescension.

Ranmaru’s head snapped toward him in an instant, his glare fierce.

"Bastard…!" he growled, his posture stiffening as if ready to lunge at Camus.

Ai stepped forward, "Enough of that..." he stated firmly, his expression unreadable. Turning to STARISH, he regarded them with a neutral yet calculating gaze.

"This concert is an opportunity. A chance to aim even higher. I see no reason to oppose it."

Reiji bounced beside him, nodding enthusiastically. "What Ai-Ai said! This’ll push us even further as a group! A total level-up moment!"

Then, with a dramatic pause, his gaze flicked toward Haruka, his signature playful grin spreading across his face.

"And I’ll be looking forward to it even more, especially since we’ll be singing Kohai-chan’s compositions!~"

Haruka’s breath hitched. A deep blush flooded her cheeks as she instinctively looked away, overwhelmed by the sudden attention.

"I-I’ll do my best!" she stammered, her voice tinged with both nervousness and determination.

The others chuckled at her flustered reaction, their excitement building as the full reality of their grand collaboration truly set in.

Ringo hummed with pride, his chest swelling as he took in the moment.

"Good job, minnaaa~!" he cheered, his voice brimming with joy.

"You’ve all grown so much..." His words trailed off as nostalgia washed over him, his mind drifting to memories of when they were just starting out.

A lump formed in his throat, and before he could stop himself, his eyes welled up.

"Waaaah!" Ringo suddenly burst into dramatic sobs, burying his face into Ryuya’s suit. 

Ryuya stiffened, awkwardly shifting away as he regarded Ringo with his usual deadpan stare.

"They're not babies," he stated flatly, his voice as blunt as ever.

And just like that, Ringo snapped back. He perked up instantly, wiping his tears away as if nothing had happened.

"I knooow~! Just got a little emotional, that’s all!" he chirped, his tone bright and cheerful, as if he hadn’t just been sobbing seconds ago.

Despite the confusion, the warmth of the moment lingered. After all, seeing how far they had come was enough to make anyone emotional, especially someone as passionate as Ringo.

Shining let out a booming laugh as he suddenly dropped down from the ceiling, landing with a dramatic flourish.

"MWUAHAHA! Good job, indeeeed!!" he bellowed, his voice brimming with energy.

With a grand sweep of his arm, he continued, "I shall discuss this with Raging Otori... TOMORROOOW!"

Natsuki’s eyes widened in shock. "To..Tomorrow..!?" he echoed, momentarily taken aback. But his initial concern quickly gave way to enthusiasm, his smile growing as anticipation set in.

"YOSHAAAAA!" Syo was the next to react, thrusting his fists into the air with uncontainable excitement. His energy was infectious, and soon, the entire room buzzed with celebration.

Even Ryuya, typically composed, couldn’t suppress a faint smirk at the sheer enthusiasm filling the space. It was clear. This was going to be something big.

♬

As night fell, the group finally called it a day, parting ways with excitement still buzzing in the air.

Haruka walked through the quiet halls, humming softly as her thoughts swirled with melodies. Once inside her room, she leaned against the door, a smile tugging at her lips.

"I can't wait to compose for all three groups..!" she murmured.

Her eyes landed on the unfinished letter to her grandmother. Sitting at her desk, she quickly completed it, eager to share her excitement. But as exhaustion crept in, her head drooped against the table, arms wrapped around the letter.

Drifting into sleep, she dreamed of music, already composing the future in her mind.

Chapter Text

♬

A warm ray of sunlight crept through the window of Haruka's room, gently caressing her soft, porcelain skin as her eyes fluttered open. She sat up and stretched, yawning as she stared down at the table.

Ah... I fell asleep on my desk…

She lets out a breathless chuckle; the tension slowly leaving her body as she stretches, a sigh escaping her lips as she moves towards the bathroom.

After dressing in a loose, casual outfit she made her way towards the front door. She was about to reach for the handle when a persistent knock drew her attention.

She blinked her eyes as curiosity compelled her to open the door.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Ittoki-kun!”

Otoya smiled back and greeted her with a slightly nervous scratch on his cheek. "Morning, N-Nanami!" he said, his voice betraying only a hint of the butterflies fluttering in his stomach.

Haruka bowed politely, "Good morning." she said.

"Uh, I was just heading to the lounge. Since we're all just gonna go to the same place..." he coughed for a moment, hiding his nervousness.

Gah! Why am I so nervous?! he yelled in his thoughts.

Haruka tilts her head to the side with a slight smile as he feels himself blushing slightly.

For a moment there was some silence, and then he spoke again.

"I thought maybe we could walk to the lounge together?" Otoya's panic increased significantly as he continued his train of thought. "Ah! If it isn't too weird-"

"Mhm. I'd be glad to." Haruka nodded as she closed the door behind her and set off with him.

They both walked together in comfortable silence, with Otoya occasionally glancing at her whenever he got a chance.

Finally, he decided to break the silence by addressing her.

"Ne, Nanami...?"

"Yes?" She turned her head to face him, her eyes blinking in curiosity.

Otoya nervously smiled as he looked forward, "Do you think this project will be a success?"

Haruka raised her brows. "Of course..!” she said, tilting her head a little. "Um, do you have doubts...?"

He turned to look at her with a surprised expression, "Ah! It's not like that," he said with a nervous chuckle.

"I'm just... worried, that's all," he said, his voice sounding slightly agitated. "Cause, y'know... HEAVENS aren't exactly easy to work with... And If my worries are right... I feel like QUARTET NIGHT would clash with them..." Otoya followed with a nervous chuckle.

Haruka's expression changed to one of realization as she slowly came to the same conclusion as him. "Y-You may be right…But I'm sure they'll end up getting along."

She stops walking for a moment to collect her thoughts, and then she speaks with a spark of passion in her voice. "After all, they're idols. Idols with the same goals, and it doesn't matter how different they are.”

Otoya listens to her words, taking in every single word. His eyes widen as he contemplates what they mean, but he ultimately nods in agreement.

"Yeah..." he says slowly, but confidently. "You're right, Nanami!" he exclaims with a bright grin.

She lets out a silent giggle as she sees Otoya start to cheer up.

Otoya feels himself blushing as a nervous chuckle escapes his lips. He scratches his neck nervously but continues to smile. "Yeah, things will be okay!" 

"And," Otoya steps closer to Haruka, his words gaining more certainty as he looks directly into her eyes.

"Even if we end up getting discouraged," he says, his eyes shining with hope.

“Nanami...,"

Her heart flutters at the way he speaks to her as he pauses for a moment, then looks straight into Haruka's eyes with a look of pure admiration.

"I'm sure you'll make us believe that we can do it!”

Haruka blushes from the confidence that Otoya has in her, and there is no denying how happy she is to have that trust. Without a word, she nodded gently, her face filled with a soft smile.

"Y-Yes!” she said, her words carrying the same level of determination and courage that Otoya's did. "I'll be here to support all of you.” she proclaimed with a firm voice, and she subconsciously stepped closer to him.

"...!"

Otoya flinches when their faces are a little too close for comfort, and his cheeks darken with the red streaks of a blush.

Haruka slowly realizes how close they have become, and she turns bright red as her heart starts beating rapidly.

The two of them instinctively take a step back, now facing away from each other.

For a moment, they both stay silent, feeling slightly embarrassed by the sudden spike in intimacy between them.

Otoya nervously straightens his back as he speaks in a frantic voice, his face still a little red. "Ah! Will you look at that? I think we're late! Let's head to the lounge, Nanami!"

She quickly agrees and stumbles on her words as well. "M-M-Mm! The meeting is about to start…”

With their hearts still racing, the two of them run quickly towards the lounge, trying to slow their heart rates down before entering.

As they finally reach their destination, the attention of the other boys turns towards them, and both Haruka and Otoya try their best to calm down and appear professional.

"Morning..." Otoya greets them, sounding slightly out of breath.

Haruka bows politely as well and smiles softly. STARISH raise their eyebrows at each other as they approach the two of them.

"Good morning, My princess." Cecil greeted Haruka with a gentle tone, "Did something happen?"

“Eh?” Haruka blinked a few times, looking a bit lost. 

Ren chimes in, his eyes briefly closed while he speaks. "My Lady is out of breath," he says. "And Ikki is, too?”

He casually walked up to Otoya and put his arm around his shoulder, his tone curious. "What did you do, Ikki?"

Otoya's eyes widened with panic, a sense of embarrassment and regret clearly etched into his expression.

Tokiya raised his eyebrows at this, speaking with a more stern tone. "Otoya."

Otoya looked at them one by one before frantically speaking, "Eh? Nothing! I-"

Syo suddenly pointed his finger at him, saying in a surprised tone, "Oi! Otoya! I never thought you're the sneaky type!"

"W-What? I-I'm not!" he dismisses their accusations. Haruka, on the other hand, can't help but laugh quietly to herself.

Reiji lets out a lighthearted chuckle as he speaks. "Ii-ne, ii-ne! (That's good, that's good!) Lively as ever, STARISH~" as the STARISH members laugh a little themselves as they see how embarrassed Otoya is.

“…N-Not funny, guys!" Otoya pouted in embarrassment as his members chuckled among themselves.

Ren laughs as he nudges Otoya, "C'mon, Ikki. We know you're not capable of doing anything bold around My Lady."

Otoya blinks and takes a slight amount of offense at his remark. "H-Hey..! What's that supposed to mean??”

Natsuki steps in to try and soften Ren's comment. "What Ren-kun meant to say is that we trust you!”

Ren and Tokiya sweat as they look slightly in disbelief at the interpretation of their words.

“I don't think that's what Ren meant..." Tokiya says quietly, sounding a bit unsure.

Masato smiles slightly, explaining, "It can be interpreted that way. Of course, by Ittoki's nature, he won't be so direct. We know enough to trust him."

Haruka smiles softly, nodding in agreement with Masato's words.

Ren shrugs as he says, "That's true," with a smirk.

Otoya's expression softens as he is relieved to see that his fellow STARISH members still have faith in him.

" BWUAHAHAHAHA !"  

Not again...

Everyone thought to themselves as they try to make sense of what they're hearing.

Shining suddenly emerges from the ground like a jack-in-the-box, jumping straight onto the table before spinning around and pointing his fingers at them with a mad grin on his face. He continues to laugh maniacally, leaving everyone in the room speechless.

"That's what we're looking for! Passion! TRUST!" Shining declares with dramatic flair, causing the STARISH members to collectively sweatdrop at their passionate president.

"YES!" Shining continues his dramatic presentation. "Project Empire will help you all IMPROVE more and MORE!!" He yells maniacally.

Ai blinks, confused as he asks, "Project Empire?"

QUARTET NIGHT turns to look at him, while the other members of STARISH turn their attention to Shining with confusion, asking the same question.

Shining turns his attention to Ai and shouts, "CORRECT! Project Empire will help you grow into better idols who can entertain your fans the way they deserve!"

"No, I get that." Ai blinks calmly, his tone still keeping its monotone sound. "I'm just wondering why is it called Project Empire?"

Ranmaru nods as he looks over his shoulder at Haruka, raising a confused brow. "Haruka, our concert name is Maji Love Kingdom, right?" 

Haruka blinks, but she confirms his suspicion with a nod. "Y-Yes..." she says in confirmation.

Ranmaru faces Shining once more and asks, "So, why-“

The door suddenly swings open, and a pile of gray smoke enters the room, filling the air and fogging their vision.

QUARTET NIGHT all look up at the strange sight, their eyes starting to water from the smoke as their brows furrow in confusion.

"What the heck..?" / "What's going on..?" / “What happened?!”

Haruka coughs as she tries to adjust her eyes to see properly, but the smoke is making it difficult. After a moment, she finally spots something in the smoke.

Is that…?

A Person...?

No... Wait…

Her eyes widened with shock as her realization comes to her. More and more silhouettes appear, and the STARISH members start to feel a sense of dread begin to set in.

The silhouette in the middle laughs, and his hearty, familiar laughter fills the STARISH members with discomfort.

They exchanged uneasy glances, realizing that their worst fears and suspicions were about to come true.

"Good!"

Haruka's eyes widen as she realizes who it is.

I-It's..!

Syo speaks up in surprise. "HEAVENS??!?!"

The silhouette finally emerges from the fog,  "So…”

“…We meet again." Eiichi says, his voice filled with confidence. He walks out with his hands hidden in his pockets, wearing a smirk as he slowly moves toward the center of the room.

Nagi emerges from the fog, wearing a cocky smirk on his face, "The cutest idol in the world has arrived~!" he exclaims as he walks confidently into the room and is followed by Kira, who bears an emotionless expression.

"Pardon for the intrusion..!" Eiji steps forward, greeting them politely and with a slightly embarrassed tone to his voice.

Van arrives soon thereafter with a grin, "Ooo, this place looks nice!" he exclaims, posing with his hand on top of his forehead in what seems to be a search for something.

Haruka blinks in surprise as she quickly scans them, taking each one in individually before her eyes meet Van's and cause her to sweatdrop.

Van notices her, his eyes light up as a mischievous grin grows on his face. He smiles at her before sending a playful wink at her.

"E-Eh?" she says confused, before awkwardly returning a smile.

Ren quickly steps in front of Haruka, covering her body with his and blocking Van's view of her. He gives Van a sharp glare.

Van makes a nervous smile while trying to look like he's looking for something else, but Ren sees right through his act. The two of them lock in a staring contest, each trying to out-stare the other in a tense and awkward showdown.

Yamato emerges with his arms crossed and gives them a stern glare with Shion following behind, with a neutral expression in tow.

"HAHAHA..."  

Another malicious laughter can be heard emerging from the shadows, and Shining smiles at it mischievously. "You think you can just make a grand entrance in hereeee..?" he asks the unknown person, sounding confident and a bit sarcastic.

"Sure I can," the figure says with a smirk and laughs maliciously as he steps out, putting a cigar in his mouth. His glare is directed towards Shining, who seems amused but a bit surprised to see the unexpected visitor.

Haruka gulps, and the STARISH and QUARTET NIGHT members turn their eyes toward the menacing figure.

“R-Raging Otori..." Haruka says, a new worry dawning upon her.

Shining laughs with a raspy voice, and then spins around dramatically. "Well, then," he says with an air of calm and confidence as if he was expecting this turn of events.

He takes a deep breath, "MISS NANAMI!!" he screams into the air, drawing all eyes towards Haruka's shocked and confused face.

"E-Eh?" Haruka blinks in surprise at Shining's sudden exclamation.

Suddenly, Raging and Shining charge towards Haruka, causing everyone to jump in shock.

"E-E-EHHH????!!!!" Haruka lets out a yelp as she shuts her eyes in response as STARISH members try to call her attention and warn her.

"NANAMI!" they yell, before Shining throws a smoke bomb into the room making the three of them disappear into the fog.

♬

Haruka opens her eyes slowly, and as she looks around her surroundings, she wonders where she is.

She blinks, furrowing her eyebrows, before saying "I-Is this Shining's office..?"

"CORRECT, MISS NANAMI!" Shine exclaims excitedly, as Haruka jumps in surprise at the unexpected voice. 

“President!?” She looks up to see the man himself standing before her, looking down at her with a triumphant expression on his face. Raging Otori is also seen standing beside Shining with his arms crossed.

“…And, Raging Otori... U-Um, why am I in your office?" She asks hesitantly.

Raging speaks up with a stern voice, saying, "To discuss. Saotome contacted me about a concert called Maji Love Kingdom. It's a concert featuring STARISH, QUARTET NIGHT, and HEAVENS. Correct?"

Haruka nods in confirmation of Raging's statement, agreeing with him. "Y-Yes. When it comes to their songs, I'll be the one composing."

Raging raises one of his eyebrows as he faces Haruka, and he asks her, "All of them?"

Haruka looks at him for a split second, before nodding again, "Yes..? Um, I'll be taking care of all of the songs myself. I trust that I can handle it."

Raging raises an eyebrow and looks at her, impressed. After a brief moment of thought, he takes a drag of his cigar and chuckles with amusement. "Good. I like your talent, girl."

Shining nods confidently and laughs lightly. He turns to look at Raging with a grin on his face. "Don't underestimate Miss Nanamiiiii... Raging Otori. She is a composer who possesses great musical skills and a hard-working attitude!”

Haruka is taken a bit by surprise by the praise coming from Shining, and she is visibly flustered by the unexpected attention.

Shining continues to look confidently at her, "NOW! Miss Nanamiii..." He says with a twinkle in his eye. "This concert is a huge opportunity for everyone. After the Triple S, everyone has been doing great. BUT! An idol must never be satisfied! They must keep try-try-TRYIIING!”

"THAT'S WHY, we came up with a plan to help them do thaaaat…" He leaves the rest unsaid as if anticipating her reaction.

"A plan..?"

"My plan isss... I call ittt....." Shining raises his finger in the air and points it in Haruka's direction with dramatic flair. With a confident and dramatic tone, he declares, "SPECIAL UNIT!"

'Special Unit..?' she repeats quietly. “…Ah! Is it possible... that it's similar to what STARISH did with Cross-Unit..?"

Shining smiles widely and snaps his fingers. "CORREEECT, MISS NANAMI!" He says, his tone full of confidence and joy. "HOWEVER, this time, the 18 of them will form trio uniiiits.”

Haruka's expression changes to one of surprise and curiosity, trying to figure out exactly which members will be paired up in the new units.

“Precisely." Raging says with a smirk as he takes a puff from his cigar.

"Well then," He points the cigar at Haruka and speaks to her in an authoritative tone. "You, girl."

Haruka looks at the cigar and then back up at Raging. "Y-Yes?" She responds, sounding a bit shocked by his sudden attention.

"Are you still up to the task?" Raging asks with a hint of doubt in his voice.

"Not only will you write 3 group songs, but you will have to compose 6 unit songs and another 3 songs for each group." He adds a bit more doubt in his words, making it seem like the task is going to be too difficult for Haruka.

"Could a girl like you, even DARE to handle it?" Raging says with a taunting smirk, staring down at her with a defiant glint in his eyes.

"I, um…" Haruka takes a moment to consider the task in front of her, her expression changing from one of excitement to uncertainty.

She swallowed nervously as the intimidating words from Raging sank in, and she felt a lump in her throat and a wave of fear and anxiety as she considered if this challenge was too much for her.

She looks up at Shining with a worried expression, her eyes filled with indecision as she tries to convince herself to have the confidence to accept this task.

Raging's eyebrows rise sharply at Haruka's look of indecision, and he smirks as he sighs in a slightly exaggerated manner.

"Tch. I thought so. Well. I'll find another composer to help, then." His words are filled with disappointment and dismissal, despite his obvious fake concern. He waits for Haruka to respond, still observing her with a smirk on his face.

"There's no need!" Haruka suddenly exclaims as Raging's brow rises in surprise at the sudden outburst. As Haruka realizes how loud she is being, she quickly clears her throat and bows apologetically.

With a serious expression, she faces Raging and says, "I-I apologize for my outburst...  Please, let me compose for this project.”

Shining intervened with a thoughtful expression on his face. "Hmmm," he says with a slightly unsure tone. "I admire your courage, Miss Nanami. But 12 songs is a LOT of songs to compose by oneself."

"I understand..." she says confidently, even as she tries to remain humble. "I may have not enough experience in composing multiple songs at the same time,"

"But I would like to improve... and reach my potential. I am determined to succeed, and I will not fail you." The last few words come out a bit more sternly than the rest as Haruka's emotions get the better of her at the moment.

"So, please!" she pledges, as she bows once more in the hope that her request will be accepted.

Raging looks down at Haruka with a disgruntled expression on his face, frustrated and confused by her determination to handle this project, despite his earlier disapproval of her.

Raging turns away from Haruka with a sigh, taking another puff from his cigar.

"You may go." he says dismissively, and Haruka's confusion turns to disbelief. 

She pauses for a moment. "G-Go...?" she asks, still sounding confused.

Raging seems slightly amused by Haruka's initial confusion, and he turns his back to her as he continues. "I'm saying that you can compose, and prove yourself to us."

Haruka's expression lights up, and she nods with gratitude. "Thank you! I..l I won't let you down!" She quickly and politely bows before exiting the room.

Raging stares outside the window, deep in thought. He eventually looks at Shining, who raises an eyebrow in curiosity.

“Saotome," Raging says with a hint of mischief in his voice.

Shining looks at him with interest as Raging continues, "That Nanami girl. I finally understand why my son wants her to be a composer for HEAVENS..." He says with a light laugh as he takes another long puff of his cigar.

Chapter Text

Haruka lets out a yelp as she shuts her eyes in response as STARISH members try to call her attention and warn her. "NANAMI!" they yell, before Shining throws a smoke bomb into the room making the three of them disappear into the fog.

♬

"AHH! WHERE DID NANAMI GO?!" Otoya calls out frantically, a look of concern on his face.

Just as the boys begins to panic, Camus speaks up sternly, "Stop acting like fools," his tone annoyed. "Just because Saotome decided to speak with Haruka privately in his office is no reason to panic. It is obvious where she went, and that it does not warrant any panic or concern.”

"Which is, unfortunate. I was looking forward to speaking with her." Eiichi comments with a shrug, his tone betraying a hint of mischief, causing STARISH to collectively cringe for a moment.

Van chuckles gleefully and places a firm hand on Eiichi's shoulder, giving him a light squeeze, "Haha, don't be such a weirdo, Eiichi. You're scaring 'em!"

Eiichi laughs softly under his breath, "Hahaha, no, don't worry. I'm certainly not trying to scare them." He pauses for a second. “At least, for now..."

The room, like a pin-drop, falls into a stony silence.

Natsuki breaks this silence with a chuckle and a playful tone, “You guys certainly did make a grand entrance!"

"Seriously! Man…” Syo exclaims with a dramatic facepalm. “I thought we were being attacked..."

"It's only natural~ We're all about making a big entrance~" Nagi replies, "It simply wouldn't be HEAVENS if it wasn't grand, you know~”

Syo rolls his eyes and throws up his hands, muttering "Whatever, just knock normally this time..." A quiet, but playful laughter fills the air.

Ranmaru clicked his tongue in a tone dripping with irritation, as he couldn't hide his displeasure from his expression.

“A grand entrance? Huh, what a way to be annoying.” he muttered to himself, never even glancing at HEAVENS.

Yamato's eyebrows twitched and looked at Ranmaru with a hint of irritation on his face. "You’re looking for a fight?”

Reiji quickly steps in and tries to defuse the situation. "GAN, GAN! Ran-Ran!! Even if you feel that way, don't say it like that!"

Ranmaru sternly tells Reiji to back off, leaving Reiji surprised at his shift in attitude, slumping his shoulders in acceptance.

Yamato's expression fills with anger and it is evident he is about to take issue with Ranmaru in a way that will undoubtedly cause trouble, but Eiichi cuts him off swiftly.

"Yamato... We’re not here to cause trouble."

Yamato's angry gaze is broken by Eiichi's command, and the tension that is building within him seems to disappear, at least for the time being. "Tsk, Whatever," he crosses his arms and turns away from the group.

Kira's voice breaks the current tension, sounding sincere and apologetic, "We apologize for... Yamato's reaction..."

"Yes!" Eiji backs him up with a slight smile on his face, "We would like to say sorry for barging in without warning..." his tone sounding sheepish and light.

Reiji chuckles cheerfully and poses in a peace sign. "It's okie-dokie! No need to be so formal." he quips with a lighthearted tone.

“...”

Meanwhile, the other members of QUARTET NIGHT continue to ignore HEAVENS and their attempts at conversation.

As Reiji and the others sweatdrop from the lack of interest, the atmosphere of the room grows even more awkward and tense, the feeling of discomfort increasing with each passing second.

The sound of heels clicking echoes through the room, breaking the silence. All eyes turn in that direction, the mystery of its origin leaving some confused and curious.

"Everyone!” is heard as Haruka's presence is welcomed by them, with their tensions being released as they sigh in relief at the sight of their beloved composer.

As Haruka makes her way towards the center of the room, Van calls out boldly to her with a cheeky grin on his face.

"Ha-chan, Ha-chan!" He says with cheer in his tone, as he waves enthusiastically upon seeing his crush.

As this occurs, STARISH looks over at Van with a mixture of disbelief and annoyance, trying to hide their reactions to Van's bold display of affection for her.

Haruka appears taken aback by Van's sudden greeting, but quickly composes herself, and responds with a sweet smile to cover her surprise. "Kiryuin-san..? Um, hello to you, too..!”

After a moment, Haruka takes time to address the rest of the bands with a soft smile.

Tokiya smiles back in response, "How was the meeting, Nanami-san?"

“Ooooh, yea!” Reiji immediately interrupts the moment with a burst of enthusiasm. "What did Shiny-san and Ragie-san have to say?" 

"Shiny-san and Ragie-san...?"  Everyone's faces show confusion and surprise as the nickname that was just spoken aloud rings in their heads.

Haruka shakes her head forcefully to snap herself out of the confusion and provide a clearer picture for all present.

"Right! Um, the meeting went smoothly," she replies with a relieved smile.

"And both of them thankfully approved of the concert! Now, we can prepare for the concert as planned. I'm sure all of you will make a wonderful and flawless performance," she says gently with a warm smile.

There's a small wave of excitement amongst the bands as several members of the three bands begin to smile and nod at each other.

”Dang, that surely pumps me up!" Van grumbles quietly as he pumps his fists his voice rising in volume.

“Good!” His words are met with a soft chuckle from Eiichi, who quickly follows up with a supportive reply. "You can count on us, Nanami Haruka."

"Ahhhh! I can't wait to sing for Nan-" Otoya says before freezing and looking around in a panic, forgetting where he was and the people he was with.

"I mean! F-For our fans! I wanna sing for them already!" he adds with a nervous laugh, as he tries to brush off his slip-up. Several nearby members heard his original statement and looked at him with puzzled expressions.

"...How? With what material? Haruka hasn't even started composing yet." Ai declares in a monotone voice, seemingly confused by Otoya's eagerness. His words elicit a few smirks and laughs from the bands.

Haruka chuckles softly to herself, before taking in a breath of determination. "Ah, in that case, I'll get started right away!"

"Fool... The theme hasn't even been announced by Saotome yet," Camus remarks flatly, turning his gaze away and crossing his arms.

Haruka drops her head slightly, and quietly mutters, "Oh. I might have got carried away…"

A lighthearted, carefree laugh escapes from Natsuki, and he speaks to Haruka with a mischievous smile on his face. "Haru-chan is sooooo cute!"

Haruka's face erupts into an intense blush and she tilts her head shyly to the side, "E-Eh?"

Natsuki continues to tease her as a playful grin spreads across his face. "If you continue being so cute, I may have to steal you all~ for myself!!"

Syo's head spins towards Natsuki with surprising speed, almost breaking his neck in the process. "DID I HEAR THAT RIGHT!?" he exclaims, sounding almost frantic as he looks at Natsuki in high alert and disbelief.

Natsuki looks surprised, not expecting such a strong response to his teasing. "Syo-chan?"

"Don't ‘Syo-chan?’ ME!" Syo exclaims in disbelief.

Ren laughs and closes his eyes, before glancing at Haruka with a brief, coy smile. "My lady."

Haruka looks over at him, "Y-Yes?" she responds.

“Are there any more things we should know about?" Ren asks, his eyes fixed on her as he waits for her response.

"Ah, right!" Haruka says, snapping out of her confusion, "That's another thing... The president informed me that all of you will be paired together to form Special Units."

This announcement causes all the members of both STARISH and QUARTET NIGHT to perk up in surprise. While the members of HEAVENS seem to be unfamiliar with the concept of the Special Units, causing them to exchange confused glances with each other.

As their eyes meet, Nagi raises his eyebrow in confusion and asks, "What the heck are ‘Special Units’—"

"Hold on." Ranmaru suddenly interrupts the conversation, "A Unit? For the concert?" he says, confused.

"...Y-Yes?" Haruka hesitantly confirms.

"What even made them think of an idea like that?" he asks in a slightly confused tone.

"C'mon, Ran-Ran! Don't be a killjoy!" Reiji says in a playful tone, as he places his hand lightly on Ranmaru's shoulder.

Nagi sighs impatiently, bending his body and waving his hands in the air to get everyone's attention. "Heeellooooo~?" he implores, followed by a frustrated sigh.

"Seriously," he continues, "is anyone gonna clue us in on what Special Units are, Or are we supposed to use our magic powers of telepathy to guess? We're not Akinator, you know!"

Ranmaru raises an eyebrow and then asks with a bit of confusion in his voice. "Aki-what now?"

"Wow..." Nagi is left speechless as he opens his mouth in disbelief. "You guys sure are old."

"Nagi!" Eiji exclaims, giving him a warning glance.

"What?! I'm just saying!"

"According to my data," Ai begins to explain, "Akinator is an online web 'Genie' that can tell you what you're thinking about by asking you simple questions."

"An online genie..? Amazing!" Cecil exclaims with genuine excitement as he hears about the concept of the online genie.

"Yeah..?? Anyway!" Nagi glances at Ai with confusion and interest, a small smile on his face as he ponders what he said. "According to your data? Weird. You talk like some kind of robo-"

Syo widens his eyes and looks to Haruka for help. "N-Nagi-kun! I'll explain what units are!" she calls out immediately, with a panicked look on her face as she glances over at Syo.

Nagi's head whips back and he stares at Haruka, surprised. "You will? Ugh. Finally~" Nagi's voice becomes light-hearted and grateful as he looks at Haruka.

Syo's panic dies down as he mouths the words 'Nice save!' to Haruka, letting her know his appreciation of her quick thinking.

"Well," Haruka murmurs, "The way the president explained it to me is that once one member from each band gets selected, they go through a matching process to form a trio."

"I see, so it's pretty much like the duet projects!" Eiji interjects with a bright smile. "Except this time, instead of two people, we would have three."

"How interesting..." Eiichi comments thoughtfully, placing his hands on his chin and studying Haruka with an expression of mild curiosity.  Finally, he leans in closer and whispers, "You will be composing all of the songs, correct?"

Haruka looks up in surprise, but before she can reply, Eiichi has already stepped back with a small smirk on his face.

"M-Mhm. I'll be composing for this concert." Haruka says firmly, but her voice falters a bit as Eiichi chuckles. His eyes narrow slightly in amusement, and he gazes at her.

"Good!" he exclaims, and a faint blush spreads across his cheeks, his glowing glasses catching everyone's attention.

“Even though you’re not ours,” Eiichi says, locking eyes with her, “having you write for us is an honor.”

Haruka looks up, momentarily stunned. She gives a hesitant smile, unsure if she should be proud or out of place.

“An honor, huh?” Ranmaru cuts in,his voice dripping with bitter sarcasm.

Everyone looks his way. His arms are crossed, eyes locked on Eiichi with open disdain.

"You stroll into our agency acting like this is your stage," Ranmaru adds, his glare hardening. "Don’t get ahead of yourself."

Ren clears his throat, forcing a laugh that doesn’t quite land. “Okay… Let’s maybe not start a war? It’s still early, yeah?”

But Eiichi ignores Ren's attempt to ease the tension and instead keeps his smirk as he faces Ranmaru, who stands, glaring back with defiance in his eyes.

“It never crossed my mind that you’d be the jealous type, Kurosaki Ranmaru.”

Ranmaru blinks, caught off guard for a split second.

“…Ha?”

His eyes narrow, jaw clenching as the surprise quickly shifts into simmering fury.

“What the hell are you talking about, four-eyes?”

Haruka watches the tension between the two idols rise with each breathless second, anxiety tightening in her chest. If no one steps in soon, this could spiral out of control.

What should I do…?? I...

A gentle hand on her shoulder pulls her abruptly from her thoughts. She turns, startled, and finds Ren standing beside her, one finger pressed lightly to his lips.

She blinks, confused. “Jinguji-san?”

He meets her gaze with a calm, reassuring smile. “It’s best you don’t get involved, my lady,” he says gently, voice low enough only she can hear.

Haruka hesitates, then slowly nods. “O-Okay…”

They exchanged soft smiles before shifting their attention back to the ongoing banter between Eiichi and Ranmaru, as they continued to challenge one another.

Eiichi adjusts his glasses in a cocky manner, his voice dripping with a condescending tone.

“It’s a little tragic, Kurosaki Ranmaru,” he says lightly. “You act like you’re above it all, but deep down? You care far more than you’d admit.”

A hush falls over the room. The air grows taut as the two men face each other, pride anchoring them in place.

.Slowly, Ranmaru rises from his seat, jaw clenched, the fire in his gaze blazing unmistakably.

“You know…” he mutters, voice low and sharp, “you’re seriously starting to piss me off.”

The room holds its breath. Eiichi and Ranmaru stand like adversaries, neither willing to back down.

“Everyone.” Tokiya’s voice cuts through the thickening tension, steady and commanding. The room shifts its focus to him, the unspoken threat of escalation defused by his calm authority.

“Please, settle down. No more arguments.”

Eiichi and Ranmaru exchange a final glare before stepping back. For a brief moment, it seems peace might return as the room exhales collectively.

“Unbelievable,” Ai comments flatly, a note of irritation barely masked in her voice. “We’ve already wasted two minutes and nineteen seconds. If this continues, there’s a 100% chance Shining Saotome and Raging Otori will call off the joint concert.”

“…No way…” Haruka breathes, eyes wide, the weight of Ai’s words sinking in and casting a heavy stillness over the room.

Eiichi and Ranmaru remain silent, each reflecting on the gravity of what’s just been said. The room lingers in quiet contemplation, everyone trying to process the moment.

"Well. It can't be helped..." Masato says calmly, slowly moving his fingers to his chin as he speaks. "It’s important that everyone sets their interests aside, and work together for the concert.” 

"Yes," Tokiya confirms, and his gaze sweeps across the room. "If we set aside our concerns, we can finally focus on collaboration as a collective, and make this concert a masterpiece.”

Ranmaru shoots a sharp look at Eiichi, arms crossed as he sinks back onto the couch. Eiichi just adjusts his glasses, eyes locked on Ranmaru.

After a beat, they both seem to silently agree to move forward.

"Now,” Tokiya begins, “Let’s all quietly discuss-"

”BWUUAAAHAHAHA!!"

Shining’s sudden roar of laughter cuts him off mid-sentence. Heads whip around, every eye in the room turning toward the source of the chaos.

Why… why can I never have one peaceful moment? Tokiya sighs internally, brow twitching as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

Shining continues to laugh, and to everyone's surprise, he attempts to do a cartwheel in the middle of the room.

For a second, it seems like Shining might actually pull off the move, but then, to everyone's horror, he misses a step and crashes straight into the wall.

“PRESIDENT!?" Several voices cry out at once.

As the entire group is left in a state of stunned silence, Nagi's monotone voice breaks the tension. "D-Did he die?"

“A TRUE IDOL MUST PUSH PAST HIS LIMITS!"

"Oh. Never mind."

Shining emerges from the rubble, his clothes and body covered in dust, and his energy seemingly untamed. He points forcefully toward the ceiling as he says in a loud voice, "He must step outside his comfort zone, or he will never learn!"

Shining turns around, and when he sees that Ranmaru is paying close attention to him, "KUROSAKI RANMARU!" 

Ranmaru's eyes widen in surprise as he realizes that the words are meant for him, and he quickly shifts his attention towards Shining.

"I'm sure it's no surprise that you don't always get along with your workmates. But you have grown since then. HOWEVER!" His tone changes as he raises a finger and continues, "This situation was enough proof that you haven't changed in a ti-ti-tiny biiit..."

Ranmaru’s expression faltered. He looked away, his shoulders sagging as a heavy sigh escaped him.

“I know,” he murmured, voice low and weary. “I get it already.”

“Kurosaki-senpai...” Haruka’s gentle voice cut through the moment, a subtle frown on her face.

Ranmaru felt her gaze, but it barely registered as he turned away, brows furrowed. Not in anger, but in thought.

Suddenly, there is a puff of smoke, and in it, Raging Otori stands, a frown etched on his face. Eiichi's eyes widen in shock, followed by a few of his bandmates.

Raging Otori glares sternly at HEAVENS, and addresses them in a cutting, angry tone.

"You call yourselves professionals? Pathetic! I’ve clearly overestimated you all." He exclaims, letting his words sink in, his voice is like a knife cutting through the air.

Eiichi’s hands ball into fists at his sides, his jaw clenched in frustration. His father’s audacity never fails to sting.

“That was just our attempt to communicate," Eiichi begins, his voice steady but filled with underlying tension. "We can’t always-"

"Who gave you the permission to speak, boy?" Raging Otori’s voice drops to a dangerous hiss, silencing Eiichi instantly.

The room hangs heavy with the sharp sting of his words. Raging Otori doesn’t spare a second before continuing. "It’s clear you can’t even communicate without humiliating yourself. But then again, this isn't the first time you've made a fool of yourself, is it?"

A sharp cough from Shining breaks the tension, all eyes snapping to him in anticipation.

"GIVEN the behavior we’ve just witnessed," Shining declares, his voice steady but firm, "We’ve decided... that the Special Unit groups will now be... ANONYMOUS."

The room falls into stunned silence, the shock of the decision rippling through the group. Gasps and confused murmurs spread like wildfire. Otoya’s jaw drops in disbelief.

"A-Anonymous!? But-!" Otoya stammers, caught off guard.

"NO BUTS!!" Shining interrupts, his voice rising in authority as he cuts off the protest. "It’s already been decided."

He gives a quick, final wave of his hand, signaling the end of the discussion. The room falls into uneasy silence, everyone left to process the sudden shift. No one speaks. Now everyone's left to wonder: How will they manage without knowing each other’s identities?

"With all due respect," Tokiya speaks up, his expression filled with confusion as he asks, "How will this benefit our development as idols?

"Keeping our potential teammates a secret only complicates things." Tokiya pauses, trying to process the reasoning behind the decision, but he struggles to make sense of it.

"How are we supposed to prepare for meetings? And how can our fans support us if they don’t know who will be in each unit?"

Standing tall, Shining responds with unwavering authority. "Think of this as a lesson to be learned..." he says, his tone measured and firm.

Raging’s booming voice fills the room from across the space. "If you can't handle not knowing who your partners will be, maybe it's better you know nothing at all."

A charged silence follows, the weight of his words settling over the group. Everyone exchanges uneasy glances, each one contemplating the implications of the statement.

"YOU ARE ALL DISMISSED!" Shining declares with his voice echoing off the walls. In one swift motion, he reaches up and grabs hold of a nearby leash, swinging out of the room like he's been launched by a trampoline.

"Don't you dare disappoint us," Raging adds, before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

The lobby falls into a stunned silence, the air thick with confusion and frustration. Everyone exchanges looks, unsure of what to make of the strange turn of events. 

"The situation just keeps getting worse," Camus mutters, his voice tinged with frustration. He sighs deeply, closing his eyes as he shakes his head, before turning on his heel and walking away, clearly fed up.

Ranmaru watches him go, his disbelief morphing into irritation. "I thought I had enough to worry about," he says dryly, his expression flat.

"Now I have to add the possibility of being stuck with four-eyes over here." He gestures vaguely in Eiichi's direction before slouching out of the lobby, muttering more complaints under his breath.

"This plan is... strange. But, I can't deny, it's interesting." Ai muses aloud, his voice laced with curiosity. He starts heading for the exit but pauses, casting a brief, thoughtful glance over his shoulder as he contemplates the possibilities.

"O-OY! Where are you guys going?!" Reiji calls out, panic creeping into his voice as he notices his bandmates moving quickly in the opposite direction.

He jogs after them, turning just in time to wave energetically at Haruka and the others. "Your seniors are heading out! See ya!" he shouts, before breaking into a full sprint to catch up with the rest of the band.

Haruka waves gently, her gaze distant as she loses herself in thought.

Standing beside her, Cecil seems equally distracted, his eyes unfocused. "There they go..." he murmurs, his words floating in the air, trailing off without a response.

They are soon to be snapped out of their gaze, turning their heads towards the sound and chaotic banter between HEAVENS. 

"EIICHI! This is all your fault!" Nagi pouts, pointing accusingly at Eiichi.

Yamato rolls his eyes and smirks. "You said we weren’t here to cause trouble, Eiichi. Damn hypocrite."

Eiichi, sweating buckets, hurriedly adjusts his glasses, a nervous smirk frozen on his face.

Van gives Eiichi a light smack on the back, nearly sending his glasses flying. "You better take responsibility for this, Eiichi!" he laughs, clearly amused.

"I-I know," Eiichi stammers, his hands fumbling with his glasses as he lifts his head. His eyes land on Haruka, and with a resigned sigh, he steps toward her.

Haruka stands frozen, blinking rapidly, holding her breath. But before Eiichi can reach her, the members of STARISH, led by Syo, surge forward, assuming defensive stances with the precision of martial artists, their eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Tokiya and Ren hang back, their brows furrowed in confusion.

Eiichi halts abruptly, caught off guard by the sudden defense. His eyes dart from Haruka to the others, unsure of how to move forward.

Shion mutters under his breath, “An alliance…?”

Eiji laughs weakly, looking at Eiichi with some sympathy. "Nii-san has got himself in a predicament, hasn't he..?"

The air hangs heavy with silence as everyone waits, holding their breath.

Syo begins to tremble from the effort of holding his strenuous pose, a low, frustrated growl escaping his throat.

Masato sweatdrops but somehow keeps his posture intact. His voice, though weary, cuts through the tension. "Why… Why are we doing this again?"

Natsuki raises an eyebrow, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I'm honestly surprised you're going along with this, Maa-kun!"

"O-Only because Ittoki pushed me to get in formation!" Masato protests, his face flushing with embarrassment.

"M-Me!?" Otoya’s eyes go wide as he points at himself.

"Hmm. Very well," Eiichi says, drawing everyone's attention with his confident tone. His glasses gleam under the light as he continues, "I will give a performance worthy of forgiveness."

"A performance...?" Cecil blurts out, his voice filled with disbelief, just as a spotlight suddenly illuminates Eiichi.

The room goes quiet, and all eyes snap toward him as he strikes a dramatic pose beneath the blinding light.

He raises a hand to the heavens, and out of nowhere, a soft, melancholy piano tune begins to play.

Syo, looking utterly confused, interrupts with a shout.

"Where the heck did the spotlight even come from?!" he exclaims, but the music only swells in volume, becoming more tragic by the second.

"AND WHAT'S WITH THE MUSIC?!" Syo yells, spinning around to locate the source.

There, across the room, Kira is completely absorbed in playing the piano, eyes closed, lost in his own dramatic performance.

Haruka watches the whole scene unfold with a worried expression, her gaze darting between Eiichi’s exaggerated poses and the chaos around them.

"Must I endure this treatment?" Eiichi continues, closing his eyes dramatically, his voice dripping with mock despair. "In a way, I suppose I deserve it... But all I ask of you is forgiveness..."

Syo, at his breaking point, throws up his hands. "Yeah, yeah, we get it!" he snaps, clearly losing patience.

Eiichi freezes mid-monologue, and the piano cuts off abruptly, the silence hanging in the air.

“Well, that was easy,” Eiichi says with a casual smile, snapping his fingers. The spotlight flickers and goes out, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

His watch buzzes softly, prompting him to casually lift his wrist and glance at the screen.

"I'm afraid we have to leave," Eiichi says, his voice calm but firm, as his bandmates begin moving toward the exit.

Eiji gives a casual wave, while Van offers a warm farewell to Haruka. Yamato and Shion share a brief, silent exchange with her, their gazes lingering for a moment longer than usual. Kira strolls out nonchalantly, and Nagi stands at the door, energetically waving goodbye.

But then, Eiichi halts in his tracks. He turns back toward his friends, his eyes locking with Haruka’s.

With a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes, he speaks in a steady, almost reassuring tone. "We'll see you soon."

As he pivots to leave, the last sound that fills the air is his voice, lingering like a shadow in the room.

"This is just the beginning."

♬

Ryuya's footsteps echo throughout the hallway as he and Ringo stroll through.

"Will Saotome ever go easy on those kids?" Ryuya asks with a sigh, while Ringo responds with a huff. "It's necessary! Shiny knows what's best for them~" he says, with the words echoing in the hall.

Ryuya abruptly stops in his tracks, as the two turn to see an entire section of the wall destroyed. 

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE WALL???"

Chapter Text

Ryuya abruptly stops in his tracks, as the two turn to see an entire section of the wall destroyed. "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE WALL???"

♬

"How did this even happen..." Ryuya's voice was heavy with disappointment and disbelief as he gestured toward the demolished wall in front of them.

"I have no idea," Ringo said, tilting his head and shrugging casually. "But it definitely looks like Shiny crashed straight~ into it." He let the word linger, pacing closer to the wreckage as he tapped his chin in mock thoughtfulness.

"Classic Shiny, am I right?~"

Ryuya let out a slow, frustrated sigh, crossing his arms. "This is getting out of hand."

"...Ryuya-sensei? Ringo-sensei?"

Both men turned their heads sharply toward the familiar voice. Haruka stood a short distance away, her expression a mixture of confusion and mild concern.

"Haru-chan!" Ringo's face lit up as he broke into a wide grin, striding toward her with open arms.

"Perfect timing! We've been looking all over for you—" He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scanned the area around her. “Ne-ne... where are the boys?"

"Oh, um..." She clasped her hands in front of her. "They left a little while ago..."

Ringo blinked, his expression shifting into one of exaggerated realization. "Ohhh, I see~ Guess we just missed 'em, huh~"

"Anyway, Haru-chan, are you planning to swing by the Shining Tower anytime soon~?" His voice softened at the end, almost teasing.

Haruka tilted her head, blinking in surprise. "The... Shining Tower?"

"Hmm? To compose, silly~!" He finished with a wide grin, his eyes twinkling with playful energy.

Haruka's eyes widened. "Wha- Me?? At the Shining Tower?!" she repeated, the name catching her off guard. Composing at the agency was part of her usual routine, but this was something new.

Ringo smirked innocently, resting his hands on his hips. "Mou~ Did Shiny forget to tell you? I bet he did!" He chuckled, tilting his head with mock exasperation.

Ryuya crossed his arms, glancing at Haruka. "Well, you'd better get moving. Saotome left instructions for you on the table in Music Room 1."

“Y-Yes!” Haruka straightened immediately, bowing gracefully. "I-I'll head there right away. Thank you for letting me know, Ringo-sensei, Ryuya-sensei!"

Her sincerity shone through in her warm smile as she turned and hurried off, her excitement barely contained.

Ringo waved lazily, his grin lingering. "There she goes~"

♬

Haruka slid into the backseat of the cab, smoothing her skirt as she settled in. "The Shining Tower, please," she said with a polite smile.

The driver nodded and merged into the morning traffic. Haruka leaned back, watching the golden sunlight wash over the familiar streets as they blurred past.

It had been a while since she last saw the Shining Tower. Memories stirred—a grand opening reception, her nerves as sharp as the heels she feared tripping over, and Camus’ calm elegance beside her. She smiled at the thought, her reflection faint against the rushing cityscape.

Now, she was headed back, not as a guest but as part of the team. A flicker of pride warmed her chest, mingling with a bubbling excitement she couldn’t quite suppress.

The cab slowed to a stop, pulling her from her thoughts. Haruka’s gaze lifted to the gleaming silhouette of the Shining Tower. Its sleek glass exterior caught the sunlight like a beacon, towering above the city.

"Thank you!" she said warmly, handing the driver the fare before stepping out.

Adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder, she tilted her head back to admire the tower for a moment. Alright, Haruka. Let's do our best!

Haruka approached the building's entrance, her heart racing as she reached for the glass doors. They slid open smoothly, ushering her into the buzzing energy of the lobby.

The once-spacious area had evolved into a lively hub, with staff and visitors bustling between the sleek, modern furnishings.

W-Wow... This place feels so different from the last time I was here. It's almost like stepping into a whole new world.

Haruka paused at the entrance, taking in her surroundings before approaching the receptionist. "G-Good morning," she said nervously. "Could you tell me how to find Music Room No. 1?"

The receptionist checked her monitor and smiled in recognition. "Ah, you must be Nanami Haruka. Music Room No. 1 is reserved for Shining Agency—just down the hall to the right."

"Oh, I see! Thank you so much!" Haruka bowed slightly in gratitude, and with a quick smile, she hurried off in the direction the receptionist had pointed.

Before long, she spotted it. The elegant plaque engraved with the words "Music Room 1" gleamed under the light.

Haruka took a deep breath, steadying her racing heart. Just nerves, she reassured herself, excitement thrumming beneath the surface. With renewed focus, she reached for the door handle.

The cold metal met her fingertips, but just as her hand wrapped around it, the handle began to turn on its own.

"...Eh?"

Before she could react, the door swung open with surprising force, and the motion tugged her forward.

Haruka let out a startled gasp as she stumbled into the room, completely losing her balance.

Her hands shot up instinctively to shield her face, bracing for the hard impact of the cold floor. She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the crash—but it never came.

Instead, a steady warmth enveloped her shoulders, stopping her fall and pulling her upright.

...E-Eh?

She froze, her breath catching as realization dawned. Someone had caught her.

“Haruka..? It’s you.”

A calm, familiar voice broke through her daze. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks, her cheeks flushing as she recognized the familiar cyan-colored eyes in front of her.

"...Mi-!"

"Mikaze-senpai?!" Haruka gasped, her voice catching in her throat. She took a step back, her hand flying to her chest in surprise.

"Why are you more surprised than I am?" Ai's voice was flat and steady, his hands firmly on his hips.

Haruka's breath caught. "I-I mean, it's just that-" 

"You don't have to explain," He interrupted gently, though his gaze didn't waver.

Ai leaned in slightly, narrowing the space between them just enough to make her pulse quicken. "Why are you here?"

"W-Well, I’m here to..." Haruka faltered, her voice shrinking under the weight of his question. 

She glanced up, meeting his eyes–unflinching, unreadable–and for a moment, the air seemed to thicken around them.

"To w-work... on the songs for the concert," she whispered, the words barely audible.

Ai studied her in silence, as though searching for something unsaid. Then, with a small nod, he leaned back. 

"I see.” he said simply.

Haruka released a shaky breath she hadn’t realized she'd been holding, her shoulders sagging with relief.

Ai stepped forward, peering out into the hallway, checking both directions before turning back to her.

Haruka hesitated, fidgeting with the strap of her bag. 

"Um, I-I don't mind if you're still busy. I can come back later, and-" she began, but her words were cut short as Ai gently took her hand, pulling her inside before she could finish.

"O-Or... I guess I could just come in now... hahah..." she trailed off, a nervous laugh escaping her as she was drawn further into the room.

Ai closed the door behind them, his gaze returning to her with an unreadable expression.

"I don't see why you should leave just because I'm here. I'm not doing anything important. You’re here to do your work too, right?" he said, a slight confusion flickering in his tone.

He raised an eyebrow, waiting for her response. Haruka, still unsure, glanced at their hands and then quickly back up at him.

Ai followed her gaze and noticed for the first time that he was still holding her hand. His eyes widened slightly, and without thinking, he released it, the warmth of her touch lingering in his palm.

She smiled nervously, her cheeks tinged with pink. "U-Um, I'm just really surprised to see you here, Mikaze-senpai."

“I…” Ai paused, his eyes briefly falling to the floor before glancing at the window, his mind seemingly far away for a moment.

“I occasionally visit this area in my free time. For experimental purposes," he replied.

“Since you're here to compose, I guess you're looking for a folder?"

Her eyes widened, and she nodded quickly. "Y-Yes! Have you seen it around?"

Without a word, Ai turned his back to her, walked to the desk, and pulled a folder from the top drawer.

He returned to her and handed it over with a simple nod. "Here," he said quietly. "You might want to read the back first."

Haruka took the folder, her heart hammering in her chest. She flipped it over and froze. The label on the back read: *TOP SECRET! Do Not Share!*

Her eyes widened in panic. This is bad– she thought, her pulse quickening.

I can't... I can't open this in front of Mikaze-senpai!

She glanced nervously between the folder and Ai, her mind scrambling for a solution. Before she could think of anything, she instinctively tried to hide the folder behind her back.

Ai's gaze never wavered as he casually placed his hand on his hip. "Don't bother," he said flatly, his voice devoid of any real surprise. "I’ve already seen it."

"...W-What?"

"You..." Haruka hesitated, a confused look crossing her face, and then slowly brought the folder back to her chest. "You've seen it..?"

Ai shrugged, looking almost bored. "Well, not intentionally. When I entered the room, it was already there. Out of curiosity, I opened it and saw my name listed."

"E-Eh!? So you know who your unit members are?!" Haruka blurted out before she could stop herself.

Ai shook his head, his expression thoughtful. "No. I closed it before I could see any more. Saotome insisted it be kept anonymous. If I'd read more, it would have defeated the purpose of the whole project."

He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment as if lost in thought. "It's almost as if Saotome left it here on purpose, hoping I would open it... but that's a ridiculous thought."

Haruka blinked, sweat forming on her brow.

"Ridiculous," huh? I don't know, Mikaze-senpai... That sounds pretty accurate to me... she thought, her mind racing.

"...M-Mikaze-senpai, when you say 'for experimental reasons',” Haruka clutched the folder to her chest, tilting her head thoughtfully. “Did you mean composing music?"

He nodded once, his expression calm. "Yeah. I’ve been trying to recreate the emotions your music evokes. But I realized it’s not as simple as analyzing the notes or the structure."

Haruka blinked, her brow furrowing slightly. "What kind of emotions...?"

Ai’s gaze flickered downward for a moment, his hands resting lightly at his sides. "Feelings I... can’t quite name. They’re unexpected and difficult to categorize." 

Her lips parted in surprise. "Difficult to categorize?" she repeated.

"Yeah." He glanced up again, his cyan eyes steady but searching. "It’s... unusual for me."

There was something about the quiet admission that struck her. Ai, who was always so precise, so in control, was admitting to confusion. An experience he wasn’t used to.

"Is that why you’ve been so focused on this lately, Mikaze-senpai?" She asked softly.

Ai nodded, his expression thoughtful. "At first, I believed understanding the technical aspects of your music would provide clarity.”

“But the more I listened, the more I realized..." He paused, his gaze flicking to hers. "It’s not the music alone. It’s you."

Haruka’s breath hitched. "M-Me?"

His eyes softened, though his expression remained serious. "Your music is a reflection of you, isn’t it? Your emotions, your thoughts. It’s impossible to separate them. That’s why analyzing it in isolation hasn’t worked." He exhaled slowly, as if releasing a thought that had been carefully calculated but still felt incomplete.

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down, overwhelmed by the weight of his words. "I… never thought about it like that," she murmured.

"It’s something I’ve only recently come to understand," Ai admitted. "And even now, I find it... challenging."

The room fell quiet for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling between them. Haruka looked up at him again, and for the first time, she noticed something different in his gaze—a flicker of vulnerability, like he was waiting for her to respond but didn’t know what to expect.

"That sounds... frustrating," she said carefully.

Ai blinked, surprised by her observation. “Yeah. It is."

“But…” Haruka hesitated before offering him a small, encouraging smile. "Maybe it doesn’t have to make sense right away. Sometimes… feelings are just meant to be felt, not understood." 

Her words seemed to catch him off guard. Ai tilted his head slightly, his brows furrowing as though he was turning the idea over in his mind.  

"Feelings… meant to be felt," he repeated softly, almost like he was testing the phrase.  

He regarded her in silence for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with deliberate care, he stepped closer.  

Haruka blinked, her breath hitching as his gaze stayed locked on hers. He stopped just a step away, close enough for her to feel his faint, cool presence.  

When he raised his hand between them, she froze. His fingers twitched slightly, hovering in the space between them, hesitant.  

“Mikaze-senpai…?” she whispered, uncertain.  

Ai didn’t answer right away. His eyes flicked to her hand, silently urging her to respond. There was no rush, no pressure. Just quiet intent.  

Slowly, Haruka lifted her hand to mirror his, though the movement felt tentative. Their fingers hovered apart for a moment before Ai moved, gently closing the gap. Their palms met, light and careful.  

His hand was cool against hers—steady, yet delicate, as though he might retreat at any moment. His fingers shifted slightly, aligning with hers, like he was adjusting a puzzle piece into place.  

Haruka’s heart pounded. She glanced up at him, her voice barely a whisper. “What… are you doing?”  

“Comparing,” he responded softly, his attention fixed on their hands. He observed the way their fingers fit together, the stark difference in their sizes.

“Your hand is smaller.”  

Haruka's gaze dropped to the side, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. “I-It… is...” she murmured, caught off guard by the intimacy of the moment.

Ai's voice softened even further, a hint of concentration in his tone. "According to my data... touch should trigger a response."

His fingers shifted, gently adjusting to hold her hand more securely, as though measuring something invisible between them. His touch lingered, a quiet uncertainty threading through the warmth of his fingers. "But the data is…-“

The sentence faltered, the words evaporating as his gaze lifted to meet hers. Their eyes locked, and in that brief, silent exchange, the meaning of his analysis, the cold precision of it all, crumbled into nothing.

Something inside his chest shifted, tightening like a knot. The sensation was familiar and overwhelming, stealing the air from his chest.

Slowly, Ai pulled his hand back, the space between them growing colder in its absence. He looked away, his thoughts tangled in the strange sensation that still lingered.

“I think that ends my experiment…” Ai said, his usual control returning, though his voice held a slight hesitation. “For now.”

“F-For now?” Haruka whispered, her fingers curling gently over her chest as she blinked, puzzled.

“Mm.” Ai straightened, breaking the stillness, and glanced at the clock on the wall. "I have an interview in ten minutes," he said, his voice steady but carrying the weight of an unspoken shift.

"O-Oh!" Haruka exclaimed, snapping back to reality. "I-I didn’t mean to keep you—"

"You didn’t," Ai interrupted, his tone soft yet firm. He paused for a moment, as if carefully choosing his next words. "Thank you, Haruka. I think... this conversation has helped."

Haruka blinked, her heart skipping a beat at the unexpected warmth in his voice. "R-Really?"

Ai offered a small, almost imperceptible nod, his cyan eyes lingering on hers just a moment longer than usual. Then, without another word, he turned toward the door.

As his hand grasped the handle, he glanced back over his shoulder, his expression softer than it had been moments before.

"I’m looking forward to discovering new things about myself… with you, Haruka," he said quietly, a promise woven into his words. “See you.”

And with that, he was gone, leaving Haruka standing alone. Her heart raced, a whirlwind of emotions stirring inside her—feelings she couldn’t quite name.

Ai stood still for a moment, his fingers lightly resting on the doorknob. His cyan eyes drifted downward, unfocused, as his mind replayed the moment their eyes had locked. 

For a brief moment, something inside him shifted again. A soft, almost imperceptible tug in his chest that he couldn’t quite ignore.

This feeling…

He lifted his hand slowly, pressing it against his heart. 

It’s almost identical to the one I get when I listen to her songs…  Strange.

With a slow, deliberate motion, he closed his hand into a loose fist, pushing himself away from the door.

♬

Haruka exhaled softly, settling into the chair near the desk. The folder sat before her, its "TOP SECRET" label practically glowing under the light. She pressed her palms together for a moment, grounding herself.

“Okay, Haruka... You can do this.” With a deep breath, she flipped it open, her eyes quickly darting to the bold names printed on the first page. Her lips parted in surprise, a soft gasp escaping.

1) ITTOKI OTOYA, 2) MIKAZE AI, 3) KIRYUIN VAN.

"Ittoki-kun and Mikaze-senpai...!" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly with excitement. "And Kiryuin-san, too...?"

She turned the page, her eyes falling on the neatly outlined instructions from Shining Saotome:

Shining Rules for the Special Unit Composition ! ! !

• RULE NO. 1) The theme is "An expression of love for music". This must be the heart of the song, transcending genres and reaching the audience's emotions!!

• RULE NO. 2) Haruka Nanami is solely responsible for creating the composition. She may NOT seek input from the idols before completing her work!

• RULE NO. 3) Once the composition is finished, a meeting will be held. The idols will interpret the theme as they wish—writing lyrics, devising choreography, and even planning stage cinematics.

Her eyes widened. "Wait... no input at all?!" She leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts rushed. 

"That means... no asking Mikaze-senpai about his preferences... no checking with Ittoki-kun about the melody... no—"

Her head snapped forward as it hit her. She was completely on her own. She buried her face in her hands, muffling a small groan.

After a moment, she lowered her hands and glanced at the piano in the corner. Its shiny surface caught the light, giving her a quiet sense of calm.

Haruka took a deep breath, steadying herself. "You've done this before. This is just... a little different." She looked back at the rules and saw the theme: "An expression of love for music…"

Music had always been her way of connecting with others, saying what words couldn't. But how could she turn that into a melody that reflected three idols so different from each other? Then a small, determined smile crept onto her face. 

"I’ll figure it out," she murmured, the conviction growing inside her.

♬

Haruka leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms overhead with a quiet sigh of relief. 

"Two... no, three drafts," she murmured, flipping through her notebook. 

She glanced over at the piano, where her last composition still lingered on the stand. Her fingers twitched slightly, the melody replaying in her mind.

“I think... this one might work for Mikaze-senpai. It's precise, but there's warmth in the harmony. Maybe he'd—“ Haruka stopped herself mid-thought, shaking her head.

"Right… No input..." she reminded herself softly. Her eyes drifted to the clock on the wall. "Eh—?!" She sat up straighter, startled to see the time. 

"It’s already 4:37 PM..? I didn't realize how long I've been here..." She glanced at her empty water bottle and untouched bento box. "And I forgot to eat lunch again..."

She quickly gathered her things, making sure nothing was left behind.

Looking back at the piano, her lips curved into a faint smile. "I think I made good progress today," she said softly.

Her eyes flitted back to the folder, now safely tucked into her bag. Still... this is only the beginning. Tomorrow, maybe I'll try something bold for Kiryuin-san's part...

♬

Haruka stepped out of the building, breathing in the cool air as she walked toward the nearby café. 

Finally, a chance to relax and eat, she thought with a contented smile, already imagining the warmth of her drink and the peaceful escape it would bring.

Inside, the café was cozy and not too crowded, perfect for unwinding. As she approached the counter, a figure near the window caught her attention.

The stranger wore a large hat, dark sunglasses, and a face mask that fully covered their features.

They were almost comically anonymous, as if they were trying too hard to blend in, or maybe they just didn't want to be recognized.

Haruka blinked, curiosity bubbling up. M-Must be someone who really values their privacy… she thought, shaking off her distraction and moving on to the counter to place her order.

Just as Haruka was about to finish placing her order, a voice called out from behind her, brimming with energy.

"Ha-chan...? Is that really you?!"

Haruka froze mid-step, her breath catching in her throat. Her head snapped toward the source of the voice, her eyes narrowing as she tried to focus. Wait… Ha-chan?

"Oh my gosh, it is you!" the stranger exclaimed, practically bouncing off their seat with a burst of enthusiasm. They walked toward her, their movements exaggerated and full of life.

Haruka instinctively took a small step back, her mind racing to place this person. She tilted her head slightly, confusion growing but her composure still intact. 

"U-Um… sorry…” she began hesitantly, blinking as her confusion deepened. "I think you’ve got the wrong person…?”

"Oh! Wait, hold on!" The stranger paused dramatically, then reached up with an over-the-top flourish. In one swift motion, they pulled down their mask and adjusted their sunglasses with a showy, almost theatrical movement.

Haruka’s eyes widened in disbelief as recognition hit her like a thunderbolt.

“Kiryuin-san!?!?" 

Van playfully placed his finger in front of his grin, a quiet gesture to signal to Haruka to stay quiet. She blinked, surprised, before lifting her fingers to her lips.

Van chuckled softly, the sound warm and easy as he slid his mask back into place. With a confident yet gentle step, he approached the counter. 

“I’ll have a cappuccino, please. And one glazed donut,” he said with a calm tone, his eyes drifting to Haruka with a playful, affectionate gleam.

The cashier, taking in the pair with a knowing smile, glanced between them. “O-Oh. Got it, sir. Are you two paying separately, or...?”  

“U-Um… I’ll pay for mine—”  

“Oh, no, she’s with me!” Van interjected smoothly, his voice quiet but firm. Haruka’s head snapped toward him, her eyes going wide as her heart rate picked up.  

The cashier’s smile widened, sensing the shift. “Got it. So one cappucino, one caramel, one glazed donut and… one strawberry cake. Order received. By the way, sir. There’s a 10% discount for couples. Would you like to use it?”

“E-Eh?” Haruka's face flushed a deep crimson, her mouth opening and closing as if the words were stuck somewhere between her brain and her throat. “Oh, no, we’re just-“

Van, unfazed, smiled brightly. “Uhh.. Yeah! That sounds perfect.” He said it with such ease that Haruka’s panic doubled.  

The cashier gave a little nod, clearly amused, as Haruka’s mind reeled, her hands trembling slightly. “W-wait, I—” she started to protest, but Van was already pulling out his wallet, not giving her a chance to finish.  

Haruka’s face was a mixture of confusion, embarrassment, and mild horror as she shot him a look that could only be described as a mix of panic and exasperation.

With a grin that was both playful and reassuring, Van grabbed Haruka’s hands, lifting them gently as he met her gaze. “Ha-chan,”

His eyes said it all: Play along. His fingers squeezed hers softly in a teasing gesture before dropping their hands, but leaving them still interlocked. 

“Thank you for registering! Your order is ready; you can grab it at the counter,” the cashier said with a cheerful smile.  

Van returned the smile and gave a quick nod, while Haruka flusteredly bowed in thanks, still bewildered by the sudden turn of events. 

Without hesitation, Van stepped forward to the counter, gently pulling Haruka along by the hand.  

“Come on, Ha-chan, let’s get our food,” he said casually, grabbing the tray with practiced ease. Haruka followed close behind, clutching the strap of her bag nervously.  

By the time they reached the second floor, Haruka’s nerves had peaked. Her eyes darted around as Van picked a table by the window, the sunset streaming in and casting a warm glow. 

He set the tray down with a little flourish and pulled out a chair for her.  

“For the lady,” he said with a playful wink.  

Haruka stammered a quick “Th-thank you…” before sitting down. Van sat across from her, propping his chin in his hand as he watched her fidget with her coffee.  

Then, with a quick, almost theatrical motion, he took off his hat, sunglasses, and mask, shaking out his slightly messy brown hair.  

"Haha, sorry about that, Ha-chan! I just... saw the chance and couldn’t resist!" he admitted, a sheepish grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. Running a hand through his hair, he let out a nervous laugh.  

Haruka blinked, startled at first, but her cheeks quickly warmed with a faint blush. “N-No, not at all… I should be thanking you! You really didn’t have to…”

“Nonsense, Ha-chan,” he said with a casual wave of his hand. “Think of it as a treat from me, ‘kay?”

Haruka fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, stealing a quick glance at him before nodding hesitantly. “O-Okay. Thank you…”

“Well. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Van leaned forward, resting his arms on the table with an easy grin. “Of all places, I didn’t think we’d meet again in a café. Talk about a surprise!”

“M-Me too…” Haruka mumbled, her shoulders tensing as she sank into herself. Her mind flickered to that memory.

The rooftop.

Van’s confession. Her awkward rejection. 

She winced inwardly, while Van tilted his head, his expression teetering between curious and clueless.

“You okay there? You look like you just remembered you left the stove on or something.”

Haruka flushed. “I-I’m fine!”

"Haha, betcha haven’t eaten yet, huh?" He chuckled, his voice teasing but warm. "You’re always working so hard, wouldn’t surprise me if you forgot to eat again. Composing for the concert must be brutal!"

"Eh? H-How did you know I’m working on the concert already?" 

Van froze, his gaze flicking to the Shining Tower outside the window before snapping back to meet hers. He forced a smirk, scratching the back of his neck. "Let’s call it… intuition," he said, his voice light but edged with something unreadable. "Pretty impressive, huh?"

They locked eyes for a moment before laughter bubbled up between them. Haruka glanced down at their tray, fingers gently wrapping around her coffee cup while Van reached for his donut, taking a casual bite as he savored the taste.

"Are you a fan of strawberry cakes? With vanilla frosting, too, hm? Good taste!”

Haruka snapped to attention, her gaze meeting his as he pointed to the strawberry cake on their table. 

“Ah, y-yes..!” She nodded, her voice softening as she spoke, "I love strawberry cakes… My grandma used to make them for me every year on my birthday. It’s... one of those little things I can always count on to make me smile." 

She lifted her gaze to meet Van’s eyes, noticing the serious, determined expression etched on his face. He squinted slightly, his brow furrowed in concentration. 

“I know exactly what to get you now,” he said casually, a smirk tugging at his lips as he waved his finger in the air.

Haruka tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "What's that?"

Van crossed his arms, a playful pout forming as he answered quickly, "Nothing.”

"Ehh?" Haruka blinked in confusion, completely oblivious to his teasing.

Van shifted his gaze, a playful grin spreading across his face before he burst into laughter, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush. “Pfffft..!”

“You’re so cute, Ha-chan… really!” Van chuckled, his voice brimming with affection. “Talking to you is the best! I’m laughing so much, I feel like I’m getting a full-on ab workout!”  

Haruka’s cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she quickly hid her smile behind her coffee cup. “E-Eh?” she stammered, letting out a quiet laugh.  

Van leaned back, his grin widening. “If you weren’t so busy being a brilliant composer, maybe we could spend our days chasing laughter and doing crazy adventures together.”

The words hung in the air for a moment, and Haruka’s eyes widened in shock.

Panic flickered across her face, and Van’s playful confidence wavered.  

Realizing how it sounded, he blinked and immediately began waving his hands in a flurry.

“A-Ah, wait! I’m kidding- just kidding!” he said, his own cheeks reddening. “Your music comes first. I totally get that, and I respect it! Seriously!”

He chuckled awkwardly, his shoulders relaxing just a little as he raised his hands in a mock gesture of surrender. “See? No ulterior motives, I promise,” he added, his tone lighthearted.

Haruka blinked and quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks tinged a rosy pink. "I-It’s okay… really," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she fidgeted with the rim of her cup.

Van let out an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his neck before hurriedly grabbing a donut. He bit into it a little too eagerly, chewing with exaggerated focus.

“U-Um… Kiryuin-san,” she began, his voice muffled by the donut still in his mouth, “What has HEAVENS been up to after the Triple S…?”

Haruka glanced at him, her curiosity piqued. Van swallowed hastily, wiping his mouth before continuing with newfound enthusiasm. 

“Oh, we’ve been up to a lot!” he exclaimed, his hands gesturing animatedly.

As he spoke, Haruka listened intently, her eyes fixed on him. She picked up a small piece of strawberry cake with her fork, savoring the sweetness as the warm hues of the setting sun bathed the café in golden light. The two sank into an easy rhythm of conversation, carried away by the soft breeze of a perfect evening.  

♬

Haruka stepped out, bowing in gratitude to the driver as the vehicle pulled away, its taillights fading into the dim, quiet night. The stillness around her was almost comforting, yet held a certain weight.

‘Stay safe, Ha-chan!’

Van’s voice rang clearly in her mind, a warm echo that lingered like a protective embrace. Haruka blinked a few times, pulling out the neatly folded discount coupon from the café.

Kiryuin-san not only called a cab for me but also covered all my expenses... On top of that, he paid for my meal and gave me a 10% discount coupon I can use anytime…

Her pace slowed as a soft wince tugged at her features.

I’m being… completely spoiled by Kiryuin-san… Can I even repay him for his generosity and kindness...?

Arriving at her room, she unlocked the door, her key turning with a familiar click. With a soft thud, she set her belongings down on the desk, then sank into her chair. 

I’m grateful for the honor of working in such a grand music room, but the truth is…

Stretching her fingers, she opened her laptop and pulled out her drafts, the edges of her lips curling into a contented smile.

Composing here, in my own space, feels so much more natural. I’m used to working like this anyway, she mused, a soft giggle escaping her lips as she settled in.

She reflects on the moments with each of them. Otoya visiting her dorm, their shared thoughts about the concert; Ai, who took the time to understand emotions he couldn't quite name with her; and Van, their unexpected encounter at the café, the comfort of simple conversation over shared food. 

A smile curls on her lips, a knowing gleam in her eyes. They're all so different, yet somehow, so alike. Each with their own way of expressing their passion for music. 

“I…know how to make this work now.”

 She feels certain, and for the first time, everything seems to fall into place.

Chapter Text

“I…know how to make this work now.”

Haruka feels certain, and for the first time, everything seems to fall into place.

♬

Haruka stood before Shining Saotome, her heart pounding as she watched him silently.

He wore a pair of headphones, completely absorbed in the final output of the first special unit's song. The room seemed to hold its breath, and the only sound was the faint hum from the headphones.

Ringo and Ryuya lingered a few steps behind, anticipation evident in their faces as they awaited Shining's verdict.

"It's been a while since I've seen Shiny look this serious~ It's scary~" Ringo remarked lightheartedly, his curious eyes looking at the screen.

After what felt like an eternity, the song finally ended.

Shining Saotome's glasses glinted as he placed his hands thoughtfully in front of him, lost in silent reflection. 

Haruka straightened up, holding her breath as she awaited his response.

"U-Um. What do you think..?" she ventured cautiously.

"Hmmmmmmmmmm..." Shining Saotome rumbled, his expression unreadable.

She blinked a few times, her shoulders sagging slightly as uncertainty crept in.

Suddenly, Shining Saotome shot to his feet, slamming his hands on the table. Haruka instinctively squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself.

“Spectacular.”

“...Eh?” Her eyes flew open, disbelief flickering across her face.

“SPECTACULAAAAR!!!" Shining Saotome's voice boomed with enthusiasm as he spun dramatically, his energy filling the room.

Haruka's eyebrows rose in surprise before her expression softened with a relieved smile.

"Th-Thank you..!"

Ringo adjusted the headphones, letting one side rest off his ear. He closed his eyes, listening intently. A moment later, his eyes widened, speechless.

"Haru-chan... did you really make this overnight?" he finally managed, his voice full of awe.

"Y-Yes..." She admitted nervously. "It's my first time composing without feedback, so it was really tricky at first..."

Ringo shook his head slowly, a look of admiration crossing his face. "But for a first attempt? This is... incredible.”

♬

Raging Otori listened intently, his eyes closed as the music played. When he finally opened them, a fierce spark burned within.

"Incredible..." he murmured. "The fact that this girl wrote this without any guidance... Absolutely incredible."

A slow, rumbling chuckle escaped him, growing louder until it filled the room. In a bold, confident gesture, he propped a foot on his desk, his grin wide and triumphant.

"The first-ever Special Unit can finally be formed," he declared, his voice brimming with excitement. "This project will shake Japan to its core... Just they wait!”

Otoya bowed to the producer after the interview, his signature bright smile lingering. As he straightened, a faint vibration buzzed in his pocket. Curiosity flickered across his face as he retrieved his phone.

Across the city, Ai sat composed in a makeup chair, eyes closed as stylists adjusted his hair and makeup. The polished table beneath his hand suddenly hummed with a soft vibration, drawing his gaze to his phone.

In a bustling rehearsal hall, Van laughed with his co-stars, wiping sweat from his brow with a towel. The buzz of his phone in his back pocket cut through the noise, making him pause.

At three different corners of the city, they read the same message from Shining Saotome:

S. SHINING: // Congratulations! The FIRST Special Unit has been formed, and YOU are its members! The first meeting will be held TOMORROW. So clear out your schedules, team... This project will change EVERYTHING!!!! 

Three sets of eyes widened; Otoya's grin split into a disbelieving laugh, Ai's composed expression softened by a glimmer of curiosity, and Van's face brightened with exhilaration.

Three lives, three reactions, all bound by a message that promised to change their paths forever.

♬

Haruka gathered her hair into a low ponytail, a stray strand slipping free to frame her face. She dusted off her clothes, took a steadying breath, and offered a soft, proud smile to her reflection.

A gentle knock sounded at the door just as she reached for her keys and bag. Turning the handle, she was met with a familiar, warm smile.

"Hey, Nanami!” Otoya greeted cheerfully. “Are you ready to get going?”

"Ittoki-kun!" she replied, her eyes brightening. 

Otoya's jaw dropped slightly as he noticed her new hairstyle. His eyes lit up, and he pumped his fists excitedly.

"Whoa! And you tied your hair in a ponytail!"

Haruka blinked in surprise, her cheeks warming as she glanced to the side.

"Ahaha, y-yeah... I thought it might look nice, so I just..."

"And it does look nice!" Otoya cut in, his grin bright and genuine. "You look stunning, Nanami! Like you just became–!” 

He paused, realizing his flustered excitement. Straightening up, he glanced down, his cheeks tinged pink. "B-became… ten times more prettier.”

Haruka blinked in surprise, her eyes wide as she looked at him.

"Let me see the lady, then,"

Ren appeared beside them with a gentle smirk, casually placing a hand on Otoya's face and nudging him to the side.

"Hmm. Ikki's right. My lady does look stunning with her hair tied back." he teased.

"J-Jinguji-san?!" Haruka stammered, her face heating up.

"Hey there, little lamb." Ren greeted her with a cool wave before Haruka tiptoed to peer over his shoulder, spotting the rest of the group approaching.

"E-Everyone..?” she murmured, glancing anxiously from face to face.

"Whaimf-!" Otoya yelped, his words muffled as Ren still had his hands covering his face. Swatting Ren’s hand away, he blinked in surprise. "W-What are you guys doing here..?!"

"We came to check on YOU, of course-–about the special unit meeting," Syo replied, forcing a smile that barely masked his irritation. "We looked for you at your dorm, but Tokiya told us you'd already left.”

“But it turns out, you were JUST TAKING YOUR CHANCE WITH NANAMI– AGAIN!!” Syo suddenly accused, jabbing a finger at Otoya.

Otoya's eyes widened, his face turning bright red as he flailed his hands defensively. “E-Eh?! Seriously?! It’s not like that!”

Tokiya sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “Relax, Otoya. We just thought we’d all catch up together. We didn’t think we’d be… interrupting anything.” His sharp gaze lingered on Otoya, making the redhead squirm.

“N-Not really!” Otoya mumbled hastily, his voice slightly higher than usual.

Tokiya’s expression softened as his gaze shifted toward Haruka. “And Nanami-san,” he remarked, his tone noticeably gentler. “You tied your hair back.”

At his words, the rest of the boys turned their attention to her.

Haruka stiffened as she suddenly became the center of attention. Feeling overwhelmed, she quickly raised her purse to hide the lower half of her face to hide her pink cheeks.

Natsuki bounced forward with sparkling eyes, practically radiating excitement.

 “Waaah! Haru-chan looks sooo cute!!” he gushed, clasping his hands together.

Syo blinked a few times, only just now noticing the change. “Ohhhh, yeah! Wow, you look great, Nanami!” he said with a grin, giving her an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

“It really does frame your face nicely,” Masato added, his tone calm yet sincere.

“Hmph, my princess looks stunning in anything.” Cecil declared dramatically, stepping beside Haruka with a proud pout. “Even if she were to be bald!”

A heavy silence fell over the group as everyone sweatdropped.

Syo twitched, crossing his arms. “Oookay… You might be right, but let’s not go THAT far.”

Ren chuckled, casually leaning against the wall beside Haruka’s door, his elbow resting effortlessly.

“But, gotta agree with Cesshi on that one,” he said smoothly before lowering his head slightly to meet Haruka’s gaze. His voice dipped into that signature teasing tone.

“As long as it’s little lamb, nothing could ever look bad on her… Right, little–”

Ahem.

Tokiya cleared his throat pointedly.

“So, Otoya. What time is the meeting starting?” he asked, his sharp blue eyes flicking toward the redhead.

Otoya blinked, oblivious to the subtle tension. “O-Oh, it starts in 50 minutes from now. Why?” he responded innocently.

Meanwhile, Ren side-eyed Tokiya, a flicker of amusement and mild annoyance crossing his face at the perfectly timed interruption.

Haruka giggled softly before clasping her hands together and straightening up.

“Hahah... Thank you, everyone... It’s really great to see you all before heading to work,” she said sincerely, her warm smile reaching her eyes.

Syo raised his brows before his expression softened into a small smile.

“I mean, of course! We’ve known each other for, like, what? Five years?”

“Seven years,” Masato gently corrected, resting a thoughtful hand on his chin. 

“Seven years since our academy days.”

“Wait, what?!” Syo took a startled step back, his jaw practically hitting the floor. “It’s been THAT long?!”

The others blinked in realization, their eyes widening as they exchanged glances.

“Well… it certainly doesn’t feel that way,” Tokiya murmured, a hint of disbelief in his tone.

“To think so much time has passed…” Otoya added, his voice carrying a nostalgic warmth. “We’ve almost been through everything together, huh?” 

A brief silence settled over them as they all took in the weight of his words. Then, almost instinctively, they shared solemn smiles.

“We were just teenagers back then,” Ren mused, his gaze distant as he leaned against the wall. 

“Back when we weren’t even sure if we were ever going to debut…” He ended his thought with a sigh.

"And that tricky partner selection thing..." Syo exhaled sharply, crossing his arms. "Man, that was a mess."

"We all wanted to be Nanami's partner, hahaha... I kinda miss it, to be honest," he admitted with a chuckle.

The group couldn’t help but laugh along, the memory of that chaotic time flooding back.

"Hahaha~ Poor Haru-chan was sooo confused and conflicted- Oh, like a lost puppy!" Natsuki added, as Haruka's face turned red at the reminder.

“Gosh, I-I really was conflicted... I had no idea what to do, and I just kept begging Tsukimiya-sensei for advice…” she admitted sheepishly, wincing as she recalled the sheer embarrassment of it all.

Ren smirked. “Well, who could blame us? You were the shining star among us back then.”

“Still is,” Otoya chimed in with a bright grin.

Haruka’s smile softened, her cheeks puffing slightly in embarrassment.

“But I loved how melodramatic you were about it, lady,” Ren teased, turning to her with a knowing look. “Sending each of us an individual letter… Classic.”

Syo burst into laughter. “Oh man, I was so happy! I was like, ‘Screw you losers! I got a LETTER!!’ ”

“And then we all looked at each other like, ‘Wait… I got a letter too.’ ” Tokiya added, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried to suppress a smile.

“Oh no.”

“Ohhhh no.”

“Oh, dear.”.

Laughter erupted between them, filling the air with warm nostalgia.

“Awww man! I remember Ren being like, ‘Since we’re all here… let’s settle this with no hard feelings before the lady arrives. I know I’m gonna win anyway…’ ”

Otoya mimicked Ren’s smooth demeanor, closing his eyes and tilting his head back with an exaggerated smirk.

Ren chuckled, shaking his head. “Hey, I did not act that corny.”

“Wrong,” Masato deadpanned, arms crossed. “You’re still the same as before… but worse.”

“Oh! Oh! And after Ren-kun said that, Masa was all serious and went, ‘A showdown is all about luck,’ ” Natsuki chimed in, doing his best stoic impression of Masato.

Ren burst into laughter. “Oh, he did! And then I kept pushing his buttons until he actually stood up with his fists clenched. Man, good times, good times.”

Masato stiffened, visibly embarrassed. “I-I don’t recall reacting to your games,” he muttered, crossing his arms as if that would somehow erase the memory.

The room filled with more chuckles, their shared past bringing them even closer to the present.

“And then I entered the room… And showed how I composed a song fit for six people,” Haruka murmured, looking down with a small smile.

 “Which ended with none of you agreeing with my idea… Oh gosh. Wait, that’s actually so embarrassing..!” Her face turned bright red as she covered it with her hands.

The group chuckled at her reaction, the memory still fresh in their minds.

Cecil gently reached out, taking her hands away from her face with a soft smile. “No, my princess. You were right. STARISH wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for that.”

Haruka’s lips quivered slightly as she looked around, meeting the sincere gazes of her friends. They all nodded, their smiles filled with warmth.

“Yeah! So don’t worry about it, Nanami!” Otoya laughed wholeheartedly, his energy as bright as ever.

“We honestly reacted that way because, well…” Ren exhaled dramatically, flipping his bangs back with a smirk. “Each of us wanted you all to ourselves.”

Silence.

A heavy pause settled over the group as everyone processed Ren’s words.

Syo groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Ugh, when you say it out loud, it sounds so-”

“Obvious?” Ren finished smoothly, grinning.

The group exchanged glances before bursting into laughter, the tension melting into amusement.

“Okay, okay, fine, maybe we were a little dramatic back then…” Otoya admitted, rubbing the back of his head.

“A little..?” Tokiya muttered.

“Well, we were young,” Masato reasoned. “And… competitive.”

“Mhm-mhm!” Natsuki nodded enthusiastically. “But we got over it and realized that we care about you more, Haru-chan!” He patted her head, smiling warmly. “In the end, what mattered most was debuting together.”

Haruka, still flustered but touched, let out a small laugh. “Ahaha… Wow. That… makes me so happy.”

Hearing the genuine relief in her voice, they all exchanged soft smiles.

“Having conversations like this makes my heart feel so warm,” Natsuki said gently, his usual cheerful tone carrying a rare sincerity. “It really reminds me just how close we all are.”

Tokiya nodded, exhaling with a small, content smile. “Yes. We’ve been so busy that… I think we sometimes forget just how much of a bond we share.” His eyes remained closed for a moment as if savoring the realization.

The group fell into a comfortable silence, the weight of their shared history settling around them. Not as something heavy, but something reassuring

“And now, Otoya is heading into the very first meeting for the Special Unit project,” Cecil said with a proud smile, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I wish you luck, Otoya.”

“Best of luck, Ittoki.” Masato added, his tone calm yet sincere. The others nodded in agreement.

“Represent STARISH, alright?!” Syo chimed in, pumping his fist with enthusiasm.

Otoya looked around at his friends, their unwavering support shining in their eyes. His heart swelled with gratitude, and he grinned brightly.

“Thanks, guys!! I’ll… I’ll do my best!”

Tokiya smiled proudly before turning to Haruka. “And Nanami-san.”

Haruka blinked, tilting her head slightly. “Y-yes?”

For a moment, Tokiya looked serious, his sharp gaze meeting hers. But then, his expression softened.

“Do your best.”

Ren smirked, giving her a playful wink, while the others sent her warm, encouraging smiles.

Haruka’s heart fluttered at their support. She clenched her fists lightly with determination, her own smile brightening.

“Hai!”

Chapter Text

Haruka’s heart fluttered at their support. She clenched her fists lightly with determination, her own smile brightening.

“Hai!”

♬

Haruka walked alongside Otoya down the brightly lit hallway of Shining Tower, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors.

"It’s almost time for the special unit’s first meeting~!"  Otoya glanced at Haruka with a grin.

“Man..!” He let out a small laugh, stretching his arms behind his head. “That was kinda nice, huh? Just talking like that again with everyone...”

Haruka nodded, clasping her hands in front of her. “Mhm. It’s been so long since we all just stopped and reminisced like that.” 

“Right? I mean, I still can’t believe how far we’ve come. Back then, we were just a bunch of kids chasing our dreams. And now… well, here we are.”

Haruka giggled. “You say that like we’re so much older now.”

“W-Well, seven years is a long time!” Otoya laughed before his expression softened. “But… Even after all this time, I still feel the same when I’m with everyone. Like nothing’s changed.”

“Maybe that’s what makes it so special,” she murmured. “No matter how busy or far apart we might be… We’ll always have that bond.”

Otoya turned to her, his usual playful energy giving way to something softer. “Yeah.. You’re right, Nanami!”

A comfortable silence stretched between them as they continued walking. Then, Otoya suddenly gasped dramatically.

Haruka blinked in surprise. “E-Eh?”

Otoya turned to her with wide eyes, feigning distress. “We were so caught up in our conversation that I forgot...! Nanami, this is your first time back in Shining Tower in a while, right?!”

She tilted her head, a little confused. “O-Oh, not really..! I was called here just not long ago. I actually ended up bumping into Mikaze-senpai on the way…”

“Oh? Ai-senpai? What was he doing in this tower?”

Haruka placed a finger on her chin, thinking back. “He said he often visits here for research purposes…”

Otoya tilted his head, clearly curious. “Ohhh! Like, for a new song or something?”

Haruka parted her lips to respond, but the words didn’t come.

Her mind slipped back to the cool press of Ai’s fingertips against hers. The way his palm lingered, just for a second too long. His usual detached gaze had softened, searching hers in a way that made everything else fall away.

Heat crept up her neck.

“...M-Mhm! S-Sort of.. ” she said, hoping her voice didn’t betray her. “He seemed… really focused that day!”

For a moment, Otoya looked like he wanted to ask more, but as the thought crossed his mind, his expression shifted, and he awkwardly scratched his cheek.

“W-Well… I guess that’s just Ai-senpai for you, huh?” he said with a nervous chuckle. “Always working on something cool…”

He sighs, feeling the nervousness seeping in.

"We were told that who we’re being paired with is a surprise, but um... I wonder who I’ll get to sing with…”

His eyes sparkled with curiosity, but instead of dwelling on his nerves, he straightened up, determination flashing across his face.  "Well, no matter who it is, I just have to enjoy it! Alright...! I’ll do my best!"

Haruka giggled at his enthusiasm, feeling warmth in her chest. "Yes! I’m sure you’ll make an incredible group with whoever you’re paired with.”

He turned to her, his expression softening. “Hearing that from you... really makes me feel a lot better, Nanami..!”

“Okay, Alright!! Here we go!” He knocked on the door, then called out cheerfully,  “Please pardon my intrusion~!”

As the door swung open, Otoya’s eyes widened .  

"Oh?! It’s Ai-senpai!”

Ai glanced up from a tablet he had been reviewing, his expression calm as ever. “Otoya..? Does this mean you’re one of the people I’m paired with for this unit?”

“Yes! It looks like it!” Otoya beamed, practically bouncing on his feet.   “Waaah!~ What a coincidence! This is the first time we’ll be singing together, right, Senpai?”

Ai blinked, then nodded. “You’re right. A fresh combination is definitely a good thing.”

“I’ve always wanted to sing with you, so I’m really happy! Just being in the same unit as Ai-senpai is enough to get me hyped!” Otoya clenched his fist with determination. “I’ll do my best, so let’s make an amazing song together~!”

Ai met his enthusiasm with a simple, steady response. “Same here.”

Before anyone could speak again, a soft voice entered the conversation. 

“G-Good morning, Mikaze-senpai. It’s nice to see you again.” Haruka stepped forward, her hands clasped in front of her, her usual shyness evident in the way she spoke.

Ai turned at the sound of her voice. He paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on her. His eyes flickered, a brief pause as he took in the change. “Haruka… You did something different with your hair.”

Haruka froze, a hand instinctively reaching up to touch her ponytail, like she’d forgotten it was different. “Ah… Y-Yes! It was always getting in the way, so I thought, uh… maybe this would be easier…” Her voice tapered off, trailing into a quiet uncertainty.

“Well.” Ai’s gaze lingered on her, a faint trace of something in his expression. He then gave a subtle nod. “I think it suits you. The simplicity... it highlights your features. It’s more you, in a way.”

Haruka’s face warmed instantly. “Thank you, Mikaze-senpai.”

“Right, Senpai?! Nanami looks really pretty with her hair up!” Otoya beamed, leaning in with his usual enthusiasm. Haruka’s blush deepened.

Ai blinked at the interruption, then simply nodded. “Yeah. It’s a practical style.”

“Wow, Ai-senpai…” Otoya chuckled, his grin wide. “That’s your way of giving a compliment, huh?” 

Ai, unfazed, continued as if nothing had happened. “I didn’t know you were involved in these meetings, Haruka.”

Haruka quickly straightened, clasping her hands together. “Ah… Yes! Well, I was asked to help with the arrangements! If that’s okay..?”

Ai tilted his head, a flicker of approval in his gaze. “Nice. That’s ideal.”

Haruka blinked in confusion. “I-Ideal?” Her shoulders relaxed slightly, a flicker of relief crossing her face, though her cheeks remained flushed. “I’ll do my best!”

Ai gave a single nod, a hint of a smile touching his lips before turning back to the meeting. “I heard this special unit will have three members. I wonder who the last one is—“

“Hey there!” A cheerful voice interrupted as the door swung open.

Otoya practically jumped in surprise. Standing in the doorway with a bright grin was none other than Kiryuin Van.

“Oh, hey! Y’all are already here! That’s nice, that’s nice~! Y’all are early, too!” Van chuckled warmly as he stepped further into the room.

As he walked past Haruka, his grin grew wider. "Oh, hey, Ha-chan! Good to see you–”

"HA-CHAN?!" His voice cracked as he did a double-take, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Haruka blinked at his outburst, then let out a soft laugh, offering a polite bow. “Haha… It's nice to see you again, Kiryuin-san."

Van’s jaw dropped in exaggerated shock, eyes wide like saucers. “WHOA, whoa, WHOA! Hold up—you did something with your hair, didn’t you?!”

He practically bounced toward her, his voice rising with delighted awe.

Haruka instinctively reached up, fingers fussing with her newly styled ponytail. “Um, yes. I did…” she said, ducking her head a little.

Van skidded to a stop in front of her, placing both hands dramatically over his heart, face twisting into a theatrical pout.

“It’s too cute!” he groaned. “You can’t just spring that on a guy!”

“Eh…?” Haruka blinked, puzzled.

“This isn’t fair, Ha-chan!” he continued, his voice climbing in mock despair. “You were already adorable, and now you go and level up?! What am I supposed to do- build emotional resistance every time you walk into the room?!”

Haruka’s face flushed crimson, her smile uncertain as confusion settled on her features. "Ah... Im sorry... I don’t know what that means…?”

“Pfft..!” Van laughed, his teasing grin softening as he looked at her a second too long. “Okay, okay. But seriously, though. You look really, really good.”

Haruka’s breath caught, and she blinked rapidly. “O-Oh… Thank you… Kiryuin-san.”

Van rubbed the back of his neck, finally glancing away, his cheeks a shade pinker than before. “Man, I sound like a total dork,” he mumbled, trying to laugh it off. “Next thing you know, I’m writing you sonnets or something.”

He stole another glance at her, his grin returning, just a little more lopsided this time. “Guess you bring out my inner poet, Ha-chan.”

Still pretending to be mock-offended, Van huffed dramatically and turned to the others. "And I had no idea Ha-chan was even coming to these meetings! Since when?"

Ai gave him a flat look. "Since the beginning."

Otoya grinned. "Well, she's our composer, after all!"

Van clutched his chest with exaggerated shock. "And no one told me?!" He groaned, shaking his head. "Man, if I knew Ha-chan was gonna be here, I would've come way earlier!"

Ai blinked. “What do you mean?”

Van shot him a lazy grin, casually rubbing the back of his neck. "Relax, man. I just like seeing Ha-chan. Especially when she looks this cute!" He turned toward Haruka, his grin widening just a little.

Ai blinked, momentarily thrown off by how casual and direct Van was .

Interesting. He didn’t even hesitate... He just said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Before the moment could stretch on, Van clapped his hands together.

“Prez really had a good idea letting us sing with other units like this! It’s gonna be a blast! Oh… and looks like I forgot to introduce myself.” Flashing a bright grin, he pointed to himself. 

“Heya! I’m HEAVENS’ Kiryuin Van! Uh, if I’m right, you’re QUARTET NIGHT’s-”

“Mikaze Ai,” Ai interjected smoothly. “It’s nice to meet you.”

He nodded. “Yeah, nice to meet ya, too! Man, I’m so honored! I listen to a lot of your songs, Ai-chan! You’re really good, ya know?”

Ai, who had been calmly observing up until now, suddenly stiffened.

"Ai…-chan…?” he repeated, his usual composed demeanor faltering just slightly.

Van tilted his head. “Oh? Ya didn’t like it? Then… how about Acchan? Or if you prefer bein’ called Mikaze, I can just call ya Micchan -”

“I don’t like either.” Ai deadpanned, his voice flat.

Van laughed, completely unfazed. “Ai-chan it is, then! Your name’s pretty cute, and you’re cute in person, too!”

Ai blinked, clearly caught off guard.

“But more than that,” Van continued, his tone shifting to something a little more genuine, “You’re seriously awesome for singin’ the way you do, man! Let’s make the best kinda song there is, ‘kay~?”

Ai hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding, an uncertain look on his face. “Y-yeah…”

As he processed Van’s overwhelming energy, Ai’s gaze flickered to Haruka. She simply smiled awkwardly and gave a small shrug. 

Van clapped his hands together. “And then, we got Oto-chan!”

"Van-san!” Otoya beamed as he ran up to Van, and the two of them shared an enthusiastic high-five. 

“Yay~!” / “Yeah!”

“Hahaha! You’re on a roll, Oto-chan! I’ve met ya here and there, but it’s pretty nice to finally get a chance to spend time with ya like this!”

Otoya nodded eagerly. “Yes! It’s a pleasure to see you again, Van-san!”

Van groaned dramatically, waving a hand. “Ah, man, stop it with the stiff formalities~ Just drop the ‘-san’ and call me Van!”

Otoya chuckled. “Okay, got it, Van!”

“That’s more like it! Oh yeah, Eiichi really praised ya a lot, Oto-chan! I’m expectin’ big things from ya~”

“Eh...? Eiichi did?” He let out a nervous chuckle. “I-I see…”

Van laughed. “Yeah! He went and said ‘Good~!’ like I’ve never heard him before! Trust me, that’s high praise comin’ from him.”

“...That makes me a little nervous… but I’ll do my best!”

“That’s the spirit! Man, I’m really lookin’ forward to seein’ what kinda song we’ll make!”

“Me too!” Otoya nodded excitedly. “It’s a rare chance to sing with these members, so let’s make this a really exciting song~!”

Ai blinked, watching the two with mild curiosity. “Um,” he said, making the two turn to him with smiles. “This is your first time meeting and talking properly, right?”

“Yeah!” / “That’s right!”

Haruka’s jaw dropped. “R-Really? But you’re already totally in sync…” she added, still surprised.

Van laughed. “Oh~ Yeah, it doesn’t really feel like our first time meetin’. I guess we’re just kinda like kindred spirits? Like we’re BFFs.”

Otoya beamed. “Yup, yup~ I was thinking the same thing! It definitely feels like we’ve known each other forever, huh!”

Haruka smiled warmly. “Well, the two of you do have a lot in common,” she said softly.

Ai exhaled, shaking his head slightly. “Well. I suppose it’s good that you’re getting along.” He adjusted his posture slightly. “It’s important to match our paces whenever we’re singing, too.”

Van waved a hand dismissively. “Well, no need to sweat the small stuff! Let’s just enjoy this, Ai-chan!” Before Ai could react, Van casually slung an arm around his shoulders.

Ai stiffened at once. “I plan on doing that,” he said flatly, “but…”

“Hm?” Van smiled, clueless.

“You’re a little too close.” Ai said, deadpan.

Van blinked, then let out a sheepish laugh as he pulled back. “Oh, sorry ‘bout that! I kinda do it outta habit!”

Haruka watched the exchange, amusement bubbling up inside her as she tried to hold back a chuckle. Kiryuin-san’s energy really is something else… but maybe that’s exactly what this unit needs.

“Oh, I know!” Van snaps his fingers. “Why don'tcha try callin’ me Van-chan in a friendly way so we can feel a little closer, Ai-chan~?”

Ai stared at him, expression unreadable. “A friendly way…?” He sighed. “Fine, I get it…”

Just as Van perked up in anticipation, Ai swiftly changed the subject. “Okay, then. It looks like the song’s already done, so let’s listen to it for a bit. Otoya, Van.”

“Alright!“ Van blinked. “Wait, ya just ignored my request!”

Otoya laughed. “Ai-senpai’s very cool, after all~”

Haruka giggled softly at their antics as she settled into the chair in the middle of the small circle they’d formed around the low table. Van flopped into the seat on her right, still buzzing with energy, while Otoya and Ai claimed the chairs to her left.

“Alright!! Let’s hear what masterpiece you made this time, Ha-chan!!” Van said, his eyes shining with excitement.

Haruka smiled, a little unsure but pleased by the enthusiasm. She set her laptop on the table, her fingers hovering over the trackpad for a moment. "Okay, here it goes," she said, giving them a quick glance before pressing play.

As the opening melody poured from the speakers, a hush fell over the group. It wasn’t silence, but a sudden shift in the atmosphere, as though everyone was drawn into the music. The sounds wove through the air, electric and alive, each note vibrating with energy.

Van’s eyes widened, his usual playful demeanor replaced with a focused intensity. “Whoa…” His foot tapped in time with the beat, lips slightly parted in awe. “This is… this is amazing. The energy, the rhythm… It’s genius!”

Haruka felt a flutter in her chest, her nerves suddenly on edge as Van’s gaze fixed on her. But before she could react, he sprang up halfway from his seat and grabbed both of her hands, lifting them in pure excitement.

“!!” Haruka squeaked, her face going bright red. She froze, her heart racing in embarrassment and shock as Van’s face hovered just inches from hers, his brown eyes sparkling with unfiltered admiration.

“You’re incredible, Ha-chan! How do ya come up with somethin’ this good?” Van’s voice was full of awe, his hands holding hers like she’d just won a grand prize.

Ai and Otoya blinked in unison, caught mid-motion.

Otoya opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again, floundering for words.

Huh? Is this… normal? Should I… do something?

An inexplicable urge to step in jolted through him, but he quickly shook it off.

No, no, it’s Van. He’s just… being Van!

He managed a smile, though it wobbled, feeling strangely awkward in the heavy air.

Ai’s brows pinched together, disapproval clear in the flat tone of his voice. “That was… excessive.”

But Van just laughed, oblivious to the tension as he beamed brighter at Haruka. “Nah, it’s totally deserved! This song is insane, Ha-chan! Seriously, you’re incredible! No one else could’ve pulled this off!”

Haruka, still flustered, managed a breathless laugh. “U-Um… I-I’m really happy you like it?”

Ai let out an exaggerated sigh, his expression as deadpan as ever. “At the very least, could you let go of her hands now?”

Van blinked down, as if just noticing he was still holding on. He dropped her hands at once, cheeks tinged pink as he scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. “Whoops! My bad, Ha-chan. Got a little carried away, huh?”

Haruka pressed both hands to her chest, trying to calm the wild fluttering of her heart. “I-It’s fine… I’m kind of getting used to it, haha…”

Ai raised a skeptical eyebrow. “This isn’t the first time?”

Haruka quickly averted her gaze. “U-Um…”

Otoya let out a weak chuckle. “Haha… Well, that’s just Van for you… I-I guess.” His gaze drifted to the table as a memory surfaced, Ren’s irritated voice echoing in his head.

(FLASHBACK STARTS)

“Unbelievable.”

Ren exhaled sharply, arms crossed as he sank further into the STARISH lounge couch. His expression was neutral, too neutral, but the sharp edge in his voice gave him away.

“That guy acts like he’s her leading man or something. Every time I turn around, he’s holding her hand, slinging an arm over her shoulder… Next thing you know, he’ll be reciting love confessions under the moonlight.”

Masato, as composed as ever, merely sipped his tea. “It does seem… excessive.”

Ren let out a quiet, humorless chuckle, running a hand through his hair. “Excessive is one word for it. Does he even understand the concept of personal space? Or is he just immune to it?”

Tokiya barely looked up from his book. “If it bothers you that much, why not just talk to him directly?”

Ren let out a sharp scoff, throwing his hands up. “Oh, I did. And you know what he said?”

No one asked, but that wasn’t going to stop him.

“He laughed. Then, with the most infuriating smirk I’ve ever seen, he went, ‘Let’s make it interesting. Whoever gets the higher praise gets Ha-chan.’”

“Like she’s some kind of... thing!" Ren’s voice dropped, dripping with irritation. "I swear, I haven’t wanted to punch someone this badly since-“ He stopped, exhaling through gritted teeth.

Silence.

Otoya, ever the optimist, chuckled nervously. “Uh… Maybe he’s just joking around?”

Ren turned to him, eyes blank.

Otoya’s soul visibly left his body.

“ -Or not..!!”

The room grew still. STARISH exchanged glances. Some smirked, others sighed, and a few sweatdropped. But one thought echoed in the air, unspoken yet felt by all:

‘He’s jealous…'

(FLASHBACK ENDS)

Back in the present, Otoya sweatdropped, sneaking a side-glance at Van, who was still grinning like a kid who’d just won a carnival game.

I-It’s not jealousy… It’s not…!

Otoya tried desperately to convince himself, but the longer he watched Van, the faster reality crashed down.

Yikes… I owe Ren an apology! I thought he was just being dramatic, but… Nope. Totally valid. Completely fair. A hundred percent understandable..!

He gave a silent, defeated nod to no one in particular.

Note to self: Never underestimate how much of a handful Van can be… and never bet against Ren when he looks that serious!!!

Shaking off the lingering memory, Otoya quickly forced a grin. “B-But anyway! I agree—this song is amazing, Nanami!”

Haruka, still flustered from Van’s excitement, offered a small, bashful smile. “T-Thank you, everyone. I just wanted to make a song that would bring out your strengths.”

Van crossed his arms, looking proud. “Well, ya nailed it! This is gonna be one heck of a performance!”

Ai, regaining his composure, gave a small nod. “It has an upbeat tempo, so I’m sure it’ll feel good to sing. The way you composed the rhythm makes it incredibly catchy."

He glanced at Haruka, his tone as calm as ever but carrying a hint of admiration. “There’s no doubt the stage will be lively if we perform this live. You’ve created something that will leave a strong impression.”

Otoya beamed, practically bouncing in excitement. “Yeah! Just listening to it gets me pumped up… I can already picture how fun it’ll be to sing!”

Haruka’s smile brightened. “Thank you so much..!”

“Yeah!” Van grinned, crossing his arms as he nodded enthusiastically. “Our theme is an expression of love for music, right?”

Ai gave a small nod. “That’s what I heard. We’re free to interpret the theme however we want, from the musical arrangement to the choreography and even the live cinematics.”

Van’s eyes sparkled. “Ohh! So we can really go all out, huh? Man, we could take this in so many directions! I’m fired up just thinkin’ about-”

“AHHH!!”

Otoya shot up from his chair like a rocket, fists clenched in pure, vibrating energy.

Haruka and Ai flinched back slightly, startled by the sudden outburst.

“I can’t sit still anymore! Let’s hurry and go to lessons, come on~! Ai-senpai, Van, hurry up~!”

Van blinked before bursting into laughter. “Oto-chan’s all gung-ho~! How nice! I don’t hate that, ya know? Just hearin’ the song’s makin’ me all excited, too.”

“Right? Right!?” Otoya nodded rapidly, practically bouncing in place.

 “I’ve been antsy ever since we started listening to the song, and I can’t just sit around doing nothing!” He clapped his hands together, eyes shining. “I wanna sing this song already~!”

Ai sighed, blinking blankly. “Wait, Otoya. I understand that you’re excited, but the song doesn’t even have lyrics yet. Nor do we know what kind of approach we’re aiming for.”

“...“Eh?” Otoya blinked, his enthusiasm momentarily pausing. “Ah, is that so?” He let out a sheepish chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. “Ehehe… But I still can’t wait!”

Van smirked, gently slapping a hand on Otoya’s back. “That’s the spirit! If we’re this hyped just sittin’ here, imagine how crazy it’s gonna be on stage!”

Haruka giggled softly, watching the two bounce off each other’s energy.

Otoya nodded determinedly. “Let’s do our best so we can start with lessons soon~!”

♬

Otoya leaned over the desk, absentmindedly tapping his pencil against his notebook as he hummed in thought.

"Hmm… Maybe something lively like ‘Yay~!’ would work well for this part!" he suggested, his usual enthusiasm shining through.

Ai, sitting across from him with his arms folded, analyzing the idea.

"The music has a pop feel, so your instinct isn’t wrong. But since the theme is about expressing love, we need to take that into account more."

Otoya blinked, digesting Ai’s words before rubbing the back of his head. "Oh… you have a point. Taking that into consideration, huh... Man, this is tough!"

Van, lounging casually nearby, chuckled as he leaned forward. "Oto-chan’s suggestion is solid, and Ai-chan makes a fair point, too. But man, they’re totally different approaches, huh?" He tilted his head in thought. 

"The lyrics might sound good on their own, but they could end up clashing with the theme."

Otoya furrowed his brows. "Then… What do we do? Do you have any ideas, Van?"

Van’s grin widened as he clapped his hands together. “Thanks for askin’! How ‘bout we gossip about love to help us get more inspiration~?”

Haruka blinked. “Gossip… about love?”

Otoya’s eyes widened slightly. “Eh!? Talking about love..!? W-We wouldn’t even know where to start!”

“…I don’t think that’s the problem here, Otoya.” Ai remained as expressionless as ever, blinking once before responding. “The problem here is why we have to talk about it in the first place.”

Van chuckled, leaning forward with an easygoing smirk. “We gotta know what we each think of love if we’re goin’ to sing ‘bout love, ya know? Plus, bein’ all gossipy and light-hearted instead of formal and stiff sounds like the fun that Oto-chan’s aimin’ for!”

Ai paused, considering Van’s words before closing his eyes with a small sigh. “... You’re right.”

Van leaned back with a grin, arms crossed. “Alright, it’s decided! Oto-chan goes first~”

“Eh?” Otoya nearly dropped his pencil. “M-Me?!”

“Yup! Just hit us with your experience! Or, if you don’t have any, tell us what kind of person’s your type~”

Otoya scratched his cheek, thinking. “Oh… okay! Hmm… let’s see…”

As he mulled it over, his gaze drifted, almost instinctively, to Haruka. She sat there quietly, her warm eyes filled with curiosity. Then, as if sensing his stare, she tilted her head and smiled.

His fingers tightened around his pencil, and warmth crept up his neck.

Before he could stop himself, he snatched up his notebook like it contained the answers to the universe, flipping through pages at lightning speed. “U-Uhhhh! L-Let’s see... I-I think I wrote something down somewhere!”

Van blinked. “Oto-chan..? How would your notebook have the answer?”

Otoya froze mid-page.

Oh.

Van chuckled, raising an amused brow. “Whoaaa, Oto-chan, ya good?”

Ai stared at him, unblinking. “It did seem like you had an answer just now.”

“Wha-?! N-No way!!” Otoya flailed, nearly dropping the notebook in his rush to slam it shut. “I was just- uh… thinking! Really hard! Super deep in thought!”

Van tapped his chin, watching him with interest. “Mmm… riiight . Thinking so hard, you panicked, and checked your notes for feelings you definitely haven’t written down?”

“E-Exactly!” Otoya blurted, nodding way too fast.

Haruka tilted her head, blinking in quiet confusion. Before Haruka could say anything, Otoya clapped his hands together. “A-Anyway! Moving on!!”

Van just leaned in, smirking. “Oh? Moving on already? But you didn’t answer the question yet!”

R-Right! The question..!  

His brain scrambled for an answer that wouldn’t make him sound like he’d just had a moment. “O-Oh, well… uh…” He forced a grin, trying way too hard to sound normal.

“I think… I’m the type who always thinks about that person once I fall in love with them!… Just, you know… casually! In a cool, normal way!”

Van raised a brow. “…Casually?”

“Y-Yep! Like- uh, just… super normal thoughts! Like, ‘Oh wow, the weather’s nice! I wonder what they’re doing!’ Or ‘Oh look, a dog! They like dogs!’ That sort of thing! Haha… ha…”

He wanted to disappear.

“So you’d be deeply devoted.” Ai, who had been quietly observing, gave a small nod. “That kind of straightforward thinking is just like you.”

“I-I mean, not that deeply-” Otoya stopped himself. He let out a nervous laugh, scratching his cheek. “…Okay, maybe a little…”

Van let out a dramatic sigh, shaking his head. “Ahh, that totally screams youthfulness! Bein’ young must be nice~”

Otoya exhaled slowly, gripping his notebook like it was the only thing keeping him together.

Van suddenly turned to Ai, grinning. “Alright, what about Ai-chan?”

Ai blinked at him, then tilted his head slightly. “Me?” He took a moment to consider his answer before responding in his usual calm tone.

“Well... I don’t really know what ‘true love’ is,” he admitted. “But I think love is an emotion where you feel like sharing both burdens and blessings with the one you care for.” He folded his arms, almost as if analyzing his own thoughts.

“For example, having them get to know more about what you like, showing interest in it. I would probably do the same for them, too.”

His voice stayed even, analytical, but something flickered behind his eyes. A memory, uninvited.

Her fingers always moved with such certainty across the keys. I didn’t understand it at first. I tried to copy the notes, mimic her phrasing. Not to outdo her. Just to understand.

He used to tell himself it was a learning exercise. Analyzing a peer. Refining his technique. But somewhere along the way, it stopped being about the music. It became about her.

About... her?

He caught himself. A pause, enough to derail the rhythm of his thoughts. The name surfaced, almost like a reflex.

Haruka.

The realization hit with a strange weight. His mental processes slowed for a second too long, hesitating on the word that just wouldn’t compute properly.

Haruka..?

He blinked. Confused. Not by the memory, but by the meaning his system had just assigned to it.

Love.

The concept seemed alien, a foreign idea tangled in an emotional code he hadn’t been programmed to process. His mind reached for the connection, but it slipped through his fingers, stubbornly elusive. Where was this coming from? Why was it there?

His gaze drifted toward her, as if that might somehow untangle the mess of thoughts. But just as quickly, something shifted in his peripheral vision.

Van’s eyes were on him, a grin spreading across his face like he’d just cracked a secret.

Ai stiffened just slightly.

Why is he looking at me like that..?

“…What?” Ai asked, his voice steady but carrying a hint of irritation now.

Van only shrugged, the smirk glued to his face. “Hm, Nothing~”

Ai narrowed his eyes, staring at him for a beat longer than necessary. He could feel Van’s gaze lingering, the unspoken challenge in it. He let out a breath, turning his attention back to the conversation. He’d said what he needed to say.

But now, something in his chest felt… unsettled.

Van, on the other hand, just chuckled to himself. “Ya both are so pure, huh! I don’t mind that at all, ya know~? It makes my heart jump!”

“Hey, what about you, Van? It’s unfair that we’re the only ones talking about it!” Otoya pouted playfully, crossing his arms.

Van chuckled, scratching his cheek. “Well, mine is… Hmm, let me think…”

“I’m... probably a bit of the sentimental type.”

Otoya’s eyes widened. “Really?! I didn’t expect that from you!”

Van laughed, his tone light but with a hint of sincerity. “I know, right? But like…”

“When you’re eatin’ somethin’ really delicious, or when you’re lookin’ at a beautiful scenery? I’m probably the type that’ll think about how much it would make them happy, and that feeling would stick with me the most.”

He leaned back a little, his smile taking on a distant quality. “Then I want them to feel the same way. Like, when they see that view or taste something amazing, I hope they think of me. Doesn’t that sound nice?”

As he spoke, Van’s gaze briefly flickered toward Haruka. It was so brief, barely a second, but it was enough for Ai to notice.

Otoya’s expression brightened. “Ohh, I think I get it!”

Ai, who had been silently listening, nodded in agreement. “Rather than just us thinking about them all the time… we’d want them to think about us, too, huh.”

Van grinned, snapping his fingers. “Yeah! That’s exactly it!”

A comfortable pause settled over them, the words hanging in the air. Then, out of nowhere, Van turned to Haruka, resting his chin on his hand as he scooted his chair closer.

“So? What about you, Ha-chan? Wanna join us?”

Ai’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Haruka, caught completely off guard, nearly choked on air. “E-Eh? Me??”

Van leaned in slightly, his grin mischievous, like a cat toying with a mouse. “Yeah, yeah~! You write all these beautiful love songs, but are they from personal experience, or is it just pure talent?”

Haruka’s face turned bright red. “U-Um… Well…”

“W-Wait, Van!” Otoya, just as flustered, waved his hands frantically. “ That’s kinda private, don’t you think?”

Van blinked at Otoya before chuckling. “C’mon, Oto-chan! It’s just a question. Ain’t like I’m askin’ her to confess her deepest, darkest-“

“That’s not something for her to answer.”

Ai’s voice cut through, quiet but firm. The room fell silent. Otoya and Haruka exchanged uncertain glances, while Van, still mid-sentence, turned toward Ai with a raised eyebrow.

“Haruka is not part of this, so let’s keep the questions where they belong.”

The words seemed to settle, heavier than expected, making the air feel thicker. Van blinked, thrown off guard. The pause stretched longer than it should have. And when he spoke again, his usual swagger was gone, replaced with something a little more cautious.

“Hahaha, hey!” Van raised his hands, half in mock surrender, half in confusion. “No need to get all serious, Ai-chan!”

“I’m simply stating a fact.” Ai said, a fraction too quickly.

Van’s grin wavered, and he studied Ai more closely, his usual playfulness faltering. With a small sigh, he ruffled his long brown hair, a rare moment of uncertainty flickering across his face.

“Okaaay... I just thought it’d be fun to ask Ha-chan. Since, ya know, we’re all friends here.” His voice was calm, but something about his expression had shifted. 

Ai remained impassive, but the slight furrow of his brow didn’t go unnoticed. “Her job is composing, not indulging in pointless discussions.”

Otoya’s jaw dropped in shock, while Van’s brows shot up. The shift in his expression was sudden and intense.

Haruka blinked, her confusion written across her face, her hands still on her lap. “…Mikaze-senpai..?” Her voice was quiet, uncertain.

“Pointless?” Van let the word linger, tasting it. “I dunno, Ai-chan. Music’s all ‘bout emotions, yeah? If we’re gonna sing about love, shouldn’t we talk about it naturally, too?”

Otoya shifted nervously, glancing between them. “U-Um, well… Van does have a point…” He forced a small chuckle, scratching his cheek. “I mean, it’s not like we’re interrogating her or anything!! We’re just, you know… talking?”

Ai’s eyes flicked to him, but he didn’t respond, only turning away with a quiet sigh. 

Haruka, still flustered from being put on the spot, quickly shook her head. “I-I really don’t mind! Um, my answer is pretty simple, anyway…” She laughed awkwardly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Van’s grin returned, softer this time. “See? No harm in askin’, Ai-chan.”

Ai exhaled through his nose, closing his eyes briefly. “Do what you want,” he muttered, but the stiffness in his posture remained.

Van, still grinning, leaned back in his chair with an exaggerated sigh. “Man, Ai-chan, you’re kinda fun when you get all stiff like this.” He shot him a grin. “Didn’t take ya for the possessive type!”

“And I didn’t take you for the type who enjoys unnecessary chatter.” Ai finally turned to face Van fully, his expression unreadable.

Otoya and Haruka both stiffened, caught off guard by the sharpness in Ai’s tone. Van’s grin didn’t waver, but for a split second, his brows twitched. He hadn’t expected such a direct response. Then, just as quickly, his smirk widened, eyes gleaming with something unreadable.

The air seemed to grow thick, and Otoya’s heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t sure what was happening, but the tension was palpable. It was like Ai had just shifted into a whole different gear, and now Van was playing along like it was some sort of game.

Sensing the sudden spike in tension, Otoya let out a nervous laugh. “A-Ahaha…! W-We’re all just talking, right? No need to turn this into some kind of showdown!”

“Y-Yes..!" Haruka added quickly. "Um, let’s just get back to work, e-everyone…”

“Unnecessary chatter, huh?”

Van's voice was light, but there was something sharp beneath it. “Gotta say, Ai-chan, you sound real invested for someone who doesn’t care.”

Ai didn’t react immediately. He simply held Van’s gaze, as composed as ever. But Otoya noticed it. The subtle way Ai’s posture seemed to stiffen, his fingers curling just a fraction tighter against his sleeve.

Otoya waved his hands frantically, his voice shaky. “G-Guys... Hahaha.. Let’s get back to the lyrics??”

Haruka nodded along quickly, her eyes wide. “B-Besides, um… My songs aren’t based on personal experience! I just… write what I think fits the emotions and the person of the music...”

Both men turned their attention to her, a curious gleam flickering in Van’s eyes.

"Oh?” He tilted his head, smirking as his gaze softened with interest. “So you’re saying there’s no special someone inspiring your songs?”

Haruka turned impossibly red. “T-That’s..! I-I mean-”

"Van." Ai cut in, his tone as sharp and cold as ever.

Van blinked, still grinning. “Yeah?”

“You’re wasting time.”

For a beat, Van just looked at him, as if weighing whether it was worth pushing further. Then he gave a low chuckle, lacing his fingers behind his head.

"Alright, alright~ No need to glare a hole through me!" He raises up his hands, an awkward smile on his face. "This... isn't a good conversation to have for a first meetin', right?"

Haruka, still flustered, cleared her throat awkwardly. “U-Um, I really do appreciate everyone’s passion for the song...”

Van’s smirk widened as his eyes flicked over to Ai, then Otoya. He couldn't stop the quiet laugh that bubbled up. This is about more than just music, Ha-chan. You’ve got the whole room on edge. Looks like HEAVENS aren’t the only ones interested in you after all.

Van gave a casual shrug, his expression effortlessly cool. "Guess that just means we’re serious about this. Can’t say that’s a bad thing."

Otoya, still clearly excited, nodded eagerly. “Y-Yeah! That’s the most important thing, right?”

Van chuckled, clearly amused by the whole thing.  “Alright, alright~ I’ll behave... for now.” His eyes flickered back to Ai, the smirk still tugging at the corner of his mouth. “But I’m not forgetting this, Ai-chan! You’re way more fun than I thought.”

Ai closed his eyes, exhaling as if already exhausted. “Seriously..? I don't see how you found that fun.”

Otoya quickly intervened, not giving them a chance to go back to square one. “B-But!! When we look at it this way… our expressions of love might be similar in a way, aren’t they?”

Ai let out a quiet sigh, his restlessness still simmering beneath the surface. Despite the tension in his posture, he quickly straightened up, his professionalism kicking in. He nodded, though his voice was still laced with the faintest edge. “...Yeah. It could help us find a common thread for the lyrics, too. We’ll... make it work.”

Van grinned, leaning forward with enthusiasm. “Well, let’s leave the complicated stuff like the theme for now. How ‘bout we try puttin’ words into the feelings we have right now?”

Otoya pumped a fist in the air. “Yeah! That sounds like a great idea!”

Haruka felt the weight of the tension finally slip away from her shoulders. With a soft, almost inaudible sigh, she relaxed into the moment. I’m really glad things turned out okay...

As her mind began to settle, her gaze met Van’s for a brief instant. It wasn’t long. It was a fleeting exchange, but the way his eyes met hers, then darted back to the sheet music, left her with a curious sensation. It was unspoken, something between them that she couldn’t quite name but undeniably felt.

She tilted her head, pondering the meaning behind that fleeting glance.

♬

The warm glow of the sunset gently bathed the room, casting a soft, golden hue over the instruments, scattered sheet music, and the tired yet satisfied faces of the group. The final note of their new song faded into silence, like the calm after a storm.

“Aaaannd… we’re DONE!” Otoya cheered, beaming as he placed the music sheets down with a triumphant flourish.

Ai nodded with composed approval. “Yes. I think the lyrics turned out well.”

Van stretched in his chair, grinning. “It’s got heart. Real passion! You can feel it, too, right? Ha-chan?”

"Eh? Y-Yes..!" Haruka smiled warmly. "Reading the lyrics makes me feel all excited... I wonder what it'll-”

Grrrrrrrrrrrrowl.

Silence fell. The boys froze, blinking in unison as they turned to stare at Haruka, who was now shrinking into her seat, her cheeks glowing crimson.

Van blinked before chuckling. "Pfftt..! That was amazing timing, Ha-chan!"

Otoya chuckled, patting his own stomach. “Actually, now that you mention it, I’m starving too!”

Van leaned back with a grin. “Guess we really worked up an appetite. All that ‘heart’ I was talking about must’ve come from our stomachs!”

“Okay! I’ll grab some snacks!” Otoya declared, springing up with energy. “What do you guys want- Uh... Actually, where is the nearest snack place in this tower?”

Ai stood up smoothly. “Fine. I’ll go with you.”

Otoya turned in surprise. “Eh? Really? That’d be great!”

But just as he reached the door, he stopped, eyes drifting toward the table and toward Haruka, who was still quietly seated, and Van, who hadn’t moved, his gaze steady on her.

Ai’s expression shifted for the briefest second. Then, with a calm, almost dismissive motion, he turned around and sat back down without explanation.

“…Nevermind.”

Otoya gawked. “E-Eh?!”

“One right, two lefts. There’s a vending machine.”

“Wha- but you just- Ai-senpai-”

“And hurry."

“Uh...R-Right... One right, two lefts…” Otoya muttered, trudging off, eyebrows knit in calculation. He glanced back once, gaze darting between Haruka, Van, and Ai, who now seemed deeply absorbed in nothing at all.

Huh... Is this because Van’s still here?

Or... is it because Ai-senpai doesn't want to leave Nanami alone with him?!

Otoya stood there for a beat, gears turning slowly in his head.

That's good, then... 

Wait, why am I even relieved??!? 

Otoya shuffled off, muttering under his breath.

Haruka blinked up at Ai, tilting her head slightly. "Is something wrong, Mikaze-senpai…?"

Ai glanced over, his eyes widening a fraction before he quickly looked away and picked up the sheet music again. "...Nothing in particular."

Van gave an awkward smile, scratching the back of his neck as a bead of sweat trailed down his temple. Ai's eyes skimmed over the lyrics, but his focus was somewhere else.

So he's super protective of Ha-chan, huh..?  

Van mused, trying not to read too much into the tension. 

Not that I blame him… but seriously, man, loosen up a little.

Trying to shift the mood, Van cleared his throat and gave a half-grin. “Hey, Ai-chan. You’re the youngest in QUARTET NIGHT, right?”

Ai looked up, giving a short nod. “Yeah. By several years.”

“That’s kinda wild! Must’ve been weird at first, yeah? Hanging around guys almost twice your age?”

Ai tilted his head slightly, thoughtful. “It was… different. Challenging, sometimes. But I got used to it.”

Van chuckled. “Bet they teased you like crazy.”

“Only Reiji did that.” Ai replied with a flicker of annoyance in his voice. His eyes narrowed briefly before his expression smoothed out again. “But when it came to the work, everyone was serious. So was I.”

“Still, I mean, that kind of gap, it had to feel isolating sometimes, no?”

Ai shrugged, expression unreadable. “Well. I wasn’t there to connect. I had a role to fulfill. So that was the priority.”

Van blinked. “Man, you sound like you were on some kind of mission or something.

“In a way, I was,” Ai said, his voice taking on a faintly mechanical tone. “There were expectations. Whether we connected personally wasn’t part of the equation.”

Haruka, listening quietly nearby, glanced over with soft curiosity. Van frowned, more surprised than offended.

“So- Wait, wait. Are you saying you didn’t get close to them?”

Ai didn’t respond right away. He looked down, fingers lightly tapping the corner of the lyric sheet in front of him.

“…They mattered,” he said finally. “We worked well together.”

“Hmm,” Van leaned back, studying him. “You’re dodging the word ‘friends’ like it’s contagious.”

Ai blinked, then turned his head. “Is it strange not to call them that?”

“Kinda, yeah,” Van said with a dry laugh. “You guys toured, recorded, and went through all the highs and lows together. That’s not just ‘working well.’ That’s sharing your life!”

Ai was quiet again. His posture had shifted. Like something had landed, and he wasn’t sure where to place it.

Van’s tone softened. He waved a hand casually. “Look, maybe you didn’t call it friendship. Maybe it didn’t feel like it at the time. But that kind of connection sneaks up on you.”

“…Connection,” Ai repeated under his breath, almost like testing the word.

“Yeah. The kind that sticks even when you’re not in the same room anymore.” Van gave him a crooked smile. “Sounds like friendship to me.”

Ai folded his arms, gaze dropping. His lips pressed into a faint, thoughtful line.

Haruka, watching quietly from her spot, smiled softly at Ai, who, for once, seemed genuinely lost in thought.

♬

Otoya returned to the room with a plastic bag in each hand, the smell of fried snacks trailing behind him.

“Alright, mission complete!” he grinned. “Hope everyone’s ready for calories and joy!”

Van perked up immediately. “You saint. Gimme!”

“Welcome back, Ittoki-kun,” Haruka said with a warm smile as she took a small snack bag from him.

“Yo, you were gone forever!” Van added, already rummaging through the bags. “You missed Ai-chan opening up about his tragic, stoic idol youth.”

Otoya blinked. “Wait, really? You talked about feelings while I was gone?”

“Not feelings,” Ai corrected gently. “Observations.”

Van gave Haruka a look. “Ehh~ He’s hopeless.”

She just smiled again.

Ai checked the time, his voice soft but firm. “We should head to the studio. The engineer said everything is ready.”

“Right!” Otoya lit up, already energized. “Let’s do this! I’ve been waiting!! I can’t wait to see how it comes together!”

Before anyone could move, Haruka’s phone buzzed quietly on the table. She picked it up, reading the message. Her expression shifted slightly.

“Ah… I’m sorry, everyone. Something just came up. I have to step out for a little while.”

Van let out an exaggerated gasp, clutching his chest. “What?! Leaving us now? Right before our big moment?”

Haruka laughed softly, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Hahaha.. Yes... The president is looking for me in his office.”

“Nooo, don’t go~!” Van cried dramatically, reaching toward her like a tragic hero in a bad play. “Who’s going to keep Ai-chan from giving us robot instructions?”

“I heard that,” Ai muttered flatly.

“I meant for you to hear it,” Van teased with a grin.

Haruka waved at them, her smile fond. “Good luck with the recording, everyone.”

“See ya, Nanami!” Otoya said brightly, giving a cheerful wave.

As the door closed behind her, Ai was already gathering the lyric sheets, all business once again.

“Let’s go,” he said simply.

“Time to make magic,” Van said, tossing a snack into his mouth and following.

♬

The room, as always, felt like an explosion of velvet, rhinestones, and pure theatrical chaos. But somehow it was also cozy. 

Haruka sat across from Shining Saotome’s massive desk, trying not to fidget too much with the folder in her lap.

Shining leaned forward, eyes hidden behind those ever-gleaming glasses, fingers steepled beneath his chin. “So… Miss Nanamiiii…” His voice dropped into a dramatic hush. “How did the meeting go?”

Haruka blinked. “Um, it went really well. They were all really focused, especially Mikaze-senpai. Kiryuin-san helped keep things light, and Ittoki-kun was full of energy… As always.” She glanced down at her notes. “There’s a good balance between them. I think the dynamic will show in the song.”

Shining nodded slowly, like he was listening to the fate of the world rather than a recording session.

Haruka offered a tiny, nervous smile. “I think we’re in a good place for the next step.”

“EXCELLENT!” Shining said simply, sitting back. “A trio of contrasts. Structure, passion, and heart!”

Haruka smiles, nodding in agreement.

“You did well, Miss Nanamiii.” he added, voice light and almost fatherly.

“Ah,” Her cheeks warmed. “Thank you very much!”

Then, with a sudden turn that only he could make feel normal, Shining clapped his hands once and declared, “RAGING OTORI will be providing your next unit assignments!”

Haruka blinked. “Raging Otori-san will…?”

“YES!” Shining’s cape shimmered as he gestured dramatically to absolutely nothing. “The winds of fate demand a fresh shuffle! It is time for turbulence! Surprises! Chaos! Growth!”

Haruka could only nod, hands tight around her folder, trying to keep up with the emotional rollercoaster that was working under Shining Saotome.

“I’ll look forward to the assignments, then,” she said, smiling. A little unsure, a little overwhelmed, but steady.

Shining leaned in again, voice suddenly low and conspiratorial. “And so should they.”

Cue mysterious sparkle.

♬

A couple of STARISH members were lounging around in various degrees of comfort, snacks on the table, sunlight spilling in from the tall windows.

Haruka stepped inside, clutching her folder, a bit lost in thought.

From near the water cooler, Ren looked up, effortlessly sleek and relaxed as ever, sipping from a bottle. His gaze swept over the room, pausing when it landed on her.

“Well, well… Lady, you’ve returned,” he said with a lazy smile.

Haruka blinked, caught off guard by the greeting, but smiled back. “I'm back, everyone.”

That was enough to draw attention.

“Nanami!” came Syo’s voice as he perked up from the couch.

“Welcome back, Nanami-san.” Tokiya added, lowering his phone with a nod.

Masato gave a soft smile. “Good work today.”

Cecil looked delighted. “Did your meeting go well, my princess-”

thump-thump-THUMP-

“Haru-chan~!” Natsuki practically bounced across the room toward her, his eyes big with curiosity. “How was it? The special unit thing! What were they like? Who’d you get? Were there snacks?!”

Haruka laughed nervously, already overwhelmed by the barrage. “U-Um.. yes, it went well! And, the members were… Mikaze-senpai… and Kiryuin-san.”

“Wahhh, Ai-senpai too?” Natsuki gasped. "What a fun pair!~"

Syo tilted his head slightly, his brow furrowing in thought. “Oh, so that Van-dude got paired with Otoya?”

Haruka nodded, the pace of the conversation starting to settle. “Mm.”

She didn’t notice Ren’s smile faltering ever so slightly, like a ripple in calm water. His hand lowered an inch, the water bottle now hanging loosely in his grasp.

"Van, huh..." His tone, though casual, carried a quiet weight.

Haruka, still caught up in the rush of the conversation, glanced his way. “...Is something wrong, Jinguji-san?”

Ren’s eyes shifted to her, not dramatic, but measured. There was a quiet concern there, subtle but present. "I just hope he’s not being too forward," he said, his voice light, though there was a hint of something else behind it. "He can be... a handful. Oh, especially for someone like Aimi."

Haruka blinked, her mind catching up as she tried to find the right words. “Oh, it was... sort of fine! He was actually really-”

“Loud?” Ren supplied, a brow raised.

She faltered, caught off guard. “...Talkative...”

The word felt too tame compared to the way Van had dominated the conversation, but it was all she could manage.

Ren hummed, clearly unconvinced. “Mm. Just don’t let that flashy grin fool you, little lamb.”

Tokiya raised an eyebrow from his seat. “Are you really in a position to be warning someone about ‘flashy grins’?”

Ren gave a lazy shrug, unconcerned. “Mine comes with taste.”

Syo rolled his eyes. “Oh, brother.”

He leaned back, gaze lingering a second longer on her than usual. “Just take care of yourself, Lady. You’ve got a lot of personalities to juggle.”

Haruka gave a tiny bow, her smile warm and grateful. “Thank you, Jinguji-san... I will.”

Above the lounge, on the second-floor balcony, a figure stood leaning against the railing.

Ranmaru.

Shrouded in shadows, partially obscured by steel bars, he crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. His gaze was sharp, no scowl, but the tension was clear.

His eyes shifted toward Haruka, then flicked briefly to Ren, before returning to her.

New hairstyle, huh... he thought. His face remained stoic, but for a split second, a flicker of admiration sparked in his eyes, gone as fast as it came.

So, it looks like the first Special Unit has Ai, Otoya from STARISH, and 'Kiryuin Van' from HEAVENS.

A quiet breath escaped him, almost a sigh but not quite.

Well, that’s one less name to worry about.

He stepped away from the railing, boots soundless against the floor, and melted into the hallway without a word.

Chapter Text

“Tadaimaaa~”  

Nagi’s sing-song voice floated in as he stepped into the HEAVENS dorm, a bag slung casually over one shoulder, sunglasses still perched on his head.

“Ugh, modelling is so tiring! Being this cute is seriously hard work~” 

He flopped dramatically onto the armrest of the couch, not even bothering to take off his shoes.

From where he was curled up like a cat on the couch, Shion barely turned his head. “Welcome back, Nagi.”

“Hmph. At least someone missed me,” Nagi huffed, kicking off his sneakers one by one with a dramatic thud.

“And where’s Van?” he asked with a pout, looking around expectantly. “He usually bribes me with sweets when I survive work hell.”

“Still at Shining Tower,” came Yamato’s voice as he wandered in from the kitchen, drying his hands on a towel. “With that special unit meeting thing.”

“Ohhh, so that was today?” Nagi blinked, then tilted his head. “Guess I’ll have to wait for my candy fix…”

Eiichi entered behind Yamato with a faint smirk, as polished and poised as always. “He should be back soon. The meeting wasn’t scheduled to go long.”

And as if on cue, the door opened again with a burst of energy and laughter.

“I’m hoooome~!” 

Van’s voice carried through the space like a warm breeze, full of cheer.  “Man, that went smoother than I thought!”

“Welcome back.” Kira said calmly from his seat near Shion, offering a small nod of acknowledgment.

“Thanks!” Van beamed. “The meeting was awesome .”

“Vaaaannn~!” Nagi whined theatrically, throwing an arm over his forehead. “I slaved away in front of the cameras all day and got nothing but judgmental stares and bad lighting!”

“Aw, poor thing. But hey, that’s the price of being the Cutie of HEAVENS, right?”

From the hallway, Eiji poked his head out, a towel around his neck and hair still damp from a shower. “Oh, Van? Welcome back,” he said gently. “How was the meeting? Did you meet your members?”

Van dropped his bag onto the couch, his eyes gleaming.

“Thanks! And yep. I got paired with Oto-chan from STARISH, and Ai-chan from QUARTET NIGHT.” He let the statement hang like a cliffhanger. “Can you believe that combo?”

Shion’s gaze flicked up from his book. “Mikaze Ai…”

Eiichi perked up instantly, his expression sharpening with interest. “That is unexpected… Go on, Van. Tell us everything.”

Eiji tilted his head, thoughtful. “Mikaze Ai-san… I’ve only seen him around a few times. He always seems so… composed. It’s a little intimidating, haha... Like he’s constantly analyzing everything.”

“Yeah. Like a robot.” Nagi said flatly, groaning. “He even talks in cold, data-processing sentences. It’s so weird~”

“QUARTET NIGHT’s a rough crowd in general,” Yamato added with a shrug, grabbing a drink from the fridge. “Remember when that Kurosaki-guy was ready to start a fight with Eiichi?”

Eiichi gave a pleasant laugh as if reminiscing about a fond memory. “Ah, passion. Good! What a charming trait in professionals.”

“Well, I hope I never get paired with any of them,” Nagi huffed, flopping face-first into the couch. “Their scary energy would clash with my bubbly idol persona~”

“Nagi,” Shion said without looking up, “don’t manifest it.”

“What was it like… working with them?” Kira asked.

Van didn’t answer right away. He sighed contentedly, stretching his arms overhead before collapsing dramatically into the nearest armchair.

“Honestly? It was way more fun than I thought it'd be.” His tone grew warmer. “Ai-chan’s sharp as ever. He doesn’t waste words. Kinda like you, Kira~”

“And- oh!” Van sat up suddenly, his grin widening as if he’d just remembered the juiciest part of the day. “You’re gonna LOVE this.”

That got everyone’s attention. Even Nagi lowered his phone a fraction. Van leaned forward, locking eyes with Eiichi like he was sharing a scandalous secret. 

“…Ha-chan’s a part of the meetings.”

Eiichi stiffened ever so slightly. A spark lit in his eyes.

“…She is?” The faintest lift in his voice betrayed his interest, subtle but unmistakable.

Van grinned, catching it. “Yup. She’s there helping with the music arrangements, and I think she’s also the bridge between us and the presidents. Pretty sure they trust her more than any of us.” He laughed, then softened. 

“And get this. New hairstyle! She looked...adorable. I mean, like, painfully adorable. I swear, my heart forgot how to beat for a secon-”

Nagi raised a brow. “Van, are you even trying to hide your crush on Haruka?”

Van flinched, dramatically placing a hand over his heart. “Whaaaaaat? Me? Crush?? That’s a strong word!”

Eiichi chuckled from where he was lounging. “You paint quite the picture, Van. Mm, I can see it already.” He gave a small, approving nod. “Good.”

Van puffed out his cheeks, flopping back against the cushions with a groan. “But Ai-chan, man…”

There was a pause. Even Shion glanced up.

Yamato side-eyed him lazily. “What about him?”

Van ran a hand through his hair, his brows knitting together. “Didn’t expect that side of him to show.”

“Let me guess…” Yamato flopped back against the couch, smirking. “Possessive?”

There was a beat of silence.

“Just kidding,” he added with a shrug. “Dude probably wouldn’t even-”

“Big time,” Van cut in, eyes sharp with the memory.

Yamato sat up straight. “Huh?”

Everyone turned toward Van in unison.

“Hold on-” Nagi said, blinking.

“Possessive? Mikaze Ai-san?” Eiji echoed, genuinely baffled. “That’s… surprising…”

“Like a watchdog,” Van confirmed. “Didn’t say a word, but the air shifted. You could feel it. He didn’t even need to speak! Just one look, and it was like: ‘Back off.’”

“S-seriously?” Nagi leaned forward, eyes wide. “You mean HE got jealous?”

“Laser glare,” Van said. “One wrong move and I swear, I thought he’d vaporize me!”

Yamato stared at him, stunned. “...Man. I was just being sarcastic.”

Van chuckled under his breath, shaking his head at the memory.

“Anyway, I ended up backing off for a bit. Oto-chan and Ha-chan were both trying to keep things smooth, like they felt it too. Poor Ha-chan... She was doing her best to keep the mood light, but Ai-chan was totally locked on me!”

Eiichi’s eyes narrowed, the casual gleam in them darkening just a touch. “That means…”

“More… competition,” Kira continued, his brows drawing together in thought. 

“Exactly.” Van nodded eagerly, sitting up with renewed energy, practically buzzing. “Even QUARTET NIGHT is paying attention to her. I mean, we always knew she was special, but now? It’s like everyone’s watching. We’re not the only ones anymore.”

A heavy pause fell.

“So we’re going against QUARTET NIGHT too..?” Eiji blinked innocently.

“Ehh!?” Nagi dropped his phone, distress on his face. “But they’re weirdly intimidating! Especially Kurosaki Ranmaru!”

“We wont… lose.” Kira said seriously.

Eiichi’s mouth curled up. He stood slowly, stretching like a general before a war council, and let out a quiet laugh.

“Good.”

His grin spread, lazy but sharp. “Absolutely good. That’s exactly what we need. Besides being a brilliant composer… she might be the perfect catalyst.” 

“You just like stirring the pot...” Nagi muttered, slouching upside-down on the couch. 

Eiichi turned his head, that same relaxed smile tugging at his lips as he sank back into his seat, eyes closing. “Hahaha. I prefer to call it... refining the taste.”

Van whistled. “You really are something, Eii-chan~”

He laughs, closing his eyes. “Thanks. I know.”

Eiji sweatdropped, glancing at his older brother with mild concern. “You seem… very motivated, Nii-san.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Eiichi’s voice was smooth, but undeniably sincere.

“Nanami Haruka isn’t just talented. She’s extraordinary .”

“When we stood at the edge of despair during Triple S…” Eiichi’s voice dropped, quieter now. “Her song didn’t just give us courage. It gave us purpose. She reminded us of who we are. And that is something we can never forget.”

A hush settled over the room. HEAVENS drifted into a rare moment of silence, each of them quietly recalling the song she had given them, like a secret prayer still echoing in their veins.

“…Yeah,” Yamato finally said, voice casual, but the respect in his eyes was unmistakable. “She’s pretty damn cool.”

Kira nodded in agreement, his usual stoicism softening just enough to show approval. 

Eiji smiled brightly. “Nanami-san is really inspiring.”

“Hmph. STARISH honestly doesn’t deserve her~” Nagi pouted dramatically, burying his face in a cushion.

Then, as if emerging from a dream, Shion finally spoke, his voice quiet and melodic.

“...Amakusa never truly understood Eiichi’s fixation-”

“-Fixation?” Eiichi echoed, raising a brow.

“…until Amakusa heard her music. And then… he wept. Not outwardly, but here.” He closed his eyes, pressing his palm to his heart. “Her melodies touch the stardust in one’s soul…”

Van laughed, throwing a thumbs-up at Shion. “Tell me about it! That girl’s a once-in-a-generation kind of magic. Like, seriously… how does she just exist like that?”

Eiichi leaned back in his seat, a small but satisfied smile playing on his lips as he let Van’s words echo in his mind. “Yeah.”

“So…” Yamato leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. “What do we do?”

Eiichi lifted his chin, smirking. “We observe. For now. If QUARTET NIGHT is watching her, they’ll show their hands eventually.”

“Yeah. And when they do?”

“We move. Not like before. No more reckless stealing scenes or getting in each other’s way.” His gaze flicked to all of them. “We make a plan. Subtle. Strategic. We earn her trust, her inspiration… and her heart. Not just for the unit’s sake. For ours.”

Kira gave a small nod, slow and certain. “We earn… her respect. The rest will follow… naturally.”

Nagi flopped onto his back with a groan. “Ugh…~ That means I actually have to try...”

Van leaned back, arms stretched across the back of the couch, but his smile was sincere. “Honestly? I’m all in. It’s different with her. She brings out our best. Makes us want to be better.”

“Yes.” Eiji looked down with a soft smile. “I think… Nanami-san already sees more in us than most people do.”

There was a gentle stillness in the room for a beat, the kind of quiet that didn’t need to be filled, like the final note of a song still lingering in the air.

“She changed everything at the Triple S,” Eiichi said at last, his voice softer than usual. “Her song gave us something we didn’t know we needed. Hope. Direction.”

Yamato nodded, not looking at anyone in particular. “Feels right to return the favor, doesn’t it?”

“She’s the kind of person you want to protect,” Van said, quieter now. “And not just because she’s talented. It’s her heart.”

Kira looked out the window, thoughtful. “Then we do this… not… for the sake of competition… but connection.”

“Wow,” Nagi murmured, blinking at the ceiling. “You guys got sentimental all of a sudden...”

Eiichi chuckled. “Call it what you like. But we’ve all felt it, haven’t we?”

A silence followed. This time, every one of them nodded.

Something was shifting, nothing loud or dramatic. Just the quiet pull of gravity rearranging its center.

And at the heart of it stood one girl, with pink-red hair and a gentle smile, who didn’t yet realize just how many hearts had quietly begun to follow the rhythm of hers.

♬

Morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting golden patterns across the floor of her room. Haruka sat at her vanity, but her thoughts drifted far beyond the quiet space around her.

Today is their first dance rehearsal…

Ittoki-kun. Mikaze-senpai. Kiryuin-san.

She couldn’t help but picture them in the studio. Maybe still learning each other’s rhythm, maybe laughing through the awkward takes.

I wonder how it went yesterday… I wasn’t there, but I keep imagining it…

A small giggle escaped her lips before she could stop it.

I hope they had fun.

Brushing a bit of dust from her skirt, Haruka reached for her hairbrush, her hands moving with slow, thoughtful grace. Her eyes lingered on her reflection, caught in a brief moment of hesitation.

Should I wear my hair up today too…?

She gathered her hair loosely, lifting it off her neck just to see and like a soft breeze stirring still waters, their voices came rushing back.

“It’s like you b-became… ten times prettier.”

“I think it suits you.”

“But seriously, though. You look really, really good.”

Her breath caught. Warmth bloomed in her chest, spreading outward like sunlight.

Maybe I should…

With gentle fingers, she tied her hair into a ponytail, letting a few soft strands frame her face, just the way she liked it.

“There,” she whispered, almost to herself. “That’s better.”

Just as she turned to grab her bag, her phone buzzed. A new email notification lit up the screen.

Subject: [MEETING NOTICE – Raging Entertainment, 3:00 PM]

Eh? Raging Entertainment..?

Ah, that’s right! I almost forgot. 

The president said Raging Otori-san would be overseeing the second unit...

A quiet tension unfurled in her chest, like the distant echo of thunder on a clear day. She stood still for a moment, letting it pass through her.

Then she drew in a steady breath and exhaled slowly, grounding herself.

Whatever this meeting is about… I’ll face it when the time comes.

Her hand tightened slightly around the strap of her bag.

Okay. I’ll go after rehearsal.

♬

Haruka arrived at the Shining Tower, walking toward the entrance with a quiet sense of focus. 

As she passed by the familiar hallway, her eyes drifted to the rows of TVs mounted on the walls, each displaying a different STARISH’s performance on loop.

Everyone’s working so hard… I need to keep up too-

Thud!

Her thoughts were abruptly cut off as she walked straight into something solid. 

She gasped, stumbling back a step as a startled squeak escaped her lips. “Ow-” 

“Whoa!”

Her head snapped up, eyes wide. “O-oh no! I’m so sorry!”

“No, that was on me!” the man said quickly, turning around in a flurry of flustered motion. “Are you-?”

They both froze.

“…Ki-Kiryuin-san?!”

“…Ha-chan?”

Haruka bowed deeply, still flustered. “G-Good morning, Kiryuin-san! I’m so sorry, um, I wasn’t watching where I was going-“

“What? Nah, nah! Totally my fault!” Van chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Who just stops in the middle of a room like a confused golden retriever? Haha, ha, ha…”

He trailed off, then frowned as if realizing something.

“…Wait. I am a confused golden retriever right now.”

Haruka looked up at him, puzzled. “Eh?”

“Well… I got here all confident and cool,” he began dramatically, waving his arms, 

“...and then realized I forgot to ask Oto-chan and Ai-chan where we’re actually meeting. So I’ve just been standing here pretending like I belong. Meanwhile, my brain’s doing jazz hands and saying, ‘Good luck, champ!’ ”

Haruka giggled behind her hand, trying not to burst out laughing. 

“That… sounds… um, challenging.”

“You have no idea,” he said with mock seriousness, then leaned down slightly, voice light and teasing. “But clearly the universe pitied me. And threw you at me. Literally.”

Haruka blinked, sweatdropping. “Th-threw…?”

Van straightened up, grinning. “Seriously, though! What is this? The third time we’ve randomly bumped into each other?” He ticked them off on his fingers. “There was that café, remember? And before that, the time HEAVENS made that over-the-top entrance and crashed the party.”

Haruka nodded slowly, a quiet laugh slipping out. “Yes… It is kind of strange.”

Van clapped his hands together. “It’s fate. Or we’re both bad with directions. I choose to believe it’s fate. It’s way more romantic.”

Haruka sweatdropped, blinking. “I-I see...”

“I’ll keep saying it until you agree,” he teased. 

There was a short beat as he glanced around, hands in his pockets again, just a bit sheepish. “Um, so… yeah. I’m technically still lost.”

“Um. Would you like me to help you find the studio? I’m heading that way too.”

His eyes lit up like she’d just offered to rescue him from a burning building. “Seriously? You’d do that for a poor, wandering soul with no sense of direction?”

She nodded, smiling now with more confidence. “Of course. I’d be happy to.”

“Ha-chan, you’re a lifesaver,” he said dramatically, falling into step beside her. “Truly, a goddess of mercy.”

She giggled, and together, they started walking down the hallway, one slightly less lost than before.

♬

They stepped out of the elevator together, the doors sliding closed behind them with a soft chime. Van took a few steps forward, then turned to Haruka with wide, curious eyes.

“So this is the hallway to the dance rooms?!” he asked, his voice echoing slightly off the sleek walls.

Haruka gave a small, knowing smile. “Yes. I only found out recently myself.”

“Sheesh,” Van spun slowly, taking it all in.  “Shining Agency doesn’t mess around, huh? This place feels like it belongs in a music video.”

Haruka let out a gentle laugh, the sound as light as a melody. “Hehe… I guess you’re right.”

Van turned back to her then, just as the light caught in her eyes, making them shimmer like stars. And in that moment, it felt like time had paused just for them.

He looked away quickly, eyes dropping to the floor as a small, involuntary smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

“…Man, you really are somethin’ else.”

Haruka tilted her head. “Hm?”

“Oh, nothin’~” Van waved a hand casually, as if brushing the thought right out of the air. His smile came a bit too fast, a bit too bright. “Just talkin’ to myself, y’know?”

Haruka tilted her head, clearly curious, but decided not to pry. She smiled instead.

Van fell into step beside her, still glancing around like he was exploring a brand-new world. But every few seconds, his gaze flicked back to her.

“Plus,” he started, almost like he couldn’t hold it in anymore, “I was talkin’ about you yesterday with the guys.”

“Eh?” Haruka blinked, surprised. “About me?”

“Yep~” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. “Well, technically, I was talkin’ about your new hairstyle. I said it made you look adorable.”

Her eyes widened slightly, and a bit of color crept into her cheeks. Haruka laughed softly. “Haha… Thank you.”

Van glanced over again, and then, before he could overthink it, he reached out and gently touched the frame of her hair, his fingers brushing just near her cheek. “I dunno. I kinda wish Eii-chan could see it now. You look even better in person.”

Her breath caught slightly, and her eyes stared that pink in her cheeks blooming into a full-on blush.

He pulled his hand back quickly, suddenly very aware of what he’d done. “Ah- sorry! Didn’t mean to- uh, y’know. Invade your bubble or whatever.”

Haruka shook her head quickly, flustered but smiling. “Um, it’s okay…”

Van gave a nervous little laugh and scratched the side of his face, grinning despite himself. Haruka ducked her head again, biting back a smile as they continued walking down the hall.

“I think it’s… this way. It’s just down the hall.” She turned, her steps light and graceful, the faint sway of her hair catching the soft light of the corridor. 

Van watched her for a beat longer than necessary before following, one hand stuffed into his pocket, the other dragging through his tousled hair with a slow exhale.

Calm down, he thought. No rush. She’s not gonna vanish if I don’t say somethin’ right now.

The time’ll come! Just gotta let her warm up to me naturally. Can’t scare her off with the full Van charm right outta the gate…~

“Eh…? The lights are on…”

Haruka slowed to a stop in front of the studio door, blinking in surprise. “…Could it be that Mikaze-senpai is already here…?”

Van stepped up beside her, squinting toward the window with a faint whistle. “No way… already working? Man, what a workaholic!”

Haruka giggled softly. “That’s Mikaze-senpai for you… Eh?"

"H-He is here...” Haruka pressed her palms to the glass, trying to get a better look. Van sidled closer until his shoulder nearly touched hers.

“Lemme see too,” he murmured, his voice dipping playfully.

Their faces ended up just inches apart. Haruka tried to focus through the glare on the glass, but Van suddenly jerked back like he’d seen a ghost.

“...No way…!” he gasped, face paling.

“W-What is it?” Haruka looked up at him, confused and mildly alarmed.

Just then, footsteps echoed behind them.

“Nanami? Van? What are you doing~?” Otoya called cheerfully, jogging over. “You’re here pretty ear-”

Van spun around and clapped a hand over Otoya’s mouth.

“Oto-chan!? SHHH!”

“-Mhmbf!?” Otoya blinked wide-eyed, flailing slightly.

Haruka turned to him in surprise. “I-Ittoki-kun?”

Van hissed in a whisper, glancing dramatically toward the door. “Seriously, check it out… You’re not gonna believe this.”

“Eh..?” Otoya was baffled but curious. He slowly eased the studio door open just enough to peek through.

Inside, Ai stood perfectly composed, clipboard in hand. Alone. His voice was calm, clinical.

“One hour of dance.”

“Followed by forty-five minutes of circuit training.”

“Ten-minute water break.”

“And, then…”

Otoya slowly closed the door, stunned. He turned to Van with wide eyes.

“It looked like... Ai-senpai was arranging the schedule, b-but… Did... Did Ai-senpai prepare that..!?” 

“Yeah, but… to the smallest detail?!” Van whispered back, equally shocked. “Is Ai-chan that eager to start lessons...!?”

Otoya nodded slowly, still trying to process what he’d seen. “S-Syo mentioned that Ai-senpai’s lessons were difficult, but-”

Van turned to her, taking her hands with exaggerated urgency. “Ha-chan. If I don’t make it out of today’s lesson, tell my fans I went down doing what I loved.”

“Eh?! I-I’m sure it’s not that bad..?” she laughed nervously, stiffening slightly under the warmth of his hands. “...Um, you’ll be fine!”

“Will I? Will I? ” Van leaned in with dramatic flair. “At least I’ll have you cheering me on, right?”

Before Haruka could respond, the studio door swung open with a smooth, perfectly timed click. All three of them leapt back like a reverse Scooby-Doo squad.

“You’re already here, Otoya, Van?” Ai said coolly, his eyes briefly scanning over them. “You’re one minute and seven seconds late,” he added with his signature precision. 

“Get inside.”

“Y-Yes...~” Otoya squeaked, slipping inside like a student called to the principal’s office.

“Pardon the intrusion...” Van mumbled, scratching the back of his neck.

Haruka trailed in silently behind them, setting her things down as quietly as possible.

Ai stepped further into the room, clipboard in hand, already in full instructor mode. “Our song is upbeat. Like Otoya said, it needs a certain kind of excitement.”

“Y-Yeah...” Otoya nodded, though his usual spark dimmed under Ai’s sharp gaze.

“To match that energy, I’ve planned choreography that’s equally lively,” Ai continued. “But I’d like your thoughts before we proceed.”

Van perked up. “Y-yeah! Ya got a point… gotta get the crowd hyped! Even if that means we end up jumpin’ off the stage…”

“That’s why,” Ai said, flipping his clipboard, “I’ve created a simple, structured schedule for our practices.”

He handed each of them a neatly printed sheet.

“I accounted for our differing stamina and endurance levels. This includes supplementary training to build up both.”

Otoya squinted at the paper. Then leaned toward Van with a panicked whisper.  

“This is supposed to be simple...???”

“I dunno! We just got here, man..!”

Otoya straightened up with an exaggerated grin. “H-hey, Ai-senpai! Maybe we should just... start brainstorming the choreography? I wanna get dancing already~!”

“Don’t take this lightly, Otoya.” Ai said without missing a beat.

“I-I’m not! I just-”

“STARISH and HEAVENS,” Ai cut in smoothly, “I’ve studied your MVs, live performances, and even your variety appearances.”

Van blinked. “Whoa... You’re really thorough, huh...”

At this point, both Van and Otoya turned in unison toward Haruka, like drowning men sighting a life preserver.

Their eyes locked with hers in a silent, synchronized plea. Help us.

Haruka, clutching her bag a little tighter, offered a small, sympathetic smile. ‘D-Do your best…!!’ She mouthed with her lips.

Her gaze lingered just a second longer on Ai, who caught it and gave the faintest tilt of his head in acknowledgment.

“I don’t think we’ll have any issues with the dancing,” Ai said, returning his attention to the clipboard. “But as I mentioned earlier, this song-”

“Makes you wanna get up and dance, doesn’t it?” Van said, grinning wide. “I wanna make the choreography mirror that, too. How about somethin’ like this, for example?”

He broke into a smooth, rhythmic move, light on his feet but full of energy.

Otoya’s eyes sparkled. “You look so cool, Van! Then, I’ll go with this-”

Not to be outdone, Otoya followed with his burst of moves, bright, sharp, and filled with personality.

“You look cool, too, Oto-chan!” Van laughed. “How ‘bout we do a dance battle in the middle of the song or somethin’~?”

“That sounds fun! I’m not gonna lose though!”

“Alright, leave it at that,” Ai said suddenly, his voice cutting through the room just as the music came to a halt.

Van and Otoya froze mid-pose, then slowly straightened up like students caught passing notes.

“I like the ideas you’re giving,” Ai said, “but good preparation is part of a good performance. It will be bad if you get tired in the middle, right?”

Van nodded sheepishly. “True. That’ll look… so lame.”

“B-But don’t you wanna dance, too?” Otoya asked.

“Of course. Dance lessons are part of the schedule. But we need to build endurance first. That’s the purpose of the training menu.”

Van raised a fist with determination. “Alright, let’s try goin’ by the schedule Ai-chan planned!”

“Sure, I get it...” Otoya smiled, bouncing lightly on his toes. “But let’s think of the choreography right after, okay?”

“As you would expect,” Ai replied monotonously. “Then, let’s start with the basic training, Otoya, Van.”

“Yes..~” Otoya sweatdropped.

“4 hours of… just basic trainin’, huh…?” Van squinted at the schedule, staring at it as if the number could change.

He sighed, then suddenly perked up, eyes lighting up like he’d just remembered something important. “Oh!! Wait, before I forget!”

Ai and Otoya turned to him, surprised at the sudden shift. “Eh?” Otoya blinked. “What is it, Van?”

Van didn’t answer right away. He darted over to the corner where his things were, humming softly as he crouched beside his bag. “Aha!”

From the depths of his bag, he pulled out a small red box, the ribbon wrapped with care and tied in a perfect bow. Grinning, Van stood and crossed the room with a lightness that almost disguised his intent.

“Ha-chan~” he said gently, holding the box out to her with both hands, “I got this for ya.”

“Eh?” Haruka blinked, caught completely off guard. “…What? F-For me?”

“Yup!” Van grinned so brightly it could’ve lit up the practice studio. “I was out earlier, just killin’ time, and spotted a cake stall. Huge sign, couldn’t miss it. I wasn’t gonna stop, but then I remembered…” He leaned in just a little, voice softening.

“Strawberry’s your favorite, right?”

Haruka’s eyes widened, lips parting as her breath caught. “You remembered that…?”

“Yeeeaaah… So… I turned back.” he looks to the side, rubbing his nape with a grin.

“What???” She blinks, her brows furrowing from the burning sensation she’s feeling on her cheeks.

“I almost kept walkin’. Honestly.” Van shrugged, eyes twinkling. “But then I thought… what if she skipped lunch again? What if she’s too busy makin’ sure we’re okay to even think about herself?”

“Wow… I-“ Haruka stared at the box in disbelief, her hands hovering in hesitation as she blinked furiously. “That’s really sweet of you, Kiryuin-san, but I… I can’t accept something so..!”

“Nope~” He cut her off gently, placing the box in her hands before she could protest further. “It’s yours now. No take-backs. Promise me you’ll eat it later, okay? Even just a bite.”

He went back… just for me?

Her chest ached in the sweetest way. “That’s… really thoughtful, Kiryuin-san. I don’t even know what to say…”

Van gave a little mock pout. “You could say ‘thank you.’ Maybe promise to eat it while it’s fresh.”

“I… I will!” she said quickly, then smiled, cheeks flushed pink. “I mean it. Thank you so much, Kiryuin-san. Truly...”

Across the room, Ai stared silently. His gaze flicked from Van’s uncharacteristic tenderness to Haruka’s visible blush. At that moment, he remembered the conversation.

The one where Van said, half-joking, half-serious, that he likes leaving little pieces of himself behind in people’s lives. A strange, unfamiliar tug in his chest. 

Otoya, oblivious to the weight behind the moment, blinked and tilted his head like a confused puppy. Slowly, the pieces started clicking.

“…He brought her cake?” Otoya muttered, not quite managing to keep the note of surprise out of his voice.

Ai didn’t look away. “Strawberry.”

“That’s her favorite…” Otoya looked between them all, blinking as the realization dawned. Van had planned this. They both knew it.

Van could feel their eyes on him, and it only made the smirk at the corner of his mouth deepen. 

Now you’ll think of me every time you see strawberries, won’t ya, Ha-chan?

Every time something sweet surprises you. Every time kindness catches you off guard. That’s the part of me I want you to keep.

Haruka brushed her finger along the edge of the box. “Strawberry cake really is my favorite…”

Bingo.

“Then I made the right call~” Van called over his shoulder with a wink. “Eat it soon, okay? Before Ai-chan decides that we gotta run laps for dessert!”

A beat of silence passed between Otoya and Ai.

“…Ahaha,” Otoya let out a breathy laugh, scratching his cheek. “Man, I know I’m not supposed to say it, but… I feel kinda jealous...”

Ai didn’t respond immediately. His eyes flicked toward the clock on the wall. “We are on a schedule,” he said flatly, turning on his heel.

Otoya blinked.

“Huh- wait. That’s it? You’re just-”

He jogged after him, confusion laced with a strange sort of fascination tugging at his chest. “Wait, Ai-senpai!”

“You’re falling behind.”

Otoya caught up in two quick steps, peering sideways at him with wide, searching eyes. “Could it be… D-Do you… feel jealous too, Ai-senpai?!”

Ai stopped as he slowly turned his head. 

“..No.”

A second passed.

“…Really?”

“Yes.” Ai turned away without another word, moving smoothly toward the center of the room. “Let’s begin. Positions. Otoya, Van.”

“R-Right! Um…” Otoya rubbed the back of his neck, trying to shake off his flustered thoughts. “I’m ready to go!”

Van strutted into position like he owned the stage, rolling his shoulders as if warming up for a concert. “Alright. Let’s get this party started~” he purred, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

And yet, as he stretched, that smirk returned, quiet and victorious.

I’m one step ahead. Just like I planned.

♬

The music came to a halt.

The room echoed with the sound of sneakers squeaking across polished floors as the trio hit their final pose.

They held still for a moment, breathing hard. Then the silence was filled with heavy breaths and rising steam from their exhausted bodies.

“…That should do it for basic training,” Ai declared, taking a deep breath. He adjusted his posture and closed his eyes for a brief second. 

“I actually wanted to run through two more sets… but if we overdo it, it might affect our bodies tomorrow.”

The room was dead silent. Van and Otoya stood frozen, almost swaying. It felt like the air itself was ringing in their ears.

“Shall we move on to practicing the foundational steps?”

“…”

Otoya and Van collapsed in perfect sync.

“Eh!?” Haruka jumped, startled by the sudden dramatic collapse.

Otoya sprawled out like a starfish, arms and legs flung in all directions as he heaved for breath.

Van was on all fours beside him, head hanging low like a defeated beast clinging to the last bit of strength.

“…4 hours of… basic training,” Otoya wheezed, eyes glazed as he stared up at the ceiling. “Nonstop…”

Van let out a groan of agreement, thudding onto his side with a heavy whump. “Ai-chan… ya got a pretty face, but you’re quite the slave driver, huh?”

“You’re both being dramatic,” Ai replied coolly, but his arms were folded, perhaps to hide how his own shoulders rose and fell with steady exhaustion. “Endurance is part of the process.”

“Endurance is one thing… but this feels like a bootcamp for idols,” Van muttered, rolling onto his back and throwing an arm over his face. 

“Tell me, Ha-chan… Were we at least slightly impressive, or did we just look like flailing puppies for four hours straight?”

Haruka stifled a giggle behind her hand, stepping forward. 

“Um. I think you were incredible,” she said softly, but with a warmth that filled the room like sunlight after a storm. “Actually… I think all of you were. I could feel everyone’s energy through every movement.”

Otoya perked up slightly, his eyes shining despite the sheen of sweat on his face. “Really? Even when I almost slipped during the third routine?”

“I noticed.” Ai said flatly.

“U-Um, I didn’t!” Haruka blurted out, then flushed. “I mean… It didn’t distract from the overall impact at all. I think… what matters is the emotion you’re all bringing. It’s already something special…”

Van cracked one eye open at her, smirking despite himself. 

“You’re dangerously good at motivation, Ha-chan... Makes me feel like I could stand up again~”

“You could save more energy if you didn’t expend it all on talking.” Ai replied. 

Van let out a theatrical groan but rolled to sit up slowly, stretching his back with a loud pop. Otoya sat up as well, ruffling his own hair with a sheepish smile.

Ai glanced at the clock on the mirrored wall and gave a decisive nod. “Lunch break. I’ve scheduled one and a half hours.”

Van exhaled with comic relief. “Gotta make use of this!”

Otoya sat up straighter, his eyes sparkling at the mention of food. “Ah, finally! I’m starving!”

“Maintain hydration,” Ai added, already heading towards the table where neatly stacked towels and water bottles awaited. “And don’t eat anything too heavy. We still have vocal exercises after.”

“Yes, yes, boss~” Van drawled, grabbing a towel and tossing it around his neck. “Remind me again how I got in this unit?”

“Because it’s what Saotome chose for this unit?” Ai replied plainly.

“Pft! I know, I was just jokin’~” Van laughed, but there was a flicker of something quieter in his eyes as he followed the others towards the table.

♬

The corner they retreated to was simple. The gentle scent of fresh rice wafted from the nearby catering trays. After grabbing bentow and drinks, the atmosphere softened. Laughter sparked more easily as they settled in to recharge.

“I was honestly surprised when I saw you trying to slack off, Van!” Otoya said with a grin, a chuckle bubbling out. “You did it so naturally, like you’ve been doing it your whole life!”

Van smirked, shrugging with exaggerated ease. “Maybe I have~ Ai-chan still needs to catch up!”

“…No. You were just incredibly obvious,” Ai replied in his usual flat tone. “But I decided to let it go.”

“Eh?!” Van and Otoya yelped in unison.

Otoya leaned back with a sheepish laugh, scratching his cheek. “Nothing gets past Ai-senpai, huh…”

Haruka giggled softly, watching the familiar rhythm of their banter play out.

Van popped open a soda and took a long, dramatic gulp. He exhaled with a loud “Whoo!!” and thumped the can down. “That’s refreshing!”

Ai blinked. Haruka did too.

Otoya laughed. “Van, you drank that like it was a beer or something!”

Van shot him a playful wink. “Old habits die hard~”

They shared a laugh, light, easy, full of the warmth that came with long hours and comfortable company.

A few moments later, Otoya’s gaze drifted to the side and then snapped back in a double-take. 

“Wait, huh? Since when was that there?”

Nestled neatly beside a nearby cabinet, almost hidden in plain sight, was a weathered acoustic guitar. 

“Huh,” Van muttered, tilting his head. “Weird. I didn’t even notice it when we walked in.”

“Why would a guitar be in one of the dance rooms?” Ai asked, blinking.. “This space is usually cleared for choreography work.”

Haruka stepped forward, her expression curious as she examined the instrument. “Maybe someone left it behind after rehearsal? But it looks like it’s been really well taken care of...”

Drawn by instinct more than thought, Otoya stepped closer and knelt beside it. His fingers hovered briefly, then gently curled around the neck as he lifted it.

“I’m sure they won’t mind if I borrow it for a little while,” he said, eyes lighting up. “Just for a bit!”

“You’re gonna play, Oto-chan?!” Van grinned, folding his arms behind his head.

“Ahehe... I can’t help it!” Otoya laughed, already brushing his fingers over the strings. “Every time I see a guitar, it’s like it’s calling out to me, you know?”

“That’s right.” Ai watched quietly, arms crossing as he tilted his head. “You’re a guitarist, aren’t you?”

“Yup!” Otoya replied brightly, settling into a seated position. He adjusted the strap and placed his fingers over the frets like it was second nature. “I’ve been playing since I was a kid. It’s one of my first loves.”

He gave the strings a soft strum, and a warm, mellow chord echoed gently through the room.

“I just… really love the sound,” he added more softly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Guitar always feels like home to me.”

Van's grin shifted into something more thoughtful. “That’s kind of how I feel about the saxophone.”

Otoya looked up, curious. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Van said with a chuckle, his eyes distant, like he was looking at a different time. “The first time I held one, I was just a kid messing around backstage. But the moment I blew into it- man, the sound, the way it vibrated through me… I was hooked. Couldn’t put it down after that.”

He laughed, a little sheepishly. “Still can’t, honestly. It’s like… the sax and I speak the same language.”

Ai gave a faint nod, his gaze settling on the guitar in Otoya’s hands before drifting away, thoughtful. “I feel something… similar, with the synthesizer.”

Otoya blinked. “Whoa, I always thought you chose it because it matched your image?”

“It does. But it’s more than that,” Ai replied, his voice quiet but clear. “The first time I heard what I could create with it. The range, the precision, the textures… it was like unlocking a part of myself that didn’t exist before.”

His eyes lowered slightly, thoughtful. The room fell quiet, the weight of their words lingering like a melody not yet finished.

Van, still watching Ai, then turned his gaze toward Haruka, who was listening quietly nearby.

“What about you, Ha-chan?” he asked, a warm note in his voice. “Do you have an instrument like that?”

Haruka blinked, surprised to be addressed, then gave a shy smile as she stepped forward. “O-Oh, yes. Um, I feel that way about the piano.”

The boys’ eyes turned to her, curiosity and quiet encouragement in their expressions.

“It was the first instrument I ever played,” she said softly, fingers curling slightly as if recalling the feeling. “The keys felt so big to me back then… but when I played, even just one note, it felt like the world opened up. Like I could breathe in color.”

She smiled, almost to herself. “My grandmother taught me a lot of things. But that feeling… that stayed with me.”

Van blinked, setting his drink aside. “Whoa, just your grandma?”

Haruka nodded, still not quite meeting their eyes. “She was a music teacher in a small town. I didn’t have a professional tutor or any formal training… Everything I knew before Saotome Academy came from her.”

“Whoa, wait, wait, wait!” Van leaned forward, eyes wide with curiosity. “You got into Saotome with almost no formal experience? That’s nuts!”

Ai tilted his head slightly, his brows knitting in mild surprise. “That’s rare. Most applicants are scouted or have years of structured training before even being considered.”

Haruka laughed, the sound light but tinged with nervousness. “Haha… I know. It shocked me too. Honestly, if it weren’t for Ittoki-kun and Jinguji-san that morning… I might not have made it through the gate, let alone the exam.” She glanced at Otoya as she said it.

Van raised an eyebrow, catching the warm smile Otoya returned, along with the unmistakable pink flush that crept into his cheeks.

“Yeah!” Otoya said, grinning sheepishly. “She was running late, and the guards were super strict. Wouldn’t even let her explain. Ren and I had to practically beg them to give her a chance.”

“Practically?” Van smirked.

“Okay, fine, definitely begged,” Otoya laughed. “I remember thinking, ‘There’s no way someone who came all this way just to stand outside deserves to miss their shot.’”

Ai’s arms folded neatly as he looked between them. “That kind of coincidence is… unlikely. Saotome must have been watching. Or someone was. That outcome doesn’t make sense otherwise.”

“Wait…” Otoya blinked, straightening suddenly. “You’re right! That never even clicked before!?”

Van gave a low whistle. “Dang. So you were being scouted even when you thought you were falling behind.”

“Oh…” Haruka blinked, taken aback. “I… I never thought of it that way.”

“Saotome has an eye for talent,” Ai said matter-of-factly. “But he also values instinct. Unpolished doesn’t mean unworthy.”

Haruka looked down, the memory clearly flooding back. “…I just wanted to make it inside. To try. I didn’t think anyone was paying attention.”

“You stood out, though,” Otoya said, his voice softer now. “You always do, Nanami!”

Van clapped his hands once with a grin. “Well! Thank Grandma Music-Sensei , because honestly? The world would’ve missed out.”

“I mean, with your talent?” he added with a grin. “You probably didn’t even need training. Bet you just waltzed in and dusted everybody off!”

But instead of laughter, a heavy pause settled between them. Otoya’s smile faltered, and Haruka looked down, her hands folding nervously in her lap.

Van blinked. “Wait, what’s with those faces?”

Otoya scratched the back of his head. “Well… when Ringo-sensei first asked Nanami to play something…”

Haruka looked down, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Um, haha… Well. My hands wouldn’t move. I just… froze. I couldn’t even touch the keys.”

Otoya’s brows furrowed slightly, his voice gentle. “She looked so lost. We were all nervous, but… Nanami just shut down. Everyone started thinking she didn’t belong...”

Van’s jaw dropped slightly. “Wait, what? Seriously?” His voice had dropped, almost offended on her behalf. “That’s how your dream started? Just like… bam, stage fright?”

Haruka gave a small, wobbly smile. “Yes… like… ‘Why am I even here?’.. . I felt like I had no right to be in that room with so many people who had been training their whole lives...”

Van sat back a little, the usual sparkle in his eyes dimming. “Man… that sucks.”

Ai’s voice came in, quieter than usual but firm. “And yet… here you are. You’ve written songs for idols who stand at the top of the industry. What changed?”

Haruka took a breath, like she was reaching inside for the answer. Her fingers folded gently in front of her as she spoke.

“Hijirikawa-san helped me. That moment, it was like… he didn’t question me. He just reminded me to face it with courage. That even if I was scared, I had to believe in the music I wanted to share.”

Otoya smiled faintly. “He believed in you. So you started believing, too.”

Van let out a long exhale, shaking his head. “Sheesh… That guy’s got quiet timing, huh? Like a cool, blue guardian angel or somethin’.”

Ai nodded slowly. “I admit, I didn’t know that side of your story.”

His gaze lingered on her, thoughtful. “It makes your compositions even more impressive. Creating beauty out of fear requires more than talent. It requires conviction.”

Haruka’s cheeks flushed. “I… I’m still working on that part.”

“You’re doing fine, Nanami. ” Otoya said softly. “Better than fine.”

Van leaned back, folding his arms behind his head, but his tone was gentler than usual. “Kinda wild how we all see you as this genius composer now, and you started out doubting yourself like that.”

“That doubt probably shaped her,” Ai remarked. “It can either break someone… or drive them to build something better. You chose the latter.”

Haruka blinked, a little overwhelmed by the support, but moved. “Thank you, everyone…”

“Hey, we just speak the truth,” Otoya said with a warm grin.

Van raised his can again, like a toast. “To Grandma Music-Sensei, Ma-chan the Silent Savior, and the girl who turned fear into harmony.”

Otoya laughed. “That’s amazing, Van. You already have a nickname for Masato!”

Their laughter lingered in the air, light and easy, before tapering off into a comfortable silence.

“Okay, wait, wait- speakin’ of wild origin stories…” Van leaned forward, elbows on his knees as he looked between them. “How did STARISH even happen?”

Otoya blinked. “Huh?”

“Like, was that always the plan?” he asked, gesturing vaguely. “To debut as a group? I mean, no offense, but… weren’t ya guys all aimin’ to go solo at first?”

Ai nodded slightly. “That was the norm. In fact, group debuts weren’t permitted at all. Solo careers were the only approved path.”

Van sat back, whistling. “So band units weren’t even a thing?”

“No,” Ai replied, tone as crisp as always. “It was explicitly against Saotome’s system at the time. Groups were considered unstable and unmarketable.”

“But then STARISH happened anyway,” Van said, grinning. “So what happened!?”

Otoya scratched his cheek with a sheepish smile. “Ah… well… I guess it kind of started with me.”

Van tilted his head, intrigued. “You? Spill it.”

“Well,” Otoya chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck, “after the graduation audition stuff started heating up, I realized something. I didn’t want to debut with just any composer. I wanted to debut with Nanami... No one else.”

Haruka blinked. “Ittoki-kun…”

“So one day,” he continued, “I got this letter in my shoe locker. It was from Nanami, or so I thought. It said to meet her in the music room after classes.”

Van waggled his eyebrows. “Oho~ secret rendezvous?”

“I-I didn’t think of it like that!” Otoya sputtered, his face going pink. “I thought she wanted to talk about our debut or something!”

“But when I opened the door,” Otoya said, gesturing animatedly, “Ren was already there. And Natsuki. Then Masato… Then Tokiya walked in. And then Syo! Really, one after another!”

Van nearly choked on his drink. “Wait, what?! You all showed up thinking it was just yourselves and… Ha-chan?!”

Otoya gave a sheepish nod, and Haruka groaned softly, burying her face in both hands. “I-it was so awkward…”

Ai blinked. Just once. “Huh. Unusual.”

“Yeah, that’s what made it so weird!” Otoya said, laughing nervously. “Then Nanami arrived. She looked totally confused for a second, but then pulled herself together and told us she had composed a song. A special one.”

Haruka peeked out from between her fingers. “…For six people.”

The room quieted. Van let out a low whistle.

“That’s when the air got really tense,” Otoya muttered. “We all realized it wasn’t just a one-on-one thing. That none of us was the only one she’d been working with.”

“I remember that day,” Haruka said in a tiny voice. “Everyone looked so… disappointed. I didn’t know what to do. I just… left...”

Van glanced at her, startled. “You just went home?”

“I was so uncertain,” she admitted, curling in a little more. “I thought I ruined everything for everybody.”

“We all parted ways after that,” Otoya said, his voice softening. “But the weirdest thing was… we couldn’t stop thinking about it. About her. And the fact that all of us wanted to debut with her, not just someone randomly assigned.”

“And so,” Otoya said, grinning faintly now, “we followed her. Literally. She’d gone back home to the countryside for a bit, and next thing we knew, all six of us were crammed on a train heading out there.”

Van nearly dropped his drink. “Whaaaat?!”

Haruka looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.

Van stared at the group, his laughter frozen halfway to his throat.

And then the weight of it hit him.

That kind of history. That kind of bond. You couldn’t replicate that. No matter how talented HEAVENS was, they hadn’t been through what STARISH and Haruka had. They hadn’t chased a girl down to the countryside just to tell her she was the one.

Van went stiff. Completely still, his usual easy posture locked up like a statue. Then, too quickly, he broke into a grin.

“Man,” he said, chuckling, scratching the back of his head, “What if I’d gone to Saotome Academy too, huh? Can you imagine me in those uniforms? I’d have taken that place by storm!”

Otoya blinked. “Hahaha, I mean, yeah! You probably would’ve been super popular!”

“Right?” Van grinned wider, flashing teeth. “Top of the class, charming every teacher. I’d be captain of every club. Maybe I’d have met Ha-chan first, huh?”

Haruka blinked in surprise before smiling softly. “Kiryuin-san…”

He tossed a wink her way, but it didn’t land right. Not like it usually did.

“Could’ve been me you wrote your first song for,” he added with a too-casual shrug. “Maybe I would’ve been your first partner. Wild to think about, right?”

Haruka’s eyes sparkled at the idea. “T-That’s true…”

Otoya chuckled. “You, in our school? Pft, You’d be competing with Ren every day!”

Van laughed. “Obviously, and winning~”

“With your age, Van, maybe you’d have been a teacher instead...”

“I-“ Van gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. “Oto-chan, that hurts!”

“Sorry, sorry!” Otoya laughed sheepishly.

Laughter spilled between them, but off to the side, Ai sat quietly. Listening. He’d noticed something in Van lately, and now, he was sure of it.

♬

Van draped a towel around his neck, dropping to one knee as he rummaged through his bag for a water bottle. Behind him, the quiet hum of conversation drifted from the corner of the room. 

“Ne, Nanami!” Otoya said, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. “Do you remember the first song we sang for you? After you ran away?”

Haruka’s eyes lit up. “Yes. Of course I do. How could I forget a song like Mirai Chizu…”

“I haven’t played it in a while,” he said, fingers moving instinctively as he strummed a few familiar chords. “But maybe my hands still remember…”

He hesitated, then strummed a few notes. The melody rang out—soft, slightly imperfect, but full of warmth. Like a photograph slightly faded at the edges, yet somehow more precious because of it.

Haruka drew closer, hands clasped in front of her. Her voice, almost a whisper, joined his.

“ Kono hiroi hoshi no naka, Bokura wa naze deatte,” Otoya sang, his eyes never leaving hers.

“ ...Sora o miageterun darou? ” she echoed, her voice soft, but steady.

He smiled as he played on, more sure now.

“ Ikusen no toki o koete, ”

“ Hitotsu no MERODI… ”

Their voices blended, tentative, familiar, and achingly nostalgic.

“ Kyō o shitteta yō naaaa… ~”  

The final note faded into a quiet laugh between them, soft and breathless.

Ai stood beside Van without a word, his gaze steady on Otoya and Haruka across the room.

Van looked at him, sighed, and let a weak grin stretch across his face. “Man… they really went through it.”

Ai narrowed his eyes slightly. “You’re deflecting.”

“Huh?” Van turned to him, brows raised, exaggerated innocence lacing his tone.

“You’re imagining a version of the past where you were part of something that shaped them,” Ai said evenly. “And you’re wondering why you weren’t.”

Van opened his mouth, then closed it again. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. 

He laughed, but it didn’t quite reach his voice.

“What’s up with ya today, Ai-chan?” he asked, leaning back on his hands with forced ease. But the faint crease between his brows betrayed the effort. 

“Are ya sayin’ I’m jealous or somethin’?”

“You tell me.”

There was a beat of silence. Van’s grin twitched but didn’t hold. He exhaled, eyes drifting toward the far side of the room where faint echoes of laughter still lingered.

“Guess I’m just... thinkin’. Watching them. It’s different, y’know?”

Ai finally turned to look at him, his expression unreadable.

Van sighed, and the easygoing mask slipped further. 

“She really means a lot to them. To all of STARISH. Not just as their composer. But as Ha-chan. As herself. They light up around her. It’s... kind of amazing.”

Ai didn’t speak. His gaze held steady, cool and unflinching.

“Van.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you like Haruka?”

“Wha-” Van blinked. “H-Huh?!” He straightened, caught off guard. “That came outta nowhere!”

Ai tilted his head. “You speak to her differently.”

Van laughed, but the sound was tight. “Man, you really say that like you’re inputting it into a spreadsheet...”

“Because I need to know,” Ai said. “If what I’m feeling is the same.”

“The same…?” Van echoed, voice softer now. His smirk faltered. He looked away, jaw working like he was chewing on the urge to crack a joke. But he didn’t.

Instead, he looked down for a long moment, running a hand through his hair. When he looked up again, his expression was bare.

“Yeah. I like her,” he said finally. No grin. No winking.“I do like her. For real. And not in a maybe-kinda way. I’m serious about her.”

Ai turned away, as if that answer required silence to process.

“Van nudged his shoulder, light but grounding. “What, didn’t expect that from me?”

“No,” Ai replied plainly. “I expected you to keep deflecting.”

Van gave a quiet laugh. “I’m not the type to hide how I feel, not when it’s real. I mean. What’s the point of holding back something that matters?”

Ai’s eyes shifted back toward where Haruka had gone. His expression clouded, faintly uncertain.

“What does that mean?” he asked. “Being sure of something like that...”

Van blinked. 

“What do you mean, what does it mean?”

Ai frowned, the line between his brows deepening. “How do you know when you love someone? Is it a feeling? A decision? A pattern in your thoughts?”

Van stared at him for a second. “Whoa. You’re not... messing with me, are ya?”

“No.” Ai’s tone was level, but there was something raw under the calm. “I want to understand. You said you’re serious. So… what comes after that? What do you do with that certainty?”

Van squinted at him, then let out a breathy chuckle. “You’re really overthinkin’ it, Ai-chan.”

“I’m analyzing it.”

“That’s kinda the problem.” Van gave a quiet laugh, more thoughtful this time. “Love’s not a formula. It’s not a list you check off.”

Ai didn’t respond.

Van continued, voice gentler now. “I guess… it’s when you care how someone’s doing even when they’re not around. When a random song makes you think of them. When you’re willing to look stupid if it means they’ll laugh. That’s love. Or... somethin’ close to it.”

He shrugged. “Sometimes, ya just know. In your chest. In the way you wait for their laugh without realizing you were waiting.”

Ai’s gaze flicked to him, sharp but unreadable. Then slowly, his eyes dropped to the ground,

“...I see.”

The silence that followed was heavier than before, yet not uncomfortable. It hummed with unspoken things.

Then Ai turned slightly, posture shifting.

“Alright, practice resumes in five minutes.”

“Huh?” Van blinked, startled by the sudden pivot. “That’s it? No comment? No more questions??"

Ai didn’t respond. Not with words, anyway.

Van stared, a beat longer, then let out a low chuckle and shook his head. “Alright, alright. Five minutes.”

He took one last glance at Haruka and Otoya. Then something settled in him. Not a decision, but a quiet promise. 

He wouldn’t fall behind. Not this time.

He jogged after Ai, catching up easily, their footsteps falling into rhythm. Van nudged him lightly with his shoulder.

“Say,” he said, grinning. “Let’s catch up to them.”

Ai didn’t answer, but the glance he gave Van was enough. No words. Just a silent understanding. They had a long way to go. But for the first time, they were moving forward.

“Otoya,” Ai said as he walked to the center of the room, glancing briefly over his shoulder. “Practice resumes in 5 minutes and 13 seconds.”

Haruka and Otoya looked over at him, pausing their quiet conversation.

“Oh! Okay~” Otoya called out cheerfully.

He set his guitar down gently and turned back to her. “Sorry, Nanami!”

Haruka shook her head quickly with a smile. “No, it’s fine! Actually… I was just about to leave. I have an appointment over at Raging Entertainment.”

“Eh? You’re going there?” Otoya blinked in surprise.

“Mhm,” she nodded, gathering her bag. “It’s for the next unit project. They called me in for a meeting.”

“Whoa, but you just finished our song!” he exclaimed. Then, with a bright grin, “Well! Good luck, Nanami! Do your best!”

Just as she smiled in response, a familiar voice called across the studio.

“Ha-chan’s leaving already?!”

They all turned to see Van standing with a water bottle in one hand, a towel draped over his shoulders, pretending to pout.

“Aw man, and I didn’t even get to bug you today,” he added, slouching comically. “Tell anyone from HEAVENS you run into that Van Kiryuin says hi, alright?”

Haruka laughed softly, slightly embarrassed but touched. “Yes! I’ll make sure to pass it on.”

She gave Otoya one more smile, then turned toward Ai. As their eyes met, she gave a small, polite bow.

Ai met her gaze directly. “I’ll be looking forward to hearing your next song,” he said calmly, but there was a quiet sincerity in his voice.

Haruka's expression softened, visibly warmed by his words. “Thank you, Mikaze-senpai. I’ll do my best.”

She grips the strap on her bag, glanced back toward the group, and gave a final bow to them all.

“I’ll see you all soon. Please take care!”

“Take care of yourself too, Nanami~!” Otoya called after her, waving enthusiastically.

Van lifted a hand lazily in farewell. “Don’t overwork yourself, Ha-chan! And bring back good news!”

The studio door clicked shut softly behind her as she left, her footsteps fading down the hall. 

A beat of silence passed.

“Ne, ne,” Otoya suddenly piped up, turning to face the other two with wide, curious eyes.

“What were you guys talking about earlier? You looked super serious.”

Ai was already turning back toward the center of the room. “Nothing really.”

Van, meanwhile, froze mid-sip of his water. A single sweatdrop trailed down his cheek.

“Ahaha… ya know, just... guy talk~”

Otoya blinked. “Guy talk???”

Van tossed the towel over his head dramatically. “Practice time! Let’s focus on that, yeah?”

Ai was already adjusting the sheet music stand. “Three minutes remaining.”

“Ehh~ you're all being suspicious,” Otoya mumbled, but followed them anyway.

♬

Raging Entertainment loomed ahead, a steel-and-glass monolith under the bruising dusk. Haruka stood still momentarily, the building’s towering presence making her feel smaller than usual. The guard gave a silent nod. She returned it with a slight bow before stepping inside.

Her heels clicked crisply against the marble floor, the sound too loud in the quiet lobby. A low rumble of thunder made her pause mid-step.

She turned to the glass wall, eyes tracing the storm clouds gathering above the city. They moved fast, restless and angry.

That came out of nowhere…

Her brow furrowed, fingers instinctively tightening around the strap of her bag.

I didn’t even bring an umbrella…

Her gaze lingered on the sky as she stood there, motionless.

I hope everyone gets home before it starts pouring...

Haruka puffed out her cheeks and pressed both hands to them, standing there like a girl who remembered she left the laundry out.

Wait... H-How am I gonna get home in this?

She groaned softly under her breath. Fine... I'll think about it later...

She let her hands fall with a quiet pat and took a breath, centering herself. One thing at a time.

Her steps softened as she moved forward again, nearing the far end of the corridor. There, under the cool glow of recessed lighting, a sleek black plaque glinted: RAGING OTORI.

Okay. I'm here.

She halted just short of the door, the muted rumble of the storm outside threading through the silence. Drawing a steadying breath, she felt the weight of the moment press down on her chest. Slowly, deliberately, she lifted her hand, fingertips hovering mere inches from the cold surface.

Then, without the slightest warning, the door swung open.

“Eh?” Haruka froze mid-motion, her hand suspended in the air.

Her eyes snapped wide, breath caught in her throat as a tall figure filled the doorway. Broad-shouldered and impeccably dressed, he radiated an effortless authority that made the air around him shift. The rich, intoxicating scent of expensive cologne washed over her, wrapping her in a disorienting wave.

His piercing purple eyes locked onto hers. What had been sharp now softened, widening in genuine surprise.

“…Nanami?”

His voice was low, smooth as velvet, threaded with not just surprise but a hint of awe.

Her heart skipped a beat, blinking rapidly as the shock settled in.

“...Eiichi-san?”