"I now declare the Shuchiin Cultural Festival—Hoshinsai—open!!"
Early in the morning, the entire high school division of Shuchiin Academy was decorated in all sorts of styles. As Tsubame Koyasu stood on the temporary stage with a microphone and shouted, the whole school erupted with excitement.
The Hoshinsai had officially begun.
Amid the lively atmosphere, Rinji and the rest of the first-year Festival committee members got to work.
They were responsible for helping clubs and classes transport supplies and materials.
Rinji glanced at his phone. According to the schedule, after finishing his morning duties, he was due to perform in a duet with Fujiwara in the auditorium in about an hour.
"Rinji-kun, are you heading to Fujiwara-senpai after this?" Iino asked while staying busy.
"Yeah."
"Do you want to go ahead? I can handle things here."
"I'll do it myself. Everything has a proper order."
Saying that, Rinji picked up a box on the ground and walked toward the booths outside.
"It's just a morning performance anyway. Fujiwara doesn't want to waste too much time on the Hoshinsai, so there are only a few scheduled performances."
"I see… I'll go watch then," Iino said softly.
Fujiwara was a nationally awarded piano prodigy from middle school—someone Iino had long admired.
With her idol stepping onstage again, Iino naturally wanted to witness it in person.
---
"You're late!"
"Culture Festival committee duties. Try to understand."
Backstage in the school auditorium, Fujiwara—dressed in a formal gown—pouted as she pointed at Rinji, who arrived late. Rinji scratched his head, unconcerned.
He opened a wooden case and took out his violin.
"When do we go on?"
"Wait, are you going on stage dressed like that?"
Rinji was wearing his school uniform, the Disciplinary Committee armband still attached. He looked like he'd rushed over right after moving heavy boxes.
"What else would I wear?"
"...Seriously, come with me."
Fujiwara pulled Rinji into a nearby dressing room and threw him a tuxedo from the rack.
"Put this on."
"...Alright."
It was a hassle, but that's how stage performances go. After taking off his uniform jacket, Rinji put on the tuxedo and fastened the buttons.
Fujiwara stepped over, holding a bottle of hair gel.
"What are you doing?"
"Don't move."
She smeared the gel on her hands and slicked back his hair in one motion.
"There, perfect~"
She nodded with satisfaction at her handiwork.
Rinji grabbed a mirror and looked at his new hairstyle—a slicked-back pompadour.
He had to admit, it gave him a very masculine look. Gone was the girlish impression from his longer hair.
"Nice. Fujiwara, this will be my signature look from now on."
Rinji ran his hand over his hair, pleased.
"Mm-hmm, as expected of me."
Fujiwara puffed out her chest proudly.
"Alright, it's almost showtime."
The two, now both dressed in formalwear, headed toward the stage.
---
As the emcee announced their names, the curtain slowly rose.
Rinji stood with his violin, and Fujiwara walked toward the grand piano in the center.
Shuchiin's auditorium was massive, yet packed to the brim. Flashbulbs went off here and there among the crowd.
Fujiwara's fame as a piano prodigy had long since spread beyond the academy. Her sudden return to the stage stirred excitement even outside school circles.
"Fujiwara-senpai's more popular than I expected," Ishigami muttered nervously in the stands.
"Yeah, she doesn't look it, but she's a real genius." Shirogane sat beside him. "Winning prizes from a young age… that's no ordinary feat."
"True enough," Ishigami chuckled.
"It might even be one of her few redeeming qualities," said Kaguya with a smile.
The whole student council was in attendance. After all, both performers were council members.
Meanwhile, among those who came just for Fujiwara, many were whispering about the unfamiliar boy beside her.
Once the venue quieted, the performance began.
Rinji drew his bow across the strings, releasing a smooth, flowing melody. It brushed against the listeners like a refreshing breeze.
Like a cool morning mist in summer, it both chilled and warmed the soul.
Just as everyone was being drawn in, Fujiwara's delicate fingers touched the piano keys.
The sound was gentle, like peaceful times, like radiant frost. Beneath each note was a hidden grandeur.
Their duet was nearly flawless—no imperfections to be found.
For a moment, the audience was wholly enchanted, drawn into a world crafted by music.
Ten minutes later, the piece ended.
Fujiwara lifted her hands from the keys. Rinji lowered his violin and gave an elegant bow.
Woosh—
Thunderous applause filled the auditorium.
"Impressive as always, Rinji," Ishigami said, clapping. "Now that's a real genius."
"Yeah."
Shirogane smiled at Rinji on stage.
But it wasn't just students or Fujiwara's fans in the audience.
In a shadowed corner, a black-haired man wearing a round hat sat silently, his face hidden.
He gazed at Rinji and smiled warmly, clapping along with the rest.