The curtain closed softly in front of Eishi.
A deep sigh of relief escaped his lips. His shoulders dropped, muscles aching from the tension that had gripped him throughout the performance. He turned slowly, carefully placing his violin back inside its case with quiet reverence, as if sealing away the final note.
"What an amazing performance, Eishi-kun!" a cheerful voice called.
A girl in a school uniform—one of the student staff members—approached him backstage, eyes bright with admiration.
"Can I shake your hand?"
Eishi blinked in surprise, then smiled, holding out his hand.
"Thank you," he said sincerely, his voice still soft with exhaustion.
The girl shook his hand eagerly, almost bouncing in place.
Then he noticed it—multiple gazes from the other contestants lingering nearby.
Some stared at him with wide eyes, still caught in the echo of his song. Others looked away quickly, frowns on their faces. A few offered polite nods—respect, perhaps.
But there was jealousy, too. The kind that simmers just below the surface. The kind that recognizes something extraordinary… and resents it.
Still, more contestants began to approach. Slowly at first, then in twos and threes.
Another hand extended. Then another.
A boy with his blazer tied around his waist shook his head in disbelief. "Now I feel depressed… I don't even know if I should go through with my performance after that. Ugh, this guy should've gone last!"
Laughter followed, light but tinged with nerves.
Meanwhile, a girl clutching her sheet music close to her chest stepped forward. Her hands trembled slightly as she took Eishi's hand in hers.
"You made me cry," she whispered, her voice wavering. "I haven't cried like that since… since my grandfather passed away. Thank you."
Eishi stood there quietly, offering thanks and returning each handshake, all while trying to process the moment. His heart was still racing, but now—now it raced with something else.
Gratitude.
And maybe, just maybe...
A sense that he was finally being seen.
After finishing the handshake, Eishi turned to leave, but paused, glancing back at the staff member.
"Umm... when will we know the result?" he asked.
The staff—still glowing from his performance—smiled and adjusted her clipboard. "This evening at 7 p.m.," she replied. "There'll be an awarding event. It covers all categories—most famous class event, most profitable activity, performances like yours, and more. So I can't say the exact time they'll announce your category, but the full program starts at 7."
"I see," Eishi nodded slowly, a flicker of tension returning to his expression.
She gave a light laugh. "Don't worry. After what you just did, I think you'll be the highlight."
Eishi offered a grateful smile and a quiet, "Thank you," before slipping away down the corridor. He exhaled long and slow, still processing the weight of what had just happened—the applause, the silence, the eyes locked onto him. He'd given them everything.
But now, all he could do was wait.
As he turned to leave the backstage, Eishi quietly decided, "I'll go straight to the Student Council President." But before he could take more than a few steps, a blur rushed toward him.
Then—suddenly—he was enveloped in a warm embrace.
Small arms wrapped tightly around him, almost shaking.
Startled at first, Eishi's instincts tensed.
But then he caught the scent. Familiar. Safe.
He relaxed.
A soft, relieved smile bloomed on his face.
"Mom," he said quietly, his voice warm and low, as he hugged her back. "Thank you for coming."
His mother said nothing at first. She just held him, her hand trembling slightly against his back.
Then, with her face buried against his shoulder, she whispered, "Your performance were… beautiful, Eishi. I'm so proud of you."
He chuckled softly, a little embarrassed, but touched beyond words.
"Thank you mom...for everything" he said.
She pulled back slightly, looking at him with red-rimmed eyes and a wide, teary smile. "You are welcome dear, please depend on me more Eishi."
Eishi nodded slowly.
Then his eyes drifted past her—to the hallway ahead.
The moment was short, but perfect.
And now, he had more to face.
Then he also noticed Issei.
"Eishi, I never thought you could play like that. I was stunned," Issei said, still wide-eyed from the performance.
Eishi smiled. "So you've become my fan already, huh?" he teased.
"What!?? I didn't say that!" Issei barked back, flustered, waving his hands.
Eishi chuckled and turned to his mother. "Mom, I have some business to do first. Later, I'll show you around the school."
"Yes," she said warmly, her eyes still misty. "Take your time."
Eishi gave her a soft nod, then turned and started walking, determination slowly returning to his steps.
Then Issei offered, "I'll take care of Obaasan first. Come find us in my class."
"Ohh," Eishi said with a playful smirk. "Will you wear the uniform?"
"No!" Issei snapped immediately, making a face.
Eishi laughed again, his heart a little lighter.
___________________________________________________________________
He arrived in front of a door with the sign "Student Council Office."
He knocked on the door and waited until he heard a voice say, "Come in."
He pushed the door open. As soon as he stepped inside, he noticed Sona sitting behind a desk and Tsubaki standing next to her.
"Welcome, Lucivar. This is your first time in our office, correct? Sit," Sona said as Tsubaki prepared a chair in front of her.
He walked toward the seat and sat down. While walking, he took in the atmosphere of the Student Council room. While not overly vibrant, it exuded a warm but sophisticated vibe. Everything was neatly arranged. His eyes caught a framed photograph on the wall—all women, including Sona and Tsubaki. "Must be the Student Council members," he thought.
As he sat down, Sona's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she spoke.
"You look fresh, like a burden has just been lifted off your shoulders," she observed. Then she asked, "Tea or coffee?" as she gestured toward Tsubaki.
"Tea," he said softly.
Tsubaki gave a nod and silently moved to the back, where a small kettle and porcelain set waited on a tray.
Sona's gaze never left him. Calm, composed—but with a trace of sharpness in her eyes.
"That was a great performance," she said.
Eishi blinked, caught off guard for a moment. Then he gave a slight smile. "Thank you."
"You left the entire audience in awe—even the judges," she continued. "I believe you could win this easily."
She paused.
"…But your main motive for joining this competition wasn't just the spotlight. It was for the scholarship, correct?"
He nodded slowly, uncertain where this was heading. "Yes."
"You believe you'll receive it if you win?"
Eishi's brows furrowed slightly. "...Of course. That's how this works."
Sona leaned back just enough to fold her arms, her tone sharper now. "I had someone look into Kazuma Tenjou."
Eishi stilled.
Her voice lowered. "He's has great connections with the upper management. Long-standing ties, you could say he has the final say in Gremory Scholarship Program"
Eishi's heart dropped.
"You mean…" he said, his voice quieter now, but laced with tension, "...even if I win—if I want the scholarship—I'll have to beg him for it?"
The room fell still.
A faint tremor began to rise—unseen, but deeply felt. The air shifted. The aura around Eishi flared, like a storm behind calm eyes. His fingers clenched at his sides.
That fury.
That helplessness.
A feeling he hadn't felt since—
"Calm down," Sona said sharply, her voice cutting through the swell of energy.
Her violet eyes narrowed, but there was no fear—only concern… and understanding.
"I have suggestion" she added firmly. "That's why I called you here."
At that moment, Tsubaki returned with a cup of tea, carefully placing it in front of Eishi as though nothing had happened. The warmth from the steam rose between them like a barrier. A moment of peace.
Eishi exhaled—slow, deliberate.
His aura subsided.
He picked up the cup, letting its heat ground him. "...Then what do we do?"
Sona's lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile.
"You see," Sona began, her voice steady but firm, "there is not only one scholarship available in this school."
Eishi narrowed his eyes, listening intently. The heat of his tea still lingered against his palms, but his focus was now entirely on her.
"There are others," she continued, "other programs—other sponsors. Multiple corporations offer scholarships here. Most of them are tailored to academics, sports, or research."
He nodded slowly.
"But," he interjected, "only the Gremory program sponsors musicians. Instrumentalists, specifically."
Sona's lips curved into a subtle smirk.
"Not anymore."
Eishi blinked, confused. Then his eyes widened as realization hit.
"You mean—?"
"Yes," she said plainly, "I spoke with my family. Sitri Corporation will establish a new scholarship—focused on musical arts. And it will be awarded to you."
For a moment, joy surged within him. His chest felt light. He had done it. He had made it. A breath escaped him, a whisper of disbelief and hope.
But then… the joy dimmed.
"…Why?" he asked softly. "Why are you doing this?"
Sona leaned back slightly in her seat, studying him.
A small smile tugged at her lips.