Shibuya Station Area — 4:01 PM, clear skies, fading sun
Kazuki walked with his hands in his pockets, blazer sleeves rolled, headphones looped around his neck. They weren't playing anything — not yet. The soft chatter of students walking home, the wind rustling through the trees, the faint buzz of city life — it was enough.
I'm not late. Technically. Just giving myself time to change my mind.
The school gates were behind him now, but the hesitation clung to his steps like leftover stage lights. He turned the corner toward the station, half-expecting to find no one waiting.
But of course they were.
Shun was leaned against a vending machine like it owed him money. Kenji stood in front of it, furiously pressing buttons.
"Come on," Kenji muttered. "I asked for melon soda. This is not melon soda."
Shun didn't look up. "The universe heard your chaos and responded with mild inconvenience."
Kazuki stepped closer. "You both look like you've been here since lunch."
"We have," Kenji replied, spinning around dramatically. "Emotionally, anyway."
Shun gave Kazuki a half-lidded look. "Surprised you showed."
Kazuki shrugged. "I like wasting money in neon-lit rooms. It's a hobby."
Footsteps approached from behind.
"You came." Naomi's voice, smooth and lightly teasing. "I owe Shun five hundred yen."
Shun nodded without smugness. "Told you the mysterious ones always crack under peer pressure."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "You were betting on me showing up?"
Naomi crossed her arms, amused. "Only a little. You give off 'lives in a black-and-white indie film' vibes."
"…Thanks?"
"You're welcome."
The four of them started walking, the city stretching open ahead — sun low, buildings gleaming, the kind of afternoon that hinted at something better than homework.
Kenji was mid-story about a cursed UFO catcher machine when it happened.
A shadow slid into step beside Kazuki.
"Yo."
Kazuki stiffened.
Hana.
She fell in step like she'd always been there, hands in her skirt pockets, expression way too pleased with herself.
He turned slowly. "Why are you here?"
She grinned. "Kenji invited me."
Kazuki's glare shifted instantly. "Kenji—"
Kenji held up both hands. "Don't look at me like that! The group needed balance."
Shun added lazily, "To be fair, you have enough brooding energy to power three indie singers and a poet."
"I didn't agree to this," Kazuki muttered.
"You didn't disagree either," Hana pointed out, somehow matching his pace without effort. "Besides, who said this was about you?"
Naomi smirked. "I like this. We're five minutes in and the banter's already better than half the dramas I've seen this year."
Kazuki shot her a look. "You could've warned me."
She shrugged. "And miss this chaos? Never."
"Relax," Hana said, nudging him with her shoulder. "You should be thanking me. Now you're not the only emotionally constipated one in the group."
Kenji nearly choked laughing. Shun looked mildly impressed. Naomi looked delighted.
Kazuki sighed, adjusting the strap on his school bag.
This is fine. It's just a group hangout. Nothing special. Just noise and light and neon buzz to fill the gaps I didn't ask for.
…Right?
They turned the corner toward the station, the city humming louder with every step. The arcade waited a few train stops away.
Kazuki wasn't sure what kind of mess this was going to be.
But he was walking toward it anyway.
Akasaka Joystation Arcade — 4:41 PM
The train ride was short, loud, and full of terrible puns.
Kenji narrated the entire trip like a tour guide possessed. Shun pretended not to exist. Naomi subtly recorded clips of Kenji's running commentary. Hana argued with the ticket machine twice and won both times.
Kazuki kept his headphones around his neck the whole time — a silent seatbelt against the noise — but he didn't pull away from it either.
He wasn't used to this kind of sound.
Not crowd sound. Not stage sound. Just people — messy, annoying, unfiltered.
But maybe that's what made it feel real.
The arcade loomed just a few blocks from the station — a chaotic, glowing building sandwiched between a takoyaki stand and a karaoke bar. The sign above the entrance blinked "JOYSTATION" in aggressive neon like it was daring them to have fun or leave.
Kazuki stared up at it with one brow slightly raised. "This place looks cursed."
"Exactly," Kenji said, nearly vibrating. "That's how you know it's good."
They stepped inside and were immediately greeted by the wall of noise — beeping machines, exploding pixels, rapid-fire jingles, and the scent of fried dough and too many high schoolers.
Shun whistled. "Louder than I remember."
Naomi brushed her hair behind one ear. "Pick a game. Let's lose with style."
Hana was already moving.
"Come on, Kaz," she called back over her shoulder. "You get first shot. No backing out."
He blinked. "Why?"
"Because you look the most like a protagonist and I need to confirm if that comes with plot armor."
Kazuki didn't even get a chance to protest before Hana dragged him toward the UFO catcher machine — the one with little stuffed tigers in sunglasses.
"I'm not good at these," he warned.
"That's the point," she smirked. "No one is. But if you win on the first try, I will openly accuse you of being an undercover anime character."
Kazuki sighed, stepped up, and fed in a coin.
The claw dropped.
It twitched.
It lifted a tiger by one ear… and dropped it half an inch from the chute.
Kenji screamed. "So close!"
Naomi winced. "Tragedy in real time."
Shun patted Kazuki's shoulder. "You tried. That's what counts. Emotionally."
Kazuki stepped back, hands up in surrender. "This is a scam."
"Obviously," Hana said, already inserting her own coin. "But it's our scam now."
She didn't win either. Or on her second try. Or her third.
But by the fourth, she yanked the joystick like she was challenging fate itself — and the tiger dropped neatly into the chute.
Kenji fell to his knees. "She has ascended."
Hana picked it up, smug. "Pure willpower."
Without hesitation, she tossed it at Kazuki. "Here. You softened it up for me."
He caught it, stunned. "…I didn't ask for this."
"Exactly. That's what makes it a gift."
Naomi grinned. "This is actually wholesome. In a chaotic, slightly threatening way."
Shun smirked. "Ship it."
Kazuki's ears burned.
Later, they played rhythm games, air hockey (Kenji and Naomi dominated), a co-op zombie shooter (Kazuki surprisingly decent, Hana way too enthusiastic), and took a group photo at a purikura booth — mostly because Kenji refused to leave without one.
It came out slightly blurry. Hana was making a face. Naomi looked perfect. Shun was half-blinking. Kenji was mid-scream.
Kazuki… looked caught off guard. But not unhappy.
As they stepped back into the twilight, the sky was turning deep violet, city lights blinking on one by one.
Someone suggested takoyaki. No one argued.
Kazuki walked with the group again — headphones still silent, still around his neck.
Still not trying to block anything out.
Takoyaki Stand, Shibuya — 6:03 PM
The buzz of the arcade faded behind them, replaced by the hum of traffic and neon signs blinking to life. The sun had dipped below the skyline, casting Shibuya in a soft electric glow.
They stood gathered around a steaming takoyaki stand on the corner — the kind of place that smelled like heaven and burned your mouth if you weren't patient.
Kazuki leaned slightly on one foot, hands tucked in his blazer pockets, quietly watching the takoyaki vendor work with practiced speed. Batter sizzled, skewers spun, steam rose like a gentle curtain between them and the crowd passing by.
Kenji was already munching on his. "Hot. Ow. Worth it. Ow again."
Naomi poked hers with a toothpick, smirking. "I warned you about biting in too early."
Shun, calm as ever, blew on his before taking a small, perfect bite. "You'd think he'd learn."
Kazuki finally accepted a tray with a quiet "Thanks," nodding to the vendor.
Then—a fifth tray appeared in front of him.
"Delivery for moody protagonist #1," Hana said, popping into his peripheral with two trays and a mischievous smile.
Kazuki blinked. "You bought me food?"
"You're buying next time," she replied, nudging him toward the low ledge where the others were already sitting.
He hesitated for just a second, then sat beside her, tray balanced on his lap.
"You're… quieter than usual," Hana said, between bites.
Kazuki shrugged. "It's a lot."
"You hate it?"
He paused. "No. I don't."
Hana leaned back slightly, arms stretched behind her. "Good. You don't get it yet, but this — these kinds of days — they're the ones that stick."
He glanced sideways. "You always talk in metaphors?"
"Only when I'm trying to sound cool."
They ate in silence for a moment — the kind that didn't feel awkward.
Just… easy.
From the ledge, they could hear Kenji still rambling about his crane game war story. Naomi was trying not to laugh and failing. Shun said something deadpan that made both of them snort.
Kazuki looked down at his half-eaten takoyaki, then out at the street.
The crowds. The city. The heat from the box in his hands.
This didn't feel like escape.
It felt like something new.
Maybe something better.
Shibuya Station — 6:41 PM
The group started to split off as the sky deepened into night.
Shun waved lazily as he disappeared into one exit. Kenji promised he'd send "the most cursed purikura edits" to the group chat before vanishing after him.
Naomi pulled on her jacket and looked at Kazuki. "You alright?"
He nodded. "Thanks. For today."
She tilted her head. "No thanks needed. We're just getting started, Kaz."
Then she turned and headed for the opposite platform.
Now it was just Kazuki and Hana.
They stood on the train platform, the wind sweeping in gentle waves between them.
Hana glanced at him. "So. Today wasn't a complete disaster."
Kazuki let out a small breath of amusement. "No. It really wasn't."
She paused. Then: "Hey."
He turned.
"If anyone ever gives you crap about who you used to be… just remind them who you are now."
Kazuki blinked.
Then gave her a soft, quiet nod. "You too."
She looked away quickly. "Tch. I was being cool. You're not supposed to flip it on me."
The train pulled in. Hana stepped on first but turned around before the doors closed.
"You better be ready for tomorrow. Ayame said she's got new club scouting tactics."
Kazuki sighed. "That's terrifying."
She grinned. "Good."
Then she disappeared into the crowd.
Kazuki boarded his own train a few moments later, sliding into a seat as the city rolled past the window.
His headphones sat loosely around his neck — still silent.
But his expression was a little lighter.
Just a little.
End of Chapter 3
Next - Chapter 4: The Sound You Can't Hide