---
*IMPERIAL'S GROUND – West Courtyard*
*BAAM!*
*"Ack—!"*
Nao stumbled slightly, books nearly slipping from her grip. She blinked up in alarm just as a tall figure stood inches from her, towering at about 6 feet. His sharp eyes, dark and piercing, narrowed behind untidy strands of black hair. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, with shadows under his eyes—but his presence was commanding. Dangerous even.
A phone skidded across the ground beside them. The screen cracked into jagged lightning.
*"I'm so sorry!"* Nao said immediately, reaching to help.
The guy didn't answer. He stared at the cracked phone for a beat too long, jaw tightening as a faint tic twitched at his temple.
*"Damn..."* he muttered, frustration leaking through the calm of his deep voice.
Just then, another guy stepped forward from the group behind him—slightly shorter, sandy-blonde, with a laid-back expression. He stepped in between the two.
*"It was probably an accident,"* he said smoothly, almost like he was reading Nathan's temperature before it boiled over. He placed a hand on Nao's shoulder, subtle but firm.
*"Might wanna go before things get... messy."*
Nao looked confused, not entirely understanding the tension but sensing it. She opened her mouth to explain herself, but her voice faltered when she noticed the third boy approach—tall, playful smile, sipping chocolate milk like it was a joke.
*"Oh my... it's the look-a-like,"* Tashiba said mockingly, eyeing her up and down with a smirk.
*"Did Viki get cloned or something?"*
Nao felt her stomach turn. *Viki?* Why did everyone keep saying that?
Nathan finally exhaled sharply and moved forward without giving her a glance.
*"These little animals..."* he muttered coldly, voice thick with disgust.
Nao's brows furrowed.
*Was that... about me?*
"Funny you didn't hit her or anything."
Takumi muttered beside Nathan, almost in a whisper but loud enough for Nao to hear. There was something oddly amused in his tone, like Nathan usually wasn't so merciful.
Nathan didn't reply.
Tashiba took a step forward toward Nao, grinning.
"Hey, princess—"
*"Tash!!"*
Takumi's voice cut through like a blade. He didn't look back, but the warning was clear.
Tashiba groaned and threw up a hand in mock surrender.
*"Fine, fine… sheesh."*
He looked at Nao again and winked.
"Watch your step next time, copycat"
Nao instinctively held her other arm, eyes following him as he turned the corner.
His energy felt… intimidating. Quiet and cold, but something about his presence sent a shiver down her spine.
*"I felt a bit of a chill... just from his tone,"* she thought, eyes drifting down to the cracked phone still lying on the floor.
Just as she leaned to pick it up—
*"Hey."*
She jolted upright.
*"Oh—"*
It was Ryan again, hands in his pockets, slightly smirking at her startled reaction.
*"Yeah... c'mon."*
His tone was more relaxed this time as he turned and walked off.
Nao quickly followed.
---
*Club 4-Celestrix – Room C*
*Later That Day*
A warm light filtered in from the high arched windows, illuminating a cozy, lived-in rehearsal room filled with mismatched beanbags, scattered snacks, and music stands. The faint scent of sheet music and strawberry soda hung in the air.
*"Welcome our new member—Nao, Nao Asano!"*
Ryan said dramatically, slinging an arm around her shoulders as he guided her into the center of the room.
*"This here's Ria, and the one buried in notes is Sato."*
Ria sat draped across a fuzzy pink beanbag, hoodie sleeves falling over her hands as she lazily popped chips into her mouth. Her legs, in oversized fluffy socks, swung back and forth like a child on a swing. Sato, meanwhile, looked up from his music journal with a quiet, polite smile.
Nao bowed slightly.
*"N-Nice to meet you all. I hope we work well together."*
*"Damn... she really *does* look like Viki,"* Ria muttered, standing up with interest sparkling in her eyes.
*"Shuu, shuu! Ryan—off her!"*
Ria brushed him aside and wrapped her own arms around Nao's shoulders like they were old friends.
*"No one's more welcoming than *this* girl. We're thrilled to have you here, right team?"*
She raised a half-eaten chip bag in the air.
*"Cheers to Nao!"*
*"Wooooh!"*
Everyone lifted their drinks and snacks in unison.
Nao smiled awkwardly, still trying to process the warm welcome. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Sato wave with a grin.
She returned it, finally recognizing him.
*He was the guy who helped me during the school tour…*
But before she could say more—
*"Sing!"*
*"Sing!"*
*"Sing!"*
The room erupted in playful chants.
Nao froze slightly, clutching her hands together.
*"Ha... please don't expect much from me."*
*"You're gonna kill it—trust me,"* Ria said, lightly nudging her with encouragement.
Nao adjusted her glasses and inhaled. For a brief moment, the world seemed to go quiet.
Then, she began to sing.
The melody drifted through the room like a soft breeze—pure, vulnerable, and full of something untouchable. Something *real.* Her voice wasn't just technically perfect—it *felt.*
Everyone went silent.
Sato's cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. His eyes didn't leave her.
*"WHAAAT!"* Ryan nearly choked on his soda.
Nao stopped abruptly, eyes wide.
*"W-Was that... okay?"*
*"Okay?"*
Ryan paced like a madman.
*"Girl, I need a chain—I'm locking you in this club forever!"*
*"You're better than Viki,"* Ria said seriously, standing as if she'd just seen a ghost.
*"And coming from me, that's saying something."*
Nao's heart pounded in her chest. Her fingers twitched by her sides. She had sung at the children's center and neighborhood contests growing up... but never had anyone looked at her like *this.*
Was she… good?
*"You sang so well, you got *Sato* speechless!"* Ria teased, nudging him.
*"W-what? I'm not speechless! I mean... she did fantastic!"*
Sato cleared his throat.
*"Kaze's gonna love you."*
*"Kaze?"*
Nao blinked.
*"Yup! Our elusive club leader—and my boyfriend,"* Ria added with a mischievous smirk.
Ryan rolled his eyes.
*"There she goes again, claiming Kaze like he's property."*
*"F*ck you."* Ria tossed a chip at him.
Nao laughed nervously, still unsure why that name sounded so familiar.
Before she could think more, Ria clapped her hands.
*"Team dinner tonight?"* she asked with a glint in her eyes.
"That's a little bit too early, Ria... she probably doesn't even understand how things work around here," Ryan said, cracking open a cold soda and leaning against the piano.
Nao, sitting on the edge of a table, perked up, her eyes bright. "Oh no—I do! I've been in something like this back at camp. We had mini contests, and I was even a part of a small group performance."
"You see," Ria smirked, flicking her long braid over her shoulder, "she's not as dull as *you*."
Ryan rolled his eyes. "Tch."
Sato laughed quietly from the side, watching the banter. "Ria seems unusually cheerful today..."
"Ha! When weirdos meet—soulmates," Ryan said, half-joking, sipping his drink.
Just then, the door clicked open.
*Kaze* walked in.
Cool. Reserved. Eyes scanning the room like he was checking the temperature of the air.
Ryan nudged Sato, whispering under his breath, "Perfect timing."
Kaze crossed the room in a few confident strides, nodding once. "Time's moving too fast. Five months until the international competition…" he paused, pulling off his coat and tossing it over a chair, "...and I overheard some Cambridge West executives during their visit. They're planning a check-up for the participants soon."
"OUUIII~ Kaze, you're back!" Ria exclaimed, practically jumping toward him.
Kaze gave her an awkward glance before casually catching her like one might a small hyper dog.
"I wanna hold you!!" she cried, trying to climb him dramatically.
He peeled her off and tossed her lightly onto a chair. "Take a bath first."
"It's not even that bad!" she shouted, sniffing her own shirt with a frown.
From the far room, Nao peeked out, holding the side of the doorway. "Umm… Ria, I don't think I can play piano…"
Ria looked over. "Aww, why not?"
Nao stepped further into view. "I never learned. I tried once, but I couldn't get the rhythm right. It just… never clicked."
Ria frowned slightly, then quickly replaced it with a grin. "We'll find your thing! Everyone has one. Just takes time."
"Ouii ouii! Kaze!" she called excitedly, grabbing him by the sleeve. "Meet Nao!"
Kaze turned.
Nao looked up.
-pause- silence-
Nao and kaze stared.