By Wednesday, it was no longer just classmates.
It was teachers.
"Takeda," my homeroom teacher said, adjusting his glasses. "I heard you sang at auditions. Impressive."
I froze. "Uh… thank you?"
He nodded seriously. "You should consider joining the music club. It would be… constructive."
Constructive? Like my singing was a crumbling building?
Before I could reply, another teacher poked his head into the room. "Ah, Takeda-kun, the cultural committee is looking for student performers. I'll put your name down."
"What? No! Wait—!"
Too late. He was already gone.
I sat in stunned silence while Rina scribbled something in her notebook.
"What are you doing?" I hissed.
"Drafting your tour schedule," she said without looking up. "You've got math at ten, history at eleven, lunch with your adoring fans, and a cultural festival gig penciled in for next month."
"…I'm dropping out of school."
---
The music club ambush came next.
Two upperclassmen cornered me after class, one carrying drumsticks, the other with a keyboard case strapped to his back.
"We saw your audition," Drum Guy said. "Raw, emotional. We like that."
"Join us," Keyboard Guy added solemnly. "We need a guitarist with soul."
"I—I'm not really—" I started.
"We rehearse three times a week," Drum Guy said, ignoring me. "You'll learn discipline. Chops. Stage presence."
Keyboard Guy nodded gravely. "We already brainstormed band names. My favorite is 'Destiny Trigger.'"
I nearly fainted.
Then, out of nowhere, Rina materialized like a guardian demon.
"Sorry, boys," she said sweetly. "He's booked solid. An exclusive contract."
Both upperclassmen blinked. "Contract?"
"Clause 3B clearly states that he can't join any third-rate clubs without my express permission," she continued, pulling a random sheet of paper from her bag and waving it like a legal document.
The guys muttered something about "managers" and retreated, defeated.
I gaped at her. "…Clause 3B?"
She grinned. "Improvised."
"You're insane."
"And you'd be dead without me."
I couldn't even argue.
---
By the time we reached the gates, I felt like I'd survived a war.
"Congratulations," Rina said, stretching her arms behind her head. "Day three of fame: you're already legendary."
"I'm going to die."
"Nope," she said cheerfully. "You're going to live long enough to play another gig."
The thought made my stomach flip. I wasn't sure if it was dread… or excitement.
Maybe both.