Hanasakigawa Girls High School
April 5, 2021 – Monday – 12:00 NN
Rinko's POV
It had only been a few hours since Riku introduced himself during homeroom, yet the class already felt different. Now it was lunchtime, and I watched as a crowd of curious classmates surrounded his desk, peppering him with questions.
On one hand, I was relieved. The others seemed to be opening up to him quickly, and that would make his life here smoother. But on the other hand... a tightness twisted in my chest. Some of them were leaning a little too close, laughing too brightly at his responses. Riku, being Riku, smiled politely at all of them, answering their questions with ease. He never noticed how the attention made me uneasy.
I stood from my seat, summoning the courage to invite him to lunch with me. But before I could take a step, the door slid open.
"Riku-dono!"
Konpaku-san stood there, calling to him with her usual composed tone. The chatter around Riku died as everyone turned to look. He rose from his chair without hesitation, walking toward her.
"Youmu! What's up?" Riku asked as Konpaku-san hesitated. "Well, actually—"
Before she could finish, a familiar figure appeared behind her. A pink-haired woman in a light-blue kimono, waving cheerfully with a smile that could disarm even the sternest teacher.
"Good afternoon, everyone~"
"Principal?" the class murmured.
"Principal... what brings you here?" I asked softly, already suspecting the answer.
Yuyuko-san, our principal—and Riku's aunt—beamed. "Well, I came here to see Riku-kun~"
Riku blinked. "Need me for something, Yuyuko-san?"
"Come with me," she replied playfully. "We've got a lot to talk about. And I wanted to have lunch with you and Youmu~"
I watched as Riku considered her request, the faintest sigh escaping his lips before he gave a small smile. "All right," he said simply.
He returned to his desk briefly, retrieving his lunchbox. Then he turned toward me. For a moment, his expression softened in that familiar way I remembered from our childhood. He reached out and lightly poked my forehead.
"I know what you're trying to do—inviting me to lunch. But I can't say no to Yuyuko-san. Maybe next time, okay?"
My breath caught as warmth spread across my face. I nodded quickly, sheepishly pressing my fingers to the spot he'd poked. He smiled, then left the room with Konpaku-san and Yuyuko-san, leaving behind an odd silence in their wake.
It didn't take long before the silence was filled with whispers.
"Hey, Hikawa-san," one girl asked, "are Shirokane-san and Riku-san... dating?"
My heart leapt into my throat, and I felt my blush deepen.
Hikawa-san answered calmly, her tone steady as always. "They're not dating. Shirokane-san told me they're childhood friends. Isn't that right, Shirokane-san? Does Riku-san do that to you often?"
I twisted my fingers together nervously. "Well... most of the time, actually. He does that when we part ways after hanging out, but... I don't mind if it's him..."
The last words slipped out barely above a whisper, too quiet for anyone else to hear—or so I hoped. My heart was racing.
Just as I was about to retreat to my seat, another voice called out.
"Rinko-chan. Can I have a word with you?"
I turned to see Shirasagi-san standing gracefully near the back of the room, her golden hair catching the afternoon light. Her expression was calm, almost too calm.
"Shirasagi-san?" I asked cautiously. "What do you want to talk about?"
Her gaze flicked briefly around the classroom before settling back on me. "Something important. But not here. How about the rooftop?"
I hesitated. The rooftop? That usually meant something serious. Still, her tone left little room for refusal.
I nodded. "Very well. Hikawa-san, you can go ahead to the Student Council Office without me."
Shirasagi-san turned to her own group. "You too, Kanon. Go to Kokoro-chan. I have something to discuss with Rinko-chan."
Hikawa-san regarded us both with a careful look, then inclined her head. "Understood. I'll inform Ichigaya-san in case she's there. Matsubara-san, I'll take you to Tsurumaki-san so you don't get lost."
Matsubara pouted, her eyes already welling with tears. "Fueeeeeee... thank you, Sayo-chan."
With that, the pair exited the room, leaving only me and Shirasagi-san. She wasted no time, already moving toward the door with her usual elegant stride. I followed close behind, my curiosity and nervousness growing with each step.
What could she possibly want to talk to me about—away from everyone else, under the open sky?
The rooftop door creaked open, and the fresh spring breeze brushed against my face. Chisato walked ahead, stopping near the railing. She rested her hand lightly against it, her posture perfect as always. I closed the door behind me and approached slowly.
My heart beat faster.
What is it that Shirasagi-san wants to confirm with me?
Few minutes later
The afternoon sunlight cast a warm glow over the school rooftop, the faint sound of the breeze tugging gently at the railings. A few minutes had passed since classes ended, and I now stood alongside Shirasagi-san, her arms folded as she regarded me with an expression that was calm but searching. Her poise, elegant and unwavering, made me feel as though she had brought me here for something important.
"Rinko-chan," she began, her tone as steady as her posture, "you said that you and Riku are childhood friends, right?"
Her directness startled me, though I quickly nodded, pressing my hands together nervously in front of me. "Y-yes. Riku and I first met when I was seven. It was during a piano contest... he was one of the competitors too. After I performed, he came up to me and told me that I played differently from the others. That small moment—it was the start of everything. From then on, we became friends." My voice softened slightly as I asked, "You know him too, Shirasagi-san?"
She closed her eyes for a moment, exhaling as though recalling a memory tucked away for years. When she opened them again, there was a faint glimmer of nostalgia within. She gave me a small nod.
"I met Riku by chance," she explained, "when I was just beginning my career as an actress. I was only eight at the time. I remember it clearly: he was with his father, wandering around the area where I was practicing my role. He approached me then, offering to help. At first, I was wary—he was a stranger, after all. But... after seeing how earnestly he tried, I gave in. Surprisingly, my acting improved with his guidance. That's how we began talking. And slowly, we became friends."
My eyes widened in awe. "So... he was helping you with your acting back then?"
"Yes," she replied firmly, though her tone carried warmth. "I owe a great deal of where I am now to him. In fact..." She gave a small chuckle, "I even tried convincing Riku to pursue a career in acting."
"Eh? Really?" I gasped. The image of Riku on a stage, dramatically playing out a role, was so far removed from the boy I knew that I almost laughed aloud.
Her lips curved into a faint smile. "Yes, I did. But he refused outright. He said acting wasn't his style—that he preferred music. He claimed being an actor was just a pain."
I couldn't hold back a chuckle of my own. "That... sounds exactly like him. Honest to a fault, blunt without even realizing it."
The air between us lightened for a moment, but then Shirasagi-san's expression sharpened again. She lowered her arms, taking a step closer.
"Now that we've cleared that up," she said, her voice quiet but firm, "there's something I want to ask you. And I want you to answer me honestly."
The sudden seriousness in her tone froze me in place. I could feel the atmosphere shift—the gentle rooftop breeze now felt heavier, almost suffocating. My heart pounded in anticipation of whatever she was about to say.
"Rinko-chan," she asked, her eyes never leaving mine, "do you love Riku?"
"Eh?"
The word slipped from my lips before I even processed the weight of the question. My mind went blank. My face burned hotter than the sun overhead, surely redder than any ripe tomato.
"W-why would you ask me something like that!?" I stammered, throwing my hands up in flustered denial.
But she didn't flinch. Her gaze remained steady, unyielding.
"I'll ask you again, Rinko-chan," she said, every word deliberate. "Do you love Riku?"
Her persistence left me with nowhere to run. My thoughts swirled chaotically, colliding with one another, but the seriousness in her eyes told me this wasn't a question I could dodge. Slowly, I forced myself to steady my breathing, pressing my trembling hands against my chest as I searched for the courage to be honest.
"Yes," I whispered at first, then repeated louder, firmer: "Yes. I love Riku."
Shirasagi-san tilted her head slightly. "How and when did you fall for him?"
I hesitated, then allowed the memories to surface. "At first, he was just my friend. Someone I admired. But as time passed, being with him... it changed me. We hung out, played games together, and sometimes he taught me piano techniques I had never imagined before. He always believed in me, gave me confidence when I had none. He did so much for me, never asking for anything in return. It was those moments, stacked one after another, that made me realize... I had fallen in love with him. I even planned to confess but..."
I trailed off, my voice trembling.
"But what?" she pressed gently.
I drew in a shaky breath. "Before I could say anything, he told me he was going overseas. That he would be gone for a long time, chasing his career in music. My heart shattered when I heard that. I wanted to cry, to scream, to beg him not to leave... but instead, I bit back my tears."
Her silence encouraged me to continue. Slowly, I pulled out the necklace tucked beneath my uniform and held it before her. The silver glinted in the sun.
"Before he left, he gave me this necklace. He told me... that when he became a professional musician, and if I had improved as a pianist, I should return this to him. That was his promise." My grip tightened around the chain. "Even now, that promise guides me. I swore that when I fulfilled it, I'd also confess my feelings. That is my answer, Shirasagi-san."
For a long moment, she simply studied me. Then, at last, her lips curved into a soft smile.
"So those are your true feelings," she said warmly. "I see. I'm satisfied with your answer, Rinko-chan. I truly hope you can fulfill that promise with him."
Relief flooded me, though my curiosity pushed me further. "Shirasagi-san... do you love Riku too?"
I hadn't planned on asking that question—it slipped out without thought. But the instant it left my lips, I wished I could take it back.
To my surprise, she didn't falter. "Yes," she admitted calmly. "I did love him. I even confessed before he left Japan."
My eyes widened in shock. "You... confessed?"
"Yes." Her gaze softened, though tinged with melancholy. "But he rejected me. Not because he didn't care... but because he doesn't know how to express love."
Her words stunned me. I had known Riku for so long, yet I had never realized such a thing. "What do you mean?" I asked quietly.
"I discovered it while practicing lines with him," she explained. "In one of my roles, the male lead had to confess his love to the heroine. I asked Riku to help me, to act out the scene with me. But no matter how many times he tried, he simply couldn't. He stumbled over the words, his expression remained blank. It wasn't that he didn't want to—he just didn't know how. I thought about pressing the matter, but... I decided it wasn't my place. Not then."
I lowered my eyes, deep in thought. To think someone so talented, so honest, could harbor such a flaw. Perhaps... one day, if I truly wanted him to understand, I would have to be the one to guide him.
Before I could linger on the thought, Shirasagi-san's voice broke through. "I've said all I needed. Let's head back, Rinko-chan."
"O-okay..." I murmured.
She gave me a small smile, her tone softening. "And before I forget—you can call me Chisato."
"Eh?" I blinked at her.
"We're both Riku's childhood friends," she explained matter-of-factly. "It's only natural to call each other by our first names. Go ahead, try."
"C-Chisato-san..." I said hesitantly.
"Good," she nodded with approval. "Now let's get going."
We walked back toward the stairwell side by side. But just as we reached the landing, a sudden loud shout reached us. Among the chaos of voices, I heard one familiar above the rest.
Riku.
Chisato-san and I exchanged glances before hurrying down the corridor. When we turned the corner, the sight that greeted us froze me mid-step.
Riku was sprawled on the floor, and atop him—hugging him tightly with a blissful smile—was none other than Tsurumaki Kokoro. Nearby, Konpaku-san was panicking, flailing her arms in frantic confusion, while the principal stood with one hand covering her mouth, her shoulders trembling with restrained laughter.
My own words caught in my throat, but before I could speak, I noticed Chisato-san. Her expression had shifted entirely: a dark aura practically radiated off her, her smile far too sweet to be genuine. Slowly, she stepped forward until she loomed over the scene.
"Riku," she said in a tone that made the hairs on my neck rise, "why is Kokoro-chan on top of you?"
"W-well, about that..." Riku stammered, his voice rising with panic as Kokoro clung to him even tighter.
The hallway fell into a tense silence, all eyes fixed on him as though awaiting judgment.
And in that moment, I could only think one thing: This... is going to get very, very complicated.
Riku's POV
A few minutes earlier.
The warm scent of tea lingered faintly in the air as I sat across from Youmu in Yuyuko-san's office. The three of us had just finished our lunches—or at least, Youmu and I had. Yuyuko-san, true to her reputation, had long since finished her own portion and was now devouring the cake I had brought her at a pace that would make any professional eater proud.
I watched her cheeks puff slightly with every bite and couldn't help but sigh. She hasn't changed at all.
By the time Youmu and I finished, Yuyuko-san was licking the last of the frosting from her fork. She gave a satisfied sigh, as though nothing in the world could match the bliss of sweets.
After clearing away our things, the three of us stepped out into the hallway. The quiet chatter of students echoed faintly from distant classrooms, but here, it was just the sound of our footsteps against polished wood. Yuyuko-san walked between us with a buoyant energy, her eyes glimmering with curiosity as she turned to me.
"So," she asked lightly, "how's your first day so far, Riku-kun? Having a hard time with the girls already?"
I shook my head, managing a small smile. "It's going well, Yuyuko-san. No need to worry. As for my classmates... we get along fine. No problems so far."
Her lips curved into a pleased smile. It was the kind of look that felt both approving and mischievous at the same time, like she knew something I didn't.
But I had my own question to throw back at her. "Yuyuko-san, about Youmu... since she's going to be my aide for the entire year, does that mean she'll be living with me at my place?"
At that, Yuyuko-san stopped in her tracks. Turning to face me with her eyes gently closed, she nodded with surprising formality.
"Exactly. Youmu will be with you twenty-four hours a day until you graduate. That means she'll be living in your home." She opened her eyes slightly, her tone lightening again. "If you're worried I'll have a hard time without her, don't. I can handle things myself."
Her confidence should have reassured me—but instead, it made doubt gnaw at the back of my mind. Yuyuko-san was the head of the Saigyouji family, yes, but she was also... well, Yuyuko-san. A glutton to the core, whimsical to a fault, and often careless about the most basic details of life. Without Youmu at her side to rein her in, I could already imagine the pantry in the Saigyouji mansion being stripped bare within two weeks.
Before I could voice my concerns, Youmu stepped forward, her brows furrowed with unease. "Are you truly sure about this, Yuyuko-sama? I know the staff at home can manage things in my absence, but without me by your side..." Her voice trembled slightly. "Are you certain you'll be okay?"
Yuyuko-san simply smiled at her, reaching out to gently pat her retainer's head.
"Don't worry about me, Youmu. It might be difficult at first without your help, but I can manage. I'll resist temptation as best I can. And besides—" she added with a playful glint in her eyes—"as long as Riku-kun brings me sweets now and then, I'll be perfectly fine."
Youmu gave her a long, doubtful look before finally sighing. "...I'll trust you on this, Yuyuko-sama. But if I receive word that things aren't going well, I'll return immediately. Is that acceptable to you, Riku-dono?"
Her sharp eyes fixed on me, as though seeking my approval. I nodded. "Of course. If things go bad, go to her. No questions asked."
I glanced back at Yuyuko-san, adding, "As for the sweets, though—I can only send them twice a month at most. You know my situation."
"Ehh..." Yuyuko-san deflated instantly, pouting like a scolded child.
With a sigh, I reached out and patted her head, hoping to soften the disappointment. Her mood shifted quickly; a faint hum of contentment escaped her lips, almost like a cat being scratched behind the ear.
It was in that small, peaceful moment that a new sound intruded—a rapid rhythm of footsteps, echoing sharply down the hall.
All three of us turned.
From the far end of the corridor, a figure appeared: a young girl with platinum blonde hair that shimmered under the fluorescent lights, and wide, golden-yellow eyes filled with boundless energy. Her gaze landed squarely on me.
For a heartbeat, she paused.
Then, without warning, she sprinted forward with the speed of a charging bull.
"Wait—" I barely managed to react before she slammed into me, tackling me to the floor with surprising strength.
"ONII-CHAN!!" she squealed, her voice brimming with cheer.
"Ugh!!" The impact knocked the air out of my lungs as I hit the polished wood floor.
"R-Riku-dono!" Youmu cried, alarm flashing in her eyes as she reached for her blade out of reflex before realizing this wasn't an attack.
"Ara, ara~," Yuyuko-san sang with a mischievous smile, clearly finding the scene far too entertaining.
Pinned beneath the girl, I blinked up at her in stunned disbelief. Up close, I could see the distinct shine in her eyes, the playful grin that hadn't changed at all over the years. Recognition struck me like lightning.
Those eyes... that smile... how could I forget?
Before I could even form her name, however, a cold shiver raced down my spine.
I turned my head just slightly—and my stomach dropped.
Not far down the hall stood Rinko, her hands clutched at her chest, eyes wide with worry. And beside her...
Chisato.
Unlike Rinko's look of concern, Chisato's aura was something else entirely. A pitch-black presence seemed to seep out from her, curling around her like smoke. She was smiling, yes—but it was the kind of smile that wasn't a smile at all. The kind that could kill a man where he stood.
My heart plummeted into the depths of despair.
...I am so dead.
Now back to the present.
Pinned under Kokoro, I quickly realized I had better explain myself before Chisato misinterpreted the entire situation and decided to end my life right here and now.
"Kokoro, can you get off of me for a moment? Don't worry, I won't run," I said as calmly as possible.
"Okay, onii-chan!" she chirped without hesitation.
Kokoro bounced off me with the same boundless energy she always carried, and with Youmu lending a hand, I managed to get back on my feet. That was when I noticed Rinko and Chisato staring at me, their faces flushed with shock and confusion.
"O-O-Onii-chan!?" Rinko stammered, clutching her skirt nervously. "What did Tsurumaki-san mean by that, Riku!?"
Chisato's gaze narrowed dangerously. "Onii-chan...?" she repeated, her voice heavy with suspicion.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Get your minds out of the gutter, you two. No way am I doing that to my cousin."
The moment the word cousin left my lips, both of them froze. Their eyes widened, mouths hanging open in shock.
"You and Tsurumaki-san—" Rinko gasped.
"—Kokoro-chan are cousins!?" Chisato finished in unison.
"Yup!" Kokoro answered before I could. She beamed, proud as always. "My papa and onii-chan's father are cousins, so that makes us cousins as well!"
Chisato, still skeptical, turned to Yuyuko-san for confirmation. "Principal... what Kokoro-chan said just now, is it true?"
Yuyuko smiled knowingly. "Yes, it's true. Kokoro-chan and Riku-kun are cousins. I was there back when the two of them played together in kindergarten."
I nodded in agreement. "What she said is true. My dad and Kokoro's dad are cousins. The reason she calls me onii-chan is because I've always treated this little ball of sunshine like the little sister I never had. And in turn, she treats me as the big brother she never had."
To emphasize my point, I gently patted Kokoro's head. Her golden eyes lit up, and she leaned into my hand like a spoiled cat.
"Ehehehehe~ I missed your headpats, onii-chan~"
Before I could respond, a voice suddenly called out.
"Kokoro!"
I turned to see two girls approaching from behind. One had light blue hair tied neatly with a ribbon, her expression nervous yet refined. The other had black hair framing her pale-gray eyes, moving with a quiet grace.
"Ah! Misaki! Kanon!" Kokoro exclaimed, waving excitedly.
The girl called Misaki marched up first, slightly out of breath. Her brow furrowed in exasperation as she glared at Kokoro.
"Why did you suddenly run off on us like that!?" she demanded.
Judging from her tone, this wasn't the first time Kokoro had left her companions chasing in her wake. I couldn't help but sympathize; anyone in Kokoro's orbit was bound to become a victim of her spontaneity sooner or later.
"Well, Kanon said she's classmates with onii-chan," Kokoro explained cheerfully. "And when she said his name, I just had to check if it was really him!"
At that, Misaki turned her gaze toward me, sizing me up. She looked skeptical, her lips pursed.
"So you're the 'onii-chan' Kokoro's been going on about...?" Her eyes narrowed as if measuring every inch of me. "You don't exactly look like her older brother. Quite far from it, actually."
"That's because we're cousins," I replied evenly. "Kokoro calls me onii-chan because I treat her like a younger sister."
Misaki studied me a moment longer before finally nodding in reluctant acceptance. "I see. That explains it." Her tone softened slightly as she introduced herself. "Oh right, I'm Okusawa Misaki. I'm a second year, same as Kokoro. I'm also one of her friends. Nice to meet you... um..."
"Nagae Riku," I answered with a small bow. "You can just call me Riku. And thank you for being Kokoro's friend... and for enduring all of her antics."
Misaki let out a tired sigh, shoulders slumping. "Well, you kind of get used to it after a while. After joining Kokoro's band, things only got more hectic and—"
"Wait." I cut her off, turning back to Kokoro. "Kokoro, did Misaki-san just say... you started a band?"
I couldn't hide the astonishment in my voice. The idea that Kokoro had actually taken the advice I once gave her and turned it into something real... it shook me.
Kokoro clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward with a smile so radiant it could blind the sun itself. "Hai! You told me once that if I wanted to make people smile, music was the way to do it. So I made a band, onii-chan!"
For a moment, I had no words. All I could do was smile back at her, a warmth swelling in my chest. She had really done it.
But then reality tapped me on the shoulder. I glanced at my watch—and my heart skipped.
"Kokoro, I'd love to talk more, but... look at the time."
I tilted my wrist toward her. The watch read 12:59. Only a minute before classes resumed.
"Oh dear," Yuyuko-san said, clapping her hands lightly. "Alright kids, let's continue this another time. Off to class, or you'll be late."
Kokoro and Misaki quickly waved goodbye, their voices carrying that same energetic lilt even as they hurried off. Youmu had already slipped away earlier, faithfully following Yuyuko-san. That left me with Rinko, Chisato, and Kanon as we made our way back to our classroom.
Along the way, Kanon shyly attempted to introduce herself. Her words came out soft and barely above a whisper, her cheeks flushed pink. Fortunately, Chisato stepped in, gently guiding the conversation and filling in the gaps. She explained that Kanon was extremely shy—almost on Rinko's level when it came to social awkwardness.
Chisato added another detail that caught me off guard. "She's the drummer in Kokoro's band."
I nearly tripped over my own feet. "The drummer? This little shy girl?"
Kanon squeaked and turned away, hiding her face behind her hair. Rinko, perhaps feeling sympathy, patted her lightly on the shoulder. I had to admit, the thought of someone so timid commanding a drum set was... surprising, to say the least.
By the time we entered the classroom, the afternoon sun was already pouring in through the tall windows, bathing the room in warm light. Sayo-san was already seated, her posture perfect as always, calmly flipping through her notes.
We slipped into our seats just as the teacher entered. The murmurs of our classmates quieted, notebooks opened, and soon enough, the afternoon classes began.
Hours later...
Nagae Estate – 5:30 P.M.
Hours had passed since my first day at Hanasakigawa. To call it eventful would be an understatement. I had reunited with two childhood friends, run into my cousin, and even made new acquaintances. And curiously enough, all of them happened to be female.
As I stepped through the gates of the Nagae estate with Youmu by my side, carrying a large travel bag over my shoulder, we were greeted by my grandfather and Ayabe. Grandfather wore his usual calm smile, clearly pleased to see me return from school in one piece. Ayabe, on the other hand, immediately shifted into her usual role of administrator, giving Youmu detailed instructions about the routines of the household while she would be away on errands.
Over dinner, Grandfather expressed how glad he was that I could finally experience what he called "the ordinary joy of being a student." His words carried weight, though I knew there was nothing ordinary about my life anymore. Still, it was comforting to see him happy.
Later that evening, I retreated to my room. The quiet hum of the estate filled the air as I finished sorting through the files Grandfather had left on my desk. They were simple matters—basic paperwork and reports—not much of a challenge. I leaned back, stretched my arms, and exhaled.
A gentle knock came at my door.
"Come in," I called.
The door slid open, revealing Youmu. She stepped inside wearing her familiar dark green and white dress, the fabric adorned with small ghost insignias along the breast pocket and hem. A black ribbon was tied slightly off-center in her silver hair, completing the image of a proper yet slightly otherworldly attendant. Balanced in her hands was a tray carrying neatly arranged cookies and a cup of warm milk.
"Riku-dono, I've brought some snacks for you," she said, her voice as polite as always.
"Thanks, Youmu." I smiled, setting aside the files. "How are you adjusting to how we do things here?"
She placed the tray carefully on my desk, straightened, and gave a small bow. "Hai. Ayabe-dono has instructed me in every detail required to assist you in your daily life. I have already adapted to the estate's routines. You need not worry."
I raised an eyebrow. "Good. But make sure you're not overworking yourself. Get some rest when you can, alright? I don't want Yuyuko-san suddenly appearing here because you collapsed."
Her lips twitched, almost forming a smile, but she only gave a short nod. "Understood." With that, she excused herself and slipped back out, leaving the faint aroma of cookies behind.
Just as I reached for one of the still-warm treats, my phone vibrated on the desk. The screen lit up with the caller ID: SirActionSlacks.
I knew exactly who it was.
Answering, I switched to English and put the phone on speaker so I could talk freely while leaning back in my chair.
"Hello?" I said.
"Hello? Is this my favorite Japanese boy, Iku?" came the familiar voice, dripping with humor.
I smirked. "Yes, it's me, Slacks. It's been a while. How's the season going?"
"It's been a while for sure." His tone shifted, more excited now. "This season's wild. Everyone's going absolutely ham. Ever since you guys retired, every team out there wants a piece of OG."
I chuckled quietly. "Figures. After the five of us stepped down, it was bound to get intense. They all want to test themselves against the new generation of OG."
"You're not wrong. But trust me, those boys you handpicked? They're holding their ground." There was pride in his voice. "I checked earlier—currently sitting at second in their region. Not bad at all, though it's only the middle of the tour. Anything could happen."
"Second place at this point isn't bad. They've still got time to sharpen up," I said, though I already knew Slacks didn't call just to gossip about standings. My instincts were rarely wrong. "But you didn't call just to update me on that, did you? What's the real hold-up?"
He laughed nervously, then cleared his throat. "You caught me. Alright, here's the scoop. Word is that Gabe's planning to expand the PBC. And his first target? Japan."
That made me sit up straighter. "Japan, huh?"
"Yeah. His reasoning's simple. You were born there. You brought Japanese music onto the international stage—hell, you brought it all the way to TI. He thinks it's time for Japan to step into the spotlight officially. And to kick things off, he wants a sample. A showcase. Something that proves Japan has the firepower. Think you can pull it off?"
I rubbed my chin, considering. A showcase of Japanese talent for the PBC... it was bold, but it made sense. And truthfully, I already had an idea of how to approach it.
"If the PBC wants Japan to show what it's got, I can make that happen," I said firmly.
There was a relieved exhale on the other end. "Knew I could count on you. I'll pass that along to Gabe tonight. He'll be glad to hear it."
"When's the expansion supposed to start?" I asked.
"Probably after TI11. Once this year's International is wrapped up."
That gave me plenty of time.
"Alright then. Tell Gabe I'm in."
"Will do. Thanks again, man. I appreciate it. Anyway, I gotta run. We'll catch up soon."
"Yeah. Take care, Slacks."
"Later, Iku."
The line clicked off, leaving only silence and the faint ticking of the clock on my wall.
I leaned back in my chair, letting out a long breath. The weight of the conversation settled in, and I turned the words over in my head. PBC expanding to Japan. A showcase of Japanese talent. It wasn't just an opportunity—it was a responsibility.
Minutes passed as I sat there, lost in thought, before finally standing and walking toward the window. The evening sky was painted in deep orange, fading into the darkening blue of night.
"Well," I murmured to myself, staring at the horizon. "This year just got a whole lot more interesting."
The possibilities stretched out before me, as endless as the sky itself.
To be continued...