Live House CiRCLE – Entrance – 5:00 P.M.
The faint hum of chatter greeted me the moment I stepped through the doors of CiRCLE. The air already carried that familiar excitement—the kind that settled in whenever the girls from the different bands gathered together. Sure enough, when I entered the lounge, I saw everyone waiting. Poppin'Party, Roselia, Afterglow, Pastel＊Palettes, and Hello, Happy World! were all present, their laughter and voices overlapping in lively harmony.
The first to notice me was Ako-chan, her face lighting up instantly.
"Ah! Rin-Rin! You made it!" she called out, waving so enthusiastically that her twin-tails bounced.
I couldn't help but smile at her energy. "You're here early, Ako-chan," I replied softly, setting my bag down as I joined the others.
Beside her, Hikawa-san inclined her head politely. "Shirokane-san," she addressed me, her tone calm yet concerned. "Have you seen Minato-san and Imai-san? I haven't seen them arrive yet."
Before I could answer, the sound of the door opening drew everyone's attention. In walked Imai-san, her usual cheer intact, though what really caught our eyes was Yukina-san behind her. Well, rather—Yukina-san being half-dragged into the room by Lisa, her aura oddly deflated.
"Sorry we're late!" Imai-san announced with a sheepish grin. "There were... some issues. But hey, at least we're here now!"
The sight was so unusual that Yamabuki-san tilted her head in worry. "Ummm... Lisa-senpai, what's wrong with Yukina-senpai? Is she okay?"
"Oh, don't mind that~." Imai-san waved her hand, trying to brush it off. "She'll return to normal later."
Though her words didn't explain much, most of us decided to let it go—Yukina-san's mood swings were a mystery none of us dared press too deeply.
Just then, Marina-san entered, and at her side was someone new—or rather, someone not new to me. The ever-lively Shameimaru Aya strode in, holding a small remote in her hand.
"Glad you girls made it," Marina said warmly.
Shamiemaru-san clapped her hands together. "Now before we start, let me introduce myself properly! I'm Shameimaru Aya, and I'll be handling CiRCLE's social network. I know a few of you share my name, so to avoid confusion, just call me Ayaya!"
Her bright, teasing grin earned a chorus of chuckles. Sure enough, Hina-san immediately started nudging Maruyama-san, whispering something that left the poor girl flustered. The room filled with laughter as Hina-san kept teasing her, while Maruyama-san waved her arms desperately.
"Stop it, Hina-chan! You're embarrassing me!"
Marina gently cleared her throat. "Now that introductions are done, Ayaya, would you turn it on, please? Hopefully, it hasn't started yet."
Mitake-san's brow furrowed. "Turn what on?"
Shamiemaru-san didn't answer directly. With a little flourish, she pressed the button on the remote. The large screen in the lounge flickered to life, and within seconds, all of us found ourselves staring wide-eyed at what appeared.
"Marina-san... this is!?" Ichigaya-san's voice cracked in disbelief.
Marina-san nodded. "With the help of Hatate-chan, we managed to find a link to the Future World Fes. We even got subtitles for those who aren't comfortable with English yet. So, relax and enjoy."
A quiet murmur rippled through the room. The realization hit all of us at once—this was the reason behind Riku's message earlier.
"So this is what he meant..." I thought, a warmth blooming in my chest.
Tsurumaki-san, predictably, was the first to explode with excitement. "So we can watch onii-chan perform here!? That's great!" she shouted, nearly bouncing high enough to hit the ceiling.
Okusawa-san quickly grabbed her arm, trying to hold her down. "Calm down, Kokoro! It's about to start."
As she said that, the broadcast's opening sequence rolled, the stage lights flashing on-screen. The Future World Fes had begun.
At the Same Time – Stockholm, Sweden
Live House Starlight
Riku's POV
The roar of the crowd outside rattled the walls of our waiting area. Today marked the start of the group stage for the Future World Fes, and OG stood ready—prepared not just to play, but to win.
The past three days had been exhausting. Media day had pushed us into overdrive: photoshoots, interviews, podcasts, endless fan meets. And it wasn't just us—every band participating had gone through the same grinder. Still, despite the fatigue, the adrenaline now was undeniable.
I had already sent the link Hatate dug up to Rinko, Kokoro, Chisato, and Ran back in Japan. I hoped they'd managed to make it to CiRCLE in time. Just imagining them watching gave me strength.
We waited patiently as the panelists finished their opening speeches, then the order of performances was announced. The leaders—or in my case, acting leaders—of each band gathered around the board as names were revealed one by one:
OG
BOOM Rivalry
Evil Geniuses
Tundra
BetBoom
T1
beastcoast
My eyes stopped at the very top.
"So... we're opening the stage," I murmured under my breath.
A familiar voice piped up from behind me. "Hey, start strong, Iku."
I glanced back to see Sneyking from Tundra, his expression calm but encouraging.
"Sure," I answered with a confident nod. "I will." Then I turned to Hector from beastcoast, who looked unusually thoughtful. "Hey, Hector, you okay?"
He blinked, startled. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just... thinking about what we'll be doing for the second song, that's all."
Fly from Evil Geniuses clapped him on the back with a small smile. "Just keep calm and you'll be fine. We all will."
A ripple of mutual understanding passed between us—competitors, yes, but also comrades in music. We were about to go head-to-head on stage, yet in that moment, we shared the same nervous anticipation.
Suddenly, I felt a poke at my arm. I turned around and immediately sighed. Slacks stood there, grinning knowingly. I didn't even need to ask.
"Don't even need to say it," I muttered. "Let's go."
He just nodded, his grin widening, and I followed him toward the interview area. The festival lights glared overhead, the muffled roar of thousands of fans echoing through the walls. My heart pounded harder with each step.
This was it—the moment we had prepared for.
Back in Japan – CiRCLE
Rinko's POV
The room had grown unusually quiet as the panelists on screen continued explaining the Future World Fes. The breakdown was meticulous—rules to follow, the requirements bands had to meet, even the sheer expenses needed to sustain themselves throughout the tournament. As the words scrolled across the subtitles, I felt the weight of it pressing into me. This wasn't just some ordinary event—it was a battle of endurance, discipline, and resources.
Yukina-san sat rigid, her gaze sharp and unwavering. Every word seemed to carve itself into her mind. Beside her, Hikawa-san scribbled furiously into a notebook, her face set in concentration. Meanwhile, the rest of the girls shifted between awe and curiosity, their attention locked onto the broadcast.
It struck me then—we still had so much to learn. Compared to what Riku and OG were about to face, our world still felt... smaller.
"Now then," one of the panelists spoke, her voice bright yet professional, "since we're already talking about Iku, why don't we hear from the man himself? Let's go over to SirActionSlacks, who's standing by at Starlight."
The screen changed in an instant, cutting to the backstage of a live house. There, in crisp clarity, stood Riku—his scarf draped loosely around his shoulders, his expression calm yet commanding.
Tsurumaki-san gasped so loud it nearly startled me. "Look, Misaki! Onii-chan's on TV!"
"I know, I know! Just—sit down, will you!" Okusawa-san tugged her back into her seat, though she herself couldn't hide her grin.
"Wow!" Toyama-san squealed, her eyes sparkling. "Riku-senpai looks so cool!"
Their voices blurred at the edge of my hearing. I only had eyes for Riku. He looked the same as ever, yet somehow different—collected, confident, as though he had been born for this very stage.
Slacks' familiar grin lit up the interview. "Thank you, Sheever. I'm right here with the one and only Iku! Welcome back, buddy. By the way, nice scarf you got there."
Riku smiled faintly. "Thanks. Good to be back, to be honest."
"Let's make this quick since your band will go first." Slacks leaned in. "How confident are you, going into this tournament?"
Without missing a beat, Riku replied, his tone steady, "We can go deep... at least make it to the final. But if everything falls into place, I can confidently say we can win the whole thing."
A hush spread through CiRCLE. Even I felt my breath hitch.
"That's some insane confidence there, man," Slacks chuckled. "Alright, next question—who are you most wary of in this tournament?"
Riku thought for a moment. "Bands we're wary of... I'd say it's either Tundra or TSM. Tundra's shifting to a no-keyboard style, which is risky but dangerous. And TSM... from what I've seen of their past performances, if they keep growing at this pace, they might have a real shot at taking us down."
The audience at CiRCLE murmured amongst themselves. Even Yukina's brow arched slightly in intrigue.
"Last question." Slacks leaned closer, teasing. "What can we expect from you—knowing you'll be doing both keyboard and vocals?"
A glint sparked in Riku's eyes, his lips curving into that quiet smile of his. "Let's just say... expect something high."
"Alright then," Slacks laughed. "Thank you for your time, buddy. Good luck out there—we wish you the best. Back to you guys."
Riku clasped Slacks' hand firmly, the camera catching the small exchange before the feed shifted back.
"Handled so smoothly..." Chisato-san murmured, impressed. "As expected of him."
Maruyama-san clenched her fists in determination. "I've gotta work hard too! If I want to handle interviews like Riku-kun, I can't let myself fall behind. Let's do our best, Chisato-chan!"
Beside them, Aoba-san leaned lazily into Mitake-san, her tone playful. "Onii-san looked cool out there~ didn't he, Ran~?"
Mitake-san stiffened, her cheeks dusting red. "Y-Yeah... it's like he was just breathing normally, but still commanding everything around him."
"Still," Hazawa-san tilted her head, curious, "what did he mean by 'expect something high'?"
"No idea," Udagawa-san said with a small grin. "Guess we'll find out soon enough."
I turned toward Yukina-san, drawn by the quiet intensity on her face. "Yukina-san... do you have any clues on what Riku meant by that?"
She folded her arms, thinking. "Hmm... If it is what I think it is, then I believe Riku-san's band will take the first day."
I tilted my head, her confidence both reassuring and mysterious. Before I could press further, the music on-screen swelled—the next phase was about to begin.
Back to Stockholm – Starlight
Riku's POV
The interview was over, I returned to the band's side, letting them know officially: we were going first. The weight of those words lingered in the air. The responsibility of opening the festival wasn't small—it meant setting the standard, igniting the energy for everyone else to follow.
Our manager Allen joined us, phone in hand. "It's Misha," he said, putting the call on speaker.
Misha's voice crackled through, brimming with passion. "Now before you guys go out there and give them hell, I want you to understand something—we're going to have a great day. Why? Because we are super prepared. You've been practicing for weeks, and even when I'm not there, you've shown complete control over your sound. So go out there and show the world that OG isn't just here to participate—we're here to play. I believe in every one of you."
The line cut off, but the fire his words left behind burned in all of us.
I turned to the boys, letting my own thoughts flow. "Alright. Like Misha said, we've practiced nonstop this past week. We are prepared. But don't let your guard down. Don't fixate on winning—focus on the performance. Focus on giving everything we've got. Just play, play, play. Got it?"
Their eyes met mine, filled with determination. Together, our fists met in a resounding bump—a silent promise that we'd give it everything.
"OG, you're up," a staff member called from the doorway. "Good luck."
Adrenaline surged through me.
"LET'S DO THIS, BOYS!" I roared, and the others echoed my cry.
On my mark, we stepped out into the blinding lights, the roar of the crowd shaking the walls. The Future World Fes had begun—and it was ours to ignite.
Back in Japan – CiRCLE
Rinko's POV
The lights dimmed on the screen, plunging the stage at Starlight into darkness. Every girl inside CiRCLE leaned forward instinctively, holding their breath as if we were the ones waiting behind that curtain.
Then, the floodlights came alive.
There he was. Riku stood at the center, framed by the brightness, a white keytar strapped proudly across his shoulders. At first glance, it seemed familiar—but the longer I stared, the more wrong it felt.
"That's not ordinary, is it?" The words slipped from me in a hushed voice, my eyes fixed on the extra keys gleaming beneath the stage lights.
Shameimaru-san adjusted her glasses, smiling knowingly. "Right you are, Rinko-chan! That isn't just any keytar—it's the ROLAND AX-EDGE RIKU CUSTOM! Fully tailored just for him. And unlike the usual 49 keys, his is extended to sixty."
"Sixty!?" Wakamiya-san gasped, almost leaping out of her chair. "That's harder than mine!"
She wasn't wrong. Even I knew that 49 keys were already the standard limit for keytarists—it was balanced, playable, practical. But sixty? That was pushing the instrument into territory very few could navigate.
"What are you planning, Riku..." I whispered, my heart drumming in my chest.
But Ichigaya-san raised another point. "Wait! Doesn't that make it kind of... illegal in the tournament?"
Marina-san shook her head, calm as ever. "No. From the info we got from Hatate-chan, Riku actually performed with it in front of VALVE's board of directors. He wanted it certified—proving it wasn't cheating. They approved it."
Her words jogged a memory.
"The big box," I murmured. "The one that arrived three weeks ago... was that it?"
"Yup." Shameimaru-san nodded. "Riku told us Yukari-san sent it, as thanks for handling GALAXY."
The thought carried me back to those chaotic days in GALAXY. But before I could dwell, Riku tapped the microphone, cutting through my memory. His voice reached across oceans, commanding all attention.
"Now then... are you prepared?" His tone was steady, but beneath it burned something unshakable. "All memories and regrets come after the chime of the bell... Haikei, Sakura Maichiru Ano Hi."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpd5vGLVHnw
Haikei, sakura maichiru kono hi ni
(By: mafumafu)
haruiro ni somaru kousha
kore kara okiwasureru sekai
nagakami yurasu kimi wa tsubuyaku
"toomawari wo shiyou?"
hanabira ga chiru mitai ni
hirahira hanare chikadzuite
tada sou shite bokura koko de tsunagattanda
kiseki ga sekashita you ni senaka wo oshita tsuugakurou
shourai no yume miraizu kimi no sekkeizu
TESUTO ni yoku deru yo
yurusaretai koto bakka de
miushinau koto bakka no kono te ni
mirai nante mada takusenai no ni
boroboro ni natta pen to kyoukasho
yorei nogashita jitensha
kimi wo kizutsuketa ano rakugaki
daikirai na hazu na no ni
me wo fusagitai wake demo nai
kakikake no ohanashi wa
itsumo ano houkago no mukou
otogi no hanashi mitai na
kiseki wa mochiawasechainai
tada futashika na kyou to sore ni tsudzuku ashita ga
atta kurai no sekai
"roku na omoide mo nai ya"
kimi wo sabishisou ni saseru
demo kore ga boku ni ieru seiippai nanda
dareka no nageyari na monosashi de
kuruinai chokkei wo hakarunda
kono sekai no sadametai kijun to
yukiba nai boku tachi no zureta mirai wo
soshitara kotoba ga jiyuu ni tsukaenakunatta kke
mado kara derarenai "samishii"
nariyamanu koukai to RIKOODAA
kaban no oku no tsuushinbo
okujou de fumitsubushita sangenme
sunao ni narenai kokoro wo suterarenu mama
ienakatta kotoba wa
kimi to futari arukidasu mirai
kizutsukeatta kurushimeatta
kazoekirenai hodo ni kuyanda
hitori ni natta kimi to deatta
otona ni natteita
yarinaoshi nante nai mou modore mo shinai
sakurairo atarashii keshiki wo someru
boroboro ni natta pen to kyoukasho
yorei nogashita jitensha
sunao ni nareba soba ni irareta?
sayonara bokura no
bokura dake no ichi PEEJI
kore kara no ohanashi wa
kono tobira wo hiraita mukou
The room was silent. Not a breath, not a whisper. The echoes of Riku's first performance still lingered in the air like the aftertaste of something bittersweet. Even the ever-energetic Kokoro, who was usually the loudest person in any space, stood frozen, her lips parted as though she wanted to speak but couldn't bring herself to.
I lowered my eyes, my voice trembling as I spoke to Yukina-san, who hadn't moved since the song ended.
"Yukina-san... what did I just see?"
Her eyes remained fixed on the TV, her expression torn between disbelief and awe.
"I don't know, Rinko... but... to think that he was able to play a custom keytar that surpasses the standard difficulty... and then sing—at that range, with that emotion, at the same time..." She exhaled shakily, pressing her hand to her chest. "I don't even know anymore..."
I felt my throat tighten. I had thought I understood music, that I had reached a level where I could stand proudly alongside Riku. But now, watching him push boundaries I couldn't even fathom... how could I possibly catch up to him?
Around us, the other girls started to break their silence, each processing what they had just seen.
"Oi, Kokoro, are you okay?" Okusawa-san asked, her usual sharp tone softened with concern.
"I'm okay," Tsurumaki-san replied with surprising calm. Then, she turned to Okusawa-san, her eyes shining. "Say, Misaki... Onii-chan was cool out there, right?"
Okusawa-san hesitated, her lips twitching into a rare, gentle smile. "Yes... he was."
Seta-san let out a dramatic sigh, pressing her hands together like a maiden in love. "Unbelievable... for Ani-sama to show such raw emotion in a song. The synchronization of his voice and instrument... ahhh, it's so fleeting, so hakanai~"
Udagawa-san chuckled under her breath. "You really are hopeless when it comes to him."
Mitake-san, however, didn't laugh. She hadn't spoken a word since the performance ended. Aoba-san poked her shoulder lazily. "Ran~? You okay~?"
Mitake-san blinked, her voice trembling as she answered. "Y-Yeah... it's just... what was that?" She shook her head, still staring at the screen.
"Sugoi..." Maruyama-san whispered, almost in tears.
Chisato-san, standing beside her, nodded firmly. "Aya-chan, we're going to practice Yura Yura after this."
"Eh? Do you mean it, Chisato-chan?" Maruyama-san gasped, her face lighting up despite the heaviness of the moment.
"Yes. Watching Riku made me realize what I need to do. I want to improve—and I want to do it as soon as possible."
From the other side of the room, Hina-san pumped her fist into the air. "Don't forget about us! Seeing that performance was so boppin', I want to grab my guitar right now!"
"Yeah!" Yamato-san added, fire in her eyes. "After seeing Riku-san play, I just want to go home and hit the drums until my hands bleed!"
Their energy was contagious, a spark reigniting in the heavy silence.
Meanwhile, Ichigaya-san nudged Toyama-san, who hadn't blinked once since the performance ended. "Kasumi. Oi, Kasumi!"
"Eh? Arisa? Is there something on my face?" Toyama-san asked absentmindedly.
"That's not it! You've been staring at the TV for ages. I tried calling you but you wouldn't answer."
Toyama-san pressed her hands to her cheeks, her face flushed red. "Oh, sorry... it's just... looking at senpai is..."
Ichigaya-san's eyes widened. "Wait. Don't tell me—"
CLAP.
The sudden sound startled everyone. We turned back to the TV to see Riku standing on stage, clapping his hands together loudly. For a split second, I noticed faint violet sparks flickering between his fingers—something subtle, almost imperceptible, yet undeniably there. None of the others seemed to notice. Only me.
Riku leaned toward the mic, smiling faintly. "Sorry about that. You guys looked like you were in a trance, so I had to snap you out of it." He paused, scanning the silent crowd before continuing. "Now then... shall we continue?"
The silence broke, replaced with cheers and clapping from the live audience.
Riku raised his hand to quiet them once more. "But before we begin, the next song is going to be a bit different. This one's a special collaboration between OG and a certain show we all know and love. If some of you catch the reference, shout it out loud. Now then..." He turned toward Artem, giving him a sharp nod. "On my mark—1, 2, 3!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajjN7eAnyZE
1 2 3
(By: After the Rain/soraru x mafumafu)
Bold: Yuragi
Italic: Riku
Bold+Italic: Both
Nee, mada mada mada? Isoide!
Dekakeru junbi wa dekitakai?
Kimi ni misetai fushigi no sekai
Miokuri nara iranai
Tatoe hi no naka mizu no naka
Te saguri de mienai kyou no naka
Ichibyou saki datte mada shiranai kedo
Itsumo omoi de wa dore mo
Zenbu booru no naka ni
1-2-3 de tobikome!
Itsuka egaita mirai ga
Boku no poketto ni aru kara
Hajimemashite wa itsudatte hajimete sa
Tamerau koto nado
Nai! (Nai!) Try! (Try!)
Let's have a fight!
ichi, batoru o shita nara
Ni, Warau ka naitatte
San de nakama ni narou yo
Ano hi datte kono hi datte
Itsudatte soushiteita
Saki mo mienai
Hate mo shiranai sekai ga soko ni aru kedo
Let's go! Koronde surimuite
Let's go! Nandomo arukidasu tonari
Kimi ni kimeta!
Tonari no machi kara keshiki wa
Tame ikitsuku hodo sekai wa
Me magurishiku mawari kawaru
Boku o okizari ni suru
Kodomo no koro ni wa muchuu de
Kuguri nuketa anaboko demo
Shibaraku buridana miotoshiteita no?
Demo ne wasureta keshiki mo
Kyou no doko ka ni aru yo
1-2-3 de tobidase!
Sanzan datte naiteita
Hibi to booru no soto made
"doko e ikou ka?" wa
"doko e datte ikeru" desho?
Ikitsuku hima nado
Nai! (Nai!) Try! (Try!)
Why don't we go?
Ichi. Kotoba o koete
Ni. Kyoukaisen no saki no
Mada minu kimi made
Taoreru nara te o tsuku nara
Mae datte kimetanda
Hi ga shizumu you ni kage nobite
Setake mo kawatteiru kedo
Let's go! Ame agari de nakucha
Let's go! Haremani niji wa nai
Ano hi kara kidzuiteiru
Kimi wa kimi wa itsu no mani yara
Otona ni nacchainaikai?
Hokori o kabutta borogi no
Migi pokke ni oitekita
Katate ni osamaru bouken
Bokura no subete datta
Ano koro no omoi de ga
Kimi wo sagashite iru yo
1-2-3 de tobikome!
Itsuka egaita mirai ga
Boku no poketto ni aru kara
Doko ka e ikou yo doko e datte tsurete itte yo
Tamerau koto nado
Nai! (Nai!) Try! (Try!)
Let's have a fight!
ichi. batoru o shita nara
Ni. Warau ka naitatte
San de nakama ni narou yo
Ano hi datte kono hi datte
Itsudatte soushiteita
Saki mo mienai
Hate mo shiranai sekai ga soko ni aru kedo
Let's go! Koronde surimuite
Let's go! Nandomo arukidasu tonari
Kimi ni kimeta!
The roar of the crowd was deafening the moment Riku and his band struck their final note. Cheers erupted like a tidal wave, and soon the audience began to chant in unison, clapping three times with every shout.
"OG! OG! OG!"
The energy in the hall felt like it could shake the very foundations of the Future World Fes. My heart thumped in my chest, not just from the performance itself, but from the overwhelming passion the audience returned to Riku and his band.
Beside me, Yukina-san folded her arms and spoke in her usual calm, almost analytical tone.
"Riku-san's high-pitched voice and Yuragi-san's low, smooth timbre truly complement each other. It is as if..." She paused, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "As if the two were made to sing together."
I nodded in agreement, still stunned myself. "You're right. And that song... wait a moment..." My eyes widened as recognition struck me. "Kimi ni Kimeta!? Don't tell me—"
Before I could finish, Ako-chan shot up from her seat, nearly startling those around her. "DID RIKU-NII JUST SING THE NEW POKÉMON OPENING THEME!? THE ONE COMING OUT NEXT MONTH!?"
The others blinked at her outburst. Udagawa-san tilted her head, a small frown forming.
"Now that you mention it, Ako... I do remember seeing on TV that the new Pokémon opening was supposed to premiere soon. But..."
Hikawa-san crossed her arms, skepticism evident in her voice. "To think he would promote an anime song here, in the middle of Future World Fes..." She glanced at me with a slightly sharp gaze. "I can't tell if that was planned from the very beginning... or if he's just completely reckless. Is he always like this, Shirokane-san?"
I quickly shook my head. "Not at all. But... Riku does have moments like this. He chooses what to do depending on the atmosphere."
"The atmosphere?" Hanazono-san tilted her head curiously, her eyes blinking as if she were piecing together a puzzle.
The others shared the same expression, silently urging for clarification. That was when Mitake-san raised a finger to her chin and answered in a thoughtful tone. "My dad once told me something about the Nagae family. They have the ability to read the atmosphere—no, the mood—of a place. They can sense it instantly and adapt to it right away. They don't break it unless they have a very strong reason to. That's why people describe them as cool, calm, and collected most of the time."
Ichigaya-san gasped softly, leaning forward as if she had just discovered a hidden secret.
"Wait. So what you're saying is... Riku-san can read the mood of a place or of people that easily?" Her eyes widened further, realization dawning. "Then that means..."
I exhaled slowly, finishing the thought for her. "By reading the mood of the crowd, he chooses the right songs to get the best results. This... this is what Yuyuko-san meant when she once warned me of his adaptability."
Hina-san, who had been listening with growing awe, turned to Aya with a mischievous grin. "Then Ayaya, did you know that Riku-kun had this kind of talent?"
Shameimaru-san said as she shrugged with nonchalance. "Of course I did. Everyone in the Nagae clan has it. Boss just happens to be really good at using it onstage too."
Okusawa-san, ever energetic, raised her hand as if she were in class. "But still... isn't that kinda... cheating?"
That question earned her a few nervous chuckles, but before anyone could reply, Yukina-san did so without hesitation. Her tone carried the authority of someone who had lived and breathed music. "Reading the mood of a crowd is not cheating, Okusawa-san."
Everyone immediately turned toward her, listening intently as she elaborated.
"As professionals, musicians must understand what their audience desires, even when the crowd doesn't say it outright. By sensing and adapting to the atmosphere, they can create something that far exceeds expectations. Tonight was a perfect example. The audience expected something grand from Riku-san—and he delivered that with the first song. Then, after observing their reaction, he chose a duet for the second song, showing them not only his own range but also the strength of his bandmates. That decision... made the performance perfect."
Shamiemaru-san smirked and gave a nod of approval. "To think you managed to break it all down from just two songs. As expected of Yukina-chan. No wonder the media calls you one of the sharpest minds in the scene. Seems those claims weren't wrong at all."
As we continued our discussion, the stagehands began preparing for the next performance. Riku and OG took their bow, then disappeared backstage, their silhouettes vanishing behind the curtains as the lights dimmed slightly.
Moments later, the live feed on the massive screen shifted. Riku and Yuragi-san appeared alongside SirActionSlacks, who wore his trademark smile, microphone in hand.
"Thanks, everyone! Right now I'm standing with the unexpected but deadly duo from OG—Yuragi and Iku! Fantastic performance out there, you two. Let's start with you, Yuragi. How did it feel performing alongside Iku? Especially singing a duet with him. What's running through your head right now?"
Yuragi laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.
"Well, I was nervous at first. I mean... it's Iku we're talking about. One of the best musicians out there. Anyone would be nervous, right? But..." He glanced at Riku briefly before continuing. "Iku taught me how to stay calm no matter what. As for the singing... let's just say... he put me through hell to get me this good."
A chill ran down my spine at those words, and judging by the identical expressions of Riku's childhood friends beside me, I wasn't the only one. We tried to hide our reactions when the others asked what was wrong, brushing it off as nothing, but deep down we all knew what that training must have been like.
Slacks raised his brows dramatically, leaning forward. "Hold on—'put you through hell'? Iku, care to explain that?"
Riku's reply was blunt, almost playful. "One word. Amsterdam."
There was a beat of silence before Slacks widened his eyes in exaggerated realization. "Amsterda—ohhhhhhhhhh. I get it now." He chuckled before whipping his microphone back around. "Alright, Iku. Serious question. WHEN IN GOD'S GREEN EARTH DID YOUR VOICE GET THAT HIGH!?"
The audience in the venue laughed, the energy of the interview keeping everyone engaged.
Riku shrugged casually, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "My voice has always been able to reach that high, even back before I left OG. But I can only pull it off depending on the song I'm singing onstage."
"I see, I see," Slacks replied, stroking his chin as though making a serious analysis. Then his expression shifted into sheer excitement. "Last question. Will we get to hear more duets from you two? Because that second song? That was—pardon my language—goddamn incredible."
Riku chuckled softly, his expression calm but his eyes holding a spark of confidence. "Expect more once we make it to the main stage. So, yeah—keep your eyes open."
Slacks grinned wide, turning back toward the camera. "Alright! You heard it here first! More duets to come. Thank you so much, Yuragi and Iku. Good luck to the rest of the groups, and we'll hope for the best! Sheever, back to you."
The feed shifted back to the main stage preparations, but the crowd's energy had yet to settle. Even in the audience, whispers spread rapidly, people already speculating about what Riku and his band might do next.
Beside me, I couldn't help but clutch the hem of my skirt tightly. Watching him command not only the stage but also the crowd's emotions so naturally... It was something awe-inspiring—and more than a little frightening.
Riku was not just performing. He was weaving the atmosphere itself into his music.
And in that moment, I realized... this was only the beginning
Back in Stockholm
Riku's POV
The noise of the crowd was still ringing faintly in my ears as we stepped into the private lounge reserved for OG. The moment the door closed behind us, the energy of the stage seemed to melt away, leaving only the heavy silence of exhaustion.
I let my body sink into one of the cushioned seats, rolling my shoulders and stretching my fingers that still carried the memory of the guitar's strings. Yuragi dropped beside me, loosening his scarf, while Ammar and bzm flopped unceremoniously onto the sofa like they had just survived a war.
The door creaked open again, and in stepped our manager, Allen, sharp as always in his fitted coat, followed by Youmu, balancing a bag filled with snacks and bottled drinks.
Allen smiled lightly, though his tone carried the weight of professionalism.
"Good work out there, boys. Take a rest—you've earned it."
Youmu walked over, her steps measured and graceful as always, and set the bag on the table.
"I brought some refreshments. Eat and drink while you can. You'll need the energy later."
Ammar and bzm didn't waste a second. Their hands darted straight into the bag like children raiding a candy stash. Youmu ignored them, pulling out a bottle of water and passing it to me. I nodded my thanks before downing the entire thing in one long gulp. The cool liquid hit my throat, grounding me after the adrenaline rush of the performance.
The door opened once more, and Johan strode in with his usual upbeat stride, his grin wide and confident.
"Nice job, boys! Day one went smooth as butter thanks to you. But don't get too comfortable. The real deal starts tomorrow—the group stage! Bring your A-game and hit them hard!"
He clapped his hands together, and the sound echoed in the room. The others perked up a little, feeding off his energy. But as Johan kept talking, something prickled the back of my neck.
A chill.
It was faint at first, but unmistakable—like a whisper of danger brushing against my skin. I turned slightly and saw Youmu stiffen at the same moment, her hand already inching toward Roukanken's hilt. We exchanged a glance. Neither of us needed to say a word to know we had felt the same thing.
Without warning, I stood.
"Something came up. Youmu and I will take care of it."
Johan blinked, caught off guard.
"The hell? What's the hurry, you two?"
But I didn't stop to answer. Youmu fell in step behind me as we left the lounge and slipped into the quiet corridors of the live house. The chill grew sharper, like a blade against the air.
That was when we saw them.
Two men in black suits, their movements precise, cold. Each held pistols fitted with silencers, and their direction was unmistakable—toward our lounge. Toward OG.
The moment their eyes locked with ours, they froze—then bolted.
"Tch." I clenched my jaw. "Youmu, let's go after them!"
"Understood!"
We sprinted through the hallways, boots pounding against polished floors, chasing their fleeing silhouettes. The venue's lights blurred past as we burst through an exit door and into the cold Stockholm night. The air carried the salty tang of the sea, and the faint glow of streetlamps painted the docks in eerie yellow.
The two men darted down toward the shoreline, where a small boat was waiting with its motor idling. My teeth ground together—if they made it to open water, we'd lose them.
Not a chance.
I reached into my jacket and pulled out a spell card, the paper crackling faintly with the divine aura imbued by Reimu herself.
"No way in hell I'm letting you get away. Fish Sign: Dragonfish Skynet!"
The spell card crumbled into dust in my palm. I slammed my hand onto the sand, and instantly my scarf surged to life. It burrowed beneath the shore, splitting and multiplying into countless extensions. From beneath the men's feet, dozens of scarf-like tendrils erupted, binding their legs and arms, dragging them down like a net of spectral chains.
The boat rocked from the sudden force, but they were trapped.
"Youmu, keep your guard up. There's no telling what else might happen."
"Hai!" She unsheathed Roukanken, the blade glinting under the moonlight.
We approached cautiously. The men writhed faintly against the bindings, but something about them felt... wrong. I knelt down, extending a hand to check their pulses.
The moment my fingers brushed against their necks, an icy stillness met me. No warmth. No rhythm. Nothing.
My breath caught.
"Wait... they're dead."
Youmu's eyes widened. "What?"
I released the bindings, and their bodies collapsed face-first into the sand like discarded dolls. No breath, no movement. They had already been lifeless before we even reached them.
Youmu tightened her grip on Roukanken.
"Riku-kun... what should we do with the bodies?"
Before I could respond, a voice chimed in, light and playful.
"Me and onee-chan will take care of it."
Both of us turned sharply. Standing a few feet away was a girl who looked like she had stepped out of a dream.
Short, wavy green hair framed her face, her dark green eyes shimmering under the dim light. She wore a black hat adorned with a yellow ribbon, a yellow blouse with blue diamond-shaped buttons, and a green skirt patterned with roses. Despite the eerie atmosphere, she crouched beside the corpses with a casual ease, as if she'd simply stumbled upon them during a stroll.
My eyes widened.
"Koishi! What are you doing here?"
Komeiji Koishi. The younger sister of Komeiji Satori—the matriarch of the Komeiji family, one of the Celestial Families. Her presence here was as unexpected as it was unsettling.
She smiled brightly, tilting her head.
"Well, me and onee-chan are on vacation here in Stockholm. Then we sensed someone using a spell card... and guess who it turned out to be?" Her gaze flicked toward me mischievously. "So, what's going on, Riku-nii-san?"
I explained everything quickly—the armed men, their approach toward our lounge, the chase, and their sudden collapse into death. Koishi listened quietly, her expression unreadable as she tapped her cheek with one finger.
When I finished, she straightened and dusted off her skirt.
"I see. It makes sense now. Leave it to us—we'll take care of the bodies. You should head back to your band. You wouldn't want them to start worrying, right?"
Her tone was so casual, it was hard to tell whether she was joking or deadly serious. With Koishi, it was always impossible to know.
I sighed. "You're right. Youmu, let's head back. And Koishi—thank you. Tell your sister I said hello."
Koishi only waved, her smile playful but her eyes glimmering with something deeper. We didn't linger. Youmu and I turned, making our way back up the shore.
The silence stretched between us until Youmu finally spoke.
"Riku-kun... who were those men?"
I exhaled through my nose. "I don't know. But whoever they were... their goal was clear. They weren't here to intimidate us. They were here to eliminate the competition. Literally."
Her brows furrowed. "But who would even benefit from killing OG?"
"That's what worries me." My tone hardened, the cold night air stinging my lungs. "Let's not overthink it for now. We'll wait for Satori-san and Koishi to contact us. Once we know more, we'll plan our next move. Until then, we stay alert. No mistakes."
I quickened my pace, the lights of the live house glowing faintly in the distance. Somewhere behind us, the sound of waves carried the memory of those lifeless bodies into the night.
Whoever thought they could sabotage the Future World Fes by targeting us...
They had just made their first move.
And I had no intention of letting it slide.
To be Continued...