Narita Airport
July 13, 2021 - Tuesday, 4:00 P.M.
Riku's POV
The Sunset Stage was only two days away. Normally, I'd be at Yoba with Keigo, handling the lineup and sound checks for the opening act, but today was different. Ceb was flying in, and that meant the airport, not the stage, was my destination.
I wasn't sure why he chose this odd flight time—maybe some strategic timing or just one of his whims—but I decided not to press it. I'd left Keigo and Saki in charge. Keigo, in his usual cryptic fashion, wanted to "surprise me" with whatever he was planning for the opener. I just hoped Shinobu and the others wouldn't catch on.
After school, I told Rinko and the rest that I had to meet someone important at the airport. They didn't pry, thankfully. Having my car with me made the getaway smoother.
The crowd at Narita was the usual midweek chaos—tourists tugging suitcases, business travelers glued to their phones, and the occasional idol fan waving banners at the arrival gates. I stood by the railing, scanning faces until I caught a familiar hand waving in the distance.
Ceb.
That messy brown hair and that relaxed grin—yeah, unmistakable. But then I remembered something. He mentioned he'd be bringing people along, didn't he?
I pushed the thought aside for now and made my way toward him.
"Hey, Ceb. Welcome back," I called out.
"Sorry about the timing," he replied, adjusting his shades. "But hey, it's good to be back."
"You said you'd be arriving with a few others?" I asked.
"They're on a different flight. Should land tomorrow," he said, shrugging. "I came ahead on our private jet."
I stopped mid-step. "Wait. Private jet? Since when does OG have one?"
Ceb gave that smug half-smile of his. "Your family kinda gifted it to us. Guess they appreciated us taking care of you all this time. At least now, no more delays or cramped flights."
My brain short-circuited for a second. Grandfather did what?
"When did that happen?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.
"Last month," Ceb said. "Johan and your grandfather had to handle the paperwork and all that official nonsense."
That explained the sudden spike in my financial reports. "Figures," I muttered under my breath. "Anyway, that all your luggage?"
"Yeah. Told my fiancée I'd only be gone for two weeks."
I nodded. "Alright, car's this way. Let's get out of here before rush hour kills us."
He chuckled and followed as we weaved through the crowd toward the parking lot. Once we reached my car, Ceb tossed his bags into the trunk and claimed the passenger seat. The moment the engine purred to life, he leaned back like he owned the ride.
Nagae Estate – 4:45 P.M.
The drive back was quiet, just the hum of the road and the occasional small talk about OG's recent gigs. When we finally reached the estate gates, the familiar calm of home washed over me. The place had its usual late afternoon glow—soft sunlight bleeding over the gardens, cicadas humming in the background.
As soon as I opened the front door, a sleepy voice greeted me.
"Welcome back, onii-san."
Tina stood there, half-awake, hugging a plushie almost as big as her. Her pajamas were wrinkled, and her hair looked like she'd wrestled her pillow and lost.
"Hey there, Tina," I said, amused. "You just wake up?"
"No," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "Thirty minutes ago... Onii-san, who's he?"
She pointed at Ceb, who looked just as surprised to see her. I gave a small laugh.
"Tina, this is Sébastien Debs—or Ceb, for short. He's one of my brothers from OG. Ceb, this is Tina. She's been staying with us for the past few months."
Ceb smiled and crouched slightly to her level. "Nice to meet you, little one. You can call me Ceb."
Tina nodded shyly, hiding half her face behind the plushie.
Right on cue, Ayabe appeared from the hallway, sharp as ever despite the casual hour.
"Welcome back, Riku-sama," he said with his usual composure before turning to Ceb. "And it's a pleasure to see you again, Sébastien-sama."
Ceb gave him a polite nod. "Likewise. I'll be in your care for the next two weeks."
"Understood," he replied, already moving to take his luggage. "Rinku-sama and the others are waiting for you in the living room."
"Got it," I said, loosening my tie. "By the way, where's Youmu? Didn't see her at the garden today."
"Youmu-sama is in the middle of her kendo session," Ayabe explained. "She mentioned she'd return later this evening."
"Alright. Take Tina to her room while you're at it," I said.
Ayabe gave a short bow before disappearing up the stairs with both the luggage and a drowsy Tina in tow.
That left me and Ceb alone again in the quiet of the entryway. He took in the hall's details—the polished wood, the faint aroma of incense, the way every painting seemed deliberately placed.
"Still feels like a damn museum," he said under his breath.
"Yeah," I chuckled. "Ayabe would kill me if it didn't."
When we reached the living room, the first thing I saw was Rinko leaning over the table, helping Miyu and Mafuyu with their homework. The scene looked oddly domestic—three girls, notebooks scattered across the coffee table, Rinko's patient voice guiding them through formulas while Miyu doodled hearts in the margins.
"We're back," I called out.
Rinko looked up, blinking in mild surprise. "Welcome back, Riku. Um... who's he?"
I gestured toward the man beside me. "Girls, this is Sébastien Debs. Ceb, meet Rinko."
For a brief moment, Ceb froze. Then his lips curved into that familiar teasing grin.
"Oh~ so you're the Rinko that Riku kept talking about back in the limo last January," he said, voice dripping with amusement. "He was very passionate whenever your name came up."
Rinko's eyes widened, and a flush spread across her cheeks like a slow sunrise. I cleared my throat sharply, trying to cut off whatever smirk was about to follow from Ceb.
"Anyway," I said, moving on, "the violet-haired one is Mafuyu—my half-sister."
Mafuyu straightened her posture, always graceful even in casual clothes. "Pleasure to meet you. My name is Mafuyu."
Ceb looked between us, eyebrows lifting. "Half-sister? That's new. Johan never mentioned it."
"A lot's happened," I replied with a shrug. "Maybe he forgot." I turned, glancing at the last of the trio. "And lastly—wait, where'd Miyu—"
Before I could finish, a sudden blur of pink appeared beside us. Miyu was practically vibrating with energy, clutching a pen and a sheet of paper.
"It's such an honor to meet you in person!" she exclaimed, eyes sparkling like she'd just met a deity. "I'm Sakurada Miyu! Could I please have your autograph?!"
Mafuyu blinked in disbelief. "She was beside me a second ago..."
Ceb glanced helplessly at me. "Riku... context?"
I sighed. "Right. Ceb, this is Sakurada Miyu—one of our biggest fans. I know you don't usually sign outside of meetups, but could you do her a favor?"
He hesitated for a moment, then gave a small chuckle. "Oh, sure. Why not."
He took the paper and pen, scrawling his signature with practiced ease before handing it back. Miyu's expression lit up like a fireworks display.
"Thank you so much!" she said, clutching the autograph to her chest.
Ceb smiled. "No problem. Always happy to make a fan's day."
Rinko smiled softly, still red around the ears. "Um... Riku, why is Ceb-san here, exactly?"
"Right," I said, exhaling. "Ceb's staying here for two weeks. He's scouting new talent for OG's DJ unit."
Miyu's eyes widened again, this time with almost predatory excitement. "Wait—really?! You're recruiting for the OG DJ unit?! Does that mean—"
"No, Miyu," I interrupted, already sensing where she was going. "It's not you."
Her shoulders slumped. "Aw..."
Before explaining further, I glanced at the table. "So, homework session, huh? I didn't think I'd ever see you three doing that together. You sure you're not just procrastinating with snacks?"
Rinko giggled softly. "Miyu-chan insisted we do our homework together. Mafuyu-san joined too. And... well, as their senior, it felt like my responsibility to help."
Mafuyu nodded. "It isn't bad to ask for advice. Since Rinko-senpai goes to the same school, I thought I could learn a few things."
I smiled faintly. "Fair enough." Then another thought hit me. "Hey, is Eli here? I didn't see her around."
Miyu shook her head. "Eli-san texted earlier. Their practice ran longer than expected. She said she'll be here before dinner."
"Got it." I leaned against the back of a chair. "Anyway, about why Ceb's here—yeah, he's recruiting. OG's current DJ unit ended their run, so we're looking for fresh blood."
Ceb picked up where I left off, folding his arms casually. "We've already scouted across Europe and North America. Riku suggested Japan next. So, here I am."
Miyu's curiosity reignited. "So, Riku-san, has anyone caught your eye?"
"Three groups," I said. "Happy Around, Peaky P-Key, and Rondo. If Ceb's impressed at the Sunset Stage or CiRCLE's second live, we might sign one as OG's official DJ unit for the rest of the year."
Mafuyu gave a small smile. "So that's why you've been so busy lately."
"Pretty much."
Miyu tilted her head. "But wait—how do you know about the Sunset Stage lineup? It's supposed to be confidential."
"Because," I said, grinning, "I'm the host this year."
"WHAT?!" Miyu nearly jumped out of her seat. "How?! When?!"
"Well," I began, leaning on the armrest, "about a month ago, I asked Shinobu for a favor—she composed the music for one of my new songs. In return, I agreed to host this year's event. Worked out perfectly."
Miyu's jaw dropped. "Then that means... the broadcast announcement I saw last week—"
"Yup," I said before she could finish. "That was me. I cashed in a favor from a certain TV company. Don't worry—it's all above board. Mostly."
Rinko chuckled under her breath while Mafuyu just shook her head, clearly used to my brand of chaos.
Just then, the living room door slid open. Nazuna entered with her usual grace, balancing a tray with three mugs of warm milk.
"Riku-sama, welcome back," she said, setting the tray on the table. "You should return to your room soon. Fuyu has been waiting by your door."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes," she replied with a faint smile. "She refused to move."
I sighed, amused. "Alright, I'll head there now. You girls carry on. I'll take Ceb to his room first, then deal with my little guardian."
Rinko tilted her head. "What about your homework?"
"Don't worry about it," I said, waving it off. "I'll finish once I'm done."
We left the living room, walking down the quiet corridor lined with paintings and faint lamplight. The faint scent of polished cedar drifted through the air.
Ceb broke the silence first. "You know... your relationships with those girls don't seem exactly ordinary."
I laughed dryly. "You have no idea. Being engaged to three girls isn't exactly simple."
He stopped mid-step. "Hold the fuck up. Three?!"
"Yeah," I said with a half-smile. "Let's just say I'm a live experiment in emotional endurance."
Ceb barked out a laugh. "You poor bastard."
"Thanks for the sympathy," I muttered. "Anyway, this is your room."
We stopped before a familiar door.
"Isn't this the same one I stayed in last January?" he asked.
"Yep. Your bags are already inside," I said, hand on the knob. "Get some rest. Dinner's in a couple hours, and my grandfather wants to discuss something with you then. I've got... a cat-related situation to handle."
"Of course you do," he said, smirking.
I left him there and continued down the hall toward my room. As Nazuna said, Fuyu was sitting obediently by the door—tail swishing, ears perked. The moment she saw me, she meowed and sprinted over, leaping straight into my arms.
"Hey there," I murmured, catching her easily. "You've been waiting long?"
"Nyaa~"
"You wanted to be the first to greet me, huh?"
"Nyaa~"
"How sweet of you." I smiled as she rubbed her head against my chest. "Though, those claws look like they're due for a trim again."
Another soft meow, almost approving.
I unlocked my door and stepped inside. The room felt calm, the late afternoon sun slanting across the desk and bed. Setting Fuyu down gently on the table, I grabbed the nail clippers from the drawer.
She stretched out her paws without complaint, tail flicking lazily as I started trimming each nail with care. For all her moods and mischief, moments like this reminded me she was oddly patient with me—like she understood more than she should.
"Good girl," I murmured after finishing the last paw. "There. No more accidental claw marks on the bed sheets."
Fuyu purred softly, curling up on my lap as if claiming her reward.
The room fell quiet except for her breathing and the hum of the air conditioner. For a brief moment, the world outside—the Sunset Stage, Ceb's scouting, the endless tangle of responsibilities—faded away.
It was just the two of us, a small pause in the storm.
I leaned back, letting the quiet settle. But even then, part of me couldn't stop thinking ahead—to the stage lights, the crowd's roar, and the subtle unease that came whenever big events drew near. Something about this year's Sunset Stage felt different.
And deep down, I had a feeling that Ceb's arrival wasn't just about scouting talent.
----------
Nagae Estate – Riku's Room
9:30 P.M.
Rinko's POV
After Riku and Ceb-san left, Mafuyu-san, Miyu-chan, and I went back to our homework. The evening air was still warm, the faint scent of lavender from the garden drifting in through the open windows. Eli-san arrived just as we were finishing—except she wasn't exactly walking. Mitsuri-san carried her on her back like a tired child, her limbs dangling limply.
When I asked why Eli-san was in that state, Mitsuri-san explained, "Their rehearsal was intense today. Too much stretching. She pushed past her limit again."
Mitsuri-san said it so calmly, I almost laughed, though Eli-san looked half-asleep, mumbling something about choreography before Mitsuri-san took her to her room.
Not long after, Kyoya-san formally welcomed Ceb-san back, and we all gathered for dinner. The meal went as it usually did—comfortable, quiet in the right ways. Ceb-san fit into the rhythm easily, sharing small stories from France, and even making Tina-chan giggle with a few dramatic gestures. For a while, it felt like nothing heavy lingered in the air.
Now, a few hours later, I found myself standing in front of Riku's room, a notebook in hand. I'd been meaning to ask him about BLAST's upcoming tour—mostly about scheduling and stage coordination—but as I knocked on the door, no voice came back.
"Riku?" I called softly. Silence.
I tried again. Still nothing.
After the third knock, a small pang of worry bloomed in my chest. It wasn't like him to ignore me, especially this late. Hesitation turned to unease, and I finally sighed and pressed down on the handle.
The door slid open with a faint click.
Inside, the room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the moon filtering through the window. Riku was sitting cross-legged on his bed, perfectly still, eyes closed. The air around him felt heavier—charged, almost like static before a storm.
"Riku?" I stepped closer. "Are... you okay?"
Before I could reach him, a calm, low voice echoed from somewhere in the room.
[I would prefer not to bother my partner at this time.]
A soft blue light flared on Riku's left hand. From the gem embedded there, Albion's voice resonated—clear and ancient, yet patient as ever.
"Albion?" I asked, blinking. "What's going on with Riku right now?"
[My partner is currently training with Iku and Tenshi. At this moment, he is attempting to attain the Divine Dividing's Balance Breaker.]
"Balance... Breaker?" I repeated quietly.
[Balance Breaker is the next step for any Sacred Gear wielder. Once they reach a bottleneck and fulfill certain conditions, the gear evolves into a higher form—Balance Breaker. It greatly amplifies the user's power, though the results differ from person to person. However—]
Albion's tone deepened, resonating through the room like a pulse.
[Since my partner wields a Longinus, the amplification he will receive surpasses what ordinary users experience.]
I felt my throat tighten. "Will he be able to achieve it just by meditating?"
[No.]
That one word hit harder than I expected.
[What he is doing now is fighting Tenshi and Iku in a no-holds-barred match within his mindscape. It is the only way to break through his current limits.]
A chill ran down my spine. Fighting both of them? Even if it was inside his own mind, that didn't sound any less dangerous. I could see beads of sweat rolling down Riku's face, his expression tense but unwavering. His breathing was steady, yet shallow—like he was standing on a razor's edge between calm and collapse.
"Riku..." I whispered, kneeling beside the bed. "Hang in there."
Albion's voice returned, gentler now.
[Rinko. There is something you can do to help him.]
"What is it?"
[Touch the gem on his hand. It will send your consciousness into his mindscape. You will see what he sees. It may help him maintain focus—or at least, remind him he's not alone.]
I blinked in surprise. "You're sure it's safe?"
[I'm sure. But before you go, lock the door. His body must remain undisturbed.]
The thought of leaving him defenseless unsettled me, but Albion's composure gave me some peace of mind. I glanced at the slightly open door and nodded.
"Alright."
I stood, quietly crossed the room, and locked the door. The faint click echoed in the stillness. When I turned back, Riku hadn't moved an inch, but the light on his hand seemed stronger—almost pulsing with every heartbeat.
Taking a steadying breath, I walked back and knelt beside the bed once more.
"Okay," I whispered, pressing my palm gently against the blue gem. "I'm trusting you, Albion."
The gem glowed brighter, flooding the room in sapphire light. My vision blurred, the edges of reality folding inward as I felt a sudden weightlessness. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, and the world around me dissolved into light.
Then—nothing.
For a fleeting second, it felt like I was suspended in water. No sound. No air. Only stillness.
And then, like a mirror cracking open, I felt myself being pulled forward—into a new space, into his world.
Riku's Mindscape
Third Person POV
Rinko stirred awake, her senses gradually returning. When her eyes fluttered open, she found herself standing before the Dragon Palace's front gate—though what surrounded it was no longer the ethereal beauty she once saw in Stockholm.
The air reeked of scorched earth. Smoke drifted across the horizon like mourning veils. Massive craters pockmarked the once-lush landscape; flames licked the remains of shattered spires. The Dragon Palace itself still stood—scarred but unyielding—amidst a field of ruin.
Her heart clenched. "W-What happened here...?" she whispered. "The Dragon Palace is still intact... I need to find Riku—"
A deafening BOOOOOOM! cut her words short. The explosion threw dust and debris into the air, forcing her to shield her face. When the haze cleared, her breath hitched.
Down in a fresh crater lay Riku—his body battered, his clothes torn to shreds, blood staining the cracked earth beneath him.
"Riku!" she screamed, scrambling down the slope, her knees hitting the ground beside him. "Riku! Answer me! Please, Riku!"
Her desperate cries echoed through the ruined field. Then a calm, almost bored voice cut through the smoke.
"Ha~ Are you done already?"
Rinko turned, trembling, to see Tenshi standing atop a floating keystone, the replica Sword of Hisou glinting faintly in her hand. The Celestial descended slowly, landing before Rinko with the weight of divine arrogance.
"T-Tenshi..." Rinko stammered, clutching Riku's arm protectively.
"Oh? Didn't expect you here." Tenshi tilted her head, her tone dripping with mock amusement. "Step aside. The fight isn't over yet."
"No." Rinko's voice quivered, but she stood her ground. "You've done enough."
A sharp grin spread across Tenshi's face. "You're blocking my way? How bold. Looks like you've grown a spine when I was gone, huh?" She unsheathed her blade with a metallic hiss, pointing it straight at Rinko. "I'll ask again. Move—or end up like him."
Rinko's pulse hammered in her ears, but she didn't retreat. She looked back at Riku, pale and unconscious, and then lifted her arms wide, shielding him.
"I'm not letting you touch him," she said, her voice small but steady. "You'll have to go through me first."
Tenshi blinked. Then—she laughed. Loudly. Cruelly.
"HA! YOU?! PROTECTING RIKU?!" Her laughter cracked like thunder as she tossed her head back. "WHAT IN THE FLAT LIVING FUCK ARE YOU GONNA DO, HUH?! YOU'RE WEAK! YOU'RE JUST A HUMAN! YOU COULDN'T EVEN HURT A DAMN FLY!" Her grin widened, almost manic. "Tell me, what can you possibly do in the face of death? Against me?"
Rinko's body trembled, but she refused to move. "I'll face it... head on. Call me weak. Call me fragile. I don't care. If it's for Riku, I'll do whatever it takes... even if it means fighting you myself."
For a moment, Tenshi just stared. Then she snorted, clearly unimpressed, and raised her blade. "You shouldn't have come here in the first place."
Rinko closed her eyes, breath hitching as the sword arced downward—
—but the strike never landed.
The clash of steel meeting divine light filled the air instead. When Rinko opened her eyes, she saw Riku standing before her, his hand gripping Tenshi's wrist. The arm of the Divine Dividing shined, as the blue gem on it glowed faintly.
"Got... you..." he rasped, blood dripping from his chin.
[Divide!] Albion's voice boomed from the gauntlet as a surge of power rippled outward. Tenshi staggered back, clutching her arm as her strength was siphoned away, the divine energy dimming around her.
"Tch... and here I thought you were dead," Tenshi muttered, eyes narrowing. "Good. Let's continue."
Riku steadied himself, panting heavily. Rinko rushed to his side, sliding an arm around him to keep him upright.
"Riku, you shouldn't be standing! You're hurt!" she said, voice trembling. "You've done enough. Look at yourself—you're barely holding together!"
"I'm fine..." he muttered, though his body clearly said otherwise. "You shouldn't be here, Rinko. This isn't your fight."
"I don't care," she shot back. "You're my—" She stopped herself, cheeks burning even through her fear. "You're important to me. I won't just watch you destroy yourself."
Tenshi scoffed. "Touching. But this fight isn't over. Isn't that right, Riku?"
He turned to glare at her. "I don't talk to scum—"
"Well then," she interrupted, her grin turning wicked, "if husband won't answer... maybe wife will."
The words cut through the air like poison.
Riku froze. For a split second, the entire mindscape seemed to shudder.
"Don't you fucking dare—" he growled.
"Back off, and all's well," Tenshi said lightly, twirling her sword. "Piss me off... and Rinko's gonna meet Auntie Miku."
That did it. Something deep inside Riku—something ancient and monstrous—snapped. His blue aura erupted into white fire, the sheer pressure cracking the ground beneath his feet. In an instant, he vanished from sight.
And then, just as quickly, he was there—right in front of Tenshi, his hand gripping her throat.
Tenshi barely had time to blink before Riku's fist drove into her stomach like a cannonball. The blow sent her body hurtling upward, crashing through clouds toward the floating island above. Blood spilled from her lips as the air was torn apart by the impact.
Riku didn't give her a moment to recover. He shot after her in a streak of blue light, his wings blazing like white fire. The next punch struck with the force of an earthquake, shattering the entire island to dust.
The Celestial's body plummeted, colliding with the ground in front of the Dragon Palace. Stone shattered beneath her, forming a crater that rippled outward like a wound in the earth.
Riku landed beside her with a thunderous step, his expression empty, his aura suffocating. He seized Tenshi by the throat and hurled her skyward—then appeared above her in a flash, slamming an axe kick into her skull. The sound cracked through the air like a thunderclap.
When he landed, the ground trembled under his feet. His energy spread outward, thick and crushing, twisting the air with pressure so heavy even Rinko, standing several meters away, could barely breathe. She clutched her chest, trembling.
"Riku... please... stop this..."
But her voice never reached him. His steps were slow, deliberate—predatory. His eyes glowed a feral blue as his skin began to shimmer with scales. His hands—no, claws—tightened with lethal intent. The dragon within was taking over.
Just as he lunged forward to finish Tenshi, a flash of crimson light enveloped him. Dozens of energy scarves wrapped around his body, pinning him in place mid-stride.
"I think that's far enough, you two."
The voice was calm but heavy with disapproval. All three turned toward it. Hovering above the battlefield stood Iku, arms folded, her expression unreadable but her tone unmistakably disappointed.
"Tenshi," she said coldly.
The Celestial coughed blood, glaring up weakly. "Iku..."
"I expected you to have matured by now," Iku continued, her gaze sharp as glass. "Yet here you are—still acting like a spoiled brat."
Tenshi winced but said nothing. Her body trembled from exhaustion.
Iku's attention then shifted to Riku, still thrashing weakly against the restraints, his eyes those of a dragon. She sighed and floated closer. "You, too."
Then, without warning, she slapped him—hard.
The echo cut through the burning air. Riku's body froze. Slowly, the madness in his gaze dimmed. His scales receded, the light around him softening until it vanished completely.
"Iku... what happened?" he asked hoarsely, his voice confused and tired.
"You snapped," she said simply. "And let your dragon side take full control."
Riku cursed under his breath, pressing a hand against his face. "Damn it. I promised Kokoro I wouldn't lose it again... Some brother I am."
"That promise still stands," Iku replied evenly. "You just have more work to do."
A voice suddenly called from behind them.
"Riku!"
He turned just in time to see Rinko running toward him, tears still in her eyes. As Iku released the restraints, the last of Riku's adrenaline faded. His knees gave out, and he dropped to the ground with a dull thud.
Before he could speak, Rinko threw her arms around him, hugging him so tightly he could barely breathe.
"Never do that again," she whispered fiercely.
Riku let out a weak chuckle, resting his forehead against her shoulder. "You know I can't promise that."
"Then why? Why are you doing this to yourself?"
Before he could answer, Iku stepped forward. "Because he has to be prepared."
Rinko turned toward her, confusion flickering in her eyes. "Prepared? For what?"
"The Gathering," Iku said. "It's only two weeks away. And the branch family... won't go quietly. I can feel it in my bones—they're planning something. Likely a direct challenge."
Rinko frowned. "Then you're training him for that? But this—this is too much. You almost pushed him past his limit."
Tenshi, who had been silent until now, spoke up while wiping the blood from her mouth. "You don't understand, Rinko. The branch family will use every underhanded trick they can. Riku's only chance at standing on equal ground... is reaching his Balance Breaker."
Iku gave a faint nod. "Exactly." She then turned back to Riku. "But I don't understand—why haven't you achieved it yet?"
Riku exhaled, frustration flickering across his face. "I don't know... maybe I'm missing something."
A low, rumbling voice interrupted from above.
[That's because you've hit a roadblock, partner.]
All eyes turned skyward as a flash of silver light descended. The great white dragon Albion appeared, his majestic wings spanning wide as he landed gracefully beside Riku.
Rinko froze, her eyes wide in disbelief. "A-Albion...?" she whispered, staring at the towering dragon before her.
Her thoughts raced in awe. Ako-chan would lose her mind if she saw this...
Riku looked up at his partner. "A roadblock? What do you mean by that?"
[When you snapped, your power exceeded the threshold needed to trigger Balance Breaker,] Albion explained, his tone deep but calm. [But power alone isn't enough. You need something else—something internal—to unlock it completely.]
"So my breakthrough's incomplete..."
[Yes,] Albion rumbled. [But don't lose heart. Even with that block, your body adapted. Your overall strength and speed have risen tremendously.]
Tenshi crossed her arms. "So we can call that progress, then."
Iku nodded slightly. "Progress worth noting. In that case..." She looked at the group, her tone softening. "We'll end training here. Both of you—return to the real world. And Riku..." She gave him a faint smile. "Rest. You'll need it soon."
Rinku straightened. "I'll keep an eye on him."
"Good." Iku's smile lingered only for a moment before her usual calm returned. "Now then, run along."
Riku rose to his feet slowly, the exhaustion finally weighing on him. He looked at Albion one last time, giving the dragon a small nod of gratitude. Albion bowed his head in return, his massive form shimmering before fading into light.
As the mindscape began to dissolve into mist, Riku turned to Rinko. She still looked shaken but managed a small, gentle smile.
"Ready?" he asked quietly.
She nodded, taking his hand. "Let's go home."
The world around them shimmered, light spilling through the cracks of their fading surroundings. The last thing Rinko saw before waking was the faint silhouette of Iku watching from afar, her expression soft—almost proud.
Now Back to Reality
Riku and Rinko slowly opened their eyes, the familiar ceiling of their room coming into view. The faint hum of the monitor beside them and the quiet rhythm of the air purifier were the only sounds that broke the silence. Riku's body felt drained—every breath heavy, every movement sluggish. When he tried to sit up, his strength gave out, and he fell back against the pillow.
Rinko caught him before he could collapse completely, guiding him gently to lie down again. Her hands were trembling slightly, but her voice stayed soft.
"Thank you for the help, Rinko," Riku murmured weakly, forcing a faint smile.
"I'm your wife," she said, the words slipping out before she could stop them. "Of course I'll help."
That drew a quiet laugh from Riku, his lips curling into a teasing grin despite the exhaustion in his eyes.
"Oh? You're calling yourself my wife now? That's quite bold of you."
Rinko didn't flinch. Her cheeks flushed, but her tone stayed steady.
"We're going to get married one day," she replied matter-of-factly. "So it's only natural that I call myself your wife. And like Iku-sama said earlier, you need to rest. Take the entire day off tomorrow."
"Eh? But what about—"
Before he could finish, Rinko leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. The room seemed to freeze for a heartbeat. When she pulled back, both of them were blushing, their eyes darting anywhere but at each other.
"Shush," Rinko whispered, resting her hand gently on his shoulder. "Leave the rest to me. You've done more than enough."
Riku looked at her for a long moment, the fight slowly fading from his gaze. "I... I'll leave it to you, then."
Rinko's smile softened. "Good. Fuyu, keep an eye on him."
~Nyaa~
The big white white cat perked up from her perch on the windowsill, stretched, and leapt onto Riku's bed. She curled beside his arm, tail flicking lazily.
Rinko lingered by the doorway, watching the rise and fall of Riku's breathing. The sight brought a quiet warmth to her chest—relief mixed with something deeper, gentler. She reached for the light switch but hesitated, letting the soft glow stay on.
"Good night, Riku," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Riku's eyelids were already heavy, but he managed a faint nod. "Hm... good night, Rinko."
She smiled once more, then stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click. The hallway outside was dim and silent. Pulling out her phone, she scrolled through her contacts until she found the name she needed.
"Hello, Yuyuko-san?" she said quietly, her tone now firm and composed.
The line crackled faintly as the call connected—whatever came next, it was clear Rinko had already shifted from caretaker to strategist.
----------
The next day...
Nagae Estate – Riku's Room
July 14, 2021 – Wednesday – 7:00 A.M.
Riku's POV
The morning light crept through the curtains, painting soft streaks of gold across my desk and the half-open drawer stuffed with documents. My body felt like it had been slammed into a wall, rolled down a hill, and then stomped on for good measure.
"Fuck... my body hurts all over," I muttered, forcing myself upright against the headboard. "And Kuroka's not here, so I can't rely on her senjutsu this time."
Beside me, Fuyu stretched, her tail flicking lazily before she greeted me with a sleepy nyaa.
"Morning, Fuyu," I said, smiling faintly. I scratched her behind the ears, and she purred in approval, curling beside my lap.
The peace didn't last long. The door slowly open, and standing there were Yuyuko-san and Yukari-san—one wearing her usual carefree smile, the other holding a knowing smirk. A bad premonition hit me immediately.
"Yuyuko-san... Yukari-san... why are you two here this early?"
Yuyuko-san floated in, her presence radiating that eerie calm she always had. "Rinko-chan called me last night and told me what happened," she said, her tone both sweet and firm. "I had some time before school starts, so I thought I'd drop by. But enough of that—are you alright?"
I groaned lightly, pressing a hand against my ribs. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just sore all over. I'll have to skip school today."
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that~" Yuyuko-san sing-songed, placing a bag on my table. I didn't like the way her eyes sparkled.
"...What's in the bag?"
"Your lessons for today, of course." She beamed as she pulled out a thick stack of papers and neatly arranged them. "You didn't think I'd let you take a day off just to slack off, right? Instead of waiting for Rinko-chan to deliver these later, I decided to bring them myself."
I blinked at the pile, expression flat. "...Okay... I'll start once I can move properly again."
I turned toward Yukari-san. "And you? You usually don't visit without a reason."
Yukari-san smiled slyly, fanning herself. "I came to confirm something. It's about the upcoming meeting with Ning Fengzhi."
That caught Yuyuko-san's attention. Her airy demeanor vanished as she turned serious. "Riku-kun, why did Fengzhi-kun call you?"
"Wait—you don't know?" I looked at Yukari-san, who whistled quietly and looked away.
"Yukari-san... you didn't tell her, did you?"
Yuyuko-san's gaze sharpened. "Yukari? What did Riku-kun mean by that?"
Yukari-san cleared her throat, avoiding eye contact. "Well... the boy said he got a call from Ning Fengzhi. So I agreed to arrange a meeting between the Ning Family and the Celestial Families on the twenty-seventh of July and... uh..."
"And?" Yuyuko-san's voice grew soft—too soft. A faint sakura-colored aura began to swirl around her, the temperature in the room dropping just enough to make the hairs on my neck stand.
Yukari-san winced and muttered, "And I might've... told them the meeting would be held at the Hakugyokurou."
Silence. Then came the quiet twitch of Yuyuko-san's eye. She slowly reached out, resting one elegant hand on Yukari-san's shoulder with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"And you didn't tell me this because... why?"
Yukari-san laughed nervously, sweat beading at her temple. "W-Well... I wanted to surprise you? I mean, you haven't seen Fengzhi in ages, right?"
For a long moment, Yuyuko-san simply stared. Then, her aura dissipated like mist under sunlight. "True... I haven't seen Fengzhi-kun since Miku-chan died." Her voice softened. "Fine, I'll let it slide this time. But do that again, and I'll post those online."
Yukari-san's entire body froze. Her fan dropped to the floor. "You wouldn't..."
"Oh, I would," Yuyuko-san said sweetly, patting her on the shoulder.
I had no idea what "those" referred to, but judging from Yukari-san's horrified expression, I didn't want to know.
"Good. Now then, I'll leave you two to talk," Yuyuko-san chirped, turning toward the door. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to spoil Youmu while she's still here~ Youmuuu~!"
She floated out, leaving behind a faint floral scent—and a stunned Yukari-san, who looked like she'd seen her life flash before her eyes.
Yukari-san exhaled deeply before looking back at me. "Anyway, about the meeting. What's your read on it? Why do you think Fengzhi wants to meet with us?"
I thought for a moment, rubbing my temples. "Hmm... if I had to guess, it's tied to the internal conflict in China. The tension between the conservative and radical factions has been escalating. Maybe his faction is trying to secure outside support before things get worse."
Her gaze sharpened. "You think the radicals have reached out to families here, too?"
"Possibly. I've been watching the developments through the Chinese Pro Band Circuit . It's gotten bad—so much that several major Chinese bands had to relocate to Malaysia just to continue performing."
Yukari-san's eyes narrowed. "So it's that bad, huh... Alright. That aligns with what I suspected."
She leaned closer. "Now, about you. What happened last night?"
I sighed. "It's a long story."
And so I told her everything—how Tenshi pushed me to the brink to help me awaken my Balance Breaker, how I nearly blacked out from the strain, and how I somehow survived it. When I finished, Yukari-san's expression was unreadable. Then—smack!
"Ow! What the hell was that for?!"
"For being reckless," she said bluntly, folding her arms. "You could've told us. We could've made a proper training regimen for you, something that didn't nearly kill you and still balanced your work and school life."
I looked down. "I'm sorry..."
Her tone softened slightly. "You know, I can't stay mad at you." She studied me for a moment before continuing. "But I noticed something—your magic power. It's increasing rapidly. Almost exponentially."
"Yeah," I nodded. "Suwako-sama and Kanako-sama mentioned it when I visited Moriya Shrine."
"They did," she said thoughtfully. "But back then, the increase was barely noticeable. This time, it's significant. If I'm being blunt, your total magic power is sitting at about eighty-five percent of your original capacity."
I froze, her words echoing in my mind. Eighty-five percent. My pulse quickened. The power I'd thought I lost forever—finally coming back. Maybe this was it. Maybe that lingering barrier holding me from Balance Breaker wasn't psychological or technical—just incomplete recovery.
I clenched my fist, a slow grin spreading across my face. "So that's the key... I just need to restore it fully."
"Seems like you've already figured that part out," Yukari said with a hint of amusement. "But don't overdo it again."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll talk to Iku about it later," I said. "For now, I should rest. I've got to host the Sunset Stage tomorrow, and CiRCLE's second live is five days after that."
"Ufufufu~ Even with a day off from school, you're still working," she teased. "Then allow me to help a bit."
Before I could respond, she lightly tapped her finger on my forehead. A faint violet glow enveloped me, and the pain that had been crawling across my body melted away almost instantly.
I blinked. "What did you just do?"
"I healed you," she said casually. "What? You thought Byakuren was the only one who mastered senjutsu?"
I raised a brow. "You learned senjutsu? Last I checked, you spent most of your time sleeping."
Her fan snapped open again as she chuckled. "Be thankful I can't bring myself to hate you even when you say things like that."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
She laughed softly, then straightened her hat. "Anyway, I've got what I needed. Rest up for the day, boy. I'll have a word with your old man about a few matters."
"Got it," I said, waving lazily as she vanished into a glowing rift.
The room returned to its quiet calm, leaving just me, Fuyu, and a pile of schoolwork staring me down. I groaned, dragging myself off the bed.
"So these are what we're working with today, huh? I can finish this before noon," I muttered, picking up the first sheet. "But first—breakfast."
That thought barely crossed my mind when a scream echoed from downstairs.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
The voice was unmistakable—Youmu. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Yuyuko-san must be at it again..."
Fuyu tilted her head at me, ears twitching.
"Yeah, you're right," I said, standing up and stretching. "Let's get breakfast before the house turns into chaos."
~Nyaa!~
She trotted toward the door, waiting patiently while I changed into casual clothes. The soreness was gone, replaced by the usual hum of mana pulsing faintly beneath my skin—a reminder that recovery had truly begun.
When I finished dressing, I followed Fuyu down the hallway, sunlight filtering through the window. The faint sounds of Yuyuko-san's playful laughter and Youmu's desperate protests echoed faintly from the kitchen.
I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. Another morning at the Nagae Estate—chaotic, exhausting, but strangely peaceful all the same.
Meanwhile, with Rinko
Hanasakigawa Girls' High School – Class 3-A
7:30 A.M.
Rinko's POV
I managed to reach school without any trouble—well, aside from Youmu-san's dramatic screaming echoing through the estate this morning. Ayabe-san had kindly offered to drive us, dropping Riku off to rest before taking us to our respective schools.
The whole ride, I couldn't stop replaying last night in my head. Riku's condition... the way he collapsed after losing control of his dragon side—it still weighed on me. When I told Miyu-chan and Eli-san what happened, their faces mirrored the same shock and fear I felt that night. By the time we reached school, they'd already decided to visit the estate after classes to check on him. I didn't even have to ask.
When I entered our classroom, I barely had time to sit down before Sayo-san greeted me.
"Good morning, Rinko," she said, smiling gently. "Where's Riku-san? Is he with the principal again?"
I shook my head. "Uh, no. Riku won't be coming today. He's... taking a day off."
That drew attention from the rest of the girls around us. Chisato-san, Kanon-chan, and Kaguya-san all turned toward me at once. Kaguya-san's expression sharpened slightly—she could read the air faster than anyone.
"Something happened to him yesterday, didn't it?" she asked quietly.
I hesitated for a beat before nodding. "Hai. His body's aching all over. He can barely move."
Their faces immediately softened with worry, especially Chisato-san's.
"How did Onii-sama end up like that all of a sudden?" she asked, voice trembling slightly.
I sighed. "His training got too intense... He's—"
"Don't force yourself to explain," Kaguya-san cut in gently, saving me the trouble. "I think I can guess what happened. If it's alright, may I visit the estate after classes are done?"
"Of course," I said. "Riku would appreciate that."
"Then I'm coming too," Chisato said quickly.
Kanon-chan looked over from her seat. "Don't you have practice at the agency today?"
Chisato-san smiled a little. "Actually, it's just Aya-chan and Eve-chan rehearsing. Hina-chan, Maya-chan, and I are off today. So, Rinko-chan, would it be fine if I joined?"
"Sure," I replied. "Riku would love to have you around."
Before anyone could say more, the school bell rang, and Fudo-sensei entered the classroom carrying her attendance book.
"Alright, everyone, before we begin," she said in her usual composed tone, "I'd like to inform you that Nagae-kun will not be in school today due to an important family matter."
The class immediately buzzed with quiet murmurs. Serizawa-san raised her hand, her curiosity winning out.
"Sensei, if Riku-san isn't here, why is his sister still attending classes?"
Fudo-sensei smiled faintly. "The principal explained that since Nagae-kun is the next head of the Nagae family, it's a matter only he can personally handle. Oh, and Rinko," she added, turning to me, "don't worry about bringing him notes. The principal already took care of that."
"O-Okay..." I nodded.
I sank a little into my seat, letting out a quiet sigh. So that's the excuse Yuyuko-san gave them, I thought. Clever as ever—framing Riku's absence as a formal duty kept the teachers from asking questions.
Fudo-sensei clapped her hands once. "Now then, let's take attendance, shall we?"
The chatter subsided as she began reading through the roll. I glanced at the empty seat beside mine, a small smile tugging at my lips.
Rest well, Riku. We'll handle things here.
-----------
Nagae Estate
3:30 P.M.
Classes ended quietly that afternoon, and I didn't waste any time heading home. With no student council duties to hold me back and Roselia's next rehearsal still a week away, it felt like the perfect moment to check on Riku.
Kaguya-san, Chisato-san, and Sayo-san decided to come along. Sayo-san rarely left her routines for anything unplanned, but her concern for Riku outweighed habit. Even Kokoro-chan had wanted to tag along the moment she heard that Riku hadn't shown up to school during lunch break. Unfortunately, she'd already promised to attend a storytelling event at the children's hospital — something she couldn't back out of, as Okusawa-san gently reminded her.
So in the end, it was just the four of us. The others sent their regards through messages — small wishes for Riku's recovery that I'd be sure to pass along.
At the station, Eli-san joined us, just as the train doors closed behind her. Her hair glimmered faintly under the late afternoon sun.
"Miyu-chan's with Lyrical Lily," she explained when I asked about her partner. "Seems like they're working on something important today."
The ride to the estate passed in quiet chatter and the occasional breeze that slipped through the open windows. I could feel everyone's tension. Each time someone mentioned Riku, the silence stretched just a little longer.
By the time the car rolled past the main gate, the golden light of late afternoon was already touching the tiled roofs. The familiar sight of the estate — its still ponds and swaying trees — somehow made the air feel heavier.
As we approached the front door, it swung open before I could even lift my hand to knock.
"Welcome back, Rinko-sama, Eli-sama," Ayabe-san greeted us with his usual composed tone. His gaze shifted toward my friends. "And you've brought Kaguya-sama, Sayo-sama, and Chisato-sama as well."
"Yeah," I said, exhaling softly. "They're worried about Riku. How is he doing right now?"
Ayabe straightened. "Riku-sama has fully recovered. If you wish to see him, he's in his room."
Relief washed through me, though not enough to calm the unease I'd been carrying. "Then please, take us there."
We followed him down the long hallway — the familiar scent of sandalwood and old tatami accompanying every step. Just as we turned the corner leading to Riku's room, a sudden explosion shook the corridor.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM.
The sound was deafening. A flash of light burst from the far door, followed by a rolling wave of smoke.
"What was that!?" Chisato-san gasped.
We didn't wait for Ayabe's permission. All of us rushed forward and threw open the door.
Riku was standing in the middle of a haze, fanning the smoke away with a towel, coughing hard. The air smelled of burnt metal. On the floor beside him lay what used to be a laptop — now a charred mess of melted keys and cracked casing.
"Motherf—" Riku growled, cutting himself off halfway. "I thought Nitori didn't put any self-destruct programs in that damn laptop! I swear, if I see that kappa again, I'll stick ten cucumbers right up her ass."
The words left him in a frustrated growl, and even through the smoke, I could see the vein pulsing on his temple.
"Umm... Riku?" I ventured.
He turned, startled for a moment, before his shoulders relaxed. "Rinko, Eli—you're back." His gaze flicked past me, noticing the others. "And you brought Kaguya, Chisato, and Sayo too?"
Kaguya-san crossed her arms. "We were worried about you, you idiot. Kokoro and the others send their regards, by the way."
Riku scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. "Appreciate it. Sorry for the scare."
Chisato-san stepped forward, her brows knitted. "Onii-sama, what happened? Why did your laptop explode like that?"
"Ah, that." Riku sighed, holding up a blackened piece of circuitry. "Nitori has this habit of putting self-destruct programs into everything she builds. I guess whatever I did triggered it."
Sayo-san blinked in disbelief. "Wait—you said CiRCLE's equipment was made by her too. Don't tell me—"
"Relax," Riku interrupted quickly. "Grandfather made sure Nitori didn't install any of those stupid traps in my live house. If there's one person Nitori's scared of, it's him."
Eli-san chuckled quietly. "At least something keeps her in check. But what about your files, Riku? Everything's gone, right?"
"I made a backup earlier, just in case." He brushed off a bit of soot from his arm. "Ayabe, take what's left of this laptop to the warehouse. And bring some snacks on your way back."
"As you wish," Ayabe said, already lifting the ruined device. Within seconds, he'd disappeared down the hall.
Once the smoke started to clear, Riku turned to us with a faint grin. "Well, don't just stand there. Find yourselves a seat."
We obeyed. Kaguya-san and I settled on his bed, while Sayo-san and Chisato-san took the chairs near the low table. Eli-san lingered by the doorway for a moment, glancing at her watch.
"I'll leave you here," she said softly. "I have some Student Council work to do."
Riku nodded. "Alright. Don't work too late."
After she left, the room grew quieter. Riku leaned back against his desk, the faint hum of a new device filling the background.
"So," he began, glancing between us, "anything interesting happen at school?"
Chisato-san shrugged. "Nothing much, other than Fudo-sensei mentioning the school festival ahead of schedule."
Riku frowned slightly. "The school festival? That's held mid-November, right? Why announce it this early?"
Sayo-san answered, folding her hands neatly on her lap. "They want everyone to prepare in advance. I heard other classes already started planning, but ours decided to wait for you."
Riku raised an eyebrow. "You delayed the planning... for me?"
Kaguya-san smiled faintly. "You're the only boy in our class, Riku. The girls wanted your opinion before deciding anything."
He chuckled. "Fair enough. Then I—"
The ring of his phone cut him off. Riku blinked, pulling it from his pocket. "Keigo, what's the sitch?" he asked casually. He paused, listening for a moment. "You want me to go there now? For the setup? Okay, see you th—hold on."
He glanced at us, his eyes narrowing with a flicker of thought. "Say... you girls want to come to Yoba with me today?"
"Yoba?" Sayo-san repeated, confused.
Chisato-san tilted her head. "Isn't that Keigo-kun's school?"
I blinked. "Wait—why would you bring us there?"
Riku shrugged with a grin that carried that familiar mix of mischief and warmth. "I'd feel bad if you came all this way only for me to leave right after. Besides, with Rinko and Sayo in the student council, it could build some goodwill between schools."
It was an unexpectedly reasonable idea. I nodded. "That could work. What do you think, Sayo-san?"
She smiled lightly. "I agree with Riku-san. And I'm curious about Yoba's facilities too."
Riku grinned, satisfied. "Then it's settled." He lifted the phone again. "Hey, Keigo—sorry for the delay. Mind if I bring some people along? Yeah, they're good. Cool. See you soon."
Once he hung up, he straightened. "Let's head to the garage. Rinko, call Miyu while we're on the way. Tell her to meet us at Yoba."
"But what about Eli-san?" I asked.
"She's busy with Student Council work and Love Live prep," he said, slipping on his jacket. "Kotori called earlier—said the whole group's rehearsing late."
Before any of us could reply, the door opened again, revealing Ayabe holding a silver tray stacked with neatly arranged biscuits and a pot of steaming tea.
"Did I arrive at the wrong time?" he asked calmly.
Riku froze mid-step, looking from the snacks to Ayabe's expression. A faint, awkward grin tugged at his lips.
"Well..." he scratched his cheek, eyes darting toward us. "Yeah, you kinda did."
Kaguya-san couldn't hold back a soft laugh, while Chisato-san shook her head in disbelief. The tension that had followed us all day eased a little — replaced by the kind of quiet warmth that always seemed to surround Riku, even in chaos.
For a moment, watching him try to laugh off the small mess, I thought again of how much he carried. The weight of leadership, of legacy — and yet, here he was, still managing to smile through the smoke.
And maybe, I thought, that's what made him who he is.
Yoba Academy
4:15 P.M.
Riku's POV
After apologizing to Ayabe for bringing snacks only to leave moments later, we headed straight for Yoba Academy. The car ride was calm, sunlight streaking across the road in thin amber lines as the city slowly gave way to the open spaces around the campus.
This time, it was just the three of us — me, Rinko, and Sayo. Kaguya had gone home, satisfied after confirming that I was truly alright, while Chisato had been called away when her mother informed her that their family dog, Leon, had fallen ill.
By the time we reached Yoba's front gates, the afternoon air had cooled. Students were still milling about in their uniforms, their laughter carried by the breeze. Standing at the entrance were Miyu and Sakurako, waving as we approached.
"Riku-san! Rinko-san! Sayo-san!" Miyu called, her bright energy cutting through the quiet campus.
I smiled. "Glad you made it, Miyu. And you too, Sakurako. Wait—weren't Haruna and the others supposed to come with you?"
Sakurako, sighing softly. "Haruna-sama stayed behind. Kurumi-sama and Miiko-sama have been warned about failing grades, so she decided to keep an eye on them."
Rinko tilted her head. "So she's making sure they actually study, huh?"
Miyu chuckled. "Exactly. They wanted to come, but... well, their report cards say otherwise."
Before I could reply, a familiar voice called out from the gate. "Aniki! You're finally here!"
We turned to see Keigo jogging over, waving with that same easy grin he always wore. And beside him is Saki, and it seems that her friends from Photon Maiden gave her free time for herself.
"Sorry we took a while," I said.
"It's fine!" Keigo beamed. "Good to see you again, Rinko-aneki."
Rinko smiled warmly. "Good to see you too, Keigo-kun."
Sayo blinked, glancing between them. "You know each other?"
Rinko nodded. "Mm. I met Keigo-kun about a week after meeting Riku. He's a little too energetic sometimes, but he's a good boy."
Sayo smiled politely and bowed slightly. "Hikawa Sayo. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Horikawa-san."
Keigo scratched the back of his neck. "Ah, likewise, Sayo-san."
Rinko's gaze shifted to the girl beside him. "And who might this be?"
Keigo straightened a bit. "Right. You haven't met yet. Rinko-aneki, this is Saki. My fiancée."
The girl bowed slightly. "Izumo Saki. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Rinko blinked in surprise. "You're engaged? How come I didn't know?"
Keigo looked a bit sheepish. "We got engaged two years ago. Mom wanted to keep it under wraps until everything was official."
Rinko's expression softened. "I see... Well, congratulations. Izumo-san, take good care of Keigo-kun, alright?"
Saki smiled shyly. "Thank you... um, Keigo-kun, we should hurry. The time..."
Keigo's eyes widened. "Right! Almost forgot. Aniki, come with me. You girls too — you'll want to see this."
We followed them across the courtyard, through a side gate, and into the open grounds behind the main building — the Sunset Stage area. The moment it came into view, I couldn't help but grin.
A massive outdoor stage stood at the heart of the field, already set up with a full turntable and lighting rig. Two enclosed pods flanked the stage on either side — sleek, glass-paneled lounges that gleamed in the afternoon sun. Above the DJ's booth hung a jumbotron, ready to display any visuals synced to the music.
Saki gestured toward the setup. "We followed everything you requested, Riku-san. Construction finished this morning."
Keigo added proudly, "We also soundproofed the pods and improved the ventilation. The structure's solid too. Honestly, Aniki, this looks almost professional — like something from a major event."
I nodded, impressed. "That's the idea. I want them to feel what it's like to perform like pros — not just in sound, but in atmosphere. When you step onstage, you should feel the scale. Whoever's performing gets the same front-row experience as their rivals. That's how we do it at TI."
Keigo laughed. "So that's why you had sofas put in there!"
We peeked inside one of the pods. The interior looked like a private lounge — a long sofa that could seat three, a single plush chair, and a low glass table between them. Everything from the cushions to the wood finish screamed high-end craftsmanship.
"Tell me, Keigo," I said, running a hand along the sofa's armrest. "Did Esora have a hand in this? The furniture looks like it came from her family's line."
Keigo shook his head. "Nope. She doesn't even know."
Before I could reply, a sharp, familiar voice called out from behind us.
"Riku! You're finally here!"
I turned toward the sound — and there she was. A woman in her late thirties, with short black hair and dark amber eyes that gleamed like sunlight through whiskey. She wore a sharp business suit, every line of her posture exuding authority.
"Minene-san," I greeted, smiling faintly. "Didn't expect to see you here personally."
Kurobane Minene — head of TV Tokyo. She was the one I'd cashed a favor with to make this whole event possible.
"I was starting to think you'd flaked on me," she teased lightly. "So, how's the setup?"
"It's perfect," I said, scanning the stage once more. "You really went the extra mile."
"Of course," Minene-san replied with a grin. "If it's for the reputation of our station, we have to. And with Horikawa-kun and Yoba's students pitching in, this was the result."
I nodded appreciatively. "The teamwork shows. I'm certain the Sunset Stage will be a huge success... even if it's just a one-time event."
Her eyes gleamed. "Speaking of success, we just got an interesting offer from VALVE two days ago."
That made my eyebrow twitch. "Gabe called you personally?" I asked, intrigued. "What did he offer?"
Minene-san crossed her arms, clearly enjoying the attention she had drawn. "He offered TV Tokyo the broadcasting rights for The International here in Japan. Naturally, we accepted."
Even I had to take a second to process that. Around me, Rinko, Miyu, and Sayo exchanged stunned glances.
"That's... huge," I admitted, a smile tugging at my lips. "Congratulations, Minene-san. We'll be counting on you for the coverage then."
She smirked, clearly pleased. "Leave it to us. Oh, and before I forget — you, Keigo, and Saki should start making final adjustments for tomorrow's schedule."
Keigo and I exchanged a brief nod.
"Understood," I said.
As Minene-san walked off to coordinate with her team, Keigo rolled his sleeves up. "Guess that's our cue, huh?"
"Yeah," I said, stepping toward the stage. "Let's make sure everything's flawless."
The next hour was spent fine-tuning lights, testing audio levels, and running visuals through the jumbotron. Saki handled logistics with quiet efficiency, passing notes between us and the tech team while Miyu and the others observed from the edge of the stage.
The golden light of sunset began to spill across the field as the last test track played — a faint hum of bass reverberating through the speakers.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Rinko watching me — her face calm, but her eyes thoughtful. Maybe she was remembering how not long ago, I'd been barely able to move, body worn down from pushing too far. Now here I was again, setting up another stage, another dream in motion.
Keigo gave a satisfied nod. "Looks good, Aniki. Tomorrow's going to be wild."
I grinned faintly. "Yeah. Let's give them something to remember."
As the final lights blinked to life, the Sunset Stage glowed like its namesake — a promise hanging in the warm dusk air.
------------
Yoba Academy
July 15, 2021 – Thursday, 4:00 P.M.
After the final adjustments to the stage were complete, the exhaustion finally hit me. The Sunset Stage was ready — the lighting, sound, and turntables were all tuned to perfection. Keigo and the others were thrilled, and Minene-san had been satisfied enough to head back to the station early. The rest of us, hungry and restless, decided to grab dinner together.
We ended up in a small family restaurant near the academy. Nothing fancy — wooden booths, warm light, and the faint sound of laughter from the corner tables. Just what we needed. But fate had its sense of humor. Halfway through ordering, we ran into Hina, who apparently had the same idea. She slid into our booth without hesitation, chattering like she'd been part of the group all along.
Dinner was a blur of food, teasing, and talk about the stage. I barely noticed how late it was until I saw Sayo dragging her sister out the door, scolding her for trying to order dessert after three rounds of fries. The rest of us split up soon after — everyone had their own things to prepare for the next day.
When I got home, Eli and Mitsuri greeted me at the door. Or rather, Mitsuri greeted me; Eli just looked... done. She was slumped on the couch, papers scattered around her like she'd survived a war. Mitsuri's grin said everything. Apparently, Eli had been buried under student council work and had brought some home. Mitsuri called it "responsibility." I called it burnout. Still, she insisted she'd be fine.
After taking a quick break, I prepared for my return to Hanasakigawa. I'd taken a day off to handle the preparations at Yoba, but school wasn't about to wait for me. Once I was back, the atmosphere was light — almost festive. Talk about the upcoming school festival was spreading through every classroom like wildfire.
The class was already debating what kind of attraction to run. Predictably, a majority of the girls voted for a maid café. I shut that down fast, and Sayo and Rinko backed me up. Too cliché, too overdone. That was when Kaguya suggested a bakery. The room went silent. Then she dropped the real reason — that I could teach everyone how to bake. The room lit up instantly.
I didn't even have the heart to argue. Watching my classmates' faces light up like that, I just sighed and nodded. So a bakery it was. I asked Rinko and Sayo if Saaya's class planned something similar, but Sayo assured me they were doing a haunted house instead. I was honestly relieved; the last thing we needed was a pastry war between classes.
After school, I headed home with Rinko to change into my performance gear. The adrenaline was starting to hum under my skin again. The Sunset Stage wasn't just another gig — it was our showpiece, something that would bridge worlds between Yoba's sound culture and the pro circuit.
Rinko was getting ready too, along with Ako-chan, who tagged along out of curiosity more than anything else. Sayo and Hina had gone off to a French fry eating contest — something I was glad to sit out of — while Yukina and Lisa were locked in songwriting sessions for BLAST's rookie tour.
Youmu couldn't make it either; Yuyuko-san had her neck-deep in paperwork and needed her emotional support. And Mafuyu? She and the rest of 25-ji were in a late-night meeting, so she needed her rest.
Still, I wasn't going alone. Eli and Miyu were joining us — Eli had been given the rest of the week off under Mitsuri's orders, and Miyu had nothing planned. The timing couldn't have been better.
By the time we reached Yoba, the sun was dipping behind the school buildings, staining the sky a soft amber. The festival was in full swing — stalls lined the courtyards, the scent of fried food and sugar drifting through the air. Students laughed, music played in bursts, and the whole place buzzed with the easy energy of midsummer.
I couldn't help but smile. For all the chaos in my life lately, moments like this reminded me why I kept doing what I did.
As we wandered through the school grounds, I spotted a familiar figure munching on something — cheeks puffed out, expression pure bliss.
"Kasumi?" I called out.
She turned around, mid-bite, and froze. Her cheeks were so full she looked like a squirrel hoarding food for winter. She tried to speak but ended up making muffled noises until Arisa sighed and stepped in.
"Riku-san? What are you doing here?" Arisa asked, eyeing me like I'd materialized out of nowhere.
"I could ask you the same thing," I countered, crossing my arms. "Don't tell me Poppin'Party decided to crash Yoba's festival?"
Arisa groaned. "Regrettably. Kasumi dragged us here. O-Tae's over there with Saaya and Rimi."
She pointed toward a ring toss booth. Sure enough, Tae was tossing rings with terrifying precision while Rimi cheered her on, and Saaya handed them more tokens.
Kasumi finally swallowed her food and gulped down a bottle of water before speaking. "We're here to cheer on Kyoko-chan! But what about you, senpai? And you brought Rinko-senpai, Ako-chan, and Eli-san! Oh, and—" she tilted her head toward the unfamiliar face beside me "—who's this?"
"Right, you haven't met her," I said, glancing at Miyu. "Miyu, if you may."
Miyu stepped forward gracefully and gave a polite bow, her voice soft but confident.
"Greetings. My name is Sakurada Miyu, a student of Arisugawa Academy. And..." she turned her gaze toward Kasumi and Arisa, smiling, "I am also Riku-san's fiancée."
Kasumi's jaw nearly hit the floor. Arisa's wasn't far behind.
"F-fiancée?!" Arisa stammered. "Riku-san, is she—"
I cut her off with a simple nod. "Yeah. But keep it quiet for now, alright?"
They both nodded quickly, still too stunned to respond. Before the awkward silence could stretch any longer, my phone buzzed. I checked the screen — a message from Keigo. Head to the dressing room. Time to prep.
I slipped the phone back into my pocket and looked at the group.
"Rinko, Keigo just called. I've got to get ready," I said, adjusting my jacket. Then I looked back at Kasumi, who was still processing everything. "As for why I'm here... you'll find out once the Sunset Stage starts."
Kasumi blinked. "Sunset Stage...?"
I gave her a faint grin. "You'll see soon enough."
With that, I turned and began making my way toward the backstage area. The music, the lights, and the pulse of the festival all blended together behind me — a living heartbeat that told me one thing: tonight was going to be big.
Yoba Academy – Dressing Room
When I stepped into the dressing room, Keigo and Saki were already waiting — both looking sharp and oddly calm, though I could feel the same pre-show electricity humming in them that was running through me.
"Yo, aniki. You ready for this?" Keigo asked, grinning.
"Yeah," I replied, glancing around. "Hmm... I don't see Happy Around or Peakey P-key here."
"They're in a separate room," Saki explained, ever composed.
"I see." I turned back to Keigo. "You have Rinku's number, right?"
He nodded. "Yeah, we exchanged numbers back at Geitondei."
"Good. Call both Rinku and Kyoko here before the Sunset Stage starts."
Keigo blinked but didn't question it. He pulled out his phone and started dialing while Saki raised an eyebrow.
"Why call them specifically, Riku-san?"
I smiled faintly. "You'll see soon enough."
A few minutes later, the door swung open. Rinku entered with her usual brightness, Kyoko trailing behind her — composed, but her sharp eyes said she already suspected something interesting.
"Good afternoon, Riku-san!" Rinku chirped.
"Keigo said you wanted something from us?" Kyoko added, crossing her arms.
"Yeah," I said, leaning against the table. "This has to do with the Sunset Stage — more specifically, who performs first."
Kyoko smirked. "Ah, so that's how we're deciding this."
"Simple solution," I said, holding up a coin. "We'll do a best-of-three coin toss. Whoever calls it right gets to decide if they'll perform first or second for that round. Sound fair?"
Rinku's hand shot up like a kid volunteering in class. "Let's do it! I call heads! On all three!"
The room went silent for a second. Even Kyoko gave her a look of disbelief.
"...All three?" she repeated.
Rinku nodded eagerly.
Kyoko sighed. "Then I'll take tails. Guess we're opposites, huh?"
I flipped the first coin high into the air. It spun under the fluorescent lights before landing in my palm — tails.
"Well, would you look at that," Kyoko said with a grin. "I'll take the first round. Peakey P-key will go first."
I nodded and tossed the coin again. This time, it landed on heads.
"Happy Around!!" Rinku cheered, pumping her fist. "We'll go first in the second round!"
"Alright," I said, smiling at her enthusiasm. "One last toss."
The final coin flipped, spun, and fell back into my hand. Tails again.
Kyoko's confident smile returned. "Then we'll go second in the last round."
Rinku blinked. "Eh? Are you sure, Kyoko-chan?"
Kyoko's tone softened just a bit. "I'm sure. Something tells me the finale will be worth waiting for."
"Fair enough," I said. "Both of you, head back to your groups and get ready. I'll see you out there."
The two leaders nodded and left the room. As the door clicked shut, Keigo and Saki let out matching sighs.
"Thank god Kyoko didn't ask why we're here," Keigo muttered.
Saki rubbed her temple. "I wouldn't even know what to say if she did..."
I chuckled. "Then count that as luck."
Before we could say more, a knock came from the door. Minene-san stepped in, her sharp expression cutting through the pre-show haze.
"Riku," she said. "You're up. Let's get this show rolling."
I cracked my fingers, feeling the adrenaline rise. "Got it."
We left the room together — me, Keigo, and Saki — ready to bring the stage to life.