But…
Only the two of them knew what Venti had offered the unsociable, brooding guy to make him agree to join. The story could've ended there, but a couple of months later, Xiao and Venti started dating. Kazuha was completely baffled and just kept doing his thing: writing lyrics and guitar parts.
The final piece was Heizou. Kazuha remembered him from elementary school. The guy was incredibly interesting and sharp, loved getting into all sorts of stories and then retelling them to the whole yard. Heizou had a knack for noticing so many details and nuances in everything he saw or heard that it sometimes scared Kazuha. But Shikanoin was always friendly, even if with a slightly sarcastic edge. During middle school, Heizou's family moved to another city, and Kazuha hadn't heard from him since. But the Kaedehara remembered him as the same guy he'd always been.
Heizou found the guys himself and showed up one rehearsal evening.
"I heard you've got a 'music club' here? You wouldn't happen to need a drummer, would you?"
A year had passed since their first serious rehearsal, and a serious contract offer had come just a couple of weeks ago. Kazuha was thrilled, but the others… Xiao didn't react—he didn't care. Making money wasn't his goal. Heizou was the least tense but still radiated some skepticism. The drummer loved his role and the band's current state. The "contract" didn't sit well with him.
As for Venti…
Something strange had started happening with him. He hadn't shown up to rehearsals for the past two weeks, citing everything from feeling unwell to "no money for transport." Those excuses looked ridiculous, considering they all lived within walking distance. Kazuha and the guys waited for Venti to snap out of it and show up with explanations. Finally, a few days ago, he did appear. They rehearsed like nothing had happened… And two days later, Venti called for a Saturday morning meeting.
Saturday. Early morning.
When Venti usually slept off his partying, Xiao barely fell asleep after a hundred tries and a smoked pack, and Heizou… On Fridays, he sat down with Itto and Ayato to play cards, and they played until someone was left without pants. Literally and figuratively.
If Venti had picked the worst possible time for a meeting—he'd nailed it. Two sleep-deprived band members out of four was almost a jackpot, because the levels of criticism, dirty jokes, and Xiao's signature scowls would hit their peak.
Kazuha walked to the meeting spot leisurely, stepping along the stone path and noticing how he instinctively slowed down. He really didn't want to go to that damn café (actually, the place was great, at least because of Thoma and Gorou working there), because today it might become a crime scene, or their favorite window table would mark "D-day" when Venti pulled another stunt that would make Heizou and Xiao burn the place down and dance on its ashes.
That's exactly what Kaedehara expected from today's meeting, yet he remained calm despite his complete reluctance to figure out the reason for this circus.
Kazuha stopped in the middle of the street, tilting his head to the sky for a few seconds. Just a brief pause before moving on. Because afterward, there probably wouldn't be a chance to enjoy the warm autumn breeze. Unfortunately, a phone notification distracted him—a message from Heizou.
Heizou, 08:32
I'll be late, wait for me at the guard post
That's what they called the admin building at the main campus entrance. But Kazuha didn't even take a step before another message came:
Heizou, 08:32
I hope the bard has a solid excuse, or I'm earning myself a criminal record today
Shit I forgot my money at home
Fuck!
Whatever go without me
After the last message from the drummer, Kazuha pocketed his phone, wondering how to kill time. Admiring the clear September sky was a worthwhile pastime. In moments like these, thoughts flowed easily.
08:56
Spotting Xiao smoking by the glass café doors cleared Kazuha's mind a bit—he was glad to see his friend, who'd become very close over the past year. Xiao turned out to be an amazing and genuinely pleasant person despite his issues. Kazuha hadn't even thought about it; from the start, he'd felt incredibly comfortable around this guy, even though during their first meeting, Alatus had told him to fuck off.
"Hey," the brunet started the conversation first, greeting Kazuha, and offered his pack of cigarettes, silently assuming he'd probably refuse. Kazuha had been trying to cut back on smoking compared to before. But the situation allowed it.
"Hey," Kaedehara smiled back, taking a cigarette. He saw no reason to refuse right now—he was feeling the growing tension. Xiao understood perfectly, though he looked calm as usual.
"Any ideas?" he asked about the upcoming meeting, courteously flicking his lighter to light the cigarette Kazuha held between his lips.
"I have some, but I'm afraid you won't like them," the blond leaned forward slightly to catch the flame with the tip. "Thanks," Kazuha took a drag. "If he decides to leave the band, it'll be the end of everything."
"That's the worst-case scenario, but not the only one," Xiao sipped his coffee in long gulps. Clearly, coffee and cigarettes this early were a luxury and a gift from fate—especially for Xiao, who was usually asleep at this hour.
"Even so, I won't drag you guys into…"
"Kazuha," the brunet almost interrupted, staring intently at him. Only determination shone in his amber eyes. "If you want to disband—it's your call. But I'm staying until the end."
The light-haired boy smiled softly in response. At some point, Kazuha had become the unofficial "leader" of their band. Only he was responsible for "ANEMO"'s future—everyone accepted it, even Venti. How did it happen? Someone loved partying, drinking, and had zero control over their impulses. Wanted to get wasted on a Sunday night—did it. Wanted to make out with Xiao at another party—did it. Wanted to start a band and then systematically skip rehearsals—go ahead. So it was convenient for everyone to make Kazuha the leader, not to mention he'd handled all the organization from the start.
09:03
Kazuha stared at Venti with surprised eyes, but he couldn't say he hadn't expected it. He'd suspected, like everyone here. You didn't need to be a genius to realize: Venti wouldn't drag them out on a Saturday morning for nothing.
"Tch," Xiao frowned and, loudly scraping his chair, stood up to leave. What else could he do? He'd strangle the ex-vocalist right there if there weren't so many witnesses.
Venti watched the brunet exit, feeling a pang of regret. Maybe he should've waited for their new guy after all…
Kazuha stayed seated silently, staring at one spot. So it had happened. Venti decided to leave the band—and, judging by everything, he'd decided two weeks ago when he started skipping rehearsals. Had the prospect of success scared him that much? Yes, working with a label under contract wasn't the same as playing carefree for fun. But damn it, they could've just turned it down. Why did they need these contracts?
"I just decided that all this contract stuff… isn't for me," Venti sighed, clearly forcing himself to explain. "You know, it's… complicated. I just think you need a different vocalist, or…"
"We could've refused," Kazuha said with effort, feeling rising irritation. Kaedehara couldn't have imagined that instead of hurt or disappointment (those were there, but less), he'd be angry.
"We could, but we—" the ex-vocalist stumbled, "I mean you—won't do that," Venti said firmly, well aware that Kazuha had really wanted a "commercial" offer like this. Unlike the others, Kaedehara was serious about their band's future. "We'll find an agent, I'll help with lyrics, you'll have tons of opportunities ahead…"
"And why did you decide leaving now is the right move? Scared of responsibility?" Kazuha couldn't hold back; he raised his voice, though inside he tried to suppress the storm of indignation and stay calm. Why did Xiao make it look so easy?
"Exactly," Venti smiled, almost giggling. Heizou, stunned by the audacity, stood up:
"You've completely lost it, bard…"
"Heizou, don't," Kazuha remembered that the leader of the "aggressively want to punch him" movement wasn't him but Shikanoin, whom café patrons and the barista were already turning to look at. Kazuha recalled her name was Kuki Shinobu and that he'd apologize to her later for this three-act drama, which would likely end in murder.
"You know Kazuha wanted this contract, and now you're screwing him over? Fine, me and Xiao—but…"
"Heizou," Venti interrupted, not letting him finish. "I'm not screwing anyone over. I'm sure—no, I know—you'll do great! Even without me."
Kazuha couldn't believe his ears. What had he just heard? That their former vocalist was sure they'd manage without him?
"Are you completely out of touch with logic?" Heizou asked after a moment of stunned silence. "You want Kazuha to handle vocals now?"
"Actually, yes," Venti answered firmly. "He's the backing vocalist; I'm sure he'll manage. But…"
"And did you even ask him?! God, fuck…" Heizou was ready to grab Venti by the collar and shake him, because everyone in the band knew Kazuha didn't like singing and would rather leave than become the lead vocalist.
"Come on! Kazuha sings pretty well; he just needs a little practice… But I have an idea if he can't handle it…"
"I'm still here, you know," Kaedehara reminded his bandmates, drawing their attention. But they kept arguing about Venti's dubious plan to leave and dump everything on someone else.
"That was clever of you," the drummer grabbed his coffee, apparently to occupy his itching hands. "I can't imagine Kazuha carrying vocals, organization, and lyrics on his back."
"I have a couple of ideas…" Venti began. "I didn't just mention…"
Venti continued trying to justify himself, while Kazuha sat at the table, trying not to show how upset he was. Anger and indignation faded to the background, replaced by… disappointment. Heizou defended his friend without realizing it, because Kazuha really didn't want to be the lead vocalist—it wasn't… interesting? Yes, exactly.
"You know," Shikanoin started laughing, almost hysterically, "you're lucky I played cards all night with that asshole Ayato, so I'm dead tired and don't have the energy to punch you right now."
"Did you lose a ton of money again?" Venti purred. He seemed to enjoy pushing the drummer to the boiling point. "Losing your touch!"
"Shut up…"
Kazuha watched his friends bicker and sighed, rubbing his nose bridge with his fingers. Yeah, this wasn't how he'd imagined things when he agreed to the adventure of starting a "music club."
The light-haired boy glanced over his shoulder, checking that Xiao was smoking on the porch and hadn't bolted the hell away from this fucking circus. Though his friend probably wouldn't do that, but… Then Kazuha noticed a girl approaching Xiao. She stood very close, her long light braid shimmering in the cold September sunlight. Poor Xiao—even smoking in peace was impossible. As long as Kazuha had known Alatus, girls always flocked to him, constantly pestering the former member of a popular rock band with attention.
"…yeah, I get it, but I didn't say I'm leaving completely. I just… won't sing anymore!"
Kazuha turned back to the argument, watching Venti wave his hands, trying to dodge Heizou's sharp glare.
"I'll help with lyrics, I'll show up to rehearsals, but… not like before."
"You barely showed up anyway," Shikanoin waved dismissively, rolling his eyes and chuckling. "Will anything even change?"
"You know what I mean, Heizou! Damn it!" Venti pouted, as if he wasn't the one at fault here and dared to make offended faces.
"So are you going to tell us what happened?" Heizou tried again to get to the bottom of why Venti decided to leave. He suspected the answer but wanted confirmation. The excuse "I'm just tired" wouldn't fly.
"When we first started," Kazuha began answering for Venti, standing up. "When we first performed at the festival, when we started playing in clubs, when you started dating Xiao…" his voice wavered; he didn't want to bring it up, but Venti deserved a painful reminder from his past. "When did you realize you didn't want it anymore? Probably when rehearsals became mandatory? Or maybe when you skipped a gig for a few days, deciding you could let us down?"
"That's exactly why," Venti raised his gaze, full of regret. For the first time in the conversation, he looked genuinely subdued and even guilty. Kazuha didn't understand the mood shift, but like Heizou, he guessed the reason. The real reason.
"It's better if I leave now," Venti looked away, somewhere toward the café's glass doors, toward where Xiao stood. "Before I ruin everything for good…" the bard didn't finish; his face suddenly twisted in panic and horror.
"Xiao!"
He saw his ex-boyfriend losing consciousness, nearly collapsing to the ground, but familiar figures nearby barely caught him before his head hit the asphalt. Kazuha and Heizou turned and bolted from their seats, rushing to the doors, nearly knocking over a couple of curious and concerned patrons.