Friday, late August. The heat clung to the classroom like it refused to leave. Even with the windows open and fans spinning overhead, the air stayed heavy and slow. Outside, cicadas screamed from the trees, filling every silence with noise. Inside Class 3-A, the students were louder.
"It's today, right?"
"They're announcing it today!"
"Please don't let it be another haunted house…"
"First-year moment, haha."
The classroom door slid open. Their homeroom adviser entered holding a stack of papers. Instant silence. He wrote on the board: School Festival A beat of silence. Then the classroom exploded.
"YES!"
"It's finally here!"
"I knew it!"
The adviser turned around.
"As third-year students, this will be your final school festival.
" The energy in the room shifted slightly. Even Yuki paused.
"So don't waste it," he continued. Then added flatly, "And no illegal ideas. No fire. No gambling. No Yuki ideas."
Yuki raised her hand.
"Why am I always included?!"
"Past behavior." Laughter filled the room. The adviser placed the forms on the desk. "Decide your class event and submit it before dismissal. Begin."
Desks moved. Groups formed instantly. Chaos started right away.
"Maid café!"
"No way, too complicated!"
"Food stall!"
"We'll die from budget issues!"
Yuki slammed both hands on her desk and stood up.
"We are doing a café."
Several classmates turned toward her. "Café again?"
"Didn't we already do that?" The class president, who had been writing options on the board, paused and turned around.
"…It's just a suggestion," he said calmly. "Nothing's decided yet."
Then Shoto looked at Rai, who sat quietly by the window, chin resting on her palm, completely uninterested. He raised his hand.
"How about a photo booth?"
"Photo booth?" someone repeated.
Shoto didn't answer right away. Instead, he pointed. At Rai.
Rai blinked once, barely lifting her gaze from the window. "…Hm?"
There was a beat of silence. Then Yuki's eyes widened. "…Nice idea, Shoto."
The room burst into noise all over again. "Wait—that would be huge!"
"If Rai's there, people from other classes would line up!"
"We'd sell out in one hour!"
"We can make themed backgrounds!" "Summer set! Vintage set! Idol set!"
Yuki jumped onto her chair and pointed dramatically at Shoto. "You genius."
"I know," Shoto said calmly.
"You're not supposed to agree," someone muttered.
The class president quickly wrote Photo Booth onto the board beside the other ideas. He wrote them neatly beneath the title: Maid Café Food Stall Photo Booth
"Those are the final options," he announced. "We're voting in five minutes, so make your arguments now."
Five minutes later, he counted carefully. Then counted again after Yuki tried switching sides halfway through. Finally, he wrote the totals beside each option.
Maid Café – 5
Food Stall – 8
Photo Booth – 19
The classroom erupted into celebration. After school, Watabe, Yuki, and Shoto said goodbye to Rai and left for club activities. Rai headed home alone.
On the way, she stopped by a convenience store to buy dinner. After picking her items, she walked to the counter—and saw Suzuki already paying. Suzuki turned and froze.
"Ahh… it's… you… Rai…"
Rai gave a small nod.
Suzuki glanced at Rai's basket. "Um… what did you buy?"
"Just dinner."
Suzuki looked down.
A bunch of cup noodles. And a few snacks.
A bead of sweat formed on her forehead.
"…Is that really your dinner?"
"…Um."
"Ehh? If you want… I can bring you some food later."
"It's alright."
"Nooo…" Suzuki puffed her cheeks. "It's not alright… hmph."
Rai blinked. "Eh?"
After paying, Rai adjusted her bag.
"…Aren't you going home yet?"
"I'm with a friend," Suzuki said quickly.
"You can go ahead. I'll bring your food later, okay?"
"I said it's alright. I already bought dinner." "Absolutely not."
"Huh…" Rai stared at her for a second.
"…Then I'm going." Without waiting, she turned and walked out.
Suzuki waved after her. "See you!" A moment later, Suzuki's friend arrived after finishing her shopping. She tilted her head.
"Who was that?" Suzuki smiled awkwardly. "It's Rai." "
Rai?"
"She's my friend. We went to the same school from kindergarten to middle school." The friend looked toward the door.
"Wow… she's tall." Then she blinked.
"Ah—wait. Is she a girl or a guy?"
"She's a girl," Suzuki said immediately. "Ehh?? A girl?"
"Yeah."
"No way… she looks like a guy."
Suzuki laughed a little. "Right?"
Suzuki grabbed her bag, and the two stepped out of the convenience store together. The warm evening air wrapped around them again as the door slid shut behind them. They walked side by side under the fading light. Suzuki glanced at her. "We're buying materials tomorrow for the school festival, right? Can you come?"
Hirome shrugged. "I don't know." She walked a few steps, then suddenly stopped. "…Wait. What month is it again?"
Suzuki blinked. "…Huh? It's August."
Hirome froze. "…August." Slowly, she reached into her bag and pulled out a slightly crumpled ticket. She stared at it. A violin competition.
Next month. Her expression tightened. "Gahhhh… I haven't practiced enough…" She exhaled sharply. "And I don't even have an accompanist."
Suzuki frowned. "…Then why don't you just get an official accompanist like last time? You always win, right?"
Hirome shook her head. "I want to… but I can't trust them.
Suzuki blinked. "Ehh?? You can't trust a professional?"
Hirome let out a frustrated sigh. "That's because they don't know how I play. They just follow the score."
She tightened her grip on the ticket. "I need someone who can feel the timing with me."
Suzuki crossed her arms. "Then just ask your teacher."
"I already tried," Hirome said quickly. "But he doesn't want to help me at all. He said I should be the one to find my own accompanist."
Suzuki tilted her head slightly. "Oh… that's…"
Hirome threw her head back in frustration. "Right??? Ughhhh!"
They kept walking under the dim streetlights, their footsteps echoing softly.
Then suddenly—
"…Oh."
Suzuki looked at her. "What's wrong?" Hirome slowed down, her expression shifting.
"I just remembered…"
She stared at the ticket again.
"That foreign old man mentioned something…"
Suzuki blinked. "…Wait—your teacher is a foreigner?"
Hirome nodded absentmindedly. "Yeah."
Then she frowned, trying to recall.
"He said he knows someone." A small pause.
"But…" She hesitated.
"…he also said that person has never been on stage before and…"
Suzuki stopped walking. "…Ehh??"
Hirome looked irritated.
"Why would I trust someone like that, right?" She folded the ticket and shoved it back into her bag.
"I don't have time to gamble on someone inexperienced."
Suzuki watched her for a moment, thinking. "…What else did your teacher tell you?" Hirome hesitated.
"Um… and… it's like that person is… his…"
She paused, trying to remember.
"…Ahh… forget it."
Suzuki blinked. "thats rough"
Meanwhile— Rai arrived in front of her house. As she opened the door, she noticed an unfamiliar pair of shoes at the entrance. From inside, a voice called out— "Rai? Is that you?"
Rai froze.
She didn't answer. Instead, she quietly stepped back… then turned around and walked away.
A few moments later—
She sat down in the narrow space between her house and Suzuki's, hugging her knees slightly.
The air was quieter here.
But it didn't feel comforting.
Inside Suzuki's house—
Suzuki's mother noticed a figure outside through the window.
She stepped out.
"Rai-chan?" she called gently.
"What are you doing out here?"
Rai looked up, a little surprised.
Back on the street— Hirome checked the time. "…I should head home now."
"Yeah," Suzuki said.
"See you tomorrow."
"See you."
A few minutes later—
Suzuki arrived home.
She stepped into the entrance and began removing her shoes. "Mom, what's for dinner?"
She walked toward the kitchen.
"I was thinking… maybe we could give some to Rai—"
She stopped.
At the table—
Rai was already sitting there.
Eating.
Suzuki blinked. "…Eh?"
Suzuki's mom smiled casually.
"Oh, welcome back, Suzuki,come on dinners already."
Rai paused mid-bite, then slowly looked up. Suzuki answered
"Ahh...oumm"
After they finished eating, the kitchen filled with the quiet sounds of water and dishes.
Suzuki stood at the sink, sleeves slightly rolled up, washing. Beside her, Rai silently took each clean plate and wiped it dry. Suzuki glanced sideways. "I said I'll just do it though…"
Rai didn't respond. She kept wiping, steady and precise.
"…What," Suzuki tried again,
"about what Mom said earlier…"
Rai hummed faintly. "Hm?"
Suzuki frowned a little. "No, like—what were you really doing outside?"
A small pause. Rai exhaled quietly.
"…My uncle was at my house."
Suzuki blinked.
"…What's wrong with that? He just came to give your allowance again, right? Or… maybe he missed you?"
Rai's expression didn't change.
"…He's a pain in the butt."
Suzuki stared—then suddenly laughed.
"Pfft—what kind of answer is that?"
Rai said nothing.
— A few minutes later, they finished.
Rai picked up her bag, along with the convenience store items she had bought earlier. "I'll go now," she said calmly.
"He's probably gone."
Suzuki's mom peeked from the kitchen. "You're leaving already?"
"…Oum. Thank you for the food, Aunt. It was delicious."
She smiled warmly.
"Come eat with us again, okay?" she said with a soft chuckle.
Rai gave a small nod.
"…Okay." She waved lightly, then stepped out. —
The evening air had cooled slightly. Rai walked the short distance to her house and reached for the door. Just as she opened it—
The door suddenly swung wider from the inside.
"Oh, welcome ho—"
SLAM.
Rai shut it immediately.
A beat.
From inside— "Hey—wait!" —
A few seconds later.
The door opened again.
— Inside the house.
Rai stepped in, already slipping off her shoes.
"…So what are you doing here, damn geezer?"
The man inside clutched his chest dramatically.
"Huhu… my niece is so mean…"
Rai walked past him without a second glance.
"…Answer the question."
Her uncle straightened slightly, dropping the act—but the playful smile stayed.
"Can't I visit my favorite niece?"
"…No."
"Ouch."
He reached into his pocket and handed her the allowance.
Rai immediately took it.
"…No thank you?" he asked.
"…No." Her answer was flat.
Her uncle sighed.
"…Right."
Then, after a pause, he spoke again.
"I saw something in your music room. Do you want help?"
Rai didn't stop walking.
"…Shut up." She continued toward her room.
"Hey," he called after her,
"you're going to sleep already? I just finished cooking dinner."
"I already ate."
Rai opened her door.
Then— click.
It closed.
— The house fell silent.
Her uncle stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door.
Then he let out a long sigh.
"…You've really grown up"
Rai woke up later than usual.
The sunlight had already slipped through the thin curtains, cutting across the floor and reaching the edge of her bed.
For a moment, she just stared at the ceiling—quiet, still, empty.
Then she sat up.
Dragging her feet, she stepped out of her room.
And stopped.
Her uncle was still there.
Sitting comfortably on the couch like he owned the place, one leg crossed over the other—holding a familiar sheet of music. The one she had been practicing.
He didn't even look surprised.
"Oh, good morning."
Rai's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You're still here?"
"Of course," he said lightly.
"I made breakfast, though its already lunch time. It's on the table its probably cold now."
Rai didn't respond.
She walked straight past him.
Inside the bathroom, the sound of running water filled the silence.
Outside, her uncle glanced back at the music sheet. "Brahms… Hungarian Dance No. 5…" His fingers tapped lightly against the paper.
Slow.
Then faster.
Following the rhythm. "
…Hmm."
A few minutes later—
Rai stepped into the kitchen.
The smell hit her first. Eggs. Bacon. Toast. Simple.
She sat down and took a bite.
A pause.
Behind her,
her uncle leaned slightly against the doorway, watching.
"Well?"
Rai chewed slowly.
"…It's salty."
A beat.
"…Huh?" He blinked.
"Really? I thought it was just right."
Rai didn't answer.
She stood up.
Walked past him.
And in one swift motion— snatched the music sheet from his hand.
Then headed straight toward the music room.
"Hey—"
Inside the music room—
The door slid open.
Then— thud.
Closed.
Outside, her uncle sighed softly… but smiled. Then he followed. Stopping at the doorway, he leaned against the frame.
"…You've never been an accompanist for a violin before, right?" he asked casually.
Inside, Rai didn't turn around.
"So what?"
Her voice was flat. Uninterested. But her fingers—
They tightened slightly around the paper. Her uncle tilted his head.
"…That piece isn't meant to be played alone, you know."
Silence.
"…It breathes with someone else."
Still no response. Rai placed the sheet down on the stand. Her back still facing him.
"…If you came here just to talk nonsense," she said coldly, "then leave."
A small pause.
Then— her uncle chuckled.
"Play it," he continued. "Alone."
Rai placed the sheet music—Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 5—on top of the piano. She tied her bangs up, clearing her vision, then rested her fingers on the keys.
Without another word, she began to play.
The notes came out clean.
Precise.
Controlled.
When she finished, the last sound faded quietly into the room.
Her uncle watched from behind.
"…I see," he said.
"You're playing it correctly. Every note is perfect."
He scratched the back of his head, looking slightly unsatisfied.
"…I wish I had my violin right now."
Then he pulled out his phone.
"Here."
He opened a video and showed it to her—a solo violin performance of Hungarian Dance No. 5.
The music was different.
Not just accurate—but alive. The tempo shifted, the phrasing breathed, and every note felt like it was chasing something just out of reach.
When the video ended, he looked at her.
"What do you think?"
Rai didn't even change her expression.
"…Yeah. It was interesting."
But her tone said the opposite.
She turned back to the piano.
And started playing again.
The same piece.
The same way.
Behind her—
her uncle let out a quiet sigh.
"Okay, okay—stop, stop."
Rai stopped playing and slowly looked back at her uncle with a cold expression.
"…What now?"
Her uncle raised his phone awkwardly.
"Okay, I know you're pissed, but… just try dueting with this solo violin video."
"No thanks."
"No, no, no—just try it."
"No."
"But—"
"No."
"I didn't even say anything yet."
"No."
"…Ah…"
He sighed dramatically.
"Just try it, okay? Pleaaase?"
Rai stared at him silently.
Her uncle was practically begging now.
After a long pause,
Rai finally spoke.
"…Then give me some tips."
Her uncle blinked.
"…You're going to do it?"
"Shut up before I change my mind."
"…Oh. Right."
He quickly placed the phone on top of the piano beside the music sheet.
The paused video showed the violinist frozen in the final pose mid-performance.
Then—
he suddenly went silent.
Rai looked at him flatly.
"…What."
Her uncle pointed weakly at her.
"You said 'shut up,' so…"
Rai just stared at him.
A beat of silence.
"…Okay, okay."
He cleared his throat lightly.
"Here's the tip."
He pointed toward the sheet music.
"You're the accompanist, right?"
Rai frowned slightly.
"So?"
"That means the melody isn't yours."
Silence.
"The violin leads," he continued calmly. "You support it. Follow its breathing. Follow its movement."
Rai's brows furrowed faintly.
"If the soloist speeds up, you move with them. If they hesitate, you hesitate too."
"…That sounds inefficient."
"Haha." He smiled slightly.
"Maybe."
Then his expression softened.
"But accompaniment isn't about showing off."
He looked directly at her.
"It's about listening."
The room grew quiet again.
Then—
"Now try it."
Her uncle pressed play.
The violin burst from the speaker.
Rai placed her fingers on the keys.
And began to play.
At first, her uncle watched casually.
But after only a few seconds—
his eyes slowly widened.
The piano followed the violin naturally.
Not perfectly.
But instinctively.
Whenever the violin shifted, Rai adjusted immediately.
Whenever the phrasing stretched, she stretched with it.
It didn't sound like someone trying to keep up anymore.
It sounded like she understood it.
Her uncle stared at her hands in disbelief.
Inside his head, only one thought echoed—
Unbelievable… thisbrat is so…
The fast section arrived.
Rai's fingers moved across the keys effortlessly.
No hesitation.
No panic.
And somehow—
despite it being her first time—
the piano and violin felt connected.
Then the piece ended.
Silence filled the room.
Rai slowly looked over her shoulder.
Her uncle was still frozen there.
Mouth slightly open.
"…How was that?"
No response.
"…Hey. Damn geezer."
Her uncle suddenly snapped back.
"Woooooah—how did you do that?!"
Rai looked confused by his reaction.
"…I just followed your tips."
"Yeah, but…"
He stared at her like he'd just seen something impossible. "This is unbelievable."
Meanwhile, at Suzuki's house—
Suzuki and Hirome arrived carrying all the supplies they bought for the school festival.
"Sorry, okay?" Hirome said while removing her shoes.
"I still have to go back later because I have a lesson."
"It's fine, what are you talking about?" Suzuki replied casually.
"Thanks. By the way, where's your family?"
"Oh…"
Suzuki glanced around the quiet house. "They probably went out."
"I see…"
A few minutes later, after they finished placing everything inside Suzuki's room, Suzuki turned toward her.
"Wait here. I'll bring some snacks."
"Ahh… oumm."
Suzuki left the room.
Meanwhile, Hirome quietly looked around Suzuki's room while waiting.
Then—
through the wall from the neighboring house—
she heard voices arguing faintly.
"One more time," a man pleaded dramatically.
"No," Rai answered immediately.
"Ppplease????..."
Rai sighed.
"…Alright."
Then the man spoke again.
"Okay, don't forget what I said earlier, okay?"
"I know, damn geezer."
Inside Suzuki's room, Hirome blinked.
"…Are they fighting?"
Then—
the piano started.
— Back at Rai's house —
Her uncle quietly watched Rai as she played.
The piano flowed smoothly beneath the violin recording.
Then suddenly—
his expression softened slightly.
For a brief moment, he remembered his older sister when she was young—
standing in the living room with a violin in her hands.
The same sharp eyes.
The same overwhelming musical instinct.
Inside his head—
Yeah… nowonder.
This brat is so good.
Rai's fingers moved naturally across the keys.
No hesitation.
No stiffness.
The accompaniment breathed together with the violin.
— Back in Suzuki's room —
Hirome listened carefully.
At first, she only stared toward the wall.
Then slowly—
her eyes widened in shock.
"…What?"
The phrasing.
The timing.
The way the piano adjusted naturally to every movement in the violin recording—
it was unbelievable.
Hirome slowly stood up.
Without realizing it, she lifted her hands—
as if she were holding a violin.
An imaginary violin rested beneath her chin.
Then quietly—
she began moving along with the music.
Dueting Rai.
The melody swelled beautifully.
The piano followed perfectly.
Hirome's heartbeat quickened.
"…No way…"
Then—
the final chord echoed softly through the wall.
Silence.
At that exact moment—
the door opened.
Suzuki stepped back inside carrying snacks and drinks.
"I brought the snack—"
She suddenly froze.
Hirome was standing near the window motionless—
staring outside like she had just seen a ghost.
"…Hirome?"
Hirome slowly turned toward her.
"…Hey."
"Hm?"
"Did you hear that?"
Suzuki blinked awkwardly.
"Ah… eh… yes?"
Hirome pointed toward the neighboring house.
"…Who's playing piano over there?"
Suzuki blinked.
"Ahm… it's probably Rai."
"…Raii??"
"Ahmm… yeah…" Suzuki scratched her cheek awkwardly. "She plays piano sometimes."
"…Sometimes?"
"Yeahhh—"
Before Suzuki could finish—
Hirome suddenly rushed out of the room.
"EH?! Hirome?"
Suzuki quickly ran after her.
"Heyyy—Hirome! Where are you going?!"
Hirome hurried across the yard toward the neighboring house.
Her heartbeat pounded loudly in her chest.
Behind her—
Suzuki chased after her in confusion.
"Hiromeeee!"
When Hirome finally stopped in front of Rai's house—
she froze.
Then gulped nervously.
Suzuki finally caught up behind her, slightly out of breath.
"…Hirome?"
After a brief pause—
Hirome started walking again.
Straight toward the house.
"W-Wait, what are you doing?!" Suzuki whispered loudly.
Hirome stepped inside carefully.
The faint sound of voices echoed deeper inside the house.
She looked around, trying to find where the music had come from.
Then—
from another room—
she heard Rai's uncle talking.
"One more time."
Rai stood in front of the piano, staring down at the keys in silence. After a moment, she slowly stood up.
Her uncle scratched his head lightly, glancing at her.
"Oh… right. You're probably tired now."
Rai turned and began walking toward the door.
But just as she reached for the handle—
The door suddenly swung open.
Hirome was standing there.
For a brief moment, everything froze.
Inside the room, Rai's uncle leaned slightly, studying the situation.
"Is she your friend?"
Rai didn't even hesitate.
"No."
Hirome didn't react to the cold response at all.
Instead, her eyes moved past Rai, scanning the room carefully—almost desperately—like she was trying to confirm something.
The faint echo of piano music still lingered in the air.
Then—
her gaze dropped.
Rai's hand.
Red.
Hirome's expression changed instantly.
"…Your hand."
The room fell silent.
Rai didn't hide it.
She didn't even look away.
She simply stood there with her usual unreadable expression, as if the redness on her fingers meant nothing.
Behind them, Suzuki finally arrived at the doorway, slightly out of breath.
"Hirome, don't just enter someone else's house like that!"
Hirome immediately bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry for entering without permission. I'm Hirome Aoyama."
Then she raised her head slightly.
"I heard you playing earlier."
Her eyes locked onto Rai.
"Can you be my accompanist?"
Suzuki's eyes widened.
"EHHH???"
Rai blinked once.
"…Me?"
Hirome nodded rapidly while still bowing.
"Yessss."
At the side, Rai's uncle suddenly reacted.
"…Aoyama?"
His eyes widened slightly.
"Ohhhh—you're that famous high school violinist, right?"
Hirome straightened awkwardly.
"Ah… yes."
The uncle snapped his fingers softly.
"Now that I remember, there's a competition next month."
Then he looked toward Rai with an amused grin.
"So? What do you think, Rai?"
"I refuse."
Instant.
Cold.
Her uncle stared dramatically.
"Ehhhh?! Come on! You're being personally requested by the most famous high school violinist!"
Rai crossed her arms slightly.
"So what?"
Hirome stepped forward immediately.
"Please."
"Like I said—"
Before Rai could finish—
Hirome suddenly leaned closer.
Very close.
"Pleeeeeeeeease."
Rai immediately stepped backward.
"…Ahh…"
Suzuki quickly grabbed Hirome by the shoulders.
"You're way too close, Hirome! And you're being way too persistent too! Let's go already!"
But before they could leave—
Rai walked past them toward the hallway.
Suddenly—
Hirome grabbed the edge of Rai's pants.
Rai stopped.
"…Hey."
Hirome looked up at her stubbornly.
"Think about what I said again."
A small pause.
"I'll be waiting."
Rai stared at her silently.
Inside her head—
This girlisseriously persistent…
After a few seconds, Hirome finally let go.
Rai continued walking without another word and disappeared into her room.
Click.
The door closed.
Silence.
Suzuki and Hirome awkwardly bowed toward Rai's uncle.
"Sorry for bothering you…"
"Haha, it's fine," the uncle replied casually.
Then the two girls headed back to Suzuki's house.
— On the way home —
Suzuki glanced at Hirome nervously.
"Do you think Rai will change her mind?"
Hirome looked down slightly.
"…I'm not sure."
Then she smiled faintly.
"But I hope she accepts."
Suzuki thought for a moment before suddenly brightening.
"Oh—I have an idea."
Hirome blinked.
"What is it?"
Suzuki grinned.
"If Rai accepts, why don't you ask her to perform at the school festival too?, since it was our last year in high school"
Hirome's eyes widened.
"Nice idea, Suzuki!"
Then her expression softened again.
"…But what if Rai doesn't want to?"
Suzuki scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"Let's just hope, okay?"
Hirome laughed quietly.
"…Right."
— Back at Rai's house —
Rai sat silently inside her room.
Outside, her uncle knocked lightly on the wall.
"So… are you really not doing it?"
No response.
Her uncle sighed dramatically.
"…Cold."
Then he spoke again.
"What do you want for lunch? I'll order."
"Katsudon."
"Oh? Immediate answer."
A small grin appeared on his face.
"Okay."
Then he walked away.
The room became quiet again.