Aren’t these guys too strong?

"Everything's finally coming together, huh! I was worried we weren't gonna make it in

time for a while there."

"Especially with 'Anth'—'Phantom,' since we had to write the music for every

instrument, too."

"Yes, but practicing…'Phantom' as a band has made me realize once again how good

of a song it is."

"Sigh… I don't care anymore. Just call it 'Anthem' if that's easier for you guys."

"Oh my god. You guys just made the songwriter herself give up."

"I'm sorry, Sayaka. I don't have an issue with the song's name if it seemed like that…"

The five members of the band were really getting along like they had finally opened up

to one another. Meanwhile, Masachika watched their exchange from a short distance with

his head hanging a little to his side.

Ummm… Do they even need me here?

It was a rather depressing thought. Although he had figured they would eventually get

along, he wasn't expecting them to mesh this well together. They obviously didn't need him

to intervene or fix anything.

I definitely was not expecting a group of "unique" individuals with such strong

personalities to get along this well.

At the very least, they all seemed to be very relaxed around one another. Furthermore,

the heart of the group was undoubtedly Alisa now. While Sayaka deserved credit for leading

band practice, it was none other than Alisa who united the team. Sayaka had always been

skilled at leading others, but she was never someone who would be considerate of other's

feelings. She was the kind of person who would, with a straight face, say, "You have the

ability to do it. You're not feeling mentally up to it? That's not my problem. Go whine to

your friends or cry to your boyfriend, then come back and get to work. If you still can't even

manage that, then I'll simply have to replace you." Because to Sayaka, everyone was merely

a cog in the wheel, aiming for a greater goal, and that included her. She was a pawn who

needed to lead other pawns, since they did not have what it took to lead. She had no illusions

about it, no matter how coldhearted this fact may have been.

Sayaka's a top-level commander, but she isn't a leader. It looks like that was what led

Alya to unintentionally take on the role of being the caring one who kept everyone happy.

But…maybe that was Sayaka's doing as well? What if it was intentional?

Regardless, Alisa was going to earn her title as the band leader without any help from

Masachika at this rate. Even though that was something to celebrate…Masachika couldn't

help but wonder if there was even a point of him actually being their manager anymore.

Alisa's sympathetic support meant he didn't need to step in to make Takeshi or Hikaru feel

comfortable, either, so what could he do to help now?

…They should be stopping for a break any minute now, so maybe I should go buy them

something nice to drink… What am I? The manager of the baseball club? he thought with a

touch of self-deprecation as he quietly left the music room.

"It's like…"

The instant he left the five musicians behind and stepped into the hallway, a strong

sense of alienation awakened inside him, and he instinctively began to grumble to himself.

However, once he realized what he was doing, it only made it worse, and he smirked bitterly.

What kind of manager complains because everything is going smoothly?

He should have been thrilled that everything was going so well that they didn't even

need a manager. Besides, it wasn't like anyone asked him to be the manager. He had decided

it on his own, and he had absolutely no right to be upset that he didn't have any work to do.

If he were really upset about being left out, then he should have played keyboard himself

without ever asking Nonoa for her help.

Ha-ha. Right.

But even he was terribly aware that he couldn't do that because he never planned on

playing the piano ever again. In a way, it was an act of rebellion against his mother, but it

was also far more than that.

The music I make…doesn't have the power to make others happy.

And it was always that way. Whenever he played piano, people's faces would go blank.

Children who had been going wild with cheers whenever their friends performed, and

guardians who would enthusiastically clap with a smile for their child's performance, lost

any joy they were feeling the instant Masachika started playing piano, and they would stare

at him as if he didn't belong.

Looking back, they were all clearly disgusted… Then again, I didn't really act like a kid

was supposed to, and I didn't really like piano, either. The only one who genuinely liked to

hear me play was Yuki. Actually…I remember someone else smoldering with rivalry while

glaring at me when I played.

To sum it up, he didn't have any good memories of the piano, so his playing probably

would have been very jarring in the band.

Plus, I have no idea if I can even play piano anymore…

Those thoughts went through Masachika's mind while he bought everyone drinks. He

returned to the music room, where he found everyone just getting ready to take a break.

"Good work, guys. I brought you a drink to—"

Raising a can in the air, he made his appearance with a smile as if he didn't have a care

in the world, but that smile immediately froze.

"No joke, though. Your singing keeps getting better, Alya. Like, you were always good,

but wow."

Takeshi casually uttered Alisa's nickname. Up until now, Masachika was the only guy

at school who ever called her by that name, and hearing Takeshi use it instantly lit a bitter

fire in his stomach, which began to sear his entrails.

"Hmm? Oh, Kuze. You got us something to drink?"

"Y-yeah…"

After Nonoa's comment snapped him out of shock, he began to walk, albeit awkwardly,

toward a nearby desk, where he placed the drinks, but even then, he could hear the band

members' conversation whether or not he liked it.

"Nothing in particular… I used to be in choir for a little while when I was younger,

though."

"Hold on. Alya, are you Christian?"

"No, it's nothing like that. I think most young people in Russia are becoming more

secular, just like in Japan."

Even Hikaru was calling Alisa by her nickname. A restlessness stirred in Masachika's

heart, and he was overcome with undeniable jealousy, which made him start to feel dizzy.

"Kuze, Kuzeee. My man, Masachiii, what's wrong?"

"'Masachi'? Nothing, really…"

He smiled uncomfortably back at Nonoa while desperately trying to look nonchalant.

"Everyone's calling one another by their nicknames now, huh?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah. Alisa suggested that."

"Ah…"

It was Alisa's idea. In other words, she requested that everybody call her by her

nickname.

"Anyway…I'm going to check out our class's attraction," he stated before leaving the

music room once more, since he wasn't confident he'd be able to keep up the facade any

longer. He made it all the way to the staircase before…

"Dammit!!" he yelled furiously, then stormed off toward the classroom in a huff. He

was pissed. At everything. All of it. He was angry at Alisa for easily letting others call her

by her nickname, at his two best friends for using it and acting overly familiar with her, and

at himself for being possessive.

"Tsk!"

He stomped down the staircase, his heart in turmoil. But when he reached the staircase

landing, a familiar voice suddenly stopped him from behind.

"…? Masachika?"

Alisa seemed puzzled by Masachika leaving so soon after getting back.

"Shouldn't you go after him?" suggested Sayaka bluntly.

"Huh?"

"It's your job to make sure he's okay,so you need to talk to him before things get worse."

"Oh… Okay?"

Sayaka watched the confused girl chase after her partner, then sighed.

"You're so sweet, Saya," Nonoa piped up.

"Excuse me?"

Sayaka frowned before promptly looking away and pushing up her glasses.

"I simply gave her a push in the right direction for the sake of the entire band. We need

to be in tip-top shape to practice."

"Uh-huh."

"…What are you looking at me like that for?"

Nonoa's lips curled slyly, and Sayaka faced her once more to give her a dirty look. That

was when Hikaru spoke up with a somewhat wry smirk of his own.

"I want to thank you, too. I was almost considering going myself, but I think it's better

that Alya talks to him."

"Huh? What's going on?"

Sayaka feltsomewhat exhausted by Takeshi's obliviousness, and she wasfeeling slightly

uncomfortable as well, so she walked over to her bag, took out her lens cloth from her glasses

case, and began to wipe her glasses.

"Is there a problem?"

"Oh, uh… Ya look really different without your glasses, Sayaka."

"…Yeah, I'm aware that my eyes are intimidating."

"Nah, I don't think so. I think ya look cool. They're nice—your eyes."

"…?"

Despite Takeshi sounding nervous, Sayaka couldn't exactly see without her glasses, and

she felt like she probably shouldn't worry about it, either, so she looked away from him

before putting her glasses back on and setting down her bass.

"I'll be right back."

"Oh, Saya. Taking a leak? Let me come with you."

Sayaka shot Nonoa a slightly reprimanding glare for unashamedly saying leak in front

of the others before replying:

"I just want to go outside and get some fresh air."

"A'ight. I'm in."

"…"

After realizing that Nonoa would have most likely come no matter what she said, Sayaka

shot her another scornful look. But she quickly gave up and left the music room with Nonoa.

However, almost immediately after they walked out the door, Nonoa burst into laughter.

"For real, though. I legit can't believe you'd help those two out like that."

"I told you already. I'm doing it for the team. It's nothing personal."

"Looks like you're being really considerate of Alisa if you ask me. Like, you could legit

do a better job of leading the band than her if you wanted to, right?"

"…I simply didn't want to be distracted by anything other than playing bass. That's all.

If someone else wants to be the leader, then why wouldn't I let them? Takes a load off my

shoulders."

"Does that mean you're gonna let her be the band leader, then?"

"…"

Sayaka didn't answer but instead frowned, feeling as if Nonoa was going to tease her

about any answer she gave. After a moment went by, she turned to her friend and went for

a gentle counter.

"What about you, Nonoa? You seem to be really enjoying yourself for a change. Is being

in a band that fun?"

"Yeah, like…"

Of course, even Sayaka had realized long ago that when her childhood friend showed

emotion, it wasn't real. Usually, Nonoa would simply see how everyone else was reacting

and play along, giving the people what they wanted. Nevertheless, Sayaka wasn't interested

in really pressing the issue because she knew this was the best way she could get along with

her childhood friend. That said, Nonoa had seemed to be genuinely having fun lately, which

was surprising…yet also something Sayaka was really thrilled about as well.

"…Being in a band is more fun than I thought it'd be."

"Oh. Good."

Sayaka cracked a smile, and a warmth filled her heart as she walked down the hallway.

But when she turned the corner up ahead, she saw a familiar face and stopped.

"Whoa. Yuushou. 'Sup?"

"Hmm? Oh! Nonoa, Sayaka, long time no see."

It was the current captain of the piano club and a former member of the middle school

student council, Yuushou Kiryuuin. He was also someone who lost to these two in a debate

during the student council presidential race. In other words, they robbed him of his chance

to become student council president. Nevertheless, Nonoa was as relaxed as always, perhaps

not even conscious of what they had done to him. Sayaka, however, couldn't help feeling

a little wary.

"It has been a while, Yuushou. Did you need something from us?"

"No, not really. I just happened to run into you two and thought I'd say hi." He shrugged.

"But, well…a little bird did tell me that you guys started a band with Alisa Kujou and were

planning on playing at the school festival."

"Yes? What about it?"

"I just found that a little surprising. That's it. After all, I never expected you would ever

try to help a transfer student like that."

Sayaka's eyes narrowed coldly as she slowly pushed up her glasses. He wasn't even

trying to hide how he really felt.

"What do you mean, 'a transfer student like that'? You've never even talked to her, as

far as I know."

"But even then, I know, and I know that you know exactly what I mean." The corner

of his lips snidely curled. "The student council president is someone who can contribute to

the First Light Committee in the future. Only people who have enough financial power and

public influence to run the country are fit to become the student council president. So let's

look at this transfer student. She doesn't have the money, status, or connections required.

She has nothing. How much she even understands Japan is up for debate. In other words, she

isn't fit to become the student council president… And I know you feel the very same way."

His self-important, almost sinister behavior was far from that of a young gentleman, but

Sayaka wasn't particularly fazed.

"I understand what you're saying, but I don't remember agreeing with you," she said

with a soft sigh.

"Why? You're the daughter of Taniyama Heavy Industries' CEO, and you were once

someone who wanted to join the First Light Committee to be a leader who shapes Japan's

future, right? Even you, Nonoa. You ran for student council vice president because you

wanted to join the committee to help your family business, right?"

"Me? No. I only did it 'cause, like, Saya wanted to."

Yuushou scoffed, then shrugged dramatically.

"I'm surprised. I thought you two would have a little more sense. No wonder nobody

takes the student council president position seriously anymore."

Sayaka's glare sharpened at the unfiltered contempt, but before she could get another

word in, Nonoa interjected:

"Pretty cocky today, aren't we, runner-up?"

While Sayaka had no idea what that even meant, the nickname proved to be extremely

effective.

A deep crease instantly formed in his brow, and he grimaced, revealing his clenched

teeth. But his disgust was almost immediately erased by a smile.

"Really… I honestly don't understand how someone like you is so popular."

"Yeah, for real. I don't get it, either."

Unlike Yuushou, who seemed to be seething with rage, Nonoa was checking her nails

as if she couldn't care less. Meanwhile, Sayaka glanced at Nonoa out of the corner of her

eye, briefly sighed, and then looked back at Yuushou.

"I'm not interested in being the student council president anymore, but if I have to

become the president to join the First Light Committee, then I currently don't have any other

choice."

"Interesting. Because I haven't heard any stories about you doing anything for your

campaign lately," said Yuushou audaciously.

"Running an election campaign isn't only about trying to curry public favor, right?"

Sayaka knitted her brow at his cryptic remark.

"…What's that supposed to mean?"

"Good question. All I'm saying is it's a little premature to assume that either Yuki Suou

or Alisa Kujou is going to be the next student council president. Sometimes, things appear to

be running smoothly, and the next moment,someone pullsthe rug right out from under you…

But, well, this has nothing to do with you two, so I guess you have nothing to worry about."

After shrugging ostentatiously again, Yuushou glared at Sayaka and Nonoa with

contempt.

"I'm glad I got the chance to talk with you…because now I know that neither of you

are a threat anymore." He stepped around them and began to walk away. "Later, you two. I

could care less what you do, but maybe you shouldn't get any strange ideas and think you

can win, okay? Just enjoy your little band," he said mockingly as he passed by.

But before he could get away, Sayaka looked over her shoulder at him, pushed up her

glasses, and replied:

"It doesn't really matter, but for your information, the phrase is 'I couldn't care less.'

Saying you 'could' care less means you do care, so maybe you should start worrying about

yourself instead of worrying about Alisa."

"Oh my god, Saya. You're so aggressive today. Hilarious."

Yuushou didn't particularly react to her small act of revenge, so Sayaka snorted softly,

faced forward, and began to walk in the opposite direction.

"Sigh. What was he even trying to say?"

"Totally sounded like he was bragging about plotting something. Yuushou craves the

limelight."

"Yeah, I can see that…"

"What do you wanna do? Should we subtly warn Yuki and Alisa?"

Sayaka's brow furrowed as she considered the question for a second, and then she

shrugged.

"I doubt we need to. Even if he was plotting something that could hurt Yuki's or Alisa's

chances in the election, then oh well. It has nothing to do with us."

"Word. We can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show."

Even though Nonoa sounded calm, there was a faint hint of disaster hidden behind her

mirthful grin. But despite noticing this, Sayaka didn't point it out.

"Unless whatever he's plotting gets in our way. Then we'll have a problem." She

shrugged again.

"Masachika!"

A frown instantly twisted Masachika's expression when the voice called out to him from

behind. She was the last person he wanted to see right now, after all. Regardless, he put on

an air of nonchalance and turned around as if there was nothing wrong.

"…Alya? What's wrong?"

"…I…"

His quizzical glance rendered Alisa speechless, and her eyes wandered the air as she

descended the stairs. When she reached the landing, she pondered for a few seconds, then

hesitantly continued:

"You were acting strange…so I came to check on you."

"…!"

Masachika didn't know what to say, since he never expected Alisa, of all people, to

notice that he was acting any differently, but his astonishment went unbeknownst to her as

she continued to look away.

"I kind of feel like…we haven't been as close lately. Is it something I did?" she asked

timidly, but those words ended up offending Masachika a bit.

"Yeah, and whose fault is that?"

"What…?"

"Ah—"

Masachika regretted those words the instant the accusatory statement left his mouth.

He genuinely did feel that they hadn't been as close lately. Claiming she was avoiding him

would be a bit of an exaggeration, but he did feel like she was keeping some distance between

them. Regardless, she still wasn't the one to blame, and he knew he was simply taking his

frustrations out on her.

"Ummm…"

After Masachika roughly scratched his head as if he were trying to get all the bad

thoughts out, he awkwardly bowed to Alisa.

"I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that."

"Oh… Sure…"

"Sigh… It's… Like, seeing how close you guys have gotten… It's…"

It made me jealous.

But he still couldn't throw away his shame and tell her the whole truth.

"It made me feel really lonely!"

So instead, he blurted outsomething that was neither the truth nor a lie, but it wasstill just

as embarrassing, so he lowered his gaze and clenched his teeth to power through the shame.

"…Oh? Heh."

There was clear amusement in Alisa's voice, and when he looked up at her, that gloomy,

somewhat worried expression from moments ago was nowhere to be found. Her sinister grin

was like a cat that had cornered a mouse.

"You were feeling lonely…because I've been getting along so well with Takeshi and

Hikaru?"

The "so well" part created a crease in Masachika's brow so deep that even he knew it

had to be obvious.

"Oh?"

Alisa's eyes narrowed sadistically like a cat slowly closing in on its prey while she

brought her face even closer to his until he could almost feel her breathing. She then

whispered:

"Wait… Don't tell me you're jealous?"

"…! Fine, you got me! Yes, I'm jealous! I got jealous! And I got annoyed with myself

for getting jealous, so I ran away! Happy now?!"

Masachika gave up trying to hide it any longer and spilled the beans, making Alisa smile

more brilliantly than ever before. She quickly stepped back.

"Giggle. Yes, I'm very happy now."

She mirthfully slid to Masachika's right side with a bounce in her step, provocatively

placed a hand on his trembling shoulder, and gave him a soft peck on the cheek.

"…?!"

Although he froze the instant her lips touched his cheek, he quickly darted his eyes in

her direction in disbelief…where he found her looking up at him with the most mischievous

of grins.

"Don't worry."

She paused before softly whispering in Russian:

"<Because you're special.>"

Masachika's heart almost burst right out of his chest.

"Wh-what?" he awkwardly replied, only to be met with a smug snort as she slightly

raised her chin, nose in the air. Alisa then began to nimbly run up the staircase, but she

stopped halfway, looked back, and devilishly placed a finger to her lips.

"Very well. I suppose I could give my jealous, lonely partner a bit of my time."

"Huh?"

"I'll give you the honor of hanging out with me at the school festival when I'm free. So

you better show me a good time, okay?"

She then swiftly turned her back to him, dashed up the rest of the staircase, and

disappeared down the hallway, leaving Masachika to watch in mute amazement for the next

few seconds. Once she was out of sight, he staggered back so he could lean against the wall,

then slid all the way down until his butt touched the floor.

"Gaaah… What the hell?" he groaned, and ran his hands through his hair. "…It should

be illegal for her to do that," he muttered, his voice trembling.

Even he knew that his cheeks were burning red, and there was no way he could deny

that he probably looked like a blithering idiot in his excitement. He couldn't deny how much

it made him feel better, either. His racing heart was so loud that it was almost too much to

bear. Alisa had accepted him and his revolting jealousy—which even he was disgusted by.

Moreover…

"…!! Gyaaaahhh!!"

Touching his cheek reminded Masachika of the sensation, causing him to uncontrollably

writhe as he twisted his body violently and ground his forehead into the wall. That was

when he could suddenly hear voices coming from the bottom of the staircase, which instantly

brought him back to his senses.

"Ngh…"

After standing back up in a fluster, he brushed his pants off, then escaped straight into a

nearby restroom, where he spent the next few minutes cooling off. When he finally managed

to calm down somewhat, he awkwardly tottered back to the music room.

"Oh, you're back."

Masachika tilted his head, wondering why Takeshi made it sound like they were waiting

for him.

"…Did something happen?"

"Not exactly. We were just talking about calling one another by our nicknames or

preferred namesfrom now on. You know, make things more casual and act more like friends."

"Oh… Yeah. Why not?" Masachika nodded, making sure to show no signs of his heart

rate increasing. Immediately, Takeshi's face lit up with a beaming smile.

"Right?! It makes us really feel like a band!"

Masachika couldn't help but wryly smirk back at hisfriend'sinnocence, but Hikaru soon

chimed in as well.

"That includes you, Masachika."

"Huh?"

"What do you mean, 'huh'? You're part of Fortitude, too, right?"

Hikaru's comment caught Masachika off guard for a moment until he was finally able

to process what was said, and he laughed nervously.

"Yeah… I am."

He then casually glanced at Alisa, who shrugged back so subtly at him that only he would

notice. It was that gesture and what she said to him earlier that finally put him at ease.

Yeah… What was I so jealous about?

He instantly felt embarrassed for having such negative feelings toward these incredible

friends. As if to shake off the embarrassment, he faced Sayaka and Nonoa next.

"So, uh… Are you two fine if I start acting more friendly with you, too?"

"Sure…"

"Yeah. Whatever."

For Masachika, this moment was almost bittersweet. Never had he imagined that one

day he would become this close to former rivals he used to work with in the student council,

and before he even realized it, the dark feelings burning inside him were gone.

"Mmm… So, Masachika… Buddy?"

"Uh… Sure?"

"…No, that sounds weird."

"Ha-ha-ha! Yeah, I know what you mean. We spent so much time together in middle

school that it feels kind of weird that we're just now trying to get to know each other better."

That was when he started to feel extremely hot again for some reason.

What the…? Is it just me, or is it getting hot in here?

A cold sweat slowly dripped down his back while he shifted his gaze in Alisa's

direction…and he noticed her chilling glare. However…

Hold up… This might be my chance to get back at her.

Memories of being at her mercy earlier tickled his mischievous heart. It made him move

toward Alisa's side, where he softly whispered so that only she could hear:

"Wait… Don't tell me you're jealous?"

Alisa immediately averted her gaze in utter embarrassment—

"Shut up."

—or at least, that was how Masachika imagined she would act, but her reaction ended

up being far nastier than he could have ever imagined.

"Ouch. Harsh."

In the end, his plan backfired and broke nobody's heart but his own.

"Really? I'm glad to hear everything is going smoothly."

Yuushou was standing in a room in a high-rise apartment with a smartphone in hand.

"Yes, I am sure a few people will get injured…but it would be pointless otherwise,

right?"

His casually wicked comment was met by backlash from whomever he was speaking to

on the phone, but Yuushou didn't care a single bit, and the corner of his lips curled upward.

"Don't tell me you're planning on backing out now. If you quit, then your dear vice

president will… I don't need to continue, do I?"

Yuushou's beautiful face twisted maliciously while he cackled as if he were laughing at

all the fools beneath him. And yet there was a hint of kindness in his voice as well when he

sweetly whispered like a demon luring someone onto a dark path…

"I'm counting on you to follow through with the plan…Mr. President."

The ulterior motives of countless people intertwined as the week went by…until the day

of the school festival finally arrived.