The Angel Crisis

It feels like just yesterday that Yashio Rui gave me a glimmer of hope.

Now, with only three days left until Morfonica's live concert, it's all come crashing down...

The heavy atmosphere that greeted me as I stepped into CirCLE after school felt like a weight pressing down on my shoulders. Marina's worried expression near the lounge door only added to the sense of unease that hung in the air.

"Marina-san? What's happening?" I asked, my eyes scanning the room where Morfonica sat, their usual harmony shattered by tension.

Marina's response was heavy with concern. "They've been arguing for about five minutes now."

"Arguing?"

That's impossible... These angels are too kind after all. <-- [A N: Sorry if I raised Kyo like this.]< strong>

The members of Morfonica, usually united in their passion for music, now sat in silence, their faces etched with frustration and discord.

Just then, Rui rose from her seat, her movements purposeful as she made her way to the door, her departure only adding to the sense of disarray.

"Wait, Rui-san!" Mashiro's plea came too late, her voice tinged with urgency as Rui exited the lounge, leaving behind a palpable tension in her wake.

Touko followed suit, her forced smile failing to mask the turmoil that lurked beneath the surface. "I'm going too... I'll see you all tomorrow, everyone," she said, her tone strained as she passed by me.

Left in the aftermath were Nanami, Futaba, and Mashiro, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern as they exchanged glances.

The suffocating atmosphere seemed to thicken with each passing moment, casting a shadow over the once vibrant lounge.

"Part-timer-kun," Marina's voice broke through the heavy air, her eyes pleading for assistance.

God damn it, Marina-san, why are you giving me that look? It's too cute!

I sighed inwardly, knowing exactly where this conversation was headed. Still, I put on a small smile and nodded. "Yeah, I'll handle it."

Marina's grin widened, "Just as I expected. You're always so reliable."

Reliable? More like easily manipulated, I thought to myself but kept the thought to myself as I maintained the façade of cooperation. 

As Marina's gaze lingered on me, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for suspecting her intentions. She was only trying to resolve the situation, after all.

"Alright then," I said, steeling myself for the task ahead. "I'll see what I can do."

With a nod from Marina, I turned to face Nanami, Futaba, and Mashiro.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.

Nanami exchanged a quick glance with Futaba before responding, "It's not us but Rui-rui and Touko-chan."

"An argument... mind explaining the details?" I prompted, my voice gentle yet firm.

The three of them exchanged glances before nodding in unison.

Nanami took a deep breath, her expression serious. "It all started about an hour ago, just before we were supposed to start rehearsing for our upcoming concert here at CirCLE."

Why do you suddenly want to change my part!?" Touko's voice rang out, a hint of frustration evident in her tone.

Rui's response was calm, almost indifferent. "You enjoy fixating upon senseless things, I see. It was not a big deal... and I already explained it."

Touko's eyebrows shot up incredulously. "What?! It's a super big deal!"

Nanami intervened, her tone soothing. "C'mon now, Touko-chan. Down, girl~."

Futaba chimed in, "Calm down, you two!"

Rui interjected calmly, "I am calm."

"You are! Then Touko-chan, just you calm down!" Futaba urged, her voice tinged with exasperation.

Touko's frustration bubbled over. "Why am I getting singled out?! This is so unfair!"

Mashiro, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up, her voice hesitant. "Wh-what happened...?"

Nanami sighed, casting a weary glance at her bandmates. "Well, you see, Rui-san here wants to change the solo guitar on the second stanza of the song that we were going to perform."

"I did, and it is for your own good," Rui stated calmly, taking a sip of her tea.

As Nanami finished explaining, I couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance. It seemed pretty small problem to argue over such a trivial matter.

After all, if the composer, Yashio-san, wanted to make a change to the song, shouldn't she just follow her lead? 

 But more importantly...

"Can I see what Yashio-san changed?"

"A-Ah! H-here you go...!" Mashiro stammered, handing me the revised sheet. 

"Can I see the old one?"

Mashiro nodded, and with a nervous glance at her bandmates, she passed me the old sheet.

I studied both sheets intently, carefully comparing the guitar parts in the second stanza. "Oh..? It really did make an adjustment," I remarked, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Yashio-san made the solo guitar much longer."

"R-really?!" 

"Yeah."

"So why would Touko-chan get frustrated...?" Mashiro asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

I shrugged, unable to provide a definitive answer to her question.

 "It seems it was just a misunderstanding, so I'll leave it to you girls," I replied, preparing to leave.

But before I could make my exit, Nanami and Mashiro 

 grabbed my hand, halting my movements. I turned to them, surprised by their sudden action. "Wha? What is it?"

"Uhm! I-If it's possible... would you help us?" Mashiro's words came out in a rush, her eyes pleading for assistance.

"That's right, Nakasone-senpai! I think you have the power," Nanami chimed in, her expression earnest.

"Power of what?"

"Friendship!"

I sighed inwardly, "Right... but wouldn't it be better if you guys resolved this as friends and bandmates?"

"Nakasone-senpai is right," Futaba agreed, nodding in understanding.

Plus why would it be me? who just worked for 5 months without knowledge.

With a nod of approval from both of them, I pulled my hands free from their grasp and made my way out of the lounge, leaving the Morfonica members to resolve their issues amongst themselves.

However, a few hours later, as I went about my tasks in the livehouse, I couldn't shake the feeling of tension that lingered in the air. 

Why is the atmosphere still so suffocating...? I thought they resolved this already?!

Just then, Mashiro approached me with teary, pleading eyes. "Nakasone-san..."

Urgk... Fine fine...

With a resigned sigh, I prepared myself to intervene once more.