The stage is dark. Two spotlights snap on.
Kenji: Welcome, welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the More Than a Melody Mid-Volume Half-Time Show!
Naomi: …That's not what it's called.
Kenji: It is now. We're halfway through the volume, so obviously we needed a little… flair.
Naomi: You mean you needed an excuse to talk about yourself.
Kenji:Incorrect. I needed an excuse to talk about Kazuki.
Naomi: (smiling faintly) He'd love that.
Kenji: He would hate that. Anyway — folks, here's the situation:
Kazuki's officially in the music performance lineup.
Aoi's in too.
Hana's… still tone-deaf but terrifying.
Naomi: Don't forget Shun.
Kenji: Oh yeah, the tall silent one. He's doing great at… existing.
Naomi: (laughs) And then there's Ayame, still running on caffeine and sheer willpower.
Kenji: But the real question is — will Kazuki actually sing before the big day? Or will we have to strap a mic to his face and push him on stage?
Naomi: …I'll get the duct tape.
Kenji: (to the audience) Coming up in the next few chapters — chaos, questionable rehearsal methods, possible rooftop confessions, and… me.
Naomi: That last one's not a selling point.
Kenji: It's the only selling point.
Naomi: Just keep reading. Things are about to get interesting.
Kenji: And loud. Very loud.
Spotlights click off.
NEXT - CHAPTER 6: "FIRST NOTES, FALSE STARTS"