Raito and Tsukki arrived at school the next day like a walking contradiction—sunrise beside midnight.
Raito practically bounced through the front gate, grinning at everyone, waving at strangers, nearly tripping over his own excitement. "New day! New dreams! *Rei-san's legacy awaits!*"
Tsukki followed close behind, hands in pockets, expression flat as ever. "*Please don't mention Rei Sakuma again,*" he muttered under his breath.
As they walked down the hall toward their classroom, whispers rose around them.
"Those are the new transfer students..."
"I heard one of them freaked out in front of UNDEAD yesterday!"
"No way—he actually screamed?!"
"I heard it was *romantic.*"
Tsukki shot a glare into the walls like he could silence gossip with sheer willpower.
Then—
"**Polar Opposites incoming~!**" Subaru announced dramatically from around the corner, popping up with Hokuto and Mao not far behind.
Mao crossed his arms with a smirk. "So... how's it feel knowing your fan moment went semi-viral?"
Raito gasped. "It did *what?!*"
Hokuto nodded solemnly. "There's already edits circulating on YumeTube."
"*EDITS?!*" Raito covered his face in horror—and yet somehow still managed to squeak: "Are they... well-lit at least?"
Tsukki groaned loudly.
This school year was going to be unbearable after all.
And somewhere again...
Rei sneezed.
For the fourth time.
...He didn't even bother asking anymore.
Despite the chaotic day so far, the group made it to the club room without any further incidents. Koga, as the current club president, welcomed Raito and Tsukki inside with a wide grin.
Hinata and Yuta were right beside him. They all seemed excited and curious.
Koga placed a hand on his hip. "Welcome, newbies! Ready to rock? We've been waiting for fresh blood in the club!"
Raito beamed, soaking up the enthusiasm with natural flair.
"Totally!" he replied. "Looking forward to getting in on the good vibes!"
Tsukki, by comparison, gave a half-nod. "Just here for the peace and quiet."
Yuta chuckled. "Ahh, a serious guy. We'll see how long *that* lasts."
Hinata grinned mischievously. "Yeah, let's see if we can crack you!"
Tsukki gave a non-committal shrug, already knowing full well he could outlast any attempts to 'break' him.
Raito, however, bounced eagerly on his heels. "I'm sure the good vibes will win this guy over eventually! We're not called the 'light music club' for nothing!"
Tsukki settled into the corner of the room, pulling on a pair of headphones and tuning out the world. The chatter and laughter around him faded into distant noise as he focused on his notebook, scribbling music notes with quiet precision.
Raito peeked over his shoulder curiously. "Whatcha writing?"
"None of your business," Tsukki replied flatly without looking up.
Hinata leaned in with a playful smirk. "Ooooh~ Is it a secret masterpiece?"
Before Tsukki could respond, Koga dramatically leapt onto the nearby table—causing everyone to jump.
"**SILENCE!**" Koga barked. "**I have declared that today shall be IMPROV JAM DAY! Newbies must perform something—anything—to prove their worth to the pack!**"
Raito gasped with excitement.
Tsukki slowly removed one headphone. "...I hate this club already."
Koga's announcement was met with cheers from the other club members. Hinata and Yuta were clapping enthusiastically. "Yeah! Jam session time!"
Raito, however, was already eagerly rummaging through his bag for his guitar. "I'm ready!"
Tsukki glanced at him, a single eyebrow raised. "You're surprisingly... excited," he commented dryly.
Raito shot him a confident grin, slinging the guitar strap over his shoulder. "Of course! Jam sessions are awesome!"
Tsukki shrugged nonchalantly, putting his other headphone back on. "You do you."
Hinata chuckled. "Don't mind him."
Meanwhile, Koga had already started setting up some amps.
"Okay, who's going first? Newbies? Anyone?"
Raito raised his hand eagerly, guitar already in position. "I'll go first! I have something I've been working on!"
The room cheered, eager for the performance to start.
Hinata called out from his keyboard, "Alright, Raito! Show us what ya got!"
Raito took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a beat—then launched into the opening chords.
It was a fast-paced, upbeat song. Bright, clear, and filled with passion. He wasn't just playing with his hands: the guitar seemed like an extension of him, every movement in sync. His eyes practically sparkled with joy as he played.
When the last note faded, the room erupted in applause.
"WOOO! **That was incredible!**" Koga howled, tail wagging furiously. "**A true performance worthy of the pack leader!**"
Hinata clapped wildly. "You've got serious talent!"
Yuta grinned. "And charisma to burn—way more than your bro over there."
Tsukki didn't react—still sitting in his quiet corner, expression unreadable under one headphone.
Koga slammed a paw on the table (because yes, he does that). "**Now it's time for Shadow Moon Boy to shine!"**
All eyes turned to Tsukki.
He slowly removed his headphones and gave Koga a flat stare. "...No."
Raito bounced over with a mischievous grin. "*Come onnnn,* Tsuki~ Just one little tune? For me?"
Tsukki exhaled through his nose like he was already regretting every life choice that led him here.
"...Fine."
The room fell silent in anticipation as Tsukki stood—slow, calm—and picked up an acoustic guitar from the rack without saying a word.
Then... he began to play.
No flashy start. No big grin.
Just deep, haunting notes that curled through the air like mist at midnight—melancholic yet powerful... controlled chaos wrapped in stillness.
Even Raito's jaw dropped slightly mid-blinking sparkles: *"Wait... my best friend's secretly cool?!"*
When he finished—a single final chord hanging in silence—the room sat stunned for three full seconds...
Then erupted louder than before—with even *Koga* bowing dramatically: "**...We have witnessed greatness beneath the moonlight...**"
Tsukki calmly set the guitar back down and said nothing as Hinata wiped fake tears away and Yuta whispered:
"Dude... I think we just met our new dark prince of music..."
Back outside—
Rei Sakuma sneezed once more...
...and this time?
He *ran.*
Tsukki, however, gave a simple shrug. "Not bad," he said—though the words were clearly meant more to tease than praise.
Raito laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "Man... You really can't be outdone in anything!"
Meanwhile, Koga clapped both their backs hard—nearly knocking them over.
"**From this day forth—you are officially members of the light music club!**" he declared. "**May your songs shine like stars—one bright as day... and one dark as night!**"
Yuta grinned from behind his keyboard. "Polar Opposites indeed..."
And so—with music filling the air and bonds beginning to form—the new chapter at Yumenosaki Academy had truly begun for Raito and Tsukki.
After club activities finished, Tsukki and Raito headed into a practice room specifically designated for dance practice.
Raito was humming happily to himself, energy nearly sparking off of him. "Can you believe it? We're actually official now!"
Tsukki glanced at him sidelong. "Calm down. You're bouncing off the walls here, sparkle boy."
"I can't help it!" Raito laughed, doing a little twirl. "It's my first time on an official unit—and with my best friend!"
Tsukki rolled his eyes at the unnecessary twirl. "We're just dancing," he reminded him bluntly. "It's not a big deal."
Raito stopped twirling and gave him a mock-wounded look. "Just dancing?! How cruel, my friend!"
Tsukki gave a subtle grin. "You'll survive."
Raito chuckled and playfully shoved him. "You're heartless, you know that?"
"I don't sugarcoat things," Tsukki answered dryly, walking over to the stereo. "And right now, we need to focus on dancing... not your hyperactive sparkles."
Raito scoffed. "I'll have you know, my sparkles are part of my charm."
"Uh-huh. And part of my permanent headache," Tsukki added, scrolling through music options.
The music began—smooth, rhythmic, a perfect blend of light and shadow in its beat.
Raito slid into the choreography first with bright, fluid movements—each step full of energy and charm, like sunlight dancing on waves.
Tsukki followed seamlessly—a contrast in every way. Calm. Controlled. Every motion sharp and deliberate, like moonlight cutting through darkness.
They moved around each other effortlessly—never touching but always aware—their routines perfectly opposed yet somehow *aligned*, like two halves of a single force.
Twists mirrored each other. Steps countered one another. Even their expressions played the part: Raito grinning wide; Tsukki coolly focused.
And just when it seemed they'd stay perfectly synchronized forever—
Raito suddenly *leapt* into an improvised spin... only for Tsukki to catch his momentum at the last second with a swift arm-block—then immediately pushed him into a clean final pose that made them face off like sun versus moon.
Silence for half a beat...
Then Raito burst out laughing mid-panting breaths. "You *had* to make it dramatic!"
Tsukki stepped back coolly, barely winded. "It's called stage presence."
Hinata and Yuta peeked in through the slightly open door without knocking—and froze mid-giggle at what they'd witnessed.
"...Whoa," Yuta whispered under his breath as he backed away slowly with stars in his eyes."We just saw magic happen."
Hinata nodded solemnly as they retreated down the hall:
"Polar Opposites aren't just cute names...
**They're real."**
With the dance session ended, Tsukki was on the hunt for some peace and quiet. With school grounds now free of students, the campus was surprisingly peaceful.
He strolled down the hallway alone, hands in his pockets, expression blank yet eyes taking in every detail.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the empty campus—almost eerily quiet after the usual hum of student life.
Tsukki paused by a bench under a lone tree, the shade cool and inviting. He sat down slowly, leaning back against the trunk with a deep exhale.
Finally—silence.
Tsukki froze mid-reach for his music player.
Behind the bench, sprawled across the grass like a discarded plushie, was Ritsu Sakuma—fast asleep, one arm dangling off his school bag, soft snores puffing out between parted lips. A strand of hair danced with each breath.
Tsukki blinked once.
Then slowly pulled his headphones back down from his ears.
"...Seriously?" he muttered under his breath. "Out in the open? In broad daylight? What kind of person just *falls asleep* like this?"
He crouched slightly to get a better look—then noticed something: Ritsu's hand was still clutching a crumpled photo at the edge of it...
...a faded picture of Rei in uniform, standing proudly outside Yumenosaki.
Tsukki's expression softened—for just half a second—before returning to stone cold composure.
He stood up straight and said nothing... then quietly took off his blazer and draped it over Ritsu's shoulders so he wouldn't catch a chill from the cooling evening air.
Just as he turned to walk away—
Ritsu mumbled in his sleep: "...Nii-san..."
Tsukki paused without looking back. "...Idiot," he whispered—to himself or Ritsu, no one could tell—and walked off into the fading light.
Just as Tsukki disappeared, Mao approached the bench with a sigh.
He shook his head at the sight of Ritsu curled on the grass, still snoring away.
"He overdid it again," Mao muttered to himself, crouching down next to his friend.
A gentle nudge to Ritsu's elbow stirred him awake. "Hey. Ritsu. Wake up."
Ritsu groaned and slowly opened his eyes, disoriented and half-awake. "...Mngh....?"
Mao looked at him with fond exasperation. "Fell asleep out here again, dummy?"
Ritsu yawned and stretched his arms over his head, groaning again. "Ugh... I guess..."
Mao shook his head fondly, offering a hand to help Ritsu up. "You gotta stop working yourself to death, man. You'll literally make yourself sick one of these days."
As he stretched, Ritsu glanced down and noticed for the first time the blazer wrapped around his shoulders.
He furrowed his brows. "Where did this...?"
Mao followed his gaze and noticed the blazer, too. "Oh? Someone left this on you. Any idea who it was?"
Ritsu's eyes widened as he spotted 'Tsukki Kuroi' written clearly on the name tag.
He looked up at Mao, stunned. "This is his..."
Mao raised an eyebrow, recognition dawning. "Isn't that the new transfer student? Tsukki Kuroi, right?"
Ritsu clutched the blazer a little tighter, still staring at the name tag. "He put this on me?"
Mao chuckled softly at Ritsu's reaction. "Looks like it. Must've seen you asleep in the open like this and covered you up to keep you warm. Guess he has a softer side after all."
Ritsu just nodded silently, eyes still fixed on the name tag.
Mao glanced at him curiously. "How come you seem so surprised? He seems nicer than he acts. At least from what I've seen."
The next day, Tsukki arrived at school missing a certain article of clothing.
He didn't seem to mind the chill autumn air as he walked with his hands in his pockets, head down, expression neutral as ever.
Of course, the lack of a blazer didn't go unnoticed.
Kaoru, lounging against the school's entrance, raised an eyebrow as Tsukki approached. "Missing something?"
Kaoru, with his signature lazy smirk, pushed off the wall to stand tall in front of Tsukki.
"You look cold. Forgot your jacket?" he commented slyly.
Tsukki gave him a dry look. "Didn't forget. Just left it."
Kaoru chuckled, tilting his head slightly. "Voluntarily freezing? That's one way to assert your 'cool' image, I suppose..."
Tsukki narrowed his eyes slightly, voice flat. "...Why is a graduated student still lurking around campus like a stray cat?"
Kaoru grinned wider, unfazed. "Ouch. And here I thought I left behind a legacy—turns out I just left *drama*." He shoved his hands into his pockets, leaning in just enough to be annoying. "What can I say? Some of us miss the view... and the chaos."
Then he added with a wink: "Also, Koga refuses to run the Light Music Club without me 'supervising.' Which means—unfortunately for you—I'm basically *permanent faculty now.*"
"Is Rei Sakuma here...?"
Tsukki said warily. The moment Rei's name was mentioned, Kaoru's carefree facade faded slightly. He paused for a moment, a flicker of something serious in his usually-lazy eyes.
"...Rei is around. Why do you ask?" he replied, his tone a bit more guarded now.
"TSUKI~! There you are!"
Raito crashed into Tsukki like a glitter bomb made of pure energy, latching onto his back with zero regard for personal space.
Tsukki stumbled slightly—more from surprise than weight—and shot a glare over his shoulder. "*Get. Off.*"
"Nope!" Raito grinned, clinging tighter like a hyperactive koala. "You skipped breakfast and I *know* you didn't eat lunch yesterday—you're gonna waste away into a sad little moon shadow!" He gasped dramatically at Kaoru: "Sir! You must help me save my best friend from self-imposed starvation!"
Kaoru raised both hands in mock surrender, chuckling. "Oh no. Don't bring me into your domestic issues."
Tsukki groaned under the weight—physical and emotional—while trying to pry Raito's arms off like they were welded on with enthusiasm.
Then—
A calm, smooth voice cut through the hallway noise.
"...Is that really how Polar Opposites behave?"
Everyone turned.
Standing at the end of the hall was **Rei Sakuma**, school bag over one shoulder, expression unreadable as ever.
Silence fell instantly.
Raito froze mid-squirm.
Tsukki stiffened.
Even Kaoru blinked in mild surprise.
And then...
Raito slowly slid off Tsukki's back... turned to face Rei... and bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched the floor.
"**SENPAI!!!** I AM NOT WORTHY OF YOUR PRESENCE!!"
Rei closed his eyes briefly—as if summoning patience from another dimension—and said nothing else...
...except one soft sigh that carried all the weight of someone who *just knew* this year would never let him rest in peace again.
Meanwhile:
From across campus—
Koga sneezed violently.
"**A NEW ERA BEGINS UNDER MY WATCH!!!**"
Adonis just walked faster... hoping not to get pulled into it this time.
Kaoru glanced between Tsukki—tense and silent—and Raito, practically vibrating beside the legendary Rei like a sunbeam about to combust.
A slow smirk crept across Kaoru's face as it finally clicked.
"So *that's* why you were so suspicious earlier," he said, nudging Tsukki lightly with his elbow. "You're not just wary of Rei... you're wary of *him*." He tilted his head toward Raito. "The walking, talking fanboy hurricane that orbits him."
Tsukki didn't answer—just gave a dry side-eye that screamed *"you have no idea."_
Rei walked ahead calmly, hands in pockets, pretending not to hear anything.
Raito was whispering rapidly under his breath: "*He's walking beside me... He's breathing the same air... I might faint... Should I faint? Is fainting acceptable here?*"
Kaoru chuckled softly. "Man... you've got your work cut out for you."
Tsukki exhaled through his nose again—deeply—the kind of breath one takes before accepting their fate as the only sane person in an otherwise chaotic universe.
"...I know," he muttered darkly.
And somewhere—
Koga raised a paw toward the sky from atop the school gates.
"**THE LEGACY OF UNDEAD CONTINUES IN YOUTHFUL PASSION!**"
Adonis sighed into his cup: "...We should've stayed retired."
Just as the group turned the corner, Ritsu and Mao came walking in the opposite direction. Mao had a hand on Ritsu's shoulder, trying to steer him forward but Ritsu was still too sleepy to walk properly.
"I'm tired..." Ritsu complained in a groggy voice.
Mao gave him an exasperated look. "You slept through your classes again, didn't you?"
"Mngh..."
Ritsu nodded sleepily, leaning heavily on Mao's shoulder for support.
Mao sighed, shifting some of Ritsu's weight onto himself. "One of these days, you're gonna collapse from exhaustion, you know that right?"
Ritsu and Mao came to an abrupt halt as they spotted the group in front of them. Ritsu's sleepy eyes instantly brightened—even Mao seemed more alert.
Mao raised an eyebrow. "Well, this is a coincidence."
Kaoru grinned, lounging against the wall with his usual lazy confidence. "Speak of the devil, it's the Sleepy Prince and his personal handler."
Mao rolled his eyes affectionately. "More like the 'lazy disaster' and his long-suffering companion."
Then Ritsu saw Tsukki and remembered what happened yesterday
Ritsu's eyes suddenly widened—sleepiness forgotten—as he remembered.
The bench. The tree. The quiet evening... and the blazer draped over him.
He looked straight at Tsukki, clutching his school bag tightly like he was about to say something deep and meaningful—
And then—
"**THANK YOU FOR THE BLAZER!**" Ritsu blurted out, bowing so fast his head nearly hit Mao's shoulder.
Mao blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the sudden energy shift.
Tsukki froze mid-step—eyes wide for just a split second before snapping back into composure. "I—it was cold," he muttered quickly, looking anywhere *but* at Ritsu or the others now staring at him with growing interest.
Kaoru's smirk turned dangerous. "Ohhh? You're doing charity work now?"
Rei glanced at Tsukki with one calm, knowing look—like he'd seen this coming all along.
Raito gasped dramatically: "*TSUKI?! YOU DID A NICE THING AND DIDN'T TELL ME?!*" He clutched his chest as if wounded. "*I'm so proud... but also betrayed!*"
Tsukki gritted his teeth slightly under the onslaught of attention. "...It was *one* jacket," he growled lowly between them all like a cornered animal trying not to lose dignity entirely.
Ritsu stood back up slowly, still smiling sleepily but warmly this time—and without another word—he quietly folded Tsukki's blazer neatly in both hands and held it out toward him like an offering of thanks.
"...Here it is... It kept me warm."
A pause settled over them—for once even Kaoru didn't tease; even Rei stayed silent—to watch as Tsukki reached forward slowly... and took it back without a word.
But just before turning away?
He gave Ritsu a tiny nod—one almost too small to notice—and mumbled:
"...Keep your phone on next time you pass out somewhere stupid."
Ritsu blinked... then broke into a drowsy grin wider than any sunrise could dream of being bright enough to match.
And from that moment on?
Something shifted—even if only slightly—in Yumenosaki Academy's rhythm...
Because even moons cast light when they choose to shine—and sometimes...
They start by lending warmth no one saw coming.
The sudden sound of the bell rang through the hallway, snapping everyone out of the brief, surreal moment.
Before anyone could process it, Raito found himself getting dragged away like a misbehaving puppy.
"Hey—! Wait a second—! Where are we goin—?!" Raito exclaimed, flailing his legs but not actually making any effort to escape.
"Class," Tsukki replied dryly, still propelling Raito down the now-busy hallway toward their first period—all eyes on them.
Raito groaned as he stumbled after him, still protesting. "But—why are we *rushing*—?!"
Tsukki gave him a flat look over his shoulder. "You're the one who *insisted* on taking the same classes together. Now deal with the consequences of your impulsivity."
Tsukki glanced at Mao, who was now walking alongside them with his usual calm demeanor.
"Right. You're in our class too?" he asked, voice neutral but not unkind.
Mao nodded casually. "Yeah. Seat's right behind you two—I already see the chaos from the source." He smirked slightly as Raito spun around mid-walk to protest.
"I'll have you know I bring *positive* energy!" Raito declared proudly.
Tsukki didn't even slow down. "You bring *noise.*"
Mao chuckled while shaking his head—the morning sunlight streaming through the hallway windows as they approached their classroom together.
Another ordinary-yet-unusual day had officially begun at Yumenosaki Academy...
And somewhere, just beyond earshot—
Rei Sakuma allowed himself a small half-smile before vanishing into the wind like a ghost who'd seen too much... and yet somehow approved of it all anyway.
Meanwhile:
Koga stood atop the roof with arms outstretched:
"**YOUTHFUL FLAMES BURN BRIGHT IN THE NEW GENERATION! UNDEAD'S SPIRIT LIVES ON!**"
Adonis took another sip of coffee from below—completely unimpressed.
"...Can we go home now?"
The school day passed with a strange mix of chaos and unexpected calm—Raito chattering nonstop, Mao offering dry but amused commentary, and Tsukki doing his best to ignore both while somehow still making sure Raito didn't get lost.
By lunchtime, the trio found themselves on the rooftop—Tsukki claiming a quiet corner like it was sacred territory.
Raito flopped down dramatically beside him. "We made it! Our first full morning as official Yumenosaki students!"
Mao sat cross-legged across from them, unwrapping his bento. "You say that like you've been waiting your whole life."
"I *have!*" Raito grinned brightly before turning to Tsukki. "Right? This is awesome!"
Tsukki took a slow bite of his sandwich—then gave the tiniest nod.
"...It's... not terrible."
Raito pumped his fist like he'd just won a race, practically vibrating in place from sheer joy.
Mao rolled his eyes and chuckled in amusement before taking a sip from his water bottle. "...You're *really* easy to please, you know that right?"
Raito just shrugged with a grin, leaning back on his hands. "I prefer to focus on what makes me happy instead of what doesn't."
Tsukki raised an eyebrow, taking another bite. "...That's a strangely optimistic view for a guy who has an emotional rollercoaster as a daily routine."
Raito feigned offense, a hand dramatically against his chest. "Hey now! I prefer the term 'passionate' over 'emotional rollercoaster.'"
Mao chuckled, shaking his head. "No, I think 'emotional rollercoaster' is pretty accurate."
"Rude!" Raito laughed, giving him a playful shove. "I'm not *that* bad!"
Tsukki took another calm bite of his sandwich, eyes flicking up at Mao. "You're not going to eat with your unit members in the cafeteria?"
Mao shrugged, unwrapping a onigiri from his bento. "They're scattered all over the school—Ritsu's asleep under a bench again, Hokuto's chasing someone for borrowing his guitar without asking... and Subaru? Who knows." He smirked. "I think he's doing interpretive dance in front of the music room again."
Raito gasped in delight. "**That's art!**"
Tsukki blinked slowly. "...Your unit is terrifying."
As the bell announcing the end of lunch rang throughout the school,
Tsukki and Raito made their way back to the light music club room, Raito still chattering enthusiastically while Tsukki just listened quietly.
When they arrived at the door, Raito practically bounced in place with restless energy. "It's our first club session together! This is gonna be *great!*"
Tsukki gave a small shrug, hands in his pockets. "Just don't do anything too stupid."
Raito burst through the club room door with his usual flair, arms wide. "WE'RE BACK, MY PEOPLE!"
Hinata and Yuta turned from their instruments instantly—grins already in place.
"Oho! The sun and moon return!" Hinata declared.
Yuta strummed a dramatic chord on his guitar: "**And so begins the next era of musical chaos.**"
Koga was already standing atop the sound desk like a conductor on a throne. "**NEWBIES! Welcome to your second day of service under my glorious rule!**"
Raito immediately struck a pose: "We are ready to serve!"
Tsukki sighed deeply under his breath—already feeling his peace slipping away—and took slow, deliberate steps toward *his* corner... only to find someone had claimed it.
Rei Sakuma stood there—quietly tuning an old acoustic guitar, bathed in late autumn sunlight streaming through the window.
Tsukki froze mid-step. "...This is *my* spot."
Rei didn't look up. "...It's not marked."
Tsukki flinched—just slightly—as he realized Raito was about to *explode*.
His best friend's eyes were wide, jaw dropped in pure betrayal, hands clutching his chest like someone had just committed sacrilege.
"**NOOOO!**" Raito wailed at top volume. "Tsukiiii... you've been *usurped!* The sacred quiet corner... *claimed by the shadow king himself!*"
He dramatically dropped to his knees. "The moon has no place in this world anymore!"
Hinata gasped with theatrical horror. "It's true! A celestial imbalance!"
Yuta joined in: "**Without their designated spot, will the duo fall into chaos?! Will harmony crumble?**"
Koga slammed a paw down: "**THIS CALLS FOR A TRIAL BY MUSIC!**"
Rei finally looked up—slowly—with that unreadable calm gaze—and said:
"...If you want it back... play for it."
Silence fell.
Tsukki narrowed his eyes slightly—but a spark flickered behind them. Challenge accepted.
Raito sprang up instantly, fire reignited. "**LET'S DO THIS! LIGHT VS SHADOW—THE ULTIMATE DUEL OF SOULS!!**"
Mao appeared suddenly in the doorway with a soda can in hand—had he just wandered here?
He took one look at the scene and sighed deeply into the chaos:
"...And so it begins."
Tsukki crossed his arms, eyes narrowed at Rei in a silent staredown.
"What kind of trial?"
Everyone held their breath—except Mao, who leaned against the wall and took a slow sip.
Rei simply looked back with stoic calm, almost like he'd expected it.
"...A song-battle." he answered after a moment. "Winner claims a corner."
Raito raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A musical showdown, huh? You sure know how to keep things interesting, Sakuma."
Hinata leaned forward with anticipation. "This is gonna be legendary."
Yuta strummed a chord, adding to the building tension. "The stage is set... the challenge has been laid out..."
Koga smirked from his throne on the sound desk. "May the better musician win... or should I say, the *quieter* one."
"You go first, self-proclaimed vampire"
Everyone's eyes widened at Tsukki's boldness, even Mao looked surprised from his soda corner.
Rei, however, remained as stoic as ever. "Very well."
The rest of the club exchanged looks, the air crackling with anticipation.
Even Raito was uncharacteristically silent—intrigued to see how this would unfold.
Mao took another slow sip of his soda. "Here we go..."
Rei stepped forward with his guitar, a quiet confidence in his movements. The club watched in silence as he began to play.
The notes were soft, almost haunting—like the whisper of the wind in the night. It was melancholy, yet there was an undeniable beauty in the simplicity. The rest of the club was transfixed.
But Tsukki stood unmoving, his eyes never leaving Rei—as if he was studying, searching for something beneath the surface...
To be continued...