The next week
The video begins with a dramatic shot of COSMIC PRODUCTION's building at sunset, the wind blowing through Ibara's hair as he smiles on the balcony with the light behind him.
Ibara:
> "Greetings and good day. Welcome to the grand launch of COSMIC PRODUCTION's polar-themed merchandise, released in collaboration with a rising idol unit you may know as Polar Opposites."
A cut in the edit.
Now, Ibara is pacing across the rooftop of the building, his dress shoes making faint clicking sounds on the tile as he speaks to the camera, gesturing with his hand.
Ibara:
> "We've spared no expense to make sure this merchandise is of the highest quality. Our designers and the unit members themselves have worked closely to design products that truly embody their spirit and image."
The video switches to a clip of Polar Opposites standing in a row on the rooftop, each one wearing the black wristband with a sun-and-moon emblem. They're all smiling confidently at the camera as Ibara's voice continues.
Ibara:
> "As a limited-release item, these wristbands are not for sale. Instead, they will only be given to people who truly support and believe in the potential of Polar Opposites. This is an opportunity to show your unwavering dedication to this rising star."
The video transitions to another sequence in which various other idols from different agencies are seen wearing the wristbands.
Ibara:
> "As you can see, these wristbands have been received with great enthusiasm by a variety of idol units across the city. It seems that even our rivals can't help but acknowledge Polar Opposites' talent and potential."
The video transitions to another section of the rooftop scene, where Raito is now standing and speaking to the camera.
Raito:
> "These wristbands are more than just merchandise. They're a symbol of unity and a promise to support each other. In an industry where competition can often tear us apart, these wristbands remind us that we're all in this journey together. Our goal is to inspire others to shine just as brightly."
The video shifts to a new scene, showcasing Tsukki standing confidently in front of a black background.
Tsukki:
> "These wristbands may be designed to fit around wrists, but their true purpose is to wrap around the hearts of everyone who believes in our music. We hope you will wear these wristbands with pride, knowing that you are an integral part of the journey that Polar Opposites are on."
In a final scene, both Raito and Tsukki appear on the screen together.
Both:
> "And remember, these wristbands are not just a merchandise item. They are a statement. A statement that you believe in Polar Opposites and the music they create. So don't simply wear it on your wrists. Wear it on your heart."
The camera lingers—
soft light catching the shimmer of the sun-and-moon emblem.
Raito lifts his wrist, presses a bright kiss to the fabric,
then winks—
like sunlight dancing on water:
> "For everyone who's ever believed in us!"
Tsukki follows—
quiet, deliberate—
kisses his own band with a tenderness that stills the air...
then tilts his head just slightly,
a rare, *playful* wink slipping through—
like moonlight sneaking past clouds:
> "...This one's for you."
The screen fades to black.
A single line appears in glowing script:
### 🌞🌙 "Wear it on your heart." 🌙🌞
And somewhere across Japan?
Idols paused.
Fans screamed.
And hearts—just for a moment—beat in sync.
Ibara appears one final time on screen—standing tall, arms crossed, a faint smile tugging at his lips as the sun dips behind him.
Ibara:
> "Don't think this means I'm going easy on you two. But...
>
if you're going to shine this loud?"
He glances down—tugs back his sleeve just enough to reveal his own wristband beneath.
### "...Then shine *on.*"
Screen cuts.
Logo appears.
Silence.
Then—
a single text message pings across social media from an unknown sender:
> "First concert is next week. Don't be late." 💫🎟️
The legend grows. 🌟
After the broadcast
Raito and Tsukki approach Ibara on the rooftop, their expressions humble and sincere. They bow low.
Raito speaks up first, his voice filled with gratitude—
"Thank you for this opportunity, Ibara-san. We're deeply grateful for your support and guidance."
Tsukki nods in agreement, adding, "We'll make sure to repay your faith in us through our performances."
Ibara adjusts his glasses and looks at them, a small smirk on his face.
"Oh please," he says. "Just make it worth my time."
They lift their heads—
shoulders back,
eyes blazing with fire only dreamers carry.
> **"We will!"**
Raito grins wide—bright as dawn breaking:
> "Just wait, Ibara-san! Our concert's gonna shake the whole industry!"
Tsukki doesn't shout.
But his voice cuts clear, steady—like moonlight through storm clouds:
> "And when it does...
you'll be standing right there to see it."
Ibara scoffs—turns away fast—
but not before they catch it:
**The faintest glow in his eyes.**
He adjusts his sleeve. Hides the wristband again.
Then mutters, just loud enough to reach them:
### "...Tch. Don't make promises you can't keep."**
...And walks off—
leaving two hopeful hearts and one silent promise hanging in the golden air.
But they know.
He believes. 💫
The second Ibara stepped off the rooftop set—
a shadow shifted.
Then another.
> "*Oh? Leaving so soon, Mr. Director~?*"
**Nagisa Ran** leaned against the doorway, arms crossed—
a sly, glittering smirk on his lips.
Behind him?
**Hiyori Tomoe**, adjusting his wristband with a *knowing* flick of his finger—
and **Jun Sazanami**, grinning like he'd just won the lottery:
> "Man... You *really* went all out for them, huh?"
Ibara froze mid-step—then turned slowly, glare sharp enough to cut steel:
> "I was merely ensuring brand integrity. This isn't some emotional fan project—it's *marketing.*"
"Mhmm." Nagisa nodded exaggeratedly.
"Of course it is~ That's why you rehearsed your lines three times."
Hiyori pushed up his glasses—mask hiding half a smile:
> "You even used dramatic lighting. How... uncharacteristically poetic."
Jun clapped him on the shoulder (hard):
> **"Admit it! You're proud of your little juniors!"**
"I am *not.*" Ibara snapped—face suspiciously flushed beneath the light—
and stormed off...
but not before Jun caught something mid-air:
A tiny piece of paper fluttered down.
He unfolded it.
One sentence written in neat script:
> **"Don't embarrass me in front of them."**
And at the very bottom?
A faint pencil sketch...
of two wristbands tied together.
Jun gasped dramatically:
### "HE DREW IT??!! HE ABSOLUTELY DREW IT!!!"**
The others burst into laughter as Ibara's voice echoed from down the hall:
### **"THAT WASN'T ME! DESTROY THAT EVIDENCE!!"**
But no one moved to burn it.
Because deep down?
They all knew—
some bonds don't need words...
just sun and moon,
a single ribbon,
and one director who cared more than he'd ever say. 🌞🌙🖤
The week of Yumenosaki's School Club Exhibition was finally here—the most anticipated—and often hectic—event of the season. In the early hours of the morning, Koga gathered the members of his Light Music club to review the plans laid out on the whiteboard.
As he did, Hinata fidgeted beside his brother Yuta, glancing around at the empty practice rooms.
Koga cleared his throat, drawing their attention to a carefully-drawn timeline:
"Alright, first things first. Since we're the last performance, everything else has to run perfectly. No errors."
Hinata straightened up, trying to pay attention, but he still found himself looking at the other club rooms.
Koga raised a brow.
"Alright. What's up with you?"
Hinata startled.
"O-oh, nothing," he said quickly, cheeks reddening.
Yuta nudged him in the side.
"Spit it out, bro."
Hinata sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'm just... wondering if anyone's going to show up, y'know? We're kind of new, and the other clubs have been around for years. What if we mess up?"
Koga leaned back against the whiteboard, crossing his arms.
"If we worry about stuff like that, we'll already lose. We can only control what **we** do."
Yuta frowned, looking around.
> "Wait a minute... Where the heck are Raito and Tsukki?"
Hinata blinked—then suddenly realized:
> "They're... not here?"
Koga checked his phone. No messages.
Then—
the door to the music room burst open.
In stumbled **Raito**, panting, hair slightly messy, holding a tangled mess of cables like he'd fought a robot for them—
and behind him?
**Tsukki**, calmly carrying two speakers under one arm,
a neatly rolled extension cord in his other hand,
and an ice pack on his forehead.
Yuta:
> "What happened to *you?!*"
Tsukki adjusted the ice pack without blinking:
> "...Fell down the stairs."
Raito grinned like it was nothing:
> **"But we brought power! And passion! And—uh—two spare mics just in case!!"**
Koga pinched the bridge of his nose.
Hinata stared at them.
Yuta burst out laughing:
**"You idiots ran all that way just to be late *with energy?!*"**
But Koga?
He looked at Polar Opposites—
their bruised partner,
their tangled wires,
their wild smiles...
and smirked:
### > "Finally... our light's arrived." 🌟
Raito straightened up, still breathless—but eyes blazing with fire:
> "We're not just here to *not be late!*"
He pointed dramatically at the ceiling like a hero making a vow:
> "We're here to make sure **our club's concert is unforgettable!**
People come for flashy lights or big names... but we'll give them something better—**a sound they can't ignore!**"
Tsukki stepped forward, voice calm but firm:
> "Every member has something unique. Hinata's emotion. Yuta's energy. Koga's voice... and our unity."
Raito bounced beside him:
> "So let's not just *play* music—let's **break hearts and light fires!**"
Koga stared at them.
Then smirked.
### > "...Alright, Light Music Club."**
He clapped his hands—
loud enough to echo through the halls.
### > "**Let's go compose chaos!"** 🎸🔥🎵
The halls of Yumenosaki Academy buzzed with color, music, and students darting between club booths.
And then—
a hush fell.
Two figures strode through the corridor like shadows wrapped in legend.
**Rei Sakuma**, hands in pockets, gaze cool as ever.
**Kaoru Hakaze**, smirking faintly beneath his signature scarf.
UNDEAD's legacy walked with them—
graduates returned to where it all began.
Students whispered:
> "Is that... really *them?*"
> "No way—UNDEAD is back on campus?!"
A girl from the literature club nearly dropped her pamphlets.
But Rei didn't flinch. Didn't wave. Just kept walking—until he stopped... right in front of a small sign taped to a classroom door:
> **LIGHT MUSIC CLUB – PERFORMANCE TONIGHT!**
Kaoru chuckled lowly:
> "Huh. So this is where they've been running around."
Just then—
**Koga burst out of the room,** waving a megaphone like a mad conductor:
> **"LAST CALL FOR SOUND CHECK!!!"**
He froze mid-scream at the sight of them...
then slowly lowered the megaphone...
eyes wide... glistening...
until suddenly—
he screamed into it again:
### > "**REI-SAN!!! KAORU-SAN!!! YOU'VE RETURNED TO THE NEST OF PASSION!!"**
...and lunged forward arms open—
only for Kaoru to sidestep smoothly:
> "Not today."
Rei didn't move either—but his eyes flickered past Koga...
to the classroom behind him,
where laughter echoed,
and Raito's voice rang out loud and clear:
> "We're gonna make tonight so bright even *stars* will blush!"
A beat passed.
Then Kaoru smirked—not big, but real—and tugged slightly at something under his sleeve:
revealing just one edge
of a black wristband
with sun and moon stitched clean.
Rei said nothing...
just adjusted his coat—
and slipped something from his pocket too,
running two fingers over its soft fabric...
before hiding it again without a word.
Adonis exited the main building, taking a quick breather from his track club activities. The sun hung low in the afternoon sky, casting an orange glow over the campus. The sounds of students laughing and chatting and enjoying themselves during the club exhibition carried on the warm autumn breeze, creating a lively atmosphere in the air.
As he took a moment to stretch his limbs and check his phone, he glanced up—
and spotted two figures at the end of the corridor:
Rei and Kaoru.
As Adonis approached the graduates of UNDEAD, Rei and Kaoru turned to face him, cool and nonchalant as ever.
"Adonis," Rei acknowledged with a subtle nod.
Kaoru smirked slightly. "What brings you out here? Aren't you busy with the track club?"
Adonis shrugged casually. "I needed a break. It's been a hectic day with the exhibition and all."
Rei raised a brow, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You look exhausted. Have you been eating enough, Adonis?"
Kaoru chuckled. "You sound like a mother, Rei."
Rei shot him a glare. "Someone has to play the responsible parent around here."
Adonis stifled a laugh behind his hand, amused by their little banter. "Don't worry, I've been eating just fine. I can't afford to let my stamina slip with the upcoming competitions."
Rei nodded approvingly. "Good. We didn't put all that effort into training you to have you collapse from exhaustion now."
Kaoru chuckled again, a mix of mischief and genuine affection in his eyes. "You know we only push you because we care, right?"
Adonis chuckled softly. "I know, I know. It's just... sometimes I wish you would take it easy on me too."
A sudden, explosive *crash* echoed from the Light Music Club room—
followed by Raito's unmistakable voice:
> **"MY BAD! THE AMP FELL BUT I'M OKAY!!"**
Then Tsukki, calm as ever:
> "No. You're not okay. You just shorted the main power outlet."
A beat.
Then Yuta:
> **"SO HOW ARE WE GONNA PERFORM TONIGHT?!"**
Hinata groaned:
> "We're doomed..."
Another silence.
And then—**Koga's megaphone blared like a war horn:**
### > **"EMERGENCY MEETING IN 30 SECONDS OR I SING A CAPPella MYSELF!!"**
The door slammed shut behind the panic.
Rei blinked once.
Kaoru smirked—slowly, dangerously.
> "...Sounds familiar."
Adonis crossed his arms, raising a brow:
> "That noise... It's like UNDEAD all over again."
Rei adjusted his coat—already turning toward the chaos.
Not fast.
Not dramatic.
Just inevitable.
But as he walked forward...
he muttered just low enough to hear:
### "...Let's make sure they don't burn the school down."** 🎸🔥
And just like that—
the two graduates of UNDEAD marched toward the storm...
because some legends never retire—
they just wait for new stars to shine loud enough to call them back. 💫
As the commotion from the room died down, the door creaked open to reveal Raito kneeling on the ground with his head bowed, as Tsukki held a slapping stick in his hand with an unamused expression.
Adonis, Rei and Kaoru stood to the side, watching the scene unfold—Adonis chuckled while Rei pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing, and Kaoru raised a brow curiously.
Finally, Rei spoke, breaking the silence:
"What on earth is going on?"
Koga stepped forward, a tired but amused expression on his face.
> "'What happened' is that this idiot decided it was a good idea to juggle a microphone, a mic stand, two cables, and a chair—and drop them all on the amp."
He pointed at the now-broken amp, now covered in cables and fallen instruments, then at Raito's kneeling form.
> "And now he's learning the consequences."
Adonis stifled a laugh, fighting the urge to smirk. "He thought he could pull off some kind of circus trick and ended up with a broken amp. Classic Raito."
Rei pinched the bridge of his nose tighter, muttering about reckless teenagers.
Kaoru watched the scene with a curious smirk. "So, the punishment for his little stunt is...?"
Koga gestured towards the slapping stick in Tsukki's hand. "The consequence of being a clumsy fool. The rest of us have to fix the disaster he created, while he gets a little 'extra' incentive to think before he acts next time."
Yuta couldn't hold back his laughter anymore. "He's really getting spanked?"
Raito groaned, still on the ground. "I said it was an accident!"
Koga rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure. You just happened to drop everything on the most expensive piece of equipment in the room. Coincidence, right?"
Adonis shook his head, struggling not to laugh. "Sometimes your 'accidents' are a little too convenient."
Tsukki raised the slapping stick slightly—just enough to make Raito flinch—and calmly said:
> **"One strike for each mistake."**
Then, ticking off on his fingers:
> "You knocked over the amp... dropped both mics... tangled all the cables... and stepped on my notebook."
Koga winced. "Oof. That last one's a crime."
Hinata whispered to Yuta:
> "He wrote our setlist in that thing..."
Raito gasped dramatically, lifting his head like a wounded hero:
> **"Tsukki! Not five strikes! I'll never recover!!"**
Tsukki remained silent—
cold.
focused.
*merciless.*
Until...
Rei finally stepped forward, arms crossed.
> "If you're going to punish him like that," he said flatly, "at least do it properly."
Everyone turned.
Even Kaoru blinked.
Adonis grinned.
And then—slowly—Rei reached into his coat...
pulled out a sleek black ruler,
polished and battle-tested from years of UNDEAD discipline,
and handed it to Tsukki with dead seriousness:
### > "This has survived three concerts and two meltdowns. Let it serve again."** 📏⚡
A beat of silence.
Then—
Raito screamed into the floor:
### **"WHY IS THIS GETTING WORSE?!"**
Yuta doubled over laughing.
Koga wiped a proud tear from his eye:
### > "**TRADITION LIVES ON!!**" 🎵🔥
And as Tsukki weighed the ruler in his hand—
eyes glinting moonlight-sharp...
the door creaked once more behind them...
but no one turned around fast enough—
to see who had *just* walked by...
👀🎶
The corridor quieted as two new figures appeared—
not loud, not flashy... but impossible to ignore.
**Mao Isara**, student council president, strolled with his hands in his pockets, a calm smile on his lips as always—
beside him, **Ritsu Sakuma**, cold-eyed and arms crossed,
a storm wrapped in silence.
They turned the corner—
just in time to see:
Raito on his knees.
Tsukki holding *a ruler.*
Rei handing it over like a sacred weapon.
Koga cheering like it was a national holiday.
Mao paused mid-step—
blinked once—
then broke into quiet laughter:
> "Ah... So this is what 'club activity' looks like now."
Ritsu remained expressionless—but narrowed his eyes at the scene:
> "...It's chaos."
Then he glanced at Rei.
His older brother didn't react.
Didn't flinch.
Just stood there—calm and proud—as if saying: *"Yes. And I helped."*
Mao chuckled again, adjusting his glasses:
> "Honestly? I'm glad they're having fun..." He sighed dramatically: **"Meanwhile, I've been signing permission forms for sparklers since this morning."** 🌟📄
Ritsu scoffed—but just barely held back the twitch of amusement at the corner of his mouth:
> "Only Polar Opposites could turn a broken amp into some kind of ritual."
Just then—
Tsukki raised the ruler.
The room fell silent—except for Raito's muffled whimpers into the floor:
> **"I'M SORRY!! I'LL DO BETTER!! PLEASE SPARE MEEEE—"**
*Thwack!*
One clean tap—not hard...
but symbolic.
Like passing down fire from one generation to another 🔥
And as Raito dramatically collapsed forward (fake-fainting), everyone burst into laughter—even Tsukki cracked a tiny smirk—
until Mao spoke up again from the doorway:
### > "You know... technically that counts as assault during school hours." ✍️📚
Everyone froze.
Koga dropped the megaphone with an echo.
Then Mao grinned:
### > "...But since no one filed a report... consider yourself lucky~" 😉🕊️
He turned away with Ritsu beside him,
the wind from outside catching their uniforms lightly...
and just before disappearing around the bend?
Ritsu glanced back one last time—at Rei—and gave an almost invisible nod.
After the brief chaos quieted down, the members of the Light Music Club and UNDEAD graduates set to work, fixing the broken equipment and setting up for the performance.
Adonis used his knowledge of technical equipment to help sort out the messy cables, even offering some suggestions to help prevent a similar accident in the future. Kaoru offered his own insights on the sound, ensuring the settings were properly adjusted to prevent any future mishaps. Meanwhile, Rei helped by providing some additional cables and spare parts he had in his bag.
The room buzzed with quiet focus now—no more jokes, no chaos.
Just purpose.
Rei crouched beside the broken amp, hands moving with calm precision as he checked circuits like a surgeon.
> "You're lucky this is just a power surge," he muttered. "Could've fried the whole board."
Kaoru adjusted the mic levels on the mixer, fingers dancing across dials:
> "And *you*," he shot at Raito without looking up,
> "are banned from touching anything that plugs in."
Raito pouted dramatically—but didn't argue. Even *he* knew when to shut up.
Adonis knelt by Tsukki, untangling cables into neat coils like lifelines being rewoven:
> "Clean setup = clean sound. Remember that."
Tsukki gave a small nod—respect in silence.
Meanwhile—
Koga directed traffic like a conductor in full flow:
> **"Hinata! Check your pedals!"**
> **"Yuta! Stop spinning and tune your guitar!"**
>
And finally...
to Raito and Tsukki:
### > **"Polar Opposites—you're opening tonight."**
Raito's eyes lit up.
Tsukki simply exhaled... then nodded once more.
Not fear.
Not doubt.
Just readiness.
And from the doorway—
Mao paused again with clipboard in hand,
watching them work together—seniors and juniors,
idols past and present—
all building something greater than themselves.
He smiled faintly... then scribbled one line on his report:
### *"Incident resolved. Culture preservation confirmed."* 🌟📜
Then quietly closed the door behind him—
leaving only music behind...
and one truth echoing through Yumenosaki's halls:
🔥 Some sparks start fires...
but others?
They start legends. 🔥
The school was abuzz with excitement as people began to gather outside the performance hall for the start of the concert. Groups of students chattered loudly, eager to get a good spot before the show began.
Students from different clubs crowded together in a sea of colorful uniforms, sharing enthusiasm and rumors about the upcoming act. As the clock ticked closer to the performance time, the buzz reached a fever pitch...
Finally, the hall lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the crowd. Excited whispers and murmurs filled the darkness.
On the stage, the members of Polar Opposites took their positions: Raito and Tsukki stood at the forefront with electric guitars, with Hinata and Yuta backing them up on bass and drums. Koga stood confidently in the center, holding the mic stand like a baton as the atmosphere grew thick with anticipation...
Then, like the calm before the storm, the hall fell into complete silence. Everyone seemed to hold their breaths, eyes fixed on the stage. After a few lingering seconds...
Koga's voice echoed through the air, clear and sharp:
> **"**Good evening, everyone..."**
Some applause echoed through the hall, but most eyes stayed fixed on the stage—a silent audience ready for the magic to start...
Raito and Tsukki exchanged a quick glance before their fingers began dancing on their guitars, producing the opening riffs to the first song. The sound filled the hall like a call to action—bold but controlled.
The drumbeats started soon after, solid and rhythmic. Then Hinata's bass joined the mix, adding depth and texture. And then—finally—Koga's voice, clear and strong:
"This is our first song tonight..."
The song had begun. The moment the crowd had been waiting for. The moment of truth...
To be continued...