[Every time I see you]
[My heart starts racing]
[These trembling feelings…]
[I just want to hold my beloved bunny]
"How… how is that even possible? he just glanced at it—how could this happen?!"
"It's over, it's over, it's over!"
Hearing Shiro Sakamaki casually sing the lyrics aloud, Akiyama Mio turned beet red and curled up, hiding herself in a corner of the room.
"This is all your fault, Ritsu!"
"Heeey~ Mio, it's just lyrics. It's not that big a deal, right? Shiro's not going to laugh at you or anything."
Tainaka Ritsu gave Shiro an exaggerated nudge, eyes gleaming with mischief.
Shiro, however, looked thoughtful.
"Well… the lyrics are quite good, but they don't feel like something you would write, Mio-san."
He already recognized the song—it was unmistakably Fuwa Fuwa Time, a beloved tune even in his past life.
Its adorable and slightly flustered lyrics held a charm that captured the emotional struggles of a shy girl in love.
If Ritsu hadn't spilled the beans, he never would've guessed that the always-serious, always-blushing Mio had written something so... daring.
"Well, Shiro, you've got good taste! That's exactly why I said you're a worthy addition to the Light Music Club!" Ritsu declared proudly.
Shiro gave her a side glance. "Then… should I take my leave?"
"No! I'm sorry, Shiro, I was just messing around!"
Meanwhile, Mio had fully retreated into her personal abyss, hugging her knees and hiding in the corner like a ghost in a haunted house.
The mood around her seemed darker somehow, like a gloom cloud hanging just above her head.
Shiro chuckled, walked over, and gently patted her shoulder.
"Even if the lyrics are a bit cheesy and embarrassing, they're still cute. Not bad for your first try at songwriting."
"And didn't you say your goal is to perform at the Budokan? You won't get there if you let this kind of thing throw you off!"
"Yeah, Mio, I think the lyrics are great!" Yui Hirasawa chimed in, her eyes sparkling.
"I really love them!"
Something about Yui's bubbly sincerity helped pull Mio back from her mental breakdown. Her stiff shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Really… you mean it?"
"Yup! Right, Tsumugi?"
But before Tsumugi could answer, she was already lost in admiration, her cheeks glowing as she stared dreamily at the music sheet in her hands.
"Mmm-hmm~!"
"Yo-sha!" Ritsu shouted excitedly.
"Then it's settled—we'll perform this song at the academy festival!"
Everyone in the club cheered—except for poor Mio, who looked like she'd just seen the end of the world.
Wait a second. If this was going to be the festival performance, that meant… everyone would hear it.
She imagined the host on stage introducing them in front of the entire student body:
"Now performing—Fuwa Fuwa Time, written by Akiyama Mio!"
Her mind went completely blank, her face turned crimson, and steam practically burst from her head.
Then she heard the words that froze her in place:
"Let's have Mio sing it! Since she wrote the lyrics, she should be the lead vocalist!"
It was as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head.
"No! I… I can't! I can't sing those embarrassing lyrics out loud!!"
While the rest of the club bickered over who should take the lead, Shiro calmly sat down at the table and poured himself a cup of black tea.
Tsumugi's tea was genuinely amazing—after drinking this every day, Shiro felt like he'd never be able to go back to low-grade tea again.
As for the whole festival performance, he wasn't too concerned. He played the saxophone, after all. There was no way they'd make him sing something like Fuwa Fuwa Time, right?
Besides, if he remembered the song correctly, it didn't even have a sax part. At most, he'd probably just be helping with the arrangement or background music.
What did catch his attention, though, was the presence of Yukinoshita Yukino.
Why was she here?
Noticing his glance, Yukino calmly answered before he could ask.
"Due to the fallout from the last incident, my presence in my own club has become… less than welcome. When a few students in the courtyard suggested I try this room, I found it quite peaceful. A good place to read."
"A good place to read?"
Shiro raised an eyebrow. Did she really think this was some serene reading nook? She had no idea that Light Music Club was pronounced "light" but written "heavy metal"!
When actual rehearsals started, she was in for a rude awakening.
"Well, do as you like. If needed, I can set up a noise insulation barrier."
"Noise insulation?" Yukino asked, curious.
"Yup. Just what it sounds like—keeps out sound."
Yukino took a sip of tea and replied,
"I think the atmosphere here is nice. I don't need soundproofing."
Shiro smirked. "Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you later."
Sometimes, the universe had a twisted sense of humor.
Just when you think nothing could go wrong… that's when it happens.
Shiro was quietly enjoying his tea and biscuits when—suddenly—the conversation took a sharp, dangerous turn.
"Hey, Shiro… how about you be the lead singer?" Ritsu declared, finger pointed right at him.
Completely ignoring Yui, who was flailing around dramatically nearby.
Shiro: "…"
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