After the typical daily scene of the Service Club—where a man and a woman fiercely debated, and another woman gave up mediating, only managing a wry smile—it came to an end.
The three tidied themselves up a bit, locked the Service Club door, and headed to the auditorium for the overall club evaluation.
"The judging criteria are engaging, entertaining, and aligned with the club's theme…" While walking, a voice as cold as winter snow overpowered the autumn atmosphere in the corridor. "Tenkuji-kun, do you think a piano performance can represent our Service Club?"
The half-mocking, half-curious question made Yuu glance at her.
"Then what else could the Service Club perform? Go on stage in maid costumes and serve the judges?"
Yukino surveyed her body from head to toe, her small, fair hand gently pressing her cherry lips, the thin crescent curves of her smile revealing quiet delight.
"Hmm, that doesn't sound bad either."
"Not bad? Your brain must be broken," Yuu concluded.
Ignoring him, Yukino sighed. "It's a pity the performance is already set and can't be changed last minute. Otherwise, even if I had to buy the outfit now, you'd still have to perform to show the spirit of the Service Club."
Yuu's face twitched into a smile. "If that's the spirit of our Service Club, Madam President, could you lead by example and do it yourself?"
Come on, Yukino in a maid outfit!
"Do it myself?"
Yukino's expression didn't change. She brushed back the black hair falling over her slender shoulder, the soft corners of her lips curling into a sneer.
"Let's end the joke here."
This ruthless woman!
Yuu ignored the ferocious glare beside him, as if it wanted to devour him, and continued in a flat tone. "The spirit of the Service Club lies in growth and transformation, encompassing various aspects of life's experiences… So, whether it's a piano performance or a dance, as long as it's us performing, it fits the core theme of the Service Club."
Yukino shook her head, slightly resigned.
"Though I dislike this sophist-like reasoning, without it, even I wouldn't know how to participate in the club evaluation."
"For now, I'll praise you, Tenkuji-kun." Yukino moved lightly, haughtily ending the topic.
"Yuigahama, what's our performance slot?"
Yuu firmly ignored her, wanting Yukino to feel the awkwardness of a monologue—though she remained calm and composed, as if living entirely in her own world.
"Uh, let me check…" Yuigahama, who handled the initial preparations with Yukino, pulled out her phone, flipping through her notes, her red lips pursing slightly as if deep in thought.
"After the drama club's performance, around eight-thirty… Hmm, we're third in line!"
"Pretty early," Yuu said.
The Autumn Club Festival had two major themed competitions: the first was the Club Popularity Ranking, determined by forum votes, and the second was the Overall Club Evaluation, decided by the school. The former would be announced and awarded at four in the afternoon, while the latter's results would be revealed in the auditorium right after all performances ended at ten-thirty in the morning.
Once the overall evaluation was done, it would be time for Yuu to challenge other clubs and prepare to stir up a big commotion.
Thinking of this, for some reason, Yuu felt a warmth spreading through his body, a spirited smile appearing on his face—
Before acquiring the system, he was an obedient kid who always kept a low profile, never seeking attention.
No, it should be said… the old Tenkuji Yuu never had the opportunity or ability to stand out, so it was only natural he didn't seek attention.
But now, with the system integrated into him, his mindset had naturally shifted a bit.
The desire to stand on stage, captivating everyone with his performance, instinctively dominated his youthful heart.
"But I didn't expect you could play the piano, Yuu-kun."
Yuu pulled back his wandering thoughts. "Not just the piano—I can do a lot of things."
Yukino crossed her arms over her (nonexistent) chest, raising her thin brows and looking at him.
"For example? At what level?"
"Whatever you can do, I can probably do too, and better."
"…When it comes to boasting, you're definitely better than me."
"Then want to compete? The loser follows one order from the winner—classic game."
"Though I'm very confident in my abilities, I'm equally confident in your impure, shady thoughts, so I'll pass."
"Heh, scared?"
"Heh."
Caught between the two, feeling the mix of cold and hot tension, Yuigahama rolled her eyes in despair, letting out a long sigh.
"You two can really argue over anything."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Sobu High's Grand Auditorium.
After heading backstage to confirm the performance procedure with the staff and tuning the piano—Yuu was the only one using it among all the clubs—the three prepared to return to the gradually gathering student crowd in the auditorium.
Students from all three grades filled two-thirds of the auditorium, the scene a sea of heads with hair colors like a rainbow of candies.
Yuigahama hid backstage, peeking out cautiously, unable to help but draw a sharp breath. "Performing on a stage like this? It's so nerve-wracking…"
Yuu flicked her hair bun. "You're just spectators. Why are you nervous?"
"I'm nervous for you! With everyone watching, just imagining the pressure is terrifying…"
This time, Yuigahama didn't bother fixing her hair. Her small hands clenched tightly in front of her chest, her teary eyes fixed on him, clearly unable to calm down.
Yuu was slightly surprised, then gave a bright smile. "Relax, it's just like being surrounded by a crowd at a station. I've never cared."
"Really… And why would you get surrounded at a station?"
Yukino, as if unable to stand watching, pressed her temple with her finger, sighing softly. "Yuigahama-san, instead of worrying about unnecessary things, think about what you can do for him…"
"And now, we've done everything we need to. Talking too much like this might affect his mindset, so calm down a bit."
Yuu rarely agreed with her. "Exactly."
Yuigahama looked back and forth between the two comforting her, finally showing a faint smile and nodding her head firmly.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the way back to their class rows, Yuu also heard someone call his name.
"Hey, senpai! You're performing too?"
He turned, raising his brow slightly. "Yeah. What's up, Isshiki?"
The sweet, cute girl with short light-brown hair curiously glanced at the two beautiful girls beside him, then quickly shifted her gaze back to him.
"Nothing, just asking since I saw you coming from backstage… Senpai, what club are you in?"
Yuu didn't answer, instead waving his hand and continuing forward. "You'll find out later. Get back to class."
"Tch, stingy~"
Iroha puffed out her cheeks at him, but he ignored her. After bowing to the other two as a greeting, she skipped off lightly.
Soon after, Yuigahama crossed her hands behind her back, asking casually, "Yuu-kun, who was she?"
"First-year student, junior at my part-time job."
Yuu answered briefly. Yuigahama looked away, her expression quietly relaxing.
Yukino, uninterested in the topic, let her long hair sway as she headed straight for Class J.
Yuu and Yuigahama returned to Class 2-F.
The former winked at Totsuka, who was a bit farther away, exchanging silent greetings. The latter was questioned by Ooka and Minami, blushing as she hurriedly waved her hands to explain.
About five minutes later.
The host stood on stage, announcing loudly—Chiba's Sobu High Autumn Club Festival officially began!
The drama club's performance had just started. In the dim auditorium, lit only by the concentrated stage lights, Yuu said goodbye to Hiratsuka, leaving the class row to prepare backstage.
"By the way, kid, if you'd told me earlier you were doing a solo piano, I could've helped you rent a suit."
Hiratsuka chewed on candy, looking regretfully at Yuu's perfect silhouette—broad shoulders and slim waist accentuated by his school uniform. "I always thought you'd look great in a suit. It's rare to have an event like this; it's a pity not to wear one even once."
Yuu frowned, vaguely showing a wary stance. "I know I'd look even more handsome in a suit, but Hiratsuka-sensei, please don't have weird thoughts about your student."
Hiratsuka grinned, raising her fist, her tone unusually gentle. "Want a punch?"
Yuu shrugged, pretending nothing happened.
"Too formal, and I have one at home…"
He paused suddenly, remembering the suit worth nearly ten million yen from the mall event, won through watermelon-eating and kissing.
That suit was now with Yukinoshita Haruno, not at his house.
"…Anyway, it's just a few minutes of piano. It's not a formal performance. A suit would look weird."
Casually responding to Hiratsuka, Yuu didn't linger.
He stepped through the auditorium's darkness, heading backstage.
Before leaving, he locked eyes with Yuigahama.
Good luck!
Her round, shining eyes, even in the dark, seemed to say that to him.
Yuu smiled, waving casually at her.
I'll be back soon.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
When the lights came back on, the host returned to the stage's center.
"The drama club's performance has concluded. Let's give a round of applause for their outstanding show… Oh, it seems the judges have submitted their scores."
"Wonder if it's higher than the previous club, the wind instrument club…"
Asuna was distracted, not listening to the host at all.
Her hips slightly lifted from her seat, she craned her neck around the guest seating area, her gaze repeatedly sweeping the second-year section in the distance, trying to find the person in her heart among the indistinct sea of heads.
Beside her, Kyouko shook her head, as if unable to stand watching, her brows furrowing, her tone a bit stern.
"Sit down! Asuna, what's with this behavior? If you want to find him, can't you do it after the show?"
"But…" Feeling her mother's threatening gaze, Asuna hesitated, then sighed resignedly and sat properly.
Lowering her head, fidgeting with her fingers, she started complaining. "I wanted to come early to cheer him on. This is all because of you, Mom…"
"Blaming me?"
Kyouko's brows furrowed, her already cold and stern face growing more intimidating.
But Asuna didn't back down. Instead, she raised her face, puffing out her lips unhappily, glaring back.
"It's true! We agreed to leave on time, but because of your email, we were delayed by thirty minutes. Who broke the promise first?"
"I-I was dealing with work…" Kyouko's eyes widened, a bit exasperated.
As if she held the moral high ground, Asuna crossed her arms, speaking confidently. "That's your excuse. I'm just talking about the result."
"In terms of results, your business delayed our departure. Is that conclusion wrong?"
"…"
Holding her head, Kyouko felt a slight headache.
Her daughter, who once followed all her plans and orders without protest, even if her expression showed slight complaints, never voiced opposition and was always obedient and exceptional, was now…
Not only could she argue with her mother, but she could also leave her speechless.
No more faint, agreeable smiles, no more reluctant hesitation—her daughter spoke frankly from her heart, as if unsheathing a sword against her mother, standing directly before her.
…Got it. This is the rebellious phase.
"I don't want to talk too much with an ungrateful kid like you… Next time, take your own transportation."
Kyouko closed her eyes, her expression returning to neutral.
"No problem. I know you're tired from driving, and I'm always grateful, but objectively…"
"Enough, stop talking." With a slight headache, Kyouko cut her off, feeling both annoyed and amused. "Standing on the moral high ground, using obvious truths as a weapon—it's just a way of arguing with excuses… Asuna, did you learn this from him?"
"Uh…"
Asuna's body stiffened slightly, then she sat elegantly in her seat, looking up with a wide smile. "What are you talking about, Mom? I don't understand."
"Really…" Kyouko rubbed her temples, letting out a long sigh. "To think my daughter's been turned into this. Looks like I can't just approve this marriage…"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Asuna panicked, immediately pressing her mother's shoulder and shaking it vigorously. "It's not like that!"
"I'm just talking about results too… Stop shaking, you'll break me!"
In a corner unseen by anyone, the corners of her usually flat, serious, tightly closed lips softened and curved upward unknowingly.
At that moment, the host finished his rambling, stepping back and announcing loudly:
"Next, let's welcome the spectacular performance from the club—Service Club!"
"Solo Piano!"
As the words ended, the auditorium darkened again.
On the brightly lit stage, a black grand piano and a handsome young man in a school uniform became the center of the world.
Everyone instinctively paused their tasks, stopped talking, their gazes fixed on him, their scattered attention refocusing.
Facing the silent atmosphere where he was the center of attention, Yuu smiled casually, not a hint of nervousness.
He didn't speak, only pressing his right hand to his stomach, his left behind his back, bowing nearly at a right angle.
"——"
At that moment, it was as if everyone saw a black tuxedo enveloping him, shining brightly, elegant and perfectly fitted, like a professional pianist's battle armor.
But with a blink, it was just an ordinary male school uniform again.
No one dared whisper; they only held their breath for him uncontrollably, their gazes following as he straightened, sat at the piano, and finally rested on his long, fair fingers.
In the silent darkness.
Kyouko watched intently, Asuna smiled.
Yukino's expression grew serious, Yuigahama's gaze couldn't leave him.
Masuzu showed interest, Iroha was slightly surprised.
And also…
Yawning lazily, a girl with long, straight black hair who had just stepped into the auditorium from a side door had her gaze unconsciously drawn to the young man at the piano.
As a sense of déjà vu hit, her small red lips froze into an O shape, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"No way, it's him…"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
And in a corner of the auditorium.
A young woman with shoulder-length hair leaned against the wall, frowning as she stared at the handsome figure on stage, unconsciously biting her lip hard.
"This feeling, what is it…"
The same subject, but different thoughts.
Right on this stage where fates intertwined, Yuu suddenly opened his eyes and gently pressed the white keys.
From that moment, his performance officially began.