(POV: Ren / Ema)
Ren could barely breathe. Tsubasa's disappearance was a warning. The crimson aura around his violin pulsed faster than his heartbeat.
Ema grabbed his hand. "Ren… the melody… it's not just a song. It's her soul. And the academy will take anything connected to it."
He closed his eyes, and for a fleeting moment, he saw Airi—smiling faintly, standing at the edge of the stage. She didn't speak, but her presence wrapped around him like a tether.
I can't let them take her. Not again.
The hall seemed to hum in response, faint notes threading around them like spiderwebs.