"I don't know either..." Akira blinked as he snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head, answering Shouko's question.

He genuinely didn't know. He had brought it up during dinner once, and though his dad had agreed to let him participate, he hadn't mentioned it again since. It was just one of those quiet approvals—no questions, no fuss.

"Shouko!"

Before she could reply, a soft voice cried out—and in the next second, Shouko was tackled from behind by a fluffy, overenthusiastic hug.

"Miu Matsuoka?" Akira looked at the girl now rubbing her cheek against Shouko's like a cat. He was speechless.

Distracted by his voice, Miu finally pulled back, allowing Shouko to wriggle free. Shouko smoothed her hair and added in mild confusion:

"Yeah, what are you doing in our classroom?"

Miu Matsuoka raised both hands in mock surrender.

"I heard that Bastard said there's a singing competition next month, so I came to ask what song your class is doing."

"The Monster's Narrative."

Akira replied casually—it wasn't a secret. Any student in their class could tell you, followed by a loud complaint.

Before Miu could react, a familiar voice called out:

"It's almost time for class. Miu Matsuoka, you should return to your room—we're heading to the music room now."

"Got it! See you at lunch!" Miu gave a cheerful wave to Akira, Shouko, and the newly arrived Sahara Miyoko, then dashed out.

"Alright, line up. I'll adjust." Takeuchi-sensei stood next to the piano in the music room, arms folded, already looking mildly stressed.

Ten minutes later, the class had been arranged into four rows: the first and third were girls (mostly Mikos), the second and fourth were boys. Each row, except the front, stood on a small platform.

Shouko stood front and center—C-position of the first row. Directly behind her, in the second row, was Akira, also in C-position.

"Shimada," Takeuchi-sensei called out toward the back row.

"What's up, Takeuchi-sensei?" Shimada Ikki responded indifferently.

Takeuchi didn't even glance up as he fiddled with the broadcast system.

"I heard from your mother that you've taken piano lessons, correct?"

Shimada instantly sensed something ominous.

"Wait... you're not asking me to play accompaniment, are you?" His voice rose, disbelieving.

Takeuchi-sensei didn't bother with theatrics.

"Your mother agreed. She seemed very happy."

Shimada gritted his teeth. "Bastard…" he muttered under his breath. There was no escape now. If his mom was on board, resistance was futile. Still, he couldn't believe Takeuchi had gone behind his back.

"Don't worry," Takeuchi chuckled. "You're not alone."

He turned to face the class.

"Ishida, you're the conductor."

"What?"

"You've gotta be kidding."

"Him? Seriously?"

"Sensei, do you want us to lose?"

"Just give it to Miyamura or the Class Rep!"

The complaints flew fast from the boys' rows—many too fed up to stay quiet anymore.

The comments landed like darts in Ishida Shouya's ears. Especially the last two.

He already held a grudge against Miyamura Tsunayoshi. Comparisons to the perfect Class Rep always stung. The fact that they hadn't even given him a chance before writing him off burned worse.

At first, he'd planned to decline. But now?

Now he wanted to prove something.

From the second row, Ishida raised his hand calmly.

"I'll do it, Takeuchi-sensei. I accept."

Then he stepped out of line with a grin and threw his arm around Shimada Ikki.

Takeuchi raised both hands to quiet the murmurs.

"Calm down, everyone. It's not like we're conducting a thousand-person choir. Ishida will only handle the opening and middle sections. That's it."

Still sensing unrest, he added:

"Also, he won't need to sing with the rest of you. Isn't that better for everyone?"

That final remark wiped the grin right off Ishida's face.

He glared daggers at Takeuchi's back, face darkened in frustration.

Shimada leaned over and whispered in his ear with a smirk:

"Don't worry, Shouya. I've got a great idea. You can get even later."

"...Okay." Ishida nodded slowly. The idea must've been good—his face lightened, and he shot a nasty smirk toward the boys who'd mocked him earlier.

Akira, meanwhile, had been watching the two whisper from behind Takeuchi.

He didn't need to hear their conversation to know that Shimada was plotting something, and Ishida was all in.

And sure enough—

"Akira!" Shouko turned back suddenly, her face flushed. "Stop moving your hand! Sensei's right there!"

Akira blinked. He hadn't even realized that while watching the chaos, his hand had started to inch forward… somewhere it shouldn't.

"Sorry, sorry!" he scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I got distracted."

Shouko gave him a quick glare, though it was more embarrassed than angry.

As for the rest of the class? Their complaints had mostly died out. Takeuchi's explanation, while blunt, made a weird kind of sense. Nobody had the energy to argue anymore.

"Clap, clap, clap!" Takeuchi clapped loudly, grabbing their attention.

"Alright, let's begin. Shimada, take time to familiarize yourself with the piece before practicing. Everyone else, listen to the track for 'The Monster's Narrative.' I'll go print the lyrics."

He pressed play on the song and, once satisfied with the opening, left the room.

As the music began, the students quietly settled in, each absorbed in their own thoughts as the haunting melody of The Monster's Narrative filled the air.

---------------

POWER STONE!!!

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