The two students who had gone downstairs to get drinks took nearly ten minutes to come back up.

Mr. Takeuchi glanced at his watch, a little anxious about staying on schedule. As soon as he saw them return, he clapped once and said sternly:

"Line up and head down first. You can grab your drinks after the event."

The rest of Class B didn't complain and got up from their seats to line up in the hallway.

Only those two were unlucky—they hadn't even sat down yet before they had to join the line going back downstairs.

The competition was being held in the gymnasium, where a temporary stage had been set up over the past few days. The back entrance now served as a prep area for students to get ready for their performances.

As soon as everyone from Class B arrived in the holding area, Mr. Takeuchi told them to stay put and rest. Then, turning to Kawai Miki, he instructed, "Keep an eye on everyone. I'll be back shortly—I've got something to take care of."

As Mr. Takeuchi stepped away, Shouko edged closer to Akira, her nerves clearly bubbling up. "Akira, it's starting soon… What do I do? I'm so nervous…"

Akira rubbed his chin, pretending to think deeply. "Hmm… deep breaths?"

"O-Okay… I'll try." Shouko nodded, then followed his advice, taking a long inhale and a slow exhale.

Akira stayed close, offering soft words of encouragement between her breaths. His voice was gentle, reassuring.

Their interaction didn't go unnoticed. Some of the boys looked over and whispered things like, "Geez, Miyamura's laying it on thick…"

But a few of the Miko and even some guys had a different thought altogether.

Wish someone would cheer me on like that.

The number of people silently envying Nishimiya Shouko ticked up yet again.

"Ikki, my stomach kinda hurts. I'm heading to the restroom real quick," said Ishida Shouya, who was standing near the back of the line. He glanced over his shoulder at Shimada Ikki, then casually slipped out of the lineup and walked away.

Shimada barely had time to respond before Shouya was already gone.

Man's acting like we're already mid-drama, Shimada thought, annoyed.

Meanwhile, Hirose Keisuke, who was ahead of Shouya in the line, turned around and blinked. "Where's Shouya?"

"He went to the restroom," Shimada replied without hesitation, brushing it off. "Don't worry about it."

Hirose frowned slightly. He couldn't shake the feeling that Shouya and Shimada had been keeping something from him lately. But… they were his best friends. It was probably nothing.

I haven't even done anything to tick them off lately… right?

About five or six minutes passed, and thanks to Akira's continued encouragement, Shouko looked a lot calmer.

"Okay, Akira, I feel better now! I didn't realize I was this amazing…"

She reached out and covered Akira's mouth as he tried to shower her with more praise, giggling with embarrassment. Her cheeks were flushed pink, and she cupped them with her hands bashfully.

Akira smirked. "Nope. Shouko's always been this amazing."

In that brief time, he had probably exhausted every compliment he knew—both from his current life and his previous one.

Just then, a soft voice interrupted them.

"Umm, Miyamura… I'm kinda nervous too. D-Do you… have any tips?"

It was a girl with silver-gray twin ponytails. She had been gently nudged forward by her friends and now stood fidgeting in front of Akira, her cheeks slightly pink.

Akira blinked. He recognized her face, though her name escaped him. She's kinda cute… but not as cute as Shouko.

The moment stretched as Shouko turned toward the girl, eyes narrowing.

Enemy spotted.

She remembered what Auntie Miyamura had told her just last week: "If any girl gets too close to Uncle Miyamura, don't hesitate to give him a good knock on the head. That's how I kept him loyal."

Akira, blissfully unaware of the danger, nodded at the girl and said with a straight face, "Deep breaths. That's it."

The girl's hopeful expression faltered slightly.

Before she could protest, Shouko chimed in, smiling sweetly but with a fire in her eyes: "That's right, Miki. Deep breaths really help. I was nervous earlier too, and now I feel great!"

The girl nodded stiffly, took a few deep breaths, and retreated to her spot—silently wishing a hole would open in the floor and swallow her whole.

She hadn't even reached her group of friends yet when Riku Takanashi—the crew cut guy who'd fought with Shouya before—awkwardly approached, scratching the back of his neck.

"Uh, Miki… I know a way to calm nerves too. Want me to teach you?"

She stared at him blankly.

He added quickly, "No really—it works. I promise."

She replied without looking at him. "I'm not nervous anymore. And… I don't feel like talking right now. Sorry."

"Oh, then I—"

Before he could finish, she turned and walked off.

Riku stood there, speechless. He returned to his spot, where his best friend immediately started laughing.

"Ito, why's your nose red?" the guy teased.

Riku looked away and said nothing.

"Where's Ishida?"

Ten minutes later, Mr. Takeuchi returned and scanned the lineup. He noticed Shouya's absence and turned to Kawai Miki.

Before Miki could respond, Shouya's voice rang out from behind them. "I just got back from the restroom."

Mr. Takeuchi nodded. "Back in line. We're up third, so it's soon."

Shouya casually slipped back into the lineup. But then, he looked over at Shimada and raised an eyebrow. "Why do you look like you're constipated?"

Shimada's face was strained, and without waiting for a reply, he suddenly said, "Maybe I caught a cold… or ate something weird. I need the restroom too. Tell that Bastard for me, okay?"

Then he bolted.

Takeuchi squinted at the movement.

"Shimada! Where are you going!?" he shouted at the top of his lungs.

Heads turned. Students from nearby classes paused what they were doing and looked over.

Shouya sighed.

There it is.

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

POWER STONE!!!

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