On their way to school, Tainaka Ritsu tried everything she could to chat about random stuff—last night's comedy show on TV, a morning scene of kittens fighting, even her latest blunder of forgetting to do her math homework.

But no matter what she said, at most she got a perfunctory "Uh-huh" from Akiyama Mio.

Mio's gaze seemed fixed on some distant point in space.

"Mio, look over there!"

Just as Ritsu was fretting about what else to do, they happened to pass a music store. Her eyes lit up; she patted Mio's shoulder and pointed at the store's display window on the sidewalk.

"Mio, it's a brand-new bass! It looks a lot like yours!"

Mio's gaze turned mechanically, glanced at the display, then quickly moved away.

"Yeah…it looks similar…"

"?????"

Seeing Mio so uninterested—even in a bass—Ritsu finally couldn't stand it anymore. She stopped walking and firmly gripped Mio's shoulders.

"Mio, what's wrong with you? You've been acting weird since this morning."

Mio's whole body visibly stiffened. Her eyes—once dark yet gentle—narrowed, her lips trembling as if wanting to say something, but in the end she just shook her head.

"It's nothing… really."

"We're going to be late. Let's go."

Without waiting for Ritsu's worried glance, she sped up her pace.

…

First period class:

Ritsu was barely listening to the teacher, constantly sneaking looks at Akiyama Mio, who sat in front of her. She noticed her friend wasn't taking notes at all but was staring blankly at her desk. Occasionally, she'd lower her head to look at her knees, like there was something there only she could see.

This was a side of Mio Ritsu had never witnessed before.

When the bell rang, Ritsu dashed over to Mio's seat.

"Mio, come to the snack shop with me! I'll buy you some yakisoba pan!"

Mio lifted her head, forcing out a faint smile.

"Sorry…I'm not really hungry. You go."

"Should I get you something?" Ritsu insisted.

"No need, thanks."

Mio's voice was so soft it was like a feather hitting the floor. Watching Mio slip back into that strange daze, Ritsu's unease grew stronger. This wasn't the Akiyama Mio she knew—shy and easily flustered, but never this distant from her friends.

…

Mid-morning break:

The four members of the Light Music Club gathered in their usual practice room. Sunlight streamed through the windows onto the wooden floor, carrying the pleasant scents of tea and snacks.

"Let's practice the new song today!"

The airheaded-looking but actually sunny Hirasawa Yui announced with vigor, already perched on her usual seat cushion with her guitar. Meanwhile, Tsumugi Kotobuki—her elegant, blonde-haired friend—was brewing tea for everyone. Hearing Yui's words, Mugi smiled gently.

"Mio-chan, didn't you say you'd finished writing the bass part yesterday? I've been looking forward to it."

Over by the drum kit, Tainaka Ritsu stared at Mio, who was adjusting her bass. She could see that Mio's fingers hesitated on the strings—utterly unlike her usual flawless bass-playing self. Ritsu was about to speak, but Yui had already started strumming her guitar.

Music filled the air. Yui's guitar, as always, was bright and infectious. Ritsu's drumming joined in strong and confident, Mugi's keyboard fluid as flowing water. Yet only Mio's bass was off, full of mistakes. She was either late on the beat or hitting the wrong notes.

"Mio?"

Yui halted her guitar and tilted her head.

"Uh… was that supposed to be a deliberate variation?"

Mio's face flushed.

"S-sorry…I'll do it again."

The second try was even worse. Mio actually forgot a passage she'd composed herself. An awkward silence settled over the practice room.

"Mio!"

Ritsu put down her drumsticks, an uncharacteristically serious look on her face.

"You've been out of it since this morning. What's up? Didn't we promise no secrets between us?"

Autumn sunlight glimmered through the windows onto the figure of Akiyama Mio, who lowered her head, hiding her face behind her long hair. Her grip on the bass edges had her knuckles turning white.

Both Yui and Mugi noticed the oddity in Mio's behavior. Mugi gently set down her teacup and moved to sit beside her.

"Mio-chan, we're all worried about you. If there's something wrong, you can tell us."

Yui also laid her guitar aside, for once looking earnest.

"Mm! If you're sad, Mio-Mio, then Yui's sad too!"

Mio's shoulders trembled slightly. A tear dropped onto the polished surface of her bass. She raised her head, her once dark irises now shimmering with conflict and fear.

"I… I think I might be haunted by something supernatural…"

"S-supernatural?!"

Ritsu nearly jumped out of her chair.

"Is it a ghost? A curse? Should we go get a talisman from the shrine?"

"N-not like that…"

Mio bit her lip, as if battling some invisible force.

"I can't say… I can't fully explain…"

Mugi keenly noticed that Mio said "can't say" instead of "don't know." As a friend, she didn't think Mio was lying or joking, so Mugi simply believed her. She gently took Mio's cold hand, speaking as softly as possible: "Something's stopping you from talking, is that it?"

Mio looked at Mugi in surprise. A hint of hope flashed in her eyes but was quickly overshadowed by gloom.

"Mm…sorry…"

Just then, her eyes suddenly widened, as if seeing something shocking. She focused on a point in midair, lips trembling like she was silently reading. Ritsu followed her gaze but saw only motes of dust dancing in sunlight.

"Mio? What are you looking at?" Ritsu asked worriedly.

Mio didn't reply. Her expression shifted from shock to confusion, finally settling into a strange calm.

"They…they say I don't have to be afraid…" Mio murmured.

"Who says?"

Ritsu looked around, on edge, while Yui clung to Mugi's arm in case of "ghosts."

Mio finally seemed to resolve something. She took a deep breath:

"I can't give details…but someone told me it won't hurt me."

"So… please, don't worry about me anymore. I'll be fine."

The three friends exchanged puzzled looks. Her explanation was as confusing as saying nothing at all. But seeing some life return to Mio's gaze, Mugi decided not to pry. She gave Ritsu a subtle headshake.

Ritsu, understanding, just sighed.

"All right then."

She picked her drumsticks back up, showing her usual, dazzling grin.

"If Mio says she's okay, let's keep practicing. But—"

Suddenly, Ritsu leaned close enough to see the patterns in Mio's irises.

"If you need help, I'm the first person you tell, got it?!"

Touched, Mio gave a small nod.

"Mm…thanks."

"Let's get back to practice."

~~~

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