Hovet Arena – Private Room
May 21, 2021 – Friday – 8:45 A.M.
3rd POV
Riku froze for a moment, certain he must have misheard.
His grandfather's words hung in the air, heavy and deliberate—too outlandish to be a joke, too calm to be a lie.
"...Ha?"
Kyoya's expression didn't waver. The faint lines beneath his eyes spoke of years of patience and weariness, but his tone held no trace of teasing. Riku searched for even the smallest flicker of humor in the old man's eyes—found none.
So he breathed in deeply, forcing his pulse to steady. "Let me call my team for a moment."
He stepped aside, pulling out his phone and dialing Johan. His voice was clipped but steady, explaining that he'd be gone for a while due to family matters. Johan, ever the calm second-in-command, didn't press for details.
"Just make sure you're back before Tundra goes on," he said.
"I will," Riku replied, before hanging up.
Riku turned back toward Kyoya, his composure settling in place like armor.
"Alright. Now that's out of the way... I want the full story."
Kyoya gave a slow nod, his gaze drifting toward the door before raising a hand. A soft shimmer spread through the air as a barrier activated, muting the noise from the hallway. "Very well," he said. "Here's how it went down."
An hour and a half later.
10:15 A.M.
By the time Kyoya finished recounting the entire story, Riku had slouched back into the couch, staring blankly at the floor. His mind was reeling—trying to stitch together everything he'd just learned about Mafuyu, about his mother, and the quiet secrecy that had spanned decades. The tablet in Kyoya's lap showed the DNA confirmation, irrefutable and cold.
Riku exhaled slowly. "So... Mother had a one-night stand with one of her old friends, and Mafuyu was born as a result?"
Kyoya's nod was faint but firm. "Yes."
"And I never heard a word of this because...?"
"Your grandmother issued an order to suppress everything that happened that day," Kyoya explained, his tone neutral. "Even from you."
Riku leaned back further, closing his eyes for a moment. "If Grandmother was the one who made that call, then I understand. But... what about Father? Did he know?"
"He did," Kyoya replied, a small pause following. "And let's just say... your father had his own complicated chapter. Much like Miku."
Riku's brows knit. "Wait—what?"
Kyoya gave a faint smile. "A matter for another time."
"Fine."
He let the topic drop for now, redirecting his focus to the girl seated quietly across from them. Mafuyu's posture was stiff, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. Riku studied her in silence for a moment before finally speaking.
"...First of all, I owe you an apology."
Her eyes widened. "Eh? What are you apologizing for?"
"For getting your family caught in the mess surrounding mine," Riku said softly. "You were dragged into Oko's vendetta for something you had nothing to do with."
Mafuyu shook her head, voice trembling. "Y-you don't have to apologize... I know they were just trying to protect me. Before my dad died, he said..." She hesitated, her voice shrinking to a whisper. "'Go and find the Nagae—for they will protect you.' That's what he told me."
The room fell silent for a moment. Kyoya and Riku exchanged a glance before Riku turned fully toward her.
"Then that's what we'll do," he said. "Just like your father wanted. You've got a family now, Mafuyu. You're not alone anymore."
He stood and approached her, lowering himself to her level. His voice softened. "Welcome to the Nagae... my dear little sister. If you ever need help, you ask. Understood?"
The words shattered the last of Mafuyu's composure. She tried to stifle her tears, but the emotion won out. She threw her arms around Riku and sobbed into his chest, clinging tightly until exhaustion took over. When her breathing evened out, she had fallen asleep—head resting gently on his lap.
Kyoya watched the scene in quiet satisfaction as Riku absentmindedly brushed a hand through her hair.
"I guess she's been through a lot," Riku murmured.
"You have no idea," Kyoya said.
Riku glanced up, frowning. "What do you mean by that?"
Kyoya leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. "When Honoka gave the order regarding Mafuyu's secrecy, she also added a clause—to monitor her life from a distance. Daily reports, records, everything."
Riku's eyes widened. "Wait. You mean... our family's been stalking her for almost twenty years?"
A faint smirk tugged at Kyoya's lips. "It isn't stalking if you're never caught in the act."
Riku gave him a deadpan stare. "That's... not how that works, Grandfather."
Kyoya simply shrugged. "The agents assigned were our best in surveillance and intelligence gathering. Discreet. Thorough."
"Right," Riku muttered. "That's... one way to describe it. So what exactly did they find?"
Kyoya reached for a black tablet resting in his bag and handed it to him. "See for yourself."
Riku began scrolling through the files, his expression shifting from curiosity to concern. Each report outlined aspects of Mafuyu's life—her isolation, her grades, her quiet breakdowns during late nights.
"What in the world..." he whispered.
When he finally looked up, his tone had hardened. "Grandfather, these reports... they're all real?"
Kyoya nodded gravely. "Every last one."
Riku exhaled sharply and rubbed his temple. "Mother always said she wanted to do what's best for me, but this... this crosses a line. I feel bad for her. No one deserves to live under that kind of watch."
"That's why we're here now," Kyoya said. "To make sure she finally lives on her own terms—without pressure, without surveillance. She even tried to take over some of your remaining duties when you left for Portugal with Youmu. I stopped her before it got out of hand."
"Good call," Riku muttered. "She doesn't need that kind of weight."
He looked down again at Mafuyu's sleeping face, peaceful for the first time. "So who's assigned as her aide?"
"I chose Nazuna," Kyoya replied. "I think she'll be a perfect fit—balanced temperament, good instincts."
Riku gave a small nod. "Nazuna, huh? That'll work. She's patient, gentle. They'll get along fine."
"And for her schooling," Kyoya continued, "she'll transfer to Hanasakigawa as a second-year once we're back in Japan."
"That's good," Riku said. "Kasumi-san might help her adjust. She's good with people like Mafuyu."
He paused, glancing down at Mafuyu's hands. "Her fingers... she plays piano, doesn't she?"
Kyoya smiled faintly. "She does. And she's more than decent. She's the lyricist and co-composer of her group."
Riku's brows lifted. "A music group?"
"She told me they're called 25-ji, Nightcord de."
That name sparked recognition instantly. Riku looked down at her again, a grin breaking through. "So it was you..."
Kyoya tilted his head. "You've heard of them?"
"Yeah," Riku said, leaning back with a short laugh. "I stumbled across one of their videos last month. It was past one in the morning—I couldn't sleep, so I clicked on it. Their sound... it's dark, sure, but not hopeless. There's this undercurrent of wanting to reach out. Like they're writing from the edge of despair but still holding on to something."
Kyoya chuckled softly. "Didn't expect you to analyze it that deeply. I'm impressed."
"Guess it hit close," Riku said quietly. "I've always been drawn to people who create from their scars."
He looked at Mafuyu again, a hint of affection in his smile. "For years, Kokoro was the closest thing I had to a little sister. And now... I have a real one." He chuckled lightly. "Wonder how the girls will take the news."
Kyoya's eyes glimmered with amusement. "You'll find out soon enough."
"Do the other Celestial Families know?" Riku asked. "Has any of this gone public yet?"
"I've informed the family heads," Kyoya said. "But not the public. For now, Mafuyu will continue using her old surname, Asahina. Once the Gathering begins in August, and His Majesty witnesses the confirmation, her name will be formally recognized."
Riku nodded, though his thoughts were already racing ahead. "There's a lot waiting for me when we get back to Japan," he admitted. "My side project, the lessons I've missed, the live house event... and now this."
Kyoya gave a small, approving hum. "You've always handled what others call impossible. Still, remember—you don't need to do it all alone."
"I know," Riku replied. "But I'll be fine. I can handle it."
Kyoya studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Since you said it with that tone, I believe you. But if things get too heavy, you tell us. We're here."
Riku's gaze softened. "Thanks, Grandfather."
A sudden swell of noise filtered faintly through the barrier—the roar of thousands from the arena below. Riku tilted his head, catching the rhythm of the chants and applause.
"Sounds like it's starting," he said with a small smirk. "The crowd's fired up already."
"Confident, are we?" Kyoya teased lightly.
"The result will show itself once we take that stage," Riku said, his eyes glinting with quiet resolve.
"Then go," Kyoya urged. "Your team's waiting. I can take care of—"
Riku shook his head. "No need. I'll stay a bit longer. Mafuyu needs her brother right now, and that's what I'll be. At least until she wakes up."
Kyoya's expression softened. "Then stay. You've earned a moment of peace."
Riku leaned back, his hand still gently resting on Mafuyu's hair as the sounds of the arena swelled like an ocean beyond the walls.
Kyoya turned toward the window, gazing over Stockholm's skyline. "Tell me, Riku," he said quietly, "how has your time here been?"
Riku smiled faintly, his tone distant but warm. "Complicated," he said. "But worth every second."
----------
Hovet Arena – OG's Locker Room
May 21, 2021 – Friday – 2:45 P.M.
Riku's POV
Four and a half hours had passed since that conversation with Grandfather.
By the time Mafuyu stirred awake, sunlight had shifted across the room. Her eyes blinked open, hazy from sleep—then widened as she realized where she was. Her face was still blank as she apologized to me.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to—"
I just waved it off. "Don't worry about it."
Honestly, I didn't mind. For the first time, she'd looked peaceful.
The clock had already drifted past noon, and Grandfather suggested we have lunch before I returned to the others. We took a quiet table tucked away in the corner of the catering hall, a rare moment of calm in the chaos of the finals. The food barely registered—my mind was still sifting through everything from earlier—but the silence between us wasn't awkward. Mafuyu seemed more relaxed now, almost curious about me, though she was too polite to pry.
That peace didn't last long.
Because, of course, the girls found us.
"Onii-chan!!" Kokoro's voice carried from the end of the hallway like an approaching storm. The other girls followed, their usual bright energy drawing eyes even from nearby staff.
When they spotted Mafuyu sitting between me and Grandfather, their curiosity sparked immediately. Rinko, as always, was the first to ask what everyone was already thinking.
"Um... Riku, who might she be?"
Grandfather, never one for subtlety, simply said, "Riku's half-sister."
The words detonated like a bomb.
All girls froze mid-breath, eyes wide. Kasumi-san's jaw dropped. Rimi-san's fork clattered against her plate. Hagumi-san let out a startled "Eh?!" loud enough to make a passing crew member jump.
It took me several minutes—and a lot of explaining—to calm them down. Questions came flying from every direction, one on top of another. When did this happen? How come you never told us? Is she really your sister?
Even after laying everything out, some of them still stared at us like they were watching the plot twist of a drama unfold in real time.
Then Kokoro, true to form, burst out in tears of joy, clapping her hands together.
"Now I finally have a big sister too!" she exclaimed—before tackling Mafuyu into a bear hug that nearly toppled both of them out of their seats.
Mafuyu froze like a deer in headlights. "Nii-san, what is happening?"
Misaki-san and Hagumi-san tried to pry Kokoro off, but she was determined, laughing and crying at the same time. It took all three of us—Misaki-san, Hagumi-san, and me—to separate her from Mafuyu's neck.
Once Kokoro finally released her, Mafuyu blinked a few times visibly overwhelmed despite her blank face.
"Is... is she always like that?"
I gave her the straightest face I could muster. "You'll get used to it."
That earned a small laugh from her—shy but genuine.
After that, things mellowed out. We finished lunch together, the girls gradually warming up to Mafuyu. Rimi-san shyly complimented her hair; Kasumi-san asked if she liked sweets; and even Misaki-san, despite her dry tone, told her to take care of herself from now on.
When it was time to go, Grandfather and Mafuyu returned to the VIP area to watch the performances, while I headed back to the locker room.
The guys were already there when I walked in, scattered across the room in varying degrees of rest and focus. Johan was tuning his bass. Ammar was half-asleep against the wall. bzm and ATF were arguing about which country had the best coffee, again.
"Finally," Johan said, glancing up. "What took you so long?"
"Family business," I answered simply.
That, of course, was enough to catch everyone's attention. So I told them—condensed, straightforward, nothing too deep. That Mafuyu existed, that she was my half-sister, and that I'd just met her properly today.
They all nodded with a kind of respectful surprise.
Except for bzm.
He leaned back with that smug grin of his. "So... is she single?"
A solid thunk echoed as my hand connected with the back of his head. The rest of the room burst into laughter while he rubbed the spot, pretending to pout.
"Deserved," Johan said, still grinning.
"Yeah, yeah," bzm muttered. "Still a valid question."
"Don't push your luck," I replied, shaking my head.
When the laughter died down, I slumped onto the bench, closing my eyes for a moment. The muffled roar of the crowd seeped through the walls—layers of cheering and rhythmic claps that built and broke like waves. It reminded me how close we were to stepping on stage again.
Tundra was next to perform. I hadn't seen Gaimin or TSM's sets, but from what the others said, they'd been solid—tight enough to get most of the audience votes. Johan mentioned that SabeRLight- had even tweeted, "Time to smack some kids," tagging us directly.
That set bzm and Ammar off immediately. I had to admit, it was funny watching them argue over who'd fire the next shot back.
Well... fair play. Two can play that game.
In Riku's Mindscape
The silence of my inner world welcomed me like the calm before a storm. The endless horizon stretched across a twilight sky, faint motes of light drifting through the air like dust in the sun. I sat cross-legged at the center, letting my thoughts quiet into stillness.
But the peace didn't last.
Something bright streaked through the clouds, growing larger—fast.
Then crash.
A familiar blue-haired figure landed face-first a few feet in front of me, sending a ripple through the ground.
I sighed. "Tenshi... you really don't know how to land, do you?"
She groaned, brushing dirt off her sleeves as she stood up. "It's been a while since I've flown at full speed. Cut me some slack."
She smoothed her skirt and dropped beside me, smirking like she hadn't just made an entrance loud enough to wake the dead.
"So," she said casually, "you've got a half-sister now. That's new."
"News travels fast, huh?"
"You know I can see everything from the Dragon Palace right?" she replied. "Once word gets out, all hell's going to break loose."
"I know. That's why only the family leaders know for now," I said. "Mafuyu's identity as a Nagae won't be revealed publicly until the Gathering."
Tenshi's eyes flickered. "You're attending?"
"I have to. On behalf of Grandfather," I replied. "And she'll be there with me."
Tenshi leaned back on her hands, gazing at the horizon. "Hmmm... sounds like a big moment for both of you."
"Yeah," I admitted quietly. "But that's still months away. Right now, it's the finals I have to focus on."
She looked at me then—directly, with that disarming calm she always had when I was too deep in my own head. "You ready?"
I took a slow breath. "More than ready. Just collecting my thoughts. It's been... a lot these past two weeks."
Tenshi's expression softened. She reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch warm and steady.
"Don't dwell on what's behind you," she said. "And don't overthink what's ahead. You've already fought through enough. Just look at what's right in front of you—and give it everything. Win or lose, make it something worth remembering."
Her voice had that quiet strength to it—the kind that didn't demand belief, but invited it.
"I'll be watching from here," she added with a small smile. "So make me proud. And enjoy it—for both of us."
I couldn't help but chuckle. "You've been spending too much time around Youmu. That sounded almost poetic."
Tenshi rolled her eyes. "Shut up and take the compliment."
"Fine, fine." I stood, brushing off my coat. "By the way—are we still going with that plan?"
"Yes," she said, meeting my gaze. "And this time, I intend to see it through."
I let out a quiet sigh. "If you say so..."
The wind began to pick up around me, my form starting to fade back toward reality. Tenshi gave me a thumbs up, her grin bright and defiant as always.
"Go get them, Riku."
I returned the gesture with a salute. "See you soon."
And with that, I was gone—leaving her alone under the endless twilight sky, smiling faintly at the space I'd just left behind.
Hovet Arena – Backstage
3:30 P.M.
Riku's POV
The faint vibration of the crowd beyond the walls stirred me awake. My eyes opened to the muted hum of zippers, chatter, and guitars being tuned. The boys were already moving, checking their gear with that mix of nerves and routine that only finals could bring. I blinked the haze off and glanced at my watch—3:30.
"Is it time?" I asked, pushing myself up.
Johan, already in his stage jacket, nodded. "Get ready and head to the back. I'll be with you in a moment."
He left before I could answer, his stride steady—focused. That was Johan for you: never too loud, never too soft, just a quiet anchor when everyone else was buzzing.
The rest of us followed the familiar path toward the stage. Tundra's performance had just ended; their final note still echoed faintly through the corridors. The air backstage was electric—techs shouting cues, crew members hauling amps, cords snaking across the floor like veins feeding the stage's beating heart.
I stopped just behind the curtain as the staff started setting up our instruments. The crowd's cheers swelled and receded like waves. I turned to the guys—Ammar, bzm, Yuragi, and Taiga—each of them running through their own small pre-show rituals. I could see the nerves, the energy. They deserved a word before stepping out there.
"Alright," I began, my voice steady despite the adrenaline creeping in, "are you ready, boys?"
Taiga grinned, already cracking his knuckles. "More than ready, man."
"Good." I took a breath. "So, this is it—the grand finals. The big stage. Everyone's hyped for it. But I want you to think about this as something else... not a finals match, not a make-or-break moment. Just a live show. Our live show."
Their eyes turned to me, the joking tone fading.
"You've seen Gaimin, you've seen Tundra—they've been monsters up there. And TSM... well, you all saw them throw everything they had. But there's something those three bands have in common. Pressure. A lot of it. They're weighed down by expectation. TSM's carrying their whole region on their back."
I folded my arms, lowering my tone. "We don't have that. We made it here our way. If we lose, then fine—we walk away with second, still proud. But if we win? Then we walk into TI, and no one will ever forget this night."
They stood a little taller. Even Ammar, usually the sarcastic one, was quiet.
"I'm proud of you," I continued, looking at each of them. "Not just because we're here, but because you've grown. As musicians. As people. You've worked your asses off for this, and you've earned every second of it."
The room stilled for a moment—only the muffled cheers outside filled the silence.
"So, when you go out there," I said softly, "don't think about trophies or stats or rankings. That's all bait. You'll lose yourself if you chase it. Just play. Play the music we built together. Play for Misha. Imagine how much he would've loved to be here, playing beside you. Play for Chu. For every late-night rehearsal. Every fuck-up we turned into progress. Play for that."
I smiled faintly. "That's all I ask. If we're gonna win, it's not because we wanted it more—it's because we enjoyed it more. The work's already done. Now it's showtime."
Their faces said everything—no more tension, just clarity. The kind that hits right before walking into battle.
I clapped my hands together. "Alright. Let's do this, brothers."
Then, because I couldn't resist, I said it. "Can we actually do a group fist bump?"
They stared at me. Taiga snorted. "You serious?"
"Yeah," I said, trying not to laugh. "First and last time we ever do it, so don't make it weird."
Johan had just come back, catching that last line. "Oh, I'm in," he said immediately, walking over and raising his fist. That alone made the others groan.
"Alright, fine," Yuragi muttered, joining in. Taiga followed, then bzm, and finally Ammar, muttering something under his breath about "cringe rituals."
"This," I said, holding my fist in the middle, "is the first and only fist bump this band will ever have. Yes, it's cringe, but that's okay."
Our knuckles met in the center—five fists, one sound. It wasn't grand or cinematic, just... real.
And for a moment, it felt like every late night, every argument, every spark that made OG OG was condensed into that small, ridiculous gesture.
Then the lights dimmed.
The faint voice of SirActionSlacks bellowed through the arena's speakers, his tone booming with that chaotic charm only he could pull off.
"What would a Future World Fes be without the underdogs ready to claim it all? This band has done so many times! That legacy lives on now! Can anyone stop them? We're about to find out! BRING ME OUT... OG!!!"
The crowd erupted. You could feel it through the floor, through your chest—an earthquake made of human noise.
We stepped into the light.
The arena was blinding at first. Tens of thousands of people—lights flashing, banners waving, chants echoing our name in waves. I raised a hand and waved, the response coming like a storm.
Behind me, the boys moved to their stations. The crew had done a quick job with setup, though I noticed immediately—the spacing of our instruments was off. Too far apart. Not ideal, but we'd dealt with worse. Improvisation was part of our DNA.
I walked to my keyboard, hands brushing over the keys, the cool surface grounding me. Out of habit, I scanned the crowd once more. Then I saw them.
In the VIP box above the stage, my grandfather sat with Mafuyu beside him. She waved shyly when she saw me. He just nodded, proud and calm. The kind of look that said, you already did enough, no matter what happens next.
That was all the reassurance I needed.
I waved back and mouthed something only they could catch—"Watch this."
Then I turned to my mic. The crowd quieted, anticipation thick in the air. I looked down the line of my bandmates, all ready, all steady.
The lights dimmed once more, and the arena fell silent except for the hum of amps and the quiet rhythm of a heartbeat—ours, theirs, everyone's.
This was it.
The end of one road.
The beginning of another.
And as the first note echoed out, sharp and clean, I felt the weight lift off completely. The world narrowed down to sound, motion, and the promise of something unforgettable.
Showtime.
Hovet Arena – VIP Area
3rd POV
The roar of the arena trembled through the glass of the VIP balcony. Lights danced across the massive crowd as chants of "OG! OG! OG!" rippled through the air like waves crashing against a shore. Inside the suite, Kyoya sat in his usual composed manner, hands clasped on his cane, while the rest of the band girls leaned over the railing, eyes locked on the stage below.
Mafuyu sat beside her grandfather, a bit withdrawn from the noise. Even with the soundproofing, the energy of the crowd still pulsed through the walls like a living heartbeat.
Sayo was the first to notice something unusual. "Why is there an empty guitar stand beside Riku-san?"
Lisa tilted her head, scanning the stage setup. "Now that you mention it, yeah... that's odd. He's got his triple keyboard setup like always, but there's definitely an unused stand."
Yuyuko, ever calm, crossed her arms with a faint smile. "According to Youmu, Riku-kun personally requested that stand from the staff last night. Much to her surprise, they approved it. What he's planning with it... well, we'll find out soon enough."
Masuki leaned forward on the railing, her voice filled with amusement. "PAREO, he's using three keyboards like you do."
Reona brushed her pink hair behind her ear, smiling shyly. "I mean, I learned how to handle three keyboards because of Riku-sama."
Rokka turned to her, wide-eyed. "So... you're basically his disciple?"
Reona chuckled. "You could say that. Riku-sama taught me how to coordinate three layers if I wanted to keep up with Chu²-sama's compositions. It took me around five months to get used to the switching and balance. I managed it in the end—but I'm still learning. There's a long way to go."
Their conversation drifted between admiration and curiosity, but Mafuyu wasn't focused on any of it. She had her hands gently covering her ears, eyes darting to the stage lights below.
Kyoya noticed. "Are you alright, Mafuyu?"
She nodded quickly, lowering her hands a little. "I'm okay, grandfather. I just need to get used to how loud it is... I didn't expect nii-san to have this much of a following."
Kyoya chuckled quietly. "What else could you expect? Riku has always drawn people in. He's the fan favorite in this entire tournament. The crowd adores him—both as a performer and as a person."
He leaned closer, his voice softening. "But if it gets too much, just tell me. We can step out for a bit."
"I'll be fine," Mafuyu said, smiling faintly.
Kyoya nodded, though his attention was pulled away when his phone began to vibrate. He glanced at the screen—Message from Yukari. His expression shifted to something faintly concerned as he opened it.
Yukari: The Four Fangs have gathered. I'll keep an eye on them from the other side. Something vile is stirring in this area. If I'm right, I may need to act. Tell no one.
Kyoya's grip on his cane tightened for a moment.
(So it begins...) he thought silently. Yukari, whatever you're planning... just make sure you come back alive.
The sounds of the cheering crowd filled the silence that followed, drowning out the unease curling in his chest.
Meanwhile in Japan
Hinanawi Mansion – Aichi's Room
11:00 P.M.
Thousands of kilometers away, the world's noise faded into the soft hum of a projector screen inside a dimly lit room. Aichi sat cross-legged on the couch, eyes fixed on the stream of the Future World Fes Grand Finals. The flicker of stage lights reflected on his glasses.
He wasn't watching alone.
Kaguya sat beside him, posture regal as always, though her expression betrayed a faint curiosity. She hadn't left Eientei in years—yet somehow, tonight, she'd made the trip to the Hinanawi mansion. She had said she wanted to "see for herself" the human everyone seemed to talk about lately.
Though, truthfully, Aichi suspected it had more to do with Kaguya not wanting to admit she was interested in Riku's music.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "So it's finally Riku's turn..." she murmured. "But what's with the empty guitar stand beside him?"
Aichi shook his head, resting his chin on his hand. "No idea. Maybe some kind of stage strategy? Or a surprise guest? With Riku, you never really know."
Kaguya sighed, turning toward the kitchen. "Speaking of surprises—where's Mokou? Didn't she say she was just making something quick?"
Almost on cue, the door opened, and Mokou entered—hair slightly messy, sleeves rolled up, pushing a small trolley stacked with dishes. The aroma of warm food instantly filled the room.
"Alright," she said with a grin, "I'm back. Did I make it before it started?"
Aichi smiled. "Perfect timing. And this looks amazing."
Mokou smirked. "Your old man gave me some of the ingredients from his stash. You've got good stock in that kitchen, kid."
Kaguya crossed her arms, feigning indifference. "I still find it amusing that you can cook."
Mokou raised an eyebrow. "Keep talking, princess. Let's see if I save you any of this curry."
Kaguya huffed but didn't reply.
Aichi chuckled as he took a small plate from the trolley. "Thanks, Mokou. This will definitely keep us awake through the night."
The three of them settled in, their small rivalry fading into the comfort of shared silence as the show began.