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coldnstinkyjinky · 5 months ago

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My headcanon for my Yansim AU: Osano Najimi plays the electric guitar & used to play in the Light Music Club until he got kicked out: I never got to add it into the book so here's the story and the song:

(I edited BimyH's Guitar Solo into TV Girl's full song, please go and support TV Girl and BimyH on Youtube)

The stage lights cast a warm glow over Saikou's Preparatory Institute auditorium, illuminating Osano as he stood confidently in the spotlight. The anticipation in the air was almost tangible as students began to gather, their chatter and excitement filling the space.

Osano’s gaze scanned the crowd, his eyes catching on familiar faces. His best friend, Rai was near the front, his usual grin on full display as he cheered Osano on with palpable enthusiasm. Next to him stood his childhood friend, Ayano, her expression inscrutable. She was calm and composed, her eyes locked onto Osano with a steady, unwavering support that contrasted sharply with Rai's exuberant energy.

As the members of the light music club busied themselves with last-minute preparations, Miyuji, the club leader, approached Osano. Her face was a mix of authority and excitement. “Alright, everyone, get into position. Remember, this is our debut performance, so let’s make it count,” she said, her voice carrying the weight of the months of hard work they’d put in. “And Najimi, don’t go messing this up. We’ve worked too hard for you to ruin it.”

Osano shot Miyuji a look, one part annoyance, one part amusement. He rolled his eyes, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Yeah, yeah. I’ve got it covered,” he muttered under his breath, though the playful edge in his tone belied his irritation.

As the final adjustments were made, Osano’s fingers twitched on the guitar’s neck, a silent promise to himself and to Ayano. This performance was more than just a showcase; it was a chance to show her, and everyone, that he was more than the reckless, hot-headed image he often projected. The dimming of the house lights signaled the beginning, and with one last glance at Ayano, he steeled himself.

Tonight, he was determined to give it everything he had. The house lights dimmed to a deep, velvet darkness, leaving only the stage illuminated.

The room fell into an expectant hush as the house lights dimmed further, leaving only the stage illuminated in a warm, golden glow. Miyuji, standing at the edge of the stage with a confident smile, raised her microphone to her lips.

“Good evening, Saikou’s Prep!” she called out, her voice carrying effortlessly over the crowd’s excited murmurs. “Are you ready?”

A roar of cheers and applause erupted from the audience, a wave of energy crashing over the stage. Miyuji's eyes sparkled with satisfaction as she gestured grandly toward the crowd, her enthusiasm infectious. The audience's energy swelled, a living, breathing entity of excitement and anticipation.

Osano took a deep breath, letting the sound of the crowd fuel his focus. He adjusted his grip on the guitar, his heart pounding in sync with the rhythmic thrum of the audience’s anticipation. He stole a quick glance at Ayano. Her eyes were fixed on him, a faint smile playing at her lips that was both serene and encouraging. It was a look that told him she believed in him, even if she didn’t say a word.

The tension on stage was electric, palpable in the way his fingers trembled slightly as they hovered above the strings. He locked eyes with his bandmates, each of them ready and poised. Miyuji's commanding presence was the only thing left between them and the start of their debut performance.

Miyuji nodded once, a signal that the moment was upon them. “Let’s show them what we’ve got!” As the first notes of the song burst forth from Osano’s guitar, the sound sliced through the air, sharp and powerful.

“Are you sick of me?” Miyuji sang, her tone both questioning and pleading. “Would you like to be? I’m trying to tell you something,"

"Something that I've already said.” Osano sang softly, though inaudibly as his eyes locked onto Ayano as he began to play his part. The strings of his guitar vibrated under his fingers, each note deliberate and rich. The melody flowed effortlessly, almost as if it was crafted for this very moment. His focus was singular, intensely drawn to Ayano’s unmoving figure.

Miyuji commanded the stage with an effortless grace, her voice cutting through the throng of students who had gathered. She sang with a captivating mix of seduction and melancholy.

Ayano’s eyes remained locked on Osano, her expression a mixture of admiration and something more complex. She watched him with a rapt attention, noting the way he seemed to lose himself in the music. Every so often, his gaze would flicker toward her, a brief moment of connection that sent a jolt through her heart.

"You like the pretty boy, with the pretty voice," She pointed playfully at various members of the audience, her gestures drawing them in, making each listener feel like a part of the performance.

Osano’s focus was sharp, his fingers deftly navigating the guitar’s strings, his movements synchronized with the rhythm of the song. He stole glances at Ayano, his eyes conveying an intensity that the loud music couldn’t drown out.

"Who's trying to sell you something," As Miyuji sang, her voice flowed through the microphone with a rhythmic seduction that captivated the crowd. Her lyrics echoed in the packed auditorium "Something that you already have."

Rai was in his element, singing along with the crowd, his voice rising above the noise with infectious enthusiasm. He was a whirlwind of energy, his presence a stark contrast to the more subdued connection between Osano and Ayano. The crowd around him bounced and swayed, caught up in the infectious rhythm of the performance.

"But if you're too drunk to drive, and the music is right," Miyuji's voice soared above the music, her tone both haunting and captivating as she sang the next lines, drawing the crowd deeper into the emotional landscape of the song. "She might let you stay, but just for the night."

Ayano watched Osano intently, her expression softening with each glance he cast her way. She could feel the intensity of his feelings in every chord, every look, and it stirred something deep within her. The music, the lyrics, and Osano's silent serenade created a potent mix that made her heart race.

"And if she grabs for your hand, and drags you along," The crowd sang along, their voices blending with Miyuji's, creating a chorus of shared emotion. She stepped closer to the edge of the stage, reaching out to the students who reached back, their hands upraised in eager response. "She might wanna kiss, before the end of the song."

"Because love can burn like a cigarette, and leave you alone with nothing," Rai, caught up in the excitement of the moment, sang along with the crowd, his voice blending seamlessly with the others. "And leave you alone with nothing." Rai was a stark contrast to Ayano, his exuberance and energy adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

The crowd was caught in the reverie of the music, swaying gently as Miyuji's voice painted vivid images of private moments and secret emotions. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, the lyrics evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing.

"While the others talk, we were listening to lovers rock" As Miyuji transitioned into the next verse, her voice carrying the lyrics with an almost intimate quality, Osano's fingers glided effortlessly over the guitar strings. "In her bedroom, in her bedroom." The music shifted seamlessly, the melody flowing with a natural grace that matched the mood of the song.

Osano's guitar playing was both steady and fluid, his movements so practiced that they seemed almost effortless. Each strum and chord added depth to the performance, underscoring the mood of the song. His focus remained on Ayano, his eyes occasionally meeting hers in brief but intense exchanges. The music was his medium of communication, each note a part of the message he was sending her.

"And if you start to kiss, and the record skips," Miyuji's voice picked up the next verse, her tone softening as she sang, creating an intimate atmosphere that enveloped the crowd. "Flip it over, and sit a little closer."

The crowd's energy ebbed slightly, their attention drawn deeper into the personal story woven by the lyrics. Miyuji's performance was mesmerizing, her ability to draw the audience into the song's narrative unparalleled. She moved with grace, her voice a thread that tied everyone together in the shared experience of the music.

"But if you're too drunk to drive, and the music is right," Miyuji’s voice soared once more into the chorus, the crowd's energy surged with renewed fervor, their collective voices blending harmoniously with the music. "She might let you stay, but just for the night,"

The chorus was a magnetic force, pulling everyone into its rhythmic embrace. "And if she grabs for your hand, and drags you along," Miyuji’s presence on stage was commanding, her movements fluid and expressive as she engaged with the audience. "She might want a kiss before the end of this song." She raised her arms, drawing the crowd into the song’s embrace, her voice a beacon of connection amidst the sea of faces.

Rai, caught up in the infectious energy of the moment, sang loudly along with the crowd. His enthusiasm was a stark contrast to the quiet intensity of Osano and Ayano’s exchange, but it added a vibrant layer to the scene. Rai’s exuberance highlighted the contrast between the public spectacle and the private, unspoken dialogue unfolding between Osano and Ayano

Miyuji's voice rang out clear and resonant as she transitioned into the next verse, drawing the crowd deeper into the emotional core of the song. "Because love can burn like a cigarette," The crowd sang along, their collective voices creating a powerful chorus that echoed through the space. "And leave you alone with nothing," Miyuji's performance was electric, her presence commanding as she led the audience through the poignant lyrics. "And leave you alone with nothing,"

Miyuji paused as a performance between two members of the band unfolded on stage, their dialogue creating a moment of theatrical interlude

"Now, how many men have you kissed?" a voice asked, tinged with curiosity.

"Very few," came the quiet, almost shy response.

"But you offered me a kiss... why?"

"Such a foolish reason I'm afraid, I just... wanted to kiss you."

The crowd fell silent, hanging on to every word of the exchange. The intimacy of the moment was palpable, the vulnerability of the characters drawing everyone in. Osano watched in awe, the raw emotion of the scene resonating deeply within him. He glanced at Ayano, feeling a powerful urge to bridge the gap between them, to express the depth of his feelings for her.

As the scene played out, Osano felt a surge of emotion that he could no longer contain. His heart screamed at him to just tell her, to let her know how much he loved her. The intensity of the moment drove him to action.

Before Miyuji could sing the final parts of the song, Osano's fingers moved almost instinctively, launching into a guitar solo. The sudden shift in the music caught the audience by surprise, but the crowd quickly fell under the spell of Osano's passionate playing. Each note was a declaration, a heartfelt confession expressed through the language of his music.

The solo was raw and emotional, each strum of the guitar conveying the depth of Osano's feelings. His eyes remained fixed on Ayano, his gaze burning with the intensity of his love. The music flowed from his heart, bypassing words to communicate directly with her soul.

Ayano's breath caught as she watched Osano. The powerful emotions in his playing resonated deeply within her, the unspoken words filling the space between them. She could feel the strength of his love, the urgency of his confession, and it left her breathless.

Miyuji, noticing the deviation from their planned performance, stepped back and shot a frustrated look at Osano. She quickly turned to Beshi, one of their band members, her voice sharp with irritation. “What is he doing? He’s ruining our performance!”

Beshi, thinking quickly, leaned in and whispered, “Just go with it."

Miyuji hesitated for a moment, then nodded, regaining her composure. She turned back to the mic, her voice melding with the raw intensity of Osano’s guitar solo as she picked up the final lines of the song. "Do-do, do-do-do-do-do,"

Her voice was a perfect complement to Osano's passionate playing, the two sounds weaving together into a powerful crescendo. "Because love can burn like a cigarette," "And leave you alone with nothing," "And leave you alone with nothing." The crowd, initially caught off guard by the solo, was now fully immersed in the performance, their attention fixed on the stage.

Osano’s eyes never left Ayano, each note he played resonating with the depth of his feelings. As Miyuji’s voice blended with his guitar, the music created a bridge between them, a conduit for the emotions that words alone could not express.

The crowd was spellbound, their attention wholly focused on the stage. Rai, caught up in the powerful performance, cheered loudly, his voice blending with the enthusiastic responses of the other students. The unexpected turn of events had only heightened their appreciation, the energy in the room reaching a fever pitch.

As Miyuji and Osano brought the song to its conclusion, the final notes hung in the air, a testament to the raw emotion and unspoken confessions that had fueled the performance. The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers a mix of admiration and awe for the powerful display of talent and emotion.

The host, a charismatic figure with a wide smile, stepped onto the stage, holding a microphone. He waited for the applause to die down slightly before speaking. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice booming with excitement, "let's give another huge round of applause for the incredible talent you've just witnessed-- Strawberry Thieves!"

The crowd's applause intensified, filling the room with an electric energy. Miyuji, Beshi, and the rest of the band stepped forward, taking a bow. Osano, still reeling from the intensity of his performance, glanced at Ayano one last time before joining his bandmates at the front of the stage.

Ayano, her heart pounding in her chest, clapped along with the crowd. Her gaze remained fixed on Osano, the raw emotion of his guitar solo still echoing in her mind. Rai, beside her, whooped and hollered, his enthusiasm adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Backstage, the celebratory mood was quickly overshadowed by tension. Miyuji stormed through the narrow corridor, her frustration palpable. She found Osano leaning against a wall, still catching his breath from the performance. Her eyes blazed with anger as she shoved him roughly.

"Do you have any idea what the fuck you just did, Najimi?" Miyuji snapped, her voice harsh and edged with irritation. "You just had to steal the spotlight, didn't you? All because you were goo-goo eyes over that girl who doesn't even like you back."

Osano stumbled slightly from the shove, his eyes narrowing in anger. "Are you fucking kidding me? I poured my heart into that solo-- It wasn’t about stealing the spotlight—it was about expressing something real!"

Beshi, witnessing the escalating conflict, stepped between them, his face a mixture of concern and frustration. "Hey, cool it, Miyuji. He made the song better. People loved it. Just let it go."

Miyuji, her face flushed with anger, glared at Osano. "Better? You think so? He made it all about him. It was supposed to be a band performance, not his personal love letter to some girl who doesn’t even care."

Osano's anger flared. He took a step toward Miyuji, his voice low and dangerous. "You have no idea what the fuck you're talking about. Maybe if you weren't so caught up in your own shit, you’d see that I was just trying to make something meaningful."

Beshi quickly intervened, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. "Alright, that's enough. This isn’t going to solve anything. Miyuji, you need to calm down."

Miyuji pushed Beshi’s hand away, her voice rising in frustration. "No, if Najimi's just going to do his own bullshit and ignore the rest of the band, then he can get the fuck out. I’m not putting up with this crap."

Osano's fists clenched at his sides. "Fine, if you can’t handle someone actually trying to put their heart into something, then maybe I don't want to be here anyway."

The backstage area grew tense, the noise from the crowd outside dimming in contrast to the fiery confrontation within. Miyuji's face was a storm of anger, her punk rock persona on full display, while Osano’s frustration matched hers.

Beshi, caught in the middle, tried to defuse the situation. "Come on, guys, we’re a band. We need to stick together. Let’s sort this out later. Right now, let’s just focus on cooling down."

Miyuji shot one last scathing look at Osano before turning on her heel, her anger simmering. "Do whatever the hell you want, Najimi. Just get the fuck out of my band and never return to my damn club."

Osano stood there for a moment, his breath coming in heavy gasps, his mind racing. The intensity of the confrontation left him feeling conflicted. The performance had been a breakthrough for him, but it had also ignited tensions that were now threatening to tear the band apart. He clenched his fists, his knuckles white with the effort to contain his anger.

Beshi's hand on his shoulder was a small comfort, but it wasn't enough to calm the storm raging inside him. He looked around the room, the faces of his bandmates a mix of concern and uncertainty. His eyes landed on his guitar, the instrument that had allowed him to pour out his heart on stage. It was more than just an object; it was his voice, his soul.

"Fuck this," he muttered under his breath. The words were barely audible, but they carried the weight of his frustration and hurt.

He strode over to where his guitar was resting, his movements tense and deliberate. He grabbed it, slinging the strap over his shoulder with a sense of finality. The familiar weight of the instrument was a small comfort, grounding him in the midst of the chaos.

Turning back to face his bandmates, he locked eyes with Beshi for a moment. There was a silent understanding there, a recognition of the bond they shared despite the turmoil.

"Fuck you," Osano said, his voice low and venomous. The words were directed at Miyuji, but they carried a broader meaning, encapsulating all the frustration and resentment that had built up over time.

Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and walked out, the echo of his words hanging in the air. The backstage area felt stifling, the tension almost palpable as he pushed through the door and out into the cool night air.

As he stepped outside, Osano felt a strange mix of relief and loneliness. The night air was cool against his skin, a stark contrast to the heated confrontation he had just left behind. He walked a few steps away from the building, his thoughts a tangled mess of frustration and sadness. He had always felt alone, even within the band that was supposed to be his family. No matter how much he poured into his music, it never seemed to be enough to bridge the gaps between him and the others.

But then, in the dim light of the streetlamp, he saw two familiar figures waiting for him. Rai was animated, still riding the high from the performance, his excitement palpable. Ayano stood beside him, her expression softer, more concerned. The sight of her made Osano’s heart ache in a way that was both comforting and painful.

"Osano!" Rai called out, his voice full of enthusiasm. "That was amazing, man! You totally killed it out there!"

Osano managed a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. As he approached them, Ayano's gaze locked onto his, and she immediately noticed the sadness lurking behind his bravado.

"What happened?" Rai asked, his excitement dimming slightly as he sensed the tension.

Osano hesitated, the weight of the night's events pressing down on him. “I’m quitting,” he said finally, his voice flat. He couldn’t bring himself to tell them that Miyuji had kicked him out. Admitting that felt like another blow to his already bruised pride.

Rai’s face fell, his excitement dimming. “Quitting? Why? You were amazing out there!”

Osano shrugged, trying to keep his emotions in check. “It’s just… not working out. Too much drama.”

Rai looked disappointed, but it was Ayano who seemed to understand there was more to the story. She didn’t press him, though. Instead, she stepped closer, her eyes searching his.

“You okay?” she asked softly, her voice barely audible over the distant sounds of the concert.

Osano met her gaze, the sadness and frustration in his eyes speaking volumes. He nodded, though it felt like a lie. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he replied, forcing a smile.

Ayano didn’t believe him, but she respected his need to keep things to himself. She simply nodded, accepting his answer for now.

Rai, still trying to wrap his head around the sudden change, sighed. “Man, that sucks. But if it’s what you need to do, I get it. We’re here for you, dude.”

Osano felt a small measure of comfort in Rai’s words. Despite everything, he knew he wasn’t completely alone. He glanced at Ayano, her presence a silent reassurance. The night felt less cold with them there, and for a moment, the weight on his shoulders lightened.

“Thanks,” he said quietly, appreciating their support more than he could express.

As they started to walk home. Rai continued talking animatedly about the concert. He walked ahead of them, his excitement palpable as he relived every moment of the performance.

“Did you see how the crowd went wild during the solo? Man, that was something else!” Rai exclaimed, his voice carrying through the night.

Ayano and Osano walked close together, their footsteps synchronized. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with unspoken understanding. Osano could feel Ayano's presence beside him, a steadying force amid the turmoil of his thoughts.

As they passed by Akatsuka Park, the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze and the distant hum of the city created a serene backdrop. The park's lamps cast a gentle glow, illuminating their path with a warm, golden light.

Rai finally paused at the park's entrance, turning to face them. “Alright, I’m heading this way. Goodnight, you two,” he said with a grin, his energy finally starting to wane.

“Goodnight, Rai,” Ayano replied softly, her eyes following him as he disappeared down a side street.

With Rai gone, the silence deepened, leaving Ayano and Osano alone. They resumed walking, their footsteps echoing softly in the night. The path to Akatsuka Station was quiet, the streetlights casting long shadows that danced with their movements.

As they walked, Ayano couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. She glanced at Osano, his face partially obscured by the dim light, but the sadness in his eyes was unmistakable.

“Osano,” she began softly, her voice breaking the silence. “Tell me the truth. What really happened back there?”

Osano kept his gaze forward, his jaw set. “I already told you the truth,” he replied, his voice flat.

Ayano wasn’t convinced. She knew Osano well enough to sense when he was holding something back. “I know something is off,” she pressed gently. “Please, just tell me.”

Osano’s steps faltered slightly, but he kept walking. “Ayano, I’m fine. I just… needed to leave, that’s all.”

She wasn’t going to let it go that easily. “Osano, please. I can tell you’re upset. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

He sighed, his shoulders sagging with the weight of her words. They walked a few more steps in silence before he finally stopped, turning to face her. His eyes met hers, and she saw the turmoil within them.

“Shibakoya-senpai kicked me out,” he admitted, the words heavy with resignation. “She said I ruined the performance, that I was just doing it for myself,"

Ayano’s heart ached at his confession. She stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. “I’m so sorry, Osano. That’s not true. You didn’t ruin anything. The solo was incredible, and you were amazing out there.”

Osano looked away, his expression conflicted. “It doesn’t matter now. I’m out of the band.”

“It does matter,” Ayano insisted, her voice firm. “You have so much talent, Osano. Don’t let her words get to you."

Osano shook his head, frustration evident in his expression. “It’s hopeless, Ayano. My parents… they’ve always hated that I love playing the guitar. They think it’s a waste of time, that I should focus on something more ‘respectable.’ And now, here I am, in a band that’s supposed to be about music, and even there, it feels like people hate me for it. No matter what I do, it’s never enough.”

Before Ayano could respond, Osano reached into his bag and pulled out his guitar. He handed it to her with a sudden, almost desperate gesture. “Here,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “You keep it.”

Without waiting for her reaction, he turned and began to walk ahead, his steps heavy with the weight of his words. The guitar hung awkwardly in Ayano’s arms, a tangible representation of his turmoil and his trust in her.

Ayano stood frozen for a moment, the guitar feeling like a lifeline to the fragile connection they shared. Then, determined not to let him walk away, she hurried after him. Reaching out, she grasped his arm, her touch both firm and gentle.

“Osano,” she said softly, her voice trembling slightly with the depth of her feelings.

He stopped, his shoulders stiffening, but he didn’t turn around. For a few moments, they stood there in silence, the weight of his despair hanging heavily between them.

Ayano stayed by his side, her hand still on his arm. She didn’t need to say anything; the gesture was enough to convey her support and understanding. Together, they walked in silence, the night around them filled with the soft sounds of their footsteps.

As they approached Akatsuka Station, the lights from the station illuminated their faces, casting a gentle glow over them. The night air was cool and quiet, a stark contrast to the turmoil they had faced earlier.

They continued walking, side by side, the silence between them a testament to their unspoken bond. The path ahead was uncertain, but with Ayano’s presence beside him, Osano felt a sense of reassurance, a small but significant promise that he wasn’t entirely alone.

_____

Osano has another guitar solo that isn't in the book, so lemme know if ya'll want that hihi

#yandere simulator #ayano aishi #osano najimi #yandere simulator au #genderbend #light music club #miyuji shan #beshi takamine #yan sim #male rivals #lovers rock #guitar solo

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yansimstorythatiwillnotworkon · 4 months ago

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#12 (1)

Tuesday

Part of Ayano wanted to test if Info-Chan was still open to favors, so she decided to do so under the guise of doing a task.

Yan-Chan: Can you find out why Lori is so adamant on beating up Frankie?

Info-Chan: Wellll…

Info-Chan: I could, but I’d still need payment.

Yan-Chan: In what form?

Info-Chan: I need Raibaru’s phone.

Info-Chan: Can you do it?

Yan-Chan: I’ll figure something out.

Ayano turns off her phone, but her gaze lingers on her reflection of the blank screen. That worked, it seemed. Info-Chan wasn’t willing to cut ties with Ayano, or at least not yet. That was good.

At the moment, she was in the locker rooms. Not under any sort of scheme, but to look at the bruise that Lori had left on her stomach. Or more precisely the upper abdomen. The gross mark Lori’s ‘shove’ had left on her body is what reminded Ayano about the Frankie situation in the first place.

A loud clear of the throat alerted Ayano that someone else was coming into the locker room. Tokuko walks in with her hand on her throat and her phone in her other hand. She nods and gives a dry ‘hey’ as she walks in and behind Ayano to reach her locker. She grabs some sort of bag and walks back over to Ayano with it in hand.

As she looks through it, her gaze wanders to the mirror, and Ayano’s clear bruise catches her attention. “Damn, girl–” Tokuko coughs into her arm and clears her throat before speaking again, “--what happened?” She asks, motioning to the bruise with her elbow.

“Uh, I just bumped into something.” Ayano shrugged, rubbing the spot where the bruise was left. It was worse during the past weekend, so she was glad that it’d dulled down a bit. “I got it a couple days ago. It’s gotten better, so there’s nothing to be concerned about.”

Tokuko lifted an eyebrow her way. “I think it’s concerning that it was worse than that. It looks as big as a baseball!” She claimed, although she was clearly being dramatic with that comparison.

Ayano shook her head dismissively, before deciding to get the conversation off of her injury. “What happened to you?” She asks. Tokuko had been clearing her throat even before the conversation, and despite her efforts, her voice hadn’t been as upbeat as she probably wanted it to be.

Tokuko huffs at her question, quickly popping some medicine into her mouth and using her hands to cup water from the sink and drink it quickly. “I honestly don’t know.” She says, clearing her throat a couple times as she puts her medicine away. “My throat’s been like this for the last two weeks, so I’ve been missing voice practice.”

After putting her medicine back in her locker, she comments. “Well, actually, it could be because my mother’s such a heavy smoker.” She sighs, shaking her head. “She says she can’t stop because it’s the best way to ‘relieve stress’ and… whatever.” She mumbles, pulling out her phone. She coughs into her arm and waves briefly to Ayano.

“I’m gonna go ask the nurse if she knows anything- ahem. Hope your bruise gets better, Aya.” Tokuko says half-heartedly, coughing a bit on her way out.

“Thanks..” Ayano watches as Tokuko leaves before buttoning her shirt back up. It was a bit hot today, so she decided against the jacket this time.

Now that Ayano had properly sticken a deal with Info-Chan and had checked on her injury again, she needed to find Raibaru. Considering how Raibaru was, she was likely just being a third party to Osana and Kyuji.

Unlike Ayano had thought, Raibaru was actually wandering around the halls on her own. She stayed around the club rooms, looking each of them down and chatting with the members if they happened to be nearby. When Ayano finally caught up to Raibaru, she was standing in front of the Martial Arts club.

Seeing Ayano approach, Raibaru smiled. “Hey, there, Ayano. How’s your day going?” She asks, smiling sweetly at the taller girl.

“About the same as every day, I suppose.” Ayano replies casually, placing a hand on her hip. “I was wondering where you were, actually. I didn’t see you with Osana and I was wondering what you were doing if not hanging around her.”

Raibaru chuckles lightly. “Well, I can’t spend all my time around her anymore.” She folds her arms with a light hum in thought. “You know, now that Osana has a… well, now that she’s taken interest in someone, I can’t really hog up all her space. I’d just be a bad third wheel at that point.” She rationalizes, mainly to herself.

Holding a hand up to the club room in front of her, Raibaru continues. “I figured that since Osana’s busier now, I should find something to do in my spare time. I’m sort of debating on joining a club, but…” Raibaru sighs. “I’m not sure… even if Osana’s busy now, I still feel kinda paranoid about not being around her.”

“Really?” Ayano tilts her head to the side. “Are you worried that Kyuji might do something? He seems like a good guy.” She comments, holding a hand up to her chin in thought.

Raibaru immediately puts her hands in front of her with a nervous expression. “Not at all! Sorry, I’m just a bit paranoid from an incident in middle school.” She shakes her head with a wry smile. “I don’t really want to go into detail but… that incident has carried up until now, unfortunately. I’m certain that I just need a way to distract myself, though.”

Ayano nods at Raibaru’s brief explanation. “I understand. I could help you out in some way if you want.” She offers. “We can talk about your likes and dislikes and rationalize which club might fit you, maybe.”

“Aw, would you really do that, Ayano?” Raibaru beams, folding her hands together with a grateful bow of the head. “That’s so sweet of you. I’d really appreciate it!” She says.

For what seemed like the hundredth time, Ayano was once again repeating the same club-visiting pattern. Starting with the cooking club, which could pass as being closed had Kenko not been seen inside. Ayano peeks in and knocks on the door of the dim club room.

Kenko lifts his head from the cabinets and stands up with a smile. “Hey, Ayano. Raibaru.” He nods to each of them, “I didn’t expect anyone to visit today. What can I do for you two?”

“I’m showing Raibaru around each club room.” Ayano explains, nodding to the shorter girl. Raibaru smiles and gives a small wave. “She’s thinking of joining a club but she’s still unsure about it at the moment.”

Kenko gives a brief smile and nods in an understanding manner. “I see. Have you ever baked or cooked anything before, Raibaru?” He starts off, placing the bowl in his hands on the counter. He closes the cabinet door and turns to fetch something from beneath the counter.

“Uh, no, not really..” Raibaru responds, raising a hand to her chin with a shy smile. “A lot of the meals I eat are cold and cut rather than cooked- like a salad. My mother usually makes hot meals for me. In fact, all I did was cut food for Ajia last week as well.”

“I see. Well, we’ll definitely..” Kenko pauses in thought. “...our function as the Cooking Club is to teach you how to cook and bake whatever is possible with the ingredients we have. At the end of the day it can just be a hobby, practice for a proper culinary school, or a job you have in mind.”

Crossing his arms, Kenko gives a small, sad smile. “I admit, as lovely as it would be to have you, our club’s, er…. state.. is a bit rocky at the moment. Realistically speaking, even if you were interested, we’d have to hold off on letting you join until after Shoku gets back in contact with us.”

Raibaru raises her hand up to her cheek with a frown. “Oh. Right, I understand.” She nods and allows a smile to spread across her face. “There’s always next time. I’ll check in some other time.” She responds kindly.

“Much appreciated.” Kenko smiles and nods at Raibaru, before turning his attention to Ayano. “And how are you doing this morning? I’m glad you’ve stopped by, regardless of the reason.”

Ayano was a bit surprised at the comment made her way. Really, she expected this process to be as quick as her first time doing this. It was probably best if she socialized, regardless of how she felt about it. “I’m alright. I don’t often have any plans so helping Raibaru is my number one priority at the moment. I hope to finish before class starts.”

“Ooh, how efficient!” The green-haired boy smiles. “I guess I shouldn’t hold you up, then.” He looks to Raibaru, “I hope you enjoy whatever club you join. I’ll see you two later.”

Bidding the cook farewell, Ayano and Raibaru head to the gymnasium. With the funeral items out of the way, it was likely that the club had moved back there.

“Sorry, Ayano. Tsuruzo and Kizana didn’t come today.” Riku smiles briefly at her and Raibaru. “Kokona is also at home right now, and Tokuko is in the nurse’s office. It’s just Shozo and I here at the moment.” He points to the stairs that lead to the balcony above the gymnasium. “We’re just working on technical things for now.”

Ayano lifts a hand to her chin in thought. “I see… Well, Raibaru is here to decide if she wants to join. We’re looking at each of the clubs to figure out which one fits her best.”

Shozo chuckles from his seat, a book of American culture on his lap and the script in his hand. “Definitely isn’t any good that neither our club leader or substitute leader are here right now.” He comments, holding his pen between his teeth in order to tear a page of the draft script. After crumpling up the page and tossing it in a nearby bin, he smiles at Raibaru briefly to be polite. “Not to downplay the situation of course. I’m sure that Riku can give you some information about us. Since I’m busy.”

Riku huffs lightly at Shozo’s emphasis on the word ‘busy’. He understood that that was Shozo saying that if Raibaru was going to hear anything, it was going to be from him. “Right..” He sighs and stands up with a smile. “...well, I’ll be happy to help.”

The shorter student leads Raibaru and Ayano out of the backstage area and to the main area. “Well, this is where we usually do short performances. Last year, the club’s most popular act was a comedy called “Good Script, Bad Actors”. It was very short compared to the original play due to the limited number of actors, of course, but we made it work.”

“Ah, I remember that one!” Raibaru recalls with a grin. “It was pretty funny, hehe.. How did your club manage to change your outfits so efficiently?” She asks, folding her hands together with a curious smile.

“We had some help from a few volunteers. Kashiko, Enpitsu… and a few others. They helped us keep the outfits ready and change up the hairstyles whenever it was needed.” Riku explains briefly. “While we all have our own talents within the club. Shozo with his accuracy research, Kokona with her passionate narrating… We all contribute by knowing how to act, but we contribute even more by having specific skills to help with the play in general!”

Riku holds his hand out to Raibaru with a smile. “Would you happen to have something like that? Or perhaps something you’re interested in learning like that?” He asks.

“Well…” Raibaru thinks for a moment, “...I’m not entirely sure what I could do that would be of any help.” She admits. “The only significant skill I have is martial arts. I guess I could make some pretty realistic fighting scenes if the play ever comes for that?” Despite Raibaru not having a particular interest in the Drama Club, she tried her best to be optimistic.

“That could be pretty helpful. But then that leaves acting skills.” Riku holds a hand to his chin with a kind smile. “It’s one thing to be experienced in martial arts, but it’s another thing to know how to execute the moves via how it’s required in the play. And of course there is the act of acting itself that requires experience.”

Raibaru gives a small smile. “Yeah, I understand that. I don’t think I’ve ever thought of myself as an actor, to be honest…” She mumbles, tapping her lip in thought.

“That’s alright. If you’re ever interested, we’ll be able to teach you the basics.” Riku offered, “And if things escalate from there, you could officially join us in plays!”

Bowing her head politely, Raibaru chirps, “Thank you! I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Are you ready to go?” Ayano asks, to which Raibaru nodded in response.

Riku waves the two girls off and returns to the backstage area. As they leave, Raibaru comments. “Riku and Kokona seem pretty sweet..” She starts, “...but I also know that they’re the nicest and least problematic of the whole club.”

Ayano nods. “Yes, generally speaking. Tsuruzo is very nice as well, albeit..”

“..Overzealous, hehe.” Raibaru finishes Ayano’s sentence. As Ayano nods again in agreement, Raibaru giggles. “I’d be more willing to join if I didn’t think that my inexperience would cause some riffraff in the club.”

“I understand.” Ayano replies. “A lot of people say that. I feel like the Drama Club will have to be its own little family for a while.”

Raibaru laughs again, clearly enjoying their mission as they head back to the school building.

“Ayano.” Daku briefly looked up from his book to look at her and Raibaru, but his attention immediately went back to his book, as if equally attempting to ignore their existence.

Ayano had approached Daku because he was the first person she saw. However, considering that his girlfriend was currently “missing”, it probably didn’t end up being the best idea. The look of Daku now that Saki was missing from his life was almost chilling. Ayano somewhat regretted approaching him.

“Ahem. Ayano?” Kokuma tapped on Ayano’s shoulders, stiffening up as the taller girl turned back to look at her. She paused for a second before waving a little, “..hi. Um, Daku’s sort of busy right now, and Oka should be walking around the school somewhere. I-If you need anything club related you could go find Oka or speak to me. An..And Shin isn’t here right now.” She adds the last bit awkwardly, but still smiles.

Raibaru speaks up with a sweet smile. “We’re touring each of the clubs to see if I’ll be interested at all in joining.” She explains, “I admit, the Occult Club was never on my list, though.”

Kokuma laughs a bit nervously and brushes her palms against her skirt. “Yeah..! Yeah, no, people usually say that. I’m surprised you came here at all, honestly, hehe… It’s really cool that you’re actually trying out all of your options, though! So, erm..” She blushes as she stutters a bit. She clearly wasn’t the best at conversation. “...wha… uh, what would you like to know?”

“Well…” Raibaru looks around the room, and Ayano does the same. She notices that Daku actually left, and was nowhere to be found in the room. Raibaru looks at the strange sigils all over the room. “..I, uh… know your cult- er- occult club… is known for doing rituals and stuff, but… what do you plan on doing after you summon a demon? Hypothetically speaking, that is.”

Laughing a bit nervously, Kokuma quietly explains. “Well- uh, there are several possible outcomes… a-according to our… our books, that is, hehe… And because there are tons of different demons, there are tons of different outcomes.. You know?”

“Right, so…” Raibaru lifts a hand to her mouth in thought, “...I’ve heard about a ‘flame demon’, I think. If you, erm… summoned it wrong, would it burn the whole school down, perchance?”

Kokuma pressed her lips together, clearly hesitant about answering her question. “...in theory… yes. I-It’s a possibility..”

Raibaru huffed out a laugh, crossing her arms and giving Kokuma a smile, as if waiting for her to defend her club.

“...um, but…” Kokuma inhales deeply and then sighs. “..okay, my club would hate to hear me say this, but the fact of the matter is that… while we all believe in the supernatural, we don’t believe in it enough to not try dangerous things.” She admits, looking around, as if expecting her club mates to be nearby to hear her. “...if you want, you can just imagine this as some ghost-hunting club. At this point, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind such a name.”

“Well, that does sound a little more fun.” Raibaru laughs lightly, smiling sweetly at Kokuma. “Although… I admit I’ve never been good with… horror. Ghost stories and whatnot.” She confesses, a light blush brushing her cheeks.

Kokuma smiles a bit at Raibaru’s confession. “Not many are, especially when scary things actually start happening. Which I’ve witnessed a lot since I joined this club…” She trails off a bit, before clearing her throat. “It’s alright if you don’t think that the Occult Club fits you. There are plenty more clubs out there.”

Raibaru nods in agreement, and Ayano speaks up this time. “Thank you for standing in for your club leaders, Kokuma.” She says, bowing her head respectfully.

Blushing bashfully, Kokuma quickly dips her head down as well. “O-Of course! I’m glad I could be of help…” She waves her hand with a happy expression. “..s…stop by again!”

Despite Ayano explaining her and Raibaru’s situation, Gema was clearly struggling to answer. Or perhaps struggling to notice them was more accurate, since he was still furiously pressing the buttons on the controller in his hand. It seemed like the whole club was pretty busy with whatever it was that had come up, since they were all playing the same game.

“Uuuugh!!” Pippi suddenly groans, flopping back in her chair. “I hate how he’s programmed to go after the healer! It’s so smart, though!!” She sighs, spinning around in her chair before noticing the two girls there. “Oh, hey, Ayano! And Raibaru! I didn’t expect to see you here.” Pippi smiles at the two, kicking her feet and hanging her head back to look at the two. “Sorry the ‘boss’ is busy right now. He’s in the middle of a super-important tournament right now, and he’s gotten pretty high up the ranks with our help!”

Before either of them could respond, Pippi waves her hand dismissively with a cute smile. “Not that you guys care about that, though. What brings you two here?” She asks, turning around to sit backwards on the chair. She folds her legs beneath her and leans her face on the head rest of the chair.

“Raibaru’s trying to find a club to possibly join.” Ayano explains, turning her head to the monitors, each of them flashing different colors. “Are there any aspects of the club that are more…”

Pippi smiles, “...less brain-rotting than sitting hunched back and being unable to respond to human life?” She asks, giggling at her own dramatic explanation of Gema’s current state. Part of Gema seemed to hear Pippi, though, as he straightened his posture immediately at her comment.

Ryuto exhales, looking defeated as he slumps into his chair. “If you’re looking for something that doesn’t include sitting down you could always try that DDR rip-off over there.” He points over to the dance machine on the opposite side of the room. “That’s definitely a workout.”

“Agreed.” Pippi giggles. “I think the best thing about video games is that there are so many of them!” She explains, “Even people who dislike games have a favorite. Like, sometimes they’ll say ‘I hate video games but this game is actually educational’ or ‘this game has great taste in music!’ you know?”

“I… think I understand.” Raibaru nods slowly. “Cooking-related or roleplay games sound nice. Realistic ones, of course, hehe… I think the only thing I dislike about video games is how unrealistic they are.”

Ryuto hums in thought before commenting. “Ironically, you’d probably hate fighting games, then.” He rationalizes. “Fighting games usually depend on unrealistic body types and fighting moves- especially adding magic and powers- in order to reel in their players. Since you used to do martial arts, I can see you wanting something that is related to what you trained.”

“Exactly! Good thinking.” Pippi compliments quickly, although based on Ryuto’s red face, he seems to dwell on the small compliment more than Pippi does. “Not everyone is really a gaming-club person. Especially since there aren’t any legitimate benefits.”

Raibaru nods as she thinks. “Right, right.. Well, I guess in that case I should look for something a bit more my speed, right?” She wonders aloud, to which Pippi nods to enthusiastically.

“Good luck with that. Have a nice–” Pippi’s attention is immediately snatched by a certain sound effect that seemed to signal that Gema had won. “-Holy crap, you did it alone?! Good job!!” She cheers.

As Gema begins explaining in detail his thought process and plan throughout the whole event, Raibaru and Ayano take that as their chance to leave.

Mina and Frankie were the two sparring today, and it seemed like Mina was winning this one- which wasn’t an inherent surprise. What was a surprise is that Raibaru was unaware that Frankie had recently joined the club.

“She joined just last week.” Budo said, his voice low since Ayano was right next to him. He looked to Raibaru, who seemed happy to see another member. “She’s making great progress, but… well, she’s lost a couple of nails.” He says, referring to the fake nails Frankie wore. “Still, she’s pretty adamant on keeping them on. Says she’ll have them on anyway if she has to defend herself, so she might as well get used to it, haha.”

Frankie usually adopted the almost infamous gyaru style. Hence why she was currently the most bedazzled Martial Arts member with blonde curly hair and all sorts of makeup still on her face. It’s worth noting that whenever she’s done training she has to reapply her makeup.

As Frankie and Mina finish up, the blonde exhales heavily and fans her face as Mina gives her a reassuring pat on the back. She spots Raibaru and walks over with a knowing, albeit tired, smile. “Hey, aren’t you the old club leader?”

“That’s right. It’s nice seeing that people are still joining the Martial Arts club!” Raibaru beams, folding her hands together happily.

As Raibaru and Frankie chat up a storm, Budo nudges Ayano softly. “You really seem pretty task-happy, huh?” He comments nodding to Raibaru. “Every time I see you you’re busy helping someone.”

“Hm, well..” Ayano folds her hands in front of her lap. “I don’t see a reason not to. She seemed to need help and I had the time on my hands.”

“It’s very admirable. I think you’ll be pretty well-liked in due time. Which would be a pretty big change from last year.” Budo says, crossing his arms and keeping his back straight, as per usual. It seemed like the polar opposite of Gema.

Ayano lifted an eyebrow, her arms also crossed. “Last year?”

“Yeah, last year. You were pretty quiet and didn’t talk to anyone, let alone actively do favors.” He explains.

Truthfully, Ayano didn’t realize that anyone noticed her last year. She always, always kept to herself because she didn’t see any value in socializing. She studied a lot, but even today has to look at Info-Chan’s information to decide which of her peers she’s speaking to sometimes.

“I’m.. surprised you noticed. Me, I mean.” Ayano mumbles, looking away. “I probably assumed that if I ignored everyone else I’d be ignored in return.”

Budo smiles, “Well, I like to think I noticed everyone so long as they weren’t skulking in the shadows or something. Heh. Even last year you were one of the more appropriate ones. Whenever someone invited you somewhere you refused, whenever someone suggested accessories or hairstyles you refused.” He shrugs. “If anything, I think you’re a pretty nostalgic image.”

“Nostalgic is… a way to put it.” Ayano tilts her head to the side with a questioning look. “Do you mean like I’m a typical sight to see?”

“Typical seems like a stiff way to put it. I mean since you’re nearly the same as you were last year, it feels normal to see you. Even if you didn’t start interacting with others. You’d be a nice normal somewhere in the background. You know?” Budo explains, although Ayano couldn’t say for sure that she understood entirely.

“I… suppose.” Ayano pauses for a minute. “Thanks.” She wondered if Taro saw her as that in some way, since she struggled so much to speak to him. Was her nervousness something he expected from her? Was that a good or bad thing?

“I sort of feel obligated to thank you for always being around, now, haha.” Budo chuckles, “But you’re welcome.”

Raibaru obviously didn’t want to return to the Martial Arts club, but she did enjoy catching up with them.

Kiba nods at Ayano as a greeting as the two enter the Light Music Club. “Hey, ladies! Miyuji didn’t come to school today if you’re looking for her.” She explains briefly, laxly tapping on the keys of her keytar to something that sounds like Der Flohwalzer.

“Yeah. Some club leader, am I right?” Gita jokes, to which Beshi immediately adds onto.

“For context, Gita constantly forgot that she was the club leader last year.” She reveals with a grin. “She was the latest to every one of our club activities.”

“Time is relative.” Gita says with a shrug, eliciting a giggle from Raibaru.

Ayano holds a hand up to Raibaru. “We’re looking around the clubs to see if Raibaru likes the look of any of them.” She explains briefly.

“Right.” Raibaru nods. “I know you all focus on rock, but would you happen to have any other kinds of instruments?” She asks, tapping her finger tips together with a smile.

Beshi points to a corner of the room, where a couple of forgotten instruments sat. “We have a couple of classical instruments if that’s more your taste. Piano, violin, simple stuff like that. Nothing too fancy.” She explains.

“If you’re into anything other than rock, we could probably set aside a bit of our budget to getting you what you want. It’ll just take a little longer than anything else since it’s not the number one priority.” Gita explains. “Despite the name this is a rock club for a rock band. So anything other than those necessities comes second.”

Raibaru hums in thought. “So, hypothetically, if I were to join the club would I automatically be part of the band and be required to play?”

“Nope. The band and club are two different things.” Kiba explains laxly, having to raise her usually low voice a bit to be heard from the other side of the club room. “In fact, if our club was big enough and we were split in half on the type of music we’d play, we could even have two separate bands in one club. That’d be cool.” She comments, returning to her keytar.

“Well, I am more interested in classical music…” Raibaru mumbles, holding a hand up to her mouth in thought. “...then again, I might be more interested in listening to it..” She wonders aloud.

Beshi smiles at her, “It’s good to know that difference. We’ve had a couple of members who joined for like a day when they realized that they’d actually have to play instruments.” She said with a light laugh.

“We probably just need to do little mini-interviews before we actually let them join.” Gita comments. “Instead of ‘you like music? Me too! You’re a part of the club now!’ You know?”

Raibaru nods in agreement. “That would probably help a lot, actually.” She bows her head a bit, “Thanks for your time!”

“Totes! Bubye!” Kiba waves as the two girls leave for the art club.

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