Chapter 21: The Melody of the Moonlit Night!
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The moment Kaoru and Takeshi stepped into the studio, they were greeted with a mixture of warm welcomes and cold glares.
"Big bro! You're finally back!" Kaede ran up, practically tackling Kaoru in a hug.
Kaoru ruffled her hair. "Missed me that much? Heh! I am the strongest after all."
Kaede rolled her eyes but smiled. "Whatever... Big bro."
Aya, ever composed, simply looked up from her notes. "You're late."
Kaoru smirked. "I was out spreading my legend."
Aya sighed. "More like wasting time."
Meanwhile. Emi stood by the couch, casually chewing gum while tapping her foot. Her gaze locked onto Takeshi.
"Where the hell have you been?"
Takeshi scratched the back of his head. "Uh… with Kaoru?"
Emi narrowed her eyes. "Hmph."
Kaoru chuckled. "Relax! Emi. Takeshi was out being a hero!"
She blew a bubble and popped it. "Right... Hero."
Naoki feeling out of place, shifted awkwardly. Kaoru noticed and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Welcome to the chaos.. Naoki. Get used to it."
Naoki nodded, still overwhelmed. This place was filled with energy like an entirely different world from what he was used to.
Kaoru slumped onto his chair, stretching. "Alright. time to get back to work. Gotta finish these romance chapters before my editor starts breathing down my neck."
Aya adjusted her glasses. "I am literally right here."
"Exactly."
Kaede snickered as Aya sighed in exhaustion.
Takeshi grabbed a drink from the fridge. "Y'know.. we should all do something fun. Something different."
Emi raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
Kaoru snapped his fingers. "Karaoke."
Aya froze.
Kaede's eyes sparkled. "Ooooh! That sounds fun!"
Takeshi grinned. "I'm down."
Naoki hesitated but nodded.
Emi shrugged. "Fine."
Aya, however, frowned. "I'm not singing."
Kaoru smirked. "Challenge accepted."
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Scene 1 Action!: The Karaoke Bar – An Unexpected Fan!?
The group entered a well-known karaoke bar in the city, but the moment they stepped inside-
"E-Erebus-sensei?!"
The owner. a man in his late thirties, practically teleported to Kaoru's side. His hands trembled as he adjusted his glasses. "It's really you! The genius behind Blades of Eternity and Shadow Empress Ragnarok!"
Kaoru smirked. "Ah! so my legend has reached even these hallowed grounds."
The owner nearly fainted. "P-Please, use our best VIP room! Free of charge! In fact-" He rushed to the back and returned with instruments. "Take these too! Perform something great!"
Aya sighed. "This is getting out of hand."
Kaoru winked. "Just getting started."
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Scene 2 Action!: The Performance Begins!
Inside the VIP room, the atmosphere shifted.
A grand piano gleamed under soft blue lights. The electric guitar rested against its stand, practically calling to Emi.
She smirked. "Guess I'll take this."
Kaede, her fingers already twitching with excitement. sat at the piano.
Takeshi leaned back with Naoki grabbing some drinks. "I'm just here for the show."
Kaoru grabbed the mic, his eyes sparkling with theatrical energy. "Aya. Let's do this!"
Aya hesitated. "I told you, I'm not-"
Then she saw Kaoru.
The way he confidently stood there, fully embracing his ridiculous chuunibyo persona without shame.
And despite herself…
She wanted to sing too.
"…Fine."
She grabbed the second mic.
Kaoru grinned. "Now… let the symphony of fate begin!"
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Scene 3 Action!: The "Lunar Requiem" song!
Beneath the sky where shadows fade..
A lonely heart begins to wade.
Throughout memories lost in silver streams,
A world that once was built in dreams.
The stars may shine.. yet cold they seem.
Echoing a distant dream.
Yet in your voice. I hear the light.
A melody that ends the night.
Let the echoes dance and rise..
Like flames beneath the midnight skies.
Even if fate would tear apart
This song will live within our hearts.
A fleeting wish, a silent prayer,
Carried by the autumn air,
No matter where the echoes fade,
I'll find you always.. past the stars we made.
Though time may pull.. though fate may stray.
I'll.. never let you drift away.
For even in the darkest deeps..
Your voice is mine to always keep.
Let the echoes dance and rise and
Like flames beneath the midnight skies,
Even if fate would tear apart.
This song will always live within our hearts.
As the last notes faded.. the room fell silent.
Kaede eyes wide. whispered. "That was… beautiful."
Even Emi, usually unimpressed smirked. "Not bad."
Takeshi clapped. "Damn.. that was actually sick!"
Naoki in awe, simply nodded.
Aya turned away, trying to hide the slight blush on her face. "I-It was decent."
Kaoru smirked. "Admit it. You had fun."
Aya crossed her arms. "Hmph."
Kaoru leaned closer. "You definitely had fun."
Aya scoffed but couldn't hide the small smile.
And just like that, the night continued, filled with music. laughter.. and a bond that grew ever stronger, We don't talk about what happen to the Narrator.
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End of Chapter twenty-one.