The near future

As the applause faded, Markus took a deep breath, letting the moment settle in his chest. The weight he had carried since stepping onto that stage finally lifted.

This is where I'm meant to be.

A small, satisfied smile crossed his lips as he turned away from the stage lights, stepping into the backstage. The echoes of his violin still lingered in his ears, a reminder of what had just happened.

A few contestants nodded at him in passing, offering brief congratulations. Others avoided his gaze, their pride clearly stung. Stagehands moved quickly, already preparing for the next performance, but Markus barely noticed any of it.

Right now, nothing else mattered.

He needed to see his friends.

Markus moved swiftly through the winding hallways, the dull hum of overhead lights filling the silence. With each step, the pressure from before faded. His grip on his violin case loosened.

Then, he reached the theater lobby.

The moment he stepped through the doors, the atmosphere shifted. Neon lights from the city bled through the towering windows, mixing with the warm interior glow. People moved in small clusters, discussing the night's performances, but Markus wasn't looking for them.

His eyes scanned the entrance—then stopped.

There they were.

Arnik spotted him first. His face lit up, and his voice cut through the noise like a cannon blast.

"There he is! The man of the hour!"

Markus barely had a second to brace himself before Arnik clapped a hand onto his shoulder, shaking him hard enough to nearly knock him off balance.

"You think we'd miss your big moment? Not a chance!"

Markus opened his mouth to respond, but Rose beat him to it.

"Markus!" She waved him over, her ears twitching. "You destroyed out there! That crowd was hanging onto every note. You had them in the palm of your hand."

Kai, standing beside her with his arms crossed, gave Markus a long look before adjusting his glasses.

"Every note was perfect," he said. Simple. Matter-of-fact. But the rare warmth behind his words said enough.

Aika, still leaning lazily against Kai's shoulder, lifted a hand in a weak wave. "Worth staying awake for," she murmured. Her usual tired expression didn't change, but there was something in her eyes—quiet approval.

Markus exhaled. The last of the nerves, the lingering tension—it was gone.

This was home.

"Thanks," he said, his voice steady. "Really."

For the first time that night, he let himself breathe. He had done what he came here to do. And now, he could just be here.

Arnik, naturally, was the one to break the moment.

"Alright, enough standing around looking sentimental. Let's eat. My treat."

Rose's ears perked up. "Oh? Feeling generous tonight?"

Arnik groaned. "I know you were about to tell me to pay anyway, so let's just skip the fake surprise."

Rose smirked. "Smart man."

Markus chuckled, adjusting the strap of his violin case as the group made their way outside.

The city stretched out before them, buzzing with life. Hovercars drifted overhead, their glowing undercarriages reflecting off the streets. Towering signs flickered across the skyline, casting shifting colors onto the pavement. It was loud, chaotic, alive—but in a way that felt familiar.

Markus walked in the center of the group, the cool night air refreshing after the intensity of the stage.

As they strolled, Arnik turned to him, his usual grin dimming just a little. "So," he said, his tone still light, but something else behind it. "What's next for you? With a performance like that, you could go pro, easy."

Markus hesitated.

The night's events still hadn't fully settled. He glanced toward the skyline, where neon lights blurred into the night.

"I don't know," he admitted. "Tonight was… incredible. But I think I need time. To figure things out. To figure myself out."

A short silence.

Then—

Rose shrugged. "Whatever you decide, you've got us. You always figure things out."

Aika nodded slightly. "One step at a time, Markus."

Markus looked at them—the faces of the people who had been by his side through everything.

A small smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah," he said. "One step at a time."

Markus let himself enjoy it. The way the cool air balanced the lingering warmth of the stage lights. The steady hum of conversation between his friends. The normalcy of it all.

Rose stretched her arms above her head, her tail swishing behind her. "So," she said, looking between them. "Anyone figured out what they're doing after graduation? Time's running out, you know."

Kai adjusted his glasses. "I've been thinking about developing magic items. There's still a lot of untapped potential. If I can get the right designs, I think I could push the field forward."

Rose raised an eyebrow. "Ooh, revolutionary. Someone's aiming big." Then her smirk sharpened. "Just don't blow up the lab, alright?"

Kai sighed. "That happened one time."

Markus chuckled, still caught up in the high of his performance. "I think I'm going to keep playing music," he said. "Being up there felt… right. Like it's where I'm supposed to be."

Aika, half-dozing as always, gave him a lazy smile. "Markus, with your talent, you could do anything." Her voice was dreamy, but there was something real beneath it.

He scratched his cheek, clearly flustered. "Thanks, Aika. But I think my cooking disasters prove there's at least one thing I'm terrible at."

Arnik snorted. "Yeah, cooking. You practically invented a new element—'Burntinium.'"

The group burst into laughter, Markus groaning in embarrassment as his ears twitched.

"Alright, alright, I get it. No culinary dreams for me."

Markus glanced toward Rose and Aika. "What about you two?"

Aika stretched with a soft yawn, her emerald eyes half-lidded as she mused aloud. "Hmm… maybe I'll be a teacher. Or an artist. Oh, wait—what about designing clothes? No, no, maybe I'll write a book…"

Markus grinned. "You're going to keep us guessing forever, aren't you?"

Rose flipped her hair dramatically, flashing her usual sharp grin. "Well, unlike some people, I've got my goals sorted. I'm going to marry a rich, hot guy and live the dream life."

Kai shot her a deadpan look. "Aiming high as always, I see."

Rose puffed out her cheeks in mock offense before lightly punching his arm. "And you are going to end up married to your lab equipment if you're not careful, you hopeless four-eyed creep!"

Their laughter echoed down the street, mixing with the low hum of the city. The neon lights flickered above them, casting shifting colors against their faces, as if mirroring the warmth between them.

But after a while, the noise between them faded. A quiet understanding settled in its place.

Arnik sighed, hands stuffed into his pockets. "I can't believe we're almost out of school… Man, I'm really going to miss this."

Markus didn't respond right away. There wasn't much to say. He'd miss it too.

Then, as if struck by a sudden idea, he darted ahead, leaping effortlessly over a low gate. His tail swayed behind him as he perched at the top, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips. The neon glow of the city cast him in an odd mix of light and shadow.

Kai stopped in his tracks, blinking. "…Markus, what are you doing?"

Markus turned back to face them, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Come on," he called. "Let's walk through the halls one last time."

For a moment, no one moved.

Then—

Arnik bolted forward, vaulting the gate with ease. "Race you to the rooftop!" he shouted, laughing as he took off.

Kai sighed, muttering under his breath. "Show-off." With far less grace, he climbed over, earning a chuckle from the others.

Rose followed next, moving swiftly, her tail flicking as she landed lightly on the other side.

Aika, as always, took her time, yawning as she climbed over at her own sleepy pace.

Inside, the school was still. The halls were quiet, bathed in the soft glow of streetlights spilling in through the windows.

Kai stopped first, his gaze fixed on a plaque in the science room. The polished surface gleamed faintly in the dim light. He stepped forward, running his fingers over the engraved text: "Number 1 in Japan."

His expression softened. He lingered there for a moment, adjusting his glasses before quietly rejoining the group.

They passed the music room next. Markus slowed as they neared, his ears twitching slightly. He peeked inside, where the piano sat untouched in the corner. His tail flicked once, a quiet acknowledgment of all the hours spent here. Then, he turned to follow the others.

The art room was still, smelling faintly of old paint and charcoal. Aika wandered toward the window, her fingers grazing a stack of unused canvases left on a desk. She paused, her emerald eyes scanning the room, as if trying to find something she'd left behind.

She smiled, just a little, before turning away.

The theater was their last stop before the rooftop.

Rows of costumes stood waiting on racks, their colors vibrant even in the dim light. Rose's eyes gleamed as she made a beeline for the props, grabbing an oversized hat with an elaborate feather.

With an exaggerated twirl, she set it on her head, striking a regal pose. "Presenting: the queen of drama!"

Markus couldn't help but join in, grabbing a fake mustache and slapping it on crookedly.

"Your loyal butler," he said, bowing dramatically.

Their laughter filled the empty theater, bouncing off the walls. It wasn't just silliness—it was theirs. A celebration of everything.

Finally, they reached the rooftop.

The cool air greeted them, carrying with it the faint scent of sakura blossoms from the courtyard below. The city stretched out before them, its lights flickering against the deepening sky.

Hovercars zipped past, the hum of the city blending with the quiet around them.

Markus stepped forward first, leaning on the railing. His scarlet eyes scanned the skyline.

Then, with a deep breath, he spread his arms wide.

"Freedom!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the night.

The others didn't hesitate.

Arnik leaned casually against the railing, his grin still there but softer now. "I'm really going to miss this place," he said, quieter than usual. His gaze lingered on the courtyard below, where so many memories had been made.

Kai stood back, hands tucked into his pockets. His glasses reflected the city lights. "We had a good run."

Rose, for once, didn't crack a joke. She just smiled—small, but real.

A sudden gust of wind swept through, carrying a flurry of sakura petals into the air. They spiraled around them, catching the glow of the city lights before disappearing into the night.

Aika instinctively reached out, catching one in her palm. She stared at it for a long moment.

"It feels like this moment will last forever," she whispered as she teared up.

The petals flew higher and higher before vanishing.

The group stood there, no words needed.