"Yui, don't get discouraged. You've just started learning. It's already amazing you've come this far,"
Akiyama Mio said gently, stepping forward and giving Yui Hirasawa a comforting pat on the shoulder.
She even gave her a soft head rub, her tone full of kindness.
"It looks like you'll have to be the lead singer after all, Mio," someone said from behind.
Mio froze. "Huh? But… I'm really too embarrassed. I can't sing in front of people…"
"Then we'll do special training!"
Ritsu Tainaka declared, her eyes gleaming.
"Special training?"
"Yup! There's still time before the school festival. If we start now, I know you'll be ready, Mio!"
Kotobuki Tsumugi watched the scene with sparkling eyes—almost literally.
She looked so moved by the idea of Mio facing her fears that the air around her nearly glowed.
Shiro Sakamaki and Yukinoshita Yukino, sitting quietly on the sidelines, exchanged subtle glances.
"As long as we get used to performing in front of people, you'll adapt!" Ritsu added encouragingly.
"That sounds worse!" Mio shouted back, panic in her voice.
After a lively back-and-forth, the group finally decided: Mio Akiyama would take on the role of lead singer.
Fortunately, the school festival was still over a month away, and with the song already written, there was ample time for rehearsal and confidence-building.
With that settled, the light music club finally picked up their instruments and began practice.
Just as Shiro expected, the piece had no space for his saxophone. He was, once again, benched—left to sit across from Yukino in awkward silence.
She flipped through a book of literature, while he scribbled out ideas for his novel. The mood in the corner of the room was quiet, a little stiff.
Then—
"1, 2, 3, 4… 1, 2, 3!"
The sound of electric guitar filled the room, shattering the silence.
Yukino flinched slightly and glanced at Shiro.
Now she understood what he meant earlier—this wasn't exactly an ideal reading environment.
Shiro, catching her look, offered a smug little smirk, clearly amused. Yukino's cheeks tinged pink as she looked away.
He reached into his bag and pulled something out. "Take it," he said casually.
This time, she accepted the charm without a word.
---
Later that day, after returning home, Shiro tossed his bag on the sofa and let out a sigh. The apartment was quiet. Too quiet.
Only then did it hit him—he forgot to pick up Kanna Kamui.
Having gotten used to living alone, the sudden addition of someone to care for threw off his rhythm.
Grabbing his newly upgraded motorcycle, he sped over to Kobayashi's apartment.
The once-pink scooter was now completely transformed.
He had studied motorcycle mechanics for the sole purpose of modifying it.
In the end, the internal tech of the phase-bike was too complex, so he opted for a visual overhaul instead—now decked out in sapphire blue, it looked sleek and legal.
Arriving at the door, he knocked. The one to answer was Tohru, her ruby-red eyes wary as ever.
Without missing a beat, she glared.
"I'm warning you—don't even think about doing anything to Kobayashi!"
Shiro raised his hands in surrender.
"Relax. I swear, I have zero interest in Kobayashi. In fact, I totally ship you two."
Tohru blinked in surprise, a bit flustered. Mention Kobayashi, and she turned into a giddy schoolgirl.
"Really?" she asked with suspicion.
"Really. And if you're worried about lifespan differences, I happen to know a thing or two about body modification."
"Body… modification?"
"Yup. Biological grafting. I could transplant some of your traits. That should extend her lifespan."
He wasn't bluffing. Thanks to the Cthulhu Original Codex, Shiro had absorbed a vast amount of forbidden knowledge.
The book wasn't so much read as it was injected into his mind.
Fortunately, his powerful spirit and the protection of the Old Ones allowed him to handle it.
Ordinary humans wouldn't fare as well—they'd either lose their minds or turn to soup.
But theory was one thing; implementation was another. Cultists, for instance, often turned themselves into grotesque monsters from botched grafts.
Hearing this discussion, Kobayashi walked in, already exasperated. Her forehead twitched.
"You two! Could you not have creepy sci-fi conversations without me? Shiro-kun, is Kanna doing okay with you?"
"Huh?"
Kanna looked up, face still sprinkled with cookie crumbs.
Even though Kobayashi protested, Shiro could tell—Tohru was thinking about it. The lifespan disparity between humans and dragons weighed heavily on her.
Dragons viewed time differently. To them, a human lifespan was nothing more than a long blink.
Even if she didn't admit it, Tohru had probably already wondered what she'd do a century from now.
Despite her strength and abilities—destruction, time, and even limited space manipulation—she couldn't protect Kobayashi from time itself.
And here Shiro was, casually offering a solution.
Though skeptical, Tohru was clearly tempted.
Kobayashi, still annoyed, offered Shiro dinner. He politely declined, taking Kanna out for a meal instead.
They headed to the Fog House, one of their favorite quiet spots.
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