And here is Chapter 7! This was another one of those really hard to write ones, as it is one of those chapters based on the "between-the-scenes" moments. There is a start and end-point based on which scenes you're writing between, but how to make the story flow and develop believably between those 2 scenes is the hard part. Hopefully, the product here is to your liking.

Apologies for any errors, as I have no beta-reader. Enjoy!

"Once again, great work everyone!"

Nodoka led the class of 3-2 in a round of applause as they settled into a messy tumble of people, props and paraphernalia. The girls were beyond exhausted, many flopping to the ground and crashing from their own adrenaline high as soon as they had left the auditorium from the backstage entrance. But their work was not yet done as there was still a huge mess to clean up and many, many items to be returned. The dutiful ones in the stage crew were in charge of that, but Nodoka had insisted that they gather back in their homeroom for a debrief before breaking off to wrap up the day.

The bespectacled president beamed proudly at her fellow classmates. Tired they may be, but there was an infectious grin of satisfaction on each and every one of their faces. Even more so on the faces of the actors; their efforts had paid off spectacularly and they knew it. Nodoka had to suppress tears of joy at hearing the roaring applause and cheers that accompanied the closure of the curtains. It was a play that befitted the mark that they had desired to leave on the school for their last school festival.

As the class whooped and hollered along with their applause, Nodoka felt her heart swell.

"And to commemorate our huge success, I wish for us all to take a picture together in costume." Nodoka proposed as she held her trusty digital camera up. 37 pairs of eyes light up in unison.

"Nice suggestion, prez!"

"Let's decorate the board and pose with it!"

"I call dibs on the dagger!"

"Hey, someone grab another person to take the photo for us!"

The room descended into chaos in minutes as the girls jostled to fit in frame. Squeaks and squawks flew as everyone attempted to avoid pulling on another's costume before bumping into another. Yui nearly tripped over her tree costume, and Ritsu had to drag Mio to join her front and centre; they were the lead stars after all. Chika snatched for the dagger only to have it nearly stab Ichigo in the face, and Mugi readied her tissue pack as she watched the 2 leads press against each other. Mika felt a prop staff whack the back of her head. Himeko dive-bombed into the fray after dragging a friend to help take the picture.

The girls of 3-2 settled into various poses, and the camera captures the scene of 38 gleeful girls huddled closely in front of a board. Scribbled on it in colourful chalk was several doodles surrounding the word "Success!". The room smelled of paint, glue and old newspaper, the area behind the camera was so cluttered that it would have warranted a scolding on any other day and the girls struggled not to trip and tumble over each other while holding their positions. It was as far from a comfortable environment to take a picture as it could be.

Nodoka would not have wanted it any other way.

She felt tears pooling in her eyes when the camera clicked. The torrent of warm hugs that smothered her after only squeezed her heart further and made her tears pour out in full force.

Azusa sat alone in the clubroom, Mustang in hand.

The play had been nothing short of captivating. She replayed the scenes of Ritsu and Mio in her head, recalling the powerful assertion that Mio had exuded when she was on stage. Seeing the reserved bassist dressed smartly and moving with such self-assurance had lit a fire in Azusa; the bassist had clearly practiced hard and come very far. Ritsu too, sounding so unlike herself and yet so fittingly in-character that Azusa could only salute the drummer's efforts and dedication to getting her role right. And as she watched her 2 seniors deliver the final, tragic scene with a stunning level of power and drama, she felt a pang of guilt stab her in the chest for all the comments she had let slip about how unsuited they were.

One scene was the testament to how unfair her perspective had been. It was the balcony scene, where Romeo had valiantly climbed a tower to meet Juliet under the cover of night. Finally meeting as lovers, the two characters proclaimed their intense passion for one another before rushing into each other's arms, much to the fervent delight of many in the crowd.

It was just a play, and they were merely students acting. Yet, the longing gaze that her seniors had shared on that fake balcony felt almost real. The gingerly approach they made as they drew close, the pause in their step as they took each other in; that had generated a tension so palpable that for a moment Azusa had actually expected the original script to play out.

That had sent Azusa's heart racing and left her a blushing mess.

She was grateful for whomever was responsible for re-writing that part of the script for this. The auditorium would have exploded otherwise.

All that extra practice must have really paid off…

That realisation had set off a pang of unease in her chest. The results of the play were clear indicators that a lot of time had been spent on getting their roles right. And that had resulted in many instances like the one she was in now: her alone on the bench practicing her own rhythm section, her chords blaring from the amplifier and reverberating from the walls of the otherwise empty room.

Did they prepare for the band's performance at all? That had set off the first jolt of guilt in her tightened chest. But there was no way to tell, since none of them showed up in the clubroom. She would usually trust Mio and Mugi-senpai to practice on their own, but both were so heavily involved in the play. And it felt rather intrusive to step into their classroom to ask them such a thing in the middle of such a large-scale production. With the stress running high it would be downright rude for a junior to show up with such questions.

Azusa felt the guilt surge when the next thought came. Did they care? There were no texts about how she was doing, no one popping by to practice, not one mention of the live performance that was coming.

It was a selfish line of thought, but Azusa felt powerless to stop it.

It was to be her last festival with them as a band. She was certain they were aware of it too. So why did it look like they did not really care about it too much?

She had wandered up to the clubroom after the play to take her mind off things through solo practice, but her trusty Mustang somehow felt heavier than it usually was. Fingers sluggish and thoughts fragmented, she found it impossible to move past the first several bars.

Sighing, she turned her head to the window. Her thoughts swirled in her mind as she stared, her heart growing heavier as the seconds ticked by. The sun was setting, and its rays filled the room with a warm orange glow. Muffled chatter hummed through the glass as the last of the day's visitors to the school filed out of the gate. The day had been charged with excitement, and the vestiges of that enthusiasm lingered in the air and hallways as she walked through them. Yet, she could not find it in her to resonate with that energy at all. Her Mustang's strings felt cold against her fingertips as she scanned the space of the clubroom. It suddenly felt a lot larger and spacious than it usually did.

Was this what next year would feel like? Her fingers tensed, curling to grip the neck of her Mustang tightly. The strings creaked as they scraped against the fretboard.

Had the transition to next year already begun? Was she just naïve to think it wouldn't happen yet? The thoughts roiled anew, and Azusa felt the same heavy haze weigh on her shoulders.

What should she do?

No. You still have a performance tomorrow. The year isn't over yet.

Her phone buzzed. The screen lit up brightly, and Azusa caught sight of the cheery message displayed.

Her seniors should be on their way up, based on the text. Azusa took in a deep breath, at least they wouldn't be completely without a proper final practice. She only prayed that it would be a productive one to make up for lost time. Yet, the promise of a practice eased her only slightly, and she felt her shoulders distinctly sagging in trepidation.

Her seniors would no doubt burst into the room, chattering and asking her about what she thought about their performance. She had promised to watch and cheer them on after all. How would she answer?

She was certain her mood was reflected clearly on her face. That would be a complete buzzkill.

Azusa slapped her cheeks.

I should be a good junior. This is their last festival. I need to at least congratulate them with a smile.

She forced her thoughts away from her unease. It was their last festival ever with their classmates, and they had been so excited for their final product. She shouldn't tarnish this. If she was to be giving praise to her seniors, the least she could do was to make sure she meant it. For all the dejection she felt, they were still her seniors and deserved respect for their efforts. Focusing on the play's highlights, she replayed the scenes in her mind. Ritsu-senpai and Mio-senpai were deserving of her best congratulations; they were nothing short of amazing while onstage. They had taken on such stressful roles and made it work. Mugi-senpai too, for her quality script and great directing, making the play both dramatic but easy to follow.

Then there was Yui-senpai.

She had perhaps the easiest role in the play. But hers was the one that had left Azusa sitting on the edge of her seat. The younger guitarist had been sweating bullets as she observed Yui trying her damnedest not to sneeze and ruin her role. She felt bad for not really paying attention to the other parts of the play as much as she should have, but she couldn't help herself. The senior guitarist was so close to breaking character Azusa was surprised that no one else seemed to notice.

Maybe it's because I'm just getting too used to looking out for her.

The storm of thoughts halted. Why was she still looking out for Yui specifically anyway?

It wasn't like her senior was that hard to find. The guitarist more-or-less appeared in front of her all the time of her own volition. On the way to school, in the clubroom, after school. Hell, Yui showed up even in between her classes. And it was always for a recharge.

And with her recent crusade to shower Azusa with all the hugs she possibly could in a day, there certainly was no lack of the older girl's presence in her life. Something which still lacked a proper explanation and confused the younger girl greatly.

It was also clear that she had a whole entourage of people who were able to take care of her. Her sister was on permanent Yui-watch during the school day, and she was in the presence of the band members for the whole day too. Yui was clearly in no danger of anything at all.

So, what really was making Azusa constantly feeling a need to look out for her?

Need?

Azusa frowned. The gears in her head turned. Her mind flashed to the gaze her seniors had shared on stage, and she felt the same heat rise to her cheeks.

Need.

She thought about all the warm hugs she had received, and how she had never really minded a single one. She remembered the terrible squeeze in her chest when Yui was ill and unable to play for their first concert together, and the relief that had washed over her when the guitarist finally joined them on stage. She recalled the quiet excitement of practicing with Yui into the wee hours of the morning during summer camp and even for their little duo for the elderly.

She replayed the answer she always received from the older girl whenever she appeared out of nowhere: "I need a recharge!" and how it never failed to make her crack a smile despite herself.

She felt all the blushes she has felt over the past 2 years.

In the quiet of the clubroom, Nakano Azusa came to the realisation that perhaps the answer to her question wasn't hard.

Because I want to see her.

And just maybe, the explanation that she needed about this hug-crusade wasn't that far behind either.

…Oh no.

Ritsu sauntered down the hallway, trash bag in hand. The setting sun coloured the sky a deep orange, and the sounds of students leaving for home echoed through the area. The air stirred with a light breeze, which swirled and carried the fallen leaves through ever shifting piles. It had been a long and arduous day, and the drummer could already feel a deep ache forming in her shoulders. Her legs felt no better, having needed to be on her feet for several hours. She let out a mumbled groan as she trekked towards the recycling bins, wondering why they had to be placed all the way behind the auditorium.

Still, she wouldn't have traded this day for any other, and tomorrow was going to be even more thrilling with their live set. Ritsu grinned as she felt her excitement surge anew. They were going to practice till the sun came up, sore muscles be dammed! Just the thought of staying overnight in the clubroom elevated her mood, and she found herself humming in time with her footsteps as she neared her destination.

The humming stopped when she rounded the corner.

If there was ever a need for a picture definition of surreal beauty, the sight before the drummer would fit the bill.

Amidst the swirling leaves, stood a lone girl under the shelter of a lone tree. Her jet-black locks billowed behind her as the wind picked up, rising and falling through the air like a cape of silk. Slate-grey eyes were fixed onto the rustling branches of the tree, carrying a look of almost serene calm. The wind shifts and the midnight locks swirl upwards, revealing fair and supple skin that glowed orange under the tint of the sun's rays. Her pristine white uniform remained unmoving in the constantly shifting air, tucked neatly into her flowing light blue skirt. A long, blue ribbon hung loosely in hand, looped around slim fingers. Overhead, the orange sky continued to deepen in hue, and the chirping of a flock of birds echoed in the distance.

It is a spell, an enchantment; the drummer found herself willingly bewitched. She stared, eyes drinking in every detail and burning every part of it into her memory. A magnetic pull tugged at her senses and Ritsu felt her body drift forward in response. Closer, she thought dimly. I must get closer.

A leaf crunches under the drummer's foot, and the spell shatters. The brunette slapped herself on the forehead, sending the bag flying out of her grasp.

"Ah it's just you Ritsu." The cool tones washed over her like a fresh spring. It seeped into every muscle and every bone, filling her aching body with a refreshing delight. It's a different spell this time, one that the brunette welcomed as willingly as the former.

"Hey Mio." The name rolled off her tongue easily, and the familiarity of it invigorated her further. Absently, Ritsu noted the muted tone of her voice; it seemed inappropriate to approach this with her usual volume.

That did not stop the follow-up jibe though. "If you wanted to be a tree so badly you could've just switched with Yui." The serene calm vanished from the bassist's eyes as she raised an eyebrow.

"What does that even mean?" "No idea!" The resulting irritated huff dissolved into quiet chuckles in the face of Ritsu's trademark grin. The spell deepens with the familiar dynamic surfacing between them. Both girls step closer, in total submission to the magnetic pull between them.

"What a day huh?" "Yeah…" The sunset painted a stunning picture, but their eyes remained fixed on each other. Under the growing shadow of the tree and shelter of the building, Ritsu and Mio allowed themselves to sink deep into their mutual mesmerisation. Silence reigned as the minutes passed.

And as usual, Ritsu was the first to lose her patience with the quiet. "C'mon Mio, are you planning to stare all day?" She teased.

"Hmpf. Says the one whose mouth has been hanging open all this while." The bassist smirked when Ritsu hurriedly shut her jaw with a click.

The relief of having the day finally end had placed Mio in a strange mood. The play had been a nerve-wracking ride from start to finish, and even after the curtains lowered Mio had struggled to stop the tremble in her limbs. Yet, when she folded her costume neatly and returned it to its box, she felt a twinge of sadness. It was as if a portion of herself parted with the garment as the box was sealed. The blue cloth had been the culmination of weeks of hardcore practice and immense stress; a mark of a persona that she had poured her hardest efforts into perfecting. It was a badge that she knew she earned, proof that she had the stones to survive a lead role of a play. She would never ever want to don that costume ever again, but she recognised that it had become a significant object for her.

It was also the catalyst for the shift in status between her and the brunette that stood before her.

With one answer, she had taken that step forward into the unknown. The thrill of finally letting her feelings into the light had almost overwhelmed her alongside the play. And now that the main rollercoaster was over, Mio finally had time to mull things over.

Hence her presence at the back of the building.

"So why are you here though? It's not like you have anything to throw away." The plastic bag rustled as Ritsu shoved it into the large collecting bin.

"Just thinking… about u-us."

A look of mild alarm crosses the drummer's features. Mio hurriedly continues.

"N-nothing bad! Just trying to process everything that's happened. The play didn't exactly leave a lot of time to think…" The tension faded, and Ritsu let out a light grunt in agreement.

The kiss they shared had been clumsy, desperate and entirely impulsive. And yet, there was no better way to summarise the situation and feelings that had been floating between them all this while. For all its inelegance and awkwardness, it had clicked in all the right ways and finally answered all the questions that had been raging in her head. That one uncoordinated act had been the key, and it had obliterated the tension that had hung between them like a barrier.

It allowed the return to a comfortable, safe environment where Mio felt like she really, truly fit. Right next to Ritsu.

The tons of thoughts in my head, that I had been afraid would spill out…

I no longer have to fear, for you have accepted them

Mio felt the corners of her lips quirk upwards. She must have been subconsciously projecting when writing that song.

"It's nice to see you smile again." Ritsu was even closer now, her lips curling into a gentle grin. A small, subtle movement; but one that spurred a heat to rise in Mio's cheeks. "You haven't been smiling or laughing much since the play was announced."

That automatically sent a shudder through the bassist's spine. Mio sighed. "Can you really blame me?"

"I suppose not." The grin turned playful. "Ah, but you did almost laugh during the play though."

"And whose fault is that? If I recall, you were the one who started corpsing first." Mio gave Ritsu an accusing side-eye, and the brunette stuck her tongue out in answer.

They slipped back into their typical banter, and it feels familiar and new all at the same time. Like how one felt after coming home from a long trip. The house was as you left it, but somehow it feels fresh and new. It was a comfortable and homely feeling to be with Ritsu, yet now it held a distinct current that thrummed underneath the surface. Like a bed of smouldering coals, the new current felt like it could reignite at any moment with a brush of their hands or a locking of their gazes. Mio felt a blush creep further up her neck as her heart began to race.

So this is what it's like…

Ritsu's reply drew her out of her reverie. "Still, I'm really glad that the play happened the way it did."

Ritsu closed the final inches between them, and their breaths tickled each other's faces. Her gaze bore right into hers.

"It led me to you."

The romantic in Mio turned to mush, and her cheeks flushed full-red.

"I-idiot… saying such embarrassing things."

"Only to you my princess. Only to you."

They head to the clubroom, steps in sync and shoulders never more than an inch apart.

It had been a glorious day for Mugi.

Their play had been a huge hit with the audience. The class had thoroughly enjoyed their experience. And most importantly, her two close friends from the club had finally taken that final step forward.

If it had not been obvious from their chemistry during the play, then the intimacy they shared at the back of the auditorium would be a dead ringer.

It wasn't like she had intended to spy on them. She had just finished doing the final checks to ensure everything they used had been cleared from the auditorium and its prep room. Her excitement from the play had left her feeling light and giddy, and thus she decided to take the long way back to the classroom building for a stroll.

And the gods decided to gift her with a final blessing.

It had taken all her willpower not to squeal at the top of her lungs at the sight, and so the energy that bubbled within her redirected themselves to her limbs. When the two turned around to leave, Mugi had to dive for cover behind the wall. Given her trembling limbs, that attempt had launched her face-first into the cement and nearly blew her cover.

Thankfully, her pain tolerance was nothing to scoff at.

As she took a detour to the washroom to clean off the evidence of her accident, the blonde mulled over the events of her high-school life.

The Kotobuki name was a powerful one in Japan. With a high-ranking diplomat for a father and CEO as her mother, her parents were a formidable pair in the world of politics and commerce. The family mega-corporation owned many businesses nationwide, and her father's work in the public service and Finnish embassy gave the family name an international presence. As the potential heiress to either field, her parents had placed her education as their highest priority outside of their careers.

Her etiquette lessons had begun as early as when she first started walking. History lessons followed soon after she learned to talk and internalise information. Classical piano and choral lessons were added alongside. Her elementary and middle schools had been hand-picked by her parents, following the advice of their most trusted family advisors and friends. And at the behest of her parents, she had been in more functions, business trips and high-society parties than any teenager had any business being in.

And being the only daughter to 2 high-profile adults meant that her safety was also of utmost importance. Aikido lessons quickly became another activity that was added to her hefty list of appointments to attend.

And despite all the fortune and glamour her upbringing had showered upon her, Mugi had felt empty most of her life. There were many days where she had wanted above all else to just go out with friends after school to hang out, but each day put a different barrier in her way. If it wasn't her etiquette lessons, it would have been her Aikido instructor demanding more sessions. Holidays weren't safe either, it would be one business trip after another. By the time she hit her third year in elementary school, she had lost track of the number of times she had to turn down requests from her classmates.

The requests themselves stopped soon after. Kotobuki Tsumugi faded into the background, becoming the diligent but quiet girl that existed only on the attendance roster.

Her life had no shortage of things to learn and places to be, but the blonde had found it incredibly dull as she grew older. Yet, she knew she couldn't blame her parents entirely. Being with them on trips had showed her first-hand the level of stress they bore on a daily basis. And to say they did not care was unfair as well; family time, birthdays and graduations were never missed despite their intense schedules. So, she continued in the role of a faithful daughter, doing her best to ensure her parents had one less thing to worry about.

Still, it would have been nice if they asked what she wanted to do once in a while.

The piano had been a blessed and favoured outlet for her to vent her unspoken frustrations. It was the first and few decisions that her parents made that happened to resonate with her own personality and desires. Music became a safe channel for her emotions; a secret haven for her undeclared desires. Whatever she could not say in words, she declared through song. Her pieces became an extension of her as she injected her emotions into them, a melody and message to whomever would hear. A portrait of her soul.

Aikido lessons were a close contender; tossing people to the ground using their own momentum tended to be cathartic in its own way. Mugi did not enjoy it as much as the piano, but the increased strength and frequent exercise were nice to have.

And still, it was not always enough.

The first time she had insisted for her own way had been at the end of middle school. It had begun as a typical family conference following her graduation. True to fashion, her parents had already listed several institutions as potential avenues for her high school education. However, they were locked into a mutual debate over which was better. Each school had its history and merits, and each place boasted of a niche that could prove helpful for both her growth and her education. Her father was inclined to schools that promoted leadership building, while her mother preferred those that focused on entrepreneurial education. Mugi had watched the debate persist for a solid 20 minutes in total silence, feeling the weight in her chest grow with every exchange of words. She knew that both were useful for her. She knew that they were important skills. But she wanted something for herself, and she had enough of others making the decisions for her.

When her frustration crested, her actions were swift. In one smooth motion, she had grabbed the application papers, penned her choices of schools neatly and sealed the documents before her parents could even respond.

Her first choice had been Sakuragaoka. The school whose niche was its music education.

That reaction had stunned her parents into silence for several days. Though, the gentle smirk that her mother gave her after eased her fears. Thus, began Kotobuki Tsumugi's crusade to take back her youth and seek new experiences for herself. Since she had already seen so much of the world of the upper-class, she made it a personal goal to live her high-school life as down to earth as possible. She would create pleasant memories for those around her and be one with the friends she made. She would enjoy every aspect of high-school life while continuing her love for music.

It took some effort to set her plans into motion. Asking her chauffeur to essentially not do his job had been monumentally hard. The night before her first day, she prayed hard that she would succeed.

The Light Music Club would be the first of many answered prayers.

She knew that Ritsu and Mio had yet to give anyone a heads up on their development, but Mugi did not mind. She was sure they would tell her and the rest in due time. And being a secret secret keeper was something that Mugi could not deny feeling excited about.

I know, but do you know that I know? The thrill of knowing a secret that not even the secret keepers themselves knew of was fresh for Mugi. It felt like those spy movies she had watched in her childhood.

High school was too fun.

Mugi skipped her way to the music room, giggling as she went.

"Azunyan!" Yui launched herself at the twin-tailed girl, face first and arms outstretched.

In one move, Azusa deftly redirected the approaching face, suppressing the all-too-familiar blush that was crawling up her neck. It would be the third attempt she had arrested that night. And the night must be getting to her; Yui's face had managed to get closer before Azusa managed to respond.

With less than 14 hours before their live performance, the girls had finally deigned that it was time to turn in. The walk around school grounds had been oddly thrilling; seeing the building in the absence of light ironically painted in a new one. The darkened hallways may have seemed eerie, but the bubbly presence of the band members and lively chatter chased away any sort of vile shadows and creepy feelings. Their laughter had echoed across the empty courtyard and turned the otherwise uncanny mess of stalls and decorations into a playground. It was almost a shame to let time slip away in their sleep, but their collective better sense reminded them that playing on stage while severely sleep-deprived would be a bad idea.

"Aww… Azunyan is so cold today…" Yui whined as she retreated. Azusa remained silent.

She would have answered, but there was currently a toothbrush stuck in her mouth. She chose to let out a grunt instead.

As the junior guitarist continued her night grooming, Yui scanned her surroundings. The band members had huddled in the girl's toilet nearest to the music room. Mio was in the shower stall, conversing with Ritsu and Mugi who remained just outside the stall door. The bassist had been adamant about not entering the restroom by herself, and thus the whole band decided that they would settle their nightly routines within the same space.

The play had been a thrill to watch from the stage. She never minded the fact that she had to play a tree; it was far easier than any other role in the play. She would not need to tackle the challenge of memorising lines and movements, while still able to be an actual part of the play itself. Ui had been very supportive about her role too; keeping her company whenever she practiced holding her poses and even making a good-luck meal the night before the play.

Being under Mugi's directorship had been very enjoyable too. Watching her correct the movements and lines of her classmates had been amusing, and she had been very cute whenever she clapped in delight at successful practices. She vaguely wondered if Mugi would ever try to enter the film industry, given how much fun she had directing the class.

Seeing Mio and Ritsu perform had also been a real treat. They had been immensely cool, managing to stir such an excitement in the crowd while not missing a single step or beat. There were many points in time she was nearly drawn into the performance itself, tempting her to step forward to get a better look. But the temptation came with a stern, Ui-voiced reminder that she was on stage and in a tree costume, and so her hard training thankfully kept her in place. Her on-stage time eventually turned into a mix of resolute efforts to remain stoic and excited trembling at seeing each-and-every scene play out perfectly. The battle between both moods was unrelenting, and it left Yui drained when she left the stage after her last scene.

Actors must have it tough, having to be there but be unable to enjoy the scenes they are in.

Humbled, she had bowed to her cardboard cut-out of a costume after she took it off. Her explanation of her humbling realisation had elicited some quizzical looks and amused chuckles from her classmates, but she didn't mind. It was what she felt and experienced after all, and since having the costume had made her understand that, it was only polite to give credit where credit was due.

Nonetheless, it felt uplifting to know that her input had helped her good friends come out of their shells to become successful stars for the day.

And to think that she played music with these 3 talented girls and had the fortune to be their friends. That thought alone had made Yui's heart swell with pride during the play, and it spurred a surge of energy to play the best tree possible.

Sure, the energy surge alongside her battle against temptation had nearly resulted in her sneezing on stage, but that did not happen so that meant that she did well enough.

Yui's attention returned to the junior guitarist who was lazily brushing her teeth. The rush of running water had dwindled, leaving the excited chatter of Ritsu and Mugi echoing through the restroom. The sudden loss of noise made the vacancy of the space much more apparent, and Yui was reminded of the scene she had seen upon bursting into the clubroom after the play.

It had been of Asuza, sitting alone in the room with Muttan in hand and a faraway look on her face.

Yui felt her heart sink when the younger girl had dejectedly muttered her worries of them forgetting about their live performance. And though she had been sincere about her praise of their efforts for the play and about her enjoyment of it, the tone of her admission had made one thing clear.

Azusa had felt a little abandoned.

Their late-night practice and trip around the school had manged to perk her up, going by her participation in their chatter and antics. However, it did not seem to be quite enough. Not when it seemed that she was unable to look her in the eye and adamant at rejecting the offer for hugs.

The senior guitarist's brows furrowed as she observed said girl. She could understand how Azusa felt. It was their last year, and their last school festival together. They were supposed to be giving it their all together, practicing late into the night more than just once. They should be hanging more in the clubroom, enjoying all the tea and snacks they could in between practices. They should be having fun with their instruments, enjoying each other's company all the while. Instead, they had been absorbed into the play and almost never showed in the clubroom. Worse still, it dawned on her that none of them had even checked in on her.

She knew that she and the others had been practicing on their own at home, but that seemed like small comfort for the issue.

We are a band aren't we?

The guilt began to build as a lump rose in her throat.

She should have texted her. Or came up to the clubroom to check in. As a fellow guitarist and senior, she should have been more perceptive and thoughtful.

Yui shuddered as she pictured Azusa in the clubroom day after day. No teas, no cakes, no music; just one twin-tailed girl sitting on the bench with Muttan clutched in her hands and a sombre gaze aimed at the door.

On the other hand, she herself was in her classroom, basking in the peals of laughter and buzz of excitement of her peers. Trying on costumes, peeking at scripts and posing with props; not once did the thought of checking the clubroom cross her mind.

The two rooms were merely a floor apart, but the atmosphere could not have been more different.

The senior guitarist thought back to their training camp, to the light chuckles of the younger girl as they sat on the cool studio floor into the wee hours of the morning.

She remembered the look of resolution in her eyes during Summer Fest as they sat on the grass, and the fire that the twin-tailed girl's resolve had sparked in her chest.

She recalled the warmth that blossomed in her when she had the chance to spend time with Azusa and clean out Ton-chan's tank, and how earnest her little kouhai had been when coaching her on reading sheet music.

She thought about the surge of guilt that shot through her when told that Azusa had been the most worried for her while she was ill. The pout that had crossed the young guitarist's face compelled Yui to make the sincerest apology she had made in a while.

She reminisced about the dizzy rush of relief when Azusa had agreed to help her with the talent show with barely any hesitation, and how she had diligently assisted her with every step. Dealing with finals and a competition in close succession was daunting, but with Azusa it had felt possible.

We are more than just a band now.

Which was why she wanted to give Azusa a big giant hug to reassure her that they cared. That she cared. But given at how her attempts were being thwarted one after another with more than the usual vehemence, Yui felt her restlessness grow. Azusa looked willing enough to mingle with the rest but seemed unwilling to entertain her approaches and hugs. Every word that Yui spoke to her was met with a hesitant look and exasperated sigh. Each approach to give her a hug, however sneaky she tried to be, was pushed away or redirected. Yui felt her heart sink further as the hours passed.

Is Azu-nyan… mad at me?

It seemed reasonable. She was the senior, and thus she had the responsibility for caring for her. Plus, they were the twin guitarists of the band; no one else shared their instrument or sound. That made them more than just band members to each other, they were partners. Guitarist partners. For her to have forgotten about her fellow partner was grounds for trouble.

But… I really didn't mean to…

The sound of the running faucet stopped, and Yui watched as Azusa began packing her toothpaste and toothbrush. A quick glance back showed that the other 3 had already left the washroom.

Maybe if they were in a more private setting, she could speak more directly with Azusa. As the twin-tailed girl turned to leave the sink, Yui's mind raced. She wanted to make sure the young girl was feeling alright, that she understood that she was important to them.

Most importantly, she wanted to say she was sorry.

Azusa tucked her toiletries into a small pouch.

Yui felt her heart pound hard. Now was the best time to act. But how should she do it? Hugs were clearly out of the question at this point.

Azusa reached for the door.

Now or never!

"Azu-nyan! Er…" her call deflated almost as quickly as it came.

Azusa froze in her tracks.

Yui's voice was hesitant and low, devoid of its usual cheer and perkiness. A sharp contrast to her demeanour prior to entering the washroom, where she had cheerfully expressed her support of what was essentially a "toilet party". This was a foreign tone, one that would never be heard coming from the exuberant girl unless something had gone wrong. Azusa felt her heart rate spike; her mind began whirling as she reviewed the possible causes.

She wished she could say that she had no idea what was triggering the disturbance in the senior guitarist. That she was just as confused about what was happening. But Azusa was no liar.

The shock of her realisation in the afternoon had not died down. It remained fresh at the forefront of her mind, buzzing like an annoying mosquito hovering next to her ear. Every chord she strummed, every conversation she joined, every joke she laughed at; it was there. Prodding her, poking her, trying to tear her attention away from the present.

She had tried to swat it away like the pest it was. But her efforts felt increasingly futile as the night wore on. The uncomfortable thoughts came one after another, spiking in intensity whenever Yui-senpai drew close. They wore at her restraint unrelentingly, and every thought bred a distinct sense of dread that sapped her mood and left her chest feeling heavy. With her control crumbling quickly with each assault, she decided to spare herself and put some distance between herself and Yui.

Yui might not have been the main source of her distress but avoiding someone would be infinitely easier than avoiding one's thoughts. Turns out trying to ignore your own voice was as easy as trying to ignore a screaming infant strapped to one's back.

Azusa groaned inwardly. She wanted nothing more than to simply enjoy the festival, to bask in the renewed mood that her seniors had brought about.

After all, they had more than proven that they did not forget about the performance. The practice they had was one of the smoothest she had experienced. Mugi-senpai had made good on her word too, keeping everyone focused and motivated on the practice session. Yui-senpai had remained on good behaviour while Ritsu-senpai managed to keep herself in time. Even Mio-senpai – in contrast to her usual shyness – had ruffled her hair gently and offered thanks for her patience.

And their little trip around school grounds had been nothing short of fun too. The sense of exclusivity that came with roaming their school during an atypical time of day was exciting. That thrill thrummed within her as she walked, and Azusa found herself taking stock of every shred of closeness she felt with her seniors. And with a performance just up ahead, the whole night had projected one single thought with absolute clarity.

We are a band.

It should have been more than enough to help her focus, to lift her spirits that had otherwise felt crushed mere hours ago.

Who am I kidding? I'm still feeling like a mess.

And now, she was to have what would no doubt be an uncomfortable conversation in a toilet of all places. A headache began to creep its way across her temples.

No point prolonging this any further. The sooner it starts, the sooner it will end.

Azusa willed herself to turn around. Fighting every urge to run and hide, she forced her eyes up to meet Yui's.

The senior girl's eyes were downcast, her gaze aimed at the floor. Her shoulders were hunched forward, weighed down by an unseen load. Fingers fidgeted nervously as she struggled to piece together something to say. The small washroom suddenly felt cavernous, and the silence quickly turned the air stuffy, making it somehow infinitely harder to breathe. Azusa could practically hear the pounding of her heart in her ears.

What will you say, Yui-senpai? Do you already know what is going on?

"Azunyan… are you mad at me?"

That was very direct.

It still did nothing to stem the flood of nervous energy surging through her veins at the moment.

Was she mad? She could not really tell. She was frustrated and aggravated, she was tired and feeling absolutely done. She did not want Yui to take a step closer, to stir up any more uncomfortable and disconcerting thoughts with her affections. She did not want to be taking such rude actions against her senior when she clearly wasn't being malicious. Her head and her heart were already charging in different directions since the play, desperately pulling at her control and sanity. Above all else, she just wanted to sleep and ignore everything. Did that count as being mad?

I have to answer, don't I?

"… Not really." It wasn't a lie she supposed. Some small vestige of her rational mind reasoned that she was just simply confused, which was responsible for the torrent of negative emotions. Thus, Yui was not the cause of her ire.

A more emotional part of her mind protested. Yui equaled negative surge therefore Yui made her mad. Tell it to her damn it!

...I better leave it at that.

On the other end, Yui felt her head threatening to explode from the pounding as it raced even more.

A "not really" wasn't a yes, but it wasn't a no either. So, was Azusa mad at her or not? Or was she mad but unwilling to say? Why did she not wish to disclose it? Would her apology have any effect then?

Somehow, ambiguity stung way more.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Yui tried to steady herself. She had to stay strong and carry out a proper apology. Even if Azusa was truly angry, she would have to bear the responsibility of defusing the situation. It was only befitting of a senior wasn't it?

Yet, I feel nothing like a cool senior right now.

Clutching a balled fist to her chest, she let out a shuddering breath. "I'm sorry I didn't check on you Azu-nyan. I… I should have."

The younger guitarist blinked. Was that what Yui-senpai thought this was about? She felt a chunk of her frustration fizzle out as she processed the apology.

Yui continued, fingers fidgeting all the while. "I know how important our live set is to you, how much you want to play it well with us. I should have… paid more attention."

Please Azu-nyan… I'm really sorry.

Azusa felt her ears heat up. Voice tight, she forced out her reply. "B-but you were busy…"

"That still doesn't change the fact that you felt abandoned… and I am responsible." Hazel eyes fixed themselves on hers. Azusa felt her head begin to spin.

That was... such a ridiculous claim.

It was no one's fault. None of them would have intentionally wanted her to feel that way. It was merely an unfortunate circumstance, like a group outing that falls through due to overlapping commitments. It happened all the time, and Azusa was no stranger to that.

So why did part of her feel tempted to agree with such an unfair statement?

No… it's not fair to-

But I thought she cared. She's always so attached, isn't she?

Some small, vindictive part of her wanted to agree, to rub it in her senior's face that it was as she said. But that would not help the situation or be fair. The throbbing in her head grew stronger, and she pinched the bridge of her nose as she willed her mess of thoughts and feelings to stop.

Stay calm. Focus.

Her mind, rebellious as always, did not comply.

"Yui-senpai, it's not... your fault. You were just busy." Azusa ground out through gritted teeth. How did it get to this?

The senior girl remained silent as she chewed on her bottom lip. Azusa's mind continued its conflict.

She was busy-

We are fellow guitarists. Doesn't that mean something?

What was it supposed to mean?

And her thoughts from the afternoon surged anew, sending a wave of dizzying fatigue through her limbs. Blood rushed to her face, and her cheeks heated up significantly against the cool air of the empty washroom. Grasping for the sink, she gripped the white porcelain and held on as her legs trembled. She cursed.

Why now?!

"Azu-nyan! Are you alright?! Is it a fever?!" In a flash, Yui had reached her junior's side. Worry streaked across the hazel-haired girl's features as she reached to feel her forehead.

Azusa jerked away like she had been branded by a hot iron.

Worry instantly turned to confused hurt.

"Azu-nyan…" came the weakened reply.

No that's not what I meant!

Whatever restraint Azusa had left shattered.

"I'm just really confused!" Hazel eyes widened as the younger girl leveled a feverish stare at her senior.

"I felt sad that you guys might have forgotten about the live set. Then I felt guilty for even thinking such a thing. Then…" Tears began poking out from the corners of her eyes.

This wasn't supposed to happen. It was the school festival and the night before their performance! She was supposed to be having fun, laughing along with the rest, not freaking out and crying in a bathroom!

Her breathing became ragged, and her heart was beating so hard she felt it would break through her chest at any moment. In the silence of the bathroom, Azusa heard only the thunder of her heart pounding in her ears. Feeling her legs give out, the younger guitarist slid to the floor as she desperately tried to wipe her tears.

"Then then I thought about you and… and I got so confused and you wouldn't stop hugging me-"

Thankfully - or maybe not, Azusa couldn't really think anymore - Yui didn't seem like she heard what she was implying. Instead, the older girl simply interjected.

"I'm sorry I've made you so uncomfortable Azu-nyan." Her voice was gentle, but the smile that accompanied it was strained. "I'll stop the hugs if it will make you feel better."

"N-no… that's not what I meant…" Azusa choked out, wiping away a fresh stream of tears. Her head felt stuffy and heavy from the stress of it all, and her eyes burned from the tears. And with her rational mind shot and feeling like the sparking ends of a frayed wire, her next words tumbled out before she could even get a handle on them.

"Why do you keep saying you're the one responsible? You're not the only one who was-" She forced herself to pause. "busy."

Yui held back a wince.

"Well…" the lead guitarist found herself twiddling her fingers again. "I'm your senior and I have a responsibility to care for you…"

Azusa felt her heart squeeze uncomfortably. Damn that choice of words!

"And we are guitar partners. So, it's double responsibility on me, isn't it?"

Guitar partners. Are you just coining that term for fun?

"So, what does it mean?" Azusa countered immediately. Her eyes, puffy from crying, now bore an intense and almost desperate look.

Yui blinked in confusion. "Huh?"

"You called us partners. What does it mean?"

She shouldn't be asking this. She shouldn't be asking such a loaded, strange and unclear question at nearly 2 am in the morning. She shouldn't be having such a fragile conversation in a bathroom on the eve of a live performance. But the words were already out, and Azusa could only sit and watch as she railroaded herself and the conversation straight for the wall.

Whether it would end in a proper stop or blazing crash was anyone's guess.

But at the same time, she had to.

Ever since she had joined the Light Music Club, it had been a conga line of challenges to her view of reality. First came the challenge to her views on music; where the light-heartedness of the members of HTT proved that music didn't need to be all about discipline and standards. That had been a hard enough pill to swallow, as it ran counter to everything she believed about music. Then came the challenge to her dealings with her seniors; where the traditional roles of leadership and mentorship were turned completely over on their heads with the familial and laid-back dynamic of her seniors. That had been a far-cry from where she had come from. Then came the issue of their teacher; there was nothing more she could say about it beyond it being seriously atypical and borderline controversial at times.

The Light Music Club had challenged every aspect of high school life that she had come to believe.

And now, there came one final one in the shape of a Hiirasawa Yui. To whom traditional senior-junior relationships and limitations on public displays of affection seemingly did not apply. Everything she did in her presence had an intimacy and level that bordered on…

Admit it. You want it to mean that.

Fine, yeah. Azusa admitted with bitter shame.

But this was Yui. A girl who was the walking embodiment of affection and had nearly everyone in her class on her favourite people list. A girl who was terrible at taking care of herself at times, yet had more than several people's worth of thoughtfulness and care to give.

With such a repertoire of good-natured and all-loving tendencies that extended to almost everyone, could any of those directed at her be intentional and special anymore?

Does the term 'partner' mean anything to her? Or was this yet another one of those irresponsible things she did, foisting labels onto others without realising the implications?

Azusa glowered at her senior, silently demanding her answer.

Sensing the gravity of the question, Yui gulped. Azu-nyan's probably really mad… This wasn't one of the typical Azusa flip-outs. Those ones – while definitely containing some measure of frustration – were still good natured and within control. They were usually for the sake of moving a practice along or to get away from whoever was being a bit too playful at the time. And though it mostly tended to be directed at Yui herself, they were outbursts made with trust. Trust that they both would be willing to make up later, trust that Yui knew what was the right thing to do.

But this one right now, this one had mistrust bleeding out of every crack. She had to pick her words carefully.

"I-it means…" Her voice cracked. She knew what she wanted to express, but the sheer pressure that Azusa directed at her was making her tremble.

Azusa held her breath.

"It m-means that I share your wishes and feelings Azu-nyan."

The torrent of confusion in Azusa's head paused.

Huh?

Taking another deep breath and fixing her quavering gaze on hers, Yui continued. "The performance is important to you. It is to me too."

Another breath later, and the words become easier to say. "You want to play music with us, and being able to play alongside you is also important to me. I practiced Giita everyday till 2 am even while preparing for the play, because I wanted to make sure you wouldn't worry about having to re-teach me. I wanted to make this live set with you the best one yet."

The older girl's lips curved into a sheepish smile as she scratched her cheek. "But it seems like I forgot the most important step, which was to actually tell you what I was doing and thinking."

"And because we are both guitarists, we practice together a lot. I of all people should know how worried and lonely you would feel if you had to practice by yourself. Because I would too." That sent a blush creeping up Azusa's neck, and she averted her eyes from Yui's reflexively.

"Ricchan, Mio-chan and Mugi-chan all had their hands full as well. So, all the more that I should have come to check-in on you. It makes me feel really bad that I did not, and it made you sad." Yui's expression turned sombre, and she shifted to assume a seiza pose before lowering her head.

"So for that Azu-nyan, I am very sorry."

Azusa's mind ground to a halt.

What could she say in response to that? Here she was, having heard arguably the rawest apology she has heard regarding the whole incident. And Yui had answered her question in the most direct and honest fashion possible too.

How many times has this happened, where she has had herself floored and rendered speechless by this airhead's insight? Where she assumed that she was speaking irresponsibly, only to find that she not only meant it but thought it through?

The tumult in her head waned as she processed the whole string of events.

She cares about what I feel. She sees the live as important, just like me. She wants the same things as me.

That lead to another question. One that Azusa wasn't sure if she wanted an answer to.

It spilled out of her lips anyway. "Why? Why do you care about me so much?"

What am I doing?

Yui's face turned serious. "Because you're important and special to me. When you're sad, I feel sad too. And sometimes, I end up feeling… extra sad."

The younger guitarist felt her jaw slacken.

"Which was why I've been trying to give you a hug all this time. I wanted to cheer you up and make it up to you."

She was just trying to help you feel better. The flood of frustration and confusion slipped away, replaced by a distinct sense of guilt. There was no irresponsible claim, no abandonment. Just one girl trying to comfort another. And said girl had more-or-less declared that she found her to be special. To be important.

You're… important to me too.

"B-but if you prefer for me to keep a distance, I can do that! Er… I''ll just cheer you up another way! Whatever you need me to do, just name it Azu-nyan!" Yui rambled as she waved her arms in front of her, emphasizing her decision to respect staying at arms-length.

What more could she say? Yui cared, and she wanted her to feel better. To feel happy. And if she was being honest to herself, Azusa wanted to feel happy too. She wanted nothing more than just to feel better and let this whole ordeal end.

Azusa pushed herself off the floor and launched herself toward Yui, enveloping the girl in a tight hug.

And in that instant, everything finally felt right.

Yui, ironically, stiffened upon the contact. Arms raised and hovering hesitantly over the younger girl, she stared at her with widened eyes.

"E-eh? Azu-nyan… i-is this okay with you?" Yui croaked, torn between wanting to keep her distance and wanting to do what she had been trying to the whole evening.

Azusa let out a teary chuckle as she buried herself deeper into Yui's shoulder. "Of course. I wouldn't be doing it otherwise." Softly, she added. "Thank you. I care for you a lot too."

The older girl lets out a loud sob and dived fully into the hug, squeezing Azusa tightly as fresh tears streaked down her own face. The twin-tailed girl squeezed back.

The warmth of Yui spread over her shoulders in a soothing wave, easing the frayed edges of her mind. It was the warmth that she had grown accustomed to over the past 2 years. It was a welcoming and easy warmth, one that made her feel accepted and wanted. The remainder of her tension faded, and the air became breathable once more. Melting fully into the embrace, Azusa inhaled deeply. Yui's blue jersey was old and slightly faded, but it held a distinct mild scent that she had come to associate with the older girl. The smell alone triggered a fresh wave of serenity, sending a flood of warm and fuzzy memories through her mind. Memories that she wanted to persist, to never lose access to. Her arms tightened around Yui.

I share your feelings and wishes too, senpai.

I want this.

For her petite stature, Azusa clearly had a fair amount of strength. Yui felt that the air was being squeezed out of her lungs as the younger girl continued crushing herself against her torso. But she didn't mind. It would be the first proper hug that Azusa ever initiated with her, and that meant that this was special. So she bore with the bone-crushing pressure, letting her own hands pat Azusa's back to soothe the younger girl.

After what felt like forever, Yui felt the arms around her midriff loosen. Finally able to breath normally again, Yui let out a hacking cough as the sudden influx of air tickled her dry throat. Azusa looked up in mild alarm.

"Sorry senpai! Did I squeeze too hard?"

"Ehehehe, it's Azu-nyan's special hug. So I'm fine!" The senior girl threw a fist up in the air, posing triumphantly. The twin-tailed girl let out a sigh in response.

"Ah! Does this mean I get to keep hugging you Azu-nyan?" Yui asked earnestly.

Azusa chuckled. "Yes, you can Yui-senpai."

"Oh! And can I still call you Azu-nyan?"

"That wasn't in question senpai…"

Yui heaved a dramatic sigh of relief, and Azusa found herself rolling her eyes. Nonetheless, it was comforting to finally be able to slip back into a more normal interaction. It was far from a traditional interaction between a senior and junior. It might not even be totally proper. But it felt right, and that was all Azusa wanted to care about.

Gathering the last of their toiletries, the 2 girls began their trek back to the clubroom. Without warning, Yui latched onto the smaller girl as they walked down the darkened hallway, and refused to let go even as they continued moving.

"C'mon Yui-senpai, that's a bit much isn't it?" Azusa gently patted the older girl's arm. But as usual, she did not really mind it.

"Aww but you said I could hug you Azu-nyan. Besides, I've not fully recharged." Came the signature pleading whine, and for once Azusa smiled despite herself.

"I've been meaning to ask… what do you mean by recharge?"

Yui raised an eyebrow. "Eh? You don't know?"

Azusa leveled a flat stare.

"It just means that your hugs are special too Azu-nyan. Only your hugs can recharge me and help me feel better." That statement ignited a fire in her cheeks, and the rhythm guitarist felt her face flush hot from the rush of blood. If it were possible, she probably would be steaming out of her ears as they turned as red as her jersey.

"T-that's-"

"So, don't worry Azu-nyan, you're the only one I'll hug from now on okay?" Yui gave Azusa what was supposed to be a reassuring squeeze, but that served to bring their faces closer to one another.

She was sure that wasn't what she was asking but Azusa could barely register her thoughts anymore. For the second time that day her mind ran out of her control. Her heart began to race even harder than before as the shared body heat began to sear her skin through the fabric of her jersey.

Oblivious, Yui continued, drawing Azusa even closer. "Ah! How about I hug you through the night?"

"Senpai!" Azusa squealed in alarm, embarrassment peaking and suffering so much sensory overload that she was sure she was going to faint.

"Alright alright…" Yui pouted. Azusa heaved a deep sigh of relief as Yui slackened her hold on her, moving her face away. Any more and she was sure she wouldn't make it back to the clubroom conscious. But the arms remained around her nonetheless, reluctant to release her fully. The senior girl's expression turned pleading as her lips pouted, wordlessly hoping to not be dismissed so quickly from her recharge. Azusa felt her chest squeeze again, and her resistance crumbled.

"F-f-fine. You can h-hold on till we reach the clubroom. B-but only till there o-okay?" She stammered, turning her gaze to the ground.

Yui happily complied.

"Hey they've been gone for a while haven't they?" Mio said, voice laced with worry.

"They're probably still in the washroom. Azusa wasn't done when we left remember?" Ritsu waved an arm lazily, while the other reached for the leftover riceballs from dinner. Ui's cooking was superb as ever, and even though she had already brushed her own teeth she couldn't resist another bite.

"Yeah, but this is too long isn't it? Should we go look for them?" Mio stood as she spoke, eyes aimed at the door as she wondered what had happened to the 2 guitarists.

Ritsu's tone automatically turned sly. "Oh? You? Venturing out into the dark, empty hallways all by yourself and not knowing if something will pop out and- ARGH!"

Mio regretted nothing. Still, with that tease whatever strength that fuelled her to stand disappeared completely. Legs trembling at the thought of dark hallways, she remained rooted on the spot and her hand reflexively reached for Ritsu's jersey. Cradling the bump on her head, Ritsu croaked out an offer to go with Mio.

Mugi watched the entire scene with barely concealed bliss.

"I'll go look for them. You two take a break." Mugi interjected with a mischievous smile. Before the two could even respond, the blonde had already foisted herself out of the clubroom and left them behind.

She figured it would be for the best. Ritsu and Mio would have some privacy while Yui and Azusa would have the time and space needed for them to talk. It would be the most direct action she had taken and would be quite a gamble. But if both pairs could stay put long enough, it would be worth the payoff. Positioning herself at the middle of the stairwell, Mugi waited.

When she heard the embarrassed squeak of Azusa along the stairwell mere minutes later, she knew her gamble had succeeded. Now all she needed to do was not blow her cover, and the night can continue.

Phew! This turned out to be an even longer chapter than I anticipated. The contents had to go through several rounds of complete rewriting, and at times threatened to veer completely out of control. But I made it!

Once again, I apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors that have made it into this post, due to a lack of a beta-reader. Plus the whole British vs American English spelling of certain words just drives me completely crazy. But please let me know what you think of the story so far, and if it made you feel just as many feels as I did while writing this.

Notes:

Corpsing - a theater slang for unintentionally laughing during a non-humorous scene. (Go look it up TvTropes, I drew a lot of inspiration for my writing from there)