A/N: Thank you for your faves, reviews and follows!

To Guest: Of course there's going to be conflict and bad times! We've got it all planned out because a story without conflict isn't a story, right?

Song mentioned: One Ok Rock "Clock Strikes".

Chapter 22

A New Season begins.

…

"Ow!" Takao screeched as he crashed face-first into the floor. The music immediately stopped as everyone rushed to his aid. Kagami and Kise helped him up onto his feet, Kasamatsu and Hikaru checked if there were any bruises. He was fine.

"What happened, Takao-kun?" Hikaru asked.

Takao laughed sheepishly, "I tripped."

Currently, they were practising their choreography, Hikaru being his usual merciless self. But this choreo was tricky compared to their other songs, and the only one to get it quickly was Kise because of his damn copy ability. Often times the copycat laughs at their struggles, but there are other times when he feels pity for them. Kuroko followed suit behind Kise due to his experience in dancing for so many years.

"Alright, it's good that you didn't hurt anywhere." Hikaru sighed in relief. He then paused and asked, "You didn't right?"

"No Sir~" Takao said playfully. "I feel fine."

"Great," the older Kuroko clapped. "Take a ten minute break and we'll resume after."

The boys groaned, "Only ten minutes?"

Hikaru decided to be evil here, "Oh...since you feel that way, how about five?" He knew full well that they wanted more time, but he loved to see their expressions.

"No! Ten minutes is fine!"

The dance instructor laughed out loud. He loved messing with them. "It's alright, I planned to end practice early today. So you're free to go."

"Really?!" they screeched in joy.

"Yes." Hikaru nodded. "I'll still be around since I have to speak with Kenji. If you need anything, hit me up."And with that Hikaru left the room, all five collapsed onto their butts, hydrating themselves.

"Damn, I like the song, but this routine is a killer. I think it's probably worse than Baby was." Kagami grumbled. "It's cool, but..."

"I get you Kagamicchi." Kise nodded.

"You have no say in this!" the redhead shouted. "You get everything with just one look!"

Kise smirked, "Jealous are we?"

Takao sighed. He could literally feel the grey hairs growing. These two were always at each other's throats for even the pettiest of things. It was strange, he realized, how friendly they were on the court, but at home...they argue and fight like a cat and dog. His eyes subconsciously trailed over to Kuroko, who had pulled a novel out of his bag and to Kasamatsu who was busy typing away on his phone. A small smile graced his face as he had a feeling of who the captain might be texting.

It's only been a week since Kasamatsu accompanied Reiko, but they've been messaging and calling each other practically everyday. What made it worse, Reiko told Kise everything that happened, and even sent the videos and pictures that Mai sent to her phone. Of course, the others showered him with teases when they heard everything (and after Kise calmed his murderous self down as he was ready to slaughter the Nishida guy with his parents). Kise had even started calling him "Onii-chan". At that, Kasamatsu properly kicked him into oblivion.

"Yu-chan~" Takao sang as he leaned closer to the older boy.

"Hmm?"

"Who are you texting?" he asked playfully as though he didn't already know the answer.

Kasamatsu reddened as he put down the phone on his bag. "A friend."

"Oh really ―" Takao broke off as he heard a ringtone. It was Kasamatsu's song "Wherever You Are". All eyes stared at the captain as he answered his phone call, and when he was done, Kuroko gave out:

"Isn't that a bit risky, Kasamatsu-senpai?"

"How so?" Kasamatsu asked, raising his eyebrows in confusion. "It isn't like people will know that I'm the one singing here."

"That's true but you'll never know what could happen." Kagami shrugged.

Kasamatsu laughed, "Seriously? Nothing will happen. It's not that like we'll be a rock band or something."

A deadly silence befell them as they wore guilty expressions. Kasamatsu couldn't believe it. "Oi, oi, oi...you can't be serious about that." No answer. "Right?" Kasamatsu was getting worried.

"Senpai, Senpai," Kise started shaking his head. It seemed like he was building up to something, when suddenly he gave out, "I have to run. See you at home." At that the blond sauntered out of the room and headed to freshen up, leaving the others (especially Kasamatsu) in bewilderment. These days, Kise tends to run off somewhere without telling them where he was going, but at least he had the decency to come back before dinner. The first two instances they hadn't minded, but it's becoming an everyday thing.

"What do you think he's doing?" Takao asked, genuinely worried. They even forgot about earlier. "He isn't being blackmailed?"

Kasamatsu placed a fist in his palm. "Anyone who dares to do that will be killed."

"Why can't we trail him?" Kagami suggested. "Well, Kuroko can. I have a feeling that we'll stick out like sore thumbs."

Kuroko sighed. Spying on Kise was not in his job description. "Can't we just ask?"

"He may lie." the other three gave out. Kuroko snapped his book shut and sighed.

"We're going to ask when he gets home. If we feel he's lying, then I'll follow him."

…

A taxi pulled up in front of the "Euphoria" ―a live house located in one of the busiest places of Yokohama. After paying the driver, Kise hopped out of the car, and made his way inside. By the time he navigated his way past the stage and audience area, he opened a door nestled to the right entering a hallway. After passing by a couple doors he entered one on the right, the blond meeting who he intended.

There the male was, smirking at Kise with that bad boy smile ―Sugimoto Makio. He was a tall young man with shoulder length dark hair and dyed purple ends, his front fringe clipped back. His brown eyes stared with excitement at Kise as the blond teen practically skipped over to him.

"Yo!" Makio greeted, pushing himself off the wall. "You're here early."

"Of course." Kise grinned.

Makio laughed, "Now let's get going, shall we? I'll be busy soon." he then turned around and Kise followed him like its the usual thing to do. They went downstairs into what seemed to be a basement. In the large room, there were two drum sets ―one set having more drums than the other ―and amplifiers and other musical equipment. Makio got comfortable around the sparkling purple drums that had his name "Makki" on the front of the Bass Drum and the sticks in a cool design.

"You're ready?"

"Of course." Kise smirked as he sat around the other drum set and took up the sticks.

…

When Kise reached home, he noticed that no one was in the living room. He quickly took off his shoes and trotted inside. He went inside their bedroom to change his clothes and found it empty. He started to wonder where they could have gone, as due to the frightening sound proofing of the rooms here, he wouldn't even be able to hear a scream.

Kise left their bedroom and headed to the other room and found all four sitting around the table, as usual with Kasamatsu playing his acoustic guitar. Kise heaved a sigh of relief.

"You're back." Kasamatsu began, "So, where did you go?"

"Yokohama," the blond replied as he took a seat. He wasn't lying, "Euphoria" was located in the area after all and it was roughly an hour from here in a taxi if there's no traffic and couple minutes by Shinkansen.

"For what?" Kuroko asked.

"To see someone."

"Who?" Takao asked.

Kise drew back, this feels like an interrogation! He thought. But, he realized that he couldn't hide it from them for long, as if Kuroko felt like it, he could tail him and he wouldn't even notice. So with a sigh, Kise said,

"You guys remember Makio, right?" Eyebrows rose in confusion. "Sugimoto-san!" he threw his hands up in the air for dramatic effect. He just couldn't believe that they forgot about him already.

"Oh, the purple haired guy." Takao said in realization. "Ruiko's fiancé, right?"

"Yes. Him."

"So what about him?" Kagami asked.

"I went to meet him." Kise said. But he continued as he could hear the "Why?" lingering in the air, "Remember when I told you guys about my soon-to-be brother-in-law who is a master of the drums?"

"Yes, the former drummer." they drawled. "We know."

"Before I got into basketball, he taught me the basics." Cue the jaw-dropping. "So, I figured that since Senpai could play the guitar, I could play the drums and help create rhythms and such for his oh-so wonderful songs." He batted his lashes playfully here, hoping to calm the onslaught that may follow.

"You can play the drums?!" Came the screech from the others.

"Uh, yeah. I can knock a couple basic beats." Kise said, covering his ears. "But I'm still an amateur. I haven't reached mastery yet."

Kasamatsu looked shocked. "So, you decided to continue for what? To create beats for my songs?"

Kise flashed him a smile. "Well, yeah. It's not like I'm completely new to the drums. I just figured that..." he trailed off.

"I appreciate it, but we're idols. You learning the drums will be ―"

"We can be a band!" Takao perked cutting him off. "It could be a side-project of ours! Like how idol groups have sub-units and such, we can do the same thing, just a different genre of music!"

Kasamatsu paled and nearly fainted.

"I'm already on the drums, so what are you going to play?" Kise asked, grinning like a fool and ignoring Kasamatsu's pale look.

"Guitar! Tai-chan and I can play the guitars!" Takao shrieked. "I wanna look cool like Yu-chan!"

Kise and Takao's eyes then travelled to Kuroko who was reading and barely participating in the conversation. As if he could read their minds, the light-blue haired teen said in his usual deadpan, "Keyboard." And went back to reading.

Kasamatsu placed his face in his palms. They couldn't be serious. They were just rattling off due to emotions and the heat of the moment...That's what Kasamatsu would love to believe but the fact that Kise has been going to Makio to learn the drums is a serious matter.

He knew he should stop them, but no sound came out of his mouth.

"But which guitar would I play?" Takao asked, "Shit, what's the cost for a guitar anyway?" the hawk-eyed boy then turned to Kasamatsu, "Yu-chan! Help!"

Kasamatsu sighed. "There are many types of guitars, three of which are mainly used in rock bands ―Lead, Bass and Rhythm. The fourth is this one," he said as he tapped the guitar in his hand, "Is called the Acoustic. I don't need to explain anything." he continued, "The Lead guitar is the one that gets the cool solos, Rhythm drives the music and plays the accompaniment chords to the Lead's melody, Bass is the deep sound." Kasamatsu tried his best to break it down simple for them, since they knew next to nothing about instruments.

"Oh."

"About the price, don't worry. I can give you one of mine. Kagami too."

"Really Senpai?!"

"Yes. I have like twelve at home." he then mumbled, "Well, eleven are at home since I have this one with me."

"Really?!"

"Yes. I've been learning how to play since I was four. Now I'm seventeen, do the math."

"I think we found our Lead Guitarist." Kise said with a chuckle. He leaned back and folded his arms. "You write awesome songs Senpai. If you give these songs to bands to sing, I doubt that they will do it justice."

"Plus, I believe you should be the one to sing your songs and not someone else." Takao pitched in. "Unless, you write a song with a person's voice in mind or something."

Kasamatsu sighed. This couldn't go on any longer. "Guys, as much fun as it would be, we cannot be a band. We have basketball and our work to do."

There was silence for a second. All eyes were on the captain and seeing their faces, Kasamatsu felt relieved as it looked like he knocked some senses into them.

"Senpai, learning an instrument to mastery level takes ten thousand hours. That's roughly one year and some mash if we practice everyday. But, given what we're up to, we won't have the time to practice everyday. So it'll take more than that." Kise tapped his index on his chin in thought, "it'll probably take two years before we can think about world domination in rock music."

Even if Kise says that, Kasamatsu ―and everyone else―knew that the blond bastard is a fast learner with or without his copy ability. Add to that, Kise has been learning the drums before he even started basketball. Which means, he already started his "ten thousand hours".

He looked across to Takao and Kagami. They can already read sheet music, so learning to read guitar notations shouldn't take much time. It's the techniques that he's currently worrying about. Letting out a groan, Kasamatsu slammed his forehead on the table. If he should follow them, he'll go insane for sure.

"Oh My God! Senpai!" Kise screeched as he thought something had gone wrong with Kasamatsu.

"I'm fine." Kasamatsu replied, shrugging off the screaming blond. "It's just that..." he trailed off, "...this is something that you guys can't do on a whim. It may not be like idol work where you have to keep up an image, or learn choreography and the whatnot, but rock bands have their struggles too. It's not something you'd ―"

"Yu-chan," Takao started, his voice abnormally serious. "We know. It's just that, we can't let your songs go to waste, nor your voice. You have the sweetest sounding voice out of all of us, you know?"

Kise nodded vigorously beside him. "Don't worry, we'll take it in strides." he then grinned. "After all we're aiming for World Domination!"

Kasamatsu gave up. He realized that their minds won't be changed. Even Kuroko, who's supposed to be their voice of reason is ignoring the conversation. But in Kasamatsu's eyes, the light-blue haired teen is silently agreeing to their schemes. He then wondered what Kenji would think about this, but thought that what the manager doesn't know won't hurt him.

"So, since you're all hell-bent on this, Takao, Kagami which guitar will you play? Who's on the bass and rhythm?"

Without a word, Kagami and Takao stood up and got into position for Janken. It was a usual thing for the five, decisions were made with janken. Quick and easy.

"Alright, let's go! Jan...ken….pon!"

At the draw, Kagami had scissors while Takao had paper. That meant, Kagami was going to play the bass while Takao played the rhythm. There were no cheering since, in both boys' eyes, a guitar was a guitar even though they produced different sounds. Kise was humming in joy in his seat, Kuroko was still reading his novel, hiding his smile behind the book.

Now that that was settled, Kasamatsu went back to his strumming and humming, when Kuroko interrupted him and asked,

"What's the name of the song, Senpai?" he took up the lyric sheet and looked at it. "And why are some of the lyrics in English? As a matter of fact, you're first song was partially in English too." he later added, "The lyrics are nice though."

Kasamatsu chuckled. "I'm just practising my English." he then answered his earlier question, "The title is "Clock Strikes"."

"Hold on." Kagami said, leaning forwards contemplatively. "We won't need amplifiers, will we?"

They paused immediately.

"Well ―" Kasamatsu broke off as Kise placed a hand on his shoulder.

He whipped out his phone and messaged Makio. Without even waiting ten seconds properly, the drummer replied to the text with a trail of emojis.

With a triumphant grin, Kise said, "We're safe."

Kasamatsu frowned. He was going to tell them that he had two amplifiers at home for his guitars, but...oh well.

xxxx

The cherry blossoms that decorated most of the trees swayed in the wind while some fell to the ground, littering the streets, sidewalks and students with their beauty. It was now Spring, which meant, a new school year was beginning.

"Can't believe I'm a second year already..." Kise groaned out as he sat in the sofa, fully dressed in his uniform except for his shoes.

"I know right? It feels like just yesterday that I was entering Shutoku." Takao agreed. He then grinned as he looked in Kasamatsu's direction. "So before you know it, we'll be mastering our instruments, ne, Yu-chan?"

Kasamatsu snorted his response.

It's been a couple weeks since they decided to take up the rock band venture, and so far, it isn't going bad. At the moment, Kasamatsu is teaching Takao and Kagami the theory needed for the guitars ―from simple things such as structure to complex notation and tablature, Kasamatsu made sure to cover it all. Kuroko was learning how to play the keyboard from Akamine-sensei without the man being none the wiser and of course, Kise continued to visit Makio.

"Don't be like that, Yu-chan!" Takao pouted.

"What? I didn't say anything."

"That's it." the hawk-eyed boy huffed. "You're supposed to be encouraging. Say things like ―" he broke off when he saw the captain's face. Takao couldn't tell if Kasamatsu's expression was showing disgust or the "you've got to be kidding me" look.

"Senpai, what's with that look?" Kise chuckled, fighting to stifle down his laughter. Kasamatsu hadn't the energy so he rolled his eyes at the blond ace. Kuroko sat there glancing at them every now and then, amused. He realized that he lived with an entertaining bunch, and wants to savour every moment that he could.

But it didn't last long as their front door opened and Kenji entered with a bright yet frightening smile on his face. To the untrained eye, Kenji looked like a bright ball of sunshine who could probably rival Kise, but to those who knew him well, beneath that smile lies something else.

"Hey boys." he greeted.

"Hey..." they drawled out, fretting about what's coming.

"Don't be like that, I'm just here for a talk before you leave." he smiled, although he's the one who always brings the Tokyo boys to school.

"Which is…?"

"This is a new school year, right?" the manager started. The boys nodded as they looked at the man with confusion. "That means, Kagami-kun, Kise-kun..." he emphasized their names far too much. But at this, the boys knew what was coming. "Those grades need to improve."

"H-hai!"

"I'm not asking you to become excellent students, but get some good grades. Jeez, you know, I nearly fainted when I saw your reports."

"I'm still surprised when I saw Kagami-kun fail English that time." Kuroko piped up. "Have you even thanked Midorima-kun for his pencil?"

"Kuroko you little ―!"

"Alright, alright. But try to do your best this time around, ne?" Kenji smiled. "Or else."

"Yes Sir!" all five unwittingly gave out although he was mostly referring to Kise and Kagami.

And as such, Kagami, Kuroko and Takao grabbed their bags, put on their shoes and followed Kenji out through the door, leaving Kasamatsu and Kise behind.

xxxx

At all three schools, the entrance ceremonies progressed smoothly, of course, Kagami was peeved that he still had to attend. Being away in America made him forget that even though entrance ceremonies are to welcome the incoming crop of students, the older ones had to be in attendance as well.

At first, he'd thought that all he'd do is hand out flyers of the basketball club to try and recruit new members, but to his horror, when the bell rang, Kuroko jabbed him in the side and told him that they had entrance ceremony. Still. And so, Kagami walked around with a sour look on his face and dark aura oozing out of him and Kuroko, who was beside him, seemed totally unaffected by it.

But when the ceremony ended and they had to head to their new classrooms, the redhead was glad that he and Kuroko ended up in the same class although many of their classmates had changed.

Over by Shutoku, while Takao wasn't seething as much as Kagami, he was dying of boredom. In his first year, he had brought along a manga to read during the speeches, but this time, he forgot. He cursed himself as he wept, as he could do nothing to alleviate his suffering. He managed to get a seat next to Midorima, who seemed uninterested in his whining. And as usual, he had his lucky item, which was a cute dolphin plush toy.

But unlike Kagami and Kuroko, Takao wasn't going to be in the same class as Midorima. Since the green-haired shooter wanted to be a doctor, he opted to do the Sciences, while Takao was more on the arts side. But, the point guard never let it bother him, since he'll get to torture him in basketball practice anyway. However, someone else came in Midorima's space and that was his friend and (one-time) dance partner, Hattori Aika.

Takao grinned to himself when he saw her walk into the class. This year ought to be fun with Ai-chan!

At Kaijou, nothing special happened for Kasamatsu at the moment. Everyone was the same, chatting with their friends and the whatnot. He couldn't hear what they were saying, given that he had in his earphones and was blasting the rock music. Kenji and the others often found it strange that a pop idol listens to rock music instead of...well, pop. It wasn't that he hated the genre, it's just that he's too lazy to search for pop songs that he'd like, and far too lazy to sift through what Kise and Takao has on their laptops. That'll probably take days…

He was taken out of his thoughts when the bud was removed from his left ear. He turned to face the perpetrator, to see who really had the audacity to interrupt ―

"Akagi! Can't you greet me normally for once?!" he roared when he saw the "perpetrator's" face.

The brunette grinned. "Of course. And I had been calling you for thirty seconds and you didn't respond. Instead you were humming and ignoring my existence." Akagi and Kasamatsu were good friends, and had been since first year because some unknown force was always working to get them as seat mates in every single class.

Kasamatsu rolled his eyes. "So, what is it?"

Akagi's onyx eyes narrowed into a serious expression before he looked around the class for any possible eavesdroppers. He pulled his chair up to Kasamatsu's desk and leaned over.

"Kasamatsu, we've been stuck with each other since first year, right?" Akagi started, seeming as though he was building up to something.

"Yes, so just spit it out already." Kasamatsu nearly snapped.

"I know you're Yuki from Catal Rhythm."

Kasamatsu froze for a split second before he looked at Akagi with a face that said "Seriously?". He paused his music, rest his cheek on the back part of his hand and said in the calmest voice he could muster, "I don't even know what Catal Rhythm is. Are they a new rock band or something?"

Akagi sat there and practically gawked at Kasamatsu in shock and disbelief. Kasamatsu seemed unaffected and uninterested, he seemed as though Akagi was beginning to irritate him. He was so calm and collected that Akagi was the shocked one here.

"Stop denying it." he managed to say. Kasamatsu gave him a look.

"So, are they a rock band?"

"Gah! They're a pop idol group!"

"What ―!" Kasamatsu cut himself off as he realized that his voice was a bit too high. "―made you think that?!" he whispered. "I don't even listen to pop music." Deep inside, Kasamatsu was praying that his façade will dissuade Akagi from his thinking.

Akagi remained unchanged. He whipped out his phone, and scrolled a couple times before showing the captain the screen. It was his profile that the company (Kenji or probably Ren) posted. It was standard thing, idols and idol groups have profile posted about them which gradually updates as time passes.

"What about it? And since when are you a fan of pop music?"

"I'm not." Akagi replied. "What struck me was "Yuki's" motto. Remember in first year when Yamamoto-sensei had us create mottos to motivate us during the year?"

"Yeah. So what ―" then realization slapped him in the face like a bitch.

"Ah...you see what I mean, right?" Akagi was grinning like a sinister mad scientist. "Our class was the only one that did that, and your motto was one of a kind. There's no way anyone from the same school and same age, would have the same exact motto as you. Plus, hardly anyone of the class was into that stuff." he continued, "Add to that, your stage name is "Yuki", your given name is Yukio and you attend Kaijou. Like bruh, I'm surprised that no one else from our first year class figured you out yet."

Kasamatsu couldn't speak.

So Akagi continued, "I wanted to make sure that it was all just a coincidence, but that episode of Idol Trend sealed the deal. Oh!" he perked up at this, "Kise is "Sunn" isn't he. He's the only one who calls you "Senpai" with an obnoxiously repulsive voice like that."

Once again, Kasamatsu couldn't speak. Instead, he dragged a hand over his face. He couldn't believe that this was happening. Akagi placed a hand on his shoulder and said,

"Don't worry about it. I'm not gonna tell anyone. Plus," he leaned back into his chair. "Your acting skills are top-notch. You nearly had me fooled a while there, you know? So you could fool anyone else who "think" they've figured out your identity."

"Right..."

"On that note, gimme your autograph. My cousin is a fan of yours." he said as he whipped out a small notepad. "She's the one who made me find you."

"Why? Won't she think it's fake? After all, an ordinary guy like you knowing an idol? She'll laugh you to scorn."

"How about you sing a part of "Hello" and I record your voice? She likes that song."

Kasamatsu stared at him before taking out his phone. "I have to ask my manager. I wouldn't want her to post it on the internet with a caption that may lead to misunderstandings."

"On second thought, let's postpone that. Idols get sunken sometimes for petty stuff, I couldn't live with myself if that happened to you."

"I wouldn't know." Kasamatsu shrugged.

Akagi roared with laughter, causing everyone in the class to look at them.

Meanwhile, a floor below them, Kise sat in his class peacefully. Before he and Kasamatsu walked through the school gates, he donned a black hoodie to cover his hair and face. But, he knew it wouldn't last long, since once the teacher came and marked the register, the entire class will know where Kise Ryouta sits.

He envied Kasamatsu in times like these, not having swarms of fangirls, or anyone pestering him about his (supposed) idol identity. He just wanted high school to be over and done with, so that he can escape from this torment.

xxxx

When school was over, the boys waited outside their school gates to be picked up. Since it was entrance ceremony, school was dismissed far earlier than the norm, so they had free time. But Kenji wasn't the one who would be picking them up. It would be Kise's father ―Ryouhei. The blond ace was heading to the "Euphoria" after this to practice more so the others decided to tag along to see how he was doing so far.

When Ryouhei picked them up (he started from Kaijou since it was nearer), he bought them lunch before dropping them off at Makio's place. Entering the "Euphoria", Kagami and Takao whistled, upon seeing the grand space.

"Oi, you're not here for sightseeing, you know?" a deep voice said from the left.

"Makicchi! Don't scare us like that!" Kise said.

"Well, it's not my fault you weren't aware of your surroundings, right?"

"I was!"

"Whatever you say Ryou, whatever you say."

The other four were staring at their interaction and wondered, if Makio was Ruiko's fiancé, why was he trying to get Kasamatsu and Reiko together. The older male then greeted them but there was no need for introductions since they met at Reiko's graduation and Kise talks about them all the damn time.

As they followed Makio, Takao asked the question softly, after which Kise responded,

"He's pretty awesome but his only downfall is that he hates basketball." Kise sighed. "But even if he didn't, I'd still want Senpai and ―" he broke off and looked around to see if Kasamatsu was within range. Thankfully, he wasn't.

Soon, they reached the same room in which Kise plays the drums, and saw the blond settle on the smallest set as though it was a ritual.

"So, I've heard everything from Ryou." Makio started, taking up his sticks and slumping slightly over his Bass Drum, "Everything." When he saw the venomous glares the blond was getting, he quickly said, "It's not his fault! I was just curious as to why he wanted to return to the drums since he loves basketball so much!" he waved his hands in dismissal.

That softened their glares.

Makio cleared his throat and continued with the serious atmosphere, "I want to know if you're sure that you're serious about this?" he asked. "You're idols and well..."

"Of course!" came the screech from Kise and Takao.

"Ah...I see." he nodded as he straightened. "I've been in a band before, and trust me, it's not going to be easy."

"We know."

"Alright. Now that that's settled, tell me, what's your line-up like?" he then asked as he slowly tapped his Snare Drum with his sticks. Kasamatsu had been tinkering with a guitar he saw nestled in the far side of the room, when he heard Makio. "Ryou hasn't told me that and I'm extremely curious."

"Well, Senpai is the Lead guitarist, Takaocchi and Kagamicchi are the rhythm and bass, Kurokocchi is the Keyboard."

Makio froze and looked at Kise with incredulity. "So who's your frontman? Or you haven't decided yet because you all can sing?"

"It's Yu-chan!" Takao perked. "He writes amazing songs and his voice is angelic! It'll make the ladies melt like butter!"

"What!? Kuroko's voice is good too!" Kasamatsu retorted, trying to hide his blush.

"I beg to differ." the light-blue haired teen replied.

Makio started up again, prompting Kise to follow. The others were swaying a bit to the beat of the drums, but Makio kept playing the more difficult parts while Kise didn't.

"Okay, so..." Makio paused as he concentrated on playing, "...you'll be playing the guitar and singing? Are you sure you wanna do that?"

Kasamatsu sighed. He knew he'd find a kindred spirit in the man. "I'm not sure."

The others could hear a tire screech in the background and looked at the captain with shock.

"I want to play the guitar, but I'll be limited to a mic on a stand. Vocalists like to roam free and command the crowd. Plus, I'll already have it ingrained in me to move about the place."

The others exchanged glances upon realization. It was true what Kasamatsu was saying, as he had made them watch some lives of a couple bands and they did see the difference between vocalists who only sang and those who doubled up on an instrument.

"Well, although it's still early, it's best to get these things out of the way." Makio started. He calmed the music on his part by lightly tapping on his cymbals while Kise continued to pound his Snare and Tom drums. "So what are you gonna do?"

Kasamatsu nodded while he played a set of chords to match Kise's drumming. Makio whistled at this and remembered when Kise told him that his Senpai was a guitar master. At first, he thought that the blond was exaggerating, but seeing him now made him rethink.

"I was thinking that I could use head-worn mics instead." the captain responded. "That way, I could still play and have some movement."

"That could work." Makio nodded, playing his drums once again. His movements were smooth and precise, yet strong and powerful. His muscles could be seen flexing underneath his skin, which could show how hard he was beating the instrument.

"Or...you could have Kazu-kun play the Lead when you're singing." Takao then mouthed to him "Who told you to call me Kazu"? But all Makio did was grin. "The lead and rhythm are two sides of the same coin anyway. But that'll mean either these songs won't be arranged with a rhythm guitar in mind but utilize the keyboard more."

"Wow, you know your stuff Makki-chan!" Takao said, Makio looked at the boy and mouthed "Who told you to call me Makki-chan"? to him but the hawk-eyed boy stuck out his tongue playfully at the young man.

Kise slammed his drumsticks down, causing everyone to look at him questioningly. "Can we talk about this after I finish my lesson today?" he asked with all the innocence he could muster. "I'm upset that I'm struggling to play and Makicchi isn't even looking at me!"

"I don't need to look at you. I can listen."

"Mou~!" he whined.

Makio laughed and nearly fell off his throne. When he recovered he said, "Alright, alright. Let's go!"

"Finally."

xxxx

When the boys returned home, Kise was showered with even more teases. During his lesson with Makio, they teased him endlessly, and now that they're home, Kise was seriously thinking of switching with Kagami just to poison their food.

"Such a pretty face being wasted on the drums!" Takao howled out in laughter.

"Yeah, drummers don't really get that much stage time, do they?" Kagami asked as if trying to rub it in his face.

But Kise didn't mind playing the drums. He'd rather this than being on the guitar any day. And even though he has good social skills, he doubts that he'd be a good frontman. People will probably just see his face and not him. It was a change, for once, to not be in the spotlight feels refreshing.

"Hmph! Say what you want, but a band is nothing without a drummer!" he huffed as he folded his arms and sat in the sofa.

"So, anyway, what do you want for dinner?" Kagami asked as he put on his apron in the kitchen, changing the subject smoothly.

"Anything." they all answered.

"Okay."

But as he opened the fridge, yet again, their front door opened to reveal the grinning faces of Ren and Kiyotaka. Kenji lagged behind, and seeing his face, they realized that they got work to do.

"Boys~! Guess what?" Ren chirped as he basically skipped inside after he took off his shoes. He was met with blank stares, even from Kise.

"Such killjoys." he muttered. However, he perked up in an instant. "But! You have a live performance to do in Kyoto at a concert a month from now and a radio guesting this weekend."

"EEHH?!" they screeched.

"No screeching boys, you need to take care of those vocal chords." Kiyotaka said as he handed Kasamatsu five envelopes which more than likely had outlined what the live performance was about. When the captain pulled one of the envelopes, the other four (Kagami included), surrounded him and read one of the papers.

"EEHH?!"

They screeched with widened eyes. Kenji chuckled at their expressions, this is just the tip of the iceberg my precious war potentials.

Thank you for reading!