Ascending Aspects Chapter 4: Four, an uta no prince-sama fanfic

I do not own any of the songs. They belong to their respective artist(s).

Boys sing in BOLD
Girls sing in ITALICS
Both genders sing in BOTH

At the end of the first month, Hikari was watching as Otoya, Natsuki, and Masato danced for their choreography project, lips pursed as she took note of any mistakes (she'd already finished her report using instruments versus mixing console). After a few more beats, the music came to a stop.

"How was our dancing?" Natsuki asked, Otoya stretching beside him.

"The test is next week," Otoya noted, straightening. "I hope we can pass."

"It was good, I didn't really notice any mistakes." She smiled and looked down at her feet. "I think my toes were tapping." Hikari looked back up, this time grinning. "I'm sure you'll do fine!"

Otoya let out a slight cheer. "Alright!" He shared smiled with Natsuki.

"No, you've still got a ways to go," Masato cut in, gazing at them calmly. His eyes closed as they looked at him. "Your rhythm strays too far off the beat. That's a long way from perfection."

Otoya and Natsuki were a bit bemused, but Hikari was exasperated. Otoya spoke, chastised. "W-well, then…"

"Let's be careful about the tempo." Natsuki murmured, both boys looking like kicked puppies.

"Un."

Hikari tossed a paper ball at Masato, hitting his arm. He glanced at her. "Masato-kun, just because you're a perfectionist doesn't mean Otoya-kun and Natsuki-kun are."

His lips turned down as Otoya and Natsuki looked between the two with slight hope (they were getting exhausted).

"Really?!"

The loud squeal and following giggles caught their attention. Their heads turned. It was Jinguji and his usual girl tagalongs, walking along the courtyard.

"Ren-sama, that's why you're a celebrity!" Another fangirl squealed, causing Hikari to grimace and lean back on the bench.

"How dreamy!"

"Did I ever sound like that around Ringo-sensei?" She wondered, slightly horrified at the possibility of sounding like a fangirl.

A hand patted her head and she looked up at Natsuki. He smiled slightly at her. "You were more calm around Ringo-chan."

Hikari nodded with relief and turned back around. She could hear Jinguji speaking from her seat.

"It was such a beautiful rose," Jinguji began, smelling the pink rose, "that I bought the whole rose garden. You see, I thought I'd give it to someone."

The girls flipped out, voices rising to high-pitched squeals. "G-give it to me, Ren-sama!"

"Please give it to me!"

'They sound like chihuahuas,' Hikari thought morbidly.

"I will," he said, "if you sweep me off my feet."

Otoya said blandly, "Only he could get away with a line like that."

"Jinguji Ren," Natsuki said. "The Goddess of Love must be fond of him."

Hikari spoke aloud, "I wonder, if I were to give him cheese, would he become cheesier?"

"Pbfft!" A spray of water went past Hikari, almost hitting her and she shrieked, shooting off the bench and back into Natsuki. The blond steadied her as she whirled, her eyes landed on Masato, who was holding a hand to his mouth, water bottle shaking when his shoulders did.

"Masato!" Hikari almost wailed. "That almost hit me."

His shoulders continued to shake, the bluenet weakly waving a hand at her.

"You know," Otoya said, making Hikari and Natsuki look at him. "I've seen a lot of spit takes from my neighborhood and that has to one of the more explosive ones I've seen."

Hikari shook her head at the redhead, turning her eyes to her paper and sighed. "Guess it's a good thing I've finished my report already."

Masato coughed and cleared his throat, finally turning back around. "S-sorry about that, Hikari. Shall we continue?"

The lone girl snickered at his attempt to go back to normal, the other two with their lips twitching. Hikari knelt to look at the small boombox. "Where from?"

"No, from the third phrase, if you would." She glanced over the music sheet and rewound the tape, being careful with the time. He leaned over, head beside hers. "From here. I want to properly take advantage of this opportunity."

"Hai!" Hikari set the papers down and fiddled a bit with the boombox.

"Huh…" the new voice made them glance over, almost smacking heads. "When did you become so cozy with the little lamb… Hijirikawa?"

Hikari blinked before narrowing verdant eyes at him. 'Is he calling me a little lamb?'

The blond stopped a few feet away as Masato stood. Her eyes flicked between the two. "Ever since we met, she and I have been tied together by fate."

Hikari frowned internally. 'I've only met him once, though…?'

Jinguji let his eyes move from Masato to Hikari, who stared up at him carefully. He moved closer and tugged her up to her feet, hand loosely wrapped around her wrist. Jinguji held the rose up between them and smiled at her. "I'd rather you not stray far. I've been looking for someone to share the seabreeze with, and if possible, right now."

The teen tried to pass her the rose, but instead she tugged her hand free and snagged the hand holding the pink flower, which she looked over with an external frown. "First of all, Jinguji-san, I prefer my roses with thorns, otherwise they look dreadful, and even then I'm more partial to baby's breath better. Second of all, I do not believe in fate. Lastly," here she looked him in the eyes, showcasing her complete confusion. "Why would I want to skip my lessons to go the sea?"

Masato cut in then. "He's just teasing you, Hikari." She looked at him, releasing Jinguji, who had a frown on his face, and stepping back. "You can't believe anything he says."

Hikari huffed and rolled her eyes, picking up the boombox. "I kinda figured, Masato. After all, if he's seen me in my onesie, he'd know I prefer the farm."

The blond sighed and leaned back, brushing slightly against Masato. "My aren't those mean things to say… though, I suppose I cannot deny it."

"REN!" A call was heard from across the courtyard and Hikari looked over, placing the boombox on the bench. It was Kurusu and she tilted her head at the concern on his face. He came to a stop in from of Jinguji. "Ren, what are you gonna do about the lyrics assignment?!"

Frowning, Hikari looked between them and stepped away a bit. She felt Otoya and Natsuki step up behind her and she leaned against her redheaded friend, arms crossing as his arm went around her shoulders. Masato was standing a bit behind Jinguji and he had the same look is his eye from the first day. Concern and confusion filled her at the sight.

Kurusu continued, eyes locked on Jinguji. "Have you forgotten Hyuga-sensei promised a harsh punishment if you didn't turn it in this time?!"

'Harsh punishment?'

Natsuki let out a soft noise as Jinguji said blithely, eyes closing in a smile, "Is that right?"

"'Is that right?'" Kurusu echoed, smiling himself before erupting at the taller blond. "OF COURSE IT IS! That's exactly what he said!"

Hikari blinked at the abrupt change, shifting her head as she spotted Ryuya coming towards the group, a deep scowl on his face. "Jinguji Ren!"

Her eyes narrowed while Kurus suddenly seemed to disappear behind Masato. She looked the teacher over with a frown tugging at her lips.

"Yo, Ryuya-san," Jinguji greeted carelessly. She shot him a look of disbelief.

His greeting was ignored as the man honed in on him. "You skip class and don't turn in any homework. Show me one more act of this frivolous behavior and I'll show you no mercy. I'll expel you on the spot!"

The boys reacted in shock, except for Masato and Jinguji. The former staring at the latter as the blond stared at Ryuya. Hikari herself was focused more on Ryuya, worry twisting her insides. She was worried about Jinguji's attitude, but something was wrong Ryuya… 'Don't tell me he's overworking. That can't… I mean...'

"Ryuya-san," Jinguji said, "A scowl is never popular with the ladies."

"Don't push your luck, Jinguji!" The ginger snapped at the boy, scowling harder when Jinguji began walking away. "I'm serious! If I don't have that by the end of school tomorrow, you're out of here!"

Jinguji only waved his hand.

Smack!

Startled, they all turned to look at the source, Jinguji also.

"Hikari?" Masato asked.

Hikari pulled her hands away from her face, looking up at Kurusu with a blank look on her face. "Kurusu-kun, could you do me a favor and help Masato, Otoya-kun, and Natsuki-kun with their dancing?"

The blond blinked at her in confusion, nodding slowly. "Ah, sure… why...?"

Standing, Hikari focused on Ryuya, who frowned at her in confusion. "Because I'm going to do something stupid." That said, she moved quickly, not wanting to be yelled at in public. Within seconds, she had Ryuya's suit jacket and tie in hand.

"Wh- Oi!" The man yelled, but she was already booking it.

"Catch me if you can, sensei!" Hikari yelled, rushing towards the cafeteria and gripping the clothes in her hand as she tugged her phone out, sending a message to Tomochika. She refused to have Ryuya end up like her cousin.

Ryuya knew he was scaring the students with his scowl, but losing parts of his suit to a student, he was angry. Having to deal with Jinguji wasn't helping, not when he knew that the boy could be a great idol, and all the other things he had to do. Plus, Nanami had taken his tie! The one he got from his younger brothers on Father's day!

He chased the girl down the hall, seeing Ringo at one point, but ignored the crossdresser in favor of getting his clothes back. Ryuya lost the girl for a moment but spotted her in the dining hall. He slid to a stop in the entry, frowning when he didn't see her.

"Ryuya-sensei!" A girl called out and he turned to look, frowning when he spotted his jacket in the hands of a redhead. "Come here!"

He stalked towards her, and after reaching her, leaned towards the jacket, but she swatted his hand away, jacket hugged tighter. "What-"

"Sorry, sensei, but I'm afraid I can't let you have it." At his scowl, she simply motioned to the table. His brows went up at seeing food on the table along with a piece of paper. "Read the note."

Ryuya looked at her suspiciously, eyeing his jacket, but did as she said and had to resist the urge to rip the paper after.

Yo, sensei! I'd apologize for taking your clothes, but considering my parents have warned me constantly about overworking (something that you have obviously done), I decided to take matters into my own hands. Eat the food Tomo-chan got you and afterwards she'll give back your jacket. For your tie, well, I've let Tomo-chan know what to give you.

-Nanami Hikari (penned by Shibuya Tomochika)

Lifting his head, Ryuya stared at the newly dubbed Shibuya. The redheaded girl smirked at him and pointed at the food. He scowled at her. She beamed at him.

Ryuya scowled as he looked the note over. It was directions and he was following them, but he still just wanted his tie, he had things to grade, dammit! His scowl turned into a frown as he took in just where he was going. 'This is the way to the teacher's rooms…?'

He slowed when he took in the fact that the directions lead to his room, wondering how the girl had gotten his room number. Reaching his room, he jerked the door open roughly, only to blink in confusion when he spotted someone else other than Nanami.

"Shining-san?" He asked stupidly, blinking.

The older redheaded man was sat in his desk chair, looking at his tie with a frown. His sunglasses were set on the table and his brown eyes locked onto Ryuya, who abruptly felt like he was standing in front of the principal (nevermind the fact that it was actually true, but still).

"You know," the man drawled, twisting the tie in his hands. "When Nanami-san got my attention through a camera, I feared she had lost her mind, waving a tie around and yelling about you, saying that you had lost your mind. And do you know why that is?"

Ryuya frowned and thought, baffled. "No, I don't think I do."

"Nanami-san is a conundrum. Despite who she resembles and her parents being doctors, she chose to become a composer," he paused and looked at the tie. "It wasn't just her idea. Rather, it was her cousin's as well and when an accident took her cousin away, Nanami-san put her all in becoming a composer her cousin would be proud of."

"What does that have to do anything with her stealing my clothes and making me eat?" Ryuya asked in confusion, moving closer.

Shining looked at him and Ryuya was caught off guard by the grim seriousness on his face. "Nanami Haruka pushed herself learning what she would need to become a great composer. She already had bad health and the aftermath sent her to the hospital after she stopped taking care of herself properly. Ryuya," he waited until the former idol was looking at him completely, "Nanami Haruka suffered a heart attack from the stress and is still in a coma. Nanami-san was the one to witness it."

The younger man's eyes went wide and he faltered, staring speechlessly forward. Shining placed the tie on the table and picked up his sunglasses. He walked and stopped by Ryuya, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder. "I do not like hearing that one of my teachers has been mistreating themself from one of my students. Go to sleep for a couple hours, Ryuya, I will take care of your work."

He could faintly hear the man leaving his room and closing the door. His eyes were locked onto the tie. Ryuya had never figured that Nanami would do this or for Shining to help out, knowing the man had enough to do. Breathing out, he rubbed his face, figuring that he owed the young girl.

Hikari curled up between a potted plant and railing, the plant helping to block her from view. After giving Saotome the tie, she'd bolted, not wanting to be near Ryuya if he was still upset or think about what had happened last year. Legs pressed to her chest she glowered at nothing. 'If it weren't for the fact that I could tell, who knows what could have happened…'

Letting her hair down, she put it up into a loose messy bun. Shifting to get comfortable, Hikari leaned into the wall, feet lightly hanging between the openings of the railing, and tugged her phone out, pulling up the chat with Tomochika, Otoya, Natsuki, and the newly added Syo (. Her lips quirked up as she read their chatter about Masato and Jinguji, of how they were opposites, and being sons of opposing groups. How the two boys had known each other since they were kids. 'What gossips we are,' she thought in mild amusement.

Absently, she saved Syo under 'Masculine Chibi'. Verdant eyes going up, Hikari listened to the wind, voices and laughter coming along with it to her ears. She never noticed how the adrenaline from running from Ryuya made her sleepy...

Riiip

Hikari twitched, blinking at the railing and lifted her hand, rubbing her cheeks. 'Did I fall asleep? What was that noise?' Her hair was falling from the hair tie and onto her shoulder.

"This is ridiculous."

Jumping at the sudden voice, Hikari pulled her legs close and slid upwards, peeking past the plant to see Jinguji standing against the rail, shoving a piece of paper into his pocket. She watched quietly as he pulled out a saxophone from the case by his feet and began to play. 'Oh, how lovely.' She slid out from her hiding spot. "Jinguji-kun!" She called out after he finished, moving away from the potted plant.

The blond started slightly and turned to glance at her, surprise on his face before he knelt to put the saxophone away. "Lady, you look like a flower, blossoming in the setting sun."

Hikari couldn't help smiling slightly as she put her phone away and venturing closer. "You're music was beautiful. I'm glad I woke up in time to hear it."

"I'm happy to hear that," he said, standing up and walking over to her with a soft smile which slowly gained a flirtatious edge. "I don't care what the reason is… as long as it brings us closer together." Jinguji paused in front of her, pulling his hand from his pocket and resting them on her shoulder. Her eyes lowered as the paper from before fell onto the terrace.

Seeing her attention move, he watched as she shifted and knelt to pick up the paper. "Are those your lyrics?" She asked, letting him pluck it from her hands. She smiled up at him, relieved. "I'm glad."

"'I'm glad'?" He echoed, eyeing her curiously.

Her head tilted and she shrugged slightly, stepping back and linking her hands behind her. "I didn't want to think about what may've happened if you didn't turn it in to Ryuya-sensei on time. But since you do have them done, you can give them to him!"

"I think it's time I left this place." He stated calmly.

Hikari froze, smiling falling. "Eh?"

Jinguji smiled, eyes shutting. "I'm tired of being here."

"Then get the hell out of here," Masato's voice cut in sharply. Hikari looked over, startled by the stoic anger on his face as he stood by the entry.

"Masato-kun…?" She fell silent as he seemed to ignore her, fully focused on Jinguji.

"I don't like you," Masato spoke coldly ('Lie' her mind whispered). He stepped closer, pausing a few steps away. "My whole life has been decided by my father. I'm only free through my music, so I can't forgive you for being so trivial with it!"

Hikari shifted backwards when she saw Jinguji smile in response. "I'm not here because I want to be. I was dumped, so I have no reason to be here. It's just a lark." Her eyes widened.

"That's a lie," Masato snapped, a glare aimed at Jinguji. "That timbre I heard earlier was no lie. Why don't you show that?"

"I told you," Jinguji began ripping the paper, "it's all just for lark." He held his palm out and the paper shreds were sent flying in the wind. The girl could only stare after the pieces in frozen shock. "I'm not going to waste my time gambling on these worthless lyrics."

Hikari turned to look at him just in time to see Masato punch Jinguji. The bluenet's eyes were cold and had flecks of pain. "I'm sorry to hear that. I took you for somebody with a little more spirit." Masato turned and walked away, hands fisted at his sides.

She eyed his back worriedly before turning to Jinguji, pulling an item from her pocket. Stepping closer to him, Hikari heard him chuckle and mutter, "Hothead."

Deciding to ignore it, Hikari tugged him to face her and gently caught his chin, staring at startled blue eyes before focusing on the wound. She pressed her handkerchief against it, earning a slight wince. Thoughts ran through her mind until she finally murmured, "I'll go find your lyrics, you go get some ice." Moving his hand to take the cloth and offering a sad smile, Hikari turned on her heel, running to find the lyrics.

Almost slipping, Hikari steadied and straightened up from her crouch, sliding the newly found piece into her pocket. Glancing around, she was worried to see there were no more pieces in the bushes as her feet went along the path. Her head lifted and examined the trees. Verdant eyes came to a halt on a branch, spotting a piece close to the tree trunk. Hikari stared before stomping her foot and yelling. "Are you shitting me?!"

Tugging on her hair, she growled and put her hair in a tight messy bun. "So help me, I will get that damn piece before the sun goes down."

(Tokiya flinched at the yell, glancing around in silent confusion as he held the window. He stared in bemusement when he spotted Nanami glaring at a tree. The girl was removing her shoes and socks, afterwards her skirt. Tokiya almost covered his eyes until he spotted the athletic shorts. Nanami moved and began to climb the tree, Tokiya grimacing in sympathetic ghost pain as her knees and bare hands scraped against the tree. As she made her way onto the branch, he couldn't help wondering morbidly, 'What would happen if I yelled at her?'

Blinking, he frowned and shook his head, leaning against the sill to keep an eye on her. 'I really need to stop thinking of scaring people even if I do find the reactions funny.')

Frowning slightly as she followed the whistling,the peach-haired girl looked at the bandages wound around her hands, the ones on her knees hidden behind her leggings. 'At least Tomo-chan wasn't too upset and the weather is okay for leggings. It would have sucked to put the bandages on myself, even if mom and dad taught me… I hope they don't put me through first-aid remedial lessons…'

Hikari glanced up, nearing Jinguji, and focused on him as he stopped whistling. He looked lost. She didn't like the look on him. "'In the classroom with the dancing sunset,'" she spoke quietly and watched as Jinguji turned in surprise. "'Those eyes glittering more than the stars, knocked me out.'" A breath in as she lowered her eyes to the paper, the slight noise from him letting her know he spotted the bandages. "These lyrics are wonderful, you know. I couldn't help myself yesterday from playing it on the piano."

"Lady…" The word was soft and she walked closer, looking at him as she knelt carefully and passed the lyrics over. Hikari hadn't been able to finish the lyrics, but he didn't seem to notice that, catching her hand in his and being gentle with the bandages. A frown formed on his lips.

Hikari continued speaking. "I couldn't find all of it, but I can't say sorry for meddling. Masato, whether he'd admit it or not, considers you as one of his friends. A close friend that he wouldn't want to give up on." His eyes lifted and locked with hers and she leaned to bump their foreheads gently together. "Don't give up and express what you really feel."

She pulled away, leaving him to release her hand and clutch the paper. Standing, Hikari hesitated and bit her lip, nodding to herself after a moment. She bent down and captured his cheeks in her hands, smiling sorrowfully. "Jinguji Renge was a well-loved idol… and the woman who was supposed to be my aunty. I don't know where she is now, but I don't want her to worry, so I'm going to look one last time!"

Pulling his head close, her lips pressing lightly to his forehead. Releasing him, Hikari straightened and hurried back to the school, not waiting for a response.

The peach-haired girl looked through the grass, heart falling as time went on.

"Kari-chan, are you sure it fell around here?" Tomochika called to her.

"I'm sure!" She called back, leaning onto her haunches and eyeing the high windowsill, wondering if the wind may have sent it there. Faintly she could hear her blond friends speaking, but ignored them as the bell tolled.

"Ah!" Otoya cried from behind her. "It's too late!"

Hikari felt weak as she stood, looking at her friends helplessly. 'Ren…'

Click-Click-Click Click-Click-Click

There was a whine in the air as the intercom turned on and she bit her lip.

"Hey, can you hear me? Everyone…" Hikari pressed her hands together, grouping with her friends as they listened. "Little flower, can you hear me? Ryuya-san, too. Everyone, listen to this. I just finished my song. I'm going to unleash feelings that were asleep. Until the final phrase… it's showtime!"

Music began playing, the saxophone sticking out. Hikari began to beam, Tomochika catching her and Syo's hands, squeezing. Natsuki and Otoya bumped arms while Syo fistpumped with his free hand.

"In the classroom, lit by the dancing sunset, you are the only one I'm looking at.
Those eyes sparkling more than the stars, I'm knocked out by them!

That was the first time, ya know? If I had to name an example, it's like bitter chocolate.
With its sweet nectar, this love's turning into a hazard!

The five ran, Natsuki and Otoya leading with Tomochika behind them and syo and Hikari at the back.

Always only taking a simple lesson time.
But… what was really taken was forbidden love…

Release my soul! Cast off your fake heart!
From within my chest, breakin' out! Ooh… It's so hot!
These feelings have started to run, if they were changed by passion…
I say this only for you, my last phrase of love!

I want to decide this already with one shot, the tips of these darts!
Alright, you ready? Right in the center, an inflamed punishment!

"This won't end with just a kiss." But better words
Would be something like a rose thrown only for you.

They found the studio and Hikari paused by the door, seeing her friends go to dance. She pulled her phone out, dialing.

Overflowing kindness, you're just like an angel.
If… If only for me, then smile! Peace!

I want to hold you close! My dear, I absolutely won't let you go!
In one fell swoop, everything's breakin' out! Ooh… It's hot!
To the glittering sky, I'll sing because I want to convey these feelings.
I live only for you! My love is not a lie!

"To the ends of the earth, believe heart!""

Hikari grinned and said quietly into the phone. "Do you want to speak with him?"

"Yes," came the hoarse reply, almost a sob. "Yes, I want to speak with him."

"Jinguji," the girl called out, carefully as she was unsure if the recording was still going (or if it had even been on).

The blond turned and smiled at her, tilting his head when he saw the phone being held out to him. "Little flower?"

"Someone special wants to speak with you."

His brows furrowed, but he accepted the device with his free hand, holding it to his ear. "Hello? …" Eyes going wide as he listened, Jinguji looked at her in shock and slight joy.

Wiggling her fingers at their confused companions, they followed her into control room, where she turned off the mike.

"Hikari-chan, who was that on the phone?" Natsuki asked, handing her a cassette tape when she'd looked up at the rack with a glower.

"That would be my uncle Haruto," she transferred the song to the cassette as she'd been taught by her Oyaji. Standing straight, she turned to look at her friends, shutting the booth down (making double sure that the mikes were off). "Did you know his mother used to be an idol?"

"Idol?" Syo repeated. They all had curious looks.

Hikari nodded and crossed her arms. "You already know how some of my relatives are in the entertainment business, which isn't all. My uncle and aunts were also former singers before settling into the jobs they have now. Oyaji is a former flutist as well. Prior to all that, though, my Gran inherited an entertainment agency." She pointed over her shoulder to Jinguji. "Jinguji's mother, Jinguji Renge, was not only my uncle's step sister but also an idol for the Nami Agency."

"Woah…" Otoya looked between the two.

"But how come Jinguji didn't know that?" Tomochika asked, eyeing her roommate curiously when Hikari frowned.

"Aunt Renge died before I was born and her husband cut all ties with my family. He loved her so much he couldn't bear it." Hikari looked over her shoulder at the blond behind the glass. "He refused any interaction with my family, so until now we haven't met her sons."

"Are you saying you couldn't contact them at all? What about the time between his death and the Academy?" Natsuki wondered.

He, Syo, and Otoya flinched at the humorless smile that formed, Tomochika coming to take her hand. "Ikeda Ryuu, Uncle Haruto's older brother, is an advisor for the Jinguji group because of Aunt Renge's husband putting him there. He never liked us Nanamis, so he's foiled everything to prevent the groups for meeting."

"I never did like him," Jinguji voiced, cutting in. They turned to look, and Hikari noticed his saxophone case was in hand, her phone in the other. He held it out to her with a small smile. "I've got a meeting with your uncle next week. Thank you."

She grinned. "It's been a long time coming, no need to say thanks." Hikari took her phone back.

Arms stretching, Hikari plugged her headphones in, music starting, and pulled up her messages. She settled one headphone on her ear, the other behind her left, and skimmed her messages, brows furrowing when she saw she had a new contact. 'Prince' was all that was typed and she tilted her head, pausing in her steps.

From: Baby Animal
'Ah, hello?'

She bounced in place for a moment.

From: Prince
'Hello, Little Flower.'

Hikari blinked then smiled, swiftly adding him to the group chat between their friends.

From: Baby Animal
'Look who joined us!'

She leaned against the wall, laughing softly at the influx of messages.

From: Tomo-chan
'Hey, Jinguji! Welcome to the chat!'

From: Parachute
'Ren-chan, welcome!'

From: Cherry
'Nice! Now all we need is Tokiya to be complete!'

From: Masculine Chibi
'Don't push Tokiya too much, Otoya, I'd rather not hear him scold you again. And, Hikari! Change my name!'

From: Baby Animal
'Never! It suits you too much!'

From: Prince
'I take it Hikari is the admin for this?'

From: Piano Buddy
'Of course. Kurusu would keep removing Natsuki otherwise'

From: Parachute
'Syo-chan wouldn't do that!'

From: Tomo-chan
'Ah, Natsuki, you're so innocent, how cute'

From: Masculine Chibi
'How can someone sarcasm over chat? And why is Ren called Prince? I call bias!'

From: Piano Buddy
'Kurusu, sarcasm is a noun, not an adjective. Stop ruining grammar, please.'

From: Baby Animal
'If it weren't for the fact that I've only known you all a short while, I'd say you're all worse than my family'

From: Cherry
'Hikari-chan, no offense, but no one can be worse than your family'

From: Parachute
*Insert shocked emoji*
*Insert thumbs up emoji*

From: Masculine Chibi
'No offense intended, ya know'

From: Tomo-chan
'You're all dreadful… but I agree'

From: Piano Buddy
'Pot, meet kettle.'

From: Prince
'... aren't I a part of her family? And this chat…?'

From: Baby Animal
'... that just makes the two of us worse than both combined.'

She snickered and exited the chat, letting them speak to each other. Pulling away from the wall, Hikari looked up and began making her way back to the exit, intent on getting food from Saotomate instead of the cafeteria so she could complete her missing assignment. The girl passed by Ichinose, nodding to the male. He didn't return it, but she didn't mind.

Hikari pulled up her chat after it dinged, Tomochika peering over her shoulder when Hikari said it was from their group chat.

"Ah, it's from Natsuki," Tomochika noted, laying beside Hikari on the girl's bed. "And a music video."

Humming curiously, Hikari opened it, gasping when she saw the singers. "Oh! It's Aunt Renge and Uncle Haruto!"

"Whoa!" Tomochika leaned up on her elbow. "They look so young!"

Renge began singing.

"Lyin' here with you so close to me
It's hard to fight these feelings when it feels so hard to breathe
I'm caught up in this moment
I'm caught up in your smile

I've never opened up to anyone
So hard to hold back when I'm holding you in my arms
No, we don't need to rush this
Let's just take it slow

Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
No, I don't wanna mess this thing up
No, I don't wanna push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright, with just a kiss goodnight

I know that if we give this a little time
It'll only bring us closer to the love we wanna find
It's never felt so real, no, it's never felt so right

No, I don't wanna say goodnight
I know it's time to leave, but you'll be in my dreams

Tonight
Tonight
Tonight

Hikari and Tomochika cooed over the sweetness and Hikari began giggling. Her roommate looked at her weirdly.

Holding a hand to her mouth, Hikari managed to get out, "I think this is the song Uncle used to first ask out Aunty Noriko."

Tomochika squealed, flailing and almost knocking herself off the bed, causing Hikari to toss her phone and grab her friend. "T-Tomo-chan! Be careful!"

The first song is "Sekai no Hate Made Believe Heart" from S1E4 and the second is "Just a Kiss" by Lady Antebellum. Also, boom, background info drop. No regrets, unless viewers think it's too fast (but considering Haruka in canon is really trusting...)