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

"Mmm!" Hikari startled and tugged on Tokiya's hand, looking at him in bewilderment. His brow was twitching.

"Nanami-baka," he ignored the way she held a hand to her chest, mock wounded. "If you say one more chicken in the henhouse, I will hurt you, whether or not I like your songs."

She shook in silent laughter and the driver snickered. Cupping his face, she squished his cheeks and he jerked away, letting her go. "Hey!"

"Then don't cover my face!" She grinned before letting him go. 'Operation: Distraction - Success!'

Rolling his eyes, Tokiya sat back and rubbed his cheeks. "Please. We have a few hours, let's try sleeping." He emphasized the last word.

Her bottom lip pursed out, but he didn't waver. Slumping, she gave in, but not before tossing her legs over his legs. Tokiya squinted at her, but didn't shove them off. Both closed their eyes and fell silent…

"What do you think you guys will wear at your debut?"

Tokiya shoved the baseball cap over her face, ordering, "Go. To. Sleep."

Hikari did so with a quiet chuckle.

Moving along the creek at her Gran's farm, Hikari surveyed the wild flowers. The sound of ducks made her look over and she smiled softly. She knew when the memory was. A few weeks after Haruka's fifteenth birthday. Their grandmother had taken the slightly older girl to the Shibazakura festival. Hikari had stayed at the farm as it was a gift for Haruka on her good health, not just her birthday.

Lowering into a crouch, Hikari stared at the ducklings surrounding the parent ducks. The parents seemed to be trying to get the tiny minnows in the creek, but couldn't quite manage it. Glancing back at the house, she retreated to get some bread slices, lead them to a wider area of water. The pond, maybe?

It was slow going, the duck taking their sweet time to nibble on the bread and waddle along.

Hikari paused in pulling out a slice, tilting her head as the ducks suddenly… changed, for lack of a better word.

The mother duck turned pink, glitter suddenly appearing on the feathers, eyes a bright blue color. The father duck turned orange, eyes suddenly a steel blue.

The six ducklings were also changing. The smallest duck, the runt of the flock, was suddenly wearing a hat, a really tiny and adorable fedora. The eyes were a blue, not as bright as the mother's. There were two blue ducklings, one a bright blue and one a midnight blue. The bright blue had a tuft in front of his left eye. The midnight blue had a tuft across his beak. The largest duck was a bright yellow, spring green eyes, and what appeared to be wire glasses. One was a cherry red with matching red eyes. That one appeared to be energetic just like the runt. The last duck was a mix of yellow and red feathers. He, too, had a tuft near his beak.

"What the hell?" She muttered, the bread sliding from her hands and she backed away, jumping at a yowl.

Whirling on her heels, Hikari watched as the black cat she stepped on suddenly turned hazy. Soon enough, she was blinking into Cecil's eyes.

"Cecil?" She voiced hesitantly, reaching to poke his cheek. It was human skin and she pulled her hand away, only for him to catch it. Glancing at her carefully, he entwined their fingers, palms pressed together. She squinted at him. "Is this a dream, a communication dream, or just some kind of dream that's messed up in too many ways to be real?"

He smiled cheekily at her, swinging their hands. "And if I said all three?"

"I'd ask Muse to stop it," she said dryly, letting him tug her after him. Her eyes lowered to the grass for a moment. "How upset do you think they'll be? At both of Tokiya and I?"

He hummed lightly before stopping a few feet away, stepping towards the creek after letting her hand go. Cecil eyed the water like it was going to surge up after him. "I'm not sure," he admitted and smiled softly as she drooped in the grass, her shorts getting crumpled.

Plopping backwards, she groaned. "What help are you?"

Cecil sat beside her. "I think… Tokiya needs to get his feelings across. From what I saw at the Academy, he's usually composed. Too composed at times," he trailed off as he looked around.

Pushing up onto her arms, she asked, "What is it?"

His face was full of childish wonder as he looked around. "I grew up in a desert country," Cecil reminded her. "And the Academy isn't as green as your farm…"

She tilted her head, considering him. Hikari nodded to herself and stood up, making Cecil glance at her. Holding a hand out, she grinned and shrugged. "Well, if this is a dream memory, why don't I show you the public knows? I can't show you the more personal places, of course. Family business secrets and all that."

Blinking, a small smile formed on his face as he accepted her hand. "Yes, please."

"Right, well, this is obviously the creek. Ruka-chan and I usually would watch the frogs come out in the summer. Past the horse stables, where we've only got a few mares and stallions, we have the forest. I kept disappearing in there so much my family invested in a tracker when I was late for dinner so many times…"

Tomochika rubbed her face and Daiki patted her arm, offering a small comforting smile as the boys of Hikari's group complained about Tokiya not telling them about 'Hayato' and why he was debuting with them a second time. The radio and TV had announced it that morning.

She was so done with them.

With an uncharacteristic yell, Tomochika had them shutting up and looking at her in surprise. Daiki was slowly shifting out of her way as she scowled at the group. Jabbing a finger at Syo, she asked, "What do you know about Tokiya Ichinose?" When the small blond furrowed his brows, she added, "And I mean Tokiya Ichinose, not Hayato!"

Syo's anger dissipated into confusion as he stared at her. "Ah… we're in S-Class together? And we're auditioning together."

He didn't seem to have anymore to say so she turned to the others, crossing her arms and raising her brows. "What about the rest of you?"

The other four shared looks, Ren turning away from the window fully.

"He has a strict diet," Natsuki offered the frustrated girl warily. "Tokiya doesn't seem to like sweets much, either."

"Icchi is a no nonsense kind of person," Ren added.

Otoya nodded at that. "Tokiya is also private. In our room he only has the basics plus things needed for the idol course."

"Ichinose always would always come here after working as Hayato," Masato noted slowly. His eyes moved around the room. "I saw when he was in A-Class, he put everything into his work and with precision, and I assume he did the same in S-Class?"

Syo and Ren nodded when the blue haired teen looked at them.

"Everything Ichinose does has a purpose behind it," Masato concluded. "He wouldn't have joined us without one."

"She gave him one," Daiki blurted out and squeaked as they all turned to stare at him. Shrinking further behind Tomochika, he continued nervously. "Hikari-san, I mean. To-Tomo-chan said yesterday that Hikari-san was with Ichinose-san. Hikari-san must've found out about him and Hayato, which is shy she's with him." Tomochika squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"That does sound like her..." Otoya trailed off as Syo asked no one, "Then why didn't she tell us?"

"Have either of them called or messaged?" Masato asked abruptly. Tomochika glanced at her phone, Otoya copying her.

"Tokiya called last night, but the call disconnected," Otoya said as he looked through his phone and shook his head at Masato.

"Hikari messaged and when I tried replying, it wasn't received," she mentioned and shook her head, too.

"D-did either one say where they were at the time?" Daiki questioned. She shook her head again.

"It was the 38th block," Otya answered. They watched as the brunet pulled his phone out and Tomochika peered at his phone as he typed in the search bar.

She blinked. "The telephone lines along the 38th block roads were knocked down?"

Daiki nodded slowly as he pushed up his glasses. "And this line being down here…" he pointed at it and the others came closer to look. "That means that Saotome is isolated because of the storm. I asked Tsukimiya-sensei what would happen if a typhoon hit and he said Headmaster Shining had installed lines so we could still call the other buildings here and have extra generators."

"You think the storm knocked out the lines?" Ren asked, eyeing Daiki.

"The news did mention that there was fallen debris on one of the main roads, but Syo-chan was in a rush to get here," Natsuki said and smiled sheepishly at the frowning blond.

Syo shrugged at the looks. "I thought they'd be back. I don't usually listen to the news…"

They were silent for a moment before Ren said slowly, "Don't think I missed how you changed the subject from Ochibi's question, Hijiri."

Masato frowned at him. "You make it sound like I did it on purpose. I believe it was already answered it before he asked, anyway."

Syo and Ren blinked at him, one confused and one unimpressed.

Sighing, Masato repeated himself. "Yajima said Hikari may have found out about Ichinose. Hikari is related to two different celebrities, along with former ones. She would not have sold Ichinose out because she understands how the paparazzi loves getting into the lives of those in the entertainment business."

^V^

Tapping the piano keys blankly, Tomochika blinked at the soft thump. Lifting and turning her head, she blinked. "Sayumi-shishou?"

The woman smiled slightly at her. "Yajima-kun told me you were here when I noticed you weren't at lunch and dinner. Tsukimiya also mentioned how you missed class."

The teen stared in shock. "What time is it?"

"A little past 7:30," Sayumi answered and held up a large container. "I got you a huge thing of onigiri. Nanami managed to get a little service around 3:00 and told me she and Ichinose were stopping to eat and it would be late when they got back due to traffic. Apparently, they're coming back from the Minato Ward." The woman was clearly unimpressed with her student's lack of forethought, but understood they couldn't take a plane due to the storm.

Opening her mouth to reply, she was distracted by her phone buzzing. Opening the message, she blinked and looked hesitantly at Sayumi, who raised a brow. Beginning to sweat at the woman's stare, Tomochika looked at the message. "Ah, Hikari just said they're here, but near the sheep flock as there are paparazzi at the main gate…"

Sayumi squinted at her before sighing. "Go meet them. I'll inform Tsukimiya and Hyuga if they don't already know. I'll stop by the commons to put this away, too."

Tomochika grinned at her. "Thank you, shishou!" She stood up and fixed her long socks.

"Go away." She could see the woman's cheeks pink and hurried away before she giggled.

"Why exactly are you helping me so much?" Hikari asked Cecil as they made their way back to the main farm areas.

"Mmm…. because your a good person?" He tried and she shot him a look. A sigh left him and he scratched the back of his head. "The Muse… she leads those who worship her to those who will assist the worshippers. She lead me to you, Hikari."

Stopping him near the pond, she crossed her arms and leaned forward. "You're not telling me everything."

It wasn't a question, but Cecil nodded hesitantly. "The Muse takes good care of her worshippers. Depending on the person, she can lead them to the one who will lead them to either success, prosperity, family, or…" He faltered and cleared his throat. "O-or love."

She tilted her head, considering. "I'm guessing she gives hints as to what she's leading her worshippers to?"

Cecil nodded and kept his eyes on the pond.

Hikari stared at him then rolled her eyes. "Don't be such a squid, Cecil. I'm not going to ask what she's leading to you-" 'Though I could guess from your blush' "- so chill out."

The boy looked at her nervously. "Really?"

"Mhmm. Although," she stepped closer and grabbed a hold of his short. He got a wary, yet still slightly flustered look on his face. "If you keep something like this about the Muse from me again…"

Cecil yowled in shock as she abruptly spun him towards the pond. He flailed and she couldn't be sure if he was trying to push away from the water or grab ahold of her. "Hikari, stop it!"

"Promise you'll never keep something about the Muse from me again!" She half-scolded, half-asked. "Promise!"

"Promise, promise!" He latched onto her arms and she spun them once more and let them fall to the grass, grinning. She blinked as the dream scene began to brighten. Cecil made a noise. "Ah, you're waking up."

Moving to hover over him, she squished his face. "Cecil, remember this sequence!" She rattled off her number. "Call me if you can get the chance!

Her grandmother's farm and Cecil faded away.

Hikari squinted as she blinked her eyes rapidly. Shifting the hat and knocking it off, she stretched her legs and removed them from Tokiya's lap. "Where are we?" She asked groggily and rubbed her face.

Tokiya picked up the hat and put it on, sliding a scarf around his neck to hide the lower part of his face. "A soup restaurant," his muffled voice answered. "The driver, Satoshi-san, mentioned it since it's been a while since we last ate."

"Arigato, Satoshi-san," she mumbled and nearly tripped as she exited the taxi.

Satoshi, an older man with salt and pepper hair, caught her by her arm and steadied her. "You're welcome, miss. The Wabi restaurant has been used by many taxi drivers and their customers on long rides. I thought since where you implied what your school was, it would be best with the healthy soups and privacy screens."

The teens nodded in understanding, thanking him once more, and followed him in. Hikari brightened after they entered and she spotted the screen displaying the dishes. "They have harumaki spring rolls!"

"Don't eat too many and forget you soup," Tokiya warned her absently and she pouted up at him.

"Don't be such a Charley horse, Doki-Doki," she scolded and bounced ahead of them, swiftly placing her order. "Can I please get a entree of harumaki spring rolls, a bowl of kenchin-jiru, and a pitcher of sencha tea?"

The woman stared in surprise but quickly nodded. "Of course. Do you and your party want a privacy booth or table?" At Hikari's 'privacy booth', the woman pointed behind her to the left. "That would be booth 10. Is there anything else? Dessert?"

Hikari scanned the board again, not having noticed the dessert. "A small chestnut bun, please."

"A server will come after." She accepted the money Hikari passed her and gave the teen the sencha tea pitcher and three glasses after Satoshi and Tokiya told her they wanted the same.

She moved quickly, but carefully with the hot pitcher and set it down, sitting on the more visible side, knowing she wasn't as famous as Tokiya was. Luckily, Satoshi noticed and had Tokiya go in the seat first.

"The woman said it'd be a few minutes since they don't have many other customers," Satoshi informed her as he settled in his seat, making sure to block Tokiya.

Hikari nodded and looked through her phone, bouncing in glee as she saw she had service, no matter how weak. She swiftly typed and sent a message to Sayumi. "I've told Sayumi-shishou what's going on," she told her classmate.

Tokiya nodded as he glanced at his own phone. She could see him grimace behind his scarf. "My phone is dead. I must've forgotten to charge it."

She snickered. "What an amateur mistake," Hikari teased and glanced at Satoshi. "We're not keeping you from your family are we?"

The man shook his head. "My wife took the grandkids to see their maternal great-grandparents."

Smiling in relief, she opened an app on her phone. Hikari could feel the urge to bounce, but ignored it as she began playing 'Fruit Ninja', the only game she had without internet. Across from her, Satoshi and Tokiya were discussing their estimated time of arrival at the Academy, even discussing where to go to avoid the main gates.

V^V

Hopping over the fence, Hikari turned and waved at Satoshi as he drove away. "Wonder if his company accepts full-time customers?" She wondered as she followed Tokiya through the grass, messaging Tomochika real quick.

"I don't know. Did you get the company name?" He glanced down at her.

Nodding, she said, "I did. Think I should ask them tomorrow?"

"Yes. Satoshi-san was surprisingly nice," Tokiya noted as they hopped over yet another fence, this time closer to a path. "Not to mention how willing he was to cover for me."

"I wonder if my family knows about that company," she mumbled before perking up. "Oh, by the way, can I see your bag?"

Tokiya stopped walking and looked at her in confusion. "Why?"

She didn't answer, simply making grabby hands. Eyeing her warily, he passed the bag over then deadpanned as she pulled a folder out.

"Seriously?" He took the bag back with an exasperated air.

Plucking the sticky note from it, she shoved it in her pocket and held the folder to her chest. Hikari shrugged at him as they began walking over the bridge. "I went for discreet today and left my bag in the dorm."

They came to a halt as they stopped at the end of the bridge. Tokiya lifted his bag up and down. "I think that's why it was heavy."

Hikari laughed and looked around, absently noticing a dove flying towards the lake area. "So, you good now? You'll be going straight to sleep and resting properly?"

His lip quirked up. "I will," he assured her. "But before that, I need to speak with the others…"

"If you explain fully to them, I'm sure they'll understand," she told him with a small smile.

"That's surprisingly optimistic of you, Lady."

They blinked at each other before turning. Ren was leading their friends to the end of the bridge. Otoya and Syo behind on either side, Natsuki on the other side of Syo and Masato and Tomochika were to Otoya's left. Their faces were serious and Tomochika looked both relieved and worried.

Ren cut straight to the point. "Why didn't you tell us? And I want to hear it from you, Tokiya, not the Lady."

Hikari let her eyes flick between the two, settling on the others as she conspicuously pressed her arm against Tokiya's.

Said teen was closing his eyes and bowing. "I'm sorry," he began but Syo cut him off.

"Cut the crap!" Syo burst out, fists clenching tight. "Unlike you, we're seriously trying to make our debuts here! Everything is riding on Hikari's song! We put everything we've got into it! Can you understand that?!"

"I'm sorry," Tokiya repeated firmly before straightening. "I've hidden the fact that I was Hayato, came to this Academy, lied to all of you, and caused many problems and worries. Please forgive me." His arm pressed against hers slightly before pulling away.

He gave a full 90 degree bow to the group, just like the one she had given him months ago.

"My agency wasn't pushing my singing career, I intended to give it all up and start over here. But I didn't follow through completely which has caused trouble for all of you. Yet, one thing's for sure… I should sing the songs just as they are. The words spoken to me… they gave me hope!" Tokiya straightened, face wary. "Please, let me sing together with you, all of you! There's nothing false about the way I feel… onegaishimasu."

"Together?" Ren echoed haughtily. "Can we trust you? You say this to us now, after all this time… 'Each of us believe we can sing her songs the best.' Were your words a lie?"

"I admit, I felt that way before," Tokiya said and raised his head fully. "But I've changed! Hikari's idea, her vision, touched me! She just wanted us to sing! She didn't care about if it was just one person or-or who was the best out of all of us. I get it now… meeting people like you is something that happens once in a lifetime! I've finally got somewhere I can sing without worry!"

Hikari shoved the burning in her eyes down, focusing on Tokiya with a calm look as he broke his composure for the first time in who knows how long.

He turned to her and spoke honestly. "There's something I've wanted to say for a long time. I love your songs." She was stunned by the depth of his honesty. "Please, let me sing your songs!"

Blinking rapidly, she could only nod. "Of course!"

A gentle smile formed on his face. "Thank you."

"So…" Ren's voice made them look over. She could see Tomochika, Otoya, and Natsuki smiling. Masato and Ren's faces were blank and Syo was scowling slightly. It got deeper after Ren finished, a slight smile on his face now. "Are we finally at the starting line?"

Hikari could hear Syo mutter beneath his breath and promptly, snatched Tokiya's bag away and sidestepped, ignoring the confusion on his face.

"And it's wrapped up all like that, is it…?" He lunged and she winced as Syo caught him in a chokehold. "Damn you, Tokiya! I don't forgive you!"

She startled as Otoya took away Tokiya's bag, cheerfully ignoring the Syo-Tokiya banter. He tossed an arm around her shoulder and held his free arm up in the air. "Alright! Let's rehearse for the audition, Hikari!"

Slowly shaking her head, she wrapped an around around his waist and grinned at the others coming up. "Un! I want to hear our song by the people I love! I can't think of anything else I'd need!"

He squeezed her to his side and she ducked her head as the others brightened and shared grins. Her cheeks felt warm and she'd never felt so cheesy, not even with her family (and Haruka, stars, that girl was made of cheese). "Let's do this!" Otoya cheered, making them bounce and she laughed slipping free and steadying the folder.

An impish grin formed on Tomochika's face as she nudged Otoya's other arm. "Getting a bit fired up, don't you think?"

Otoya made a face at her while the others laughed. "Throwback, Tomo-chan? Didn't think you did that."

The darker redheaded girl simply laughed then glanced at Tokiya as she caught Hikari's hand, tugging her close to loop their arms. "Tokiya-kun, I was worried that you'd be beat up for a moment there!"

"Tokiya-kun?" He repeated her in confusion as Syo stretched his arms overhead, saying, "It could've turned out that way, ne?"

Hikari hid a chuckle at Tokiya's bemused face. Their heads turned upwards as lights began appearing across the Academy area. Spotlights, to be specific. "How much did this cost?" She wondered aloud as Saotome began cackling his laugh over hidden speakers.

"Hello, everybody, and good evening!" He boomed. "Tonight, I have some huge wonderful news!"

She shared confused and bewildered looks with her friends, the beams switching between green and pink, squares forming between the two colors as they lit up the night sky.

"So, come on! Get into the spotlight, you great princes!"

'Princes?' She thought.

An 'O' formed on her lips as her friends appeared in the sky. More specifically, Otoya, Masato, Natsuki, Syo, Ren, and Tokiya. Blinking, she goggled at her actual friends and not the pictures.

"Tonight, my Shining Academy brings to you… a brand new idol group with 1000% love… The name…? STARISH!"

Tomochika was the one who snapped them out of their shock, shaking Hikari slightly. "What are you guys waiting for?!" The girl cried, releasing Hikari and began shoving at them. "Go get some clarification! I'll meet up with you after!"

The others shared looks and began moving.

^V^

"Headmaster, what does this mean?" Otoya blurted out, not greeting the man properly.

Natsuki added, "Does this mean we're going to get a debut…?"

"But we haven't had a graduation audition yet," Syo continued.

Hikari clutched the folder as she stared at the man as he spun slowly in his chair away from the teens. "Audition?"

Her brow twitched as Saotome began cackling like some kind of mad scientist.

"You guys pass." She blinked rapidly at his words. "The first time I heard your song… "This group can heat up the country!" is what I felt. When inspiration hits me, it's never off base. I didn't count on the plan being moved up so soon, that happens quite a bit in business. It isn't a problem at all!"

She jumped slightly as he spun around abruptly, pointing a finger at them.

"Right now, Mr. Ichinose is drawing a lot of attention, making this your very big chance! There's no way I'll let this opportunity slip by!"

Hikari turned to look at her friends with wide eyes. Her boys were going to debut?

"We're going to debut?" Otoya repeated in awed shock.

"I still don't believe it," Syo admitted but grinned wildly. "But I'm still psyched!"

"Yeah!" Natsuki agreed.

"With all six of us, I'm sure it'll go well," Masato added calmly.

"Plus Hikari," Ren added and she looked up at him as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, Otoya squeezing her free arm lightly.

"Seven including her," Tokiya said, smiling.

Blinking, she tilted her head and nodded, smiling shyly. "I'll do my best, give you as much as you'll need." She faltered when Saotome cut in.

"Sorry."

Otoya's hand fell from her shoulder and they turned to look at him, perplexed. "Miss Nanami… you cannot participate in this project."

Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Eh?"

"For the song of their debut concert, we're gonna go-go-go with a pro tunesmith!"

Pressing his arm against hers, Otoya asked warily, "What do you mean, headmaster?"

The lights dimmed and a screen dropped off to the side, making them glance back at it. The world swayed beneath her feet when she recognized the man on the screen and she was grateful Ren had an arm around her.

"Headmaster!" Tokiya exclaimed, having recognized him as well. "Don't tell me it's…"

"Takeshi Fujita?" She said, dazed.

"That's right!" Saotome crowed and she turned back to him, still relying on Ren's arm. "The million hit songster who's won a mad number of awards… The melodist who's writing the most powerful music in Japan right now, Takeshi Fujita… and I've asked him to write your debut song!"

"B-but!" Otoya tried protesting.

Syo shook his head from beside Ren. "Wait a second!"

Saotome simply laughed. "This man is called the "God of Composition". If we leave it to him, there's no doubt we'll have a huge hit on our hands!"

'Takeshi Fujita…' Hikari thought in stunned silence. 'He's even made visits to Europe and America, it's why Byeong-su-samchon and Chanyeol-samchon even decided to tour the U. S., using Dong-hae-yah's wish as an excuse, not matter how much they try to deny it. Oyaji tried having him write a song for Aunty Renge once, but it fell through.'

"So what?!" Syo exclaimed.

"The key to success for this project is intense impact," Saotome informed them, sitting back down. "And while Miss Nanami certainly possesses interesting talent and character, there is a reason I went easy about her exams."

He didn't expand on it, instead simply continuing like he hadn't baffled her.

"Your efforts have exceeded expectations, Miss Nanami. But this is a different story. Miss Nanami…"

He leaned forward and suddenly Ren's arm felt like lead around her neck, leaving her to simply stare at him wordlessly. "Can you write a song that can surpass the God of Composition's?"

She froze, unsure of what he was getting at, then she comprehended his words fully and felt like the earth had left her in the air.

No song this chapter. I hope the dream part was okay in place of Haruka's from the episode? Well, the duck part, anyway. I kinda liked writing that part. And with that said, have an omake that could have happened!

OMAKE:

Hikari squinted at him and Tokiya was a bit unnerved by it. The last time she had stared at him like that, she'd hugged him, and while he wasn't necessarily against being hugged, he wasn't exactly used to it.

Out loud, he called for her. "Hikari? Is something wrong-"

He froze as she reached out and ran her fingers through his bangs. She blinked slowly and tugged on the strands lightly. Tokiya could hear Satoshi chuckling faintly, but he was too surprised to do anything.

"No feathers…"

Blinking, he frowned, not liking how lost he felt. "Feathers?"

She blinked at him, her own lost expression on her face. "You don't have feathers in your hair."

"Why would I have feathers in my hair?" Tokiya wondered.

"You were a duck," she said slowly, pulling her legs off his at last.

"A duck." He gave her a flat look and she blushed, scowling as she shoved the hat at him.

"Don't feel too privileged," she huffed as she slid from the car, him copying her on the other side. "Otoya, Masato, Natsuki, Syo, and Ren were also ducks. I think Ringo-sensei and Ryuya-sensei were the mom and dad ducks respectively…"

He raised a brow at her slightly horrified expression. "What's wrong?"

"Ringo-sensei was a really pretty duck." She sounded both horrified and awed and he couldn't help chuckling. "It's not funny! He's a man, he shouldn't be that pretty! Doki-Doki, stop laughing!"