Well~ Since I am on a roll, another episode of Apeiro's Light it is! Sorry BroCon, your story will be delayed a bit longer. Please note that after this episode, I will be less active until after July 10th, as I have assignments from Japan that I have to complete by then. Last time, I worked rather hard, pushing my tushy to make a longer and slightly better work since I was feeling rusty. Hopefully, I can also do well this time! I see that some of you have also clearly enjoyed the last episode, so I am happy ^^ Your happiness is mine, my darlings! So, hopefully, you'll enjoy this one as well!

And without further ado, here is episode 4~!

*Some dialogue is taken from the subtitles of the episodes with some modifications to incorporate the actual story. I don't know who the translators are since it is not noted, but credits to them! I own nothing except for my story and OC's! Credits to those translators and the Utapri Franchise!

Italics=Thoughts/Language/Songs/Memories

*_*=Actions

Episode 4: Friends and Classmates

Lad lumia d'Amaera Musa shaan ull sono dom.

Let the light of Mother Muse shine upon this domain.

Mae Inspira tange eourn amea, soshda expas tu eourn corra, miindo, ae karadia.

May Inspiration touch their souls, then spread to their hearts, mind, and bodies.

Eas una yuni wa jeuneo tsubama, sonya ave Hera no bellasia, mae yiirn fiora ae abirra tu eourn pallena ponensial.

Each one here is a young bud, so with Her blessing, may they bloom and grow to their full potential.

Tu naria flora d'eourn awn zanzunik sudari.

To become flowers of their own unique beauty.

Mae rishessa en aul aspaessa de Vira shaan yuni.

May wealth in all aspects of Life shine here.

Sono Faera inques de Vossa, Amaera Muse.

This Daughter asks of Thee, Mother Muse.

Morning: Main Lobby

Miran

Students: "Hey, I heard that song again!"

"Yea, me too!"

"It's so beautiful, I wonder what the girl is saying..."

"Yea, her words seem to inspire me somehow!"

"Me too!"

"Me three!"

"It's a prayer right?"

"I think so! That's what the principal said."

"Well, those prayers should continue every week!"

"Yea!"

"But it's a little creepy though... The voice seems to echo everywhere when it sings."

"Like a ghost... A divine being."

"It feels more magical and spiritual than supernatural, like an angel is watching over us on our path to idol and composerhood!"

"A lot of people are already calling her the School Goddess actually!"

"Eh really?! That fits! The School Goddess, I see..."

"And, the principal did say that she's a new kind of 'tradition' for the time being. The school is having some kind of special thing going on for the moment I guess. Like a collaboration maybe?"

"But with who?"

"I'm not sure, but probably someone famous or important if the school is public about this."

"Does that mean the School Goddess lives or visits here? Or is this a CD? That could explain the surround sound the voice makes..."

"I know this language though... It's a very well-known one associated with music, from the Birthplace of Song (1). What is it called again...?"

"Wait, wait! I know! It's-"

Passing by fellow students, I heard some talk about her again: the School Goddess.

That was the name that Ren created for the mysterious being singing the prayers at our school. Since then, that name spread everywhere and stayed ever since.

It was the beginning of the third week now, and the School Goddess was still causing a buzz, singing a kind of morning prayer once at the start of each new school week, and an evening prayer at the end of that school week. It was almost like an otherworldly phenomenon. My peers were growing used to her, though their curiosity didn't really die down either. For a while, some had tried to find the source of the voice, but failed. This is a pretty popular conversational topic now, but I guess that would make sense since it's not the norm here, nor anywhere in Japan...

The professors were aware of the School Goddess, yet they hadn't done anything about it. Instead, they have been open and appreciative about her, especially as Uncle Shining had stated that "These songs are prayers from the Birthplace of Song. They are blessings to all of you students! For now, we have the miraculous privilege to be receiving them from a very special person that currently watches over you all during your time here! This is completely new, and it willlll not last forever, so bask in this miraculous sound and strive onto your paths that you aspire to go on! Ha ha ha ha haaaaa!"

Oh, Uncle... *smiles*

Walking by, I made my way towards where the majority of the first years were: at the score board. Recordings for the first recording contest have finished, and the results were posted today. Ahhhh I see many familiar faces here today! I wonder how everyone di-

Ah, there's Haruka-chan!

"Haruka-chan!"

Calling out to my friend, the red-orange haired girl turned towards me with a smile as I arrived to her side.

"Good morning Miran-chan! Did you see your results yet?"

Me: "Oh, no I haven't yet. I just came from breakfast. How did you do?"

"Hm, let's see..." Scanning at the many names, Haruka-chan's eyes stopped at number 87.

Haruka: "There!"

Seeing her score, I smiled, ready to congratulate her, but-

"We did it! We both passed!"

Out of nowhere, Tomo-chan suddenly appeared in a flash as she gave Haruka-chan a congratulatory hug.

"That's great!" Haruka-chan exclaimed.

Me: "Yay! You did it ladies! I knew you would be able to!"

Coming together in a group hug, we laughed with joy as those around us also felt the relief and fruit that their hard work bore.

"Nanamiiiiiii!"

Hm? Turning to the source of the voice, Ittoki-senpai was running our way with a wide grin on his face.

"We did it! We did it, didn't we?!" he shouted.

Haruka: "Yes! And it's thanks to you, Ittoki-kun!"

Ittoki-senpai: "What are you talking about?! Your song was great, Nanami! Now I'm even more driven!"

Raising his fist with pride and joy, Ittoki-senpai continued to shout. "I'm all fired up!"

Oh~ That was a splendid air punch!

Tomo: "Maybe a bit too much..."

Ittoki-senpai: "Ah-ah ha ha ha, haaa..." *sweat drop*

As we laughed at his over-excitement, Hyuuga-sensei and Ringo-sensei arrived to make an announcement.

Ah, Ryuuya-nii, Ringo-nii!

Outside of school, I knew Ringo-sensei as Ringo-nii alognside Ryuuya-nii (2). I knew about his prolific work as a crossdressing idol, and as pretty and cute others considered him, I was close to him, so Ringo-nii's masculine features were evident to me. He had always preferred to be seen as a guy, and that was exactly how I saw him. His job was his job, and Ringo-nii was Ringo-nii.

Clapping his hands to grab our attention, Ringo-sensei spoke.

"Listen everyone! For those who didn't pass, you'll retake the test next week!"

Hyuuga-sensei: "This time, take the bull by its horns and do everything you can to pass."

Ringo-sensei: "Before class, kids who are in the idol course must pick up training material at the office, okay?"

As he said this, Ringo-sensei looked at me and sent a wink. Understanding his message, I nodded and smiled in return.

Walking by, both professors looked towards me: One with a large smile, and the other with his usual nonchalant face.

Patting my shoulder as they passed by, Ringo-sensei praised me. "Fabulous work, Miran-chan~! Keep it up, though you don't really need me to say it anyways, right?! You earned it!"

On the other hand, Hyuuga-sensei spoke without looking at me, as if to hide the person he was addressing himself to. "Yea, good work. I was really hard on you for a purpose. We made sure to not be soft on you, and you still made it. You're a tough girl. Good job."

Speaking loud enough for only me to hear, Hyuuga-sensei continued. "And remember to pickup your needed materials later, alright?"

Walking away to get ready for their students, Ringo-sensei and Hyuuga-sensei were soon gone, and the cheery noise of my peers returned to my ears.

"Hey, Miran-chan. How about you?" Tomo-chan asked, bringing back my attention to her with a quick turn.

"Yes? What about me?"

Tomo: "How did you do? What's your score?"

"Oh! I haven't looked yet." *looks up at score board* "Hm, now where am I...?"

Looking for my name on the right, I couldn't find it. Hm... maybe it's on this side? Scanning towards my left now, my eyes kept on moving, and moving, and moving until they stopped at the upper left corner.

"Ah~ There I am!"

Following where my pointed finger led to, my friends read my results:

ミラン ・ヴァイシュナヴァ100

(Miran Vaishnava) (3)

All: "Ehhhh?!"

Early Afternoon: School Hallway

"Hm... Now where would someone like that go to during class? Outdoors, or indoors?"

Walking through the school hallways, I quietly hummed to myself. It was the last session of class today, and Hyuuga-sensei decided to send me out and look for someone in his stead, as that person was often missing here and there and he was getting "annoyed" by that person's behavior. It was a little random how this all came about, but Hyuuga-sensei declared that that I was "the best person for this kind of job," and that through this, my "reliability will increase."

"Ah... This is going to prove to be difficult... But, I will do my best!"

Knowing that Hyuuga-sensei was purposely making things a little more challenging due to my position, I didn't mind. I've always wanted to walk around during school time to see what it's like, so this is good! But... I don't know nor talk to that person at all...I'm not sure where he could be. *sweat drop*

As I kept on walking, I was nearing Class A's door. This was Haruka-chan's, Tomo-chan's, and Ittoki-senpai's class. Hm~ I wonder how they're doing~? It would be nice to take a peep... Oh, and maybe I can ask if they saw him too! A win-win situation, yes yes! *raises fist in victory*

Excitedly speed walking with small, airy steps towards the door, I was about to knock when-

*SLAM!*

"Woah!"

Nearly being squashed by the door that I was going to open, I fell backwards. Rubbing my behind as consolation, I stood back up.

"Ow... I didn't see that coming." *looks ahead* "...Haruka-chan?"

The person who had slammed the door open earlier was my friend, and she looked... upset. Distraught.

Tomo-chan was right behind, stopping at the door with worry written all over her face.

Tomo: "Wait Haruka! ... Haruka... Ah, Miran-chan!"

What happened...?

As if to answer me, I began to hear the whispering voices of her peers.

Students: "So she can't play after all."

"I knew it! She can't read music after all!"

"She's a fake."

"Maybe someone did make the song for her."

"Maybe she is a favorite..."

Looking angry, Ittoki-senpai obviously wanted to reprimand them, but he couldn't do anything to stop them.

So... I did.

Otoya

"What is going here?"

The class became quiet as soon as Miran opened her mouth, entering the room with a worried Tomochika behind her.

"Mi-Miran-chan..." Ringo-sensei murmured, watching her as she scanned over the class with her usual calm face and light steps.

I wanted to tell her the mean things they did to Nanami, what they said. Those words that were on the board, how could they say that?! They were mean and not true! I wished that Miran was here to see it for herself like how I did, feeling the powerlessness that I felt not being able to defend her without being scolded or ignored.

But... Miran did understand. She caught on what had happened.

Miran: "It seems that you all have been very rude and shady to a peer of yours... Is that true?"

Student: "And who are you to ask us that?"

"Yea, we didn't do anything!"

Oh no... This isn't good... Miran...!

Worried that they would tear her apart too, I was wrong. Miran wasn't even bothered. In fact... she smiled. A smile that was gentle, but showed that she knew everything and no one would be able to deny their actions. It was like some cold air from nowhere made us freeze... Sending chills down the spine.

This power... This authority... All of this, from just a smile?

Miran just hummed, cocking her head to the side in her usual style as she responded.

"Oh? Well, I'm just a student like you, so it doesn't matter who I am. But, I'm sure I did hear you talk about Haruka-chan. Something along the lines of 'She's a fake,' and 'Maybe someone did make the song for her,' am I correct? And when Haruka-chan left, she looked extremely upset. Surely, my eyes didn't fool me."

The class was speechless, and so was Ringo-sensei. Even he didn't say anything, as if it wasn't his place to (4). Him, a professor!

Continuing, Miran spoke with her hands clasped gently together.

"Now, I may not be an expert, but I'm sure that as a person who aspires to be an idol or composer that wants to touch the hearts of others, you would want to be someone that has the image that reflects the ability to do so. To be a person that others can admire and look up to. But, what you're all doing will take you much farther away from your goals If you want to be successful, being full of fake truths and sour attitudes will not help. Sure, this is a competition to have a victorious debut, but that doesn't mean that you must step on others to win. That's dirty playing. The debut will go to those who are fair in heart and mind. To those who treat others with respect and good sportsmanship. In short: treat others how you want to be treated. The fact that you have forgotten such a simple and decent human courtesy like that shows how far you will go in the industry. And people like that will not go far at all, or they won't last for long. You don't deserve to even be here if you're going to act like that then. You were so quick to make judgement without even realizing the amount of time Haruka-chan had spent to learn to how to read music and compose. You didn't realize the pressure that you added onto her with the horrendous way you were. You should be ashamed of yourselves for what you have done."

The class was dead silent.

Damn...

Ringo-sensei: "Mi-Miran-chan..."

Blinking as if she was in a daze, Miran twirled her hair and lightly chuckled.

"Oh, sorry! He he~ Well, if you self-reflect, grow from this experience and right your wrongs, then it isn't too late to be able to do well. I didn't mean to offend anyone. I was simply pointing out the ethics in your actions. The best thing to do would be to apologize to your classmate and not repeat your mistake again! Otherwise, you have not learned and grown."

Turning to Sensei, Miran bowed in a 90-degree angle. "I apologize for interrupting class, Ringo-sensei!"

Waving his hands off, Ringo-sensei shook his head and laughed. "Not at all! What you said was thoughtful! These students need to hear that when they still have the chance. You didn't have to say it, but you did, and that is an act from a good heart. But in reality Miran-chan, for Haruka-chan and anyone who may face this kind of situation, they won't be able to make it too if they can't bounce back from things like this since there are undeserving people who exist in the industry. They won't always have someone like you to say something. Once you're in the real world, you'll be alone to fend yourself against wolves. You can't be too soft-hearted, as it might hurt you too."

Miran: "That's understandable. I also agree with you on that notion, Sensei. This will serve hopefully as a valuable lesson for us all. I'm sure Haruka-chan will bounce back though. She is a strong person herself! After all, to have a gentle heart in a world like ours is also brave."

Getting ready to leave, Miran was making her way as she bowed to the class as a goodbye with a bright smile. Just when she was about to pass through the door, Ringo-sensei stopped her. "Wait Miran-chan!"

Miran: *walks backwards and faces him again* "Yes Ringo-sensei?"

Ringo-sensei: "What are you doing outside of class? You aren't the kind of person to do that."

"Oh! Riiiiiiight~ Ha ha!" Laughing at herself, Miran walked back in. "Hyuuga-sensei sent me to look for a classmate who has been skipping a lot lately. I happened to walked towards your class when everything happened here."

Ringo-sensei: "Oh~ Ryuuya-kun would do that to you... Who's the kid you're looking for?"

Miran: "Jinguji Ren (5). Has anyone seen him by chance? Or perhaps, do you know his usual whereabouts? I would appreciate it if you told me, because I have no clue right now, he he!" *sweat drop*

Tomochika: "...Miran-chan is amazing..."

Me: "Yea, you got that right! You go Miran, ha ha ha!"

Clapping with Tomochika, we cheered for Miran.

This person is one of a kind... I'm lucky to call her my friend!

Side Info/Teasers:

1) The Birthplace of Song, and better known as the Birthplace of Art, is a land that is a considerable distance from Japan. It is the country where the Goddess Muse first created music, aside other things. It is considered her home country, where the natives there are believed to be her blessed descendants. If you're thinking that it's Agnapolis, you're wrong! Agnapolis is a place blessed by Muse, but it is not the Birthplace of Song. This particular country is between Agnapolis and Permafrost, and they have good relations with each other. Do you remember who are from these mentioned countries? Ho ho ho~

2) Miran has many connections that extend from her younger years (though she's still young ha ha), including Tsukiyama Ringo. She knows him very well. Miran basically seems to know everyone well really, don't you agree? ^^"

3) Foreign names are usually kept in first then last name order when written in Japanese Katakana ^^

4) It feels like Miran is the teacher here and Ringo-sensei is the student. To an extent, that isn't entirely false. Just who is Miran?

5) Some of you have been waiting for this guy to interact with Miran! You shall see their proper meeting in the next episode! Look forward to it! ^^

Well, that's it for tonight friends! I hope you enjoyed this episode, despite being shorter than the previous one. Do you like this side of Miran? I do! She's someone you'd be proud to have as a friend!

Thank you for all of your support! I hope you continue to love this story and the unique heroine, Miran!

Goodnight~