ｂｌｉｎｄｓｉｄｅｄ

『 your p.o.v 』

Walking down the hallway with Natsuki, I looked up to the tall blonde with a quirky grin. "So you're telling me that because Piyo-chan and Hayato are practically joined together from all the collabs they've done, Toki has to continue singing the Piyo-chan jingles?"

"Of course." Natsuki responded as if it was the most obvious outcome to Hayato going away and Tokiya staying. "No one can replace Hayato other than himself which is Toki-chan."

I shook my head at that. "There's no way he'll agree to it."

"But who else is going to sing the Piyo-chan song?"

"Definitely not Toki."

With a pout, the green eyed boy walking beside me sighed as we turned down another hallway, many of the other students glancing to us curiously as we pass by. "I'm getting Toki-chan to at least sign all of my Piyo-chan merch as Hayato." He then huffed cutely.

"You get one." I said with a laugh. "One thing signed and that's it. You have far too many Piyo-chan things for him to possibly sign them all."

Natsuki's pout only deepened. "But ___-chan..."

"Oh don't give me those eyes." I said as I lightly pushed on his arm so he'd take a step away only to nearly crash right back into me. "You know I'm weak to your puppy-dog eyes."

"So can I get two things signed?" The tall blonde asked as he bent down some and batted his eyelashes cutely.

I pretended to think for a moment as we turned down the hallway that leads to the recording booth. "Hm, you get one." I responded sweetly.

With much reluctance, Natsuki followed me into the recording booth where a fair amount of both the S-Class and A-Class idol students were gathered. Many of them surprisingly didn't pay me much mind. They were more focused on my navy haired friend standing off to the side and talking to Otoya about their solo songs and their duet that they have to record this evening.

The news broke earlier this morning that Hayato and Tokiya are indeed the same person and I think the news might have broke the internet a little bit. Everyone is going nuts and thankfully Tokiya already had some interviews pre-recorded to go up today thanks to Shining so he can focus on our project songs because I could only imagine how much his phone would be getting blown up right about now if he was radio silent.

I'm just surprised Reiji hasn't called me about this yet. I'm sure him and the other Quartet Night members have heard the news by now, there's no way they haven't. It's literally headlining on all social media platforms.

Though I'm positive Ranmaru and Camus could care less- well, I take that back. Judging how the four of them acted towards Ren and Masato before their debut stage at the Saotome Music Festival, I don't think they'll be happy to know that their previous competition is now going to become their junior in the very near future. At least AI already knew, though how exactly he figured it out and was so sure of himself right from the very beginning is still up for debate...

"Oi, took you two long enough to get here." Syo barked as he walked up to Natsuki and I and poked his roommate right in the center of his chest. "We're up after Tomo's done and we haven't discussed anything."

Natsuki paled a bit at that. "We talked all yesterday about how we want the duet to sound."

"Yeah but nothing about our solo's."

"We practiced them together and I thought they sounded great. Didn't you Syo-chan?"

The shorter blonde sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose with one hand and readjusted his fedora with the other. "Natsuki, we need our solo's to sound like they go together if we want to beat Tokiya and Otoya."

As if he could just sense that this conversation is about him, Otoya sauntered on over and threw an arm over my shoulders as he pulled me close to his side, grinning at the two blondes. "What are you guys talking about?"

Tokiya reluctantly followed his duet partner over to join our group of five. "Glad to see everyone's finally here."

"You two go away." Syo said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "We're rivals going into this project and I don't want you hearing our game plan."

Otoya laughed at that. "We're going to be debuting together. C'mon, we're both trying to go for the top scores anyways."

"Exactly, go away so we can beat you." Syo scoffed.

"You're too competitive." My red headed best friend huffed.

Shaking his head, Tokiya looked to me with a small smile. "Otoya and I have been practicing as well. How was Masato's piano recital the other night?"

The memory of Masato and I standing under the cafe's awning flashed through my mind. I had to stop myself from blushing as I remembered the feel of his lips on my cheek. "He played just as good as he normally does. It was amazing to see him up on stage with a huge audience though. Really shows that he'll make it big as an idol when we all debut together."

Otoya pouted at that. "What about us? Do you think we'll make it big?"

"Tokiya excluded." Syo then said. "He already hit it off as Hayato so he doesn't count."

"Hayato's popularity is not going to transfer over to me."

"You don't know that PIyo-Chan boy."

Both Otoya and Natsuki burst out laughing at that while I had to hide my own smile behind one of my hands as Tokiya just narrowed his eyes at the short blonde. "You know what, I was going to wish you luck going into the recordings, but now we're officially rivals."

Syo rolled his eyes. "Oh wow, I'm so scared." He then said with a challenging smirk. "How about we make this interesting."

Natsuki perked up a little at that. "Interesting?" He repeated.

"If we win," Syo paused as his grin widened while Tokiya's glare only deepened, "we get to take ___ out on a date."

"Excuse me?" I said as my head practically snapped towards the short blonde. "You what now?"

Tokiya looked to Syo with a bored expression. "You really have that much faith in your duet?"

"We'll win if ___'s on the line!" Otoya then said, squeezing me to his side even more now as I just look between my four friends incredulously.

Natsuki beamed a bright smile. "Now I have to get the highest score! I've been dying to go out with ___-chan again."

"Do I get a say in this at all?" I asked.

"Of course not." Tokiya said, a confident smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "You wouldn't turn down the opportunity to have two of four handsome aspiring idols take you out so it's fine."

All I could do was sigh as Tomo-chan stepped out of the booth and practically skipped over to us. "Oh hey guys, you're up." She said as she looked to Natsuki and Syo.

Watching the color drain from Syo's face at her words was probably the funniest thing I've ever seen. "Damn, we didn't discuss anything about our solo's..." He muttered to himself.

Natsuki patted his friends back as they started off towards the recording booth. "We'll be fine Syo-chan! ___-chan believes in us and we have to get the highest scores so we can take her out."

"Fine, you're right. Just sing like we did the other night and we're golden." Syo agreed.

As the two of them disappeared behind the now closed door to the recording booth, Tomo-chan glanced to me with a cocked eyebrow. Otoya was already talking with Tokiya when she lifted her arm a little and then nodded at me. I immediately nudged Otoya's arm off from around my shoulders, moving to stand with her while Tokiya continued reminding the red head about some last-minute changes they made to their duet.

Otoya spared me a glance but ultimately focused on his conversation with Tokiya as Tomo dragged me a little further away from them. "What exactly has been going on with you and them lately?" She asked.

"Nothing." I responded a little too quickly, both of us knowing damn well that that was a poorly told lie.

Tomo rolled here eyes. "I'm just curious is all. They look like they've calmed down a bit but at the same time like they're even more protective of you. It's weird." She giggled a bit. "I mean, have they come to this silent agreement that as long as it's one of them six flirting with you, it's fine?"

"Oh shut up, you know it's not like that." I said as I lightly pushed her away. "I think..."

The burgundy haired girl looked to me with a "you-can't-be-serious" kind of look and I just smiled innocently in response. "Yeah, and it's not like Ringo hasn't been hitting on you either." She said at nothing above a whisper as she moved to get close to my ear. "Tell me, are you dating any of them?"

I reeled back, quickly shaking my head before moving closer once more. "No!" I whispered as Natsuki started singing his solo song first, all of the other students falling silent while they listened to the beginning violin intro. "Haven't I told you that I'm not going to date any of them? Our futures are far more important than stupid feelings."

"Stupid feelings that are going to bottle up and explode at some point."

"Yeah well, I'll deal with that mess when it happens."

Tomo smiled as she nudged my shoulder with her's. "Hey," she murmured, "you know I'm just teasing you. But you'd tell Haru and I if you actually started dating any of them right?"

"Of course. I wouldn't keep that from you guys." I whispered back. "If by some odd chance I actually go out with any one of them, I'll tell you guys so you can make sure we don't go doing anything stupid."

"Like running off and moving out to the countryside so you can start a completely new life together." Tomo giggled.

I shook my head at the burgundy haired girl. "Your imagination is something else."

She smiled as we both finally turned our attention to the two blondes in the recording booth. Natsuki was just finishing up his solo and honestly, I couldn't be happier with how it came out. His singing has really improved since his our first song together and I know he can hear just how much he's improved as well. The smile he flashes me after he finishes says it all.

Next was Syo's solo. It came to no one's surprise that his song was just as upbeat if not more so than our first song together. He could have told any of us that he drank at least five energy drinks before going in to record and we would have believed him- he's just that hyped up. I think if his heart condition would allow him to drink energy drinks and not pass out, he'd probably do just that to have maximum hype.

By the time they got to their duet, Natsuki was bopping his head to the beat while the two of them grinned at one another. Almost the second the track to their duet started, they began this cute little banter for the intro and all of the students listening to this along with Tomo and I absolutely loved it. Seeing Syo and Natsuki have so much fun singing such an upbeat song together makes whoever listens to it want to dance and sing right along with them. It helps that the song has such a fast tempo, making them have to sing equally as fast and they're killing it.

"If that doesn't take the win for the highest score, then I don't know what will." Tomo-chan said honestly as the song came to an end, both Syo and Natsuki playfully pushing each other as they step out of the recording booth. I'm actually a little upset that Ryuuya and Ringo weren't here to listen to these two sing.

All in all, I'd say "Southern Cross Waltz", "Oresama Rondo" and "GO x2 Jet Coaster" were all major successes.

Walking right up to Otoya, Syo looked to the red head with a fiery glint behind his eyes. "Beat that."

Natsuki smiled sweetly to the other two idol students. "I hope you won't be upset when we win."

With a scoff, Tokiya brushed past them both and made his way towards the booth. "We'll see about that."

"You haven't heard Toki and I sing together- you two don't stand a chance!" Otoya added on with a large grin before running after the navy haired boy.

I pinched the bridge of my nose as Otoya winked at me just as he was closing the door to the recording booth. "Why does this feel like a really cheesy scene right out of High School Musical?"

Tomo-chan burst out laughing at that. "Oh my gosh- you're so right! You're living the High School Musical dream and I'm living for it." She giggled. "Hey, but at least these guys are way hotter than the ones in High School Musical. Not to mention you get two hot teachers and a whole other band of four hot idols to add to the mix."

"Ew, don't say that about Ryuuya and Ringo. I don't like them and they for sure don't like me."

"Have you heard even half the things Ringo says to you? And that's the things I've heard when I'm around. I can't imagine what he says when you two are alone."

"He. Does. Not. Like. Me." I said with a pointed glare that quickly fell into a defeated expression. "Okay, maybe he likes me just a little bit but shut up."

Patting my shoulder, Tomo offered me a reassuring smile. "Look at it this way, Ringo is only twenty-three meaning he's not all that much older than us. And he's handsome, I'll give him that."

"Wow, the lesbian calling her male teacher handsome, what is this world coming to?"

"Okay I may be into girls, but I'm not blind you idiot."

Laughing, we both struggled to quiet down as Otoya started his solo song first.

Listening to this latest song, it's easy to hear that Otoya has been practicing a lot by himself. His voice just sounds more rich and full than before. And his lyrics flow much better. Just as the title to his song says, I can't help but trust his dream.

Next was Tokiya's solo, "BELIEVE☆MY VOICE" being the first song he will have sang after Hayato's exit from the idol scene. This song means a lot to the both of us. I started composing this back while we were in Okinawa because I wanted him to find the courage and confidence in himself to finally sing as Ichinose Tokiya. And, for him, this song is him showing not only me but everyone that even without Hayato, he can hold his own and his voice alone speaks for itself. It finally sounds like Tokiya is singing with his heart again and I love it.

Natsuki and Syo had walked over to join Tomo and I at some point, the four of us nothing short of impressed with our friend's performances. They sound great separate as well as together when they started singing their duet "Roulette". Otoya was right when he said we'd never heard him and Tokiya sing together. It's as if they bring out something different in the other and create a song together that none of us were expecting to hear. They're amazing.

"Hey kiddo, sorry for the sudden call." Reiji said as I slipped out of the recording studio and into the rather busy hallway. "I didn't catch you at a bad time did I?"

Holding the phone up to my ear, I leaned against the wall and smiled some. "Nah, you're good. Tokiya and Otoya are just finishing their duet recording so I'm okay to talk for a bit. What's up?"

"Sweet. First things first, when were you going to tell me that Hayato and Tokiya are the same person?!" The brunette asked, obviously shocked and a little upset. "I spit out my coffee this morning when I heard it on the TV with the boys. Camus almost killed me for it too."

I couldn't help but laugh a bit at that. "Things were complicated up until now and besides, Toki's secret wasn't mine to tell anyone- not even you Rei-chan. Now what did you actually call me for?"

"We want to see when you're available to meet so we can discuss our next group song." AI spoke up, the call obviously being on speaker now for all four of them to hear.

"Hello to you guys too." I mused. "Also wait, I thought you wanted to wait to release Quartet Night's next group song until it was around the same time as the graduation debut stage here at Saotome?"

Ranmaru clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Oi brat, has no one told you yet?"

"Clearly, no one has Kurosaki." Camus sighed. "Peasant, the debut stage has been pushed up."

I almost dropped my phone. "E-Excuse me?"

"Yeah, um, Shining is holding the debut stage in just a little over a month now actually..." Reiji's voice trailed off as I just stared off down the hallway.

There's no way... Shining wouldn't do this, right? But if Camus is telling me this, then it's not like Reiji is trying to pull some sick prank on me or anything. They're being a-hundred-percent serious and I feel like I'm about to be sick.

"Can I call you guys back?" I asked, pushing off the wall and now walking down the hallway, easily brushing past student after student as I go. "I need to go talk with Ringo and Ryuuya about this."

"Our schedules are free this upcoming week so whichever day works for you peasant, that'll be the day we meet." Camus said.

Slowly, I nodded despite none of them being able to see it. "I'll call back in like half an hour or so and let you guys know when I'm free."

"We're actually about to go and do an interview," AI spoke up.

"Alright, then I'll just give you guys a text. Good luck with your interview, I know you guys will kill it." I said honestly.

"Hey brat-"

I immediately ended the call as I continued down the hallway, not wanting to continue the conversation considering I can feel my blood beginning to boil at this point.

If what they're saying is true, then my friends and I have about a month to get everything together in order to be ready for the graduation auditions. I don't know about you, but I'm about to lose my sanity. We just got finished with these two sets of duet projects and I finished composing solo songs for the Quartet and everything and now I have to worry about this? We were finally going to get some time to relax and pull back a bit to try and really understand how this whole band idea was going to come together and just... I can't believe this.

What's Shining going to throw at us next?

Not bothering to knock, I walked into the teacher's lounge. There were a handful of idol and composer teachers sitting and standing around the large room, all working and talking with one another about this and that, probably having to do with their upcoming lessons. Thankfully both Ryuuya and Ringo were once again sitting side by side at their desks that are all the way in the back corner of the room. I think I would have actually had a mental breakdown if these two weren't here.

Walking up to them, I grabbed the empty chair in the desk beside Ringo's and took a seat, both of them only just now noticing me. "Can one of you explain to me why I just heard from Quartet Night that the graduation debut stage is being pushed up an entire month?"

Neither Ringo nor Ryuuya responded for a moment. They exchanged glances before looking to me with almost sorry expressions. "We were going to be telling everyone in class on Monday." The pink haired idol said.

"Okay, so it's true. What does this mean for the graduation auditions then?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest while I hold onto my phone with a single hand, my fingers tightening around the small device.

"About that," Ryuuya paused as he sighed, "what was supposed to be the next project with the trio's is being canceled. We're starting the graduation auditions in exactly one month and every idol must go into it with a newly composed song."

It felt like someone just punched me right in my chest. "So, these solo songs that I've been composing for my friends alongside their duet's aren't eligible to be used towards the graduation auditions? So I have to compose six songs alongside this ballad they want and Quartet Night's next group song in, I don't know, the next two weeks? Eight songs, in two weeks?"

Ringo's eyebrows knitted together as nothing but concern flooded behind his eyes. "We're sorry hun. We know this is a lot to ask of you, but Shining wanted to push up the debut stage since the public is really beginning to take an interest in Quartet Night along with some of your friends."

"That's..." My voice trailed off as I looked out the large windows lining the back of the teacher's lounge.

"You can do this kid." Ryuuya said with a reassuring smile. "We believe in you and we know everyone else has your back going into this as well."

Shaking my head, I stood up and pushed this chair back into the empty desk. "I gotta go..." I said dejectedly.

"___?" Ringo called after me.

I didn't bother responding as I just walked out of the teacher's lounge and back out into the busy hallways of Saotome Academy.

This is ridiculous. Every time things finally start to calm down around here, Shining goes and throws in this curveball to completely throw me off track yet again. That man isn't ignorant to my situation. He knows just as well as I do that I'm going to have to compose six new songs alongside their group debut song and Quartet Night's next song. This isn't fair in the least bit.

My friends have been working hard both individually and together. These sudden time crunches aren't fair to them either. Of course they don't have to write lyrics for the same amount of songs that I'm composing, but it takes time for them to write and perfect their lyrics after I give them just a song with some nice melodies. I know they can write these lyrics in the two weeks they'll have to do it after I hand over the songs, it's just, it's going to be tough on all of us to somehow get all of this finished and perfected in time for the actual auditions.

Turning down a different hallway, I struggled to not let the tears in the corners of my eyes well up. I'm so upset and frustrated that I could honestly just break down into tears. Is wanting a small break really so much to ask for? And what if since I'm having to compose all eight of these songs in the span of two weeks, their quality suffers because I can't spend all that much time on just one song? What will I do then if my idols are given half-assed work because I just can't afford to spend another day on each of their songs?

But, Ringo and Ryuuya are right. I can do this and I will. I'm not the only one having to work hard here. My idols are putting everything they have into their careers and I have to pull this off for their sake.

Even if the world is against me, I will pull through for them.

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ngl this chapter went from "aweeeee" to "uh-oh" so quick lmao like oof

Question of the Chapter: Were you just as surprised as the heroine when she found out the debut stage as well as the graduation auditions are being pushed up an entire month? I thought of doing this maybe five chapters or so ago so I wasn't completely surprised that I decided to write this in (unlike most of the things I write in here on a whim and then panic have to just go along with xD) but boy do I feel bad for the heroine now lol

Also rip Ringo and Ryuuya for just getting walked out on like that xD they're prob just wanting to help considering they know how unfair all of this is but they can't rly do anything which is just ;-;;;; lmao I can't wait for the starfishy boys to hear the news too tho like something tells me they're going to have a few choice words to say when they're told about this either by the heroine or during class like Ringo and Ryuuya said they're planning on doing xD

I'm having far too much fun with this fanfic lately xD i love the utapri bois so much oml they're all so precious. And the best part is we're going to be getting some heaven's cameo's soon.~ I won't spoil any of the idea's I've been playing with but I can tell you that you lovely peeps are in for some cute interactions soon ^^

I love each and every last one of you lovely cuties and thanks so much for taking the time to read this chapter <3

~ ｋａｔ ♡