The stage is dark. Two spotlights snap on.

  Kenji: Welcome, welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the More Than a Melody Mid-Volume Half-Time Show!

  Naomi: …That's not what it's called.

  Kenji: It is now. We're halfway through the volume, so obviously we needed a little… flair.

  Naomi: You mean you needed an excuse to talk about yourself.

  Kenji: Incorrect. I needed an excuse to talk about Kazuki.

  Naomi: (smiling faintly) He'd love that.

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  Kenji: He would hate that. Anyway — folks, here's the situation:

  Kazuki's officially in the music performance lineup.

  Aoi's in too.

  Hana's… still tone-deaf but terrifying.

  Naomi: Don't forget Shun.

  Kenji: Oh yeah, the tall silent one. He's doing great at… existing.

  Naomi: (laughs) And then there's Ayame, still running on caffeine and sheer willpower.

  Kenji: But the real question is — will Kazuki actually sing before the big day? Or will we have to strap a mic to his face and push him on stage?

  Naomi: …I'll get the duct tape.

  Kenji: (to the audience) Coming up in the next few chapters — chaos, questionable rehearsal methods, possible rooftop confessions, and… me.

  Naomi: That last one's not a selling point.

  Kenji: It's the only selling point.

  Naomi: Just keep reading. Things are about to get interesting.

  Kenji: And loud. Very loud.

  Spotlights click off.

  NEXT - CHAPTER 6: "FIRST NOTES, FALSE STARTS"