Chapter Text
When I was growing up, I always loved music. I was born into music, my dad would tell me.
It was one of the best things in the world, too. I didn't want to do anything else with my life.
I'd been promised a place on stage with someone I cared a lot about and looked up to. But...
[Nagi]
I'm sorry... An... I can't keep that promise I made you after all...
[Young An]
Aunt Nagi...
I'll never stop... Making music...
I promise!
...... Being born into music makes it hard to make your own name. Everyone just called me my dad's daughter.
So I forced myself to continue in a different way. One where they couldn't know at all.
/Kamiyama High School/
[Viewer A]
You hear about that new group making music online?
[Viewer B]
Yeah! Their music is so cool. That sorta right mix between dark and fun.
[Viewer A]
I know right? It's even more interesting since they all use aliases.
[Viewer B]
Their name is cool, too…
NIGHTCHORDS…
/??? Room/
/0:00 Hours(12 am)/
[An] (Keyboard sounds)
Hm… let's see… Think this mix is done.
Enanan~ Sunbeam~ Phoenix~ I got the music all finished and polished~
[Enanan]
Just in time! I got the art done a little bit ago and I was just about to send it!
[Sunbeam]
Woo! That just means I gotta put it together! Especially if Phenny is all done with the last-minute revisions to the lyrics!!
[Phoenix] (Mostly monotone)
I only changed three words. It's sent to the chat.
[Enanan]
Say, Anniey, this is a really good mix! Perfect for the vision I had!
[An] (Smug)
Heh, I'm a mind reader, aren't I?
[Sunbeam]
Say… If it's not too bothersome for anyone…
[An]
Hm?
[Sunbeam]
I got out of the hospital last week and I'm going to school tomorrow. And since the video will be out by next week…
I was hoping maybe we can pick a place to meet up and celebrate!
[Enanan]
Celebrate the video or celebrate your freedom to be a little reckless?
[Sunbeam]
Hey! I'm not reckless!
I don't think I am, anyway…
[An]
Heh… I'm down if you all are!
[Enanan]
Hmmm~ It's worth getting up early for Sunbeam~ I'm in.
[Sunbeam]
Yay!! Phoe~nix~~
[Phoenix]
I probably won't be able to… *sigh* I'll see.
[Sunbeam]
Yay~ All I can ask for!
Tomorrow I get to see Icchan again and I might get to see my Nightcord friends~ It's already turning out to be a great week~
[Phoenix]
Enanan, are you going to a night school? If not, we should end the call now then.
[An]
Oh, yeah! Enanan, you're so lucky- Night classes at Kamiyama… So should have signed up!
[Enanan]
Yeah, well, I know for a fact you have an important job there, little miss hall monitor.
[Sunbeam]
Uwaaa, I so wish I could go there! My mom said it'll be better at an all girls school, so I'm going to Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy.
[Phoenix] (Surprised)
…?
[An]
Aw… Too bad… I'll have to figure out a day to go pick you up and we can hang out after school!
[Phoenix] (Unamused)
You wouldn't be let in the gates in the slightest. They don't let anyone without the uniform in, unless there is an emergency that needs the hospital.
[Sunbeam]
Phoenix, do you go to Miya Girls?
[Phoenix]
It has the best cram school for business.
[An]
Yeah, I heard that.
Ehh?! It's already 1 am?! We gotta log off so Sunbeam can sleep!
[Enanan]
You mean so you, Sunbeam and Phoenix can sleep. Night, girls~
(Disconnect sound)
[An]
Night night!
[Sunbeam]
Ni~ight!
(Disconnect sound)
[Phoenix]
Sleep well.
(Disconnect sound)
(A disconnect sound comes from An's computer.)
[An]
*yawn* Nothing else to do but-
(phone flashes)
Huh? Did my phone just light up?
[Miku] (Appears)
…An…
[An]
EH?!
[Miku]
I know you can reach her… We're waiting for you.
(Disappears)
[An]
…No way that was really Miku… Right?
/The Next Day/
/Miyamasuzaka Academy/
[Saki]
Hmhmhmhm hmmm~ Let's see…
[Ichika]
Huh? Saki!
[Saki]
…? Icchan!!!
(Hugs Ichika)
Eheheheh~ I told you I'd make it~
[Ichika]
I'm glad you did. You seemed a bit lost, though…
[Saki] (Walking backwards to keep talking with Ichika)
Heh… Yeah, a little bit. I was still in the hospital when the school was doing tours and orientation, so I missed it.
[Ichika]
It's okay. What class are you in?
[Saki]
I think it's 1-B…
[Ichika]
Ah… I think Honami is in that class too… I hope you can reconnect.
(*Thump* Saki bumps into someone as she's walking backwards.)
[Saki] (Turning around fast)
Ah! I'm so sorry!
[Emu] (Very slight surprise, swiftly shifting to a polite smile)
…
It's okay. You're… Tenma Saki, correct?
[Ichika] (Surprised)
Otori-san…
[Saki] (Confused)
…? I am…
[Emu]
I've been asked to be your guide for today and tomorrow. To help you get used to things since we're in the same class.
[Saki]
(Her voice is so… similar to something I know…)
Thank you! See you later, Icchan!
[Ichika]
Yeah. See you later, Saki.
(Ichika leaves.)
[Emu] (More monotoned than before)
… You really live up to your Nightcord name, Sunbeam.
[Saki] (More confusion)
…Huh?