Mitsunari and Mizuha had not stepped foot on school grounds since the unforgettable night of the talent show, when Mitsunari boldly confessed to the entire audience that they were in a relationship. It had been a moment that sent ripples across their school, surprising many and earning whispered congratulations from their classmates in the days that followed.
Now, back at school for the first time since then, the air around them seemed to hum with a new kind of attention. They walked side by side through the courtyard, not trying to hide or shy away from the glances. Mizuha tucked her hair behind her ear, a soft smile tugging at the corner of her lips as Mitsunari nudged her playfully.
They walked to class together, their steps in sync. A few students waved or nodded, some simply watched, but neither Mitsunari nor Mizuha let it distract them. There was something natural, even magnetic, about the way they moved through the halls looking comfortable and at ease.
During lunch, they claimed their usual spot under the big tree behind the school gym, but this time, there was no pretense. Mitsunari held her hand without hesitation, and Mizuha leaned into his shoulder like it was the most ordinary thing in the world.
Conversations between them flowed freely. They laughed about the reactions from the talent show, how some of their classmates apparently never saw it coming. Others told them later it was "so obvious" for months.
The shift in their dynamic was subtle but powerful. There was no longer a wall between their friendship and something deeper. Now, they existed in the in-between of comfort and passion, of creation and connection.
Their teachers noticed the change too. When a group project came around in literature class, Mitsunari and Mizuha got paired up. The teacher didn't even ask as it just felt right. Their chemistry translated into everything they did.
Working together came naturally. Mizuha brought a sense of calm and insight, while Mitsunari injected energy and bold ideas. They balanced each other out like music and lyrics.
After school that day, Mitsunari asked her to come by the studio. The sun was dipping low in the sky as they walked to the familiar place where so many songs had been born. The glass doors glinted in the orange light.
Inside, the studio was dim but alive. Mitsunari set down his bag, his fingers already itching to get back into creative mode. He looked at Mizuha with a small smile. "I've got eight songs done already. Only four left. Got any ideas for song nine?"
Mizuha tapped her chin thoughtfully, then said, "How about something pop-related? You've done a lot of rap-heavy tracks lately. Maybe something smoother, with more singing."
Mitsunari's eyes lit up. He loved her perspective as it's always fresh and always different from his. "Yeah… I like that," he nodded. "What kind of vibe are you thinking?"
She hesitated, then softly uttered, "I just wanna ask you tonight…" Her voice trailed off, but Mitsunari's expression froze, then lit up like a struck match.
"That's a line right there," he said. "Say it again."
"I just wanna ask you tonight," she repeated, slower now, more deliberately. Mitsunari grabbed a notebook and pen, scribbling it down before the inspiration could drift away.
They spent the next hour writing lyrics together. Words flowed like water between them, ideas bouncing back and forth, refined and polished as the melody began to form in Mitsunari's mind.
Suddenly, Tao pushed the door open, headphones around his neck, his laptop tucked under his arm. "I've been working on something," he said. "Thought you might wanna hear it."
Mitsunari motioned him over, and Tao plugged his laptop into the studio setup. A beat pulsed through the speakers it was bright, layered, that's was with a soft bounce and a catchy rhythm that immediately caught Mitsunari's attention.
"It fits the vibe we're going for," Mizuha said, bobbing her head slightly to the rhythm. Mitsunari agreed instantly. It was perfect. They named the track "Ask You Tonight."
Over the next couple of hours, the three of them dove into the production. Lyrics were adjusted. Melodies rewritten. Hooks trimmed. Verses expanded. The song slowly evolved into something rich, soulful, and polished.
As the hook came into sharper focus, Tao turned to Mizuha. "Hey… would you be willing to record the backing vocals for this part?"
Mizuha blinked, caught off guard. "Me? I'm not really… a singer."
"You don't have to be perfect," Tao said, smiling gently. "Your voice is real. And it'd add something only you can bring."
She looked uncertain, but then Mitsunari reached out, squeezing her hand gently. "Just try. For me?"
Mizuha took a deep breath and nodded. She stepped into the booth, headphones on, heart pounding. Tao guided her gently through the recording. She hit a few rough takes, but then something clicked, and her voice wove beautifully behind the main melody.
The backing vocals added a new dimension to the song. Tao layered them carefully behind Mitsunari's main track, blending everything into one seamless wave of sound.
Finally, with the last tweak done, Tao hit play. The finished version of "Ask You Tonight" filled the studio. The beat was hypnotic, the melody catchy, and the lyrics heartfelt.
Mitsuari and Mizuha sat in silence, listening. When the final notes faded, Mitsunari turned to Mizuha, his eyes full of something unspoken but unmistakable. "This might be the best one yet," he whispered.
Mizuha smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder again, this time in the glow of studio lights instead of the schoolyard sun. "We made it together," she said softly. "That's what makes it special."