Never Expect

Today is the day when everything we’ve trained for comes down to this moment.

This will be the first—and the last—performance of our band.
At the very least, I’ll finally know what it feels like to stand on stage in front of a crowd.

Before we perform, Asahi-san gives a short speech.

“Today marks our first and last assembly. Thank you all for going along with this crazy idea—especially you, Takahashi-san.”
He bows toward me.

“No! This was your idea. I just did my best to support it.”

Honestly, I’m just grateful. Grateful I get to perform with these people.

“Ken, how’s your singing voice?” Miyama-san asks.

“In perfect condition!” I reply confidently.

Now it’s our turn.

We’ve prepared two songs for this day.
And judging from the audience’s reactions, they’re enjoying every second of it.
As I sing, something lights up inside me. Happiness. How could I forget this feeling for so long?

Music is the best. Yuka, look! I’m singing again—right in front of everyone. Can you see me?
Wherever you are… I hope you’re smiling.
I promise, I’ll treasure this feeling. I’ll never forget it again.

“Takahashi-san! Do you remember our promise?” Miyama-san asks me after the show.

“Yeah. So, what is it you wanted me to do?”

She doesn’t answer.
She just smiles.
That mysterious smile that makes me feel like I’ve just agreed to something dangerous.

She never replied to me but her mysterious smile got me thinking that she was trying to make me do something dangerous.

Her piano performance begins.

Her skill is undeniable—every note she plays draws the audience in.
The entire gymnasium falls silent, captivated by her music.

And then, there’s me…
In a bear costume, holding a bouquet of roses.

The audience bursts into laughter.

Of course they do.

““Miyama-san. I need to ask—how could you make me wear this on stage?” I demand after her performance.

“Don’t worry about it!” she laughs. “The audience loved it.”

“Well, I didn’t.”

“My boyfriend loves that character, so I thought it’d be a good way to lighten the mood. And thanks to you, the performance was a success. So… thank you, Takahashi-san!”

“...As long as it worked out for you.”

But I never imagined my worst nightmare would come true this fast.

A week after our performance, videos of the band begin spreading online.
Apparently, we went viral.
And today, the fallout has finally arrived.

When I enter the house, I immediately hear my dad’s voice.

“Ken! Come to the dining table. Now!”

I walk in—and there it is.
A tablet playing our performance.

My performance.
Me, singing. In a bear costume. On the internet.
In front of the entire world.

Right. I forgot I’m the son of one of Japan’s most respected surgeons.

“It was just one time,” I explain. “I’m not doing anything like that again.”

“Don’t lie to me!” Dad’s voice thunders across the room. “I can see it in your eyes—you’re going to keep chasing this nonsense! I sent you to school to become someone useful to society. What will this foolishness ever give you? Do you have any idea how humiliated I felt when my colleagues showed me this video?”

“But I’ve been in the top three of my class every year! Isn’t that enough? I just want to enjoy my youth too…” I plead, hoping—desperately—that he’ll understand.

“Youth?” he spits. “You don’t know how the world works. That mindset will lead you nowhere. Starting today, I want you to throw away everything unrelated to your studies. Music, performance—all of it.”

“You don’t know how it feels when people say I can’t even raise my own son properly. You never learn. If you ever do something like this again… you’ll be kicked out of this house.”

“But—”

“No more excuses. From now on, just study. That’s all that matters.”

Damn it.

What am I supposed to do now?