Hajime lay on his bed, arms behind his head, still recovering and bored out of his mind. The sun cast a golden hue across his room as Storyshift sat cross-legged on the dresser nearby, tossing a plushie into the air repeatedly.
Suddenly, Hajime flinched. A sharp pierced through his temple, and he gritted his teeth.
Hajime:
“Ugh… what the—?”
Then, a distorted, static-filled voice echoed in his mind, low and glitchy like a broken radio:
Glitch Hajime (inside his head):
“Still weak… still useless… wasting time cuddling with affection while
sleep?”
Hajime (out loud, confused):
“…Who the hell are you?”
Storyshift (tilting her head):
“Um… I’m Storyshift, your sword? You… okay, young master?”
Glitch Hajime:
“Tch. You really forgot? Or maybe you never accepted it. The part you locked away. The part that killed Strikeka the moment Sockoo got stabbed.”
Hajime (still aloud):
“No… I don’t need you. You’re the glitch—the violent, unstable part of me. You don’t belong here anymore.”
Storyshift (getting up, slightly worried):
“Hajime… are you talking to me? Or… someone else?”
Hajime’s eyes narrowed, pupils slightly shaking. He was visibly sweating now.
Hajime (ignoring Storyshift):
“Why now? Why are you awake again? Ray sealed you…”
Glitch Hajime:
“He sealed of me. Not all. I’m what remains of that pain… that darkness… that fury. Every time you bottle it up, I get stronger. You really think resting like a baby fixes ”
Hajime (gritting his teeth):
“I’ve changed… I’m not the killer you want me to be.”
Storyshift (softly):
“…Young master?”
She hopped down and gently approached him, her usually playful demeanor gone. She could feel it—Hajime’s aura flickering erratically, like a storm was trying to break through a thin cage.
Storyshift (nervously):
“You’re not okay. Who’s in there with you?”
Glitch Hajime (snarling):
“Tick-tock, Hajime. You can’t ignore me forever. And the next time someone hurts the ones you love… I be the one to answer.”
The voice faded, leaving Hajime gripping his head, breathing hard. His eyes returned to normal.
Hajime (to Storyshift, forcing a calm tone):
“It’s nothing. Just… a headache.”
Storyshift (not buying it):
“If it’s nothing, why did I feel like breaking a wall just now?”
Hajime chuckled weakly, then looked out the window.
Hajime (softly):
“Because whatever’s inside me… it doesn’t like peace.”
[Scene: Outside Hajime’s Apartment – Late Afternoon]
The sun was dipping lower, casting a warm orange glow across the sidewalk as SockooEmilyDakaRizraBondo
Emily (holding a juice box):
“Do you think Hajime’s bored out of his mind again?”
Daka (smirking):
“He’s probably trying to sneak out the window for training while Sockoo's voice echoes in his head saying ‘NO!
Sockoo (sighing, tired):
“I say that... often…”
Suddenly, a blur of pink flashed across the nearby corner—followed by a cheerful yet cocky voice
???:
“So is the Music Club, huh?”
They turned sharply. A tall girl with long pink hair tied into twin braidsbright red eyes“Team Felix”
Alexandra Sakura (grinning):
“Name’s Alexandra SakuraAlexTeam Felixyou guys
were thinking of joining… thought I’d check out the competition.”
Rizra (eyebrow raised):
“You and immediately tracked us down?”
Alex (smirking):
“I do my homework. Besides, your team made waves last time with that Hajime guy. He’s still alive, right? Would be a shame to fight a weak version.”
Sockoo’s eyes twitched.
Sockoo (flat):
“He’s recovering. Watch your mouth.”
Alex (raising hands in mock surrender):
“Hey, no offense. Just saying, if you’re gonna enter the Striker Tournamentfull power. No sob stories. No weak links.”
Bondo (stepping forward calmly):
“And what are you doing here really? Trying to start something?”
Alex:
“Not exactly. Just… sizing you all up. You’re passionate—but are you hungry
enough to win?”
“Guess I’ll see for myself if the rumors are true.”
Daka clenched his fists slightly, stepping between her and the others.
Daka:
“Hajime nearly died. But that doesn’t mean we’re weak.”
Alex (tilting her head):
“I hope not. See ya around, Music Club.”
“Oh—and tell Hajime Sakura says hi.”
Rizra (under her breath):
“…Who this girl?”
Emily:
“…I don’t like her already.”
As Alex disappeared around the corner, tension lingered in the air. Sockoo glanced toward Hajime’s apartment door with narrowed eyes.
Sockoo (murmuring):
“She wants a fight…? We’ll give her one.”
And with that, they headed inside—knowing the tournament ahead had just gotten way more personal [Scene: Outside Hajime’s Apartment – Continuation]
As the Music Club was about to enter the building, the front door
open.
Hajimegray-blue ponytailleft eye remained covered
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Despite his calm appearance, an unmistakable pressure
Hajime (sleepy):
“Yo... what's going on out here?”
As soon as Alexeverything stopped
for her.
Alex’s vision:
? Sparkles. Wind slows. His ponytail sways in The bandage over his eye makes him look His calm voice? S-tier husband material.
Her brain:
“He’s… gorgeous…”
Her heart:
?? THUMP ??
Alex (blushing hard, stunned):
“H-h-huh…?”
Hajime (raising an eyebrow, confused):
“…Do I… know you?”
Alex (covering her face, trying to act tough):
“I-I’m Alexandra Sakura! Team Felix! STRIKER TOURNAMENT! Y-you must be… Hajime…”
Hajime (tilting head):
“Yeah? That’s me. You okay?”
Alex (voice cracking, heart exploding):
“Okay?? I mean—YES. Yes. I’m... fine. Great. PERFECT even. Hehe… you’re…
I mean—cool. I mean—”
Hajime (blinking in total confusion):
“…Rage on desu…?”
Sockoo’s
Emily stepped back slowly.
Emily (to Rizra):
“…She’s gonna break something again.”
Sockoo (gritting her teeth, fake smile):
“Oh wow, how cute. Another admirer.”
Alex (still swooning):
“I heard about you but no one told me you were ! That aura… you must be so strong… and sensitive… and mysterious…”
Hajime (stiff, overwhelmed):
“I—I’m none of those things. I—I like cookies…”
Alex (melting):
“Oh my god, you’re ?!”
Bondo (deadpan):
“…Sockoo is gonna stab a pink-haired girl.”
Daka (grinning):
“This just got entertaining.”
Hajime slowly began backing up toward the door.
Sockoo stepped forward and , pulling him behind her.
Sockoo (coldly):
“Back off. He just woke up from a coma.”
Alex (cheerfully unbothered):
“Then I guess fate gave me good timing~.”
Rizra (low voice):
“She’s not scared of death, huh?”
Yu (sipping juice):
“…She’s gonna learn today.”
Alex (with a wink at Hajime):
“See you at the tournament, handsome~!”
She turned dramatically and vanished around the corner again.
Hajime (dazed):
“…What just happened?”
Sockoo (tight grip):
“ Remember? Let’s go.”
Daka (laughing quietly):
“That girl’s got no clue what
[Scene: Just Outside Hajime’s Apartment]
As the others stood in front of the door, still processing the brief encounter with Alexandra Sakura, the door creaked open behind them.
Hajime
stepped out, rubbing the back of his head, hair slightly messy from being cooped up all day. His usual casual attire was paired with a loose hoodie and jogging pants, but his hair—tied into a lazy ponytail—had one long strand falling across his left eye. The sunlight caught the edge of his face just right, making his expression look both and . Despite his slim frame, his aura pulsed with a quiet strength
Hajime (squinting):
“Hey… what’s with all the noise…?”
The group turned—Sockoo’s eyes widened in panic.
Sockoo:
“H-Hajime?! Get back inside! You’re supposed to be resting!”
But it was too late.
Alex
Her pupils became heart-shaped
Alex (whispering):
“…What… is this divine specimen?”
She blinked rapidly, trying to keep her composure, but her brain was spiraling.
""
""
""
She clutched her chest and dramatically fell to her knees.
Alex (yelling):
“I SURRENDER! TAKE ME, MYSTERIOUS PONYTAIL GOD!”
Hajime (blinking):
“…Eh?”
Sockoo (gritting her teeth):
“Back off, tournament thot.”
Emily (terrified):
“Oh no, Sockoo’s going into ”
Rizra (grabbing Sockoo):
“Let’s not go to jail.”
Alex (hearts in her eyes):
“Who you…?”
Hajime (nervous smile):
“Hajime… I guess?”
Alex:
“Hajime… what a beautiful name… Can I have your—”
Sockoo (immediately):
“NO.”
Alex:
“Was talking to him.”
Hajime (nervously pointing at himself):
“Still… no.”
Alex (dramatic pose):
“Then I’ll win your heart in the tournament! Prepare yourself, Hajime-sama!”
She bolted off down the road with hearts floating behind her, screaming “Ponytail Power!
There was a long pause.
Hajime (deadpan):
“…What just happened?”
Bondo (adjusting his glasses):
“You got simped on so hard she forgot why she came.”
Daka (sighing):
“…We’re screwed.”
Sockoo (arms crossed, eye twitching):
“She’s not even yet and I already hate her.”
Hajime (still confused):
“Should I… be worried?”
Everyone (in unison):
“Yes.”
[Scene: Outside Hajime’s Apartment — Post-Alex Chaos]
After Alexandra finally vanished in a trail of sparkles and delusion, the group stood in stunned silence. Hajime, still recovering and slightly annoyed, looked over at Bondo
Hajime (bluntly, but with a tired sigh):
“Respectfully, Bondo… take off the glasses. You don’t look cool, man.”
Bondo (pauses, hand still on the bridge):
“…Excuse me?”
Hajime (half-squinting, rubbing his head):
“You’re wearing them like you’re about to deliver a 10-minute monologue about fate and destruction. But you look like a dad trying too hard to cosplay.”
Emily (snorting):
“PFFFT—”
Rizra (smirking):
“He’s not wrong.”
Bondo (crossing arms):
“These are tactical. I’m blending in. I have depth.”
Yu (deadpan):
“Bro, your depth got nerfed by those $10 lenses.”
Sockoo (still annoyed, but amused):
“Yeah, you went from ‘silent edgy type’ to ‘lost math teacher at Comic-Con.’”
Bondo (adjusting glasses again):
“Listen. Amy said—”
Rizra (grinning):
“Ahh, so it a kink thing.”
Bondo (turning red):
“—I’m going home.”
Hajime (walking back to the door, mumbling):
“Good. And take those with you.”
Yu:
“Damn, he woke up .”
Sockoo (smiling slightly):
“Well… he’s definitely back.” [Scene: In front of Hajime’s apartment, post-Bondo roast, calm settling in]
As the group gathers their thoughts again, Angel
Angel:
“So… what do we do about the Striker Tournament? Do we enter?”
The air stiffens just a bit.
Emily (nervously):
“W-Well, I mean… we considering it, right?”
Rizra (arms folded):
“Yeah. Daka brought it up first. Said we needed to grow stronger... for Hajime.”
Daka (nodding, serious):
“And I still mean it. It’s not just about power. It’s about proving we’re not broken just because one of us was down. We need to show that we’re still a team.”
Yu:
“But we need to be realistic. This isn’t just a school tournament. Striker Teams from are entering. Including Alex’s crew. They're not nobodies.”
Hajime (calmly):
“...Then we’ll beat them anyway.”
Everyone turns toward him.
Sockoo (crossing her arms, suspicious):
“You’re not entering. You’re still recovering.”
Hajime (half-smiling):
“Didn’t say I’d fight. But I’ll help. Strategy, training… backup plans.”
Angel:
“So we’re really doing it?”
A moment of silence—then Daka steps forward and slaps the original Striker Tournament flyer
Daka (grinning):
“Hell yeah we are.”
Emily (pumped):
“Let’s show them what the Music Club is made of!”
Yu (stretching):
“If we’re gonna do this… we’re going to need training, synergy… and someone to deal with Sockoo’s sword-breaking rage.”
Sockoo (smirking):
“No promises.”
Rizra:
“…We’re gonna die.”
Angel (gently smiling):
“Then let’s die together.”
The group looks at one another—tired, stressed, but .
Hajime (quietly, looking at them):
“…Looks like the club’s finally playing its music again.”
[Striker Tournament: Music Club — Confirmed Entry]
Let the training begin.
[Scene: Hajime’s apartment — later that afternoon, tournament hype still fresh]
The group is sitting around in a circle. Energy’s high, ideas flying everywhere.
Emily (twirling a pen):
“So... what should our team name be for the tournament?”
Rizra (lying on her back):
“Huh? Isn’t fine?”
Emily (frowning):
“I mean… kinda? But it’s, you know… bland. Doesn’t scream ‘we’ll destroy you with rhythm and violence,’ you know?”
Yu:
“She does have a point. Our name’s kinda just... our club name.”
Daka (grinning):
“Alright, fine. Let’s brainstorm. Let’s call ourselves… ”
Rizra:
“Nope.”
Makoto (quietly):
“Team Symphony Slashers...?”
Angel:
“Ew.”
Emily:
“Okay how about… ”
Hajime (raising an eyebrow):
“That sounds like a villain group from a magical girl show.”
Everyone:
“...Yeah.”
They go back and forth, each name more chaotic than the last.
- Yu:
"Soundstorm!" - Bondo:
- Emily:
- Rizra:
- Emily:
Finally, Sockoo, who had been quiet with her arms crossed, speaks up.
Sockoo:
“...How about ?”
Everyone pauses and yells
"THAT'S A GOOD NAME!!"