The cafeteria at Keio High School buzzed with the usual lunchtime chatter. Hanae sat at her usual table with her friends, Rika and Kaori, her bento box open and untouched as they talked excitedly.
"I'm so hyped for Halloween next weekend!" Rika grinned, unwrapping a candy bar like it was a treasure.
Hanae nodded enthusiastically. "Me too! I finally found the perfect costume this year. I've been waiting all month for this!" Her eyes sparkled with genuine joy.
But Kaori sat unusually quiet, poking her food with her chopsticks, lost in thought.
Rika tilted her head. "Kaori? You've been weird all day. Is something wrong?"
Hanae leaned in, concerned. "Yeah, you've barely said a word. What's going on?"
Kaori quickly forced a smile and waved her hand. "No, no, it's nothing. Don't worry about me. You two keep talking."
Hanae frowned. "Usodayo (You're lying). You're acting totally different."
Just then, Renn approached the table with two of his classmates, his presence always bringing a mix of cool-kid aura and awkward charm.
"Yo, what's the serious face about?" he asked, slinging his bag over one shoulder.
Hanae looked up. "Kaori's been acting strange."
Kaori glanced at Renn, and something about the way he looked at her made her finally confess.
"I'm just… upset," she muttered. "It's about Luna. I love her so much but I've never had the chance to see her perform live. She only does private shows, and I can never get in…"
Her voice trailed off as she lowered her eyes. "I wish I could meet her. Just once."
Renn, hoping to impress Hanae, jumped in without thinking. "You know what? I'm pretty sure Luna will perform publicly next time. You'll totally get to see her!"
Kaori's eyes widened. "Really? You mean it?!"
Renn, suddenly realizing the weight of his promise, nodded with a confident grin. "Yep! I heard some whispers. I'm sure she'll perform on Halloween. So be ready."
Kaori lit up with joy. "That would be amazing!"
Hanae looked at Renn, genuinely touched. "Thank you, senpai. That really helped her."
---
Later that day, Renn sat in his office, legs kicked up on the desk, lost in thought. The earlier promise still echoed in his head when Kira walked in, snapping him out of his daze.
She waved a hand in front of him. "Oi, my manejā-san (manager), earth to Renn. Where are you floating off to?"
Renn blinked, startled. "Oh—sorry. Got a bit distracted."
Kira raised an eyebrow with a smile. "You? Distracted? That's new."
He chuckled nervously and sat up. "Actually, Kira… I wanted to ask you for a favor."
Kira tilted her head. "Sure. What is it?"
Renn inhaled. "Would you consider doing a public concert?"
The smile on Kira's face vanished. Her entire body language shifted, growing rigid. "…Why would you ask that?"
"You know I only do private shows. I'm not allowed to do public performances," she added, her voice low.
Renn looked her in the eye. "I know. But think of your fans. You have so many people who adore Luna, who never get to see her live. Don't their feelings matter too?"
Kira sighed, folding her arms. "I get what you're trying to say, but it's not that simple, Renn. You don't understand what's at stake."
"I do," he said gently. "One of your biggest fans is Kaori—Hanae's best friend. She was heartbroken she couldn't see you live."
Kira blinked. "What?"
Renn continued, "I was thinking of planning a concert near Keio High School... on Halloween."
The name hit her like a gentle shockwave. Keio High School. Hanae's school. The chance to be close—even just for a moment—felt like something she couldn't ignore.
"…well I think I can.. ," she finally said.
Renn leaned forward, eyes wide. "Wait—are you serious? You'll do it?"
Kira looked out the window, her expression softening. "If it's for my sister... I'll do anything."
"You're an amazing onee-chan, you know that?" Renn smiled.
Kira rolled her eyes slightly but smiled back. Then Renn gave her a teasing glance.
"By the way, why are you dressed so nicely today, huh? Going on a date?"
Kira hesitated, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Nothing like that. Just... some work. I should get going, it's getting late."
Renn raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, no interrogation. I'll go start on the website to sell tickets. It's going to be huge."
Kira smiled faintly. "Do your best. Ganbatte ne."(Good luck.)
---
That evening, the glow of Renn's monitor lit up his face as he finished setting up the ticket sales website. With a proud grin, he hit enter, launching it to the public.
---
In a pitch-black room somewhere far away, a figure sat alone, the eerie blue light of a laptop screen reflecting in their eyes. The newly launched website for Luna's concert glowed before them.
A twisted smile curled across their face.
"Soon, Kira… soon, you will be mine."
---