I saw you standing in the rain, umbrella tilted just your way. A fleeting glance, my world turned red, a heartbeat louder than what I said.
All the stars could burn away, but I'd still choose you anyway. You're the melody inside my chest, a song I can't forget.
So take my hand beneath the sky, let's dance where cherry blossoms fly. Even if the world should fall apart, you'll always have my crimson heart. Forever starts when I see your smile, even just for a little while. Say you'll stay, don't drift away. Our love won't fade, not today.
We laughed until the sun went down, your voice the softest, sweetest sound. But shadows grew where light once shone, and I feared I'd lose you to the dawn.
But even if the moon won't glow, and seasons change the winds we know, I'll be the name upon your lips, the one you never missed.
So take my hand beneath the sky, let's dance where cherry blossoms fly. Even if the world should fall apart, you'll always have my crimson heart. Forever starts when I see your smile, even just for a little while. Say you'll stay, don't drift away. Our love won't fade, not today.
Every tear, every wish, every scar led me to where you are. No goodbye could break this thread; I meant it all—the words I said.
Take my hand beneath the stars, we'll write our names on broken hearts. Even if the sky forgets our names, this love will never change. Forever starts when I see your smile. Hold me close for just a while. Say you'll stay, don't drift away. Our crimson hearts will light the way.
"Oh my god, their new song 'Crimson Hearts' just went through the roof! They posted the official music video last night and it's already hit a hundred million views!" a girl exclaimed in amazement.
"The Seven Crimson Hearts are incredible. They all work so well together. I can't believe they're this perfect," said another girl, her eyes glowing. "All of them are adults... except the lead vocal, Kiba Matsuoda."
"Besides having an angelic voice, he's absolutely gorgeous. And he's a top model even though he's only sixteen!" the first girl added, blushing.
"What's even crazier is that he attends Seiho High. It's an academic school, and he still plays both soccer and basketball."
"I heard he made the starting lineup for the basketball team his first year. They lost in the Inter-High preliminaries, but still... he's amazing. I can't wait to go to his live concert," said the blushing girl.
"Me too!"
"I didn't know we had fangirls like that at our school. Then again, most of them would drool over any athlete," Naomi sighed.
"I don't even get what's so great about Kiba Matsuoda."
"Who's that?" asked Sachiko.
Naomi's face broke into a teasing grin. "Of course you wouldn't know. You already have eyes for someone else."
"What? No I don't!" Sachiko protested, her cheeks blooming red.
"There's no use denying it. You're so cute when you're flustered," Naomi giggled.
"Maki!" shouted a soccer player, passing the ball.
"Right! I got this!" Maki shouted as he dribbled toward the goal and shot, but the ball was blocked.
"Damn, so close..."
As soon as Sachiko and Naomi entered the classroom, they were struck by the heavy, gloomy energy hanging in the air. It was almost suffocating, emanating from the usually lively basketball players. None of them had their heads down in exhaustion, which might have been more normal. Instead, Makoto sat slouched in his seat, upright but asleep, a bandage visible on his cheek. Tetsuo was staring blankly into space, unmoving, and Shino flinched at even the softest breeze through the open window, shivering as if his nerves were frayed.
"What happened to them?" Sachiko asked, her voice hushed but edged with concern.
Naomi glanced at the team, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "I guess training is really taking a toll on them. I mean, their tournament should be right around the corner."
"That's true," Sachiko replied, her eyes lingering on Tetsuo. He looked out the window with a blank expression, as though his mind was miles away. Despite the lack of emotion on his face, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong.
"Hey, Noboru, wake up! Now's not the time to be sleeping, especially since your snoring is already irritating me," Naomi said sharply.
Noboru slowly lifted his head, revealing a bruised and swollen left eye. Naomi recoiled slightly.
"Whoa, what happened to your eye?" she asked, disgust clear in her voice. "Don't tell me you got beaten up. Serves you right," she added with a chuckle, expecting some snarky remark in return.
But Noboru didn't reply. He just looked at her, a single teardrop sliding from the corner of his eye, then slowly rested his head back down on the desk. Naomi blinked in confusion.
"Um... what's wrong with him?" she asked, her tone shifting slightly.
Sachiko placed a hand on her arm. "I don't think those were the right words to use, Naomi. Something must have happened."
Makoto slumped into his seat, exhaling heavily as he rubbed his bruised eye. "We both got our butts kicked by the same thug who barged into class and started trouble the other day," he muttered.
Naomi turned to him, startled. "Wait... you mean that guy? The one who did that to Noboru's eye?" Her voice faltered, guilt creeping into her tone as she remembered the careless words she'd said earlier.
Makoto gave a slow nod, not meeting her gaze. Naomi lowered her head, her face tight with regret.
Rie, sitting a few desks over, had overheard their conversation. She glanced toward Shino, who sat quietly at his desk, looking distant. His arms were crossed, shoulders tense, and he hadn't spoken much since morning. Rie placed a hand over her chest, torn with indecision. I want to ask if he's okay... but what if it just makes things worse? He already looks so closed off.
The shrill ring of the final bell broke the silence and the students began to pack their bags. At the back of Class 1-O, Tadao rose from his seat without a word. His expression remained unreadable as he slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out the door.
As soon as he left, a collective sigh of relief rippled through the room.
"He's so scary," a girl whispered, her voice shaking.
"Seriously. Just look at him—his uniform's always a mess, his hair's some unnatural color, and all those piercings... he's definitely a thug," said a boy nearby, his tone hushed but firm.
Tadao walked down the corridor, jaw clenched and temples throbbing. He raised a hand to his head, wincing.
Finally. That class felt like it would never end. And my head... ugh. Why can't I remember what happened last night?
The hallway echoed with footsteps and chatter. As he turned the corner near Class 1-T, familiar voices caught his attention. Emerging from the classroom were the basketball players—Noboru, Shino, Makoto, and trailing behind them, Tetsuo.
Tadao's breath hitched the moment he saw him. That face...
His eyes sharpened, and in a flash, the memory returned: the confrontation on the court, the searing pain, and the humiliation of defeat. His blood boiled.
"I still can't believe I have to train like this," Noboru groaned, his voice low as he clutched his side.
"It's not like we have a choice," Shino replied. "Coach already gave us yesterday off to recover. That's all we're getting."
Makoto yawned loudly. "And knowing Nanaho, today's gonna be torture. She's probably got some cruel drill in store for us."
As they spoke, Tetsuo glanced around the corner—and immediately spotted Tadao.
Their eyes locked.
Tetsuo's steps came to a stop. His expression didn't shift—calm and steady, almost unreadable—but there was a subtle edge in the way he held his gaze.
Noboru noticed and frowned. "Tetsuo? What's wrong?"
Tetsuo didn't answer right away. Instead, he took a step forward. "You guys go on ahead. I've got something I need to deal with."
Shino raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
Tetsuo gave a short nod. "It won't take long."
Shino scratched his head. "Um... what just happened?"
"Beats me, " Makoto said as he walked off.
Tadao followed Tetsuo, who was leaving the school grounds. That bastard easily took me out on that court last night. I'll make him pay for that. No one makes a fool out of me, he thought, his anger simmering.
As Tadao reached the school gate, a group of boys surrounded him. He recognized them as students from Musashi High School.
"You guys are from Musashi High School. What business do you have with me? " Tadao asked, his eyes narrowing.
"My boys told me that you beat them up a couple of weeks back, " said a man who appeared to be in his twenties. "I'm here to teach you a lesson. "
"I'd like to see you try. I'll kick your ass and then all their asses, " Tadao said with a smirk.
The boys were shaken by his tone and staggered backward. But as Tadao rushed forward, one of them swung a bat, striking him on the head. He fell to the ground with a thud, unconscious, his eyes blacked out.