Finding the Last Piece
"Okay! That's it for today!"
Iris flapped her shirt, which was clinging to her skin from sweat, announcing the end of practice.
Ayane, who was utterly drained from the murderous heat, melted onto the floor like she'd been waiting for this moment.
"It's so hot…."
"Tell me about it. Why'd the AC have to break now, of all times…."
Iris agreed, wringing out her top.
Sweat poured out like water, splattering onto the floor.
"Oh dear. We might end up with heatstroke at this rate…?"
"I feel like I'm gonna pass out…."
Ayane fanned herself desperately to chase away the heat, but all that touched her skin was scorching air.
Tae-il stopped her pointless energy drain.
"Ayane, quit the hand-fanning. You're just wasting strength and making it worse."
"But if I don't do something, Ayane's gonna melt away from the heat…."
"Sorry. The ice water I brought is already gone."
The ice water Tae-il had packed just in case had run out after only twenty minutes of practice.
For the record, Iris and Ayane had chugged it all, leaving Tae-il with barely a sip.
"Aaaah! Damn that chairman! If the AC's busted, give us a heads-up in advance!"
Iris vented her frustration at the innocent chairman, leveraging her status as a donor's daughter.
"Haha…."
Tae-il secretly thought it was a relief that only the special annex ACs were broken.
If the main building's ACs had crapped out too….
The Animal Husbandry Club advisor, Asakura, might've taken some drastic measures.
And Tae-il would've been the sacrifice.
Amphibians are sensitive to temperature….
The club might've seen a mass amphibian exodus like rats fleeing a natural disaster.
"Let's get out of the practice room for now. We'll dehydrate for real if we stay."
"Muu…."
"The hallway's at least a bit cooler…."
Tae-il herded the whining Iris and Ayane out of the practice room.
The room was a steam bath.
With its excellent soundproofing trapping the heat, the cramped space amplified human body heat plus the amps and other gear—pure hell.
"No wonder there wasn't a single band practicing…."
Iris sprawled on the cool hallway floor, glaring tiredly at the empty rooms with weary eyes.
The school had seven Light Music Clubs including theirs, so empty practice rooms spelled trouble.
"No sign of the brass band kids either…."
"They're busy with concours prep and Interhigh cheering."
"Oh, right. Interhigh."
Iris had surprisingly little interest in school events.
"Shin Tae-il, you okay?"
Iris asked worriedly after Tae-il's well-being.
Drums were one of the most physically demanding instruments.
In that sauna of a room, Tae-il had likely suffered the most.
And they'd stolen his water too, so Iris felt quietly guilty.
"Eh, hanging in there."
But contrary to her concern, Tae-il looked relatively fine.
He'd sweated buckets like the rest, but wasn't panting with his tongue out like Iris or Ayane.
"What, you super heat-resistant or something?"
"Nah, not really…."
Tae-il tried to stand, but his legs wobbled.
He grabbed the wall just in time, avoiding a fall, and laughed it off with a haha.
"As you can see. I just don't show it as much…."
"Good thing you're human."
Iris laughed weakly and flopped back down.
Anyone unscathed by this killer heat and steam would be a demon, not human.
Iris pulled her hot, damp phone from her pocket—like a lump of coal.
"First time I ever hated touching my own phone…."
She held the sticky, scorching device far from her ear and dialed somewhere.
"Yes, miss. Kiriko speaking."
"Kiriko, you're in the car right now, right…?"
"Of course. Kyaa. Private schools are the best. The parking lot even has roofs. My old school parked everything on the sports field."
Iris ruthlessly cut off Kiriko's chatter.
"Whatever. Grab the ice box and bento and haul ass up to the practice room. I'm dying of heat here…."
"No kidding. Your voice sounds so zombie-like, I'm scared to come up."
"Lemme see. Eishun-san's number's gotta be…."
"Miss. I'm learning too. Honestly, you've overused that routine lately."
"8299…."
"Kiriko, sprinting up now!"
Kiriko really showed up in under two minutes, arms loaded with bags.
The three near-death survivors mobbed her and snatched the ice box.
Inside: cold drinks, water, and ice cream.
"Paha! Saved. Good job, Kiriko."
"I nearly died in a different way."
"Your fault, Kiriko. If you'd cooperated from the start, I wouldn't need to bring up Eishun-san."
"Miss, Eishun-san isn't some magic wand."
"He isn't? He totally is."
"…."
Kiriko, not even breaking even, adjusted her sunglasses and subtly checked Iris and Ayane's outfits.
Ayane favored dark tones near black, while Iris went for bright whites.
Ayane was one thing, but Iris's figure, even her underwear, was faintly visible.
Hmm. Should I point it out? But the boy's heat-addled too—he doesn't seem fazed by our miss….
Tae-il was sprawled on the floor, a cold wet towel over his face, resting.
No need to worry.
Ayane chugged a 500ml water bottle, then flopped next to Tae-il.
"Shin-ggun. Ayane gets it now—what the joy of one glass of water means…. Water-scarce countries must be so sad."
"Yeah, yeah. Want me to put a wet towel on your face too, Ayane?"
"It'll ruin my makeup…."
"You're pretty without it, so just do it."
"Ung…."
"Quit showboating!"
Tae-il soaked a fresh towel and draped it over Ayane's face, then eyed Iris wearily.
He offered her one.
"You want one?"
"Huh?"
"Iris doesn't like it 'cause of makeup either, Shin-ggun."
"I'm bare-faced right now!"
"Liar!?"
Ayane bolted up, incredulous, and inspected Iris's face.
"For real? Look."
Iris tilted her head back proudly, and Ayane rubbed her thumb on Iris's cheek with trembling hands.
Aside from lingering sweat, it was truly bare—no base makeup.
"I-It really is…."
Those long lashes and plump lips screamed basic maintenance.
"Cheater…."
"I agree—our miss is a total fraud."
Ayane glared at Iris like a monster, and Kiriko nodded deeply in agreement.
Even with sunglasses, you could picture her expression—it was funny.
Iris, her natural beauty skyrocketing her girl power, propped her chin on her hand smugly.
"Heh. Jealous? Perks of meticulous care since childhood."
"Personally, I think that's worse. It's not care—it's genetics."
"Iris, enemy of women…!"
Ayane and Kiriko clutched hands, whispering about Iris's double-kill on womanhood.
"C'mon, you two are pretty too…."
"Ayane-san, you know? When she says that, it never feels like a compliment."
"Yeah! Ayane gets what you mean!"
"You two are thick as thieves…."
"Isn't that great?"
Tae-il sidled up to the ice box, chuckling, and took a swig of ion drink.
"Puha. We'll see her around more, so better get friendly with Kiriko-san too."
"Not wrong, but weird feeling."
Like a friend who only listened to you suddenly hanging with a new buddy.
For Iris, whose only friend was Rena, it was an utterly alien emotion—unfamiliar in every way.
Wait, who did I just call a friend?
Iris flinched, frowning.
"Whoa. Calling Kiriko a friend? I must be heatstroked…."
"Ahaha."
Tae-il gave an awkward laugh at Iris's conflicted look.
Till the AC's fixed, maybe rotate practice rooms….
Tae-il pondered, carefully avoiding Iris's face.
But free school practice—why pay outside?
Thanks to Shoko's kindness, he had more cash than expected, but no plans to waste it.
New speaker. MIDI keyboard, launchpad. Once full members, synth too….
Seemed gear-obsessed, but all necessities. Even mid-range used deals cost plenty.
Problem: lugging it all for lives later.
Right, vehicle. Need a license then. Didn't get one last life either.
Tae-il chuckled inwardly.
Doing all the things he skipped last life.
License at 18, but car?
Couldn't borrow parents'—company leases for business trips.
Japan made cars annoying: maintenance, parking, tolls. Korea was convenient by comparison.
Just mooch off Kiriko-san?
Tae-il eyed Kiriko trash-talking Iris with Ayane.
Still curious about her face behind shades, but owing her felt irreverent now.
Every idea led back to money.
Here: money.
There: money.
All cost money.
Minors' earnings limited.
Jobs scarce these days….
Part-time gigs harder to snag.
This summer break: irregular trips to Gunma for Sakuya's Interhigh finals, BARD concert.
Club activities too—night jobs only.
Night student hires rare, competitive against adults/college kids.
Kids wanna grow up fast; adults wanna be kids again.
Now young, craves adulthood.
Human hearts are tricky.
Tae-il shook his head, clearing thoughts.
"Head hurts…."
"Why?"
"Can't find a part-time."
"Part-time?"
Tae-il glossed over vaguely.
Iris hugged her knees, head tilted. Rich girl struggled with "earn money via job."
"Why part-time? Broke?"
"Not exactly. Upcoming expenses piling up."
"That many?"
"Yeah."
Just now, an electric guitar joined his mental cart.
Intrigue sparked in Iris's red eyes.
"Heh. You do part-time too, Shin Tae-il."
"Course. Wouldn't you?"
Tae-il spent more than peers, so part-times since middle school.
"Whatcha buying?"
"Tons I want."
Too many to count—Tae-il sighed deeply.
"But summer break's hectic, irregular schedule. Normal jobs tough."
"Then? Something illegal?"
"As if. Just day-labor from agencies."
Day-labor: mostly manual labor.
Tae-il hated all-nighters, low stamina.
"Want me to lend you cash?"
"…No thanks."
Hesitation in his short reply. Iris grinned.
"For real? Zero interest."
"I said no."
"Pay back with your body instead."
"Now I'm scared…."
"Tch. We're not yakuza."
Tae-il drew the line as Iris balled her fists indignantly.
"Setting boundaries now. No private band spending from Arisugawa."
"Why?"
"Your money sense is wrecked."
In canon, Iris's flexing helped but hurt too—like impulse-buying BARD signature gear.
Sakuya griped about school rentals; Iris swapped everyone's in a huff.
Rena obeyed Iris; Sakuya liked the new stuff.
Ayane differed.
4-string bassist, sentimental about hers, but Yahiro's sig was 5-string—issue.
After drama, all refunded. Iris's first.
Iris assumed "good for me = good for all."
Tae-il aimed to preempt her runs.
"I'm club president and leader now. Play nice."
"Hm. Only three days in, and Shin Tae-il's cocky already?"
"Ahaha…."
Tae-il averted his eyes from her teasing gaze.
Spotted the black bento box.
"Arisugawa. What's this?"
"Huh? Oh, that? Bento box. Lunch."
Lunch.
Practice started just past 10am—now prime lunchtime.
Realizing, Tae-il's stomach growled.
"Ah."
"Pfft! Shin Tae-il, starving huh?"
"Wanna try drumming two hours in that sauna?"
"Ahaha! Sorry sorry! My treat."
Iris apologized lightly, brushed off her butt, and stood.
She retied her heat-belted cardigan and clapped for attention.
"Okay, everyone! Shin Tae-il's starving to death."
All stared blankly; Iris beamed.
"Let's eat!"
"Selling me out…."
"Eat?"
Ayane, mid-trash-talk with Kiriko, tilted her head.
"Oh, right. Forgot. Miss said prep bento."
Kiriko straightened her clothes, lifted the box by Tae-il, and presented it.
High-end look, five tiers.
"But where? Cafeteria's closed—sports teams gone for Interhigh."
Even non-Interhigh baseball camped for Koshien.
"Outdoor benches by the kiosk, but…."
"Too conspicuous?"
Ayane nodded.
"Morals room? You're on committee, Ayane."
"Hayate-senpai handles keys…."
Eating anywhere fine, but borrowing keys from staff room—hassle.
As all pondered, Iris smirked—perfect plan.
Kiriko's eyelids twitched forebodingly.
"When miss smiles like that, trouble brews…."
"Kiriko-san too. Iris's laugh isn't Murphy's Law…."
"It is…."
Ignoring sulky Kiriko, Iris puffed her chest.
"Leave it to me. I got this."
* * *
"So your 'method' is breaking into someone else's studio?"
Rena glared at Iris incredulously.
Iris pouted cutely.
"Aww! Rena-ggun! 'Someone else' between us? Iris is saaaad!"
"Gross—ditch that third-person crap, you crazy pi…."
About to curse as usual, Rena glanced at Tae-il.
Complex calculations whirred in her head. She groaned, gnashed teeth, sighed, and slumped.
"…Haa. Fine. Do whatever."
"Yay! Nailed it!"
Rena looked deflated somehow.
Whatever.
Permission secured, Iris thumbs-upped the waiting group excitedly.
"Mission success!"
"See? No hassle."
"For someone else."
As Kiriko shuddered and cleared the huge art room desk for bento setup, Tae-il approached Rena.
"Didn't expect to run into you on break. How've you been?"
"…Fine. Whatever."
Rena edged a step or two away.
They stood side-by-side, spaced, watching Iris's crew from afar.
Iris blissed out in Rena's cool AC studio; Ayane nagged her while helping Kiriko.
Kiriko teared up at Ayane's kindness.
"You not helping?"
"Nah. Said rest—drumming was hard."
Rena jolted at "drumming."
"You on drums?"
"Yeah. Till Honjo reveals membership."
"…Okay. You? Fine by me."
"Me specifically?"
Tae-il blinked blankly at her ambiguous words.
"N-Nothing! Anyway, special annex ACs all busted? You good?"
Drums tax stamina.
Rena knew—she'd tried.
Even pounding a few intense minutes left her soaked; changed to gym clothes.
"Nearly died, but see? Fine."
Tae-il grinned, showing his intact self.
"Tch. Worried for nothing."
Rena muttered low enough others missed.
Still prickly, but her fire tempered—Tae-il relaxed.
Graduation incident impacted her more than thought.
Buoyed by her vibe, Tae-il kept chatting.
Awkward still, but drums bridged them.
"Drum practice going well?"
"Nope."
Rena clicked her tongue.
"Ordered stuff hasn't shipped—theory only."
"Practicing at home?"
"Pfft. Already ordered soundproof booth."
"Th-That's pricey, right…?"
Tae-il'd heard of booths.
Arthur bought one after neighbor rage—300k yen for streaming; drums louder.
Double easy.
Yen, always.
"Overkill for school band…?"
School band.
Rena eyed worried Tae-il.
Overkill my ass.
Most desperate with Iris.
Realized his consideration—but unnecessary.
She shrugged nonchalantly.
"For real okay? Not kidding—feels wasteful."
"Nah. Not just for me."
"Not alone…?"
"Iris crashes often."
Could lend to Iris—Rena shrugged indifferently.
Lotsa savings anyway.
Trivial spend.
"Come too? Booth up this week."
"M-Me, really?"
Tae-il blurted, then startled himself.
He knew: Rena lived alone with dad, late nights/early dawns.
High school girl home—too forward….
Childhood friend like Ayane? Maybe.
They? Barely friends.
Tae-il hesitated; Rena tossed casually.
"If solo's awkward, drag gloomy girl."
"I-I'll think…."
Ayane more nuisance?
Her mellow attitude—really same prickly Rena?—left Tae-il confused; she sighed softly.
Am I nuts….
Inviting near-stranger guy home.
Dad'd faint.
Whatever—he drums. Personal lesson excuse….
Could tell Iris sooner about joining.
Secret bugged her—perfect.
Rena rationalized, nodded.
Prep done; Ayane called.
"Shin-ggun! And Honjo… too. Ready!"
"Special! Shin Tae-il worked hard—prime AC spot for you!"
Iris beamed like a kid seeking praise: Good job me?
Tae-il glanced at Rena.
"She says."
"That damn… whatever. Total free-for-all in my studio…."
Rena struggled phrasing, moved first.
Iris grinned, grabbed Rena's shoulder, dragged her farthest from Tae-il.
"FYI, Rena-ggun next to me! Good job?"
"Whatever. Wet towels in bento?"
"Duh! Praise me—I even planned for you! Hurry! Rare chance to praise great Arisugawa Iris!"
"Knew you'd barge in—praise my ass."
Rena snorted, sat primly on fave stool.
Iris and Kiriko filled beside.
No Sakuya, but canon sight recreated.
Last in his room; now real—Rena's studio/club room.
Tae-il felt oddly moved.
Ayane called worriedly as he spaced.
"Shin-ggun? Okay?"
"Yeah, sorry. Zoned out."
"Not sick?"
Ayane, guilty over his water, pressed hand to his forehead slyly.
"Hot…? Not sure."
"Haha. Fine. Really. See?"
"Sure? No dehydration hallucinations?"
"Told you. Everyone waiting. Let's go."
Tae-il soothed, joined.
"Wow…."
"Amazing, right? Ayane shocked too."
Huge art table: cloth, five-tier bento—spectacle.
Fancier, pricier than New Year's osechi with Ayane.
Kiriko poured miso soup from thermos; stomach roared.
"Hah. Tempted."
Resolution wavers.
No private band cash—yet eyeing free lunch.
Iris smirked at real-time Tae-il shock.
"What, Shin Tae-il? Too moved to speak?"
"Not moved. Just hungry—wanna eat fast."
"Tsundere? It's okay. Rena-ggun was too at first."
"Hey!"
"Kyahahaha!"
Rena tackled Iris to shut her; Tae-il and Ayane stifled laughs.
Somehow.
Something he'd see often finally here—Tae-il's eyes stung.