It had been two months since Hajime joined the Music Club, and in that time, things had started to fall into a new rhythm. The principal had decided to relieve Sockoo of her punishment, allowing her to focus fully on leading the Music Club without the burden of her past mistakes looming over her. In the wake of the principal's decision, Hajime and the rest of the Music Club had continued their missions, growing closer as a team.

  Bondo had officially joined the club, having nowhere else to go. Despite his rough exterior, he found a sense of belonging among the club members, even if he made it a point to challenge Hajime to a fight every single day. Each time, the outcome was the same. Hajime would knock him out within seconds, typically without breaking a sweat. Yet, Bondo's persistence never wavered, and Hajime, without any malice, would simply brush it off as routine. It had almost become a form of training for him—using his Blue Flames with precise control, especially through his legs, making him a master in this unique fighting style.

  Outside of missions, Hajime's relationship with Sockoo had blossomed. They had been going on dates regularly, sharing moments of joy and laughter that contrasted with the serious undertones of their missions. Sockoo had become an essential part of Hajime's life, and despite his stoic nature, her presence made him feel something he hadn’t for a long time—happiness. On their dates, Hajime was still learning how to show emotion, but Sockoo seemed to understand his quiet nature and appreciated his efforts.

  However, one day, as Hajime was walking down the school hallway, deep in thought, something unexpected happened. He bumped into someone. Startled, he looked up, only to find himself face to face with a girl who had purple hair and an air of familiarity about her. His eyes widened slightly as recognition hit him.

  “Amy?” he muttered, his voice betraying a hint of surprise.

  It was Amy Psyri, an old friend from his freshman year. They had been close back then, but as they grew older, their paths diverged. Hajime had been placed in more advanced classes due to his exceptionally high IQ, and their interactions had become less frequent. By junior year, they had drifted apart almost entirely. But now, seeing her standing before him, a flood of memories came rushing back.

  Amy blinked in surprise herself. “Hajime? Is that really you?”

  He nodded slowly. “Yeah… It’s been a while.”

  Amy gave a small smile, though there was an awkward tension in the air. “It has. You’ve changed a lot… in more ways than one.” Her eyes flickered toward the small blue flame flickering at Hajime’s fingertips before he quickly extinguished it.

  “How’ve you been?” Hajime asked, his voice neutral, but the question carried weight. It was his way of acknowledging the time that had passed between them.

  “I’ve been okay,” Amy said, glancing away for a moment, clearly unsure how to navigate the conversation. “I heard you joined the Music Club? I never would’ve expected that.”

  Hajime gave a slight nod. “Yeah, it was… unexpected for me too.” He wasn’t sure how to explain everything that had happened over the past few months, so he didn’t even try.

  Amy hesitated before speaking again. “I missed talking to you, you know. Things just… drifted apart, I guess.”

  Hajime looked down for a moment, processing her words. He wasn’t someone who often reflected on his emotions or relationships, but hearing Amy say she missed their friendship stirred something inside him. They had been friends once—good friends. But his life had taken such strange turns since then, it was hard for him to hold on to those connections.

  “I guess life happens,” Hajime said quietly. “People grow apart.”

  Amy’s smile faltered slightly, but she nodded in understanding. “Yeah… I suppose so.”

  There was a silence between them, but it wasn’t entirely uncomfortable. It was more like a recognition of how much time had passed and how different things had become. But before the silence could stretch too long, Amy spoke up again.

  “I know we haven’t talked in a while, but… if you ever want to catch up or anything, let me know. I mean, we used to be close. It’d be nice to reconnect, even if things are different now.”

  Hajime’s expression remained neutral, but there was a softness in his eyes as he replied. “Yeah, maybe.”

  With that, Amy gave a small wave and walked off down the hallway, leaving Hajime standing there, deep in thought. He watched her go, feeling the weight of the past pressing down on him. For a moment, he considered how much had changed—not just with Amy, but with everything in his life. His memories, the Music Club, Sockoo… it all felt like pieces of a puzzle he was still trying to fit together.

  As he resumed walking, his mind lingered on the past for just a moment longer before he refocused. There were more pressing matters to deal with, like their upcoming mission with the Music Club and the looming threat of the next enemy they had to face.

  But now, there was also a sense of curiosity. How had Amy changed? And what, if anything, remained of the friendship they once had

  After his encounter with Amy in the hallway, Hajime made his way to the Music Club, his thoughts still lingering on the reunion. The clubroom had become a place of comfort for him over the last two months, a haven where he could momentarily escape the complexity of his past and focus on the bonds he had formed with his new friends. He approached the door and paused for a moment, collecting himself before pushing it open.

  Inside, the usual faces greeted him—Sockoo, Daka, Makoto, and Bondo were gathered around, chatting as they waited for their daily meeting to begin. But as Hajime stepped in, his eyes were immediately drawn to three unfamiliar figures standing near the back of the room.

  The first was a girl with flowing white hair and striking yellow eyes. There was something ethereal about her, as if she radiated a serene, motherly energy. She carried an air of purity that contrasted sharply with the intensity of the missions the club often undertook.

  Beside her stood a tall boy with dark forest-green hair and piercing green eyes. His posture was rigid, and his expression cold, giving off a frightening aura that immediately made Hajime feel like this guy wasn’t to be trifled with. There was something about him that hinted at a dangerous past.

  The last person caught Hajime’s attention for a different reason entirely. A small, innocent-looking boy with soft gray hair stood behind the green-haired figure, half-hiding. He was wearing a dress, something Hajime noted but didn’t comment on. The boy’s large, timid eyes scanned the room as if he were trying to melt into the background.

  Sockoo, standing at the front of the group, noticed Hajime’s arrival and smiled warmly. "Hajime! Good timing. I want you to meet our new members." She gestured toward the three unfamiliar faces. “These three just joined us today.”

  The green-haired boy was the first to step forward, crossing his arms. “My name’s Yosuke,” he said, his voice deep and steady. “I use a Poison Sword in combat.” His tone was serious, and he made no effort to smile or soften his words. There was a sense of history behind those words.

  Sockoo added a bit of context, glancing at Hajime with a faint smile. “Yosuke used to be in the Music Club during my freshman year, but he had to leave for… personal reasons.”

  Hajime nodded slightly, his gaze shifting between Yosuke and Sockoo. There was clearly a lot left unsaid, but it wasn’t Hajime’s place to pry—at least, not yet.

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  Next, the timid boy with the gray hair took a hesitant step forward. His voice was soft, barely above a whisper. “I’m Yu…” He fidgeted nervously, almost as if he regretted having to speak. “My magic is Infinite…”

  Hajime raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Infinite? What does that mean?”

  Yu’s eyes widened slightly, and he took a step back, hiding behind Yosuke again. Clearly uncomfortable with the question, he shook his head. “I… I don’t want to say…”

  Hajime realized he’d pushed too hard and immediately backed off. “Alright, no problem.” His voice softened, trying to ease Yu’s nerves. “You don’t have to explain.”

  The final newcomer stepped forward with an energetic bounce, her bright demeanor contrasting sharply with the more serious Yosuke and timid Yu. She flashed a wide smile and waved at everyone in the room. “Hi, I’m Angel! I use Holy Magic!”

  Hajime found her name fitting—her white hair and yellow eyes, along with her seemingly radiant personality, gave off an unmistakable angelic vibe. But what caught him off guard was just how energetic she was for someone with such a serene appearance. She was already cracking jokes and laughing, bringing a light-hearted atmosphere to the room.

  Sockoo seemed to pick up on the awkward silence that followed Angel’s introduction and clapped her hands. “Alright, now that we’ve got introductions out of the way, let’s get to work.” But before she could continue, the door to the clubroom flew open, and Bondo entered with his usual gusto.

  “Hajime!” Bondo shouted, storming into the room with his usual energy. “Let’s fight! I’ve been training, and today’s the day I finally beat you!”

  Hajime sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Bondo, I’m not in the mood for this right now.”

  Bondo with smug look, folding his arms and standing his ground. “Are you scared or something”

  Hajime glanced around the room, hoping someone would bail him out, but Daka merely shrugged with a grin. “You should just do it. You know Bondo’s not gonna stop pestering you until you do.”

  Hajime let out another sigh, this one deeper, signaling his reluctant acceptance. “Fine, fine. Let’s get it over with.”

  The rest of the Music Club gathered to watch the fight, though by now, most of them weren’t particularly excited. This was a daily occurrence—Bondo challenging Hajime, and Hajime effortlessly knocking him out. But the three new members watched with curiosity, clearly intrigued by Hajime’s reputation.

  Hajime stepped into the middle of the room, stretching his legs out and hopping up and down lightly. His face remained calm and neutral, showing no signs of excitement or nerves. As he bounced, the new members noticed something subtle—tiny sparks of blue flame flickering at his feet.

  Yosuke, who had been watching closely, narrowed his eyes. “I see what he’s doing…” he muttered under his breath. “He’s creating friction with his feet to ignite those flames before the fight even starts. Smart.”

  Bondo, as usual, was hyped up and ready to go, cracking his knuckles and grinning from ear to ear. “Alright, Hajime! I’ve been practicing. You’re not gonna take me down so easily this time!”

  Hajime didn’t respond, his eyes focusing on Bondo with a quiet intensity. When the fight began, Hajime launched himself forward with incredible speed, the blue flames at his feet boosting his movements to a level Bondo could barely track.

  Bondo swung at Hajime, anticipating his movement, but Hajime was already one step ahead. He dodged effortlessly, moving like a blur across the room. In the next instant, Hajime spun midair, delivering a powerful split kick with both legs, each one ignited with his signature blue flames. The force of the kick connected with Bondo’s head, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious before he even realized what had happened.

  Sockoo chuckled awkwardly from the sidelines, scratching her head. “Well… that’s that.”

  Daka and Makoto, who were seated nearby, couldn’t help but laugh at Bondo’s misfortune. “He never learns, does he?” Daka said with a smirk.

  Makoto grinned. “Nope. He’s stubborn, if nothing else.”

  The rest of the room didn’t react much—this had become a regular event. But the new members were visibly impressed. Angel clapped enthusiastically. “Wow! That was amazing! I’ve never seen someone move that fast before!”

  Yu peeked out from behind Yosuke, his eyes wide in awe. “He’s… really strong.”

  Yosuke, though less openly expressive, gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. “Yeah. He’s impressive.”

  As Bondo groaned from the floor, slowly regaining consciousness, Hajime dusted himself off and let out a small sigh. “Maybe next time, Bondo.”

  Sockoo quickly moved on from the fight, clapping her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Alright, let’s get back to business. We’ve got a mission coming up, and I need everyone to be prepared.”

  Hajime quietly returned to his place in the room, his thoughts already shifting back to their next challenge. Though his daily sparring matches with Bondo were routine, the real battles were still ahead—and they would be much more dangerous.

  After getting news from Sockoo about their missing members, Hajime let out a sigh of disappointment but nodded in understanding. “Dark’s busy, and Emily and Rizra have extra help classes,” Sockoo explained as they prepared to leave the clubroom.

  "Figures," Hajime muttered to himself. Without them, this mission might be tougher than expected, but it wasn’t anything they hadn’t dealt with before. He glanced around at the remaining members—Sockoo, Daka, Bondo, and the three new recruits, Yosuke, Yu, and Angel. It would be their first real mission, so Hajime felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

  “Alright, let’s get this over with,” Hajime said, his voice carrying a tone of mild frustration as the Music Club members left the school and headed toward their mission location.

  Upon arrival, the atmosphere instantly shifted. The usually confident group was gripped with a palpable tension. Something about the air felt heavy, ominous even. Everyone stood still, staring at the massive creature looming before them.

  The monster was a grotesque, towering slime, pulsating and shifting as it moved slowly toward them. Its translucent body shimmered under the sunlight, but what was most unsettling was the faint acidic steam rising from it.

  “What the hell is that?!” Hajime shouted, his eyes wide as he stared up at the monstrosity before him.

  Sockoo simply smiled, her demeanor calm as always. “That’s a slime monster.”

  Hajime shot her a deadpan look. “I know *what* it is, but *why* are we fighting it?!” He threw his hands up in disbelief. "Who thought this was a good idea?!"

  Daka, standing next to him, looked as if he wanted to leave right there and then. His usual cool composure was shaken as he nervously eyed the slime. “I don’t like this. This thing looks dangerous.”

  Meanwhile, Bondo, usually reckless, was strangely observant today. He squinted at the monster, carefully analyzing it. “By the looks of it,” he muttered, “the slime can burn through fabric.”

  His words cut through the arguing like a knife. The entire group fell silent, processing the gravity of their situation. The realization that their clothing—and potentially their skin—was at risk of being melted by the slime monster added a new layer of danger to the mission.

  After a brief moment of quiet, Sockoo clapped her hands, bringing everyone back to reality. “Alright, let’s not waste time. We need to work together and take this thing down before it becomes a bigger threat.”

  Hajime gritted his teeth and nodded, already mentally preparing himself for the battle. They had faced worse monsters before, but something about this mission felt particularly messy.

  The fight began, and it was immediately more chaotic than anyone expected. The slime monster was relentless, constantly splitting its body into smaller, more agile blobs that leaped toward them with acidic attacks. Hajime’s blue flames burned through the smaller slimes, but the more they attacked, the more his flames began to weaken under the onslaught of slime. Bondo was busy dodging attacks, while Daka barely kept his composure, freezing portions of the slime, only for it to quickly reform.

  Yosuke fought strategically, using his poison sword to slash through the slimes, but his strikes barely made a dent. Angel’s Holy Magic burned through the slime, but the sheer volume of the creature made it a slow process.

  Yu stood off to the side, still too timid to fully engage in the fight. He was clearly overwhelmed by the chaos and unsure how to use his powers effectively in this situation.

  Hours passed as they struggled against the ever-regenerating slime. Hajime had grown frustrated, his clothes half-burned away, his body covered in remnants of the slime’s acidic remains. His legs felt heavy as the slime clung to him, but his determination kept him moving.

  After what felt like an eternity, they finally managed to subdue the massive creature. The remaining bits of slime melted away, leaving the group exhausted and covered in slimy residue.

  Two hours later, back at the Music Club, Rizra and Emily were sitting together, chatting as they waited for the others to return. “I wonder how it’s going,” Rizra said, tapping her fingers on the table.

  Emily shrugged, glancing at the clock. “Knowing them, it’s probably a mess. Hajime always finds a way to get into trouble.”

  Suddenly, the door to the clubroom opened, and the entire team walked in, looking worse for wear. Their clothes were half-burned off, and patches of slime were still clinging to their bodies. They looked exhausted, as if they had fought for days instead of just a few hours.

  Rizra raised an eyebrow, looking at the group with a mix of surprise and amusement. “What… happened to you guys?”

  Emily tried to stifle a laugh but failed. “You look like you’ve been through hell.”

  Hajime, his face deadpan and clearly not amused, sighed as he plopped down onto a chair. “Let’s just say… slime monsters are worse than they look.”

  Sockoo, still smiling despite her tattered clothes, chimed in, “Yeah, but we handled it. Mostly.”

  Daka groaned, pulling off a slimy chunk of his jacket. “Never again. I’m never fighting a slime monster again.”

  Bondo, despite being covered in goo, grinned widely. “I actually thought it was kinda fun!”

  Angel was busy trying to clean off her white hair, which had patches of slime still stuck in it. “Fun isn’t the word I’d use…”

  Yosuke, unbothered by the mess but clearly annoyed, leaned against the wall. “Next time, let’s hope it’s something less disgusting.”

  Yu, who had barely spoken during the mission, nodded quietly in agreement.