Verse 1-3
Late evening in the office building basement, which was converted into a Muse training center. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkoYjf1oZX
Kazuki and Yukiko had evaded the rest of the party while the rest still celebrating above them.
Though Rika had left earlier in the evening once seeing that there were lesser Euterpe men standing outside the building.
Despite it was a welcome back party for him, Kazuki felt the need to take care of more important things. The important things being enhancement of the black microphone Seimei and the twins wielded known as S.A.S.S.
The S.A.S.S., known as Stimme Amplification Sound System, a weapon developed in combat against the Krach. It took the form of a black microphone when unused. But combining with the power of Stimme, it changed to a weapon based on one’s Stimme.
Each S.A.S.S. had their own configuration for four different Stimme and seven Elemental powers. The four Stimme being the speed: Flink, the defense: Stahlig, the offense: Stark, and, the balanced Stimme: Oberton.
The Elemental powers were secondary powers which conjured from a Muse’s Stimme when they sang. There were seven types which were: Fire, Water, Earth, Lightning, Holy, Darkness and last, Aether.
The first S.A.S.S. was developed by the founder of the Melpomene company. But, as times went by the Krach grew stronger in both size and combat power.
And, the power of Stimme varied from a person to a person. The source of power came from one’s reason to fight or instead, to sing.
Hence, the Melpomene company worked with Euterpe in developing a range of weapons for every registered Muse in the organization.
To support or enhance a S.A.S.S., only the military, central government, first class research institutes, famous schools, and powerful corporations registered under Euterpe.
They would be granted with S.A.S.S. maintenance equipment and related trained personnel.
But, for some reasons, the Yoshimiya Jack-of-all-trade office also contained state-of-the art S.A.S.S. maintenance equipment. Along with that, there’s a recording studio, training room for both combat and dance for a Muse.
xxx
“Kazu-chan, it’s done!”
At Yukiko’s voice, Kazuki spun around from the swivel white office chair and showed a thankful smile. “Thanks for the help as always, Yuki-chan. And, sorry for the trouble when you should rest with them…”
The bespectacled girl shook her head with a smile, continued walking in while carrying three black microphones, a pair of silver guns and a katana.
Once setting them down on the table, she replied, “It’s all right, I’m the assistant manager for Symphonic Synchro. So, it’s my job to help you, Kazu-chan!”
“Thanks again, Yuki-chan,” Turned back to look at the monitor, Kazuki pointed out. “With the residue, you’ve collected from the Krach, both the maintenance and enhancement are going well.
“With this level, they should be on the equal level with Euterpe standard rank A Muse group.”
“I see…,” Yukiko nodded in understanding, though she soon spoke her question from her mind, “But… What about for Riku-kun and yours—?”
“Oh, that?” Kazuki stood up from his seat, walked to where Yukiko was standing.
He picked up the katana and answered, “Rikkun’s Howling Razor enhancement and maintenance is all right.
“The Willbreaker, but… It seems to reach its maximum limit in further enhancement.”
“Kazu-chan…,” Yukiko muttered with a worried tone.
He sighed in resignation and admitted to Yukiko, “It was a gift. Or their last gift when I scored well in my practical combat test when I was in middle school….”
With a sad smile, Kazuki traced the gun with his free hand and continued, “It’s advised from my lecturers to get a better weapon. Since any further tempering would completely break apart. But until then…”
The furrowed brows with narrowed eyes, seeing Kazuki had tightened the grip on the katana. Yukiko nodded and assured, “It’s all right, Kazu-chan… Oji-san would be proud that you’re maintaining your S.A.S.S.”
With her hands patting his back gently, Kazuki’s face surfaced a small smile and mumbled, “Thanks, Yuki-chan….”
Returned with a cheerful smile, Yukiko took hold of the three microphones and headed towards the door. While walking, she informed, “I’ll give back the S.A.S.S. to them. Is there anything you need above?”
“My gun holster and bullets… Thanks for the help!” Kazuki shouted back.
“No problem!”
The sounds of her footsteps echoed the room as she left, leaving Kazuki alone. The latter sighed and set the katana on the table. Walked back to the monitor, his gray orbs scanned the result of the enhancement. But, none went into his head.
It had been 6 years since they left the world. As far as he could remember, the death of Seimei’s parents was the cruelest incident, both were being murdered and died a bloodied death. The murderer behind this remained unknown let alone caught.
Not only that, because of that incident… Kazuki’s hand moved up to touch his bandaged neck, the area of his vocal cord. He thought to himself, “Before I could even find them who killed Tou-san and Kaa-san… I've already lost this power, what a twist….”
“I’ve brought both the gun holster and the bullets, where do you want me to place them?” A voice called out behind, making Kazuki snapped out from his thoughts.
Nodded to the voice, Kazuki replied while his eyes remained glued to the screen, “Thanks, Yuki-chan. You can put them right next—!”
But upon realizing the voice didn’t belong to Yukiko, Kazuki spun around and nearly jumped in surprise as he shouted, “S-Seimei?!”
“I hope I’m not bothering you, Nii-sama,” Seimei smiled gently, wearing a black long-sleeve crew-neck T-shirt in navy and elasticized drawstring-waist trousers. He set the pair of the gun holster and a box onto the table where the pair of guns was.
Gulped nervously at the sight of his lover, Kazuki shook his head and assured with his usual bright grin, “N-Nope! Nii-chan is never bothered when my cute little brother comes to Nii-chan for something!”
Seimei smiled wider at the welcoming gesture, sat on the empty swivel chair behind Kazuki. He asked his question, “How’s the synchronization with the S.A.S.S.?”
“It’s done for yours, Andre and Andrew. The new songs and abilities composed by Yuki-chan are inside. You guys will able to use them for combat,” Kazuki explained as he turned back to the screen.
His answer made Seimei tilted his head in confusion. As watching Kazuki’s hands typing on the keyboard, Seimei asked, “Would they be part of our first performance debut too?”
“No, another concert in Spring. Yuki-chan is still working on the dance steps and costume. So, hopefully, it’ll be done by then,” Kazuki smiled as he thought future projects to work on as the Muse Manager of Symphonic Synchro.
Brighten up by the prospect, Seimei smiled wider and complimented, “That’s good to hear, Nii-sama. But then again, it’s expected of Nii-sama since you’re always thinking about us and the fans.”
Scratched his head bashfully, Kazuki laughed out and replied, “Of course! it’s my job as your Muse Manager to search for opportunities for Symphonic Synchro to become the top Muse group!”
While he was talking, Kazuki found himself pulled and landed into Seimei’s lap.
The pair of arms wrapped around his waist, Seimei rested his head on his shoulder comfortably.
Blushed at the close contact, Seimei answered the unasked questions in Kazuki’s mind, “You’re doing a good job as always, Kazuki. And, since you did such a good job, you get a good 30 minutes break.”
“I-I still have work—!”
Seimei wrapped his arm tighter and pulled Kazuki closer, warned with a light tone, “After the 30 minutes break, Kazuki.”
“If you say so…,” As Kazuki sighed, he remembered and grinned, “Oh right! Jii-chan earlier had discussed with me on the agreement we made before I left off to Australia.”
“What did Ojii-sama say?” Seimei asked one of his brows raised with curiosity.
Moved his body around as much in the constraint space, Kazuki placed his arms on Seimei’s shoulder as he straddled above him. “I fulfill the promise of graduating there in one piece, so… Jii-chan gave us his approval to both of us.”
Widened his eyes, Seimei rested his forehead against his lover and smiled the most joyful smile he had. “That’s great… Even though I'm glad and happy Ojii-sama accepted, I feel guilty and sad that I brought you the suffering—”
Reached both his hand out to give a light tap on Seimei’s cheek, Kazuki sighed and leaned closer to him. His brown orbs perked up to attention, Kazuki corrected. “If there is one thing I suffer… Is not being there for you when you needed me the most, Seimei.”
Looked into the gray orbs as to take in what his lover said, Seimei nodded and mumbled. “You’re right… I’m sorry for thinking too much, Kazuki. I’m so glad you’re here with me now like this…”
“So do I, Seimei…”
A hand stroked his hair was like a signal, Kazuki closed his eyes and soon a familiar warmth pressed against his lips.
Soon, a tongue licked his lower lips, requesting for permission to access into the cavern. Opening his mouth, Seimei’s tongue went into his mouth. Two tongues danced and wrapped around each other hungrily, rubbing every spot they could reach.
Kazuki was the first to pull back with a trail of saliva separating from their lips. The blush on his face had made his pout adorable to Seimei’s eyes, Kazuki pointed out, “Aren’t you supposed to let me have a break…?”
Mischievous smirk retorted his question, Seimei raised one of his brows amusedly. “Wasn’t someone being workaholic just after he landed back home, dealing with the Krachs and Euterpe organization… And this?”
The shade of Kazuki’s blush turned darker, as he tried to come up with a reason.
Seimei’s smirk grew wider, and he leaned towards Kazuki’s ears, whispered huskily, “Besides, it was a reward for treating my injury earlier too, Kazuki.”
Kazuki let out a quiet gasp when Seimei licked and nibbled his ears. When Seimei ground his hips against the other, the Muse manager moaned in resignation and reminded, “Well, make it a quick one… Yuki-chan would be back soon…!”
“Understood, my love,” Moved away from his ears, Seimei pressed his lips hard to Kazuki’s again.
As he pulled away from Kazuki leaving a trail of saliva, Seimei slowly trailed from his lips to his bandaged neck.
He left each butterfly kisses on his neck made Kazuki moaned softly in pleasure.
Kazuki’s grip on Seimei’s arms tightened as he moaned, “S…. Seimei… Ah!”
Chuckled at his lover’s reaction after nipping a sensitive spot, Seimei moved one of his hand to slide up Kazuki’s shirt.
While his lips had moved to Kazuki’s ear to nibble, the other hand moved towards the back of his lover’s neck. When he was to undo the bandages—
“Hey bro-com retard, stop your fantasizing dream of your brother and give me back my Howling Razor already!!” The voice made Seimei paused his actions. But, it made Kazuki flinched and nearly fall from his position.
While Kazuki grumbled at Riku’s insult, Seimei let out a sigh and said, “Looks like we’ll have to continue this later…”
“But before that, let’s fix the speaker to warn us before something like this happens,” Kazuki sighed too. But, the pair shared another smile and laughter to each other before getting ready to leave.
xxx
At the back room of the Yoshimiya building, Riku sighed while tapping his feet impatiently. Yukiko, who had escorted him to the exit, assured, “D-Don’t worry, Kazu-chan should be here any minute!”
“He better be, whether it’s the synchronization or his fantasy of his brother,” Riku grunted.
Speak of the devil, the said gray-haired man came out of the basement with Seimei following behind him.
As Kazuki continued chatting with Seimei, he had didn’t notice the scowl on Riku’s expression. Kazuki continued, “Once we save up enough, let’s go back to Australia again! You’ll enjoy the new—!”
“AHEM!” Taken by surprise by a loud cough, Kazuki turned around to see Riku’s unimpressed scowl and Yukiko’s nervous smile on her lips.
Realized at once, Kazuki showed an apologetic grin and said, “M-My bad… But your Howling Razor is done!”
A few seconds of silence, Riku relented a sigh and approached Kazuki. He took back his katana. And, Riku replied with a tired yet annoyed tone, “For hell’s sake… If there’s a problem with the synchronization, at least give me a heads up, dumbass!”
“My bad, geez!” Kazuki apologized, though scowled when Riku ruffled his hair.
Chuckled at his older brother’s pout, Seimei bowed his head and spoke, “Thank you for coming to Nii-sama’s welcome-back party, Riku-san. I hope you had enjoyed it.”
“Ah… Thanks for having me and Rika around,” Riku replied.
Able to remove Riku’s hand off his head, Kazuki looked at both Seimei and Yukiko, said, “I’ll escort Riku back home. Don’t stay up too late, you two.”
“Be careful, Kazu-chan,” Yukiko smiled.
Seimei smiled, patted Kazuki’s head and suggested, “I’ll come with you along too, Nii-sama.”
Instantly, a blush faintly colored on Kazuki’s cheeks. He quickly shook his head and grinned. “Y-You don’t have to, Seimei! Nii-chan will be back home safe before you know it! Besides, it’s only a few streets down, so nothing bad could happen!”
Though again, Kazuki didn’t see the scowl on Riku’s face and the annoyed glare directing to Seimei for unknown reasons.
Seimei shook his head and insisted worriedly, “But still, Nii-sama—!”
“Relax! I’ll call you guys if we went into problems! I’ll be going, then!” Kazuki shouted once more before leaving off with a less-annoyed Riku following him. But, he didn’t take notice of the growing concerns on their faces.
xxx
Dark winter night with the lit-up street lamp on the road, Kazuki walked side by side with Riku to escort back to his home. But, Riku repeated his words earlier, “You don’t have to go that far to send me back, you know.”
“It’s fine, Rikkun. Besides, you look like you have something you want to say,” Kazuki pointed out, with his grey orbs looking over at his friend.
“Again?” A suspicious stare back at Kazuki, Riku questioned with a groan coming out from his lips. “Are you a mind reader or something?”
“Not really,” With a shrug from his shoulders, Kazuki raised one of his hand and dug his ear with his pinky finger. He corrected his words, “It’s more of someone was singing the most horrible off-key song about being urgent in wanting to ask me something…”
Another frustrated growl from his lips, Riku planted a facepalm on his face and complained, “Could you not do sometimes? And also, stop commenting everything you know it’s a song to you!”
“Sure, if I can find the damn off button for this!” Kazuki huffed with an annoyed expression to Riku. He then looked away and grumbled to himself, “It’s not that I want to. Plus it’s not happening every day… And, it sounds like a song with an actual melody…”
Rolled his eyes, Riku chose not to comment further. But since his friend brought it up, he asked what was on his mind, “So…. What’s your plan after they got their first debut?”
“Same as usual, they would appear whenever Krach shows up right before those Euterpe guys notice them!” Kazuki replied as though it was the most obvious in the world. He added further with a proud grin on his lips, “Our detection of their appearance is way better than theirs!”
“With your disappearance trick and your big mouth shared with that old man, it’s no doubt it’s that hard to find.”
“Hey!” Kazuki glared at Riku and growled back at his words. He faced back to the front, went on, “Besides… I want to continue both Tou-san’s and Kaa-san’s job too. I want their song to save everyone from the Krach, to make them smile and feel safe from the terror against them…”
Stopped in his tracks, Kazuki gazed up towards the sky and resumed, “When they were still alive, Tou-san go around in disguise to fight those Krachs. He used his song to heal and save the innocents. Kaa-san would be on the sidelines doing the most amazing job as Tou-san’s manager.”
“Those two, huh… They not only outrank most of the S and SS rank of Euterpe’s Muse Group. But, even one or two Muse SSS rank groups too,” Riku said.
As a small smile surfaced. Kazuki explained with a more cheerful tone, “She’s the best mother anyone could ask. A mother who takes good care of her kids and helping those in need when fighting against Krachs. That’s her even without the power of Stimme.
“Those two are people Seimei and I wanted to be, our songs to help and save everyone. Idiots from those in Euterpe only cared about fame and greed,
“Hence, Symphonic Synchro formed as the savior of Humanity!” Proudly declaring, Kazuki raised and clenched his fist excitedly.
“That’s true,” Acknowledged with a nod from his head, Riku glanced at his bandaged neck. He asked knowingly to his friend, “But, are you really fine just being on the sidelines? Not be on stage with your brother to sing or even help him, don’t you want to go back to the spolight again?”
The excited grin on Kazuki’s face turned into a sad smile. He admitted with a defeated tone, “It can’t be helped, can I? What’s lost can’t return that easily. Besides, I’m nothing more than a nobody on stage.”
He folded his arms to the back, kicking the dust on the ground lightly. “Unlike Seimei now, the me on that spotlight can’t be compared to them. And, I didn’t really want to be popular too. I just want my songs to be able to save and make someone smile.
“It was also expected people even forgotten I ever existed after I lost my Stimme. If anything, I’m just glad to be able to help Seimei now since he shared the same dreams with Tou-san and Kaa-san. So, you know I won’t stop by something like this, don’t you?”
At the smirk appeared on Kazuki’s face, Riku stared at it for a moment. He snorted back with a snarky remark, “Considering how much of a workaholic you still are…”
“’A concert must go on until your soul no longer sings’, won’t it?” Riku quoted a phrase he knew Kazuki always say in a crisis.
“Obviously! That’s how I roll, the Muse Manager of Symphonic Synchro! Though,”
Kazuki faced Riku and asked with a curiosity written over his face, “What about you, Rikkun?”
“Hm?” Riku raised one of his eyebrows.
Kazuki explained his earlier question, “What are you going to do as well after this? Your parents died when you’re young, and you have no known relatives…”
Paused for a moment to think, Riku shrugged and answered casually, “Who knows? Probably I’ll sign on with the military or those Krach-hunter organization. Or, I’ll just work with Yukiko to become your personal assistant.”
“Me? Why—!” Like a treasure hunter that found his jackpot while searching for a treasure, Kazuki exclaimed in horror, “AH! How dare you try to lay your hands onto Seimei and those two as to take over my role as their Manager, Akazuna Riku!”
The finger pointing at him accusingly, Riku gave back a death glare and shouted, “Hah?! Are you deaf or something?!! Why the hell do I want your damn job, bro-com retard?!! I said to help you, not taking your damn brother!”
“Huh? Why me?” Kazuki repeated his question.
Gritted his teeth, Riku answered, “Isn’t it because—?!”
Realized what he was to say next, Riku closed his mouth. But, this left Kazuki confused and prodded for his answer, “Because…?”
“I can’t say it, can I…?” Riku thought to himself, their friendship would not only have suffered. The answer was clear every time he spent his time together with Kazuki.
With a sigh, he ruffled Kazuki’s hair and answered, “As your best friend of 5 years, if Rika and I don’t watch over you. Yukiko will eventually die from overworking together from your brother complex.”
“Bastard!” With a loud growl, Kazuki smacked the hand above him away and glared at Riku. Though Riku returned the glare with his own, it didn’t last long. The two eventually laughed for no reason.
Riku’s face then showed an assured smile on his lips, answered, “Don’t worry too much, Kazuki. I’ll manage something with the old man if the opportunity arises. He needs more help to take care of you than the company.”
“Sure, whatever you say then,” Kazuki rolled his eyes while smiling at his friend’s antics, both resumed walking down the road.
As they were walking, an unknown voice called out to the two, “We’ve been waiting for you.”
Alerted by the strange voice from their front, Riku and Kazuki stopped and pulled out their weapon at the black-hooded figure. Kazuki tried to inspect of who they were, but the hood concealed their face well.
The figure repeated their words once more, “We’ve been waiting for your arrival…. Reuel-sama.”
As that said, the black-hooded figure bowed respectfully towards Kazuki. Both looked at each confused, and Kazuki turned back and spoke without lowering his gun, “You’ve got the wrong person. I’m not this ‘Reuel’ person you’ve spoken about.”
The figure ignored Kazuki’s words and repeated their emotionless tone words, “We’ve been waiting for you, Reuel-sama. Our Lord has been waiting years to see you again.”
Stepped in front of Kazuki, Riku glared at them and pointed out coldly, “Didn’t you hear him the first time? You got the wrong person. Kazuki isn’t—!”
“Reuel-sama is the Muse Manager of Symphonic Synchro Muse group lead by their leader, Alto, who is none other than your adoptive brother, Yoshimiya Seimei.
“Within the group, there are two known members: Nero and Oren in Symphonic Synchro. They formed as a sub-unit within the group, known as Mirror Ringer, whom both are your adoptive younger brothers, Andre and Andrew Ross.
“You’re without a doubt, our Lord has been seeking for many years,” Another figure wearing the exact black-hooded cloak appeared, bowing respectfully at Kazuki too.
“This… How is it possible for them to know?! Who the hell are they?!” Kazuki thought, his index finger readied at the trigger to fire at them. His gray orbs glared at them and growled fiercely at them, “Who are you people exactly?! Which Muse group or Organization you belong to?!!”
The two-hooded figure faced at each other for a second. They turned back to Kazuki and spoke in synch, “Our Lord does not wish to reveal when there’s a companion with you. But, if you displayed any resistance before us, we are ordered to bring—!”
BANG!
As one of the figures tried to approach Kazuki, the latter fired a shot onto the ground in front of the approaching figure. Kazuki narrowed his eyes determinedly spoke, “I don’t care who you guys are. But, tell your damn Lord that there’s no way I’ll be going with you!”
“……. So it shall be, Reuel-sama,” As that said, countless of the black-hooded figure appeared behind the two-hooded figure. With each armed with a weapon, they charged forward.
Before Kazuki fired from his gun, Riku pulled his arm along to escape as the figure began their chase onto them. He shouted to Kazuki before the latter could ask anything, “Don’t just stand there! Let’s get out of here!!”
