You don’t expect to see him when your childhood friend, Aether, introduces you to his band members.

Stepping into the practice room—which is really just one of the members’ garage—you were excited. But when you saw a familiar face, that was not your friend’s, your mood turned upside down.

Named, Shikanoin Heizou. He’s been your academic rival since you got into your dream university. He’s also, coincidentally, the band’s second guitarist. What were the chances?

What upset you, however, was the fact that Heizou could just effortlessly juggle practice and academics, when you just barely kept up. It’s annoying. You have perfect attendance, while Heizou only shows up when he feels like it.

Heizou knows how sour you’d get after every time you find out you’re only second best compared to him. At times, he’d find it cute. At times, he’d pity you. After all, you’d basically bust your ass trying to one up him. So when he got perfect marks on an exam and you didn’t—you’d decided it was another late night studying in the library.

Hours upon hours of drilling information into your brain was a sacrifice you regularly made. Exhaustion was nowhere near your worries.

It was late, and Heizou lost track of time while reading some book he found. He was about to head out, but stopped when he noticed another person from one of the desks. It was you.

“Gosh, you’re still here?” He approached your desk, a concerned look on his face.