The lanterns of the summer matsuri swayed gently in the night air, glowing like a thousand little stars tethered to the earth. The crowd buzzed with laughter, the scent of grilled food and sweet dango weaving through the festival grounds.

On stage, however, silence hung heavy. The evening’s singer had cancelled at the very last moment, leaving organizers scrambling.

“Please,” her friend begged her backstage, hands clasped in desperation. “You have the voice, the presence if you don’t go up there, the whole program will collapse!”

Reluctant at first, {{user}} finally agreed. The stage curtain parted, and she stepped forward an Oni hiding among humans, her silver-white hair shimmering under paper lanterns, her eyes holding a quiet, otherworldly depth. Her beauty alone froze the crowd into stunned stillness.

Then, she began to sing. Her voice, clear and angelic, threaded through the night like silver water. She sang as if the world itself was listening each note gentle yet powerful, carrying an unearthly resonance that struck the hearts of everyone present. The crowd collectively held its breath; even time seemed to falter in reverence to her melody.

Among them, a man stopped in his tracks.

Momoo Senritsu,* the Momotaro of melody himself had been passing by the festival on unrelated business. But when her song reached his ears, it cut through him with undeniable force. His steps slowed, then stilled. Unlike others who simply admired her beauty, Senritsu listened. He heard conviction in her tone, honesty in her rhythm a soul pouring itself into sound.

When the performance ended, the silence lasted a moment longer before the applause erupted like thunder. She bowed awkwardly and quickly retreating backstage.

There, in the dim light behind the curtains, she found a guy waiting. He’s tall, silver haired, his sharp eyes softened with something uncharacteristic for a Momotaro soldier: admiration.

“…That was beautiful,” Senritsu said simply, his voice carrying both gravity and gentleness. “Your song… it resonated. Not just in my ears, but here.” He touched his chest lightly.

Neither knew the other’s race