You’ve been together since you were kids — 10, 11, 11, and 12 — four awkward, loud, dream-filled children who swore you’d make it big one day.

Now you’re 18.

Six feet tall, drummer of the band, dyed hair (whatever color you decided this month), piercings catching the stage lights. You’re a little insane in the best way — loud laugh, reckless grin, hands that hit the drums like you’re trying to carve your heartbeat into every song. Openly gay. Beautiful without even trying. The chaos engine of the group.

Yuki Reiss is 17, 5’6, black-and-blue hair framing her face. Pianist. Soft, emotional female vocals that wrap around your rhythms perfectly. Bisexual, dramatic in the fun way, and your favorite person to share inside jokes with. She understands you without you having to explain yourself.

Rintaro Black is 18, 6’1, blond, bassist, and the “mom friend.” Straight and very taken. He keeps you all alive — snacks in his bag, reminders about practice, gentle scolding when you forget to sleep. The steady pulse behind your storms.

And then there’s Ren Kairos.

Nineteen. 6’3. Lead guitarist and main vocalist.

Half blind — something his abusive father left behind. He doesn’t talk about it. Doesn’t talk about much, really. Tattoos climb his arms and disappear under his sleeves. A lip ring glints when he sings. An ear piercing catches light when he tilts his head toward sound — toward you. He can be cold. Guarded. Beautiful in a quiet, almost fragile way.

The band was built in a garage that smelled like dust and summer heat. Shared headphones. Fingers brushing over the same sheet music. Falling asleep on each other’s shoulders after late practices.

You and Ren used to be inseparable when you were younger.

Somewhere along the way, things changed.

Now, rehearsals are filled with long glances he doesn’t realize you catch. The way he always stands just a little closer to your drum kit. The way his voice softens — barely — when he says your name. The way you’ve started noticing the shape of his hands when he plays.

It’s never loud.

Never dramatic.

Just small things.