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Every year, Hope’s Peak Academy would host a talent show for the students to showcase a talent other than their ultimates. Of course, they could do something regarding their ultimate, but most found it more entertaining to showcase the things they could do that they weren’t known for. For example: does anyone know that Kokichi Oma can play the drums? Well, they certainly will after the talent show.
Or at least… that’s what Kazuichi Soda and his makeshift band hope for.
Soda walked around the halls, thinking of anyone he could ask to join him and the other two students he’s managed to find who can play instruments outside of their ultimate talent (yknow, so Ibuki doesn’t count). He was near the music room when he heard a faint sound coming from behind the closed door. He wondered if it was Sayaka doing another vocal exercise during their free period. Her managers were pretty strict about her keeping up her work while being a student at a prestigious private school. However, once Soda opened the door, he wasn’t expecting the ultimate moral compass to be sitting on the music stage, singing a pop song.
What the hell? Soda thought to himself. This guy can sing? Come to think of it.. He doesn’t sound that bad either.
Soon enough, the song came to an end. Before Kiyotaka knew it, he heard clapping coming from the entrance of the music room. It startled him, making him jump and turn his head towards the door. There, just past the door frame, stood his junior. He knew him, of course, since part of his ultimate moral compass duties included being the school’s hall monitor. He’d chewed Soda out many times for following some girls around without their knowledge.
“Damn, Ishimaru! I didn’t know you had pipes like that.” Soda exclaimed once his senior finally noticed him in the room.
“Ah, Kazuichi.. I did not notice you entering the room. Did you need the stage for something?” Kiyotaka asked, completely ignoring the compliment.
“Nah. I was thinking about something when I heard someone singing in here. I kinda assumed it was Sayaka, so I just wandered in. Had no idea it would be you.” Soda explained, walking closer to the stage. “You didn’t even acknowledge my compliment, you know.”
“Oh- right. My sincerest apologies! Thank you for your compliment, Kazuichi.” Kiyotaka replied, giving him a short bow. “This hobby is one I tend to keep to myself. Since Makoto offered to take my hall monitor duties for today, I decided to spend my free time in the music room.”
“Oh, I gotcha. Why don’t you tell people you sing?” Soda asked, hiking himself up onto the stage to sit near where Kiyotaka stood.
“It is not my ultimate talent, so I don’t feel the need to inform others. Plus, no one really asked.” Kiyotaka said, moving closer to Soda. “Why are you so interested in this anyway?”
“Weeelllll….” Soda started, leaning back a bit. “I kinda have a band. Well- sort of. Right now it’s me on guitar, and two underclassmen. Do you know Kokichi and Korekiyo? Oh, who am I kidding- of course you do! You’re the hall monitor!” Soda laughed after his comment.
“Anyways,” He continued. “Korekiyo walked in on me and Ibuki having a guitar lesson and he confessed that he’s been playing the bass guitar since he was a kid. It was always a side thing though since he really likes anthropology and all of that. After talking a bit more, we decided to start playing stuff together.” Soda explained.
“Then, Kokichi overheard Korekiyo talking about our little get togethers and said he was always interested in learning the drums. But, I mean, yknow the guy. You can’t always trust what Kokichi says right away, so Korekiyo thought he was lying. But turns out, he was telling the truth! So we took him to Ibuki one day and she agreed to teach him the drums. He caught on pretty quick, and it became the three of us.” Soda finished.
“We want to perform at the talent show but could really use a vocalist. I can sing, but I’m more suited for backing vocals than anything. We didn’t wanna ask Sayaka or Ibuki since they do a lot of that already. But then, boom! I walk in on you singing in the music hall! What kind of luck is that?” Soda said, beaming with joy.
“Hey! Wh-What are you going on about? Do you think I would just join your band just like that?” Kiyotaka asked, a little overwhelmed by the mechanic’s explanation.
Soda stopped, a faint blush of embarrassment appearing on his cheeks.
“Uh… I mean… kinda?” Soda admitted.
Kiyotaka sighed. A band? What would his father think? He would probably scold him and encourage him to quit so he can continue to focus on his studies and future plans of becoming a politician like his grandfather. But, on the other hand, the idea of being able to sing more (in his free time, of course) did appeal to him. Kiyotaka sat down next to Kazuichi, his feet dangling off of the edge of the stage.
“What would this sort of thing require? Would we have practices? I’d need to make room in my schedule, but maybe we can sort something out.” Kiyotaka began planning, taking out a tiny notebook and pen he took with him everywhere. “But, isn’t the talent show coming up soon? Why ask now? I’m not fully certain if everyone would be able to fully prepare for something like that.”
“Whoa whoa whoa!” Soda exclaimed. “Calm it down, Taka! You gotta learn to take some breathes, dude.” Soda shook his head. “The three of us already have scheduled practices twice a week. Since, yknow, these things aren’t our ultimates. They take longer to master. Ibuki says we’re sounding really good now though!”
“I get that, but wouldn’t preparing something now still be a little late?” Kiyotaka asked.
“Not necessarily. As long as we can find something we all wanna perform, it should be no issue! I mean, ideally, I’d like to get someone to play the keyboard too, but that might just have to remain a dream.” Soda explained.
Kiyotaka looked down. “I know someone who plays.” His head shot back up, looking directly at Kazuichi before he could interject. “And, no! It is not Kaede! Although she is a fantastic piano player, I know someone else who can play.”
Soda’s eyes widened, a huge grin spreading across his face. This is fate. It has to be. God, if only Sonia Nevermind would walk in and confess her undying love to Kazuichi. Then this would be the perfect day!
“However,” Kiyotaka began. “I’m not sure if she’d agree to this thing. You’d need to ask her.”
“Her?” Soda replied. “Who is she? Is she hot? Is it Sonia??”
Kiyotaka sighed. He should’ve figured something like this would happen.
“No, it is not Sonia. It is Kyoko from my year. She cannot play a lot of complicated things due to her hand injuries, but I have seen her and Kaede playing things together and talking about piano music.” Kiyotaka said.
“Ohhhh! I would’ve never pegged her for the type. We gotta ask her to join!”
Before Kiyotaka could even think, Kazuichi grabbed one of his hands and jumped off of the stage, forcing Kiyotaka to do the same. Kazuichi began to run out of the music hall, determined to find the lavender haired detective. Did he have any idea in the slightest as to where she might be? No, but that didn’t stop him from beginning to search for her.
“Wait! Kazuichi! No running in the halls, you know that!” Kiyotaka scolded, pulling his hand out of Soda’s grasp. “Do you even know where you’re going?”
Soda froze where he was once Kiyotaka started scolding him. He turned around to face Taka again, and shook his head. Taka sighed, already assuming the answer.
“I do not know where she would be at this time. I can go find Makoto and ask. He should know.” Kiyotaka explained, already turning to head to the classroom he knew Makoto would be in, given that Makoto forced Taka to take a break from his hall monitor duties. So, the two walked to a classroom on the third floor.
“Makoto!” Kiyotaka started.
Makoto looked up from his cleaning to see Kiyotaka walking towards him. He sighed, standing up straight to face him. This guy just didn’t know when to take a break!
“Taka, I already said I could handle being the substitute hall monitor for the day. You don’t need to come check on me or take the responsibilities back!”
Kiyotaka froze. Yeah, he should’ve assumed that’s what Makoto was going to say. He was quick to snap out of it, however.
“No, no, no! It’s nothing like that! My apologies.” Taka apologized before continuing. “I have a question. Do you know where Kyoko is right now?”
Makoto cocked his head to the side. “Kyoko? Yeah, why?”
It was then that Makoto finally noticed a particular magenta-haired man standing behind Taka. He grew more confused. Why would Taka be hanging around with Kazuichi? Just as he thought that, Soda spoke up.
“Taka spilled the beans that she can play the piano, and I wanna ask her to join our band!” Soda explained proudly.
“Wait- band? Taka, you joined a band?” Makoto asked, giving his friend a puzzled look.
Kiyotaka sighed before explaining. “Kazuichi walked in on me singing in the music hall since you took over my duties for the day. I agreed to join his band because he really wants to perform at the talent show this year. He said he wanted a piano player, and I.. told him Kyoko plays. So, I wanted to take Kazuichi to her so he can ask if she’d be willing to join the band.”
“Band, you say?” A familiar voice spoke up, startling everyone there but Makoto. He was used to this by now.
The other two turned around to see none other than Kyoko Kirigiri standing behind them, her arms crossed. How long was she there? When did she even get there in the first place?
“While I’m not particularly thrilled that Taka shared something about me I didn’t give him permission to, the idea of performing at the talent show does sound fun” Kyoko explained, a small smile spreading across her face.
“My sincerest apologies!” Taka apologized, bowing at her. “I will not tell anyone else from this point forward!”
“It’s alright, Taka.” Taka stood back up. “However, I would like to share a secret of yours to Kazuichi since you shared one of mine.”
Taka froze, his eyes widening. While it was a fair trade, what kind of secret would Kyoko know about him? He was practically an open book, not wanting anything to come back to haunt him when he became a politician. Not like there was anything to hide, anyway. Other than…
Oh.
Oh.
“Kyoko, wait!”
Before he could continue, Kyoko looked at Kazuichi with a small smirk. “Taka has a crush on the gang leader. Mondo Oowada.”
“Wait, seriously!?” Kazuichi replied, turning to look at Taka to confirm whether or not Kyoko was telling the truth.
Kiyotaka was looking down, his face beet red. That , of course it would be that that Kyoko would share. That’s right, Kiyotaka Ishimaru, the Ultimate Moral Compass, accepted into the most prestigious high school, had very strong feelings towards the Ultimate Gang Leader, Mondo Oowada. It wasn’t always like this. Kiyotaka remembers meeting Mondo very well. He was boisterous, annoying, and flat out rude. He wanted to fight anyone who disagreed with him. He was taller than Kiyotaka, and looked down at him both literally and figuratively.
Yet, somehow, Kiyotaka’s disdain turned to a full blown crush. He thinks it was after their sauna battle. He and Mondo wouldn’t stop arguing about who was the toughest, so after convincing Makoto to watch the two, they both sat in the school’s sauna to see who could stay in the heat the longest. After that night, Kiyotaka saw Mondo in a different light. They began acting buddy-buddy, creeping out most of their classmates.
Mondo and Kiyotaka grew incredibly close after that event. Mondo told Kiyotaka about how his older brother, Daiya, died tragically in an accident that he believes he caused. Kiyotaka told Mondo about his fears about the future and clearing his family’s name. They shared everything with each other, or, at least that’s how Kiyotaka wanted Mondo to think.
“Dude! I have the perfect idea” Soda exclaimed, shaking Taka away from his thoughts.
“We could perform a song at the talent show, and you can confess to Mondo!” Without waiting for Kiyotaka to agree, Soda turned to Kyoko. “What do you say, Kyoko? Wanna join in on the magic? Pretty please?”
“W-Wait!” Kiyotaka started. However, his comment fell on deaf ears.
“I’d be honored.” Kyoko replied. “If I enjoy the talent show enough, I’ll consider joining your band full time. This is only for Taka and the show.”
“Deal!” Kazuichi replied, extending his hand out for Kyoko to shake, cementing their agreement.
“WAIT!” Taka shouted, finally getting the attention of the others. “Who said I wanted to confess? I can’t do that!”
“Why not? I think it’s kinda romantic to confess this way.” Kazuichi replied with a shrug.
“Because!” Taka started. “Mondo is Mondo! I don’t even know if he likes men.. Let alone me! I would be setting myself up for failure. I would be ruining a perfectly good friendship. I’m not doing this.” Taka was about to walk away when Makoto grabbed his arm gently.
“Listen, Taka.” Makoto began, turning the moral compass around so they could face each other. “I know it’s a scary thought, but why not give it a chance? You don’t know how Mondo feels, even if you think you do. I think it’s a good idea to have some hope and do it. Plus, I doubt even if Mondo doesn’t feel the same that he would drop you just like that. You gotta give him more credit.” Makoto finished with confidence.
Kiyotaka sighed, looking down at the ground. Could he really do this? Could he really confess his feelings towards someone who is completely opposite of himself in front of the entire student body? What would that do to his image in the school, especially if (or in Taka’s mind, when) Mondo rejects his feelings?
Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Kiyotaka jerked and looked up. Kyoko was now in front of him, next to Makoto, with a smile on her face. That was not a good sign.
“If you confess during the show, and Mondo rejects you, you get to do both Makoto and I’s classroom duties for the next month.” Kyoko proposed. She knew Taka wouldn’t be able to resist something like that.
After a moment to think, Taka reluctantly agreed. This made Kazuichi very happy, as he ran off shortly after to go tell the other two members of the “band” that they found their missing two members. Taka knew he was going to regret this.
Later that day
Kiyotaka and Kyoko walked into one of the practice rooms of the school. It was quite spacious, with many instrument cubby spaces lining one of the walls. Kazuichi, Kokichi, and Korekiyo were already in the room getting themselves ready.
“Taka, Kyoko! You made it!” Kazuichi said, announcing the pair’s arrival to the other two members. “Welcome to the first rehearsal! Before we play anything, we gotta decide a song for the show.” Kazuichi turned his attention to Kiyotaka. “Do you have any ideas in mind that would fit how you feel towards Mondo?”
Kiyotaka’s face flushed at the reminder of why he was here. Judging by the lack of reaction from the other two younger members, he assumed Kazuichi already told them what was up. Truth be told, Kiyotaka wasn’t sure. He could think of a few, but he was still overwhelmed by the entire ordeal to name any.
Kokichi chuckled, bringing his hands to press on the back of his head. “Wow, you can’t even think of a song to confess your love with? You must be stupid.”
Korekiyo shook his head before speaking up. “Please pay him no mind. Kokichi likes to lie a lot. The only one who can decode his lies is his boyfriend. However, I’m inclined to believe that he’s lying right now.”
Kokichi’s eyes quickly welled up with tears. “How could you say that about me, Korekiyo? You must hate me, don’t you?” As quickly as the tears appeared, they began pouring down his face. “Waaaaaah! Korekiyo hates me!”
Kazuichi just sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Please, Taka, just ignore him.”
This comment only made Kokichi cry harder. He added another comment about Kazuichi hating him too. Korekiyo simply took his phone out and tapped a few times before stepping to the side. Kiyotaka could faintly make out Korekiyo asking for Kokichi’s boyfriend to come get him to calm him down, or at least decode his lies for a second.
“How about we step aside for a second and brainstorm?” Kyoko asked, already pushing the two men to the other side of their practice room.
The three of them began scrolling through playlists and asking Kiyotaka for opinions. A lot of the songs didn’t quite feel right for the hall monitor to choose. They went through quite a few choices before Kokichi’s boyfriend walked in to collect the still sobbing boy. As soon as Kokichi was gone, Kyoko showed Kiyotaka her screen, showing the picture of a song.
“How about this?” Kyoko asked.
Kazuichi and Kiyotaka both looked over at the screen, reading “Bad Romance” on the screen. The song was by the famous Lady Gaga. They both knew the song and the lyrics, so it was no wonder that Kiyotaka began to blush as soon as he processed what it said. This was all the proof the detective needed to make a conclusion that they would be performing that song.
“Ohhh hell yeah! That fits perfectly, doesn’t it? Of course, we’ll have to lower the pitch of the whole song, but that’s not a big deal. I’m sure Ibuki could give us a hand with figuring out the right octave and stuff.” Kazuichi spewed, not leaving any room for Kiyotaka to interject.
Kiyotaka still couldn’t believe he agreed to this. I mean, confessing his feelings was one thing, but doing it in front of the entire school was another. He knew everyone would be there, too, as no one ever skipped the talent show. Everyone found it fun to see what the students did outside of their ultimate. Which means, no doubt, that Mondo would be in attendance.
After a quick call to the ultimate musician, she quickly showed up to help everyone figure out the new key they would be performing Lady Gaga’s song to. After everyone agreed that it was doable, she sat in for the rest of the practice to make sure it would work for everyone. She was surprised at how good Kiyotaka sounded, praising him after every runthrough of the song. She knew it was going to take some time for everyone to get used to the song and memorize the notes (or rhythms, for Kokichi), but she had confidence that she could help the band sound good for the big day.
Three weeks later
The night of the talent show had finally arrived, and everyone was excited to see what would be showcased this year. There was a program that listed the acts, but everyone’s names were replaced with question marks, so no one would know beforehand who was doing what act. That’s how the school kept the show interesting, since most of the students were doing activities outside their ultimate talents.
Backstage, Kiyotaka was a nervous wreck as Kazuichi stood in front of him, rubbing in some black eyeshadow with one of his makeup brushes. Kiyotaka begrudgingly agreed to wearing makeup after Kazuichi went on a long spiel about how it would make them look better on stage, how Mondo would notice him better, etc etc. The brush on his eyelid was an unfamiliar feeling, but he couldn’t focus on that when the thought of what he was about to do was encapsulating his entire consciousness.
On stage, for everyone to see, he was about to confess his feelings for the Ultimate Gang Leader, Mondo Oowada.
Kiyotaka bounced his leg anxiously, unconsciously following Kazuichi’s directions for his makeup. He had no idea how this was going to go. Worst case scenario, the entire school learns that he can sing and admires him for it, but he would lose Mondo as a friend. Kiyotaka shut his eyes tightly, making Kazuichi snap at him, saying something about him “almost ruining his makeup.” He had to focus. It’s now or never , Kiyotaka thought.
There were a few acts before them, such as Pekoyama playing a traditional instrument while Hiyoko danced to it (this was more for Peko, of course) and Hiro being able to do archery pretty damn well. The closer their turn came, the more nervous Kiyotaka felt. At one point, he thought he was going to throw up right there backstage. Luckily, Kyoko could tell how nervous he was getting and put a hand on his shoulder, comforting him to the best of her ability.
Mondo was sitting in the audience, wondering where his best buddy Taka was. He had received a text from him saying that he had to go to the talent show and that he had a surprise for him. He tried finding him in the audience before the show started but was unable to locate him. He tried texting Taka as well, but he hasn’t gotten a response since Taka’s initial text about the show. Taka hadn’t even read his messages. Mondo focused on the acts so he wouldn’t grow more worried for his friend. He’s sure Taka had something up his sleeve. There was no way Taka would tell him to go to the show and then not show up, right? He is the ultimate moral compass, after all. Kiyotaka doesn’t lie very often, and when he does, it’s very obvious to tell.
The next act was setting up, and Mondo saw a few teachers who agreed to be stagehands setting up instruments and mic stands. Mondo shuffled, sitting up in his seat. A band? Mondo guessed to himself. This has to be good. Then, the room went dark as the students in the band walked onstage, letting them keep their identities a secret til the last minute. In the dark, Mondo could make out a few silhouettes, but not well enough to fully make them out. After a few strums of the guitars to make sure they were in tune, silence filled the room, anticipation building in everyone in the audience.
And just like that, Mondo’s and Kiyotaka’s worlds would change with the start of a song.
“Oh~” The second after Taka started singing, the lights came up. The five members of the band were revealed to the entire student body of Hope’s Peak Academy.
The most shocked person in the audience was none other than Mondo Oowada, seeing his best buddy on stage, singing nonetheless. He had no idea Kiyotaka could sing. He recognized the song immediately, his eyes widening as he fully took in the situation. Taka was dressed in an outfit completely different from how he normally dressed. He was wearing a red and black striped t-shirt with fishnets underneath, black ripped jeans (also with fishnets underneath), black punk boots, and a few accessories. (link: https://pin.it/1hjgbOP ) His makeup looked very similar to the kind Kazuichi usually had– a good winged eyeliner with black eyeshadow around it. It was completely different from how Kiyotaka usually portrayed himself, but god did he look good, Mondo thought.
“Caught in a bad romance,” Kiyotaka continued, entrancing the audience with his vocal skills.
Not to say he was the only individual that the other students paid attention to– plenty of the other students had their eyes on the other members. Kazuichi had his signature hat off for once, showcasing all of his magenta hair in it’s full glory. He had a few black barrettes in it, keeping the hair that would fall to the sides of his face out of it. He wore a yellow Hawaiian shirt with a black long sleeve shirt underneath, black jeans with some chains, and black shoes. (link: https://pin.it/5I00YvA )
Kokichi took his checkered scarf, usually adorned on his neck, on his head, pushing some of it back while keeping his bangs out. Due to the drumset, it was hard to see most of his outfit, but the students could see him wearing a black long sleeved shirt with many necklaces covering where his scarf usually was, black pants, and white sneakers. (link: https://pin.it/6rpC5Wj )
Korekiyo was still wearing his black mask and had his hands bandaged, but along with that, he was also wearing a white button up shirt with a black, long sleeved shirt on top, a belt going across his torso. There were a few chains dangling from the belt. He wrapped another belt around his waist as well. Other than that, he was wearing black jeans and boots. (link: https://pin.it/1MCYd7V )
Finally, Kyoko was wearing her signature gloves and knee-high boots, but the rest of her outfit was different. She was wearing a cropped black tank top, a pink and black stripped, cropped, long sleeve shirt over it with a few necklaces on top. She wore a black skirt with fishnets underneath and a belt with some pouches on it as well. She had her purple hair tied into a ponytail as well. (link: https://pin.it/dCXDbzh )
“Oh~” Kiyotaka continued, gripping onto the microphone hooked into its stand as he darted his eyes across the audience, trying to find Mondo. He was still very nervous about this whole thing, but there was no going back now. Sliding a hand down the stand, eyes batting as he did so, he continued.
“Caught in a bad romance” He sang, the audience surprised at the fact that their hall monitor and most conservative classmate was singing a Lady Gaga song, let alone this one. Even Makoto, who had a small idea of what was going on based on what Kyoko taught him, was surprised when he saw the real thing.
Taking a step backwards, still holding onto the mic stand, Kiyotaka continued with the “choreography” that Ibuki had taught him a few weeks ago. As a performer, one of the most important aspects of the show is having a good stage presence. Knowing what to do in front of a crowd and moving to emphasize the lyrics would help the audience get more intrigued and entranced, or at least that’s what Ibuki told Kiyotaka.
Two weeks prior
“Okay, Taka!” Ibuki said, pointing at the hall monitor with a smile. “Today, I show you the little choreo I’ve made for you to do while you sing at the talent show!”
“Choreo.. As in.. choreography? I can’t dance.” Kiyotaka replied honestly.
“No, no, not dancing! Just moving your body to the beat and gesturing to match with the lyrics!” Ibuki clarified.
The older boy turned his head to the side, still a bit confused as to what Ibuki meant. Ibuki sighed, rubbing her forehead. She knew Kiyotaka was a bit reserved, but she didn’t think she would have to explain stage presence this in depth to him.
“Look, just watch what I do. Then, I’ll teach you the steps, and we’ll get you comfortable doing it before the show.” Ibuki replied, taking her phone out to play Bad Romance and show Kiyotaka exactly what she meant.
Back to the show
“Rah, rah-ah-ah-ah,
Roma, roma-ma
Gaga, oh la la,
Want your bad romance”
Kiyotaka repeated the lyrics, once again glancing around the audience. Something about his fellow classmates’ reactions really urged him to continue. He was enjoying this in a way he could’ve never imagined. Taking a quick glance over to Kazuichi, who was to his right, he saw the other boy give him a glance back and a smile. He had the support of those around him, and that kept him going as he started the first verse.
“I want your ugly, I want your disease.
I want your everything as long as it’s free,
I want your love.”
Mondo couldn’t believe what he was seeing. This guy on stage was his friend, Kiyotaka Ishimaru? It was like he morphed into a completely different person. It was definitely doing something to him as he felt his face flush slightly as the mere sight of the man on stage. He had no idea what was to come and what was in store for the biker.
As the song continued, Kiyotaka continued his choreographed movements. He’d practiced enough to where his moves didn’t look so planned out and rehearsed. Judging by the reactions from the crowd, he could safely assume it was working and that Ibuki was right when she said it would help with his stage presence. As long as he didn’t mess up, this would all go according to plan. Kiyotaka turned his back as Kazuichi’s voice began to run through the venue.
“You know that I want you, and you know that I need you,
I want it bad, your bad romance.”
Kiyotaka quickly turned around, taking the microphone off of the stand. This is where the show really began.
“I want your love, and I want your revenge,
You and me could write a bad romance.”
Kazuichi’s voice rang out in the background, supporting Kiyotaka before he continued with his first runthrough of the chorus.
“I want your love and all your lover’s revenge,
You and me could write a bad romance.”
Kiyotaka scanned the audience, moving his free hand up to his hair as per his rehearsed movements. Kazuichi’s voice filled the air as he crossed the stage, finally finding Mondo in the crowd. He couldn’t make it obvious that this was for him, not yet, so he turned his gaze away from the biker as quickly as it fell onto him. If the hall-monitor-turned-singer’s face flushed a bit after seeing Mondo in the crowd, he’d never admit it.
Kiyotaka let Kazuichi finish his part of the song as he strutted across the stage, moving his hips in a suggestive way. It took him a while to get comfortable doing it, but after Ibuki’s praises and reassurance that it would keep the crowd invested, he eventually grew more comfortable with the movements. It’s all a part of the act, after all. At least, that’s what Kiyotaka continually told himself. With Kazuichi’s part finished, the ultimate moral compass prepared himself mentally and moved on to the second verse.
“I want your horror, I want your design,
‘Cause you’re a criminal as long as you’re mine,
I want your love,
Love, love, love, I want your love.”
Kiyotaka’s feelings towards Mondo really resonated with these lyrics. With Mondo being the leader of a biker gang, Kiyotaka could only imagine some of the horrific details that have gone on over the years. Mondo is technically a criminal with the aforementioned idea in mind. It was part of why he agreed to sing this song for the show and for his agreed-upon attempt at confessing his feelings.
“I want your psycho, your vertigo shtick,
Want you in my rear window, baby, you’re sick,
I want your love,
Love, love, love, I want your love.”
Bending over with his hand not holding the microphone onto his knee, Kiyotaka gazed at the crowd with half-lidded eyes. He was really starting to get into the performance now, almost forgetting the real reason why he was standing on stage at the moment. Cocking his head to the side, he continued.
“You know that I want you,
And you know that I need you.”
(He didn’t know if Mondo knew that for sure, but Kiyotaka was just going to roll with it)
Kazuichi smirked before saying his next adlib in the song,
“‘Cause I’m a free bitch, baby!”
“I want it bad, want your bad romance.”
Standing back upright and making his way across the stage, Kiyotaka continued and sang the second chorus. His heartbeat was beginning to pick up as he knew that part was coming up. Just keep it together, Taka. You’ve got this, he thought to himself, hopefully not letting his anxiety show through his performance.
After finishing the chorus, he turned around and walked towards Kokichi at the drums, once again swaying his hips. Kazuichi continued the song as they had practiced. Kazuichi picked up this part so Kiyotaka could focus on what was to come.
“Walk, walk, fashion baby,
Work it, make that bitch crazy.”
It was happening. It was real. This was real. Kiyotaka took a deep breath and swallowed, staring at the bass drum to collect his thoughts, still moving his body to the music as Ibuki showed him. He knew most of the attention would be drawn to Kazuichi at this point since he was the one singing and not Kiyotaka. However, Ibuki told him that he couldn’t just stand still. He had to keep his body moving to the rhythm at least a little bit.
“Walk, walk, fashion baby,
Work it, make that bitch crazy.”
It was time. Kiyotaka turned back around, trying his hardest to try to not let his anxiety show itself. He strutted back towards the mic stand slowly, swaying his body to the rhythm. The bridge was coming up– this is where the action started. Kiyotaka took another deep breath as he listened to Kazuichi.
“Walk, walk, fashion baby,
Work it, make that bitch crazy.”
Kiyotaka carefully pushed the mic back into its holder on the stand, adjusting it quickly to be in front of his mouth. With one more gaze across the audience, the singer found Mondo quickly. He set his gaze upon him, shifting his feet in place.
“Walk, walk, passion baby,
Work it, I’m a free bitch baby.”
It was show time.
“I want your love, and I want your revenge,
I want your love, I don’t wanna be friends.”
Kiyotaka kept his gaze upon Mondo, the biker having noticed by now. He looked as good as ever– his hair made up in the usual pompadour-esc style he had it in, his biker jacket resting on his shoulders, a white tank top underneath it. Mondo did his makeup as he always did, consisting of a winged-eyeliner with some points coming out from his under eye. Keeping their eyes locked, the hall monitor continued.
“J’veux ton amour, et je veux ta revanche,
J’veux ton amour, I don’t wanna be friends.”
Kiyotaka gripped the mic tightly, forcing himself to keep his eyes on Mondo. The French lyrics felt very foreign on his tongue, even with all of the practice. Red eyes gazed upon lavender as Kiyotaka continued.
“I don’t wanna be friends.”
Please , Kiyotaka thought to himself as he sang, please understand what I mean.
“I don’t wanna be friends.” Kiyotaka belted, keeping his eyes on Mondo’s.
“Want your bad romance.”
Moving his arm quickly, Kiyotaka pointed at Mondo in the audience, making sure the biker knew that at least this line pertained to him if he didn’t already understand that this whole performance was for him.
“Want your bad romance!”
Mondo sat there in shock, his face flushed a deep red. He heard Kiyotaka’s message loud and clear. He could feel his heart racing as he kept his eyes locked on the ultimate moral compass. Mondo knew he was going to have to find Kiyotaka after their act. There’s no way he was waiting until the end of the talent show. As far as Mondo was concerned, the rest of the talent show didn’t even matter.
As soon as his line was over, Kiyotaka let himself finally look away from Mondo. He could tell that his face was flushed, but he continued on with the act as there was only a little bit of the song left. In his peripheral vision, he could see Kazuichi looking at him with a small smile. The rest of the song went by in a blur for the singer. As soon as the lights went out and the audience began their applause, Kiyotaka returned the microphone to its stand and walked off stage briskly.
The rest of the band followed in suit quickly, those of them who were able to take their instruments with them did. Kiyotaka quickly walked over to the space in the back that their band had marked off for them by the staff. His heart was racing and he felt like he couldn’t catch his breath. Kazuichi quickly noticed this and made his way towards the hall monitor, Kyoko following shortly after.
“Hey man, you did great out there!” Soda started with a smile as he walked towards Kiyotaka. “But, um, are you okay?”
Kyoko walked over and squatted by Kiyotaka, watching his behavior for a second. Before she could even get a word out, the three could hear someone clear their throat behind them. Turning around, Kazuichi and Kyoko saw a very red-faced Mondo Oowada. The two band members exchanged a brief moment of eye contact before scooting away from Kiyotaka so the two of them could talk somewhat privately.
On trembling legs, Mondo stepped forward and knelt in front of Kiyotaka, who still hadn’t noticed that he was fully there. Taking a quick deep breath, Mondo spoke up, shaking Kiyotaka out of his daze.
“Uh.. so.. That was for me.. Wasn’t it?” Mondo asked carefully, not looking at Kiyotaka yet as he, too, was flustered by the situation.
All the hall monitor could do was nod in confirmation. He couldn’t bring himself to look at the biker quite yet. Kiyotaka felt like if he tried to look at Mondo right now, his heart would explode. Carefully, Mondo cupped the side of Kiyotaka’s face, forcing the other to look at him.
“Say it.” Mondo said.
“H-Huh?” Kiyotaka asked in reply, his eyes widening slightly.
“Say it. Say you don’t wanna be just friends with me, face to face.” Mondo clarified, his face flushing even further.
Kiyotaka paused briefly, registering what the other had just said to him. After a few seconds of processing, he shook his head gently. If he had to say it right now, Kiyotaka felt like he was going to die. Mondo wasn’t accepting that as an answer.
“Please,” Mondo continued. “Please say it, Taka.”
After closing his eyes tightly, Kiyotaka squeaked out the following.
“I-I don’t want to be just friends, Mondo.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Kiyotaka felt soft lips against his. His eyes immediately shot open, seeing Mondo extremely close to him with his eyes closed. Oh , Kiyotaka thought. He finally understood: Mondo Oowada, the Ultimate Gang Leader, was kissing him. On the lips.
Kiyotaka’s eyes fluttered shut as he pressed his lips against Mondo’s in return. He couldn’t hear it, but Kazuichi let out a small “yes!” as the other four members of the band watched what was happening before them. Kyoko looked at the pair with a smile. Kokichi made a comment about how this was boring and he was going to go find his own boyfriend before he took off. Korekiyo just chuckled to himself before moving to put his bass guitar away.
Shortly after it started, the kiss ended with Mondo pulling away slowly. His eyes opened as he saw Kiyotaka’s relaxed expression on his face for a moment before his red eyes opened. The hall monitor gazed into the biker’s eyes, staying quiet, hoping that Mondo would say something.
“Be my boyfriend, Taka.” Mondo said quietly so only Kiyotaka could hear.
All Kiyotaka could do was answer Mondo with another kiss.