The early morning air was crisp as the city slowly stirred awake. The school bus rolled through the quiet streets, making its scheduled stops to pick up students along the way. The low hum of the engine and the occasional chatter of the few early passengers filled the space as they settled into their seats, some still half-asleep, others already brimming with excitement.
Axel leaned against the window, watching as buildings and storefronts passed by, the golden morning light stretching long shadows across the roads. A few students boarded at each stop, their voices gradually adding to the growing noise inside the bus.
At one of the stops, the doors hissed open, and Ito stepped in, stretching as he scanned the seats. Spotting Axel, he gave a small grin and made his way over.
"Morning," Ito said as he plopped down beside him.
Axel merely nodded in acknowledgment, still lost in thought as he watched the passing scenery.
More stops, more students. The bus was filling up. Excitement started to bubble up as groups of friends reunited, chattering about their plans for the trip.
Eventually, the bus pulled up at a larger stop, a central meeting point where the students would be rearranged into two separate buses for the final leg of the journey. The first bus was already waiting, and another would arrive shortly. Teachers stood at the stop, checking names and making sure everyone was accounted for.
As Axel and Ito stepped off the bus, they immediately spotted Emi and Kyomi among the crowd. Emi waved, her expression bright despite the early hour, while Kyomi was busy tying her hair back into a loose ponytail.
"Finally, the whole gang's here," Kyomi said with a smirk.
"Yeah, and now we get to sit together," Emi added, nudging Kyomi playfully.
A few students were already moving toward the first bus, claiming seats before it filled up. Teachers were directing students into one of the two buses, ensuring a balanced number between them.
"Which one are we taking?" Axel asked, glancing at the buses.
"The one with the better seats, obviously," Kyomi said, crossing her arms.
Ito rolled his eyes. "Just pick one before we get left behind."
And with that, the four of them followed the crowd, ready to begin their long-awaited school trip into the mountains.
As the bus rumbled to life and began its journey toward the mountains, the familiar energy among Axel, Emi, Ito, and Kyomi quickly reignited.
Kyomi nudged Ito with a smirk. "So, how many times do you think you're gonna trip over something during this trip?"
Ito scoffed. "Excuse me? If anything, I'm more worried about you getting lost in the woods."
Emi giggled. "Let's hope the teachers don't have to send a search party for you two."
Axel leaned back against his seat, a small amused smile tugging at his lips. "At this rate, they might as well assign you guys personal chaperones."
The four of them continued their usual back-and-forth, their teasing filled with lighthearted jabs and exaggerated reactions. Other students around them either joined in or laughed at their antics, making the bus ride feel even more lively.
Before long, the bus slowed to a stop at the first destination—a small town at the base of the mountains.
"Alright, everyone!" One of the teachers stood up, clapping their hands to get everyone's attention. "We'll be here for about an hour to buy any last-minute supplies. Stick with your groups, don't wander off too far, and be back at the bus on time!"
With that, the students poured out into the town. The crisp mountain air mixed with the faint smell of baked goods drifting from nearby shops, adding to the charm of the quiet streets.
The four of them walked together, stopping at small stalls and convenience stores to grab extra snacks, water bottles, and anything else they might need. Kyomi excitedly dragged Emi toward a souvenir shop, while Ito and Axel followed at a slower pace, stopping by a street vendor selling freshly made pastries.
"You getting something?" Axel asked as Ito inspected the options.
Ito hummed, rubbing his chin. "Might as well. Want one?"
"Sure," Axel replied, pulling out some change.
After getting their food, the group reconvened, sharing bites of their breakfast and taking some quick photos before heading back to the bus.
Once everyone had returned and the supplies were packed, the journey resumed. The further they drove, the more the surroundings shifted from paved roads and small houses to winding forest paths and towering trees.
Finally, after another stretch of travel, the bus reached the campsite—a wide clearing surrounded by thick greenery, with a few marked spots for campfires and gathering areas. The teachers directed the students to unload their things, and soon, the whole campsite was bustling with activity.
Axel and Ito worked on setting up their tent while Emi and Kyomi sorted out their sleeping arrangements. Around them, students carried logs for the fire, fetched water from a nearby stream, and helped prepare ingredients for the evening meal. Laughter and chatter filled the air, mixing with the occasional crackling of wood being chopped.
As the sun began to dip below the trees, the preparations for the night's activities were nearly complete. The fire was lit, casting a warm glow across the campsite, and a mix of excitement and anticipation buzzed among the students.
Tonight was bound to be a night to remember.
As the school trip continued, Axel found himself growing more restless. The thought that Emi might be part of LumeNoir had taken root in his mind, and he couldn't shake it off. He had noticed small things before—the way her voice sounded so eerily similar, the way she always brushed off the comparisons—but today, something new had caught his eye.
During a short rest after their tours, he happened to glance over and saw Emi on her phone, quietly uploading something. He didn't think much of it at first, but then, not long after, a brand-new song from LumeNoir dropped online.
Coincidence? Maybe. But Axel wasn't the type to believe in coincidences.
The pieces were coming together, more clearly than ever before. And now, he was more determined than ever to find out the truth.
That evening, after a hearty dinner, the students gathered around a campfire, the warm glow casting flickering shadows as the teachers led some fun activities. There were games, laughter, and even some scary stories, though Ito and Kyomi—despite their usual bickering—had an unspoken agreement to team up when things got too spooky. Of course, their back-and-forth still gave away how close they'd become, and their classmates didn't hesitate to tease them about it.
Axel and Emi, on the other hand, sat together, exchanging the same playful glances they always did. They talked, smiled, laughed—it felt natural, but Axel couldn't ignore the thought gnawing at the back of his mind. Was Emi really one of them?
Soon, the conversation shifted toward the mysterious band once again.
"They're getting ridiculously popular," Kyomi pointed out. "How long do you think they'll keep hiding their faces? I mean, people are dying to know who they are."
Most of the group agreed, some speculating about their identities, others wondering if it was all just a marketing stunt. But then, unexpectedly, someone who rarely spoke joined in.
A quiet girl from their class—one known for her academic excellence but rarely for her opinions raised her voice.
"Does it really matter?" she asked, looking around at them with a calm but resolute expression. "Even if they don't reveal their identities, their music speaks for itself. And isn't that the most important thing?"
The group fell silent.
She continued, "Their songs reach so many people, they resonate with emotions we can't always put into words. It's why they're famous. Not because of their faces, but because of their art."
She looked down for a moment, then added, "For me… their music brings peace, even on the worst days. That's what matters to me. Not their names. Not their faces."
Emi, who had been listening quietly the whole time, had a faint look of surprise. But beneath that, there was something else—a small, almost imperceptible smile. A sign of relief. A kind of silent gratitude that only Axel seemed to notice.
And in that moment, Axel understood something.
It wasn't about proving that Emi was LumeNoir. It wasn't about uncovering the truth.
The quiet girl's words struck him deeply. What if Emi was part of LumeNoir? What if she had her reasons for keeping it a secret? If she wanted to be seen only for her music, then wasn't it unfair to try and uncover something she didn't want to reveal?
Axel glanced at Emi from the side, and at that moment, he made a silent promise.
No matter what, he would protect her secret. If Emi was LumeNoir, then he would respect her choice. He wouldn't force her to say anything she wasn't ready to say.
The night grew late, and one by one, the students retreated to their tents, exhausted but content.
But sometime past midnight, Axel found himself awake. Stepping out into the cool night air, he spotted Emi a short distance away, standing alone beneath the stars.
For a while, he simply watched her, the way the starlight reflected in her eyes, the peaceful expression on her face. Then, quietly, he walked up beside her.
Neither of them spoke. They simply stood there, gazing at the vast night sky together.
In that moment, words weren't necessary.
And as Axel looked at Emi bathed in soft moonlight, her expression serene he felt a quiet understanding settle within him.
Some truths didn't need to be spoken.
Eventually, without a word, they both returned to their tents.
And as Axel drifted off to sleep, for the first time, he didn't dream of uncovering the truth.
He simply dreamt of the music.
Sweet dreams, everyone.