𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 || Kazu x Scara

Chapter VII

~*~

This is the final week leading up to the competition. Everyone in the band has noticed how distressed Scaramouche has been lately. Practice has been extended because he feels that the band still has room for improvements. Kazuha has been practicing on his own time because he doesn't want to drag the group down.

Right now, the members are practicing hard in the band room.

"Scaramouche! That's the sixth time we've played the song. We all want to go home..." Tighnari complains. Everyone is drained by the excessively harsh treatment they're receiving from their perfectionist of a leader. Even Thoma, their energetic sunshine, was completely out of it.

Thoma joined in and started complaining too. "Scaramouche, it's 6:20 PM right now. We all still have stuff to do at home."

"It's still not perfect! The most I can do is let you guys have a break." Scaramouche snaps back. His facial expressions and actions clearly show he's worried for the competition. Kazuha quickly catches onto his behavior and takes matters into his own hands.

"Scaramouche, we have the rest of the week to practice... so let us all go home. If we all keep going at this pace, we're not going to be in top shape on Saturday." Scaramouche realized that Kazuha has a point, although he didn't want to admit it. Instead, he just stood there in silence without agreeing or arguing back.

Kazuha sighs, "Guys, just pack up and go. I'll talk to him."

"Yeah, will do. Make sure not to stay here too late, you both also need to rest." Cyno suggests.

"Bye Scaramouche, bye Kazuha! We'll be here tomorrow for practice!" Thoma waves goodbye before leaving.

Thoma, Cyno, and Tighnari had all left now leaving only Scaramouche and Kazuha alone. Kazuha started packing up his stuff, but he wasn't ready to leave just yet.

"Scara... I know this competition means a lot to you, but you need to believe in us. Have some faith that we'll do well. We have you as our leader after all, so we're gonna be fine!" Kazuha is starting to think that Scaramouche has a bit of a superiority complex. He seems to have forgotten that this isn't only a solo thing, he's in a group. A group that's working together, practicing day and night to prove themselves on stage.

"You need to remember that this is a group effort, not just you, Scara. You feel like you must win no matter what, and that's why you keep pushing us. Trust me, we all want to win too but at the end of the day, who cares what place we get? As long as we have fun and the audience loves us, then that's all that matters. So please, think of us too when you're up on stage Saturday. We're not your minions, we're equals whether you like it or not. We win together and we lose together. The burden isn't yours alone to carry."

Scaramouche didn't realize this about himself. To him, this felt like an eye-opening moment and he felt like he needed to do some self-reflecting.

"You're right, Kazuha. I'm sorry..." Scaramouche said, sounding deflated.

Kazuha smiled. "Don't apologize to me, apologize to our band members instead. You've been nothing but harsh to us this past week, yet they still care about you and highly praise your dedication."

"Thank you..." Scaramouche mumbles.

"It's nothing. Hopefully, you can come and talk to me about your worries the next time you're feeling overwhelmed. I'd be greatly honored if you feel comfortable enough with me to do that."

"So irritating..." Scaramouche whispers, under his breath.

Kazuha immediately fights back at Scaramouche's harsh words. "Hey! What did I do?! I'm only trying to help, idiot!" he declares, genuinely sad and offended.