Discordant Harmonies: A Teto X Miku story.

Chapter Fourteen: Night of the Show...

The lights in the venue dimmed as the audience buzzed with excitement, anticipation palpable in the air. Miku stood backstage, her heart racing, nerves twisting in her stomach. She fiddled with her costume, the sequins catching the light and sparkling like stars.

"Hey, Miku," Moon said, stepping up beside her, his astronaut suit glinting under the stage lights. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his voice steady and calming. "You’re going to be amazing out there. Just remember, everyone loves you, and you’ve got this."

Miku looked up at him, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, Moon. I just… I really hope I can live up to everyone’s expectations. After everything that’s happened, I don’t want to disappoint anyone."

"You won’t," he assured her with a warm smile. "You’ve worked hard for this moment. Just focus on the music and the crowd. They’re here for you, and I’ll be right there with you. We’re in this together."

The stage manager signaled that it was almost time to go on, and Miku’s nerves surged again. "Okay, I can do this," she whispered to herself, though doubt still crept in.

"Believe in yourself," Moon said, giving her a gentle push toward the stage entrance. "You’ve got this."

As Miku stepped out onto the stage, the bright lights washed over her, and the crowd erupted into cheers. The energy was electric, and she felt the weight of her fears begin to lift. With Moon by her side, she felt invincible.

---

Meanwhile, in the crowd, Fukase stood concealed among the audience, an earpiece nestled in his ear. He looked calm and collected, but there was a darkness in his eyes as he spoke into the device.

"Ritsu, I’m in position. I’ve got a clear shot at Miku," he said quietly, scanning the stage, his heart racing with adrenaline.

"Good. Just wait for the right moment. She’s a distraction," Ritsu’s voice crackled through the earpiece, cold and calculating. "Once you take her out, the rest will crumble. Remember, we need this to succeed."

Fukase smirked slightly, his focus unwavering as he monitored Miku’s every move. The moment felt electric, filled with a sense of inevitability that sent a shiver down his spine.

Back on stage, Kaito took center stage, his powerful voice resonating through the venue. The crowd sang along, their voices blending in a euphoric harmony. Everything felt perfect, and for a moment, Kaito forgot about the chaos outside.

But just as he glanced over at Miku, he noticed something in the crowd that made his heart drop. Fukase, standing with an unnerving stillness, was pulling something from his waistband.

"Miku, look out!" Kaito’s voice rang out, but it was too late.

Instinct kicked in. Kaito didn’t think; he acted. He pushed Miku aside, placing himself between her and Fukase just as the gun went off. The sound was deafening, reverberating in the air like a thunderclap.

Kaito felt the impact, a searing pain blossoming in his chest as he stumbled backward, his vision blurring. Miku screamed, her hands covering her mouth in horror.

"Kaito!" she cried, rushing to his side, panic overwhelming her.

Fukase’s eyes widened in shock as he realized what he had done. "No! What have you done?" Ritsu hissed over the radio.

The crowd erupted into chaos, people screaming and scrambling for safety. Moon, noticing the commotion, jumped off the stage, his eyes narrowed with rage as he lunged toward Fukase. "Why did you do this?!" he yelled, his fists clenched.

Fukase’s heart raced as he tried to escape the growing crowd. But Moon was on him in an instant, tackling him to the ground.

The two of them struggled, Moon pinning Fukase down. "You’ll pay for this!" he shouted, rage spilling out of him as he grappled with the traitor.

Sirens wailed in the distance, growing closer. Kaito lay on the ground, blood pooling around him as Miku cradled his head in her lap, tears streaming down her face.

"No, no, please, stay with me!" she begged, her voice cracking.

Kaito looked up at her, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. "Miku… I—" he started, but the pain blurred his words, and his vision darkened.

As the police arrived, Fukase was pulled off Moon and quickly handcuffed, a look of panic on his face as he was escorted away.

---

The scene shifted to the prison yard, where Meiko paced back and forth, her heart heavy with worry for her friends. The news of the attack had reached her, and every moment away from the action felt like a lifetime.

Suddenly, she spotted Fukase being led out for exercise, his demeanor smug as if nothing had happened. The anger inside her boiled over.

"Fukase!" she shouted, storming toward him, her fists clenched. "You coward! What did you do?"

He turned, a taunting grin spreading across his face. "What did I do? I did what I had to do. Miku’s nothing without her little band of freaks—"

Meiko lunged at him, landing a solid punch to his jaw that sent him staggering back. "You think this is a game? You’re going to regret messing with my family!"

The guards rushed over, but not before Meiko got in another hit, her fury uncontainable. She was going to make him pay for what he did to Kaito, for what he did to Miku.

Just as the guards pulled her away, Fukase wiped his mouth, a mix of blood and a twisted smile on his lips. "You can’t protect them forever, Meiko. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot. This is only the beginning."

As he was led away, Meiko’s eyes burned with determination. She would find a way to make him pay, and she wouldn’t let her friends down.