After classes ended, Shiori Novella strode down the corridor of Hololive High with a grim expression etched across her face. The real battle had barely begun, and already, she was burdened with yet another problem.
"The practice room…" she muttered under her breath, eyes scanning the rows of music classroom doors lining the hall like silent witnesses.
If they were being forced to form a band, they'd need a place to rehearse. Shiori had considered various options—renting a space off-campus, borrowing a classroom after hours—but each idea came with complications or was simply unfeasible.
In the end, she decided to seek advice from someone who might actually be able to help.
Letting out a long sigh, Shiori knocked on a door at the end of the hall. A small placard read: Choco-sensei – Student Counselor.
"Come in," a soft, velvety voice called from inside.
Shiori entered. As always, the counseling room was wrapped in a subtle, sugary scent of vanilla, like the air itself had been steeped in sweetness. Behind the desk sat Choco-sensei, smiling as she looked up from her papers.
"Oh? Shiori-chan? Not often you come here without being summoned."
Shiori clicked her tongue. "I'm not here for a lecture or a warning. I need a rehearsal space for our band."
Choco-sensei raised an eyebrow, then smiled knowingly. "Oh? So you're actually going through with that band? I thought you'd give up before even starting."
Shiori met her gaze sharply. "Just point me in the right direction. We're serious."
Choco-sensei leaned forward, resting her chin in her hands as she thought. "Hmm… there is one unused band studio in the school. It's on the second floor of the music hall."
Shiori's eyes lit up. "Seriously? Why hasn't anyone used it?"
Choco's smile deepened, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Because it's right next to Justice's band studio."
Silence. Shiori's hopeful expression collapsed into something between disgust and frustration.
"You're kidding…" she groaned.
"I'm not," Choco replied with a teasing chuckle. "If you want a decent space, and free, that's your only option."
Shiori closed her eyes and exhaled sharply. Justice. The most insufferable band in the school—especially their leader, Elizabeth, who never missed a chance to belittle or mock her. The thought of sharing even a wall with them was enough to make Shiori's blood boil.
"There's no other space?" she asked, clinging to a last shred of hope.
Choco-sensei shook her head. "Unfortunately not."
"Fantastic. This is a nightmare."
"You could see it as a challenge," Choco offered sweetly.
Shiori slumped back in her seat. "A challenge, she says. This feels more like a punishment."
Still, she had no choice. If they wanted to prove they belonged here—and survive—this was the only way forward.
"Fine. We'll take it."
Thus began a new chapter in Advent's story—training in a space that stood just one door away from their greatest rivals.
A-D-V-E-N-T
ROCK ON!
Exiting the counseling room, Shiori made her way toward the cafeteria where her teammates typically gathered. She could already imagine their reactions when she delivered the bad news.
When she arrived, Nerissa, Koseki Bijou, Fuwawa, and Mococo were already seated at a table, each absorbed in their meals.
Shiori pulled out a chair and sat down among them. "Listen. I found us a rehearsal studio."
Nerissa sipped her drink lazily before raising an eyebrow. "Great. Where?"
Shiori sighed. "Second floor of the music building. And... it's right next to Justice's studio."
Silence.
Then—
"YOU'RE KIDDING ME?!" Nerissa shouted, nearly knocking over her glass.
"You can't be serious," Bijou groaned in disbelief.
"Ugh! Of all places, why there?!" Fuwawa whined, dropping her fork with a clatter.
"This is like hell on Earth…" Mococo muttered, slouching forward as if she could already feel the tension seeping in.
Shiori leaned back in her chair. "Trust me, I hate it too. But Choco-sensei said it's the only available space."
Nerissa dragged a hand down her face. "Great. Elizabeth's going to mock us daily."
"Not just her," Bijou added. "Cecilia and Gigi will join in. They'll flaunt how 'superior' they are."
"I can already picture Gigi cranking her amp just to drown us out," Mococo grumbled.
Fuwawa glared at Shiori. "Why did it have to be that room?"
Shiori shrugged. "Unless any of you have a better idea, this is what we've got."
No one spoke. They all knew it was true.
Finally, Nerissa sighed. "Fine… but if Justice picks a fight, I'm not backing down."
"Don't worry," Shiori said with a sly grin. "If they want a war, we'll give them one."
Frustrated but resolved, they accepted their fate. Their first rehearsal was set—and so was a collision course with their rivals.
A-D-V-E-N-T
ROCK ON!
Dragging their feet and their doubts, Advent marched toward their designated studio. The hallway of the music building was eerily quiet, broken only by the faint sounds of tuning instruments and distant riffs.
When they reached the studio door, Shiori took a deep breath and opened it.
Inside was a spacious room with pristine band equipment. Drums in the corner, amps lined up against the walls, and a mixer table stationed at the back.
"Well… it's not awful," Nerissa admitted, scanning the space.
Bijou strolled over to a nearby electric guitar, inspecting the strings. "Looks decent. Wonder if it still sounds good."
Fuwawa and Mococo tested the keyboard and drums respectively. Shiori switched on the mixer, and Nerissa tapped a mic.
"Test… test…" Her voice echoed clearly. She smirked. "Okay, not bad."
Bijou strummed a note and adjusted the tuning. "Yeah, this'll do."
"Alright," Shiori said, hands on the controls. "Let's try something simple."
But before a single note could be played, the door burst open with a sharp bang.
"Well, well. I thought I smelled rookies stumbling into sacred ground."
The temperature in the room dropped. All eyes turned to the door—where a tall blonde girl stood, her haughty smirk gleaming like polished arrogance.
Elizabeth.
She stepped inside with elegance, eyes scanning the studio before landing on Shiori. A smirk tugged at her lips.
"Don't tell me… you're actually serious about this band?" she said mockingly. "Fascinating. I thought this school had higher standards."
Nerissa growled, but before she could respond, another voice joined in.
"And look who we have here…"
From behind Elizabeth, Gigi entered with her arms crossed. Her gaze locked onto Bijou.
"Koseki Bijou… Really? In this band? What's a gamer gonna do—button-mash a guitar solo?"
Bijou's fists clenched.
Elizabeth chuckled and turned to leave. "Good luck. I look forward to watching you crash and burn."
Gigi snorted as they left. Just before the door shut, Elizabeth turned once more and let out a theatrical laugh, like royalty dismissing peasants.
Silence settled in.
Fuwawa exhaled. "They're going to be insufferable."
Mococo struck the drum lightly. "We'll make them regret ever mocking us."
Shiori steadied her breath. "There's no turning back now. We're going to prove Advent isn't just a band… we're a force."
With fire in their hearts, the five girls returned to their instruments.
Their first rehearsal was about to begin. And so was the battle.