Shiori Novella
Night had fallen over Hololive High. The students who lived in the dormitories had returned to their rooms, the campus settling into quiet as the world prepared for a new day. But in a far corner of the school, one girl sat alone—her mind clouded, haunted by the events that had upended her carefully organized life.
Shiori sat at her desk, staring at a blank page in her notebook. Normally, lyrics flowed from her pen like water from a stream—effortless, raw, poetic. But tonight, her thoughts were consumed by something else. A band she didn't ask for. A leadership role she never wanted.
"Why me?"
She had always been the type to plan, to calculate, to see five steps ahead. But music wasn't something you could simply map out—it was feeling, unity, harmony. How could she lead people who didn't even want to be in the same room together?
She exhaled slowly, frustration curling in her breath. "But... I'm not letting myself get expelled."
Her eyes wandered to the bass leaning quietly in the corner of her room. She had never played in a band before. Writing lyrics and composing in her own world was her domain. Now she was expected to adapt, to blend her rhythm into a chaotic group of misfits.
"If this is a test... then I'll pass it. My way."
Her eyes sharpened. If they were going to become a band, she would make sure they wouldn't just survive—they would dominate.
A-D-V-E-N-T
ROCK ON!
---
Nerissa Ravencroft
In a dimly lit dorm room, the only light came from a laptop screen. Nerissa sat in silence, headphones on, listening intently to the sound of her own voice.
Recordings of her vocals played on loop. Again and again.
"I don't need a band," she muttered. "I could be a solo artist if I wanted to."
But the truth was... the events of the day wouldn't leave her alone. Being forced to work with others, losing control over her music—it burned in her like a fire she couldn't put out.
She closed her eyes and pictured the stage. A vast auditorium. Lights focused only on her. The roar of her name echoing through a sea of fans. And yet... in that vision, faintly—almost imperceptibly—she heard bass, drums, guitar, and keys rising beneath her voice.
She shook her head. "This is temporary. I'll prove I don't need them."
But deep down, a whisper stirred in her heart—one she hated to admit.
Maybe... just maybe... this band could be something more.
A-D-V-E-N-T
ROCK ON!
---
Koseki Bijou
Bijou lay sprawled on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her fingers moved through the air, unconsciously mimicking a solo on her invisible guitar.
"This is... interesting."
Expulsion didn't scare her—not really. What fascinated her was the challenge. Forming a band, playing with others... it was so unlike anything she'd done before.
She smirked to herself. "I wonder what it feels like to create harmony with other people."
They were all different, wildly so. But maybe that was the point. Maybe their clash could forge something powerful.
Reaching to her side, she grabbed her guitar and plucked a soft note—letting it echo.
"If this is fate... I'm going to enjoy the ride."
A-D-V-E-N-T
ROCK ON!
---
Fuwawa Abyssgard
Fuwawa let out a long sigh. She and Mococo sat on their shared bed, side by side, silence stretching between them like a fragile thread.
"I still can't believe we have to be in a band together," she finally muttered.
Mococo turned to her, puzzled. "What do you mean? We've always done things together."
Fuwawa shook her head. "This is different. Playing keyboard in a band isn't just about hitting the right notes. I have to support Nerissa's vocals, sync with your drumming, and blend with the others."
Mococo nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah... but don't you think that sounds kinda fun?"
Fuwawa didn't answer immediately. The truth was, she'd never really considered being in a band. It had always just been her and Mococo, against the world. But now... there were others in the equation.
She drew a breath. "Maybe this could be... something exciting."
A-D-V-E-N-T
ROCK ON!
---
Mococo Abyssgard
Mococo sat at the edge of her bed, a pair of drumsticks twirling in her hand. She tapped a slow rhythm on her thigh, imagining what their music might sound like.
"A drummer's the heartbeat of a band..."
She knew that. She knew that every beat she played would shape their sound. That meant pressure—but also power.
She smiled. "I wonder what it's like to play in a real band."
Her eyes flicked to Fuwawa. Her sister still looked thoughtful, probably overanalyzing the whole situation. But Mococo believed in them. They'd figure it out—together.
She gave Fuwawa a light tap on the shoulder. "Don't overthink it. Let's just go with the flow."
Fuwawa glanced at her, then smiled faintly. "Yeah. You're right."
A-D-V-E-N-T
ROCK ON!
---
In their own corners of the school, five girls—each wrestling with their own doubts—began to accept the reality before them.
Tomorrow, they would take the first step toward a future none of them could've imagined.
A-D-V-E-N-T
ROCK ON!
---
Morning at Hololive High felt like any other. Students wandered the halls, chatting cheerfully or tuning their instruments. The sun filtered through the large glass windows, casting golden light across the central atrium. But for Shiori Novella, the morning felt heavy.
She moved through the corridor, shoulders stiff, mind still fogged with last night's verdict. Band leader? That was never part of the plan. Not with these people. Not with this mess.
As she turned toward the stairs, someone yanked the collar of her jacket from behind.
"Oi, Shiori. You were summoned last night, weren't you? What happened?"
She sighed. She knew that voice.
Turning slowly, her eyes met the sharp gaze of Vestia Zeta—keyboardist, second vocalist of H3RO, and Hololive High's unofficial interrogator.
Zeta crossed her arms, curiosity lighting up her eyes. "Seriously, I saw you and the others leave the counselor's office. What kind of trouble did you get into this time?"
Shiori raised an eyebrow. "Planning to write a report on me, detective?"
Zeta snorted. "Not my problem. But it smells like something big."
Shiori paused. Rumors spread fast here. And with their reputation? Best to control the narrative.
"In short—we were forced to form a band."
Zeta blinked. "Wait... forced? By who?"
"Motoaki Tanigo."
Zeta's jaw dropped. "The principal? He never gets involved directly. Why you five?"
"Our grades are a disaster," Shiori replied flatly. "He said if we don't prove ourselves, we're out."
Zeta stood in stunned silence. Then her lips curled into a grin. "Hah... interesting. So you'll be our rivals now?"
Shiori rolled her eyes. "We're not even a real band yet."
"Well, I'll be watching," Zeta grinned wider. "Let's see what Advent's got."
As Shiori walked away, Zeta remained by the staircase, smirking to herself.
"Advent, huh? This... could be fun."
Shiori didn't turn back—but she knew.
H3RO had just chosen their rivals.
And whether this was the start of something great—or a storm waiting to break—was anyone's guess.
A-D-V-E-N-T
ROCK ON!
The classroom buzzed with morning chatter and the soft rustling of pages turning. Golden sunlight streamed through the large windows, illuminating desks cluttered with musical instruments, theory books, and scattered sheet music. A few students were already warming up their voices or practicing quietly before class began.
In one quiet corner of the room, Koseki Bijou sat hunched over her desk, her chin resting in her hand. Her eyes were heavy with sleep—clearly, she hadn't gotten much rest.
"You look like a zombie this morning."
A familiar voice snapped her from her daze. Across from her sat Kaela Kovalskia, her expression calm, yet tinged with concern.
Bijou blinked slowly, still adjusting to the morning light. "Huh…? Oh. Kaela. Morning."
Kaela squinted at her. "You didn't log in last night. We were supposed to farm items together. Everything alright?"
Bijou let out a long sigh and rubbed her face. "Believe it or not, I'm dealing with a real problem."
Kaela raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess—you finally got caught cheating in-game?"
Bijou rolled her eyes. "No, you grind-obsessed maniac. It's a school problem."
Kaela leaned back in her chair. "Go on."
Bijou stared at the desk for a moment, then finally spoke. "I… along with Shiori, Nerissa, Fuwawa, and Mococo—we've been forced to form a band."
Kaela paused. Then let out a soft chuckle. "Forced? Who's crazy enough to pull something like that?"
Bijou groaned. "Motoaki Tanigo. The principal himself. We're apparently the five most problematic students in the school—our grades are a mess. So, he gave us an ultimatum: prove we belong here by forming a band… or get expelled."
Kaela blinked, clearly surprised. Then she smiled faintly. "So that's why you disappeared last night? You were spiraling over your doomed future?"
Bijou scowled. "Yes! I mean, we all like music, but this? This is completely different! I only know how to play guitar, Shiori only cares about writing lyrics and basslines, Nerissa's a diva even if she can sing, and don't even get me started on Fuwawa and Mococo—they're wrapped up in their own sibling weirdness!"
Kaela bit her lip to suppress a laugh. "Honestly? Sounds like a band I'd want to see."
Bijou shot her a glare. "This isn't funny, Kaela! I seriously don't even know if we can work together."
Kaela shrugged. "Well, like it or not, sounds like you've got one option—give it everything you've got. I mean, come on. You're not exactly the 'give up' type."
Bijou sighed again. "I don't know... Maybe I just need a long gaming session later to calm my nerves."
Kaela grinned. "I'll be waiting for you online tonight. And hey—who knows? This band of yours might turn out to be more fun than you think."
Bijou grumbled something under her breath, but deep down, she knew Kaela might be right.
Still… how were five people who barely got along supposed to become a real band?