A week had passed since Shinji's intense studio session. His song, titled Campfire Freestyle, had quietly made its way into the underground music scene. It wasn't a mainstream hit—yet—but it was gaining traction. People were using it in TikTok videos, and it had sparked conversations in certain online circles. Shinji remained focused, barely acknowledging the growing buzz around his work.
Meanwhile, Obimudeath sat in his car across from the studio. He had been keeping a close eye on Shinji for days, but his frustration was growing. Despite all his surveillance, nothing suspicious had come to light. Shinji had been busy in the studio, just like any other musician. No shady meetings, no odd behavior—just work.
Obimudeath sighed as he stared at his phone, scrolling through the same game he'd been playing for hours. His mission from Aiko's mother was clear: find something on Shinji, anything that could tarnish him. Yet, despite all his efforts, Shinji seemed to be playing by the rules. It was a frustrating dead end, and Obimudeath's patience was wearing thin.
As the evening light began to fade, his phone buzzed. It was Akari, calling him on FaceTime. He quickly answered, her face filling the screen.
"Hey," she greeted him, her voice warm but curious. "How's it going with the investigation?"
Obimudeath shrugged, clearly annoyed. "Nothing yet. I've been watching him for days, but there's nothing to report. He's been in the studio, working. That's it."
Akari frowned, her tone turning more serious. "You need to step it up, Obimudeath. My mom's expecting results. Have you thought about trying a different angle?"
Obimudeath sighed again, leaning back in his seat. "I'm doing what I can. I can't make something happen that isn't there."
"I know," Akari replied, her voice softening. "But we need to be more creative. Think outside the box, you know? I trust you, but you have to push harder."
"I'll try," he said, his tone more determined now. "I promise."
She smiled gently, and there was a pause before she spoke again, her voice softer now. "I love you."
"I love you too," Obimudeath replied, his frustration momentarily forgotten. With a quick goodbye, the call ended, leaving him alone in the car once more.
He sat there in silence for a moment, staring at his phone, before shoving it into his pocket. The investigation was going nowhere, and even though he hated to admit it, he was starting to feel the pressure. Something had to give.
---
Back at Villa Marchesa, Shinichi was lounging on the couch in the living room, his phone in hand. He wasn't doing anything important, just scrolling through TikTok as usual, looking for something to kill time. As he scrolled past the usual dance challenges and meme videos, one sound caught his attention.
The beat was raw, infectious. The lyrics had a gritty, freestyle vibe that immediately grabbed his attention. Shinichi paused, turning up the volume as he listened to the track. The song had a certain underground appeal to it, the kind of track that people would start using as the backdrop for viral videos. As it ended, the title flashed on the screen: Campfire Freestyle.
Shinichi frowned, reading the title aloud. "Campfire Freestyle? Who's this?"
He didn't have to wait long to find out. As the beat played again, he heard someone humming along in the background. He turned to see Shinji, leaning casually against the doorframe, his voice perfectly matching the flow of the song.
"You know this song?" Shinichi asked, turning to face his brother, his confusion evident.
Shinji's gaze flickered with amusement as a slow, wide grin spread across his face. He pushed off the doorframe and sauntered into the room, his expression a mix of arrogance and mischief.
"Yeah," Shinji replied, his voice dripping with confidence. "I made it."
For a moment, Shinichi just stared at him, completely dumbfounded. His brain struggled to process what Shinji had just said. This viral TikTok song… was Shinji's? There was no way. It couldn't be.
"You made this?" Shinichi's voice wavered, the disbelief clear.
Shinji's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with something dark, almost malicious. "Yeah," he said again, his voice low, savoring the moment. "I made it."
The realization hit Shinichi like a truck. His mind raced as he began to connect the dots. If Shinji's song was already gaining popularity, it was only a matter of time before it became huge. People were already using it for TikTok videos, and the song had that underground edge that could blow up any day now.
Shinichi's heart pounded in his chest as panic set in. He couldn't believe it. He wouldn't believe it. If Shinji's music career took off, there was no telling how far he could go. And the worst part? He could potentially become richer and more influential than the Marchesa family ever dreamed of being. Shinji— the bus driver, the man who had nothing— could become something far greater than them.
"No way," Shinichi muttered, shaking his head as if trying to dispel the idea. "You can't be serious."
But the grin on Shinji's face didn't waver. He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a soft, almost taunting tone. "Oh, I'm very serious."
Shinichi felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. He backed up slightly, his mind spinning with fear and disbelief. He couldn't let this happen. There was no way Shinji, of all people, could rise to that level.
A soft, sinister laugh escaped Shinji's lips, echoing in the quiet room.
The reality of the situation hit Shinichi like a tidal wave. Shinji wasn't just a threat anymore. He was a force to be reckoned with, and the thought terrified him.
Shinichi swallowed hard, his pulse racing as the full weight of the situation sank in. Shinji had the potential to become something far more powerful than they ever imagined.