Mirei arrived at the agency early that morning, her heart unusually heavy. Her manager had called her in ahead of schedule to “discuss something important.” Though the words were vague, the tone had been stern. She couldn't shake the ominous feeling that clung to her as she walked through the pristine halls of the agency.

  What could it be? she thought to herself. Did I mess up a performance? Did something happen with the group?

  The meeting room door was ajar when she arrived. Her manager sat inside, his face an unreadable mask. The usual light-hearted greetings were absent, repced with a cold, quiet tension that sent chills down Mirei's spine.

  “Sit down, Mirei,” he said, his voice unusually firm.

  She obeyed, lowering herself into the chair opposite him. “What’s going on, Manager? Why do you look so serious?”

  He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached for a folder sitting on the table, pulling out a stack of photographs. His expression was grim, as if he were preparing to drop a bombshell. Without a word, he slid the photos across the table toward her.

  Mirei’s fingers trembled as she picked up the first photograph. Her breath hitched in her throat. Her face went pale as she flipped through the images.

  It was all there.

  Pictures of her and Kaede. In front of Kaede’s apartment, holding hands, embracing, and—Mirei’s heart stopped—a kiss. The kiss they’d shared outside, back when she’d been so reckless, so utterly careless. She had thought they were safe that night. The street had been quiet, and they hadn’t lingered. She had told herself it was fine. But now, the consequences stared back at her in the form of glossy, incriminating evidence.

  Her mind raced in panic, the room spinning around her. This is it. I’m ruined... Our retionship...

  Her manager’s voice cut through her spiraling thoughts like a bde. “So,” he said, his tone hard. “Who is she, Mirei?”

  Mirei swallowed hard, her throat dry. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. The silence was unbearable.

  “Is she… your girlfriend?” he pressed, his voice low but ced with an edge of anger.

  “Yes,” Mirei finally whispered, her voice barely audible.

  Her manager sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. “You know the rules, don’t you? You can’t be irresponsible like this.”

  “I know,” Mirei said quickly, her voice shaking. “I’m sorry. I—”

  “Save it,” he interrupted. “This isn’t just about you, Mirei. It’s about the group’s image. Your actions don’t just affect you; they affect everyone.”

  He picked up one of the photos, studying it for a moment before tossing it back onto the table. “The media hasn’t gotten hold of these yet, but the paparazzi are pressuring us. They’re asking for money. A lot of it.”

  Mirei’s heart sank further. She felt like she was drowning, each word pulling her deeper.

  “The management has discussed this,” her manager continued, his tone softening slightly but remaining firm. “They don’t want to let you go. You’re too valuable to the group. But this can’t happen again. You need to make a choice, Mirei.”

  Her breath caught. “What… kind of choice?”

  Her manager’s eyes bore into hers. “You end the retionship. If you want to continue as an idol, you’ll have to cut ties with her. Completely.”

  Mirei’s eyes widened, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. “But—”

  “There’s no ‘but,’ Mirei,” he said, his voice like iron. “The damage hasn’t been done yet, but if this leaks, it’s over for you—and the group.”

  She sat frozen in her seat, tears threatening to spill. The air felt suffocating, and the weight of the ultimatum pressed heavily on her chest.

  Her manager leaned forward, his voice softer now. “Look, I know this is hard. I’m not saying this to be cruel. But this is the reality of our world. You need to decide what’s more important to you: your career or your retionship. I’ll need your answer by tomorrow.”

  Mirei didn’t respond. She couldn’t.

  “Think about it,” he said, standing up. “Now let’s focus on today’s schedule. Don’t let this affect your work.”

  As he left the room, Mirei remained seated, staring bnkly at the photographs scattered across the table. Her mind was a storm of conflicting emotions.

  She thought of Kaede—the warmth of her smile, the way she always managed to make her ugh, the quiet moments they shared that made Mirei feel like the world wasn’t so heavy.

  The way Kaede had always been by her side from the very beginning, steadfast and unwavering, was a memory that warmed Mirei's heart even in her darkest moments.

  But she also thought of Celestial, the group she had poured her heart and soul into. The stage was her home. Her fans were her family. And of course all of it was her dream...

  Her hands clenched into fists as silent tears streamed down her cheeks.

  ---

  The day’s schedule passed in a blur. Mirei moved mechanically through rehearsals, forcing smiles and singing with a hollow voice. Her bandmates noticed something was off, but none of them dared to ask. Even Minami, who had been keeping a close eye on her, said nothing.

  When Mirei finally had a moment alone, she checked her phone. Dozens of missed calls and messages from Kaede lit up the screen.

  Each message was more desperate than the st:

  "Mirei, please talk to me."

  "I’m sorry for everything. I need to expin."

  "Please don’t hate me. Let me see you."

  Mirei’s chest tightened as she read the words. She could picture Kaede, her usually confident demeanor repced with vulnerability.

  Her thumb hovered over the reply button, tears spilling anew. What am I supposed to do? she thought. Kaede deserves better than this. She deserves someone who can give her everything. But I… I can’t.

  Finally, she typed a single message:

  "Okay, let’s meet tonight. Somewhere private."

  She pressed send, her hands trembling. The weight of the decision she had to make pressed down on her like never before.

  Mirei let out a trembling sigh, her tears cascading down her cheeks as the weight of her decision crushed her.