Today was August 18th, the day Celestial’s much-anticipated fourth album, Eternal Bloom, was officially released. From the early hours, the group was bustling with preparations for their comeback show performance ter in the evening. The studio was alive with activity: lights being tested, dancers rehearsing their formations, and the sound of st-minute vocal practices filling the air.

  “Mirei!” Emi called out, jogging over to her with a slightly flustered expression.

  “What is it, Emi?” Mirei asked, her tone as calm as ever despite the whirlwind of activity around her.

  “Can you help me a bit with this part of the choreography? Something feels... off. I just can’t get it right,” Emi said, gncing nervously at the stage.

  Mirei smiled warmly. “Of course, Emi. Let’s work on it together.”

  Even though Mirei was no longer the official leader of Celestial, the members still instinctively leaned on her. She had a way of grounding everyone, her presence a steady force amidst the chaos.

  They stepped aside, away from the main practice area. Mirei demonstrated the part of the routine Emi was struggling with, her movements fluid and precise. “Here, try this instead,” Mirei suggested, adjusting Emi’s arm positioning and flow. “It’ll make the transition smoother. And then, bam! You hit the beat like this.”

  Emi followed her lead, trying again with renewed determination. After a few attempts, she finally got it.

  “Perfect! That was great, Emi,” Mirei praised, cpping lightly.

  Emi beamed. “Thanks, Mirei. You’re a lifesaver.”

  “Anytime,” Mirei replied with a grin. “Now let’s head back before they start without us.”

  ---

  As the group gathered at the set, Minami sidled up to Mirei, her voice a whisper that startled Mirei out of her thoughts.

  “Mirei!”

  “Hmm? What is it, Minami?” Mirei asked, turning to her with curious eyes.

  “Thanks for helping Emi earlier. I saw you two.”

  Mirei chuckled softly. “Of course, Minami. We’re a team, remember? Don’t carry all the weight on your shoulders just because you’re the leader now. We’ve all got each other’s backs.”

  Minami let out a shaky breath, her nerves clearly getting the better of her. “Honestly... I’m really nervous this time. This is my first major performance as the leader, and it’s so much harder than I thought it’d be.”

  Mirei’s heart clenched with a pang of guilt. She couldn’t deny that some of Minami’s burden had been a result of her own actions.

  “Minami... I’m sorry. If I hadn’t—”

  “No,” Minami interrupted firmly, her gaze steady. “Don’t say that, Mirei. It’s not your fault. I chose to take this on. Please, don’t bme yourself.”

  Mirei sighed, her expression softening. “Minami, listen. Leadership isn’t about being perfect. I made plenty of mistakes when I was in your shoes, but you were always there to help me. And now it’s my turn to help you. We’re all here for you—me, Emi, Hikari, and Ayumi. You’re not alone, okay?”

  Minami felt tears prick the corners of her eyes but managed to hold them back. Mirei’s words, her calm reassurance, filled her chest with warmth.

  “Thank you, Mirei. I’ll do my best,” Minami said, her voice steadying.

  “That’s the spirit,” Mirei said, fshing her a confident smile. “We’re Celestial, Minami. We’ve got this.”

  Minami smiled back, her heart lighter than before.

  ---

  Evening arrived, and the air buzzed with anticipation as fans filled the venue for Celestial’s comeback show. The lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted into deafening cheers as the first member stepped onto the stage, followed by the rest of the group.

  The performance was nothing short of mesmerizing. From high-energy tracks to emotional balds, the group showcased their versatility with every note and movement. The title track, Eternal Bloom, was a soft, poignant bald accompanied by contemporary dance. It was a departure from their usual style, highlighting their vocal harmonies and heartfelt lyrics.

  Mirei poured her soul into the performance, her voice soaring above the melody. Yet, as she moved across the stage, her eyes unconsciously scanned the audience, searching. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw a familiar face, but it was just her imagination. Kaede wasn’t there.

  She pushed down the wave of disappointment that threatened to surface. Of course Kaede wasn’t there. Mirei had been the one to push her away. What right did she have to expect otherwise?

  ---

  Meanwhile, in the basement studio of DreamWave Entertainment, Kaede was hard at work with her bandmates, Yukina and Risa. They were recording a track for their upcoming album, their focus unwavering—or at least it seemed that way.

  “Kaede,” Risa said during a brief pause, her tone cautious.

  “Hmm?” Kaede replied, not looking up as she tuned her guitar.

  “Today’s the release day for Celestial’s new album, right?” Risa asked, her words hanging in the air.

  Kaede froze for a fraction of a second before continuing as if nothing had happened. “Oh, really? I hadn’t noticed. I’ll check it out ter.”

  Yukina raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “You’re still following them, aren’t you?”

  Kaede sighed, finally setting her guitar down. “How could I not? But... I need to focus on what we’re doing here. That’s what matters now.”

  Risa exchanged a gnce with Yukina, both of them sensing the weight Kaede was carrying.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Risa asked gently.

  Kaede’s lips tightened into a thin line. “I’m fine. Let’s get back to recording.”

  Though her words were firm, her heart ached. Deep down, she wanted nothing more than to see Mirei, to hear her voice, to be there cheering her on. But she couldn’t. Not now. Not until she stood on equal footing.

  The music started, and Kaede threw herself into the recording session, her voice resonating with a rawness that surprised even her bandmates. Each note carried a piece of her heart, fragments of longing and determination woven into the melody.

  As the session ended, Kaede leaned back in her chair, exhaustion washing over her. She thought about Mirei, about their dreams and the paths they were walking now.

  “Someday,” Kaede whispered to herself. “Someday, I’ll stand beside you again. And maybe then...”

  Her voice trailed off, leaving the words unspoken. A faint smile pyed on her lips, bittersweet and full of hope.

  ---

  Back at the venue, the show ended in a crescendo of cheers and appuse. Celestial had outdone themselves, their new album climbing the charts within hours of its release.

  Mirei stood backstage with the other members, her heart still heavy despite the success of the night. As the buzz of celebration surrounded her, she gnced out at the emptying seats one st time.

  “Kaede...” she murmured under her breath.

  The world was watching her, expecting her to shine brighter than ever. But in the quiet corners of her heart, she couldn’t help but yearn for the person she’d once called her brightest star.

  ---

  Though they were walking separate paths, the thread that connected them remained unbroken, stretched across the distance like an unspoken promise. Neither Mirei nor Kaede knew what the future held, but they both carried the hope that someday, their paths would cross again.