The morning of the final concert dawned with an air of both excitement and apprehension. Celestial’s first solo tour was about to reach its grand finale. The members—Mirei, Minami, Ayumi, Hikari, and Emi—had been up since dawn, rehearsing tirelessly. The energy backstage buzzed with the hum of stylists, staff, and crew ensuring everything was perfect for the historic night.

  Mirei, however, carried a silent storm within her. Her chest felt heavier with each passing hour, but she forced a smile, hoping her determination would see her through. As the clock ticked down to thirty minutes before showtime, the group gathered in the hallway, dressed in their dazzling stage outfits.

  The distant roar of the crowd reverberated through the walls, a thrilling yet daunting reminder of the thousands of eyes awaiting them. As the members began their walk to the stage entrance, Mirei suddenly froze mid-step.

  Her chest tightened like a vice, the air around her thinning. She gasped, clutching her ribs, her vision blurring. “Not again,” she thought, her heart pounding wildly.

  Minami noticed immediately. “Mirei!” she excimed, rushing to her side. A staff member quickly brought over a chair, guiding Mirei to sit.

  “Breathe, Mirei. In and out, slowly,” Minami said, her voice firm but gentle.

  The staff member crouched down, handing Mirei an oxygen mask. “It’s okay, Mirei. You’ve got this,” they reassured her.

  But Mirei’s panic only deepened. Her hands trembled, tears streaming uncontrolbly. “Why now? Why can’t I just be okay for one night?” she thought, guilt and frustration crashing over her like waves.

  Minami’s grip on her shoulder tightened. “You’ve been through tougher things, Mirei. This is just a bump. We’re here for you,” she said, locking eyes with her.

  The moments crawled by, every second feeling like an eternity. The clock was ticking—ten minutes to showtime.

  “Minami, we have to go,” the staff urged Minami, their voices tinged with urgency.

  “I’m staying—” Minami began, but the staff cut her off. “Minami, you’re the leader. You have to lead the team. We’ll take care of her.”

  Reluctantly, Minami stood, her expression conflicted. “You better make it,” she whispered to Mirei before joining the others.

  Mirei sat in the chair, struggling to regute her breathing. The walls of the hallway seemed to close in on her, the sound of her own heartbeat drowning out everything else. Her tears continued to fall, her body trembling as she whispered to herself, “You can do this. You can’t let them down.”

  At five minutes to showtime, Mirei’s breathing had steadied, though her body felt drained. She rose shakily to her feet, assisted by two staff members. Together, they half-ran down the hallway, the stage entrance coming into view.

  She arrived backstage with seconds to spare, her face pale but determined. The other members looked at her with concern but quickly masked their emotions as the stage lights dimmed, signaling the start of the show.

  ---

  The curtain rose to thunderous appuse, the stadium vibrating with the energy of thousands of fans. The opening beats of their first song boomed through the speakers, and Celestial took their positions.

  Mirei pushed herself to the front, her movements slightly stiff but precise. She couldn’t afford to falter. Three songs passed in a blur of lights, music, and adrenaline. Mirei felt like she was walking a tightrope, each step a delicate bance between composure and colpse.

  The script called for her to start the opening ment, but Minami, ever perceptive, took the lead. “Thank you all for being here tonight,” she said with a radiant smile, covering for Mirei without missing a beat.

  Mirei stepped forward for the closing ment of the segment, her voice slightly shaky but sincere. “You’ve all given us so much love and support. Tonight, we want to give you everything we’ve got.”

  The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices a wave of encouragement that bolstered her spirits.

  ---

  As the concert progressed, the other members subtly supported Mirei, masking her struggles with practiced ease. Ayumi held her hand as they transitioned between stages, while Hikari discreetly steadied her during choreography. Emi gave support over lines Mirei was supposed to sing, her voice blending seamlessly to fill the gaps.

  Despite their efforts, Mirei felt the weight of her condition. Her chest burned with every breath, and her legs trembled beneath her. “Just a little longer,” she thought, repeating the mantra in her head.

  By the final third of the show, Mirei found a second wind. Her body, though exhausted, seemed to adapt. Her movements became more fluid, her voice steadier.

  As they performed their st song, “Eternal Bloom,” Mirei looked out into the sea of fans. The concert hall was a breathtaking sea of vibrant lightsticks, their glowing colors dancing in unison like stars in the night sky, creating a mesmerizing and unforgettable sight. A bittersweet smile tugged at her lips. “I can’t give up. Not tonight.”

  The final note echoed through the hall, the lights dimming as the crowd roared their approval. The members bowed deeply, tears streaming down their faces as they thanked their fans.

  ---

  Backstage, Mirei barely made it to the waiting room before colpsing onto the couch. Staff rushed to her side, helping her drink water and cool down.

  The manager approached, his expression stern but concerned. “Mirei, you’re going to the doctor tomorrow. No arguments.”

  Mirei nodded weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you for letting me see this through.”

  That night, at the afterparty, Mirei sat quietly, sipping a cup of tea. She listened to her members ugh and recount stories, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. Despite her struggles, they had completed the tour together.

  ---

  The next morning, Mirei sat in the doctor’s office, her heart pounding as she awaited the results. The doctor’s expression was kind but serious.

  “Mirei, you’re experiencing panic attacks,” he expined. “It’s likely stress-induced, given your profession. We’ll work together to manage it, but you need to prioritize your health.”

  Mirei stared at him, the words sinking in slowly. Panic attacks. She had heard of them before, but never imagined she would be affected.

  As she left the office, she felt a strange mix of relief and trepidation. “At least I know what’s wrong,” she thought. “Now I just have to figure out how to live with it.”

  And so, with newfound resolve, Mirei prepared to face the challenges ahead, determined to keep shining for Celestial—and for herself.