“It’s showtime!” The male MC announced enthusiastically, his voice resonating through the studio. The female MC joined in, her energy infectious.

“Good evening, everyone! We’re back on this wonderful Saturday evening to accompany your weekend!” she said cheerfully.

Together, they shouted in unison, “Music Station!!” The live audience erupted in cheers, their excitement palpable.

Backstage, Kaede stood frozen, her hands trembling slightly. She glanced at Yukina and Risa, who were equally pale and wide-eyed. Taking a deep breath, Kaede reached out, intertwining her fingers with theirs. “Let’s do our best,” she said softly, her gaze filled with determination. Yukina and Risa nodded, their nervousness tempered by Kaede’s quiet strength.

The show began with the MCs calling the artists one by one. “This band is a rising rookie group that has taken the internet by storm with their viral hit ‘Fragment of Us.’ Let’s give it up for... Chasing Stardust!”

Kaede, Yukina, and Risa stepped onto the stage, their sunglasses masking their anxiety as they smiled and bowed to the audience. They tried their best to appear confident, despite their racing hearts. As they took their place beside the MCs, the introductions continued, with each artist receiving their moment in the spotlight.

Finally, the last group was announced. “And now, the one and only Celestial!”

The crowd’s roar was deafening. Kaede’s heart skipped a beat as she watched Mirei and her group walk in, their presence commanding the room. Save the best for last, huh? Kaede thought, her emotions swirling. Despite her best efforts to stay composed, she couldn’t help but steal glances at Mirei, who looked as stunning and charismatic as ever.

---

Chasing Stardust’s turn came quickly. Before their performance, they were invited for a brief talk session with the MCs. The spotlight shone on them, and Kaede could feel the weight of the audience’s gaze.

“This is your first time on Music Station. How does it feel?” the male MC asked, extending the microphone to Kaede.

Startled, Kaede instinctively passed the mic to Risa, who took over without hesitation. “It’s such an honor to be invited here! We’re really excited and grateful to be on this stage. Thank you to Starries and everyone who supports us!” Risa said brightly, her enthusiasm drawing cheers from the crowd.

The MC chuckled, noticing Kaede’s shyness, and moved on. “We’ve heard that you all started as trainees. How did the band come together?”

This time, the mic went to Yukina. “Well, we were friends as trainees. We didn’t debut back then, but later, we accidentally formed this band as a hobby. It’s amazing how far we’ve come since then,” she said with a smile.

The MCs exchanged impressed looks. “That’s such an inspiring story. From trainees to a viral sensation—what a journey!”

The conversation turned to their hit song. “Can you tell us about the inspiration behind ‘Fragment of Us’ and what it means?”

Yukina passed the mic to Kaede, who hesitated for a moment before speaking. “The lyrics tell a story about breaking up but still catching glimpses of those shared memories everywhere. It’s bittersweet. Even though the lyrics are sad, the upbeat melody gives it a ‘dance it away’ kind of vibe. That’s what we aimed for when we worked on the song together.”

Her explanation drew applause from the audience, but the next question caught her off guard. “Do you usually write lyrics based on your personal experiences?”

Kaede froze momentarily but decided to answer honestly. “Well… yes.” She smiled sheepishly, her cheeks tinged with pink, as the MCs and audience cheered for her candidness.

---

In the seated area, Mirei watched intently, her heart heavy. Hearing Kaede speak about the song’s inspiration struck a chord deep within her. She must have been through so much… Mirei thought, guilt weighing on her shoulders. She silently hoped that Kaede hadn’t blamed herself for their breakup. The thought of Kaede questioning her worth or wondering what she had done wrong made Mirei’s chest tighten. She clenched her fists, fighting back tears.

Minami noticed Mirei’s inner turmoil and gently placed a hand over hers. “You okay?” she whispered. Mirei nodded but didn’t say a word, her gaze never leaving Kaede.

The male MC turned his attention to Mirei. “Speaking of ‘Fragment of Us,’ Mirei, you were the first to do the dance challenge for it. What made you decide to do that?”

Mirei straightened up, startled by the question but quickly composing herself. “I happened to hear the song one day, and I thought it was so cute and catchy. I decided to create a dance challenge for fun, not expecting it to go viral. It’s such a great song, and I really love it,” she said, flashing her signature smile.

For a brief moment, her eyes met Kaede’s across the room. “Thank you,” Mirei said softly, her sincerity unmistakable. Kaede smiled back, her heart fluttering at the unexpected acknowledgment.

---

The interview ended, and it was time for Chasing Stardust to perform. The lights dimmed, and the familiar drumbeat of “Fragment of Us” filled the studio. Kaede, Yukina, and Risa took their positions on stage.

At first, they performed with focused intensity, nailing every note and step as rehearsed. But as the chorus approached, Kaede’s nerves began to fade. Risa playfully tugged her to the front, dancing with her in a way that eased the tension.

By the time they reached the viral dance part, the energy was electric. Kaede encouraged the audience to join in, her confidence growing with every cheer. Even some of the seated artists stood up, grooving along to the infectious beat.

Mirei watched from her seat, unable to take her eyes off Kaede. She’s incredible, she thought, her chest swelling with pride and longing. Minami noticed Mirei’s gaze and smirked knowingly but said nothing.

As the final note rang out, the studio erupted into applause. Kaede stood on stage, her heart soaring. She was proud not only of the performance but also of the fact that Mirei had been there to witness it.

Yukina and Risa, overwhelmed with emotion, had tears streaming down their cheeks. The three of them bowed deeply before leaving the stage, their bond stronger than ever.

Backstage, Kaede stole a moment to herself, leaning against the wall as she caught her breath. Her thoughts drifted to Mirei once again, her emotions a whirlwind of pride, longing, and unresolved feelings. Though the night wasn’t over, Kaede knew this performance marked a turning point—not just for Chasing Stardust but for her as well.