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"Are you ready?" Subaru asks. No, you're not. But you aren't sure you'll ever be ready...so, maybe it's finally time to bite the bullet. Aaaah, but to be perceived! Why would they invite you to perform...
"Wahahaha!" Leo shouts. "Can you feel the music in your bones?" An introductory piece plays while you prepare backstage. You're supposed to be able to feel it in your bones!? you wonder. Clearly you're doing something wrong.
Hinata tosses you a rag. You nod gratefully and pat your face dry from the anxious sweating. He gives you a thumbs up. "You'll be fine!"
You aren't sure about that! They're so bright. Literally. They shine like the orange sun, and you stand in their shadow. A crazy thought enters your mind: a plan to escape, mere seconds before the performance. After all, no one would miss you...
you
"Mayo-chan."
The new voice comes from right beside you. "Are you nervous?"
"Yes..." you admit. Those other three are doing some physical warm-ups while chatting away, carefree. You wish you had their confidence. "How do you do it?"
"Hmm. Performing is fun and all, but I'm mostly thinking about the reward at the end."
Reward? That was a little abstract. What do you want most? Recognition? No...what you want most is to be proud of yourself and your performance. You want to be able to stand beside, not behind, those shining stars.
"I think I see what you mean. What kind of reward do you look forward to?"
the reward
"A big meal, usually!! Dancing and singing makes me hungry."
He grabs your hand, suddenly. You squeak in shock, not comfortable with the sensation of physical touch. You instinctively start pulling your hand out of his grip, but he's holding on too firmly. Whatever this is...you don't think you can avoid it anymore.
"Let's go step into the light together."