Chapter Text
Upon the brilliant stage, a show was being performed to the thousands of blurred faces in the audience. Their cheers echo throughout the entire auditorium before the show even begins. The colorful beams of light all focused on a single spot. At that moment, the first two singers took their places on the grandest stage of their lives.
Today was the day of the final exams, where the students would display what they’ve learned over the past four years of University. Though the students had been preparing for months, the anxiety of performing still plagued each one awaiting backstage. Some students stared out from behind the curtain at the enormous audience, while others waited anxiously for their turn to sing.
A girl with long pink hair anxiously paced back and forth, while nervously biting her nails. “What if they don’t like my singing? It’ll be so awkward if I mess up a note or forget a lyric. Wait, is my make-up alright?”
Mizi’s white gown trails behind her as she steps towards a mirror, but a girl’s arms gently wrap around her waist from her side. Her familiar voice sounds quiet and kind as always, “Everything will be okay Mizi, and you look amazing.”
Mizi’s best friend, Sua, giggled a bit and leaned closer to her face. She whispered to Mizi, trying to calm her friend down, “We’re the fourth group in line, so we have plenty of time to relax and go over our music if you need to.”
Mizi’s face burns slightly as she moves closer. Sua’s warm breath grazed her lips, sending shivers up her spine. These gestures would’ve sent Mizi's nerves on edge with anyone else, but Sua's presence brought her comfort.
“Thanks Sua, you always know how to cheer me up.” Mizi smiles and adjusts her voice, “I think I’ll be fine… Sometimes I just lose myself in my thoughts.”
“It’s okay, I can certainly relate to that.” Sua chuckled. “We should sit until it’s our turn. No use in wasting energy before our performance.”
Mizi nodded and sat in a spot out of the way where they could be alone. Mizi placed her head on Sua’s shoulder, trying to refresh her mind.
Sua smiled and kissed the top of her forehead before leaning her head onto Mizi’s.
She heard the audience cheering, and the first group of performers exited stage left. The second group headed on stage, and then the third.
Sua gently nudged Mizi to wake up, “Mizi, it’s almost our turn. Do you feel okay…?”
Mizi smiled and opened her eyes, “Yeah, I feel a lot better. I just can’t believe after 12 years, we’ll finally be able to achieve our dreams of performing together.”
“I know… I’ve never felt this happy before. We’ve gone through so much, and yet we’re still here… together.” Sua smiled happily and wrapped her arms over Mizi’s shoulders. “Can you feel my heart? It’s pounding so hard, yet I’m not afraid or nervous.”
Mizi’s heart was pounding as well, from both the upcoming performance and Sua’s proximity. But, it felt as though their hearts were in sync, like the beat of a marching band’s fanfare piece. In complete honesty, this feeling was one she yearned for, but she didn't know if Sua would feel the same.
Mizi took a deep breath and spoke, “Hey… Sua? Can I tell you something I’ve wanted to say for a long time?”
“Do we have to exchange words when the answer is right in front of us?” Sua giggled, her warm breath emitting onto Mizi’s lips, “Just let our hearts become one, and we’ll figure out the rest later, okay?”
They both went silent as their lips grew closer together. Their eyes closed, and…
“Group Four! It’s your time to shine!” A student yelled out to them right before their lips met.
Both girls were disappointed of course, but now knew what the other felt. The feeling was raw and beautiful. Sua unwrapped her arms and holds Mizi’s hand, “Let’s go kick some ass! As you’d normally say that is.”
“Pfft, you sound so nice when you say it.” Mizi jokes and follows behind her.
As they stepped out onto the stage, their nervousness was completely gone, replaced with complete love and trust in one another.
The crowds cheered and clapped. The lights, sounds, and atmosphere were perfect for their dream to finally come true.
Taking center stage, Sua’s hands grasp the microphone. Her lips were almost touching the glass casing. “Thank you all for coming to the performance! My name is Sua, and this is my partner Mizi. Tonight, I will be performing my solo piece called ‘Sweet Dream’ (Vivinos), and Mizi is performing hers called ‘Black Sorrow’ (Vivinos). Then, we will conclude our performance with our duet. For our duet, we will be singing a song called ‘My Clematis’(Vivinos). I hope you’ll enjoy our performance!”
The crowds let out an exciting roar in response. Their chests pounded harder than ever, but the trust they had in each other pushed them forward. Mizi stepped back and allowed Sua to perform her solo.
The sound of an electric keyboard began playing in the background, causing the crowds to quiet down. Taking a deep breath, Sua began to sing one of her favorite songs, Sweet Dream.
“It’s just, Sweet Dream~” The mix of the keyboard’s smooth melody and Sua’s pitch-perfect voice echoed throughout the auditorium, piercing the hearts of every fan who heard. Sua always loved the lyrics of the song, despite it being a bit depressing and grim.
“Show me proof that you're here now, Lord~” The song reached its end, and the crowd erupted into thunderous applause. Sua couldn’t maintain her professional attitude, her lips curved into a smile as tears formed in her eyes.
Mizi hugged her friend from behind and whispered into her ear, “You did amazing, Sua. I’m so happy for you!”
Sua nodded and hugged her back. But it was too soon to celebrate now.
As the audience calmed down, Mizi stepped up to the microphone. Her body knew what it had to do, and she was ready. The slow strums of an electric guitar filled the auditorium, begun the emotional song. Mizi took a deep breath and began singing her piece, Black Sorrow.
“So black, black as it can be~” The emotions conveyed through Mizi’s voice brought some audience members to tears. The song would’ve conveyed her true feelings. The feeling of reaching out to someone, but they keep sinking deeper and deeper into the bottomless depths. Only today, was she finally able to grab a hold of that person and never let go.
The audience cheered once Mizi finished her song as well. Mizi’s heart was beating so hard from singing. Small drops of sweat dripped off her face as she grabbed onto the microphone again.
“Truly, thank you for your support.” Mizi let out a gentle laugh, “And I’m sorry if my song made you cry, but I'm deeply grateful that it resonated with you so strongly!”
After their perfect performances, there was only one last song to sing. It was finally time to fulfill the childhood dreams they made together all those years ago.
However, it felt like this cruel universe always found a way to keep Sua away from Mizi, constantly dragging her deeper into the depths and further away from Mizi’s outstretched hand…