Kaede felt the heavy reality of training return the moment she and Mirei walked through the doors of the practice room. Despite the brief escape and the newfound closeness with Mirei, the high-intensity practice sessions waited for no one. And with the second evaluation looming in just two months, there was no time for distractions. Her ankle was starting sore again, a dull ache flaring up every time she put too much pressure on it, but she couldn't let it slow her down.
She gritted her teeth, trying to brush off the pain. She had endured worse before, she told herself, and if it meant debuting alongside Mirei, she would push through it. Every night, she'd return home to ice her ankle in secret, hiding the bruise forming at the base of her foot. She knew Mirei's concern would only make it harder for her to focus, so Kaede put on a brave face each morning, hoping her resolve would outlast the pain.
But with less than a month left until the 2nd evaluation, the atmosphere had shifted among the trainees. What used to be a camaraderie of shared dreams was now replaced with quiet tension, each trainee feeling the pressure of competition. They barely had a moment to rest, let alone to relax and laugh like they used to. Everyone was giving everything they had, aware that these next few weeks would make or break their chances of debut.
Kaede could feel her endurance waning, but she pushed herself even harder, gritting her teeth every time her ankle protested. Just as she thought she couldn't take another step, the door opened, and a hush fell over the room as the agency's producers entered. Everyone instinctively stood at attention, nerves buzzing with a mix of anticipation and dread. Kaede's heart raced as she exchanged a glance with Mirei, who offered her a small, reassuring smile.
The producers' voices were calm but held an edge that sent chills through the trainees. They reminded them that the evaluation would happen in three weeks, but with a twist: it would involve three phases—singing, dancing, and then both together. The pressure wasn't just to perform well; they would be judged on their expressions, presence, and how well they could embody the concept the agency had chosen for the group.
"Only five members will debut," one of the producers announced, his words hanging heavy in the air. The quiet gasps and murmurs were immediate. With nine of them left, four of them wouldn't make it. Kaede felt her heart sink, the familiar tightness returning to her chest. Her mind instantly went to her injury. What if it held her back? What if, after all the pain and sacrifice, she couldn't keep up and was cut?
As the producers left, the room felt heavier than ever. Mirei reached for Kaede's hand, squeezing it gently, a silent reminder that she was there. Even with her own nerves, Mirei did her best to calm everyone, but Kaede could feel the anxiety gnawing at her. She wanted so badly to be in that group of five, and it terrified her that her ankle could be the deciding factor.
The following days only grew more intense. Each trainee pushed themselves to the limit, practicing every movement with a desperation they hadn't felt before. Some of the trainees, like Risa, struggled with certain dance parts, but with the competition fierce, no one was willing to help her this time. Normally, her friend Emi would have been by her side, offering pointers and encouragement. But now, everyone was too focused on their own performance, afraid of jeopardizing their own chances by diverting energy elsewhere.
Kaede couldn't stand to watch Risa struggle alone. She approached her, gently asking, "Are you okay, Risa?"
Risa hesitated, her eyes filling with uncertainty before she admitted, "I still have trouble with the beginning of Startline. I just…can't seem to get it right."
Kaede gave her a reassuring nod. "Let's work on it together. I'm still struggling with that part, too." It wasn't entirely true, but she wanted Risa to feel less alone.
Mirei, who had noticed the exchange, joined them, offering guidance with her usual gentle patience. For a while, it felt like old times—like they were all in this together again, despite the looming competition. After a few attempts, Risa finally nailed the sequence, a bright smile lighting up her face.
Just as they were about to start the routine from the top, Kaede felt a sharp, piercing pain radiate from her ankle. The room spun as her leg buckled, and before she could stop herself, she collapsed, her vision blurred from the sudden agony. She heard a faint, panicked voice call her name, and then felt hands gently cradling her shoulders.
"Kaede?!" Mirei's voice was filled with alarm as she knelt beside her, worry evident in her eyes. Kaede tried to sit up, her face flushed from embarrassment and pain, but the throbbing in her ankle was too intense.
"I'm…I'm fine," Kaede stammered, forcing a smile despite the pain etched across her face.
But Mirei wasn't convinced. She helped Kaede up, insisting they sit out for a moment. Kaede tried to brush it off, but the fear in Mirei's eyes made her stop. It was clear that hiding her pain wasn't an option anymore.