Days slipped by in an unchanging rhythm, each one filled with an overwhelming weight. Kaede's ankle, still painful and wrapped in a firm brace, prevented her from participating in dance practice, the heart of her training. She could only watch from the sidelines, pushing down the frustration as she focused on everything else—vocals, expressions, anything that kept her feeling part of the process. The managers, staff, and even the other trainees cast concerned glances her way, their sympathy unspoken yet clear. But Kaede held on to her last thread of hope, the quiet determination to somehow make it through the upcoming evaluation.
Mirei was there at her side each day, her encouraging words and reassuring smiles keeping Kaede's spirits up when they started to waver. Though Mirei couldn't fix the situation, she refused to let Kaede succumb to despair, lifting her up whenever her resolve faltered.
The night before the evaluation arrived, and the practice rooms buzzed with an electric, nervous energy as the trainees gathered, exchanging words of encouragement and quick hugs. Each "good bye", each "good luck," felt more weighted than usual, carrying the silent hope that they'd see each other again, on the other side of tomorrow's decisive moment. Gradually, the room emptied out, leaving only Kaede. She lingered, watching her reflection in the mirror as she sat alone in the quiet room, her mind a storm of fears and uncertainties. Her dreams, her hard work, her injuries—all of it collided in her head, forming a chaotic, painful pressure that she couldn't escape.
As the silence settled, Kaede's breath quickened, her hands starting to tremble. The air felt heavier, her vision blurring slightly as tears began to pool in her eyes. What if… What if it all goes wrong? Her mind filled with flashes of possible failure, each one cutting deeper than the last. She gripped her hands tightly, her chest tight with a panic that she couldn't seem to shake, the fear creeping up on her until she could hardly breathe.
In that overwhelming moment, a gentle warmth wrapped around her trembling hands. Startled, Kaede looked up to see Mirei, her gaze soft and reassuring. Mirei's smile was calm and gentle, like a steady light piercing through the storm raging inside her.
Without a word, Mirei pulled Kaede into an embrace, holding her close. The steady beat of Mirei's heart against her own brought Kaede back, grounding her as she clung to Mirei, letting herself sink into the warmth and safety she offered. Mirei held her, running a soothing hand over her back, whispering soft words that Kaede couldn't quite make out but which calmed her all the same.
"Hey, it's alright," Mirei murmured, her voice low and comforting. "You don't have to go through this alone. Whatever happens tomorrow, we'll face it together."
Kaede took a shaky breath, leaning into Mirei's support as the overwhelming panic slowly began to ebb. Her trembling subsided, and the tightness in her chest eased. A calmness settled over her, something she'd forgotten in the whirlwind of her own worries.
After a long silence, Mirei pulled back slightly, brushing a stray tear from Kaede's cheek. "Come on," she whispered, her tone soft yet firm. "Let's get home. Whatever tomorrow brings, we'll take it as it comes."
Kaede nodded, grateful for the quiet strength in Mirei's gaze. They left the practice room together, Mirei's hand resting lightly on her back as they walked side by side, the world outside quiet and still, as though granting them a small pocket of peace before the storm.
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The morning sun seemed harsher than usual, casting sharp shadows in the practice room where all the trainees had gathered, awaiting their turn. The air was thick with tension as each trainee braced for the evaluations ahead. This was the day they'd all been working toward, the day that would decide who made it into the debut lineup.
Kaede kept glancing at the door, nerves swirling in her stomach as she watched trainee after trainee being called in, emerging minutes later with tense expressions, the weight of the evaluation evident in their exhausted faces. Each time the door opened, she felt her anxiety grow a little more, her heartbeat quickening as she mentally prepared for her own turn.
Beside her, Mirei sat with a steady calm, though Kaede could tell she was anxious in her own way. Every so often, Mirei would lean close, whispering something lighthearted or encouraging, just enough to pull Kaede back from the edge of her spiraling thoughts. Despite her own nerves, Mirei's focus never wavered from Kaede, keeping a reassuring presence close by, just as she always had.
Eventually, Mirei's name was called. She stood up, a flash of determination in her eyes as she looked back at Kaede, giving her a small, confident nod. Kaede mustered a shaky smile, holding on to Mirei's strength as she whispered, "Good luck, Mirei."
Mirei smiled back, her expression softening as she reached out to give Kaede's hand a quick squeeze. "You too. Don't push yourself too hard, okay? Just do what you can."
Kaede watched as Mirei disappeared through the door, a mix of pride and admiration filling her as she waited, knowing how hard Mirei had worked for this moment. She kept her eyes on the door, the seconds stretching into what felt like hours as she imagined Mirei in front of the judges, her fierce determination and undeniable talent on full display.
Finally, Mirei returned, her expression serious but radiating a quiet confidence. She caught Kaede's gaze, and her lips curled into a small, reassuring smile. Kaede felt a sense of relief wash over her, even as her own nerves continued to churn in her stomach. She opened her mouth to ask how it went, but Mirei placed a gentle finger against her lips, stopping her.
"Don't worry about me," Mirei whispered, her eyes holding Kaede's with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. "Just focus on yourself, alright? And remember, don't push past your limits."
Kaede nodded, her voice failing her as she took in Mirei's gentle encouragement. Despite the tension in the air, the depth of Mirei's care gave her a renewed sense of courage. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself for her own upcoming evaluation. As she sat there, waiting for her name to be called, Mirei stayed close, her quiet presence an unspoken promise that she wasn't alone.
Time passed slowly, each tick of the clock echoing through the silent room. One by one, the trainees around her were called in, some returning with pale faces and trembling hands, others wearing expressions of relief. Kaede's heart pounded as she watched them, her own anxiety building with each passing minute. And yet, each time she felt herself slipping into the endless cycle of worry, Mirei's presence beside her drew her back, grounding her just enough to keep her from spiraling.
Finally, the door opened once more, and Kaede felt her pulse spike, her name on the tip of her tongue as she braced herself. But this time, the staff member wasn't calling her name. Kaede's turn was still to come, and yet, she felt as if a small weight had lifted from her shoulders. She glanced over at Mirei, who was watching her with that same calm gaze, her lips curved in a faint smile that spoke volumes of her silent encouragement.
As Kaede waited, her nerves remained, but she clung to the quiet strength that Mirei had given her, the unspoken promise that whatever happened, they'd face it together.