Chapter 60: Rising Stars
The days passed in a blur for both Kaede and Mirei as they were swept up in their busy schedules. Despite not seeing each other often, they kept in constant contact through texts, sharing bits and pieces of their lives. Kaede's phone buzzed with messages from Mirei, who was in the middle of preparing for her second single, Shine On! She sent Kaede photos of her outfits, snippets of the set design, and little behind-the-scenes stories from the shoot.
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Mirei: Heyyy! Guess what? Just got the concept outfit for "Shine On!" Look! ( ☆∀☆)
[Mirei sends a photo of herself in a black top outfit with an outer long sleeve shirt, she has something like cute stickers on her face, looking radiant and confident.]
Kaede: OMG! You look so pretty and cute. I can't believe I'm seeing this before everyone else!
Mirei: Haha, VIP privileges just for you (*^^*). But seriously, I can't wait for everyone to see it! "Shine On!"
Kaede thought to herself, that's the song that made me a fan before I came here. The first time I saw Mirei perform in the MV at the screen when going home from school feeling hopeless…
Kaede: Haha, you're too much! (*≧д≦) I'm totally entering that fan meeting luckydraw. I don't care how many tries it takes, I'll get in and support you!
Mirei: No way! You'd do that? I mean… I'd love to see you there, but aren't you busy with Chasing Stardust?
Kaede: Yeah, things are pretty hectic. We've got some new gigs lined up… Oh! Guess what? We're actually will be an opening act for Cosmos! ('ー')/~~
Mirei: WHAT? (○_○)!! Kaede, that's huge! Cosmos is a pretty big deal! I'm so proud of you!
Kaede: Thanks, Mirei! It feels surreal. Honestly, I'm kinda nervous, but I can't wait to tell you all about it.
Mirei: You're going to be amazing, Kaede. Just think, 10,000 people are going to see you shine. I'll be cheering from afar, even if I can't be there in person. ( T∀T) I miss you…
Kaede: I miss you too… Wish you could see me on that big stage. Promise I'll do my best to make you proud! (￣▽￣)b
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Their chats became a lifeline in their whirlwind lives, adding a little spark to Kaede's days as she juggled Chasing Stardust's preparations. As each day passed, Kaede felt her anticipation grow, and even the tiniest messages from Mirei filled her with strength and happiness.
A week later, it was time for Chasing Stardust's second official performance. The trio, Kaede, Risa, and Yukina, arrived at the venue with a sense of calm confidence. They had practiced hard, and this time they felt prepared, enjoying the energy from their excited fans. The crowd's cheers filled the room as they performed, and the trio shared glances and smiles of encouragement. The night ended with roaring applause, and Kaede felt a swell of pride. They were growing, slowly but surely.
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Another week passed, and Chasing Stardust found themselves standing in a bigger venue with a 200-seat capacity. The larger space made them a little nervous, but the thrill outweighed their fear. As they started their performance, a funny mishap happened on stage. Risa, known for her cheerful nature, tripped slightly during one of the routines but turned it into an impromptu dance move, laughing it off in a way that made the crowd laugh along with her. Kaede and Yukina covered for her quickly, playing off the moment, and their fans seemed to love the unexpected, genuine moment.
The little incident went viral online, giving Chasing Stardust a surprising boost in exposure. Their fanbase was growing steadily, and while they weren't yet hitting the big leagues, the support was strong for a group from a smaller label. The trio went out of their way to promote their performances themselves, often running through the streets of Tokyo to hand out flyers or even playing street jams to gather more attention.
As they grew busier, the final date of their opening act for Cosmos loomed closer. It was an honor that had them both nervous and exhilarated. The night before the concert, Kaede received a message from Mirei that made her smile.
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Mirei: Hey! How are you feeling? Tomorrow's the big day, right? ( ☆∀☆)
Kaede: Yep, we're actually traveling to Nagoya tonight! It's going to be insane, performing in front of that many people…
Mirei: You'll be great, Kaede. You belong on that stage. I wish I could be there to see you kill it!
Kaede: Haha, no pressure, right? But really, knowing you're rooting for me means everything.
Mirei: Always, Kaede. You're going to blow everyone away. Just remember – be yourself, have fun, and shine! (*^o^)／＼(^-^*)
Kaede: I will! I'll make sure to make you proud. Miss you lots… (*´･ω･)
Mirei: Miss you too. ( *´・ω)/(;д; ) Now go get some rest, my superstar. You'll need it for tomorrow.
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The next morning, Kaede and her bandmates boarded the train, making the journey from Tokyo to Nagoya. The weight of the occasion began to set in as they neared the venue. Seeing the stage for the first time sent a thrill through Kaede – the scale was incredible, with 10,000 seats filling the arena. This was a dream, a rare chance to reach so many people.
Backstage, Kaede, Risa, and Yukina warmed up, each of them trying to shake off their nerves. They shared a quick pep talk, encouraging one another to give their all. Just before stepping onto the stage, Kaede took out her phone, glancing one last time at Mirei's encouraging messages. With a deep breath, she felt her nerves begin to settle. She was ready.
As they walked onto the stage, the bright lights hit them, and the immense crowd buzzed with excitement. Their opening song began, and they poured their hearts into every beat, every note. Kaede could feel her connection to the audience, and the thrill of sharing her music with so many people lifted her spirits higher than she could have imagined.
The performance went flawlessly, and by the time they wrapped up, the crowd was on their feet, clapping and cheering for Chasing Stardust. Kaede's heart swelled with pride, and she could only imagine what Mirei would say if she were here. After the show, they gathered backstage, laughing, exhausted, and exhilarated. They had done it – they'd faced their biggest crowd yet, and it felt like only the beginning.
Once they were backstage, Kaede finally took out her phone to text Mirei.
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Kaede: We did it! I can't believe it!
Mirei: YES! I knew you would! How did it feel?
Kaede: Like magic, it felt like a dream... The crowd, the lights… it was all surreal. I can't thank you enough for believing in me.
Mirei: Always, Kaede. I'm just proud to see you shining like this. I wish I could've been there, but I know you were amazing.
Kaede: You'll get to see me perform one day. I'll make sure of it! And I'll be cheering you on at your next concert too.
Mirei: Deal. Now go celebrate with your bandmates! You earned it. And remember, I'll be there in spirit. Love you!
Kaede: Love you too… Can't wait to see you again.
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Kaede put her phone away with a warm smile, her heart filled with joy. She couldn't wait to share more moments like these with Mirei, both on and off the stage.
When they're still at the backstage watching Cosmos perform on the stage, Kaede, Risa, and Yukina received surprising news from their manager.
"You three did an incredible job tonight!" their manager said, grinning with pride. "And guess what? Cosmos has invited you to join them for dinner. They want to congratulate you on the performance personally – and, well, it's a great opportunity to broaden your connections."
Kaede's eyes widened in disbelief. Meeting Cosmos, the very group they'd just opened for, was an incredible chance she hadn't even dreamed of. She shared a quick, excited glance with Risa and Yukina, who both looked just as thrilled.
"Really? Cosmos wants to meet us?" Risa said, her voice filled with excitement.
"Yes! They're impressed with Chasing Stardust, and this is your chance to make a good impression. So go freshen up, and I'll take you to the dinner venue later," their manager replied, giving them an encouraging nod.
After freshening up and changing into something a bit more comfortable but still presentable, the trio wait for the concert ended. They cheered on Cosmos so hard from the backstage screen. After it was ended they made their way to a nearby upscale restaurant with their manager. As they entered, they saw Cosmos seated at a long table, looking relaxed and welcoming. It was a different side of the group, away from the glitz and intensity of the stage.
One of the Cosmos members waved them over. "Hey, Chasing Stardust! That was an awesome performance tonight. We're so happy you could join us."
"It's been an honor for us to join Cosmos, thank you so much!" Kaede felt a mix of excitement and nerves as they took their seats. The dinner began with light introductions, each Cosmos member asking about their backgrounds, experiences, and the journey of Chasing Stardust. The conversation flowed naturally, and soon everyone was laughing and sharing stories about their performances, memorable mishaps on stage, and their shared love for music.
As they chatted, Kaede couldn't help but feel inspired by Cosmos's support and encouragement. Their humble insights, despite their fame, made the whole experience feel surreal yet comfortable. Cosmos shared tips on handling the pressures of performing, maintaining energy through demanding schedules, and the importance of building a strong bond with their fans.
One of the Cosmos members smiled at Kaede and said, "You have a great vibe. I can tell you love performing, and it's rare to see that kind of spark in someone so new. Keep that passion – it'll take you far."
Kaede blushed, nodding gratefully. "Thank you so much. I'll do my best."
The dinner stretched late into the night, filled with laughter, good food, and invaluable advice. As they wrapped up, Cosmos wished them luck for their future, encouraging them to keep reaching higher.
Kaede, Risa, and Yukina left the restaurant that night feeling more motivated than ever. They had gained not just a valuable connection but also mentors who believed in their potential. It was the perfect way to end their night – the biggest performance of their career so far, and a newfound bond with one of Japan's most popular groups.
As Kaede texted Mirei to tell her about the experience, she realized just how far she'd come. She couldn't wait to share everything with Mirei and keep pushing herself to reach even greater heights. Tonight was just a taste of the future she dreamed of – and she was determined to make it reality.