Chapter 69: Harmony and Discord

March 4th, 2026, was a pivotal day for Chasing Stardust. With their second album's release fast approaching, the weight of preparation loomed heavy over the indie band. Their upcoming work consisted of four self-written and self-produced tracks, a testament to their dedication and creativity in an industry where budgets often dictated quality. But today, the atmosphere in the practice room was far from harmonious.

Kaede stood with her guitar, her fingers fumbling over strings she usually played with precision. Mistake after mistake peppered their session, each one earning a sharp remark from Risa.

"Kaede! Focus!" Risa snapped, frustration etched on her face. "We don't have time for this."

Kaede flinched, muttering an apology under her breath. She knew Risa had every right to be angry, but her mind was elsewhere. The events of the previous night weighed heavily on her, haunting her every thought.

---

The night before, Kaede had been curled up on her bed, her phone pressed tightly to her ear. Mirei's hesitant voice on the other end was unusually fragile.

"Kaede... there's something I need to tell you," Mirei began, her tone laced with unease.

Kaede's heart sank. "What is it? Did something happen?"

Mirei hesitated, then let out a nervous breath. "Yesterday, during rehearsal, something... happened. I accidentally kissed Minami."

The words hit Kaede like a freight train. She sat up, her mind racing. "You what?"

"It was an accident!" Mirei quickly explained, her voice trembling. "I tripped and fell on her. It just... happened. I didn't mean to! I felt so guilty, and I couldn't keep it from you."

Kaede took a moment to steady herself, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions. Mirei's honesty was one of the things she loved most about her, but the thought of her girlfriend kissing someone else, even accidentally, stung deeply.

"It's okay," Kaede finally replied, forcing her voice to sound calm. "I understand it wasn't intentional."

"I'm so sorry," Mirei said, her voice cracking. "I'll be more careful. I promise. Please don't hate me."

Kaede let out a small laugh despite herself, Mirei's guilt and desperation tugging at her heart. "I could never hate you, dummy. Just... don't think about it too much, okay? It's in the past."

But even as she reassured Mirei, the jealousy lingered, gnawing at her resolve. She ended the call with a soft "I love you," but her thoughts remained clouded.

---

"KA-E-DE!"

Risa's voice snapped her back to reality. She looked up to see her bandmate's fiery glare. "You're spacing out again! This is the tenth time today!"

Kaede stammered an apology, but Risa shook her head, clearly at her limit.

"That's it. We're done for today. You're wasting everyone's time," Risa said, her voice cold as she grabbed her bag and stormed out of the room.

Kaede stood frozen, her guilt overwhelming her. Yukina, ever the peacemaker, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Maybe it's best to take a break. Talk to her later, okay?" Yukina suggested softly.

Kaede nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat.

---

Determined to make amends, Kaede rushed outside to catch Risa, who was already halfway down the street. She sprinted after her, her heart pounding with both exertion and nerves.

"Risa, wait!" she called out.

Risa stopped but didn't turn around. Kaede caught up, panting slightly.

"I'm sorry," Kaede began, her voice earnest. "Can we talk?"

Risa finally turned, her arms crossed. "What's there to talk about? You're distracted, Kaede. This isn't the first time, and it's hurting the band."

Kaede winced at the bluntness but pressed on. "I know, and you're right. Please, let me explain. I don't want this to come between us or the band."

After a moment of hesitation, Risa sighed and nodded. "Fine. Let's grab a bite and talk."

---

They sat at a small café nearby, the tension palpable. Kaede fidgeted with her drink, trying to find the right words.

"Is it because of Mirei again?" Risa asked, cutting straight to the point.

Kaede gulped, nodding slowly. "She told me something last night that... caught me off guard. It's not her fault, but I guess I let it get to me."

Risa's gaze softened slightly but remained firm. "Kaede, I'm not saying you can't have a relationship. But you need to separate your personal life from our work. We're not just playing for fun anymore. We're building something real here."

Kaede nodded, her guilt evident. "I know. I'm sorry. I'll do better, I promise. I don't want to let you and Yukina down."

Risa leaned back, her expression contemplative. "I get that you care about Mirei, and I respect that. But this band needs your full attention. We're all sacrificing so much to make this work."

Kaede's shoulders slumped. "You're right. I've been selfish, and I'm sorry. I'll focus. I'll be better."

Risa studied her for a moment before finally nodding. "Okay. Just remember, we're a team. I'm not trying to be harsh; I just want what's best for all of us."

Kaede managed a small smile. "Thanks, Risa. I needed that. I'll make it up to you guys."

---

As they walked back to the practice building, the weight on Kaede's chest felt a little lighter. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to prove herself—to Risa, Yukina, and herself.

Later that evening, Kaede sent a message to Mirei:

"I had a rough day today, but I'm working on being better. Thanks for always being honest with me. Let's both do our best, okay?"

Mirei replied almost instantly:

"You've got this, Kaede. I believe in you. I love you."

Kaede smiled at the screen, a renewed sense of purpose settling in her heart. For her band, for Mirei, and for herself—she would find balance.