The concert venue was bustling with preparations from the early hours of the morning. The stage crew was testing the lights, and the sound engineers were making final adjustments. Meanwhile, backstage, Ai and her team were feeling the excitement and tension of performing together for the first time after everything that had happened.
Ichigo and Miyako were quietly observing from the VIP section at the back of the venue.
Miyako leaned in slightly and whispered,
"Tonight, we'll see if they're truly a team."
Ichigo crossed his arms, watching the girls getting ready.
"If they can get through tonight, it means they've truly become a team," he replied.
Backstage, Ai was smiling at her teammates. The tension was palpable, but tonight was their real test.
"Let's just have fun on stage today," Ai said. "Forget what anyone thinks, and just focus on the music."
Fuyuko stood with her arms crossed, nodding quietly. The tension from previous days hadn't completely faded, but it was clear Ai was making an effort. Watanabe stood silently but firmly. Takamine and Ari exchanged brief glances, while Meimei, as always, was energetic, though there was a flicker of worry in her eyes.
Kyun tried to lift everyone's spirits, saying,
"Alright, let's make tonight unforgettable!"
Everyone gave small smiles. But the biggest change was in Ai's eyes. This time, she was truly aware. This wasn't just a concert; it was the moment that would show whether they could truly trust each other.
The lights in the venue dimmed. As the excited cheers of the crowd grew louder, Ai took a deep breath and turned to her team standing by the stage door.
"As long as you're with me, I'll shine with you," she said.
Her words brought a slight relief to the girls' faces. This time, Ai didn't want to shine alone; she wanted to shine with them. And then, they stepped onto the stage.
As the stage lights lit up, the entire team was at their best. Ai was still at the center, but this time, the others were shining with their own lights too. When the first song started, Ichigo narrowed his eyes, observing the scene. Miyako, standing beside him, monitored the sound levels.
"The dynamics seem different this time," Miyako said.
"Ai's no longer trying to be the sole focus on stage," Ichigo added. "That's a good sign."
The crowd roared with excitement. Ai was still the brightest star, but now it was clear that Takamine and Watanabe were shining too. Ai made an effort to share the spotlight, particularly giving Fuyuko more space on stage.
Ari and Meimei looked more confident. Kyun's energy radiated across the stage. Most importantly, Fuyuko now stood right beside Ai, to her immediate left in the second position, right at the heart of the formation.
Ichigo and Miyako exchanged a quick glance.
"This team is finally becoming a real team," Ichigo said.
Miyako smiled softly.
"This might be the beginning of them shining as a whole."
And as the concert continued, the members of B-Komachi began to truly feel like more than individual stars—they were finally becoming a united whole.
To be continued...