Quarterfinals: Eight to Four

(Sun Yao)

The Idol Festival wasn't going to start for several hours, but spectators had already begun gathering in front of the stadium.

Miluno called me here early, saying she wanted to use my bubble to buy her rehearsal time.

"Miluno seems to have prepared some trump card. Can I win?"

My mother, who came with me, laughed and said, "What are you afraid of? Didn't you also prepare a 'big move'?"

"But that was just something I came up with on a whim, and it doesn't require any practice..."

Encouraged by Yezi, I racked my brains to think of a solution.

Without a doubt, Miluno's guitar-smashing act in the previous round was very effective. Her rebellious spirit stunned the audience, and her a cappella performance followed by reversing time to repair the guitar caused a sensation once again.

Logically speaking, my bubbles should be more suitable for creating stage effects than hers, but I just can't think of any good ideas. Blowing a bunch of bubbles on stage doesn't seem to require magic; there's a bubble smoke machine on site!

It wasn't until I woke up this morning that the idea suddenly struck me.

My magic isn't just about making bubbles;

What if we created a giant bubble that would envelop the entire stage?

By adjusting the light transmittance of the bubbles, the coefficient of friction inside the bubbles, and even the magnitude of gravity, I can make them glide and float freely in the small sandbox I control, making the bubbles, lights, sounds, photography, and even the judges' seats float up.

Okay, let's leave the judges' panel as is.

By focusing on stage effects, they can launch a surprise attack on Miluno's weak points!

"Oh, I found it."

In the dance studio inside the stadium, Miluno and several female dancers were swaying to the rhythm of the music. The dance moves weren't difficult, but practicing like this at the last minute was indeed very rushed.

"Ceruno, Yuehan... good afternoon."

Noticing us, Miluno stopped what she was doing and walked towards us. Her long hair was tied back, and beads of sweat on her forehead reflected the light.

It looks great.

She asked the question directly.

How are you feeling?

"That's great! Is this your second performance?"

"Well, I can't beat you with just singing, so Halley added choreography for me. But practice time is a bit tight, so I'd like to ask you to put a bubble in the classroom to give me some extra time."

"No problem!"

She took out her wand, and an expanding bubble enveloped the entire dance studio. Miluno simply stomped her foot, which accelerated the flow of time within the bubble.

"Thank you, but helping me only makes it harder for you to qualify."

"I'm happy to be able to help Miluno!"

Miluno wiped her sweat, drank some water, and went back to continue practicing her dance.

She is very dedicated to her work, and given the time she has to manage, it's not difficult for her to get the timing right before going on stage.

"Sigh, it's already Saturday, why hasn't Yezi come back yet?"

I don't want to prolong this day.

So he muttered something and left the dance studio.

A few hours later

The second round of the Supernova Idol Festival, the quarterfinals to the semifinals, has begun.

The initial appearance on stage and the introduction by the host quickly Past, and everyone except Miluno temporarily returned backstage.

Miss Miluno and I were in the first group, and Miluno was the first to go on stage to perform.

Backstage, amidst some anxiety, Halley nudged me with her elbow.

"Hey, Ceruno, are you nervous about facing your lover directly?"

"... Eh! Lover?"

What is she saying?

"Why are you so surprised? It's all over the internet! Your ambiguous relationship with Miluno, those happy moments when you hugged each other!"

Her long tail was curled into a heart shape in front of me.

"That's all just sensationalism by unscrupulous media!"

Thinking about those reports makes me blush.

"Don't rush to deny it. Miluno already told me that she confessed to you, but you didn't accept, right?"

Halley pressed herself against me from behind, wrapping her arms around my waist. She had a pleasant but unsettling scent about her.

"Miluno even told you something like this?"

"We've been sleeping together every night these past few days! This is what a best friend who can talk about anything is all about!"

Its tail also wrapped around my thigh, seemingly trying to burrow under my skirt...

"Miss Halley, please don't do this! I'm about to go on stage too!"

"Ceruno so cute, I can't resist! After all, you all said I'm a succubus, right? She's so soft!"

Even though I pointed it out, she only intensified her actions and started touching my... stomach.

"I'd also like to ask, from your professional perspective, who is more likely to advance, Ms. Miluno or I?"

When I asked him this, Halley's behavior became somewhat more restrained.

"I have a close relationship with Miluno, and I choreographed her dance. From my perspective, I definitely hope she can advance... but that's just my subjective opinion."

She changed her words halfway through her sentence.

"But objectively speaking, your potential is higher than Miluno's. I've told her this before. You actually have better qualities as an idol, and you're rapidly discovering your talents and understanding what makes a popular idol... In comparison, Miluno has stagnated."

Miluno has improved too!

I then asked, "Do I have a chance to beat Miluno?"

"Then it depends on your own performance."

She's really good with words; she's talked for so long but hasn't said anything at all, yet you still think what she said makes a lot of sense.

"... That's all for now, Miluno is about to begin."

The stage lights gradually dimmed.

As the entire stage fell into darkness, a beam of pure, holy light descended, illuminating Miluno's figure.

"Huh?"

The clothes are different now.

In the darkness, I used the Star Crystal to change into a different outfit.

It was a red and black stage outfit with a distinctly idol-like style. Although it had a heavy skirt trailing behind it, only a pair of shorts could be seen from the front.

In addition, she was wearing high heels.

Is she going to dance in shoes like that?

"The sound of the wind and the particles of light bathe you in peaceful slumber."

Prelude.

The melodious prelude accompanies the singing as it begins to ignite.

The female dancers also stepped onto the stage in unison.

I long for your unforgettable gentle smile and your eyes that hide your sorrow.

The song has a high pitch and a fast tempo.

In my opinion, songs like this are not suitable for singing and dancing.

Indeed, many concerts use lip-syncing for the singing and dancing parts, because it is difficult for a person to maintain a steady breath while in motion.

But Miluno is different.

Even when jumping around on stage, she can maintain a steady singing voice. Even the backup dancers' movements are not as exaggerated, nor as crisp and clean.

As expected of Miluno.

Having practiced for only half a day, has she already surpassed a professional dance troupe?

I still believe that one day we will meet again.

"I've been waiting for the dawn to break through the confusing rainy night alone."

"Never forget the darkness you traversed."

There was no dance during the climax of the song?

Miluno stopped abruptly, but her soprano voice fully brought out her charisma, becoming even more captivating than the first half.

"Always, always, always by my side, smiling."

Even if I lose you, I will win you back; I have never left you.

The music fell silent, Miluno stood there.

A beam of light fell on her...

At least for this moment.

She is the queen of the stage.