Preparing for the Performance? Easy as Pie

That night, Molis returned to the abandoned construction site.

"Huh? Miss Molis, are you getting ready for your solo performance?"

When Xia Ya heard Molis mention a debut performance to celebrate reaching thirty thousand followers, her pink eyes lit up, and she peppered her with excited questions.

"How are preparations going? Have you found a venue? What about the staff? How's the set list coming along? When's the show?"

Faced with Xia Ya's barrage of questions, Molis spread her hands, her eyes perfectly innocent.

"I dunno."

"O-oh. I see."

Xia Ya looked away. Then both of them turned toward Rabi.

Rabi had been elegantly licking a paw. Noticing their gazes, Rabi lowered it and said calmly,

"Don't worry. I, a former top-tier manager, will handle every detail myself. A performance? Easy as pie."

"The venue will be the hottest in the First District, the original song will be tailor-made by a star producer, and we'll go all out on promotion."

Rabi patted their chest with a paw, as if to say that with them around, victory was guaranteed.

"Hehe, if there's anything I can help with, just say the word, senior."

The pink fairy floated over and volunteered with a cheeky grin.

Rabi glanced at the fairy, turned, and patted their shoulder encouragingly.

"Yes, young people need experience to grow. That willingness to improve is an excellent attitude."

"Yes, yes. I mainly want to learn more from you, senior. Oh, and there are a few other things..."

Seeing the eagerness to get ahead in the pink fairy's eyes, Xia Ya awkwardly turned her head away. For some reason, she was starting to want a different fairy.

Ignoring the two fairies chatting away about life, Xia Ya turned to Molis.

"By the way, Molis, you don't know the details of a solo performance yet, do you? How about I explain?"

"Ah, sure. Thanks."

Molis nodded, straightened her posture, and listened attentively.

"Hmm, where should I start?"

Xia Ya tapped her chin. After a moment, she began.

"First, the venue. A debut performance for someone with thirty thousand followers is usually held in a small venue. Some venues are better than others. A well-known performance hall in a good location can draw a bigger crowd and make a stronger impression.

"As for the set list, a small debut show usually runs for an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the number of songs. You'll need at least five, though you could have more than ten. There'll be a debut song, some originals, and for the rest, you can get licenses to perform other songs."

At that, Xia Ya narrowed her eyes with a smile.

"How about I let you sing my debut song?"

"Ah, I couldn't possibly..."

Molis instinctively waved her hands.

"Don't worry about it. Honestly, I'd be honored to hear you sing my song onstage~"

"Hmm..."

Molis said no more. Xia Ya had put it that way; refusing again would be rude.

Molis sat quietly and listened carefully as Xia Ya went through the various things she needed to know.

By then, the two fairies had finished whispering. Rabi turned around and suddenly called to Xia Ya, "Hey, girl over there."

Xia Ya turned and gave Rabi a puzzled look.

"Would you like to take the stage at Molis's debut performance? You'd only need to make an appearance toward the end."

"Huh?"

Xia Ya froze, then understood.

After a pause, she smiled at Rabi.

"Sure. Of course I would."

Delighted by Xia Ya's ready agreement, the pink fairy spun in midair and let out a smug "Nyeh-heh-heh!"

Back in her room, Zhou Mo sat on her bed, feeling dazed.

An idol performance.

She was just an ordinary high school student, yet not only had she transformed into a Magical Girl, she was going to put on an idol performance. It still didn't feel real.

"Rabi, can this really work?"

She couldn't help asking.

Rabi jumped onto the bed, glanced at her, and said evenly, "Of course."

Zhou Mo said nothing more.

Seeing how little enthusiasm she had for it, Rabi fell silent for a moment, then decided to motivate her.

"You know, idol performances have tremendous commercial value."

Zhou Mo's eyes flew open.

"If it goes well, besides boosting your popularity, you'll get opportunities for advertising deals, merchandise, physical album sales, and more. That's when the real money starts coming in for a Magical Girl idol."

Rabi raised both paws, painting a rosy picture for her.

Zhou Mo was quiet for a moment, then shook her head with a soft laugh.

"Heh... I thought you'd motivate me with something about love and dreams. Is it really okay to be this practical?"

"Then how's this for motivation?"

"Perfect!"

"Good. Now get up and start your livestream."

"..."

After everything she had been through that night, Zhou Mo got up again, yawning repeatedly.

She washed up, went out, cheered on the Magical Girls performing on the street, and then happened to run into An Xia.

"Bravo!"

Standing at the back of the crowd, Zhou Mo craned her neck for a better view. When the Magical Girls finished performing, she applauded vigorously, like an old-timer out for an early-morning stroll.

"Um, Zhou Mo..."

An Xia spotted Zhou Mo at the back of the crowd. After hesitating, she called to her from behind.

Still wearing an excited smile from the performance, Zhou Mo turned and saw An Xia.

"Oh, it's you, An Xia. What's up?"

"We're going to be late."

"...You're right."

At An Xia's urging, Zhou Mo reluctantly left.

In class, she slept through another period.

"Trust me. Seriously."

Her deskmate stared at her earnestly.

"Here's what you do: open Bilibili and search for livestream room 114514. Be there at eleven every night for the sleep stream, and prop your phone sideways at an angle beside your pillow. You'll sleep like a baby."

Zhou Mo turned her head and stared at her deskmate without expression.

Great idea—if I didn't have to stream at night.

Her gaze drifted to the seats not far away. Ever since their popularity-boosting campaign had begun, the three Magical Girls in her class had stopped coming to school.

She glanced at their seats, then looked away.

After school, Zhou Mo went to the club as usual.

"Good afternoon, everyone. What the—what's going on?"

She had just stepped into the clubroom when she saw an obviously expensive tea set on the table, along with an assortment of exquisite, high-end pastries.

"Zhao Qiao, sorry for the trouble, but could you pour me a cup of Earl Grey? Thanks."

"Of course~"

Bai Yi reclined in her chair and took a small sip from her teacup. Beside her, Mo Li leafed through some documents while popping a piece of cake into her mouth. An Xia sat neatly in her seat, also sipping her tea.

The whole scene was a picture of tranquil contentment.

Zhao Qiao was carrying a plate of pastries over to the club president's desk. When she saw who had arrived, she smiled.

"Oh, Zhou Mo. Good afternoon."