Journey: Magic City (Fourteen): To the New World (Prelude)

On the day of the concert.

"Is it too late for me to run away now?" Dania suddenly felt her legs go weak.

People! People everywhere! The SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center, known as the Crown of the Sea, has nearly 10,000 seats, and at this moment, not a single seat is occupied. Before the stage even started, the glow sticks had already lit up the entire venue.

Although she had mentally prepared herself, seeing the sheer number of people made her want to back out.

Dania is currently wearing the Solar5 girl group's performance outfit. According to the concert's plan, they will follow Aemeath and Kiki finish their opening song.

"It's okay!" Lynae patted her shoulder encouragingly. "You danced so well during practice, just perform like you did during practice when you go on stage, and you'll be fine!"

"Yes, just treat it like you would during training," Phoebe said gently, trying to reassure you.

"If you ask me, since we've come this far, we might as well go for it!" Iuno said with a bright smile. "Although I might be a little nervous, there's no turning back once the arrow is released, so I'll just do my best in everything I can."

"In an event like this, a large crowd is always welcome; it shows they're just as excited for the concert," Chun said with a light laugh. "That's why we can't let them down, even if we're just guest performers invited at the last minute."

"Besides, we're right here with you, so if we make a fool of ourselves, we'll all do it together."

Watching her fellow contestants, who were about to share the stage with her, encourage her one by one, Dania suddenly felt less nervous.

"It's a deal then~ If we make a fool of ourselves, no one should laugh at anyone!" she said with a beaming smile.

Three days ago.

"So the specific program arrangement is as follows: Little Ai and Kiki will start, followed by your Solar5 girl group's performance."

Inside the tea room, everyone was gathered in a circle around the tea table, listening intently as Xiao Ling recounted his conversation with Songlun to them.

"Really?" Dania suddenly lost her appetite for the potato chips in her hand. "Uh... I mean, can't we move them a little further back?"

"We can't move it. A concert has limited time, and if we make changes at this point, the entire program schedule will have to be rearranged." Xiao Ling shook her head twice.

"Ugh... Fine..." Dania groaned helplessly.

"It's okay, Yaya. You danced really well during practice, so as long as you perform normally on stage, you'll dance just as well!" Sigrika encouraged with a smile.

"But this is different, Xixi, it's a concert!" Dania said seriously. "Tens of thousands of people will come to see our performance, and I haven't even had half a month to practice. Isn't this like forcing a duck onto a shelf?"

"That's delicious," Xiao Ling joked.

"Ling, stop it!" Dania grabbed his thick-skinned face, trying to hide her inner panic. "I'm just worried that if I don't dance well, I'll be publicly shamed online."

"Trust me, Yaya, when they see you, they'll just go crazy cheering for you; whether your performance is good or bad is secondary."

"That's the problem!" Dania exclaimed, puffing out her cheeks. "They idolize me, but I can barely control my limbs when I try to dance. If word got out, they'd laugh me to death!"

"I remember, Xiao Ya, weren't you Little Ai?" Cartethyia asked. "Aemeath is really good at singing and dancing, right?"

Little Ai, who was engrossed in eating, was suddenly called upon. She quickly looked up, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster's.

"One thing at a time, I only learned from her to gain the trust of the others in the academy," Dania said with a helpless shrug. "It's not really a matter of mentorship, since she had already disappeared from everyone's sight as an electronic ghost by the time I arrived at the academy."

So, I'm totally a half-baked amateur!

Xixi: If you're a half-baked amateur, then what am I?

"Actually, I think Xiao Ya's worries are completely unnecessary," Lupa, swirling her glass and resting her chin on her hand. "Just like my partner said, being able to stand on the concert stage in person is a rare miracle in itself. Under such emotional support, any minor flaws will be overlooked. That's what they call 'the flaws don't overshadow the merits.'"

"However, Sister Nia's intentions are good; she just doesn't want to disappoint her fans," Lynae said with a grin. "To be honest, ever since Xiao Ling said she was going to participate in the concert, I've often seen Sister Nia secretly practicing by herself when I get up at night."

"No... you must have mistaken me..." Dania blushed and turned her face away.

"Facial expressions don't lie, Xiao Ya?" Chun teased with a smile. "Looks like you really care about this performance."

Dania: She's very aloof and doesn't say anything.

"In short, there's nothing to worry about," Iuno said confidently with a smile. "With my talent, making a mistake is almost impossible. Although time is tight, the task is heavy, and we have to face such a huge crowd, anything is possible with enough effort. Even if I make a fool of myself in the end, I'll have a clear conscience!"

"That's right, so Xiao Ya, cheer up! I, Wooly, am really looking forward to your performance!" Aemeath said to Dania with a bright smile.

"I'm looking forward to it too." The Shorekeeper smiled gently and nodded. "Good luck!"

"Me too!" Jinhsi smiled.

"Me too," Suisui said with a warm smile.

And so, before the performance even started, Dania was already receiving a wave of heartfelt anticipation from her family.

"Ugh..." Dania felt immense pressure, but this pressure no longer came from the outside world; it arose spontaneously from within herself.

After all, she also wanted to give a perfect performance to her partners with whom she spent every day.

"Okay..." Dania said in a soft, sweet voice, "I will try my best... so as not to let you down."

Back to the present.

"Are you ready, Xiao Ya?"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Dania turned around and found Aemeath smiling sweetly at her, with Teacher Tarokiki beside her, who was preparing to go on stage with her.

"Your outfit... looks pretty good," Dania remarked thoughtfully, looking at the other person's performance costume.

Aemeath's outfit was less of a performance costume and more of a formal gown: a pure white off-the-shoulder dress paired with black gloves, white knee-high socks, and matching high heels.

"Yours is pretty good too, Xiao Ya. You look very energetic. I'd like to try it sometime!" Aemeath replied with a smile.

"Let's talk about this after the concert," Dania said with a smile. "Ready to go on stage?"

"Yes! The concert is about to start~ Wooly is about to light up the stage!"

"Looking forward to your performance!" Dania said with a rising tone at the end, "Go for it, Little Ai!"

"You too, Xiao Ya, I'm really looking forward to your girl group's debut song~" Aemeath and Kiki waved to Dania together, then prepared to go on stage.

"Go for it, Little Ai!" Lynae cheered for Aemeath was about to go on stage.

"Keep it up!" the Shorekeeper with a smile and a nod.

"Go, Little Ai!" Lupa rushed over and lightly punched her shoulder.

Just as everyone encouraged Dania in the tea room, they also gave Aemeath the most sincere encouragement.

"Little Ai, let your singing reach the audience!" Xiao Ling chuckled and patted her head as she offered her final blessing.

Yes! I can!

Aemeath nodded earnestly to everyone, then walked side by side with Kiki toward the center of the elevator platform.

"Are you ready, Kiki?" Aemeath asked her partner with a smile.

"You couldn't be better prepared!" Kiki replied with a smile.

"OK!" Little Ai snapped her fingers. "Now, next~"

This is our stage!