The day of the performance.
At the central studio of the Bichang Guild Headquarters.
After finishing my makeup, I was watching the ongoing show through a monitor in our team waiting room.
Our team’s name was White Chrysanthemum.
The name, in translation, meant white chrysanthemum—typically a flower symbolizing mourning. But to me, it carried a different meaning too.
I could never forget the bundle of white chrysanthemums covered in soil left on the desk.
Since I couldn’t forget it, I chose to place it before me.
‘…I have to face it head-on.’
With that thought, I looked down at myself.
Our performance outfit was designed in a school uniform style.
CYB’s male division uniforms were also styled like uniforms, but ours used more subdued colors, unlike the pastel tones of the official ones.
It looked more like mourning attire than a student’s.
If I hadn’t dropped out in middle school, or hadn’t been cast by YN Entertainment, maybe I’d have been groggily pulling on a uniform each morning like anyone else.
“Strange, isn’t it?”
Han Iro, sitting beside me, broke the silence.
“Neither of us even entered high school, yet we wear school uniforms constantly.”
“…Yeah.”
Maybe it was because there were things left unresolved.
“By the way, look at that.”
Min Heejae said as he gazed at the monitor.
“That Madojin guy… his skills skyrocketed all of a sudden.”
I followed his gaze to the screen.
Madojin’s team was currently performing.
“You noticed too, Heejae-hyung? He had talent, sure, but…”
Han Iro commented coolly.
“He wasn’t quite main-vocal material. Good pitch, but he lacked the technique to convey emotion.”
He nudged me in the ribs.
“Did you cast some kind of spell when he asked for a lesson the other day?”
“…No.”
I didn’t do much.
How do you even teach someone how to “sing with emotion”?
All I did was show him how I sing with mine.
‘And it didn’t even go that well…’
But now, his delivery was on another level.
“Traitor.”
Jeong Noeul muttered with a pout.
“Don’t hold it against him. Dojin just made the choice he needed to.”
Han Iro consoled him, gently massaging Noeul’s neck.
“…Yeah, I get it. Just consider it me throwing a fit. Isn’t that the youngest’s privilege?”
“Sure, I’ll allow it.”
Their relationship seemed to have improved quite a bit.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if we all debuted together like this?”
Han Iro turned to me and asked.
“…Who knows.”
I gave a sly smile.
Knock knock.
A knock broke the moment.
“It’s time to get ready!”
A staff member popped their head in and called out.
“Yes, got it!”
Jeong Noeul answered cheerfully.
“Let’s get going, Instrument.”
Min Heejae whispered.
“…Yeah.”
I stood.
As I walked, I tried to steady my breathing.
Then—
[Mom, or Dad!]
[Kkomuli has a question!]
[My master…]
[Are you really okay?]
Kkomuli, who had been quiet, finally stirred.
Last time I checked, the little creature had swelled grotesquely large in its tank, gorging on my emotional residue.
‘It’s because of me.’
It fed on my thoughts.
“…Can I even restore it?”
The question crossed my mind.
“…Everything’s okay now.”
[Now for our final act!]
Aiden’s voice came through the in-ear.
[Please welcome team White Chrysanthemum, featuring Han Iro, Min Heejae, Jeong Noeul, and Ryu Eunyul!]
Audience cheers echoed.
I took a deep breath.
[Performing the original song, “Wings”!]
Before Aiden finished speaking—
Before the lights came up—
I whispered to myself,
‘「Summon the Invitation to the Stage of Stars」.’
Fwoosh—
A crimson parchment appeared in my hand, and as the spotlight struck us, the stage transformed.
— If I fly, I won’t get hurt
Please Save Us, climb the highest tree and pray
Stars, please shine bright
So we can reach out and catch you
Han Iro sang as we stepped onto a wilderness conjured by the Stage of Stars.
Melancholic strings and acid jazz house beats created a groovy atmosphere.
I followed alongside Han Iro, focused on not falling behind in the choreography.
My breath was rougher than usual.
Tried to control it, but nerves still got the better of me.
Han Iro’s unique voice blended seamlessly into the music.
Min Heejae added his harmonies, pushing us into the chorus.
I clenched my jaw and kept pace.
— I’ll dance while hanging from a star
(Un Deux Trois…)
Live like there’s no tomorrow
(Natural Turn and Double Hand)
Han Iro extended a hand toward me.
I reached out in turn.
We danced based on swing steps, hands almost—but not quite—touching, locking eyes.
— To be honest…
As I sang the chorus, I drew back my hand and faced forward.
‘…Damn.’
Still couldn’t catch my breath.
I’d pitched the notes higher than in practice.
I might crack a note at this rate.
The audience faces blurred like raindrops on glass.
— I ripped my winglike petals
Come Rain, Come Shine…
Until only bones remained
Loves me, loves me not…
We scattered petals like a fortune-telling game.
Finishing the chorus, I barely held my breath together.
Noticing my strain, Han Iro grabbed my hand during the second chorus.
That wasn’t part of the choreo.
From our clasped hands, a rainbow bubble bloomed.
…It was warm.
He smiled.
— I’ll become a dancing star
(Un Deux Trois…)
Lose all light by morning
(Natural Turn and Double Hand)
I locked eyes and smiled back.
— To be honest…
Then let go and faced forward again.
— I’ll pluck all the feathers from my wings
Loves me, loves me not…
Until white wings faded to none
Come Rain, Come Shine…
Scattering petals
We rained them over our heads
After the second chorus, Noeul took center stage for a dance break.
While positions shifted, Min Heejae took the grand piano.
His melody pierced through the heavy bassline.
Fast yet emotional piano notes flowed.
‘「Summon the Violin of Tainted Blood」.’
Just as Heejae’s solo ended, I stepped out and grabbed the violin.
Pain surged through my fingers the moment I touched the strings.
‘…It’s been a while.’
With the violin on my shoulder, I turned my back to the audience.
To avoid fainting like in the third prelims, I’d need to limit it—just a few seconds.
That would be enough.
Facing away, I played a phrase that led into the chorus.
— To be honest…
I tossed the violin high and turned around.
Walking toward the audience, I sang.
— I plucked every feather from my wings
Loves me, Loves me…
Until only the stem remained on my chrysanthemum
Loves me, Loves me…
Scattering petals
I looked endlessly at the stars hanging above me
I gave it everything I had, belting the final high note.
— I wonder if I can fly today
Min Heejae stepped beside me.
— No, not today
Jeong Noeul followed.
— Maybe today…
Finally, Han Iro stepped in.
Their voices harmonized around me.
“…Hah… huff…”
I panted for breath.
‘Dissolve the Stage of Stars.’
As I said it in my heart, the desolate stage began to fade.
“I…”
The spotlight dimmed, and I faced the audience.
“…I want to keep living.”
I whispered into the mic.
The lights went out.
Back at the dorm, I collapsed face-first onto the bed.
My head was spinning.
<…Shower, first.>
The Star, now perched on my stomach, scolded me.
<You’re becoming more of a geezer by the day. Collapsing the moment you return? Sloth is a sin, creature.>
“…You’re starting to sound like a nagging butler.”
I mumbled, curling up.
<Hmph.>
The Star chuckled, settling on my cheek.
<Feel better?>
“…I did everything I could.”
<Indeed. I didn’t expect you to spam that many artifacts.>
Then, the Star muttered curiously,
<But why didn’t you use the Kaleidoscope of the Heart?>
“Oh…”
Right. The “Kaleidoscope of the Heart”—the artifact Han Iro and I worked so hard to obtain.
‘「Summon the Kaleidoscope of the Heart」.’
A glimmering contact lens-like artifact appeared in my palm.
It conveyed emotion to anyone in its range.
<Had you used that, the audience might have understood your heart even more.>
“…True.”
I sat up and smiled.
“But honestly? I don’t even know how I feel right now.”
Most people live without fully understanding their own hearts.
That’s why I didn’t use it.
If my emotions turned out to be different from what I believed…
I’d have no way to handle it.
And more than anything…
<Ha!>
The Star gave a hollow laugh, sensing my thoughts.
<You’re an idiot.>
“…Yeah?”
I laughed sheepishly.
Knock, knock.
Suddenly, a knock came from the door.
“…Who is it?”
I tensed, staring at the entrance.
Knock, knock.
I wasn’t imagining it.
‘It’s almost midnight…’
Who would come to my room at this hour?
“Star.”
<Very well. I’ll hide for now.>
I sealed the Star in its metal case and cautiously placed my hand on the door lock.
“…Who’s there?”
No answer.
Bang, bang, bang!
Instead, the knocking intensified.
<Open it. If something happens, I’ll step in. Don’t be afraid.>
‘…Okay.’
I nodded and unlocked the door.
Clack!
The moment it clicked, the door flew open.
Party time—!!
Han Iro, Jeong Noeul, and Min Heejae burst in shouting.
Little Pink Starfish 
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