“What is this, Eunyul?”
Han Iro asked, now wearing the Kaleidoscope of the Heart.
“Is it… a lens? My eyes feel more comfortable somehow.”
I carefully examined his face.
The Kaleidoscope of the Heart appeared externally as a decorative contact lens. With its red rim and magic circle design, one could mistake it for some kind of flashy fashion item.
Since it was an artifact, there was no need to test its efficacy. The important thing was whether it suited Han Iro or not.
After all, he’s going on stage…
He had to look beautiful.
“It suits you.”
The tuxedo-inspired outfit and the antique-patterned mask he wore as an accessory all came together nicely.
“…Hey, your face is way too close.”
Han Iro muttered, looking like a whining puppy.
“Ah, sorry.”
I stepped back.
“Tell me what this is, Eunyul.”
“It’s a gift.”
“Well, thanks for the gift… but could you tell me what it is?”
“Remember how we had a hard time when we switched bodies? This is a reward I got from that mess.”
That’s why I’d always planned to give it to Han Iro.
He suffered a lot too, not just me. And more than that, when the Boy A incident happened, he helped me at great personal risk.
If public opinion hadn’t turned in our favor, Han Iro—unlike me, whose ranking had already plummeted—would’ve taken a serious hit.
So, even from a competitor’s perspective, it was only fair to repay that debt.
“Han Iro, this is an artifact that lets your heart be conveyed through your gaze alone.”
“…An artifact? Aren’t those things from, like, hunter times?”
I explained how I obtained the Kaleidoscope of the Heart—excluding any information about Star, of course. I just said we got it through a gacha system with a gamble, and had to suffer because I drew a dud.
“…Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s right for me to get involved with you like this.”
I confessed.
“If you’re planning to reveal your scars during your solo performance, it must mean you talked about them during your interview. I’m trying to influence your decision. I mean well, but still… it feels like I’m crossing a line.”
Contestant interviews weren’t aired live.
They’d be edited into the official broadcast later. If the context was explained through the broadcast, Han Iro’s performance would carry more weight.
But the audience in the venue would be seeing his unmasked face with no prior explanation—especially since solo performances were aired live.
So really…
This was a risky move.
Han Iro had been solidly in 1st place, and even if he lost that spot, he’d still make it into the debut lineup.
“So you prepared your stage knowing you might be throwing all that away…”
“…Kinda stupid, right?”
Han Iro smiled awkwardly.
“I just… wanted to show my face to my family on the best possible stage.”
“No. It’s not stupid at all.”
But…
“Even if public opinion turns against you, you’ll probably still be satisfied. Because your family will still find you beautiful.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder.
“But I can’t accept that. I want you to have a better ending.”
If he used the Kaleidoscope of the Heart, he could convey his feelings directly to the audience.
Even without context from the interview, the response would be positive.
Like a miracle.
To Han Iro, the fact that he could hide his scars using Constellation power might already feel like a miracle.
But I wanted something even better for him.
Regardless of who wins…
I wanted his scars to appear beautiful in the eyes of everyone.
Because he deserved that.
“But…”
Han Iro whispered nervously.
“…What if my heart isn’t beautiful?”
“Pfft!”
I snorted.
“There’s no need to worry about that.”
I was sure.
We might be clumsy when it came to understanding our own hearts, but we could always see clearly into each other’s.
“Your heart is very…”
I gave his back a light tap.
“…very beautiful.”
[Witch of the 13th Month — Masquerade]
That was the title of the song Han Iro chose.
I had changed outfits and touched up my makeup. Now I sat in the waiting room, ready to monitor Han Iro’s performance.
<Will you be okay with this?>
Suddenly Star asked.
<That bubble creature is your greatest rival. You won’t regret helping him?>
“Not really.”
I grinned.
“As long as I win. I’ve got you, don’t I?”
<…What?>
Star was caught off guard for a second, then gave a small laugh.
Paff!
He returned to his true form from his fly disguise and sat beside me.
“Well then, let’s enjoy the show. Let’s see what your greatest rival can do.”
“…Hey, there’s CCTV here. What if someone sees you?”
“Don’t worry. I already fried those peanut-sized machines.”
“That’s a problem in itself…”
I sighed.
Meanwhile, Han Iro’s performance was just beginning on the monitor.
Witch of the 13th Month was an indie band popular on NewTube.
They produced concept albums, each one with a consistent theme across instruments, lyrics, and storytelling.
The idea of story-driven music was fresh and helped them gain popularity even without live performances.
Among them, “Masquerade”…
As the name suggests, it had a musical-style composition, themed around masquerade balls.
…It suits Han Iro.
— There’s nothing here
We just face each other
Silently exchanging breath
We cry for each other
And wonder
What should we do from now on…
Under soft lighting, Han Iro and the backup dancers appeared, hunched over.
“They replaced the string intro with synthpop.”
I muttered.
Though based on pop, it didn’t feel commercial. They opened with a slow tempo, preserving the sorrowful mood of the original.
“…What are you even talking about?”
Star didn’t get my analysis.
— Please
Can I trim your face a little
Without pain
Leave my carved face in your hands
So we don’t hurt each other…
Dancing in a style based on modern jazz, Han Iro and the dancers glided across the stage.
Modern jazz, with its technical moves, was hard to sing while performing—but Han Iro’s pitch never wavered.
Despite the low-toned synthpop and gloomy lyrics, colorful bubbles bloomed around him, syncing with his movements.
That contrast built the atmosphere.
— Seeping calmly
What we waited for
Maybe I’m On Fire
Was just a common bathtub
Already melted away
What we forgot
Maybe I’m On Fire
Was a love drowned in water
After the first chorus, Han Iro froze.
Backup dancers circled around him as he stood center stage.
The formation tightened, and he reached out through the narrowing gap.
— I probably can’t be your everything
Even if you have nothing left
Even if all I have to give is my body
I still believe we can escape this place
Really, just take my hand
In the burning ballroom…
With a hum-like narration timed to the beat, Han Iro broke free and reached out to the audience.
“…Huff… Huff…”
His labored breathing echoed through the in-ear mic.
And then—
— Please
Everyone
Dance for me
…Ah.
That line wasn’t in the original lyrics.
But it didn’t feel like just an arrangement.
It sounded like a plea.
…Like a spell.
A self-soothing spell, I thought.
Han Iro reached for the mask covering half his face.
Behind him, the stage’s massive screen flared with flame effects.
The backup dancers reformed around him.
Paf! Paf!
Bubbles surrounding him popped like they’d been touched by fire.
I watched calmly.
If that’s your spell…
Then I’ll cast one for you too.
“『Use Kaleidoscope of the Heart』.”
I whispered with a smile.
Zzzzt—
A brief jolt ran through my heart.
Han Iro flung off his mask, the backup dancers gathered around him, and the tempo ramped up—his voice growing more intense.
One of his eyes sparkled.
It must be the magic circle on the Kaleidoscope of the Heart glowing.
— Please
Can I touch your face for a moment
Without pain
Feeling your touch on my face
So we don’t hurt each other…
“But why…”
I muttered in a daze.
“…Why don’t I feel anything?”
The audience, initially stunned at seeing his face, now looked overwhelmed with emotion—likely due to the artifact’s effect.
Viewers watching the live stream were no different.
Online communities exploded in real time.
— What’s up with Iro’s face…?
Don’t know, but I’m crying
Seriously…
— Didn’t it feel weird when he took the mask off?
My chest hurt a bit…
Same. It really did.
— That’s not makeup, is it? It looks too real… I feel weird, like I’m going crazy. Why am I so sad?
“Foolish creature.”
Star sighed.
“That artifact conveys the owner’s heart through the magic circle. But that also means, if you already understand their heart, it won’t affect you.”
“Then…”
Because I already fully understood Han Iro’s feelings… it had no effect on me.
“Correct. You pitiful mortal.”
Star chuckled.
“You’ve thoroughly uncovered the bubble creature’s heart.”
— Everything is here
We sit back to back
Enduring each other’s warmth in silence
We smile for each other
And whisper
What should we do from now on…
Revealing the scar he wished to hide, Han Iro sang with a smile.
“…Good.”
I stood.
“I’ve seen enough.”
I turned from the monitor.
Han Iro had delivered the best performance.
Showing the thing he most wanted to hide on the stage where he had to shine most brightly.
So very like him.
For all his soft looks, he became bold in the most important moments.
That’s what makes you you…
From the moment I saw his scar, from the moment I heard the story behind it—I knew.
I wanted to beat Han Iro.
How can I win…
Against someone so beautiful?
That thought alone…
Made my heart race with unbearable excitement.
“Let’s go, Star.”
I looked at him.
Star quietly looked back at me.
“You look unusually cheerful.”
He grinned as he stood.
“Of course I am.”
I smiled too.
“Because tonight, we’re going to win it all.”
Little Pink Starfish 
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