On the day of the performance.
The audience seats were already filled, with many familiar faces among the crowd.
Neuvillette, for instance, along with Melus and Silver, the children from the House of the Hearth... Everyone was eagerly awaiting a perfect and grand performance.
In the backstage dressing room.
Furina spoke with earnest conviction. "It's almost time for us to take the stage. But there's no need to be nervous. The stage will surely respond to our passion and present the most perfect, most wonderful world to everyone!"
Chiori smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. The costumes I made can withstand anything you throw at them."
Lynette asked, "So you won't scold us if we tear them?"
Chiori: "..."
Navia whispered, "Looks like she definitely will."
Only Luna was exempt from Chiori's potential wrath.
Arlecchino, wearing a mask, sat calmly to one side, showing no signs of nervousness. She looked completely composed.
Luna had tailored this role specifically for her, allowing the Harbinger to hide her identity and perform on stage. Besides, the audience craved an unknown, unpredictable performance. Appropriate changes were essential.
Clorinde, her expression as deadpan as ever, said, "If you're feeling nervous, I can tell a bad joke."
"For example?" Focalors asked.
"What do you call a stage filled with smoke?"
Clorinde paused.
"A misty-fying performance.... Let me explain, the pronunciation of 'Mist'—"
Navia quickly shook her head. "No need to explain!"
"Is that so? What a shame. I'm actually a little nervous myself."
"So you're nervous too!"
Chevreuse observed the lively dressing room, then noticed Luna watching them and walked over.
"I have a question that's been weighing on my mind," she said.
Luna, slightly surprised, asked, "What is it?"
"When the performance ends, where do the actors on stage go? And what becomes of the audience who can never see this stage again?"
"Well..."
Just as Luna was about to answer, a Melusine poked her head in.
"It's time for everyone to go on!"
Arlecchino stood up, and the others followed her toward the door. Chevreuse whispered, "Looks like it's time. Let's go, Luna—"
She offered a gentle smile.
"—and step onto the stage."
Luna nodded slightly and followed them.
The curtain had not yet risen, the lights were still off, and the stage was dark and silent. But she could feel Furina and the others there with her, standing together in this world upon the stage.
Then...
The curtain rose. Click! The lights flared on, bathing her in their familiar warmth.
"Starlight—the tale of goddesses guided by the stars. A story of bonds forged through conflict, disputes, and disagreements, only to be tragically torn apart, never to meet again..."
When the performance ends, where do the actors on stage go?
And what becomes of the audience who can never see this stage again?
The answer was actually simple.
—They move on to the next stage.
The performance would end, the curtain would fall, but there would always be a stage waiting for them—dazzling, blindingly bright, and inspiring a deep yearning.
All Luna and the others had to do was keep performing, to act their hearts out in every play.
Pour in your passion.
Sing with all your might.
"Focus your eyes on us, and witness this final drama!" Luna sang with a powerful voice, captivating the audience so completely they couldn't look away.
How magnificent! How breathtaking!
Let this performance last just one second longer! The thought echoed in every audience member's mind.
Neuvillette narrowed his eyes slightly. Truly outstanding, he thought. But alas... every play must eventually reach its curtain call. When the music stops and the lights cease to change, the drama concludes.
And on stage, everything inevitably reached its end.
"To pluck a star is to forgive a sin."
"To pluck a star is to witness a miracle of the night."
"Seize it—the star you so desperately desire."
Luna and Furina joined hands.
"We've found it," they declared in unison. "This is our star."
"This is our fate."
Furina gazed at Luna, scenes from their past flashing through her mind. A warmth spread through her chest, and all she wanted was to hold this hand tightly and never let go.
So, parting her lips, she spoke a line not in the script.
"I want to be with you forever."
Luna's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, then she smiled. "Me too."
Furina's gaze softened. "...Never to be parted."
"Never to be parted."
Chiori: "...Tch."
Lynette: "..."
Clorinde: "..."
Navia: "..."
Arlecchino let out a soft chuckle.
Chevreuse: "Hmph..."
Focalors nodded repeatedly. That's how it should be!
Feeling a piercing glare on her back, Furina shivered.
"I-I'm not taking it back!" she blurted out.
No matter who's watching!
When the play concluded, the actors gathered on stage for their curtain call. Luna and the others stood in a line, bowing deeply to the audience.
Chiori: "Thank you all for watching until the very end."
Lynette: "Thank you."
Navia: "We hope you'll continue to support our troupe in the future!"
Clorinde: "And our films."
Arlecchino: "Until we meet again, should fate allow."
Chevreuse: "Please exit in an orderly fashion. Thank you for your support."
Focalors: "Our roles on this stage have ended, but your roles offstage continue. Don't lose heart!"
Finally, it was Furina and Luna's turn.
Furina took a deep breath, exchanged a glance with Luna, and they both smiled.
Then, in unison, they said:
"Thank you for your appreciation!"
-
Story End!
Now come the side stories!