For Misumi Uika, performing had always been a process of controlling and enjoying the stage.
Her keen observational skills and solid fundamentals allowed her to create enough mental space during a performance to perfect her every move, ultimately presenting an answer sheet that was infinitely close to flawless. Perhaps for an ordinary performer, reaching this level was enough to be called excellent, but when sharing a stage with Hoshino Ai, this kind of rational, calculated perfection was not enough to be compared to her.
Besides her face, which seemed like a gift from the gods, the infectious power of her selflessness and passion was the real deal.
Even if her fervor was for just one person, even if what reached the audience was merely the overflowing residual heat, when they saw her shining figure, they would still be involuntarily drawn to her, worshipping a brilliance that surpassed their own understanding—
For a moment, Uika suddenly recalled her first conversation with Chihaya Tetsuya on the late-night train.
According to him, the stars in the sky each shone for their own sake, and stargazers simply noticed them naturally.
It wasn't just Ai. Since meeting Tetsuya, the growth and determination Sakiko had shown were also dazzlingly bright.
Even that amateur band called [MyGO!!!!!] was gradually approaching the dream that was once out of their reach, all under his guidance.
Just like the name of his brand, the girls gathered around him were all shining with their own light.
So then, as a member of this "starry sky," what else can I do?
And when was the moment I was closest to my own true desires?
...
Come to think of it... why was I willing to be Ai's supporting act back then?
Ah, that's right.
Actually, I had felt sorry for her for a long time before that.
As a professional singer who had already achieved her dream, she had once tried to extend a helping hand to this helpless, uneducated orphan from a position of immense superiority.
And now, this girl, who had been reunited with her beloved as she wished, not only no longer needed her help but had leaped to become a star who surpassed her.
Also, why was I so willing to hand over the leadership in arranging our music to Sakiko back then?
It was because she, who held no great convictions in her heart, had condescendingly wanted to give this chance to prove herself to Sakiko, who needed it desperately.
And now, Sakiko no longer needed her support either, and had even extended an invitation to her, wanting to carve out a new future for her.
Huh? If I think about it carefully, it seems neither Ai nor Sakiko needs my help anymore.
So that means, from now on... it's okay if I don't have to consider their feelings, right?
Even if she became a more brilliant star than Ai, Tetsuya-san was already by her side and wouldn't leave her anymore.
And Sakiko had already started forming a new band; she no longer needed her to provide opportunities—
She unconsciously lifted her head and looked at the luminous gauze skirt on the mannequin, the one Tetsuya had designed for her.
And then, his words flooded into her mind.
[So, please tell me, Uika, after putting on the clothes I made for you, are you still content to be a supporting character for Hoshino Ai and Togawa Sakiko?]
BOOM—
Just as the manager had said, muffled by the roar of the crowd and the walls of the building, the once-deafening thunder was now insignificant.
"...What? So that's how it is."
Uika suddenly laughed.
"My true nature... might be quite unpleasant."
"?"
Hoshino Ai, who had been staring blankly at a photo of Tetsuya on her phone, suddenly looked up.
"Did you say something just now?"
"It's nothing."
Uika shook her head and walked over to her side.
"Hey, Ai."
"...Mhm?"
"For this live show, Tetsuya-san made another costume for you too, right?"
"Mhm, that's right. This is it right here."
Ai admitted frankly.
"It's a classic combination of a short-sleeved shirt and a vest. He said he tried to control the amount of skin showing as much as possible, but it's still really cute."
"...I see."
Uika nodded.
"I just remembered. I'm actually the type of person who is both petty and generous."
"? What do you mean?"
"If it's something I have and others don't, I'm more than happy to share what I have with them."
Uika said, adjusting the star-shaped clip in Ai's hair.
"But if it's something others have and I don't, I get very envious... and then I'll try to get it by any means necessary. Just like when I was a kid, I saw Sakiko getting praised by other adults for playing the piano, and that's what gradually sparked my desire to learn music."
"Isn't that normal?"
Ai said without looking up.
"It's just simple envy. Why call it petty?"
"Because if it's just envy, then even if you can't get it, you'll gradually forget about it and give up over time. But for me, it seems I don't give up on my obsessions that easily."
Uika said.
"This childish way of thinking, 'everyone else has it, so I have to have it too,' can you understand it?"
"...I guess so."
Ai nodded, only half-understanding.
"But since I already have Tetsu, I'm not that interested in other things."
"And that's one of your strengths, isn't it?"
Uika, having finished adjusting Ai's hair clips and accessories, let go with a wry smile.
"As for me, it seems I can't give up so easily. Not on the cheers and applause from outside, not on Sakiko's trust... and not on Tetsuya-san's clothes."
"..."
Hearing this, Ai's expression first went blank, then she finally looked up at Uika.
"What... do you mean?"
"Nothing. It's just that, for the first time in a while, I've found something I want to do."
Uika said, looking at her own reflection in the mirror.
As she expected, the face reflected in the glass wore the exact same expression Tetsuya had shown her that day.
Knock, knock, knock—
"Ai, Uika, it's almost time to go on."
The manager's voice came from outside the door along with the sound of knocking.
Uika just gently patted Ai's shoulder.
"Let's go, Ai."
Under Ai's somewhat stunned gaze, Uika said:
"For the sake of our respective ambitions, let's do our best together from now on."
In this coming season, when the Summer Triangle is at its brightest.