The small group of nine felt breathless as the Master Course came into view.

The night after graduation, each family received a call from Shining Agency, explaining that their daughter was being scouted.

A week later, all parents conceded, and Muse met up again in exhilarating excitement.

They were going to move on from being just school idols, and enter the real idol industry.

Honoka could feel her hands shaking from impatience. The group of nine was seated in the lobby, awaiting Tsukimiya Ringo to begin their tour.

"It's an incredible honor to be immediately scouted into the Master Course." Maki whispered. "We didn't even attend Saotome Academy, and we still got in."

"So, that means…?" Rin says densely. Before Maki could reply, a figure with flowing pink hair came through the door.

"Ah, you must be Muse! Welcome to the Master Course!"

"Tsukimiya Ringo!" Honoka felt herself exclaim, when Umi nudged her hard in the stomach.

"We are pleased to be entering, Tsukimiya-senpai." Umi says, standing up and bowing.

Ringo smiles. "How cute! You girls are so adorable! Come this way, your career awaits." He says, motioning them to follow him.

The nine girls get up, Hanayo and Nico slightly stumbling from anxiety but recovering immediately. They follow Ringo in an wonder-like silence.

They enter a high-ceiling extended room.

"Why is Shining calling us here anyway?!" A loud voice from the opposite hallway sounded. Muse froze in their tracks. A large group of males walk into the room. When the males seemed to notice Muse, they as well stood still. The two opposing groups stared at eachother for a few moments, unsure what to do, when a laughter suddenly boomed throughout the rooms.

The group of males, who turned out to be Starish and three members of Quartet Night, were fairly used to it, and only appeared to surprised for a bit. Muse, however…

Maki felt Rin and Hanayo suddenly cling to her shirt. The second, or now third years' eyes widened in horror, and Nico hid behind Eli and Nozomi.

"Fear nothing, Muse!" The booming voice spoke, and suddenly, a pot-bellied man with atrocious hair swung on a hanging ribbon, landing on the ground. Kotori felt like the earth shook, or maybe only she did.

"WELLLLCOME, MUSE, TO THE MASTER COURSE!" The man declares loudly.

"W-We're pleased to be at your acquaintance!" Umi replies, her voice shaking. The man smiles what seemed to Muse a half-smirk.

"I've listened to many of your tracks, and your school idol debut concert was fantastic, but…" Shining spun forward and struck another odd pose. "Only the devoted can become stars shining in the night star!"

"Isn't that the same speech Shining gave us when we came here?" Eli hears from the group of males. "Does this mean these girls are also…"

Shining interrupts the small conversation by (fabulously) pointing at the males.

"Then, allow me to introduce you to STARISH and a trio of Quartet Night, who will be essential for your success, Muse!"

The ribbons swing low again, and Shining stands on them again.

"STARISH, once juniors, are now the seniors to Muse, and you have all been individually assigned to either a STARISH member or one of the three of Quartet Night!"

Rin opens her mouth to protest, but Maki managed to slap a hand over her mouth before any words spilled.

Shining swung on the ribbon and cascaded into the air, landing on the roof. He laughs once more before disappearing in a poof.

Thus leaving the two groups in silence once again.