Sora heard the news from Rosetta about Mia's new script. She couldn't believe it but it was true. She was holding the script in her hand and it was awesome as expected from Mia. Mia always made Sora's character to her image but this time, if Sora was going to be the main character, she will have to adjust herself to the princess. Her mom used to read that story countless times when she was still a child. She had always kept that book with her and no one was aware of it besides Rosetta and Mia. When Mia was stuck with ideas for her scripts, Sora read her this same story to calm her mind off. She said she would never use that story for the stage since it was too demanding for the casting and that they would ruin it. But now, it was all real.

" …ra? Sora?

- Huh? [She said looking towards her best friend Manami] What?

- You are squeezing my arm a bit too hard you are aware of that right?

- Oh ha ha sorry Mana-chan, but you know I'm just super excited. I can't believe she did it. And now, I'm overflowing with energy to just play that role. Can you picture it? Me as the Hime? It's like a dream comes true —

- You had your dreams come true, baka! Let others enjoy —

- No! I can't! Layla-san told me to be the Kaleido star and to protect it so for this to succeed, unless they got a second Layla-san, I'm not gonna give up. And plus if Leon's playing the emperor, he'll want me as the princess.

- And what makes you so sure about that? I mean he barely even talked to you after the last show ended. I know you got pretty close and he wasn't cold anymore but still, no phone calls and he flew to Europe the very same night you all last performed. That just doesn't seem right don't you think?

- I know… but I'm sure he's got a reason. I mean he smiled at me for the first time that day. I was so happy I could have died then. He never smiled and you know when he smiles, his eyes go soft and they seem to drag you even deeper that before and his lips —

- Huh Sora, you do realize that if you talk about him like that in front of everyone there, they will all know about what happen and will just assume the rest.

- What?! No they won't. I'll hide it well then, it's just because it's you and me now… [she muttered blushing all the way to her ears]

- Yeah yeah, just remember you haven't talked to him yet so better clarify it first before letting someone else blurt it out and then bang! You are screwed my friend.

- Oh shut it, the only one who shouldn't know it is May. She's like a parrot and I'm sure she'd use it against me just to piss me off.

- Speaking of which, I think she's here to pick us up [Manami said pointing to the crazy dark-haired girl]

- Oh is that? She brought Ken with her [Sora yelled happily while waving at them]

- The poor guy …[muttered Manami while watching Sora rush towards her friends] he's got no clue that he has already lost…

- Sora, you are crushing him, let him go [kept yelling May]

- Actually, she isn't. I'm fine May. Really don't worry [He chuckled and blushed] So, how was your trip? Did you enjoy? Hello Manami-chan! Oh aren't those heavy? [He asked pointing to the luggages Sora left behind]

- Oups my bad Mana-chan, I was just super happy that he came to surprise me—

- I am sorry to disappoint you Sora but I came to pick you up and Ken was assigned to bring Leon-san back. Though I'd have preferred Leon-san….

- Huh? Leon's coming back today too?

- Yeah, didn't you get Cathy's message? You are such an incompetent sometimes I can't picture you as the Star pfft

- Haha … I'm sorry May but, hum when will he be get here —

- I am here".

She knew he was staring at her. She felt his cold eyes on her back. He was eyeing from head to toe to see. She could feel it. He knew she had done something to her body. She needed to act fast so he wouldn't say anything in front of everyone. She turned and put her brightest smile on her face.

" Leon-san, how have you been? Have you rested well on your way here? We have a long day to go you —

- Sora, did something happen when you were in Japan?

- Huh? I beg your pardon? Why are asking me that?

- Well your balance isn't as it used to be —

- Leon-san, you might not remember me, but I'm Manami Yura, Sora's best friend. You see, she read the script non-stop and didn't get any rest so how due to sleep she is losing her balance.

- Oh I see. Well what are we waiting for, let's head back".

They were now heading towards Kaleido Stage in two separate cars. Leon insisted on driving and Manami somehow insisted he "took care" of Sora. So here she was. Stuck with him and his best friend Mr. Silence though Sora knew Leon would ask her sooner or later about her balance. He found out pretty fast though. She wasn't fast enough, she thought while staring at him. He had change quite a bit for a month. His face is still the same, just a bit tanner. Did he go to the beach, she wondered. His eyes are still as cold as before, they don't soften the same way they did that night. He had cut his hair. They were even shorter than hers. She thought she'd let it grow for once. He didn't even noticed, she thought.

"What's wrong Sora?

- Huh?

- Well you sighed quite out loud so I'm wondering if you are ok?

- Oh yes yes, I'm fine. Don't worry! I was just thinking about the script.

- What of it?

- Oh well, you know who would get which character.

- Well they are already assigned. Cathy sent it to us through mail, didn't you check it?

- WHAT?! "

She grabbed her phone, and hurried through it. How come she has been so careless lately? Was it due to that? Oh god, she needed to focus. Yay, it's opened! Now she just had to scroll down-

Hey Sora , so due to recent events bla bla bla

bla bla bla We had to distributes the roles to bla bla bla

Leon Oswald - the Emperor

Father – Mute

Mother – Alice

The 5 princes – Yuri Killian, Dominic Ruben, Hamish Wess, Ryan Wales & Michael Sahis

Buddha- Anna Heart and her team

The Eight Immortals- Londer, bla bla bla

The Fire-rat – Rosetta Passel

The Dragon – May Wong

The Swallows – Emmett, Jon, bla bla bla

The Moon – Sarah Dupont

The guards – Will, bla bla bla

(If you won't mind, we gave Kaguya to Lydia Lafleur)

The Heavenly Beings – Sora Naegino

The Moon people- Charlotte, Julie, Jonathan & Marion

The villagers – bla bla bla

The officers – Peter, bla bla bla

The servants - bla bla bla

What? Why? Who is she?

She was puzzled. She looked up to Leon-san. He was staring. He knew something. He had stopped the car and was staring at her. She couldn't breathe quite well. Was it him or was it the message, she thought. She tried to speak up but nothing would come out. He sighed and —

"If you are wondering "why", it is related to the question I asked you when I saw you at the airport.

- …

- I'm guessing you still won't tell me what happened but somehow Cathy found out about something while you were still on your way here. I —

- Leon-san, that has nothing to do with this. It was mine, she can't give it to a nobody—

- She isn't a nobody

- What are you talking about?

- I'm saying Lydia is someone who is qualified to replace you.

- And how can you be sure of that?

- Because I assigned that role to her".