Author's note: Sigh.. I know I didn't upload for.. many months, but school's seriously killing me. The chapter is not too long either, but the action starts now.

Enjoy and review!

Chapter 9. A new show

Tsubasa couldn't go home. She tried to walk as slowly as she could, but even so the fifteen minutes road she had to walk from Kaleido Stage to her house turned out only ten minutes longer. As soon as she arrived in front of her house, Tsubasa realized she couldn't go in.

What was she going to tell her mother? What was she going to ask? What does she want to know? What does she not want to know? What was she supposed to know?

She wasn't prepared. It was not until she turned around and saw Sora's house right across the street that she decided to go visit her. She slapped her cheeks slowly and put on a smile to cover the feelings she had.

Sora appeared in front Tsubasa as soon as she knocked a second time on the door.

"Tsubasa-chan, come in!"

The girl stepped inside, following Sora. The two of them stepped in the living room.

"Hot chocolate?" Sora asked. "I was just making some."

"Yeah, it would be great."

The purple-haired woman came with two mugs of hot chocolate and placed them on the small, white table in front of Tsubasa and herself.

"So, what happened?" Sora asked as Tsubasa took a sip from her chocolate. The girl's eyes snapped open. The woman smiled gently. "That smile is not yours, Tsubasa-chan. It's ok, you can tell me anything."

Tsubasa put the mug down and replied after a moment. "Sora.. Why did Mom quit performing at Kaleido?"

Sora was surprised by her question. "Tsubasa-chan, don't tell me you think it was your fault that May doesn't perform at Kaleido anymore."

The girl didn't reply, she kept staring at her hands folded in her lap.

Sora put the mug on the table. "Tsubasa-chan," she begun, making the girl look at her. She was smiling gently. "You're a considerate girl." but Tsubasa didn't seem to believe her. "I mean it. It's good that you think about your mother's feelings but trust me, you have nothing to feeling guilty about. I could tell you what happened back then, but I believe it's best if May tells you. I'm sure she could explain things better."

Tsubasa smiled. She felt a little better hearing all of this. Her mother would explain things to her if she asked, of course, but she was afraid not to make her remember sad things. But she doesn't need to worry. She would definitely ask her Mom about this, but not now. Everything will be alright, she doesn't need to dig in the past if there's no need to.

Tsubasa got up and drank all the chocolate in a sip. "Thank you, Sora." she said and turned around.

"Are you going home?" she asked.

Tsubasa nodded and smiled. "Mom's waiting."

"Right, Hana has to come from school too. I'd better start making her dinner." Sora replied putting her hands on her hips. "Well, I'm glad to have seen you."

"Me too, Sora." the black-haired girl turned around. "See you!"

XXX

Next morning, Tsubasa woke up later than usual and had to run to make it in time for the first day of training. She and the rest of the newbies were told which training ground they'll use from now on. She arrived right before the teacher. She expected to see Anna, but not Anna was the one standing in front of the newbies, all in their training clothes. Tsubasa was also wearing her purple dress and light-blue leggings.

In front of the students was standing a man in his late thirties. He had short, spiky, blue hair and small, brown eyes. Weirdly, he was wearing a pair of leggings. He had his hands crawled up his chest. There was silence in the room as the man stopped in front of the students without saying anything, he only looked at each student carefully. The look on his face made everyone not move a muscle, but after a moment, his expression changed.

"Oh my, such young and beautiful fresh faces!" he said putting his hands on his cheeks. "Oh my, where are my manners? I forgot to present myself," he giggled and continued. "My name is Boris. I will be your instructor from now on so let's get along." he smiled cheerfully.

Tsubasa smiled. She was glad their instructor was such a nice person.

Suddenly, Boris opened his eyes and looked at a boy close to him. "You.." the mood around the man changed suddenly. "What's with this outfit?!" he snapped, making the boy step back.

"Uh.. those are my training clothes?" the boy replied.

"The top is okay, white is the new black this year. But, pleeease—those pants," he pointed towards them. "With those shoes?" he had a disgusted expression on his face.

"It's just training man, chill out. Besides, those clothes are fine."

"Yes, fine, of course—in army."

"What—"

"A piece of advice, throw those shoes in the first garbage you see. Actually, it would be better to set them on fire." Boris cut him off with a smile, a frightening one. "Now, back to our class." the instructor turned around and clapped his hands.

'That's some fashion sense he's got.' Tsubasa thought.

"First of all, I'd like to see what each of you can do, so you will take turns and—" Boris stopped when the door opened and a tall man stepped inside. "Boss!"

The students turned their heads to look at him when he entered. Tsubasa didn't know who he was, until Boris said 'boss'.

"I have to talk with you." the man said.

The two of them spoke in silence as the students started talking with one another, it seemed like most of them were already friends. Tsubasa looked around and saw the girl she admired at the audition—Yume Naegino. She was standing alone, waiting for the two men to finish the conversation. She was standing tall and straight, her brown hair barely touching her shoulders.

"Attention please!" Boris said out loud. "Boss." he said, allowing the man next to him to speak.

"As most of you know, we are preparing for a new show."

"It's called 'Phantom of the Opera', one of the most beautiful stories ever told!" Boris cut him off.

"Boris." the director looked at him. "Like I said, we are preparing for a new show, but there has been an accident and some of the cast members can not perform anymore. I am here to recruit Naegino Yume."

Every head turned towards the girl in the first row. She made a step forward still looking as confident as usual, but shivering only a little.

"You will be the lead for this show." Kalos ordered, making Yume's eyes snap open.

"I am sorry, I am not confident I can do it." she replied.

Kalos narrowed his eyebrows. "I didn't ask if you can do it, I said you will." his icy tone made everyone froze. Yume didn't have time to oppose as he continued. "If you refuse, pack your things and leave Kaleido Stage this afternoon, I will book your flight ticket."

Nobody said anything. Nobody expected Kalos to be that harsh. He turned around wanting to leave, but Yume stopped him.

"I will do it!" she said out loud.

Tsubasa could read so many emotions on her face in that moment—fear, insecurity, confusion, but most of all, determination. Tsubasa realized she wouldn't leave Kaleido Stage, no matter what.

Kalos nodded, then returned and spoke to the others. "I will be in need of other two persons." he waited for someone to raise their hand.

In the next moment, Tsubasa did, making every head turn towards her. She stepped forward being only half-conscious of what she was doing.

She, a newbie who could barely manage an axel on ice, was pretending to be able to play an important role on a show already.

But she knew why she raised her hand. She wanted to be close to Naegino Yume, maybe try being friends. It was because of her. Her courage inspired her.

In the next moment, another hand appeared.

"I will try too." said a boy as he stepped next to Tsubasa.

It was the boy Boris scolded for his outfit. Tsubasa looked at him. He had blue hair styled up, small bangs falling over each side of his face and black eyes.

"Those are Tsubasa Oswald and Jhonnes Edward." Boris said looking on a paper.

Kalos nodded. "We will begin right now, there's no time to lose." he turned around and walked away, the other three following him.

Naegino Yume first, next to her Jhonnes Edward and Tsubasa watching Yume's back from behind.