DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN AIKATSU NOR THE SONGS USED
*I think I (JPN version) by Super Junior, keep in mind there is a Korean version
Hayate's POV
To be honest I'm not too sure how I got picked as the class representative for the Starlight anniversary. I was elected by my classmates, which I'm grateful for of course, but why me exactly, no idea. I was experienced in the modelling field, not so much in the planning. The most I would plan in would be in the outfits and the posing that I would be doing. That's why I had Rika who was fully capable of scheduling stuff like that. Though with the unanimous vote for me I didn't really have the place to be saying anything against them. Besides it shouldn't be too hard since Mr. Bepp said that we would be working with the upper years who would do majority of the work. If anything I would ask them for help.
So when I was paired up with Momo, it was the best result in my mind. Since I first saw her audition, she has been constantly surprising me. When I first saw her in the audition hall with Dobu I could already tell that those two were going to be my main competition. It was the way Momo constantly presented herself that made her stand out. Maybe it was because I knew who her parents were, maybe it was the nerves of the audition but there was something about her that made you look at her and be able to approach. I don't even think that she's aware of how she looked to others. Like a priceless statue that couldn't be sold to anyone.
My eyes were on Momo the entire time until I saw her talking to another boy. That was when Dobu came into the picture. For the most part those auditioning stuck to themselves or with their same gender friends. These two were the only ones that were together that it was obvious that a few others would look at them. They were trapped in their own bubble though. Not even seeing the looks that others were giving them in confusion. How can Dobu be talking to her, the Star couple daughter, so easily?
His audition piece wasn't anything like I expected. It wasn't something that completely blew me out of the water but it had such a bold statement about him. He had the potential to be the top idol. That he was more than what meets the eye. Becoming his roommate was like fate. That's why the more I got to know the two of them, the more I came to realize how amazing they were together and individually. So while Momo aimed to be better than her parents and Dobu wanted to find a way to express himself through being an idol, I wanted to be above the two of them.
Days left until the Starlight Anniversary festival: 6
I stood by Momo as she was discussing with Mr. Suzukawa and Mr. Bepp in their office. As we were both the first year representatives we were going to speak to their classes about the events they had planned. I already knew that my class was holding a mini fashion show but there was still the discussion of scheduling and the items we might need. I wasn't doing much as she was handling most everything.
She kind of reminded me of Rika like this. She kept herself well mannered during the tough situations and was extremely mature to handle all that was thrown at us.
"Okay then it's settled. Dad, Snapshot and I will go to your class during the second period and Bepp-sensei's class for first." She held her papers close to her chest with a smile on her face.
"Got it." Mr. Suzukawa turned to me. "Watch over Momo this week Ceasire."
"It's more like she'll be taking care of me from the looks of it." The two teachers sniffled a laugh.
"Sure. Just keep an eye on her. She might have some difficulty with handling everything. Especially since she still has to practice for her stage as well."
"Please don't make me look bad Dad." She cutely pouted at him ruffling her hair. "We should get going now. Bepp-sensei, if you will."
I didn't even realize the time that past. I looked to the clock on the wall seeing that we still had some time left. Momo was fixing her hair as she saw me looking at the time. "Oh that clock is off. I believe 5 minutes behind?"
The two teachers turned to it while checking their watches. "Oh would you look at that. It is. I should get that fixed later." Mr. Suzukawa stood up to get the clock off the wall.
"How did you know that?" I asked.
"We entered the room around 7:20 and spent exactly 29 minutes discussing our plan, not counting this discussion. Meaning it would be around 7:49, now 7:52 counting this conversation. It'll take around 4-5 minutes, depending on our speed of walking, to get to class leaving around 3 minutes before the warning bell once we get there." I couldn't believe how calculating Momo was. She stepped to the side, making way for Mr. Bepp.
"I would hate to seem pushy but 3 minutes is still cutting it close in my books and I rather not waste more time." Momo remained professional even if she trying to rush us a little. Mr. Bepp stood up laughing, leading the way to our class. We passed a few students rushing to get to their classes. Many gave a quick second to greet Mr. Bepp and I a good morning. We would give a quick response as both sides continued on with the beginning of their days.
Momo, on the other hand, didn't say much during this time. No one really greeted her that I felt like they didn't even see her next to us. She had herself buried in the papers in her hand that I wouldn't be surprised if she bumped into something. She still kept up with us and easily avoided anyone that may have come in her path. She had no trouble weaving through everything that it was clear that she was still aware of her surroundings. I wonder how many times she's done the same at her old school before becoming an idol.
We arrived at my class in time before the warning bell went off. "Hey Momo-chan would it be okay if I look at what you're writing?"
She was caught off guard but handed me the clipboard. She had a lot of notes from the meeting yesterday as to what we were in charge. I flipped a couple of pages seeing the same organized structure on all of them. Not just on our parts but also on the upper years as well. She had everything that was necessary and more. I handed her notes back hearing the warning bell go off. Mr. Bepp went into the room first. I could hear him talking to my classmates giving his morning announcements first. I looked over to Momo as it was almost our turn to go in. Looking at her closer I saw that she was holding onto her clipboard a lot harder than before.
"Hey you okay?" She shook her head.
"Yeah it's just, I've never met anyone in your class before. Guess I'm a little nervous." I offered her my hand. She looked at it for a second before putting her hand in it. I placed my other hand on top of it to comfort her.
"You don't have to worry about a thing Momo-chan. I'll help you out in anyway possible so just rely on me." I let go of her hands hearing Mr. Bepp call us in. I gave her a small smile that she returned meekly. I opened the door first letting her walk in first. She gave me a light chuckle heading in without fear.
We stood in front of the podium with all of my classmates looking at us. I could see it right away that majority of the gazes were on Momo. And though it looked like she was nervous before it almost looked like she was use to this kind of scenario. She wasn't nervous on stage either. What exactly was bothering her before coming in?
We gave ourselves a brief introduction on what we were going to talk about and the plan that was set up for the week up until the day of the anniversary. Most of it was already planned out by the third years that there were not manyh adjustments we were able to make besides the actual show.
"So any questions, comments, concerns?" Momo concluded. One person raised their hand after seeing that no one else wanted to say something.
"How can we be sure that people will come watch our show? There's a bunch of other attractions that are going on at the same time right? I'm just kind of worried that we won't get a large audience." It was natural for us first years to be nervous about out first show. Momo eyebrows stitched together.
"Should it matter if there's other attractions or if there's a small audience? You'll attract people if you seem like you'll do well. You'll perform as if there's a thousand people even if you're in your room alone. Your concern is normal. But it shouldn't be lasting. Always be aware that things don't go your way and continue." Spoken like someone that had so much experience she reassured the student's concern.
"Then how do we make things go our way? That we get enough people to come watch and stuff?"
"You rely on Snapshot and I. As your representatives our goal is to make sure that both the first year classes get something out there to show themselves. The fact that you guys can hold a whole show is already amazing. If marketed correctly, you'll receive a great turn out." The class happily chirped in on that.
"The runway isn't something that we know a lot about, can you give us a few pointers on how we should do it?" Momo didn't say anything. I turned to her seeing that she was looking at me.
"What? This is your expertise. I've never step foot on a catwalk." I took a second thinking about the question again. I wasn't expecting having any questions directed to me.
"Oh well I think the most important thing would be to be conscience about every angle." I step to the side of the podium pointing down the aisle made from the tables. "Imagine that this is the catwalk."
I took controlled steps down the line. After years in the business it's become a second habit to walk as if I was constantly on the catwalk. Everyone's eyes were on me from the front to the back of the room. I was wearing normal male uniform but I was aware of what needed to be done. "Depending on your outfit, you'll want to change the way you walk to make the clothes stand out."
I moved my arms slightly with my walk, keeping my head straight. With my steps I made sure to make a click of the heel of the shoe. "Starlight academy uniforms are tailored to be able to move in and are incredibly durable. The fabric is rough to the touch but soft lining on the inside. Always be aware of what the clothing's key points are. By moving my arms, you can see that this outfit is breathable."
I reached the end of the room turning smoothly to go back down the other aisle. "You must continue until the very end when you're out of camera's view. You look straight ahead as your hair and make up were done with your head up. I may have been doing this for a long time but in the end it's all down to the fundamentals."
Once I got back to the front I made eye contact with Momo. She was smirking watching me walk. I made a swift rotation around to my classmates. "I may be busy with representing you guys but I'll try to give you guys some pointers about the actual show as well."
The others clapped at me finishing my walk with a bow. With Momo and I's combined skills there wasn't anything that could stand in out way.
Days left until the Starlight Anniversary festival: 5
"Suzukuawa-san!" Momo and I turned around as someone called out her name. One of her classmates ran up to her with a few sheets in hand. "Here's those papers that you asked for."
"Thank you." She took sheets stapled together flipping through the first few pages. "It looks good thank you for helping out."
"What is it?" I questioned.
"Some recipes. My class is doing a crepe stand so I asked my classmate here, who comes from a confectionery background, to help look up a few recipes so that I can prepare some of the ingredients that might be needed. Anyone could have done it but the fact that they have a background helps in having a more specialized eye for these things."
"Please it was nothing. I was just glad you came to ask me for help. You're always with Higawari-kun and Fumiko that I didn't think you knew who I was."
"I'm well aware of every one. Though I do suppose I tend to isolate myself between those two. Does it reflect a bad light onto people's ability to approach me?" The classmate and I were caught off guard at her question.
"Uh well not exactly its more so like um it's just- " Momo stared at them as they struggled to answer the question. It was a strange question to begin with. No matter the way you worded the answer it would seem like Momo was the rude one that made everyone afraid to talk to her. The classmate probably didn't even mean it like that when they mentioned it.
"Sorry I didn't mean to offend you." The classmate told her.
"I wasn't offended? And you shouldn't apologize if that is the misunderstanding. I was only clarifying how I would appear to others. I should withdraw my question if it makes you uncomfortable and for that I'm sorry." The classmate looked to me for a second. They were just as confused as I was.
"I guess we both misunderstood then? I should be heading to my next class so um see you around?" They left in a quick manner. Momo tilted her head in confusion but brushed it off continuing to her next class as well.
"So what was that about?"
"What?" I somewhat gestured backwards.
"That conversation. Do you two not get along or something?"
"Not that I'm aware of. Did we seem to have bad blood?" There it was again. The way she questions about herself is strange to me.
"No its just the way you held that conversation seemed strain to me."
"Strain in what way?" I struggled with coming up with an answer. It wasn't like I could say that it was the way she spoke. Wouldn't that be rude? And I couldn't place my finger on why it sounded so strain. It just didn't flow like a normal conversation would. It was like Momo would cut off the conversation mid way by asking her questions and changing topics too fast. It probably wasn't her intention either as her question was genuinely her confused.
Something went off in her head almost like an alarm. "It's almost time for our next classes to begin. I guess I'll talk to you later."
She bowed to me going in the opposite direction towards her class. I stood there for a second watching her walk away. I couldn't move as I thought more about who Momo was. She resembled a robot the way she worked. Everything was calculated and pre-planned to a specific standard that everything that followed it was expected. On one hand it was incredible but at the same time it was kind of... unsettling?
I went my way to my vocal classes afterwards still having Momo linger in my mind. When I got to class I looked at the time seeing that I was about 5 minutes earlier. Meaning that Momo was still one step ahead of everything. I spotted Dobu by himself, humming an unknown melody with earbuds in. I approached him first as he was trapped in his own world. He took out his earbuds seeing me stand in front of him.
"Hey Dobu-kun can I ask you something about Momo-chan?" Dobu was probably the best bet to know her best besides her parents.
"About Momo-san? What about her?"
"Have you noticed that she kind of talks differently? Like not to offend her in any way or judge her but we were talking to one of your classmates and she doesn't- I don't know how to word this. Its just she doesn't hold conversations longer to actually connect to the other person." He looked at me not understanding.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Really? You guys always understood each other and she doesn't ask questions about the way you speak? Or have an awkward silence?" He thought about it.
"Not really. If our conversations end it's because we don't have to continue the conversation. I've never really thought of it as awkward silence that way. We both just keep it to a minimum. If she doesn't understand something, then I'll explain it like she does me." His logic made sense for him. Not for me though.
It made sense for Shouta because they were the same. They both didn't speak much to other people. Even the classmate themselves said that when the two of them were together they were unapproachable. I knew that I was on a different standard them but this was different. They weren't separate from me or the rest of the classmates because they were above us. It was because they didn't really know how to get out their bubbles.
Days left until the Starlight Anniversary festival: 4
"Momo-chan are you free to talk right now?" Momo stood to the side of the runway watching my classmates take turns walking down. They were wearing their student uniforms today as not all the outfits were prepared. They were just getting a feel for the catwalk without the burden of the clothes right now.
"Sure." She kept her eyes on them as each person passed by.
"Well I just want to say this first. I don't want you to take offence from what I want to say in any way. Yet I will fully understand if you do not want to listen to me as well." She snorted a little.
"A gentleman as always. Okay I understand. Please speak your mind." She turned to me after scribbling down something on her notes. She gave me her full attention probably hearing how serious I was.
"Do you ever feel that you aren't good at communicating your thoughts?" I took the safe approach where I wanted to try helping her.
"Not necessarily. I state what I want to say from what I know of. There are many cases that I occasionally use jargon that is not common that I may have to explain my thought process more but not to an extent that would bother me." I don't think that the conversation with her classmate from yesterday was even on her mind.
"So why do you use specific jargon and go through the trouble of having to explain to others your way of thinking? Wouldn't it be simpler to just dumb things down?"
"Because this is the way I speak. I've been accustomed to this way. And I shouldn't assume that people could not understand me when they could." She didn't need to change but it would cause her some problems if she couldn't talk informally with people. Momo didn't need change. She needed to understand that people don't understand. "Snapshot I would like to answer back your questions with my own."
"U-uh sure?" I didn't expect her to turn the topic back to me.
"You were raised with people attracted to you for so long. And so was I. So why is that you didn't push those people away? As you grew up why didn't you hate the attention on you?" She didn't look at me but at the runway. That was my stage.
"I liked the attention though. I was lucky to find something that I was good at a young age and I enjoyed it. The attention was just an extra."
"The attention to me was more than just extra to me. I found something that I was good at a young age. But what if someone made you feel that your hard work wasn't yours to own. That the only reason you could be a model was because of the cameras being good quality. That the clothes you were wearing were the only thing responsible for your fame. Would you have continued feeling nice about modelling?" She turned to meet my eyes.
The way that I was looking at her was scary. The runway platform was behind her with all the lights shining brightly. Too brightly that I couldn't look at her. There was a presence around her that I never seen before. One that made me reconsider everything. When I didn't answer her, she went back to monitoring my classmates. She called their attentions to her walking up the stairs leaving me alone. I could only watch her as she went to the end of the stage where everyone could see her.
"Everyone can I give you guys one suggestion for your walk?" Everyone listened. "All of your walks have been good so far but there's something that you're all trying to do. You're all trying to copy Snapshot's walking demonstration. It is a nice way to think but it's restraining a lot of your movements. The point of the anniversary shows is for everyone to get out and perform. Please relax and have fun with it."
To her this was so normal. That everyone was expecting her to be a leader for this, to be an amazing music person, to be just like her parents. With the shining lights around her but no one by her side. With everyone just looking to her to have all the answers. Is that why she can't connect with people then? Momo, how long were you alone like this?
Days left until the Starlight Anniversary festival: 3
I lied in bed aimlessly scrolling through my Aikatsu phone. With all that we were preparing for the anniversary I wanted some time to just relax but lying here only made me more anxious. We only had two days left until all the work we put in would be shown. Everything was going according to our planning that I had no doubt about. Yet after what happen with Momo I couldn't help feeling that I had poked a bear by accident. She didn't hold it against me I think but I felt that something was in between us. Maybe it's my imagination because she's not acting differently. I was.
I couldn't imagine what would have happened to me if I didn't get credit for being a good model. If I was only degraded for my hard work because of technicalities. Or in Momo's case, her parents' legacy. I gave so much of my life to modelling and I always wanted to make sure that I didn't let that control everything. I made friends with the other models and workers that I encountered. I spoke to everyone without thinking that it was such a big deal. For Momo and I, we diverged at that point.
I attracted people, she pushed them away. Everyone always had eyes on us from the start but Momo never really did. It was always about her parents that can't even talk to people normally without the practice in her childhood. She understands that people can't understand her but she can't just change that easily. And why would she want to? It's not her fault that people always associated her with her parents or that they treated her differently creating her tense speech.
'What would I even do without modelling? If I had to give it up like Momo-chan did with music, what would have happened to me? I may be an idol now but I didn't think about retiring from modelling until I was like 60 or something.' I sighed turning off my phone. Looking around my room there were signs of my career everywhere. My calendar with all my important dates, a few magazines of me on the desk, my clothes neatly organized in the closest. It's a part of me that I couldn't imagine me without it.
I opened my phone again wanting to message the only person that I could think of to help me out. [Hey Rika, how was I like before I started modelling?]
Rika was my manager for as long as I could remember. She was a part of the agency that scouted me off the streets and has been by me for everything. I could see my message changing the status to being read almost instantly after I had clicked sent. I jumped when the screen changed showing that Rika was calling me. I sat up before answering the call. "Hello?"
"Hello? Why do you want to know about childhood before modelling?"
"Oh um I was just wondering since you probably remember more than I do. What was I like?" She thought a bit about it on the other line.
"I would say you were the same from what I remember. When I first got assigned to you didn't know anything about what was happening but you listened well to what we were telling you and you picked up on it fast. Many child models are used for their cute faces, not many want to continue or are able to. You, on the other hand, did because you not only enjoyed it but made others know you enjoyed it. You, before modelling, was kind, open, and overall beautiful inside and out. The only thing that I can really say changed about you was that you have something like modelling to devote your energy to."
I felt a lot better about myself hearing Rika. "Thank you Rika."
"You're welcome Hayate-kun. I don't understand why the sudden curiosity but don't forget, you're not only a model. You have a lot more to you than just that." Relief washed over me knowing that even without my job I would still be someone.
Without music Momo fell back on her studies. She was Momo not from the way she speaks but because it was a show of all her hard work so far. I shouldn't have tried to tell her that it was strange.
Days left until the Starlight Anniversary festival: 2
"Momo-chan, I think I have an answer to your question. Will you hear me out?" I finally managed to get Momo alone after all the work that was constantly thrown at her. She was sitting by herself in the cafeteria with all her papers laid out in front of her. She smiled up at me from her papers.
"And what would you say then Snapshot? Why is that you don't push people away?" This time I had confidence to answer her.
"I don't know. I guess it's because I was lucky that I didn't end up with people degrading me. I grew up with different circumstances than you. I'm okay with the attention because I never saw it in a negative light. I was telling myself that I should be nice and try to encourage you to change your way of talking so that people can understand you. I was wrong to do so. If people really want to understand you then you should be the same as always. Smart, organized, beautiful. Is that an okay answer?" She put down her pencil, giving me a soundless applause.
"I would have accepted without the last three compliments but thank you. Sometimes not having an answer is perfectly fine." She picked the papers in front of her showing them to me. Like the notes she showed me the other day it was carefully written in an easy to understand format. "I know that I'm not the best at speaking in a lax format so thank you once more for being okay with that. I enjoy these types of things and though it can be a somewhat of a hassle to have so many people rely on me, for once I have people like you to be concerned for me. I don't have the answer as to how to change my way of talking so I'll slowly strive so that people can understand me. Does that work for you?"
People have always been assuming so much about her. That she was only where she was today because of her parents. That she was okay with holding the burden of being the representative for the class. I had fallen into the same trap of assuming that she would want to change who she was to be able to fit in. Just like I wasn't only a model, she isn't just her studies or her parents' daughter, she was Suzukawa Momo. That was all I that mattered.
I took the seat in front of her picking up the paper that looked like the one for my class. All outfits were planned out for each student. Down to the last detail she had everything ready. She had gotten all of their measurements marked down along with notes about their personalities that she must have picked up. Each outfit was fit for each person. Momo was always striving to work with everyone else in her own way. She may not be able to study relationships or get along easily with others but she was trying in the only way that she could. Slowly but surely Momo was opening herself up.
"Is there anything that I can help with?"
Tomorrow was the day of the Starlight Anniversary
Momo and I had just finished checking up on her class' booth when I found someone watching Momo in particular. I recognized it as the classmate that helped her out the other day. I left her to snack on one of the crepes that they had made to go to the classmate. They bowed to me first seeing me come closer. "Good work today Ceasire-san."
I waved it off. "You can call me Hayate. I saw that you were looking at Momo-chan. Would it be because of your interaction a few days ago?"
"I really didn't mean to offend her that day. I hope I didn't leave a bad impression on her." They blushed a little. This person was kind of like me in thinking this way about her. We were both watching as Momo was talking with Dobu. She was trying to offer him some of her crepe with the largest smile on her face. Compared to her stoic working face this was entirely different. It was no wonder those two can get along if he was able to see this side of her.
"You really don't have to worry about that. If you tell her your thoughts straight forward she can not understand sometimes but she'll listen." The classmate looked at me funny but was smiling.
"I guess that's true. Suzukawa-san really is interesting though that it may take some time."
"Isn't that the most interesting part?" I argued. The classmate agreed as Momo was quickly finishing her crepe. She came over to us cleaning the corners of her mouth of cream with a napkin. She bowed to the classmate, turning to me.
"We should head out now. It's almost time for your class's show." I nodded giving the classmate a wave as we headed off.
When we got there everything was going according to plan. The auditorium was practically filled in and backstage was bustling with everyone getting the last details together. The tension was almost the same as a real model show. I almost couldn't believe how much everyone had prepared with never doing any of this before.
"It's amazing what idols can do when they put their minds to it, right Snapshot?" I was buzzing with excitement feeling the same as I would before my runs. One of my classmates shouted out the timing left until the start of the show. "Makes you want to perform doesn't it? How about it?"
I looked to her suddenly. "Wait what?"
She grinned at me. "You should have seen on the timeline that I set up that there was a space for a finale. I talked with your classmates and they all agreed that it belongs rightfully to you."
"Wait but I don't have anything." She placed a hand on my shoulder.
"You're a Starlight idol today, not a model. Use the lessons you've been taught so far to create a stage for yourself. A familiar setting but new circumstances. Please learn from this experience as well." As expected Momo. She never failed to surprise me over and over again.
I stood in front of the Aikatsu dressing room system with my Golden Gentleman Coord in my hands. Compared to my City Lights clothing this was much more simple but it had impact. A pair of dark gray tinted dress pants with a bright gold line running down the outer side of both legs. On top of the white dress shirt was a blazer with the right half being a golden and black checkered. The blazer, though slightly baggy so that we could dance in it, had a slim fitting form that had outlined body proportions. All boy stage uniforms were roughly the same style that was designed for everyone to be able to give the look of neatly kept without the constraint of the original style that these types of pieces would go with.
'Watch my stage well Momo-chan. Compared to my debut stage I want to show you the idol side of me.' I inserted my cards into the system stepping into the machine.
The piano with the metronome ticking of the song started playing.
Yeah, let's go I gave a playful smirk hearing a few screams already
Ready for it
Come on, girl Once the bass came I took the first step down the runway
makka na Lips toumei na Your skin My finger traced over my lips adverting my eyes down to the side of me while walking down
nandaka najimi no kaori
hikareai kodou hibiki
futari no naka wo No no no no I pointed off in different directions to the beat
senmei na genkaku kono kanji Good
te nobashi tsukamu paafekuto Mood
kimi ni muchuu shihaisuru Rule
boku no tame dake no uta sa
I think I, I think I I took steps back and forth as if I was dancing with another person in a tango
I think I need a girl
I think I, I think I
I think I need a girl
I think I, I think I
I think I need a girl, like you
Oh, shall we dance (Dance) I paused striking a pose at the two break pauses. This was still my stage. Different than my debut performance, this time I felt as if I was still on the runway that I can confidently call mine.
kono yoru ni tsutsumarete (Oh yeah)
kimi no koto kanjite (kanjite Yeah) I slowly raised my hand up beckoning forward to the audience
We can dance, we can dance
We can dance, we can dance
koyoi ni wa (i ni wa)
Oh, shall we dance (Oh, shall we dance) The song called to me as I just followed the Latin groove to it
koukotsu na rizumu ni yotte (ni yotte)
kimi ni somaru no sa (Woo)
We can dance, we can dance
We can dance, we can dance
tada kimi ni
We can dance, we can dance I stood at the end of the runway giving it all of my voice to the these lines
We can dance, we can dance
tokete yuku
Woo, woo, woo I turned on my heel walking back down the runway with the model walk that I've perfected so long ago. I looked over my shoulder giving the last line.
tada kimi ni
I could feel the sweat clinging to my skin. I could hear my heavy breathing above the screaming of the audience. This was completely different my stage for Blaze. This wasn't anywhere close to a model walk. The clothes weren't the star this time. All the eyes were on me. I've never felt this way on a runway alone. This is what an idol stage is like.
I met Momo and the rest of my classmates' backstage. They greeted me with smiles and applause. Momo was in the center of it clapping herself. "You did well this time Snapshot. You've grown a lot since your first stage. You even displayed your first signs of an idol aura."
"I did?" I was re-energized hearing not only her praise me but tell me that I had shown my aura for the first time.
"It's still in its primordial steps but it was there. That is a huge step. Flickering white lights almost like camera flashes. It suits you very much. I hope I can see more of it in the future." Before I could respond I could hear the audience cheer even more. "Time for curtain call."
She turned back to class. "All of you have worked hard today. Please go greet your audience."
Momo bowed to everyone stepping to the side of the entrance way. She held the curtain open for all of us gesturing for us to head out. "What about you Momo-chan? You should join us on stage."
She slowly shook her head. "My work is not done just yet. I still have my stage to do. Please look forward to that. It's time for the mystery guest to make their special debut."
Aipom4: Thank you! I was really excited to write their scene together that I'm glad you liked it.
Trivia: So I actually got a review a while back that asked if we could see Hayate's POV to which I responded that it would take a while to make one. Surprisingly it didn't take as long as I thought. Though since I was planning to make a Momo-Hayate chapter I thought why not so here it is. Hayate holds Momo and Shouta up to a higher standard that this was fun to explore a different view of them.
Also at the date that I'm posting this basically celebrates the second year anniversary since this story started :D I haven't even gotten started on a lot of the story so please spend the time with Momo and I 3