The lingering warmth of the Kyoto trip faded as Celestial returned to their relentless schedules. With an album release set for mid-August and their first nationwide solo concert tour kicking off in September, the members plunged back into intense preparations.

  For Mirei, it meant long, exhausting days filled with vocal training, dance rehearsals, and media promotions. Her phone conversations with Kaede became fewer, reduced to short, tired messages before bed. Meanwhile, Kaede struggled in her creative world. Since her st successful song release in te March, inspiration seemed to have abandoned her.

  The atmosphere in the studio grew heavy with frustration. Kaede, Yukina, and Risa sat surrounded by crumpled sheets of lyrics and unfinished compositions.

  “This melody feels... ft,” Kaede muttered, tapping her pen against her notepad.

  Yukina sighed, offering a weak smile. “Maybe we just need a break.”

  “We've been on a break for weeks now,” Risa groaned. “Maybe we're just... out of touch.”

  Kaede clenched her jaw, unwilling to accept defeat. But after another failed attempt, she smmed her notebook shut.

  “I’m taking a few days off,” she announced abruptly. “I need a change of scenery.”

  The others nodded, understanding all too well.

  ---

  June 24th - Kaede’s Apartment

  Days passed, but Kaede’s inspiration remained elusive. She y sprawled on her bed, staring at the ceiling with a bnk expression. Her notebook sat discarded on her desk, its pages taunting her.

  Suddenly, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Risa:

  Risa: “Hey Kaede, you have time?”

  Kaede: “Sure.”

  Risa: “Wanna accompany me? I wanna go somewhere.”

  Kaede: “Where?”

  Risa: “Disneynd.”

  Kaede blinked. Disneynd? She sighed, typing back:

  Kaede: “I’m zy...”

  Risa: “Oh, please! Yukina already rejected me. It’s my birthday, you know...”

  Kaede hesitated, then let out a long sigh.

  Kaede: “Ok.”

  Risa’s reply came instantly, full of heart emojis and excitement.

  ---

  Kaede spotted Risa at the station bouncing on her feet, practically glowing with excitement. She waved enthusiastically as Kaede approached.

  “Thank you so much for coming! I thought I’d spend my birthday alone!” Risa beamed.

  Kaede managed a small smile. “Well... you’re lucky I was free.”

  Their trip to Disneynd began with a quick lunch before exploring the park. Risa led the way with boundless energy, dragging Kaede from ride to ride. To Kaede's surprise, the cheerful atmosphere slowly chipped away at her lingering gloom.

  After their second ride, Kaede found herself ughing. “Okay, this... is actually kind of fun.”

  “Told you!” Risa grinned triumphantly.

  “Let’s try THAT one!” Risa pointed excitedly at a towering roller coaster that twisted through loops and steep drops.

  Kaede raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? It looks intense.”

  “Pfft, of course!” Risa bragged, puffing out her chest. “I’m not scared!”

  Minutes ter, they were strapped into their seats, and the ride slowly climbed the massive incline. Risa’s bravado quickly faded as the height became more real.

  “Uh... Kaede... this is kinda high...” she stammered.

  Before Kaede could respond, the ride plummeted down the first drop. Risa let out a piercing scream.

  “AAAHHHHH!!! I’M GONNA DIE!!”

  Kaede, ughing uncontrolbly, raised her hands in the air as if embracing the chaos. “You wanted this!” she shouted, barely able to breathe from ughter.

  The ride twisted and turned through more wild loops. Risa kept screaming, gripping the safety bar for dear life while Kaede continued ughing at her terrified expressions.

  When the ride finally ended, Risa stumbled out, legs shaking.

  “I...I think my soul left my body...” she gasped, holding onto Kaede’s arm for support.

  Kaede smirked. “Come on, drama queen. Let’s get you a drink before you pass out.”

  She led Risa to a nearby drink stall and ordered two iced lemonades. As they sat on a bench, Risa took a long sip, still pale but slowly recovering.

  “Thanks... I needed that.”

  Kaede chuckled. “You did great... except for the screaming.”

  “Hey! I was expressing my emotions!” Risa protested, finally ughing along.

  As they walked through the park, Risa pointed at a restaurant nearby. “Let’s eat there tonight! My birthday dinner!”

  Kaede smirked. “Only if I’m paying. Consider it your present.”

  “Deal!” Risa giggled.

  ---

  As night fell, the park sparkled with magical lights. They were headed toward the restaurant when a sudden commotion drew their attention. People crowded around a section of the park, excited chatter filling the air.

  “What’s going on?” Risa asked, curious.

  “Let’s check it out,” Kaede suggested, weaving through the crowd.

  As they got closer, Kaede’s heart skipped a beat. Under the bright lights, surrounded by cameras, stood Celestial. The members were filming a special content shoot at Disneynd, dressed in coordinated casual outfits.

  Mirei stood at the center, radiant as ever, her ughter ringing through the air. Kaede’s breath hitched at the sight of her. She’s so close...

  Caught in the crowd’s energy, Kaede instinctively moved closer, mesmerized by Mirei’s presence.

  Meanwhile, Risa struggled to keep up, losing sight of Kaede in the swelling sea of people.

  “Kaede...? Where’d you go?” she called out, but her voice was drowned by the excited crowd.

  Kaede remained rooted in pce, her eyes locked on Mirei, completely unaware she’d been separated from Risa.