The morning after her late-night practice with Ren, Mio barely made it to class on time. Her heart still felt unsettled by the memory of his teasing words and the way his hand had lingered on hers. Every time she remembered his intense gaze, her cheeks burned.
She tried to focus on lessons, but when the lunch bell rang, a commotion at the school gates drew everyone's attention. A sleek black car idled by the entrance, polished to a mirror shine. The driver stepped out to open the rear door, and a girl emerged.
She was striking: tall and elegant with icy blue eyes, long black hair tied in a high ponytail with a blood-red ribbon. She wore a designer uniform trimmed with silver, a different academy's crest glinting at her collar.
Students whispered as she strode onto campus, heels clicking sharply against the stone path. She moved with a commanding grace, each step deliberate—like a queen descending into enemy territory.
Her eyes scanned the courtyard before locking onto Mio with chilling precision. The girl's lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile as she walked straight toward her.
"You're Mio Hanabira, aren't you?" she asked, voice smooth and cold as glass. "I've been looking forward to meeting the girl who caught Ren's… interest."
Mio swallowed hard. "And you are?"
The girl stopped inches away, gaze piercing. "Shizuku Kurosawa," she said softly. "Your next obstacle—and your worst nightmare."
Before Mio could react, Shizuku's fingers lifted Mio's chin, her grip surprisingly strong. "You shine brightly," she murmured, eyes narrowing. "But even the brightest stars can be snuffed out."
Mio slapped her hand away. "Stay away from me!"
Shizuku's smile twisted. "Or what?" She raised her hand, dark energy swirling like a storm. Black petals exploded outward, slicing the air as they flew at Mio.
Mio stumbled backward, heart pounding, and instinctively raised her Aurora Pin. A sudden surge of warmth and light burst from the pin, engulfing her in a radiant cocoon.
Time seemed to slow. Rainbow light spiraled around her body, lifting her hair as it shimmered with starlight. Her school uniform dissolved into motes of glittering energy, replaced by layers of iridescent blue and pink ruffles that settled into a short, flowing skirt. Shining white boots formed around her legs, delicate silver filigree curling up from her ankles.
Ribbons of pale light wound around her arms, forming translucent, wing-like sleeves that fluttered as she moved. Her hair grew longer and more vibrant, each strand catching the glow of her magic, and a tiny, glowing crown formed atop her head like a constellation.
When the final notes of sparkling light faded, Mio stood transformed: radiant, ethereal, and breathtaking — the very embodiment of a Dream Performer.
As the brilliance cleared, Mio gasped, staring at her own reflection in a nearby window, eyes wide with shock. "What… what is this?" she whispered, voice trembling. Her hands, now encased in fingerless white gloves lined with rainbow threads, were still crackling with light.
Did I… just transform? How?!
Shizuku let out a soft, mocking laugh. "So this is your true power," she purred, eyes gleaming with dangerous excitement. "I can see why the Watcher is interested."
"Stay back!" Mio shouted, but fear and awe tangled in her voice. She raised her hands — light burst from her fingertips in a wave of rainbow Dream Notes, slamming into Shizuku's black petals with a thunderous clash.
Shizuku danced through the air with sinister grace, her dark petals swirling protectively as she countered with vicious lashes of shadow energy. The rooftop rattled with every impact, wind howling between them.
Mio struggled to control the unfamiliar strength coursing through her. Each step felt unsteady, her power threatening to overflow. "I don't understand this… but I have to protect everyone!" she thought desperately.
Shizuku lunged, whips of black petals cracking toward Mio. Mio narrowly leapt aside, landing with an awkward skid but swinging her hand to release a fan of rainbow light that pushed Shizuku back.
Their battle became a fierce, mesmerizing dance — Mio's glowing notes colliding with Shizuku's dark thorns in explosions of color that lit up the courtyard.
Breathing heavily, Shizuku wiped a trickle of blood from her lip, eyes blazing with both fury and respect. "You're stronger than I expected," she hissed. "But you're still a scared little girl."
Just then, slow, mocking applause echoed through the rooftop. Ren emerged from the shadows, his dark eyes glittering with amusement. "Impressive… both of you."
Shizuku shot him a glare, but lowered her hand, shadows fading. She gave Mio a final, dangerous smile. "Enjoy your borrowed power, Hanabira. Next time, I won't hold back."
With a swirl of dark mist, she vanished into the night.
Ren stepped closer to Mio, who was still trembling, her transformation fading into shimmering sparks. He reached out, brushing her hair from her face. "Beautiful," he whispered, eyes intense. "Don't waste that light."
Mio slapped his hand away, breath ragged. "Stay… away!"
He chuckled softly, voice dark and smooth. "We'll see."
As he disappeared into the shadows, Mio sank to her knees, clutching her Aurora Pin, heart pounding with confusion and fear.
What am I becoming… and what have I gotten myself into?