The stage shimmered beneath a sky painted with stars—each one twinkling like a secret waiting to be told. Mio's feet floated across the glossy floor as ribbons of light trailed from her fingertips, weaving constellations with every graceful step. The music swelled, wrapping around her like a warm embrace, promising a perfect moment. But then, without warning, the shimmering floor cracked beneath her, splintering the music into a broken echo. Her heart raced, and the dazzling lights dimmed—until all that remained was silence. Gasping, Mio awoke, tangled in her sheets, the last notes of her dream fading like morning mist.
Blinking away the lingering haze of her dream, Mio swung her legs over the side of the bed and rubbed her eyes. The soft pink walls of her room seemed to smile back at her, covered with posters of sparkling idols and shelves lined with glittering accessories. "Okay, Mio," she whispered with a determined grin, "today's the day to practice even harder." But just as she reached for her favorite hair ribbon, her foot caught on a plush toy, and she tumbled forward with a surprised giggle. "Oof! Clumsy as ever," she muttered, brushing herself off. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change—something magical.
Then she remembered. It's actually 7:45 am !!!
Mio hurried down the stairs, clutching her schoolbag in one hand and trying to fix her messy twin tails with the other. "Late, late, late!" she muttered, skidding around the corner and nearly bumping into the kitchen table.
Her mom smiled from the doorway. "Breakfast's on the table, Mio. Don't forget your lunchbox!"
"Thanks, Mom! I'll be super quick!" Mio grabbed a quick bite of toast, already thinking about the Symphonia Stage Auditions.
Outside, cherry blossoms danced in the breeze as Mio dashed down the street, weaving between classmates and dodging petals. Her heart pounded with excitement—and nerves.
Mio pushed open the classroom door when she arrived in front of it, her cheeks still flushed from the morning sprint. The room buzzed with excited chatter about the upcoming Symphonia Stage Auditions. Colorful posters of past Dream Idols decorated the walls, and a large banner hung above the stage area: "Who Will Become the Next Dream Diva?"
Her friend Emi waved her over. "Mio! Did you hear? The auditions are starting next week! Are you going to try out?"
Mio smiled shyly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I want to… but I'm not sure if I'm ready yet."
Another student, Yuki, smirked as she joined the conversation. "You'll need more than wishes to pass the auditions. You have to be perfect."
Mio's eyes flickered with determination. "Maybe I'm not perfect yet, but I'll keep practicing until I'm ready."
Emi grinned. "That's the spirit! We'll all cheer for you."
The bell rang, and the room quieted, but the promise of dreams and challenges hung thick in the air.
The bell's sharp ring echoed through the halls, scattering the students to their next classes. Mio took a deep breath, clutching her bag tighter as she headed toward the school exit, her mind buzzing with thoughts of the auditions.
When school finished, Mio started to go home passing the same road.
As she stepped outside, the warm afternoon sun bathed the streets in a golden glow. Cherry blossom petals floated gently on the breeze, swirling around her feet. Mio's pace slowed when she noticed a small, unfamiliar shop tucked between the familiar storefronts—a cozy little music shop she'd never seen before.
Curiosity tugged at her, and before she knew it, she was pushing open the creaky wooden door. A soft chime welcomed her as the scent of old paper and polished wood filled the air.
"Welcome," said a gentle voice. An elderly shopkeeper emerged from behind a counter cluttered with sheet music and shimmering instruments. "Looking for something special, young dreamer?"
Mio's eyes wandered across the shelves until they landed on a delicate hairpin resting inside a velvet box. It sparkled with a soft, otherworldly light.
"What's this?" she asked, reaching out.
"The Aurora Pin," the shopkeeper replied with a knowing smile. "It once belonged to the legendary Dream Diva. They say it holds the power to bring dreams to life. Perhaps it's waiting for you."
Mio hesitated, then carefully clipped the pin into her hair. A gentle warmth spread through her, and the shop seemed to glow brighter for a moment. She didn't think much about it and went home.
Back in her room that night, moonlight filtering through the curtains, Mio stood before her mirror. She took a deep breath and began to dance, the familiar steps flowing from her heart. Suddenly, shimmering symbols—Dream Notes—swirled around her like tiny stars.
Her movements grew lighter, more graceful, as ribbons of glowing light spiraled outward, weaving illusions of shooting stars and blooming flowers. The room filled with a soft, magical glow.
"Wow…" Mio whispered, spinning with joy.
But then, the lights flared wildly, almost overwhelming her. She stumbled, breathless, as the glow faded into a gentle shimmer.
Collapsing onto her bed, Mio clutched the Aurora Pin tightly, her heart pounding with excitement and wonder. "What… was that?" she murmured.
Outside, atop a nearby rooftop, a shadowed figure watched the softly lit window.
"So she's the one who awakened it…" the figure whispered, eyes glinting with intrigue.