Shining Stars

Chapter Eighteen: The Show Must Go On

Ai sat in the changing room as she was all dressed up in her Idol outfit. The blood had been cleaned off of her earlier that day. She thought back on the events. The corpse of (Y/n) was still vivid in her mind. Though she did not shed a tear, as she had none left to give. Despite the fact her boyfriend… the love of her life was gone… and she still had to perform at the Dome. 

She would do anything to have her boyfriend back, up that was impossible, even time wasn't slowing down for her. Now, it was her choice to keep the concert on. She wanted to give the kids something to get their mind off things. Ruby had cried herself so hard that Ai was worried she would permanently damage her vocal cord, and Aqua… He hadn't said a thing since they left the apartment. But it was mainly because…

It's what (Y/n) would have wanted.

Though she did ask… more like demanded… one thing for her to perform at the concert. One thing she needed to play.

- - - - - -

"I am playing this song."

Ichigo looked over the lyrics, each line he read made his frown more and more prevalent.

"Ai… I'm not sure if that's the best move for your career what if-"

One look at Ai told him she wasn't joking around. She approached him, glaring at him.

"You don't understand, President… I am going to preform this song."

Ichigo looked at the song once again, giving it another look over as he sighed.

"Alright, I'll get the team set up to play it during the last song. That work with you?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way…"

- - - - - -

Ai prepped to go on stage, only a few more minutes now. The children were near the front with Miyako. Opening her eyes, she noticed her star pupils were still cracked. She chuckled dryly to herself as she took a sip of water, though her hand was shaky as she did so.

She wished (Y/n) could have been here. Though she and her children weren't the only ones grieving…

- - - - - -

Ai was sitting on the crib bloodied, her eyes almost souless as the Paramedics pronounced (Y/n) dead on the scene. She felt two arms wrapped around her as she looked to her left and saw Yui.

"Ai! I'm so glad you, Ruby, and Aqua are alright! I-I heard about what happened… A stalker… how's (Y/n)... Is he hurt? What's his condition?"

Yui asked, all she knew is that something happened and 9Y/n) was stabbed Ai as she shook her head, tears still pouring down her cheeks, she couldn't speak, no now.

"What do you mean… is he…?"

Yui gasped as she put a hand to her mouth, tears began to roll down her cheeks too as she brought Ai into a hug and began to ball her eyes out. Ai joined in on the crying as well as the two women clung to each other, mourning their loss.

- - - - - -

Ai saw Ichigo enter the room as she turned he looked at her and nodded.

"It's time…"

Was all he said as he left the room. Ai stood up as she exited the dressing room, heading towards the stage.  Putting on a big smile as she stepped onto the middle of the stage.

"I hope everyone's ready!"

She said in her normal voice she used while performing, she was an expert liar, one of the best. She could hide whatever she wanted.