Love Live!: SHATTER [PART 9]

BEAUTY APOCALYPSE:

*TAKACHIHO BROADCAST STUDIO - TAKACHIHO - MIYAZAKI PREFECTURE - KYUSHU*

The studio is a whirlwind of chaos, executives barking orders, producers clipboard in hand rushing past, and crew members adjusting lights and cameras with frantic precision. The air smells of coffee and makeup, the hum of voices and equipment creating a buzz that's both exciting and overwhelming.

This place is insane and everyone's moving like the world's ending if a light's out of place. I'm just a student from Nijigasaki; what am I doing here?

I accepted their invitation, but now that I'm in the thick of it, I feel like a fish flopping on the deck.

I need remember to just breathe.

I'm here to promote the Festival, Nijigasaki, everything.

So... Don't screw it up.

PRODUCER: "Here's your dressing room, Mr. Suzuki. Makeup in 10, then we'll brief you on the segment. Kamijiro-san's a pro, so follow his lead, and you'll be fine."

AKI: "Got it. Thanks."

The producer hurries off, leaving me alone in the room. It's small but nice, with a mirror lined with lights, a chair, a table with water and snacks.

I sit down, running a hand through my hair, staring at my reflection.

I look exhausted after all my training, and that talk I had earlier...

But I think I'm ready.

Kinda.

I just need to freshen up, go over my talking points... Nijigasaki, the Festival, school idols changing lives.

Easy, right?

Oh who am I kidding?

My heart's pounding!

A knock at the door snaps me out of it. I open it, and Fenix strides in like he owns the place.

AKI: "How did you get back here?"

FENIX: *Chuckle* "I go where I please."

He took a sharp look at me.