Can I truly do this?

March 2nd, Star Station.

The program she has been working so hard practicing for was going to take place two days earlier than scheduled. Sumire's gaze fell on the program schedule. She had memorized it long ago, but she kept staring at the sheet, almost like she was in a trance. Can she truly do this? Sing in front of so many people.

Today she was going in for a final rehearsal. A rehearsal with the other artists appearing on the show. This would be the first time she would be practicing with the others. While the others have had practices with the other artists, today would be her first day.

Sumire could already feel the stares and hear people whispering. Everybody was saying, 'that's the girl who hasn't been going to rehearsal.' A deep sigh escapes her lips. The president didn't force her to attend the other rehearsals because of her situation. But maybe she should have at least gone once to show her face.

People were calling her haughty and saying comments like 'does she think she is that special?'

No, not at all. She doesn't think that way at all.

'I don't blame them for saying these words,

She felt bile rise to her throat and looked around. She spotted sinks at the bottom of the hall that was thankfully empty. Sumire immediately rushed over and threw up. Her thoughts broke off when she felt somebody patting her back and a gentle voice at her ear telling her that he was right there.

After she finished throwing up, she turned and identified her mysterious helper. It was Toh.

"Are you fine?"

Sumire slowly nodded. "I was just a bit anxious. Everybody kept looking at me."

Toh grabs hold of her hands and gives them a gentle squeeze. "They might be staring at you because you're the prettiest girl in here."

Sumire blinks and then laughs softly. Toh was looking at her so seriously, so it was difficult for her to refute his statement. He may just be saying those words to comfort her, but it means more to her than he will ever know.

All the tension and unease she felt from minutes ago had vanished just like that.

"Are you staying with me today?"

Toh nods. "I plan to."

After her first solo practice in the station, Toh has been visiting her rehearsals whenever he gets the chance. Perhaps he noticed that she feels more comfortable when he is around. If Toh is here, even if she is singing in front of others, she ought to be fine.

"If it isn't our big star." A familiar voice said from behind her.

Sumire shuddered, hearing the voice. It belonged to an artist from the previous company that disliked her.

She turned around and spotted a woman with bubblegum pink hair, wearing a blue and white polka dot blouse and yellow skirt. This girl was the essence of the word lovely. But her appearance and her personality didn't match at all.

"Kita-san." Sumire greeted the girl. "It's been a while."

Kita Sachiko was scouted around the same time as her, and since then, she has become very famous in the industry for her 'cute and angel-like voice and appearance.' The girl didn't sing badly, so she could see why she became popular.

But, this girl has always seen her as a 'rival' since they entered the company at the same time, and both wanted to be idols.

'Idols only have to be lovely. Does it matter if we sing well?' She used to use this argument whenever other people compared their skills.

"It truly has. I am surprised you are still in this industry. After being chased out by Miss Fuuko, I thought you wouldn't dare stand in this industry anymore."

"Why do I have to do that? The number one entertainment industry scouted me. Why do I have to bend over for a second-rate singer and second-rate company?"

Sachiko's gaze dimmed. "Who are you calling second rate? Who cares about being scouted by a first-rate company when you are taking so long to debut? Let me guess. You're still causing drama and pretending you can't sing on stage. Just admit that you can't sing instead of pretending that you have a phobia."

Sumire frowned, hearing her words. What does she get out of pretending? But it's not just her who thinks this way. The people in her previous company had these same thoughts too. They all thought she was faking everything and playing victim.

'I can't sing? Ha, if only I couldn't. But, I can sing, and without it, I'd die.'

She can't survive without singing. It has become vital to her. Otherwise, she would have given up singing a long time ago.

When Toh put his arm around her to reassure her, Sachiko noticed him. She stared at Toh for a few minutes, and then Sumire could have sworn that hearts appeared in her eyes.

The girl forcibly shoved her aside, and she almost lost her balance until somebody grabbed her arm. Sumire turned her head to see Masato.

A deep sigh escapes his lips. "How many times do I have to catch you falling?"

Sumire laughed. "Um, a lot, it seems. Thank you."

When she first received the schedule and saw Masato's name, she was surprised. He didn't say anything about this before.

"Are you ready? The show is tomorrow."

Sumire laughs weakly. "Well, as ready as I can be."

She turns her attention back to Toh and Sachiko.

"I'm Kita Sachiko from blueberry entertainment. Your Mashima Toh, right? I am a huge fan."

Toh frowns, pushes the girl away, and walks back to her. "Are you alright, Sumire?"

"I'm okay." Sumire trails off, seeing his expression. "Don't worry so much."

Sachiko was looking at the scene with fury in her eyes. "Well, now, it seems like you truly don't change. I wonder what tricks you used to seduce Toh-samA."

Sumire sighs, hearing those words. Suppose she had the caliber to 'seduce' someone like Toh or anyone. Then she would have had a long list of boyfriends already.