Chapter 31 – A Star is Born

The week that followed was a whirlwind of activity. By day, Miki and Aoi endured Kyoko's grueling idol training. By night, under Aoi's command, a new training regimen for The Fallen Stars starts. They had been discreetly dismantling minor criminal operations and neutralizing low-level villains, honing their teamwork. The girls operated like a well-oiled machine, their battles ending before the police even received a call. Thursday afternoon, I was scrolling on my phone when a brightly colored ad popped up: "SATURDAY NIGHT! The Debut of a Sparkling New Star: MIKI! SOLD OUT!" "Shit," I muttered, realising I was so busy that I forgot to buy the tickets for the team. "So much for being Master, huh." I sent a frantic message to the group chat. "Hey, Miki's concert ticket is sold out! Did any of you buy a spare one for me?" The response was immediate. Dark Ruby ????: SOLD OUT?! You're too late, Master. The scalpers are selling them for 1999$ a pair now! ???? Homura: I assume we can buy a ticket at the entrance, so I didn't pre-book any. I apologize. Aoi Tanaka: That is to be expected. Kyoko-san's marketing campaign was extremely aggressive. I advised you to secure a ticket last week, Master. Lewd Chiyoko: Don't worry, everyone. I'm sure Miki-chan wouldn't want her dearest friends and her Master to miss her big night. Dark Heart Princess ???? : @everyone Of COURSE you're all coming! Silly Master! ???? I already took care of it! Dark Heart Princess ????: Check your emails! I sent the VIP passes two days ago! Backstage access and everything! We're all going to celebrate together after the show! ???????????? I quickly checked my email. Sure enough, there was a group email from "Miki Aoyama" with five VIP e-tickets attached. The subject line read: "For my most important fans! <3" Dark Ruby ????: VIP PASSES?! HELL YEAH! MIKI, YOU'RE THE BEST! Homura: ...They must be... really expensive. Thanks, Miki! Dark Heart Princess ????: I can't wait to see you all there! I have to go to my final rehearsal now! Love you all! ???? The crisis was averted by Miki's own thoughtful planning. The team was going to her debut, and they were going in style. Saturday evening, the area around Starlight Arena was a madhouse. A massive, pulsing sea of people, all here for Miki. "Damn," I said, looking at the huge crowds. "Kyoko really went all out for her, didn't she?" I grabbed Chiyoko's hand to keep from losing her, then lifted Homura to rest on my shoulder so she wouldn't get trampled. "Whoa! Look at all these people!" Akane yelled over the noise. "This is insane!" I glanced at Akane. "Find our seats, Akane. It's too crowded. I can't even find Aoi." She took charge immediately, spotting the exclusive VIP entrance. "On it, Master!" Akane led us through a private corridor and into the arena itself. Our seats were incredible. We had a private box, elevated just to the side of the stage with a perfect, unobstructed view. Aoi was already there, standing by the railing, looking down at the cheering crowd with a thoughtful, analytical expression. She was dressed immaculately in a dark, stylish dress. "Master. You've arrived," she said. "I was just analyzing the crowd. Kyoko's marketing hit the exact demographic she was aiming for." "Forget that! Look, Master! We have our own mini-fridge!" Akane yelled, already raiding the free snacks and drinks. I settled in, Chiyoko sitting beside me and Homura content on the seat next to me. Aoi stood guard like a sentinel while Akane started her own mukbang show. "Incredible, I've been seeing Miki all over the news online, but I didn't expect it to fill this stadium." I looked out at the thousands of screaming fans, eagerly waiting for the show to start. "By the way, when is your first CD coming out, Aoi? I heard the demo got some amazing reviews." Aoi turned from the railing, a flicker of pride in her eyes. "Kyoko scheduled the release of Shattered Lullaby for two weeks from now. She's using a different strategy for my debut." "Miki's is a flash flood, a massive, immediate pop culture event. Mine is meant to be a slow burn, building a mystique and letting the hype grow on its own." "She calls it the thunder and lightning approach: Miki is the brilliant, dazzling lightning; I will be the rumbling thunder that follows." As Aoi finished, the house lights went down. The entire arena was plunged into darkness, and the crowd let out a collective, deafening roar. A single, brilliant pink spotlight cut through the black, illuminating the center of the stage. A figure rose from below on a hydraulic lift. It was Miki. She looked breathtaking. Her costume was a dazzling creation of glittering pink and black fabric, a more mature, stylish version of her Dark Heart Princess outfit. Her smile was radiant, broadcast onto the giant screens on either side of the stage. The opening notes of "Heartbeat Paradox" began to pulse through the arena, a catchy, infectious synth-pop beat that you couldn't help but move to. Miki brought the enchanted microphone to her lips, her voice clear and perfect, filling the entire stadium. "Hello, everyone! Are you ready to have some fun?!" The concert had begun. As she started to sing and dance, her movements flawless, her charisma overwhelming, I felt it. A shift in the air. She wasn't just performing, but also weaving her spell. The adoration, the excitement, the sheer love from thousands of fans was flowing into her, a tidal wave of raw emotion. And she, in turn, was projecting a concentrated aura of pure, obsessive happiness right back at them. I can feel the chill in my spine, feel the love and adoration broadcast from her voice and microphone. The entire arena was caught in her trap. I clapped along, completely mesmerized. "Feels like watching your daughter grow up," I chuckled, my voice catching a little. "Back when I first met her as Heart Princess, she was shivering when I revealed her name and her desire to be famous." "During training, she was crying from exhaustion. Haha. Look at her now..." Aoi heard my quiet, emotional words over the roar of the crowd. She glanced at me, then back at Miki on stage, who had just launched into a perfectly synchronized dance break. "Indeed, Master," she said, her voice low. "It is remarkable. You took a frightened child with a simple, selfish desire, and you gave her a kingdom. You did the same for me. And for the others." Chiyoko, overhearing, leaned closer, her hand gently finding mine. "You didn't just corrupt them, Master. You gave them a path, a team, and a family. You fulfilled their desires in a way the Light never could." "Look at her shine. That is your work. You should be proud of it." On stage, Miki finished her dance break and launched into the song's final, powerful chorus. As she hit the last high note, a shower of pink and black confetti rained down from the ceiling. The crowd was ecstatic, chanting her name. Miki! Miki! Miki! She stood panting in the center of the stage, a triumphant smile on her face. She looked up, her eyes scanning the VIP boxes, and for a split second, her gaze found mine. The smile she gave me then was different. It wasn't for the thousands of fans. It was just for me. A look of pure, unconditional love, gratitude, and devotion. "See that, Gemgem?" I murmured teasingly in my mind. "Bet you couldn't believe this would happen when you first chose me, partner?" A long, deep silence filled my head. When the Gem finally spoke, its voice was different. The usual coldness was gone. What remained was something quiet, ancient, and filled with a profound sense of satisfaction. "...No." The single word was a stunning admission. It was simple. Honest. "When I chose you, I saw a tool. A convenient vessel. A creature of simple desires, easy to manipulate for my purpose." "I calculated that you would be an adequate host. I did not anticipate this. Your methods are illogical. Your reliance on emotion is a tactical flaw." "And yet, the results are undeniable. You did not just corrupt them. You have cultivated their darkness into a magnificent, thriving garden instead." "This is more than I ever envisioned. And it is... better than I expect." The concert ended. Miki took her final bow to thunderous, unending applause. The night was a total victory. "Well, I need to go congratulate my star," I said, winking at the girls. "Don't let Homura get lost or Akane get food poisoning from the mini-fridge, okay?" I said, before running off toward the backstage area. Chiyoko gave me a warm, motherly smile. "Don't worry, Master. I'll look after them." "Food poisoning is for the weak!" Akane declared, already trying to stuff her pockets with leftover sandwiches. Aoi just gave me a nod, her eyes already on her phone, probably tracking the explosion of social media reactions to the concert.