Chapter 112 Part 1
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Chapter 112 Part 1: Little Sakura’s Awakening, “Dazzling Stage”… Something Is Wrong (1)
The afternoon sunlight bathed the surroundings in warmth.
Beneath the vast, clear sky, the waves, colored like sapphire, shimmered as they caressed the shore. They created a soothing, melodic sound, like nature’s own symphony, rolling and crashing gently on the golden beach.
“That’s a wrap.”
The voice from the aerial filming device rang out, echoing through the space.
Chu Yuanqing glanced up at the sky. Her bare feet were stained with blood and dirt. The wedding dress, purposely torn and soiled by the props team, seemed to mirror the wear and tear of a bride who had battled through trials. Amidst the tranquil sea and sky, there was a fragile, almost sorrowful feeling—like something delicate that could dissolve into nothing at any moment.
——A shattered heart.
Kirimi Miyuki, eyes focused on the scene, was suddenly reminded of a melancholic fairy tale.
Reflecting deeply, it occurred to her that Chu Yuanqing always exuded such feelings—dreamy, beautiful, and full of love, without a hint of imperfection. She seemed like a figure straight out of a fairy tale, poised to drift away from her own fleeting youth.
In this moment of shooting commercials, was it like the study trip from long ago? A fleeting chance that, if missed, would only remain as a regret?
A sudden pang of longing pierced Kirimi Miyuki’s heart. She felt a mix of anxiety and desire that came from nowhere and instinctively reached out, touching the gauze skirt, her fingertips lingering greedily as she whispered:
“Little Qing.”
Chu Yuanqing turned back, her face showing no sign of the unusual atmosphere. “What’s wrong, Miyuki? We’re done shooting. Let’s prepare this afternoon, then we can head back to the program group.”
Her voice carried the calmness of someone winding down after a long day of work. Over the past few days, they had gotten used to these casual touches, and Chu Yuanqing didn’t mind. She walked ahead, gazing into the distance. Her other hand gently removed the headscarf obstructing her view, feeling the cool sea breeze brushing against her face, her eyes reflecting the clarity of the ocean’s edge.
From afar, others saw a vision—her smooth legs covered in a light veil soaked by seawater, swaying gently in the wind. Water droplets slid down her thighs, sparkling as they caught the sunlight, a breathtaking sight.
Kirimi Miyuki found herself momentarily lost, her mind hazy like a schoolgirl caught in a moment of unspoken admiration.
Yes, Little Qing was always like this, effortlessly captivating her with the simplest of actions, drawing her into thoughts that lingered like the final moments of high school days, the sunset of her youth, hard to look away from.
At that moment, her voice intertwined with the warmth, the slender form, the delicate taste of lips, all blending with the scent of the sea breeze…
The whirlwind of emotions, the strange sense of affection during the ads, and the rush of memories from a kiss shared beneath an umbrella—everything seemed to dislodge from the script, grounding her into the present, where these feelings grew stronger.
In an instant, the scorching sensation of a gunshot pierced the flesh. The fragrance of roses overwhelmed her senses, a confusing mix of joy, emptiness, anticipation, and anxiety flooding her soul.
The girl listened to the rhythmic beat of her own blood, a sound that mirrored the tide beside her. Emotions bubbled up, fizzing like soda in her chest, taking over her senses. Her eyes, a shade of pink, looked intense. She took a slow, deep breath before speaking:
“Little Qing, I want to be with you forever… I… want us to perform together.”
“So, in this upcoming competition, I officially challenge you to join my team and become my teammate!”
Kirimi Miyuki’s words came out shyly. After the commercial shoot, with all the assistance from the directing team, she had come to some realizations. She couldn’t just say naive things like “our friendship is unbreakable.”
After all… kissing a friend isn’t something you just get addicted to.
While the words might have seemed casual to others, to her, it was a clear, heartfelt declaration of coming out.
“Sorry, Mom and Dad, I’ll make it up to you when I get home.”
“But right now… I need to follow my desires and indulge in something selfish.”
Little Sakura bit her lip, apologizing inwardly to her family, a sense of guilt hanging in the air.
Yet, despite her internal turmoil, her gaze remained unwavering. She didn’t shy away but stared straight at Chu Yuanqing’s exquisite and handsome face, at the lips that had kissed hers more than once, almost as if declaring her intention to enter the fray and disrupt the ongoing battle.
Chu Yuanqing, still processing, was bewildered. She had always thought of Miyuki as a diligent, rule-abiding student—someone who raised her hand to answer questions and carried only dreams in her heart.
But the stark selfishness of Miyuki’s words was overwhelming, implying that the challenge to her team was not about forming the strongest partnership or securing a victory, but simply about being with her—completely overturning the image of Miyuki as someone solely focused on the stage and her dreams.
From a distance, Lin Jiu was equally stunned.
“Dazzling Stage” had become a national sensation, with the two of them ranking high in popularity. Once such a conversation—borderline, personal, and revealing—is made public, it’s bound to stir a storm on the internet.
Miss Designer quietly turned off the camera filming the behind-the-scenes. She gestured to the director to dismiss the team early. She couldn’t help but sigh at the beauty of youth.
Though she had long suspected that Little Sakura had feelings for Chu Yuanqing—feelings that had developed subtly throughout the filming process—she never anticipated Miyuki would be so bold, openly confessing right after the shoot.
Isn’t this playing with fire?
Still, if the two idols from the same company, endorsing their wedding dress brand, were to truly become a couple off-camera, the publicity and economic benefits would undoubtedly outweigh any simple advertisement.
Had “Dazzling Stage” not held so much influence, her first instinct would have been to capture the moment on camera, turning it into a viral sensation, adding a hint of suspense, maybe even a dark twist, to the otherwise cheerful commercial.
Chu Yuanqing fell silent. She wanted to pull her fingertips away from Miyuki’s grasp but noticed that Little Sakura had already firmly interlocked their fingers. Though she hadn’t fully understood the situation, she sensed something was amiss and decided to change her approach.
“I see,” Chu Yuanqing said, trying to ease the tension. “You mean that in order to create a balanced team, you think I’m the right teammate for the job?”
Kirimi Miyuki shook her head.
“While I don’t think you’re any less capable than the others, in terms of team dynamics and efficiency, Ji Shuzhu, the genius choreographer, is undoubtedly the best fit.”
The reason was simple.
In a girl group, the Carry Center is crucial. It is the focal point, the heart of the group, the crown that symbolizes the entire team’s identity. Its importance, popularity, and value far surpass any other position.
That’s why the battle for the Carry Center is often a hot topic in the entertainment industry, and fans eagerly discuss it.
The second round of the competition tests not only talent but human nature and strategy—it’s all tied to the Carry Center.
You see, recruiting a highly skilled teammate may improve the team’s strength, but it could also invite unnecessary competition or even conflict within the group.
Should the focus be on getting the strongest teammates for the team, or should you opt for members who can be more easily controlled to ensure they stay in the spotlight? It’s all about balance.
One of the best strategies is to create a team that avoids friction and is flawless in every way.
As for Chu Yuanqing, known for her steady skills and expertise in carrying a performance, she might be a better fit for the role of a core member in the team.
But would Miyuki risk her idol career to make her teammate?
Chu Yuanqing was still confused. She asked, “Are you saying that even if it means giving up the Carry Center, losing the chance to be the star of the team, you would still choose me?”
But that wasn’t like the Miyuki she knew—someone so dedicated to her idols and her dreams, always courageous and passionate about the stage.
Someone who wouldn’t make decisions based on selfish desires.
Yet… Miyuki’s behavior still left her uncertain.