Time didn't slow down.
It never did.
But now—
It moved differently.
The comeback was approaching.
Faster than expected.
Bigger than the last.
New songs.
New concepts.
New stages waiting.
And along with it—
Another concert.
Not the end.
Not the beginning.
Just—
The next step.
Emma stood in the practice room, staring at the mirror as the music replayed again.
"…This part still feels off."
Ella adjusted her position beside her.
"…You're rushing the turn."
Emma sighed.
"…I'm not rushing, I'm expressing."
From behind them, Elia's voice came instantly,
"…You're rushing."
Emma turned.
"…You're both against me again."
Ella smiled softly.
"…We're helping you."
Elia crossed her arms.
"…Focus."
They reset.
Again.
The music played.
Emma hit the move—
Better.
Ella followed smoothly.
Elia watched—
Then nodded once.
"…Good."
Practice continued.
Hours passed.
But something was different.
Not in the choreography.
Not in the music.
In Elia.
And Ella.
Small glances.
Quiet pauses.
Moments where they looked at each other—
Then away.
Emma noticed.
Of course she did.
"…Okay."
She stopped mid-practice.
"…What's going on?"
Ella blinked.
"…What do you mean?"
Emma pointed between them.
"…That."
Elia didn't react.
"…Nothing."
"…You just did it again."
Ella laughed nervously.
"…We didn't—"
"YOU DID."
A pause.
Then Elia stepped forward.
"…You're overthinking."
Emma narrowed her eyes.
"…I don't overthink."
"…You do."
"…Not now."
Silence.
Then—
Emma sighed.
"…Fine. But if you're planning something without me—"
Ella smiled quickly.
"…We're not."
Emma pointed.
"…That sounded suspicious."
Elia turned back toward the mirror.
"…Focus."
And just like that—
The moment passed.
But not really.
Later that night—
The dorm was quiet.
Emma had fallen asleep early for once.
Curled up on the couch.
Phone still in her hand.
Ella carefully pulled a blanket over her.
"…She's tired."
Elia stood nearby.
Watching for a moment.
"…She pushes too hard."
Ella nodded softly.
"…She always does."
A knock.
Soft.
Careful.
Elia moved first.
Opening the door quietly.
Felix stood there.
"…Is she asleep?"
Elia nodded.
"…Come in."
He stepped inside.
Slower than before.
More aware.
Ella smiled gently.
"Hi."
"Hi."
They moved into the kitchen area.
Keeping their voices low.
Felix glanced toward the living room.
"…I don't want her to find out."
Elia crossed her arms.
"…Then keep your voice down."
Ella laughed softly.
"…We've been trying all day."
Felix looked between them.
"…She noticed?"
"…Of course she did," Elia replied.
"…She always does," Ella added.
A pause.
Then Felix exhaled.
"…I want to do this properly."
Elia's gaze sharpened slightly.
"…Explain."
He leaned slightly against the counter.
"…The next concert."
Ella's eyes widened just a little.
"…You want to do it there?"
Felix nodded.
"…Not big. Not dramatic."
A pause.
"…Just right."
Elia studied him.
Carefully.
"…And you think that's the right place?"
He didn't hesitate.
"…It's where she's most herself."
Silence.
That answer—
Landed.
Ella smiled softly.
"…That sounds like her."
Elia didn't respond immediately.
Then—
A small nod.
"…Continue."
Felix relaxed slightly.
"…I don't want to interrupt the show."
"…Good," Elia said.
"…I want it to feel natural."
Ella leaned forward slightly.
"…When?"
"…Near the end."
A pause.
"…After the last ment."
Elia thought about it.
"…Timing matters."
Felix nodded.
"…That's why I'm asking you."
Ella glanced at Elia.
Then back at him.
"…We'll help."
Elia looked at her.
"…We will."
Felix blinked slightly.
"…You're agreeing?"
Elia's expression stayed calm.
"…This isn't just about you."
A pause.
"…It's about her."
He nodded.
"…I know."
Ella smiled gently.
"…She'll be shocked."
"…That's the point."
"…She might get mad first."
Felix almost smiled.
"…That's also expected."
Elia added,
"…She will question everything."
"…I know."
A pause.
Then Elia stepped closer.
"…One condition."
Felix straightened slightly.
"…What?"
"…You don't make it overwhelming."
Silence.
"…She doesn't like that."
He nodded immediately.
"…I won't."
Ella added softly,
"…Keep it simple."
"…I will."
Another pause.
Then—
Ella smiled.
"…She's going to say yes."
Elia glanced at her.
"…Don't assume."
Ella laughed quietly.
"…You don't believe that?"
Elia didn't answer.
But—
She didn't disagree.
Felix looked toward the living room again.
Emma was still asleep.
Peaceful.
Unaware.
"…She has no idea."
Ella shook her head.
"…Not even a little."
Elia added,
"…And we're keeping it that way."
A small silence settled.
Then—
Felix reached into his pocket.
Not pulling anything out.
Just—
Holding onto it.
Like grounding himself.
"…Thank you."
Ella smiled.
"…For what?"
"…For trusting me."
Elia met his gaze.
"…We don't trust easily."
A pause.
"…Don't give us a reason to regret it."
"…I won't."
That was enough.
They didn't need more words.
The plan was set.
Not perfect.
Not overly detailed.
But—
Clear.
Simple.
Right.
Felix moved toward the door.
"…I'll handle the rest."
Ella nodded.
"…We'll handle her."
Elia added,
"…And the timing."
He gave a small nod.
Then left.
The door closed quietly.
Ella exhaled.
"…This is really happening."
Elia looked toward Emma again.
Still asleep.
Still unaware.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…It is."
Ella smiled softly.
"…She's going to panic."
Elia allowed the smallest hint of a smile.
"…She always does."
They turned off the lights.
Letting the dorm fall into quiet again.
But this time—
It wasn't just rest waiting for them.
It was something else.
A moment.
Carefully planned.
Carefully hidden.
And as Emma slept—
Completely unaware—
One thing was certain.
The next stage wouldn't just be another performance.
It would be—
A moment she never saw coming.