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The celebration after SuperNova's debut concert slowly died down. Staff packed equipment, fans left with glowing eyes, and the dressing rooms began to empty.
But Jenna, still wearing a soft pink hoodie and light stage makeup, sat on the balcony seats now empty of audience. The same place where she had seen her real family—so close, yet unreachable.
She held her phone loosely, replaying Rico's earlier message:
"Your performance was amazing. I'm your fan now."
Jenna smiled gently, whispering to herself, "You watched me… in this world too."
Just then, a soft voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Shouldn't you be with your team?"
She turned around—and froze.
Rico.
No hoodie. No mask. Just him—tall, relaxed, with windswept hair and that same soft intensity in his gaze.
Jenna stood up too quickly. "Rico! What are you doing here?! You'll get caught—!"
He shrugged with a half-smile. "Everyone's too busy cleaning or sleeping. And besides…" He walked closer. "I wanted to see you. In person."
She tried to steady her racing heart. "You shouldn't—people will think something if they see you with—"
"I don't care what they think," Rico cut in gently. "I care what you think."
Jenna blinked, caught off guard. "W-What I think?"
There was silence for a moment, only the hum of lights overhead.
"I know something's different about you lately," he said. "You're still Jenna... but something about the way you look at the stage, the way you hesitate before smiling—it's like your heart remembers something the world forgot."
Her breath caught in her throat.
She turned away slightly. "That's complicated…"
Rico stepped beside her, leaning close. "You don't have to explain. Just… if you're hurting, let me stay beside you. Even if I don't know everything."
Jenna's eyes welled up—too much emotion, too little space to hide it.
She took a step back, suddenly stumbling on the step behind her.
"Ah—!"
Rico reached forward, catching her waist instinctively—and in the sudden movement, their faces met. Their lips brushed—soft, brief, accidental.
Time stopped.
Jenna's eyes widened. Rico blinked.
Silence.
"I—" she stammered.
"I didn't mean to—" Rico began, but his voice was low, affected.
She looked away quickly, her cheeks burning. "I-It's fine! Just an accident!"
But Rico's smile turned softer, more affectionate.
"Maybe," he whispered, "but sometimes… accidents tell the truth our hearts are too scared to say."
Jenna's heart fluttered violently. She had no words left.
---
Elsewhere: A New Connection
Down the hallway, Ameya (real Jenna) sat on the steps outside the venue, sipping a can of soda. Her hoodie half-covered her face.
Michael walked by, paused, then sat beside her.
"Surprised to see you here alone," he said casually.
Ameya chuckled. "Needed air. The stage lights still feel like stars burning on my skin."
Michael looked at her sideways. "You were amazing tonight."
She blinked. "Me?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "There's something raw about the way you perform. Like you're chasing something just out of reach."
Ameya smiled slowly, but there was a hint of sadness behind it. "Aren't we all?"
A quiet moment passed.
Then Michael offered a hand. "Wanna escape for a while?"
Ameya raised an eyebrow. "Escape where?"
"There's a convenience store nearby," he grinned. "Instant noodles and grape soda. My treat."
She laughed. "You're weird."
"But you smiled," he said. "That's all I was going for."
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Closing Scene: Parallel Hearts
Back in the balcony, Jenna sat beside Rico, their knees barely touching.
She looked up at the dark ceiling where the stage lights had once shined.
"I don't know who I am anymore," she confessed. "But when you said you liked my performance… it felt like someone finally saw me. Not the image, not the illusion—but something real."
Rico leaned closer. "Then let me keep seeing you."
Meanwhile, in the dim street outside, Michael and Ameya sat on the curb, sharing noodles from the same cup. Their laughter echoed in the quiet night, soft and full of something new.
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Two hearts blooming in secret.
Two souls beginning to remember.
And one kiss that might just change everything.
To Be Continued...
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