Song 16

Costume: check

Choreography: check

Music: check

Security in the form of two mischievous twins: check and check

Meloria’s eyes shone with pride as she gazed upon her list. Everything she could prepare in advance was ready; all that was left was to move the music player from the library to the main stage. This was the final part to ensure the plan would all come together.

It was the final and the most challenging part of the plan. This particular music player was as tall as her and weighed ten times as much. She and Lucan weren’t even able to budge it an inch. Meaning the only reliable person left was daddy dearest.

As she sat in the back of her classroom, her legs bouncing beneath the desk and eyes glued on the clock as she watched time tick by. In ten minutes, the bell would ring, signalling for all classrooms to make their way to the assembly hall for the headmaster's monthly talk and the start of operation ‘SECRET CONCERT’. For everything to go without a hitch, Meloria and her family had to follow the plan meticulously.

Step one: Meloria has ‘stomach problems’ as the class is walking to the assembly, meaning she must detour to the bathroom, taking her backpack with her to change into her costume.

Step two: The twins find a way to distract the headmaster, leading him away from the hall long enough for the concert to begin.

Step 3: Edward finds an excuse to leave the hall and transport the music player from the library to the hall.

All these steps seemed simple enough, but one false move and it was game over. Her dream could end today, and then Meloria would be stuck on a life on the farm. The idea made Meloria cringe as she imagined a life cleaning up the animal muck. I can’t let that happen, she thought to herself, her body trembling.

The school bell rang, and students quickly pushed themselves from under their desks and lined up, ready to head to the hall.

Showtime.

Meloria stood up, backpack slung over her shoulder, holding her stomach as she walked over to the line, hunched over. She let out small groans, joining the other students in the line, some of them as well as the teacher looking over to her with concern. “Meloria,” the teacher walked over to her, looking at her curiously. “Is everything alright?”

“My tummy hurts,” Meloria groaned, looking up with pleading eyes.

The teacher sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Go to the bathroom,” he reluctantly ordered, pointing to the door.

Meloria whispered a ‘thank you’, walking out of the classroom with her hands still on her stomach. When she was out of sight of the teacher, she laughed, running down the hallway with purpose, ready to get the show started. “Calelen, Ren!” She called out, seeing the twins stalking around the end of the hallway that led to the headmaster’s office. “You boys got your plan ready?” The twins cackled and nodded, holding up the rope they had hidden behind their backs. Meloria laughed nervously, holding her backpack tighter. “Remember, we just need him distracted.”

The twins nodded and left to commence with their plan. Meloria laughed, shaking her head as she ran to the bathroom, making sure no one else was in there so she could lock the door behind her. She quickly stripped out of her school clothes, changing into the dress her mother spent hours perfecting. Pink with white frills and a bow keeping it all together on the back. She grabbed her hairbrush, running it through her hair. As she looked at her reflection, she saw herself as an idol for the first time, and yet it felt like something was missing. Something that would solidify this look and truly make her feel like an idol.

Meloria thought back to all her favourite idol shows, trying to think of something she would take inspiration from. Snapping her fingers, she remembered the girls from her favourite idol anime, who had braids. Meloria scurried through her bag, finding a hair tie. On the right side, she separated a small section of hair and turned it into a braid that fell in front of her shoulder. “There,” she proclaimed, a slight tint of pink on her cheek as she looked herself in the mirror one last time. “Now I look like an idol.”

Unlocking the door, Meloria poked her head around the frame, making sure the halls were empty before sneaking out and running to the hall. Her heart raced the closer she got to the hall. This was it. She was finally going to be putting on a concert of her own. A dream that was a lifetime in the making.

As she ran, Meloria spotted an elderly gentleman wandering around the hallway. She slowed down, coming to a halt before the man. “I’m sorry, can I help you?” She asked politely.

The gentleman gave a soft smile. “Why yes, I’m heading towards the assembly hall,” he spoke gently. “Do you think you could help me find my way?”

Meloria stopped for a moment, looking the man up and down. If everything were already in place, then she would have time to help the gentleman beside her, as she was also heading in the same direction, so that it wouldn’t cause her any delays. She smiled, extending a hand. “I’ll take you there.”

The gentleman returned her smile, taking her hand. “It’s very kind of you to help me out, you lady,” he complimented as Meloria started to pull him towards the hall. “I would hate to think you’re missing your class because of me.”

“It’s okay,” Meloria assured as she squeezed the gentleman’s hand. “We’re having a school assembly anyway, so no one is in class right now.”

The gentleman hummed and nodded, admiring Meloria’s dress. “My my, that’s quite the pretty dress,” he complimented, his pace catching up with Meloria’s so she was no longer dragging him. “Do your classmates wear such pretty outfits too?”

Meloria grinned, looking up at the gentleman. “Nope, this is my special idol outfit!”

“Idol?” The gentleman repeated, Meloria bringing him to the assembly hall entrance.

“Here we go,” Meloria let go of the gentleman’s hand and pointed towards the back row. “School visitors usually sit over there. I’d love to stay, but I have to go.”

Before the gentleman could speak up, Meloria was already running off in the other direction. Chuckling, the man fixed his suit collar as he walked into the hallway, greeting one of the teachers who helped him find a seat in the back.

Backstage, Meloria caught up with Edward, who was currently heaving heavily, his body limp over the music player. “Thank you, papa!” Meloria squealed, knowing Edward would have pulled through. She giggled, lunging forward and giving him a tight hug.

In that moment, all of Edward’s hard work had finally paid off. He squeezed Meloria tightly, whispering into her ear. “Go, my little idol.”

Meloria smiled widely, those words of inspiration igniting the fire in her heart. She kissed Edward on the cheek, turning with a flare, grabbing the microphone and heading to the stage. With a confident stride, Meloria stepped into the centre of the stage, taking a deep breath, bringing the microphone to her mouth. Her gaze looked ahead towards the assembly, and her heart sank. All eyes were now on her. She had their full attention. Everyone was staring at her, most likely curious as to where the headmaster currently was.

Meloria’s chest began to tighten as she realised, “I can’t do this.”