Interlude: Idol

[November 20th, 09:00 JST]

Tokyo Prefecture – Harmonia Foundation Tama Facility, Infirmary Ward

Morning slipped through the half-drawn curtains, sunlight painted the infirmary wall in a pale stripe. Reina woke in a blur; her last memory before blacking out was the echo of footsteps after she saw that shadowy figure in the trees. She sat up slowly, one hand pressing against her ribs before she forced her posture straight again.

How long was I out…? She wondered, eyes adjusting as she scanned the room.

Emi was asleep at her bedside, fingers still loosely wrapped around Reina’s hand as if afraid to let go. Across the room, Nana remained unconscious. The others occupied nearby beds.

Misaki was already awake and gave Reina a small nod before her gaze drifted back to Nana; Mika lay lazily with an arm thrown over her eyes, waving half-heartedly when she noticed Reina looking. Emiko and Momoko, sitting together at the foot of a bed, stopped chatting the moment they saw her stir.

Despite everything they faced two nights ago, an unexpected calm settled over the ward.

Reina reached for her phone on the bedside table, thumb trembling slightly as she unlocked it. She didn’t call him, just sent a short message: “Takeshi… I’m awake.”

He responded within seconds with a “!”. Reina stared at the screen and smiled. A few minutes later, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Takeshi arrived, slightly out of breath,

Just as he stepped inside, Nana jolted awake with a sharp gasp, her arm swinging forward as if she were trying to punch something in her dream.

“Die—! You monster—!” she blurted out before realizing where she was.

The room froze for half a second.

Then Misaki let out a quiet sigh, Mika snorted into her pillow, and Momoko burst into laughter so loud that it makes Emiko giggle. Even Emi, half-asleep, mumbled as she lifted her head at the sound of Nana’s voice.

“Nana-chan… you already killed it…”

Nana blinked rapidly, face turning red. “Eh—? W-wait—this is the infirmary? Did I… say that out loud…?” Her fist stayed clenched.

“Loud enough that half the ward heard you,” Reina replied, voice soft but teasing.

Takeshi cleared his throat, trying to regain the atmosphere. “Ahem. Anyway… all of you slept for a full day. Luckily, none of you have major injuries. Honestly, I’d call that a miracle.”

Misaki straightened. “What about Ibaraki? Is everything safe now?”

“Yes.” Takeshi said. “The town’s fine. The JSDF pilot was recovered, and the Foundation issued a complete cover-up. No civilian casualties.”

A quiet sigh of relief swept across the room.

Nana pulled her blanket up to her chin. “Um… what about me? That thing I did. Did I actually… awaken to Cantus Major grade?”

Takeshi nodded. “You did. And it’s official. Tempesta Unit has two Cantus Major-grade Divas.”

A small smile tugged his lips. “Aside from Team 01, no other unit has that kind of firepower.”

Momoko’s eyebrows shot up. “Team 01… why haven’t we ever meet them? We’ve been here for at least a year.”

Reina glanced at Takeshi. “They’re hidden behind the Vice-Director, right? No records. No mission logs.”

Takeshi let out a slow sigh. “Exactly. They don’t answer to the Foundation board. Not even Director Kurogane can access their files. Every bit of data on them is redacted, including their Producer’s name. The only information we’re allowed to see is their Divas’ grade.”

Emiko whispered, “Creepy…”

“Suspicious,” Emi added.

Takeshi shifted his focus back to Reina. “And you. Reina-san… you fell from a height that should’ve killed a normal person. How do you feel now?”

Reina touched her ribs lightly. “Sore. But I can move. No numbness or dizziness. It’s manageable.”

Her mind added quietly:

Takeshi should know I survived because of what I went through in Project Harmonia… but the girls don’t. I should keep that part to myself for now.

Emiko frowned. “Reina-senpai… please don’t push yourself so much. We were really scared when you hit the ground. We couldn’t even help you…”

Momoko leaned forward. “We trust you, Reina-san… but don’t push yourself until you break, okay? We still need our captain.”

Emi squeezed Reina’s hand even tighter. “I’m sorry I couldn’t reach you after the fall...”

Reina squeezed back, smiling softly at her.

Mika spoke next. “What about that CODA’s evolution? Do we have any explanation for why it could suddenly eat the lower ones?”

Takeshi sighed again. “We’re still stumped. But we do know one thing. After you girls took it down the first time, we detected a faint resonance signature near it—right before the Level 4 began consuming the others.”

He paused. “We think that frequency might be the key.”

Takeshi let out a slow breath and straightened. “Alright. Enough of that for now. There’s something more immediate.”

Everyone looked up.

“The Foundation has organized a special program. We’re calling it the ‘Miracle Idol Live’. Every Aria Corps unit is required to participate—including the new recruits.”

“Does it differ from our usual Lives?” Emi asked.

“In several ways,” Takeshi replied. “First, every unit will be on stage. Second… you’ll be performing at the Nippon Budokan.”

The girls gasped. The air was instantly charged with excitement. It’s been a while since they were this thrilled.

“And,” Takeshi continued, “you’ll be debuting a new song.”

He tapped his tablet. “Your schedules will be sent tonight. Rehearsals, choreography, the usual. The full lyrics and demo have been emailed to each of you. The event is on the twenty-fifth.”

He paused in the doorway, voice softening.

“Good luck… and welcome back.”

The girls looked at each other. Reina saw it clearly in their eyes — not just anticipation, but a delicate hope blooming after everything they had survived.

Once the doctors cleared them, Tempesta Unit returned to their quarters with slow but lighter steps. Inside, their mood lifted as they changed out of the dull white gowns into casual wear: Reina in a white knit top and dark jeans, and a blue jacket; Emi in a lavender hoodie and skirt; Nana in a cropped red tee and shorts; Momoko in a mint cardigan and loose pants; Mika in a simple black tee and jeans; Misaki in a jacketed shirt over a short dress, and Emiko in a pink one-piece dress. Before stepping out, they all put on their sunglasses, just to avoid drawing attention.

A van waited for them outside the facility entrance. Takeshi sat in the front seat with the driver, scrolling through messages on his tablet while the girls climbed into the back.

The moment they left the forest road leading out of the Harmonia facility, Tokyo swallowed them whole. Noon traffic, rows of shops, and endless streams of people blurred past the windows.

Takeshi glanced back. “We're going to the Shibuya Hikarie. Your stage uniforms for the Live are ready for testing. They’re not dresses this time — the design theme matches the new song. More… cool, I guess you could say.”

Excitement rippled instantly through the van. As they merged into the main road, the towering shape of Shibuya Hikarie, one of Tokyo’s busiest shopping complexes, came into view.

The van dropped them off in front of the mall, its glass façade towering above the afternoon crowd. Automatic doors slid open as they stepped inside, greeted by cool air-conditioning and the vibrant bustle of weekend shoppers. Cosmetic counters, boutique cafés, and escalators stacked upward lined along both sides of the lobby.

They walked deeper into the mall until they reached a boutique tucked between two larger stores. The sign was simple and elegant, marked only with the symbol of Ω.

Inside, the shop looked like a normal high-end fashion store… until Takeshi approached the counter and flashed his Foundation ID. The clerk’s expression sharpened instantly. She bowed, then guided them past a row of display mannequins toward the back wall.

What looked like an ordinary full-height mirror slid open with a soft click, revealing a narrow passage lit by ceiling strips.

“Right this way,” the clerk said.

The corridor opened into a spacious hidden fitting room. One side was lined with floor-to-ceiling glass panels like a dance studio, while the opposite wall held several curtained changing booths. A long sofa sat in the middle for guests, with a small table and bottled water set neatly on top.

Moments later, the clerk returned pushing a wheeled clothing rack, each hanger draped in a protective garment cover. She stopped in front of them, unzipped the first one, and revealed the stage uniform.

The ‘Tempesta Cadence’ uniform was distinctive — a deep storm-blue military-style jacket paired with an asymmetric layered skirt. Silver linework traced the sleeves like musical notation, and a single crimson ribbon was tied neatly at the left hip. A translucent side layer added movement, while a diagonal belt crossed the torso. The stockings and boots were clean and simple, matching the cool, performance-ready aesthetic.

Momoko’s eyes widened. “This is way cooler than our usual uniform!”

Emiko nodded timidly. “I agree… It looks elegant. I wouldn’t mind wearing this instead.”

Takeshi gestured to the rack. “Go try them. Make sure you don’t pick the wrong one. Each of your names is written on the covers.”

The girls each grabbed their uniform and slipped into the changing booths. Their giggles and soft rustling echoed throughout the room.

Nana’s voice came first. “Uh… I think I put the belt on the wrong side…”

Misaki sighed. “Of course you did.”

A few minutes later, all the curtains slid open at once as the girls stepped out, fully dressed in the uniform.

Emi turned to Reina almost immediately. “Reina-chan… it really suits you. You look even more like a captain now.”

The others nodded — some teasing, some genuinely impressed — praising each other as they admired how well the outfits matched the group. With the fitting done, they changed back into their casual clothes and made their way toward the food court.

The food court on the fourth floor was already crowded, the lunchtime buzz mixing with clattering trays and the scent of various dishes. The group found a corner table away from the heavier crowds, a spot where they wouldn’t draw much attention.

“Let’s get something sweet after this,” Momoko whispered, peeking at the dessert stalls.

“Cake. Definitely cake.” Nana said with full confidence.

“I want parfait…” Emiko murmured, eyes sparking a little.

Mika scrolled through her phone, while Emi and Misaki joined the dessert debate with soft laughter.

Reina watched them settle in with a small smile. She hoped moments like this could last forever — just her team being themselves, just teenage girls enjoying a normal afternoon.

Takeshi stood up. “I’ll go grab everyone’s meals. Reina-san, can you help me with the trays? Also, is ramen okay with all of you?”

“Sure.” Reina replied. The girls nodded in agreement.

They slipped away from the table and joined the line at a noodle counter. As they waited, Takeshi quietly pulled out his phone and typed something. A moment later, Reina’s phone buzzed.

She opened it.

The investigation came up empty.

No footprints. No resonance trails. Nothing.

The frequency still can’t be decoded.

Reina typed back.

Impossible. Someone was there.

It felt human.

Takeshi’s next message appeared after a brief pause.

If it was human, they’re not normal.

Reina hesitated.

Then… what are we dealing with?

Takeshi responded quickly.

Worst case? A Diva outside the Foundation registry.

Not Team 01. 

The resonance doesn’t match.

“Hello. How may I serve you?” the staff called from behind the counter.

Takeshi and Reina both straightened and placed their order for eight bowls of ramen. Reina gathered the drinks. Though her thoughts lingered on the conversation just now

When they returned to the table, Emi waved brightly. “Reina-chan, I ordered strawberry parfait for us!”

Reina smiled softly. Enjoy today, she told herself. There’s no point worrying about what we can’t control yet.

The group ate, laughed and drifted through the mall afterward, visiting a few shops and enjoying the rare peaceful afternoon. Once their bags were full and their energy began to dip, Takeshi called the driver to pick them up.

They headed back to the Foundation facility before evening settled in.

Reina exhaled softly. Tomorrow, they would finally hear the new song.