Chapter 14:

Solace

The Blessing of Diva: Resonance Zero

Reina ran.

The fog was moving. The surrounding trees were swallowed by black mist and twisting shadows. Nana’s scream cut through the haze. Her last flicker of fire vanished into the darkness in front of Reina’s eyes. Misaki’s voice turned to static in her earpiece before fading completely. Momoko’s cry snapped midway before it was silenced. Mika and Emiko disappeared into the black mist before they could even scream for help.

Reina reached out. Emi’s body was already half consumed by the mist.

But Reina’s legs wouldn’t move fast enough. She couldn’t even grasp Emi’s hand before the shadows swallowed her completely, Reina fell to her knees, defeated, powerless against the closing void.

“No—!” she cried, voice trembling with desperation. “Give them back… please…”

Her body refused to move as the mist reached for her too.

Reina jolted awake, breath sharp, back damp with cold sweat.

A dream… she realized.

Her cheek felt warm, tears were still sliding down her face. It took a moment before her breathing calmed.

She looked around the room.

She was the only one left in the quarters.

A small note rested on her bedside table:

We’re at the cafeteria waiting for you.

[November 21th, 08:00 JST]

Tokyo Prefecture – Harmonia Foundation Tama Facility, Cafeteria

The cafeteria was warm and noisy despite the early hour. Researchers in white coats, guards in uniform, technicians and staff already filled the hall.

Reina spotted her team at their usual table, eating their breakfast.

Nana was already halfway through a plate of toast.

Momoko was complaining about calories while reaching for a second meat bun.

Emiko quietly ate her rice ball.

Misaki was slurping ramen.

Mika picked at her omelette while staring blankly at the others.

Emi looked up the moment she sensed Reina walking over.

Reina sat beside her, her tray holding only a sandwich and a bottle of milk.

Emi observed her carefully.

“Reina-chan… you okay? You look a little pale.”

Momoko chimed in, “Yeah, Reina-san, you usually eat way more than that.”

“I’m fine,” Reina replied, forcing a small smile. “Just didn’t sleep well.”

“Hmm…” Emi didn’t sound convinced, but she let it go.

As the conversation continued, Reina’s phone buzzed. She answered it and Takeshi’s voice came clear through the speaker.

“Reina, tell the girls to head to Studio Room 03 at nine. Fujimoto-sensei will be waiting there.”

“Understood,” Reina said before ending the call.

She relayed the message to the others. The girls nodded and continued chatting, laughing and bickering with each other.

But Reina’s mind drifted elsewhere, the remnants of the nightmare still clinging to her chest.

After breakfast, the girls headed to the fifth floor, taking the elevator up. At the end of the hallway sat a multipurpose changing room with showers, where they changed into their gym wear for practice. Once ready, they made their way to Studio Room 03.

Fujimoto-sensei was already there.

In her early forties, she carried the sharp confidence of an ex-champion dancer. She had spent years coaching the Foundation’s hidden performers, girls who handled resonance duties long before ‘Diva’ became an official title. Tempesta Unit had trained under her more than once.

She greeted them with a warm smile. The girls bowed lightly in return.

“It’s been a while. I watched your last Live—too bad Reina-chan wasn’t in it. But you girls were still graceful even without supervision. Good work.”

Then her tone shifted to professional.

“Since this is a brand-new song, I’ll be teaching you a completely new choreography. The lyrics came from an online composition contest, not the usual Foundation composer, so I had to build a fresh routine for it.”

The girls nodded and moved to their usual positions, Reina at the center.

Fujimoto pressed a button on the studio’s control panel.

“In your position—”

She waited until the opening notes of ‘Color of Tomorrow’ began.

“Set—”

Tempesta Unit stepped into formation. The beat kicked in.

Mika caught the rhythm immediately. Misaki followed with clean precision. Nana stumbled once, then recovered with a grin.

Reina moved a fraction late.

She tried to match the flow, but her timing drifted again on the next step. Momoko had to pull back to avoid bumping her. Reina muttered an apology and forced herself back into the pattern.

Fujimoto watched her for only a few seconds before speaking.

“Reina-san, you’re behind. Keep up with the tempo.”

Reina tried to bounce back, pushing her movements to fall in sync with the others.

The pivot sequence started. Nana spun smoothly. Emiko kept her balance. Reina’s foot hesitated for half a beat. She turned too late, nearly clipping Emi’s arm.

Fujimoto lifted her hand. “Stop.”

The music cut instantly.

“We’re only doing simple blocking today. This level shouldn’t even be a problem for you, Reina-san.” Her tone stayed calm, but firm. “You’re completely out of focus. You missed almost every transition.”

The room fell quiet.

The girls glanced toward their leader.

Worry was written all over Emi’s face.

Reina kept her gaze on the floor.

What is happening to me today…?

Fujimoto checked her watch.

“We’ll take a break. Reset yourselves.”

“Yes, sensei.” The girls answered together.

Reina exhaled slowly and walked out of the hall toward the washroom. The weight in her chest still clung heavy.

Reina was splashing cold water onto her face when the washroom door clicked open. Emi stepped inside, her footsteps soft as she approached. Without a word, she slipped her arms around Reina from behind, resting her cheek between Reina’s shoulder blades.

“Reina-chan… what happened?” Emi whispered. “You almost never slip during practice. You’re our best dancer. Tell me…”

Reina lowered her gaze, water dripping from her chin.

“I… it’s nothing. Just too much on my mind.”

She turned, gently squeezing Emi’s hand. “Can you tell Fujimoto-sensei I’m taking leave for today? I just need to clear my head. I’ll join tomorrow’s practice and bounce back. I promise.”

Emi searched her eyes for a moment, then nodded quietly. “Okay. But… know that we all are worried about you.”

She slipped out, leaving Reina alone.

The moment the door shut, Reina drove her fist into the wall. Pain shot up her knuckles, but it barely cut through the frustration knotted in her chest.

She went to her locker, grabbed her bag, then headed for the lift and pressed the top floor.

The tenth floor opened into a silent hallway. Reina walked to a narrow, unmarked staircase and tapped her specialized keycard — one Director Kurogane had given her personally.

The hidden rooftop clicked open.

Surrounded by barbed wire and a low fence, it was a place no one else ever visited.

Her sanctuary.

The only person who knew it existed beside the director was Takeshi.

Reina dropped onto the ground under the shade structure, staring up at the pale noon sky. She tried to steady her breathing, tried to forget the nightmare, the mistake, the fear that pressing at her ribs.

At some point, exhaustion won.

When she opened her eyes again, the sky was already deep navy.

She checked her phone.

8.07 PM.

As she pushed herself upright, a voice drifted from beside her.

“I knew you’d be up here.”

Reina turned.

Takeshi was sitting on the folding chair a few steps away, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on her with quiet concern.

“I’ve been here a while,” he said, half-smiling. “Didn’t want to wake you.”

Reina’s chest tightened. For a moment she stood frozen, then stepped toward him and sank down at his side. Emotions boiled in her.

“…Takeshi,” she whispered.

And for the first time in a long time, Reina let herself cry where someone could see her.

Takeshi let her lean into him, saying nothing at first. He simply held her shoulders and gently stroked her back and hair, letting the tension leave her one breath at a time.

“Takeshi… I’m scared,” Reina whispered through trembling breaths, “I’m so scared… I’m afraid I’ll lose them one day. I already lose my parents… I don’t want to lost my family again. They’re my everything. I…”

Her voice broke. More tears spilled. Everything she had been holding inside as Captain of Team 02 came pouring out.

“I know,” Takeshi murmured, rubbing slow circles on her back. “Believe me, I know. If anything, I should be more scared than you.”

He offered a small, helpless smile. “Every time you girls are sent on a mission, my heart prays all of you come back alive.”

Reina sniffed. “How… do you even handle the pressure…?”

“I don’t,” Takeshi admitted quietly. “I just hide it better. Seeing you girls return each time… that’s the only relief I get.”

He slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, steady and warm.

“During Ibaraki,” he continued softly, “when you clashed with the Level 4 and it threw you from that height… my heart sank. I thought I lost you. But I heard your voice again. That’s when I knew you were still fighting.”

His voice gentled further. “Project Harmonia… saved you.”

Reina let out a small, exhausted laugh. “And because of it, I’m not even a proper human anymore. I should’ve died when I sang the Coda Cantus. The only reason I survived is the same reason I’m… not normal.”

Takeshi shook his head. “To me—and your team—you’re still Tachibana Reina. A girl they trust with their lives.”

He paused. His voice softened even more.

“You really shouldn’t carry everything alone.”

Reina looked up, eyes blurry. “But… what do you expect me to say? That I’m terrified of watching them die in front of me? If they know that, they’ll hesitate in battle. And hesitation kills.”

Takeshi looked toward the night sky, then back at her.

“By the way… the new song has a line I really like.”

He spoke it gently, as if reciting something fragile:

Everyone carries wounds;

everyone stumbles and breaks inside.

That’s why we hold each other’s hands—

side by side, never letting go.

His eyes met hers.

“Just be honest enough for them to see you,” he said. “The rest… they’ll understand. All of us have wounds. But if we hold each other, we’ll break through whatever wall stands in our way.”

Reina finally calmed down. She wiped her cheeks and stood, breathing a little steadier.

“Thank you…” she said softly. “I’ll go practice what I missed. I can’t fall behind as a center.”

Takeshi gave her a gentle nod as she walked toward the lift.

Reina returned to Studio Room 03. The hall was empty now, lights dimmed. She stepped to the control panel, reaching for the play button.

Voices burst behind her.

“Reina-chan!”

She turned.

Her entire team stood at the doorway, their faces a mix of worry and determination, but most of all, relief.

Emi stepped forward. “We’ll practice with you. You’re not doing this alone.”

Emiko held up a small bag shyly. “I brought onigiri and sandwiches… senpai ate so little today.”

Nana grinned. “We’ll catch you up in no time!”

Misaki crossed her arms but smiled. “Don’t expect us to leave you behind.”