Morning sunlight spilled across Mio's bedroom, chasing away the shadows of the night. Yet the memory of swirling lights and glowing Dream Notes lingered in the corners of her mind like the fading strains of a melody. She sat up slowly, the Aurora Pin still warm in her hand, its iridescent glow catching the light. It wasn't just a dream, she thought, heart fluttering with a mix of fear and excitement. I really did it. And somewhere deep inside, a quiet voice whispered: If I want to stand on the Symphonia Stage, I can't turn back now.
Mio walked through the school gates, heart pounding. She could feel the Aurora Pin tucked securely in her hair, a secret warmth that gave her courage. The courtyard buzzed with students' voices, the air full of cherry blossom petals dancing between them.
As she passed groups of classmates, snippets of conversation filled her ears:
"Only five will make it past the first round of auditions!"
"I heard Symphonia Academy's top scouts will be there!"
"There's no way I could match those past winners…"
Mio's steps faltered, but she gripped her bag tighter, whispering to herself, "I can do this… I have to try."
Emi spotted her from the entrance, waving wildly. "Mio! You look so determined today. Did something happen?"
"I… realized I really want to stand on that stage," Mio confessed with a shy but fierce smile.
Emi grinned. "Then I'll be right here cheering you on!"
The two girls headed inside together, but Mio couldn't shake the sense that unseen eyes were watching her every move.
Later, during lunch break, Mio found herself on the rooftop, hoping for a quiet place to practice. She repeated the steps over and over, but her feet stumbled, the rhythm slipping through her grasp.
"One-two-three… spin—ah!" She nearly fell, catching herself at the last second.
A low voice cut through the air. "Your timing is off. If you dance like that on stage, you'll trip before you even start."
Mio spun around, startled. Rika Tsukino stood leaning against the fence, arms crossed, her sharp eyes fixed on Mio like a challenge.
"I-I didn't know anyone was here," Mio stammered.
"You're Mio Hanabira, right?" Rika stepped closer, gaze flicking briefly to the Aurora Pin glinting in Mio's hair. "Dreams alone won't make you a star. You need skill—or you'll just embarrass yourself."
Mio clenched her fists, voice trembling but determined. "Then I'll work until my dreams and my steps match."
Rika's smirk softened—just for a moment. "Prove me wrong." She walked past Mio, the scent of her perfume lingering like a warning.
After classes ended, Mio wandered behind the old music building, a quiet garden hidden from the busy halls. The soft breeze rustled leaves above her as she tried the steps again—and fell, landing hard on the grass.
Tears stung her eyes. "Why can't I do this? How can I ever reach the Symphonia Stage like this?"
A warm hand appeared in front of her. "Hey. Are you okay?"
Mio looked up to see Hina smiling gently, her hair shimmering in the dappled sunlight. "I like to come here when I need to think," Hina said softly. "I saw you practicing so hard."
"I'm scared I'll never catch up," Mio confessed, voice cracking.
"It's okay to be scared," Hina reassured, helping Mio to her feet. "Being afraid means your dream matters. Don't stop dancing, Mio. I believe in you."
Mio's heart lifted, warmth spreading through her chest. "Thank you, Hina…"
Far from the school, in a candlelit chamber lined with ancient musical scores and drifting Dream Notes, the shadowed figure knelt before the robed Maestro of the Symphonia Order.
"Maestro," the Watcher reported in a low voice, "the Aurora Symphony has awakened. A girl named Mio Hanabira now wields the Aurora Pin."
The Maestro's voice was deep, measured. "The Aurora Pin was sealed for a reason. If its power runs wild again…"
"I will watch her closely," the Watcher vowed. "But rumors spread—others are searching for the Aurora Pin, too."
"Then we must guide her before darkness finds her first," the Maestro said gravely. "She could become our hope… or the spark of disaster."
That night, in her moonlit bedroom, Mio stood before her mirror. She clipped the Aurora Pin into her hair, its glow faint but steady.
I'm still scared… but if I don't try, my dreams will stay just dreams. I won't let them fade.
She began to dance. This time, each step felt stronger, more alive. Soft, shimmering Dream Notes floated around her, their gentle light reflecting her determination. When she finished, a single Dream Note lingered in the air, pulsing softly like a tiny heartbeat before fading.
Breathing hard, Mio held the Aurora Pin close to her heart. "Tomorrow, I'll take my first real step."