Backstage at Mafra Q Hall, a quiet yet palpable energy filled the air. The roar of the crowd beyond the thick curtains was ever-present, muted only slightly by the walls that separated the world of the audience from the carefully orchestrated chaos behind the scenes. Amid the flurry of staff and crew, Aurora, better known to the world as Tsukuyomi, stood calmly in front of a large mirror, her reflection staring back at her like an ethereal goddess from another world.
The notes of "Before You Go" hung in the air, and even though she couldn't see the stage, Aurora could feel the emotion in the room from the vibrations in the floor, from the way the backstage crew was unusually quiet, all eyes fixed on the monitors showing Moonlight performing his heart out. Her brother, Theo- or rather, Moonlight- delivered a performance that, if she knew him at all, had poured every ounce of his soul into it.
As the crowd chorus swelled through the venue like a wave, Aurora smiled softly, her heart swelling with pride. This was his moment, the culmination of months of preparation, late- night rehearsals, and shared dreams. And soon, it would be her turn to join him.
Aurora was already dressed for her part in the concert, her transformation into Tsukuyomi complete. The shimmering outfit she wore was a masterpiece crafted by the renowned designer Jubo E, who had drawn inspiration from ancient Japanese mythology. The kimono- style garment was woven with delicate silver threads that glittered under the soft backstage lights, reflecting a soft radiance that gave her the appearance of a goddess stepping out of legend. The sleeves flowed like water, and the intricate patterns of cherry blossoms and stars stitched into the fabric seemed to move as she did, giving the illusion that she carried a piece of the night sky with her.
The ensemble was both elegant and ethereal, with the obi tied perfectly at her waist, and her long black hair cascading down her back in loose, soft waves. A small, intricate headpiece adorned with silver crescents rested on her forehead, completing the look. Plus, she wore a delicate mask that covered the lower half of her face. Tsukuyomi was the Moon Goddess, after all, and tonight, she was prepared to step into that role in front of thousands.
Aurora took a deep breath, her fingers lightly grazing the fabric of her outfit as she stared at herself in the mirror. Jubo E had outdone himself with this creation, and though she knew it was just a costume, it made her feel powerful. Majestic. Like she truly could step out onto that stage and command the attention of everyone in the audience-not as Aurora, but as Tsukuyomi.
Behind her, staff members buzzed around, ensuring everything was in place for the next act. She could hear the faint hum of people talking into headsets, relaying messages to stagehands, and coordinating the upcoming transition. The mood was calm but charged with anticipation. They all knew what was coming next.
Aurora moved away from the mirror and settled into a small seating area backstage, her thoughts drifting. She had always known this moment would come, from the very first time Theo had shared his dream of becoming Moonlight with her. From the very beginning, he had told her that she would be a part of it. They weren't just siblings-they were partners, two people who had survived so much and had come out stronger on the other side. Aurora could still remember the nights when Theo, with a quiet smile, arrived from a heavy day of work and cooked for her the little amount of food they could afford, she remembered how he starved so she could have something to eat. She never imagined that someday, the two poor siblings would become superstar singers performing for tens of thousands of people.
But no one in the audience knew who she really was. Like Theo, she had kept her true identity hidden. Tsukuyomi was a mystery to the world, just like Moonlight. Only a few people-Ayia, Shizuka, and Sam-knew the truth. To the fans, she was the enigmatic voice that had appeared in one of Moonlight's songs, captivating everyone with her ethereal sound and powerful harmonies. They knew her face from the animated music videos that accompanied her features-videos that depicted her as a celestial being, draped in light and shadow, her beauty and grace transcendent.
Aurora smiled to herself. The world only knew Tsukuyomi, and tonight, they would finally see her in the flesh.But for now, she had a few minutes of peace. She closed her eyes, centering herself. The slow and romantic melody of "Before You Go" still hung in the back of her mind, the emotional weight of the song settling into her bones. Theo had a way of making every word, every note, feel like a personal confession, and she knew the audience felt it too.
He always gave everything on stage. Now, it was her turn to stand beside him and share in that
Connection.
Aurora's heart fluttered slightly as she heard the familiar footsteps approaching—the light but purposeful step of her brother. He would be backstage in a matter of moments, taking a brief pause to collect himself before introducing Tsukuyomi to the stage.
She opened her eyes, taking in a deep breath. She could do this. She had done it before in rehearsals, and she had felt the magic each time. But this... this was different. This wasn't just practice. This was real. There were thousands of people out there, eagerly awaiting Moonlight's next move, and soon they would see her, hear her, and feel the synergy between them.
"You look beautiful, you know," a voice broke through her thoughts.
Aurora turned and saw Ayia, her friend and now sister, standing nearby. Ayia smiled warmly like a big sister seeing their little sister grow up for the first time, her eyes taking in the sight of Aurora dressed as Tsukuyomi. "Like a real goddess," she added, walking over to her.
Aurora laughed softly, though her cheeks flushed. "That's the idea, isn't it?" she replied, smoothing the fabric of her sleeves nervously. "But thank you."
Ayia placed a reassuring hand on Aurora's arm. "You're going to be amazing. You always are."
The two sisters shared a brief, comforting look before Ayia gave her one last squeeze of encouragement and slipped away, disappearing into the busy backstage hustle. Aurora watched her go, grateful for the steady presence of her friends. They had been there every step of the way, supporting both her and Theo as they built their personas.
And now, here she was, about to step into the spotlight in a way she had never done before.
Aurora's heart leaped as the final applause from "Before You Go" rolled through the venue. She knew what was coming next. The backstage crew began moving swiftly, resetting the stage for the next act. Lights shifted, and there was a subtle change in the atmosphere as the energy of the concert prepared to build once again.
Theo would be taking a short break, long enough to catch his breath and reset the mood for the upcoming performance. But this wasn't just another song-this was the moment the two of them would share the stage, together.
Aurora watched the screen that displayed a live feed of the stage. Theo-Moonlight-was thanking the crowd, his masked face turned slightly away from the camera, the soft glow of lights reflecting in his red eyes. The audience was still in awe of his previous performance, but their excitement was palpable, ready to be reignited.
The crew member responsible for cueing the next part of the show approached Aurora, signaling that it was almost time. Her breath quickened just slightly, but she steadied herself, rising from her seat. She had practiced for this moment for months. Everything was ready- her voice, her outfit, her presence. All that remained was for Moonlight to call her name. Aurora stood just behind the thick velvet curtains, hidden from the view of the thousands of fans who were still cheering for Moonlight. She could feel the vibration of their voices beneath her feet, the rumble of excitement as they waited for what was next. She adjusted the microphone in her hand, smoothing out the nerves that danced across her skin.
In the distance, she heard Theo's voice, speaking to the crowd again. His tone was lighter
Now, playful. He was preparing them for what was about to happen.
"Now..." he said, his voice amplified across the hall. "I think it's time we bring someone
Special to the stage."
Aurora's heart skipped a beat.
"Someone who means the world to me," Moonlight continued, his voice filled with affection, though his tone remained mysterious. The crowd was already buzzing with curiosity, the
Anticipation building like a wave.
"Are you ready to meet her?"
The crowd exploded into cheers, the noise almost overwhelming as the lights dimmed just
Slightly.
Aurora, standing backstage as Tsukuyomi, took one last deep breath. This was it.
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