The crowd at Cestisia's Stage Entertainment Hall that night was absolutely electric. The massive venue seemed to shake with the voices of fans chanting their idols' names, creating an intense atmosphere. Among the sea of eager fans stood a striking figure—a man in dark sunglasses standing tall in the VIP section. He wore a T-shirt with the faces of all three members of Night Bunnies, the idol group currently performing on stage.

The name "Night Bunnies" echoed from the passionate fans, and the man in sunglasses was among the loudest. Waving a rainbow-colored lightstick in sync with the beat, he watched the trio on stage intently as they performed their latest hit—a spirited song they'd dedicated to their loyal fanbase.

On stage, the three Night Bunnies members—Fuzzy Bunny, Pygmy Bunny, and Mini Bunny—radiated with energy. They sang and danced in perfect harmony, captivating every pair of eyes in the hall. Fuzzy Bunny's infectious smile, Pygmy Bunny's confident expression, and Mini Bunny's gentle yet powerful presence had everyone entranced.

The man in sunglasses couldn't hold back his excitement any longer. As the song hit its catchy chorus, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Night Bunnies, we're always with you!" swinging his lightstick high.

He wasn't alone in his enthusiasm. Around him, other fans waved massive banners with the members' faces and wore shirts featuring their favorites. Some sported shirts of Fuzzy Bunny with her adorable bunny ears, others cheered for Pygmy Bunny, and many proudly represented Mini Bunny.

As the song reached its peak, the man in sunglasses cried out with even more enthusiasm. "Night Bunnies forever! Fuzzy Bunny, you're the best!"

The fans around him lifted their own lightsticks, exchanging glances of shared admiration. The hall was alive with cheers and the clash of lightsticks in the air, creating a dazzling scene of unity.

When the song ended, Fuzzy Bunny, Pygmy Bunny, and Mini Bunny smiled warmly and took a moment to address their fans. "Thank you, everyone!" Fuzzy Bunny called out with her trademark cheerfulness. "We wouldn't be here without you! You're all amazing!"

Mini Bunny chimed in with a sweet smile, "We'll keep working hard for all of you. Night Bunnies forever!"

Just before they could finish their greeting, Pygmy Bunny raised her hand and spoke confidently into the mic, "Tonight belongs to all of us. Night Bunnies only exist because of you!" Her words made the fans, including the man in sunglasses, cheer even louder.

"Yeah, Pygmy Bunny! We're always here for you!" he shouted, his voice joining the roar of the crowd around him.

Fuzzy Bunny suddenly glanced in his direction and gave a small wave, spotting him in his T-shirt featuring all three Night Bunnies. He was caught off guard but thrilled, waving his lightstick even harder. With a wide smile, Fuzzy Bunny waved back, and he felt a rush of excitement at being noticed.

Seeing his enthusiasm, a young girl standing nearby turned to him with a smile. "You love all of Night Bunnies too, huh? Fuzzy Bunny's my favorite!"

He nodded eagerly, "I've been a fan since their debut! They always give their best for us."

Their brief exchange was cut short as the next song began, a ballad that softened the mood. The stage lights turned a gentle blue, casting an intimate glow as the trio began a heartfelt melody. The fans, including the man in sunglasses, fell quiet, absorbing every note and lyric.

For him, this was a special moment shared with Night Bunnies. He was so immersed in the music, the atmosphere, and the idols he admired that he almost forgot the world around him. As Fuzzy Bunny sang her solo with soft emotion, he felt a tightness in his throat and discreetly wiped at his eyes to hold back a tear.

When the song ended, the Night Bunnies gazed out at their fans, pride glowing in their eyes. Mini Bunny took the mic again, her voice slightly shaking with emotion. "Thank you for tonight. You are the reason we're here, and we'll never forget this."

In unison, the man in sunglasses and the crowd chanted Night Bunnies' name, filling the hall with their devotion. Their cheers echoed through the walls, leaving a memory that would last forever.

Fuzzy Bunny, just before stepping offstage, looked back at the crowd, eyes filled with gratitude. The man in sunglasses felt his heart race, sure that her glance had landed on him, even if only for a moment.

"Thank you for tonight, Night Bunnies," he whispered, his voice lost in the chorus of thousands.

After Night Bunnies finished their performance and the show shifted to another idol group, the man in dark sunglasses slipped backstage to meet his favorite group. He made his way to a private staff room with "Night Bunnies" on the door.

Inside, the room was warm and familiar. The three girls who made up Night Bunnies were resting on the couch, still a bit out of breath from the stage. When the man in sunglasses opened the door with a wide grin, three bright pairs of eyes turned toward him.

"Cashmere!" Usako Tanaka, known on stage as Mini Bunny, called out with a chuckle, raising her hand. "You were really in the crowd tonight? I saw you waving that lightstick around like a maniac!"

Zhen Lin, or Pygmy Bunny, laughed too. "Yeah, I saw you! You know you didn't have to be out there, right? We already had a nice, comfy spot reserved for you."

Cashmere scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. He wore dark glasses and a shirt with a spirited image of the three Night Bunnies. "Come on, this is a huge moment for you guys! Finally performing on a big stage in Cestisia. How could I just sit backstage? I wanted to experience the excitement with the fans."

Eun Min Hwa, better known as Fuzzy Bunny, smiled warmly. "Your lightstick moves were pretty stiff, Cashmere," she teased with a gentle laugh. "But I loved your energy. Thanks for always being there for us. It's thanks to your hard work, too, that we're here."

Cashmere shrugged, his grin widening. "It's all your doing, really. You're the ones who made Night Bunnies what it is. My job's just to support however I can."

The three girls exchanged a glance, then looked back at Cashmere with soft smiles. Usako leaned back on the sofa, still holding her water bottle. "But you have no idea how much we need a manager as enthusiastic as you," she said, raising her brows with a playful look. "Without you, Night Bunnies might've stayed online idols forever."

Cashmere gave a modest smile, touched by the compliment. "You're exaggerating," he said, raising his hands as if to brush off their praise. "But honestly, I believed in you from the start. From the first time I heard your voices and saw you on that tiny stage, I knew you had something special."

Usako smiled wide, laughing. "That's one of the few reasons we held on when everyone thought we were just a low-tier idol group."

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Zhen, who was usually more reserved, nodded quietly. "Not many people supported us back then… it was just you and a few early fans. Do you remember that one performance in the basement, where only a handful of people showed up?"

Cashmere chuckled at the memory of their tough early days. "I remember it well. Your voices filled that small room, but you performed as if it were a packed arena. That really left a mark on me."

The room grew quiet for a moment as they each thought back on the long road they'd traveled together. Through all the challenges, small shows, lack of recognition, and struggles for support, they'd never given up.

"Cashmere, I remember how often you'd go to bat for us with the agency," Eun Min Hwa said gently. "You even covered some of the promotional costs yourself back then."

Cashmere nodded, feeling a bit shy as he recalled those days. "That… I just wanted to help however I could. You had something special, and I wanted others to see it too. So, I figured those sacrifices were worth it."

Usako looked at him with grateful eyes. "Small sacrifices? For us, it meant everything, Cashmere."

Zhen let out a small sigh and said quietly, "Sometimes, I feel guilty… for all the pressure and issues we brought. But every time I thought about giving up, there you were, cheering us on. You know, that made all the difference."

Cashmere looked at the three girls with affection. "You all went through a lot, but that's exactly what made you stronger. You're not just singing songs; you're sending a message to your fans that, no matter how hard life gets, we can keep moving forward." He paused, then continued with a soft smile. "I'm proud of how far you've come as Night Bunnies."

Usako grinned and teased, "Ah, Cashmere, don't make us cry with all this sweetness!"

They laughed together, the moment of nostalgia transforming into a warm and lively conversation. They continued chatting about the big performance, sharing plans for the future. Cashmere watched them with a satisfied smile, feeling relieved to see their spirits burning bright.

"I feel like tonight has truly taken us to a different level," Eun Min Hwa said, her eyes shining as she looked at her friends. "There are so many people out there who know Night Bunnies now."

Zhen nodded, adding, "Yeah, and it's thanks to all of us. From those small gigs in cafes and basements… to this."

"Those were just steps in the journey," Cashmere agreed, pride in his voice. "And now, this big stage is another milestone we've reached together. I know in my heart you're only going to get bigger from here."

Usako let out a contented sigh, looking emotional. "You've always said that, Cashmere. But honestly, I never truly believed it until tonight."

They exchanged smiles, then chuckled softly. That night, though their bodies were tired, their hearts were full and grateful. Cashmere spent more time with the three girls, talking about dreams that were becoming real.

Finally, Usako let out a big yawn, then looked at her friends with a laugh. "Ah, I really need some sleep. But tonight… this is a night I'll never forget."

Zhen and Eun nodded in agreement. They knew that tonight marked the start of something even bigger. They were no longer just a small idol group; they had become part of something much greater than they had ever dreamed.

***

Morning sunlight seeped through the delicate curtains of the Night Bunnies' luxurious apartment, casting a gentle glow over the bedroom. Cashmere, the manager and the heart behind the idol group, was already up early, preparing breakfast. The kitchen was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly toasted bread and warm miso soup.

Cashmere soon made his way to the first bedroom, knocking softly. "Usako, Zhen, Eun! Breakfast is ready!" His cheerful tone radiated through the apartment, giving it a cozy morning vibe.

From inside her room, Usako Tanaka let out a groggy grumble. "Why do we have to get up this early?" she muttered, pulling her blanket tighter.

In the next room, Eun Min Hwa heard her and playfully replied, "Because we're idols, Usako. Idols need to embrace these bright early mornings!" Her tone was lighthearted, but she, too, felt the tug of sleep still weighing on her.

Zhen Lin, listening from the adjacent room, sighed. "It wouldn't be a morning without you two grumbling," she said with a small smile.

After a few gentle prompts from Cashmere, the three of them finally emerged from their rooms, looking half-awake yet clearly hungry. Usako shuffled out with half-closed eyes, Eun Min Hwa yawned while ruffling her hair, and Zhen appeared as fresh as if she'd been awake for hours.

At the dining table, neatly arranged with Cashmere's delicious cooking, they took their seats. "Alright, eat up, girls. We've got a recording session soon," Cashmere said, plating up portions for each of them.

Usako groaned, still half-awake, "Why today? Can't we just take a break?"

Eun, sitting next to her, raised an eyebrow. "Because it's on our regular schedule, remember? Every other day!"

"Can we change that schedule?" Usako mumbled, staring down at her miso soup as if it held all the world's problems.

Zhen smiled softly, watching her two teammates playfully bicker. "Come on, we all know we have to do this." She glanced up at Cashmere. "Thank you for the amazing breakfast, Cashmere. You really do take care of us."

Cashmere chuckled. "Glad to hear it. Let's give it our all today, girls! We're recording some new videos for the online channel."

As they finished eating, they all headed downstairs to the apartment's studio space, which Cashmere had already prepped. Lights were set, the camera was ready, and the music was queued for them to practice.

"Alright, let's start with the new choreography," Cashmere directed, checking the camera display.

After several practice rounds, they finally got into recording mode and managed to finish a few videos. The fans' immediate comments online filled the screen, cheering the girls on.

"You guys are amazing. Today, you really showed your best side," Cashmere praised.

Just as they were wrapping up, Usako wandered out of the studio, still feeling the pull of a good nap. She headed to the dining area for a cold drink when suddenly…

"AHH!" Usako's startled scream echoed through the apartment. There, at the dining table, was a dark-haired woman, comfortably enjoying a snack as though she owned the place.

Cashmere and the others dashed out of the studio, alarmed. "What happened, Usako?" Cashmere asked, concern in his voice.

Usako, still visibly shocked, pointed to the woman at the table. "Wh-who is that? And why is she here?"

The woman turned, looking mildly surprised but soon offering a relaxed smile. "Oh, it's just me—Katya. No need to be alarmed."

Zhen frowned and looked at Cashmere, clearly confused. "How did she get into our apartment?"

Cashmere just sighed, seeming familiar with Katya's behavior. "Katya, how many times have I asked you to stop coming in unannounced?"

Katya chuckled, nibbling on her snack, completely at ease. "Oh, come on. You know I can't resist a good treat when I see one."

Eun raised a brow, puzzled. "But… how did you even get in here? This place is supposed to be secure."

Katya just smiled mischievously, sipping her juice. "I have my ways."

Usako exhaled deeply, finally calming down, though the shock still lingered. "Maybe just knock next time, Katya?"

"Sure, I'll keep that in mind," she replied nonchalantly, though they all had their doubts she would actually follow through.

Zhen, usually the quiet one, added gently, "We'd appreciate it if you didn't surprise us quite so often. This is our home, after all."

"Relax," Katya reassured them with a wink. "I wouldn't dream of bothering the Night Bunnies, the new idols of Cestisia."

But Cashmere could sense there was more to her visit. "You're not here just for the snacks, are you, Katya?" he asked, giving her a sharp look.

Katya laughed, finally getting up from her seat, a few snacks still in her hand. "Alright, you got me. I was sent here by Princess Ellora."

At the mention of Princess Ellora, Cashmere's expression turned serious. "Princess Ellora? Is there an update on our mission?"

Katya nodded, confirming it. "She's decided to change her approach. She doesn't want General Alexander kept captive any longer."

Eun spoke up, "We've located the place where he's being held, but as idols, we don't have direct access to the Cestisia military."

"That's okay," Katya replied, her eyes scanning the group. "Princess Ellora herself is coming to Cestisia to free him."

Zhen's eyes widened in shock. "She's coming here herself? Isn't that risky for her? And… isn't her identity still supposed to be a secret?"

Cashmere grew even more serious. "If she's coming, that must mean she thinks we're moving too slowly. I can't say I'm not concerned."

Katya, still munching on her snack, replied with a grin, "Don't worry. Princess Ellora also has family matters to address here with the Einzvil relatives stationed in Cestisia, so she's decided to assist with your mission while she's at it."

Usako, still a bit lost in thought, finally chimed in. "It's been so long since I saw Princess Ellora. Will Princess Lily be coming too?"

Katya shook her head. "No, Princess Lily's staying back. Cestisia's a long journey, and Princess Ellora wants to ensure her sister's safety."

Usako looked down, feeling a pang of disappointment. "I kind of miss Princess Lily…"

The room grew quiet as they absorbed the news. The day had taken an unexpectedly heavy turn. Katya's update left them all keenly aware that their mission just became more significant, and the stakes much higher, with Princess Ellora's impending arrival.

***