CHAPTER 9
The music blasted through the rehearsal studio speakers.
Cerb-3ros snapped into motion the moment the beat dropped, their sneakers striking the wooden practice floor in sharp rhythm.
Kiyomi spun through the formation, his wig bouncing with each sharp turn. Miyu's movements cut clean and precise, every gesture landing exactly on the beat.
Renge followed half a beat behind them.
Not enough to break the formation—just enough that he could feel it.
His shoulders still carried hesitation, but his feet no longer froze. He pushed through the choreography, forcing his body to keep pace with the music.
Renge's movements were slower, but they were better than before. His improvement didn't go unnoticed. When the routine ended, the instructor gave a short nod of approval.
(I guess the gaff helps…)
They kept training, rehearsing every evening until the city outside went dark. Sweat soaked the practice room floor as music loops played again and again, the melody drilling into their minds until the rhythm carved itself into muscle memory.
Slowly, the three began adapting to each other's internal tempo. Kiyomi learned exactly when Miyu would pivot; Miyu learned when Renge needed half a step more space; and Renge learned how to move before the beat instead of chasing it.
Each passing day gave them more confidence, and with every bit of confidence gained, their synchronization improved.
By Saturday, they had become something new. Not just three trainees sharing a floor, but a unit. An idol unit ready to step into a stage.
That same evening, they gathered in the conference room. Mio opened the meeting with a celebratory clap.
"First of all, I'm proud of your progress," she said. "Secondly, I'm glad we didn't lose you, Renge-chan."
The room erupted in applause. Renge stood and bowed with an exaggerated, theatrical flair.
"Thanks for not giving up on me," he said. "I'm really glad I'm not alone in this struggle toward idolhood. After all, the Princess of Eternal Night is never alone."
Renge winked at Kiyomi and Miyu before sitting back down.
Mio noticed.
Mio's smile turned curious.
"What was that?"
"Secret~," the three replied simultaneously.
Mio laughed, waving a hand.
"Okay, okay. I guess it's one of those things a manager isn't supposed to know."
The three chuckled.
"So, back to the topic," Mio continued. "You've finished rehearsing your first debut song. Two more to go."
Kiyomi raised his hand.
"It took us two weeks just to get one song right," he said. "How can we debut with three songs? How are we supposed to learn the other two in such a short time?"
Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.
Mio clicked her tongue.
"Sakura-chan, I may not be an idol, but I know this industry," she said confidently. "Idols learning slowly during the first two weeks actually happens all the time."
She leaned forward slightly.
"These first two weeks are adaptation weeks. As long as idols adapt well, they can absorb the choreography for three songs within a month."
"How can you be sure?" Kiyomi asked, a hint of his old anxiety surfacing. "You threatened to disband us, remember?"
"Not me—the talent agency," Mio corrected calmly. "Please try to understand. They were just trying to cut their losses if… you know…"
"Stop!" Miyu interrupted quickly. "Let's not talk about gloomy stuff."
"You're right. Bau Bau~"
Everyone barked, and the mood instantly brightened.
The meeting moved on to the next topic—their first promotional video. Mio asked the idols to come the next day for their first recording and photoshoot. She explained that the footage would be used for pre-debut marketing.
The next morning, Kiyomi woke up early.
He took his time doing his makeup, making sure every detail was perfect. Each brushstroke was gentle and careful, giving him the natural charm of a cute girl. His pink wig finalized the look of an idol.
(Mhm… I am adorable!)
After finishing, he headed to the Inferno Talent office, where he met up with the other members.
They looked fabulous.
Three petite boys with soft, natural beauty—cute enough to be mistaken for girls.
"You girls look cute together!" Mio greeted them the moment they arrived. "Quick, get changed!"
She ushered them into the changing room where their debut outfits hung like armor: dark, idol costumes accented with colored chokers and matching ear headbands. Pink for Sakura, Blue for Miyuko, and Black for Renge.
They dressed quickly before Mio led them into the studio for their introduction recording.
Someone else was already there waiting.
Another talent from the same agency.
A camera crew surrounded them, lights already set up.
It was a live interview on Luvtube. The camera was already focused on the LuvTuber.
"Good Sunday, everyone~ It's Mochi Mochi Airi!"
The live chat exploded instantly.
Airi was one of Inferno Talent's biggest LuvTubers—three hundred thousand subscribers and she had a reputation for stirring drama.
"Today, sitting in the hot seat with me, we have a brand-new idol unit," she continued, her voice syrupy-sweet. The camera zoomed out to reveal the trio.
"Cerb-3ros, BAU BAU~" The three shouted in unison.
The chat window flooded with barking emojis and BAU BAU spam.
Airi leaned forward in her chair, resting her chin on her hands as if studying them.
"Oh wow… you three are even cuter in person," she said with a playful smile. "Seriously, chat, look at them."
Kiyomi felt the heat of the studio lights warming his skin. The glare made it impossible to see the crew behind the lenses, but he could hear the frantic clicking of keyboards as moderators fought to keep up with the flood of comments.
Airi glanced at the tablet in her lap.
"People are already fighting over favorites. Okay, introductions first. Starting from the left."
Miyu waved with a practiced, breezy smile.
"The charming breeze Miyuko from Cerb-3ros. Bau Bau~"
Kiyomi followed, his heart racing with excitement.
"Hello everyone. I'm Sakura from Cerb-3ros. My color is pink. Bau Bau~"
Renge stood up and dramatically covered his left eye with his hand.
"Those who bask themselves under light, behold for you are witness to the Princess of Eternal Night."
"Princess of Eternal Night has no name?" Airi teased.
Everyone, including the staff, giggled. Flustered, Renge's cool facade crumbled as he immediately bowed.
"I'm Rente... No, Renge! Forget what I said, Bau Bau!"
"So that's Cerb-3ros, everyone," Airi said to the lens, before turning her sharp gaze back to the trio. "Since there are three of you, can you describe yourselves in three words?"
"Miyuko-chan, that's just two words..." Kiyomi said in a crafted protest.
Miyu didn't miss a beat, flashing a cheeky grin at the camera. "Bau Bau BAU!"
Airi laughed and clapped as the camera focused back on her.
"From amongst you, who's the most chaotic of the group?"
Renge immediately stood up, pouting.
"What's with that question? Why chaos specifically? Are you trying to target someone?" he asked, pointing a finger at Airi.
Kiyomi pulled him down and forced him to sit, but Renge tried to stand again. Suddenly, Miyu walked off-stage, grabbed a spare cable, and promptly tied Renge to his chair. Airi was frozen in shock.
"Is that... normal?" she finally asked after they settled. Her expression drifted between the camera and the trio in disbelief.
Miyu chuckled.
"There's nothing chaotic about us... not at all," she said, trying to laugh it off. "Next question, please."
Airi took a deep breath, steadying herself.
"This is a spicy one." She held her breath for a beat, then continued. "Who amongst you has a boyfriend?"
"Finally, a normal question," Kiyomi answered first. "I, Sakura..." Kiyomi clapped rapidly, mimicking a drumroll. "Have no boyfriend! Bau Bau~"
Miyu tilted her head, tapping a finger to her lips thoughtfully.
"I'm sorry to disappoint everyone, but I have a boyfriend already~"
Airi quickly fixed her posture, leaning in and angling her view toward Miyu.
"This is hot! Miyuko-chan, who is it?"
Miyu took a deep breath and released it quickly.
"I am in a relationship with my bed. Tee-hee~" She tapped her knuckle against her head lightly.
Airi's face turned flat and expressionless as she turned toward the camera lens.
"Okay, next—"
"You forgot to ask me!" Renge shouted, struggling against the heavy cable coiled around his torso.
Airi exhaled slowly, her expression a mask of crafted disappointment.
"Do you even have friends?"
"That's rude!" Renge protested, his face flushing. "I have friends. In fact, I have a boyfriend..."
Airi's eyebrows shot up, her eyes narrowing as she sensed a potential scoop.
"Oh? And who is he?"
"He is the Prince of the Abyss!" Renge declared, striking the most dramatic pose he could manage while tethered to a chair.
"Okay..." Airi deadpanned. "Can we meet him then? Is he in the chat?"
Renge froze. A wave of pure panic washed over his face, his persona breaking in real-time.
"No... you can't!" he stuttered, his eyes darting toward the studio ceiling. "He—he hasn't reincarnated yet!"
The entire studio suddenly burst into laughter. Airi lost all composure, doubling over in her chair, while even the camera crew struggled to keep the frames steady. The staff had to step in, frantically gesturing for Airi to focus as the live chat transformed into a chaotic wall of "LMAO" and "Reincarnation-kun".
The interview smoothed out after the hysteria died down, though the energy in the room remained electric.
"Before we end," Airi said, finally wiping a tear from her eye and regaining her professional smile, "Cerb-3ros will perform an exclusive preview of their debut song."
The studio lights shifted. The warm, conversational amber faded into a sharp, cold violet that sliced through the room.
The crowd—and the chat—fell quiet.
Kiyomi stepped forward, microphone in hand, his expression settling into a mask of professional focus. Beside him, Miyu adjusted her headset with a practiced flick of her wrist, her blue wig shimmering under the harsh neon lights.
Behind them, Renge slowly rose from the chair the staff had finally freed him from. He didn't look flustered anymore.
The opening beat of their debut track pulsed through the speakers—a heavy, rhythmic throb that vibrated through the floorboards.
Cerb-3ros' first performance was about to begin.