The night air felt cooler as Emma, Ella, and Elia finally stepped out of the practice building. The sky had deepened into a soft shade of navy, dotted with faint stars, and the city lights flickered gently around them.
Emma stretched her arms above her head as they walked. "I swear my legs are still in that practice room."
Ella laughed quietly, hugging her bag closer. "Same… but it was worth it."
Elia walked between them, her steps lighter despite the long day. "You both improved a lot today."
Emma glanced at her. "Did you just compliment us again?"
"Don't get used to it," Elia replied, but she was smiling.
The walk home wasn't long, but it was filled with soft chatter and comfortable silence in between. There was something different in the air now—something exciting, something real.
Their comeback.
As soon as they reached home, Emma pushed the door open dramatically. "We're back!" she announced, even though no one else was there.
Ella slipped off her shoes and sighed in relief. "Home never felt this good."
Elia dropped her bag near the couch and stretched. "Okay… now we can finally relax."
Emma immediately flopped onto the couch face-first. "I live here now. This is my spot."
Ella sat down beside her, smiling. "You said that yesterday too."
"And I meant it both times."
Elia walked into the kitchen and grabbed three bottles of water, tossing one to each of them. "Hydrate first. Collapse later."
Emma caught it lazily. "You're too responsible."
"Someone has to be."
For a moment, the room was quiet again—but not the tired silence from before. This one felt different. Lighter. Anticipation buzzed beneath it.
Ella broke the silence first.
"...Our comeback is really happening."
Emma turned her head slightly, still lying down. "Yeah."
Elia leaned against the wall, arms crossed but eyes soft. "We've been working toward this for so long."
Ella smiled to herself. "New song… choreography… stage…"
"And fans," Emma added, sitting up now. "We finally get to meet them again."
That changed everything.
The energy in the room shifted instantly.
Ella's eyes lit up. "I missed them."
Elia nodded. "Me too."
Emma grinned. "I wonder if they've been waiting."
"They definitely have," Ella said softly. "They always do."
Elia walked over and sat down on the floor in front of them. "This time… we'll show them something better. Something stronger."
Emma pointed at her. "And cooler choreography."
"And better vocals," Ella added.
"And sharper performance," Elia finished.
They all looked at each other for a second.
Then Emma suddenly stood up again.
"Nope. I'm too excited now."
Ella laughed. "You were just dying five minutes ago."
"I've recovered. It's a miracle."
Elia shook her head. "What are you doing now?"
Emma grabbed her phone and turned it toward them. "We should post something."
Ella blinked. "Right now?"
"Why not?" Emma said. "Just a small hint. Something to get them excited."
Elia tilted her head, thinking. "...A teaser without revealing too much."
Ella leaned closer. "What kind?"
Emma grinned mischievously. "A picture."
"Of what?" Ella asked.
Emma pointed toward the hallway mirror. "Us."
Elia raised an eyebrow. "Like this? Sweaty and exhausted?"
"Exactly like this," Emma said. "It's real."
Ella smiled softly. "I kind of like that."
A few seconds later, the three of them stood together in front of the mirror again—just like in the practice room earlier.
But this time, it was different.
No music. No choreography.
Just them.
Emma held the phone up. "Okay. No posing too much."
Ella laughed. "That's impossible for you."
"Hey—"
"Just take it," Elia interrupted, but she stepped a little closer to them.
Click.
The picture captured them perfectly—slightly messy, a little tired, but smiling in a way that felt genuine and warm.
Emma looked at the photo and nodded. "Perfect."
Ella leaned in. "It really is."
Elia gave a small smile. "Post it."
Emma quickly typed a caption:
"We're coming back. Are you ready?"
She hovered over the button for a second.
Then tapped it.
Posted.
The three of them stared at the screen for a moment as if waiting for something to happen instantly.
Ella laughed softly. "It's only been two seconds."
"I know," Emma said, still staring. "But what if—"
Ping.
A notification appeared.
Then another.
And another.
Elia leaned closer. "They're already responding."
Ella's eyes widened as more notifications flooded in. "They really were waiting…"
Emma grinned, her excitement impossible to hide now. "See? I told you."
Elia watched the screen quietly, a soft but confident expression on her face.
"This is just the beginning."
Ella nodded, holding her phone close. "I can't wait to see them again."
Emma threw her arm around both of them. "Then let's give them something unforgettable."
The room filled with quiet laughter again, but this time it carried something stronger—hope, excitement, and the promise of what was about to come.
Their comeback wasn't just a performance.
It was a moment.
And soon… they would share it with everyone who had been waiting for them.
Together.
The notifications kept pouring in, one after another, lighting up Emma's phone screen like tiny sparks of excitement.
"They're so fast," Ella whispered, leaning closer.
Emma scrolled through the comments, her grin growing wider with every second.
"They're already guessing everything—concept, outfits, even the choreography."
Elia smirked slightly. "Are they right?"
Emma paused, then laughed. "Not even close."
Ella covered her mouth, giggling. "Good. Let them be surprised."
Emma suddenly stood up again, energized all over.
"Wait—we should read some out loud."
Elia raised an eyebrow. "You're enjoying this too much."
"Of course I am."
Emma cleared her throat dramatically and began reading:
"'3Es comeback?? I'm not ready!!'"
Ella smiled softly, her eyes shining. "That's cute."
Emma scrolled again.
"'I missed you so much, please come back soon.'"
This time, the room grew a little quieter.
Elia's expression softened. "...We really were gone for a while."
Ella nodded gently. "That's why this matters."
Emma didn't joke this time. She just looked at the screen for a moment longer, then spoke more quietly.
"Let's make it worth the wait."
Elia met her eyes and nodded firmly. "We will."
For a moment, none of them spoke. The excitement was still there—but now it was deeper, more meaningful.
Then Ella suddenly clapped her hands lightly, breaking the mood.
"Okay—but when we meet them… what should we do first?"
Emma blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I mean like at the fan meeting," Ella explained. "What's the first thing we say?"
Elia thought for a second. "...Thank you."
Emma shook her head immediately. "Too simple."
Ella tilted her head. "Then what?"
Emma grinned again, the playful energy returning.
"We walk on stage… and just stand there."
Elia frowned. "...That's your plan?"
"Yes," Emma said confidently. "We stand there… let them scream… and then—"
She pointed dramatically.
"'Did you miss us?'"
Ella burst out laughing. "That actually sounds like you."
Elia tried to stay serious… but failed, a small laugh escaping her.
"It's not bad."
Emma placed a hand on her chest. "Of course it's not. I'm a genius."
Ella leaned back against the couch, smiling to herself.
"I just want to hear them again."
Elia glanced at her. "Hear what?"
"Our name," Ella said softly. "All together."
That simple thought filled the room with warmth again.
Emma nodded slowly. "...Yeah."
Elia looked between the two of them, then spoke with quiet determination.
"Then let's make sure they shout it louder than ever."
Emma stood up and reached her hand out toward them.
"Deal?"
Ella placed her hand on top of Emma's, her smile gentle but sure.
"Deal."
Elia hesitated for only a second before placing her hand over theirs.
"Deal."
They stayed like that for a moment—three hands stacked together, a small promise sealed without needing anything more.
Outside, the night grew deeper. Inside, their excitement only grew stronger.
Emma suddenly pulled away and yawned loudly.
"Okay… now I'm actually tired."
Ella laughed. "Finally."
Elia stood up. "We should sleep. Tomorrow will be busy."
Emma pointed toward the hallway. "If I don't wake up, just know I tried my best."
"You'll wake up," Elia said calmly.
Ella smiled. "We need you."
Emma paused, then smirked. "Wow. That was sweet."
"Don't get used to it," Ella teased.
The lights dimmed as they slowly got ready for bed, each of them still holding onto the excitement of what was coming.
Phones buzzing softly beside them.
Hearts full.
Dreams close.
And somewhere between their laughter, their plans, and the quiet of the night—
the countdown to their comeback had truly begun.