"Do you know how much pressure your teacher is under?" Ayase's hands didn't stop moving, but her voice turned a few degrees colder.
"As a newcomer, she was appointed as the homeroom teacher of the most important Class 1 in the first year shortly after joining the school. Can you imagine the kind of pressure that brings?"
"And this year's Class 1 has the best student quality in the past decade since the school's founding. Do you have any idea how much resistance and criticism she's faced because of that?"
"I used to think her perseverance was a kind of dedication that wouldn't go to waste, but after seeing you all, I suddenly feel those titles of 'genius' are wasted on you. I also feel sorry for your teacher."
"Except for Lian'er, the rest of you are below standard." She looked up at the mirror and showed a faint smile. "Don't think about arguing. I can sense what you're feeling. If Lian'er's nervousness is just because it's her first time on stage, then what about you?"
"Heh, I suppose you know better than I do, but if I don't say it aloud, none of you will admit it, right?"
"Bai Tiange, a well-known online singer, famous for a deep, hoarse, sexy voice. Even though you haven't released many works due to your age, each one is a masterpiece."
"You even set the stage ablaze solo at an online music event. You've never revealed your face publicly, yet you're scared of this? Nervous? Your usual cold demeanor has all but vanished."
She gently combed through Chu Lian's long hair. "You even discussed with Lian'er about who should be the lead singer. In the end, I insisted it should be you. But now, it seems I made the wrong choice…"
Her words made the boy who had been frozen clench his fists. Chu Lian could see that unwilling look on his face through the mirror.
"Wang Tingsi, hurt because Lian'er ignored you? Or afraid of me? Looking so dispirited here, sighing and sulking after hearing other classes' performances? You're so pathetic that I feel I gave you too much credit in the past few days."
"I… No matter what you say, I'll prove myself later." His clenched fists loosened briefly, then tightened again, all of his energy transforming into fury.
He could tolerate being looked down upon by anyone, but never in front of Chu Lian—especially not by someone so close to her like Ayase.
"And you, Cai Ya. Genius girl singer, future superstar diva of Huaxia—is this how you look without fighting spirit?"
"From the way you're acting now, hesitant before the battle, thinking your band only had a few days of practice and you're no match for the others, you want to give up?" Ayase gave her a sidelong glance, and her words instantly made the proud girl lift her head.
"I know your musical and dance talent are excellent, but that's no reason to underestimate me! Those others aren't even worthy to be my opponents!"
"Also, I wasn't giving up earlier—I was just resting. Even if we only trained for one day, I'm still better than them!" The girl's voice was full of pride, her curly hair swaying with her movements, exuding confidence and energy.
"Heh, I hope that's truly what you believe. Weaklings find excuses, while the strong use their strength to explain everything. If you really can do it, how about I grant you one wish?"
Ayase chuckled softly, the sound laced with layered meaning—part mockery, part approval. But either way, the proud girl's declaration showed her fighting spirit was fully reignited. "Remember your words. I'll make you acknowledge me."
"Lux Lyle, daughter of a duke. You came here chasing big dreams, but you waver the moment you see others stronger than you?"
"Do you think someone like you can accomplish the dreams you've set for yourself? If you really believe that, then go ahead." Ayase's pointed words made Lux Lyle pause in surprise—she hadn't expected someone so elegant to speak with such sharpness.
After a moment of silence, Lux clenched her teeth and replied, "It's just that we had less time to train—I don't think they can surpass me…"
Her words lacked confidence but were spoken earnestly. She had a hunch this woman knew her background. If she continued pretending nothing had happened, it would only make it harder for her to fit in with the class.
Ayase studied her for a few seconds, then said nothing more. She turned her gaze to the last boy. "What's wrong? My presence made you feel inferior, even though the pressure itself didn't break you?"
"You really lack self-confidence. With that attitude, how can the one you like ever look your way? How do you expect to be worthy of her?" As she spoke, her eyes drifted to Chu Lian, making everyone but the two of them understand what she meant.
"I didn't come here to pressure you. Don't worry, I'm not here to scold anyone. If Lian'er hadn't asked me, I wouldn't have come."
Ayase returned her attention to Chu Lian. She didn't bother looking at Zhang Feng, knowing full well that for someone like him, the more he's challenged, the more he wants to prove himself.
Her earlier words were enough to restore him to his usual state—or even better. Once on stage, he might surprise them all.
"Nana, don't worry—I won't bully you. I treasure cute things. As long as you're not being naughty with bad intentions, you're still within the range of adorable. So don't be so scared—I won't do anything to you, okay?" she said softly to Ruriko Nana.
With that, Chu Lian's makeover was finished. Her long hair, which reached her waist, had been styled into symmetrical twin ponytails. This toned down her naturally delicate aura and added youthful energy, making her look vibrant and spirited.
Clearly, Ayase had wanted to do this for a long time, but Chu Lian had always resisted. Now, because she needed Ayase's help, she hadn't protested, allowing Ayase to finally create this twin-tailed version of her.
Judging from the sparkle in Ayase's eyes as she looked at the result—like seeing the cutest thing ever—she was very pleased with this look.
Chu Lian's silent protest could be ignored. As long as she didn't say it out loud, it meant she accepted it.
"Hey, Xiu'er, don't let her change her hairstyle, okay? Otherwise, she'll never do twin ponytails again. And you don't want her twin-tail look to be just a one-time thing, right?"
Handing the comb to Li Xiu'er, Ayase spoke softly. But she knew that was all it took for Li Xiu'er to obediently do as asked.
After all, Chu Lian had more than one devoted fan! More than one! More than one! Important things must be said three times!
"Heh, looks like your fighting spirit is back, huh? Then it was all worth it—for Lian'er and your teacher. Do your best. Don't let your teacher down, or you might never see her again." With that parting remark, Ayase walked elegantly to the dressing room door and opened it.
Suddenly, she turned and smiled gently. "I hope next time I see you all, you'll have improved. Good luck…" That smile, in that instant, made the entire dressing room feel like a dream.
As she closed the door behind her, Ayase brushed past the woman leaning against the wall. After walking a few steps, the woman finally spoke:
"Thank you. If it weren't for you, they might not have performed their best because of me. Losing this job wouldn't matter, but if they suffered because of me…"
"It's nothing. Everyone runs into hardship and confusion in their early days." Ayase didn't stop walking as she replied, "If you want to thank someone, thank Lian'er. If she didn't like having you as her teacher and asked me to help you, I wouldn't have come."
"Still, thank you…" the teacher said, making Ayase pause briefly.
"Fine, thank me if you must. Those kids are incredibly gifted. Having you as their teacher might just be their biggest stroke of luck."
The teacher wanted to say more, but the red-dressed woman had already turned a corner and disappeared.
She could only mutter to herself, "Having me as their teacher is their luck?"
She didn't quite understand what Ayase meant, but there was no time to dwell on it. It was time to go on stage.
She reached out, opened the door, and was met with a group of young faces—some excited, some calm. They might not be fully grown yet, but at this moment, they were more ready than ever.
Without any extra words, the teacher simply said, "Everyone, it's time to go on stage…"