The announcement echoed through the training hall like a gunshot.

“Midterm Evaluations — Solo Performances.”

Excitement exploded around him.

Kai felt cold.

Solo.

His chest tightened painfully as the staff continued explaining rankings, screen time, eliminations. None of it reached him. All he could hear was the pounding of his own heart.

Ms. Hoshino’s gaze snapped directly to him.

“Kai Mizuno,” she said. “You will participate.”

Kai stood too quickly, chair scraping loudly against the floor.

“I can’t.”

The room went silent.

Every trainee turned toward him.

Ms. Hoshino’s expression hardened. “Explain.”

Kai opened his mouth.

No sound came out.

His throat seized, panic flooding in as the truth he’d buried clawed its way free. His vision blurred.

“I—” His voice came out broken, barely there. “I lost my voice before. Completely.”

Murmurs rippled through the room.

“And it’s happening again,” he continued, tears finally spilling. “I tried to stop it. I really did. But if I stop singing, I don’t know who I am anymore.”

Ren looked devastated.

Sora stepped closer instinctively.

Min stared, stunned.

Rei closed his eyes slowly, like a puzzle finally clicking into place.

Ms. Hoshino exhaled sharply. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Kai bowed deeply, shoulders shaking. “Because I was scared you’d take this away from me.”

The silence that followed wasn’t cruel.

It was heavy with understanding.

To be continued...