The next morning arrived softer than the chaos of the days before.
For once—no alarms.
No rushing.
No schedules shouting at them from every direction.
Just quiet.
Emma stirred first, shifting under the blanket before blinking slowly at the ceiling.
"…Did we oversleep or is the world finally being kind?"
Across the room, Ella let out a sleepy hum, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"…It's quiet," she murmured.
Emma pushed herself up on her elbows, glancing around.
"…Too quiet."
They both turned instinctively toward the third bed.
Elia—
Was still asleep.
Completely asleep.
No early rising. No already-dressed-and-prepared energy. No "I've been awake for hours" presence.
Just—
Sleeping.
Emma's eyes widened slightly.
"…Is she okay?"
Ella blinked, then softened.
"…She's exhausted."
Elia shifted slightly, pulling the blanket closer, her expression unusually peaceful.
Emma lowered her voice automatically.
"…I don't think I've ever seen her sleep this late."
Ella smiled faintly.
"…Me neither."
For a moment, they just watched her.
Not as the always-composed leader.
Not as the strong one who held everything together.
Just—
Elia.
Resting.
Emma exhaled quietly, sitting back.
"…She needed this."
Ella nodded gently.
"…We all did."
There was a small pause.
Then—
Ella suddenly froze.
"…Wait."
Emma tilted her head.
"What?"
Ella reached for her phone, tapping quickly.
"…Next week…"
Emma leaned over.
"What about next—"
She stopped.
Then blinked.
Then sat up straighter.
"…No way."
Ella looked at her, eyes widening.
"…We forgot."
Emma covered her mouth.
"…We actually forgot."
Both of them turned slowly toward Elia again.
Still asleep.
Completely unaware.
Emma whispered dramatically,
"…It's her birthday next week."
Ella nodded, equally shocked.
"…How did we miss that?"
Emma stared at the ceiling like she was personally betrayed by time.
"…We've been too busy being famous."
Ella laughed softly despite the situation.
"…This is serious."
Emma dropped her hands.
"…Okay. We fix it."
Ella leaned closer.
"How?"
Emma's expression slowly shifted.
From panic—
To something else.
Something mischievous.
"…We don't just fix it."
Ella raised an eyebrow.
"…Emma."
Emma grinned.
"…We make it unforgettable."
Ella already looked suspicious.
"…What are you thinking?"
Emma leaned in, lowering her voice like it was a top-secret mission.
"…We plan a concert."
Ella blinked.
"…A concert?"
Emma nodded.
"On her birthday."
Ella's eyes widened.
"…Wait."
Emma continued, excitement building.
"And we don't tell her it's for her."
Ella's lips parted slightly.
"…You want to surprise her… during the concert?"
Emma pointed at her.
"Exactly."
Ella's expression softened into a smile.
"…That's actually perfect."
Emma grinned wider.
"…Right?"
Ella nodded, already imagining it.
"She won't expect it at all…"
Emma glanced toward Elia again.
"…Especially if we pretend we forgot."
Ella hesitated.
"…That feels a little mean…"
Emma shrugged.
"Only for a little bit."
Then softer,
"…It'll make the surprise bigger."
Ella thought about it.
Then smiled.
"…Okay."
Emma clapped quietly.
"Okay."
They both looked at Elia again—
Still asleep.
Still peaceful.
Emma whispered,
"…She's going to be so confused."
Ella laughed under her breath.
"…And probably a little upset."
Emma nodded.
"…Worth it."
The days passed quickly.
Too quickly.
Schedules returned.
Practices intensified.
Interviews stacked up again.
And in between all of that—
Planning.
Quiet planning.
Secret planning.
Emma handled the chaos.
Ella handled the details.
And somehow—
They kept it from Elia.
Even when she asked—
"…Why do we suddenly have a concert schedule next week?"
Emma answered instantly,
"Because we're popular."
Ella nodded too quickly.
"…Yes. Very popular."
Elia narrowed her eyes.
"…That's not an explanation."
Emma smiled.
"It's the only one you're getting."
Elia didn't push further.
But she knew something was off.
She just couldn't prove it.
Then—
Her birthday arrived.
And no one said anything.
Not in the morning.
Not during breakfast.
Not even a hint.
Elia sat at the table, sipping her tea slowly.
Watching them.
Waiting.
Emma scrolled through her phone like it was a normal day.
"…We have rehearsal at noon," she said casually.
Ella nodded.
"…And soundcheck after that."
Elia blinked once.
"…That's it?"
Emma looked up.
"…That's it."
Ella smiled gently.
"…Busy day."
A pause.
Elia looked at them for a moment longer.
Then—
"…Right."
She stood up.
"…Let's go."
But something had changed.
It was small.
Subtle.
But there.
By the time they reached the venue—
Elia was quieter than usual.
Still professional.
Still focused.
But—
Quieter.
Emma noticed.
Ella definitely noticed.
But they stayed in character.
Emma whispered to Ella backstage,
"…She's sulking."
Ella bit back a smile.
"…A little."
Elia adjusted her mic, glancing at them.
"…Are you two whispering?"
Emma shook her head immediately.
"No."
Ella added,
"Never."
Elia sighed softly.
"…You're both terrible liars."
But she didn't push further.
Still—
There was a faint pout she couldn't quite hide.
The concert began.
The energy was electric.
Fans filled the venue again, louder than ever.
The performance was powerful.
Sharp.
Emotional.
Perfect.
But even during the show—
Elia felt it.
Something missing.
Not from the performance.
From them.
From today.
During a short break, Emma leaned into her mic.
"How are you feeling tonight?!"
The crowd roared.
Ella smiled brightly.
"We missed this energy!"
Elia stepped forward last.
"…Thank you for coming."
Her voice was steady—
But softer than usual.
Emma glanced at her briefly.
Just for a second.
Then looked away.
Not yet.
The concert moved toward its end.
Final songs.
Final energy.
Final moments.
Elia stood slightly behind them during the last pause.
Watching.
Thinking.
Seven years.
Another year added.
And—
No one remembered.
She exhaled quietly.
"…It's fine."
She didn't say it out loud.
But she felt it.
"Alright," Emma said suddenly, stepping forward again.
"One last moment before we end tonight."
Ella nodded.
"…Just one."
Elia looked at them, slightly confused.
"…We already did the closing ment—"
"Not this one," Emma interrupted.
The lights shifted.
Softer.
Warmer.
Elia frowned slightly.
"…What are you doing?"
Then—
The music changed.
Not their comeback song.
Not any usual track.
Something gentle.
Familiar.
The crowd started reacting—
Differently.
Soft cheers.
Knowing ones.
Ella stepped closer to Elia.
Her smile gentle.
"…You really thought we forgot?"
Elia froze.
"…What?"
Emma walked up beside them, grinning.
"Come on. Do you know us at all?"
The screen behind them lit up.
Photos.
Clips.
Moments.
Elia—
Through the years.
Practice clips.
Behind-the-scenes laughter.
Rare smiles.
Even moments she didn't know were recorded.
Her expression shifted instantly.
"…You—"
The crowd began chanting.
Not their group name.
Her name.
Loud.
Clear.
Together.
Ella took her hand softly.
"Happy birthday, Elia."
Emma added,
"…Surprise."
For a second—
Elia didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't react.
Then—
Her composure broke.
Just a little.
"…You're unbelievable," she said quietly.
Emma grinned.
"We know."
Ella laughed softly.
"You were sulking."
"…I was not."
"You were."
"…A little."
The crowd laughed with them.
Then—
A cake appeared again.
Smaller this time.
But just as meaningful.
Candles glowing.
Emma nudged her.
"Go on."
Ella whispered,
"Make a wish."
Elia looked at them.
Then at the crowd.
Then closed her eyes.
Just for a second.
"…Done."
"Already?" Emma asked.
"…I didn't need long."
They handed her the knife.
But before she could cut—
Emma and Ella placed their hands over hers.
"…Together," Emma said.
Elia smiled softly.
"…Together."
They cut the cake.
The crowd cheered again.
Louder.
Warmer.
Full.
Elia looked at them again.
Really looked.
"…Thank you."
Ella shook her head gently.
"For everything you do."
Emma added,
"…For taking care of us."
Elia exhaled slowly.
"…You're both impossible."
"…And you love us," Emma replied instantly.
"…I do."
It slipped out.
Honest.
Unfiltered.
Ella smiled.
Emma froze for a second.
"…Wait—you admitted it—"
"Don't make it a moment," Elia warned.
"Too late."
As the night ended—
This time, it wasn't just a concert.
Not just a performance.
Not just a comeback stage.
It was—
A surprise.
A thank you.
A quiet reminder—
That even the strongest one…
Wasn't alone.
And as they walked off stage together—
Elia in the middle this time—
One thing was certain.
She didn't feel forgotten.
Not even for a second.
Because in the end—
They remembered.
In the way that mattered most.