Chapter 15: Promise

Khefner's pregnancy is progressing smoothly, much to everyone's delight. The excitement from the previous celebratory dinner still lingers, and seeing Khefner's growing baby bump brings a sense of joy and anticipation to the group. Every time they gather, Khefner shares new details about her pregnancy, from the latest ultrasound to the baby's first kicks. Magali finds herself particularly enchanted by this new chapter in Khefner and Ryu's life, often marveling at the miracle of it all. Magali does find it quite strange that she only wants to see a doctor outside Sweetdance City, but everyone respects Khefner's decision on how she should proceed with her pregnancy.

The bond between the friends has only strengthened as they support Khefner through her journey. Magali, in particular, feels a warm sense of pride and contentment watching Khefner flourish. The anxieties and triumphs of her own career as an idol seem more manageable with the perspective gained from witnessing the creation of new life within the city. It's a gentle reminder of the myriad ways people can find fulfillment and happiness.

Since Conrad knows for certain that Ryu and Khefner won't be coming back to the crew, he has begun the process of recruiting new members. Day after day, applications pile up on his desk, and one by one, young female idols arrive for interviews. Conrad meets each applicant with a polite smile and a discerning eye, carefully assessing their intentions.

As he listens to their eager explanations, it quickly becomes clear that all of them have the same underlying motive: they all hope to join the crew to get closer to Conrad. Their eyes sparkle with a mix of ambition and infatuation, each one harboring dreams of romantic entanglements rather than genuine camaraderie.

Conrad, an idol who holds family values above romantic interests, finds himself growing more disheartened with each interview. He patiently explains the crew's philosophy, emphasizing the importance of unity, mutual support, and the desire to create a familial bond rather than romantic connections. Yet, his words seem to fall on deaf ears, as the applicants continue to see him as the prize rather than the crew as the family.

With a sigh, he rejects each one, hoping against hope to find someone who truly understands what it means to be part of their unique ensemble. As the days pass, his frustration mounts. He doesn't want a crew filled with personal agendas and shallow affections. He wants a family—loyal, dedicated individuals who will stand by each other through thick and thin.

Magali watches this process with growing concern, knowing how much Conrad yearns to rebuild their crew into something meaningful and lasting. She knows how deeply he values the concept of family, and she shares his hope of finding the right people to join them. Despite the setbacks, they both hold onto the belief that somewhere out there, the right individuals are waiting to become part of their crew, ready to embrace the true spirit of unity and support that Conrad cherishes so dearly.

One evening, Magali returns to the crew hall and finds Conrad sitting on the balcony, his flute sending soft, melancholic notes into the night air. The gentle tune tugs at her heart, knowing well that Conrad only plays the flute when he's feeling down. With concern etched on her face, she joins him on the balcony.

"Hey, what's wrong?" she asks softly, leaning on the railing beside him.

Conrad tries to brush it off with a half-hearted smile. "It's nothing, Mags. Everything's fine."

Magali narrows her eyes slightly, not convinced. "Conrad, you only play the flute when you're upset. Come on, talk to me."

Conrad sighs deeply, the weight of his troubles evident in his exhale. He lowers the flute and looks out into the night, his expression clouded with frustration and hurt. "I had a run-in with another idol earlier today," he begins. "It didn't go well."

"What happened?" Magali asks gently, settling down beside Conrad on the balcony.

Conrad's fingers linger on the instrument as if seeking solace in its familiar touch. He continues gaze up into the starry sky, searching for answers among the constellations. With a deep sigh, he finally speaks.

"I received a confession letter this morning," he begins. "I admit, it was beautifully written. It touched me, in a way. But when I met with her and told her that I wasn't interested in dating, she got really upset. She made quite a scene and accused me of thinking I was better than her, of looking down on less talented idols like her."

Conrad pauses, the weight of the afternoon's events pressing down on him. "She said some pretty harsh things, and I felt pretty embarrassed. But what really got to me was this nagging thought—what if she's right? Do I think I'm better than others just because I want to become a Super Idol?"

Magali looks at Conrad, her heart aching for him. She knows how much he struggles with self-doubt and the pressure of his ambitions. "Conrad," she says softly, "wanting to be a Super Idol doesn't make you think you're better than anyone else. It means you have a dream, a goal you're passionate about. There's nothing wrong with that."

Conrad turns to look at her, his eyes reflecting his inner turmoil. "But what if my ambition is blinding me to the people around me? What if I'm pushing away potential friends and allies because I'm so focused on my own path? Don't forget what happened to me and Khefner. This journey to the Super Idol title has caused a lot of misunderstandings, and I feel that it's creating more enemies than friends."

Magali shakes her head, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "Your ambition is one of the things that makes you who you are. It's not about thinking you're better than anyone else; it's about striving to be the best version of yourself. And those who truly care about you will understand that. They'll support you, not resent you."

Conrad listens to her words, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Magali's unconditional support and understanding remind him that he is not alone in his journey. He takes a deep breath and nods, finding comfort in the starry sky and the companionship beside him.

Despite Magali's kind words, Conrad still seems troubled. "What should I do to make myself feel better?" he asks, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Magali's eyes light up with an idea. "You know, maybe you should go on a date," she suggests, her tone playful yet sincere. "Just to see what it's like. It doesn't mean you have to become lovers, but it might help you understand the balance between your dreams and personal life."

Conrad raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "A date? With who?"

"Seasons," Magali says with a grin. "Ask Seasons out for a date. I think she's kind, supportive, and I think she'd be a great person for you to spend time with. Plus, it's not about finding love immediately—it's about experiencing life without the restrictions of your journey to becoming a Super Idol."

Conrad still seems hesitant, but Magali continues, "Remember, my father became a Super Idol after marrying my mother. A relationship isn't a barrier to your goal. You just need to find someone who supports your dreams and understands your passion."

Conrad takes a moment to consider her words, the idea slowly taking root in his mind. "I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but… I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try," he finally admits, a small smile forming on his lips.

Magali nods encouragingly. "Exactly. You never know what you might learn about yourself and others through this experience."

With a newfound sense of determination, Conrad decides to take Magali's advice. He understands that dating might be difficult and a little scary, but if Magali suggests that doing so will help with his anxiety, it's worth a shot. As he contemplates asking Seasons out, he feels a flicker of excitement amidst his lingering doubts, ready to embrace whatever the future holds.

The next day, Conrad nervously dials Seasons' number. The phone rings, and when she answers, her excitement is immediate and exaggerated. "Conrad! Is this really you?" she exclaims, her voice so loud that Magali, who is across the room, can clearly hear her through the phone.

Conrad chuckles, the sound of her joy easing his own nerves. "Yes, it's me. I was wondering if you'd like to go on a date with me this weekend."

Seasons' enthusiasm is palpable. "Absolutely! I'd love to! This is so exciting! When and where?"

They make plans, and Seasons' exuberant acceptance leaves Conrad feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

On the day of the date, Magali helps Conrad get dressed. She adjusts the tie on his shirt, smoothing out any wrinkles and making sure he looks his best. "You look great," she says with a satisfied nod.

Just as they finish, there's a knock on the front door. Magali smiles and says, "That must be Seasons."

Like a mother sending her child off on their first date, Magali gives Conrad some last-minute advice. "Remember to be yourself, listen to her, and most importantly, have fun. Don't stress too much about making everything perfect."

Conrad rolls his eyes playfully but goes along with it. "Got it, Mom," he teases, a grin spreading across his face.

Magali swats him lightly on the arm. "I'm serious! Now go and enjoy your date."

Taking a deep breath, Conrad heads to the door. He opens it to find Seasons standing there, beaming brightly. Her pink shirt, denim skirt, and pink flats radiates feminine beauty and youthful charm. She looks stunning, her violet eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ready to go?" she asks.

Conrad offers a gentle smile, then offers his arm. "Ready as I'll ever be."

As they leave, Magali watches from the doorway, feeling a sense of pride and hope for Conrad. She knows this is just the beginning of a new chapter for him, one that could lead to growth and unexpected happiness.

Since Magali has nothing else to do that day, she decides to take a walk around the city to pass the time. The air is fresh, and the streets are bustling with life. As she strolls past the vibrant storefronts and colorful clothing displays, she enjoys the freedom of the unscheduled afternoon.

Just as she's admiring a particularly beautiful dress in a shop window, she hears a familiar voice. "Magali? Is that you?"

She turns to see her classmate, Dessie, approaching with a friendly smile. "Hey, Dessie! What are you up to?" Magali asks.

"Just wandering around, taking in the sights. What about you?"

Magali chuckles. "Same here. Conrad is on a date, so I have the day all to myself."

Dessie's eyes light up with curiosity. "Conrad on a date? That's something new! Anyway, since we're both free, how about we grab a snack at that bakery down the street? I've heard they have the best pastries in town."

Magali's stomach rumbles at the mention of pastries, and she nods eagerly. "That sounds perfect. Let's go."

The two friends walk together to the bakery, the scent of freshly baked goods drawing them inside. The cozy atmosphere is inviting, with soft music playing in the background and a display case filled with an array of tempting treats.

They place their orders—Dessie opts for a chocolate croissant while Magali chooses a slice of lemon cake—and find a comfortable spot by the window. As they settle in, Dessie takes a bite of her croissant and sighs with delight. "This is so good. I I really needed this break."

Magali smiles, savoring her own treat. "I know what you mean. It's nice to just relax and enjoy the moment sometimes."

Dessie leans back in her chair, looking thoughtful as she says, "I have to say, I'm quite surprised to hear that Conrad is on a date. I honestly thought that you would be the one dating him."

Magali nearly chokes on her cake, her eyes widening in shock. "What? Me? Why would you think that Conrad would ever be interested in me?"

Dessie chuckles, reaching into her bag to pull out her phone. "Well, let me show you something." She taps a few times on the screen before handing the phone to Magali.

Magali looks down and sees a video of herself dancing with Conrad during the Prime Time show some time ago. The chemistry between them on stage is undeniable, their movements synchronized and their smiles genuine. She can feel her cheeks heat up as she watches the clip. "Where did you find this?"

"It's on Prime Time's streaming service," Dessie explains with a grin. "I was browsing through their performances and stumbled upon this. You two looked so good together on stage that I just assumed…"

Magali hands the phone back, shaking her head with a nervous laugh. "Conrad and I are just friends. He's like a brother to me. Besides, he's always been more focused on his career and the crew."

Dessie takes a sip of her coffee, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Maybe so, but sometimes the best relationships start as friendships. Just something to think about."

Magali rolls her eyes playfully. "Well, I appreciate the thought, but Conrad and I are fine just the way we are. Plus, I'm actually really happy for him. I hope this date with Seasons goes well."

Dessie nods, smiling. "I get it. I just thought I'd point it out. I did say the same thing about Lanna, and look how that turned out. I don't want you to miss your chance with Conrad if you really like him."

Magali remembers what happened between Dessie and Lanna. Watching Lanna run off with her sister has brought Dessie a little bit of pain she was not ready to deal with. But even with that in mind, Magali still tells herself that her situation with Conrad is different. She takes a deep breath and looks Dessie in the eye. "My feelings aren't important. What matters is that Conrad is happy. That's all that matters to me."

Dessie leans back in her chair, studying Magali carefully. "Are you sure about that? Because sometimes, putting your own feelings on the back burner can come back to bite you."

Magali smiles gently. "I'm sure. Conrad has always been there for me, supporting my dreams and helping me become the idol I am today. If dating Seasons makes him happy, then I want to support that. He deserves to be happy."

Dessie smiles, her concern melting into a warm, supportive expression. "Alright, as long as you're happy about it. But just remember, if you ever need to talk about your feelings, I'm here for you."

Magali feels a swell of gratitude towards her friend. "Thanks, Dessie. That means a lot."

As they continue to enjoy their treats and chat about upcoming events, Magali's heart feels lighter, reassured by Dessie's friendship and her own resolve to support Conrad in his pursuit of happiness.

After Magali and Dessie finish their treats, they say their goodbyes and part ways. Magali heads back to the crew, looking forward to relaxing until Conrad returns. But as she slides the key into the lock, the familiar sound of Conrad's flute reaches her ears. Concerned, she enters the crew hall and makes her way to the balcony where she finds Conrad playing, his expression pensive.

She sits beside him, her worry clear in her eyes. "I thought you'd be out all day with Seasons. What happened?"

Conrad lowers his flute, sighing deeply. "I couldn't finish the date," he admits, a hint of sadness in his voice. "I mean, technically I had fun with Seasons. She's great, and we laughed a lot. But she got very clingy very quickly. She would jump and hug me as soon as other girls were around. It just felt… off."

Conrad's gaze drifts to the horizon, "Maybe. If things were different, I might have enjoyed the day even more. I would have confessed to her by the end of it. But the way it was going, I didn't want to promise anything I couldn't keep. So I ended the date early."

Magali tilts her head in confusion at Conrad's mention of "if things were different." Sensing there is more to his words, she decides to probe further. "What do you mean by that? 'If things were different?'"

Conrad sighs, a heavy weight settling on his shoulders. "I wasn't completely honest with you earlier. My dating life has nothing to do with becoming a Super Idol. There's a completely different reason why I don't want to be in a relationship right now, if ever."

Magali's curiosity deepens. "What is it? You can tell me."

Conrad stands and gestures for her to follow him. "Come with me. I need to show you something."

They walk together to the computer, the air between them filled with a mix of anticipation and concern. Conrad sits at the desk, logging into Dancetube with a few quick keystrokes. Magali sits beside him, watching as he navigates to an old video file.

The screen comes to life with the image of a wedding ceremony between two young idols; Jeremiah Howard and Meredith Samson. Magali's eyes widen as she realizes it's a video of Conrad's parents. The footage is old and grainy, but the joy on their faces is unmistakable. They watch as his parents toast to their future, looking happy and deeply in love.

"That's my parents," Conrad says softly, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "This was before I was born."

Magali watches the video, captivated by the obvious affection and happiness shared between his parents. "They look so happy," she murmurs.

Conrad's eyes linger on the video of his parents, a wistful smile on his face. "They were happy, Mags. Really happy. But I wish their happiness would have lasted."

Magali senses the weight of his words and asks gently, "What happened to them?"

Conrad exits the video and goes to the internet. He starts typing into the search bar, pulling up an old news article. The headline reads: "Meredith Vanishes: Idol Star Missing, Rumors of Infidelity." Magali leans in closer, her eyes scanning the text quickly.

"My mom went missing one day," Conrad begins, his voice tight with emotion. "No one knew what happened to her. The rumors started almost immediately, saying she ran off with someone else, leaving my father and me behind."

Magali's heart aches for him. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry, Conrad. That must have been so hard."

Conrad nods, his jaw clenched. "It was. And it got worse. My father… he couldn't handle the rumors. They tore him apart."

He clicks away from the article and pulls up his father's profile. A red banner across the top reads: "Profile Blocked - Exiled." Magali gasps softly.

"What happened to your father?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Conrad takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Because of the rumors, he got into a physical altercation with someone who accused him of not being able to keep his family together. It escalated quickly, and the council decided to exile him from the city."

Magali's eyes widen in shock. "They kicked him out? Just like that?"

Conrad nods, his expression pained. "Yeah. They didn't care about his side of the story. To them, the scandal was too much of a liability. So they made an example out of him."

Magali feels a surge of anger on behalf of Conrad and his father. "That's so unfair. They didn't even try to understand what he was going through."

Conrad shrugs, a bitter smile on his lips. "That's life in the spotlight, Magali. They care more about their image than the people behind it."

"Did they ever find out what happened to her?" Magali asks softly.

Magali watches Conrad's fingers hover over the keys before he types in his mother's name. He navigates to Meredith's profile page, still up and unchanged since her disappearance. Her last performance was dated back in the late '70s, a stark reminder of a time long past. Conrad's sigh fills the silence, a sound heavy with unresolved grief and unanswered questions.

Conrad shakes his head. "No. The rumors overshadowed everything. The official investigation was inconclusive, and no one really cared to dig deeper after the scandal died down."

Magali looks at him with sympathy. "I had no idea. I'm sorry."

He nods, a distant look in his eyes. "I wonder sometimes if I'll ever find out what happened to her. It's like there's this gaping hole where the truth should be."

Conrad's voice wavers slightly as he continues. "My decision not to date, it was never really about the journey to becoming a Super Idol. It was about fear. I'm terrified of what might happen if something like this were to happen to me. My father… these days he sits alone in his apartment back in New York, a shadow of the man he once was. He spends his days wondering where he went wrong and why she left him. Those were his better days. Most days, he just gets drunk; forgetting about his wife and his troubles."

Magali's heart aches for him. "That must have been so hard for you, growing up like that."

Conrad nods, his expression filled with sorrow. "It was. My father has always been distant and depressed. He couldn't bear the pain, so he ended up shutting down. I pretty much had to raise myself, learning to navigate a world that felt hostile and uncertain. I got in trouble so many times, yet, my father didn't even care."

Magali squeezes his hand, her eyes filled with determination. "You're stronger than you know, Conrad. You've come so far despite everything."

Conrad offers a small, grateful smile. "I came back to Sweet Dance City to reclaim the stage that was denied to me when my father was forced to leave. After years of being an idol, this place became important to me, holding so many memories, both good and bad. But it's also a place of hope and dreams."

Magali nods, her resolve strengthening. "And we're here to support you, Conrad. You're not alone anymore. We'll face whatever comes together."

Conrad looks at her, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "Thank you, Mags. It means more than I can say."

Magali's eyes soften as she looks at Conrad. "Is there anything I can do to ease your mind?" she asks gently.

Conrad takes a deep breath and, with a small, hopeful smile, extends his pinky towards her. Magali's heart warms at the sight. She recognizes the gesture, a childlike promise that speaks of trust and commitment. She had seen Ryu and Khefner do it earlier, a custom Conrad started and passed on to those he holds dear.

Magali hooks her pinky with his, feeling the weight and sincerity of the moment. Conrad's voice is steady as he speaks. "You know my story, and I know yours. I, Conrad Howard, vow never to use anything you tell me against you."

Magali nods, her eyes shining with affection and trust. "And I, Magali Anna Artisan, vow to do the same. I promise, Conrad."

Conrad's smile widens, a hint of relief in his eyes. "With this promise, we are now truly family."

Magali feels a sense of completeness wash over her. She realizes that their bond has deepened, forged through shared stories, mutual respect, and unconditional support. They are no longer just friends or crewmates; they are family, bound by promises and shared dreams.

As day soon becomes night, they sit together on the balcony, the city lights twinkling below them. Magali leans her head on Conrad's shoulder, feeling a sense of peace. She knows that whatever challenges lie ahead, they will face them together, as a family.

This chapter of their lives closes with the comforting knowledge that they have each other, and with that, they can overcome anything. Their journey is just beginning, and with the strength of their bond, the future holds endless possibilities.