Two days later, the station buzzed with nervous energy. Tonight was the big premiere of *Night Notes*, their new late-night talk show featuring live music—and Ren, the real Ren, was set to be the first guest, promoting his album.
Noa had barely slept. Between prepping the show and worrying about Reno fading away—or doing something insane—her brain felt like mush.
Reno, of course, was unfazed. He strolled beside her down the hall, hands in his pockets, humming tunelessly.
"Why are *you* so calm?" Noa snapped, juggling cables and a clipboard.
Reno smirked. "Because this is your big night, babe. And you know me—I'm great at live shows."
Noa groaned. "You are *not* going near that set. Do you hear me?"
---
Backstage, the tension crackled. The crew ran final checks on lights and cameras while the warm-up host cracked jokes to the small studio audience. Noa stayed close to Ren, adjusting his mic pack and smoothing out the collar of his shirt.
"Hey," Ren said, smiling at her. "Thanks for staying late to help with this. I know you've been pulling double shifts lately."
Noa swallowed hard, cheeks flushing. "It's… it's no problem. I'm glad I can be here."
He flashed that gentle grin—the one that made her stomach twist painfully. "You're the best," he said softly.
*God,* she thought. *If Reno ruins this, I'll kill him.*
---
Of course, Reno picked *exactly* that moment to peek around the corner of the set, eyes glinting mischievously.
"NO," Noa mouthed furiously at him, waving him off.
Reno pouted dramatically, sticking out his tongue before vanishing into the shadows.
---
The show started. The host cracked jokes, the band played the intro music, and the crowd applauded. Noa stood off to the side, headset crackling in her ear, heart pounding.
Everything was fine… until the first commercial break.
Ren leaned close to Noa, mic off, and whispered, "Hey… would you want to get coffee sometime? After all this is over?"
Noa froze. *Did he just—*
"Like… a date?" she squeaked.
Ren shrugged, smiling shyly. "Yeah. You're… kind of amazing, Noa. I've always thought that."
Before she could answer, Reno burst from behind a prop plant, arms flailing. "WAIT, WAIT, WAIT—"
Noa screamed. Ren jumped back, nearly tripping over his chair.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Ren shouted, startled.
Reno grabbed Noa by the shoulders. "Babe, you can't trust this guy! He's too boring for you!"
Noa shoved him away, face burning. "Reno, STOP!"
The host glanced over, eyebrow raised. "Uh… everything okay over there?"
Noa forced a smile. "Sorry! Tech glitch! Back in thirty seconds!"
---
In the chaos, Reno wouldn't shut up. "Listen, you can't just say yes to the first pretty boy who smiles at you. You don't *need* him—"
"Shut up," Noa hissed, shoving him toward the wings.
But Reno planted his feet stubbornly. "No! You're *better* than this! You deserve someone who sees you exactly as you are—someone who knows all your stupid doodles and late-night snacks and—"
Noa clapped a hand over his mouth. "You're *embarrassing* me in front of literally everyone!"
---
The director's voice crackled in her headset. "We're live in five—four—three—"
Noa pushed Reno out of frame just in time. The lights brightened, the music swelled, and the host beamed into the camera.
Meanwhile, Noa dragged Reno into the dark wings, shaking with fury. "You *ruined* that. Do you understand?! He asked me out—he *likes* me!"
Reno's face fell. "Yeah. I know. That's… exactly the problem."
Noa stared at him, breathless, confused. "What… what does that mean?"
But Reno just looked away, jaw tight. "Forget it," he muttered. "Say yes. Go live your perfect little fantasy."
He turned and stalked away, shoulders slumped. For the first time, he looked… lonely.
Noa's heart twisted. *Why does it feel like I'm choosing between a dream… and something real?*
---
Back on set, the crowd cheered as Ren performed a song. Noa stood in the wings, clutching her sketchbook, mind spinning.
*What do I actually want?* she thought. *The perfect man from my daydreams… or this messy, ridiculous chaos that somehow makes me feel more alive than anything else?*
And in the dark, Reno sat alone by the old prop boxes, staring at the glowing stage with something like heartbreak in his eyes.