In the morning, the early sunlight slanted through the massive glass panels of the LUNAR headquarters. The company lobby hummed with the usual flow of employees, but an unusual anticipation stirred within Namtan and Film. The two girls stepped into the meeting room, their coffee cups untouched in their hands, their hearts thrumming as if sensing a monumental event was about to unfold.

Their manager entered, clutching a thick portfolio. He surveyed the room, his eyes lingering on Namtan and Film before he spoke in a solemn voice:
"The company has decided to invest in a major, mainstream yuri film project. And you two... will be the female leads."

For a breathless moment, the entire room fell silent. Film's eyes went wide, her hand trembling so fiercely she nearly dropped her coffee cup. Her heart hammered against her ribs, threatening to escape. She turned to Namtan, her voice a stutter, yet her eyes shone brilliantly:
"Sis... I'm not dreaming, am I?"

Namtan smiled radiantly, clutching Film’s hand tightly, feeling all the crushing pressure that had weighed on them suddenly shatter. Her voice rang out, firm and full of pride:
"It's not a dream, Film. This is our real chance."

The room erupted in applause. Film laughed, her cheeks flushed, and she couldn't stop herself from lunging forward to embrace Namtan. She didn't care about the startled looks from her colleagues. That pure, brilliant happiness was like sunlight breaking through the clouds—warm and crystal-clear.

A profound sense of vindication swelled in Namtan’s heart. All the public scrutiny, all the tense days when they felt on the verge of collapsing, had finally led to the recognition they truly deserved.

-----------

In the adjacent studio, Milk and Love were shooting a new concept for their promotional photoshoot. The room was bright with dazzling lights and sparkling props, but what stood out most were the girls' eyes. Every touch, every smile between them was so exquisitely sweet that the crew couldn't help but sigh in appreciation.

Milk tilted her head slightly, allowing Love to wrap her arms around her from behind. Before the lens, their gazes were locked, as if the world outside had ceased to exist.

The moment the photographer signaled a break, Love leaned close to Milk’s ear, her voice low and slightly shaky with emotion:
"I want this photo... to be a testament. No matter who interferes, you are still mine."

Milk blushed, lightly flicking Love's hand in a playful reprimand:
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting in front of everyone?"

Milk glared at her, yet a warm current surged through her heart. All the past days' petty anger seemed to melt away, leaving behind only tender affection.

-----------

That afternoon, in an office bathed in soft yellow light, Emi was deeply immersed in her laptop. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, her expression so focused she lost all track of time. Unexpectedly, Bonnie stepped in, carrying a cup of steaming hot coffee.

"You've forgotten the time again, Sis," Bonnie said in a soft murmur, setting the cup on the desk. "Drink this to warm up."

Emi paused, then gave her a gentle smile. She raised an eyebrow, teasing lightly:
"Are you worried about me again?"

Bonnie looked flustered, her ears turning bright red. But in that moment, Emi’s heart softened. Amidst the chaos of the scandal, this small act of care felt like cool water on a raw wound. She lifted the coffee, took a sip—the taste was bitter, yet warm. A thought quietly arose in her mind: "If it weren't for Bonnie, I might have given up long ago."

-----------

As night fell, Film's apartment was filled with laughter and chatter. The six friends gathered as usual, only June was absent. Earlier, she had messaged the group: "Sorry, I'm busy handling university paperwork today, can't make it."

"Good," Love muttered then quickly gave a forced laugh, pretending to help Film in the kitchen. No one said more, but the absence made the atmosphere noticeably lighter.

The group divided the cooking tasks. Film was fussing over the seasoning but accidentally added too much salt. When Namtan tasted it, she grimaced, laughing while clutching her stomach:
"Are you planning on making us drink water for the next week?"

Film panicked: "Is it... is it really that salty? I swear I measured it!"

Everyone burst out laughing. Love immediately snatched the spoon, saying:
"Give it here, I'll fix it."

Meanwhile, Milk and Love ended up vying for the knife to cut vegetables, their hands nearly colliding. They simultaneously shouted:
"Let me do it!"
"Let me do it!"

The tension lasted for a moment, then they all dissolved into laughter, realizing they sounded like children fighting over a toy.

Bonnie, ever the clumsy one, dropped an egg on the floor. Emi sighed, bending down to clean it up, her voice overflowing with affection:
"You really are my little troublemaker."

Bonnie pouted, scratching her head: "I... I just wanted to help."

When dinner was finally served, they gathered around the table, their voices echoing with joy. Love continuously piled food onto Milk's plate, prompting Film to tease:
"Love, are you planning on starving yourself while overfeeding Milk?"

Love stuck out her lower lip: "I don't need food, I only need Milk."

The group roared with laughter. Film blushed, and Namtan playfully tapped her head, smiling as she said:
"You're acting like children."

After dinner, Film and Namtan announced the good news: the new yuri film project would be officially revealed next week. Immediately, the group cheered and applauded. Bonnie hugged Film tightly, tears and laughter mixing on her face:
"I'm so proud of you, Film Sis!"

Milk shook Namtan's hand, while Love pounded the table, shouting:
"We have to throw an even bigger celebration!"

The atmosphere was lively and warm, like a true family. In that moment, they believed that after all the storms, peace had finally returned.

-----------

Late at night. After everyone had left, Bonnie took a walk with Emi around the neighborhood. The yellow streetlights stretched before them, and the night breeze was cool. Bonnie walked slowly, then suddenly spoke in a hushed voice:
"I'm still scared... by what June said. That I'm just Film's shadow, that I have nothing of my own."

Emi stopped, turning Bonnie to face her. Her hand gently brushed Bonnie's cheek, her voice firm:
"You are not anyone's shadow. To me, you are unique. You are the one I want to be with, not Film, and certainly not anyone else."

Bonnie's eyes glistened. Tears rolled down, but her lips curved into a fragile smile.
"Is that really true, Sis?"

Emi lowered her head and kissed her. The kiss began softly, then lengthened, becoming warmer. Bonnie trembled, but her arms wrapped tightly around Emi's neck, responding with complete trust.

Back in the apartment, they sat on the sofa, still embracing. Bonnie buried her face in Emi's shoulder, whispering:
"I want to stay... tonight."

Emi gently nodded, leading her to the bedroom. Without rush, every kiss, every touch was tender, as if soothing a deep emotional wound. They gave each other warmth, so that Bonnie would no longer feel small, no longer afraid.

In their mingled breaths, in their racing yet serene heartbeats, Bonnie understood: this love was real. Emi also knew that the girl in her arms was the one she wanted to protect until the very end.

That night, they melted into each other in a sweet haze, softly whispering what felt like a vow: "You are the only one."

-----------

At the same time, in another room in the city, June sat alone. The light from her laptop screen illuminated her cold face. Before her was a set of stage diagrams for Namtan and Film's film announcement event.

Her finger, holding a red pen, circled the area where the chandelier frame was suspended from the ceiling. Her eyes were fixed on that circle, as if staring at a point of death.

The corner of her mouth lifted into a chilling smile. In the quiet room, June's voice softly emerged, low and drawn out, like a curse from the shadows:
"The brighter the light is... the deeper the shadow becomes. And soon, that very light will bury everything."

A gust of wind swept through the gap in the door, making the paper tremble. The air grew thick, as if a storm was silently gathering, waiting for the day to drown them all.