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"Flora!" Mahiru exclaimed, arms outstretched.
"Claire! You remember!" Hikari answered, taking hold of her as the Tower's Priestess spoke their rites under the protecting gaze of the goddesses they freed.
"And so," Karen concluded, "the lovers finally found another, defying fate foretold."
Under roaring applause, Hikari closed the distance to Mahiru's lips. This was not part of their script, stage instructions for the final moment of the play left conspicuously blank. But Mahiru knew, and tilted her head to welcome her. Karen knew, hiding her gleeful gaze to stay true to her role.
Their kiss connected, and the curtain fell, Karen dropping her arms held up in celestial praise to cling to both of them.
It had been the end of a much-anticipated show, the performers behind the cult classic retelling of Starlight that had been such a stepping stone to put their names on the international stage, coming back together fifteen years later for an open air performance of that same passion project that had inspired countless troupes to try. Starlight Nine, their creation had come to be called. And nine thousand had come to see them tonight.
There was not much time for them to huddle and celebrate - soon, the lights would shine on them again for the curtain call. But in those fleeting moments of darkness that belonged only to them, Karen, Hikari, and Mahiru found themselves surrounded by all six of their oldest friends, pressing them together under laughter that was drowned out by the ongoing applause.
They remained until the last possible moment, timing their separation with experienced ease to line themselves up for the final bow.
Maya and Claudine took another's hand; they'd form the left. Nana and Junna mirrored them on the right. Futaba and Kaoruko had never let go in the first place, taking their positions inwards of Claudine.
Before Karen had time to consider who would stand at the center, Hikari had taken her in her left and Mahiru in her right.
The Tower's Guidance was where Starlight Nine differed. The one who made it all go well, whose unyielding will averted tragedy; to everyone else, Karen standing in the center was not even a question.
And so, the curtain rose once more to the dazzling lights shining down on them, nine hand in hand who had gathered their stars, and now shone for all to see.