But there was nothing anyone could do about it.


    Even if they kept streaming Ste, there was still a chance her poprity would eventually dip.


    Meanwhile, the chat was exploding withments, messages scrolling by faster than anyone could read.


    "This is nothing. Compared to Ste''s performance, it''s just not on the same level."


    "It was energetic, sure, but I still prefer the calm andfort of Ste''s music." "Ugh, I''m not into that whole ''delicate and helpless'' look. I''m out, I''m out!" "Hey, Rachel''s really talented too! Don''t leave, everyone-give her a chance!"


    Out in the front row, Rena and the others exchanged puzzled nces after Rachel''s performance.


    Rena couldn''t help asking, “So... this is what our junior''s really capable of?"


    Johnny looked genuinely stunned. "This is just... way too—"


    Before he could finish, David nudged him and shot him a warning look.


    Johnny caught himself, paused, and quickly changed tack. "I mean, you can tell her fundamentals are solid. She''s got some real skill..."


    Still, he couldn''t quite swallow his disappointment, and he asked, "Professor, was Rachel just having an off day? She didn''t seem to y at her usual level, did she?"


    David and Rena both turned to Mr. Walden, sharing the same confusion.


    It wasn''t that they thought Rachel wasn''t talented.


    On the contrary, she was quite skilled-butpared to the dazzling group of prodigies Mr. Walden had mentored, she seemed... painfully average.


    Especially after Ste''s stunning performance. With such brilliance right before their eyes, Rachel''s set felt underwhelming inparison.


    They''d already heard from Colby that, back then, their teacher had actually turned down Ste''s request to be his student and had chosen Rachel as his final protégé instead.


    Naturally, everyone assumed Rachel must be even better than Ste.


    People always want the best-who''d settle for someone else''s cast-off? Ste''s performance had set their expectations sky-high for Rachel.


    If it had been any ordinary day and they''d just heard Rachel y on ker own, maybe they would''ve thought she was impressive enough-at least good enough to be Mr. Walden''s student.


    After all, it had been ages since anyone truly outstanding hade up in their circle.


    And if Mr. Walden saw something special in her, that would make sense.


    Butparisons are always cruel.


    They''d all been so eager to hear Rachel perform, and now... this was it?


    Rena and the others were far beyond a little disappointed.


    They were downright disillusioned.


    None of them wanted to believe their teacher had rejected someone as incredible


    as Ste only to pick a seemingly mediocre Rachel.


    So, they tried toe up with other exnations.


    Faced with his students'' questioning, expectant eyes, Mr. Walden was at a loss for words.


    He wasn''t one to speak ill of others, and he honestly didn''t know how to exin it


    all.


    On stage, the host turned to Rachel for an interview.


    "Ms. Pearce, you certainly faced a formidablepetitor tonight... but I''d say you still gave a strong performance. I have to ask-are you satisfied with how you yed this evening?"


    Rachel let out a soft sigh. "Not really... I didn''t y as well as I could have."


    The host looked surprised. "That wasn''t your best?"


    Rachel nodded slightly, a faint sadness flickering in her eyes.


    "No, it wasn''t."


    The host grew even more curious. "Would you mind sharing what held you back tonight?"


    A wry smile crossed Rachel''s lips.


    by ill this past year, and


    "Everyone close to me ket


    I''m still undergoing treatment."