[She sees that look he gives her and laughs a little, punctuating it with a chagrined smile.]

You’re not wrong. I think it’s a shock for many of the students, even if they’re knowing what to expect.

[The duo on stage wraps up their current song, and the crowd rouses with applause for a moment. She joins in, letting her gaze drift back to the stage. And once the applause dies down again:]

I’m… not entirely sure I can say I regret it, though. Not fully. Even if I do think it would have been much easier to stick to being on stage and trying my chances there.

[But it was a gamble that felt worth it, particularly when chasing after her mentor is what landed her there in the first place.]