The day dragged on with relentless practice. The studio buzzed with the usual flurry of activity—dancers moving in sync, the rhythmic beat of music pulsing through the room, and the steady instructions from the teachers keeping everyone focused. Despite the busy schedule, Kaede couldn't help but notice the shift in Mirei's demeanor. Normally, Mirei was the life of the group, effortlessly radiant and always encouraging others. Today, however, she seemed distant. She performed each dance move perfectly, kept her expressions neutral, but her usual spark was dimmed. There was a weight behind her eyes, a sense of detachment that Kaede couldn't ignore.
Kaede stole glances at her during practice, trying to gauge Mirei's mood. She wasn't acting out or making it obvious that something was wrong, but Kaede could tell. It was like she was going through the motions, keeping her frustration hidden under a mask of professionalism. Her usual energy was missing, and though she wasn't smiling as brightly as she usually did, she wasn't letting anyone see the cracks in her.
"I need to talk to her", Kaede thought, the gift she had brought for Mirei still tucked safely in her bag. But with the constant rush of practice and the teacher's hawk-like gaze on them, Kaede couldn't find the right moment. Every time she tried to get closer, it was either time for another set of drills or Mirei had already moved to the other side of the room. It was frustrating. She wanted to ask about the incident in the bathroom, wanted to give Mirei her birthday present, but there was never an opportunity.
The day stretched into evening, the practice room growing dimmer as the sun set outside. By the time it was over, Kaede felt exhausted, both from the physical strain of the training and the emotional strain of worrying about Mirei.
As the class wound down, Kaede took a brief moment to sit by the wall, sipping from her water bottle and wondering how she could approach Mirei. That's when Yukina, one of their fellow trainees and a close friend, approached her. Yukina had a soft look on her face, concern evident in her eyes.
"Hey, Kaede. Have you noticed something's off with Mirei today?" Yukina asked, her voice low enough so others couldn't overhear.
Kaede sighed, nodding. "Yeah, I've noticed. She's been...different since this morning. But I don't know why."
Yukina crossed her arms, looking toward Mirei, who was packing up her things quietly at the far side of the room. "I'm worried. Mirei's not the type to let things get to her like this. Did something happen?"
"I'm not sure," Kaede replied, feeling helpless. "I'll ask her tonight. Maybe she'll open up after practice."
Yukina gave her a small smile. "Good. I'm glad you're going to check on her. If you need any help or if she needs someone else to talk to, let me know, okay?"
Kaede smiled back, grateful for Yukina's support. "Thanks, I'll let you know."
With that, Yukina left, and Kaede glanced back at Mirei. She was almost done packing up. Kaede quickly excused herself to the bathroom, planning to return as soon as possible to catch Mirei before she left. But as Kaede hurried back from the bathroom, she saw that Mirei had already packed up her things and was heading toward the exit.
Panic gripped Kaede. She grabbed her bag, hastily stuffing her things inside and running after Mirei. Just as Mirei was step outside the agency building, Kaede reached her, grabbing her hand gently but firmly to stop her.
"Wait! Mirei!"
Mirei flinched, her body tensing as she turned around with wide eyes. Her expression was defensive, as if she had expected someone else. Her posture relaxed slightly when she realized it was Kaede, not one of the bullies from earlier.
"Oh...Kaede." Mirei's voice was still shaky as she tried to compose herself. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to rush out. I thought you wanted your jacket back, right? It's cold today."
Kaede could see that Mirei was trying to act normal, to play it cool, but the cracks in her composure were starting to show. Her words were slightly jumbled, and she seemed flustered in a way Kaede wasn't used to seeing.
Kaede knew that pressing Mirei with questions wouldn't work right now. She didn't want to overwhelm her or make her more uncomfortable. So instead, Kaede took a deep breath and made a bold move.
"It's not about the jacket," Kaede said, her voice steady despite the nerves racing through her. "I want you..."
Mirei blinked, her eyes widening in surprise, and her cheeks flushed a deep red. "W-what?"
Kaede felt her own face heat up, realizing how her words had sounded. She quickly corrected herself, waving her hands frantically. "No! I mean—I want you to come with me. You can't reject me. I won't let you!"
Mirei stared at her, speechless for a moment. Then, to Kaede's surprise, a small, shy smile tugged at the corners of Mirei's lips. Her heart skipped a beat, and she looked down at the ground, embarrassed.
"I guess I can't say no to that," Mirei muttered, her voice softer now. She gave a small nod and added, "Okay...I'll go with you."
Kaede's chest swelled with a mix of relief and excitement. She had no idea where they would go, but Mirei had agreed to follow her. That was all that mattered right now. As they stepped outside into the cool night air, Kaede racked her brain for a plan. What now? she thought, still buzzing with the rush of the moment. They couldn't just wander aimlessly. Then, an idea hit her—a cake shop. A simple but sweet gesture. It was still Mirei's birthday, after all, and she deserved at least a little celebration.
The air was brisk, and Kaede could feel the cold biting at her exposed skin. She gave her jacket to Mirei. She shivered but did her best to hide it, not wanting Mirei to notice. But Mirei wasn't as oblivious as she seemed.
Without a word, Mirei took Kaede's hands, her fingers warm against Kaede's cold skin. Kaede blinked, startled by the sudden gesture, as Mirei gently tucked both of their hands into the pockets of her jacket.
"Here," Mirei said with a sigh. "It's too cold for you to freeze out here."
Kaede's heart skipped a beat, and she felt the heat rise to her cheeks again, not from the cold but from the warmth of Mirei's touch. The softness in Mirei's voice made something in Kaede's chest flutter, and for the first time that day, she saw a glimpse of the real Mirei, the one who wasn't trying to put up walls or act tough.
"Thank you... really," Mirei murmured, her face slightly turned away as if she were embarrassed by her own kindness.
Kaede's throat tightened as she looked at Mirei, noticing that her cheeks were pink too. Mirei wasn't just putting on a front anymore—there was genuine warmth there, a side of her that Kaede hadn't seen before.
Kaede felt her heart soften, and despite the chill of the night, the moment between them was warm and comforting. She gave a small, shy smile in return, feeling a rush of emotions she couldn't quite put into words. But for now, that was enough. They walked side by side, the quiet night stretching out ahead of them, with the unspoken promise of understanding and care lingering in the air.
And though Kaede hadn't yet asked the questions burning inside her, she knew that moment would come soon.