The morning light filtered softly through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. Kaede blinked awake, her gaze falling upon the beautiful figure beside her. There, sleeping peacefully with her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, was Mirei. Her features were relaxed, her hair splayed messily over the pillow, and a faint smile lingered on her lips as if she were dreaming of something pleasant.
Kaede felt her heart swell with affection as she admired her girlfriend. Everything about Mirei seemed impossibly perfect, from the way her eyelashes rested on her cheeks to the way she looked so blissfully calm. Kaede leaned forward, unable to resist the urge to steal a quick kiss, her lips barely brushing against Mirei's.
But to her surprise, just as she was pulling away, she felt Mirei's warm tongue slip into her mouth, catching her off guard. Kaede's eyes widened in shock, and her cheeks flushed a deep red. She attempted to pull back, but before she could, she felt a gentle grip on her wrist. Mirei opened her eyes, her gaze twinkling with playful mischief as she held onto Kaede.
"Good morning, my little sneak," Mirei chuckled, thoroughly enjoying Kaede's embarrassed reaction.
Kaede, face still flushed, pouted at her girlfriend's teasing. "H-Hey! I thought you were asleep!"
Mirei gave a small, amused smile and gently pulled Kaede closer, planting a soft kiss on her forehead. "How could I stay asleep when you're trying to steal kisses from me?" she teased, her voice warm and affectionate.
The two of them lay there in each other's embrace, savoring the quiet intimacy of the morning. But even in this perfect moment, there was an underlying sadness. Kaede couldn't shake the thought that soon, this closeness would be replaced by distance, as Mirei would soon be living at the dorm with the other debuting trainees. The morning, though beautiful, felt bittersweet.
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Time moved far too quickly that day, and before Kaede knew it, the moment she had dreaded had arrived. She stood by Mirei's side at the agency's entrance, watching as Mirei prepared to leave for the dorm where she'd begin her official life as a soon-to-debut idol.
Mirei reached out, holding Kaede's hands in hers. "You'll be okay, right?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
Kaede tried to smile, though a part of her felt hollow. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Just… don't forget to text me. I'll miss you."
Mirei chuckled softly, leaning in to give Kaede one last hug. "Don't worry. I'll text you every chance I get. And you better text me back right away."
The two exchanged a final, lingering look, filled with a mix of affection and sadness. Kaede held on to Mirei for a few extra seconds, not quite ready to let go, but eventually, they released each other. As Mirei disappeared through the doors, Kaede felt a pang of loneliness settle in her chest.
With a heavy heart, she turned and made her way toward her own practice room. Despite the emptiness she felt, she knew she couldn't afford to give up on her dreams. Mirei's debut meant that Kaede had to work harder than ever to catch up.
But the practice room felt oddly silent and barren that day, with only four trainees left. The atmosphere was somber, with each of them still processing the disappointment from the previous day. Some exchanged half-hearted greetings, but mostly, they practiced in silence, each lost in their own thoughts and worries. Kaede pushed herself, trying to channel her sadness into determination, hoping that somehow, she could still find her way to the stage.
I have to keep going, she told herself, over and over, like a mantra.
By the time practice ended, Kaede felt mentally and physically drained. As she made her way home, the streets were bustling with people. Bright Christmas decorations hung everywhere, twinkling lights illuminating the city with warmth and cheer. Couples walked hand in hand, children laughed as they gazed at the colorful displays, and a faint echo of holiday music filled the air.
Kaede hadn't even realized how close Christmas had gotten. Normally, she loved this time of year, but the festive atmosphere only served to highlight the loneliness she was feeling. The distance between her and Mirei seemed to stretch farther, and with the holiday season upon her, it felt even harder to bear.
Christmas… she thought to herself. It used to be such a happy time.
With a heavy sigh, she continued her walk home, clutching her phone in her hand. She knew she'd probably receive a message from Mirei soon, but somehow, it didn't make her feel any less lonely.
Mirei still texted her frequently, sending sweet messages whenever she had a moment, but each day seemed to grow busier for her. At first, they would see each other at the agency everydays, stealing quick moments when they could. But after that first three days, Mirei seemed to vanish, and four days had passed without them crossing paths. Kaede found herself glancing at her phone constantly, rereading Mirei's last messages, each word reminding her just how much she missed her.
Today was New Year's Eve, Kaede was alone in her room, watching as people celebrated in the streets, Christmas decorations glowing against the winter night. Her heart ached, hoping to hear from Mirei. Late that evening, her phone chimed—a message from Mirei, promising they'd celebrate the New Year together. Kaede's heart lifted, though she worried about asking too much of Mirei, knowing how packed her days were now. Still, she clung to her phone, hoping for a reply that night, wondering if this small promise would keep them connected, if only for a moment in the turning of the year.