A week after deciding to move closer to Mirei, Kaede settled into a small studio apartment just a few blocks from Mirei's dorm. It wasn't grand by any means—just one room with a tiny kitchenette and a window that let in the faint morning light. But it felt perfect, cozy in a way that wrapped her like a familiar blanket, bringing a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a while. Plus, the rent was affordable, and for now, it was a good fit for her new, more independent life.
Since the move, Mirei would stop by whenever she had even the slightest break in her schedule. Sometimes it was just a quick hello between rehearsals, and sometimes, if they were lucky, she'd stay for an hour, sacrificing her precious rest just to spend a few moments with Kaede. Kaede often worried Mirei was pushing herself too hard, especially knowing how exhausting her schedule had become. But whenever she voiced her concerns, Mirei would brush it off, insisting that no amount of fatigue would stop her from seeing Kaede.
One evening, Mirei showed up at Kaede's door looking worn down yet smiling. She barely made it through the door before dropping onto Kaede's lap with a heavy, exhausted sigh. "I'm so tired… just let your lap be my pillow for a while, okay?"
Kaede chuckled softly, brushing a few stray hairs from Mirei's forehead. "You know, most people would just go home and sleep if they were that tired."
Mirei nuzzled her face into Kaede's shoulder with a playful glint in her eyes. "Well, I'm not 'most people,' am I?" She peeked up with a mischievous smirk. "Besides, you give the best cuddles. Totally worth losing sleep over."
Kaede couldn't help but smile, rolling her eyes with fondness. "You're ridiculous. Just… don't push yourself too hard, okay? I don't want to be the reason you faint on stage."
Mirei shrugged, her gaze softening as she held Kaede tighter. "If I did, at least it'd be in the name of love," she murmured. "And… I'd probably miss you too much if I didn't come over."
In moments like these, it almost felt like old times—like all the hard parts of being apart melted away, leaving just the warmth between them. They would sit together, sharing stories from their days, teasing each other over silly things, or just basking in the comfortable silence.
But sometimes, Mirei's emotions would bubble to the surface, unguarded. She'd show up at Kaede's door, her eyes glistening, and barely able to hold back a surge of feeling. She'd pull Kaede close, wrapping her arms around her tightly, whispering, "I missed you so much, Kaede." And then, almost impulsively, she'd lean in, pressing a soft kiss on Kaede's lips.
Kaede would flush, glancing around out of habit. "Mirei! Be careful. What if someone saw?"
Mirei only laughed, undeterred. "Let them," she'd say, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she relished Kaede's bashful reaction. "You're way too cute when you're flustered, you know that?"
Kaede tried not to smile, but the warmth in her chest was undeniable. "You're impossible," she sighed, though her tone held nothing but love.
Even with the demands of Mirei's career, they carved out these precious moments together, finding a quiet joy in simply being near each other. It was the kind of comfort Kaede had missed—soft laughter, late-night whispers, and the silent understanding they shared. As they sat together, hands entwined, Kaede knew how lucky she was to have Mirei's love in her life, a light guiding her through the days, steady and unwavering.
---
Celestial's debut was an undeniable success. The group quickly rose to stardom, becoming the hottest rookie group of the season. With over 200,000 albums sold in the first week alone, Mirei and her members were suddenly everywhere, from magazine covers to TV appearances. Kaede felt a deep swell of pride for her girlfriend's achievement, inspired by the sheer dedication Mirei poured into her work. Watching her shine on stage with her group motivated Kaede to push herself harder with her own dreams, hoping that one day she, too, could stand on a stage with the same confidence.
But, as much as she admired Mirei's success, Kaede felt the growing distance as well. They both knew the demands of Mirei's career, especially now that she was a debuting idol. Mirei's schedule filled up rapidly, often leaving Kaede to cheer her on from afar. Whenever she could, Kaede would visit the music shows where Mirei performed or watch her on screen, replaying Celestial's songs on loop. It was her own way of keeping Mirei close to her heart, a way to support her through the whirlwind of fame even if they couldn't be together.
The drive to match Mirei's success also fueled Kaede's commitment to Chasing Stardust. She, Yukina, and Risa met up regularly to practice, pouring their passion into their music. While they hadn't achieved the recognition they dreamed of yet, they knew the journey was just beginning. They worked tirelessly, crafting original songs and honing their sound. Every practice session was a step closer to their shared vision, a small victory in the face of the hard road ahead.
One day after a long practice, Yukina set down her guitar, catching Kaede's gaze with a determined look. "You know, we're going to get there one day," she said, her voice steady with conviction. "We just have to keep pushing, no matter what."
Risa nodded in agreement, flashing her usual bright smile. "Yeah! And hey, it's kind of like we're underdogs. That just means it'll feel even better when we make it!"
Kaede's heart swelled with gratitude for her bandmates, her resolve strengthening with each passing day. "I know," she replied, her voice filled with quiet confidence. "We're going to keep going, no matter what it takes."
Despite the challenges, Chasing Stardust found joy in their music. They started covering popular songs, hoping to build their fanbase slowly but surely. Each cover was a chance to express their passion, to show a piece of themselves to anyone willing to listen. And as they practiced their original songs, Kaede poured her emotions into every lyric, every chord, her dreams interwoven with the melody.
Together, they forged ahead, united by a shared dream and a relentless determination. In those moments, surrounded by her friends and the music they loved, Kaede felt a renewed sense of purpose. She'd work hard, not only for herself but for the band—and for Mirei, too, as a way of honoring the light Mirei brought into her life.
They may not have had fame yet, but they had each other, a small and mighty team, fueled by hope and dedication. And that was more than enough to keep them moving forward, one song at a time.