Mirei sat in her hotel room in Fukuoka, the dim light from the bedside lamp casting gentle shadows across the walls. It was late, she was tired after all the activities on the day and she should have been preparing for bed; tomorrow was another busy day filled with a photoshoot, and she needed her rest. But as she stared out the window, watching the distant city lights twinkle like stars against the dark sky, a heavy weight settled on her heart.
She had broken her promise to Kaede, and the thought left a bitter taste in her mouth. On the night of her birthday, instead of celebrating together, she had to do a live stream with her fellow members, an obligation that had loomed over her like a dark cloud. Well it was her profession now, but... her heart ached knowing Kaede had prepared so much for her special day—she could almost see the excited gleam in her girlfriend's eyes when she spoke about the cake and the gifts she had planned.
As the hours passed, Mirei felt the loneliness creeping in. The birthday had slipped through her fingers like sand, and now, just a few days later, they were missing their anniversary too. Mirei buried her face in her hands, the tears threatening to spill over. Kaede deserved more than a text message of apology; after all that recently happened to Kaede, she deserved to be celebrated, cherished, and held close. Yet here she was, trapped in the demands of her burgeoning career, feeling like a shadow of the girlfriend Kaede needed. But deep in her heart, she knew she must be professional and Kaede would understand too.
Trying to shake off the melancholy, Mirei took a deep breath and picked up her phone. She scrolled through her notifications, a small distraction from her worries. Just as she was about to put the phone down, a message popped up from Yukina. It was unusual for Yukina to reach out, and curiosity piqued Mirei's interest.
Yukina sent a link with a simple message: You have to support Kaede. Please check this out!
Mirei hesitated for a moment, then clicked the link. As the video began to play, a gentle melody filled the room, wrapping around her like a warm embrace. She recognized the voice immediately—it was Kaede.
A Star That Shines Too Bright.
The song's tender notes stirred something deep within Mirei. She leaned back against the pillows, letting the music wash over her. The lyrics flowed through her like a river of emotion:
In a world filled with pain, suddenly I saw your face,
A fleeting moment, my heart began to race.
Through the screen, you danced and smiled, a vision so divine,
With just one glance, I knew I've fallen into you.
Each line struck a chord in Mirei's heart. She remembered the first time Kaede said that she loves her in from first sight, Kaede's smile and calm nature radiating warmth and light. It was as if the universe had conspired to bring them together, even if it took a leap of faith to cross that distance.
I jumped through dreams, to find you, my heart in flight,
Across the distance, through the shadows of the night.
Every whispered word, like stars that shine above,
In my heart, forever, you'll always be my love.
Mirei's breath caught in her throat as the lyrics wrapped around her heart. She could feel the love and longing Kaede poured into those words. Every sleepless night Mirei had spent thinking about Kaede, every moment they had shared flashed through her mind like a beautiful montage. The late-night phone calls, the shared laughter, the way Kaede's eyes sparkled with joy—it all felt like a distant memory now, and Mirei's heart ached with the desire to hold her again.
Oh, my first love, my sweet serenade,
In every heartbeat, your memory won't fade.
Though the miles may stretch and time may pull us apart,
I'll hold you close, forever in my heart.
Tears slipped down Mirei's cheeks as she listened to the chorus. She felt the weight of their distance pressing heavily on her chest. She could almost picture Kaede, sitting alone in her apartment, waiting for a message that never came.
In every thought, I trace the lines of your smile,
Through sleepless nights, I dream of you for a while.
Your laughter echoes, a melody so sweet,
With every moment, my heart skips a beat.
Mirei could see Kaede's bright smile, Kaede's warmth that enveloped her every time they were together.
The way you shine, a guiding light in the dark,
In the quiet whispers, you ignite the spark.
Like a stars that shines too bright.
No matter the distance, no matter the fight,
I'll always be with you, in the warmth of the night.
Kaede's voice trembled with emotion, and it resonated with Mirei's own feelings of guilt and longing. Mirei wanted to reach through the screen and pull Kaede into her arms, to tell her how much she loved her, how much she missed those quiet moments together. It was a reminder that their love was worth fighting for, even if it meant sacrificing sleep or facing the wrath of her manager.
So here's my vow, no matter where you go, I'll always watch you bloom.
Through the storms and trials, my love will only grow.
In the canvas of dreams, our story unfolds,
A tale of two hearts, a love worth more than gold.
The bridge struck a deep chord within her. Mirei knew she needed to do better, to balance her responsibilities with the love she felt for Kaede.
As the final chorus echoed in the room, Mirei wiped her tears, overwhelmed by emotion.
Oh, my first love, my sweet serenade,
In every heartbeat, your memory won't fade.
Though the miles may stretch and time may pull us apart,
I'll hold you close, forever in my heart.
Oh, my first love, I hope you feel the same.
As the song came to an end, Mirei sat in silence, letting the gravity of Kaede's heartfelt message sink in. This was her girlfriend's way of reaching out, a desperate plea for connection amidst the chaos of their lives. Kaede was reminding her that love was worth every sacrifice, every late night, and every moment spent apart.
"Kaede, since when did she become this romantic." Mirei felt a bit shy. Feeling a surge of determination, Mirei decided then and there that she would also support Kaede in any way she could. She wanted to show her gratitude for the song, more than just thanked her on a text.
She has a nice idea for it. So, that during their next interview, when asked about her favorite songs, Mirei would proudly promote Chasing Stardust and Kaede's beautiful creation.
---
Days passed, and Mirei kept her word. The interview aired, and to her delight, it garnered attention. As viewers flooded the comments section, she felt a warmth bloom in her chest, knowing that Kaede would see this as a sign of her unwavering support, that she watched her too.
With fans subscribing to Chasing Stardust's channel and praising Kaede's talent, Mirei couldn't help but smile. This was her way of thanking Kaede for pouring her heart into that song. It was a small step, but it was meaningful—a reminder that no matter how busy their lives became, their love would always find a way to shine through the chaos.
Later that night, as Mirei settled into bed, she pulled out her phone and sent a message to Kaede. Her heart raced as she typed:
"I heard your song. It was beautiful, Kaede. You're amazing. I'm so proud of you. Thank you for sharing it with the world. Let's make time to celebrate when I get back. I will always support you and I love you.."
Mirei pressed send, feeling a mixture of hope and joy. She wanted Kaede to know she was thinking of her, watched her, supported her and that she was ready to fight for their love with any way they could.