Mirei heard the director call her name sharply from across the set, breaking her focus on the script she'd been reviewing. She quickly straightened and replied with a crisp, "Yes!" before slipping back into her polished idol persona, though inside, exhaustion tugged at her.
They'd been shooting since the early morning, working through the scenes and choreography for the next promotional video for Celestial's second album. The album's release was only a month away, and the pressure was relentless, with every minute planned to build the anticipation. But despite the tight schedules and heavy expectations, Mirei pushed herself to stay focused. After all, she was the leader, and her members looked to her to set the tone.
By the time they wrapped, the set was bathed in evening shadows, and Mirei was the last one to finish filming. As the crew started packing up, she slipped away to find a quiet corner.
Later that evening, Kaede called Mirei.
"Mirei! How'd it go today?"
"It's over for now," Mirei replied, a smile tugging at her lips. "I just finished the shoot. How about you?"
"I'm going camping this weekend with the band," Kaede said, her excitement spilling over. "Just a short trip, but we thought it'd be good to get some inspiration."
"Woah-! Really?! That sounds amazing!" Mirei nearly screamed. Mirei's excitement was infectious, and Kaede couldn't help but chuckle at how thrilled her girlfriend sounded. "You're more excited than I am," Kaede teased.
Mirei laughed. "Of course! I've never been camping with you before! Now I'm jealous that you're going with them instead of me. I hope you have a great time."
Camping. Mirei imagined it—a simple night under the stars, away from the relentless demands of idol life. The thought sparked a pang of envy. She'd never even had the chance to take a trip with Kaede.
---
The next morning, any thoughts of camping vanished as Mirei threw herself into another grueling day of practice and meetings. As leader, she had to oversee not only her own performance but also watch her members closely. If anyone was struggling, she had to catch it and help. Every minor detail mattered, especially with their big performance coming up, and even the slightest slip would reflect on all of them. She knew this responsibility better than anyone, and even though it was demanding, she was grateful that her members were just as passionate as she was.
Ayumi, their main vocalist, had studied music professionally before joining, bringing a depth of knowledge to every note she sang. Minami had been a part of the underground idol scene, and her experience, though from a smaller stage, was invaluable, as she understood the industry's tough side. Hikari was their main dancer, a street competition champion who brought a spark of originality and freedom to their choreography. And then there was Emi, the youngest, who'd trained elsewhere before joining Starlight Entertainment; she was full of potential and growing each day. Each member's strengths contributed to the group's overall magic, and Mirei took immense pride in seeing how they'd all grown together.
Together, they were also her responsibility, her pride, and also her family. Mirei cherished their bond, knowing how rare it was in such a competitive field. Despite the challenges, their ambition and support for one another fueled her drive to keep going, no matter how hard things became.
Still, it wasn't lost on Mirei how demanding this life was. There were days when exhaustion clouded her vision, when the endless critique on social media stung more than usual. She knew well that the spotlight came with its own shadows, and she'd learned to endure harsh words from strangers online, criticisms on her leadership or appearance, opinions from people who knew nothing about her.
And through it all, she felt the ache of missing her parents, who were far from her. She used to feel lonely and adrift since she moved to Tokyo alone. But still, the distance made her wish for a closer connection, for someone who could make her feel grounded. And then Kaede came into her life, a surprising twist of fate that made everything feel a little less heavy.
Kaede had become her safe haven, her source of laughter and comfort. Whenever they managed to find time to talk, it was as if Mirei could breathe more freely, letting go of the constant tension in her shoulders. Even during their brief conversations, she could feel the warmth radiating from Kaede's words, as if Kaede was right there beside her. With Kaede, there was no need for pretense, no need to put on the "leader" mask; she could just be herself.
With the second album's release coming up, Mirei's excitement grew daily. This time, Kaede had promised to come watch her performance in person for the first time—a milestone in their relationship that meant the world to her. She also want to make Kaede proud on stage, just like what Kaede did to her.
Mirei poured herself into every rehearsal, every practice session, knowing that Kaede's support was waiting at the end. Even when the hours stretched late, and her limbs felt heavy, she'd find herself reaching for her phone, scanning for messages from Kaede. Each notification brought a fresh surge of energy, a reminder of why she worked so hard. And when she couldn't talk to Kaede, she'd play one of Kaede's songs in her earbuds, letting the music fill her mind and rejuvenate her spirit.
Music had always been her anchor, and now, Kaede's songs felt like a piece of her world, a gift that she could carry with her even when they couldn't be together. She'd play those songs on repeat, feeling a strange sense of comfort. It was a reminder of Kaede's dedication, her artistry, and it kept Mirei grounded in a way that few things could.
The pre-concert week was a whirlwind of rehearsals, costume fittings, and press events. Mirei found herself surrounded by stylists adjusting her hair, makeup artists fussing over her appearance, and managers running through schedules. Celestial's fan base had grown exponentially since their debut, and anticipation for the album release and show was at an all-time high. Mirei was aware of the pressure resting on her shoulders. As the leader, it was her role to navigate the group through this intense period, making sure each member was in sync, both mentally and physically.
On the night before the concert, Mirei took a few minutes to herself in the practice room after everyone else had left. She stood in front of the mirror, watching her reflection with a mixture of pride and nervousness. It was surreal, realizing how far she had come from her first days in the industry. Back then, she had struggled with the expectations of being the leader, trying to balance ambition with the weight of responsibility. But now, looking at herself in the mirror, she saw someone who had grown, who had led her team through highs and lows, and who was ready to give everything she had on stage.
As dawn broke on concert day, Mirei woke up with a flutter of anticipation. The day started early, with the team gathering for final rehearsals. Their stylists were on high alert, adding last-minute touches to their outfits and ensuring every detail was flawless. The backstage area buzzed with excitement and nerves, the hum of hairdryers, and the steady rhythm of last-minute vocal exercises.
Mirei slipped into her costume—a sleek, ethereal design with flowing sleeves and glimmering accents that caught the light perfectly. She could hear the faint roar of the crowd outside, fans who had traveled from all over to see Celestial perform. As she took a deep breath, she felt the gravity of the moment settle over her. This performance was everything they'd worked toward, and it was also a chance to show Kaede a side of herself that only the stage could reveal.
Ayumi, Minami, Hikari, and Emi joined her in a small huddle backstage. They exchanged words of encouragement, each of them brimming with a mix of nerves and excitement. Mirei looked at each of them, seeing not just her teammates but her closest friends, the ones who had walked this journey beside her.
"Let's give them a show they'll never forget," Mirei said, her voice steady, even as her heart raced. She knew that each member shared her dedication and that tonight was their chance to shine as one.
As the lights dimmed in the arena and the opening notes began to echo, Mirei's heartbeat quickened. The crowd was a blur of lights, lightsticks raised in anticipation, fans chanting Celestial's name in unison. It was overwhelming, this sea of people who had come to witness their art, their dream.
The stage lights began to flicker, building suspense, and Mirei stepped up to her mark. The countdown started, each second stretching out, feeling as if the entire world was holding its breath. She took one last deep breath, her thoughts focused on Kaede, who was somewhere out there in that crowd.
The intro music surged, filling the hall, and Mirei let the adrenaline take over, her mind clear as she prepared to give the performance of a lifetime.