Mirei stretched her arms as the sunlight peeked the recording room. The chaos of last night still lingered in her mind, and she couldn't help but giggle at the thought of Kaede stuck in her room all night. When the dorm quieted down early in the morning, Kaede had carefully sneaked out. The memory of her panicked whispers and exaggerated movements to avoid waking anyone still made Mirei laugh softly.
"Still, it was reckless," she muttered to herself, brushing her hair. "But... sweet."
Her daydream was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Mirei!" called Minami, her calm yet firm tone pulling Mirei back to reality.
"Oh, sorry, Minami! I was spacing out again," Mirei answered sheepishly, giving her signature adorable grin.
Minami blushed at her leader's cuteness but quickly regained her composure. "Are you really okay? Can you pull off today's schedule?" she asked with genuine concern.
"I've got this. Don't worry," Mirei reassured her. "Besides, I don't want to burden everyone anymore. We're so close to releasing another single!"
Minami nodded but remained cautious. "But don't push yourself, okay? You just got better."
"I promise," Mirei said warmly, her gratitude for Minami clear in her voice. As the most experienced member of Celestial before joining the group, Minami had always been Mirei's go-to for advice and support. Her steady presence was a constant source of comfort amidst the chaos of being an idol.
The rest of the group soon joined them in the practice room. Ayumi and Hikari, the group's resident rays of sunshine, bounded over to Mirei.
"Hey, Mirei! Feeling better?" Ayumi chirped, her energy infectious.
"I hope you're not slacking off after taking a break!" Hikari teased, her grin wide.
"Slacking off? Do you know how hard it is to manage this group of goofballs?" Mirei shot back, playfully narrowing her eyes.
"Oh, here we go!" Hikari dramatically held her chest as if wounded. "The leader speaks! Everyone bow to her majesty!"
Ayumi burst into laughter. "Don't be too harsh, Mirei! We missed you! Even if you're a bit bossy sometimes."
"Bossy?" Mirei gasped, feigning shock. "I prefer the term assertive. And anyway, it's your fault for being chaotic all the time!"
Their playful banter continued as Minami and Emi, the quieter and more reserved members, watched from the sidelines, smiling at their group's antics. Despite the grueling schedule ahead, moments like these kept them grounded and close-knit.
---
A month passed in a blur of relentless schedules. By March 1st, 2026, Mirei found herself busier than ever, juggling rehearsals, photoshoots, and promotional videos for Celestial's upcoming single. She hadn't seen Kaede since their chaotic night in the dorm, though she missed her terribly.
Kaede's band, Chasing Stardust, was also gearing up for their album release at the end of the month, leaving little time for them to connect. Mirei sighed, longing for even a small moment to celebrate Kaede's success with her. But for now, her priority was staying healthy and keeping up with her commitments.
That day, the group had a recording session for their new promotional video. Mirei found herself spacing out again, lost in thoughts of Kaede.
"Mirei," Minami called, her voice growing closer. "Mirei!"
Startled, Mirei looked up just as Minami leaned in, concerned. The sudden proximity caused Mirei to flinch, and in her haste, she stumbled backward. Losing her balance, she grabbed onto Minami for support.
Time seemed to slow as both of them toppled over. Mirei landed on top of Minami with a thud, their faces mere inches apart. In the chaos, their lips brushed briefly before they froze in shock.
The room fell silent. Mirei blinked, registering the accidental kiss, while Minami's glasses slid off somewhere nearby. Minami's face turned beet red, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
Mirei scrambled to her feet, her own cheeks blazing. "I-I'm so sorry! Minami, are you okay?" she stammered, holding out a hand to help her up.
Minami remained on the floor, too stunned to respond.
The other members and staff quickly gathered around, their curiosity piqued by the loud commotion. Hikari was the first to react.
"Oh my gosh, did you two just—"
"Shh!" Mirei cut her off, flustered beyond belief.
Ayumi, ever the optimist, chimed in. "Wow, Mirei, you work fast!"
Hikari doubled over in laughter. "Guess we should leave you two alone more often, huh?"
"Stop it!" Mirei cried, covering her face with her hands. "It was an accident!"
Meanwhile, Minami, still on the floor, remained speechless, her face a deep shade of crimson. Emi knelt beside her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Minami, are you okay?"
Minami finally nodded, though her expression was a mix of embarrassment and confusion.
"I'm so, so sorry!" Mirei repeated, bowing deeply. "I didn't mean to— it just happened!"
Hikari leaned against Ayumi, feigning tears of joy. "Our leader is all grown up, finding love on the job!"
"Hikari!" Mirei groaned, her frustration mounting as Ayumi tried to stifle her giggles.
Minami finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's okay… really." She adjusted her glasses, which Emi had retrieved, and avoided eye contact with everyone.
Hikari, sensing the tension, decided to lighten the mood further. "Well, Mirei, if you're going to accidentally kiss someone, at least it's Minami. She's got great taste in glasses, after all!"
Ayumi snorted, and even Emi couldn't suppress a smile.
Mirei sighed, though a small, grateful smile crept onto her face. "You guys are impossible."
The day continued with some awkwardness, especially between Mirei and Minami, but the group's camaraderie helped smooth things over. Still, Mirei couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu.
As she lay in bed that night, she thought back to her first kiss with Kaede. It had also been an accident, but it had changed their relationship forever. Mirei smiled, her cheeks heating up at the memory.
"Kaede," she whispered to herself, her heart aching with both longing and affection. "I wish you were here right now."