Pant. Pant.
Ichika was running very late. As she ran through the populated streets and weaved through the crowds, yelling out apologies to the people she had collided with, she checked the time: 5:45 P.M.
She scolded herself for being so careless. ‘I should not have stayed up so late last night…!’
Even if it was a weekend, Ichika still should have managed her schedule a bit better. This show was one she had been personally invited to by her friend, and she absolutely could not be late!
Ichika grit her teeth and began to sprint through the street, all the while ignoring the burning sensation in her calves, her breathing growing heavier as she exerted herself more and more. She promised she would show up, and she wasn’t the type to break her promises.
‘She’ll be sad if I’m not there to cheer her on!’
Now, what kind of show was so important that she cared more about arriving than maintaining propriety?
An idol concert, naturally.
But it wasn’t just any idol concert, it was the first live concert of the idol group of her best friend, Miku.
They had met each other in middle school after Ichika had moved to a different city, and they didn’t quite hit it off immediately, what with Ichika’s rather shy attitude and her very outgoing personality clashing so much. Fate, however, thought it funny to have the two be neighbors and, with time, the two girls grew to be practically inseparable.
Where one of them was, the other was never far behind. When one of them was feeling down, the other would be there to cheer them up. It was just how the pieces fell into place.
So naturally, as most friends did, they shared their dreams for the future.
“Hey, Ichika?” Miku suddenly asked as they both sat on a bench for lunch.
Ichika, in the middle of opening the wrapper of her beloved yakisoba bun, paused. “Hm? Is something wrong Miku?”
A shake of her head. “Nope. I just wanted to ask you something.”
“Oh? Then ask away.” She replied as she opened the wrapper.
“Have you thought about what you wanna be when we finally graduate high school?”
“Hm”, Ichika paused, “I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
Miku looked at her, puzzled by her response. “Really? I thought you said you wanted to get into astronomy?”
Ichika let out an awkward chuckle as she took a bite out of the bun in her hand. “Eh, I’m not so sure about it anymore…”
“Is it because it’s too hard for you~” Miku teased.
“M-miku!” Ichika sputtered, her face heating up.
Laughter was the only response to Ichika’s words.
“Sorry, you’re so cute when you’re embarrassed!”
Ichika grumbled at her friend’s playfulness. “Geez…”
“Aww, come on, you know little ol’ me didn’t mean any harm.” Miku pleaded playfully as she wrapped an arm around Ichika.
Ichika just puffed out her (still red) cheeks at her friend’s attempt to coax her and turned away.
Miku poked her friend’s cheek. “Come on silly~” And pouted. “I won’t tease you any more, promise!”
After a few seconds of silence between the pair, Ichika relented. “Fine.”
“Yay!” Miku cheered.
Ichika paused, then spoke up. “But I’ve been thinking about maybe getting into something music-related.”
“Oh? Like a band?”
“I don’t really know anyone I could form a band with, so not really. I just thought about trying my hand at composing.”
“Oh, how interesting!” Miku cheered as she pulled her friend closer. “I can see it now, world-famous composer: Hoshino Ichika!”
“Miku…” Ichika fondly sighed at her friend's antics. “Then, what about you?”
“Huh?”
“What have you been thinking of doing?”
“Oh, right.” Miku chuckled as she let go of the hug. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, honestly, but, um, well, do you promise not to laugh?”
Ichika chuckled at her friend’s uncharacteristic shyness. “We’re friends, Miku, I won’t laugh at your dreams.”
“Thanks Ichika.” Miku smiled. “As for my dream–
Miku looked off into the distance, watching some of the girls from the dance club who had come out to practice some choreo, the sound of cheers occasionally filling the air.
–I think I want to be an idol.” Miku finally said.
Silence.
Miku wondered why Ichika hadn’t responded, and turned to see her friend lost in thought.
“Um, Ichika?” Miku asked, hesitant.
“An idol huh? Somehow”, Ichika looked at her friend, “that suits you.”
Miku was stunned. “Eh? You think so?”
“You’ve always had an infectious energy, Miku.” Ichika stated, a smile growing on her face. “You’re always there to cheer up anyone who’s feeling down. There hasn’t been a time I haven’t seen you try to give the people around you a boost or a smile.”
Miku just looked at her friend, her lips curving up ever so slightly at her friend’s words. “Is that so?”
A nod. “And even when there’s performances to be held, you always throw yourself head-first into them.” Ichika chuckled. “Even if you haven’t read about the theme.”
Miku pouted at that comment and lightly punched Ichika’s arm. “Hey!”
“Sorry, sorry!” Ichika laughed. “Still, all those performances were always great. They were…”
Ichika paused, thinking about what to say. Miku waited for a bit before urging her friend to continue.
“They were?”
Ichika averted her gaze from Miku. “W-Well, they were always a delight to see. Whenever you were on-stage, you’d shine so brightly that no one could ignore you. I’m pretty sure that everyone’s attention was drawn to you.”
Ichika then turned her head away to prevent Miku from seeing the redness on her face.
She didn’t see the dusting of pink on Miku’s face.
After a brief silence Miku’s voice grabbed her attention with a question. “Really?”
“Huh?”
“You really think so?”
Ichika nodded. “Yes, of course! Your performances were always so fun to watch and I’d even say they were m–, no, the highlight of each show put on by our class!”
Miku was silent. Was she really good enough? Good enough for even…
“What about you?” She asked, her face growing redder.
Ichika faced her friend, confused. “Huh? What about me?”
Miku clutched her skirt tightly. “What… What did you think about my performances?”
She needed to know. Could her shows make Ichika smile?
Ichika closed her eyes in thought. “To me… They–
Then she opened them and looked at her friend, gentle grey meeting expectant blue, a tender smile painted on her face.
–They were the highlights of my day.”
Miku practically tackled Ichika after those words were let out. “M-Miku…!”
Miku didn’t understand why she felt so relieved to hear those words come out of Ichika’s mouth, but she did understand that the warm feeling in her chest was very pleasant.
“M-miku, are you okay?”
Miku only nodded, as she tightened the hug, pressing herself deeper into Ichika. She had a feeling that her face was extremely red and she didn’t want Ichika to see that, at least, not yet.
But she had made a decision.
“M-miku, not s-so… tight… please.” Ichika croaked out. “I… can’t… breathe…”
Miku released her grip at her friend’s words, allowing Ichika the chance to breathe. When the girl had recovered enough to breathe normally, Miku spoke.
“I’ve made my decision, Ichika.” She said as she grabbed her friend’s shoulders.
“Hm?”
“I swear, I will become an idol!” Miku declared. “I will work my hardest to get signed into an agency and bring smiles and happiness to as many people as possible!”
It took Ichika a moment to process the declaration.“Okay!” She nodded. “Good luck! I know you can do it!”
Miku then placed a finger on Ichika’s chest, her gaze falling down as her voice quieted and the tips of her ears reddened. “And you better be there to support me.”
Ichika was surprised by her friend’s shy request, but nodded regardless. “Of course! I’ll always be there to support you!”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
“Then”, Miku clasped one of Ichika’s hands in her own and looked her in the eyes, “I’ll be in your care.”
Ichika was gasping for air as she stood in front of the entrance to the venue. It was 5:57 P.M.
The show would start in 13 minutes. She somehow made it with time to spare.
‘Urgency is a powerful thing, but I don’t think my body will be happy with me later…’ Ichika thought as she tried to catch her breath.
After she had regained her composure, Ichika entered the venue, presented her ticket, and was led to the audience area, where she saw hundreds, if not thousands, of people, glow sticks in hand, patiently awaiting the start of the show.
Ichika was amazed at how many people had shown up for the concert, all of their expressions painted with anticipation. As Ichika looked around, she marveled at the stage in front of her, how large it was, and the myriad of lights flashing across it as it awaited the arrival of its performers.
“Amazing…” Ichika thought as she tried to process the reality of it all. It only felt like yesterday that Miku had set out on her journey to become an idol, but the fact that she was about to perform a show had reminded Ichika of the countless hours she spent with the girl, helping her train, studying with her, and supporting her.
As the lights on-stage began to dim, Ichika knew that it was time for the concert to begin, and amid the cheers of the crowd, a striking baseline accompanied a spotlight that shone above each one of the girls on stage as they began their performance until the music crescendoed into an extremely energetic beat, the lights on the stage blasting in full force, illuminating all the girls on stage, and especially Miku.
Like she had said to her before, she shined when she was on-stage, and this was no different. In fact, Ichika would say she shined even brighter than she ever has before. As Miku sang and danced with so much vigor and grace alongside her fellow idols, Ichika couldn’t help but keep her eyes glued onto the stage, and onto her friend.
As she watched on, the reality of it all finally set in. Miku was really an idol, and she was doing what she always did best: put a smile on other people’s faces.
On her face.
A strange warmth had begun to take root in Ichika’s chest as she watched along. She didn’t mind it. It was pleasant, just as it was pleasant to see Miku up on stage.
The rest of the concert passed by in a blur of lights, sounds, and cheers. Ichika’s sure that she must have screamed at some point, judging by how sore her throat was once the concert had ended and the lights were slowly shut off as the idols gave their thanks and farewells.
As the audience began to file out, Ichika stayed in her spot and stared at the stage, a smile on her face.
‘That was a great concert.’ She thought. ‘I’m so proud of you, Miku.’
Once there was no crowd, Ichika made her way out of the venue and into the crisp evening air. It was time for her to head home. Miku would probably still be busy with backstage stuff, so it would be best for Ichika to not bother her.
She quickly shot her a text and left.
The walk back home was quiet, but Ichika could still feel some remnants of adrenaline from the concert.
She chuckled to herself. She couldn’t wait to see what else Miku had in store for the future.
When she finally reached her home, Ichika let out a yawn and was about to get ready for bed until she heard a knock on the front door.
Ichika went to open it and was met with a rather oddly dressed person, mask on, a hat on their head, and wearing a rather large coat.
“Um, how may I help you…?” Ichika asked, her voice coming out hoarse.
“It’s me, silly.” Miku’s voice rang out.
Ichika’s eyes widened. “M-Miku?!”
“Who else could it be?” She chuckled.
“I-I thought you would be busy with aftershow things… H-How’d you get here so quickly?”
Miku only offered a cheeky smile in response. “May I come in?”
“Ah. Of course!” Ichika said as she stepped to the side. “Make yourself at home.”
“I will.” Miku responded as she took off her disguise.
“Juice?”
“Mhm. Thanks, Ichika.”
“It’s fine. After all, I think that you deserve a treat for your first successful show.”
Ichika went to the kitchen, grabbed a cup, poured out some juice, and returned to hand it to Miku. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” Miku said as she took the cup. “So, how did you like the concert?”
“Well, I think the state of my voice should be enough to tell you.” Ichika joked.
Miku chuckled at her friend’s response.
“But seriously”, Ichika said, “it was wonderful.”
Miku smiled. “I’m glad.” Then she let out a sigh as she took a seat on a couch in the living room.
“I still can’t believe this is real.”
She then took a sip out of the cup.
“Well, in some way, neither can I.” Ichika said as she sat beside Miku.
“It only feels like yesterday I was working to even have a shot at being accepted by an agency.”
“And here you are, after a year of promotional activities, having just completed your first concert.” Ichika replied. “I’m honestly excited for you, and what comes next for you.”
“Hey, didn’t I say you needed to be there with me?” Miku retorted.
Ichika chuckled. “Of course I’ll be there to support you, always.”
Miku smiled as she put her glass down on the table in front of her and let out a small yawn.
“Tired?” Ichika asked.
“You’re probably just as tired as I am.”
“Hm. I did run to get there on time.”
“Didn’t I tell you to sleep early the night before?”
“Sorry…” Ichika replied sheepishly. “Just some projects I had to attend to and some… last-second issues.”
Miku leaned her head on Ichika’s shoulder, a small smile on her face as she muttered something.
“I…ad…u…we…re”
“Hm? What did you say Miku?”
“Nothing really~” Miku yawned again. “Just tired.”
Ichika also yawned. “Mhm. You’re right about being tired. Why don’t you go back ho–
“Nope.”
“Eh?”
“Let’s stay like this a little longer. I’m comfy right now.”
“It won’t be good for your neck if you fall asleep on my shoulder you know.”
“Come on Ichika, I think the tired, cute idol deserves this.”
Ichika sighed. “Fine.”
Miku chuckled as she contentedly enjoyed the comforting warmth of Ichika. She was happy with how things had turned out, happy that she was an idol.
But, none of that really compared to the smile she saw on Ichika’s face when she was performing up on that stage.
She glanced at Ichika, a familiar warmth spreading through her chest as she took in her side profile, every contour, every small dip, and every subtle movement.
She was beautiful, but she was even more beautiful when she smiled.
Miku enjoyed bringing smiles to others. She adored the feeling of seeing people’s worries melt away as they allowed themselves a moment of solace, a moment of joy.
But, if there was one thing she adored more than anything, it was Ichika’s smile.
As long as she could make Ichika smile, then all the work she’d put into becoming an idol was worth every second.
Miku averted her eyes from her friend. She didn’t want to be caught staring.
Then she felt something land on her head.
A quick glance showed that Ichika had fallen asleep.
‘How cute.’ Miku thought. ‘Sweet dreams Ichika.’
Miku followed suit and closed her eyes, the exhaustion from the day finally catching up to her.
Sure she was tired, but that didn’t matter. Ichika was right here with her, and that was all she needed.
Gently, Miku laced her fingers with Ichika’s as she felt herself drifting off to sleep.
Ichika would probably wake up confused, maybe embarrassed, and Miku would probably have to give her an explanation, but that was fine.
As long as it was Ichika, she didn’t mind.