Sweat rolled down her face, stinging her eyes and mixing with her make-up. Upbeat music filled her ears, her legs and arms moving with the flow - this was her third attempt that morning to perfect their new routine. She only had two more weeks to learn it before her next concert. This would be the first time she would be the centre lead of Japan's number one idol group.
Her eyes spied the clock by the studio's exist. Six in the morning. She had been at it alone for the last hour, it was the only time she could book for herself before the rest of the girls came in for their morning practice. She had worked hard the last two years and was finally rewarded with the role of centre lead.
Tachikawa Mimi had joined a small idol production during high-school, as a way to distract herself from the absence of her boyfriend when he was in the middle of preparing for university entrance exams. She did everything she could to support him and Mimi knew the best way was to leave him to his studies. It left her lonely, not even the company of her boyfriend's sister and her best friend Sora could filled that hole.
While dancing, she could forget about him for those brief moments. And soon a larger idol production came calling when she auditioned. She was picked to join Japan's most popular idol group.
"Eh!" Another set of feet stepped onto the studio floor, "Tachikawa-san you're here early today!" It was one of the younger girls, newly joined who hadn't yet experience hard work.
"Kashu-san, you're early yourself," Mimi replied to the younger girl as she took a spot next to Mimi.
The girl replied with a smile and held a fist to her heart, "This will only be my second concert since joining, I was hoping to get a little jump on the competition before full practice started. I hadn't realized Tachikawa-san had booked the studio for herself."
"You're more than welcome to join Kashu-san." Mimi smiled at the girl as she reached for her music player. On cue, the girls started their routine - there were minuet differences and the two girls weren't exactly on sync.
"Again!" Mimi announced as she pressed the play button once more. Again and again, the two girls slowly perfected the routine and by the end of the hour, Mimi could no longer keep her breath.
Kashu Amai collapsed next to Mimi, "No more please Tachikawa-san!"
"Normal practise hasn't even begun yet!" Mimi breathlessly replied and with that said, the door to the studio opened and in rushed the rest of the idol group girls.
Mimi could barely keep up, Kashu Amai had already called it quits and was watching from the sidelines. Mimi was the lead, she couldn't show weakness and this was her one chance to prove she had what it took to be a top national idol.
Practice ended as the clock chimed eight, still enough time for the girls who were still in school to make the starting bell. Mimi was one of the rare girls within the group who had finished her schooling and decided on a full time career as an entertainer.
She was one of the last girls to exist the change-room and she made her way around the studio building - she had requested time with the producer to go over the days practice. And Mimi was reassured that as the lead and a veteran idol, she had nothing to worry about.
It was nearly noon before she could leave the building which contained the small studio and office of the idol production. She checked her phone - during her few breaks, she would text her boyfriend and for the first time in awhile, he had agreed to go on a date with her. She was over the moon and had given her an extra boost during practice.
He wouldn't be done class until five that evening, she had time to burn. Her favourite cafe was nearby - a modern little cafe by Kichijoji Station with big windows overlooking Inokashira Pond. Since she was a regular, the staff all knew her favourite seat - a comfy armchair by the corner of the cafe, isolated from the rest of the cafe.
Her favourite cup of chrysanthemum severed to her moments later, Mimi herself more interested in missed messages on her phone. One caught her eye, it was from her best friend, Takenouchi Sora.
[ Mimi-chan have you seen this? ]
Attached was a link to a NHK news story.
"Akihabara Idol caught leaving mysterious boyfriend's apartment at an early hour." Mimi's heart raced, another scandal about an idol - it almost thrilled her that she herself had not been caught.
[ Don't worry Sora-tan, Tachikawa Mimi is great with disguises! ]
She quickly typed a response with a sly smile. Mimi continued with the news article - the girl in question was not part of her entertainment company, but a smaller, rival idol group that had been gaining in popularity. The girl in question was found sneaking out of an apartment not belonging to any family members and the tabloid reporter had dug up information that the apartment had in fact, belong to a collage age male.
[ Please be careful! I don't want either you or Taichi to be harmed. ]
[ Don't worry, Taichi always uses protection! ]
[ That's not what I meant! ]
Mimi imagined the red head's heavily blushing face. Sora came from a staunchly traditional family, and Sora herself was probably dressed in her best kimono right at this moment working at her mother's flower store.
A new notification popped up on her phone, she would have to catch the next train to To-Dai if she were to meet Taichi.
She stood by the gates of To-Dai with a surgical mask and glasses hiding her face. It was the summer break but still, a steady stream of students were leaving through the university's gates.
"Sorry guys, I can't go with you guys tonight." A familiar voice reached her ears, "Sort of promised a friend I would meet up with them."
She puffed out her cheeks at the statement - how dare he refer to her, the great Tachikawa Mimi as just a friend.
Mimi spied the boy, Taichi's unkept hair separating him from the rest of the students. Her pink lips slipped into a smile - this would show him from calling her just a friend!
She rushed at him, aiming for an embrace with her boyfriend and with a singing voice, she called his name.
"Oi Taichi…" Taichi's friend, whom Mimi spied as an unkept yankee, reacted in shock. A girl, who was dressed more professionally was also present, her hands covering her shocked face.
"Thank you for taking care of Taichi." Mimi bowed, "I'm his girlfriend."
She rose up and removed her glasses, revealing her face to the shock of Taichi and his friends.
"Taichi…" The boy with the unkept shirt called to Mimi's boyfriend, "What's the meaning of this! Do you know who this is?"
Mimi could see Taichi staring blankly at the other boy.
"Mi…Mi…" The professionally dressed girl stuttered, "Mi-Chan!"
Mimi could only awkwardly laugh at the girl's outburst. Mi-Chan was the name the most hard-core of her fans had given Mimi.
Again Mimi spied her boyfriend, who just looked at both his friends blankly.
"Taiiii-chi!" The unkept boy angrily looked at Mimi's boyfriend.
Her boyfriend Yagami Taichi sighed, "Guys this is my girlfriend, Tachikawa Mimi."
Taichi turned to her and smiled, "Mimi, these are my friends, Hatoyama Ichiro and Obuchi Yūko."
"Thank you again for taking care of Taichi." Mimi bowed to the two, "I'm Tachikawa Mimi, nineteen years old!"
"Ha…" The yankee boy replied with his mouth still open from shock. The girl on the other hand, was starstruck with Mimi - the girl had called her Mi-chan, it could only mean Mimi was dealing with the most hardcore of fans; those who would show up at every handshake event and concert.
"Autograph…" the girl, Obuchi Yūko whispered before asking more directly, "Can I please have your autography Mi-chan!"
"Oi, is she going to be alright?" Taichi turned to his friend, Hatoyama Ichiro.
"I don't know." Ichiro replied flatly.
The group soon realized they were too much in the open and Taichi's two friends had somehow convinced the two lovebirds to join them at a family restaurant nearby.
The booth they were seated at provided enough privacy for Mimi to discard her disguise. One look at Yūko and Taichi realized she was still speechless, keeping her tunnel vision on Mimi only. It was Ichiro who broke the ice.
"So how did the number one idol in all of Japan ended up dating this guy?" Ichiro pointed towards him, Taichi returned a playful frown.
"We've been together since we were eight years old!" Mimi happily announced.
It wasn't a total lie. They lived in the same apartment complex and all of the children of similar age were quick to become friends.
"I thought only those stuck up old school families and the Yakuza were into marriage contracts. Yagami and Tachikawa aren't known families, which means…" Hatoyama Ichiro paused, before his eyes opened with shock, pointing at Taichi, "When were you part of the Yakuza?!"
Taichi and the two girls were speechless. Ichiro was set straight by Yūko, with a swift punch to his side.
"We're childhood friends!" Mimi declared.
Taichi, who had been looking through the menu, felt the presence of Yūko's glare on him. He choose to ignore it and continued to stare at the menu intensely.
"Taiiii-chi," Yūko sweet voice sent shivers throughout his body, "Why haven't you told us you were childhood friends with Mi-chan?"
He looked towards Mimi for help but found none. Ichiro was still recovering and Taichi could only see the dark glare, masked by Yūko smile, looking down on him.
"The topic never came up!" He meekly answered.
"Taiiii-chi," Yūko again sang, "Being the boyfriend of Japan's number one idol is something you tell your friends."
Taichi could only raise his arms in defence to calm the hysterical super fan down. Not wanting to make a scene in front of the entire school, Taichi quickly gestured his friends and Mimi towards the direction of Todai-Mae station north of the campus. Taichi took the lead as his friends followed close behind, bombarding Mimi with questions.
Mimi knew Taichi's only fear, that someone else would recognize Japan's number one idol - although Mimi had always been confident with her disguises, the couple would only make public outings around Taichi's rural apartment. The streets near Todai were busy with people, not just students but as it was nearing rush hour and as the weather was warm, Taichi had to weave in and around the crowds, leading the group down the street.
"Stop, stop!" Yūko called.
Taichi turned toward the girl to find her clutching the hem of her skirt, breathing heavily. Mimi was supporting the girl from falling. Mimi watched as Taichi immediately softened his expression.
"Sorry, sometimes I forget I'm not the only one." He offered his hand to Yūko.
"Oi!" Ichiro suddenly spoke up, the group finding him point at a building. They were on a street surrounded by generic narrow office buildings, but Ichiro was pointing towards the one unique from the group - the first floor residents had decorated their storefront with a yellow facade.
"Ma Poule" Mimi heard Taichi carefully whispered - he had a rare ability for foreign languages, which surprised her at first but it would explain why he got into politics.
It was a small French style restaurant, with a few customers seated from what Mimi could make out from spying in through the glass front. She watched Taichi scowled - she knew what he was thinking, it was going to be expensive. She knew he wanted to decline but his friends were already half way inside and Mimi grabbed his arm before he could react.
"Irasshaimase!" The waitress greeted.
"Ojamashimasu." Ichiro expertly responded, "Yon-nin onegaishimasu!"
Taichi's eyes widened as he was given the menu. He looked towards her, Mimi was use to this, as she would often be treated to business meetings with the other idol girls - She knew sometimes it didn't dawn on him that she was Japan's number one idol. His friends Yūko and Ichiro didn't look out of place at such a setting - they came from elite families after all. Taichi was a fish out of water - she grabbed his hand to settle him.
"Don't worry." She leaned into Taichi's ear, "My treat."
It left Taichi unsettled. Mimi knew Taichi hated it when he was not in control. Taichi had always been the leader growing up, he had told her he selfishly liked when Mimi would rely on him.
He sighed.
Before long, the waitress took their orders and returned with a bottle of wine - both of Taichi's friends expertly navigated through the foreign menu. She too didn't have any difficulties ordering. Taichi on the other hand, struggled. Taichi was being thoughtful of her, he kept eye more expensive dishes on the menu but kept return to the cheapest item he could find - in the end she had to order for him and Taichi was not happy with her - but a wink of her eyes softened his expression.
"Mi-chan, I know you told us Taichi is your childhood friend, but how did you become his girlfriend. I mean we haven't been friends with Taichi long, but he's not exactly the type of ask out a girl like you."
"Would you believe," She smirked and could see Taichi was nervously gnawing on the baguette from the breadbasket, "I was once kidnapped by a large frog of a man whom was a studio executive and wanted me to merry him because of my great singing voice. Well, Taichi was having none of that, so one day he broke into the large frog's house and demanded he release me and declared his undying love for me. Oh and the large frog fell in love with Taichi's voice instead!"
Taichi's friends were speechless and in awe of her story - Taichi himself was motionless, his half finished baguette hung from his mouth.
"That was a lie!" She stuck out tongue and struck a pose to look cute, "Actually, I moved away to America when we got into middle school and returned for high-school. Taichi told me he missed me so much that he never wanted to let me go again!"
Mimi spied Taichi frowning. It wasn't total lie. Yagami Taichi had confessed to Tachikawa Mimi after inviting her to the roof of their high-school. It was out of the blue, but he had matured after they separated as children and she fell in love with him that very moment.
"But I thought that it was taboo for idols to be dating." Ichiro stated.
It was Mimi's turn to frown.
Taichi sighed again, "That's why I never told you guys in the first place. Mimi's not allowed to date."
"Taichi and I have only been seeing each other in private and only our best friends know. We don't get a lot of time together, seeing that I don't want to distract Taichi from his studies and I'm always on the road for concerts. Now that it's almost summer, Taichi will have more free time, so I wanted to spend as much time with him as possible before the summer break ends!" Mimi showed a somber smile before taking a sip of her wine.
"Please don't tell anyone else!" Taichi suddenly cried as he slapped his hands together in order to beg his friends.
His friends did not push the matter further. They made small conversation before the waitress returned with their dinner in hand.
Mimi gestured for the waitress after taking a single bite of her chicken dish. Taichi recognized the determined look on her face and new what was to come. He braced himself.
"Can I have a word with the chef?" She politely asked.
"Is there something wrong with your dish? I can ask the chef to prepare another." The waitress responded with distress.
"No nothing is wrong!" Mimi assured the girl, "I just want to know where the chef learned to cook!"
Taichi could see stars in her eyes. Mimi had an obsession with cooking and Taichi was often the target of her experiments - not any different than being his mom's test subject.
Soon they were joined by the chef and Mimi could feel an uncontrollable urge to find out every bit of knowledge the poor man had.
It was Taichi who finally broke up Mimi's conversation with the chef. Mimi was oblivious to the poor chef's struggle as she continued to pile on more and more questions.
Mimi could only apologize to Taichi's friends.
"So it is true! Mi-chan's profile said her favourite hobby was cooking!" Yūko had pulled up Mimi's idol profile on her phone.
O O O
"That was good!" Taichi's friend Ichiro declared, stretching his arms and patting his stomach as they existed Ma Poule.
The girl Yūko was more refine and lady like, checking her watch, "It's already this late!"
Taichi too checked his flip-phone for the time. It was late and Mimi knew the last train back to Taichi's apartment would be leaving soon.
"I better get back home soon!" Yūko declared before bowing to the group.
"Same here," The boy, Ichiro stated as they watch Yūko run off towards the JR Station, "Thanks for the meal. And Taichi, you owe me one for not tell me you had a girlfriend!"
Mimi held Taichi's hand as they watch the boy Ichiro run off, disappearing into the crowded streets of the Bunkyo neighbourhood.
"I should be getting home too." Taichi announced breaking the silence as they walked the streets aimlessly.
She pulled on his arm, now allowing him to leave. Mimi knew she was being selfish but she had not seen Taichi in weeks and she did not want to leave his company so soon.
"You know," Mimi whispered into Taichi's ear, "Today is a safe day."