She sat in the cold office, located above the studio where the rest of the group was practicing and eagerly waiting for her fate.
The chairman of the group had his hand on his stubble of a beard, his suit dishevel from the chaos she had created. He took the sip from his cigarette. A deep inhale, followed by a long, audible exhale as he looked toward the ceiling lights in thought.
"You've put us in a tough position Tachikawa-san." He finally declared.
Mimi could only looked at the floor with embarrassment, holding back tears. She held the hem of her skirt tightly, using it for emotional support.
The vice-chairman was also present, she was standing by the chairman - emotionlessly looking at Mimi. The vice-chairman took the television remote from the chairman's desk and turned on the small television in the office. It was mute, but the subtitles made it clear.
"National idol caught leaving mysterious boyfriends apartment after spending the night."
The chairman took another puff of his cigarette. Contemplating the sheet of paper in front of him and what the television was showing. There was no denying that it was Mimi on the television, makeup-less and her hair uncombed, leaving Taichi's apartment in Chiba.
The television continued with the report in the background, muted but Mimi could make out the subtitles: An interview with Abe Nozomi, a classmate of national idol Tachikawa Mimi's mysterious boyfriend.
"It's no question you are our number one idol Tachikawa-san and what you've done is inexcusable for an idol. Even without your maidenhood as a selling feature, there is no denying that you have talent and the beauty to continue being an idol." He took another long puff, lost in thought.
"I think that the chairman is trying to say Tachikawa-san, is that we do not understand nor accept your resignation letter. You can simply just do a public apology to your fans and this episode will be over. Of course, this also means you can never see this Yagami boy again."
"That's just it," tears slipped out of her eyes, just the thought itself was horrifying to her, "If I had to choose between Taichi and anything else, I will always choose Taichi."
The chairman was speechless, continued to smoke his cigaret, instead turning to the vice-chairman to say something to Mimi.
The vice-chairman smiled, "I understand Tachikawa-san."
Both Mimi and the chairman looked up to her in surprise.
"Love is tough. It makes us do stupid things. Yet, if I had a chance to go back and choose between love and anything else, I would always choose love."
The vice-chairman started to play with her wedding band, smiling at the memories, "Go!"
Mimi stood up and thanked the vice-chairman with a deep bow. She almost ran out of the office.
"You realized we just lost our best up and coming idol." The chairman declared, squashing his cigarette bud in his ash tray.
The vice-chairman put her hand on his shoulder, "She reminds you of us doesn't she?"
He sighed.
Mimi exited the chairman's office to be met with her fellow idols, all waiting in anticipation of the outcome. Tachikawa Mimi shook her head but quickly replaced her somber look with a smile. She bid her friends good-bye before rushing out of the building.
[Can you meet me at Shiokaze Park? By the children's park?] She quickly typed, navigating between the characters on her phone and people on the street as she rushed towards to Kichijoji Station.
[Is everything alright? Hikari showed me what the news networks are reporting. It's my fault for being careless. If you want to break it off, I'll understand.]
[You're an idiot.] She replied, before stepping on to Narita line, [Make sure you're there. By the children's park.]
It was nearing the morning rush, she had arrived at the studio before dawn, it was her routine. The train was fairly full - Mimi had made sure to step onto the women only car, she didn't have her disguise on.
It was an hour train ride from Kichijoji Station to Tokyo Teleport Station, it gave her time to clear her head. Mimi knew she couldn't stay an idol forever and eventually she would have to choose on a different career path. She had always been indecisive and for a long time she knew what she couldn't pick. This morning activities convinced Mimi that her and Taichi's outing as a couple was a blessing in disguise.
Mimi had arrived out of breath, her hands gripping her large purse as she ran towards their meeting spot. Taichi was already waiting for her - he had found a spot by the waiting area where parents would watch their children play off the large wood ship play-area.
"Mimi!" He called to her as she came into his sight.
She didn't allow him to speak, quickly rushing into his arms for a hug. They stayed silent, as time stood still for them. Mimi closed her eyes, her head listing to his heartbeat. It was calming.
"Mimi…" he started but she kept him quiet with a kiss.
"You talk too much." She smiled at him, watching him relax.
"I'm sorry. It was my fault, I was too careless and selfish." Taichi began, refusing to look into her eyes.
"I already know you're a careless and a selfish idiot, but I love you all the same."
"What about being an idol?"
"I quit."
It left Taichi speechless. Mimi left Taichi's embarrass and motioning him to follow her. She happily skipped alone the boardwalk path of Shiokaze Park, her hands behind her back and with Taichi following behind.
"I got accepted to Cordon Bleu in Shibuya." She declared, turning towards Taichi with a smile.
"That's….that's amazing!" Taichi stumbled.
"Actually, I got accepted back in the spring. I just," Mimi hesitated, "haven't given them a proper answer yet."
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.
"I wasn't sure yet."
"But you love cooking." Taichi argued, following closely behind Mimi.
She watch the ongoing activity within sea port as the continued to walk, "I know. I love cooking, but I also loved being an idol. And I also love you." Mimi turned towards Taichi again, "That's why I've decide to quit being an idol. Because Taichi, if I had to choose between those three, I'll always choose you!"
"Mimi..." He whispered.
"Let's go celebrate!" She suddenly exclaimed, turning towards Taichi with her honest smile, she didn't want to worry him any further.
Taichi returned her smile with one of his own, grab her hands and declared, "Let's goto Tokyo Skytree!"
It was early afternoon before the couple arrived at the entrance of the large tower, already filled with people entering and existing. Mimi and Taichi followed the crowd making their way into the Skytree. She spied her boyfriend and giggled softly as his attention was fully on watching people enter the KFC by the entrance of the tower; even though she made them stop for a quick lunch at Tokyo Station.
Still much too early for their celebratory dinner, Mimi had dragged Taichi to the second floor of Tokyo Skytree, where Tokyo Solamachi was located. As soon as the couple made their way up the escalator, Mimi made a bee-line for the Fashion Zone.
Dragging Taichi through the Fashion Zone was a sort of triumphant parade for Mimi. The area of Tokyo Solamachi was popular with single girls, the majority of the crowd was made of fashionable girls. Mimi grinned as at the corner of her eye, she could see other girls gawking at Taichi as they went from shop to shop. Some in the crowd recognized who she was, but after resigning that morning, Mimi felt a huge weight lifted now that she didn't have to disguise herself.
They soon came upon one of Mimi's favourite shops, INGNI. Mimi soon became lost in her own world, her eyes widen with stars every time she turned to a new corner of the store. She had almost forgotten Taichi was there - it was unusual for the couple to spend time together shopping, instead using what little free time they had for each other just enjoying each other's presence. Mimi hoped that now she was no longer an idol, they would have more time for each other.
"Mimi-chan…" Taichi tried to grab her attention but only found her waving him off, "I'm going to the bathroom, I'll meet you outside."
She barely registered what Taichi had said but ignored him none the less. Her attention was now on a mannequin showcasing the new arrivals, a white neck and long sleeve top paired with a beige jumper skirt. She had fallen in love with the look. Realizing Taichi was not with her, she decide that he too would definitely like this look on her and decided to surprise him with a new purchase. Only she turned to the next corner and fell in love with it's mannequin: a pink laced top and a blue jean skirt.
The chime of the public announcement system woke her from her shopping daze, she already had five pairs of outfits slung around her arms, intending to purchase them. It was nearly five in the afternoon, she had lost track of time as the PA was announcing the opening of dinner service for the small cafes which littered Tokyo Skytree.
Mimi had wanted to goto a small intimate cafe like Udon Honjin Yamadaya on the 6th floor but Taichi went ahead and got them a reservation at 634 Musashi, the most expensive restaurant within Tokyo Skytree and probably the majority of Tokyo.
Taichi was waiting out side of INGNI as he had promised. He looked tired and bored; She had to apologize profusely but he answered with understanding as this wasn't the first time he had gone shopping with her.
Dinner was somber with Taichi, majority of it spent on silence. It was usual for them to spend time together without saying a word, they had developed an easy understanding between the two of them. It was romantic and much needed relief for Mimi.
The couple had decided to wonder the streets near Tokyo Skytree. The streets were busy with night-life and patrons of small cafe and bars came in and out when Mimi and Taichi passed them by. He held her hand, making not a noise as they wondered through glass lite shops.
And soon, after a quick train ride back to Hikarigaoka, Mimi and Taichi found themselves staring at an old playground, surrounded by their parent's apartment.
"This brings back memories." Taichi said, leading Mimi to take a seat at the swing set.
"Do you remember the time you threw up in Sora-chan's hat?" Mimi asked.
"Don't remind me. You know, I held a grudge against you that entire year before we left for summer camp for telling Sora it was me."
"I was jealous," Mimi interjected, an honest smile flushed across her cheeks, "I was always jealous of your relationship with Sora-chan. At first I was jealous that you were taking away my only girl friend but I now know I was jealous of how easy it was for Sora to be friends with you. Deep inside, I just wanted you to notice me."
He sat silent.
She stood all of the sudden and stretched, "Let's go home."
"Mimi wait!" Taichi called after her.
She turned to look at him, too see a determined look on his face. Taichi quickly grabbed a package from his pockets. Mimi spied the brand name covering the package, Samantha Thavasa. He must have bought it at Tokyo Skytree when she was lost in her own world.
"Don't think I forgot." He announced as he opened his package to reveal a diamond ring, "Happy Birthday!"
It wouldn't be her birthday for another week, but she was surprised Taichi had remember at all. The year previous they had spent her birthday out in the countryside of Ueda and he had completely forgotten it was her birthday at all.
Taichi had by now extracted the diamond ring from the package and slipped it onto her finger.
"Ano…Taichi-san…" She wasn't quite sure if he meant it, "When a boy puts a ring on a girl's ring-finger, it means he's purposing."
Taichi fainted.