In December, snow blanketed Tokyo, particularly in bustling Shibuya. The delicate flakes fell steadily, creating a serene contrast to the busy streets filled with people hurrying about.
"Fight the Chill~!" Kourin's voice rang out from an electronic billboard, where her bright image graced a winter-themed commercial. Dressed in cozy, fuzzy attire, the blonde idol smiled as she pulled down her sleeve to reveal a heat patch snugly adhered to her arm.
"Here now in Shibuya! Super Eco Heat Patches! They keep you warm and fight off the cold!" she exclaimed, holding up a box of the product. The backdrop shifted to a brightly lit store. "Buy them now at your nearest convenience store for a special limited price of 380 yen!"
The advertisement cycled through, eventually returning to Kourin's cheerful face.
Standing beneath the billboard, Kourin watched her commercial unfold, dressed in her winter clothes, complete with a snug snow cap, sunglasses, and a mask to conceal her identity from fans.
"I should've picked a different commercial…" she murmured, a hint of annoyance creeping into her tone as she scrutinized her own smiling face holding the box. 'But they are quite nice to use,' she conceded with a sigh that escaped as a white puff through her mask.
As the pedestrian light turned green, Kourin glanced down and joined the crowd, her thoughts wandering. "I need to rethink my sponsorship with them."
Today marked a winter holiday for Kourin; she had no scheduled activities, granting her precious free time until early January. With a sense of determination, she made her way toward a large apartment building nestled beside the road, stepping inside and leaving the snowy world behind.
Within a spacious apartment, the cheerful atmosphere of the holiday season stood in contrast to the brisk chill of December outside. Kourin stepped inside, shaking off the cold as she removed her snow cap and jacket.
"I'm here!" Kourin called out, peeling off her sunglasses and mask.
"Finally~!" Rekka exclaimed, darting past the entrance while balancing a freshly cooked Christmas chicken in her oven gloves. "You're late, Kourin~!" She hurried off to another part of the room, adding, "We're almost done cooking the Christmas meal!"
"Say that to the tons of snow I had to trudge through to get here," Kourin replied, a hint of annoyance creeping into her voice as she took off her shoes and set them aside. With a heavy sigh, she walked in, hanging her coat and snow cap on the rack. "And blame yourself for not giving me a heads-up about this surprise Christmas party."
"It's a surprise for a reason!" Rekka retorted, rushing back into the kitchen where Suiko was busy decorating a Christmas cake. The light blue-haired teen looked up, her focus momentarily broken.
"You really don't understand the meaning of 'surprise,' do you?" Kourin sighed, stepping into the kitchen. "well? is there anything you need help with?"
"Just that the stew needs some more pepper and carrots," Suiko said, glancing at the pot simmering on the stove. "And add some strips of chicken from the fridge, too."
"In the fridge…" Kourin walked over, rummaging through the contents until she pulled out a container of chicken meat. "Here they are."
She placed the container by the stove, donned an apron, and washed her hands before expertly cutting the chicken and carrots into bite-sized pieces. "And then for the pepper…" Kourin grabbed the pepper shaker from a shelf while stirring the stew with a ladle. She tapped the shaker a few times, sprinkling in the black condiment.
Kourin stirred the ladle in the pot for about five to seven minutes, ensuring everything was cooked perfectly.
"Finished?" Suiko asked, coming to Kourin's side after completing her decoration of the Christmas cake. The aroma wafting from the pot made her smile. "The smell is nice!" She took a small bowl, leaning it toward the stew as Kourin scooped out a sample. "And the taste…" She blew on the contents a few times to cool it before taking a sip. "It's delicious!"
"Then that's done." Kourin turned off the stove and reached for a ceramic pot, pouring the stew in. "This means all of the Christmas dishes are ready, right?"
"Yeah." Suiko nodded, glancing at the clock. "And by now, the others should be…"
DING DONG~!
The doorbell rang, and Kourin and Suiko turned toward the entrance.
"I'll get it~!" Rekka shouted, darting to the front door. She flung it open, welcoming three women wearing sunglasses and masks, just like Kourin had. "Welcome~!"
"Sorry for being late!" one of the newcomers said, shaking off snow. The speaker was Usui Yuri, a sports model from Caesar Entertainment Agency, known for training sports models and selling sporting goods. "my company had me do a last minute commercial for new sport goods!"
"Ours as well," chimed in Tokura Misaki, a tall girl with long lilac hair and teal eyes, dressed in a green shirt and white skirt. She was a model/idol from Q4 Agency. "My uncle was swarmed when our company was selling special idol goods during the holidays."
"The same with mine," added Narumi Asaka, who had shoulder-length blue hair and wore a blue one-piece dress and black stockings. She was a model from A4 Agency. "Fans tend to target the limited Christmas goods at the beginning of December."
"I guess we all have it tough…" Rekka giggled. "People were literally hunting for old ultra-rare goods that were sold when we were still a group."
"Which is why we need to make our solo careers a big hit before we can reform," Suiko noted as she came out of the kitchen with a large bowl of salad in her hands, she was then joined by Kourin, who was carrying the ceramic pot filled with stew with oven gloves on. "We need to boost our sales and make it even more profitable for our company."
"Yes~!" Rekka replied, her excitement contagious.
"Come on, we're going to start now." Kourin motioned toward the living room, where the Christmas dinner was set up. "We can't start the party without you guys."
"We know!" the guests replied in unison as they entered the room.
The Christmas party was a gathering held by the Ultra-rare group alongside their idol friends, a chance to celebrate the end of the year and catch up on their careers.
"Now, for a toast to begin the party!" Rekka declared, raising a glass of non-alcoholic sparkling wine. Everyone else followed suit, glasses in hand. "Ready~!? Go~!"
"CHEERS~!" The girls clinked their glasses together, laughter filling the room as they began their festive dinner.
The spread included Christmas cake, stew, chicken, and drinks, creating a joyful atmosphere.
"As always, Suiko's cake is delectable," Yuri said, taking a bite of her slice. She turned to Suiko. "You really need to share the recipe."
"It's a simple recipe I found online," Suiko replied, giggling at the compliment.
"So, how was the modeling trip to Europe for you two?" Rekka asked Misaki and Asaka.
"It was a terrible experience at first, but you get used to it by the first week," Misaki said with a shrug. "All in all, it was a nice visit to a different country."
"Say that to the thousands of European fans that tried to swarm us," Asaka retorted, rolling her eyes.
"Even outside of Japan, we don't get any privacy, do we?" Kourin commented, taking a sip of her drink.
As the evening progressed, conversation flowed easily among the girls, allowing them to enjoy this rare moment together amidst their busy schedules.
"Changing the subject from work…" Rekka's teasing glint turned toward Misaki, causing her to flinch. "How's your love life with lover boy, Misaki~?"
"U-um… that's… a… no comment!" Misaki stammered, her embarrassment evident as she tried to hide her face behind her hair.
"There's no hiding from us, you know?" Asaka smirked. "We won't let you escape without sharing some juicy details."
"Come on, cough it up!" Yuri urged, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Even in the sports industry, news travels fast about your dating life!"
"And it spreads to us too!" Suiko added with a giggle while Kourin remained silent but intrigued.
The girls (minus Kourin) looked at Misaki with playful teasing. Misaki's face flushed as she knew they were referring to her relationship with Kai Toshiki, another idol from her agency. The two had started dating during a team-up project and had grown close since then.
"Th-that's… um…" Misaki attempted to escape, but Asaka and Rekka held her back. "Come on! It's private! I can't just—"
"Can't just what~?" Rekka teased, her smile widening. "You can't tell us because you want to keep things extra private with lover boy~?"
"Maybe it's because of this?" Yuri said, pulling out her phone to show a poster image of Misaki modeling with a handsome, spiky-haired young man. "Right~? I heard from my manager that you and he really got along well even before the team-up."
"Th-that's—!" Misaki stuttered, her flustered expression only intensifying as the others pulled out their phones, bombarding her with photos of her and Kai. "Th-that's~!"
RING~!
A phone's ringtone interrupted the teasing, and everyone turned to Misaki as she checked her message from her phone.
"Is it from lover boy~?!" Rekka exclaimed, peeking at the screen and squealing. "It is~! He texted 'Merry Christmas' and asked if you're available for a date at the Christmas park this week!"
"Rekka! You!" Misaki shot an angry glare at Rekka, though her irritation was mixed with embarrassment.
"Hurry up and text him back! And remember to say yes!" Yuri urged, her excitement palpable. "That place is famous for couples tying the knot! Hurry!"
"Shut up! I'll reply when I—" Misaki protested, but Asaka snatched her phone, quickly typing, "Okay, I'll meet you there. Love you," before handing it back.
"No need to thank me," Asaka chuckled, taking a sip of her drink.
"Asaka!" Misaki fumed, her cheeks burning. "You little!" She felt both angry and embarrassed as her friends continued to pry into her private life. "I hate you all!"
"Even if you say that, we know you're happy to be with him, right?" Suiko said, giggling. "I'm still trying to believe how you two ended up together after that one rainy night."
"Yeah, it all sounded like a fairy tale from you and the news," Kourin added, her tone somewhat playful.
"We were just late for the bus, and then it rained…" Misaki began, her face turning crimson. "His house was far, mine was closer… I felt bad and…"
"you just took him to the bed?" Rekka said with a sparkle in her eyes.
"NO!" Misaki exclaimed. "I just invited him to stay for the night and that's it!"
"Is that so~?" Yuri and Asaka looks teasingly at Misaki who look infuriated at them.
"it is! And I dare you to try and make more fun at me!" Misaki said before she takes out her phone and showed photos of Asaka and Yuri with two men. "try against me and I'll use these!"
"t-that's!" Asaka and Yuri looks shocked. "how did you get those!?"
"You think I'm the only one trying to keep my private life a secret?" Misaki asks with a smirk growing on her lips.
Just like with Misaki, Yuri and Asaka are also keeping the secret that they are also dating someone. The two idols keeping it a secret as to not make too much of a problem for their career and their boyfriends.
"I've known Asaka's partner for months, but how did you find out about mine!?" Yuri said while ignoring an angry 'Hey?!' from Asaka.
"From your brother who was very helpful." Misaki replied and Yuri instantly looked murderous.
"That little piece of shit~!" Yuri spoke in a dark voice as she made a vow to kill her sibling named Usui Gai.
"alright, alright. Let's all calm down." Suiko said after clapping her hands twice. "I know we're all interested in Misaki's love life along with Yuri's and Asaka's, but let's try to keep things moderate at best, okay?"
"you're just saying that cause you feel jealous that they could get boyfriends while you can't because of how you're much older than us, right?" Rekka said before she received a quick hit to the head by Suiko which made a red bulge appear. "ow~!"
"Seriously? You still couldn't find one for you, Suiko?" Yuri asks while in the middle of refilling her drink glass. "What about that Miwa guy Misaki introduced to you six months back? He's nice, right?"
"He's nice but a little too childish for me." Suiko replied while shrugging her shoulders. "I might not have any luck finding one for me this year."
"same here." Rekka said while looking bored. "Most guys these days are after tall girls with nice assets." She sighs as she looks at how her friends are all developed in several areas. "must be nice having such good bods, huh?"
"it's nice and all but can be a bit of a hectic at times." Misaki replied before massaging her right shoulder. "it's hell on our shoulders."
"did you really have to point that part out?" Rekka moaned out with a deadpanned face.
"Then what about Kourin?" Asaka asked, glancing at Kourin, who made a noise in response. The blonde paused mid-drink. "How is your love life?"
"Nothing's changed," Kourin replied, setting her glass down. "Same old, same old."
"The guys we introduced to you didn't fit your expectations?" Asaka probed, and Kourin nodded, prompting a sigh from her. "And here I thought the last guy we introduced would be the one."
"That's what we can expect from her," Rekka chimed in, looking bored. "Kourin is cold as always to anyone we try to introduce. We might as well assume she'll be single for life."
"Sorry for having high standards in men," Kourin retorted, annoyance creeping into her voice.
"They have to be good, kind, hardworking, and free of ulterior motives," Misaki chimed in, counting on her fingers. "Those are the expectations you want, right?"
"Your standards are too high; it's nearly impossible to find someone who meets all that," Yuri said, shaking her head. "Can't you lower it a bit?"
"We're models and idols. Any guy we date has to be someone we can trust in our private lives," Kourin asserted, lifting her glass for another sip. "If they can't be trusted, what's the point of dating them?"
"That's harsh, even for you," Asaka said, raising her glass.
"Guess you might stay single forever," Misaki added, her expression sympathetic as she raised her drink to her lips. She paused, suddenly letting out a small noise. "Ah, but there's still Aichi…"
"Aichi? Kourin's current manager?" Suiko asked, and Misaki nodded.
"How do you know him?" Rekka inquired, curiosity evident. "Other than being from the same agency?"
"He's been training as a manager at Q4 Agency since he finished college about five years ago," Misaki explained, taking a quick sip of her drink. "He interned as Kai's manager for about three years and did quite well."
"So you know him through your boyfriend, huh?" Yuri teased, a playful smile on her face.
"Not the point, but yes. I know Aichi from Kai," Misaki said, shooting Yuri an annoyed look. She sighed before returning to the topic. "He's good at his job, just like his little sister, who was hired a few months back, but he gets easily flustered and nervous around women."
"What? Does that mean he's scared of girls?" Yuri asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know all the details, but I've heard from Kai and Emi that Aichi has always been timid around women since he was little," Misaki replied with a shrug. "I saw it firsthand when I first met him."
"That explains a lot," Kourin mused, recalling how Aichi always seemed nervous, timid, and flustered when working with her. "He gets so clumsy when I talk to him."
"Do you think he's a good match for Kourin?" Asaka asked, glancing at Suiko. "He has some redeeming qualities, like Misaki said, right?"
"He's nice and all, but he's still Kourin's manager," Suiko noted, stroking her chin thoughtfully. "Relationships between staff aren't exactly allowed at our company."
"But he's not a member of our company; he's only contracted to work with us, right?" Rekka pointed out, raising a hand. "Wouldn't it work?"
"Hey, why are you all discussing this like you're planning something?" Kourin said, irritation creeping into her voice, but her friends ignored her. She sighed and downed her drink in one gulp. 'Always thinking about me getting together with someone, and with him of all people'. She glanced out the window at the snow still falling over the city. 'This is going to be a long winter.'
Kourin continued to watch the snow as her friends chatted excitedly about the possibility of her and her blue-haired manager.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye