Chapter Text
Airi sat down near the fence of the rooftop, contemplating. For months, she’d feel this warm, comforting, but uneasy feeling around her idol partner, Minori. At first, Airi passed this off as a regular thing she was supposed to feel around people she cares about.
But it was different around Minori. She didn’t feel out of breath, nervous, yet extremely happy around her beloved family members and her other idol mates—so it made her think. When Minori would ask her to help with dancing alone, she almost didn’t accept knowing how weird she would start to feel. There’s no reason for this…
Her swarm of thoughts came to a steady halt when she found Shizuku walking up to her.
“Airi-Chan, why are you here all by yourself for lunch?” She had a small frown plastered on her face.
“Oh, Shizuku,” Airi responded slowly, turning her drooped head to look at her. “—I just felt like being by myself…don’t worry.”
That wasn’t really a lie, was it?
“I see, so would you prefer if I left you be?” Shizuku smiled faintly, looking at Airi with care.
“Actually…” A thought sparked into Ai’s head. “I want to ask you something, sit down.” Airi asked, patting the area adjacent to her lightly.
Shizuku sat—a little too close—next to Airi. Humming as she plopped down on the concrete.
Shizuku looked at Airi with a tilted head.
“So…er…” Airi felt like her question was silly.
It’s Shizuku, she won’t mind.
“If you were to have a friend you cared about a lot…” Airi dragged on.
“Ugh..” She spat, shaking her head profusely.
“Okay, Shizuku. I think I’m in love with Minori.” Airi decided to just say what was on her mind. A faint line of blush coated her cheeks and nose,
“Eh!?” Shizuku’s eyebrows raised farther than the clouds.
“Oh…” Her confused expression turned into a grin.
“Airi, you’re a romantic!! Awww, so cute!!” She’d exclaim, pulling Airi into an embrace.
“SHIZUKU!” Airi roared, trying to pull away from Shizuku’s tight hug.
“No, no…it’s just—so confusing! I don’t actually know if I like her…I just start feeling super weird whenever we’re alone.”
Shizuku’s grip lightens.
“Airi-Chan, how exactly do you start to feel around her?” Shizuku inquired as she pulled out the lunch she almost forgot to eat.
“Like, uh—warm. And nervous…and….really giddy and excited?” “I don't feel like myself…”
“Mmm,” Shizuku downed her food.
“I fink Shii-Chan was sahing she delt da saum wae ahrund her band mates!” Shizuku said with her mouth full of lunch.
Airi could still understand her, though.
“Right, so does that mean I actually like her or not?” Airi was begging for an answer.
“Mm, I think so!” Shizuku said, aloof.
Airi sighed a long sigh.
“Okay…but Minori likes Haruka, correct?” Airi’s voice sounded defeated.
“I mean, I don’t know if it’s romantically, but she really looks up to her of course…” Shizuku seemed to wonder the same thing.
Airi held her face in her hands.
“Airi-chaaan…” Shizuku couldn’t help but feel bad for her dear friend, both corners of her mouth drooped in sorrow.
Shizuku’s arms wrapped around Airi lovingly.
“Y’know…this whole thing kind of stunted my growth as an idol—always overthinking about Minori and all…” Airi sounded almost annoyed at herself, holding back from swearing.
“It’s okay Airi-Chan, whether she reciprocates your feelings or not, I’ll always love you!” Shizuku beamed, sincerely.
Shizuku always knew how to bring someone’s mood up, no matter what.
Later on, Airi was walking home. No practice was scheduled for today, so she had no reason to stay.
As she listened to one of her favorite songs, ‘Angels Clover’, she started to feel that warm bliss she always felt around her beloved.
Her…idol partner.
From afar, Minori spots Airi walking sort of slow. Haruka wanted to play basketball with someone named “An”, so Minori was left by her lonesome. However, to her surprise, Airi wasn’t completely gone yet.
Her legs started to dash in her direction.
“AIIIRIIII-CHAAAAANNNNNNN!!!” Minori yelled happily.
IS THAT MINORI? DID I SUMMON HER? THERE'S NO WAY—
Minori appeared next to Airi, to her dismay. And also to her—happiness. Her utter joy.
She turned off her music.
“Minori…hey.” Her face reddened and a smile formed quickly.
“Why are you walking so slow? It’s pretty cold out, I’d want to get home as soon as possible!” Minori said. It felt like a beautiful chant to Airi.
“I…don’t…know. I have to get my steps in, though.”
Why do I always tell her blatant lies?
“Mmkay, Airi-Chan!” Minori sang. “I’ll accompany you then!” Minori was walking slightly ahead of Airi, so she slowed her pacing.
“Minori…” Airi loved saying her name. She meant to say it in her head this time, though.
“Hm?”
Her mind went somewhere else, almost as if Minori wasn’t there.
“I love you. I really do.”
Airi’s voice sounds as soft and gentle as Kanade-chans…
WAIT WHAT IS SHE SAYING?
“YOU? YOU WHAT!” Minori was taken aback by her unlikely speech and her soft words.
Somehow, Minori’s loud response didn’t take Airi out of her head.
“The way you always keep trying, your ambition, your singing voice, the way you look so bubbly and happy dancing…I love it all…” Airi went on. “I wish I could just say it to you though.”
“Airi-Chan you—you are saying it to me.” The tint of Minoris' face appeared a soft red.
“Yeah right…my brain is always tricking me.” Airi seemed sad, but peaceful.
…
“AIRI-CHAN WAKE UP!!!” Minori shouted, shaking the life out of Airi.
“EH? MINORI, YOU'RE ACTUALLY THERE? My mental health is really going down the drain…” Airi trailed on as Minori stopped shaking her.
Airi just realized she was saying something prior, something she didn’t want to.
“Wait. Oh—oh shit. No, wait um…”
“Airi-Chan…about what you said…”
“NO! You didn’t hear anything.” Airi turned her face from her.
Man what the fuck is up with me.
“No, wait!” Minori gently laid her hand on Airi’s shoulder.
This action made her head jolt in Minori’s direction.
“Um. You, do you…do you like-like me?” Minori asked, eyes full of wonder–and sounding like a toddler.
“Jesus…uh—I don’t know. I think.” Airi admitted, as blatant and genuine as she could.
“Well…if—if you do then…”
Minori paused.
“I…like-like you too, Airi-Chan .” She almost sounded afraid of saying ‘love’.
Whaaaaaaaaaaat.
“Hah, ha…aha…Minori, smack me.” Airi…requested.
“What? Why? I swear, this isn’t a dream...”
“But if you insist.”
Minori lightly tapped Airi’s warm face.
“That—is not a smack…but I believe you regardless.” Airi smiled warmly.
I didn’t think this would happen today…but god damn am I happy.
“Wait—Airi-Chan…does this mean I can ask you to be my girlfriend!?” Minori’s eyes lit up with passion.
“Yes—
“MOMOI AIRI WILL YOU BE MY GIRLFRIEND!?” Minori shouted out.
“AH—! Uh…hah…yes..yes I will.”
“I CAN HOLD YOUR HAND NOW! Wait—can I?” Minori had a bundle of questions.
Airi swiftly grabbed her girlfriend's hand in hers.
Her girlfriend.
As doing so, she softly nodded.
“This is pure bliss…” Minori sighed, leaning on Airi’s shoulder.
“We should really get home now…”
The next day, as the bright sun rose—Minori gained consciousness.
“Hmm..Airi-Chan…” She said, sleepily.
“Wait…I can give her cute nicknames…and cuddle with her…and…and…”
“AND KISS HER!” Minori almost woke up the whole house.
Covering her mouth quickly, she chuckled to herself.
This is amazing…I love Airi-chan...
After Minori had her routine breakfast—strawberry pancakes and scrambled eggs, she decided she must update all of her friends on her new relationship.
She tapped her contacts and landed her finger on “kohane-chan! 🐹🎤”
Ring, ring, ring.
“Minori-chan, hello?” Kohane could be heard on the other end. She sounded a bit sleepy.
“KOHANE-CHAN! HI! I have something to tell you!” Minori called out.
“Oh, what is it?” She could hear the smile in her voice.
“Airi-chan, from my idol group, and I are dating!”
“Wait…that’s amazing!! You always spoke about Airi-senpai a lot with me and Shiho-Chan!” Kohane felt glad.
“Yes, yes! She confessed to me yesterday while we were walking home!”
“She confessed? Wow, I’m really happy for you both!”
Kohane continued, “My mom finished making breakfast, so I have to go Minori-chan!”
“Bye bye, Kohane—
Kohane hung up the phone, she had a habit of hanging up way too early.
Minori chuckled to herself, ready to call more of her friends.
Airi, on the other hand, wasn’t feeling too great.
Her confession was done haphazardly, and she felt like a fool.
She did get what she wanted though—which she was very happy about. Happier than she could imagine.
Airi sat down at her desk, picking at a plate of Dino nuggets with her fork.
I can’t even eat food right…this girl has ruined me.
She opens her phone to see a missed call from “Haruka ^_^”
“Oh, let me call her back.”
A string of phone rings fill Airi’s empty room.
“Hey, Haruka. Sorry I didn’t get your call before.” Airi talks into her phone as the call was received.
“You’re fine, but I wanted to ask something.”
“Hm?”
“You’re in love with Minori, right?”
Man what the fuck. Did I make it that obvious?
“Yes. What, did she tell you we were dating?” Airi sounded annoyed, but she was just caught up in her nerves.
“Oh. No, she didn’t, but I always saw how uncharacteristically shy you got around her…and I was curious. I’m happy for you two, though.” Airi couldn’t really tell how Haruka truly felt from her monotone voice. Also the fact she couldn’t read her facial expressions…
“You could’ve just texted me if you wanted to be noisy.” Airi remarked.
A chuckle escaped Haruka’s mouth. “You sound so annoyed, did I interrupt something from before?”
“No. But, um…I just feel way too nervous about all of this. Like, us actually being a thing.” Airi wasn’t really open about how she felt all the time about stuff like this, but she couldn’t just keep it to herself.
“You’re dating Minori, Airi. She’s a big, energetic ball of sunshine. Ask her to hang out or something—that’ll melt all your worries away.” Haruka seemed keen on complimenting Airi’s girlfriend.
“Uh-huh. Yeah, you’re right. Don’t compliment her too much though.”
Haruka laughed a little too much. “You’re really funny, Airi. Take care of Minori, please.”
“I’m hanging up.”
Before Airi pressed the red button on her screen, she could hear Haruka chuckling some more.
She’s so protective! It’s really nice to see that side of her…
Haruka smiled ear to ear from her bedside.
Airi thought about Haruka’s idea a little more.
A faint pink appeared on her ears.
“How do I…ask her to hang out…with—with me.” Airi felt so inexperienced.
“I can text her…that’s pretty easy.”
And she won’t be able to hear how nervous I am.
MINORIII ❤️❤️❤️❤️💓💓
Friday, 10:34 pm
I love you Ai!!
Me too 💕 gn.
Read 10:35 pm
Today, 11:28 am
Hey, minori. Can we hang out at my place today? I’m a little lonely.
11:30 am
YES OFC!! WHEN?
As soon as you can :)
OKAY! BE THERE IN 20 💘💘
Read 11:32 am
IN 20?? MINO, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TIME! I know I said as soon as possible but damn…
Airi started to panic. In turn, she rushed her whole outfit.
Looking in the mirror, she wasn’t fond of the reflection. (For the first time.) Her long pink hair was fully down, frizzy, and overall dismantled.
What the fuck.
Airi quickly did her skin routine, put her hair in a small ponytail to create a half up half down look, and put on lip gloss.
Her outfit consisted of a long sleeved shirt with a heart pattern, and soft, pink baggy pants. Her wardrobe was mostly pink items after all.
She’d started getting ready at 11:33. She finished at 11:40.
About a few more minutes…man my heart is racing. Maybe this is happening all too fast…
“Hmm-hm-hm-hmmm~ going to see my girlfriend~” Minori sang to herself. She was walking to Airi’s house.
She wore her hair in pigtails to mimic Airi’s iconic hairdo, dressed in a blue tank top covered by a white, fluffy hoodie. Along with white sweatpants.
The weather wasn’t too bad today, and knowing she’d be in Airi’s home—a tank top would be fine.
Finally standing in front of her door, she knocked politely.
Not noticing she had a doorbell.
“DON’T GET ITT!!” Airi shouted while running down the stairs. Her mom was in her living room.
Airi opened the door.
“Minori…” She still loved saying her name.
“AIRI-CHAN!!” Minori exclaimed, pulling Airi into a hug.
“Can I kiss you?” Minori blurted out.
“A-ALREADY?” Airi easily got flustered by her blunt words.
“Wait—just come inside…”
Minori nodded and smiled.
Upon seeing Airi’s mother, Minori profusely bowed in her direction. In response, she smiled and waved.
They went upstairs to Airi’s room.
“Yay!” Minori said—almost way too loud. “I love being here!!”
“You’ve only been here about two times before this, Mino.” Airi remarked.
“Yeah, I know! And, I love being here!” Minori plopped onto Airi’s bunk bed, laying her back down onto it.
Airi followed, but didn’t lay down. Instead, she hung her head over Minori’s.
“Hi...” Minori’s smile was almost addicting.
“You wanted to kiss, right?” Airi tried her best to stop herself from stammering 20 times.
“Mhm…can we?” Airi seriously wondered how Minori sounded so chill. Like she wasn’t afraid of anything. Despite that, her face was as peachy as her own.
Airi didn’t want to verbally answer, knowing her body wouldn’t let her say it. Instead their faces gradually got closer…
Minori’s lips felt like a dream to Airi. Soft, delicate, and all she’s ever wanted… Just like Haruka said, her anxiety disappeared in mere seconds. She tasted the faint essence of strawberry as their kiss lengthened.
Minori almost lost all of her breath before Airi decided to pull away. (Reluctantly.)
Minori began to pant heavily “I’m…so happy! That was the best kiss I’ve ever had…”
“Have you—kissed before?!” Airi felt disappointed she couldn’t be Mino’s first.
“Samo-Chan!” Minori blurted out.
Airi was overcome by a wave of relief. “…right.”
Looking over Minori, she smiled sincerely.
“Ai-Chan…” Minori started up. “Can we cuddle, please?” Minori’s pupils were so dilated and voice so soft she reminded Airi of a cute, brown cat.
Did she call me Ai? Ai-Chan…I’m in love with how that sounds.
Or maybe how it sounds coming from her…
“Of course…”
I’ve never heard Airi-chan's voice sound so delicate before…I might just be in a long dream right now, but I love every second of it. Also her—her smile. Her hair looks so beautifully messy too—
“Mino?” Airi spoke. Appearing to be concerned.
Minori realized she had zoned out; analyzing each of her mesmerizing features one by one. Just like she did with Haruka.
Yet this time it wasn’t from a beloved fan standpoint, it was…love.
“Right, I’m sorry. Come here!” Minori invited, arms spread out wide, slightly turning towards Airi—who was still sitting near the edge of her bed, slightly nervous.
Airi slowly filled the space between Minori’s arms as she tucked them right near her waist—making Airi feel all warm and fuzzy.
A feeling she used to hate, but now wishes to feel every second. Nuzzling herself into Minori’s hair, her heartbeat slowed…
She almost entirely forgot her excessive worries. Her doubts, the future, and the past. The only thing at the forefront of her mind was Minori. Her warmth, her vanilla scent, her lips, her hair, and everything that made her, her.
In the end, Shizuku was never wrong. Momoi Airi was a romantic after all. So was Hanasato Minori—and she loved that about her.