Shining Stars

Chapter One: All It Takes

Ai struck a pose as she felt herself almost out of breath. Her smile was bright. The lights were on her and the three other girls of B-Komachi. A camera man gave the group a thumbs signaling it was a wrap as Ai went to sit down for a moment, blabbing a bottle of water as she did so, taking a few gulps of water to cool her down. The Twelve year old Ai was not really used to all the work she was being put through, but she loved it. Today was the last day of filming for their debut. Ai was both excited and nervous. Even though she was lying through her teeth during the performance. She loved what she was doing.

Her line of thought was broken as two of the other members of the group were chatting with one another, just loud enough to overhear.

"Come onnnn. Just ask her already, Takamine."

"No way, I can't, Nino, why don't you ask her..!"

The girl named Takamine was clearly hesitant about something but what? Nino gave a tick of her tongue as she turned towards Ai and marched forward. Looking down on her fellow Idol she smiled, her previous annoyance with Takamine was gone.

"Hai Ai! I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go out tonight with the rest of us, you know, celebrate the end of the shoot."

Ai was hesitant at first. She promised (Y/n) she'd study with him that night. Though as Nino leaned in closer to her ear, almost knowing she was hesitating.

"Come on, it'll be fun, plus free food and drinks. My mom gave me a bit of money to take you all out, so what do you say!"

Ai was faced with a difficult decision. Study or go have fun… As much as she wanted to not let down her friend, she was already tired from the long day of filming. A day of relaxing wouldn't hurt her. Right?

"Sure! Where are we going~"

- - - - - -

(Y/n) was sitting in the living room as he worked on an essay for one of his Classes. Alone. Ai wasn't even responding to his texts. Which left him annoyed and worried at the same time. Her lack of a response was unusual to him. She normally would reach out to him if something came up. Sighing. He continued his work, though, the
phone next to him was being clicked on and off every few minutes, meaning he wasn't getting much done. Surely she had a good reason to not be responding to his text. Right?

- - - - - -

Giggles filled the booth as the four preteens were socializing for the first time outside of the studio. It was vital, Ai thought. They needed a strong bond to perform well together.

"And then- and then she was so scared she practically jumped off the couch. It was so funny!"

Nino was barely about to get out. Her laughter about to overtake her voice as she retold a story, one that was meant to embarrass Takamine as she groaned, pouting at her friend.

"Nino stop it! That was years ago, but those things don't scare you anymore."

The aforementioned girl was trying to defend herself, but the smile from her friend showed that she wasn't done yet.

"What about last month we tried to watch that new horror movie? I swear I saw-"

"Stop stop stop!"

She said, clearly embarrassed as she turned red. Nino let out another bit of giggles before turning to Ai, who had been trying to eat her sushi, but failing as her giggles of the embarrassing story. While this was fun, she had to wonder what (Y/n) was up to right now. Flicking her phone on, she saw a text notification. She knew who it was from. She was about to open it up to reply, but, Nino turned to Ai, still trying to stifle her giggles