December is a month that is cherished by many people. Christmas being the main point of happiness, the decoration that enhances the beauty of everything around, and adds up to the festive mood. Other than this one could find happiness in beautiful sights of lands being covered by snow, or even in a warm cup of hot chocolate after tiring day, that feels especially good during cold winter. There are many more things that make this time of the year beautiful, yet there are also things that bring some people down. Days being much shorter and darker, cold weather being the daily struggle of many, and stuff like this.
Airi had been feeling depressed for quite some time already, yet she had been hiding how she truly felt as she didn't want to worry anyone. It's been as if time went back for her, and she felt the same way as she felt prior to creating More More Jump. She started to doubt her own abilities, and felt that she could drag people dear to her down. According to what she thought it already happened before, so it could happen again. She knew how hard they worked in order to get to this point, and didn't want to be a burden to them. Especially to the leader of the group, and her girlfriend, Minori. She was scared that because of their relationship, and how caring she was, she could take actions that would divide them, and the two remaining group members.
One cold afternoon during December the More More Jump group were practicing before the event they were supposed to attend before Christmas. It was a really bad day for Airi, she made a lot small mistakes during that day which made her feel frustrated with herself more than ever. The mistake she made during their final choreography practice was too much for her. She was too frustrated with herself which made her unable to concentrate on her movements, and it led her to fall on the ground. That made her feel so embarrassed. It was just a practice, even her friends were making small mistakes, but they were laughing them off as nothing happened. For Airi it was different, she felt like a complete failure and that particular mistake made her tear up as she ran away to bathroom. No one noticed her tears except for Minori as she spotted them when her girlfriend was leaving. She was really worried about her, Airi wasn't the type of person that would react this way normally. It made her think that something must have been going on and she didn't notice this earlier. She felt guilty as she knew Airi was struggling with self-esteem issues after how the idol agency treated her when she was younger. She looked towards the way that led to bathroom for a little longer thinking about this, and then turned around to Shizuku, and Haruka that were discussing their practice. Both of them were worried about Airi as well although they thought she just had a bad day. The pink haired girl always put on a mask when she felt down in order to not worry anyone around her, and the only person she ever opened up to was her dearest girlfriend, Minori. Which is why she was the only that was seriously concerned about her well-being. She smiled cheerfully at both of them and said with her sweet voice:
"Haruka, Shizuku!! Maybe we should finish for today? We still have quite some time until the event, and Airi is obviously not feeling too well. I'm really worried about her.." . As she said this she showed concern on her face, and briefly looked behind her where the path to the bathroom was.
"Sure I don't mind Minori, what about you Shizuku?" Haruka replied with a sweet smile on her face while looking at Minori and then looked at Shizuku. "Oh I don't mind, I'm worried about Airi as well.. Do you want us two to stay with you?" She replied in a gently soothing voice with puzzled expression on her face.
"No that's not needed.. You two could go already. I will take care of Airi, you don't need to worry about her too much. I'm sure that's what she would want as well!!" Minori said with a cheerful voice trying to make the situation a bit less relaxed. She felt a little bad about not telling all the truth to them but she knew Airi wouldn't be able to open up in front of Shizuku and Haruka.
"I see... You want to comfort her in a way her lover would~ You two are so cute honestly.." Shizuku replied teasing Minori and giggled. "We will be going then Haruka, let's leave these two lovebirds alone. Just remember to give Airi hugs from us two as well!!" she added.
