Chapter Text
Prologue
In the cramped, traditionally styled, quarters of her little cousin's bedroom, Mira let out the first genuine laugh she’d felt in months. The melodic sound rang out to the girl sitting across from her and she smiled so brightly it made Mira’s heart twist. To Mira, Nobara (her little ‘Bara, but only Mira could call her that) deserved so much better than this. She watched her smile and excitedly ramble about her new friend Saori and her school friend Fumi. Nobara had dragged her upstairs as soon as Mira had arrived to tell her everything that had happened since her last visit. Regardless of how happy she was to see her cousin, Mira felt too aware of their family views on both of them. The thought of any of them bringing down Nobara filled her with conviction that she would never let them dim her fire.
She wished she could see her more often. Unfortunately, Mira’s side of the family lived in Korea with her mother’s family. After the death of Nobara’s parents, her father had moved them away, not able to stand the death of his brother. It was beyond her how they could have left Nobara behind after everything that had happened, but deep down Mira knew it was because she was just like her: a problem child. The child in front of her had the same stubborn attitude and rebellious nature reflected in herself. Hell, she could see it right now. Her Nobara’s hair swayed enthusiastically as she talked, cut into an adorable bob, freshly dyed red-orange. Mira’s own hair flowed into vibrant pink pools around her on the floor, and she couldn’t help but think ‘I wouldn’t put it past her to change it to match me’.
No matter how much Mira adored her little cousin, she wouldn’t be fulfilling her cousinly duties if she didn’t torment her at least a little bit.
“Hey No-bar-a…” Mira drawled in a downright evil voice. She watched Nobara freeze in place. The realization of what Mira was about to ask slowly dawned on her, but it was too late now.
Panic flashed over her features for the briefest instant before she schooled her face with an equally evil grin. Always quick to pick up what others put down, Nobara readied herself with a preemptive strike. A syrupy placation dripped from her lips, “Oh don’t worry my dearest cousin, I haven’t just been learning Korean, but English too.” And then because her ‘Bara could never just leave it at that, she tacked “Take that, Mira!” at the end for a little compulsory gloat. Before Mira could fire back a pop quiz, or a compliment, or anything at all, Nobara continued. “And when you come back, I’ll be able to sing ALL your songs!”
“ ‘Bara-“ she stalled for a minute, caught off guard by the vehement display of affection. “I don’t have any songs yet, you know that.” She tried not to let any of her disappointment in the reality of the fact tinge her words. Idol training wouldn’t guarantee anything in the industry, and she really didn’t want to give Nobara the wrong impression of her chances.
But Nobara remained unshaken in her resolve. “You may not have any songs yet, but I know you will one day!” And with that, Mira could take no more. In a display of adoration reserved solely for her little cousin, she moved across the room and crushed her in a hug. Bold and unashamed laughter emanated from within her arms. This child had more belief in her than anyone else she knew. She learned not one, but TWO different languages for her on the chance she may make a name in the idol industry. Pride swelled up and threatened to leak tears from her eyes at how loving and clever she was. Mira might not know how to yet, but she knew she would do anything to protect her.