Work Text:
Always for You
By: Aviantei
[NagiReo Week 2026 6/7]
[Parameters: "Idol AU | Wisdom Teeth Removal | Hurt/Comfort"]
"Eh? Rei's going to become an idol? Doesn't that sound like a hassle?"
Mikage Rei sighs at her childhood friend/fellow actress/girlfriend, Nagi Shizu. The other girl is sprawled out on the couch, phone in hand as she taps away at some mobile game or another (this one looks like a rhythm game), not even bothering to look up. Rei would be offended if she didn't know that this is just Shizu-chan's default. Besides, if she'd wanted to have Shizu-chan's full and undivided attention, there are a number of ways to accomplish that. Just wanting to relax after her busy day of filming a commercial followed by a photoshoot, Rei drops down in the seat next to Shizu, who finishes up the song with a full combo before snuggling up to Rei's side.
"You think any kind of work sounds like a hassle," Rei says, and Shizu pouts. She can't deny it, though; if they're not cast together in a show or movie, it's a struggle to make Shizu take on any work at all. "But I think I wanna give it a try! Chigiri-chan and Kuni-chan asked me to form a unit with them, and all three of us together have the looks and talent to go far. Plus it'll piss my parents off to put the time into it, so why wouldn't I give it a shot?"
The Mikage family is how Rei ended up as a child actor in the first place. At the start, it was just commercial shoots for the Mikage Corporation's products. Rei was cute and skilled, more than capable of memorizing scripts and putting on a pretty smile for the camera. Her parents figured it would be good PR to have their adorable daughter as the media face of the company, plus it would get her involved in the family business early.
It didn't take long for the in-company ad billings to turn into offers to perform in films and dramas. Skilled child actors were a rare type of gem, and Rei's always been a super elite. Her parents decided it would be more good PR for the Mikage Corporation to have Rei turn into a child star, and she succeeded. Some of it was family connections, yes, but most of it was thanks to her hard work and acting merit.
However, Mikage Rei is never one to stay satisfied with what she already has. Idol work is similar enough to acting in plenty of ways, due to the whole celebrity of it all, but there's plenty of new skills to master. Just thinking about it is enough to make her excited, so she just about agreed on the spot whenever Chigiri and Kunigami approached her.
But it wouldn't be fair to Shizu-chan to do this without her permission…
Shizu has taken a while to roll the idea around her mind, which is to be expected. In the end, she nods, though. "Alright. If Rei wants to do it, then she should do it."
That was…easier than expected. "Are you sure? You don't have to agree just because I want to do it."
"But why not? I'm not gonna be mean like Rei's parents." Shizu pouts a little. "I'm sure you'll be extra busy with the work, but I'll hang around during practice and go to all of your shows, plus I like when Reo sings."
Which is sweet and all. Super sweet, even, and Rei's heart is about to melt. But while the schedule was one concern she had, it wasn't even close to being the top of the list. "Okay, but…you know idols aren't allowed to date, right?"
Shizu drops the water bottle she'd picked up from the table for a drink, going stock still. No, she didn't know, it seems, and Rei can't tell if that makes this conversation better or worse. "That's…not some stupid plot device they use in manga and dramas and stuff?" Rei shakes her head, and Shizu latches onto her arm. "Then Rei can't do it. Rei's not allowed to break up with me."
"I wasn't going to break up with you!" That was never an option in the first place, which was why Rei wanted to have this conversation in the first place. Shizu doesn't look any less like a kicked puppy about it, though, which isn't making things any easier. Desperate to salvage the discussion, Rei cups Shizu's face in her hands. "Shizu-chan, look at me. I am not going to break up with you, even if I become an idol."
"Oh. Good. Rei's not allowed to break up with me." Rei grins, as pleased as always to have Shizu's blunt declarations of her feelings. Now that the immediate crisis is averted, Shizu is able to consider the other logistics of the situation. "Wait. If Rei becomes an idol, that means we'll keep our relationship a secret?"
"Well, it's not like we're public yet or anything, so I figured that much wouldn't change. We would just need to be more careful." Not that relationship rumors don't impact actresses at all, but they're not the same death sentence that they can be for idols. "Besides, you've said dealing with a relationship being public is a hassle, anyways."
Shizu does not look convinced, which is a bit concerning, since Rei was kind of counting on that argument. It's not like Rei wants to keep their relationship a secret forever, but she also wants to respect Shizu's wishes, and that happens to include her thoughts and feelings on the whole idol thing. If Shizu doesn't want them to need to keep their relationship hidden, then Rei will just have to accept that. Besides, if she wants to sing, there's no reason she can't just have a solo career outside of the idol industry, either.
"I've got it." Shizu's expression gets excited in that subtle little way that Rei loves. "If idols can't date, then let's get married."
"That's…the exact same problem, treasure."
"Oh." Shizu's face falls. "That's dumb. Why?"
"Well, I mean…" Rei knows the reason, but she also knows her treasure, and her treasure isn't going to be impressed. "For some people, part of the fantasy of stanning an idol is thinking you have a chance with them?"
Shizu's expression darkens all over again. "Where do all these losers get off thinking they have a chance with Rei?"
"They don't, but it's a good marketing strategy if they can pretend they do." Is it stupid? Yes, of course. But the numbers don't lie, and industry is all about money. Rei's interested in perfecting the artistry of it over everything, but she won't ignore that profits make it easier to creatively do whatever you want. "I'm not going to have to act like I'm into them or anything. The most I'll do is sing some love songs or whatever, and their imaginations can do the rest." Shizu still doesn't look satisfied, and Rei perches herself on what free couch cushion there is next to Shizu's knees, leaning over so Rei's hair forms a curtain between them and the rest of the world. "Besides, if I sing anything like that, I'll be singing to you, you know that, right?"
There isn't anyone else in the world that Rei would ever want to write love songs about.
"Mm. Just like when we're acting, then," Shizu says, and Rei nods. Not that either of them accepts roles with romances often (much to the dismay of anyone who tries to book them), but the concept is the same. Rei takes both of Shizu's hands in hers, squeezing her girlfriend's fingers, and Shizu squeezes back. "I guess it'll be okay, so long as Rei promises she won't sing for anyone else."
Rei laughs. "I'm always going to do it for you, treasure."
Shizu takes advantage of their connected hands to pull Rei down on top of her, nuzzling up against her neck and sighing in contentment. Rei squirms a little to get more comfortable, but she ends up staying put. It's cozy, lying together like this, and Rei can't resist pressing a soft cheek to Shizu's cheek that her girlfriend ends up returning threefold. Rei giggles, returning the favor back, and they kiss a little bit before Rei rests her forehead against Shizu's with a content sigh.
"Thank you for this, treasure. And if you still wanna get married after I graduate, then you'll have plenty of time to come up with a better proposal, too." Rei's going to have the best possible idol career, go out in style, and then enjoy the rest of her life with Shizu by her side, forever and ever.
She should let Chigiri and Kunigami know the good news, but it can wait a little longer. Right now, Rei has a girlfriend to snuggle with, and no one's going to stop her.