Lull: Shared Warmth

[December 5th, 09:50 JST]

Tokyo Prefecture – Kaiser Hotel, Reina’s Room

The morning knock came softly.

All six members of Tempesta Unit were already gathered outside the door. No answer followed. They exchanged glances before Momoko gently pushed the unlocked door open with the shared keycard.

“Reina-san? We’re—”

She stopped.

Reina was still asleep, turned slightly toward Emi, one arm draped loosely around her waist. Emi lay tucked close against her, face half-buried against Reina’s chest, breathing slow and even.

The air froze for half a second, then cracked under Momoko’s grin.

“...Ohhh,” she whispered. “So this is what ‘gather in Reina’s room’ looks like.”

Emiko clapped a hand over Momoko’s mouth. “S-Senpai—!” she stage-whispered.

A few muffled chuckles followed.

Behind them, Yuzuriha let out a small giggle, then stilled. She slipped a few pink, star-shaped pills into her mouth and swallowed.

The sound was enough.

Reina stirred, brow furrowing as she surfaced from sleep. Her eyes opened unfocused — then sharpened as she registered the room, the six figures by the door, and Emi pressed against her side.

“...Ah,” Reina said softly.

She carefully shifted, easing Emi away just enough to sit up without disturbing her.

“Don’t wake her,” Reina said in a low, even voice.

The teasing died instantly.

She gestured for the girls to take the empty bed across the room, then picked up her phone, typing a quick message before changing into her casual clothes. When she finished, she returned to Emi’s side and knelt beside the bed.

Reina gently poked Emi’s cheek.

“Emi.”

Emi stirred, blinking blearily — then froze as she realized everyone was staring at her.

“I—! I can explain—!”

Before she could say anything else, a knock sounded at the door.

“Girls,” Takeshi’s voice came from the hallway. “May I come in?”

Reina straightened immediately. “Come in.”

The door opened, and Takeshi stepped inside with his usual calm. He wore a dark blazer over an open-collar shirt, sleeves neatly pressed. His gaze swept the room once before a small smile appeared, eyes settling briefly on the half-awake Emi beside Reina.

“Good morning,” he said. “I hope you all slept well.”

Emi was still half-sitting on the bed, cheeks warm, hair a mess. She bowed quickly. “G-Good morning!”— then bolted to the bathroom.

Momoko grinned. “P-kun says punctuality gets rewarded, right? Looks like we’re starting the day strong.”

Reina cleared her throat and turned to him. “So... P-kun. What’s the schedule?”

Takeshi checked his watch once before answering. “We can head down now. The crew should already be setting up.” He looked around the group. “The shoot will take place in a closed section of the pool park. Feel free to interact with the public while you’re waiting for your turns. Who knows—there might be your fans among them.”

A small cheer rippled through the room.

“This is Yuzu’s first photoshoot,” Yuzuriha said, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.

“We all are!” Emiko said brightly, squeezing her hand. “I’m sure you’ll look cute and pretty—Just like me!”

Yuzuriha paused, then returned the squeeze as a faint warmth stirred in her chest,

Nana leaned toward Misaki. “Hey, what kind of swimsuit do you think would suit me?”

Misaki tapped Nana lightly on the forehead. “Gravure shoots usually use pre-selected designs. We won’t know until we see what they prepared.”

Mika turned away, smirking, her attempt to hide her excitement only half successful.

Momoko clapped her hand once. “Alright, P-kun—shall we? I’m hoping they have something cute.” Her eyes flicked toward Emiko and Yuzuriha, still standing close together. “Preferably something that matches.”

Reina watched as Emi emerged from the bathroom, already changed, then gave a small nod. A hint of smile touched her lips.

“Alright,” she said. “P-kun. Lead the way.”

They filed out together, chatter rising as the elevator doors closed behind them — teasing, nervous excitement, and laughter overlapping in familiar rhythm.

A short walk later, they passed through a staff-only corridor and emerged into the hotel’s indoor pool park. Warm, humid air greeted them, carrying the sound of flowing water. Slides curved overhead, shallow pools gleamed beneath sunlight filtering through the transparent ceiling.

At the far end of the park, a section had been cordoned off with portable steel barriers. Inside, the photo crew were already at work — adjusting lights, checking cameras, and organizing racks of neatly arranged swimwear.

The racks were arranged by size and style, fabric catching the soft poolside lighting in neat rows. The crew stepped back as the girls approached, giving them space while Takeshi spoke quietly with the person in charge.

Nana reached the display first, eyes already scanning with open curiosity.

“Whoa... these look really nice,” she said, turning her head, “Hey Misaki-san! Pick one for me!”

Misaki stepped forward, fingers brushing the edge of a hanger as she read the tag. She paused for a moment, gaze unfocused, as if a distant memory had surfaced. She then reached for a bright two-piece with bold accents.

“These should make you stand out like the sun.” she said.

Nana grabbed it with a grin, admiring it openly. As she did, Misaki selected another for herself. A simple, dark one-piece with clean lines. A faint smile crossed her face.

Mika scanned the rack more carefully before settling on an athletic-style suit in muted tones. She nodded once, satisfied, though the corners of her mouth lifted slightly despite herself.

Momoko held two hangers up, comparing them for a moment before choosing a playful design in soft green, the color complementing her hair.

“This one feels right,” she murmured.

At another rack, Emiko and Yuzuriha stood close, comparing selections. After a brief exchange, they asked the crew about matching sets. The woman smiled and gestured toward a nearby rack.

They found them. Two matching swimsuits with soft, layered frills and floral trim. One was pink; the other, white, sharing the same pattern in different tones.

Emiko’s eyes lit up. “Yuzu-chan—look! We’re a pair now! This is so cute!” She reached for the pink one immediately.

Yuzuriha hesitated, then nodded, picking up the white.

“Yes... Yuzu think so too.”

Emiko beamed.

Nearby, Emi stood frozen, overwhelmed by the option. She glanced toward Reina, hopeful. Reina smiled and pointed toward the far end of the rack.

Emi followed her suggestion, lifting a modest silver-white two-piece.

“This one,” she said softly, clearly pleased.

Last of all, Reina took her time. She chose a clean, ocean-blue bikini. It was elegant in cut and composed pattern. She turned slightly, catching Takeshi’s eye and holding it up for a moment.

He gave her a small smile and a thumbs-up.

Reina’s chest fluttered before she turned away.

“All set?” she asked the staff member in charge.

“Yes,” he replied. “Once you’re done changing, we’ll begin.”

Reina nodded and gestured for the girls to follow her toward the partitioned changing area — temporary stalls set up beside the pool.

As they moved away, the soundscape shifted.

Beyond the barriers, voices grew louder. Footsteps echoed as the main gates of the pool park opened, allowing waves of visitors inside — families, couples, groups of friends filling the space with motion and noise. A few slowed, curiosity drawn toward the cordoned-off section where the crew was stationed.

The shoot area remained sealed, but the atmosphere had changed.

The session began in quick rotations. Emiko and Yuzuriha were called together first, guided into position side by side as the crew adjusted the lights and angles. Momoko hovered off to the side, openly teasing about how cute the two of them looked together.

Reina followed, elegant and composed, then the rest in short turns. Nana brimmed with energy, Mika sharp and precise in her movements. Misaki quiet and fluid, her control drawing a few impressed glances from the crew. Momoko’s playful poses earned her smiles behind the camera. Emi followed instructions carefully, doing exactly as she was told.

The process was professional and fast. The session was almost over as soon as it began.

While they waited between turns, the barrier no longer felt invisible. Curious onlookers gathered nearby, phones lifting hesitantly. Nana waved back without thinking, laughter spilling as a few visitors snapped photos. Misaki remained beside Nana, watching as she waved to the crowd. A faint smile tugged at her lips as a memory stirred, then faded just as quickly.

Momoko chatted easily, trading jokes with her braver fans. Mika stood off to the side, a towel draped around her shoulders, pretending not to notice — until someone shouted her name. Color crept into her cheeks as she lifted a small wave before hiding her face again.

Emi greeted her fans with a polite smile, voice gentle enough to soothe the visitors. Reina stood apart from the noise, offering only a composed smile that spoke of calm confidence.

Yuzuriha stayed close to Emiko, listening more than speaking, turning away with a quiet flush when someone tried to greet her directly. Emiko answered a few voices with her shy, earnest tone, the warmth in it soft enough to melt hearts without effort.

Emiko was mid-sentence when she stopped.

Across the pool deck, two figures had just entered — an older man and woman, pausing as their eyes scanned the park. Emiko recognized them instantly, even from a distance. Her breath caught as their gazes met, surprise blooming into something warmer as they began walking toward her.

“Mom! Dad!”

She waved excitedly, drawing Reina’s attention.

She didn’t wait for them to reach the barrier. As soon as they were close enough, Emiko pushed a narrow gap open between the steel rails and ducked through.

Her mother laughed softly as Emiko threw her arms around her, fingers threading into her daughter’s hair without hesitation. Her father steadied them both, one hand resting firmly on Emiko’s back, the other patting her head in a way that hadn’t changed since she was little.

“You’ve grown taller,” she said, pulling back just enough to look at her properly.

He smiled. “Our little girl’s all grown up.”

Emiko laughed, cheeks warm, then blinked.

“But... why are you here? Hokkaido’s so far. I thought I’d only see you next year.”

He exchanged a glance with his wife. “We had some business in Tokyo,” he said. “So we decided to stay. Just for a month.”

“A whole month?” Emiko’s eyes lit up.

Her mother nodded. “We’ve been meaning to do this for a while.”

Behind the barrier, Yuzuriha lingered, unsure where she belonged. She folded her hands together, shoulders drawn in, instinctively shrinking away from the warmth unfolding in front of her.

Emiko noticed immediately.

“Oh—!” She turned back, reached through the gap, and caught Yuzuriha’s hand, gently pulling her closer. “Mom, Dad—this is Yuzu-chan. She’s my new friend. We’re on the same team.”

Yuzuriha stiffened at the word friend, then bowed quickly. “N-Nice to meet you. Yuzu is Aikawa Yuzuriha.”

Her parents returned the bow without hesitation.

“Thank you,” Emiko’s mother said warmly. “For being with our daughter.”

Yuzuriha nodded, a small smile forming as she kept hold of Emiko’s hand.

Reina stepped forward then, stopping at a respectful distance. She did a clean and precise bow.

“You must be Emiko-chan’s parents,” she said. “I’m Tachibana Reina. I lead her unit.”

He bowed back. “Thank you for watching over her.”

Reina hesitated for a fraction of a second, then shook her head lightly. “If anything, she’s the one who looks out for us.”

Emiko flushed. “S-Senpai—!”

Her mother chuckled. “That sounds like her.”

He glanced at Emiko, expression softening. “We raise her to believe that if you have the power to help someone, you should. Everything else comes after.”

Reina stepped closer, resting a hand briefly on Emiko’s shoulder. “That’s exactly what she told me on her first day.”

Emiko froze. “...I did?”

Reina smiled. “You did.”

A voice called out from behind them. Takeshi signaled that the photoshoot session was over.

Emiko’s mother sighed softly. “Looks like we should let you go.”

“We’ll call tomorrow,” her father added. “You look tired.”

Emiko nodded, hugging them one more time before letting go.

As her parents began to walk away, Reina turned and guided Emiko and Yuzuriha back as the crew started packing up. Before they could head toward the changing area, Takeshi called out to the girls.

“The sponsor’s approved it,” he said casually. “You can keep the swimsuits for the rest of your stay.”

Nana cheered. Momoko laughed. Even Misaki smiled faintly.

As they walked back toward the hotel, the noise of the pool park fading behind them. Emiko stayed a step ahead, still smiling.

Yuzuriha reached into her pocket and slipped a few pills into her mouth. She glanced once at Emiko’s back — at the easy warmth she carried with her — then looked away and kept walking.