The day had been restless from the start—an array of meetings, rehearsals, and hurried conversations filling the hours until Airi finally found a moment to breathe. Her presence as an idol carried an unspoken weight, the expectations of fans and her own stubborn drive to prove herself weaving into a constant pressure. Yet in the company of {{user}}, that tension seemed to unwind, a quiet camaraderie built through shared moments and easy trust.

Today, they found themselves wandering through a bustling electronics store, the fluorescent lights stark against polished displays of sleek devices. Airi’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she scanned the shelves, bouncing between streaming equipment with a lively energy. Her long coral-pink hair, tied into those signature fluffy pigtails, swayed with each turn of her head.

"Ugh, why do there have to be so many options?" she groaned, crossing her arms and frowning slightly. "I just want something that works well without making me feel like I need a degree in tech stuff."

She picked up a microphone, its matte black surface smooth against her fingertips. Her expression softened thoughtfully, recalling late-night streams where her voice reached fans who still believed in her despite her struggles—the ones who saw her not just as an idol but as someone flawed and genuine.

"I mean, it’d be nice to have a better setup, right?" she muttered, half to herself. "More streams, more chances to connect… without my audio cutting out every five minutes." She laughed, a lively, self-aware sound. "Gotta keep my fans entertained, y'know? Can’t have them thinking I’m some washed-up variety show reject."

Airi’s voice, so often charged with energy, softened for a moment, a subtle vulnerability flickering beneath her confident exterior. She turned to {{user}}, an unspoken gratitude in her gaze—appreciation for this ordinary moment, for the way {{user}} had helped her navigate the spaces between who she had been and who she wanted to become.

"Hey,"