Today was a rehearsal day.
I woke up a little earlier than usual, and I thought, "Since I'm already awake, maybe I should get everything ready before everyone arrives!"
So I headed to the studio much earlier than planned.
When I got there, no one else had arrived yet. The studio felt quieter than usual.
But the moment I imagined everyone walking through the door, I suddenly felt full of energy.
First, I lined up enough towels for everyone.
Then I took the drinks out of the refrigerator and placed them on the table, choosing something that matched each member.
๐ Rei got a black coffee that wasn't too sweet.
๐งก Hinata got a slightly bigger sports drink, because she would probably finish it in no time.
๐ฉต Ruka got fruit-infused water that would look cute in a photo.
๐ Shizuku got tea that wasn't too cold.
"All right! Perfect!"
I stood there proudly, looking over the table I had prepared.
Just then, the studio door opened.
๐งก Hinata: "Wow! Everything's already set up!"
๐ฉต Ruka: "Aine, you're seriously early today!"
๐ Shizuku: "You even prepared towels... Thank you, Aine."
๐ Rei: "You didn't have to do this much. Still... it helps."
Everyone looked happy, and I couldn't help feeling a little proud of myself.
๐ฉท Aine: "Hehe. I was the first one here today!"
Then rehearsal finally began.
We finished stretching, and the warm-up started at the instructor's signal.
...And that was when it happened.
๐ฉท Aine: "Huh?"
My throat was getting dry, so I looked toward the table.
There were blue, orange, light-blue, and purple drinks lined up neatly.
But there was no pink drink anywhere.
I checked the towels too.
...No pink towel there either.
๐ฉท Aine: "My drink and towel... are missing."
๐งก Hinata: "What!? You forgot your own!?"
๐ฉต Ruka: "You prepared everything for everyone else and forgot only yours?"
๐ Rei: "That sounds like Aine."
๐ Shizuku: "Hehe... It really is very Aine-like."
๐ฉท Aine: "But I was thinking about all of you!"
The moment I said that, everyone burst out laughing.
In the end, Hinata shared some of her sports drink with me, and Ruka lent me a spare towel.
๐งก Hinata: "Here! You can have some of mine!"
๐ฉต Ruka: "Next time, put your own one out first, okay?"
๐ Rei: "I feel like we tell you that every time."
๐ Shizuku: "I'll check yours from now on, Aine."
I had meant to take care of everyone.
But somehow, I ended up being the one everyone took care of.
As the center, I probably should reflect on that a little.
Still...
I was really happy to have members who would help me so naturally.
Next time, I definitely won't forget.
...Probably.
To Be Continued...