"5~! 4~! 3~! 2~! 1~! Happy New Year!!!"
The sound from the television filled the silent living room. The sounds of the metals hitting each other combined with the sound of fireworks could be heard from the open window.
The white-haired woman watched the view of the celebration outside her home with a smile on her face, hugging her scarf closer to her body as the breeze of the cold night continues to blow.
A meter away from her lay her phone, buzzing to life continuously. She glanced at the flashing screen and shook her head while chuckling.
Airi silently laughed as she thought that it must have been her relatives and friends who are bombarding her with messages.
Her eyes moved away from the phone until it landed on the large framed picture hanging on the wall. It was a picture of four young pretty women, a refreshing smile etched on their faces as they squeeze each other tightly by hugging each other.
"It's been so long…" Airi muttered to no one as she reminisced the old days, staring at her younger self along with her friends on the framed image.
Yes, it was her picture back when she was still young, beautiful, and lively.
It was the happiest time of her life, yet it was also the thorniest path that she had gone through with her best friends back then.
Her mind flew as she remembered how her other best friends got married and created their own families. She met their children, a couple of their grandchildren and happily spent their time with them for a short while before she moved near the sea to spend the rest of her days.
Her eyes glanced at the numerous trophies displayed on the shelves and the other traces of her career all throughout the years. Her smile widened as she realized how successful and fruitful this life was for her, despite the fact that she didn't find the person she was meant to spend the rest of her life with.
Aside from that one thing, Airi couldn't ask for more. She was contented enough.
She already had a great life.
This time, she welcomes the new year alone without her friends and relatives besides her. She quietly sat on the reclining seat, watching the children outside celebrating with their sparklers and making noises to celebrate.
She closed her eyes, whispering her New Year's wish to no one in particular.
'I wish for everyone's wishes to be fulfilled this year.' She silently wished in her head.
Airi stayed like that for another hour, before she decided to return to bed and take a rest. Her old and weakened body couldn't stand the long hours of staying awake at night, contrary to her habits back when she was young.
She remembered that she could even survive a week without getting enough sleep, barely sleeping for two hours every day due to their hectic and busy schedule. But now, she could barely open her eyes when it was already past 9 pm.
After placing all the foods she received from her neighbors in the fridge, she strode back towards her room and laid on the bed throwing a final glance at the window where she could see another bout of fireworks from afar.
"Airi, wake up! Airiiii! It's already past five! We still have to go to the salon!!" A voice screamed in her ear.
Airi subconsciously whined and removed the hand that was shaking her shoulder. And then she buried her face on the pillows, hiding under the blankets to continue her sleep.
Goddammit, who the hell dares to wake up this elder at five am in the morning? Are they asking for a scolding?
Airi complained in her mind but she still felt tired and sleepy so she thought to just postpone the scolding once she completely wakes up later on.
"Airi! You really have to wake up or you won't hear the end of it from Manager Fuwa again!" The voice didn't give up and continues shaking her by the shoulders, resolute on waking her.
Airi grew annoyed as she tried to ignore the noisy person disturbing her sleep.
Just let Manager Fuwa scold her ah… It's not like she can actually scold her anymore. She already passed away two years ago...a what again?
Airi's eyes flew open as she fully absorbed the statement she heard.
She wouldn't hear the end of it from Manager Fuwa?
How's that possible? Manager Fuwa died two years ago from cancer! That can't be possible unless… unless she visits her as a ghost?!
"Airi, come on! God, why are you always so hard to wake up in the mornings? Thank god that we're not on our promotions or else I'll really leave you alone here to be late in our schedule later." She heard the voice complain behind her.
Airi's brows furrowed as she finally realized her surroundings. She saw her familiar pastel blue pillowcase and the bear patterned blanket that was a gift from her fans on her 23rd birthday. But this… she remembered that she had already put this away inside the cabinet because it was accidentally torn apart by Olive's pet dogs when they stayed in her apartment before.
So how could this be here…?
"Should I dump her some water?" She heard someone mutter.
"If you dare to do that, I'll seriously chew you out!!" She subconsciously replied as she turned to look behind her. Airi froze as she stared at the younger Olive sitting on the edge of her bed.
"Finally! Come on, Airi. We still have an appointment to catch up! We have the New Year's segment rehearsal this morning!" Olive said, slapping her butt before quickly leaving her room. She didn't notice the frozen state of Airi, staring at her figure disappearing behind the door.
"...OH.MY."
In a split second, Airi was out of her bed and grabbing the phone that fell on the floor. She hastily pressed the side button and read the date flashing on the screen.
...2023.
Airi gasped in shock.
Oh my god.
She went back 54 years in the past.
Back when she was 25 years old.