The world of lights and glitters. Countless people showering me with praise. A stage of limelight. The world all people dreamed of. Wealth, fame, and power. One could tell that being a celebrity like myself was the most envied job in the entire world.
My name is Hoshimiya Kei. My occupation is a pop idol that everyone loves.
Day by day was filled with fun. From morning to night, I continue learning new stuff. Sometimes work was pretty demanding and I wasn't able to have a single day off for an entire year. But it's fun.
This is the work I decided to do in my life. So I have to do it properly.
However, there are just people who can't stand to see someone shine. Some people are selfish to the point they want that shining star to be their own. Hoshimiya Kei. The number one idol in the country met her fate.
A sharp kitchen knife stabs through my stomach. Black blood sprayed out of my mouth. I'm still dumbfounded own what's going on. Everything happened so fast, that I was not able to make any reaction.
"This is your fault! You lying bitch! You have a boyfriend, right? How dare you say I love you! I love you to all of us! You lying bitch!" He yelled hysterically.
I was looking forward to a delivery, but it turns out it was a crazy stalker. Not, long after I was stabbed by that crazy man. I felt a sense of relief.
"Finally… Finally… I was freed from my world filled with lights."
I muttered. Slowly but surely, my eyes closed down, and slammed down on the floor swimming with my own blood.
The suspect was looking at me filled with despair. He crumbles at his knees and trembles. His eyes show an unfathomable amount of regret.
"I didn't do this. This wasn't my fault! I'm not at fault here."
He said and run off his ass.
The country was shocked by the sudden news.
Fans waiting for their favorite pop idol were left weeping. Flowers were offered to her grave, together with prayers sending her off to the afterlife. Pop idol, Hoshimiya Kei, die in age of 24.
I met a very cruel fate.
However, I was envied by lots of people. I lived life and achieved feats that normal people wouldn't be able to achieve after all. My life even short was considered fulfilling in many people's eyes.
Contrast to mine. In my own perception. All of that was further from the truth…
My life is not fulfilling at all.
Similar to what the guy said to me.
I was a liar.
All I show on stage, in movies, on television. All of them, are nothing but a lie. It's a fabrication of all people's desires. Fan's desire. The young dazzling beautiful girl that will wash away their sadness. The idol that will save them from the cruel reality. The actress will entertain them giving off pretty smiles and sugar-coated words.
None of those things is my real self.
In reality, I don't have any idea who am I truly.
Probably, I wear too many masks. Play too many roles. I had forgotten who I truly was.
Hoshimiya Kei deep inside is nothing but an empty husk.
I never really done anything I wanted to do in this world.
I remember I was reading stories about people getting reincarnated in another world. That kind of story is extremely popular right now.
Most of the isekai story was about someone who died filled with regret. They are saved by goddesses and transported to another world.
If that's true, then in my next life. I'll do anything to be happy without thinking too much about other people.
I'll live to fulfill my own goals.
…
At my life's end, I saw end credit from a movie. Everything that I did in my life. All the facade and secrets.
I saw everything in my life flashing before me. After that weird sensation, I felt warmth and slowly opened my eyes.
I found myself lying down under a tree. Two love birds chippering onto the branches as they cuddle. Strong sun rays filtered from the tree leaves irritated my eyes as I got up.
"Where am I? What is this place?"
I asked myself.
Turning my head around. I found vast green grassy plains that seemed to be expanding endlessly through horizons. The sky was all cleared up and the blue sky weirdly gave me motivation to stand and walk around.
"My head hurts…"
I held my head and injured the pain for a second before it faded.
Judging by what I'm seeing around. There is no way I'm in my home country or city. In my city, everything was concrete, and towering buildings could be found anywhere. In addition, I have vivid memories of what happened.
I was stabbed to death by a crazy stalker.
As I reminded myself, I hastily checked my stomach. I found no hole in it or wound. I heaved a sigh in relief and then realized that I was wearing clothes unfamiliar to me. Stale colored clothes with the sticky smell.
"Noah! Noah!"
I heard an angry voice that seemed to be calling me. I turned around in response and immediately her hand took a tight grip on my ears.
"Ahhhh…."
"What are you doing lazilying around? Are you sleeping under the tree again? It's already noon time and you're supposed to cook lunch."
What the hell is wrong with this old fat hag? She looks scary her face similar to orcs I found in fantasy novels.
I retaliated and pushed her back.
"I'm not Noah!" I retorted.
She looked so flabbergasted after I pushed her away and immediately she slapped my face.
"The heck…"
Another loud slap came to my face.
At this rate, my face will be out of shape.
I only give her a glance, but I still receive a third slap. I hope it's the last.
Her hand put a red print on my cheeks.
"Do you remember your name now? Want me to slap you back again to sense? Go back home, and start cooking lunch!"
She's so scary she ends up pulling my ears back to the town.
What the heck? Reincarnation stories were stories about someone being overpowered in that world. Right? Right?
Then how's my story started like this?!
I want to ask whoever was the god sent me to this world and I want to know if they have a hidden grudge against me.
…
Several days later.
I found out about more about my new self. In this world, I was called Noah. My father died, and I have been left in my stepmother and step sisters' care. For what it seems like, I was maltreated by them. Day by day, they order me around like a slave.
A pretty young girl mistreated by her stepmother and sisters. This is basically Cinderella's story.
In exception, there is no fairy godmother or prince that will come looking for me with glass shoes.
This is a new chapter of my life. Hoshimiya Kei was reborn in another world somehow.
I'm quite happy that my face is not that far from what I had when I was younger. Its another lie, this face and hair is more beautiful than I ever wished in the previous world. Smooth silver hair and azure big eyes. My skin is white as snow. I'm not racist. I just like my skin as white because I'm Asian.
As a girl, it is a huge relief that I'm not born ugly.
I have no idea how I ended up in this world and what happened to the real Noah. But if this is my second chance in life, I better not waste it.
While looking high above the stars, I made an oath.
I tried to reach out to the stars on my hand.
"This time I'll do whatever I want."