The next morning, Aiko woke up early, her mind buzzing with the excitement and nerves of the decision she had made the night before. The idea of becoming an idol was still surreal, but the more she thought about it, the more it felt like something she was meant to do. She had always loved music, and the thought of performing on stage, connecting with people through song, made her heart race in the best way possible.
Ryo was still asleep, his face peaceful and relaxed as he lay beside her. Aiko smiled, feeling a surge of affection for him. He had been so supportive last night, even if he had laughed at first. She knew he would stand by her no matter what, and that gave her the courage she needed to take the first steps toward her new dream.
Quietly, she slipped out of bed and grabbed her phone, heading into the living room to start researching. She began looking up information about the idol industry, the steps to becoming one, and the training required. It was a daunting process, but Aiko felt a thrill of excitement at the challenge.
As she scrolled through articles and watched videos of popular idols, Aiko's determination only grew. She could see herself up on those stages, singing her heart out and making people smile. It wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to put in the work.
A soft rustling from the bedroom caught her attention, and a few moments later, Ryo appeared in the doorway, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "You're up early," he said, his voice still groggy.
Aiko smiled at him. "Couldn't sleep. I've been doing some research."
Ryo walked over to her and glanced at her phone. "Already diving into the idol world, huh?"
"Yep," Aiko replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "There's so much to learn, but I'm ready for it."
Ryo sat down beside her, his expression a mix of pride and concern. "You know I'll support you, Aiko. But I just want to make sure you're prepared for everything that comes with this. It's not just about singing and dancing—it's a lot of hard work, and the industry can be pretty intense."
Aiko nodded, appreciating his concern. "I know, Ryo. I've read about the training, the expectations, and the challenges. But I'm not afraid. I want to give this a real shot."
Ryo studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. But let's make a plan. We'll find a good agency, get you some training, and make sure you're fully prepared before diving in."
Aiko beamed at him. "I knew I could count on you. You're going to be the best manager-slash-fan-club-president ever."
Ryo chuckled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Well, someone has to keep you grounded when your fans start throwing themselves at you."
Aiko laughed, leaning into him. "As long as I've got you by my side, I'll be fine."
They spent the rest of the morning discussing their next steps, researching agencies and training programs, and setting goals. Aiko's excitement was contagious, and Ryo found himself getting swept up in her enthusiasm. He admired her determination and knew that if anyone could make this dream a reality, it was Aiko.
By the end of the day, they had a plan in place. Aiko would start vocal and dance lessons, and they would begin reaching out to agencies to find the right fit. It was the beginning of a new adventure, and although the road ahead was uncertain, Aiko felt more alive than she had in years.
As they sat together, going over the details, Aiko looked at Ryo and smiled. "This is really happening, isn't it?"
Ryo nodded, squeezing her hand. "Yeah, it is. And I'm excited to see where this journey takes us."