The next few days were a whirlwind of anticipation for Aiko. Every time her phone buzzed, she jumped, hoping it was a message from the agency. Ryo tried his best to keep her calm, but he was just as anxious as she was. They both knew how much was riding on this, not just for Aiko's career but for their future together.
Finally, on a rainy afternoon, Aiko's phone rang. She was sitting on the couch, nervously flipping through a magazine she wasn't really reading. When she saw the agency's number on the screen, her heart skipped a beat. She took a deep breath before answering.
"Hello?"
"Aiko, this is Nakamura-san from the agency," the familiar voice on the other end said. "I hope you're doing well. I wanted to personally deliver the good news: we would love to sign you on as a trainee."
Aiko felt like the air had been knocked out of her. She had to steady herself as she processed the words. "Really? I mean, thank you! I'm so excited!"
Nakamura-san chuckled. "We were all very impressed with your audition. You have a lot of potential, and we believe you could become something special in this industry. We'll send over the contract and some paperwork for you to review. Once everything is signed, we can start planning your training schedule."
Aiko thanked him profusely before hanging up, her hands trembling with excitement. She couldn't believe it. She had done it—she was going to be an idol.
Ryo entered the room just as she put the phone down, noticing the wide-eyed expression on her face. "Aiko? What happened?"
"They want to sign me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm going to be a trainee!"
Ryo's face broke into a huge grin, and he swept her into his arms, spinning her around the room. "That's amazing, Aiko! I knew you could do it!"
Aiko laughed, feeling lightheaded with joy. "I can't believe this is really happening. It feels like a dream."
Ryo set her down gently, looking into her eyes. "You worked so hard for this. You deserve it. But you know it's going to be tough, right? The training, the pressure… It's not going to be easy."
"I know," Aiko said, her smile fading slightly as she thought about the challenges ahead. "But I'm ready for it. I want this, Ryo. I want to give it everything I have."
"And I'll be with you every step of the way," Ryo promised, holding her close. "Whatever you need, I'm here."
The next few days were a flurry of activity as Aiko and Ryo navigated the logistics of her new career path. The contract arrived, and after careful consideration and a consultation with a lawyer, Aiko signed it, officially becoming a trainee at one of the top talent agencies in Tokyo.
Training began almost immediately. Aiko was thrown into a rigorous schedule of vocal lessons, dance practices, and media training. The days were long, often starting early in the morning and ending late at night, but Aiko thrived on the challenge. She felt alive, pushing herself to new limits and discovering a determination she didn't know she had.
Ryo was her rock throughout it all, supporting her in every way he could. He made sure she ate properly, gave her massages after exhausting days, and cheered her on during practice sessions. Even though their time together was limited, their bond grew stronger as they navigated this new chapter of their lives.
One evening, after an especially grueling day of training, Aiko collapsed onto the couch beside Ryo, sighing heavily. "I don't think I've ever been this tired in my life."
Ryo chuckled, pulling her close. "You're doing amazing, Aiko. I'm so proud of you."
Aiko smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "I couldn't do this without you, Ryo."
As they sat together in the quiet of their apartment, Aiko felt a deep sense of contentment. The road ahead was still uncertain, but with Ryo by her side, she knew she could face whatever challenges came her way.