The walk back to my tiny apartment had never felt so long. Usually I appreciated the quiet solitude, but now the emptiness pressed down on me.
I flopped onto my futon, hat still clutched in my hands. My phone buzzed with a new message.
Marin: Made it home safe! Thanks for the adventure today :) Don't forget me!
I smiled wryly. As if I could ever forget her. My thumbs hovered over the keyboard. I should keep things professional between us. But...
Me: How could I ever forget my new partner in crime? Let me know when you want to cause more trouble.
It was reckless, but I hit send before I could overthink it. Marin's response came quickly.
Marin: Yay new partner! Can't wait for our next adventure ^_^
I set the phone down, still smiling. As much as I tried to keep my distance, Marin had a way of slipping past my defenses. Her brightness seeped into the cracks in my armor.
Over the next few weeks, Marin and I exchanged texts about mundane things - what we ate for breakfast, funny things we saw around town. Silly, meaningless conversations that left me feeling lighter.
But when I was alone in the dim apartment, darkness crept back in. The future loomed ahead, hazy and uncertain. What was I doing here, in this foreign world? Did I really have a chance to start over?
My phone rang, jolting me from my thoughts. It was Yumi from the agency, offering me a solo photoshoot gig tomorrow. Eager for both the work and the distraction, I immediately accepted.
After we hung up, I glanced around the apartment. Dishes in the sink, clothes strewn on the floor. Hardly the image of a rising star.
I spent the evening cleaning and preparing my best "Akira" looks. Smoothing my hair in the mirror, I painted on that cocky grin. Akira knew what he wanted and would stop at nothing to get it.
If only I could be so sure of myself.
I took a deep breath as I approached the studio, mentally preparing to shift into "Akira mode." At the door, I paused, glancing at my reflection in the glass. Violet eyes stared back, bright beneath artfully messy lavender hair. Akira was ready for his close-up.
Inside, crew members bustled around arranging lights and cameras. I spotted the photographer, Daichi, conferring with his assistant. He looked up and waved me over.
"Akira! Right on time. We're shooting the new urban line for Sekai Streetwear today," he said, handing me a garment bag. "Go get changed and we'll do some test shots before the real shoot."
I nodded and headed to the dressing area, unzipping the bag to reveal an oversized hoodie and ripped black jeans. The clothes were edgier than my usual style. I slipped them on, mussing my hair a bit more.
In the mirror, Akira stared back. His eyes glinted with mischief beneath the hood. I felt a rush of nervous excitement. Today I got to try on a new persona.
Daichi arranged me in front of a plain white backdrop. "Give me blue steel!" he joked. I kept my expression neutral, holding his gaze.
"Ooh, love the smolder. Now look off into the distance like you're deep in thought."
I let my eyes drift up, brow slightly furrowed. Akira had a lot on his mind, despite his carefree attitude.
"Beautiful. Now grin like you've got a secret."
I quirked one side of my mouth up. Akira had more secrets than anyone realized.
The test shots continued, Daichi calling out poses and expressions. I fell into the role, becoming Akira. Confident. Brooding. Aloof. Yet with a vulnerability I couldn't completely mask.
"I think we've got it!" Daichi finally said. "Let's break for lunch then we'll start the real shoot."
I nodded, exhaling as I walked away. Being Akira was thrilling, but exhausting. It required giving so much of myself to the camera's gaze.
Halfway through the real shoot, the studio door opened. with Mio and A man with brown hair that almost covered his left eye stepped in. I noticed the slight eyebags under his eyes as he scanned the room.
The man turned towards us. His eyes landed on me, and he froze. The color drained from his face.
He muttered something barely audible.
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
the man shook his head, composing himself. "I'm sorry, you just... reminded me of someone for a moment."
Mio looked between us. "Is everything alright, Kaburagi-san?"
He nodded, tearing his gaze away from me. "Yes, fine."
As Kaburagi and Mio moved away to talk, I filed the strange interaction away for later consideration.
"Alright, Akira-kun," Daichi called, recapturing my attention. "Let's finish strong with these last few shots."
I pushed the strange encounter with Kaburagi to the back of my mind, focusing on nailing the last few shots. Daichi's directions became fewer and farther between as I hit pose after pose, each one calculated to showcase a different facet of my supposed "natural talent."
When Daichi finally lowered his camera, a grin spread across his weathered face. "Kid, you're something else. We got some great stuff today."
Mio approached, tablet in hand and a gleam in her eye. "Akira-kun, why don't you come to my office? I have your payment and an opportunity for you if you're up for it."
I followed Mio down the hallway to her office, anticipation thrumming through me. What kind of opportunity did she have in mind?
Mio gestured for me to take a seat as she rifled through a drawer. She placed an envelope on the desk and slid it towards me. "Great work today. Here's your payment."
I peeked inside at the neat stack of bills. More money than I'd ever had at one time. I nodded my thanks, tucking the envelope away.
"Now, about that opportunity," Mio continued, steepling her manicured fingers. "I think you have real star potential, Akira. With the right roles and exposure, you could become a household name."
I leaned forward, intrigued. This was exactly what I'd hoped for in my fresh start.
"In fact-"
A knock at the door interrupted her. Kaburagi stepped in, his eyes immediately finding mine. I tensed, ready for another weird reaction, but he seemed composed now.
"Ah, perfect timing," Mio said. "Kaburagi-san, this is Akira Hoshino, the new talent I mentioned."
Kaburagi nodded. "Yes, I saw him at the shoot. Akira-kun, I have a proposition for you."
"Oh?"
"I'm producing a live-action adaptation of 'Sweet Today.' It's a drama based on a popular manga. I think you'd be perfect for the lead role."
I blinked. "Me? But... you've never even seen me act. "
Kaburagi smiled wryly. "Call it a hunch. You've got the right look and presence. What do you say?"
I glanced at Mio, who gave an encouraging nod. This was the opportunity she had mentioned. My chance at a real acting breakthrough.
I met Kaburagi's expectant gaze. "I'd be honored to audition for the role."
"No need for an audition," he said. "The part is yours if you want it."
I stared at him, stunned. I'd expected to fight my way up the ladder again, but instead I was being handed a lead role out of nowhere. It felt too good to be true.
But I wasn't about to question my luck. I stood and bowed deeply to Kaburagi. "Thank you for this opportunity. I won't let you down."
Kaburagi's expression softened. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of sadness in his eyes. But then it was gone.
He extended his hand. "Welcome aboard."
I shook it firmly, sealing my fate. This strange new world kept surprising me. But if it wanted to hand me success, I wouldn't hesitate to snatch it.
I stared at my phone, Marin's contact info lighting up the screen. My thumb hovered over the call button.
Should I tell her? She'd be thrilled, of course. Probably scream loud enough to rupture my eardrum. The thought made me smile.
But something held me back. If I told her, it would make this whole crazy situation more real. I'd be admitting I was actually going to star in this show based on her favorite manga.
What if I messed it up? Failed to live up to her imagination? The last thing I wanted was to disappoint Marin. She believed in me so completely, for reasons I still didn't fully understand. I couldn't bear to see that sunny faith of hers clouded over.
Maybe it was better to keep her expectations low. I could always tell her later, after filming began. Spare us both the nerves.
I set off wandering the neighborhood aimlessly. The sun warmed my face as I strolled past shops and restaurants. Crowds ebbed and flowed around me. For once, I didn't feel the urge to analyze every passerby, searching for threats or opportunities. I just took in the energy of life being lived.
Nearby, a busker played an upbeat melody on his guitar. The notes blended with snippets of conversation and idle chatter. A child's laughter rang out. An elderly couple walked hand in hand, pace slow but spirits bright.
A group of high school girls clustered on a corner, eagerly discussing plans for the weekend. One girl with a long ponytail waved her hands excitedly as she talked. She reminded me so much of Marin.
I froze in my tracks. What was I doing keeping this from her? She'd be thrilled for me, worries be damned. I fished my phone out and hit call before I could second-guess myself again.
"Akira!" Marin's bubbly voice filled my ear. "I was just thinking about you!"
"Oh yeah?" I leaned against a storefront. "Good things, I hope."
"The best things! Like that time we got crepes in Harajuku. Or when we read manga together and you did all those silly voices." She giggled at the memory.
"Well, I have some good news to share. It's about that manga you were talking about, 'Sweet Today.'"
"No way, are you a fan now too?? We have to talk theories!"
"Actually… I just got cast as the lead role in the live-action adaptation."
Silence.
"Marin? You still there?"
A piercing shriek nearly shattered my eardrum. "YOU'RE GOING TO BE HAYATO?? Oh my gosh, I can't believe it! I'm so excited!"
I had to hold the phone away from my ear as Marin babbled ecstatically about how perfect I was for the role. Her enthusiasm swept away any lingering doubts.
"So when does filming start? Will I get to visit the set? Ooh, maybe I could even audition for a small part! Not that I'd ever be cast alongside the perfect Hayato but a girl can dream!"
Her faith in me was humbling. And a bit frightening. But I didn't want to disappoint her.
"You'll be the first to get all the behind-the-scenes details," I promised. "In fact, why don't you come over tonight and we can talk more?"
"Yes!! I'll bring the manga so we can analyze your character. This is so exciting!" More shuffling sounds came through the phone. "Okay, I gotta go get ready! See you soon!"
Before I could respond, she had already hung up. I laughed under my breath. That whirlwind force of nature would be blowing through my apartment soon enough.
Strangely, the thought didn't fill me with dread. Spending time with Marin had become...enjoyable. Comforting, even. Her cheerfulness filled the empty spaces and chased away the shadows, at least for a little while.
I pocketed my phone and continued my stroll. The breeze ruffled my hair and for once, instead of thoughts of the past, my mind turned to the evening ahead. For the first time in a long while, I had something to look forward to.
Marin's brightness called to me like a beacon in the dark. Perhaps I was destined to revolve around her, basking in her radiance but never able to draw too close.
Or maybe, if I was brave enough to try, I could learn how to shine a little brighter too.