Haruki woke up the next morning with an overwhelming sense of clarity. The world outside his window seemed brighter, as if every small detail had been sharpened—every leaf on the tree, every car passing by. His mind was racing, full of possibilities he hadn't allowed himself to dream of in years.
He stood in front of the mirror and studied his reflection. His youthful face, so full of potential, stared back at him. There were no signs of the exhaustion, the disillusionment, that had once weighed him down. His future felt like an untouched canvas, ready for him to paint.
"This time, I won't waste it," he whispered to himself.
Haruki quickly gathered his things and rushed out of his small apartment. The city felt different now, more vibrant, as though it had transformed into a stage and he was about to take center stage. He had a plan. The first step was enrolling in an acting academy—the best one, the one that had always been out of his reach before. But now, it felt like he belonged.
The Academy
The acting academy was a prestigious institution, known for grooming the brightest stars in the industry. Haruki had dreamed of it for years but never had the courage or resources to apply. Today, though, he was different. He had the knowledge of the future in his mind, the lessons of his past mistakes. He was determined not to let them slip away this time.
As he walked through the grand gates of the academy, his heart pounded in his chest. He could see the other students—young, eager, and filled with ambition. Some had been training for years, while others were just starting out, like him. Haruki felt a sense of both nervousness and excitement.
The first class was a basic monologue exercise. As the teacher, an older, experienced actress, introduced the lesson, Haruki felt a flicker of doubt. Was he truly ready to be here? But then he remembered what the old man had told him in his last life: "If you want to succeed, you must give it everything you have."
When it was his turn to perform, Haruki stepped forward with a sense of purpose. He delivered his monologue with all the emotion he could muster, recalling the characters he had once portrayed, but this time, it was different. There was no cynicism in his performance—only sincerity. He poured his soul into every word, every gesture, knowing that this was his one chance to make a lasting impression.
The Encounter with Shingo
Later that afternoon, Haruki was called into the office of the academy's most renowned director—Shingo Yamamoto. Haruki had heard of him before, of course. Yamamoto was known for his ruthless standards and his ability to spot raw talent.
"Haruki Sendo, right?" Shingo's voice was sharp, but not unkind.
"Yes, that's me," Haruki replied, his heart racing.
Shingo looked at him with piercing eyes, scrutinizing him as if searching for something.
"I saw your monologue today," Shingo said after a long pause. "It wasn't bad… But I could tell you're holding back. You have potential, but you're not fully embracing it."
Haruki was taken aback. The director's words felt like a punch to the gut, but he knew Shingo was right. In his past life, he had often relied on his natural charm and good looks, but now he understood that acting was about more than that. It was about giving everything, leaving nothing behind.
"I… I'll do better next time," Haruki said, determination in his voice.
Shingo nodded, but his expression softened slightly.
"Good. I'll be watching you, Haruki. Don't disappoint me."
A New Beginning
Over the next few months, Haruki threw himself into his training. Every class, every rehearsal, every performance—he treated each one as if it were his last. He studied not just the craft of acting, but the entire industry: how films were made, how directors thought, how stars were built. He even began networking with the other students, learning from their experiences and building relationships that would serve him in the future.
His efforts didn't go unnoticed. Shingo, who had once been skeptical, began to take a keen interest in Haruki's progress.
One day, Haruki was called to meet with a producer for an upcoming project—a film that could be his big break. He felt a surge of excitement, but also nervousness. This was it. The opportunity he had been waiting for.
When he walked into the meeting room, he saw the producer, an older woman with sharp eyes and a commanding presence.
"Haruki Sendo, I've heard a lot about you," she said, her gaze never leaving him.
"I hope I can live up to the expectations," Haruki replied, his voice steady despite the tension in his chest.
She studied him for a moment, then smiled.
"We'll see. We've been looking for someone with your look and potential. I think you could be the perfect fit for this role."
Haruki couldn't believe his ears. This was it—the opportunity to prove himself.
"I won't let you down," he said, his voice full of confidence.