Song 2

Akemi sat cross-legged on the floor, continuing to watch the television, not moving since the gentleman had broken the news about her fate; She was dead and currently in the ‘reincarnation waiting room’ as she had dubbed it. The gentleman explained that until he had found the right world for her soul to be reincarnated in, Akemi was to wait in this room. The television was her only entertainment.

“You can change the channel if you wish,” The gentleman explained, standing straight with his hands behind his back.

Akemi’s gaze didn’t falter from the screen, tilting her head as she watched her mother sat on the sofa in her old apartment, crying with boxes surrounding her. “What happened to me?” Her voice was low, barely audible as she tried to hold back the tears.

“You hit your head after rolling out of bed,” the gentleman said in a firm yet understanding tone.

Akemi scoffed as she reached out, putting a hand on the screen near the image of her mother—such a simple and uneventful death. Based on the many manga she read, most reincarnated heroes died in valiant ways, and yet here she was, dying from falling out of bed. “I couldn’t even die correctly,” She sighed heavily, turning to face the gentleman, her hand not leaving the screen. “Why me?”

The gentleman chuckled lowly, walking to Akemi and kneeling before her. “What an interesting question,” he smiled, keeping his gaze locked onto her eyes.

Akemi’s eyes furrowed together, her face scrunched up as she spoke up again; “That’s not an answer.” Seeing the anger in Akemi’s cute face made it hard for the gentleman to stay composed as he began to burst out laughing. Akemi’s face smoothed out and grew hotter, her cheeks turning red. “Stop laughing! You’re not the dead one here.”

The gentleman wiped the tear from the corner of his eye, taking a couple of deep breaths to steady himself. “I’m sorry, child,” he smiled sweetly, patting Akemi’s head. “But even anger, I couldn’t help but find you cute.”

“Pervert,” Akemi cried, her heart racing, and her body shook in anger. “How can you joke at a time like this? I’m dead.” The gentleman watched as tears overflowed from the corner of Akemi’s eyes, falling onto the ground. “I won’t be able to watch my nephew grow up, my parents have to say goodbye to their youngest child, who they never got to watch find real love and happiness. I won’t find love or get married.” Akemi screamed, holding onto herself tightly, her nails digging into her skin as she thought about the world she was leaving behind.

The gentleman stood, a sad smile on his face as he watched Akemi breaking down like the many others he had been with before. The smell of regret mixed with salty tears hit his nose as all he could do was watch the human in front of him jump to conclusions. “If you so wish,” he pointed to the television, waiting for Akemi to look up at him. When she wouldn’t move, he coughed, making Akemi look up at him. He gestured to the television more sharply this time. Akemi sniffed using her sleeve to wipe her nose before turning to the television. “You haven’t asked the reason as to why the television is here yet.”

Raising a brow, Akemi scooted closer to the television, examining it more closely. She hummed, running her fingers lightly over the button, brushing away the dust that hid the words above the buttons—the words ‘rewind’ and ‘forward’ above each button. Hesitantly, she pushed the ‘forward’ button, the speed of the picture on the screen quickening. Panicked, Akemi pressed the ‘play’ button, and the picture played out at a normal speed again. This time it was her nephew, looking older and wearing his high school uniform. The tears started again, but this time, they were tears of happiness. All her family was gathered around him, praising him for his hard work, and in her father’s hands, her picture. “They still think of me,” she let the tears flow as her heart welled up. “They include me still.”

The gentleman nodded as he lowered his hand. “Of course they do,” he assured. “Try the ‘rewind’ button now.” Curious, Akemi did so. She pressed the button, holding it for a few seconds, watching as the picture moved backwards, catching a glimpse of her life in reverse. “And stop.”

Akemi quickly removed her finger, and the picture started playing again. Her eyes widened as she realised the memory that was playing. She must have been around 14 to 15 years old, and it was the summer before she started high school. She couldn’t help but giggle, her heart warmed with affection and a sense of nostalgia, recalling this memory. It was her very first idol audition. She had just come of age to start auditions, and when she saw an open casting call, she begged her parents to take her.

The gentleman watched the screen beside her, with a flick of his hand turning the volume up.

“So, Miss Akemi,” the head judge spoke up, his gaze going between the application sheet in his hands and then towards a smiling Akemi. “Why do you want to become an idol?”

Akemi took a deep breath, her smile never fading, and looked directly at the judges. “I want to be the reason people smile,” she proclaimed proudly. “Even when they feel like there is no reason to smile, when they see me perform or hear my songs, I want to be the reason why people smile and can continue going.”

The judge nodded approvingly.

“And yet that wasn’t good enough,” Akemi sighed as she stood up, turning to the gentleman.

“Even so,” the gentleman chuckled, standing tall, towering over Akemi’s petite frame. He placed one hand on her shoulder and the other waved to show another memory, a memory where Akemi was helping a stranger, another where she was pulling faces at a baby, and making them laugh. “No matter how many times you were rejected, you continued to make people smile.”

“I did?” Akemi replied, her voice filled with disbelief despite the evidence being played out in front of her.

“Akemi,” the gentleman’s voice became stern as he held her by both shoulders now, forcing her to look at him. “I have the perfect world for you—one where you can share your voice and become the reason why everyone smiles.”

“Y-you could send me there?” Akemi stammered.

“Yes,” the gentleman’s kind smile returned, his hands taking Akemi’s into his own. “You asked, ‘why me’ and for that I answer, why not you? A woman who helps people she doesn’t know, can make a baby smile with a simple gesture, and even in death worries about her family.” Embarrassed by his words, Akemi turned her face to avoid his gaze; however, the gentleman responded by cupping her cheek, bringing their gazes back. “Sweet Akemi, I will not send you until you are ready, but I hope you can trust me.”

A new world? The sentence ran through her mind, its implications, and how she could cope. She barely made it past 30 in her current life. What would a new life entail? What was the world going to be like? Was she going to be reborn as she is? As a baby? Would she have her memories?

“Akemi,” the gentleman leant forward, his lips pressed against the top of her head, giving her a gentle kiss. “All I ask is that you trust me to make you smile this time.”

The tears that previously dried up started to fall again. “Promise me,” Akemi’s voice was shaky as she squeezed the gentleman’s hands. “That I have a chance this time.”

“Yes, Akemi,” The gentleman assured. “I promise, as long as you continue to give it your all, that you have a chance of becoming a true idol.” Wiping away her tears, Akemi nodded, signalling she was ready. She didn’t know what was ahead of her in this new world, but that was the thrill of it. “Close your eyes,” the gentleman whispered into Akemi’s ear, lulling her into sleep. “And when you awake next, you will find yourself reborn.”

Akemi’s eyes grew heavy, her body weakened as she fell forward into the gentleman’s chest, her lips pursed into a small smile.