Interview

“We are live in three… two… one…”

A news reporter stood in front of the camera with a bold presence. “Good afternoon, Japan! This is Aiko Yoshida from Japan Today coming to you live with a special interview with a girl that has quickly stolen the attention of the country. The spotlight is on her again today as I have the opportunity to ask her some questions today on behalf of all her fans. Welcome, Miyuki Haruno, to Japan Today.”

The camera switched to show Miyuki, who smiled with the radiance of an angel. “It’s good to be here, thank you for inviting me.”

Ms. Yoshida sat down on the empty chair across the table from Miyuki. “It’s my pleasure. Thank you for accepting my request. I understand that you’re still fairly new in the music industry, is that correct?”

”In terms of my career, yes. I’ve been involved with music for a long time, but I didn’t start making my own music until about three years ago,” Miyuki responded.

”Three years… That’s a very short amount of time to see the success you’ve had. What’s your secret to success?” She leaned forward, resting her arms on the table in front of her.

”Passion. I have a purpose behind my singing, and I’m very passionate about it.”

”Yes, you mentioned something about that during your last concert. By the way, congrats on Phoenix’s success.”

”Thank you,” Miyuki beamed.

”You said you made the song to find someone, right? Do you mind asking what that person means to you?” The reporter listened intently for her response.

“He’s very important to me,” Miyuki responded. Then she remembered the warning that her manager gave, as well as the brutal practice she did with Nanami over and over again to help her avoid spilling too much. “By that I mean, he was a close friend as a kid, and I haven’t seen or heard from him in a long time.”

”So you want to find him and catch up on lost time?”

”Precisely,” Miyuki nodded. “And if you’re watching this, friend…” She pointed at the camera as if offering a challenge. “Text a picture of yourself to my manager and include your name. Here’s his number…”

Hiroshi would certainly chew her out for sharing his number with the world, but this was an excellent way for her to find Jin.

”I can see you really care about this guy,” Ms. Yoshida noted. “Here’s a question for you. Would you prefer finding your lost friend and losing your career, or continue singing but never find him?”

“Definitely finding him. The main reason I started singing in the first place was to reach him,” she shared without thinking. In a flash, she realized she said too much. “I, uh… value my friendships with people above all else. I’d cancel a concert for any of my friends.” Miyuki breathed, proud that she was able to recover from her misstep.

“That’s a very sweet sentiment,” Ms. Yoshida said, “but not very professional. What about your fans?”

“I love my fans. I’m so grateful for all their support, and I’m happy I can give them something to enjoy. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. All of them matter.”

”Just not as much as your friends?”

Miyuki tensed. ‘Is this what Hiroshi was warning me about? It feels like she’s trying to back me into a corner…'

Seeing her tension, Ms. Yoshida leaned back. “Sorry, that must’ve sounded rude. My apologies. I was just curious about how much your fans mean to you. I think we can conclude our interview today. It was great having you today, Miyuki. I hope you find who you’re looking for.”

“Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to be here today.”

“Of course. Thank you for coming.”

Outside the set the interview was being held in, Hiroshi waited in a black prius with tinted windows. The sound of his fingers thrumming against the steering wheel broke the silence in the car until the passenger door opened and Miyuki stepped into the car.

“I think that went we-” she started.

“What were you thinking? You can’t just give away my number to the public! I’m going to be spammed by fans now.” As he spoke, his phone buzzed.

Miyuki snatched it from the cupholder it was resting in and looked at the new message. Someone had sent in a picture of a boy around her age wearing glasses that were almost too large for his face with a message that read: Hey Miyuki, this is Satoru Ichikawa. Am I the one you’re looking for? Even if I’m not, I would love to hear back from you.

She huffed in disappointment. “That’s not Jin…” The phone buzzed again, and she opened the new text that had a similar message with a picture of a buff man named Kaito Shiragi. More messages popped in like firecrackers, but none were from the one she was looking for.

“I’m going to spend hours blocking people tonight,” Hiroshi sighed while he drove away.

“Hiroshi, do you mind if I sync our phone’s messages?” Miyuki asked without tearing her eyes away from reading the constant stream of texts from her fans.

“Go ahead. As long as you don’t respond to anyone.”

“Except Jin, of course,” came her reply.

“If he even responds. Not everyone is crazy about meeting an idol, even if it is someone they used to know. Honestly, Miyuki. You need to think before you speak when the world is watching.”

The rest of the car ride, Miyuki half-listened to Hiroshi’s lectures and complaints about the interview with her eyes glued to the constant stream of incoming texts after syncing the messages.

Hiroshi slowed the car to a stop. “We’re here.”

Miyuki glanced out the window and saw the front of her apartment out the window. “Thank you, Hiroshi. I’m sorry about revealing your number. I’ll find a way to make it up to you.”

He shook his head slightly. “There’s no need. Just focus on writing your next song. After the success of Phoenix, I bet the whole country is waiting for your next release.”

“I have some ideas,” she smiled. “Another album will drop within a few months.” With that, she stepped out of the car and waved her manager goodbye as he drove off. Once she could no longer see his vehicle, she bowed her head and whispered. “Jin, I’m reaching out to you. Please reach back.”

For the rest of the night, Miyuki stared at her phone, reading each text that came through to Hiroshi’s messages. One after the next, each message was from someone she had never seen before, or had briefly seen at one of her concerts. Before she knew it, a notification let her know that her phone was only at five percent battery, drawing her attention to the time.

“Two in the morning?” The words were followed by a yawn. “No wonder I’m so tired… I should go to sleep, but… what if he responds soon? I can’t miss it…” Her eyes were heavy, and it was a struggle to keep them open. It wasn’t long before she lost the battle and drifted off to sleep, sitting on her couch.

Overnight, the buzzing of her phone slowed, halting completely within the next few hours. When morning came, Miyuki’s eyes opened, blinking away sleep. Her phone had fallen to the floor sometime during the night.

With a yawn, she reached down to pick up her phone. As soon as her fingers touched it, she felt it buzz. After wiping the drowsiness from her eyes, she opened the newest message. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the screen, but once she was focused, she read the message.

Her crystal blue eyes widened. From her screen, a handsome boy around her age, with dark ruffled hair and a defined figure, looked back at her. “It can’t be…”