Focus of Attention

Since I debuted, I knew I was special.

Everyone’s attention was directed at me, It’s only natural. I think that was also when I started to realize something…

That in this industry, attention was worth. That being the brightest one in the room would make me worth more….

And that without this attention, my life would be insignificant.

“Takumi Sora, a worldwide phenomenon at just 17 years old! Not many know this, but you actually debuted when you were 3, is that correct?”

A young man turns his head to face the interviewer. His silky golden hair swishes as he moves, and his stunning green eyes show full attention directed toward the interviewer.

“That’s right, It was on ‘Dahlia: Full Bloom’ if i remember correctly. It wasn’t a major role, but I can remember it clearly even 14 years later.” Takumi replies in a relaxed, and calm tone.

The interview continues, but Takumi barely pays any attention to it anymore.

He thanks the host for having him on, then exits the recording studio only to be flooded by paparazzi and flashing cameras. Not that he minds the attention.

As soon as he enters his private limousine, the blinding lights fade into a bleak, lack of stimulation.

Takumi pulls his phone out, and begins scrolling social media, only looking at stuff about him.

“He’s so hot”
“He should star in more romance movies!”
“Even 14 years later he still has that charm”

He smiles, continuing to scroll through the comments that praise him.

I’ve been someone in the lens of a camera for my entire life. In a sense, the people I portray are no different from me.

The limousine stops at a red light, and Takumi spots a fast-food joint out the corner of his eye, and quickly shifts his head to stop seeing it.

His reflection in the opposite window shows his face, not one of disgust or anger, but one of accidental ignorance.

…

He reaches his destination, being a highrise apartment building that looks severely upperclass.

The driver opens his door for him, and bows in respect as he gets out. Takumi hands him a bill out of his wallet, and the driver accepts. He then takes his leave.

Takumi enters the building, then the penthouse suite, then his room.

His room is decorated with posters of movies he’s starred in, going back to ‘Dahlia: Full Bloom’.

What’s the point of going to school, and learning all this junk? Why would I ever need these classes if my career doesn’t demand it? Why would someone like me need something so useless?

Takumi goes back to scrolling his phone, and passes out pretty quickly after.

The next morning arrives, and Takumi sleeps through his alarm.

His mom notices, and yanks him out of bed.

“It’s time for school Taku-chan”

What’s the point?

“Okay…I’ll get going”

Takumi gets dressed and leaves, getting a limo drive to school.

He leaves the car, letting a big yawn out, and as he’s walking in a lot of students both guy and girl, look at him.

It’s all as it should be, they admire me, they love me. Without me, what would their lives be?

As he heads to class, more and more people start staring at him, naturally.

Classes start, Takumi doesn’t pay any attention, and gets scolded by a teacher for his terrible marks.

“If you don’t get your act together, You might fail this year” the teacher blankly states, Takumi brushing it off. The teacher continues her lecture about paying attention, but Takumi couldn’t care less.

What puts you ahead of me? It seems you don’t understand that anything you teach me is worthless. Nothing you can say will make me think otherwise, so stick to the background.

“...you should be more like Yamaguchi”

“I’ll try my best! Thank you!” Takumi makes yet another blank promise, purely for the purpose of flattery.

As he leaves the faculty office, he bumps into someone, causing her to drop all her books.

She begins to clean them up, Takumi looking down at her with a slight grin.

Someone who knows who they’re dealing with, finally. Not apologizing, bossing me around. Just doing as intended.

He leans down to help her stack them up, but she’s already done.

“Sorry about tha-”

Before Takumi has a chance to apologize, the girl is gone.

Takumi’s eye twitches with anger: Did she not know who he was after all?

He calms down. After all, what was the purpose of getting the attention of someone whose existence didn’t matter?

Takumi has another interview booked for today, getting a call from “manager” on his phone.

I better get going.

He makes his way to another station, going through the same motions with a different host.

The same expressions, the same false persona, the same kind facade.

He gets back to his apartment again, only this time his mom’s waiting for him.

“Your teacher called today. She said you’re on track to fail. Again”

“I’m really sorry, alright? I’ve been trying my hardest in school but nothing sticks!” Takumi falsely claims.

“I think we should get another tutor. Maybe this one’ll see that you actually need help, not just fall for your charm”
“I’m telling you I’ll be fine! School’s not important for someone like me, really!”

Takumi’s mom ponders for a moment, then makes a deal.

“If this last tutor decides you’re fine, and you end up failing, I’ll let you stop going to school”

Finally, she’s seeing it the right way!

“She’ll be starting tomorrow, but promise me something”
“What’s that?”
“Give her a chance”

What does she mean by “give her a chance”? Shouldn’t she be the one giving me a chance? Her famous son?

The next morning, Takumi sleeps in again, which is commonplace for the weekend. What isn’t is the knocking at the door.

“Go away mom, It’s the weekend so I can do what I want!”

The door opens, and Takumi hears footsteps.

“I told you it’s my free time, I don’t want to be bothered right now!”

Takumi looks up to spot a short, shy looking girl. Not bad looking by any chance, but the look is one of adequacy. Nothing more, nothing less.

“Takumi this is Yuna Yamaguchi, she’ll be tutoring you starting today”

Whoever it is, I'll have you out of here in no time. Then I can truly shine. So bright that nobody can look away.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Yamaguchi-san” Takumi’s hollow words spill out. His desire to grab attention and keep a face never stops.

“I think we’re in the same class, so this should be easy to follow along,” Yuna says, slowly walking toward the desk in Takumi’s room.

I’ve never seen this girl in my life. Same class? This’ll be too easy!

“So where do you want to start, Takumi-san?”

“I really know all of this stuff, you know. I can manage by myself”

Yuna looks confused, and Takumi leans in closer.

“You shouldn’t study too much, It’ll hurt your beauty. I can get you a deal in a movie, do you want that?” Takumi spouts yet again, no meaning in his words.

“How’s that? Do you have a Friend of a Friend of a Friend?” Yuna asks, clearly taking it as a joke.

Does she know who I am? How important I am?

“Let me ask you something, do you recognize me?”
“Yeah, from class. We should really start working on this”

Takumi is overcome with complete shock. How could someone this insignificant not know who he is?

I am the brightest light in the modern industry. Loved by most and known by more….so how?

How could this number have no idea who I am? How could she be so ignorant?