Volume 1 Prologue — The Day Destiny Began

The city shimmered beneath the evening lights.

Fourteen-year-old Mika Hoshina had just finished helping her parents at their family-owned confectionery shop. Together with her older sister, Yui Hoshina , she served customers every day after school. To Mika, this peaceful routine was simply part of everyday life, and she never imagined that everything was about to change.

Her father, Atsushi Hoshina , smiled as he locked the shop's front door.

Atsushi: "Good work today, Mika. Yui, thank you for helping your sister."

Yui: "Mika did a great job today. She even decorated all the strawberry cakes by herself."

Mika smiled shyly.

Mika: "I'm still not as good as you, Sis."

Just then, the shop door suddenly flew open.

Misa Freileray  rushed inside, slightly out of breath.

Misa: "Mika! Hurry! I managed to get two tickets!"

Mika: "Tickets? For what?"

Misa: "For the concert of the legendary idol, Luna Kisaragi ! We have to leave now!"

Mika had never been particularly interested in idols, but seeing the excitement in Misa's eyes, she couldn't refuse.

That evening, the concert hall was filled with thousands of fans waving glowing light sticks.

The lights suddenly went out.

A single spotlight illuminated the center of the stage.

A graceful young woman dressed in a white-and-silver costume slowly stepped into the light.

It was Luna Kisaragi.

The music began.

「Beyond the Starlight」

When the night hides every dream,

I will become your guiding beam.

Past the tears, beyond the sky,

Spread your wings and learn to fly.

Hear your heartbeat, don't be afraid,

Every wish will never fade.

If our voices shine as one,

A brand-new story has begun.

The audience erupted into thunderous applause.

Mika stood frozen.

She had never felt anything like this before.

Her heart began to race.

Suddenly, the silver pendant hidden beneath her clothes started glowing with a faint blue light.

Mika: "...What?"

The light lasted only a few seconds.

No one else seemed to notice.

Then, a mysterious voice echoed inside her mind.

??? "The Star Bearer has awakened..."

Mika looked around in confusion.

Mika: "...Who's there?"

There was no answer.

Only silence.

Beside her, Misa stared at Mika with wide eyes.

Misa: "Mika..."

Mika: "What's wrong?"

Misa: "...For just a moment... you were shining brighter than the stage."

Mika laughed nervously.

Mika: "You're imagining things."

But Misa remained completely serious.

After the concert, they walked quietly through the city streets.

When they reached the station, Misa suddenly stopped.

She pulled a brochure from her bag and handed it to Mika.

Across the cover, elegant golden letters read:

Starling Star Idol Academy

Misa: "Mika... let's audition together."

Mika: "...Me? Become an idol?"

Misa: "I know what I saw tonight. You have something special."

Mika lowered her eyes to the mysterious pendant.

It was no longer glowing.

However...

A tiny star-shaped emblem had appeared on its surface.

She was certain it hadn't been there before.

High above the city, hidden in the shadows of a nearby rooftop, a mysterious man silently watched Mika.

???: "...So... the Star Bearer has finally awakened."

A cold wind swept across the rooftops.

The stranger vanished into the darkness before anyone could notice him.

Unaware of the ancient secret hidden within the pendant around her neck, Mika unknowingly took her first step toward a destiny that would change not only her own life, but the future of the entire idol world.

End of Prologue

Main Characters

Mika Hoshina  — The main heroine, a kind and hardworking fourteen-year-old girl.

Misa Freileray  — Mika's cheerful and energetic best friend.

Yui Hoshina  — Mika's caring older sister.

Atsushi Hoshina  — Mika's father and owner of the family confectionery shop.

Haruka Hoshina  — Mika's gentle and supportive mother.

Luna Kisaragi — The legendary idol whose concert changes Mika's destiny forever.