Volume 1 — Chapter 9: A New Day and a New Opportunity

The next morning, Yoko woke up earlier than usual.

For a few seconds, she simply stared at the ceiling.

Yesterday's events immediately returned to her mind.

The television studio.

Her first live performance.

The strange girl named Mirai.

And the mysterious memories that still refused to become clear.

Yoko slowly sat up.

"Yesterday was... really strange."

She touched her chest.

Whenever she thought about the future, her heart became uneasy.

And whenever she remembered Minoru...

Her heartbeat became even stronger.

Yoko quickly shook her head.

"No."

"Don't think about that."

She still believed that she loved Naoki.

At least, that was what she had always thought.

But her feelings were becoming more difficult to understand.

The Morning at School

Yoko arrived at school with Ayaka Fujimori.

Ayaka immediately noticed that Yoko looked distracted.

"You didn't sleep well, did you?"

Yoko smiled awkwardly.

"Maybe a little."

"Because of the television appearance?"

Yoko shook her head.

"Not exactly."

Ayaka looked at her suspiciously.

"Then what is it?"

Yoko hesitated.

"There's just... a lot happening."

Ayaka smiled.

"That's what happens when an ordinary girl suddenly becomes an idol."

"I'm still an ordinary girl."

"Of course you are."

Ayaka laughed.

"An ordinary girl whose performance is being talked about everywhere."

Yoko sighed.

"You're enjoying this too much."

"Maybe."

They both laughed.

For a moment, Yoko forgot about the strange memories.

Walking beside her best friend made everything feel normal again.

A Question About Love

During lunch, Yoko and Ayaka sat together in a quiet corner of the school courtyard.

Ayaka looked at her carefully.

"Yoko."

"Hm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you like someone?"

Yoko nearly dropped her drink.

"What?!"

Ayaka laughed.

"Why are you reacting like that?"

"I wasn't expecting that question!"

Ayaka leaned closer.

"Come on. You can tell me."

Yoko looked away.

She thought about Naoki.

Then Minoru appeared in her mind.

Her heart skipped.

"...I think I like someone."

Ayaka smiled.

"Naoki?"

Yoko became quiet.

"Yes."

At least...

That was what she believed.

Ayaka noticed her hesitation.

"You're not completely sure."

Yoko lowered her eyes.

"I don't know anymore."

She placed a hand over her chest.

"Sometimes I think about Naoki."

"But sometimes..."

She stopped.

Ayaka waited.

"Sometimes I think about Minoru."

Yoko immediately became embarrassed.

"I don't understand why."

Ayaka didn't tease her this time.

Instead, she gently smiled.

"Maybe you don't have to understand it yet."

Yoko looked at her.

"What do you mean?"

"Feelings aren't always something you can explain immediately."

Yoko remained silent.

Those words stayed in her mind.

An Unexpected Meeting

After school, Yoko received a message from Asterion.

She was asked to come to the agency.

When she arrived, Director Haru Tachibana was waiting for her.

There was also Airi Nonohara.

Haru smiled.

"Yoko, you did very well yesterday."

"Thank you."

"You handled the live performance better than we expected."

Yoko smiled nervously.

"Even though everything almost went wrong?"

"Exactly."

Haru laughed.

"That's why I'm impressed."

Airi handed Yoko a folder.

"We have received several offers since yesterday."

Yoko looked surprised.

"Offers?"

"Yes."

Haru nodded.

"One of them is for a movie."

Yoko stared at him.

"A movie?"

"That's right."

Haru opened the folder.

"The production company is preparing a romantic film titled Love, Mirai and Lily."

Yoko blinked.

"Mirai...?"

The name immediately caught her attention.

A strange feeling passed through her.

Haru noticed her expression.

"Is something wrong?"

Yoko quickly shook her head.

"No. It's just... an interesting name."

Airi continued.

"The producers saw your television performance."

"They think you could be suitable for one of the main roles."

Yoko couldn't believe it.

"Me?"

"Yes."

"But I've only just become an idol."

Haru smiled.

"That's precisely why they're interested."

"They want someone who feels natural and sincere."

Yoko looked down at the script.

The title continued to bother her.

Love, Mirai and Lily.

For some reason, the word Mirai felt familiar.

Almost painful.

The Offer

Haru looked at Yoko seriously.

"Of course, you don't have to accept immediately."

"You can read the script first."

Yoko nodded.

"I'd like to."

Airi smiled.

"Take your time."

Yoko opened the folder.

The story was about two girls whose lives became connected through an unexpected friendship, dreams, and a forgotten promise.

Yoko's eyes widened slightly.

"A forgotten promise..."

Something about those words felt strangely familiar.

A faint image appeared in her mind.

A little girl smiling.

A pair of purple eyes.

A voice saying:

"Sis..."

Yoko quickly closed the folder.

"Are you okay?" Airi asked.

Yoko took a breath.

"Yes."

But deep inside, she wasn't sure.

This movie couldn't simply be a coincidence.

Not after everything that had happened.

A New Beginning

That evening, Yoko stood outside the agency.

The sun was setting.

She looked at the script in her hands.

Yesterday, she had taken her first step into the world of television.

Today, she had been offered her first movie role.

Everything was happening too quickly.

Yet somehow...

It felt as though someone had already written this path for her.

Yoko looked toward the evening sky.

"I wonder..."

"Was this supposed to happen in my previous life?"

She remembered the mysterious voice.

Change your fate.

Yoko held the script closer.

"If this is another part of the future..."

"Then I'll find out why."

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

A message from Ayaka appeared.

Ayaka: Don't forget tomorrow! We promised to meet after school.

Yoko smiled.

She typed a reply.

Yoko: I remember. See you tomorrow.

She put her phone away.For the first time that day, she felt calm.

She didn't know what would happen with the movie.

She didn't know what her memories were trying to tell her.

She didn't know what would happen between Naoki and Minoru.

And she certainly didn't know why the name Mirai continued to appear in her memories.

But she knew one thing.

Her new life was moving forward.

And this time...

She would choose her own path.

To Be Continued...

End of Volume 1 — Chapter 9