Vol. 1 Chapter 2 – The Idol-Aspirant Childhood Friend

The first day of high school. I was forcibly woken up by an alarm set for a time I absolutely never would have used during spring break.

“Time to get up…” (Yuuto)

Shoving off the slightly heavy winter duvet, I opened the curtains right beside my bed.

“So bright…” (Yuuto)

The sun shone brilliantly, as if blessing the students embarking on their new lives. Seeing this sun, the school principals would surely add the preamble “Watched over by the warm spring sunlight” to the speeches tucked away in their breast pockets.

“Morning, Mom.” (Yuuto)
“Morning, Yuuto.” (Mom)

Catching sight of Mom standing cheerfully in the kitchen, I pulled out a chair at the dining table. The morning news program was introducing the day’s trends.

“Hokujou Yuuya, starring in a new movie, huh…” (Mom)

Not particularly savoring the toast placed before me, I mechanically popped it into my mouth while watching TV.

“We’ll have to go see it on opening day again~” (Mom)

Seeing Mom’s happy expression as she sat down opposite me, I understood the reason for her good mood this morning. Mom is, by her own declaration, Hokujou Yuuya’s number one fan in the world.

“You’ll come too, right, Yuuto? To see Dad’s movie.” (Mom)
“You’ll just drag me along anyway, won’t you?” (Yuuto)

My mother doesn’t have a husband. But Hokujou Yuuya is my biological father.

After finishing my morning routine, I slipped my arms into the slightly oversized uniform characteristic of a new student.

“…Yep! As expected of someone with Dad’s blood, you look good in anything~!” (Mom)
“Mom, stop saying that every time I put something on.” (Yuuto)

‘Is this what they call a doting parent?’ I wondered, picking up my brand-new school bag.

“Well, I’m off.” (Yuuto)
“Have a good day.” (Mom)

With her voice at my back, I headed for the elevator, trying to banish the lingering sleepiness with the sunlight. Even mundane actions like going outside felt somewhat special with the preface “first day of high school.” Was this proof that deep down, I was excited?

“Mornin’!”

As if to cut through such thoughts, a school bag identical to mine slammed into my back.

“…You’re full of energy this morning.” (Yuuto)
“Hey! Yuuto! When someone says ‘good morning,’ you say ‘good morning’ back, right?” (Akari)
“…Morning, Akari.” (Yuuto)
“Yep! Much better.” (Akari)

Horita Akari lives on the same floor as me. We’ve been together since before I can remember, what you’d call childhood friends. She’s been a bundle of energy since we were little, and still is.

“Just looking at you makes me feel like my energy’s getting sucked away…” (Yuuto)
“Ahaha! If I sucked away your energy, Yuuto, I’d lose my energy too!” (Akari)
“Is my energy poisonous or something?” (Yuuto)

Maintaining the same closeness we’ve had since childhood, I let myself be swept along by Akari’s pace as we boarded the arrived elevator.

“Anyway, the reason you have no energy is because you have no stamina, Yuuto! You need to train, here!” (Akari)

I silently took the school bag Akari offered me. I learned years ago that resistance was futile.

“Ahhh~ I’m worried. Will I be able to make friends?” (Akari)
“If you can’t make friends, no one can.” (Yuuto)
“Ehh? But still, I’m anxious, you know? Ahh, I wish I was in the same class as Yuuto~” (Akari)
“We’re in different courses, so that’s impossible.” (Yuuto)

Pressing the open button for the elevator that had arrived on the first floor, I said this, and Akari stepped out, muttering, “I know, but still~”

The private Ichiyou High School we attend is a large institution with over 1000 students per grade, offering various courses such as the General Course, Advanced Course, Music Course, and Entertainment Course.

“Anyway~ why didn’t you choose the Entertainment Course, Yuuto? You might have a gloomy personality, but with that face, you definitely could have gotten in.” (Akari)
“Call it cool, please. Besides, I told you before, right? I don’t want to stand out, and I want to become a doctor.” (Yuuto)
“I think it’s such a waste… Well, I guess the Advanced Course has plenty of kids like you!” (Akari)

I felt like she’d said something rude, but pointing it out would be endless, so I let it slide.

“Anyway, don’t I look amazing in this uniform!?” (Akari)

She struck a pose, hands on her hips, showing off the uniform she wore flawlessly. I’d never once thought anything she wore didn’t suit her. Frankly, her looks were incomparable among girls our age. Perhaps aware of this herself, even the occasional confident expression she showed served only to enhance her charm.

“You’d just get mad if I didn’t compliment you. It suits you.” (Yuuto)

She puffed out her chest with a smug “Hmph,” striking a triumphant pose.

“An aspiring idol has to look good in any outfit!” (Akari)

Akari, who had loudly declared her intention to become an idol since childhood, had unhesitatingly chosen to enter the Entertainment Course. Perhaps it was just my bias as her childhood friend, but I thought Akari’s bright personality was very similar to the kind of idols you see on TV who cheer people up.

After walking for a while from our apartment building, the number of high school students wearing the same uniform increased around us. Simultaneously, the gazes directed at us… or rather, at Akari, multiplied.

Her instantly recognizable, well-defined features and snow-like skin, which girls her age would likely envy, drew the eyes of everyone we passed.

“Ah, maybe my nervousness is fading.” (Akari)
“…I see.” (Yuuto)

Despite the ever-increasing stares, my childhood friend made such a clueless remark about her nervousness fading. I was exasperated but also relieved by her usual carefree attitude.

While exchanging our usual banter with my childhood friend, a sign reading “Private Ichiyou High School” and a school gate far too large for a high school came into view. The flow of people, unimaginable in middle school, was more than enough to signal the beginning of a new life.