Ichigo Production was never the same after Ai Hoshino's death. In that small office apartment in Tokyo, life had come to a halt. Once a place where dreams blossomed and the echoes of song recordings filled the air, the office now stood silent, cold, and empty. Posters still clung to the walls, a few chairs were pushed into a corner, and dusty mugs on the shelves bore the marks of a bygone era. But the vibrancy that once defined the space was long gone.
After Ai's passing, Ichigo himself disappeared without a word, leaving the company — and Miyako — behind. The survival of Ichigo Production now rested solely on Miyako's shoulders. But that burden grew heavier with each passing day. Keeping the idol department afloat, trying to build new hope with what remained, had become nearly impossible.
Miyako sat at a worn-out desk in the lounge area of the tiny office, a cup of cold coffee in her hand as she sifted through bills and old contracts. The stack of papers before her were mere remnants of days once filled with big dreams. The other rooms of the office had already been emptied out; faint outlines on the walls hinted at where furniture once stood.
One morning, Miyako reached for an old binder on the desk. As she flipped through the pages, a framed photo tucked inside caught her eye. In the picture, Ai beamed with her usual radiant smile. Miyako stared at the photo for a moment, taking a deep breath as tears welled up in her eyes. She felt something inside her break.
With slow steps, she walked over to the small kitchenette. She filled the coffee machine with fresh grounds, but she knew that even the warmth of a new cup wouldn't bring her comfort. The faded paint on the kitchen walls and the cracked tiles seemed to reflect her own exhaustion. Holding the cup, she returned to her desk and quietly buried her face in her hands. Tears slipped silently down her cheeks. She had to stay strong for Ruby and Aqua, but with each day, the weight was becoming unbearable.
In that moment, she made a decision. She would shut down Ichigo Production's idol department. She couldn't carry this burden any longer. On the desk, Ai's old B-Komachi poster lay openly in front of her. Staring at Ai's smiling face, she whispered the words that had been heavy on her heart.
"I can't do it anymore," Miyako said quietly. "Ai... I miss you. But I can't keep fighting."
That day, a heavy air of mourning filled the little office. The remaining furniture, the memories, the silence — all witnessed Miyako's final farewell. As she closed the office door one last time, she paused and looked around. She took Ai's framed photo and placed it gently in her bag. She also carried away all the bittersweet memories that had filled these walls.
And so, Ichigo Production quietly faded from the idol world. All that remained were memories. The laughter of B-Komachi, their steps on stage, and their dreams — now only reflections of a past that could never return.
To be continued...