The café near Shinjuku Station was already bustling when Kenji arrived the next morning. The hum of chatter, the clinking of mugs, and the smell of roasted beans filled the air. He had barely slept, nerves kept him awake but he forced himself to look calm as he spotted Aika sitting in the corner.
She was dressed differently today, less casual than the night before. A crisp white blouse, black slacks, and the same sharp, attentive gaze. She waved him over without a smile, her presence commanding even in a simple café.
"You're on time," she said, checking her watch. "Good start."
Kenji sat down awkwardly, fumbling with the strap of his guitar case. "I… didn't want to mess this up."
Her eyes flicked to the case. "You brought your guitar."
"I thought you might want me to… play something."
Aika smirked slightly, the first crack in her cool demeanor. "Not yet. First, I need to know who you are."
Kenji blinked. "Who I am?"
"Yes." She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Why do you sing, Kenji Sato? What makes you want this path when you could be doing something easier, safer?"
Kenji froze. The question pierced deeper than he expected. He thought of his parents' voices telling him to quit, of nights spent alone with nothing but chords to keep him company, of the first time he sang "Chains" and felt free.
"…Because it's the only thing that feels real," he admitted quietly. "When I sing, it doesn't matter if I'm broke, or if people doubt me. It's the only time I feel alive."
For a moment, Aika said nothing. Then she nodded once. "That's what I needed to hear. Passion without purpose burns out. But passion with clarity…" Her eyes narrowed. "That's dangerous. In a good way."
Kenji let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"Alright," she continued, pulling out her phone. "I'll be straight with you. I don't have the resources of a big label. I'm just starting. But I know people, and I know talent when I see it. You've got something raw, something audiences remember. If you're willing to work harder than anyone else, I can guide you."
Kenji's chest tightened. "I'll do whatever it takes."
"Good." She tapped on her screen. "There's a live audition at an underground venue this Friday. Local scouts, small-time producers, indie managers, it's where hungry talent tries to get noticed. I want you to sing there."
Kenji's heart leapt. "Another competition?"
"Not quite. This isn't about winning. It's about surviving the stage in front of people who judge with their wallets, not applause. If you crumble, they won't care how much potential you have."
He nodded, determination flooding his veins. "I won't crumble."
Aika smirked again, almost amused. "We'll see."
When Kenji left the café, the System stirred in his vision.
[System Notification: Quest accepted - Perform at Underground Live Audition.]
[Time Limit: 4 days.]
[Reward: Unlock Passive Skill - Audience Connection.]
[Failure: -100 Confidence Aura, Reputation Drop.]
Kenji nearly tripped on the sidewalk. "Reputation drop?! Wait, so if I fail, I actually lose progress?"
The glowing words faded, but the weight remained.
He rubbed his face. "Great. No pressure."
That night, Kenji locked himself in his tiny room with his guitar. Haru barged in after school, tossing his bag aside and collapsing onto the bed.
"What's up, superstar?" Haru grinned. "Saw a couple of posts about you. Some dude even uploaded a shaky video of your performance. People are saying you've got 'that raw vibe.'"
Kenji perked up. "Wait, really?"
"Yeah! You've got fans now, bro. Tiny ones. But still fans." Haru stuffed chips in his mouth. "So what's next? Another competition? Gonna crush Ryo again?"
Kenji shook his head. "Not Ryo. This time it's… real industry people. Aika's setting me up for an audition Friday."
Haru sat up, eyes wide. "Wait, that fast? Dude, you're still green! What if..." He stopped when he saw Kenji's expression.
Kenji's hands were trembling again, but his voice was steady. "I know I'm not ready. But I can't back down. Not now. If I choke, the System said I'll lose reputation. That means… people might actually stop caring."
Haru frowned. "System? What system..."
"Nothing," Kenji cut in quickly. "Forget it."
Haru raised an eyebrow but let it slide. "Alright. Then we practice. All night if we have to. You're not walking into that audition unprepared."
Kenji stared at his best friend, warmth spreading in his chest. "Thanks, Haru."
"Don't thank me yet," Haru said with a grin. "By the time I'm done with you, you'll either be a legend or dead from exhaustion."
The days leading up to the audition blurred into a haze of practice. Kenji pushed his voice until it cracked, studied rhythms until his fingers bled, and replayed songs again and again until every note felt etched into his bones.
But the System wasn't idle.
[Mini Quest: Maintain practice streak for 3 consecutive days.]
[Reward: +50 Stamina.]
[Mini Quest: Perfect one new original song.]
[Reward: +1 Confidence Aura.]
Each time he completed one, the faint glow of rewards kept him going. His stamina grew. His aura strengthened. And most importantly, his fear began to shrink.
By the night before the audition, Kenji collapsed onto his bed, his throat raw but stronger, his hands aching but certain.
The city outside buzzed with neon life. He stared at the ceiling, whispering to himself:
"This is it. My first real step."
The System pulsed gently in reply.
[Reminder: Quest deadline - 1 day remaining.]
Kenji closed his eyes, clutching his guitar. For the first time, the fear didn't outweigh the hope.
Tomorrow, the stage would decide everything.