The sun was beginning to sink on the horizon, bathing the Ko‑Ei Productions building in warm tones. From outside, its facade looked modern, with large windows reflecting the sunset light. But upon crossing the main entrance, Akari Tanabe could never have imagined what awaited her.
The door opened slowly, and the first thing she noticed was a faint scent of fresh flowers mixed with a citrus note. The interior gleamed with carefully orchestrated decor. Delicate garlands of LED lights ran along the walls, casting soft flashes that mimicked stars. In the center of the lobby, a glass table held a bouquet of white and lilac flowers, arranged with delicate care. Small pastel banners hung on the walls spelling out: "Welcome, Akari Tanabe."
Her eyes widened completely.
All this… is for me? she murmured, her voice barely audible beneath her mask.
From the opposite side of the lobby, Aoi Kurohane appeared with a flawless smile, her presence radiating grace and a confidence that seemed to envelop the place.
"Of course it's for you. We wanted to make sure you felt at home from the very first moment," she said.
Before Akari could answer, other members began to appear from different corners of the lobby. Ri‑chan, her cat ears perfectly in place and her energy contagious, was the first to approach with a big hop that almost overflowed with excitement.
"Akari‑chan! Look at all this! We made sure it was perfect, do you like it?"
Ren followed behind, his smile calmer and his posture less restless.
"It's so you know you're part of the team from the first moment. We hope you feel comfortable."
Haruto arrived with measured steps, surveying the decorations and then Akari as if evaluating every detail of the scene.
"I hope this gives you a good first impression of the group and the place. You're the center of all this now, so get ready to work hard."
His tone was firm, but there was a faint hint of welcome in his words.
Even the Hoshizaki sisters, Suzune and the younger sibling, were present. Suzune adjusted the flower details on the table while the younger sister watched curiously from a corner, holding a notebook full of sketches.
"I drew you something, Akari‑san!" she said shyly, offering a sheet with a drawing of Akari singing on stage under bright lights.
Akari stood still for a moment, her hands nervously adjusting the straps of her backpack.
"Thank you… It's more than I expected," she replied timidly, though her eyes betrayed a gleam of excitement she could not hide.
Kurohane stepped forward with sure but elegant strides, like a conductor directing a visual orchestra.
"Come with me. I want to show you everything this place has to offer. Here we don't just work: we live, create, and dream together."
Akari followed, her hesitant steps contrasting with Kurohane's confidence. The other members accompanied them to make the experience more personal and communal. As they walked, the decor seemed to transform every corner of the building into a unique experience. The rehearsal rooms were impeccably ordered, instruments gleaming under strategically placed lights. The soundproofed recording studios had a futuristic air with consoles and lit screens. The common area, a wide space with modern sofas and a wall full of the group's photos, radiated a cozy warmth that almost made her forget her nerves.
Ri‑chan walked beside Akari, pointing out things she found amusing while adjusting her cat ears.
"And this is where we meet to plan our releases. Oh, and where Haruto scolds us for not following the schedule."
"I don't scold you," Haruto interjected from the other side. "I'm just trying to make this group efficient."
Ren, observing from behind, added with a faint smile, "Don't mind Ri‑chan. Haruto has his methods, but he always does it for the group's good."
When they reached the rehearsal room, Kurohane opened the door with a fluid gesture.
"This space is where the songs are born. We've spent long hours perfecting every detail so our music becomes unforgettable."
Akari nodded, her gaze moving with curiosity and admiration.
"It's incredible. I've never seen a place so dedicated to art. It feels… special."
As they chatted, Haruto, as always, brought up a topic everyone knew would have to be addressed sooner or later: performance.
"By the way, Akari, there's something important you need to know. Now that you're part of this group, you're not just a singer. You're a public figure. And that means you need to perform."
Akari frowned, visibly confused. "Perform? I don't understand."
Ri‑chan interrupted, her voice light but serious. "It's part of the job. People love perfect stories and the characters that make them dream. Each of us has a role to play. That's what they expect from us."
Kurohane, with her serene gaze, added, "It's hard at first, but over time you'll understand it's not about lying. It's about connecting in a way that makes you unforgettable to them."
Akari lowered her eyes, her mind turning with doubts. The group's words had planted a seed of uncertainty but also curiosity. This new world was bigger and more complex than she had ever imagined.
As the building's lights began to dim and the group dispersed, Akari remained alone for a moment in the lobby, staring at the reflection of her mask in the glass door.
Who am I really? she thought, feeling a much larger question beginning to form within her.
And who do I have to be to fulfill this? she wondered.
She had not needed to be inauthentic for her previous work—writing and singing covers did not require direct contact with an audience—but now, in this new role, she had to adapt to what people wanted, setting aside her real self and becoming the perfect girl everyone wanted, in order to grow beyond her current stature in the music industry. The question that plagues artists rose in her mind: Who am I really? Acting for so long ends up confusing you, no matter your self‑control.
To be continued.