Laughter filled the studio, inside and out.
"The shy girl's bold confession to her senpai worked! How delightful!" Hidaka Rina said, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes.
"Eh, it's whatever," The "literature girl" Across the table muttered, face glum despite her victorious confession.
"You're so blasé about this, and you're a college student!" Hidaka teased.
"People overhype love," Takizawa hummed, sounding world-weary. "Family, career, ideals, exploration, knowledge, reflection—life's full of meaningful things and sights. Yet so many fret over 'he/she doesn't love me.' Such a waste."
"What's that? Takizawa-kun doesn't dream of a heart-wrenching romance?" The high schooler asked, skeptical.
"I used to," He admitted, gaze drifting upward, voice softening. "In class, I'd stare at her back—her slender, flawless neck. I'd pretend to take notes, watching her hair ripple in the breeze by the window."
He paused, a touch earnest.
"I'd think about doing things for her—handing in assignments, buying snacks, cleaning the blackboard together. I'd watch her favorite dramas and shows, learn about stuff outside my world. Just talking, catching her eye, laughing over the same thing—it felt fulfilling."
He sighed.
"But that longing's just a memory now, stuck in classrooms and hallways. I don't feel that way anymore."
Every boy, before growing up, has dreams—being a superhero, a knight, a scientist, an astronaut, an artist, a performer.
How many kids dream of buying a condo and paying a twenty-year mortgage?
Back then, Takizawa devoured tragic romance novels in language class, his online statuses dripping with melodramatic angst. He'd snap teary selfies, eyes misty, hair messy, captioning them with cryptic, poetic lines.
Realizing your teenage cringe makes you want to vanish proves you've grown.
Even those over-the-top dramas—car crashes, amnesia, evil CEOs, and innocent heroines—often touched on one truth: matching status matters.
Reality's harsh. Look anywhere, and you'll find tragic examples.
Even in a fantasy world, a gifted side-character knight like Alfredo, rising from nothing, ends up with nothing.
"Youth's precious because even its naive worries shine and linger," Takizawa said solemnly. "Cherish these days, Hidaka-san. Don't get so busy you miss the scenery."
Hidaka, caught off guard by his heartfelt words, felt a mix of doubt and surprise.
Young but seasoned, she'd worked many sets, mingling with cast and crew. Stages are built for plays, driven by crafted plots, each role a cog existing for or born from the story.
Even this voice-only radio was a stage. Normally, it'd be mostly performative.
Takizawa was polite, but he didn't feel like he was "on." He was chatting, almost too sincerely, like a stranger on a train making small talk out of courtesy.
For an actor on the job, sincerity was the one thing to guard carefully.
"Now, the latest on the source material," Hidaka said. "Volume 17 releases next month. After quelling the kingdom's rebellion, Princess Penelope ascends, but faces a fractured nation. With the Mirror Gate shattered and the Flame Sword Saint fallen to buy time, can humanity withstand the dark tide?"
"All revealed in Dark Rebirth Fantasy, Volume 17: Fury of the Burning Waves, available at major bookstores. Join the official Twitter giveaway—repost for a chance at exclusive bonuses!"
Hidaka finished the ad, sipped water, her sleek ponytail swaying. She eyed the guy sitting calmly with arms crossed.
"Time flies when it's fun. Our first episode's almost over," She said.
"Yup," Takizawa replied.
"So cold! Last few minutes—don't drop the ball. Get your energy up!"
"Yup!" He repeated, louder.
"It went pretty well, right? I was nervous for our first go, but no hiccups, thanks to you, Takizawa-kun," Hidaka grinned, setting down her script, propping her head on her hands. "Did you have fun? I did!"
"Rare experience. I'll make use of it next time," He said gravely.
"Oh? You're an experiential type?"
"Nah, I'm an imagination guy."
"Wanna come back next time?" She asked.
"As a side character… I think my value's been squeezed dry," He said.
"No, no, your personal interest!"
"If there's a chance, sure," He nodded, tossing out pleasantries. "Your hosting and topic control were solid, Hidaka-san. You could totally be a pro MC."
"Really? That's sweet!" She clapped lightly, beaming.
"So the next episodes will probably be smooth and fun too. I'll tune in when I can. Keep it up."
"Thanks! I'll pour that enthusiasm into the next one," She said, exhaling.
"That's it for now. Your host, Hidaka Rina, and—"
"Takizawa Satoru," He chimed in.
They synced their rhythm and shouted in unison:
"Thanks for listening, see you next time!"
"Thanks for listening, see you next time!"
A lively BGM closed out the show, and the staff, watching all along, gave thumbs-ups.
"Good work," The producer said, entering.
The two echoed the sentiment.
"Rare chance—let's take a photo. How about posing with the latest novel?"
He meant Volume 17, its cover ablaze with chaotic war and the destined hero in a billowing black cape.
Hidaka and Takizawa took the book. It wasn't large—one hand could hold it easily.
Holding separate copies looked awkward, so they stood shoulder-to-shoulder, sharing one book, like a duo splitting a trophy.
"Smile… good, a few more takes. Takizawa-kun, loosen up your expression."
True to her child-actor roots, Hidaka nailed the camera with a practiced, natural smile.
Takizawa, usually quick-witted, froze, his forced grin stiff and oddly eerie, like something from a haunted asylum.
Hidaka glanced at his awkward mask-like smile and couldn't help giggling.
The producer frowned, thought for a second, then slyly said, "OK."
As expected, the two relaxed, glancing at each other, expressions normalizing.
The producer's eyes lit up, and he snapped rapid shots.
In the lens, the sailor-uniformed girl smiled brightly, looking up, while the casually dressed guy gave a wry grin, looking down—a perfectly friendly scene.
A rare candid work photo, the producer nodded, pleased.
"Thanks for today," Hidaka bowed slightly. "You even helped with my math."
"No big deal. Hope we work together again," Takizawa waved off.
"Same here. You're an interesting guy, Takizawa-kun," The petite girl, barely reaching his shoulder, said suddenly.
"Haha, cool. I'm off to catch the subway."
"I'll pack my bag. Which line, Takizawa-kun?"
"Hanzomon."
"Me too. Walk together?"
"Uh, sure."
As a responsible adult, escorting a minor senior colleague felt right, both socially and professionally.
Though lately, he seemed to be walking a lot of students home…
Takizawa watched the girl pack her pens and worksheets, musing.
***
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