Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818792436243264777
“Kagurazaka san, you’ve been cast in a new drama. How do you feel about this opportunity?”
“Yes! First, I want to thank everyone who supports me. This role is unlike any I’ve played before, so I’m really excited. I’ll give it my all!”
On screen, Kaede answered clearly and cheerfully, smiling.
Touka’s gaze remained fixed on the TV, her breath catching slightly.
“We understand this has been a challenging time for you, Kagurazaka san, with the agency transfer and all. How did you handle that?”
“Well… it certainly wasn’t easy. But I had this strong desire to grow more as an actor, so I decided to take on the challenge. I’ll give it my absolute all to live up to the expectations of everyone supporting me!”
Such a mature answer. I found myself checking something on my wrist. Wait, I was hanging out with this girl just the other day, right? The gap is huge—it feels completely unreal.
“For this role, what aspect did you focus on developing the most?”
“Definitely expressing emotions. I’ve mostly played bright, energetic characters before, but this time it’s a character with a bit of shadow. So I focused on carefully and meticulously portraying the nuances of her emotional shifts. I’m learning every day through acting guidance from the director and my co-stars.”
“I see! Could you tell us about your future goals, Kagurazaka san?”
“Goals, huh…”
Kaede seemed to ponder for just a moment, but quickly answered brightly and energetically.
“I want to keep doing this work for as long as possible. Not just as a child actor, but I want to go beyond that.”
“Beyond child acting… you mean?”
“There’s someone I’ve always admired. Of course, there are people I respect in the acting world, but the one I truly look up to as a goal is—”
Kaede paused, choosing her words with a hint of shyness.
“…I want to be like Asahina Toka-san. Her natural charm that draws people in, her unpretentious smile—everything about her is something I aspire to.”
“Ah, Asahina Toka-san, once called the nation’s genius child actress. But she was a child actress…”
“Yes. That’s why, to surpass my idol Asahina Toka, I want to keep working for a long time. That’s how—I think I can truly become ‘the child actress who surpassed Asahina Toka’.”
“Thank you! Finally, do you have a message for the viewers?”
“Yes! This work is a story filled with laughter and tears. I’m giving my all in every scene, so please look forward to it. And to everyone supporting me, I’ll keep striving without forgetting my gratitude!”
I was completely absorbed. I couldn’t understand the complex feelings between them, but Kaede would surely be the right successor to the celebrity, Asahina Toka.
“Yay! Onee chan, are you watching?! Asahina Toka will always be my idol—! Don’t lose the present I gave you—!”
Kaede showed the blue friendship bracelet wrapped around her wrist, then the screen cut to a commercial. Wait, this is live? What the hell is she doing?
“What is she doing…”
Touka deliberately turned her head away. Seems she was thinking the same thing.
“You’re worried about Kaede?”
“Not really.”
“But you look super happy right now.”
Touka flopped down on the sofa and hugged a cushion.
She’s got this really nice look on her face. It’s the first time I’ve seen her look like that after seeing something.
“…She’s drifting farther and farther away, isn’t she?”
“You’re doing the same thing, Toka.”
“Huh?”
“Look, you’re the one who suggested doing SNS yourself, and you’re looking forward to meeting my family. From my perspective, that’s already huge progress.”
Toka buried her face in the cushion and mumbled for a while. Eventually, she answered in a slightly embarrassed voice.
“…If you say so, Ryo-kun, then I guess that’s okay.”
Just then, the commercial ended, and the TV switched to another topic.
I grabbed the remote and turned off the TV.
“Alright, escapism over. Back to homework!”
“Whaaaa?! Why does it have to be like that?!”
“It does, okay?! Toka, you’re going to school properly this semester too!”
“I don’t wanna… I wanna just lounge around at home forever…”
“No choice. Maybe I’ll put a collar on you and drag you there by force.”
“Woof!”
“The Morning Dog came out for the first time in ages.”
On our left wrists were friendship bracelets matching Kaede’s design. Mine was green, Toka’s was pink.
(I’m giving Ryo-chan a friendship bracelet for his birthday present! It’s handmade by Kagurazaka Kaede—everyone will be jealous!)
(She just said it herself. But why a friendship bracelet?)
(Because you can wear it casually? Also, I just wanted something matching with onee chan.)
(Oh, my birthday is being used as an excuse…)
(Ahaha, the colors have meanings too, so look them up properly!)
Honest, kind, and hardworking. A bright girl who also cares about those around her—that’s Kagurazaka Kaede. I don’t know the agency’s situation, but I think I’m starting to understand what Toka meant when she said, “She’s surpassed me.”
“Everyone’s really amazing…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just realized I need to try harder in the second semester too.”
“Ryo-kun, you push yourself too hard. When that happens, I’ll be the one to pamper you. My training plan for you is still ongoing, after all.”
“It wasn’t over yet!?”
And so, our eventful summer vacation was about to come to an end—
Riiing
My phone rang.
No, it wasn’t over yet. The most important thing was still left.
About what I mentioned before, could we meet tomorrow at noon at the cafe in front of the station?
The message was from Toka’s father.
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