Prologue ①

Source

https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330650731416950/episodes/16817330650732285477

A long time ago, I–Misaki Aoi had someone I liked.

She belonged to an agency since she was a high school student, and was an actress who had been active in the entertainment industry since she was a child.

Her appearance is so elegant that it catches anyone’s attention, her manner is soft and graceful, and her ladylike atmosphere grabs the hearts of both men and women alike.

She was as wonderful on TV as she was at school.

It was as if she had completely changed herself. Where did her atmosphere at school go? It was as if she was a living embodiment of the role she played in the drama.

I had been secretly following everything she did and was repeatedly reminded that she had talent as an actress as well.

Needless to say, she was a girl who was out of one’s league.

There were countless boys who had feelings for her, and I was one of them. The only difference was that I was a very shadowy guy.

I was shy, unable to participate in conversation, and always acted suspiciously.

The reason I fell in love with her was because she was kind to me.

There is no doubt that this was my first love.

Five years have passed since then, and I’m still pulled by that feeling—

“Oh my, it’s been a while, Misaki san.”

As I was walking down the corridor of my office, a voice suddenly called out to me from behind.

Just hearing that voice makes my heart jump involuntarily.

When I turned around, I saw a woman with shiny long blonde hair standing there, waving her hand.

　

“I-it’s been a while……Sakura.”

Sakura Hiiyo.

She is a young actress who is active in an entertainment agency called [Fortissimo].

She is a successful actress who is sought after in TV dramas and commercials for her elegant face that looks somewhat childlike and her outstanding acting ability.

Just the mere sight of her face nearby is enough to catch your attention if you are not careful. She had that much atmosphere and appearance.

And this woman was also……my first love.

“Fufu, it really is.”

“I didn’t expect to see you at the office since you’ve been so busy lately, Sakura.”

“Come to think of it, Misaki san is also the best selling actor of the moment, right? I guess Misaki san is the one who was too busy to show his face.”

“……Yes, maybe.”

It has been five years since I graduated from high school.

I currently belonged to the same office as Sakura.

Why am I, who was a shadowy perso, at an entertainment agency? It all started when I suddenly got a minor role in my sister’s movie, who is an actress.

Apparently, I had a talent for acting.

Even though I usually lack communication and wear a gloomy atmosphere, when I’m given a role, I seem to be absorbed in it as if I had been transported into the role.

I didn’t think I was that good, but when I looked back at my performances, I was not smug, but rather honest and said, [It’s true].

After that, I gradually received opportunities to play minor roles, and through various intervening circumstances, I was able to belong to the same [Fortissimo] agency as my sister.

Thankfully, I was approached by not only [Fortissimo] but also by various other companies.

But I chose this office because–

(Because it’s the office where Sakura is…..I’m still a coward for not saying it.)

I also felt safe because my sister was there.

But more than that, I could not forget the first love I had at that time.

In this position, I had the opportunity to be involved with many women, and to my delight, they began to like me.

However, I couldn’t find any feelings anywhere that were greater than towards Sakura’s.

In the end, I realized that I could never get rid of the first love I had for Sakura, and I secretly gave up on love.

“But you never know what life has in store for you. I never imagined that Misaki san, who was in the same class with me at that time, belonged to the same office and worked in the same industry. Moreover, I never imagined back then that you would be called a ‘young genius actor’ in the industry.”

Sakura speaks nostalgically.

“I was a very gloomy person back then.”

“Now you don’t even have that look. In the past, even when talking to me, you would say, [H-hyaa !].”

“……Stop, you’re embarrassing me.”

“Fufu, Misaki san was cute at that time too.”

Gentle, yet with a slightly blushing smile.

How much have I been attracted to that smile?

Since that time, she smiled kindly to me, I remember it like it was yesterday.

(If only it had been a little earlier.)

Maybe it’s because I’ve grown up, or maybe it’s because I’ve had the opportunity to talk to many different people since I joined this industry, but I’m not as timid as I used to be.

My appearance is not as messy and unclean as it used to be. Now that I think about it, there was no way I was ugly because I had inherited the blood of my parents and my sister.

If I had realized it sooner, I might have been as confident as everyone else in high school.

If I had…..I might have been able to close the distance with Sakura.

Even if it’s no good, shouldn’t I have at least had the courage to confess my feelings to her?

Just thinking about it brings up regrets. I can’t go back to the old days now.

“Um, how can I help you…..?”

Saying so, Sakura extended her left hand as if she was worried.

There was a beautiful ring on the ring finger of her hand–

(Haha ! I didn’t know that she got married.)

I’m sure Sakura is popular with everyone.

We are both old enough to be married. It should be normal for her to get married after not seeing each other for a while like this.

But the moment I saw the ring, I felt as if cold water had been poured on my heart all at once.

“That ring……”

“Oh, this? From the previous shoot–“

When Sakura said that, it was the time.

Suddenly, an unpleasant sound came into my ears from the ceiling.

When I looked up, I saw a large signboard that had been installed for Christmas that was beginning to lean.

Oh no, I thought. By the time I thought that, I quickly pushed Sakura’s body away.

“Eh……Misaki san……?”

—I don’t know what happened.

Sakura had a dumbfounded look on her face.

It’s not unreasonable to feel that way if you’re suddenly pushed away, but….the sign that was hanging from the ceiling immediately falls.

At the same time, a sharp pain ran through the back of my head.

(Why is the ceiling so high here…..)

The hanging bracket was about to break, and I fell down together with the falling signboard.

“M-Misaki san……!?”

Sakura rushes over to me as quickly as she can.

When I looked at the signboard that had fallen nearby, I saw blood on the corners.

(The spot that was hit is painful……)

My consciousness began to fade.

The pain in my head seemed to be slowly disappearing, and for some reason, Sakura’s voice seemed to be fading away.

“W-why are you doing this for someone like me…..!”

It’s never for someone like you.

Somehow I already know that it was Sakura that was the reason why I suddenly got involved.

It made me realize once again how much I love Sakura.

That is why I regret a love that will never bear fruit again.

If only I had been able to change myself earlier.

If only I had had more courage to talk to Sakura.

If only I had become a man who could match Sakura.

“S…some…to….do…..!

In the hazy field of view, I can see Sakura shedding tears.

Seeing her like that, I–

(If only I could wish…..)

I wish that I could do those days over again.

The moment I unintentionally wished that, my consciousness went dark.

♦♦♦

The next time I came to my senses, I was confused.

“W-why…..!?”

In front of me was a large standing mirror.

The young face, slightly smaller body, arms and legs, which I only recognize. The bangs that cover the eyes are unthinkable for me as an adult.

He was probably about the height of a middle school student or a high school student.

Could it be–

“I became the person I was back then !?”

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