DAY 0
I finally have it; another chance to turn my life around to the way I want it. To change my destiny and make my own path. You see, I have decided to leave my life as a harpist and pursue my dreams of becoming an idol in Japan. Yes, it will be a struggle to climb above the rest in my studies, but that is the least of my worries. See, the whole reason I am even able to travel to Japan for this is because I made a deal with my parents…If I pass the final, they'll let me pursue my dream I have with my all. Should I fail…I must return home and start on the road to my plan B career. I am Mĕilì Yue, and this is the beginning of my long path to idoldom!
'And that's why I'm here now, at Saotome Academy...' Meili thought as she stood at the gateway entrance to the performing arts school.
Despite the fact that she was in Japan, her first step taken onto the grounds was like teleporting onto European land. Light brown bricked paths led around four large green square-ish patches of grass, where hedges rose from the ground to form mini mazes. Meili could see simple water fountains peeking up over them; one in the center of each maze.
She continued walking down the path, until she stopped dead center in the middle of the courtyard, right where a white circle lay on the pathway. It was there that she took in the marvelous sight of the building itself.
It stood at least four stories tall, and its architecture seemed to be inspired by the Victorian castles of old. It had off white brick walls, a light blue roof, several turrets, and too many windows to count.
'So this is to be my home away from home…' she continued in thought, as she felt the anxiousness swell up from within.
"Magnificent, isn't it?" A man commented loudly from behind, making her jump with a gasp. "It's my very own design!"
Meili whirled around quickly and saw a tan well-built man standing there.
He was a giant of a man, standing at six feet and seven inches tall, and had slightly disheveled short spikey dark reddish brown hair. He was wearing white framed sunglasses, with brown suit pants and a matching jacket. Under that he wore a white collared button up shirt with a dark blue sweater and a red polka dot tie.
"Are you…Saotome-san…?" Meili asked, slightly suspicious of the man who had appeared from nowhere.
"Such a bright young lady you are! Makes me overflow with joy to know I made the right choice in offering scholarships to the brightest pupils of the world!" the man exclaimed proudly. "Although…you had me concerned with your late arrival, Miss Meili. Any later, and I would've had to turn you away…"
"I'm sorry, but I had family matters to attend to first." She explained seriously.
"Hmm…Quite understandable." The principal agreed with the same tone. "Well let's go discuss things further in my office!"
She followed him there and after taking a seat at his desk he told her, "Now, first things first…With your arrival came your acceptance into the academy. All of your things have been moved to your room, and you'll be able to move in later." – he paused, to move onto more important things – "Now, let me be the first to challenge you to find the heart to what you love to do most."
"And just what do you mean by that…?" Meili asked as she gazed at Saotome with utter confusion.
The principle silently reached for one of his desk drawers in response and pulled out some manila folders with a single CD before setting them in front of him.
"Miss Meili. You had the top scores in China; therefore you have won the scholarship through the written test." Saotome explained, quite serious about the matter. "When it came to your demo CD, however, I found something missing in the song you composed. So the only reason I have accepted your enrollment, is because I see promise in you. What you need to do, as you continue your studies, is to find what is missing in your music."
"I don't believe there is anything missing." Meili replied with determination. "But I will keep an open mind when learning and studying."
"May you keep an open heart too." The principal added. "You don't have to attend classes today, so take the time to get to know your dorm neighbors and peers."
"No offence, Saotome-san, but I came to focus solely on my studies." Meili announced icily. "And friends only get in the way of that…I don't need anyone hindering my chances of becoming an idol."
With that, she turned and stalked out of the office, leaving an icy chill behind….
Here it is, the new and improved Finding Heart! And how appropriate, with the fourth season of UtaPri two weeks in!
I just wanted to let you know that I will be tacking these renewed chapters onto the old story, and once I've finished posting the last chapter, the old story will be deleted. Also, I'm excited to say that this improved story will be better paced and will have a little more content!
Lastly, UtaPri and its characters belong to Broccoli publishing. The only characters that belong to me are Meili and her family.