Chapter 14 : Growing Career

Chapter Summary : Ever since her first film - that was the start, started gaining more traction, Ai gained more popularity - not just as an Idol, but as an actress and also as a model.

Saitou adjusted the cuffs of his blazer as he stepped into the pristine, glass-walled lobby of a well known modelling agency. The air was cool, scented faintly with lavender, and the muted hum of the conversations filled the space. Behind the reception desk sat a young woman with a sharp bob and a sharper gaze, her hands flying across the keyboard.

"Excuse me," Saitou said, his voice cutting through the hum, "I'm here to see Mr Karin"

She didn't look up immediately, finishing her last keystroke before glancing up at him with a professional smile. "He is on the second floor, his office is on the right."

He thanked her and walked over to the elevator, the door slid open and he stepped in. As he ascended, he cleared his throat. After researching this agency and the types of magazines it's famous for, he wasn't entirely sure about this. But given how big the agency's name was, he couldn't say no when the opportunity came knocking.

On the second floor, the door to Mr Karin's office opened with a chime.

The man at the desk rose with a practiced smile, "Mr Saitou Ichigo," He shook his hands, "It's a pleasure."

"Likewise," Saitou replied, though he didn't sit until Karin gestured to the leather chair. "We spoke earlier about the potential modelling contract."

"Ah yes, for the young lady. She's a popular Idol isn't she? Quite the rising star I hear, what was her name again?"

"Ai" Saitou said, "She's also breaking into acting now. A real hard working talent."

"Then you're at the right place." He swept a stack of magazines from his desk and fanned them out, "We have launched the careers of dozens of stars. Take a look for yourself. Recognise any of these?"

Saitou flipped through the magazines. The photography was striking — bright, bold and sensual. The women on the covers were clad in everything from flowing gowns to swimwear so scant it could barely be called clothing.

He arched a brow, "Can't say that I have." he admitted, closing the magazine, "My wife would kill me if she caught me reading one of these" he chuckled.

Karin laughed — a little too loud. "I can see why you didn't bring her along. But the Idol, she's perfect for this. Fresh, young and stunning. The type of girl that will turn heads with a single photo."

"I suppose you have a point"

"Exactly" Karin leaned forward, his enthusiasm spilling over. "She's what? Twenty? Just hitting her prime right? She's got that…uh.. natural allure. The kind of beauty men die to see in a bikini."

Saitou stiffened, his expression hardening. "Excuse me?"

Karin either didn't hear or chose to ignore the edge in Saitou's tone. "You know what I mean. We will put her in some stunning designer pieces — bold, sexy and elegant. And for one we could go for something more daring. Something that screams — womanhood. Maybe a two-piece that shows off her figure. A bit of tasteful fan-service never hurt sales."

His words hung in the air for a moment.

Saitou's reached for one of the magazines again. This time paying closer attention to the details.

The glossy pages were filled with multiple images that tethered on the edge of art and indulgence — models draped in clothes that barely covered them, their poses designed to provoke rather than inspire.

He flipped further, finding more bikini spreads he cared to count. The "bold" poses Karin spoke of felt more like calculated appeals to a base audience.

He looked up, his brow furrowed, "What exactly will she be expected to do?"

Karin leaned back on his chair, as if sensing the shift in the conversation. "I just told you. We'll showcase her versatility — fashionable cute dresses and some bold sexy swimwear. She'll be a sensation. Our designers are top-notch, and we know how to play the camera. Trust me, Saitou. This is what sells." he said, emphasizing each word.

Saitou drummed his fingers on the table, gathering his thoughts before responding. "It just occurred to me that between Idol work and acting, her schedule doesn't really allow for modelling as of now."

"I'm sure you guys can manage. Eight million yen for four issues — that too on the front page of our Idols magazine is nothing to scoff at. It will greatly boost her career as well," Karin reasoned.

"I am sure it will, and the offer's more than fair. But here's the thing, Karin, we will not be able to make time for this kind of exposure." Saitou said, tapping the magazine cover, then he stood up, "It's a shame we couldn't shake on it."

"Truly a shame indeed," Karin narrowed his eyes, "Word of advice Mr Saitou, they're models — meant to appeal to an audience. They work for us and one shouldn't get too attached to them. It's bad for business."

Saitou clenched his fist, but kept his voice professional, "That may be so. But as her manager, she is my responsibility."

"Well…" Karin nodded, "the offer still stands, if you change your mind, feel free to call in. We would love to have that Idol on the front page of our magazines."

"I wouldn't get my hopes up." Saitou said as he turned around.

- x -

It had been a few months since the release of the film — That Was the Start. Initially, it had garnered modest success, praised for its heartfelt storytelling and grounded cinematography. But after the DVD release, the film began gaining traction online, where a growing cult following dissected every scene, every line, and every moment of quiet brilliance.

And at the center of much of that praise was Ai.

Though her role had been small — the lead's cheerful, steadfast friend who appeared at the beginning and the poignant finale — it had been unforgettable. Her expressive eyes, her ability to convey warmth and heartbreak in just a glance, had stolen the audience's hearts.

With her rising popularity and Saitou's shrewd management, it didn't take long for her to get another acting job offer.

The script was a live-action adaptation of I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, a manga that had already built a reputation for its bittersweet, tear jerking narrative.

And this time, Ai wasn't playing a supporting role. She was the lead — quite a bold leap for someone with just a couple acting credits to her name. But Saitou believed in her.

And so here she was.

The stage was set — a brightly lit hospital room. Patients sat in worn, plastic chairs, clutching forms or chatting in low tones. Nurses moved briskly, clipboards tucked under their arms, while a doctor in a white coat murmured instructions to a trainee. The production crew bustled about, adjusting lights and props to match the precise descriptions from the manga's pages.

Ai stood to the side, the script rolled in her hand like a baton, with her lines memorised, and ready to play her role — A girl who knew her days were numbered but still carried herself brightly, cherishing each day.

The director's voice cut through the room, calm but commanding.

"Okay, Ai, remember she's playful on the outside, but the audience should feel the underlying sadness. We want her to feel alive despite her circumstances."

Ai nodded, setting the script aside with a quick glance at her dialogues.

The camera rolled.

"Action!"

The waiting room came to life. The actor playing the male lead walked in slowly, glancing around. He spotted an empty chair and sat down. Noticing a small notebook beside his chair, he reached out curiously and opened it.

Living with Dying.

Written in bold letters on the first page. His thumb brushed over the ink as if testing its permanence, and then he flipped to the next page. His eyes scanned the lines of messy handwriting and he quickly realised it was someone's journal.

Ai appeared shortly after, and approached him with a casual confidence.

"Excuse me," she said, pointing at the notebook in his hands. "That's… my book."

He looked up, and his eyes widened as if he knew who she was.

She recognised him too, "Oh you're the introvert classmate. What're you doing here?" She asked in a voice so bright that it would seem out of place for a hospital.

"Oh.. uh.." he hesitated, "I had my appendix operated on recently. I'm here for a follow-up appointment."

Ai chuckled nervously, "Ah! Gotcha, I'm here to get my pancreas examined. They have to keep an eye on it so I don't die."

His mouth opened, but no words came out. He stared at her, unsure how to respond to something so blunt.

"You weren't expecting that, were you?" she teased, plopping down in the seat next to him. She leaned in slightly, her shoulder brushing his. Instinctively, he leaned away. "You read it, right?"

He still didn't respond, and her tone grew lighter, as if trying to pull him out of his discomfort. "To tell you the truth… It's a surprise for me too! I was making such a fuss about losing my book, and it turns out you had it, introvert-classmate."

He looked down at the notebook in his hands, then back at her. Her demeanor just didn't match the words in her journal. "You're kidding, right?"

Her laughter burst out, too loud and too bright for the somber waiting room. Heads turned, and the disapproving glares of other patients and nurses followed.

"What kind of horrible person do you think I am?" she said between laughs, her shoulders shaking. Then, as the laughter softened, her voice dropped. "Not at all. Everything I wrote in there is true. My pancreas isn't working. I'm gonna die pretty soon."

"…wow," was all he managed to say. It wasn't the news that stunned him — it was the way she delivered it.

She tilted her head with a sharp disappointed expression, "That's all you're gonna say? You can't come up with anything else?"

"Well…" he floundered, scratching the back of his neck. "No. What would you say if a classmate told you they were dying?"

"I guess I'd be at a loss for words too."

"Then how about some respect for the fact I didn't respond with awkward silence?"

She giggled, lifting the notebook to her mouth to hide her smile. "Good point."

She stood, brushing imaginary dust off her skirt. "I'm keeping it a secret from everyone. Don't tell anyone in class, okay?" she said with a smile, waving as she walked away.

"And—cut!" The director's voice rang out, "Good work, you two. That was exactly the tone we needed."

Ai exhaled, stretching her arms above her head.

Her co-star approached, giving her a small, encouraging nod. "You nailed that."

"Thanks." Ai replied with a smile. "You did great too."

As the crew rearranged the set, Ai drifted toward the sidelines, where Saitou stood, watching intently. He gave her a subtle thumbs-up, and a gentle, proud smile.

- x -

After a whole morning of filming in the hospital, it was finally time for lunch. The crew dispersed, humming along and talking among themselves. The director stood by the cameraman, reviewing footage with him and nodding as he gestured toward the screen.

"Excuse me," Ai called as she walked up to him. "I need to leave for the afternoon. I already let everyone know ahead of time."

The director turned, glancing up at her. "Right, Go ahead. Saitou and I already discussed it. You've got a busy schedule — we'll move your scenes to tomorrow."

"Thank you" she said with a small, polite bow.

She walked briskly to Saitou, who stood by the car waiting for her. "Ready to go?" he asked.

Ai nodded, and they drove off. The cityscape blurred past the window, hazy under the midday sun. And after a forty-minute drive, the car slowed to a stop outside Aqua and Ruby's preschool.

Saitou dropped her off, "Miyako is already in there."

"You're not joining us?"

"I'd love to, but I've got some work to take care of. Let me know how it goes," He said with a wave and drove off.

Today was the kids' music show, and it showed. Inside the small, packed room, the parents were already in their seats, some adjusting their cameras, others chatting as they waited for the show to start.

Spotting Miyako near the middle row, Ai weaved through the crowd and sat in the empty seat beside her. "Thanks for saving me a seat," she greeted.

Miyako looked up with a small smile, "You made it!"

"Of course I did," Ai chuckled.

"I was sure you'd be too busy to make it on time, with your super busy schedule."

"I wouldn't miss this for anything." She replied with a smile, "That's what a good mother would do, after all."

As they settled in their seats, the music show began, a soft, cheerful melody that filled the room.

On stage, Aqua and Ruby stood with their classmates, their small voices blending into the chorus. Aqua's voice was steady and strong, his confidence shining through. Ruby, standing a little to his side, sang with a softer tone, her expression calm but focused.

Ai's lips moved unconsciously as she mouthed the lyrics, her eyes fixed on her children. The words she'd spoken earlier echoed in her mind.

That's what a good mother would do.

But a quiet doubt crept in, 'Am I a good mother?'

Her gaze lingered on the stage, losing focus on her playfully singing children as her mind drifted elsewhere. Memories, long buried and brittle with age, rose like ghosts.

Ai saw herself as a little girl, her mother's sharp and cold face, her biting voice. The sting of her mother's hand across her cheek burned in her mind even now. She remembered how her mother never bought her anything, never cared about her school life and never showed up at the orphanage to pick her up.

As the final notes of the children's song faded, the room erupted into applause, pulling her back to reality. Parents stood, cheering for their children — praising their performance, expressing their pride, and telling them how much they loved them.

Ai watched her children bow to the audience and then wave with a huge smile on their faces.

Her lips parted slightly, "I…" and the words caught in her throat.

She had said "I love you" so many times in her life as an idol, but those words had never carried any meaning. They couldn't… She never understood what those words meant.

But this time, she couldn't bring herself to say it.

She desperately wanted to mean it. But the thought gnawed at her.

Was she really a good mother? Did she really love her children? Or was she pretending, trying to make up for what she had lacked in her own childhood?

- x -

The bright studio lights illuminated the set, the air buzzing with chatter and anticipation. The crowd cheered in excitement as the show's theme music played, and the host, a charismatic man in his early forties with perfectly coiffed hair, strode onto the stage. The LED screens behind him displayed highlights of Ai's recent work — clips from her movie debut, snippets of her idol performances, and flashes of her recent modeling shoot.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the host began, his voice warm and energetic, "tonight's guest is someone who's been capturing hearts left and right! From dominating the charts with B-Komachi to wowing audiences in her acting debut and now even gracing the fashion world as a model, she is everywhere. Please give a big round of applause for the one, the only — Ai from B-komachi!"

The audience erupted into cheers and applause as Ai stepped onto the stage, her signature radiant smile lighting up the room. She was dressed in a sleek but elegant outfit — a pastel jumpsuit paired with delicate heels, her soft hair flowing as she walked. She waved at the audience, bowing slightly before taking her seat on the plush couch beside the host.

"Welcome, welcome, Ai!" The host greeted her enthusiastically, extending a hand as she sat. "It's such a pleasure to have you here. How are you feeling tonight?"

"I'm feeling great, thank you for having me!" Ai replied, her voice bright and brimming with energy. She looked out at the audience with a small wave. "And thank you, everyone, for coming!"

"Of course they're here! You're the star of the moment," the host said, leaning forward with a teasing smile. "But I have to ask — how do you manage it all? Singing, acting, modeling? Do you even sleep?"

Ai chuckled, tilting her head playfully. "Well, I've become a professional multitasker at this point. But honestly, coffee helps. Lots and lots of coffee."

The audience laughed, and the host clapped his hands. "Ah, a caffeine warrior. I knew it! But really, Ai, you've been everywhere lately. Let's talk about this. You started as an idol with B-Komachi, which is still going strong even after eight years — a rare feat for any idol group. Then, you transitioned into acting with your first ever appearance in the film — That Was the Start, and now you're gracing magazine covers. What's the secret to your success?"

Ai's smile softened, and she leaned forward slightly, clasping her hands in her lap. "There's no real secret, I think. It's just… hard work, I guess? And having an amazing team and fans that supports me every step of the way. I wouldn't be here without them."

The host nodded knowingly. "Hard work, huh? And maybe a little bit of talent too, don't you think?"

"Well…" Ai said, feigning modesty with a playful shrug, "I like to think I'm okay at what I do."

The audience laughed again, charmed by her humility.

"But let's talk about the challenges," the host continued. "Balancing all these different roles — idol, actress, model, must come with its fair share of difficulties. What's been the toughest part of this whole journey so far?"

Ai paused, her expression growing thoughtful with a finger on her chin, "I think the hardest part is… balancing everything, for sure. Being an idol means having this constant connection with your fans, and that's something I never want to lose. But acting and modeling are completely different worlds. With acting, you have to dive into another character's life and emotions — it's so intense but rewarding. And modeling? Oh, don't get me started. It's all about looking flawless, but sometimes you're holding a pose for hours and your legs are screaming, and you're like — Please, can I sit down now?"

The host laughed. "The glamorous life isn't always so glamorous, huh?"

"Not always," Ai agreed with a grin. "But I'm grateful for every opportunity. Even when it's exhausting, I remind myself how lucky I am to be doing what I love."

The audience applauded warmly, and the host leaned back in his chair, studying her. "You know, what I find fascinating about you, Ai, is that you've been so open about your journey — not just the highs, but the struggles too. Can we rewind a bit? Let's talk about how it all began. What made you want to become an idol in the first place?"

Ai's smile turned nostalgic, her gaze lowering for a moment as she collected her thoughts. "Oh, wow. That feels like forever ago. When I was little, I used to watch idols on TV all the time. They always seemed so… magical, you know? Like they could light up the entire world just by smiling."

The host nodded, his expression encouraging. "So that's what inspired you?"

"Definitely," Ai said. "I loved singing and dancing even as a kid. I joined my school's music and dance clubs — I was that kid who stayed after school to practice and I just had fun — singing and dancing to my heart's content. But…" She hesitated, her smile dimming slightly. "I always lacked confidence. I loved performing, but I never thought I was good enough. I thought I'd just stay in the background."

"Wait, hold on," the host interrupted, leaning forward dramatically. "You? Lacking confidence? The Ai? I don't believe it."

The audience chuckled, and Ai laughed softly. "I know, it sounds ridiculous, right? But back then, I really struggled with believing in myself."

The host tilted his head curiously. "So what changed?"

Ai's eyes brightened again. "The amazing people at strawberry productions, and meeting my Idol group. When they announced auditions for B-Komachi, I don't know what came over me. Something just… clicked. I told myself — What's the worst that could happen? They'll reject you, and you'll move on. I was so sure I wouldn't make it. But somehow, I did."

The host grinned. "And the rest is history."

"Pretty much," Ai agreed, her tone light. "I still remember the day I got the call saying I'd been chosen. I cried like a baby."

The audience let out a collective aww, and the host chuckled. "Well, I'd say that was a good decision on their part. Look at you now! Eight years as an idol, a successful acting debut, and now stepping into modeling. Did you ever imagine your career would take off like this?"

"Never!" Ai admitted. "Honestly, I thought I'd just be singing and dancing in small venues forever. Everything that's happened since has been… beyond my wildest dreams."

The host leaned back, giving her a sincere smile. "It's inspiring to see how far you've come. And speaking of inspiration, your fans absolutely adore you. Is there anything you'd like to say to them?"

Ai's expression softened, and she turned to face the camera directly with a warm, bright smile. "To everyone who's supported me, whether it's been from the beginning or just recently — thank you. You're the reason I get to do what I love. I wouldn't be here without you. I love you all so much."

The audience broke into applause, some members cheering loudly, and the host joined in, clapping his hands.

"Well, Ai, it's been an absolute pleasure having you here tonight. We can't wait to see what you do next."

"Thank you for having me," Ai said with a slight bow. "This was so much fun!"

The host stood, gesturing toward the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen, Ai!"

The crowd erupted into cheers once more as Ai waved to them, her smile glowing under the studio lights. The warmth of the applause followed her, as she stepped off the stage.

- x -

There will be no interviews today - The interviewer's throat is unwell.

The interviewer : Not true. The writer's just lazy. I'm fit as a fiddle.

Author's note : Hope you all enjoyed reading this one. Re-reading my work I realised I haven't been very structured when it comes to "when are we." In the same chapter, there are scenes that happened months ago, or years ago, along with scenes happening now. I hope I have been clear enough and it's not confusing as to when a scene is taking place in universe.
Next chapter will be a flashback one tho.

Up next - Chapter 15 : How my career began