Chapter Text
Part 1
It’s been a few months since I started working as a producer at the agency. While there have been a few hiccups along the way, producing Shiny Colors has gone quite well, I’d say. In fact, I can’t help but feel happy and proud whenever the idols I produce finish their lessons, jobs, or especially their live performances. They’ve grown so much compared to when I first met them. As their producer, I can’t afford to slack off if I want to keep up with them.
“Wait!” I shouted as I jogged toward the bus stop, trying to catch the bus.
But the driver ignored me, and the bus pulled away before I could get close.
“Damn it… Should’ve sprinted,” I muttered, giving up and glancing at my watch. “Well, it’s not like I’ll be late if I wait for the next one, right?”
Then I realized I had no idea when the next bus was scheduled to arrive. So, I stepped closer to the stop to check the timetable. Just as I finished reading it, a voice came from behind me.
“For the next 30 minutes, there wouldn’t be any. The bus.”
“Oh, you’re right,” I replied without looking back. “Thanks.”
I turned to see a short-haired high school girl carrying her bag. Neither of us says a word—we just stare at each other for a moment. Up close, she’s striking, and there’s something oddly familiar about her.
“Mm. Well then, I’ll be going.” She gives a small nod and starts walking away without glancing back.
“H-hold on!” I called after her.
“What?” She stopped in her tracks, looking slightly annoyed.
Her appearance and voice may be a little different, but…
Don’t tell me—
“If you have nothing to say, I’m leaving.”
Just as she was about to leave again, I risked calling out her name, knowing the worst outcome would be that I had mistaken her for another person.
“Asakura?”
Hearing that, she raised her eyebrows and jolted. Judging by her reaction, I was certain I had hit the bullseye. All that remained was to remind her who I was.
“It’s me, Tsubasa!” I said with a broad smile, raising my voice slightly, unable to contain my excitement.
She froze, dumbfounded, before finally managing to utter something.
“You are… Tsubasa?”
“Yes! It’s me!” I stepped closer. “Man, it took me a while to realize it was you! You’ve changed so much, Asakura. How have you been?!”
She seemed to struggle with the moment, staring at me as though I were a ghost. Then, without a word, she let her bag slip from her hand, stepped forward, and wrapped her arms around me.
“A–Asakura!?” Her sudden action caught me off guard.
“You really are Tsubasa,” She whispered, hugging me even tighter.
My eyes fluttered and my heart raced. For a first reunion, she was bolder than I had imagined. Still, I was certain she felt the same way I did, so I embraced her in return. A minute—perhaps several—passed before she finally released me, and I did the same.
“I didn’t expect that from you.”
“Hehe, I am glad. After all, we met again.” Her lips curved slightly.
“Haha, me too.” I scratched my cheek, feeling a little embarrassed. “Are you heading to school?”
“Mm. How about you?” Asakura looked at my attire, “Going to work?”
“Ah, no.” I paused, “I mean, yes. I have a meeting soon. Are you in a hurry? How about we take a seat over there?” I pointed at the bench behind the bush.
“You still remember this place.” Still maintaining her smile, she continued, “I’m good. There is still time.”
I bought a couple of drinks from the nearby vending machine and returned to Asakura, who was waiting on the bench, to hand her one.
“Thanks.” She accepted it and popped open the can.
I sat down beside her. “So, you’re in high school now, Asakura?”
“Mm. The same one you graduated from.”
“Really? Why that school?”
“Hmm…” Asakura took a sip of her drink. “I wonder.” She replied casually while gazing up at the sky.
Of course, I might already know the reason, but I asked anyway. Asakura Toru now doesn’t seem all that different from the one I knew years ago.
“How about you?” She spun her head toward me. “What do you do for a living?”
“Me? I’m a producer now.”
Asakura blinked a few times, clearly puzzled. “Producer?”
“Yep. I work at an agency where I produce idols.”
“Idol?”
Her curiosity sparked an idea. I pulled out one of my business cards and handed it to her.
“Here, take this.” She accepted it obediently and studied it.
“Hey, Asakura. I know this is sudden, but… would you be interested in becoming an idol?”
She paused to think. “You want me to become an idol?”
“Yeah. I know it might sound strange coming from me, but you’ve really changed since the last time I saw you. You have this presence—an aura that draws people in. I can see the potential for you to become one based on that alone. Not to mention, you—” My words trail off before I can finish persuading her to join my agency.
“I’m… what?” Asakura pressed, wanting to know what I meant.
Her gentle smile almost threw me off. If I hadn’t known her for so long, I’d probably be flustered. I steady myself with a deep breath, meet her gaze, and finally say:
“You are… cute.”
And I still struggled to get the words out. My face felt hot, but I tried my best to stay composed as I rubbed my neck.
“Hehe, thanks. That really means a lot, coming from you.” She looks satisfied before closing her eyes. “An idol, huh?”
“Since you’re still a student, I understand if you have some doubts. Balancing school with an idol’s activities isn’t easy. But don’t worry—I can arrange your schedule so it feels manageable. That’s part of my job, after all. So, what do you think?”
This reunion could have gone more smoothly, but I just hope Asakura didn’t take it the wrong way. After all, scouting her so suddenly feels wrong as her friend.
“Sure. You’ll be the one producing me, right? Sounds fun.”
“Really?! Oh, that makes me so happy!”
“Hehe, that should be my line.” She giggled, then gasped. “But I need to tell my parents first.”
“Y- you’re right. This is a big decision.” I suddenly felt nervous.
“It’s okay,” Asakura reassured me. “They’ll understand. My parents know you.”
Somehow, she could read exactly what I was worried about.
“I’m so sorry, Asakura. We just reunited, and I’m already asking so much of you.” I dropped my head in shame.
“Hehe, what are you apologizing for?” she asked innocently.
Words stuck in my throat.
“I—” Suddenly, my phone buzzed.
“Oh, crap. The meeting!” I jumped to my feet.
“Already have to go?”
“Yeah.” I grabbed my bag and slid my phone into my pocket. “Shouldn’t you head to school too, Asakura? Don’t want you to be late because of me.”
“I see.” She stood and slung her bag over her shoulder. “The bus will be here soon.”
“You got it.” I gave her a thumbs-up.
I thought she would say goodbye and head to school. But she just stood there, staring at me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Your contact… How can I reach you?”
“Ah, you can call or message me using the number on the card.”
She looked at it closely. “This number… is yours?”
Her question threw me off a little. “Um, yeah. Why?”
“Hm… okay,” She said, smiling.
I could see the bus approaching, but for some reason, she didn’t move an inch.
“Asakura, you don’t have to see me off.”
She tilted her head. “Can’t I?”
“We’ll see each other again.”
“I know. But—”
The bus stopped, letting some passengers off. If I linger any longer, it’ll leave without me, and I’ll miss my chance again. Seeing that she was too stubborn to leave, I waved at her and said,
“Alright then. I’ll go ahead. See you again, Asakura. Good luck with school.”
She nodded, a soft smile touching her lips as she lifted her hand in return. Even as I stepped onto the bus, I could still see her through the window, waving at me. I couldn’t help but laugh quietly to myself. A shame that our encounter ended here—but the thought of meeting her again makes the parting a little easier to bear.
To be continued…
A/N: This franchise is pretty dry when it comes to fanfics, especially considering how long it’s been around, so I figured I’d contribute. They may not be all that popular outside Japan, but it is what it is.
As mentioned in the summary, the Producer in this story remembers who Asakura Toru is right from the moment they reunite. I also adjusted the Producer’s character to better suit the story (and, admittedly, my own preferences). If you haven’t played Shinymas (or Song of Prism), you might not catch just how much of their story I’ve tweaked—but don’t worry, it’s not by too much.
Finally, thank you for reading!