[27] The Curtain Call

I slide into the Uber after Marin, the leather seats cool against my skin. The driver glances at us in the rearview mirror, his eyes widening slightly.

"You're Akira Hoshino, right? From 'Sweet Today'?"

I nod, offering a polite smile. "That's me."

"Man, my daughter loves that show. Could I get an autograph?"

"Sure, no problem," I say, accepting the pen and napkin he passes back. As I sign, Marin leans over, her perfume tickling my nose.

"Make sure to mention his amazing girlfriend," she stage-whispers, grinning.

I roll my eyes but add a little heart next to my signature. The driver beams as I hand it back.

"Thanks, man. You two headed somewhere special?"

"Wrap party for the show," I explain. "Franklin Steakhouse."

He whistles. "Fancy. Well, congrats on finishing up. You must be excited."

I nod, but my stomach twists. Excited isn't quite the right word. Nervous, maybe. Unsure. The show's ending means new opportunities, but also new pressures. More eyes on me. More expectations to live up to.

Marin must sense my unease because she squeezes my hand. "You okay?" she murmurs.

I force a smile. "Yeah, just... thinking."

She raises an eyebrow. "About?"

I hesitate, trying to find the right words. "It's weird, you know? This show changed everything for me. Now it's over."

Marin nods, her expression softening. "That's normal, I think. But hey, whatever comes next, you've got this. And you've got me."

Her words warm me, chasing away some of the doubt. "Thanks, Marin. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She grins. "Probably be late to everything and forget to eat."

I laugh, the tension easing from my shoulders. "True. You're basically my personal assistant at this point."

"Excuse me, I prefer 'life manager,'" she says primly.

The Uber pulls up to the curb, and I can see the sleek exterior of Franklin Steakhouse through the window. A small crowd of paparazzi loiter near the entrance, cameras at the ready.

Marin follows my gaze. "Ready for your close-up?"

"As I'll ever be."

With that, I open the car door, stepping out into the flash of cameras.

"Akira! Over here!"

"Is it true you're leaving the show?"

"Are you and Kana dating?"

"Let's get a few questions in," I say, my voice carrying over the clamor. The reporters quiet down, hungry for any tidbit I might offer.

A woman in a sharp blazer thrusts her microphone forward. "Akira, how does it feel to wrap up 'Sweet Today'?"

I consider my words carefully. "It's bittersweet. The show has been an incredible journey, and I'm grateful for every moment. But I'm also excited for what comes next."

"And what is next?" another reporter calls out.

I chuckle, shaking my head. "You'll have to wait and see. I don't want to spoil any surprises."

The reporters laugh, eating it up. I've given them just enough to work with, without revealing anything substantial. It's a dance I'm getting better at with each passing day.

The main dining room has been transformed for the wrap party. Elegant decorations adorn the walls, and a banner proclaiming "Congratulations Sweet Today Cast & Crew!" hangs above the bar.

I spot familiar faces everywhere - Kenji the assistant director chatting with Yumi from makeup, Toshi from sound nursing a beer in the corner. They all turn as we enter, a cheer going up.

"There he is!" someone calls out. "Our leading man!"

Producer Kaburagi approaches, champagne flute in hand. "Akira, my boy! Quite the entrance out there. You're a natural with the press."

I shrug, aiming for modesty. "Just giving them what they want, sir."

He chuckles, clapping me on the shoulder. "And that's why you're going places, kid. Now, let's get you a drink. We've got a lot to celebrate tonight!"

I guide Marin through the crowded room, nodding and smiling at familiar faces.

"Hey, there's Kenji!" I say, steering us towards the assistant director. He's deep in conversation with Yumi from makeup, but his face lights up when he spots us.

"Akira! Man of the hour!" Kenji grins, pulling me into a quick hug. "And who's this lovely lady?"

"This is Marin, my girlfriend," I say, unable to keep the pride from my voice. "Marin, meet Kenji and Yumi. They're the real heroes behind the scenes."

Marin beams, shaking their hands. "It's so cool to meet you! I've been dying to know how they make Akira look so good on camera."

Yumi laughs. "Oh honey, that's all him. I just add a little shine."

We chat for a few minutes, Marin peppering them with questions about their work. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and I find myself grinning as I watch her.

As we move on, I spot a familiar face across the room. "There's someone you need to meet," I tell Marin, leading her towards a quiet corner.

Yoriko Kichijouji, the mangaka of Sweet Today, stands alone, nursing a glass of wine. She looks a bit out of place in the crowd, her eyes darting nervously around the room.

"Yoriko-san," I call out as we approach. She turns, a small smile forming as she recognizes me.

"Akira-kun, it's good to see you," she says softly.

"This is Marin, my girlfriend," I introduce. "She's a huge fan of your work."

Marin's eyes go wide. "Oh my god, you're Yoriko Kichijouji? I love Sweet Today so much! "

Yoriko blinks, clearly taken aback by Marin's enthusiasm. "Oh, thank you. That's very kind of you to say."

"Kind? It's the truth!" Marin gushes. "The scene where Kanata finally opens up to Miyu about his past? I cried for hours!"

I chuckle, wrapping an arm around Marin's waist. "You'll have to excuse her. She gets a little excited about manga."

Yoriko's smile grows more genuine. "No, it's wonderful to meet a true fan. And speaking of Kanata..." She turns to me, her expression serious. "I wanted to thank you, Akira-kun. Your portrayal of Kanata was... well, it was everything I hoped for when I created him. You truly brought him to life."

I feel a warmth spread through my chest at her words. "That means a lot coming from you, Yoriko-san. But honestly, Marin's the one you should thank."

Marin looks at me, confusion clear on her face. "Me? What did I do?"

I squeeze her hand. "You were so passionate about Sweet Today. We spent hours reading it together, making notes about Kanata's character. Your insights helped me understand him in ways I never would have on my own."

Marin's cheeks flush pink. "I... I didn't realize..."

Yoriko looks between us. "Well, it seems Kanata found his real-life Miyu after all."

We chat with Yoriko for a while longer, Marin barely containing her excitement as she asks about the manga's creation process. Letting Yoriko enjoy the rest of her night, Marin and I make our way through the crowded room, I spot Aqua and Kana standing near the far wall. Kana's eyes light up when she sees us approaching.

"Marin! I didn't know you'd be here," Kana says, pulling Marin into a quick hug.

"Wouldn't miss it," Marin grins. "Gotta support my man, right?"

I feel my cheeks warm at her words. Aqua raises an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between us.

"So, you're dating?" he asks.

I nod. "Yeah, we started a few weeks ago."

Kana claps her hands together. "That's amazing! I'm so happy for you both."

Marin beams, launching into a story about our day at the cosplay convention. I watch as Kana listens intently, asking questions about the costumes and competition. It's nice to see them getting along so well.

After a few minutes, Marin glances around. "Hey, I need to run to the restroom. Be right back."

Kana perks up. "Oh, I'll come with you. These heels are killing me."

As the girls walk away, I'm left alone with Aqua. An awkward silence stretches between us.

"So," I say, searching for a topic. "You and Kana seem close. Are you...?"

Aqua shakes his head. "Just friends. We've known each other for a while, that's all."

"Ah, I see."

"What about you?" Aqua asks. "How'd you land the lead in Sweet Today? What were you doing before?"

I hesitate, unsure how much to reveal. "I was... new to the industry. Did some modeling gigs. The producers saw my headshots and thought I'd be a good fit for Kanata."

It's not exactly a lie, but it's far from the whole truth. Aqua seems to sense there's more to the story, but he doesn't push.

"Lucky break," he says. "What's next for you? Your agency must have big plans."

I shrug. "I'm mostly freelance. If there's a job they think I'll like, they call me. It's up to me to accept it or not."

Aqua nods, looking thoughtful. He opens his mouth to speak, but before he can get a word out, a familiar voice cuts through the chatter.

"Aqua! Akira! Just the two I wanted to see."