Invitation

Nah, that might just be in Anime. …I should do some research.

As I continue to thought about it, an idea flashed through my mind. 'If the public really hates her hanging out with a boy or in a special relationship with one because of her job as an idol, why doesn't she just quit being an idol?' It sounds fun for me to be the one who attempts to push her towards that result. 'It's also against her supposed fate, so it could work. Right?'

Well, right now, I have no clue how to do it, but with the help of the "3 Fate Aspects" or whatever that book provides, I could try to manipulate the fate of another figure related to the idol industry to somehow connect me with Ai Hoshino's idol affair. 

Considering the requirements to write someone's fate, it should be pretty easy. For why, let's take the example from the past with Hoshino's fate change:

(In a small district called Hoshizora, a part of Hoshikawa City, and the center of Yusei Prefecture from Japan, a sixteen year idol by the name of Ai Hoshino will encounter the individual Hiroki Yoshikawa at the village of Seiza on Monday, July 22, 2024. They are subsequently tied by a shared fate from that day forth.)

'I know that was cringe, but let that slide, please. As I'm in a vocational high school, my focus is on my chosen field, which is printing! Writing isn't part of it, alright?' But it is certainly straightforward.

This could serve as a fun and long-term mission for a major experience. Short-term goals tend to be easy. Easy doesn't provide a challenge. And no challenge equals no fun. 

'But also considering how the book works, I could probably skip all the hard things and entertain the results by manipulating how I write things. I could get a timeskip whenever I wanted, though I couldn't really get the additional features the book offered when that happened.'

By pursuing that long-term mission, I would be able to learn something about the entertainment industry, get closer to Ai Hoshino both physically and emotionally, improve the book's level, and most importantly, have fun along the way!

"Yoshikawa-kun?"

A voice pulled me back to reality.

I turned to the terrace next to mine. Hoshino, maskless and in casual clothes, stepped out through the door.

"...so we're neighbors."

"Why do you sound disappointed…?"

"Must be your imagination. When else can I get to know an idol in person?"

"Your voice drips with sarcasm, you know?"

"You can tell?"

"I think anyone could," Hoshino sighed, but she seemed genuinely pleased to see me. She sat on one of the benches on the terrace. "Yoshikawa-kun's job is primarily to make posters? You smelled like gasoline yesterday; what was that about?"

I shrugged. "Posters are just one of the products. The gasoline thing is because the work heavily involves ink, and ink can be cleaned with gasoline. I forgot to cover the smell with soap."

"I see…" she paused. With a casual tone, she then offered. "Wanna go out with me?"

"Huh?"

I looked at her in confusion. She quickly laughed.

"It's a shopping trip. I want to buy some clothes... Heh, did you think of something else when you first heard that?"

Seeing her grinning expression, I snorted. "No chances."

I continued. "For that trip… it wouldn't hurt to go. You still owe me your autograph and a photo. Give them to me on the way."

"You really want to annoy your friends... You have a rotten personality, don't you?"

Even though she said something mean, her tone and expression were the opposite. She seemed excited.

***

I stepped out of my room and waited at the open area in front of my door for Hoshino. 

I was wearing a blue collared shirt, gray trousers, and... well, nothing else, I guess? I'm not putting on any accessories. They're annoying.

Looking around, I realized that aside from Hoshino's presence, nothing else felt strange. 'Alternate universe, huh…?' What kind of chaotic setting would be interesting to visit next? 

As I thought about that,

"Sorry for the wait."

Hoshino came out of her room.

She was wearing a dark purple short-sleeved dress, a knee-length skirt, high heels, and lovely makeup. I was genuinely impressed.

"That suits you," I praised her.

Hoshino's countenance stiffened. Her face turned bright red a moment later. "T-Thank you."

'...Isn't that too easy?'

I sneered. "What, did you think I couldn't appreciate beauty because of how I act?"

"I never said that!"

"But I'd say it's a logical assumption, or you're just weak at it."

"S-Shut up."

"Should I sing the praises of you?"

"Like I said, stop!!"

I laughed even more.

She puffed her cheeks in anger.

We walked down the short stairs and headed to the nearest bus stop through the rice fields. It was summer, so we dressed in fairly light clothing.

"What do you think?" 

Hoshino asked that out of nowhere.

"On what?"

She pointed to the rice field.

"Do you think the countryside atmosphere is pleasant?"

"Sure," I replied calmly. "It's much more peaceful than the city."

Frankly, I felt a bit odd, whether in a positive or negative sense. I wasn't used to this kind of tranquility. Problems typically seemed to like me, and there was hardly a day without me cursing everything. I didn't think that was likely to happen in this place.

"You must feel out of place, I bet," Hoshino laughed.

I didn't give an answer.

She continued. "Me, I like it. My work is noisy, you know? This countryside atmosphere is soothing. It balances things out. Also..."

I listened silently to her rambling. 

She sounded and seemed very happy to share them with me. Compared to my friends who also like rambling, there was something more childish about her, as though this was something that she can't do often—or even never.

'That was kinda cute.'