1 A Childhood Friend

"So, Who do you choose?"

Echoed the voice in the room. The three women stared at me as I stood frozen. I never thought I would come to this moment, the time of judgement, who do I choose? a Childhood friend? an Idol? a Love Interest?

"Okay." I breathed, I put on my thoughts into it and I know who will be.

" I Choose... "

[A few months ago...]

It's the middle of the winter night here in this City, but People here are awake, the city lights, malls are open and cars trafficked all around. It's New Year tonight, in a few hours, it will be 2020. What a Time to be Alive for next year.

"So What do you think you should buy today?" asked my friend. He's a bit taller than me, always wears white for some reason and somewhat always clean with his red gloves.

"I might buy some new Manga," I spoke. I couldn't think of anything else, I already gave my family an advance gift and I told them I won't come home, I might give myself instead.

"It's the new hobby isn't it?" He asked, he has a lot of family relatives, like me, he gave a lot of advance gifts as well.

"Yeah, Kinda." I answered, I was thinking of some fresh and new series to read for 2020, something more of a wholesome one and realistic.

" OIII" Shouted by a distant female voice, we looked at our behind and saw a Girl with a Pink Hijab dancing in its grace in the cold sky, her fresh winter clothes and her bag hops as she ran toward us.

"Felipe! Ivan! wait for me!" she panted her breath tired of running. Some sweat can be seen in her forehead.

" Oh, Sorry Mala." Ivan scratches his neck while giggling, the two were friends for a very long time. Before I met them, they told me that they have been friends since childhood, and it makes sense why the two understand one another.

"Sheesh you boys always look like in a Hurry." she crossed her hands with disappointment.

" Fine sorry. " I groan

"Sorry, Now what do you want?" Ivan asked her. Mala opened her purse and waved two pieces of paper, it was a ticket for tonight's concert, starring the famous POP star, Soke.

" I got tickets !!! " Mala excitedly waved it.

" NO WAY!!! " He too was excited. Like I said earlier, the two have been friends for a very long time now and anything one likes, the other likes it as well.

"Cool." The Two Look at me very weirdly, for them it was confusing to hear my tone, kinda normal instead of the excitement they wanted to hear.

" AREN'T YOU EXCITED? " Mala asked me.

"Yeah, but I'm kinda busy tonight." I lied, I heard a buzz from my pocket, I took it out and saw a message from my phone, it was from a friend of mine.

" I gotta go now, " I continued. The two looked at me very upset but It's kinda normal for us now. I'm always busy for some reason, and the two just get on to their celebration.

"Oh. Okay. Bye then." The two left me in the night.now

The town is still bright in the winter cold, everything is filled with joy while I'm just standing right here. I'm used to being alone and always be. I Turned around and continued. The crunch of the snow in my footstep is soothing but still empty.

I got into the Book store and I started to find the manga, I walked for some few isles and found the Manga and Comic Section. I searched and searched to see if there are good and latest manga, and then I found this "The Dream to be" I whispered, the cover seems good. I took it and went directly to the cashier.

Kinda cheap for a manga, 20 dollars, usually there are 30 and 25. I gave my credit card to buy it as she put the manga into the paper bag, then I felt a vibrate.

*RING RING

I checked my phone to see a message, Oh No, I thought. I quickly got my credit card with the manga as I rushed out of the store, I ran and ran. I know if I'm late I'm dead, My thoughts told me, I continued my focus as I got to the park and ran. Rushing through the cold is very unpleasant but I have to, there are many people here sitting and taking their dates out, some with families or with their pets.

I panted for a bit and stopped at a street pole, Shoot, I'm so dead. I ran quickly again, I found the place, filled with people, there are men as well wearing black clothes, I ran to the place and was stopped by one of those men.

"Hey! Who told you to-" I showed them the message and they gave me the pass, I ran again almost tipped, but I got my balance quickly as I entered the area. The area was filled with cabins for each designed person, I found the door I needed and opened the knob without hesitating, I fell down as I opened.

"Ouch." My Body Hurts as I fall.

"You're FINALLY HERE!!!!!" Screamed a female voice, I raised my head to see her. She was preparing for her dress as she looked at me. She smiled at me as I stood up, while her make-up artist was putting on her make-up.

"Sorry Soke, Kinda late." I apologized as I panted.

" Why sorry? I should be the one for texting you and hurriedly came here. " She's always this nice, I can't do anything more but smile.

"So, What do you want?" I stood as I brushed my dirty coat.

"What else Stupid! I- need you backstage." Her voice changed from her enthusiasm to embarrass. I saw her face heated up like a tomato.

"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING STUPID?!" She is a Tsundere, after all, she pretends to be cold but her face can tell a thousand words.

"Nothing." I grinned. Man, I'm lucky to have a cute and a Popstar as a buddy. She's famous and busy but still has time for a friend.

Few Minutes passed as she went to the stage, the curtains opened and the crowd shouted for her, Her Lightstick merchandise light in some dark regions in the concert ground.

The Popstar and her fans shared each lyric and all had a good time. The Night was noisy and fireworks behind the stage crack as the show progressed, all I can say is the night is not like any night.

I felt drowsy as I almost tip down, I went to her door. The tired body deserves some sleep, The coach is the only allowed one, I didn't hesitate and slept.

I woke up in a different room, it seems familiar, is this my room? I realise I'm in my condo, what time Is it?

3:57, too early.

I stood up and saw the paper bag with the manga I bought. I thought it could be gone, luckily. I looked at my phone and saw a message, it was from Soke.

'You Fell asleep idiot, don 't worry I was the one who got you back home, Love Soke!!!' the message said as I look at our past convo, there is always that Love Soke from her texts, just the best friend.

I went to the ground floor for some coffee and finally read my Manga. I found the perfect place as well, along with a table parallel to the cafe's windows. I bought my favourite, cappuccino. I went to the perfect place and sat, sipped my coffee as I opened the first few pages of the Manga.

"That's a nice manga you got there..." Said a voice beside me.

To be continued...