The First Step

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity as Aiko and Ryo threw themselves into the process of preparing for her idol journey. They spent hours researching agencies, comparing the pros and cons of each, and reviewing their application processes. Aiko also began looking into vocal coaches and dance studios, determined to hone her skills before diving into auditions.

One afternoon, as Aiko practiced her singing in their living room, Ryo was on the phone with an agency contact. He watched her out of the corner of his eye, a smile tugging at his lips as she hit a particularly high note. She was nervous, but her voice was clear and strong, filled with the passion that had drawn him to her in the first place.

When he hung up, Ryo walked over to her, clapping softly. "You're sounding better every day, Aiko."

She blushed, lowering the microphone she had been using. "Thanks, but I still feel like I have a long way to go."

"Everyone starts somewhere," Ryo said, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "The important thing is that you're giving it your all. I can see how much you're improving, and I'm proud of you."

Aiko smiled up at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Ryo. You've been amazing through all of this."

"Well," he said, grinning playfully, "I'm just making sure you don't run off with some other manager who can't appreciate your weird sense of humor."

Aiko laughed, swatting him lightly on the arm. "As if anyone else could handle me."

Their banter was interrupted by the sound of Ryo's phone ringing. He glanced at the screen, his eyebrows lifting in surprise. "It's that agency we've been trying to get in touch with—the one with a reputation for nurturing new talent."

Aiko's eyes widened. "Answer it!"

Ryo quickly picked up the call, his tone professional as he spoke to the person on the other end. Aiko watched him anxiously, trying to read his expression as the conversation progressed. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ryo hung up and turned to her with a wide grin.

"They want to meet you, Aiko. They said they were impressed by the portfolio we sent over, and they think you have potential."

Aiko's heart skipped a beat. "They really want to meet me?"

"Yep," Ryo confirmed, pulling her into a hug. "We've got an appointment with them next week. It's just an initial meeting, but it's a huge step forward."

Aiko hugged him back, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "This is really happening, isn't it?"

Ryo pulled back to look at her, his eyes full of warmth. "It is. And I'll be with you every step of the way."

As the week passed, Aiko threw herself into her preparations. She spent hours practicing her singing and dancing, determined to make a strong impression at the meeting. Ryo was by her side the entire time, offering encouragement and helping her refine her techniques.

Finally, the day of the meeting arrived. Aiko dressed carefully, choosing an outfit that was both professional and reflective of her personality. As she stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of her blouse, she took a deep breath to calm her nerves.

Ryo appeared behind her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You look perfect, Aiko. Just be yourself, and they'll see how amazing you are."

Aiko turned to face him, her anxiety melting away in the face of his unwavering support. "Thank you, Ryo. I'm ready for this."

"Then let's go," he said, offering her his arm. "The future idol of Japan has an important meeting to get to."

Together, they left the apartment, stepping into the unknown with confidence. Aiko's journey was just beginning, and with Ryo by her side, she knew she could conquer whatever challenges lay ahead.