If someone asked the students of Westbridge High to name the most famous person in the country, most of them would give the same answer.
Aika Hoshino.
A singer with a voice so beautiful that people said it could "pause time." Her songs played everywhere—on the radio, in stores, even in random TikTok edits.
She had millions of fans.
Millions.
Meanwhile…
"Yo, we hit 7 viewers today!"
Kai Morita stared proudly at his monitor.
The chat was silent.
All seven viewers were probably bots.
Kai leaned back in his chair.
"Listen chat," he said confidently into his cheap microphone, "remember this moment. When I become a top streamer, you'll all say you were here since the beginning."
One viewer left.
"Traitor."
Kai sighed and ended the stream.
His room was small. Posters peeling from the wall. A single dumbbell in the corner he occasionally used when he remembered he owned muscles.
Life summary?
Not popular.Not rich.Not particularly talented.
But he was determined.
Kai clenched his fist.
"One day I'll make something of myself."
Right now though?
He had school.
The next day at Westbridge High was chaos.
Students crowded around their phones.
"BRO SHE'S COMING!"
"NO WAY!"
Kai walked through the hallway confused.
"What's happening?"
His friend Ryo grabbed his shoulders dramatically.
"YOU LIVE UNDER A ROCK."
"I prefer the term minimalist lifestyle."
"DUDE. AIKA HOSHINO is visiting the school."
Kai blinked.
"…Who?"
The hallway went silent.
Ryo stared at him like he just committed a crime.
"Bro… she's literally the biggest singer in the country."
"Oh."
Kai shrugged.
"Cool."
Ryo looked personally offended.
"You said 'cool' like someone told you the cafeteria has fries."
"Fries are important."
Before Ryo could respond, the entire hallway erupted into screaming.
Students rushed toward the front gate.
Kai sighed.
"Great. Stampede."
He tried to avoid the chaos and walked toward the back entrance of the school instead.
That's when he heard it.
"…Let go."
A girl's voice.
Kai paused.
Around the side of the building, three older guys had cornered someone near the fence.
And the person they cornered?
A girl wearing a hoodie and mask.
One of the guys grabbed her wrist.
"Relax. We just want a picture."
Another one laughed.
"Yeah, the internet will go crazy if we post it."
The girl tried to pull away.
"I said let go."
Kai scratched his head.
"Seriously?"
He walked over casually.
"Hey."
The three guys turned.
"What do you want?"
Kai shrugged.
"You guys bothering her?"
"Mind your business."
Kai looked at the girl.
She looked… scared.
His expression changed.
"Yeah," he sighed. "I figured you'd say that."
The first guy stepped forward.
"You trying to be a hero?"
Kai cracked his knuckles.
"Not really."
Punch.
The guy dropped instantly.
The other two froze.
Kai looked at them.
"You can leave too."
They ran.
Kai dusted his hands.
"Man, people these days…"
Then he turned toward the girl.
"You okay?"
She slowly removed her mask.
Kai blinked.
"…Oh."
It was Aika Hoshino.
The Aika Hoshino.
The girl whose face was on billboards.
The girl with millions of fans.
She looked at him nervously.
"You… don't seem surprised."
Kai shrugged.
"I mean… I heard the name like ten minutes ago."
She stared at him.
"…You're kidding."
"Nope."
Aika burst out laughing.
Not the fake celebrity laugh.
A real one.
"You might be the first person in the country who doesn't recognize me."
Kai scratched his head.
"Sorry?"
She smiled softly.
"Still… thank you for helping me."
Kai waved it off.
"No problem."
Then he started walking away.
Aika blinked.
"Wait."
He stopped.
"Yes?"
She tilted her head curiously.
"Most people would ask for an autograph… or a photo… or something."
Kai shrugged again.
"I'm busy."
"Busy?"
"Yeah."
He pointed toward the school building.
"I've got a stream tonight."
"…A stream?"
"Yep."
"Are you famous?"
Kai looked at the ground.
"…Not yet."
Then he walked away.
Aika stood there watching him leave.
Confused.
Amused.
And strangely…
Interested.
For the first time in years…
Someone had looked at her without seeing the celebrity.
Only a normal girl.
She smiled to herself.
"Interesting."
Back in the hallway, Kai sat down in class.
Ryo rushed over.
"BRO YOU MISSED IT AIKA HOSHINO WAS—"
Kai nodded.
"Yeah I met her."
Ryo froze.
"…You what."
Kai opened his notebook.
"Anyway, did you finish the math homework?"
Ryo grabbed his head.
"I'M GOING TO DIE."
Across campus, Aika Hoshino stared at her phone.
She had secretly searched something.
Kai Morita.
His stream channel appeared.
She clicked it.
Last stream:
7 viewers.
Aika smiled.
"Well…"
She whispered softly.
"Let's see how interesting you really are."