One Week Later
It had been nearly two weeks since I was reincarnated into this new world.
Throughout the whole ordeal, I did nothing but travel.
Literally everything you could think of doing in Japan—I ate, took pictures, and explored every corner of Tokyo.
It wasn't like I was speed-running it.
But my overly excited self kept yelling:
"I can't leave without tasting every food like Uncle Mike!"
And so I did.
At one point, I even ended up in the hospital for a whole day because of stomach pain.
I'm never trusting those street vendors again.
After all that chaos, I was now back in my room.
I'd done everything I wanted to do.
And now… I was just lying there, staring at the ceiling.
No movement. No thoughts.
"I'm bored," I finally concluded, sitting upright.
I've done nothing but stare at the ceiling all day.
Frustrated and desperate for stimulation, I grabbed my phone.
In the corner of the screen, the date glared back at me.
December 20, 2005
Still the 2000s.
A cursed era where technology was half-backwards and half-modern.
Most of the things I'd normally do to kill time didn't even exist yet.
And don't even get me started on crypto.
I searched it up.
Nothing.
This world was really different—like a parallel Earth.
Everything I remembered either didn't exist… or had been erased entirely.
"Let's just go for a walk. Maybe that'll clear my head."
After throwing on some clothes and shoes, I stepped outside.
The familiar cold immediately assaulted my body.
"Ugh… I still can't get used to this cold," I muttered, shuddering as I quickened my pace.
Walking through the streets of Tokyo, I scanned my surroundings, hoping to find something—anything—interesting.
By now, the area had become familiar.
After exploring it back and forth so many times, I could practically map it out in my head.
As I walked, countless gazes followed me.
I'd adjusted to this new world fairly well.
But one thing still bothered me.
The stares.
Some were curious.
Others were filled with awe.
I knew exactly why.
With a face like mine, getting mistaken for a celebrity was expected.
Hell, more like a god.
I won't lie—I liked it at first.
The attention was flattering.
But after hours of people asking for my number, it started getting annoying.
Especially the older men pestering me about joining boy bands or signing contracts that practically screamed modern slavery.
I knew how cruel the entertainment industry could be.
Even more so in this world.
Oshi no Ko.
Beauty really is a pain sometimes… though I won't complain when beautiful women ask for my number.
I mean—I'm not going to reject a free date out of principle.
Opportunities like that don't come twice.
Still…
Sometimes it does get creepy.
Once, someone even followed me all the way back to my apartment.
Luckily, they just happened to live nearby.
My emergency 9-1-1 plan was almost wasted.
Enough thinking. Focus.
Ignoring the stares, I continued walking.
Snow blanketed the streets—expected, given it was mid-December.
My gaze wandered across various posters lining the buildings.
Most of them I ignored.
Until one caught my eye.
For a brief moment, an idol group flashed across a large screen.
There were five of them.
But only one truly stood out.
Purple hair.
A colorful outfit that somehow fit her perfectly.
The name of the group displayed boldly beneath them.
B-Komachi
"Huh… so it's already time," I muttered.
"The debut of her idol career."
Time really does move fast, I thought, taking one last glance before continuing.
Then the screen changed.
A date appeared.
[Concert – December 20, 2005 | 2:00 PM | Avenue—]
…Today?
I paused.
" I'd already explored everything else today.
So why not? "
" It wouldn't hurt to see her perform, right? "
After buying some sweets for snacks, I headed toward the venue.
The place was huge.
Considering this concert was being filmed for TV and meant to introduce upcoming idols, it made sense.
Inside, it was almost pitch black—save for the stage lights.
Without them, I might've mistaken the place for a cult gathering.
The crowd was massive.
After finding a spot, I waited.
Not for long.
The host's voice boomed through the stadium as one group after another was introduced.
Mostly boy bands. Some mixed groups.
Then finally—
"And now, presenting… B-Komachi!"
Five girls stepped onto the stage in colorful uniforms.
The center position was unmistakable.
All attention instantly gravitated toward her.
She wore something slightly different from the rest—designed to make her shine.
Then the performance began.
The choreography was… okay.
The music was decent.
Nothing extraordinary.
At least, that's what I thought.
The crowd, however, went insane.
Shouting. Cheering. Light sticks waving everywhere.
Relax. It's good—but not THAT good.
And yet…
The reason was obvious.
Ai Hoshino.
Without her, the performance would've fallen flat.
Every eye in the venue was locked onto her.
"Goddamn… calm down," I muttered.
I tried pushing my way out of the crowd.
Big mistake.
I was shoved forward instead.
Soon enough, I was right at the front of the stage.
"Excuse me! Can you let me through?" I shouted.
My voice was completely drowned out by the music.
Instinctively, I looked up.
And froze.
My body refused to move.
My eyes were locked onto a single person.
Ai Hoshino danced as if her life depended on it.
A bright smile.
Those star-filled eyes.
Entrancing.
She wasn't perfect.
She was pretty—but not impossibly so.
And yet…
I couldn't look away.
It felt like I was under a spell.
As if she was glowing.
Before I realized it, my body moved on its own.
My hands rose.
Adrenaline surged through me.
I was cheering.
Smiling.
Fully caught up in the crowd's energy.
" What the hell am I doing?! " I wondered to myself
But my expression betrayed my thoughts.
Soon, the performance came to an end.
"Thank you so much for watching! Once again, we are B-Komachi!"
They bowed.
Eventually, I managed to leave the venue.
People poured out around me, buzzing with excitement.
I stood off to the side of the road, staring at the ground.
Sweat soaked my clothes.
My heart still racing.
"…What the hell was that?"