Oshi no Ko: Like A Idol!

Chapter 2: School

After a few years, Kuro has grown up drastically, and her life has taken a different path, leading to significant changes. She takes a deep breath as she gazes up at the kindergarten, clutching her bag tightly. Her father pats her head affectionately and says, "Enjoy your day at school, Kuro," with a warm smile on his face.

"Y-yeah," Kuro responds nervously, feeling uneasy about entering a new school. Maybe this isn't the best way for her to adjust.

"Don't forget to eat lunch and call me when you're done, okay?" her father advises, handing her his wallet before heading back to the car and driving away.

Kuro watches her father leave with a sigh, murmuring to herself, "Well, I guess I need to do what God says after all."

She then gathers her courage and walks into the classroom, where she sees a bunch of kids, slowly making her way inside.

"Hey, you! You look new here!" a girl exclaims, pointing at Kuro. She introduces herself, saying, "My name is Asuna, nice to meet you!"

"Uh... um..." Kuro blinks nervously, replying, "I'm Kuro... Kuroyukihime."

"Now that we've met, let's make some friends. Here, you can be friends with anyone you like!" Asuna suggests cheerfully.

"Oh, I see..." Kuro nods, feeling awkward. "Well... I feel awkward now... I don't know how to start a conversation," she admits to herself.

"So! How about you come join us!" Asuna takes her hand and starts walking with her, intertwining their fingers. Soon, they arrive where some boys and girls are chatting.

"Well, this is Hatake and Kotaro," Asuna introduces to Kuro. "Guys, this is Kuroyukihime."

As they all introduce themselves, they engage in conversation and begin playing together, building bonds and professing to create friendships around them.

Afterward, she walks around, holding her books. Suddenly, she notices a person sitting alone. She feels nervous, her cheeks flushing. "I don't know what I'm feeling right now. Just speak, Kuro... SPEAK!" her mind urges nervously as she tries to gather her courage.

"Uh... um... excuse me?" she calls out to the boy.

The boy looks at her, blinking his eyes, which shine like the blue sky. She holds her book tightly and asks in a low tone, "M-my name is... is..."

"My name is Kuroyukihime Hashira!" she finally manages to say, overcoming her stutter.

"Oh... Shuto, my name is Shuto," he replies.

"Oh... do you want to be my friend?" she asks, looking at him nervously.

"Uhm... I'm not sure..." he replies, also feeling uneasy.

"I mean, it's fine! I know some people feel weird about me..." Kuro says.

The boy looks at her, blinking. "Eh? What do you mean?"

"Ah... I mean..." she hesitates, then continues, "I mean, sometimes I feel like you might think I'm a weirdo, totally! Like I'm not good enough to have a conversation with. I just want... you know... because I know that I don't have good standards," she says awkwardly.

"Why are you talking like an adult...?" the boy asks, and Kuro feels embarrassed, covering her face.

"WHAT DOES HE MEAN BY SAYING I TALK LIKE AN ADULT?! OF COURSE I'M AN ADULT, YOU BRAT!" her mind exclaims, but she manages to say, "I... I don't know."

He chuckles, saying, "You're kind of a weirdo, aren't you?"

"I... I'm not a WEIRDO!" she shouts, shaking her head aggressively.

He chuckles again, nodding. "Yes, you are."

"I am not a weirdo! Just because you're sitting there and talking like you... you... ahh!" She tries to finish her sentence, but instead stumbles over her words, feeling embarrassed.

"Try to do better next time, okay?" the boy chuckles as he walks away.

"W-wait! I'm not done with you!" Kuro says, but she gives up instead.

Asuna comes up behind her, crossing her arms and shaking her head. "He really has a cold manner..."

"Is that really how he is?" Kuro asks.

"Well, he's a child actor. You might know him from kids' shows and some dramas," Asuna explains, clasping her hands together and saying dreamily, "he really seems... awww..." as she drifts off into romantic thoughts.

"Tch... I'm also an actor..." Kuro mumbles.

"Eh? You're an actor too?!" Asuna exclaims with excitement.

"Ah!! No no no! I'm not," Kuro replies quickly.

"Oh, I know you are! Haha!" Asuna laughs, observing Kuro's reaction to her encounter with the boy earlier.

As they finish checking out, Asuna and Kuro leave the classroom after school. Asuna starts the conversation, "Hey, do you want to go to a concert?"

"Eh? What concert?" Kuro asks.

"My mom wants to go to a B-komachi concert. She says it's been a while since they cancelled one." Asuna tells Kuro.

"B... B-komachi? Well, I think I have some homework, though," Kuro replies.

"Aww... but that's okay! If you come, then call me!" Asuna insists, writing down her phone number and giving it to Kuro, who accepts with a nod.

"Oh, your dad's here!" Asuna points to the car.

As soon as the car parks, Kuro's father steps out, looking refreshed. He waves to Kuro, who hands her bag to him. "How was your day at school?" he asks.

"It was fine," Kuro answers.

Afterward, she enjoys the peaceful and quiet view while her father drives the car. Kuro looks up at the sky, smiling contentedly, feeling free.

"Kuro, don't put your head out of the window," her father warns her.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologizes.

"What did you learn today, Kuro?" he asks.

"Well... just kanji lessons. Kind of harsh to say, but it confused me a bit," she explains.

"Well, that sounds about right," he agrees.

"So... Dad? How did you meet Mom?" she asks.

"Eh... why do you ask?" Her father stops as they reach a red light.

"Because, you know, you and Mom seem closer than other parents I've met. You seem like 'friends,'" she says.

"I... I don't know how to describe it," he says, sweat drops appearing on his forehead. "But I can tell you that we just hang out like ordinary people," he explains.

"I see," she nods.

After returning home, they gather in the living room to meet with everyone. Kuro looks around and sees Saeko studying.

"Hey, sis," Kuro says as she walks towards her sister.

"Oh, Kuro! How are you? How's your studies?" Saeko asks, adjusting her glasses.

"Good, what about you?" Kuro blinks, tilting her head.

"I'm good too. Why so formal, though?" Saeko chuckles, realizing.

"Well, maybe I learned it from the teacher," Kuro says.

"I see," Saeko nods, then opens a drawer. "I have something to tell you. Do you know what this means?" she asks.

Kuro looks at Saeko strangely, shaking her head. "No? Why do you ask?"

Saeko reveals a ticket to Kuro with a warm smile, offering it to her. "Wanna go to a concert?!"

"Ehhh?!" Kuro blinks in surprise as she sees Saeko holding the ticket.