[System bound successfully!]
The notification echoed through his mind like a spark of electricity.
Without missing a beat, Hiro Saitou opened the interface and began scrolling through the system's functions.
It was a star-training system. Not just any system—one of a kind. Once he bound a target, he could earn popularity points through their performances. Those points could be exchanged in the shop, or spent on lucky draws with rare rewards.
But since he hadn't bound anyone yet, most of the interface was grayed out.
Main Objective: Cultivate top-tier celebrities.
He glanced at the girl sitting on the nearby couch.
Ai Hoshino.
Even now, the name sounded surreal in his head.
And his uncle's name? Ichigo Saitou.
Yeah, that always threw him off too.
Not Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach—not the orange-haired Shinigami swinging a Zanpakutō.
This was Oshi no Ko. In this world, Ichigo Saitou was just "President."
And honestly, that tracked. In Tokyo, most people just called company heads "President" or "Shachou" anyway. No one cared about their actual names.
Before this whole mess, Hiro's life had been painfully average.
He hadn't even recognized Ai at first.
The real Ai—the one from the anime—radiated when she was on stage. Her smile could blind the crowd. But this version? She was… quiet. Dimmer. Like a star still forming.
She turned toward him.
"I grew up in an orphanage," Ai said softly.
"My mom got arrested for theft when I was little. I ended up alone."
"Even when she got out, she never came back."
"But… honestly, it's better this way. It's safer in the orphanage than being taken back and abused."
"No one's ever loved me… and I've never loved anyone either."
Hiro's chest tightened. His mind flashed to that scene from the anime—the one that haunted him. The one where she smiled at the door, only to be stabbed by an obsessed fan. Right after deciding to finally live for her kids.
It was cruel.
Too cruel.
He clenched his fist.
Use quota: Target Ai Hoshino.
Suddenly, he felt it—eyes.
Cold. Distant. Watching.
The system was evaluating him.
But he didn't back down.
If this world had already decided Ai's fate was sealed…
Then he'd rewrite the script himself.
[Quota used successfully. You have received the Newbie Starter Pack.]
Use Starter Pack?
[Obtained: Introductory Music Theory Knowledge]
[Obtained: Idol Cultivation Aura]
[Obtained: Colored Glow Sticks (x1)]
[Obtained: 10 Million Yen]
[Obtained: Stamina Potion (x1)]
[Obtained: Peace Talisman (x2)]
"Saitou-kun? You okay?"
Ai's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Yeah—just thinking." He forced a casual smile, trying to play it cool as the system notifications filled his vision.
"What were you thinking about?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Yesterday. It was Saturday, right?"
"…Yeah?"
"So I went to this shrine to pray for my exam scores, and this old priest just… handed me a talisman out of nowhere. Told me if I didn't give it to a girl my age within 24 hours, something bad would happen."
He held up one of the yellow charms. Red string wrapped neatly around the folded paper.
Ai squinted at it. "Feels fake."
On the couch, Ichigo—"Igo"—suddenly sat up.
"Wait, you're just now telling us this?!"
"I didn't think I'd bring a girl home today," Hiro replied with a shrug. "What were the odds?"
Igo leaned forward, suddenly serious. "Even if it sounds stupid, charms like these should be treated with respect. You never know what kind of weird spiritual stuff might be attached."
"…It's still way too convenient," Ai muttered, eyeing the talisman like it might explode.
Still, she took it.
Hiro gently unfolded it. Black brushstrokes spelled out kanji in a traditional style.
"You're not trying to exorcise me, are you?" she asked, eyebrow raised.
Hiro blinked.
Okay, this lie might've gotten away from me.
"Go ahead, look it up," he said, opening a browser on his phone. "See if it's legit."
Ai leaned in, but frowned. "I don't recognize any of this."
"Search 'peace charm how-to' or something." Hiro sighed. "Honestly, if the world runs on science, then this shouldn't mean anything. Right?"
"Then your story's even more unscientific," she shot back.
Hiro watched her. She was quiet, but sharp. Smart.
Was she always like this in the anime? Or was she just this guarded in real life?
If someone had never been loved before…
And then a stranger suddenly handed them a charm like this…
Wouldn't they question it?
Maybe that's what he was seeing now. Suspicion.
Hurt.
Igo stood, brushing off his jeans. "I'll call Miyako. Maybe she knows something."
He stepped into the next room, leaving Hiro and Ai alone.
Hiro exhaled and opened the system interface to check his items again.
★ Music Theory Knowledge
Basic-level understanding of music fundamentals. Unlocks potential for performance growth.
★ Idol Cultivation Aura
Improves skill-learning speed and performance impact while near the bound idol.
★ Glow Stick (Color)
Used during live performances. Boosts crowd engagement and stage focus.
★ Stamina Potion
Restores fatigue instantly. May be used before or after a show.
★ Peace Talisman (x2)
Reduces the chance of fatal misfortune. May slightly alter fate.
He held out one of the peace talismans.
"Here. I'm giving you this one."
Ai hesitated. "…You're not keeping both?"
"I still have mine," Hiro replied. "I'm not giving you my charm."
A tiny smile tugged at her lips.
"Then I'll take this one."
She held it gently in both hands, like it meant more than she was willing to say.
"…This is the first time someone's ever given me something," she whispered. "Even if it's just a charm."
"It's not really a gift," Hiro muttered, suddenly shy.
"Oh?" Ai looked at him playfully. "Then what is it?"
He looked away. "I just… don't want it to work."
"…Hiro-kun?"