Offering him the chance to become a movie star and an upcoming audition that awaited him the following day. Mr. Kato's eyes lit up with delight, his face reflecting genuine happiness at the news. However, a shadow of doubt lingered over Alex as he hesitated, his thoughts clouded by the realization that he lacked the necessary visa and was not of pure Japanese descent. "You have to try, Alex. There is nothing to lose," Mr. Kato's voice was gentle yet firm, his wisdom resonating in the room like a soothing melody. Leo chimed in, offering his unwavering support and faith in Alex's abilities. "See, the two of us believe in you," he reassured Alex with a warm smile. Feeling a mix of apprehension and determination, Alex softly bowed his head, a silent promise to himself forming in his heart. Tomorrow, he would step out of his comfort zone and pursue the audition, guided by the unwavering faith of his companions.The next morning dawned with a crisp clarity, the sunlight filtering through the paper screens of Mr. Kato's house, casting a warm glow over everything it touched. Alex rose with a newfound determination, his mind set on the path ahead, fueled by the unwavering support and belief of those who stood by his side.
Alex and Leo, embarked on a train journey to Shinjuku city, Alex lost in his own thoughts. Alex's face bore an expression of uncertainty, a tangle of nerves and anticipation weaving through his mind. Leo sat beside him, offering words of encouragement. "I'm praying for you all night," Leo spoke softly. "Thank you, my friend. I put everything in God," Alex replied with a faint smile, his eyes fixed on the passing scenery outside the train window. As the train gilded towards its destination, the MTS network building loomed into view, a towering structure of glass and steel. Leo, ever proactive, walks toward the phone booth and dialed the number of the talent scout, Miss Miyuki, to inform her of their arrival. "We're here, Miss Miyuki," Leo announced over the phone, his voice filled with a touch of eagerness. Upon reaching the building, Miyuki instructed them to proceed to the 7th floor near the audition studio. Following her directions, Alex and Leo made their way through the bustling corridors, the air alive with the nervous energy of aspiring talents queuing up for their shot at stardom. "This is much different from when we auditioned in Japan," Leo remarked with a soft chuckle, attempting to lighten the mood for his friend. Alex managed a small smile in response, though his nerves continued to flutter in his stomach like a caged butterfly. Moments later, Miyuki and Shintaro, the smiling duo in charge, greeted them warmly. "Thank you for coming. Can you come with us for a brief moment?" Miyuki's voice held a note of anticipation as she led Alex into a separate room for a private discussion, leaving Leo outside. Seated in the room, Shintaro and Miyuki exchanged glances before Miyuki spoke, her words weighted with a delicate balance. "Alex, we just want you to know that the producer is seeking individuals of pure Japanese descent only," Miyuki explained, her tone gentle yet firm. Alex's heart sank at her words, the uncertainty he had felt on the train now crystallizing into a looming shadow of doubt.
"So, does that mean I won't be able to audition?" he questioned, a hint of disappointment seeping into his voice. Miyuki's smile remained, a beacon of reassurance in the midst of uncertainty. "No, you will still have the opportunity to audition. However, there's a request we need to discuss with you." Confusion clouded Alex's features as he listened intently to Miyuki's proposition. She delicately broached the topic of his Filipino heritage, posing a question that left him grappling with conflicting emotions. "We simply ask for your agreement to not disclose your Filipino background if the producer inquires. Will you agree to this?" Miyuki's gaze held a mix of hope and apprehension. "And if you will be selected, from then we will have another meeting, and that will be your final decision," she continued. Alex felt a whirlwind of thoughts swirling within him. With a deep breath, he nodded in reluctant acceptance. "Okay," he softly replied. "But before we proceed, you need to have a new name," Miyuki told him. Alex recalled his name when he was young, 'Takeru Kimura, that was the name that his father gave him, and that is the name that he uses in school. "Okay then, Takeru Kimura," Taro agreed. After a while, they asked him to go join the other hopefuls to queue. Alex heard from the outside of the audition room the tension inside the room. How the hopefuls were nervous, and they did their best to showcase themselves. Leo approached him to support him. "You can do that," Leo said. "I'm just wondering, they don't even ask about my talent?" Alex asked. "You are a good singer, no worries," Leo said. "But what if my voice wasn't good for them?" he asked feeling nervous. Shintaro approached him as he heard their conversation. "No need to be worried, the unique appearance is what they are looking for, next the talent, you can make an acting workshop once they selected you," Taro told him. "Okay," Alex simply replied. As the line inched forward, Alex caught glimpses of the other auditionees, each one radiating a mix of excitement and apprehension. Some were practicing their gestures, others whispered words of encouragement to themselves, while a few stood frozen in fear, their eyes wide with nervous energy. Finally, it was Alex's turn to step into the audition room. The bright lights illuminated the stage, casting a warm glow over the room. The judges sat in a row, they were the producers and the owner of the Network, they are Mr. Matsumoto and Mrs. Takahashi. Their expressions composed yet attentive, as they waited for the next hopeful to showcase themselves. Taking a deep breath, Alex centered himself, as Shintaro said, just smiled, so he smiled with strikingly well-defined facial features. During his audition, the judges were astounded at his facial features, his skin has a smooth, fair complexion with a subtle, healthy glow. He has high cheekbones and a slightly pointed chin that gives his face an elegant shape. His eyes are dark brown, almond-shaped, and expressive, exuding warmth and intelligence, with long lashes that frame them perfectly. His hair is jet black, styled in a slightly tousled yet effortlessly neat look that falls just above his eyebrows, adding a bit of charm and character.
He's about 5'11", with an athletic build—toned but not overly muscular—indicating he stays fit and active. His sense of style is modern yet refined; he was wearing his black fitted leather jacket with dark denim pants and black leather ankle boots. As he walked towards with graceful posture in the center of the room, Mr. Matsumoto and Mrs. Takahashi felt a shift in the atmosphere, an undeniable magnetism that drew their gaze. "He carries himself with a quiet confidence, displaying calm and kindness in his demeanor," Mrs. Takahashi whispered, her eyes fixed on the mysterious newcomer. Beside her, Mr. Matsumoto nodded in agreement, openly studying the man before them. "Will you please turn around?" Mrs. Takahashi's voice was barely more than a breath. With a slight smile, he gently turns around. "There's an approachable charm to him," Mrs. Takahashi observed, her voice barely hiding a hint of admiration. "And also, a hint of mystery, making him irresistibly captivating," she continued, her curiosity piqued by the enigmatic aura that surrounded Alex. Suddenly, unable to contain her intrigue any longer, Mrs. Takahashi leaned forward and addressed him directly. "What is your name?" she asked, her tone filled with genuine interest. Alex met her gaze with a serene confidence and replied, "My name is Takeru Kimura." A flicker of uncertainty crossed Mrs. Takahashi's features as she questioned him further, "Are you pure Japanese, right?" Her furrowed brows betrayed a hint of concern, echoed by Mr. Matsumoto's stern expression. Without missing a beat, Alex replied with a serene smile, "Yes, I am." The tension in the room dispersed like smoke, replaced by a sense of relief as Mrs. Takahashi's smile returned, her doubts put to rest. "Because if not, you will go home right now," Mr. Matsumoto interjected, his voice firm but not unkind. Alex merely nodded; his composure unwavering as he awaited their final verdict. The producers exchanged a look before giving the signal for Alex to step outside, signaling the end of his audition. With a graceful bow of his head, he exited the room. As Alex disappeared from view, Mr. Matsumoto and Mrs. Takahashi sat in silence, the memory of his presence still vivid in their minds. Despite the brevity of their encounter, his aura had left an indelible mark on their thoughts, a reminder of the allure and mystery that had captivated them from the moment he had walked into the room. Frantically scanning the crowded corridor, Alex's eyes landed in a corner. Leo, sat with a hopeful smile on his face, radiating confidence despite the tension in the room. Alex made his way over to Leo. "Are you in?" Leo's cheerful voice, his eyes twinkling with optimism. Alex sighed, his shoulders slumping dejectedly. "I don't know, they just told me to step out, my audition was done," he confessed, the weight of uncertainty settling in his chest. Together, they scanned the room in search of Miyuki and Shintaro. However, they were nowhere to be found, adding another layer of unease to the already tense atmosphere. "I think we need to go home," Alex suggested. Leo's expression grew resolute, his hand resting reassuringly on Alex's shoulder. "No, we have to wait for the result," he insisted, his unwavering belief in Alex shining through.
"But they told me that my audition was done," Alex murmured, his hopes dimming with each passing moment. "We need to wait first," Leo urged, leading Alex to a secluded corner where they settled in to await the verdict. Minutes stretched into hours as they sat in anticipation. Finally, the organizers called out, announcing that all the auditionees where to go home. "Oh, they're sending us away now," Alex muttered, frustration and disappointment coloring his words. "Where's Shintaro and Miyuki?" Leo inquired; his curiosity piqued by their absence. "Maybe they don't want to face us anymore," Alex speculated, his voice tinged with sadness as they rose from their seats to leave. As they made their way towards the exit, Leo's comforting words cut through the air. "No worries, Alex, maybe there is something bigger waiting for you. This is just a small setback," he tried to cheer him up as he wrapped his right arm around his shoulder. As they made their way to the exit towards the elevator, "Hey, where are you going?" Miyuki's voice echoed in the almost deserted hallway. Alex hesitated for a moment, unsure of why Miyuki was stopping them after the audition was already over. "The audition was done; everyone is going home?" he replied, confusion evident in his voice. "Oh yes," Miyuki replied with a serene smile, her black hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall. "We will go now, thank you for this chance," Alex said, ready to retreat, but Miyuki halted him from walking away with a gentle hand on his arm. "The auditionee ordered us to go home because they had already selected someone," Miyuki explained, her voice tinged with a hint of mystery. Leo couldn't contain his excitement, "So you mean?" Miyuki smiled, "They selected you, Alex! Congratulations, and we need to talk now," Miyuki informed him. Leo couldn't help but cheer, his enthusiasm spreading through the corridor. "Yes! Oh, my, this is it Alex, this is it!" he exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with joy. Shintaro came in and he shot Leo a glance, reminding him to keep his voice down, because he is talking Tagalog language. Guided by Miyuki, they made their way into a meeting room, the walls adorned with posters of famous movie stars, one of them in the center was Rie Natsuki. "Okay, Alex, as we expected, you were chosen. Now, you must decide whether you will agree as we discussed earlier," Miyuki said, her tone soft but firm, her gaze fixed on him. Alex, his mind a whirlwind of doubts and fears, voiced his concerns. "But what if they find out? I'll face unknown consequences, right?" he asked, his voice laced with worry. Miyuki, calm and collected, reassured him, "We will do anything to ensure that doesn't happen." Alex, laden with desperation, hesitated, his next words revealing a hidden truth that weighed heavily on him. "The truth is, despite being half Japanese, I have no visa here," he confessed, his vulnerability laid bare. "How did this happen?" Shintaro inquired, his eyes reflecting of disbelief. And so, Alex began to narrate his tale. "My mother was overstaying here when she gave birth to me," Alex started, his voice tinged with sadness.
"My Japanese father never married her, but he gave me the name Takeru with my father's surname Kimura, and enrolled me in school." As he spoke, the memories of his childhood unfolded, a blend of warmth and longing for love of his father. "But then, when my father was taken away by his wife and he died," Alex continued, his gaze distant as he recalled the moment that shattered his world. "And my mother, feeling lost and alone, decided to go back to our home country," he added. "I returned to Japan as a talent, hoping to find my place in this world," Alex explained, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation. "But in my pursuit of belonging, I made a mistake – I overstayed my visa, trapped in a cycle of uncertainty and fear," Shintaro, taken aback by this revelation, exchanged a glance with Miyuki, silently communicating their concerns. "I think we can't proceed; there are too many complications," Shintaro suggested, his voice laced with uncertainty. Miyuki, a picture of composure, remained unfazed. "I can handle this. The most important thing here is that he was chosen, we don't need to miss this opportunity Shintaro," Miyuki told him, "Remember, all the talents that we presented before were always rejected. Our power as manager of famous stars is fading, and we don't have new famous talents anymore, Shintaro. Alex is our chance to shine again," Miyuki's words carried a thread of desperation."All we have to do is to convince him to agree not to disclose his Filipino heritage to everyone," she continued with a tinged mix of hope and despair in her eyes. Shintaro thought that Miyuki was right, their career as talent scout and manager were almost fading. Leo on the other hand, offering his advice to Alex. "That is not hard to decide, Alex. It may seem risky, but if you truly desire to change your life, you must grab this opportunity, Lord will guide you," Leo encouraged him, his words ringing with sincerity. Alex, lost in conflicting emotions, pondered his decision as the weight of the choice ahead loomed over him. "I'm just advising you, but the decision is still yours, Alex. If I were in your shoes, I would seize this chance. After all, you have Japanese blood running through your veins," Leo emphasized, his voice calm yet persuasive. Returning to the table, Miyuki and Shintaro outlined a plan to resolve Alex's visa issue and create a new identity for him. Despite the risks and uncertainties, Miyuki remained steadfast in her resolve. "We know someone to fix everything about your new identity," she assured Alex, her unwavering gaze meeting him. Alex, thinks nothing but to help his family, that made his decision. "Okay, I will take this opportunity. Whatever will be will be," he declared, Leo beaming beside him. However, Miyuki has a final stern reminder of the gravity of their secret. "From now on, only the three of you will know your secret, you, Kato San and Leo. You must not divulge this to anyone, not even your own family in your country. Understood?" she stated firmly, her eyes reflecting the weight of their shared secret. 'We understand!' they replied in unison.
In that moment, they immediately signed him a contract, he retained his childhood name Takeru but Shintaro changed Kimura to 'Daigo' which means great enlightenment, "So you will be now, Takeru Daigo!" Shintaro announced, Alex gave him a big smile as he was also satisfied with his new name, and they happily told him to come back the next day to meet again with the producers. "We will arrange your upcoming workshop, like acting, singing and dancing, and after that, you will be going to have a lot of photo shoots, the network will start to build you up in newspapers, magazines and on TV." Miyuki happily said Alex was filled with joy when he heard it, it's like he was dreaming. Leo, clapped him on the back, radiating happiness for Alex. "Man, I can't wait to see you shine on TV," Leo said, his voice filled with pride. "You're going to be a star, Takeru Daigo. I just know it." Leo exclaimed. When they got home, Kato San greeted them with a warm smile while sitting at the kotatsu table. "Tadaima! Welcome home!" Kato San greeted Leo and Alex greeted him back with a happy smile. "We're home!" They greeted him. "How was the audition going?" he asked. Then Leo is the one who told him everything that Alex has been through the audition. "He is now Takeru Daigo!" Leo happily announced. Kato was suddenly thinking when he heard that name Takeru, it's like familiar to him, but he ignored it for a while. "So, you mean you will be a movie star now?" Kato San said in dis-belief. "Yes," Alex humbly replied. "You made a right decision, this is fate, and you are a good person, everything will be fine, and I'm here always for you," Kato San said. The three of them shared a wonderful diner that night.