Oshi no Ko: The Maestro

Chapter 7: Running Towards Trust

As the first rays of the morning sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, Hiroshi laced up his running shoes and popped in his earbuds. With a click of a button, his favourite playlist started, filling his ears with energizing beats. He took a deep breath, feeling the crisp air invigorate his lungs, and set off on his morning run.

Hiroshi's feet pounded rhythmically on the pavement, matching the tempo of the music. As he ran, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement coursing through his veins. The plans that he had prepared for weeks were coming to fruition, and he couldn't wait to see them unfold.
"Alright, Hiroshi, this is it. Everything is going as planned," he whispered to himself with a determined grin, trying to keep his excitement in check. "Those ideas you had, they're gold. Pure gold."

As the miles ticked away, Hiroshi's body grew accustomed to the rhythmic motion, his breathing steady and controlled. He relished the sensation of his muscles working in harmony. With each stride, he felt a renewed sense of confidence, knowing that his plans were unfolding exactly as he had intended.

Lost in his thoughts and the rhythm of his run, Hiroshi was completely unaware of his surroundings. As he approached a bend in the path, a playful breeze tugged at his sweat-dampened hair, causing him to momentarily close his eyes and tilt his head back. Little did he know, he was about to be jolted out of his focused state.

Just as Hiroshi neared the curve, a soft poke landed on his back, interrupting his stride. He snapped out of his reverie and turned his head, finding himself face-to-face with a familiar girl. Her ponytail hairstyle swayed with the motion of her surprise attack.

"Hey there, daydreamer!" she exclaimed, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. It was Akane, a colleague, and friend of his.

Hiroshi's surprise quickly transformed into a smile. He removed his earbuds and replied, slightly out of breath, "Akane! You scared me there. What brings you to this part of the trail?"

Akane shrugged playfully. "Oh, you know me, always up for a morning jog."

Hiroshi chuckled, his heartbeat returning to a steady pace. "Well, I can't say I'm disappointed to run into you. It's always nice to have some company on these morning excursions."

Akane fell into step beside him and they continued running together.

As Hiroshi and Akane ran side by side, their strides in sync, there was a comfortable silence between them. The rhythmic pounding of their feet on the pavement provided a soothing backdrop to their thoughts. After a few moments, Akane spoke up, her voice gentle and understanding.

"Hiroshi, about the audition... I'm sorry it didn't go as planned," she said, her tone sympathetic.

Hiroshi glanced at her, a flicker of disappointment momentarily crossing his face. He took a deep breath and then smiled, trying to reassure her. "It's alright, Akane. I appreciate your concern, but really, I'm okay."

Akane nodded, but her gaze held a hint of worry. "I know you've been working so hard for this opportunity. It's natural to feel disappointed."

Hiroshi's smile widened as he continued to run, his determination evident in his voice. "You're right, Akane. I won't deny that I had my heart set on it, but I've learned to accept that not every plan works out. Failure is just a stepping stone to success."

After they ran a bit more Hiroshi looked at Akane.
"Akane," Hiroshi began, his voice filled with curiosity, "as an actor, what do you think is the most important quality or skill one needs to succeed?"

Akane pondered the question for a moment, her eyes focused on the path ahead. She slowed her pace slightly, matching Hiroshi's stride as she gathered her thoughts.