The Dream That Felt Too Far Away

I never thought my life would change because of a silly contest.

Seriously, what were the odds?

I wasn’t a celebrity. I wasn’t rich. I wasn’t even particularly lucky. I was just Hina Tanaka, a 17-year-old high school girl whose greatest achievements included scoring average grades, binge-watching idol performances at 2 a.m., and successfully avoiding sports day three years in a row.

But there was one thing that made my heart race faster than anything else in the world—Yuki Hayashi.

Yuki wasn’t just an idol. He was the idol.

As the lead vocalist of Starlight, the biggest J-pop group of the decade, he was adored by millions. His voice was the kind that could make you fall in love, his dance moves could hypnotize a crowd, and his smile—that bright, mischievous, heart-stopping smile—had probably caused more emotional damage than heartbreak itself.

And I was obsessed.

My walls were covered in Starlight posters. My phone’s lock screen? Yuki. My YouTube history? Pure Starlight content. And let’s not even talk about the official lightstick and photocard collection taking up half my desk.

I’d watched every interview, memorized every song, and analyzed every little habit of his. The way he ran a hand through his hair when he was nervous. The way his eyes crinkled when he laughed. The rare, soft moments when he’d zone out and forget about the cameras—when he was just Yuki, not the idol.

Of course, I knew it was all just a fantasy. Someone like me—an ordinary girl—could never be part of Yuki Hayashi’s world.

Or so I thought.

Until the universe decided to prove me wrong.

The Contest That Changed Everything

It all started on a random Friday evening. I was scrolling through Twitter, liking fan edits of Yuki, when I saw it—

"WIN A DREAM DATE WITH YUKI HAYASHI!"

My brain short-circuited.

I clicked the link so fast I almost broke my phone.

The rules were simple: submit your name and contact information for a chance to win an exclusive, one-on-one date with Yuki. No cameras, no fans, just three whole hours at a fancy restaurant. It was a promotional event for Starlight’s new album, and only one fan would be chosen.

One. Out of millions.

My excitement fizzled. The chances were basically zero.

Still, I couldn’t help but whisper, What if?

Across the table, my best friend Mina was busy demolishing a plate of fries. “Why are you making that face?” she asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

“What face?”

“The one where you’re plotting something stupid.”

I hesitated. “It’s just… there’s this contest.”

Mina leaned forward. “A contest?”

I took a deep breath. “A chance to go on a date with Yuki Hayashi.”

She stared. Then she snorted.

“Hina,” she said, struggling to keep a straight face, “you know how many people are entering that, right? Millions. You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning. Twice.”

I groaned. “I know! But it’s free to enter, so why not?”

She shrugged. “Hey, go ahead. Just don’t come crying when you lose.”

I glared at her, then, with a dramatic flourish, typed in my information and hit submit.

“There. Entered.”

Mina smirked. “Congrats. Now prepare for the crushing disappointment.”

I rolled my eyes, but deep down, I knew she was right. This was just for fun. I wasn’t actually going to win.

At least, that’s what I thought.

The Email That Changed My Life

For the next two weeks, I tried to forget about the contest.

Tried.

Every time my phone buzzed, my heart did a mini backflip. But it was always something boring—class reminders, spam emails, a text from my mom asking if I wanted curry for dinner (yes, obviously).

Until one ordinary afternoon, my phone vibrated with a notification that nearly killed me.

Subject: Congratulations! You’ve Won a Date with Yuki Hayashi!

I froze.

No. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be.

Hands shaking, I clicked on the email.

> Dear Hina Tanaka,

Congratulations! You have been selected as the winner of the Yuki Hayashi Dream Date Event.

Your exclusive date will take place on Saturday, 7:00 PM at Soleil Restaurant, Tokyo.

Further details will be provided by our staff. Please confirm your attendance within 24 hours.

Thank you for your support!

I read it three times before my brain registered the words.

I had won.

I had actually, actually won.

I was going on a date with Yuki Hayashi.

My soul left my body.

“M-Mina,” I choked out, my voice barely a whisper.

She glanced up from her phone. “What now?”

I shoved my phone in her face.

Mina squinted at the email. Read it. Then read it again.

And then—

“WHAT?! HINA, YOU WON?!”

Her scream was so loud, the entire café turned to stare.

I barely heard them. My heart was pounding too hard.

“This… this has to be a prank, right?” I said weakly.

Mina snatched my phone and re-read the email. “No, this is legit! HINA, YOU’RE GOING ON A DATE WITH YUKI FREAKING HAYASHI!!”

I could only gasp for air like a dying fish.

A date. With Yuki. My ultimate idol.

This wasn’t happening.

It couldn’t be happening.

…Could it?

The Breakdown (a.k.a. The Preparation)

The next few days were a chaotic mix of excitement, panic, and existential dread.

First came the screaming.

Then the crying.

Then the full-blown meltdown.

Mina had to physically slap me (twice) just to stop me from hyperventilating.

“HINA, GET A GRIP!” she yelled. “You need to act like a normal human, not a crazed fangirl!”

Easy for her to say.

I had three days to prepare. Three days to figure out what to wear, how to act, and most importantly—how NOT to embarrass myself in front of Yuki Hayashi.

I spent hours agonizing over outfits, watching YouTube tutorials on how to impress an idol, and practicing my introduction in the mirror.

(“H-Hi, I’m Hina. No, too awkward. Hey, I’m Hina! No, too casual. OH GOD, I’M GOING TO DIE—”)

I barely slept.

By the time Saturday arrived, I was running on pure adrenaline.

As I stood in front of the fancy restaurant, dressed in my cutest (but not too desperate-looking) outfit, my stomach was in knots.

This was it.

I was about to meet Yuki Hayashi.

For three hours, I could pretend—just for a little while—that I was part of his world.

And I had no idea that this night would change everything.

---

[End of Chapter 1]

---

The Night That Felt Unreal

Standing in front of Soleil Restaurant, I felt like I had been transported into another universe.

The restaurant wasn’t just fancy—it was the kind of place where celebrities and billionaires dined, the kind of place I had only ever seen in magazines. The golden lights shimmered against the deep navy sky, and soft violin music floated from inside. The air smelled of expensive perfume and gourmet dishes, making my stomach twist with nerves.

I glanced at my reflection in the tall glass windows, my fingers tightening around the small clutch purse I had borrowed from Mina. I had spent hours getting ready—picking the right outfit, practicing my smile, watching a million YouTube videos on "How to Act Normal on a Date" (not that I was confident it had worked).

My black dress was simple yet elegant, hugging my body just enough to make me feel put-together without looking like I was trying too hard. My hair, usually a chaotic mess, had been tamed into soft waves.

This is real.

This is happening.

I was about to meet Yuki Hayashi.

My heart pounded so loudly I was sure the valet could hear it. My hands felt cold despite the warm summer night. A part of me still expected someone to pop out and say, Just kidding! We emailed the wrong person!

But the moment the restaurant doors swung open, and a suited staff member approached me with a polite smile, reality hit.

“Miss Tanaka?” His voice was calm, professional.

I swallowed hard. “Y-Yes?”

“Right this way, please. Mr. Hayashi is already waiting for you.”

Oh. Oh.

My legs almost gave out.

I was about to meet Yuki Hayashi.

Breathe, Hina. Breathe.

Meeting the Untouchable

The restaurant was even more breathtaking inside. Dim chandeliers cast a golden glow over tables adorned with fresh roses and crystal glasses. It was quiet, elegant—nothing like the noisy ramen shops I usually visited.

As I followed the waiter through the restaurant, I spotted him.

Yuki Hayashi.

Sitting in the farthest booth, dressed in a sleek black button-up, his silver necklace catching the light. His dark brown hair fell slightly over his forehead, styled effortlessly but not overly perfect. He was looking at his phone, his long fingers lazily scrolling, completely unaware that my soul had just left my body.

He’s even more handsome in person.

No camera, no filter—just him.

The waiter cleared his throat, and Yuki looked up.

And that’s when it happened.

Our eyes met.

For a second, time stopped.

Then, slowly, a smile spread across his lips.

Not the idol smile—the one he used on stage, the one carefully crafted to steal hearts—but something softer, more genuine.

He stood up. “You must be Hina.”

His voice was smoother than melted chocolate.

I forgot how to breathe.

“Y-Yes,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Yuki chuckled—a low, amused sound that sent actual shivers down my spine. “You look like you just saw a ghost.”

I wanted to say something normal, something cool, but my brain had completely shut down.

Yuki Hayashi—THE Yuki Hayashi—was standing in front of me, looking at me like I was an actual person and not just another fan in a screaming crowd.

Somehow, I found my voice. “No, um—I mean, yes, I mean—”

Oh my god, what was I saying?!

Yuki’s smile widened, and he gestured toward the booth. “Let’s sit.”

I nodded frantically like a broken bobblehead and slid into the seat across from him.

The moment I sat down, reality hit me hard.

I was on a date with Yuki Hayashi.

And I had absolutely no idea how to act normal.

The Awkward First Moments

“So,” Yuki said, resting his chin on his hand, eyes scanning my face with interest. “How does it feel to win a date with me?”

A million responses ran through my head:

I think I might pass out.

I have no idea what to do with my hands.

Your existence is illegal.

Instead, I somehow managed, “It feels… surreal.”

Yuki chuckled. “I bet.” He leaned back slightly, studying me. “You’re surprisingly calm, though. Most fans I meet can’t even look me in the eye.”

Oh, I was dying inside, but sure, let’s go with "calm."

I forced a tiny smile. “Maybe I’m just good at pretending.”

He raised an eyebrow, amused. “Or maybe you’re different.”

Different? Me?

I nearly choked on air.

Before I could process that, a waiter appeared with menus.

“Would you like to order drinks?”

Yuki glanced at me. “What do you like?”

I panicked. What was the coolest drink to order?

“I, um… water,” I blurted out.

Water.

The most basic thing on the planet.

Yuki’s lips twitched like he was holding back a laugh. “Water it is, then.”

Getting Comfortable… Sort Of

As the evening went on, something unexpected happened.

I started to relax.

At first, I thought Yuki would be distant—polite but uninterested, like he was just doing this for PR. But he was… easy to talk to.

Surprisingly normal.

He asked me questions—not just about being a fan, but about me. My favorite food. My hobbies. What I wanted to do after high school.

For the first time, it didn’t feel like I was sitting across from a super idol. It felt like I was talking to a guy my age.

A really, really attractive guy.

Halfway through dinner, he leaned forward, eyes glinting with curiosity. “So, be honest—am I what you expected?”

I hesitated, twirling my straw. “I don’t know… you’re more real than I imagined.”

He tilted his head. “Real?”

I nodded. “On stage, you seem untouchable. Perfect. But right now… you’re just Yuki.”

For a moment, something flickered in his expression. A shadow of something deeper.

Then, he smiled. “That’s probably the nicest thing anyone’s said to me in a while.”

His voice was light, but I sensed it—the weight behind his words.

And for the first time that night, I wondered…

What was it really like to be him?

The Unexpected Twist

Just as I was starting to feel comfortable, something happened that threw me completely off balance.

The restaurant door swung open, and a tall figure walked in.

Yuki’s face immediately tensed.

I followed his gaze and felt my stomach drop.

Because standing there, scanning the room with sharp eyes…

Was a paparazzi photographer.

“Oh no,” Yuki muttered. “Not tonight.”

My heart pounded.

Was our date about to be exposed?

Before I could react, Yuki suddenly stood up.

“Change of plans,” he said, grabbing my wrist. His touch was warm, firm—but gentle. “We need to get out of here.”

My eyes widened. “Wait, what—?!”

“Trust me.”

And before I knew it, Yuki Hayashi was pulling me out of the restaurant—

And straight into the night of a lifetime.

---

[End of Chapter 2]

Yuki’s grip on my wrist was firm, but his touch was oddly reassuring. My mind was racing, trying to process what had just happened. One second, we were having dinner, and the next, I was being pulled through the grand restaurant, toward the exit, with a paparazzi on our tail.

“Yuki, what’s going on?” I managed to ask, my voice shaky.

His jaw was clenched as he glanced over his shoulder, his eyes darting around. “The paparazzi isn’t supposed to be here. They’re too persistent tonight. We need to get out of here before they make a scene.”

Before I could react, he tugged me through the back doors of the restaurant, which opened into a quiet alleyway. The air outside was cooler, and the sounds of the city felt muffled, but the tension between us was palpable.

I stopped in my tracks. “Wait, this is insane. We can’t just—”

Yuki turned to face me, his expression softened. “I know this is crazy, but if we stay, they’ll follow us, and it won’t just be tonight. It’ll be all over the tabloids by tomorrow. I don’t want you to be dragged into that.”

I swallowed hard. I had never thought of something like this. One moment, I was sitting across from the man I could only dream of meeting, and now I was running through dark alleys in the middle of the night with him. I had no idea where this was going.

“Where are we going?” I asked, trying to steady my breathing.

“Somewhere safe,” Yuki said, his voice calm but urgent. “Just trust me.”

And for some strange reason, I did. I didn’t know why, but in that moment, I had no doubt in my mind that Yuki would protect me. Even if that meant running into the unknown.

He led me down a narrow side street, then into a black SUV parked on the curb. The driver, who didn’t even blink an eye at seeing us, quickly opened the door for us.

“Get in,” Yuki said, not looking back.

I hesitated for only a second before sliding into the car. The door slammed shut behind me, and the vehicle sped off almost immediately, leaving the lights of the restaurant fading in the distance.

I sat back, still trying to catch my breath, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing. I was in a car, with Yuki Hayashi, speeding through Tokyo’s night streets like we were in some sort of movie. I glanced over at him, my heart still pounding in my chest.

“Is this really happening?” I whispered, not sure if I was asking him or myself.

Yuki turned to me, his dark eyes steady. “Yes, it is. Just breathe, okay? Everything’s going to be fine.”

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure how fine it was going to be. My heart was still caught somewhere between panic and excitement.

The car took a sharp turn, and we entered a quiet residential area. The streetlights seemed dimmer here, and there were fewer people around. We stopped in front of a tall building, and Yuki gestured for me to follow him. I didn’t ask questions. I was in way too deep now to second-guess anything.

We stepped out of the car, and Yuki led me inside. The building’s lobby was understated, with sleek modern furniture and the faint smell of fresh flowers in the air. Yuki didn’t say a word as we walked through the halls, his steps confident, but his eyes sharp, scanning our surroundings.

He paused in front of an elevator, pressing the button, and we rode up in silence. I was hyper-aware of the closeness between us, of the way the soft hum of the elevator seemed to amplify every heartbeat. It felt so surreal. A few hours ago, I had been sitting in a restaurant, nervously trying to act normal, and now I was here, in a building I had no business being in, with Yuki.

When the doors finally opened, Yuki stepped out and led me down another hall. He stopped at a door, unlocking it and pushing it open.

“This is my apartment,” he said, turning back to me. “I know it’s not ideal, but I need to lay low for a while.”

The apartment was modern but comfortable, with sleek furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows that showed a view of the city’s skyline. It was quiet, peaceful, and for the first time since we’d left the restaurant, I could feel my nerves starting to settle.

Yuki closed the door behind us, and then he turned to face me. His expression was more relaxed now, but there was still an edge of tension to his posture.

“I’m sorry you had to get dragged into this,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t expect things to escalate this quickly. But I promise, you’re safe here.”

I nodded, still trying to absorb everything. “I’m fine. Really. I just… I wasn’t expecting any of this.”

He chuckled, a soft sound that made me feel a little better. “No one does. But, well, this is my life. The one that no one really sees.”

I studied him for a moment, sensing the weight of his words. He wasn’t just talking about the paparazzi or the fame. There was something more behind his eyes, something he didn’t often show the world.

I wanted to ask more, to learn about the person behind the idol. But for now, it felt like too much. My heart was still recovering from the chaos of the night.

“So, what now?” I asked, breaking the silence.

Yuki looked at me, his expression softening. “Now? We just take a breath. Relax for a while. We don’t have to talk about anything if you don’t want to. We can just be… normal.”

And, for the first time all night, I believed him.