Chapter 1: A Fan’s Fantasy

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.

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[End of Chapter 1]

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