Hiroshi continued to push himself to be the best. Four years had passed since he started his acting and music lessons. With remarkable talent and steady progress, everyone around him could see that Hiroshi had the potential to become a major figure in the artistic world. At 10 years old, in addition to honing his acting skills and guitar playing, he also began singing lessons, soon standing out with a promising voice.
His progress in acting was so impressive that even his teacher, Miyuki-sensei, was surprised by how quickly he improved. Hiroshi dedicated all his afternoons to perfecting his talents, determined to achieve perfection. Every time he left a lesson, he felt a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction, as if he had taken another step toward the top.
The talent system tracked his progress and frequently provided updates:
[Hiroshi Takahashi – 10 years old]
Talents:
Acting Level 3 – Better than any beginner, bordering on professionalism.
Singing Level 2 – Beginner.
Guitar Level 3 – Better than any beginner, bordering on professionalism.
Even though he still had few talents listed, Hiroshi was satisfied with the progress he had made so far. To him, the fact that his acting was nearly at a professional level was a significant achievement, although he believed he had already surpassed that level. Still, he couldn't help but feel growing frustration as he saw that, despite all his effort, the system seemed reluctant to recognize his true ability.
'Maybe the system has high standards,' Hiroshi thought, trying to console himself. Even his teacher had told him that he acted like a true professional.
"If at a low level I'm already so advanced for this world, I can only imagine when I reach perfection," he murmured to himself, feeling a new wave of determination. With curiosity and a glint in his eyes, he committed himself to keep climbing, higher and higher.
---
Two years passed, and Hiroshi turned 12. His progress continued at a rapid pace, and he not only maintained his focus but also explored new areas, expanding his skill set.
His acting reached a level that caught everyone's attention, although the system still classified it as Level 5. This didn't faze Hiroshi, who began working in small theater productions, where his talent continued to shine. With each performance, he lost himself in the characters he portrayed, and the audience's reactions, always so positive, reinforced his conviction that he was on the right path.
[Hiroshi Takahashi – 12 years old]
Talents:
Acting Level 5 – Mid-level professional.
Singing Level 4 – Bordering on professionalism.
Guitar Level 5 – Mid-level professional.
Piano Level 3 – Better than any beginner, bordering on professionalism.
Acoustic Guitar Level 5 – Mid-level professional.
He had already reached impressive levels in his talents. Hiroshi was even surprised at how quickly he mastered the acoustic guitar, perhaps because of its similarity to the guitar. Even so, he knew there was still a long way to go. "Now is not the time to stop. Instead, I'll double my efforts; maybe that way my levels will rise faster," he thought, with a determined smile on his face. With this determination, Hiroshi decided that, in the coming years, he would dedicate himself even more, seeking rapid evolution in all his talents.
---
Another three years have passed. Hiroshi is now 15 years old. During these last few years, he has cultivated all of his skills to the fullest and has seen his talents bear fruit. Although he has not yet reached the perfection he so desires, Hiroshi has made great strides and is getting closer to achieving that level.
[Hiroshi Takahashi – 15 years old]
Talents:
Acting Level 8 – High-level professional.
Singing Level 7 – Advanced professional.
Guitar Level 7 – Advanced professional.
Piano Level 6 – Rising professional.
Acoustic Guitar Level 7 – Advanced professional.
His acting, now at level 8, possesses a quality that leaves everyone amazed by his talent. However, no matter how hard Hiroshi tries, this skill doesn't seem to level up anymore. He tried everything to advance, but it seems that it's no longer as simple as it used to be, when training alone was enough.
"Maybe I need to act in bigger projects or work with more experienced actors," Hiroshi pondered as he walked through the streets, taking in the scenery around him. A lot has changed for him in these past few years, not only internally but also physically. At 15 years old, Hiroshi is now 1.78 meters tall, with a confident appearance and more mature features. His eyes reflect determination, and he carries a confident smile. His hair, now a bit longer, complements his image as a promising young artist. His firm posture and striking presence show the transformation from a shy boy into a young man ready to face new challenges.
In Japanese society, Hiroshi is considered quite tall, so as he walks down the streets, he certainly catches attention not only for his looks but also for his height. He notices the curious glances and, although he's used to it, still feels a slight discomfort with the attention he receives.
Shaking off his thoughts, Hiroshi arrives at home. As he opens the door, he is greeted by the warm smile of his mother, Aiko, who always seems to know exactly when he needs encouragement. They sit at the kitchen table, and Aiko, after serving him some tea, gently asks, "Hiroshi, have you decided which school you're going to attend?"
He is already 15 and at the age where he needs to decide on high school. Hiroshi, however, had thought about this a lot. Raising the tea cup to his lips, he replies with conviction, "Of course, Mom. I want to go to Yoto High School."
Aiko observes her son for a moment, proud of the determination he always shows. "I figured you'd want to go to that school. But do you want to be admitted as a regular student or as an artist?"
Hiroshi doesn't hesitate. "Of course, as an artist, Mom. I didn't spend the last few years training for nothing." He smiles, knowing that this was the answer she expected.
Aiko laughs softly, satisfied with her son's confidence. She knew this was the right choice for him, but as a mother, she couldn't help but worry about the challenges he would face. "I'm sure you'll do an excellent job, my son. Just remember, you don't have to carry the world on your shoulders."
After their conversation, Hiroshi decides that he will take the admission test in a week. However, in the meantime, he starts thinking about another goal that he has long kept to himself: his music career. So far, Hiroshi's talent for music hasn't come to light. Those who know him are aware only that he's an exceptional actor. Now, as he decides to enter the music world, he realizes that he needs someone to help him with the formalities and a studio, as he doesn't have one.
He thinks about how to start this new chapter in his life, and then an idea comes to mind. Why not go straight to those who are already accustomed to dealing with great talents? For Hiroshi, reaching out to Strawberry Productions seems to be the best path. Although they no longer manage music careers, they still handle digital influencers and will likely return to working with idols and musicians in the near future. Knowing the importance of being close to those with a promising future, Hiroshi decides that this is the right path.
For now, his plan is simple: let Strawberry Productions manage his social media, like Instagram and YouTube. Hiroshi hates having to deal with social media; he finds it boring to post at specific times and engage by responding to comments or liking posts. It's not that he dislikes his fans, but spending hours and hours on these networks is something he'd rather leave to the professionals.
With everything planned out, Hiroshi feels ready for what comes next. He takes a deep breath, letting go of the weight of his decisions, and prepares to relax, knowing that great challenges await him.