Prologue
Kiyoshi entered the empty subway train after working late in his boring office job. He was tired from doing the same type of paperwork over and over again. But this job helped keep ends meet so he sucked it up, as always.
He took a seat, letting his brief case sit on the ground. Despite the no smoking sign inside the subway many passengers ignored it, like himself.
He pulled out a cigarette from its box before lighting it up. Smoking somewhat helped in this state of emptiness he constantly felt.
Dull is what they called him and by them I mean everyone he's ever met. Oh he's boring, dry, cold, distant, bleak. He's used to it, it's human nature for people to talk behind one's back.
He closed his eyes for a moment, letting out a deep breath. He felt tense and tired, he longed for his bed after another long day of doing the same thing at work. He brought the lit cigarette to his lips inhaling its contents before exhaling it.
The subway came to a stop as usual, not his stop but just its regular scheduled stops. No one was usually out at this hour therefore no one got on or got off.
Except this time someone did.
A girl with a light grayish minty colored hair ran in. He glanced up at her, noticing her attire. It wasn't the usual corporate fashion, the best way to describe it would be like it was some magical girl idol type of outfit it was sparkly, frilly, and bright.
It definitely made her stand out.
He silently watched her as she took a seat near the doors she entered through, a few seats across from him.
The girl had let out shaky sigh as she looked down at her lap. Her facial expression seemed like if she was unsure about something or disturbed. It was rare whenever anyone came into the subway this late, let alone someone who looked like that.
"Hey,"
Kiyoshi suddenly spoke to the stranger. Not something he would usually do when someone got on the train but it seems like tonight isn't a normal night when someone looking like that runs in.
The girls gaze moved away from her lap to him.
"It's rare to see someone up this late riding the subway. Let alone someone dressed like that way." He said before taking a puff out of his cigarette.
The girl let out a dry chuckle before speaking,
"It must seem pretty weird, huh? But this is what I wear to work..."
"What do you work as?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I sing I'm a pop-star... I recently started a few months ago so I'm upcoming..." She replied.
"Hm," He hummed slightly nodding his head, "That explains your outfit, but I thought an outfit like was only worn on stage?" He sure was talkative for once...
"It is but, I ran out during a practice..." She mumbled looking down at her lap again fiddling with her fingers.
"Practice this late?" He questioned.
"Yeah... It's because a big show is coming up and my manger really wants me to be ready for it." She nodded.
"That seems like the wrong way to do it. No offense but your manager seems like an ass." He said continuing his smoke.
"I guess so..." She mumbled before looking back up at him. "You know you're not supposed to smoke in here, right?"
"No one ever follows that, plus no one usually rides the train this late so I don't see a problem." He shrugged.
"Is this usual for you? To ride the train this late?" She asked.
"Yeah, unlike you I don't work anything interesting just a boring office job. I've been working extra late hours." He said putting out his cigarette.
"Oh, I can imagine how that must feel..." She nodded.
"Why did you runaway?" He suddenly asked.
"Huh?"
"Why did you leave practice?" He repeated.
"Ah... It was because I was tired, and I felt overwhelmed, overstimulated, everyone was just talking to me at the same time pressuring me about something, I couldn't listen anymore so I just ran away." The girl explained.
Kiyoshi stared at the girl, "Maybe this pop-star business is bigger than you can handle."
"I... It has been feeling like it... But this has been my dream since I was a little girl and I feel like it would be a waste of time just to throw this all away when I feel like I'm so close to achieving this dream." She said softly shaking her head.
"..." Kiyoshi looked away from the girl and glanced out the window of the subway, not that there was much to see anyways.
"What do you think sir? Do you think I'm cut out for this? That I'll be able to handle it? Will I be known and loved?" The girl bombarded him with questions.
'How was I to know?' Kiyoshi thought in his head before glancing over at the girl. "I can't say, maybe you will." He shrugged.
"I hope I can handle this... It's all I ever dreamed of..." She muttered.
The subway came to a stop. Kiyoshi grabbed his briefcase from the ground and got up from his spot, heading towards the open doors.
"Wait," The girl called out making him stop his tracks. "What's your name?" She asked.
"Kiyoshi."
"My name is Itsumi, I enjoyed talking to you, I hope we can meet again someday Kiyoshi..." She said glancing up at him.
Kiyoshi started at her for a few seconds, "I enjoyed talking with you too, It's not often that I start a conversation with a stranger. I hope you can achieve your dream, Itsumi." He said to her before getting off at his stop.
Itsumi watched leave, feeling a bit better after talking with him. She hoped to see him soon, he made good company in her opinion.
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Hi! This is a story based of on my oc's though it's really an AU of their universe (if that makes sense) and I've been itching to write so why not share it here! Anyways I hope you all enjoy and thank you for reading!
