Miyazaki Prefecture.
After finishing a full day's work, Amamiya Goro yawned and stretched as he walked home.
Three years ago, when the movie He Once Lived—filmed primarily in Miyazaki—became a box office hit, fans from across the country and even abroad began making pilgrimages to its filming locations.
Especially with Kitagawa Ryo's popularity continuing to soar in recent years, this film, hailed as the turning point in his acting career, remained as talked-about as ever even three years after its release.
Amamiya Goro had played a kind-hearted young doctor in the film. At the time, he was just a medical intern at Miyazaki Hospital, but the movie's success brought him unexpected attention, even attracting offers from talent agencies.
In the end, though, he chose to stay in Miyazaki, remaining an ordinary doctor. Thanks to the hospital director's promise back then, he smoothly transitioned into a full-fledged obstetrician.
The only thing that occasionally troubled him was how, over the past two years, many patients had taken a particular liking to him—some even requesting him by name for deliveries.
Maybe it was true, as the nurses often teased, that his wholesome, kind-hearted image from the film carried over into real life. Anyone who had seen the movie and then met him naturally felt three times more goodwill toward him.
Still, Miyazaki had its inconveniences. Like last month, when he couldn't make it to Tokyo for the premiere of LALALAI Theater Troupe's new play, The Forbidden Game of Youth.
He did eventually take time off to catch a later performance, but it wasn't quite the same.
Amamiya Goro ambled toward his home at the foot of the mountains—a traditional wooden house left to him by his grandparents. They had passed away a few years prior, and now he lived there alone.
Unlocking the door, he called out a habitual "I'm home" as he stepped inside and changed into his slippers.
Just as he was about to start preparing dinner as usual, a knock sounded at the door.
His home was relatively secluded, and his social circle wasn't large. Visitors were rare—if patients or colleagues needed him urgently, they'd usually call.
Puzzled, he called out, "Coming!" and went to open the door.
"Long time no see, Dr. Goro."
Standing outside was Kitagawa Ryo, holding an elegantly wrapped gift in his right hand as he greeted him with a smile.
"Ryo?"
"Yeah, it's me. Not going to invite me in?"
Amamiya Goro's jaw dropped in shock. After a long pause, he snapped back to reality and hurriedly rummaged through the shoe cabinet for a clean pair of guest slippers.
"This is my first time visiting your home, Dr. Goro."
Ryo set the gift on the shoe cabinet, changed into the slippers, and glanced around with interest.
The decor was simple, the only standout being a framed photo on the living room table—a younger Amamiya Goro in his student uniform standing beside an elderly woman.
"You really should've told me you were coming, Ryo. I could've prepared something."
Once the initial surprise wore off, Amamiya Goro relaxed. He and Ryo kept in touch regularly by phone, and though he considered himself a devoted fan, their relationship felt more like friends.
"What's there to prepare?"
Ryo waved it off casually, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
"How've you been?"
"Same as always. Just living day by day."
Amamiya Goro wasn't much of a tea drinker and had no idea where his tea leaves were stashed, so he poured Ryo a glass of water and set it in front of him.
Time didn't stop for anyone's absence, and the world didn't stop turning. Though the two had grown closer over the years, they often thought of the person who had brought them together—someone no longer in this world.
"How long are you staying in Miyazaki?"
"Three or four days. Just wrapped up the theater work, and the Taiga drama hasn't started yet. Figured I'd take a short vacation."
Ryo propped his chin on his hand and looked at Amamiya Goro.
"Know any good local tour guides?"
"Miyazaki's tourism industry is pretty developed—there are plenty of guides. You don't need me to recommend one, do you?"
Amamiya Goro adjusted his glasses in confusion before suddenly realizing.
"Oh, I get it. You want someone tight-lipped, who won't leak your itinerary."
"Yeah. If I get recognized, the trip's ruined."
"And I'd prefer quieter spots over crowded tourist traps."
Ryo sighed helplessly. He'd gone to great lengths for this trip, even pre-scheduling social media posts to make it seem like he was still in Tokyo.
This was standard practice in the industry. Most idols were taught by their managers to avoid revealing their real-time locations to prevent being tracked down by obsessive fans or groupies.
(Groupie: A term derived from the English word "groupie," originally referring to young girls who obsessively pursued rock stars. Now used more broadly to describe fans who aggressively chase celebrities, sometimes seeking physical intimacy.)
After two years as a devoted fan, Amamiya Goro understood this well. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully before suddenly recalling something.
"Actually, I do know someone who fits your needs. A local—my high school classmate. She's good at her job, but timing might be an issue."
"A couple from Tokyo—Kurokawa, I think?—hired her a few days ago. The wife is about five or six months pregnant, here for some pre-birth relaxation. I recommended my friend when they asked about scenic, low-key spots."
"Want me to check if she's available?"
Ryo nodded.
"That'd be great, but no pressure. I don't need a guide to travel."
"Worst case, I can take you around after work. Play tour guide for a bit."
Amamiya Goro chuckled as he texted his friend.
The reply came quickly. After a brief exchange, he looked up.
"Her schedule's still tied up, but she can spare half a day. The Kurokawas' outings are limited because of the pregnancy, so it depends on your preference."
"It'd be like a shared tour, but she says the Kurokawas are nice people. Shouldn't be a problem."
Ryo smiled.
"If you vouch for them, I trust it. Let's do that, then. Tomorrow afternoon, Ai and I will meet up with them."
"Huh? You're not alone?"
"I never said I was."
Ryo shook his head, then added:
"Ai's already gone ahead to book a hotel. You've probably heard of her—she's been rising fast this past month. But juggling both acting and idol work has worn her out. When she heard I was coming to Miyazaki, she tagged along."
"I see."
Amamiya Goro nodded thoughtfully before glancing awkwardly toward the kitchen.
Living alone, he didn't put much effort into meals. Ryo's unexpected visit left him unsure how to play host.
"I've already eaten, so don't worry about dinner."
Ryo, perceptive as ever, gave him an out. He drained the glass of water and stood to leave.
"I won't impose any longer."
He checked his phone and hesitated.
"It's still early. I think I'll visit Sarina."
"Yeah."
Amamiya Goro responded softly, standing to pat Ryo's shoulder—a gesture somewhere between comfort and resignation. He seemed to want to say more but stayed silent.
After saying goodbye, Ryo followed the familiar path to the cemetery where Tendouji Sarina was buried.
By the time he arrived, the sky had darkened almost completely. With heavy steps, he approached her grave.
He moved aside the withered flowers he'd left the year before, noticing a fresher bouquet beside them—likely placed by Amamiya Goro a few days prior.
Ryo stood silently for a moment before lowering himself, resting his forehead against the cool stone of the tombstone, and closing his eyes.
He had known Tendouji Sarina for less than a year. But what weighed on him most was what his adoptive father, Kitagawa Shin, had done afterward.
The dead were both the most respected and the least respected on the internet.
At the height of the media storm, Sarina's name had become a symbol—a banner wielded by strangers who'd never met her, a tool for online battles.
Even among Ryo's own fans, some extremists had said things like, "Getting to share a hospital room with Ryo for two weeks—even dying would've been worth it."
Even now, Ryo couldn't move past that guilt.
He remembered the conversation he'd had with Mr. Izaki on the way to Miyazaki that day.
Subjectively, Ryo had achieved his goal of helping others. But objectively, even if Kitagawa Shin had acted on his own, Ryo had undeniably benefited from the tragedy's aftermath.
To this day, some critics still used it as black marks against him.
On Japan's anonymous forum 5ch, Ryo had seen relentless malice. He vividly recalled how, when He Once Lived hit 10 billion yen at the box office, the promotional poster had boldly enlarged the character for "one" (一).
Someone on the forum had commented: "Press 1 to revive Sarina."
Most people who met Ryo remarked that he "didn't seem like a child at all."
But now, alone at Tendouji Sarina's grave, he finally let himself cry like one.
With Ryo away in Miyazaki, Kitagawa Ruby had been entrusted to Toshirou Kindaichi 's care. She had just changed into a form-fitting dance outfit and was tying her hair into a single, asymmetrical ponytail in front of the mirror.
Yesterday, her kindergarten teacher had announced an upcoming dance competition, where parents would come to watch.
From the moment she heard, Ruby had been buzzing with excitement.
Not just because her brother would be there—but because dancing held special meaning for her.
She still remembered her past life in the hospital, how Ryo had supported her frail body, gently guiding her through the motions.
But unlike her sickly past self, this body could dance properly.
In front of Ryo.
She would—
"Ring-ring!"
The sudden phone chime snapped her out of her thoughts. She raised an eyebrow and picked it up.
The caller ID read: "Hoshino Ai."
The mere thought of Ai being on vacation with Ryo in Miyazaki made Ruby want to hang up immediately.
But she answered anyway. Worst case, she could just hand the phone to Ryo later.
"Hello? Ruby ?"
"Yeah. What is it?"
"Well… Ryo hasn't come back yet. He said he was visiting Dr. Amamiya, but I don't have his number. Do you?"
"I wanted to call and check."
Ruby wasn't surprised Ryo had gone to see Amamiya Goro—she knew they were close.
"Hang on… Let me look it up. I'll text it to you."
Concern for Ryo's safety overrode her usual pettiness, and she quickly sent the number.
"Thanks, Ruby ! Be good while we're away, okay? We'll be back in a few days."
"Hmph."
She hung up and returned to the mirror, lifting her skirt slightly.
But the phone call had dampened her earlier excitement.
Miyazaki was where she and Ryo had first met.
Her mood now somber, Ruby began practicing her dance steps over and over.
In her mind, Ryo was right behind her.
"I won't fall this time."
Her toes traced light circles on the floor.
But she still couldn't shake the lingering unease.
"Got it. The cemetery's at—"
"Mhm. Thank you so much."
Hoshino Ai hung up with Amamiya Goro and glanced worriedly at the darkening sky. She decided to go find Ryo herself.
She had known about Tendouji Sarina for a while—the girl who had been her age.
Back when Sarina died, Ryo had been at his most unstable. Ai still remembered the rawness of his performance in Hamlet during that period.
Following her phone's GPS, Ai pressed her lips together and made her way up the mountain path.
After some time, she finally reached the cemetery Amamiya Goro had described.
Spotting Ryo's silhouette, she instinctively opened her mouth to call his name.
"Ryo—"
But the syllable died in her throat.
From behind, she saw him leaning against the tombstone, crying.
She had never seen him like this before.
The memory of him handing her that movie ticket years ago resurfaced.
If no one had ever cared for her before, the cold wouldn't have felt so harsh. But once someone warmed her, held her close in their heart, she suddenly learned what pain was.
Struck mute, Ai stood frozen, unable to speak a word.
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