System Awakens[2]

The sound of the airplane touching down rumbled through the cabin, blending with the persistent snoring from the seat next to me. "Damn, look at these bags." I muttered, catching a glimpse of my reflection in the small airplane window.

I nudged the man beside me gently. "Mister, we've landed."

His snoring halted abruptly, and he opened his eyes with a groggy start. A big yawn escaped his lips as he stretched his arms. "Thank you, young man." he said, his voice thick with sleep. He stood up, ready to exit, but then paused and turned back to me, studying me intently with a hand on his chin.

"Uh, mister?" I asked, feeling a bit awkward under his scrutiny.

"Oh, sorry," he said, snapping out of his thoughts and giving me a quick, apologetic bow. "I was just thinking about what you mentioned before..."

He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a business card, extending it to me. "I work for a modeling agency. You should give it a shot if you're interested."

I grabbed the card, but his words sounded unreal. I read the card twice before I could respond. "Modeling, huh?" I squinted at him, feeling suspicious.

"There's something fishy about this, I'm sure," I thought to myself. Seeing my reaction, he chuckled. "Yeah," he said with a friendly smile. "You've got the looks." He gave me a nod before heading down the aisle.

I stared at the card in my hand, my eyes widening. "Is this real?" I whispered to myself. I decided to double-check before jumping to any conclusions. I pulled out my phone and started looking up the agency.

"Dawn Models New Magazine..." I read aloud as many articles about them appeared. As I was still reading, I heard a voice behind me.

"Sir, all the other passengers have already left." The flight attendant's voice was muffled by my thoughts. I nodded at him and walked out of the plane, still holding the card tightly.

As I stepped into the bustling airport terminal, my mother's voice cut through the haze of my thoughts. "Where're you going?" she asked, a hint of worry in her tone. I looked up, realizing I had wandered to the center of the airport.

"Sorry, Mom. I was thinking about something." I replied, trying to sound apologetic. I readied myself for her usual yapping about how terrible I am at pretending, but instead, her eyes were filled with concern.

She placed a hand on my shoulder. "You sure you're okay?" she asked softly.

I nodded, but confusion clouded my thoughts. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… a lot on my mind." It was the only answer I could come up with at that moment. Does it have something to do with that system? It might, but it could just be a coincidence. I'm not sure if that thing is real. Maybe I'm going crazy.

As we walked through the airport, the hum of announcements and conversations faded into the background. Outside, Tokyo's skyline loomed large and bright, a sea of neon lights and towering buildings stretching as far as the eye could see. The city pulsed with life, much like Chicago.

The air was filled with the hum of traffic and the chatter of people hurrying by, each person caught up in their own world. Billboards flashed colorful advertisements, and the scent of street food wafted through the air, mingling with the faint aroma of cherry blossoms that seemed to permeate the city.

As we walked through the crowded streets, mom guided us. I glanced at her, noticing the way her eyes flicked around, taking in the surroundings. A big smile spread across her face, lighting up her features with a warmth I rarely saw.

"You know, Ricky. When I was your age, I lived here." She said suddenly, her voice filled with a nostalgic cheerfulness. I turned to her, tilting my head to the side in curiosity.

"Wait... Whaat??"I shout. Why had Mom never talked about this before?

"Yeah," she said, her smile growing wider. She pointed towards an old, cranked shop tucked between more modern buildings. "You see that shop?" I nodded, and she continued, "That was your grandmother's shop. We sold it when we moved."

I watched her face closely. There was a slight smirk on her lips, but her eyes had a distant, unfocused look. The wrinkles around her eyes softened, and for a moment, she seemed younger, almost childlike in her reminiscence.

"She used to sell the best homemade cookies," she added and gigged, but her expression seemed to harden before she continued. "I remember helping her bake them every Saturday. The smell of fresh cookies would fill the air, drawing people from all around."

I could almost smell the sweet aroma as she spoke, and a warm feeling blossomed in my chest. I had never known this part of her life.

"Why didn't you ever tell me about this before?" I asked softly.

She shrugged slightly, her smile turning wistful. "I suppose I just never found the right moment. But being here now, with you, it feels like the perfect time."

Glancing to the side, I caught sight of Dad nodding his head. Honestly, Dad's such an anti-social. He works tirelessly to provide for us, and I'm grateful for that. But I wished we could have more conversations like this. We stood there for a moment, the bustling city around us fading into the background.

As we continued down the street, Mom stopped in front of a house that stood out from the rest. Its white exterior gleamed under the vibrant sunlight, and a black and white striped pattern adorned the wooden fence surrounding it. A neatly trimmed yard extended about five to eight meters, dotted with colorful flowers that I didn't know the names.

"This is it," Mom said, her voice tinged with excitement. "our new home." The house seemed to exude a sense of warmth and coziness, despite its modern design. It was like a peaceful oasis amidst the urban hustle and bustle of the city. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as we stepped closer, the door invitingly ajar. 

"This place is amazing," I exclaimed with a smile, feeling as if I was a kid about to explore a new playground. I chuckled to myself, realizing I'm still a teenager.

I pulled out the business card from my pocket, my curiosity piqued once again. "Mom, I'll be right back." I called out as I headed outside. Leaning against a tree on the left side of the yard, I enjoyed the cool breeze against my face, a refreshing contrast to the warm day.

My fingers tapped lightly on my phone screen as I dialed the number on the card, a hint of nervousness creeping in. Each digit seemed to carry a weight of anticipation as I waited for someone to pick up on the other end.

"H-Hello, is this... from Dawn?" I stuttered, my voice betraying my uncertainty. The line crackled for a moment before a clear response came through.

"Yes, this is Dawn. How can I assist you today?" The woman's voice on the other end was professional, yet friendly, which somehow made me even more nervous.

"Um, I... I received a business card from someone at the airport." I stumbled over my words, trying to explain the situation without sounding too flustered. "They mentioned modeling opportunities... and I was just wondering..." My voice trailed off as I struggled to articulate my thoughts.

There was a brief pause on the other end before the person responded. "Ah, I see. Could you please provide me with your name and some more details about where you received the card?"

'I don't wanna fail again.' I gritted my teeth, but I took a deep breath, trying to stead myself.

"My name is Ricky Aoi, and I got the card from a gentleman at the airport. He said he worked with your agency and suggested I give modeling a try." The words came out in a rush, my heart pounding in my chest as I awaited their response.

"Do you know his name?" the woman on the other end asked.

I glanced at the back of the card, squinting to make out the print. "It's Joshua... Josua Star" I said, the name sounding a bit odd but deciding not to dwell on it.

"Alright," she replied. "I'll check with him. If everything checks out, I'll send you a message with the address and time for an audition." We exchanged contact details, and I gave her my numbers.

Just as I hung up, the familiar blue screen appeared before me again.

[System Quest: Pass the audition]

I couldn't help, but smirk at it. "I already planned on it, but if you insist." I muttered under my breath.

Curious about the reward, I searched the screen for more details. After a moment, another message popped up.

[Reward: A skill roulette ticket]

A skill roulette ticket? Maybe this skill thing is similar to games? The window that showed my name was reminiscent of a status window from RPG games. What kind of abilities could it give me? Could I fly, maybe? I chuckled at my own daydreaming.

"Ricky, come here!" Mom's loud voice jolted me from my thoughts. I headed back into the house, the wooden floorboards creaking softly under my feet. The interior was cozy, despite the lack of furniture. The walls were a light gray, almost snowlike, lending the space a serene, calming atmosphere.

There was a white sofa against one wall, its cushions plump and inviting. The floor polished wood seemed new, their rich, honeyed tones glowing softly in the sunlight streaming through the windows. A gray rug was placed at the front door.

The large windows let in plenty of light, making the room feel airy and open. In the corner, a potted plant added a touch of greenery, its leaves a vibrant contrast to the walls. The scent of fresh paint mingled with the faint aroma of new wood.

"Ricky, did you hear me?" Mom's voice broke through my reverie.

"Yeah, I'm coming!" I called back.

As I walked into the kitchen, I saw a wooden table with a plate of what looked like omelet and some rice balls. I tried to hold back a smile as I sat down. They didn't know it, but I used to eat this every day. I like hamburgers, bacon, and eggs, but nothing beats an onigiri and an omelet.

While I was eating, I heard Dad's voice. "How's it going, son? Anxious about tomorrow?"

His question stopped my bite just before it reached the onigiri. "Well, if I say I'm not, then I'm lyin." I admitted.

He nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. The rich aroma made my mouth water. "You've grown up so well," he said, his eyes soft with pride. "Don't worry too much, and go get 'em, champ."

I don't know why, but his words felt nostalgic. I took a deep breath, feeling a weight lift off my heart. "Thanks, Dad." I replied, my voice steady.

He smiled at me, a reassuring and familiar gesture. "You'll do great. Just be yourself." With a big yawn, I stretched and unconsciously sniffed, only to be met with the pungent scent of onions. "I guess I need a shower." I muttered, scratching the back of my neck.

"Thanks for the food, Mom, Dad. Gonna take a shower," I said, standing up and heading towards the stairs. Halfway up, I stopped and turned back. "Where's the bathroom?"

"Second floor, turn left. It's the first door." Mom called from the base of the stairs.

"Got it." I replied, quickly heading up.

The wooden stairs creaked slightly under my weight, each step echoing softly in the quiet house. Reaching the top, I turned left and found the door. The bathroom was simple but clean, with light grey walls and a wooden floor that felt cool under my feet.

I turned on the shower, waiting for the water to heat up. The steam began to fill the room, and I stepped in, letting the hot water wash over me. It felt good, soothing my tense muscles and clearing my mind. I closed my eyes, letting the water cascade down, trying to make sense of everything that had happened today. The system, the modeling agency, the move—it was a lot to take in.

As I scrubbed away the day's grime, I couldn't help but think about the system's new quest and the mysterious skill roulette ticket. What kind of abilities could it give me? I rinsed off and stood there for a moment, just letting the water run over me.

Finally, I turned off the shower and stepped out, wrapping a towel around myself. The cool air hit my skin, making me shiver slightly. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and noticed a smile on my face. Seems that since that day, I've been smiling a lot more.

I dried off and got dressed, then headed back downstairs. Mom and Dad were in the living room, sitting on the sofa. The room was cozy, despite the minimal furniture, with a soft grey rug and light streaming in through the large windows.

"Feeling better?" Mom asked, looking up from her book.

"Yeah, much better." I replied, sitting down in an armchair opposite them.

Dad looked at me thoughtfully. "So, still nervous about the new school?"

"Nah, I have a good feeling about it." I answered.