It’s past midnight, and the hum of the office AC is the only thing keeping me company. My desk was still covered in paperwork: sponsorship contracts, talent schedules, and a half-eaten onigiri I forgot to finish around 8 p.m.

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. My feet were killing me. I’ve been running around all day, coordinating Ruby’s shoot, negotiating with a prickly producer over Aqua’s next project, and chasing down Mem-Cho after she almost missed a livestream. Again.

I used to think managing an agency was all glitz and red carpets. Turns out, it’s mostly babysitting adults who act like children and actual children who think they're adults

Ruby's voice echoed in my head from earlier. “Miyako, is this okay for the choreography? I want to do Ai justice.” And Aqua, with that same cold stare he always gives me when he’s trying to hide something “Don’t wait up. I’ll be late tonight.”

I swear, that boy’s going to give me wrinkles.

I glanced at the framed photo on my desk; Ai smiling, the twins as toddlers clinging to her legs. I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t want to be a mother. I didn’t want to run a company. I just… wanted something easy.

I closed the laptop with a soft click and stand, stretching out the stiffness in my back. There was still so much to do tomorrow, but tonight… I needed a minute. Just one. I walked over to the small balcony and slide open the door. The Tokyo night was still and quiet, the city lights were glowing like distant stars. I lighted a cigarette, even though I told the kids I quit.

“Just one...” I whispered to no one.