"I am fine, Mom. Thank you for calling today."

Kenichi talked to his Mom in the phone. Today is his 18th birthday, and his Mom congratulate him on the phone. It has been 2 years since Kenichi left his hometown in the Okushiri Island. Her mother lives with his younger sister and his grandfather in the island. His younger sister is still in the 5th grade while her mother sells various kinds of fish and owns her own fish market, while his grandfather is still healthy enough to go fishing. So did his Dad. However, because of sudden heart attack, his father died 8 years ago. After that, Kenichi has been always a good son and a good brother. However, when he graduated from junior high school. Her aunt called him to take care of her house in Tokyo since her uncle died in the previous year. Her daughter has been working in Osaka and she would move to her parents' house in Hokaido. Afterwards, he has been living in her aunt's house and going to high school in Tokyo. Kenichi's mother also wants him to be a salaryman or own his own business in Tokyo and he wants to fulfill his mother's expectation.

"Is Kaori and grandpa alright?"

"Yes, they are fine. Grandpa slow but sure is getting old, but he is still going to fish everyday. He does not complain tho, and doctor Ueno said he is fine. Kaori is happy at school, now she can also takes care of the store by herself whenever bring the lunch box to grandpa."

"That sounds great. However, I hope grandplfather does not push himself too hard."

"I will take care of him."

"You too, Mom. Don't push yourself too hard. I am fine, everyday I cook by myself, if not I buy soba nearby. Don't worry about me. My grade is not bad either."

"I know you are smart boy, Kenichi. Anyway, you are officially become adult. Omedetou."

"Arigatou, okaasan. Anyway, I need to go. Sayonara."

"Sayonara."

Kenichi turns off his cellphone and walks outside of school. It is 4:15 p.m. and he is not really interested with bukatsu

school club

. Most of the times he is just going home and reading manga. Unless..

"Kenichi!"

"Ah.. Ryota!"

"Today is your birthday, right? Why don't we go karaoke nearby with Ayane and Kotoko-chan?"

"Well.. okay."

Ayane and Kotoko are waving their hands in the school gate.

"Kocchi, kocchi! Omedetou, Ken-kun!"

"Ah.. arigatou."

"Let's go!"

They walk to the city center and see the huge billboard. There is a woman in the billboard, she seems very famous. Since he was usually helping his mom and fishing with his grandfather, he rarely knew any famous artists.

"Eh, Seika-san right? Ah.. she is very pretty. I used to like her since I was junior high," Ayane says cutely with her bangs slightly flipping.

"Ah.. I also like her songs. Her voice is beautiful. But she is already old right? I think 35 or something?" Kotoko puts her finger on her chin.

"Usoo.. she looks 25," Ryota talks with his eyes wide open.

"Don't tell me you like older women, Ryota-kun," Ayane is teasing him, giggling.

"Ah.. it's not like that."

Kenichi looks at the billboard. Yes, she is pretty indeed. Sometimes she is looking at celebs in the magazine but he does not think he's ever seen that kind of beauty before. Innocent yet alluring? Mature and sweet at the same time. However, Kenichi keeps walking and following his friends to the karaoke box.