During my early 20s, I was in a relationship with someone from Japan, the country where I was born. We grew up together in Kyoto, and things between us just naturally happened before the end of high school. Same college, same path—until we broke up right before graduation. I wanted to move to the U.S. to get my Master's, and he? Well, he wanted to stay in Japan and work for a big manga publishing company. So, we split. I left for California a month after graduation… and yeah, I didn’t exactly tell him beforehand.
We talked a couple of times after I moved. I apologized for leaving the way I did, but honestly, life just kept getting in the way. Eventually, the calls stopped altogether—not because we couldn’t keep a long-distance friendship going, but, you know, life happens.
Fast-forward 12 years, and here I am, working as a PR and Publicity Manager for a tech company in San Francisco. I also build campaigns for authors, brands, and influencers—the usual. I even get to organize media tours and press events, which sounds cool, but honestly, living here isn’t as glamorous as I thought it would be.
It’s been five years since I’ve seen my best friend from college, Asuka Mirai. She emailed me out of nowhere, saying she was in town for business and wanted to catch up. I’m terrible at keeping in touch, especially with long-distance friendships. But the truth is, I’ve missed her—her energy, her wild personality. She was the best friend a girl could ask for, even if I suck at showing it.
At the Meeting Spot
She told me to meet her at her family’s café—just twenty minutes away from where I work. Not bad for a commute, especially to see an old friend. She said she had something interesting to tell me. Knowing Asuka, it’s probably something big, and I can’t help but wonder what kind of crazy story she’s got this time.
When I walked into the café, there she was.
“Miyu-kun!” she yelled from the far corner, loud enough for the whole place to hear. Yep, that’s Asuka for you. Some things never change.
As I walked over to her table, I couldn’t help but notice how different she looked—more mature, polished. The Asuka I remembered was a loud, carefree airhead who always got herself into trouble because she couldn’t stop talking. But now?
“The CEO of Mirai Manga Co?!” I couldn’t help but scream.
“As of yesterday,” she said, as casually as someone ordering their second cup of coffee.
“Asuka, that’s insane! I thought your dad was giving the company to his nephew. What happened to Ryota?” I asked, lowering my voice a bit because, well, people were starting to stare.
She smirked, “He got caught sleeping with the heir of the rival manga publishing house and was fired. So, yeah, he’s out. No more heir to the Mirai dynasty.”
Let me break it down for you....
Kazuhiro Mirai, head of the Mirai Dynasty, owns companies across Asia and America, including Mirai Manga Co., which he founded after his wife Lena Mirai, faced discrimination from major publishers for not being “fully Japanese.” The company thrived, and it was initially set to be handed over to his nephew Ryota. However, after Ryota’s scandal with the heir of the rival manga publishing house, Asuka was chosen to lead, though her younger twin brothers, Takumi and Kiharu, are next in line once they’re of age. Asuka reluctantly took the role, while Reina stayed busy with art galleries and schools.
“What about Reina? Why couldn’t she take over?” I asked, nibbling on an almond croissant.
Asuka sighed, “She’s busy running the art galleries and charity businesses in Tokyo. And now, she’s opening a new school with Dad. Plus, she’s got another big project coming up.”
“Ah, right. The golden child. Wasn’t she always groomed for this stuff?” I couldn’t help but prod as I watched Asuka fiddle with her coffee.
“She was,” she groaned, “but Dad’s got her managing three new apartment complexes in California after she’s done with the school. So, Reina is busy busy.”
With a dramatic sigh, Asuka slammed her head on the table. “I just wanted a quiet life in the countryside, you know? Running farms, buying more land, and maybe building a few houses. This CEO stuff? Never what I wanted!”
I tried to hold back a laugh. “Then why are you here? Shouldn’t you be, I don’t know, preparing for your new role?” I reached over to lift her head up off the table.
“I need you to move back to Japan!” she blurted out, locking eyes with me like she’d just dropped the world’s most casual bombshell.
“Wait, move back to Japan? Me?” I blinked, caught completely off guard.
I haven’t been back since I left, and I made sure my parents moved to the U.S. too. Now she’s asking me to go back?
“I’ll get you your own apartment. You don’t even have to live with me if you don’t want to.” Asuka was practically bouncing in her seat. “We’ll pay you double what you’re making now, and we’ll do it in USD. Not yen. I mean, who could say no to that?”
I stared at her, completely floored. Double? An apartment? In Japan? I should’ve been jumping at the offer, but instead, I found myself swirling the last bit of coffee in my cup, stalling.
“Asuka… I don’t know.” I could feel her eyes boring into me, waiting for the ‘yes,’ but my brain was in overdrive. “It’s not like I can just pack up and leave everything behind.”
“Sure, you can.” She shrugged, leaning forward. “You said it yourself—you’re not exactly loving life here. What’s really keeping you in San Francisco? The fog? The overpriced rent?”
“Well, I do enjoy my overpriced rent,” I joked, half-smiling, but my heart wasn’t in it. Could I really go back to Japan? It had been so long since I left.
“Miyu.” Asuka leaned in even closer, her voice soft but insistent. “I need you. You’ve been doing marketing forever. You’re the perfect person to help me with this. Please, just come for a year—two at most. If you hate it, you can go back to your wonderful, foggy life.”
I hesitated, tapping my fingers on the table. “But what if it doesn’t work out? What if I get there and… I don’t know, I just don’t fit anymore?”
Asuka rolled her eyes, reaching over to grab my hand. “Please, it’s Japan, not Mars. You grew up there. And besides, I’ll be there! It’ll be like old times—except, you know, with slightly more responsibility and way better food.”
I bit my lip, weighing the pros and cons in my head. I could really use a change… but moving back? To Japan?
Asuka, sensing my hesitation, gave one final push. “Look, if nothing else, you’ll get a break from whatever this… half-life you’re living here is. You don’t even seem happy. Just think about it. What’s the worst that could happen?”
I sighed, staring into her hopeful face. “You know what? Fine. I’ll think about it. But I’m not promising anything.”
Asuka beamed, squeezing my hand. “That’s all I’m asking. Just give it a shot.”
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