Oshi no Ko: The Maestro

Chapter 40: Echoes of Akane's Heart

Akane's POV:
Acting, to me, is a profound means of self-expression through a multitude of characters. Every character I embody is distinct, but at the core, I remain the same person. It's a fascinating journey of delving into diverse emotions and personalities, a journey that has taught me the invaluable worth of my true self. The genuine emotions I experience in real life are treasures, far more precious than anything else. These raw emotions are what I pour into my characters. I immerse myself in their world, empathizing with their feelings, and it's through this connection that I come to truly understand them.

Through my journey in acting, I've had the privilege of experiencing a vast spectrum of human emotions and behaviours. My dedication and hard work have paved the way for my success as an actress. People often label me as talented and a prodigy, elevating me to the podium of recognition. However, I believe that my true gift lies in my ability to channel the genuine emotions from my own life into the characters I portray, allowing me to connect deeply with their stories and truly understand them.

Ever since I took my first step into the world of acting, I was met with overwhelming support and cheers from those around me. As a young child, these encouraging words served as fuel, motivating me to continually give my best. The compliments and praise from people were heartwarming, and they began to refer to me as Akane Kurokawa, one of the brightest talents in the world of acting.

I experienced immense happiness as my career in acting flourished, and I quickly gained fame. Multiple talent agencies expressed interest in representing me, and I was inundated with offers from various productions. I was living my dream, basking in the glory of success and enjoying every moment of my best life.

I can say I was a bit spoiled, but as long as I gave my best, I thought it was okay to demand something more. I was a child, after all.

The fame a child gets goes as fast as it comes, they say.

As I grew up, I managed to maintain my fame just fine. However, as I started getting more roles that matched my age, I began to notice a significant shift in how people treated me. Directors no longer coddled me; instead, they began yelling at me, expecting more professionalism. My colleagues seemed solely focused on stealing the spotlight for themselves, and the camaraderie of my earlier years waned. My talent agency was relentless, demanding even more from me. They reminded me that I was Akane Kurokawa, and with that name came higher expectations and pressures. It was a challenging transition from being a child prodigy to a young actress navigating the complexities of the entertainment industry.

Facing these new challenges was an entirely different experience, and I found myself lost in the midst of it all. The sudden transition from being a celebrated child prodigy to a young actress navigating the complexities of the entertainment industry was far from easy. The constant demands and expectations weighed heavily on my shoulders, and I began to feel the strain.

I hated the pressure, and I was overwhelmed with sadness. It was at this critical juncture that my parents stood by me, offering their unwavering support. They told me that I could quit being an actress if I wanted to, that they cared more about my well-being and happiness than fame and success. But deep down, I knew I didn't want to give up. I had witnessed how proud and joyful they were whenever I graced the stage or screen. I didn't want them to believe that their daughter, whom they had supported so much, couldn't handle the pressure associated with her name in the entertainment industry.

So, I decided to push through, to confront the hardships head-on and prove not only to the world but also to myself that I could rise above the challenges and continue to pursue my passion for acting, no matter how daunting it had become. It was a pivotal moment in my journey, one that would test my determination and resilience, and I was determined to emerge from it stronger than ever.