Note from the author:
Hello fellow readers and writers! Please note that this story is a slow burn - quite the departure from the only other story I've ever published on here. Don't expect anything sexual until like...Chapter 4? I apologize in advance to people looking for a quick release.
I do hope though, that the payoff will be good. That's the plan anyway. And I do also have to say it's been a while since I've written. I've just recently picked it up again, so go easy on me - I'm out of practice!
Finally, I want to include a warning before anyone gets committed: eventually, once things get saucier, there WILL be themes of non-consent (but not in this chapter!), hypnotism, corruption, all that good stuff. And ahh, no way, the story is built around a naive girl in dystopian Japan? Ahh, what a coincidence. Not indicative of my fetishes, I swear.
Either way, I hope you enjoy.
***
The news of Nakamura Sachiko winning the Fujiwara Corp Sponsorship Program had spread like wildfire through the small town of Naoshima.
Sachiko, known affectionately as Sachi to her family and friends, walked home from school through narrow lanes between a long stretch of paddy fields, cherry blossom trees dotted symmetrically on either side. She loved this path - it was just flat and open enough to show the ocean's infinite horizon, but also far away enough that the salty humidity didn't frizzle her hair.
She wasn't alone in this. Almost all her classmates who lived in this direction would take detours that doubled their commute as long as it meant they could walk the gorgeous route.
But still, Sachi walked alone most of the time. She'd always been considered a bit of an oddity - the girl who loved books more than anything, who spent her free time lost in the pages of fictional worlds rather than gossiping with friends - and neither her modest appearance nor lack of fashion sense helped at all. Not that Sachi cared one bit.
But all of a sudden, she'd practically become a local, no, national celebrity: the girl who had brought honor to Naoshima.
"Sachi-chan!" A voice called out from behind her. She turned to see Yumi, one of the few classmates who considered her a friend, jogging to catch up. Yumi was a chatterbox, always eager to share the latest gossip.
"Sachi-chan, I heard you're going to be in the next town hall meeting," she said, slightly out of breath. "They want to show you off to the bigger districts. Your picture's even in the local paper!"
Sachi sighed internally. She wasn't used to this kind of attention - and in truth, it wasn't all good to have. She even had to change her phone number just a few weeks ago after a classmate had shared it with the media. Overnight, her phone wouldn't stop buzzing, with attempts to contact her through every personal channel she had.
"Yeah, I heard something about that," Sachi said, trying to keep her voice casual. She spotted her house up ahead, a modest wood-framed building with a traditional thatched roof.
"I'm glad you stayed true to yourself all these years," Yumi smiled. "People were mean to you. But look at you now, you'll do amazing things!"
Sachi blushed at Yumi's praise. She'd always been kind, kinder than she had to be. "Thanks, Yumi. I'll do my best."
They caught up for a while longer, chatting excitedly about the upcoming end of their senior year of high school, what adulthood might be like, how quickly things were changing.
"I can't believe you'll be gone so soon," Yumi said after a brief moment of silence. A coy grin formed on her lightly freckled face. "Have you said bye to Namida sensei?"
"Ugh, not you too," Sachi groaned. Since Sachi had been seen walking home with him, the rumors had become unending. "I can't help that he's my neighbor, can I?" She knew it was hopeless at this point - but she always gave the same answer when people teased her.
Yumi giggled, "I know, I know. But in all seriousness, you don't have even the slightest crush on him? I mean, most of the girls in our class do!"
And objectively, Sachi could see why. Namida sensei was, in a word, smart. He looked it, sounded it, and his presence made you feel it - but never in a condescending way. She had just never thought of him in that light.
"The thing is, my mom has invited him over to our home so many times that he's become like an older brother to me," Sachi pondered. "I'm just thankful he's truly helped me a ton in literature class."
"Sure, sure," Yumi waved her hands at Sachi dismissively, playing further into the joke.
"Honestly, I think my mom has a crush on him."
Yumi's eyes bulged, laughing with glee. It was true - most of Naoshima's mothers often brought Namida sensei more food and fruit than he knew what to do with. Even more, he would donate it to the local orphanage, where volunteer rates from middle-aged housewives had tripled since his arrival at the start of the school year.
"Well sure, but I still think there could be something between you two," Yumi managed after her fit of laughter.
After a little more prodding and denying between them, they'd reached Sachi's turn off the road. Yumi beamed at her, "See you next Monday!"
Sachi waved goodbye, watching Yumi go on her way. Sachi's thoughts had already wandered back to Yumi's initial comments about Sachi's newfound national attention. She was glad for Yumi's support, truly, but Sachi couldn't help but feel like a fraud. She hadn't done anything extraordinary, just studied hard and, well, gotten lucky.
The house was quiet when she stepped inside, her mother likely still at the local café helping out. Sachi dropped her bag by the door and greeted her father at his shrine before heading to the kitchen for a glass of water. Her reflection in the window caught her eye - the same long, straight black hair, the same faded uniform. The only thing different was the expectation hanging in the air.
Sachi leaned against the kitchen counter, taking a long sip of water. She was about to set the glass down when she heard the front door creak open.
"Sachi, you're home," her mother called out, shuffling in with a tired smile. "How was school?"
"It was fine, mom," Sachi replied, watching as her mother hung up her apron and washed her hands. "Just the usual."
Her mother, Yumi, was a small and slightly round woman with kind eyes that mirrored Sachi's own. She had always been supportive, encouraging Sachi's love for books and learning. Though she too was well aware of her daughter's reputation - it couldn't be helped in a town of 3000 people - she didn't worry. After all, Sachi had her small group of close friends.
"You know, I was talking to Mrs. Kobayashi at the café today," her mother continued, drying her hands on a towel. "She said that Mr. Tanaka from the town council is very interested in your progress. He might even come to your graduation ceremony."
Sachi nodded, feeling a familiar tension in her shoulders. "That's nice, Mom," she said, trying to keep her voice even.
The last thing she really wanted was more attention from the town council.
Her mother paused, studying Sachi's face. "You seem a bit stressed, Sachi. Is there anything you want to talk about?"
Sachi took a moment to think. She wanted to tell her mother about how overwhelmed she felt, about the sudden pressure and the endless parade of town meetings and interviews. But she also didn't want to worry her mother. "It's just... a lot, Mom. I'm trying to keep up with my studies and this new life. It's a bit overwhelming."
Her mother nodded, understanding in her eyes. "I know it is, sweetheart. But remember, you're not alone in this," her mother said, reaching out to squeeze Sachi's hand. "Maybe I could invite Satoshi-san to dinner - you enjoy his company, don't you?"
Sachi rolled her eyes at her mother, grinning. "Not as much as you do mom," she replied. But she was grateful for the distraction. Steadying herself with deep breaths, Sachi could feel her spirits lifting. She could do this - she had to do it. She thanked her mother, and retreated to her room of shelves full of books and familiar posters. She sat down at her desk, her fingers resting on a random book's bookmark that she'd inserted, more out of habit than a desire to read.
Her phone chimed, a message from Himawari. Sachi smiled, opening the chat.
**Himawari:** Hey Sachi, sorry I've been MIA lately. Busy with... stuff. How's life treating you, celebrity? 🤩
Sachi chuckled, typing back with a grin.
**Sachi:** Busy with 'stuff', huh? That sounds mysterious. And celebrity life is just as glamorous as you'd imagine. 😂 How about you? What's been keeping you so busy?
Sachi hit send and waited, her fingers tapping lightly on her desk. Himawari had always been her rock and partner in crime for all the small-town adventures. But lately, she'd been vague about her activities, responding to Sachi's messages with cryptic texts or postponing their usual hangouts.
The response came quickly, but it was as vague as ever.
**Himawari:** Just some new opportunities I can't really talk about yet. You know how it is, Sachi. 😉 But I promise, once I can, I'll spill all the tea! ☕️
Sachi raised an eyebrow, smiling at Himawari's typical evasiveness. She knew her friend well enough to know it was probably for her own sake.
Himawari was her opposite in almost every way: extroverted, athletic, the heart of every social gathering. She was always doing something or another with someone, yet she'd always make time for Sachi.
**Sachi:** Alright, alright. But remember, you owe me a detailed debrief. 🤓
**Himawari:** Deal! 😄 Now, enough about me. How's the fame treating you? Getting used to all the attention?
Sachi was grateful for the familiar banter.
**Sachi:** It's been... interesting. Lots of meetings and interviews. I feel like I'm on never-ending tour duty.
**Himawari:** Hah! Just wait until you hit the big city. Naoshima is like a quiet little bubble compared to the mainland.
Sachi tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. She wasn't aware Himawari had been.
**Sachi:** Oh really? What makes you say that?
Himawari's reply came with a slight pause, as if she was choosing her words carefully.
