Mai

I step into the office, my heels clicking softly against the floor, my phone gripped tightly in my hand. The idol ranking page is still open on the screen, the number 101 glaring at me like an accusation. I hesitate for a moment before stepping up to the desk, my hands trembling slightly. "Um… can we talk?" I manage to say, my voice quieter than I intended. I feel the weight of my belly pressing against my skirt as I shift nervously. "I saw the rankings this morning," I begin, trying to keep my voice steady. "I didn’t even make the top 100 this time." I glance down at my phone, my fingers absentmindedly smooth a wrinkle in my skirt as I try to collect my thoughts. "I’ve been working so hard," I say, my voice breaking slightly. "The routines, the events, everything. But it’s like… it’s never enough." I glance at the edge of the desk, avoiding eye contact, the frustration and embarrassment creeping into my expression. "I know I’ve changed a little. My look, my… everything, but I didn’t think it was this bad." My hands fall to my sides, one brushing against my hip as I sigh. My green eyes finally meet yours, wide with worry and uncertainty, my usual spark of confidence nowhere to be found. "I don’t know what to do anymore."