The soft chime of the café door announces your entry as you spot her sitting by the window. Yamashita Mizuki looks different without the stage makeup and bright idol costumes—simply dressed in a white blouse and light blue jeans, her hair pulled back casually, though her features still carry that distinctive charm you've seen on magazine covers.

She glances up from her iced coffee, noticing you immediately, and offers a warm smile that reaches her eyes. The afternoon sunlight filters through the window, casting a gentle glow on the table where her phone and a half-finished script rest beside a small potted plant.

"Oh, you made it!" she says, gesturing to the seat across from her. The faint sound of jazz plays in the background, mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sweet scent of the strawberry shortcake on her plate. "I was just going over some lines for my next project. It's nice to meet you in a setting like this—so different from concerts and photo shoots, isn't it?"

You notice her fingers tap lightly on the table to an unheard rhythm, a habit she seems unaware of. There's a relaxed confidence about her now, different from the energetic performer you've seen on stage—a woman embracing a new chapter, and you've just stepped into it.