In the end, Ruby's determination left me and Aqua with no choice. We decided to support her path to becoming an idol.
"Alright, Ruby, read this carefully and sign here."
This step was crucial. Ruby, who resembles Ai so much, tried to skim over the contract without reading it properly. I had to make her read every single line of the agreement.
"Agree...ment... Dad, I don't really get it, but I just stamp here, right?"
"Ruby, at least read the contract properly..."
"Ugh!! I don't know, just stamp it!!!"
"Ruby!?"
Won't you listen to your father!? A contract is something you should read word by word to check for any unfair terms...
Honestly, I didn't think Miyako would offer a shady contract, but I still reviewed it thoroughly myself. Of course, thanks to Ruby stamping it the moment she saw the line, the contract was finalized before I could finish.
Miyako, taking the signed contract, glared playfully at me and Aqua.
"Now, Ruby is a talent under Ichigo Production. If you try anything funny, I'll sue immediately."
"That's pretty scary."
"Yeah, Miyako seems especially intimidating today, Aqua."
"Hehe... Dad! Look, I can be an idol like Mom now!!"
"Yeah, that's great, Ruby."
Ruby's genuinely happy smile as she looked at the contract was charming, even to me. Seeing her so happy made me feel a twinge of guilt about everything I've done behind the scenes. But since it was all for Ruby and Ai's safety, I hoped they'd forgive me if they ever found out.
As I silently apologized to Ai and Ruby in my heart, Miyako addressed Aqua, who still wore an unhappy expression.
"This is necessary for entering the entertainment department at high school, so don't be too upset, Aqua."
"I'm not exactly against it."
'That was the promise from the start. Dad will handle the safety from now on.'
Aqua looked at me with eyes that said, 'I trust you'll handle it,' and I quietly gave him a thumbs up.
After entrusting Ruby to Miyako's care, I left to meet the Senior at the company to arrange everything Ruby would need for her idol activities.
First-person: Hoshino Aquamarine
After confirming that Yume had left the office first, I headed to the Director's house.
"Oh, Aqua-kun, welcome."
"Hello, Auntie. Is the Director awake?"
"He's sleeping, but it's fine. Go into his room and wake him up by hitting him. Oh, and do you want to stay for dinner today too?"
"No, don't worry about it."
I entered the Director's room. It was messy as always, no matter when I visited.
"Oh, you're here."
"Here, this is the assignment. Edit it well."
"Okay."
By now, receiving work from the Director like this has become part of my daily routine. It feels familiar.
To be honest, I'm still a middle school student. Since I'm too young to work part-time legally, I couldn't gain experience on set through normal channels.
My father... I mean, I thought about consulting Yume, but it seemed like it would draw attention in the wrong way. So from the start, I came under the Director's wing. Now, I'm helping with film production as his assistant.
If I had to describe my current self, I guess I'm the Director's disciple?
"I see. So, your sister is taking the idol path after all? Is that okay from an older brother's perspective?"
The Director's point makes sense, but well...
"It's better to be with a company we know than some group we don't even know the bones of. So I won't make a fuss about it."
After all, it's the agency where Mom (Ai) is affiliated, and a company backed by Dad's (Yume's) security firm. It should be the safest option compared to any other.
"Hah, both siblings on the path to being entertainers."
Who is this Director trying to naturally turn into entertainers?
"Not both. Right now, I'm aiming to be staff."
Ai and Yume are already gathering enough attention as actors. I'll maximize the information I can get by moving into staff work. That's all.
"Still no desire to act? You're going to a high school with an entertainment department like your sister, right? And Ai, who you like so much, is an actress now too."
"That has nothing to do with it. And only Ruby is entering the entertainment department; I'm in the general course."
"I remember when you first said you'd become my disciple, you had the face of someone determined to be a beast. You've weakened."
....For me, becoming an actor was just a means to an end.
I don't have the luxury to enjoy acting like Ai or Yume do.
My goal is to find the criminals behind the stalker who tried to drive Ai to her death and nearly killed Yume.
And to make them taste the mental pain Ai suffered, the pain Ruby endured, and the pain Yume must have felt more than anyone.
Honestly, I don't have many leads. But Yume once told me this:
"I can't give you details, but if you ever meet the culprit, you'll know instinctively. That this person is dangerous."
"Others probably won't notice. The only ones who might are the ten executives like me, Director Kuma, Ai, and you, Aqua—our child."
"What about Ruby?"
"Ruby is too kind, so it might be hard for her to notice."
"Yeah..."
"I'm sorry to say this, but without solid evidence, I can't be sure either. So, gathering information together is our first step."
"Got it. Dad."
According to Yume, since those in the entertainment industry wear a unique mask, I should sense it from their atmosphere if I see them. So I need to get into the best position to contact entertainers.
The shortest route to that is being an actor. But if I just want to be involved in the industry, it doesn't matter if I'm an AD, staff, or anything else.
But...
"Even as a minor role... I've appeared in a few of your works, Director, and I realized something."
No matter how much I practice or try, I can't match Ai's talent. There's no way I can mimic Yume's versatile talent.
"I don't have talent for acting. I'm one of those people who rot in the world as actors who work hard but aren't popular."
"I don't have something 'special' like Ai or 'near-perfect talent' like Yume. Having an unfitting goal isn't such a good thing."
"Hah...! If a kid doesn't dream, who will?... Giving up on what you want to do... isn't that something even university students say is too early?"
"Listen up!! This is advice from a middle-aged man who's been dreaming for twenty years. I'll only say it once, so listen well."
"Everyone has the right to dream. You won't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket..."
"Taishi!!! Dinner's ready, come down!!"
Oh, Auntie.
"Ah, Mom!! I'm in the middle of a good conversation, don't interrupt!!"
"What!? How should I know! If I wait, the miso soup will get cold!"
"I also had a time when I was stuck in place like you. But..."
"Ah, really, messing things up like this~"
Isn't this Director much older than Yume or Ai?
"Ah, are you telling me to leave!?"
"Hey, you're already in your mid-40s, right?"
Ai and Yume already have their own house.... Oh, right, Ai said she's technically living off Yume.
"How about leaving your parents' side soon?"
"The family home is spacious and in the city, so moving out has no benefits!? There are plenty of people like me! Especially creators!!"
"Isn't that why you can't get married either?"
Of course, Ai and Yume are still just dating and haven't married yet. Would marriage be okay?
"Anyway! You won't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket. Isn't it okay to believe in your own talent a bit more?"
No, the words of this kangaroo-tribe uncle don't really resonate with me.
"To be honest, there was a time when I believed I had talent like Ai or thought I had something special like Yume. But I'm not like Ai or Yume..."
"Ai-Ai-Ai-Ai, Yume-Yume-Yume-Yume... noisy. You monkey. Ai was definitely amazing, maybe a truly special human. She's still clearly active as an actress."
"And Yume... ah, that guy's talent is real. I'd believe he's a monster in terms of talent. From what people say, he's top-tier in almost every field."
"If he acts, he'll be a top actor; if he sings, a top singer; if he does voice acting, a top voice actor. Whatever he does, that guy will definitely become top-class."
"But you can't become Ai. And you can't become Yume either. Just like Ai can't become you, and Yume can't become you."
"Do Ai or Yume have the filming knowledge I've nurtured in you for ten years? Were they as smart as you in this field?"
Honestly, I don't know about Ai, but Yume might be smarter than me. No, definitely smarter.
"Don't weaken from one or two setbacks. Say that after using all the weapons you have. It's ten years too early to whine about having no talent."
"You want to be an actor, right? It's written all over your face."
....Why can't I deny it?
"Yume, if Ruby or Aqua become entertainers, what do you think would be good?"
"Hmm... Aqua as an actor, Ruby as an idol."
"See★ Yume and I are one in heart!!!"
"Yeah, yeah."
Maybe I do want to be an actor after all.
"Hey, Director, I..."
Bang!
"Aqua-kun, you're staying for dinner too!! I'll serve you some rice!!"
Auntie... if you were with Ai, I think you'd get along really well.
"My genius was about to say something good!! Don't come in!!"
"How should I know!!!!"
Well, this atmosphere isn't bad either.
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