"Yume, Yume."
"What is it, Ai?"
Not much time had passed since I found out that Aqua and Ruby were my biological children, but our daily life hadn't changed much.
Ai continued her activities with B-Komachi as usual. The only difference was that I was now preparing for my acting career in line with a new project at the company.
Aqua had become a disciple of Director Gotanda Taishi. The only one not doing anything special was Ruby, but...
Ever since she found out I was her father, Ruby's whining had increased to the point where it rivaled Ai's.
Thanks to that, every time I came home, it felt like I was dealing with two Ais. It made each day tiring, but I got by with the thought that this life wasn't so bad.
Since my acting debut wasn't yet confirmed, I was still working as Ai's manager.
This time, too, since it was Ai's personal schedule and not a B-Komachi activity, I drove her to the location myself.
"Yume~ So, what's today's schedule?"
"Just a moment."
Since I was driving, I couldn't hand her the briefing paper.
"I'll explain it verbally. This shoot is for a variety show with a 'family' theme, I hear."
"Family?"
"Yeah. It's a show that invites families who have applied with their stories, listens to them, and helps them out—or so I'm told."
"Hmm... family, huh..."
After hearing my words, Ai kept muttering, "Family... family..." under her breath. Then:
"Then we can do a show like that later, right?"
"What kind of show?"
"Yume, you're going to take responsibility for me now, right? So we're family!"
"What are you saying? You're the one who forced me to take responsibility."
"Owwww!?"
When I pinched her cheek with one hand for talking nonsense, she seemed to be in quite a bit of pain, even tearing up. My heart softened slightly, but...
Seeing Ai's sly expression as she noticed my grip loosening, I sighed.
"You haven't reflected at all, have you?"
"I'm sowwy (sorry~)"
At the sight of her smiling face, I couldn't help but chuckle and let go of her cheek.
Finally, when we arrived at the filming location, I sent Ai to the waiting room first, then went around to greet the staff and directors.
"Hey~ Please take good care of today's shoot!!"
"Yes, I think you don't need to worry."
I knew that Ai would handle this variety show without any problems.
"But actually, there's one issue..."
"An issue?"
Suddenly saying there's an issue... what does that mean?
"Well, one of the actors who was supposed to appear with Ai-chan got into an accident on the way and can't make the broadcast... so we need someone to fill that spot..."
Saying this, the director looked at me cautiously.
Ah, I think I know where this is going; I hope I'm wrong...
"So, how about you, Ai-chan's manager, appear instead? You're quite handsome, so the viewers will eat it up! I stake my directing career on it!!"
"Sigh... Well... first, let me ask Ai herself. If she says it's okay... then I'll appear."
Originally, such matters would require consultation with the agency, but since it's within my authority to decide as I please, it wasn't a problem.
When I went to Ai in the waiting room and explained the situation:
"Huh!? So Yume and I are going to be on the same show? I approve, I approve★ Being on the same show as Yume is the best!!! I can brag to Aqua and Ruby too★"
"I figured as much."
In the end, with Ai's unconditional approval, I gave a wry smile, told the director I'd do it, and sat down to get my hair and makeup done alongside her.
In the waiting room, only Ai and I remained after the stylists left.
"Yume, you really are cool, aren't you?"
"What's with the sudden compliment?"
There was still a little time before the shoot started, so Ai and I waited together. As always, Ai lay down with her head on my lap.
Of course, I tried to stop her at first, but she looked up with a face like an abandoned puppy.
"Can't I lie down...?"
She said, so I had no choice but to let her stay.
"But Ai, didn't you get your hair styled too?"
"Huh? No, I only got makeup! Not my hair. Well, if I got my hair done, I couldn't lie on Yume's lap like this, could I?"
"Right."
If you say so, then I guess that's how it is.
In the end, Ai continued lying on my lap until the staff came to fetch us just before the shoot started.
Finally, the shoot began. It was time for the host to introduce the guests.
[Alright, then let's call out this episode's guests! Currently rising in popularity, from B-Komachi, Hoshino Ai-chan and her manager, Hoshino Yume-kun!!!]
"Hello~ I'm Hoshino Ai~★"
Ai walked out with a bright smile.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Hoshino Yume, Hoshino Ai's manager."
As always, with no particular change in my expression, my appearance was captured on camera.
Ai and I, seated in the guest area, had to endure a barrage of questions from the other performers.
"By any chance, since you have the same last name, are you family?"
When asked that:
"No! Yume and I grew up in the same facility! Of course, we became independent quickly, and Yume took care of me★"
Actually, this fact had been announced beforehand to the public, so it wasn't a problematic truth.
"And Ai and I having the same last name is a coincidence. I was a bit flustered when I first started taking care of her, too."
Since the questions were mostly easy to answer, I didn't have to be too nervous about Ai making a slip of the tongue.
I thought it was a huge relief that no questions about the stalker—the topic I most wanted to avoid—came up.
"Now, now, isn't everyone just asking questions since the guests are here? We need to move on soon!!"
"Oops, you're right. Alright, then with the guests here, let's bring out the requesting family!!"
Thanks to the host steering the conversation well, the Q&A session ended smoothly, and we finally moved to the main segment.
At the host's words, a family of four came out from the entrance.
"Yes, this is a family with twins!!"
When the family entered, Ai instantly thought of Aqua and Ruby, her and Yume's precious treasures at home. I thought the same.
"Alright, then what is this family's request?"
"Our twins fight so much; we want to know if it's possible to reduce their arguing."
"Ah~ with twins, they probably do fight a lot."
Do twins usually fight? I don't really know, since Aqua and Ruby at home have never fought...
In the end, Ai and I finished the shoot by just responding appropriately until it ended. Although nothing special happened, thanks to Ai's unique charisma and my "talent," there probably wasn't any need to worry about usable footage.
After safely finishing the shoot and heading home in the car, Ai spoke up.
"Yume."
"Yeah?"
"Come to think of it, we still don't have a family photo."
"A family photo?"
Perhaps Ai was envious of the family photo the guests took at the end of the shoot earlier?
"Yeah. Yume, I want to leave evidence that I have a family, like those people."
"Ai."
At Ai's words, I finally felt that she had lost her reluctance to express her emotions.
I immediately called the company.
"Yeah, if there's an empty studio on our side right now, clear it out. And we're going to take a family photo, so arrange for a photographer and someone who can edit. Yeah, we'll finish it today."
Seeing me naturally make the preparations, Ai squealed.
"Oooohhhh~!!! Yume, you're the best!! I really loooooove you♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥"
"I said don't cling to me while I'm driving!?"
It was very hard to drive while pushing away Ai, who kept trying to cling to me with one hand.
Ai and I arrived home and found Aqua and Ruby waiting for us.
"Aqua~ Ruby~ where are you~"
"Mama~!!!!"
When Ai called them, Ruby came running with a pitter-patter sound and hugged Ai. Aqua slowly followed behind her.
Ai handed Ruby to me and tried to pick up Aqua, but perhaps lacking strength, she ended up just holding his hand and leading him to the car.
I drove to the company, received greetings from the employees, and headed to the studio for the family photo shoot.
Seeing me receive formal greetings from the staff, Ruby and Aqua seemed very surprised, which was quite cute.
Ai, Ruby, Aqua, and I arrived at the studio and prepared for the shoot.
After explaining the situation to the flustered Ruby and Aqua:
"Ruby is so excited to take a photo with Mama and Papa!!!" Ruby exclaimed happily.
"I don't mind..."
Although he said that, Aqua couldn't hide his expectant expression.
"Let's take it quickly!!!"
Ai seemed very happy about taking a family photo.
"Everyone needs to calm down first."
My attempt to calm them down made the photographer think to himself, 'This will make a pretty good family photo.'
Finally, after safely taking the photo, we put the print in a frame, brought it home, and placed it in the most visible spot in the living room.
Ai looked at the photo and hugged me.
"Yume."
"What is it?"
"...Thank you so much for becoming my family."
"Thank you for becoming my family, too."
"I love you."
"I love you too, Ai."
As our faces slowly touched...
"Ah! Mama and Papa are getting all lovey-dovey!!"
"Usually, you stay quiet at times like this..."
Ruby and Aqua appeared from behind. Flustered, I froze, but the smiling Ai pulled me in and kissed me on the lips.
"Hehe~ Yume, Aqua, and Ruby are all my most beloved family!!"
"Ruby loves Mama and Papa too!!"
"Kya~★ Our daughter is so cute!!!" Ai hugged Ruby tightly.
"I... I won't do it...?" Aqua muttered, hanging back.
"It's okay."
I patted the shy Aqua's head.
This is the story of our family.
Our daily life, full of anticipation, will continue from now on.
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