The next day, with Ai, Ruby, and Aqua all out of the house, I relaxed and gathered my thoughts.
The document in my hand contained information on Tendouji Sarina—the past life of Hoshino Ruby, who is now our precious daughter and family member.
Fortunately, it had been mailed to our home after the shoot wrapped up, so I could review it now that everyone was gone.
"So they erased Tendouji Sarina from existence?"
What kind of mindset leads to that? If your youngest daughter is hospitalized, you should at least visit often, but at some point, even the traces of visits vanished.
And they didn't come when she died, either.
"Sigh... It's tricky to meddle recklessly. Crushing them with force isn't impossible, but since I'm not alone, that's out of the question."
Complicated, so complicated. In times like this, being part of a family can be inconvenient, but still.
Family comes first, so I'll wait a bit longer. I don't have solid information yet.
And without checking it myself, I can't know for sure.
Nothing is dumber than acting on uncertain information.
"By the way, isn't Aqua's variety show ending soon?"
Is he dating Akane or is it just business? Should I tell him to sort it out clearly?
No, Aqua has his own thoughts. He's a smart kid. (He was a doctor in his past life.)
"Well, might as well enjoy my son's work leisurely."
Just as I thought that, my phone suddenly rang.
"Who's calling at this hour?"
Everyone should know today's a day off, but when I checked my smartphone—
"Hello, this is Yume speaking. Director Kuma."
[Oh, Yume-kun. Sorry to bother you on your day off.]
"No, it's fine. Did something come up?"
If you're calling, it must be something urgent.
[Well, not exactly urgent, but Yume-kun... how about becoming an idol?]
"What the hell did you say, you brat?"
Oops... I let my true feelings slip out.
[Yume-kun, I'm still your director, you know?]
"My apologies."
[No, no, that was clearly intentional!?]
"It was an accident."
[Yume-kun!?]
"An accident, I said."
He sniffled.
"Anyway, why are you suddenly telling me to become an idol? I'm already acting, aren't I?"
I resisted the urge to ask why I'm doing actor work when being a bodyguard would be better.
[Hmm, Yume-kun, you know Hikari is retiring soon, right?]
"Ah... you mean Hikari? But aren't you training a group to succeed her?"
And with my and the doctor's eyes, we picked only the talented kids.
[Yeah, the group's still on track. I'm talking about a male idol.]
"Is there even a need for a male idol?"
Shouldn't you use teenagers in their 10s or 20s, not a geezer like me pushing 30?
[To begin with, aside from you and her, most talents in our company look like crap.]
"Watch your language. What do you mean 'crap'?"
[It's a metaphor. Anyway, since she'd never agree, I thought you might, being the easier target.]
"How am I supposed to react when you openly call me an 'easier target'?"
Well, it's true.
"If I become an idol, can I quit acting?"
[Of course not. You have to do both.]
"Are you insane?"
[So, first of all, as your director...]
"No, director, you keep dumping hard work on me, how can I not get angry? You're the one who ordered me to focus solely on acting and take almost no company work!"
[Hmm...]
"And now suddenly an idol?"
[How about being an utaite then?]
"An utaite..."
That would be better than an idol.
[So, what do you say? Give it a try.]
"Sigh... I'm starting to think you're trying to push me away from this line of work."
[How could that be? Wait, how did you know?]
"Any executive would notice at this point."
Since other executives are handling my duties, the answer was obvious.
"Is it because I have a family now?"
[I won't deny it. You're the youngest among us.]
"I appreciate the consideration. But I know best what my responsibilities are. Still, I'll accept your kindness."
Well, I won't be doing this forever anyway. Taking it easy might not be bad.
"But if work calls, I'll return immediately."
[Hehe, feel free to do so then. No one would oppose a senior executive like you.]
"So, is the music ready?"
[You have to make it, Yume-kun.]
"Huh?"
What did I just hear? Do it right away with no preparation?
"Hey, you bald old man!"
[I still have hair, you brat!!]
"Is that the issue!? Shouldn't you at least prepare the music?"
Do you think I'm some all-purpose cat robot that spits out whatever you ask for?
[Eh~ I'm sure someone like you could whip it up right away.]
"No, sigh..."
I wouldn't say I have no talent for music.
But the songs from my past life... most of them don't exist in this world.
Huh? Actually, I might be able to pull it off.
"Fine... I'll try writing and composing something and bring it to the company."
[Ohohohoho! Excellent! Great! I'll leave it to you then!]
"...Sigh."
After hanging up, I tossed the phone onto the couch and slowly sifted through my memories.
"...There are quite a few songs from my past life. Why do I remember all of them?"
Ah, whatever. The higher-ups must have done something.
"...Well, that's that. Might as well give it a shot."
A song born from thinking about Hoshino Ai, Ruby, and Aqua in this world.
"Let's spread Idol and Mephisto to this world."
It was a sudden development, but strangely, I felt energized, and that wasn't so bad.
SIDE Hoshino Aqua.
"Sigh..."
The day after filming ended, Hoshino Aqua walked while thinking about what happened on set.
"A... Akane?"
"Aqua, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Hoshino Aqua was flustered, seeing his mother Hoshino Ai in Kurokawa Akane's appearance.
"No..."
He averted his gaze and spoke quietly.
Then.
"Akane, over here!"
MEM-cho and Yuki approached Akane and called out. Seeing them come over, Akane said,
"Sorry to keep you all waiting."
"We waited so long!"
"Let's have fun again!"
The male members who followed the female group asked,
"You seem livelier now... are you okay?"
As if concerned, but Akane's reply was unexpected.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Hearing that, all five froze for a moment.
"What do you mean 'what'? That..."
"Oh, the big scandal! Is that what you're talking about? I know I messed up, but stuff like that happens all the time! I'm fine!"
Akane spoke in a carefree tone.
"Akane... something feels different about you."
"Hmm... maybe a little?"
Yuki thought Akane's attitude was odd.
"Yuki, do you... dislike me like this?"
Seeing Akane suddenly approach, Yuki quickly—
"No..."
She shook her head, denying it.
"Aqua, let's stick together today."
Then Akane attached herself to Aqua.
"...Okay."
Aqua replied with lifeless eyes.
She captivated everyone in an instant.
The cast,
the staff,
even the cameraman.
An extraordinary talent you can't help but notice.
That childlike charisma—she had it too.
But why did I feel a fleeting glimpse of Yume's back as well?
If Ai drew eyes with her charisma, Yume drew attention simply by being present.
Similar yet different charisma emanated from her (Akane).
As Aqua fell into thought, Akane approached.
"I heard you stayed up for nights making that video for me? I'm so happy. Thank you, Aqua."
"...You're welcome."
MEM-cho and Yuki watched Aqua and Akane converse intently.
"We get that Akane's acting weird, but isn't Aqua a bit off too?"
"Hmm?"
"Let's check."
MEM-cho approached Aqua.
"Hey, Aqua-kun! Can you grab that pouch for me?"
"I'm thinking, do it yourself."
"It's fine, just get it for her."
"Okay."
MEM-cho was refused, but seeing Aqua immediately act on Akane's words, she said,
"See!? He only listens to Akane!
Aqua-kun, you really like that vibe, huh?"
"Akane's acting perfectly."
"That's not it."
Aqua brushed off their comments, but.
"So, do you like it~?
Do you like this Akane~?"
MEM-cho and Yuki each grabbed Aqua and Akane, pushing them closer.
"Stop it."
"Huh~?"
"I mean..."
Aqua's face turned bright red.
"Seriously... stop..."
"Wow, that reaction... it's so real."
With those words, Aqua hurriedly pushed the door open and ran out.
The remaining three.
"Akane, what do we do!?"
"This is totally real! It's possible for real!"
""What should we do!? What should we do!?""
MEM-cho and Yuki excitedly clung to Akane, while the main person, Akane—
"Uh... what should I do...?"
"Ah! The usual Akane is back!"
The acting imitating Hoshino Ai and Yume had worn off.
"So? If he approaches for real, will you respond for real?"
"Could you actually start dating?"
Asked if she might date Aqua, Akane shyly covered her mouth with a notebook,
"I-if I had to say... yes..."
""Kyaaa!!!""
"Then you should pursue him outside of filming too!"
"Really?"
"Really!"
""This got interesting!!""
These two sure clicked when it came to this.
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