Afternoon at 5:00 p.m
Ruby's jaw dropped, raising her hands with Mem-cho in excitement, calling out
"We're here at the Japan Idol Festival!"
"Among the ten stages, we'll perform on the star stage. It's a stage with a lot of underground idols."
Mem-cho steps forward, admiring the people who were waiting for the performance that is to take place this night
"I wish we could perform on the main stage but..."
"That'd be too much to ask, I guess." Ruby replied, crossing her arms.
Mem-cho turns her head to Ruby, Giggling
"Ah...I'm getting nervous. Do you think we'll to well?"
Ruby clutches her fists, smiling
"We'll be fine! We had a good night's sleep, didn't we?"
She turns her head to Kana, giving her a warm smile
"According to some university research, the damage of staying up all night lasts for about three days, and your charm will be reduced by about 30%
Dai • I said something like that! And senpai told me about it!"
Mem-cho gives off a sheepish smile, chuckling
"So you heard it through the grapevine."
Mem-cho continues —
"Well, B-Komachi's choreographies aren't easy. It's be tough if we didn't get enough sleep."
Ruby turns her head to Mem-cho, laughing it off.
"Our dance moves are the star of the show, so getting proper sleep is the key!"
Meanwhile, on Kana
Kana trembles, still shocked and frozen by the time she caught Aqua behind the mask
"What now...? I couldn't sleep at all." Kana thought nervously.
Meanwhile on Akira's House
"Akira-sama!!" Ai shouted, crying.
"Please, let's go to the first performance of Ruby-chan, please!!" grabbing unto his shoulder.
Akira picks up her hand, removing it gently — distant from any emotions right now.
"Decide it yourself. You're a grown adult, Ai."
Ai cries in the background.
"But...I'm bad at decision making, just please! ~~~~ ~~~~~~...."
Akira's thoughts swirled around the same woman they met earlier that morning. Lost in thought.
"Why is she...roaming around like nothing had happened before. I specifically told her not to dive too deep in urban areas, she..."
Akira groans—
"So stubborn~!"
Akira sits down, still lost in thought.
Ai leans in closer to Akira, raising an eyebrow.
"It seems you're bothered, Akira-sama? You can tell me."
Akira stood up, sighing.
"If you want to see Ruby-chan, this will be the last time for now. We're in deep danger. But the decision lays on your hands Ai."
Ai looks down on the ground, murmuring
"But...ever since, I was bad at making decisions–"
Akira pinches her cheek, pulling it
"Oww! A-Akira-Sama...stop pulling my–"
Akira:
"Those are what you say, why limit yourself on what you're had before? In order to improve, all it take is to walk 1 step away from that comfort zone, but never go back.
Staying in that comfort zone for too long will eventually backfire in the end. What if something bad will happen to me, what will you do? What if it was only you, what will you do?
A child is born, shall he be under the law of its parents; to teach in love. The more you age, the more responsibility you'll receive. Especially you as a mother, even if we say you're not directly involved with them. It's still your responsibility to somehow watch over them even if your presence is gone. And I as the head of the Akira's bear great responsibility; including the responsibility for helping Hikaru kill you."
Akira lets go of Ai's cheek. Walking towards his room.
"When will you be independent, Ai."
Ai looks down on the ground, gritting her teeth in desperation and helplessness.
Ai shouts, clenching her fists. Stopping Akira mid-way
"And so what? What's our difference? I, who's stuck at being dependent and reliant on others who doesn't even give a damn on my own responsibilities as an adult, and most especially as a mother.
And you, Akira-sama...you still couldn't move on unto that guilt? I understand that you could not accept that history was repeating itself for you, but i know if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be able to touch my daughter and son's hands again. But can't you hear my cry?
I think and cry every night, wondering how can I ever repay you for everything you've done. To ease out that sense of too much responsibility and guilt you bear alone? Why can't you share it to me? So who am I to you?
What is this Father and Daughter and friend like relationship if you couldn't even share that burden? Aren't friends supposed to share their burdens; likewise to a father to the daughter just like how the daughter is to the father.
Are you going to abuse your body and let it rot without even feeling happiness after 17 years? When will that warm smile of that one innocent lamb will come back? Where was your childhood? Can't you give yourself a second chance to forget everything for now and let's enjoy the moment together?!
You've always been like a ghost even if you were here all day, working on that damn work, can you even give yourself a break? Because I...for you to be happy again."
Ai approaches Akira, taking his hand.
"So Akira-sama...I'm going to the performance of Ruby-chan. But in exchange. Let go of all that weight for now and enjoy the show with me, can you?" her voice, soft...gentle. the atmosphere changed.
Akira stayed silent walking to his room, locking the door behind him.
Ai looks down on the ground with tearfuk eyes, crying — murmuring to herself
"Why...? Why can't you just... You'll kill yourself too early, You see... I'm trying, but I still can't without your presence. I'm sorry...
I meant all of it, but I never wanted to sound rude or disrespectful after everything you've done for me. I'm so sorry if I've ever sounded that way.
I just wanted for you to enjoy the life we both missed when we were a child together. I want you to feel how it feels like to let go of everything even if for a brief moment.
I'm sorry...Akira-sama."
Akira opens the door, turning his head to Ai, successfully adding an extra layer of firewall just in case they get ivaded by Hikaru while they watch the B-Komachi's performance.
"Stop whimpering and get dressed already, kid. And also, watch your language. (He means the 'damn' word)
Ai stares up at him, wiping her tears away. Smiling weakly.
"Akira-sama..."
She stood up, hugging him.
"Thank you..."
Akira pats her head, his voice almost a whisper.
"I'll consider those words for now. Prove me everything wrong or I'll never forgive you."
Ai grins sheepishly
"Of course, I'll beat you and make you realize I'm right!"