At the Shimokitazawa Live House, the performance by the rising idol group B Komachi had just ended. The atmosphere in the venue was still sizzling.
"As expected of the strongest rookie, Ai-chan! She just gets more dazzling!"
"This is tough! Now I have to wait another three days, 72 hours, 4,320 minutes, 259,200 seconds before I can see Ai-chan again!"
"Ai, Ai, Ai! We swear our loyalty to Ai-chan until death!"
Backstage, the echoes of the audience's cheers were still faintly audible. The other members of B Komachi looked at Hoshino Ai with faces full of envy. The girl was like a natural-born idol, always radiating the most brilliant smile, even offstage. Her constant state of bright perfection earned the admiration and, at times, a little bit of awe from her fellow members.
Hoshino Ai herself was oblivious to their reactions. While the love from her fans warmed her, the love she cared about most was the love from her little shota, Asa!
"Asa must be thinking about me right now!" Ai's lips curved into a doting smile. She immediately picked up her phone.
[Missed Call: Asa]
"Hmph, he really does miss me!" The love in Ai's starry eyes intensified. She couldn't wait to call back and hear Asa's voice.
She unlocked her phone.
A text message from Asa popped up.
Ai froze. The content of the message hit her heart like a bolt from the blue.
"Asa has been adopted and taken away..."
Ai's lips turned white, and her body swayed. Then, her vision went dark, and she collapsed directly to the floor.
"Ai! What's wrong?" Saitou Kyoko, the closest to her, cried out in shock and quickly helped Ai up.
She found the girl's expression pale and her eyes vacant.
"Asa... Asa... Home! I have to go home right now!"
Saitou Kyoko quickly drove Hoshino Ai back. As soon as they reached the orphanage, Ai rushed in.
"It's gone... Asa's things are all gone..." Ai bit her red lip, her expression growing even paler.
She rushed into the director's office. Finally, she got the confirmed news.
"The Yukinoshita Family, who have always sponsored the orphanage, adopted Asa."
"Ai, I know you two were close, but don't be too upset. Asa will definitely be safe and well-fed in the Yukinoshita home..."
The director said many things, but Ai didn't hear a word. Her mind was constantly filled with all the little memories of her life with Shiraishi Asa.
...
"Asa-kun, when oneechan makes enough money, how about I adopt you?"
...
"Asa-kun, see? If we sing this song like this..."
...
"Asa-kun, you're so talented! Even a random tune you hum sounds beautiful..."
...
She and Asa grew up together...
They had made a promise...
It was Asa who taught her the meaning of love...
"The Yukinoshita Family..." Ai's pearly teeth dug into her red lip. Her delicate hands clenched into fists.
"Asa, I will definitely get you back!"
"You are the 'Love' I can't live without..."
....
The Yukinoshita Residence.
In the living room of the Yukinoshita house, two tall, beautiful girls stared in shock at the small shota standing beside their mother.
"Haruno, Yukino, this is Shiraishi Asa. He is your little brother now."
Hearing their mother's words, Yukinoshita Haruno and Yukinoshita Yukino felt a wave of disbelief. Their mother adopted a little brother from the outside?
"Good evening, Haruno-neesan, Yukino-neesan!" Shiraishi Asa politely greeted them.
His gaze lingered on the two stunningly beautiful girls, and he couldn't help but feel a rush of emotion. 'As expected, it's Yukinoshita Yukino and Haruno...'
At that moment, the shocked Yukino took several deep breaths, and a flicker of anger sparked in her cool eyes. She stared at her mother, unable to believe it.
"Why didn't you consult us?"
She found it hard to accept. Their mother, who had always been so dominating and detached, only coming home once a week, had suddenly brought them a little brother? She and Haruno hadn't been informed at all beforehand!
Was she making such a major decision while completely ignoring them? Were they even still a part of this family?
Faced with Yukino's challenge, Mrs. Yukinoshita frowned slightly. The fleeting softness she'd felt in the garage was instantly scattered.
She certainly knew it was a bit improper to adopt a child without consulting them. But then again...
She was the one in charge!
In the Yukinoshita Family and the company, her word was law. She had every right to make this decision on her own. Her eldest daughter, Haruno, was always obedient in front of her. But Yukino frequently defied her. This gave the habitually dominant woman a slight headache.
Without waiting for her mother to speak, Yukino gave her a look of disappointment, turned, and strode back to her room.
Bang!
Hearing the heavy sound of the door closing, Haruno sighed. She took the initiative to ease the atmosphere.
"Mom, don't worry about it. Yukino is probably going through a rebellious phase."
Although she, too, was displeased with her mother's actions, compared to Yukino, she was far more aware of her mother's forceful and cold nature. Directly opposing her would not end well.
"Hmph..." Mrs. Yukinoshita let out a soft snort.
"Asa will live here for now. I've already completed his enrollment procedures for Shuchi'in Academy Elementary School."
"From now on, have him commute to school with Yukino..." Mrs. Yukinoshita said to Haruno in a decisive, no-nonsense manner.
Hand him over to Yukino? Haruno's red lips parted slightly, and a question mark popped up in her head. However, it was impossible to change a decision that their mother had already made. She could only nod helplessly.
At this point, Mrs. Yukinoshita stroked Asa's head and said softly, "You must get along well with your two older sisters." Having said that, she and Mieko returned to the company. There were matters waiting for her to handle.
Haruno watched her mother's retreating figure, a look of deep surprise on her face.
What did she just witness?
How many years had it been! She had just seen a rare, fleeting glimpse of softness on her mother's face? Even her speaking voice had been noticeably gentler!
"Mom... she likes this Asa that much?"
Haruno knelt down until she was eye-level with Asa. Looking at him up close, Haruno's eyes showed a flash of admiration. It was only now that she truly took in Asa's appearance.
His cold, pale skin was incredibly delicate, his handsome face was naturally flawless, and his soft, chubby cheeks made her instinctively reach out and pinch them. Though he was just a little shota, there was no doubt about how handsome he would be when he grew up.
"So handsome... and so cute!" Just meeting his gaze sparked a feeling of deep affection in Haruno's heart.
"How old are you, Asa-kun?"
"I just turned eight..."
Hearing his obedient and slightly childlike voice, she suddenly thought that having a little brother might not be such a bad thing after all. Yukino was all grown up; while still cute, she wasn't as compliant as she had been as a child. This often made Haruno lament that Yukino could no longer satisfy some of her darker, mischievous impulses.
A little shota should be played with like a little toy to be fun, after all!
Being looked at by Haruno's light red eyes, Asa felt a surge of suspicion. He had a feeling that this woman was thinking some less-than-good things.
Recalling the Rito-style Fall from earlier, Asa felt a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. Could he have entered some kind of H-game route...?
At that moment, Haruno looked at the shabby clothes Asa was wearing and clapped her hands.
"Oh, right! Let me give you a bath first!"