First-person: Hoshino Yume
Aqua, who seemed to have finished his call with the director, kept glancing back and forth between my smartphone and me. He was restless, showing clear signs of anxiety, as if he felt compelled to do something but didn't know how.
Seeing that, I realized immediately: 'Hoshino Aqua' had fallen into Director Gotanda Taishi's trap.
Leaving Ai and Ruby on the sofa behind me, I approached Aqua.
"You were just on the phone with Director Taishi, right?"
"Uh... yes!?"
Looking at Aqua's face, which screamed "How did you know!?", I explained calmly.
"That director has been in this industry for a long time, so it's natural for him to investigate us to some extent. And considering the things he said to you when we were together on set, figuring this much out was easy."
"No, I don't think just thinking about it would lead to that..."
"Well, let's move past the 'how'. What did the director say?"
Naturally, he probably said he would let Ai participate only if Aqua did, too.
Aqua hesitated, seeming to ponder my words for a moment.
"Aqua, it's okay not to worry too much on your own. I'm your guardian. Don't carry burdens alone—feel free to share your concerns with me."
I don't want to see you struggling with worries. So, I'd appreciate it if you told me everything.
"Well... as a condition for Ai to appear in the director's movie... he said he wanted me and Yume to participate as well."
"...I see. Got it."
"Huh? You'll do it?"
"Pfft. Did you think I would refuse?"
"Honestly... a little..."
I patted Aqua's head as he spoke honestly.
"I told you, if I need to sacrifice myself for you, I'll do it anytime. I'll handle the rest. Go and stay by Ai's side."
After getting my smartphone back from Aqua, I stepped out onto the balcony and made a call.
[Oh, what's up this time, precocious baby?]
"It's been a month, Director."
[Ah~ it's Ai's manager. What is it? Are you also calling about Ai's appearance?]
"No, not really. Honestly, I had expected this to some extent. But it seems our Aqua has fallen into your trap, Director."
[Haha, trap? That's a harsh way to put it. I was just trying to give an opportunity, you know?]
"Yes, I'm sure that's the case. But one thing: why me?"
In my opinion—or rather, I'm sure of it—Director Taishi investigated me. He probably knows exactly which company I belong to.
The reason he said he wants to involve me is obviously because I hold the position of Ai's manager. Or perhaps because he realized he can use an executive from Kuma Security Company—who normally costs a fortune to hire—almost for free.
[You already know the reason, don't you? Huh?]
"Ha. As expected, when it comes to work, you're as sly as a fox."
[In this line of work, you end up that way~ So, what's your answer?]
"Yes, of course, I'll participate. As for my fee? I don't need it. Honestly, that small amount is meaningless pocket change to me."
[Hahaha! So this amount is just pocket change to you!]
If Ai had heard that, she would have been angry, but it was better to secure Ai's appearance for sure rather than haggle over a paycheck.
"Then, on that condition, I ask for Ai's appearance."
[Ah, of course. I don't want to make an enemy of you for no reason. By the way, they call you this in the industry, right? The 'Blood-Stained Ferocious Dog'.]
"Frankly, I don't want to hear that nickname ever again."
I have no idea who came up with such a chuunibyou-like nickname. Whenever I hear that title, I seriously want to crawl into a hole and hide.
[Then, under the condition that Hoshino Aqua and Hoshino Yume participate, we'll use Hoshino Ai. Is that okay?]
"Yes, let's do that. See you on shooting day."
After ending the call, I looked up at the night sky, unwrapping a candy from my pocket and popping it into my mouth.
It felt like I had developed a habit of eating candy whenever I worried. At this rate, I might become someone who can't live without sugar.
After sorting out my thoughts, I returned to the room. Aqua and Ruby seemed to have fallen asleep in their cribs, and Ai was sitting on the sofa, hugging her knees. Seeing me come in, Ai looked up and patted the empty seat next to her.
"Yume, who was on the phone just now?"
"The director who filmed your drama."
"Hmm. Why did he contact you?"
"Probably to use you."
"Hmm~"
Ai lay down, resting her head on my lap and looking up at my face.
"Is there something on my face?"
"No~ I just like looking at Yume's face like this. Hehe★"
"Silly..."
While saying that, I gently patted Ai's head. The way I accepted her affection wasn't bad at all.
"Hey, Yume."
"Hmm?"
"In your opinion, how was my acting?"
"...What kind of answer do you want?"
Depending on whether she wanted the truth or a lie, I planned to answer differently.
"I want the truth."
"Ha! I never thought you'd say 'truth'."
You've changed a lot, Ai.
"Is it weird?"
"No, it's not weird. In fact, I welcome this change in you."
"I see~"
"Don't drag out your words."
"Yes~"
Even as she said that, looking at Ai enjoying being petted on my lap made me speak my mind.
"Ai, you know... you didn't think I wouldn't notice your lies, right?"
"Yes."
"The sincere words I can give you, without any 'lies', amount to just one sentence."
"Don't deceive yourself; be honest with your emotions. If you do that, Ai, you'll soar higher than anyone. Of course, I'll keep helping you from the sidelines."
This is all I can say to you now. Even if I say more, I don't think you can change just yet.
Without a more definite trigger, changing you completely is impossible. So, all I can do now is wait for that trigger to come, and hope you'll listen to my words and change even a little when it does.
"So Yume knew after all."
"Did you think I wouldn't know? I didn't think the time we've lived together was short enough for me to be blind."
"Hehe... that's true too."
Ai wrapped her arms around my waist and buried herself deeper into my embrace.
In a manner like a child craving love, she held onto me. I simply patted her back.
"I don't mean you should change too quickly. It's okay to change slowly."
"Un."
"It's just that you're not yet confident in your emotions. But the 'you' I've seen is always a brightly shining idol. Even if others say it's a lie, I'll believe in you as much as anyone. So you just need to find your own life, understand?"
"No, I'm a liar... made up of lies?"
"Then, Ai, do you feel like you're lying to yourself now?"
Holding Ai and making her meet my eyes, I asked directly. Ai didn't avoid my gaze. She looked at me for a while, then whispered.
"...No. Yume never lied to me. But I..."
"It's okay."
I pressed my forehead against hers.
"If you say you don't know the love of family, I'll teach you. I'll love you, so you love yourself and love your children. Then you can steadily change."
"..."
"You'll believe me, right, Ai?"
"Yes, I'll believe you. Yume, I love you."
"Yeah, I love you too."
My words, "I love you," were spoken with the heart of loving family. But Ai's "I love you" felt different, carrying a weight I didn't fully understand yet.
After finishing our talk, I was about to go to my room to sleep when Ai grabbed my hand with both of hers.
"Ai?"
"Today... can we sleep together for old times' sake?"
"...Yeah. Let's sleep together, for old times' sake."
"Yes!!"
Bringing the strangely bright Ai along, we lay down together on the bed. I could tell that Ai had definitely grown since the last time.
I quickly fell asleep. With Ai hugging my body, I drifted off into the dark.