With the help of Biyong and Hikari, recognition slowly built for Ruby and Kana, who hadn't yet begun their full-fledged activities, and time flowed on.
I let out a long sigh.
In front of me and Ai, who were spending a day no different from any other, sat the drama's director and main writer.
"So, at this point, would it be possible for you to act in this way?"
"Well, it's not impossible, but... are you really okay with this?"
No matter how I thought about it, the difference between the protagonist and me seemed too great.
I could understand the height difference between a male and female lead, but in the original manga, the man was shorter and the woman taller...
To think it'd be reversed in the drama...
"No, I think this version might be better...!"
Even the original author, who I thought might disapprove, was actively saying it was good... so...
"Understood. The reading date isn't fixed yet, and for now, just know that the main leads are me and Ai. Is that okay?"
"Yes, yes, thank you for joining us again... Honestly, I thought it wouldn't work out..."
"Hmm..."
To be honest, I wanted to refuse, but...
When I cautiously shifted my gaze toward Ai.
"I always welcome roles where I get to act as a couple with Yume~★"
Thanks to Ai saying that, I had no choice but to agree.
In reality, whether for dramas or movies, many people called for me and Ai as a set.
Whether it was as a couple, husband and wife, or childhood friends, most people tried to pair us up somehow.
Since Ai liked it, I didn't mind much, but lately, it seemed like more people thought we were a set, which was a bit troublesome.
Because, fundamentally, my work was handled moderately by the company, but I was also looking into things related to Ai.
Occasionally, the work assigned by the company would overlap with Ai's schedule, so at this point, I was reducing the dramas I did with her.
Honestly, even excluding this drama, the work from the company was piling up, so I had to finish as much as possible before shooting with this dangerous girl in my heart.
If you include Hikari's retirement ceremony in all this...
"Looks like things are going to get pretty busy..."
"Huh? Yume, did you say something?"
"Ai, I said thanks to you, it's already tough, and it's going to get tougher."
"Aah~!"
Since Ai's cheerful expression irked me a bit, I pulled on her cheek.
But thanks to the three pairs of eyes watching us like a drama, I let go immediately.
After finishing the usual light meeting, I drove Ai home in the car.
"By the way, Yume, you haven't forgotten our promise, right?"
"Promise? Oh."
For a moment, Ai's eyes seemed black, but I prayed it was my imagination.
"Don't tell me you forgot?"
"How could I forget... It was a promise to go on a date, right?"
If I said I forgot, I'd probably get killed by Ai, so I hastily replied.
"Yeah! That's right? No way you'd forget a promise you made with Ai, right? Right? Huh?"
"Yeah, yeah, that's right... But why bring up that promise all of a sudden?"
Ignoring the cold sweat, I kept the conversation going.
"Then, since no one's home today anyway, let's go on a date! A date!!"
"Hmm..."
Come to think of it, both Aqua and Ruby had said they'd be out late today...
"Let's do that, then."
"Wahhh~★ Yume, you're the best~♥♥♥♥♥♥♥"
"I keep telling you not to hug me while I'm driving!"
Honestly, every time she clings to me like this while driving, it shakes me up and I can't focus.
Fortunately, we arrived home without any accidents. Ai and I quickly changed clothes, then perfectly donned the basic celebrity essentials: masks and hats.
"Let's go!!!"
"You need to lower your voice first, Ai."
"Yes~"
It seemed like it was going to be a long-awaited time alone with Ai.
The date wasn't much different from usual.
We had a late lunch at a fancy restaurant.
Then, we went to a cinema to watch a movie we starred in, enjoying the warmth of each other's hands in the darkness, savoring our private time.
We walked hand in hand through a park with few people but beautiful scenery.
After walking enough, Ai seemed quite tired, as she dashed to a nearby bench and plopped down.
"Ugh~! Phew... This mask is so stuffy... But the breeze here always feels good~ The atmosphere is calm~ My heart feels warm~... Ah, is it because I'm with Yume?"
"Man, you're good at flattery."
"Flattery, flattery, flattery!!"
Amused, I pinched Ai's lips as she spoke and sat down beside her.
Then, as if waiting for it, Ai lay down with her head on my lap, and since this had become routine, I slowly stroked her hair.
We quietly savored each other's warmth as time passed.
Just then, the sun was setting, and this lake was most beautiful at dusk.
The sunset reflected on the lake grew increasingly dazzling, and Ai and I loved this scenery the most.
Light is beautiful because it doesn't shine forever.
Someday, Ai and I too will slowly fade away.
If that happens, it was our little dream to watch this sunset here every day.
Before I knew it, the sunset ended and night approached. Only then did I pinch both of Ai's cheeks.
"So, it's strange to bring this up now, but why did you come out wearing my clothes? Since there's no one around, I'd appreciate an explanation I can understand, you mischievous princess?"
"Ehehehe... Princess? Ai is Yume's queen!"
Well... she's past the age to be called a princess, right?
"Then, would Her Majesty enlighten this humble knight?"
"Ahem! Well, since Yume asks, this Ai Queen will specially tell you!"
Ai got up from my lap and stood proudly in front of me.
"Because I didn't have any clothes except Yume's!"
"I'm pretty sure you have your own drawer, don't you?"
How can she so boldly talk about naturally taking clothes from my drawer... Man...
"Tch!"
"Don't click your tongue."
It was your fault in the first place, so why are you clicking your tongue!?
"Ah~ So, Yume doesn't like me wearing your clothes like this? Even though it's the cute, top idol—now actress—Hoshino Ai wearing Hoshino Yume's clothes? I love smelling Yume's scent on your clothes~"
Sniff~ Phew!
"Don't sniff someone else's clothes!!"
I should just change all her clothes right now, seriously...
Even as I said that, you're pretty embarrassed too, huh?
"Pfft, well, since you don't like it, should we go buy Ai some clothes?"
When I suggested going to buy clothes, Ai's pupils slowly began to shake.
For some reason, something twisted seemed to slowly flow from Ai's eyes, and I felt uneasy.
"Oh... Yume, don't tell me that... that kind of play is your hobby?"
"Huh?"
What's she trying to say now...
"I... didn't wear anything under this... see?"
"You crazy woman!?"
"Kyaha!?"
Reacting to Ai's absurd statement, my hand naturally shot out and chopped her head, and I hastily felt the abdomen area of her clothes.
She really isn't wearing anything!? Just my dress shirt and nothing underneath!? Is that why she's wearing a black dress shirt, you damn wife!?
Seriously thinking I need to buy her underwear first, I grabbed Ai's wrist.
"Ouch... Yume, that hurts... Don't tell me you want to do it here...? Hmm... Actually, outdoor play is a first for me, but with Yume, it might be okay... Should I take it off here? Or maybe you want to take. it. off. for me?"
Ai spoke in a seductive tone with a lewd expression and voice, but...
Too bad, Ai. I'm immune since I've seen enough.
"Ai, which do you prefer, a fist or a gag?"
"Ah... I'm sorry. I don't like either!!"
"Sigh..."
Just when I thought I had given up completely this time too...
"Hup!?"
"Ai!?"
A light voice escaped Ai's lips.
But what Ai did was anything but light. Rather, it was bold—almost too bold.
After wrapping her arms around my entire body and climbing onto my lap, Ai pressed her lips to my neck and started sucking like a vampire.
Stunned by the sudden action, I couldn't move, but soon I regained my senses.
"What if someone sees us!?"
I pushed Ai away and hurriedly spoke, but...
"Slurp... Hehe, so this is how Yume tastes... Yeah, it's incredibly sweet and addictively charming..."
"Are you a vampire or something..."
My mind still couldn't process the bewildering situation, but when I checked Ai's face.
Ai's face looked at me with an ecstatic yet alluring expression.
No, that expression was more like a wild beast eyeing its prey.
Saliva trickled from Ai's mouth since she had just bitten my neck, but seeing that sparked an indescribable feeling, and my chest burned hot from within.
Even as I saw that, I remained bewildered. My mind wasn't working at all.
Ai's pupils were filled with greedy emotion, a desire to dominate me, along with an unknown madness, excitement, ecstasy, and rapture. Looking into those eyes, I thought I might go insane.
Even though we were a married couple living together daily, she had never shown such intense emotion before, so I couldn't help but be more flustered.
"Yume, do you know this? Even though I've known you for so long, it sounds more vivid now than any other time we were together."
"What do you mean...?"
"The beautiful harmony of birds, the pleasant orchestra of insects, the melody of trees and wind, even the tranquility of the lake and life—none of it has any value to me. The only thing of value is one sound: Yume's heartbeat, maintaining its composure, the sound of your pulse dramatically speeding up. It's so vivid and beautiful, like a heavenly song, delighting Hoshino Ai's ears."
I couldn't understand Ai's words, but I knew one thing for sure.
Ai's emotions right now were hotter passion and sticky, greedy desire that I felt through all my senses. I might get eaten alive.
"You might not know, but I've been by Yume's side for so long that I can tell."
"Yume knows too, right? I've always been watching you from beside you, so of course I can tell."
"I can feel the scent of the sweat you shed when flustered. I've even learned to distinguish it. Amazing, right?"
"Yume, you're really shaken by me right now, aren't you?"
"Ah... ah... Ai... let's calm down for now... okay?"
So flustered that I even stammered words I never usually did, Ai looked at me with even more adoring eyes.
"Come to think of it, today's fortune said Yume should always be careful. You should've been more careful..."
Feeling the greed in Ai's eyes.
"In old-fashioned fairy tales, the liar girl gets eaten by the wolf, right?"
I instinctively realized.
"But times have changed..."
Today, I was going to be.
"Now, it's not the wolf eating the girl, but the girl eating the wolf."
Eaten alive.
"Rawr~★"
Ruby, Aqua, looks like I won't be able to come home today...
And so, today, I was eaten alive by Hoshino Ai.