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First-person Hoshino Yume
Aqua, who seemed to have finished his call with the director, kept looking back and forth between my smartphone and me, showing signs of anxiety as if he needed to do something but was restless.
Seeing that, I realized that 'Hoshino Aqua' had fallen into Director Gotanda Taishi's trap.
After leaving Ai and Ruby sitting 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 seemed to say, "How did you know!?", I said,
"That director has been in this industry for a long time, so it's natural to investigate to some extent, and considering the things he said to you when we were together, I could easily figure this much out."
"No, I don't think just thinking about it would lead to that..."
"Well, let's move past that. What did the director say?"
Naturally, he probably said he would let Ai participate if Aqua did too.
To Aqua, who seemed to be pondering for a moment at my words,
"Aqua, it's okay not to worry too much on your own. I'm your guardian, so don't worry about anything and feel free to share your concerns."
I don't want to see you struggling with worries. So, I'd appreciate it if you told me anything.
"Well... as a condition for Ai to appear in the director's movie... he said he wanted me and Yume to participate."
"...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 went out to 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?]
"Yes, I'm sure that's the case. But one thing, why me?"
In my opinion, or rather, I'm sure Director Taishi investigated me.
And he probably knows which company I belong to.
But the reason he said he wants to involve me is obviously because I hold the position of Ai's manager.
Otherwise, it's because he can use an executive from Kuma Security Company, which costs a huge amount 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, aren't you?"
[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 fee is meaningless money to me."
[Hahaha! So this amount is just pocket change to you!]
If Ai had heard, she would have been angry, but it was better to secure Ai's appearance for sure rather than just getting paid.
"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, right? The Blood-Stained Ferocious Dog.]
"Frankly, I don't want to hear that nickname anymore."
I have no idea who made such a chuunibyou-like nickname. Whenever I hear that title, I seriously want to hide in a mouse hole if there were one.
[Then, under the condition that Hoshino Aqua and Hoshino Yume participate, we'll use Hoshino Ai, is that okay?]
"Yes, let's do that. Then, see you on the shooting day."
After ending the call, I looked up at the night sky with a candy from my pocket in my mouth.
To this extent, I felt like I had developed a habit of eating candy whenever I worried, and I might become someone who couldn't live without candy.
After sorting out my thoughts to some extent and returning to the room, Aqua and Ruby seemed to have fallen asleep, lying in their children's beds, and Ai was sitting on the sofa, hugging her knees. Seeing me come in, Ai looked at me and patted the right 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 with her head on my lap and looked 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 was patting Ai's head. The way I accepted Ai's 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 being petted on my lap,
"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', are 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 side."
This is all I can say to you now. Even if I say more, I don't think you can change.
Without a more definite trigger, changing you is impossible. So, all I can do now is
when that trigger comes, to see you listen to my words and change even a little.
"So Yume knew after all."
"Did you think I wouldn't know? I didn't think the time we've lived together was short."
"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, I simply patted Ai.
"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, and Ai also didn't avoid my gaze, looking at me for a while, then
"...No, Yume never lied to me. But I..."
"It's okay."
I pressed my forehead against Ai's forehead and said,
"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."
The words "I love you" from me were said with the heart of loving family, but Ai's "I love you" was a different kind of love, and I didn't understand its meaning.
After finishing the counseling and about to go to my room to sleep, Ai grabbed my hand with both arms.
"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, when we lay down together on the bed, I could tell that Ai had definitely grown.
I quickly fell asleep, and with Ai hugging my body as the last thing, I drifted off.
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