After hearing the news of Miyako’s pregnancy—
Ichigo Saito stuck close to Kaoru’s side and stared at the laptop with hawk-like eyes.
"Ah, so—folic acid is best for pregnant women? That’s what you’re saying?"
"Yes."
He was so close that even Ichigo’s breathing came through at ASMR level, and Kaoru, feeling pressured, quietly edged away.
The moving moment when, for the first time, the notebook that had always only held important work-related notes would now be used to write down a list of supplements for his pregnant wife.
Ichigo had already resolved to quit smoking, and he clicked away on nicotine gum while scratching his temple.
"Haha. Don’t worry too much. I’ll order some for Miyako too. If she gets medication counseling from the doctor at every checkup, it’ll be even safer for her to take them."
"Oh. Haa…. This is really hard…"
There was so much to think about even though the baby hadn’t even been born yet.
Ichigo, who had become a father only after passing forty and getting close to fifty, was confused by everything because it was all new to him.
- Hohoho-!
- Kya-ha-ha-ha~★
When the happy laughter of the two mothers drifted in from the living room, Ichigo couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from twitching.
Honestly, it was nice that the company was doing well, but what he enjoyed most was being able to share in the happiness of an expectant father.
Who would have thought it would feel this reassuring to have a young father under thirty sitting beside him, and that father be his junior, Kaoru!
Ahem! Ichigo cleared his throat, pushed his sunglasses up a little, and looked at the laptop as he said in a low voice,
"If I run into anything I don’t know, I’ll ask you… so… teach me well."
"…Yes."
At the president’s shy request, Kaoru quietly put the apple Ai had peeled for him into his mouth and nodded.
Even if men didn’t talk about many things, there were some things they could understand with their hearts.
Of course, Ichigo’s embarrassed behavior was extremely hard to handle, but Kaoru didn’t show it.
-
While Kaoru and Ichigo were in the study, Ai and Miyako were chatting away while eating apples.
"Oh, right! Miyajang, if your morning sickness gets worse, try eating some umeboshi! Aqua and Ruby both loved it a lot, if nothing else!"
"U-umeboshi…? I don’t really like sour things. Do you think I can eat it?"
"It’s fine, Miyajang! If that’s the only food you can eat, you’ll manage somehow!"
Ai, already speaking as a seasoned pregnancy and childbirth veteran, answered with such certainty that Miyako’s eyes wavered slightly.
Her stomach was already churning from the morning sickness, and this apple was almost her first proper meal… and now it might get worse and she’d have to eat umeboshi?!
Miyako broke out in a cold sweat at Ryuchan’s unpredictable tastes, but Ai remained calm, stroking Tai-chan’s belly, which was growing nicely, and munching on the apple.
The morning sickness had been at its worst when she was pregnant with the twins, but Ame and Tai-chan’s pregnancies hadn’t been that severe.
Rather, in Tai-chan’s case, it wasn’t morning sickness so much as an increased appetite, to the point that even Ai, who wasn’t naturally prone to gaining weight, had to control her diet.
"Waaang- this apple is sooooo delicious~★"
"Right? Kaoru has a pretty good eye when it comes to picking things. Want me to peel more?"
"Yep. Miyajang, you should rest. Ai will peel it beautifully for you~"
The apples Kaoru had bought were delicious honey apples. Ai licked her lips, took the peeler and the apple from Miyako, and peeled it.
Watching Ai neatly peel the apple with her small hands, Miyako couldn’t help but smile with a twinge of emotion.
Ai’s kindness in peeling apples for her, like a daughter would, for the sake of her pregnancy—and
how, as time passed, they had ended up having babies like this and peeling fruit together in such a cozy little scene.
'Ah, I need to hold it in. If I cry here, I’ll be embarrassing.'
Was it because of the hormones? Miyako’s nose tingled, and she shook her head for no reason, brushing away the tears.
Then she spoke in a low voice to Ai, who was placing the peeled apple on a plate.
"I hope Tai-chan and Ryuchan… become close childhood friends. Best friends, the two of them…"
"Hee!"
Like a rabbit that had found a delicious carrot, Ai’s starry eyes sparkled brightly.
In other words, if Tai-chan and Miyajang’s babies were born and became childhood friends!
If they spent their whole lives together as inseparable friends who ran and played together!
Ai was already bouncing with excitement just imagining it, and she looked at Miyako and exclaimed,
"Yes, yes! I really hope so! The two of them together would be so, so cute~♥"
"Right~ Oh my~! Come to think of it, they’d even go to kindergarten together~!"
"Hee! Really? Kyaaa- so cuteee~♥"
Ai and Miyako shared apples together while imagining the future of their babies, who would become inseparable childhood friends after birth.
Their laughter swelled like a happy fantasy blooming into clouds.
Of course—
"……."
"……."
"This chair is expensive, isn’t it? Is it a Hemonbilla?"
"Yes. It’s good. You should buy one."
"Mm. I guess I should buy one."
"Yes."
"Mm."
The study where Kaoru and Ichigo were alone was quiet, but—
As long as their wives were laughing happily, the two husbands didn’t care in the slightest.
-
A pistol was aimed at Kaoru’s temple.
"……Senpai."
"…I’m sorry. Later, when we get to the afterlife… I’ll explain everything. I’m sorry."
Click—
The trigger of the .38 revolver was pulled, and the hammer was drawn back.
At that moment, the blue eyes flashed with a sharp, wolf-like glint.
"Does Kiriko-senpai know too? That my brother sold out the country?"
"!"
For an instant, the senior’s right hand, which had been pulling the trigger, faltered.
Kaoru did not miss that split second born of hesitation.
Twisting his head to avoid the pistol’s aim, Kaoru thrust both hands out.
His hands instantly seized the senior’s gun hand and the muzzle, wrenching them upward.
"Ghk!"
Bang!
The deafening gunshot echoed across the pier, but Kaoru didn’t care.
The senior couldn’t even resist as Kaoru, in one motion, pressed the magazine release, pulled out the cylinder, and spilled all the bullets out.
There was no hesitation left in him after being betrayed by the senior he had trusted and followed as a reliable partner.
Thud— clack!
Clang—!
The standoff of brute force ended in vain.
Kaoru disarmed him by twisting his wrist along with the empty pistol still in his grip, then struck the senior’s throat with speed too fast for the eye to follow.
"Krrk!?"
"!"
The fight between Kaoru, who had stepped back quickly while clutching his throat, and the senior, who had not missed the opening, continued.
Kaoru blocked the senior’s fist by raising his guard, then in one swift motion seized his right arm and wrapped an elbow lock around it with his trademark nimble handwork.
As he fluidly wrenched the joint and, with his other hand, struck the man’s jaw and other vital points to disable him—
"Cough! Ghk—!"
The senior dropped to his knees and slammed into the ground, overwhelmed by the shock that rattled his brain and the pain from the vital-point strike.
Kaoru drew a pistol from the holster at his waist and aimed it at the man’s head.
Sweat beaded and fell from his face with each quick breath, but Kaoru’s gaze remained razor-sharp and unwavering.
"Okay— cut!"
As soon as he heard Director Kuramoto’s hearty cut signal, Kaoru put the prop pistol back into the holster and helped up Daito Tetsushi, who was playing the senior.
Tetsushi drew in a startled breath and shook his head at Kaoru as if he couldn’t believe it.
"Man, Director. Did you see that? Kaoru-kun suddenly grabbed my pistol and pulled the bullets out of the chamber."
At Tetsushi’s words, Director Kuromoto instead tilted his head and pointed at the two of them.
"You two didn’t rehearse that beforehand? I thought you must have, because you were doing action that wasn’t in the script and your timing was perfectly in sync."
"What? No, Director. If that were the case, I wouldn’t have been so surprised. I was shocked for a second and almost went, ‘What the hell?’"
"Ahh~ I thought you’d matched it up after seeing a scene from a foreign movie or something. Hahaha~"
"Hahaha~"
"……."
Director Kuramoto and Tetsushi laughed together and looked at Kaoru.
Seeing the awkwardness mixed into Kaoru’s usual indifference, the two of them pointed at him with their index fingers at the same time and shouted,
""What is it now?!""
"…From the internet—"
""The internet again?!""
At the director’s and senior actor’s synchronized tsukkomi, like a comedy skit being filmed, Kaoru quietly scratched his cheek.
Whenever there was a scene involving firearms, his nerves would sharpen without him even realizing it, and his habits from his previous life would come out, which was a real headache.
Even if it was only a prop pistol that didn’t fire real bullets, the shape, weight, and materials were so similar that Kaoru couldn’t help but be hyperaware of it.
Kaoru hurriedly changed the subject and approached Tetsushi, who was rubbing his arm as if it hurt where it had been caught earlier, then lowered his head slightly.
"Senpai, are you all right?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I’m fine. If I go to the hospital tomorrow and get physical therapy, it’ll heal. Hahaha~ It’s nothing."
"I’m sorry. I got too immersed for a moment and lost control of my strength…"
"It’s fine. It’s fine. That can happen when you’re acting. No need to make a fuss between people who know each other. Hahahahaha~ I won’t be able to play tennis for a while, but it’s not a big deal~"
Seeing Tetsushi laugh and say he was fine while showing Kaoru his right arm, which dangled like a gadget arm with the power cut off,
Kaoru could only give an awkward smile.
Then someone quietly approached him and spoke.
"Ah, martial arts director."
"Yes, yes. Kaoru-san. Yes…"
The martial arts director came over, scratching his nose.
Honestly, he looked like he had a lot he wanted to say, but perhaps he was now used to Kaoru’s absurd skill, because he smiled faintly and gave a thumbs-up.
"You did well. I’m really learning something from you about pulling bullets out of a revolver cylinder. Haha."
"……Haha. Not really. I just copied what I saw on YouTube."
"Haha. I’m sure you did. Haha."
Kaoru offered an excuse that wouldn’t fool a martial artist who trained, studied, and researched martial arts at all.
The martial arts director gave Kaoru’s body a quick once-over, nodded, gave another thumbs-up, and left.
Kaoru let out a sigh and took off the leather jacket the lead wore, handing it to a prop team staffer.
The shoot, which had started early in the morning, didn’t end until lunchtime.
There had been a great many action scenes to film, but fortunately they wrapped each scene on the first take without any NGs, finishing earlier than expected.
Kaoru picked up his smartphone, touched his son’s contact, and called him.
- Yes, Dad!
As soon as he answered, Aqua greeted him in a bright voice.
At the sound of his beloved son’s voice, Kaoru smiled warmly and looked out at the blue sea from the pier as he said,
"Dad’s finished filming. You’re still home, right?"
- Yes. I just got home too.
"Good. What about Ruby?"
- Ruby went to the practice room, so she hasn’t come back yet. She’s getting really intense special training from the aunties.
"Haha!"
That sounded exactly like his cute, diligent daughter. Kaoru bowed to Director Kuramoto and Tetsushi, then headed for the car as he said,
"When Dad gets home, I’ll drive you to the troupe. Eat lunch with Mom and Ame and wait a little, okay?"
- Yes. Got it. Haha— Mom and Ame seem to be eager to see Dad too. They’re both right next to me with their eyes sparkling.
- Kaoruuu~♥
- Daddd!
Kaoru brushed back his brilliant blond hair, fluttering in the sea breeze, and climbed into the van with a smile at the calls of his beloved family.
-
The new headquarters of Ichigo Production, after its relocation. Ruby, who had been sweating in the practice room, collapsed onto the floor while gasping for breath.
There were people who insulted B Komachi as an idol group with no real talent, made for Ai, by Ai, and of Ai, but anyone who had been to a live performance by B Komachi—whether a light fan or a core fan—would dismiss that as complete bullshit, because
each member’s individual skill had steadily grown over time, just as the girls themselves had grown into adults, and by now they were a fully complete group whose combined talent made the title of "legend" feel entirely deserved.
"Tired? Want to rest a bit before we continue?"
"Hee… hwaeee…"
Seeing Ruby utterly exhausted, Meimei laughed and brought her some cold water.
Nino, too, sat down beside Ruby with an excited face from the long-awaited choreography practice and fanned her with her hand.
When Ruby had asked to be trained because she wanted to become an "idol" like her mother, the members had thought it was just the usual admiration a teenage girl felt toward famous parents.
So at first, when they taught Ruby, they only lightly taught her vocals and choreography, like an aunt playing with her niece—
'She really is a workaholic, just like her mother.'
'This side of her is just like Ai.'
Ruby’s fierce persistence and passion for becoming the best "idol" like her mother were not something to take lightly.
Not only dance, but also the courage to face without fear the parts she lacked or needed more practice in, such as vocals.
Sometimes she even put on mini performances in front of her parents, older brother, and younger siblings…
At Ruby’s adorable expression, Meimei smiled with satisfaction and stroked her long, glossy blond hair, which flowed like a child’s.
"You really dance well, just like your older sister."
"You were born with a sense for it. Your stamina is still young, so it’s fine."
"And Kyunpang keeps helping with vocals, so there’s absolutely no need to rush. Just trust us aunties, Ruby~♥"
"Hehe. Yes, thank you~!"
""So cuteee~""
At Ruby’s cute, starry smile and adorable little grin, so much like her mother’s, the aunties showered her with exaggerated praise and pulled her into a tight hug.
Ruby frowned at the sweat-soaked aunties hugging her, but even so, she didn’t hate the feeling of being loved at all.
Fiddling with her water bottle, Ruby looked at the aunties and asked quietly,
"Um—hey! Are you aunties… not going to be active anymore?"
At Ruby’s question, Nino and Meimei exchanged glances.
"Probably—"
"Why? Ruby?"
At Nino’s question, Ruby stared at her water bottle for a moment.
That question of why was looking into more than just whether they would continue activities or not.
Ruby’s favorite in B Komachi had always, without change, been her mother, Ai, but as the child of her favorite, she also loved seeing B Komachi’s dazzling, wonderful stage with Ai.
Of course, the one standing proudly in the center had to be Ai. It was only natural. Only Ai could make B Komachi shine.
But she also didn’t want to dismiss the efforts of the aunties, who had done their best at her mother’s side so that Mama could shine.
Through being trained directly, dancing together, and talking, she had come to feel it. The aunties had always done their best in the roles assigned to them.
"Mm…"
After Mama gave birth, the restrictions on the B Komachi members’ dating and marriage were also relatively loosened, so Takamine and Nino had already started families, and Takamine had even given birth to a baby.
The other members were also realizing their own dreams as singers, actors, models, entertainers, and social media influencers.
The group called B Komachi still existed, but the members were living their own lives and receiving the spotlight more as individuals than as a group.
Ruby couldn’t help feeling a sense of regret about that.
If B Komachi disbanded like this, would Mama go solo? Or continue as an actor? Or do both?
What would happen to the people who remembered B Komachi?
Ruby’s thoughts, as she watched B Komachi change alongside the passage of time, could only grow deeper.
"Fufu— Ruby."
Nino, smiling as if she could see right through the heart of the little niece before her, stroked Ruby’s blond hair and said,
"B Komachi is forever. Ai is here, I’m here, and all the members are here, so someday we might all get back together and go up on stage for a comeback, all fired up and ready to go."
"…That’s right, isn’t it?"
"Of course. And even if our members quit B Komachi—"
Nino tapped Ruby’s nose and smiled.
"You can just perform as B Komachi in our place, Ruby. Isn’t that right?"
"Eeeh?! I, I?! Ruby would—perform as B Komachi like Mama…?"
"Ruby-chan~ What’s there that you can’t do?"
Meimei, laughing at Ruby’s shocked voice, clenched both fists and said,
"You’re Ai-nee’s daughter. The president and the fans would welcome it with open arms. After all, the crown… is supposed to be inherited by the child, right? Puhuh—"
"That’s so cringey~"
"It is a little, huh?"
At Nino’s jab, Meimei stuck out her tongue a little and scratched her head.
But Ruby was different.
To take Mama’s place and become a new B Komachi…
To step onto the dream stage once again so that B Komachi would not be forgotten!
"Could Ruby… make it to Tokyo Dome too?"
""Huh?""
"Ruby will make it to Tokyo Dome! Ruby too! Just like Mama, Ruby wants to stand on the Tokyo Dome stage and sing!"
Ruby’s shout, her starry eyes sparkling, rang out through the practice room.
Just like her favorite and her mama, who had once stood on the Tokyo Dome concert stage, the "dream stage"—
Just imagining the day she would become the best "idol" and stand on Tokyo Dome made Ruby’s heart pound fiercely.
Meimei and Nino, looking at Ruby’s eyes that shone so brilliantly like the morning star, both thought of one person at the same time.
The "star" never disappears.
Because someone will inherit that light and make it shine again.
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