"There’s no reason I can’t allow it. However, there are legal issues, such as the twins’ family registry, and how to handle things if your marriage is later made public. Kaoru, you’ve already discussed this with Ai, haven’t you?"
Ichigo’s sharp gaze turned to Kaoru. Ai, almost unconsciously, tightened her grip on Kaoru’s thigh, which he had reached for without thinking. Why was she more nervous than her husband?
Aqua and Ruby had been sent to the inner room for a moment so the adults could talk privately, but Ai couldn’t help worrying that if the atmosphere soured and voices were raised, it might wound the children. As a mother, tension and anxiety washed over her.
Kaoru could feel all the tension, anxiety, and countless other emotions flowing through Ai’s hand as it clutched his thigh under the table.
Unable to ignore those feelings, Kaoru placed his own hand over hers, covering it, and met Ichigo and Miyako’s eyes with a calm expression.
"Yes. We discussed it. I’m sorry to say this to both of you, but... first, you’ll need to legally sever Ai’s adoptive relationship."
"...!"
Miyako swallowed a breath and raised a hand to cover her mouth. But Ichigo, still with his arms folded, continued to stare quietly at Kaoru.
He didn’t know much about the law, but he thought he understood why Kaoru was saying this. Quickly organizing the thoughts in his head, Kaoru continued his explanation.
"As you know, Aqua and Ruby are currently registered in the family registry as your biological children.
So you’ll need to file a "consensual dissolution of adoption" with the local office regarding Ai, after which Ai will need to go through an application for "permission to establish a change of surname and family register" and an "application for permission to establish a family register." Then the two of you will need to sort out Aqua and Ruby’s registry through a "lawsuit to confirm the absence of a biological parent-child relationship."
We’re also planning to file a "lawsuit to confirm the existence of a biological parent-child relationship" at the same time, so the twins can be entered into my and Ai’s family registry."
"Hmm..."
"Ah..."
After hearing Kaoru’s explanation, Ichigo and Miyako nodded. The legal terminology made it a little difficult to follow, but in simple terms, if they wanted to end Ai’s family relationship and move the twins’ registry as well, they would need to file a court case stating that they were not biological children.
But Miyako couldn’t help wondering whether it was really necessary to end her family relationship with Ai.
Even if the registry had initially been changed by Ichigo’s unilateral decision, over time they had grown close as a family. And even if it was only a legal relationship, it was hard to accept all at once that she would no longer be family with Ai.
With worry and doubt in her expression, Miyako spoke carefully.
"Do we really have to do that consensual dissolution? I thought it would be simpler to just move the twins’ registry..."
Kaoru had already anticipated Miyako’s concern, and he smiled to reassure her.
"We considered that too, but there may be unavoidable issues later when it comes to inheritance.
If the two of you have children, then there could be a problem where Ai and the twins, as legally recognized family, are included in the shares of inheritance.
And if Aqua or Ruby are married and have children by then, it could become even more complicated.
Also... if the company grows larger and you switch to a corporate structure for tax reasons or management efficiency, you’d likely take in investment, issue shares, and form a board of directors, which could mean..."
After hearing Kaoru’s explanation, Ichigo nodded. It was a realistic problem. He and Miyako didn’t have children yet, but if they did, there was no telling what might happen in the future, because, as the saying went, one’s arm bends inward.
The same went for the company. There was a strong chance that complicated issues would arise, such as shareholding and inheritance.
So Ichigo unfolded his arms, let out a sigh, and answered.
"I see. So what you mean is that this is a decision made to prepare in advance for even the smallest risk that might arise in the future."
"Yes. Once the consensual dissolution is complete and the family relationship is canceled, I plan to submit the marriage registration."
"..."
Ichigo silently stared into Ai’s starlit eyes. He could tell without being told that there were many emotions hidden in those eyes.
He already knew Kaoru and Ai had discussed everything, but explaining it in words was an entirely different matter.
The fact that they would have to end a family relationship that had lasted nearly eight years.
Ichigo naturally understood that a legal relationship was only a legal relationship, and that his relationship with Ai would continue in the future.
After all, Ichigo and Ai were still a producer and a singer, and the bond and affection they had built would not change.
Ichigo smiled as if to comfort Ai’s heart, then let out a breath and said, "Phew... Then do we need a lawyer for the paternity lawsuit? If we want to keep things quiet, maybe it’d be better to hand it to a big law firm."
"A big law firm might actually have a lot of lawyers who know reporters well. I asked some professors, and they said not to worry if it’s a lawyer who used to be a judge and only recently opened a practice after retiring."
"...So what you’re saying is they’re still a little short on that ‘judge-type’ feel? If that’s the case, then as you said, a quiet few might be better than a noisy crowd."
Ichigo’s mouth had gone dry, so he picked up the teacup on the table and took a few sips. Miyako also let out a deep sigh and did the same.
As the tension eased for a moment, Kaoru gently rubbed Ai’s hand, damp with cold sweat, and looked at her.
Ai met his gaze with her own starlit eyes, full of complicated emotions.
Not wanting to worry Kaoru, she gave him a faint smile and interlaced her fingers with his large, warm hand, gripping it tightly.
Ai’s hand trembled slightly.
Breaking away from a relationship you’ve grown used to over so much time and facing a new change is never easy.
Ai was probably making up her mind to adapt to that change.
As her husband, as her beloved lover, he would always stay by her side and lend her strength so she wouldn’t waver, so she wouldn’t be afraid, so she wouldn’t lose the courage to keep moving forward.
He would always stand beside her and support her.
"So... the future plans are the same too, right? Haa..."
Ichigo set down his teacup and asked with a long sigh.
He seemed exhausted by a problem with no right answer, and by then the heaviness from earlier had vanished, leaving him looking like a worried middle-aged man as he sighed again and again.
Trust in Kaoru played a part too, and deep down he wanted to hear the plan and finally feel at ease.
"Yes. Once all the legal procedures are finished, I plan to announce it at a press conference next year or the year after. The details are still... [planning].
I haven’t told the head of the company I’m affiliated with yet, but you can trust me. He already knows we’re in a relationship, and our trust is strong.
Honestly, there isn’t really a correct answer to this problem, so we need to make the backlash as small as possible.
That said, I’m not backing down. If we never reveal it at all, that’s one thing, but I don’t want Aqua and Ruby to remain people no one can ever bless.
Ai feels the same way I do."
"Yeah. I don’t want to keep hiding and living like I’m running away from everyone else’s eyes. I’m going to face it head-on. Because I have Kaoru, Aqua, and Ruby. I’m not scared!"
At Kaoru’s words, the starlight in Ai’s eyes shone with resolve.
She wanted to live proudly as the twins’ mother and as Kaoru’s wife. The memories and emotions she had felt when she met Kaoru on set made Ai realize she could never run away from this issue.
She did not want to face that awful feeling of having her heart torn apart, or that cruel reality, ever again. She had no intention of doing so.
Aqua and Ruby. For the sake of protecting her two precious children, more precious than her own life, she was already firmly prepared to endure anything.
"I’ll keep my promise to Doctor Gorou too..."
As an [idol], as a mother. She would seize both of those contradictory lives. For the miraculous happiness she had been given. For a joyful, happy life with the family she loved. She had promised that to the precious benefactor who was no longer in this world.
Promises are meant to be kept. Ai strengthened her resolve, her starlit eyes shining.
"Haa..."
At that, Ichigo crossed his arms and let out another sigh, he didn’t know how many times by then.
It didn’t sit well with him to be talking about this just as his dream, the [Tokyo Dome Concert], was finally beginning to emerge from the clouds.
The same must have been true for Miyako. The final destination and goal dreamed of by everyone in the industry. [B Komachi] was slowly, steadily moving toward that goal.
No matter how much they prepared, the moment they held the press conference, if things went badly, [Ichigo Production] might have to close its doors that very day.
Kaoru, Ai. Maybe even Ichigo himself. It could all be over.
But...
"..."
For some reason, looking at Kaoru’s blue eyes, Ichigo found himself with the absurdly optimistic feeling that this impossible mess might somehow, somehow, be resolved.
The same premonition of "success" he had felt when he first met Ai on the street suddenly stirred in his chest again.
He wanted to tell Miyako what he was feeling right now, but if he did, she’d probably call him crazy and throw her teacup at him, so he held it back.
In the end, this was a ticking time bomb. And now that a technician who could disarm it had appeared, Ichigo decided that even if he died, he would at least try everything he could.
"...Oh?"
He reached under the table, firmly squeezed his wife Miyako’s cold hand, and said with the light in his sunglasses flashing, "Let’s do it. Just once."
"...We can make it work somehow! It’ll be scary and unsettling, but we can get through it."
Seeing her husband make an uncharacteristic show of affection, Miyako’s face reddened slightly before she chimed in, encouraging Kaoru and Ai instead.
Kaoru smiled and lowered his head slowly.
"Thank you."
-
Late that night.
Rentaro, working alone in his office, welcomed Kaoru, who had come by late at night, and sat down in his chair.
"Oh ho~ What’s this? At this hour? Miss your overworked big brother that much?"
"...That too. I also have something to discuss."
Wearing a shirt and slacks, Kaoru sat down, shaking the snacks and coffee in a plastic bag.
Rentaro grinned and bounced his shoulders. He’d even brought coffee, how thoughtful! Smiling at the considerate Kaoru, Rentaro hurried over and took a seat.
With a caffeine-packed iced Americano and salty potato chips, Rentaro took a slurp of coffee and said, "But you said you had something to discuss. Is there something I don’t know about?"
"...Yes."
"Why? Did someone from another company ask if you wanted to work on something together? I wouldn’t mind."
"..."
Kaoru only looked down at the table, still wearing that unreadable smile, as if he were deep in thought.
Feeling an odd chill from Kaoru’s unusual reaction, Rentaro set down his coffee, clicked his tongue softly, and then forced an awkward laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
"Ahaha—come to think of it, how’s the new car? Easy to drive? I thought you’d go for a Benz or a BMW, but wow, I really didn’t expect you to pick a Volvo SUV. They’re famous for being super safe. Practicality over style, huh. That does sound like you."
"Yeah, I’m satisfied. The seats are roomy, and it’s safe... safe enough for babies to ride in too."
"Right. Even Toyota and Honda have to bow to those guys. Slurp... huh?"
Wait...
Safe enough for babies to ride in too?
At Kaoru’s strange final sentence, Rentaro tilted his head and rolled his eyes for a moment.
Kaoru was still looking at him with that faint, unreadable smile.
Unable to suppress the growing chill crawling through his instincts, Rentaro frowned and said, "You’ve got me curious, Kaoru. What are you trying to say? We’re not just any relationship, we’re partners going forward!"
"Rentaro."
"Yeah?"
"You remember, don’t you? What I always told you."
"...Ha. Of course I do. Th-"
"No matter what crisis comes, I’ll put the actor first. No matter what scandal or accident happens, even if—say an actor suddenly revealed they had a child under their care and it put not only that actor but the entire company in danger of collapse, I’d still protect them to the very end."
"...Kaoru."
Rentaro stared blankly into Kaoru’s blue eyes. Those determined, unwavering blue eyes. And within them, the faint bloom of red [starlight].
Instinctively, Rentaro understood. Kaoru was about to reveal a lifelong secret he had never told him. Something even more shocking than the fact that he’d revealed his relationship in the car before.
And the reason Kaoru had asked him a question so close to a [vow].
At last, why this man had chosen not anyone else, but 『Stani-On』 and Rentaro himself—
"You remember the promise you made with me, don’t you, Rentaro?"
The curiosity that had always been buried in some small corner of his heart.
The answer to that question.
Kaoru was about to say it here.
His heart pounded as if it would burst. Rentaro couldn’t think straight, suffocating with the tension, as if the coffee he’d just drunk might come back up his throat.
Cold sweat rolled down Rentaro’s weak-looking face.
Kaoru’s question.
The [sincere] reason he had chosen him.
Rentaro wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a trembling hand and let out a long breath.
Now that he was on the same boat as Kaoru, a shared fate, there was no running away anymore.
The feeling of [trust] reflected in Kaoru’s blue eyes. Rentaro had believed in that and staked his life on it.
Even if he was afraid. Even if he was terrified. If it was with Kaoru...
"I remember. No matter what happens, I promised I’d protect you. I decided that the day I signed the contract."
Rentaro’s voice trembled, but it was full of trust and resolve. Even if he died, he would die keeping his word!
Prepared to accept everything with the resolve of a warrior serving his lord, Rentaro swallowed hard.
Kaoru closed his mouth for a moment, then spoke with a hint of apology hidden in his usual indifferent expression.
"Actually, it wasn’t just a [relationship] with Ai."
"...Huh?"
At the words coming from Kaoru, who had once been a boy and was now a young man, Rentaro repeated them back in a daze.
Not just a relationship?
Three years, no, it was almost four years now. Not just a relationship?
Seeing Rentaro’s blank face as his brain failed to keep up with reality, Kaoru said in a calm voice, "Ai and I have twins. After their birthday in September, they’ll be three."
"…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………."
At Kaoru’s shocking confession, Rentaro turned to stone, completely white.
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