"Thank you, everyone, for your hard work."
Hoshino Ai bowed slightly to the staff around her, her mature makeup and bright, confident smile complementing her graceful demeanor. Her manners were impeccable.
As a microcosm of a society built on relationships, the entertainment industry excelled at surface-level pleasantries. The staff responded warmly and politely.
"You're getting more and more comfortable with this."
Kabuto Katsuya, who had been waiting nearby, stubbed out the half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray.
This fashion magazine photoshoot was another job he had arranged for Hoshino Ai. Compared to the girl who had just arrived in Tokyo three years ago, awkward and out of place, it was clear that time had left its mark on her.
However, noticing Hoshino Ai's troubled expression, Kabuto Katsuya shook his head and asked:
"Still thinking about the other members of B-Komachi?"
Then, he answered his own question.
"There's no need."
"If it weren't for being bundled with you, given their talent, they'd probably still be underground idols."
The idol group B-Komachi had finally made some progress over the past two years, moving beyond the underground idol scene. They had even performed a live show at Budokan and were starting to receive invitations to TV programs and other work.
However, one of the original four members had left, though Ichigo Pro quickly added a new member, maintaining the group as a five-member team.
Hoshino Ai remained the center, unshakable.
"Hmm… but lately, the team atmosphere hasn't been great."
"That's quite the mature observation. I thought you, as the leader, didn't pay much attention to these things."
Kabuto Katsuya chuckled, pulling out his phone from his pocket:
"By the way, about the store locations you asked me to find, I've listed all the ones that meet your criteria and sent them to you."
As he spoke, he shook his head in confusion:
"But honestly, your requirements are quite peculiar."
"Thank you, Mr. Kabuto. You really are a Tokyo expert."
Hoshino Ai smiled, opening her phone to accept the file he had sent, not holding back on the praise.
"It's nothing."
Kabuto Katsuya waved his hand, glancing at the memo on his phone without looking up:
"Next month, I have a spot open for a female guest on a variety show. Are you interested?"
"Hmm… although the jobs you arrange for me are great, I do have something planned for next month."
Hoshino Ai tilted her head, a bit puzzled:
"Did you forget? Next week, LALALAI Theater is reviving The Dangerous Game of Youth."
"Oh, right. I guess I've been too tired lately. My memory's not what it used to be."
Kabuto Katsuya rubbed his temples, complaining:
"If it weren't for that incident back then, this play wouldn't have been delayed until now."
"After all, one of the deceased was a formal member of LALALAI Theater. Kindaichi-san was so overwhelmed at the time that the auditions, which were already prepared, had to be put on hold."
Hoshino Ai shrugged helplessly:
"Later, even though the situation was resolved, Ryo left the troupe for various reasons. His schedule has been tight every year, and Kindaichi-san didn't want to start a new play without him, so it's been delayed until now."
At this point, Hoshino Ai paused, stretching leisurely:
"But now, Ryo's schedule has opened up."
Seeing the unconscious smile on the girl's face when she mentioned a certain name, Kabuto Katsuya teased:
"So, the addresses you asked me for—are they for planning a date in advance?"
"What… what date? Ryo's just a kid. I don't know what you adults are thinking about all day."
Like a startled rabbit, Hoshino Ai quickly waved her hands and shook her head in denial.
"He's a kid now, but that doesn't mean he'll always be a kid."
Kabuto Katsuya, ever the instigator, smirked:
"In some ways, I think you're more like a kid than Ryo."
"Tch…"
Hoshino Ai didn't respond, turning her head away as if she didn't want to talk to Kabuto Katsuya anymore. Pouting, she dialed Kitagawa Ryo's number.
After the new episode of 'First Errand' aired, Kitagawa Ruby immersed herself in the ocean of online comments.
Every time she saw comments like "So cute," "Adorable," or "So cool going shopping alone," she would pretend to be a random passerby and agree, even giving them a like.
Although she occasionally came across some unfriendly comments, Ruby had learned to brush them off with a smile. Since living with Kitagawa Ryo, she had mellowed out a lot, perhaps influenced by his calm demeanor or because her life goals had shifted.
Instead of wasting time arguing online, she'd rather spend it being clingy and affectionate with her brother. Now that she was a bit older, it wasn't as easy as before when she could cling to Kitagawa Ryo like a koala all day.
And she was about to start kindergarten soon.
The three-year-old Ruby sighed, feeling the weight of life's challenges.
Just then, the phone on the living room coffee table rang.
Kitagawa Ryo, who was cooking in the kitchen, called out from a distance:
"Ruby? Can you see who's calling?"
Ruby jumped off the sofa and clumsily picked up the phone with both hands. After glancing at the caller ID, she ran to the kitchen door:
"It's Auntie Hoshino."
"Auntie Hoshino? If Ai hears you call her that, she'll definitely be upset. Why not just call her 'Ai-nee'?"
Turning off the stove and walking out with an apron on, Kitagawa Ryo shook his head helplessly as he took the phone from Ruby.
"But she's twelve years older than me. Isn't that an auntie?"
Ruby tilted her head, looking utterly innocent.
"Well, I'm eight years older than you."
"But you're my brother. It's different."
Since the phone was still ringing, Kitagawa Ryo didn't have time to argue further and answered the call.
"Hey, Ai? Done with work?"
Kitagawa Ryo knew about the jobs Kabuto Katsuya arranged for Hoshino Ai, so he was aware of her schedule.
"Yeah, I just finished shooting, so I thought I'd ask you out for dinner. Since The Dangerous Game of Youth is being revived next month, we can talk about that."
Hoshino Ai's familiar voice came through the phone. Unlike three years ago when they first met, her voice had lost some of its childish sharpness and become clearer and more pleasant.
"But I've already made dinner at home."
Kitagawa Ryo glanced at the nearly finished dishes in the kitchen and answered honestly.
"That's perfect! Ruby's at home, right?"
"I was worried Ruby might be hungry, but since you've already cooked, there's no problem."
He even heard a soft clap, and Kitagawa Ryo could easily imagine Hoshino Ai on the other end, clasping her hands together.
However, Ruby, standing nearby, widened her eyes, as if she couldn't quite follow the logic.
"Ruby's already three years old, and I just watched the latest episode of 'First Errand'. If she can go shopping alone, eating alone should be even easier, right?"
Hoshino Ai sounded genuinely puzzled, but then she perked up:
"Mr. Kabuto recommended a new ice cream shop that just opened. It's got great reviews, and they have a wide variety of ice cream. You can even make your own."
"If Ruby weren't too young for something so cold, we could all go together."
Ruby listened, pretending to take it seriously.
Ever since she first came to the Kitagawa household two years ago, Ruby had keenly sensed a certain truth.
Kitagawa Ryo glanced at his sister, feeling that if he really left her alone at home, she'd burst into tears in less than ten seconds.
"How about a compromise?"
"Why don't we bring the ice cream home?"
"Finally—ice cream freedom!"
Hoshino Ai sprawled unceremoniously on the sofa, watching Kitagawa Ryo stash the various ice creams she had brought into the fridge. She scooped a spoonful from the one in front of her and happily popped it into her mouth.
"Long time no see, Ruby?"
"You've grown so tall."
With her mouth full of ice cream, Hoshino Ai greeted Ruby, who was watching TV nearby.
"Welcome to mine and my brother's home, Ai-nee."
Ruby greeted her with an innocent smile, though there was a hint of sharpness beneath it.
She wouldn't actually call Hoshino Ai "Auntie" to her face.
"Mhm… just think of me as your sister, Ruby."
Hoshino Ai crouched down to pat Ruby's head, following her gaze to the TV screen:
"Ruby's watching an idol audition show. Do you want to be an idol too?"
"Not 'want to.' Ruby will become an idol."
Ruby corrected Hoshino Ai.
She propped her chin on her hand, watching the energetic girls on TV who were showcasing their talents under the stage lights.
Ruby still remembered the promise they had made back in the hospital.
Once she got better and was healthy, she would enter the entertainment industry—whether as an actress or an idol. And Kitagawa Ryo would support her exclusively, just as she had supported him.
"That's mutual support."
She could still recall those words clearly.
"I'm a currently active, super-popular idol, you know. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
Hoshino Ai flashed a peace sign, proudly raising her chin.
"A currently active, super-popular idol who makes 150,000 yen a month and was just cheering about achieving ice cream freedom?"
Kitagawa Ryo, having finished putting away the ice cream, walked into the living room with a spoon in his mouth, mercilessly debunking Hoshino Ai's boast.
Ruby added from the side:
"Ai-nee's monthly earnings seem to be less than what big brother pays in taxes each month."
Struck by the harsh reality, Hoshino Ai fell silent. Kitagawa Ryo handed her a Häagen-Dazs ice cream:
"Here, super-popular idol. Let's start with a small goal."
"Like achieving Häagen-Dazs freedom, maybe?"
"…I don't think that counts as a small goal."
Hoshino Ai held up the Häagen-Dazs ice cream, staring at the small box worth nearly 10,000 yen:
"If I ever achieve Häagen-Dazs freedom, I'd probably only eat it occasionally. If I had too much, I might not even like it anymore."
"Besides, what I love is just the sweetness and coldness of ice cream. Any brand can give me that."
Hoshino Ai pressed a finger to her lips, thoughtfully saying:
"Now that I think about it, maybe I like Häagen-Dazs because I rarely got to eat regular ice cream as a kid. So, the most expensive ones seemed thousands of times better than the occasional popsicle."
She scooped a large spoonful of ice cream:
"This is what you call compensatory revenge spending."
"If it makes you feel better, it's a good way to relieve stress. Just don't eat so much that you get a stomachache."
Kitagawa Ryo nodded, sounding concerned.
He glanced at the date on his phone and frowned:
"Your period's coming up soon, right? You should watch your diet. Maybe cut back on the ice cream."
"It's still a few days away. My cycle's always been pretty regular."
Hoshino Ai waved her hand dismissively.
"Just don't call me in the middle of the night in pain again."
Kitagawa Ryo sighed.
"By the way, wouldn't Mrs. Saito or the other members of B-Komachi be better options than me?"
"But I've set your number as my emergency contact."
Hoshino Ai proudly held up her phone.
"Change it back to 110 and 120…"
Ruby felt like an outsider at this point. Had the rules of the world changed while she was reincarnating? Since when could friends of the opposite sex discuss such things so casually?
"Speaking of which, Ruby's so smart and cute. Have you ever thought about letting her debut as a child star?"
Out of nowhere, Hoshino Ai asked this question.
"I respect Ruby's wishes."
Kitagawa Ryo shook his head, then turned to his sister and asked gently:
"What do you think, Ruby?"
"I want to perform on the same stage as my brother one day."
Ruby clenched her little fists, voicing the same wish she had in her past life.
"Wow, impressive."
Hoshino Ai cheered enthusiastically, clapping her hands.
Kitagawa Ryo smiled:
"That might take a while."
"Hmm… but I—"
Ruby was about to continue.
"Alright, let's get to the main event!"
Hoshino Ai tossed her empty ice cream container into the trash and pulled out the script for The Dangerous Game of Youth from her bag:
"It's been a while since I've shared the stage with Ryo. I'm a bit nervous, but I'm really looking forward to it. I want to show Ryo how much I've improved."
Her confident tone didn't sound nervous at all—if anything, she seemed more excited.
Ruby tilted her head, seriously considering whether to call Hoshino Ai "Auntie" to her face.
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From now on I will upload 5 chapters per week, so stay tuned.