25 Aftermath

The shocking news of an idol being stabbed by a fan, followed by the culprit's tragic suicide, quickly spread like wildfire, capturing everyone's attention within an hour, even without any intentional promotion.

In general, people reacted with sympathy and compassion. However, as expected, there were some individuals who seized upon the tragedy to seek attention. Amidst the numerous selfish assumptions and slanderous remarks, there were also those who came close to uncovering the truth.

Ruby, sitting in a dimly lit apartment and browsing through the online backlash against Ai, felt her voice quiver as she spoke with a mix of fear and anger, "What do you mean by 'No surprise'!? How can anyone suggest that it's expected for an idol to be killed just because she falls in love? That can't be right!" Her words erupted with frustration as Aikara and Aqua, standing nearby, wore somber expressions.

"You all have been infatuated with idols yourselves, so how can you deny her the chance to experience love?" Ruby continued, her voice growing louder and more desperate. "Is it just because you haven't found girlfriends? That's sick! Drop dead—"

Before Ruby could finish her sentence, Aikara abruptly intervened, approaching her with an enthusiastic smile and enveloping her in a tight embrace. He swayed gently from side to side, trying to comfort her.

"Please, Ruby, don't say such things!" Aikara exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with mischievous charm. "You know Mom wouldn't approve of it, right?" His words were filled with vibrant energy, as if he was putting on a show just for her.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Aikara's radiant smile remained unwavering. He kept his movements animated, subtly bouncing on his toes, as if eager to dispel any sorrow that threatened to infiltrate their hearts.

Caught up in her emotions, Ruby looked at Aikara with anger, pointing at him accusingly. "Why are you acting so energetic despite Mom's death?" she shouted, taking him off guard. "Didn't you consider her your mother at all?"

Aikara chuckled, his hand gently massaging the back of his head. His eyes sparkled mischievously as he turned to face Ruby. "What are you saying, Ruby? Of course, I consider Ai my mother!" His voice trembled with excitement, his lips forming a mischievous grin.

But if one looked closer, a faint flicker of sadness could be detected in his eyes, swiftly masked by his exuberance. His vibrant energy seemed to dance around him, attempting to distract from the weight on his heart.

Unfortunately, nobody noticed this as Ruby continued her rant. "Then why are you behaving like that? Why aren't you grieving? It's creepy! It's as if you don't care about Ai at all!" Tears streamed down her face as she spoke.

With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, Aikara tilted his head and exclaimed, "Oh, really? Wow! I'm sorry for being...creepy, I guess!" He chuckled nervously and playfully ruffled his hair, trying to alleviate the solemn atmosphere, if only a little.

Ruby appeared furious at his casual response, but Aqua intervened before she could say anything. "Stop, Ruby," he said, surprising her with his intervention. "Not everyone mourns in the same way. People have different ways of grieving, and some recover from their sorrow more quickly. You shouldn't judge everyone based on your own standards." He spoke while keeping his gaze fixed on the ground.

Ruby seemed lost in thought for a moment, then she looked at Aikara with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, Aka-nii. I said hurtful things to you. I know how much you love Mom, just like the rest of us. I shouldn't have assumed otherwise."

Aikara beamed a radiant smile, his eyes sparkling with energy as he proudly flexed his biceps. "Hey, Ruby, it's okay. I completely understand. I know you're grieving too. And I won't let negative comments bring me down. No way!" He nodded his head and gestured with his hands, as if conducting an invisible orchestra.

Despite the seriousness of the situation and the weight of their grief, Aikara's infectious enthusiasm permeated the air, momentarily eliciting laughter from Ruby. Aikara was like a beacon of light, shining through the darkness, infusing the room with a glimmer of hope and resilience.

___

Following the minor incident, Ruby appeared to have somewhat recovered from her sorrow. However, she was still greatly impacted by the public's opinions. Fortunately, this didn't last long, as within just three days, the news of Ai's death gradually faded away.

Once news spread about an unexpected early snowfall causing chaos in the transportation system, the topic of Ai's passing ceased to be a frequent subject of discussion. It was as if the picturesque snowflakes that blanketed Tokyo had metaphorically concealed the reality of Ai's demise.

However, even as the world's attention turned elsewhere, the Hoshino family confronted the harsh reality they faced. Aqua successfully prevented Ruby from opening the door and discovering Ai's lifeless body, sparing her from further trauma. Yet, Aikara himself, nestled in Ai's embrace, and Aqua, who had witnessed Ai's cold, motionless form as they were taken into custody by the authorities, endured the deepest emotional turmoil.

Since the culprit had already died and considering their young age, the investigation concluded swiftly. However, counseling sessions continued for an extended period, though it's mostly only for the well-being of Aqua.

Aikara, despite going through the most pain, surprisingly recovered the quickest and decided to conclude his counseling sessions ahead of schedule. He had seen Ai being stabbed, carried the weight of survivor's guilt, and even had an injury to his arm that left a noticeable scar. One would expect him to be the most affected by the trauma, yet, according to the therapist, he appears to be completely fine. Luckily, he can easily hide this scar under his clothes.

___

"Do you truly wish to become our children?" Miyako asked with genuine concern, her gaze fixed on the three children standing before her in the apartment.

"Of course, your mother can only be Ai," she continued, her voice filled with emotion. "You don't have to consider me as your mother," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "But I truly consider you two as my own children. What do you think?" Her words hung in the air, as she anxiously awaited their response.

Tears began to well up in Ruby's eyes, and slowly she took a step towards Miyako, embracing her tightly. Aikara, filled with a rush of emotions, rushed towards Miyako and joined in the embrace.

"Of course I'm gonna become your child, you're the second mother figure in my life. Thank you mom, for being here right now for me." Aikara softly expressed his gratitude.

Miyako's tears flowed even more at being referred to as a mother. Even though she had heard these words from Aikara numerous times, they still held immense significance to her. She had suggested that they needn't think of her as their mother, but deep down, she truly wished they would. It felt selfish, yet she couldn't help but regard them as her own children.

"I should be the one thanking you guys," Miyako responded, her embrace tightening around Ruby and Aikara. All the while, Aqua observed their interaction, his eyes vacant and devoid of life.

___

After that small incident, Ai's funeral took place. The three siblings waited in the car, anticipating Miyako and the president's return so they could drive them back home.

Gazing out at the scenery, Ruby broke the silence. "Mama told me that I might become an idol one day. Do you guys think I could actually do it?"

Aqua responded with a sigh, his eyes fixed on his phone. "What's the point? If you want to make money, there are faster ways through different jobs." He was about to explain the downsides of being an idol, but Aikara stepped in.

"I believe you could do it, Ruby," Aikara said, a warm smile gracing his face. "Mom always had this radiant presence, and you have it too. I saw your performance at school, and you were just like her." He gently patted Ruby on the head and added, "You're my sister, so I'll support you in whatever you choose. But promise me that if you become an idol, you'll still appear with me on a late-night show, okay?"

"Aikara," Aqua interjected, "do you realize how risky this profession is? Fans can be selfish, and if Ruby were to have a boyfriend, she'd face criticism. She would never have a normal life. Is that what you want?"

Aikara glanced at Aqua, and tears welled up in his eyes, surprising his blond siblings. It was the first time he had cried since Ai's passing, as he always tried to maintain a cheerful and composed demeanor. "I want her to have a normal life too, you know?" His voice trembled as he gazed out the window. "But I want to fulfill Ai's wish, at least. She believed Ruby would be an incredible idol, and she wanted to perform with her. Although I can't help with the second part, I'll do everything in my power to support her dreams."

Ruby looked at Aikara, a solitary tear streaming down her cheek.

Aqua sighed, his gaze fixed outside the window. "Alright, you win," he finally conceded before diving into deep thought.

___

(Aqua POV)

Ruby will probably get over this.

For better or for worse, after spending time with the her, I noticed she's a pure kid.

However, I've already experienced death once before. Going through it again wouldn't make any difference.

Now that Ai is no longer here, the world feels... incomplete. Suddenly, dots started connecting in my mind, and a realization struck me with wide-eyed astonishment.

That stalker, the one who is tormenting us, is the same person who killed me. But how did he manage to find out which hospital Ai was staying at? And how did he discover our new address?

The culprit is just some ordinary student without any exceptional skills. It's hard to believe that he could pull off such a detective-like feat. There must be someone else providing him with information, someone very close to Ai.

As far as I know, only the president knew about the hospital. But would he, a person who values his company so much, stoop so low as to do such a thing?

What about the other members? Not them, but Ellie could be involved. She's very close to Ai and knows about our new apartment. But it doesn't make sense since she wouldn't know about the hospital, as she only became close to Ai after our birth.

It's clear that she doesn't have any relatives, and she doesn't seem to have any contact address either. If that's the case, then...

It has to be our father. Even though it was kept a secret even from the president, considering how little contact she has with others, there's a high possibility that our father is a celebrity in the entertainment world.

The person who subjected Ai to such torment belongs to the entertainment world. And since that person is related to me by blood, I can track him through genetic testing using a strand of his hair.

I can't die yet. Not until I find him and take revenge with my own hands. Unbeknownst to me, a sickening grin found its way to my face as the star in my right eye turned pitch black.

Speaking of revenge, I glanced at Aikara, who was wearing a smile as he and Ruby discussed her future as an idol. Should I tell him the truth? Should I reveal that our father is the one who killed Ai?

As I observe his bright smile, I don't feel inclined to do it. He seems too pure, too innocent. But when I recall how he acted during the days when Ai died, I feel compelled to speak up.

Despite his radiant expression, I know he is silently suffering. Ruby might not have noticed, but I did. How could I not? I've witnessed him waking up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, and clenching his scarred arm every time he closes his eyes.

He's traumatized. Right now, he's putting up an act, pretending to be unaffected. Although I'm certain he hasn't realized that I've noticed.

I clenched my fist tightly, the memory of his pained expression etched in my mind. That father of ours. He not only took Ai's life but also caused my brother to become this way.

I feel that Aikara deserves to know the truth. I don't want him to follow the same path as me; it might lead to his demise. But if he decides to pursue it, I'll support him with all my strength.

Because I understand where he's coming from.

"Hey, Aikara," I called out, capturing his attention as he paused his conversation with Ruby. "Let's step out of the car. I need to talk to you about something."

He glanced at me, his eyes sparkling mischievously, and a playful grin forming on his lips. With a lively twinkle in his gaze, he responded, "Sure thing!"

___

(Aikara POV)

As I walked alongside Aqua, my mind sank into a realm of profound contemplation. My thoughts were in utter disarray, tangled like a jumbled mess of wires.

My mind is in complete turmoil right now.

Whenever I close my eyes, haunting images of Ai's lifeless body flood my thoughts. Even though my arm has healed, it still throbs with a phantom pain whenever Ai's memory resurfaces. And the weight of guilt relentlessly crashes down on me, regardless of what I do.

I am responsible for Ai's death.

I pushed her, unaware of the fatal consequences awaiting her. If only I had remained seated, she might have been spared and only suffered a non-lethal injury.

What course of action should I take?

Despite putting on a facade of happiness, I am acutely aware of the chaos that rages within my mind.

Seeking counsel from a therapist seems like the logical choice, as I recognize the extent of help I require. However, my façade, like an unyielding chain, restrains me from releasing my emotions.

This is an unfamiliar struggle for me. I have always been able to express my emotions freely when needed. Yet now, I find it challenging. Could it be fear that prevents me from opening up to others, knowing that doing so may lead to attachment?

Even with Ruby and Aqua by my side, it feels as though invisible walls have been erected around my heart. I do not wish for them to witness my dark side or perceive any trace of negativity, fearing that it may deepen our connection.

Sighing deeply, I rubbed my weary eyes.

It has been three days since Ai's passing, and life has become an arduous journey. Sleep eludes me, as memories relentlessly invade my mind, making it difficult to even close my eyes. Nightmares assail me whenever slumber reluctantly claims me, resulting in a vicious cycle of restless sleep, interrupted by my awakening just thirty minutes later. As a result, I have only managed to snatch an hour of rest.

It astonishes me that no one seems to notice the heavy bags beneath my eyes. Perhaps my makeup camouflage plays a role in concealing my exhaustion.

I do not believe I can endure this any longer.

My mind swirls with dizziness, and I feel as though I could collapse at any moment.

Should I simply cease to exist?

Exhaustion has taken its toll on me.

In my fatigued state, reality becomes increasingly indiscernible.

Resting, I am certain, will bring solace.

The mere thought of continuing to live in this relentless manner fills my heart with despair.

Despite the façade I maintain, deep down, I am still an ordinary human being.

My mental fortitude is deteriorating.

Originally, my strength of mind was meant to sustain my act, not to withstand the torment that now engulfs my thoughts.

If I surrender to death, I will be reunited with Ai.

My vision blurred, and my body weakened, causing me to lose balance and stumble.

Before I could even summon the energy to curse inwardly or save myself, a pair of arms caught me, preventing my fall.

"Are you alright, Aikara?" Aqua asked, his gaze filled with concern as he studied me.

"I'm fine, Aqua," I replied, rubbing the back of my head in embarrassment. "I just tripped. Thanks for saving me. It would have been suuper embarrassing if I had fallen." I laughed off the incident, and he seemed to accept my explanation as he surveyed our surroundings.

"Okay, I think we're alone now," he stated. "There's something important I need to tell you, Aikara."

Curiosity sparked in my eyes as I leaned forward. "What is it?" I inquired.

"Our father is the one who killed Ai," he revealed, pausing to allow his words to sink in.

Our father.

Instead of doubting him, I chose to seek the reasoning behind his statement. "How did you come to that conclusion?" I probed.

He proceeded to explain his thought process in detail.

As he elucidated, I finally grasped the gravity of his words.

Our father killed Ai.

My gaze fell to the ground as I descended into a deeper realm of contemplation.

My mind became engulfed in a whirlwind of thoughts, their magnitude rendering me unable to fully process them.

Yet, from the depths of my core, a word emerged, a word that made every word I had ever uttered or action I had ever taken feel like a lie. It surged with such intensity that it nearly tore through my clenched lips, causing blood to trickle down. Unbeknownst to me, the stars in my eyes transformed into a deep, inky blackness.

"I'll kill you!" I screamed in a fit of rage, consumed by an overwhelming surge of darkness.

___

(Aqua POV)

"I'll kill you!" The instant those words, brimming with hatred and disgust, reached my ears, I instinctively recoiled, my hands drenched in perspiration.

This guy, his words carry so much animosity, so much malevolence, yet even in that state, I could detect the underlying self-loathing in his voice.

Aikara, for the very first time, I witnessed a range of emotions from you that I had never seen during the four years we spent together.

I'm sorry for telling this to you.

Had I known you would react like this, I would have refrained from uttering it.

But now, there's no turning back.

Let's kill him together, Aikara.

In an instant, Aikara's face lit up with a bright smile as he glanced at me and playfully said, "Geez, sorry for letting you see me in such a pathetic state, Aqua nii." Leaning closer, he peered at me with a mischievous grin. "Did I frighten you?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief, his gaze as pure as a white star.

That guy, he's quite the actor.

"No, you didn't," I replied, returning his smile. "Judging by your reaction, it looks like you want to kill our father too. Let's collaborate on this." Extending my hand toward him, he eagerly grasped it with a beaming expression, shaking it with vigor.

"Absolutely, Aqua nii!" he exclaimed, still grinning. "Don't go back on your words now, alright?"

With those parting words, he turned around and began striding away, gradually fading from my view a few moments later.

___

(Ellie POV)

I emerged from the somber funeral venue for Ai, my expression void of any signs of life.

Why did you have to leave this world too, Ai?

With a sense of purposelessness engulfing me, I began to wander aimlessly.

Images of the past flooded my mind—Ai's approach during our first concert, our shared moments at the ice cream parlor, our joint performance in a movie, and countless others.

Just as I was attempting to move on from Noah, you had to pass away like this. How would I survive without you? You've been my unwavering support all this time. What should I do now, Ai? Please, tell me. I need you.

Abruptly, I collided with someone in my aimless stroll.

"I apologize," I murmured, my voice devoid of emotion, my gaze lifeless.

Once again, I'm concealing my emotions. Once again, I'm defying Ai's wishes.

But what choice do I have? If I don't, memories of you and Noah will flood my mind simultaneously, causing me to feel physically sick.

"It's alright, Ellie nee-chan!" A familiar voice reached my ears, and I directed the same lifeless gaze toward Aikara, though internally I felt surprised.

He's here? Wasn't he supposed to be in the car? That's what Miyako-san told me.

Suddenly, I noticed something on his lips.

Blood.

Trickling down his lips, there was blood.

Why is there blood? Has someone harmed him?

No, it's self-inflicted. He did this to himself.

Recollections of the week before the dome incident resurfaced, and I recalled Ai's words.

"Please protect these kids."

By now, I understand, Ai. I know they're your children. It's quite evident, actually.

As I continued to observe Aikara, who was slowly moving away from me, my foggy mind began to clear.

Thank you for being my sister, Ai.

And I apologize for being such an inept sister.

Even now, I depend on you to give my life meaning.

I will safeguard your children in your stead.

I will prevent them from engaging in any perilous endeavors.

I hastened towards Aikara and grasped his arm, surprising him as he peered at me with a curious smile. "What do you need, Ellie nee-chan?" he inquired.

Examining his expression, I sensed that I understood what he truly felt, despite detecting no flaw in his facade. Perhaps it's because his countenance genuinely reminded me of Noah. Spending ample time with Noah has endowed me with the ability to discern his true emotions beneath that very same smile. It's a skill I take pride in.

At present, his expression bears a hint of murderous intent.

But why?

Whom does he plan to harm?

Does he wish to avenge Ai's killer?

But the killer is dead.

Suddenly, something clicked in my mind.

Could it be the father?

The stalker is just an ordinary student without any detective skills. Moreover, the only individuals aware of Ai's address, aside from President, Miyako, and myself, are the triplets. She lacks close friends. Consequently, it must be someone else, and who better than the father?

I don't know his identity, but judging by Ai's social circle, he likely belongs to the entertainment industry.

Does this imply that the father provided the information?

How did Aikara come to this realization?

I don't have the answers. Yet, I am certain that he knows that it's his father.

I must halt him.

For Ai's sake, for his own sake, and for my own. Besides fulfilling my promise to Ai of protecting him from danger, there's another underlying reason urging me to stop him.

It's because I'm projecting Noah onto him. I acknowledge that it's unhealthy, but I cannot resist.

I will stop you, Aikara, I'll not let you die like Noah.

"Can we talk, Aikara?"

___

(Aikara POV)

"Can we talk Aikara?" Ellie's voice reached my ears.

"Sure thing!" I exclaimed, following her footsteps with a wide smile on my face.

Honestly, I feel so much better now.

Those three words I spoke, they released a flood of emotions that had been building up inside me.

As we came to a secluded spot, Ellie said, "Aikara, don't pursue your father."

Did she find out? How? I'm pretty sure I managed to keep my expressions in check.

"What do you mean?" I asked, pretending not to understand.

"I'll get straight to the point. Stop going after your father, and if you refuse, I'll use force," she said, staring at me intensely.

Ellie, even though I love you with all my heart, I can't let you take this away from me.

I need to avenge Ai.

She died because of my father.

I made a promise to myself to kill him.

I know it won't bring her back. I know Ai wouldn't approve of this either, as she watches over me from heaven. I know what I'm doing isn't right.

But what other choice do I have?

Tears begin to stream down my face.

I feel so hollow, as if a world without Ai is a world I don't want to live in.

If I don't seek revenge, what will I have left?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

So, I'm sorry, Ellie.

I'll continue pursuing that monster, even if it costs me my life.

That's a promise.

"I'm sorry, Ellie. I won't comply," I said, devoid of energy, as I gazed at her with a lifeless expression. "Revenge is all I have left. If you take it away from me, I'll be an empty shell with no purpose. I'll be devoid of any identity," I added, clutching my heart.

She nodded heavily and let out a sigh. "I understand," she said, looking at me. "You won't listen, and that's fine with me. I know you discovered that your father is in the entertainment world. You're a smart kid for your age."

"Is that so?" I asked, tilting my head curiously.

"Yes, it is. That's why your plan is probably to become an actor and work your way up in the industry, getting closer to influential figures to uncover your father's true identity. That's why I'll do whatever it takes, using my connections, to hinder your progress."

She's resorting to dirty tactics now, huh, Ellie?

"I see," I replied. "Is that all? Can I go back now?" I asked, a small smile gracing my face as she nodded.

As I watched her walk away, she turned around one last time, wearing a sad smile. "Aikara, please don't seek revenge," she said with her final words before leaving.

I'm sorry, Ellie, but I won't follow your request.

I'm sure she'll make good on her promise to use her connections to impede my rise in the entertainment industry. She's always been serious about matters like these.

It looks like I'll have a tough time finding jobs. She's already establishing herself as a brilliant actress by now. And in a dozen years, she'll likely become a legend.

I'll struggle to secure roles.

But, despite her influence, there will always be a director, someone who cares more about the art of filmmaking than anything else. When that time comes, I'll audition for a role, and despite Ellie's threats, the director will see my potential and let me in. My popularity will skyrocket.

Because even if she has connections, when faced with my overwhelming popularity, people will recruit me because I can bring them profit.

Let's see who would win Ellie, my God given acting talent or your influence in the entertainment industry.

I will exact my revenge for Ai, no matter what, because I loved Ai with all my heart, and she loved me with all of hers.

___

A.N

End of chapter.

Finally, I finished childhood ARC!

After 25 chapters, I finally finished.

I finished episode 1 in the anime guys!

I promised to introduce the antagonist in the childhood arc, and I delivered my promise.

Meet the antagonist, Ellie!

Mwahahahhahahahaha.

Huh, this was such a weird journey. Despite the manga being 10 chapters for childhood, and 1 episode for the anime. My novel was 25 chapters long.

I'll take a big fat break first as I need to plan how the plot will go from now on.

Do you have any suggestions to not make Aikara similar to Aqua in canon?

And wow, I finished it with more than 4000 words just like my first chapter. Nice coincidence.

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