20 The Time Skip

(A/N: Curious to read ahead? Get early access to chapters by visiting my Patreon. You'll find 5 chapters ahead of what's posted on Patreōn: door_kun )

*Beep*

"Is this recording?"

The video showcased an extraordinary idol with captivating eyes, displaying a gradient from purple to pink, each adorned with a shimmering six-pointed star.

Curiosity naturally arose about the reasons behind this intense reaction.

Radiating her timeless charisma, she stood as one of the most accomplished idols of recent years, having performed numerous times at the Tokyo Dome over the past four years.

Yet, in this moment...

"It has been over a decade since I embarked on this journey as an idol... This path has been a remarkable odyssey, brimming with indelible moments, happiness, and the forging of connections with all of you. Throughout these years, you've been my wellspring of strength and the well of my inspiration. For this, my gratitude knows no bounds."

Naturally, those words followed a script, but soon, this wouldn't be the sole astonishment gripping all the fans. The instant those words escaped her lips, they intuitively grasped the subjects of her discourse.

"Life is about growing and changing. I love performing for you, but it's time to try new things, challenge myself, and find myself beyond being an idol. This decision wasn't easy. I thought a lot, talked to loved ones, and considered everything. I'll always cherish the time with you."

Retirement, the most feared outcome in entertainment. In this world, age is a tough opponent. It starts a clock, changing looks and energy. The industry loves youth, making the fight against getting older harder. Adapting is key to staying important.

Ai's achievements were impressive. But fame can be scary. Non-stop attention, public hopes, and keeping up an image can hurt who you are and how you feel. Also, fame can bring bad attention, jealousy, and exploitation. Being scared of losing control over life, relationships, and normalcy adds to fame's unsettling parts.

Due to this fear, Ai declined offers for international performances, even though she had performed in Japan and other countries; her preference was for performances in Japan. Rather than pursuing further fame, her greatest aspiration was to perform at the Tokyo Dome.

This dream was shared by her, her manager, and Miyako-san. Although she had also been more involved in acting in recent years, it was astonishing that everything had culminated to this point after a decade.

"I owe my journey as an idol to the unwavering support of my fans, fellow members, agency, and all who had faith in me. And a special acknowledgment goes to those I've cherished since the pinnacle of my life... My triplets!"

Though, she was about to dominate the trending charts, whether she was prepared for it or not.

Finally, a bashful young girl joined the scene. Her appearance echoed Ai's, resembling a miniaturized version of her.

Clutching a teddy bear tightly, she stammered, "I-I'm Amethyst Hoshino... It's nice to meet you..." There was an odd aura about her that invoked a natural instinct in others to protect her.

"Well, surprise~!!! Now all of you know~!"

Radiating the most expansive grin ever witnessed, the Idol mother's eyes shimmered like the most luminous stars, exerting a magnetic pull that drew everyone near, akin to moths instinctively gravitating towards light.

A portion of the audience found themselves captivated by the sight of the star embracing her children, her mere presence dissolving any animosities harbored within them, causing their past grudges to fade into oblivion.

Idols are often associated with deceit, whereas Ai possesses an impressive knack for deception. Navigating the maze of trustworthiness presents a perplexing challenge.

The answer lies not in determining someone's reliability but rather in the enigmatic allure of uncertainty, shaping life into a captivating journey of intrigue and discovery.

But again... It's Twitter.

Alone in my bedroom, I recline on the bed, wearing a visibly bored expression in the pink-filled space, courtesy of Ruby's recent mission to "Make Ame girly."

I'm currently scrolling through my phone, viewing the Twitter confession my mother posted a few years back.

"Even three years later, the comments are still flowing..." I notice that comments continue to endure, prominently featuring hurtful and negative content.

Seven years have passed since my father's passing. I turned 13, and my family's life is now filled with joy.

Retiring at the age of 25, Ai's online announcement not only marked the end of her career but also revealed a long-concealed truth from her teenage years. The revelation of her becoming a mother at the age of 15 caused a massive stir on the internet then, and even now, it continues to dominate trending discussions.

While many of her fans are fine with it, a handful of persistent stalkers have emerged over the years, directing their animosity towards the idol they once adored. Motivated by their self-centered desires, these individuals have sought to harm her reputation.

And, of course, there's also social media.

[Sakura_Bestgurl: Immediately get canceled LMAO]

[GeekGeek: She's sort of asking to get murdered WWWWWWW]

[Xvx_K1r1to_xvX KillMe: Where do they live now? I'll burn their houses]

[Kurdi123: I hope your whole family will be tort ured and ra*ed ro de@th]

Everyone uses anonymity to unleash their demons on social media. If they didn't possess the masks commonly referred to as 'username' and 'profile picture,' only then would they exercise caution in their comments.

So if I just sent a photo of their faces and address... possibly their loved ones too...

*Ding*

[user65189: Hello there~✨! I'm a hacker! and look what I got!]

[Attachment: 950294hjk_I.jpeg]

[Attachment: 9172346ij_I.jpeg]

[Attachment: 909879hk_I.jpeg]

[user65189: I'll share this widely! Many might find these useful for blackmail, don't you think?]

And these idiots will finally realize they did something stupid:

[This account has been deleted]

[This account has been deleted]

[This account has been deleted]

Due to the fear of their personal information being exposed, some users deleted their accounts. A few even went to the extent of relocating from their homes or discarding their smartphones due to suspicions of being hacked. If they were to comment again, I would simply reveal their location through direct messages.

Naturally, there existed a handful of tenacious individuals whom I found myself obliged to coerce using an assortment of incriminating photographs. For instance... I sent one of them a picture of him m*sturbating on a Loli hentai on their phones.

The weakest dog barks the loudest. Those goofy usernames and anime profile pictures don't help at all. Ignoring the hateful comments, there are a few wholesome ones that empower Ai to dismiss the haters.

[KonKon: THEY'RE SO CUUUTE~!]

[Kontolodon: This is healing.]

[Ji Ancheok-nim: Fr, That kid in the middle is a mini Ai]

[JuicyGrape_BOI: Amethyst Hoshino eh? I can't wait to see what you look like in 10 years!]

[KeyboardWarior: OFFICER! WE HAVE A LOLICON HERE!]

Well, not necessarily each and every one. And when my name was brought up, saying I cringed doesn't fully capture it – I actually had to stop myself from contemplating drastic actions concerning that individual.

At least by responding that way, those individuals with savior complexes might support our side. I've managed to steer their thoughts with my words, and the majority of the keyboard warriors won't turn their back on us.

Of course, there have been a few instances of stalkers in the past years. However, our family has become so affluent due to the President's company that we had bodyguards, even when Ai and the others were unaware of it.

.

.

.

*Ding*

[Would you like to purchase "Tensei Shittara Slime Datta Ken"?]

Yes.

.

.

.

To be continued.