Chapter 23: [23] Echoes of Ai
Kana stepped into Director Gotanda's bedroom, her eyes immediately drawn to Aqua, who was lounging on the bed. She'd followed him here after his entrance exam at Youtou High, curious about his connection to the director.
"Hey Aqua," she said, plopping down beside him. "If you're not acting anymore, why are you always visiting the director? Is he your acting coach or something?"
Aqua sat up, shaking his head. "Nah, not exactly. I mean, yeah, he trained me in the basics, but that's not why I'm here. I want to work behind the scenes now."
Kana nodded, understanding dawning on her face. "Oh, I see. Still, it's cool that you're still involved in the industry, even if it's not in front of the camera."
Director Gotanda walked in, a proud smile on his face as he looked at Kana. "Speaking of the industry, I heard you're really making waves with 'I'll Go With Sweet Today.' Rave reviews all around. Congrats, Kana."
Kana grinned, a hint of pride in her expression. "Thanks, Gotanda-san. It's been a wild ride, but I'm glad people are enjoying the show."
She turned to Aqua, an idea forming. "Hey, do you have any videos of Aqua acting? I'd love to see his work."
Aqua's eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head. "No, no, don't show her. I wasn't in a good headspace back then. I want to forget I ever tried acting. I totally overestimated my talent, and the films suffered because of it."
Gotanda sighed, giving Kana an apologetic shrug. "You heard the man. If you want to see him act, you'll have to convince him to give it another shot."
A sly smile spread across Kana's face. "Oh, is that so?" She turned to Aqua, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, it just so happens we have an open role on 'Sweet Today.' I could talk to the higher-ups, see if I can get you an audition. The producer, Kaburagi, totally has a soft spot for me. If I vouch for you, the part's basically yours."
Aqua's head snapped up at the mention of the producer's name. "Kaburagi? As in Masaya Kaburagi?"
Kana nodded, surprised by his reaction. "Yeah, you know him?"
Aqua went quiet, his expression unreadable. Kana watched him, waiting for a response. When none came, she pressed on, mistaking his silence for hesitation.
"Come on, Aqua! You'd get to work with an amazing cast, all super talented people our age. And the lead, Akira? He's like this rising superstar. It'd be an incredible opportunity."
At the mention of Akira's name, Aqua's demeanor shifted. He looked up at Kana, a new intensity in his gaze. "I'm in. Talk to the producer for me."
Kana blinked, taken aback by his sudden change of heart. "Whoa, okay. That was a quick turnaround. What's with the enthusiasm all of a sudden?"
A thought struck her, and she couldn't help the grin that spread across her face. "Wait a second... Aqua, do you have a thing for Akira? Is that why you're so eager now?"
Aqua stared at her blankly, clearly not following her train of thought. "Huh? No, I just... I think it's a good opportunity. Why are you looking at me like that?"
Kana giggled, waving off his confusion. "No reason! I'm just excited you're on board. I'll text you as soon as I have details about when filming starts."
She stood up, practically bouncing on her toes. "This is going to be so much fun! I can't wait to see you in action, Aqua. Get ready to wow everyone with your acting chops!"
With that, she skipped out of the room, leaving a slightly baffled Aqua and an amused Gotanda in her wake.
As she made her way home, Kana couldn't stop smiling. The idea of acting alongside Aqua, of helping him rediscover his passion for the craft, filled her with excitement. And if her hunch was right and he did have a little crush on Akira, well... that just added an extra layer of intrigue to the whole situation.
***
"You're gonna be on TV?!" Ruby's excited shriek pierced my ears as she bounced around the kitchen. I shot a glare at Miyako, who was leaning against the counter with a smug grin.
"Why'd you have to go and tell her?" I grumbled, rubbing my temples. "I was gonna break the news gently."
Miyako shrugged, examining her nails. "Oh please, like you were actually going to say anything. It's an agency's job to build buzz for their talent, you know."
Ruby grabbed a mug from the cupboard. "This is so cool, Aqua! Momma always said you'd grow up to be a famous actor one day. Guess she was right, huh?"
She started making hot chocolate, humming to herself as she stirred. I watched her, a pang of nostalgia hitting me. It felt like a lifetime ago that we'd sit in this same kitchen, sipping cocoa while Ai told us stories about her day.
Back then, the idea of following in her footsteps had seemed like a far-off dream. Something to fantasize about, but never actually pursue. And yet, here I was, about to step onto a real TV set.
But my reasons for doing this were far from the starry-eyed ambitions of my childhood self. No, this was about something much more important. Something I'd been chasing for the past ten years, ever since Ai was murdered and left behind those three cell phones.
It had taken me ages to crack the passcode on the one from her pre-pregnancy days. But when I finally did, it opened up a whole new world of possibilities.
Scrolling through her contacts, one name had jumped out at me: Masaya Kaburagi. A big-shot producer, and one of the last people Mom had been in touch with before she got pregnant with us.
I didn't have any proof, but my gut told me this guy was more than just a business acquaintance. He could be the key to unlocking the mystery of our father's identity, the one who got Ai murdered.
And now, thanks to Kana's offer, I had a chance to get close to him. To find a way to snag a DNA sample and finally get some answers.
It was a long shot, I knew that. But it was the only lead I had, and I wasn't about to let it slip through my fingers.
"So, what's this show called anyway?" Ruby asked.
Miyako pulled out her laptop. "It's called 'I'll Go with Sweet Today.' Based on a shoujo manga, apparently."
Ruby's eyes lit up. "Oh, I know that one! 'Sweet Today,' right? It's that manga Aqua has in his room. Super cute story!"
I shot her a glare. "Hey, don't go snooping through my stuff."
She just grinned, unapologetic. Miyako, meanwhile, was scrolling through some info on her screen.
"Looks like it's produced by a new internet TV station," she said. "Six episodes total, and three are already out. The cast is mostly fresh faces, but the standout seems to be this Akira Hoshino guy..."
She trailed off, frowning slightly. "Huh. Hoshino. Isn't that...?"
I waved a hand, brushing past the coincidence. "Lots of people have the same last name. No big deal."
Miyako shrugged, moving on. "Anyway, Aqua, you're set to play a villain role in the final episode. Should be a juicy part."
Ruby bounced in her seat. "Ooh, can we watch the released episodes? I wanna see what Aqua's getting into!"
Miyako nodded, already pulling up the video. "Sure, the first couple are free. Let's check it out."
She hit play, and the screen filled with the image of a dirty, cluttered bedroom. A girl sat in the middle of the mess, her expression bitter as she spoke.
"I really hate people. After all, everyone only thinks of themselves."
Ruby gasped. "Hey, it's the child star."
But before I could respond, the scene changed.
A park, cherry blossoms falling. And then, a voice. Low, rough, and somehow commanding.
"Oi. You, seen a cat around here? Orange tabby. Kind of mangey looking."
The camera panned to the speaker, and I felt the air leave my lungs.
Beside me, Ruby let out a soft "Momma?"
I couldn't blame her. This guy, this Akira Hoshino... he was the spitting image of Ai. The same violet hair and eyes, the same delicate features.
But there was something else, too. A presence, an aura that grabbed you and wouldn't let go. Ai had that same kind of magnetism, but hers was all sweetness and light. Like an angel, drawing you in with gentle warmth.
Akira, though? There was an edge to him. A sharpness, a piercing quality to his gaze. Like he could see right through you, down to your very core.
I couldn't look away. None of us could. We sat there, transfixed, as the episode played out. Watching this stranger with Ai's features command the screen.
By the time the credits rolled, the room was dead silent. You could hear a pin drop.
Ruby spoke first, her voice hushed with awe. "He's... incredible."
Miyako nodded slowly. "Yeah. That was something else."
I couldn't even form words. My mind was reeling, trying to process what I'd just witnessed.
It had to be a coincidence. A crazy, cosmic fluke. There was no way this guy could be...
But the resemblance. That pull, that force of personality. It was too much to ignore.
I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. "I need some air," I muttered, already heading for the door.
Ruby called after me but I was already gone, my feet carrying me out of the room, out of the house.
I walked aimlessly, my thoughts a tangled mess. This changed things. Complicated them in ways I couldn't even begin to untangle.
If Akira was somehow connected to Mom, to us... what did that mean? For the show, for my plans, for everything?
I didn't have answers. Only more questions, piling up by the second.
Stopping in the middle of the sidewalk, I tilted my head back and stared up at the sky. The stars stared back, cold and distant.
"What the hell am I supposed to do now, Ai?" I asked the empty air. Wishing, not for the first time, that she was still here to guide me.
But she wasn't. It was just me, alone with this new wrinkle in an already impossible situation.
Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and turned back towards home. I couldn't run from this. I had to face it head on, whatever it meant.
Akira Hoshino. My co-star, my potential ticket to the truth... and maybe something even more life-altering.
As I walked, I could feel the weight of my mission settling on my shoulders. The stakes had just gotten a whole lot higher. But I couldn't back down now.
For Ai, for Ruby, for myself... I had to see this through. No matter where it led me.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone