Bab 49: [49] After the Rain
GUESS WHOS BACK! BACK AGAIN!
{Marin's POV}
I sank deeper into the plush couch, my stomach pleasantly full from the hot pot mukbang we'd just finished filming. Ruby sprawled out next to me, her eyes closed and a content smile on her face. Kana sat cross-legged on the floor, scrolling through her phone.
"Man, I'm stuffed," Ruby groaned, patting her belly. "But that was so good. I hope the fans enjoy watching us eat as much as we enjoyed eating it."
I laughed. "I'm sure they will. Nothing like watching other people stuff their faces to work up an appetite, right?"
The rain continued to patter against the windows, creating a cozy atmosphere in the studio lounge. I closed my eyes, listening to the rhythmic sound and feeling myself start to doze off.
Kana's sharp intake of breath snapped me back to alertness. "Oh no," she muttered.
"What's up?" I asked, leaning forward to peer at her phone screen.
Kana's brow furrowed as she scrolled. "It's Akane Kurokawa. She's really getting roasted on Twitter right now."
Ruby sat up, suddenly alert. "What? Why?"
"Remember that fight scene from the episode of LoveforReal? Where she slapped Yuki?" Kana turned her phone so we could see. "People are calling her all sorts of nasty things. Saying she's unstable, a bitch, that she should be kicked off the show..."
Ruby's eyes widened as she processed Kana's words. She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, her voice soft and uncertain. "Is this... is this something you get used to as a public figure?"
Kana's fingers stilled on her phone screen. She looked up, her expression a mix of weariness and resignation. "To some degree, yeah. But it varies from person to person. Some never really get used to it." She paused, her gaze dropping to the floor. "Even me, depending on how I'm doing mentally... there are days when I think I should just go and die."
A chill ran down my spine at Kana's words. I hugged my knees to my chest, suddenly feeling very small in the large, cozy room.
"The mental state of a teenage girl who lacks any tolerance for it, who's been exposed to a barrage of abuse for the first time..." Kana shook her head. "It's something you can't even imagine. It's enough to give you the illusion your whole life is over."
Ruby's face paled. "That's... that's horrible. I had no idea it could be that bad."
I bit my lip, thinking of Akira and how he handled the pressure of being in the public eye. He always seemed so composed, but did he feel this way too sometimes? The rain outside seemed to grow louder, matching the somber mood that had settled over us.
Miyako cleared her throat, drawing our attention. Her eyes were serious as she leaned forward, elbows on her knees. "It's not just Akane. Although reality shows are popular now, nearly 50 people from them have taken their lives over the last few years they've been on air."
My stomach dropped. "Fifty?" I whispered, the number feeling impossibly large.
Miyako nodded grimly. "It's such an issue that some countries make it a requirement for cast members to go through counseling."
I hugged myself tightly, my mind reeling. "If 50 people went through with it... imagine the amount of people that were considering it?"
The room fell silent as we all processed this information. I thought of Akira, out there filming LoveforReal. Was he okay? Were the other cast members okay?
Kana's voice was quiet when she finally spoke. "Reality programs are made so you bear your soul. It's not the show that gets criticized, but you as a person." She looked up. "And it cuts deep."
Ruby fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. "My big brother once told me that lying is the very best way to protect yourself."
I nodded, remembering similar conversations with Akira. "Yeah, Akira said something like that too. He uses different personas when interacting with the public or when acting. It's like... a shield, I guess."
Miyako sighed heavily. "It's a common tactic, but it's not foolproof. The pressure can still get to you, even if you're playing a character."
I chewed on my lower lip, thinking about Akira and how he always seemed so composed. "Do you think... do you think Akira's okay? Like, really okay?"
Kana shrugged, her expression troubled. "It's hard to say. Some people are better at hiding their struggles than others."
Ruby hugged her knees to her chest. "I worry about Aqua sometimes. He acts like nothing bothers him, but..."
I nodded, understanding her concern. "Yeah, it's the same with Akira. He's always so focused on taking care of everyone else, I wonder if he ever lets anyone take care of him."
Miyako stood up, stretching her arms above her head. "Well, we can't solve all the world's problems in one night. But we can be there for each other, and for our friends and loved ones."
The shrill ring of Miyako's phone pierced through our somber conversation. She glanced at the screen, her brow furrowing.
"Hello?" She paused, listening. "Yes, this is she." Another pause. "I see. Yes, we'll be right there."
My heart sank as she hung up. Something in her expression made my skin crawl.
"That was the police department. Akira's there." Miyako grabbed her keys. "They need someone to sign him out."
"What?" I jumped to my feet. "Is he okay? What happened?"
"They didn't say much." Miyako was already heading for the door. "Coming?"
I didn't need to be asked twice.
The drive to the station felt endless. Rain pelted the windshield as Miyako navigated the dark streets. I kept checking my phone, but there were no messages from Akira.
"He probably didn't want to worry anyone," I muttered, more to myself than Miyako.
She grunted in response, hands tight on the steering wheel.
The police station was a squat, gray building that looked even more depressing in the rain. Inside, fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. A tired-looking officer at the front desk looked up as we approached.
"I'm Miyako Saitou. I got a call about Akira Hoshino?"
The officer's expression shifted. "Ah, yes. About that..." He cleared his throat. "There was a... situation. Unfortunately, some members of the press were in the building when Mr. Hoshino was brought in. Photos were taken."
Miyako's voice went flat. "Photos."
"We tried to prevent it, but-"
"Where is he?"
The officer pointed down a hallway. "Through there. They're asking for a statement, but-"
We were already walking. The hallway opened into a waiting area, and there he was. Akira sat alone on a metal bench, his lavender hair plastered to his forehead, clothes soaked through. His shoulders were hunched, hands clasped between his knees.
"Akira!"
His head snapped up at my voice. I ran to him, throwing my arms around his shoulders. He stiffened for a moment before relaxing into the hug.
"Hey," he said softly. "Sorry about this."
"What happened? Are you hurt?"
He shook his head against my shoulder. "I'm fine. Just got caught in the rain."
Before I could press further, a door opened. A woman in expensive clothes emerged, followed by Akane. The woman's eyes landed on Akira.
"Oh, thank goodness you're still here." She rushed over, bowing deeply. "I cannot thank you enough for what you did. If you hadn't been there..."
Akira shifted uncomfortably. "Anyone would have done the same."
"No," the woman insisted. "They wouldn't have. You put yourself at risk to help my daughter. I won't forget that."
Akane hung back, her eyes darting between me and Akira. She looked small.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For... you know."
Akira just nodded.
Miyako stepped forward. "Mrs. Kurokawa, I assume? I'm Miyako Saitou, Akira's manager. Perhaps we could discuss this somewhere more private?"
As the adults moved away, I stayed next to Akira. His clothes were cold and wet against my side.
"You saved Akane from something?"
He shrugged. "Some guys were hassling her outside the studio. Got a bit rough when I stepped in."
"That's why you're soaked? You got in a fight?"
"More like a scuffle." He attempted a smile. "Should've brought an umbrella."
I squeezed his arm. "You're an idiot."
"Probably."
"A brave idiot."
He laughed softly. "That's worse."
Across the room, Akane watched us with an unreadable expression. When our eyes met, she looked away quickly.
"They're going to spin this," Akira said quietly. "The photos. The statement they want. They'll make it something it's not."
"Let them try." I grabbed his cold hand. "We know the truth."
He squeezed back, just once, before letting go. "The truth doesn't sell magazines."
Miyako returned, keys jingling. "Let's go. We need to get ahead of this before the morning news cycle."
As we stood, Akane finally approached. "Akira?"
He paused.
"I'm sorry," she said. "About... everything."
Something passed between them, some understanding I couldn't quite grasp. Akira nodded once, then turned away.
Outside, the rain had stopped. The air smelled clean, like wet pavement and possibility. Akira walked slightly ahead of us, his shoulders straight despite his dripping clothes.
I watched him, thinking of our earlier conversation about masks and shields and the weight of being watched. He'd protected Akane tonight, but who protected him? Who saw past the composed exterior to the person underneath?
Maybe that was what friends were for. To see the truth behind the headlines, to hold space for the unspoken things. To be there on the nights when the masks slipped and the rain washed everything clean.
Miyako's car waited in the parking lot, a beacon in the darkness. Tomorrow would bring headlines and speculation and carefully crafted statements. But tonight, we could just be people, making our way home through the aftermath of the storm.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone