Chapter 5: Happy Birthday!
This is a feeling Eren hasn't had in a long time. He slept through most of the morning and was in a lot of pain from the fights last night. If he was just able to fight normally, no one would have been able to touch him. However, because of Sergei's instructions, he had to take a few hits in order to make his loss convincing. Not that he ended up losing anyway, making this current pain pointless.
Eren rolled out of bed and walked over to his wash area. He looked in the mirror again to take a look at his injuries.
His left cheek was a bit swollen and had a purple bruise from the first hit. The skin itself was in no pain but he still had a headache from the hit. He lifted his shirt to expose his ribs and saw a bit of minor bruising. It hurt slightly to breath, but Eren felt ok overall. It probably wasn't even cracked and would probably last a week or two. It was nothing he couldn't handle.
Eren decided to remove his shirt entirely and start doing some basic exercises. He needed to stay in shape if he was going to be staying here long term. Without constant ODM practice, he was worried he would begin losing strength.
Eren stepped outside. The sun was directly overhead, and the clock confirmed that it was about noon time again. He decided it would be ok to workout outside without hiding his face since he really didn't need to worry about anyone recognizing him. After all, he didn't exist here.
There was what looked like an outdoor workout area right near the apartment. It as a few basic poles that were good for simple calisthenic workouts. It would serve his purpose well since all he did in the Cadet Corp and the Survey Corp was bodyweight exercises and running.
He vaguely noticed the car that dropped off the purple haired girl was in the driveway, meaning that that other woman was likely visiting.
The ability to use ODM gear was as much about physical strength as it was about coordination. The blades may be designed to break when making contact with Titan flesh, but it still required a lot of arm strength to drive it through. Additionally, since older ODM models were designed with the anker and thrust on the hip, it meant that you needed a strong core in order to prevent folding backwards and injuring your back.
Above all else, the most important aspects of strength to be an Eldian Soldier was arm strength and core strength.
Eren started some basic warmups. Push-ups, sit ups, and air squats to get his blood flowing and loosen his muscles. He then started doing basic cardio, like burpees and hops to get his explosive energy up.
Once he was done, he started the actual part of the workout. Eren got on a horizontal bar and started doing pull ups. He kept his arms slightly greater than shoulder width apart, arched his back so his chest was slightly facing up, then began to do the repetitions.
Eren lost count after about ten reps and kept going. The thing that dominated his mind was that purple haired woman that kept acting weird around him. Sergei kept suggesting that he try and date her or just have fun with her. To be honest, Eren wasn't all that interested. He had a woman he loved and cared for, and that was Mikasa. Despite looking like a Hizuru woman, that girl looked nothing like Mikasa. Mikasa still had some Eldian features since she was only half Hizuru, but this woman looked fully like a Hizuru woman.
She also acted really weird. Almost like a child in a way. It almost reminded him of Historia when she still went by Krista, but even Historia acted her age. He guessed the woman was about his age, meaning she should be more mature. Especially if she has children. It just doesn't seem right for a full-grown woman with kids to act like that.
It also reminded him a bit of Annie. While having personalities that were polar opposite, Annie always had this feeling about her that there was something she knew that you didn't. As if she was hiding something and the persona she makes is just a front that hid something below the surface. That ended up being true when they learned she was an undercover agent for Marley.
While the mask was different, Eren could tell there was something not genuine about the way the girl acts.
It's not to say she's a bad person or that Eren dislikes her. From what he's seen she seems nice enough. He didn't know what an autograph was, but she still offered something to him anyway. Even if she did panic a little. Though to be fair, Eren realized he did look scary and suspicious to the small girl that barely stands at shoulder height to him.
Eren dropped from the bar after feeling tired. He felt like he was being watched and turned around to see the door to the girl's residence slightly open. Were they watching him now? He was starting to feel like he was being stalked by the purple haired girl. He doubted she suspected anything about him, but she just acted so weird that he couldn't get her off his mind. She was a mystery to him and it both annoyed and bothered him.
Eren ignored the thoughts. If they wanted to watch they could. He didn't care and he was more concerned about staying in shape than dealing with a purple haired stalker.
An Hour Prior
"You're joking... right?" Saitou Ichigo stated plainly as he sat on Ai's sofa.
"Nope." Ai smiled, already fully aware how he was going to react. She was sitting comfortably on her dinner table while doing some last-minute things with her social media.
"I told you this place wasn't the best." Miyako said to her husband. She was standing right next to him with her arms crossed.
"Great, so now we have who knows next door and he's familiar that you're Ai and have kids." He put his face in his hands. "On top of it, he's probably a weird stalker."
"Don't be mean." Ai pouted. "We don't even know who he is. So, we can't just judge him."
"Yea, but he covers his face. That's suspicious." Ichigo stated.
Ai grabbed her sunglasses and baseball hat before putting it on and giving a winning smile to her boss. Her point was made.
"Don't give me that Ai. You're protecting your identity for your career and your safety." He said.
"True, but so could he. Who Know's, maybe he's a western actor." She countered, removing the disguise and placing them back on the table.
"If he was, you'd think he knows you." Ichigo fired back.
"Maybe he did. He just said he didn't care." Ai said. "After all, western actors have a lot more popularity internationally and actually make good money. So maybe he meant he doesn't care who I am because he's better than me." She guessed.
"That's an assumption Ai." Ichigo said.
"So is assuming he's going to do something." Ai fired back. "Both scenarios are just as likely. Besides, we picked an apartment that is legally dubious at best to protect my identity. Not everyone here wants to be traced."
"Which could mean he's a criminal." He said.
"Or maybe he's hiding from a vengeful ex-wife." Ai countered again. "We don't know his reasons and to be honest, I've been the one freaking him out."
"How is that?" Miyako asked.
"He just seems different." Ai said. "My cute idol act really bothers him." For emphasis, Ai flashed them a cute smile with double peace signs over her eyes, making both husband and wife almost swoon at how cute she is. "But he doesn't like it at all." Her normal demeanor came back, though now she sounded disappointed.
"She keeps claiming he doesn't know who she is." Miyako said to her husband.
"It could also be a trick." Ichigo offered.
"Well, how about we invite him to a concert?" Ai suggested.
"Are you crazy?" Ichigo asked.
"Why not?" She said. "If he doesn't know about me, he'll learn soon enough. Won't it be better if he learns with us so we can explain our situation?"
"Or what if he uses that knowledge against us? What if he tries to sell that information for clout or money." He said.
Unknown to both of them, Miyako looked down is shame when they said that. Knowing that if even the closest person to Ai could be capable of betraying her, then this random stranger could as well.
"I have to agree with my husband Ai." Miyako said. "We can't let him near you. It's too risky for you and your kids." She said.
"Yea, I guess you're right." Ai looked down in disappointment.
Wait... disappointment?!
Why is she disappointed? Does she want this guy to come to a concert? Does she want him to know all her dark little secrets?
"What's with the face?" Ichigo asked.
"What face?" Ai asked.
"Are you sad about not meeting him?" He asked, causing Ai to blush.
Oh no.
"No, of course not." Ai denied. "It's just that he said he doesn't know what an idol is so I thought if we could take him to a concert, he might change his mind. Who knows, he can be another fan." She smiled, flashing another peace sign.
"No! We are not wasting a backstage ticket on some western idiot that doesn't know what an idol is!" Ichigo said. "We don't know who he is or what he wants."
"Maybe he just wants to be treated fairly and not be labeled as something he's not." Ai said in an annoyed tone. The words she spoke really hit home to her as well.
"Ai, we're ready." Aqua said as he walked into the main room. He was dressed up is smile clothes that matched his personality very well. With simple slacks and a white T-shirt and dark colored hoodie. Like most of his clothes, they were a size too big. He looked adorable in it.
"Yup mama!" Ruby ran into the room as well, dressed in a cute little flowery dress with a sweatshirt on.
"Ok kids, we're ready to go out." She said, donning her disguise along with her own sweater. Her les had skinny jeans which let her appear more casual so she wouldn't be recognized.
"Shouldn't you wear a mask?" Ichigo asked.
"Not a good idea." Ai said. "The air quality is fine today so it would look weird if we did."
"Then what about you at least?" He asked.
"Nope." Ai stuck out her tongue and held up a peace sign again. "Still suspicious. Wouldn't want anyone to think I'm a criminal or stalker for hiding my face."
That little brat. If he didn't teach her how to pull off that innocent act, he never would have realized the way she threw his own logic back at him.
Ai ran over to the door before helping the four-year-olds... crap... they're four. Her babies today are turning four. Why are they growing up so fast? She feels like crying at the thought.
"Let mama help you Aqua." She said.
"I got it." He said, putting on his own sneakers.
The big boy act again? Why is he getting so old? Soon he won't have any need for her!
"Mama, I can't do it!" Ruby cried as she struggled to lace her shoes.
"Ok!" She smiled, glad one of her kids still needed her. Though it was weird that Ruby can't tie her own shoes.
If she was paying attention, she'd see the smug look she shot over at her biological brother.
'Brat.' Aqua thought to himself.
After leaving, the President and his wife were alone now.
"Is she developing a crush?" Miyako asked.
"No, no, no." He denied, more to himself. "It's not like they actually talked. There's nothing to worry about." He said.
"So, we're going to get everything ready now?" Miyako asked her husband.
"Yup, let's do this." He said, moving some boxes out of the closet.
Inside were decorations for the twins fourth birthday party. Ai wanted to do something special, so she took them out while they set up the little party. Since Ichigo ended up being a kind of grandfather of the group, with Miyako being a second mother, they were always present during parties. Though this one Ai was pretending to forget about the birthday this year to the twins so that she could surprise them. Much to Ruby's annoyance.
They spent nearly 45 minutes filling balloons, getting the cake out of the fridge, putting candles in, and putting the presents nearby.
As she was setting things up, Miyako looked out the door to see if Ai was back yet. She didn't see Ai, but she saw something she wasn't expecting.
"Oh my..." She said.
"What?" Ichigo asked.
"It's that guy who lives next to us." She said, closing the door but leaving it cracked enough to see him.
"What's he doing?" Ichigo asked. "Is he spying on the apartment?"
"He's working out." Miyako said. "And he's shirtless."
"Ok..." Ichigo said.
"He's hot." Miyako said.
"What!?" Ichigo said in shock and surprise.
"Would you just look!" She said in anger.
Ichigo ran to the door and watched the man workout. Yup, there plain as day. He's doing pullups and showing off that impressive physique while sweating from the exertion.
"Oh god, he is hot." Ichigo said in fear.
"If Ai sees... that!" She pointed at the door. "We're screwed. She's going to get another set of twins and our problems will get worse."
"She's not into him." Ichigo said.
"Do you know nothing of women!?" Miyako screamed. "Did you see how she talked about him and defended him? She has a crush. We can't let them meet, ever!" He said.
"Ok." He said, still watching.
"We need to make sure Ai is monitored. I'll stay here extra hours out of the week so I can make sure they don't meet." Miyako said, pacing back and forth. "We'll install CCTV cameras all over the apartment in order to see if anyone comes near the apartment or enters." She stopped. "What do you think?" She asked.
"35, 36, 37, 38, wow, he's still going." Ichigo said in amazement.
"Are you listening-38?" She cut herself off. "He did 38 pullups?" She asked.
"Since I started counting, and still going." Ichigo said.
"We're doomed." She said. "She is going to go after him the moment she sees that, and we're doomed."
"Oh wait, he saw me." He said, closing the door fully. "That's embarrassing." He laughed.
"Can you focus!?" She yelled. "Shouldn't I be the one ogling him?" She asked.
"Huh?" He asked, confused.
"I mean- never mind." She deflected. "We need to focus on how to prevent Ai and him from meeting."
Ai wasn't focusing on her walk with the kids very much. All she could think about is the strange man who lives next door and seemed hurt this morning. She didn't tell the President that detail because she was worried how he would react.
Wait, why was she worried? It's not like anything bad would happen. Who knows why he got hurt. He could just as easily fell down the stairs as anything else.
Ai understood better than most that the identity people see in public isn't always the identity that is really there. It's just as fair for him to assume that she's completely innocent and pure because that's the lie she created. It wasn't fair to judge him on something when she knows nothing about him.
After all, if she just assumes everyone is a criminal or a stalker, she can never truly meet anyone else.
BONK!
"Itai!" Ai screamed as she walked headfirst into a pole.
"Mama!" Ruby shouted.
"I'm ok darling." Ai said. "That hurt." She said.
"Are you ok Ai?" Aqua asked.
"It's just a bonk." She said sheepishly.
"No, I mean are you ok, as in you seem distracted." Aqua clarified.
It was scary how smart he was sometimes.
"Oh, just thinking about nothing in particular." She said.
"Is it about that guy?" Aqua asked.
"W-what? No, o-of course not." She lied poorly.
Why did it feel like her own son was interrogating her like a father would his daughter for thinking about a boy. He's her son darn it!
"You know, there's nothing wrong with just talking to the guy." Aqua said.
"That's not it Aqua-Chan."
"Is it because of what the President said?" He asked.
"No, it's just grownup stuff." Ai deflected.
"Maybe you should try to talk with him. At least come to an understanding." Aqua said. "I think you'll feel better if you just talk."
When did her baby boy get so mature? Is it normal for kids to be so mature after only four years being alive? The sad thing is, he's right. All these thoughts and concerns can just be laid to rest with a simple conversation.
"Maybe he'll be our papa!" Ruby said, completely jumping the conversation.
"W-what!?" Ai asked loudly.
"Ok, maybe that's too far." Aqua tried to say.
"Yea, since we don't have one, he could be one." She suggested.
Suddenly, Ai got very sad. In all the years they've been together, have they ever wanted a father in their life? Miyako was almost like a second mother, and the President took care of them occasionally, but they knew he wasn't their real father.
Did they yearn to meet him? To have a father in their lives and have that strong parental figure to guide them. Her ex may not have been the best of men, but is it right to not give her children an opportunity to know the truth?
They agreed never to talk, but what if he had desires to meet them? Maybe not take care of them, but maybe he would like to at least see them on occasion. Ai didn't think it was right to deny either her ex or her children the opportunity to meet.
"We don't need a Father Ruby." Ai said in annoyance.
Doesn't need? He said they don't need one?
Ai never had a father in her life, and her own mother was abusive to her. President and Miyako did end up being a kind of parental figure in her life, but maybe they would like to have their real father in their life.
Maybe if she called him and let him know her thoughts, her ex would want to. If not, then they go on living like a normal family. No issues there.
"I think you should meet him mama!" Ruby said in excitement.
Oh yea, they were talking about the weird guy.
"Ok, I'll try to meet him." She smiled. "But only to clear the air. No papa's for you yet." She smiled at her daughter.
"I know, I don't care. You're the best mama!" She smiled, and Ai's heart broke a bit more. Maybe they do need a father in their lives.
Ai decided on an impulse that she was going to try and contact him before the party. She didn't want to tell them anything incase he decided he didn't want to see them. Truthfully, she didn't mind if he showed up or not. It wasn't going to change a thing in their family.
"I'll talk to him tomorrow. Who knows, we might get another fan." She smiled.
"Yea, you can show him how awesome idols are." Ruby said in excitement.
"Again, we should just talk to him first." Aqua said, though he was now being ignored by the two girls.
With that goal in mind, Ai walked back to the house with her children.
Ai was so excited. She really hoped Miyako had her phone ready to record. Her babies were going to be so surprised with the effort they put into this.
After their walk, Ai quickly went to a pay phone to try and contact her ex. She managed to reach him and he agreed that he was going to come over soon once he gets time. She wasn't really thrilled to see him, but it would be good for her children to meet their father.
Walking into the driveway, she slowly went over to the door, trying hard not to get excited so her kids won't notice anything unusual.
She opened the door, which was still a bit dark since she messaged President Saitou that she was almost there. She took off her disguise and shoes, and helped her children take them off as well.
"It's kind of dark." Aqua said.
"Yea it is." Ai said, her voice wavering from the excitement.
"I thought Miyako-San and Ichigo-San were here." Aqua said.
Come on, just get into the main room and stop questioning things! Why does he have to be so observant all the time!?
"Let's go into the living room." Ai said, pushing her children along so she can hurry it up.
"Why, is there a surprise party?" Aqua asked.
"Surprise!" Miyako and Ichigo screamed, turning the lights on and using little birthday poppers. "Happy Birthday kids- Ai? What's wrong?" Ichigo said walking up to his most successful idol.
Ai was on all fours with her head down and her bangs obscuring her face. She looked like she got punched in the gut with how destroyed she appeared.
"I failed." She said. "He's too smart, he figured it out."
Ruby went up to her mother and patted her on the shoulder to hopefully consul her.
"I was surprised mama." Ruby said, glaring at Aqua.
"What? It's our birthday and she was acting odd." He shrugged. "It's not that hard to piece together." He deduced.
"I'm a failure of a mother." Ai said, still not moving from her defeated pose.
Aqua sighed and walked over to his defeated mother. He felt bad and in hindsight thought he should have just pretended to not notice and be surprised. So he did the best way he could think to cheer here up.
"Sorry Ai." He said, putting a hand on top of her head and hoping to make her feel better.
Suddenly, Ai got up and scooped him into her arms, eliciting a yelp from the boy.
"Oh, my smart little man." Ai said, her mood instantly turning a 180. "I am so proud of you for finding out. You're so smart."
"Please put me down." He said while being crushed by her hug. His face was being pressed into her breasts and he felt very uncomfortable at the contact. Especially since he still had a hard time seeing Ai as his mother instead of just a girl half his age.
"Mama, what about me!" Ruby said angrily, jealous at the attention her brother was getting.
"Of course!" Ai said, scooping her up as well, though she couldn't get up from her kneeling position. "Oh wow, I can't carry you both anymore." She said. "When did you both get so big."
She missed being able to carry both children with ease and holding them both. Now she had to divide up her time between them both and it almost broke her heart. She wanted to always hold them both. Soon they'll be too big to even pick up. Especially Aqua who might grow to be much taller than her.
"Can we open the presents?" Ruby said excitedly.
"Not yet, we need to eat the cake first." Ai said as she wanted to sing Happy Birthday to them.
The night went on very easily for the mother and her family. The kids got excited when they got to open their presents and looked so happy. Well, Ruby looked happy. Ai always just accepted the gifts, but it was hard to find out what he really liked. She got him a lot of manga and classical books that he seemed to enjoy. He always picked older teenage and adult oriented books.
By adult oriented, she means more mature stories and even a few medical papers. Not etchi books of course, but she was terrified of the day when he becomes a teenager and starts getting into that.
Ruby was always vocal about her wants. She got a few dresses that were a few sizes too big for her, so they'll last the next year or two. Along with cute socks and accessories.
The adults started passing around beer, but Ai told them not to drink too much since the kids were here. Especially since her boss and his wife needed to drive back home afterwards.
She only got beer for these occasions and refused to keep beer anywhere in the house since her son tried to take one. She didn't know if he was being rebellious or just curious, but she found him trying to take a beer from the fridge. A three-year-old! It was lucky that he wasn't strong enough to open the can or he may have gotten a sip.
despite that, Ai liked this family she had. It wasn't by any stretch a normal family, but she liked it regardless. The President was an old man at heart, but he always showed a softer side to her. If she did have a father, she could imagine he would have been like him.
Miyako always complained at first about taking care of the kids, but she ended up treating Ai like a little sister or even a daughter.
After the party, the children started to fall asleep from overeating the cake and all the excitement. Ai went over to where she kept her Futon rolled up, picked it up, and unrolled it on the floor.
"Come on Aqua." She said as she let him walk his way to the Futon. He looked tired but he didn't complain about it.
"Sure Ai." He said as he rubbed his eyes.
"Make sure you get good sleep today. Tomorrow, Miyako-San says she'll take you to the park to burn off the calories from the cake." She smiled.
"Ok." He said, quickly passing out.
Ai walked over to Ruby, who was struggling to stay on her knees at the table from being so tired. Ruby was always so affectionate so Ai picked her up, struggling slightly to do so. She lifted her daughter up, who was already asleep by the time her head hit Ai's shoulder.
Ai laid her down on the Futon right next to where she slept. Ruby always wanted to be cuddled so Ai was more than happy to oblige her daughter. Aqua on the other hand always preferred his space. The first couple of times Ai held him to her chest, she woke up with him on the other side of the Futon. Almost as if he tried to get away from her.
Ai had no issues with that since she read that it was normal for the eldest child to try and establish some form of independence from the mother. Especially a boy. It also said that boys who do not have father figures tend to try to be more independent. This was likely because they begin seeing themselves as protectors of the family. It was a cute thought, though she'd never let that role fall to him. Her job as their mother is to defend them and nurture them.
But maybe it would be good for him to meet his father.
Ai smiled at her children as they slept peacefully in the Futon. They were so adorable like that. It's one of the few times she sees Aqua as innocnet and not constantly acting like a grownup.
"We're getting ready to leave Ai." President Saitou said.
"I'll walk you guys out." She said.
"It's ok." Miyako said.
"Don't worry, it's dark out." Ai said. "No one will see me."
President Saitou stumbled a bit, despite Ai saying not to drink too much. But luckily his wife didn't drink anymore than one beer so she would be ok to drive home.
They opened the door and she walked outside with them. It was chilly in the cool night, but she was feeling fine despite that. President Saitou stumbled but he was walking to the car regardless.
"Listen Ai." He said.
"What?" She asked, tilting her head slightly.
"I don't want you opening the door for anyone but us, understand?" He said. "I know you say you'll be ok, but I can't imagine the thought of something happening to you."
"I'll be fine." Ai said with a smile.
"Listen, just humor me?" He said.
"Is this about him again?" She asked, pointing to the door next to her own.
"Yes." Saitou said. "I know it's wrong of me to assume that someone means to do you harm without first getting to know them, but I just can't help it."
"I'll be ok." Ai tried to say, though she waivered a bit.
"Please, just do it for me." Saitou begged. "Just so I can sleep better at night if nothing else."
Ai looked down when he said that. After all these years, he did truly show that he cared for her. It made sense after all, she was his best performer and one of the main reasons B-Komachi was as big as it was.
"Ok." Ai said. "I'll do it for that reason alone." She gave in.
"Thank you, Ai." He said.
"Now you need to get some rest too. I don't want to have to drag you into my Futon." She laughed.
"Funny kid." He said, stumbling to the car where his wife was waiting.
After they drove off, Ai stayed for a moment longer to watch them go. She felt that she would be fine, but he seemed really sincere about his thoughts on the stranger.
"You were pretty loud tonight." Ai screamed as an English voice said behind her. "What's wrong?" The voice asked.
Ai turned around to see the stranger dressed in a simple short sleeve shirt, jeans, and boots. He took her by surprise but was standing next to his open door.
"You scared me." She said.
"Sorry." He apologized.
If she really wanted to follow the spirit of the President's worries, she should just go inside and not talk to him. But he only said not to answer the door.
"No problem." She replied. "Oh, sorry for being noisy." Ai said, remembering his comment.
"Don't worry about it. I can't sleep right now anyway." He said.
Ai noticed that the bruise on his cheek looked about the same as this morning, but it didn't look to bad overall. He was still careful with his left side so she assumed he hurt himself.
"What about you, are you ok?" She asked, pointing at his face and side.
"Yea, I just got attacked last night on the street." He said.
"Oh no!" Ai said. "Are you ok? What happened?"
"Just some idiot." The stranger shrugged.
"Do you need help?" She asked.
"No, I'll live." He said back.
There was an awkward silence that followed, though he didn't particularly seem bothered by it.
"What's your name?" She asked.
"Why do you want to know?" He retorted.
"Because you live next to me." She replied. Isn't that normal to ask a neighbor? Especially since they live right next to each other.
"It's Eren Yeager." He said.
"Eren Yeager." Ai tried it out. "I'm assuming Yeager is your family name, right?" Ai questioned.
"Yea." Eren said. "It's not the same here?"
"For Japan, it's family name first." Ai said.
"Then what's your name?" He asked.
He doesn't know? How doesn't he know? Even if he's been here a few days, he should have seen her pictures and on T.V. by now.
"Hoshino Ai, Ai being my given name." She said. "Didn't you see from my ID?" She questioned.
"I can't read Japanese." Eren said honestly.
He can't read Japanese? What is he doing living here if he doesn't know?
"This whole time, I thought you knew who I was." Ai laughed, mostly to herself.
"You keep saying that." He said. "Should I know who you are?"
"Maybe." She said.
Ai spread her feet slightly and put her hands just over her eyes, winking at Eren and sticking her tongue out in one of her classic poses.
"Hoshino Ai, one of the most popular idols in Japan." She said proudly.
Only to be met with complete silence. She held the pose, but slowly it was starting to break from just the sheer awkwardness of the situation.
"What is an idol?" He asked again.
"Do you really not know?" She asked.
"I'm not from here. I don't know." He said.
"Well, an idol is someone who performs. Like dancing, music videos, acting, and anything to do with entertainment." Ai explained, which was weired because she didn't think she ever actually had to explain her job.
"Like a circus performer?" Eren asked.
Ai busted out laughing from what he said. Circus performer? Did this guy come from the 1800s?
"No, not that." She said, holding her stomach. "I sing to make people happy."
"I think I understand." Eren said.
"Did you ever go to a concert?" Ai asked.
"No, I never have." Eren replied.
"Well, how about you come to my next concert. I can get you backstage tickets." She said.
"What is a concert?" Eren asked.
How does he not know what that is?
"I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but how don't you know?" She asked. "Aren't you from American or something?" She realized she may have said something rude because he got quiet for a moment.
"Where I grew up was kind of isolated." Eren said after a moment of thinking. "I really never saw much of the world."
So, he's from a small rural town perhaps. That explains a lot. rural areas typically don't have the same access to entertainment as people who live in cities.
"Well, how about I show you your first concert." Ai said in her idol voice, posing with two fingers.
"Can you please stop doing that." Eren said.
"Doing what?" Ai asked.
"You keep acting like a different person when you do that." He explained. "Can you just act like yourself; you are much easier to talk to."
Ai blushed when he said that. No one ever said her idol act was bad or even uncomfortable. Everyone she meets loves the persona she portrays.
"Ok, I won't then." She said.
"Thanks." He said, again making her blush. Did she really creep him out that much?
"So, do you want to come to the concert?" She asked.
"Not really." Eren said, turning her down.
"Oh." Ai said sadly.
Ai never imagined she'd get rejected before. She knew that if she wanted to, she could ask anyone out on a date and they'd say yes in a heartbeat. But she never imagined she'd get rejected so casually. It kind of made her sad.
Not that she wanted to go on a date with him. She just wanted to show him what a concert was like.
"Well, goodnight." She said sadly before walking towards her door.
Eren didn't look at her. He seemed like he was contemplating something, but instead decided to go back into his own room.
Ai sighed sadly as he went in. He seemed like a really interesting person, but she couldn't force someone to do something they didn't want to. Right?
With determination, Ai walked over to his door instead and knocked on it, causing Eren to open the door and look down at her. She forgot how tall he was.
"What's wrong?" Eren asked.
Ai reached into her pocket and took out a ticket that she had from earlier. It was a backstage pass for VIPs and she wasn't giving Eren a choice.
"No one should go through life without seeing a concert. So, you're going to come whether you like it or not." She smiled.
Eren raised his eyebrow at her. He seemed slightly annoyed and maybe considered slamming the door in her face, but he didn't.
"You're going to make me?" He asked in a serious tone.
"Yup, even if I have to drag you to the stage myself. I'm stronger than I look." Ai said proudly.
Eren looked away again, but instead of rejecting her again, he only sighed and nodded his head.
"You win, I'll come by to see what it's like." He said.
"Good. Make sure to dress nice. It'll be a fun event. Trust me." She smiled and gave him her idol pose.
"I though you said you won't do that." He said.
"If you're going to an idols performance you need to see it in its entirety." She said. "So, you'll have to deal with it."
If she paid attention, she would have seen just the slightest twitch of a smile on his face before it vanished.
"Do what you want." He said, closing the door.
Ai quickly went back into her own apartment and shut the door. She was breathing heavy a bit and her heart was racing. She didn't know what came over here, but the thought of him rejecting her proposal was unacceptable to her. He needed to see a concert at least once in his life.
She was determined to make him a fan of Japanese music and get him on the Hoshino Ai fan wagon. No matter what.
Thanks for reading. Hope you guys enjoyed the sweet moments in this one.
One thing I like in crossover stories, is how events in the story change as a result of the new characters. As you guys can see, Eren's appearance caused the conversation with Aqua and Ruby's father to happen much sooner, which will have consequences. As well as Ai's promise not to open the door. Doesn't mean she's safe, just that things will play out differently.
However, I don't think it's a spoiler to say that an AixEren story probably won't go the route of the show lol.