One year has passed since then. We've grown to the point where it is no longer suspicious for us to walk around or talk. And my sister…

"Mama! Mama!" Ruby's infectious laughter filled the room as she darted towards Ai. Her excitement was palpable as she flung herself onto the couch, nestling her face into Ai's denim-clad thighs. "Pat me!"

Ai couldn't help but smile. Her hand gently caressed Ruby's head as she cooed, "Pat, Pat~"

Ruby, her eyes closed in bliss, uttered a phrase so profound it surprised even Ai. "Pure Land of Perfect Bliss." she murmured, savoring the sensation.

Ai's curiosity piqued, and her eyes narrowed. "Where did you learn such a difficult phrase?" She inquired, a hint of suspicion creeping in. "Wait, could it be that you..."

Both siblings couldn't help but flinch, beads of sweat forming on Ruby's forehead.

Ai raised a finger to her chin, contemplating the situation. "Are you some kind of super genius?"

Aqua breathed a sigh of relief as Ai continued to pat Ruby.

"Must be genetic!" Ai playfully added, eliciting giggles from Ruby.

From behind his little sister, Jet couldn't resist joining in the head-patting extravaganza. His once-babyish purple locks had transformed into luscious curls cascading below his shoulders, and his violet eyes radiated an otherworldly charm, filling the room with an enchanting aura.

Ruby seemed to melt under the dual assault of mother and brotherly pats, her otaku heart unable to withstand the onslaught. At this rate, Jet might just rival Ai in the looks department, Aqua mused.

"Ruby's extremely cute, right, Mother?" Jet beamed, his hand never leaving Ruby's golden locks.

Ai nodded in agreement, mirroring her son's adoring gestures. "Of course! Ruby's the cutest girl in the world!"

Blushing furiously, Ruby couldn't handle the shower of affection, leaving her both sweating and dizzy.

Aqua gulped, observing his sister's fate. They were two peas in a pod, identical in appearance and behavior, both reveling in the opportunity to shower their victims with affection.

Jet, not to be outdone, turned his attention to Aqua. "C'mon, here, Aqua. I have another hand," He coaxed, wiggling his fingers enticingly. "You deserve some pampering too."

Aqua hesitated, trying to keep his composure. "I think I'm fine, Miyako should be here soon," He stammered. "We don't want to keep her waiting—"

But Ai and Jet, Mother and Son, were not to be denied.

"Come get your headpats, Aquamarine," Ai said, her sweet voice contrasting with her suddenly menacing demeanor.

Aqua shivered.

Five minutes later, he found himself in the same quivering state as Ruby on the couch. Ai and Jet exchanged triumphant high-fives before turning the tables and patting each other on the head.

"Pat~ Pat~" They sang in unison.

They were nothing short of playful demons, and Aqua trembled as he and Ruby slowly regained their strength. While they didn't mind the pampering, it was a surreal experience to be loved by both their idol and her uncanny copy of a son. It was a paradise they couldn't have imagined.

"I love my life..." Ruby murmured, her face reflecting pure contentment.

/-/

From model to radio assistant…Ai steadily picked up more gigs, and today she has a job that could be said to be the crystallization of all that work.

Inside the confines of a sleek gray SUV, Miyako took the driver's seat with Jet securely fastened into a children's booster seat beside her. In the spacious backseats, the trio of passengers found themselves seated, with Ai nestled in between her two children.

Ruby, her eyes filled with excitement, leaned affectionately into Ai's side. "Mama, your first TV drama - how exciting!"

Ai, the humble soul that she was, downplayed her role with a modest smile. "It's only a minor part, though."

Miyako, her attention momentarily diverted from the road, glanced at the pair through the rearview mirror, her expression marked with a stern frown. "Now, listen here, you two," She began, her voice firm. "You insisted on coming along, so I brought you, but I want you to make absolutely sure not to call Ai-san 'Mama' on the set, okay? Remember that the story is that you're my kids."

Amid the gray interior of the SUV, Aqua's voice carried a hint of boredom as he lounged in the backseat, gazing out of the window. "Yeah, yeah. Mama, Mama, gimme some head pats."

Ai, always ready for some playful banter, threw her arms dramatically into the air. "Me too, Mama!"

Ruby joined in the fun. "Mama, gimme my allowance."

Miyako's scowl deepened.

Jet, seemingly on a quest for amusement, made an unexpected request. "Mama, can you read me bed time stories?"

The contemplative pause that followed was broken by Miyako's quiet mumbling. "...That actually doesn't sound too bad."

Ai, refusing to let her privileges be infringed upon, gasped in mock shock. "No way! That's my privilege!" With a burst of enthusiasm, she lunged forward from the backseat, wrapping her arms around the passenger seat where Jet sat. Unfortunately, her excitement led to her accidentally choking him, causing Jet to frantically tap her hand in a plea for release. All the while, Ai shot a stern glare at Miyako.

"Mama, you're choking Jet." Ruby noted casually, though a hint of jealousy sparkled in her eyes.

Ai blinked in realization. "Huh? Whoops, sorry! I don't know what came over me..."

"Motherly instinct? You got afraid some predator was going to steal your child?" Aqua's wry guess, delivered while staring out of the corner of his eye, earned him a surprised squawk from Miyako.

"Predator?!"

Jet, ever the cheeky one, decided to clear things up with a casual response. "Nah, Miyako isn't like that. She's not into shotas."

A silence hung in the air, with everyone in the car momentarily at a loss for words. Miyako, her maternal instincts kicking in, couldn't help but wonder where her 'son' had picked up such a term.

"Jet, where did you learn that word?" she inquired, her voice laced with a touch of nervousness as she glanced at her favorite child.

Jet, unfazed by her curiosity, provided a simple answer. "YouTube."

Miyako growled softly, realizing that perhaps parental controls on the internet might have been a good idea. Her frustrated comment seemed to hang in the air, and Ai couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt. "I'm sorry."

/-/

Miyako maneuvered the SUV into a parking lot, their journey had reached its destination. Ruby couldn't contain her excitement, immediately opening the car door and leaping out once Miyako parked. "Yay! I can't believe we're finally going to see Mama act! I can't wait!"

"Don't trip." Aqua climbed out of the car, with Ai following closely behind. Jet, on the other hand, decided to add a bit of flair to his exit. He opened the car door and executed a perfectly executed combat roll as he landed on the concrete.

Ai was quick to cheer on her son's acrobatics. "Safe!" Jet acknowledged her with a bow, as if he were a gymnast receiving applause.

Miyako couldn't help but comment, "Ruby isn't the one you should be warning."

Jet and Ruby stood together, taking in the sight before them. Jet's curiosity got the best of him as he inquired. "Is this a studio? Or did they rent out the building?"

Miyako led the way to the entrance of the building, unlocking the double doors with a key. She motioned for Ai and the children to enter. "It's rented. They're able to use it every weekend until they finish filming."

Ruby tilted her head and admired the educational and motivational posters lining the hallway. "How come?"

"It's a cram school. Normally, it would only be available on Sundays, but the agency paid a bit extra to have it for Saturday too." Miyako explained, closing and locking the door behind her.

Aqua raised an eyebrow at this revelation. "They can do that?"

Miyako chuckled, though her tone was devoid of humor. "With enough money, you can do anything."

Aqua sighed, observing Ruby's infectious excitement as she ran ahead, enthusiastically exploring every corner of the set. He couldn't help but think about the power of wealth in this industry.

Jet, still curious, tugged at the sleeves of Ai's shirt. "Mother, are you nervous? You haven't spoken yet, and it's out of character for you."

Ai looked down at her son, wearing a sheepish smile. "Hmm? Oh, sorry, I'm just thinking about my game plan."

Jet raised an eyebrow, his finger on his chin. "Game plan?"

Ai nodded, explaining her strategy with enthusiasm. "Yep. I need to think about how I'll stand out today. Up on stage, I need to look cute for everyone, no matter what angle they view me from. But here, it's only a single person…" She framed her fingers into a square, visualizing her concept. "I just need the camera to think I'm cute. If the same tricks I use for music videos will work, it's right in my wheelhouse."

Miyako's brief pause hinted at her surprise for Ai's creative approach. "That's... a surprisingly good idea." She admitted.

Ruby took Miyako's comment in a different light and narrowed her eyes, her fingers twitching ominously. "Surprisingly? What are you trying to insinuate about Mama? You want to get smited?"

Miyako let out a nervous squeak, fearing the wrath of Ruby, but relief quickly washed over her as her hero, Jet, stepped in.

Jet intervened by pinching Ruby's ear gently, eliciting a yelp from the girl. "Stop that," He admonished her gently. "Don't scare Miyako. Apologize."

Ruby muttered an apology, a frown on her face as she turned away from Miyako. Jet rubbed her head affectionately, melting away her displeasure. "Good job." He praised her.

Unbeknownst to Jet, Ruby sported a mischievous smile, thoroughly enjoying the sensation of his hand on her hair.

Aqua, observing the dynamics between his siblings, couldn't help but shake his head in mild disappointment. He was well aware of Ruby's penchant for saying rude things just to provoke Jet, only to revel in whatever reward he offered her once she apologized for her actions. Jet, it seemed, remained blissfully unaware that he was being skillfully played by his younger sister.

/-/

The group came to a halt in front of a sliding door, and through the windows, they could catch a glimpse of various staff members and actors bustling around. Some were diligently preparing the set and their equipment, while others engaged in casual conversations with their colleagues. The small classroom had been transformed into a bustling hub of activity, with cameras strategically positioned in the corners. Despite the apparent congestion, there was an air of excitement that pervaded the room, and everyone appeared to be in high spirits.

With a confident stride, Ai slid open the door, immediately drawing the attention of those inside the classroom. She took a step forward and offered a polite bow. "I'm Ai, from Strawberry Productions. I'm looking forward to working with you today."

The studio members responded in unison, returning her greeting with enthusiasm.

A middle-aged man with disheveled brown hair, engrossed in some papers, finally shifted his focus to Ai. He approached her until he was merely a foot away, leaning in so that their faces were only inches apart.

Ai couldn't help but sweat nervously. "Is something the matter, Director?"

The Director's voice dropped low, his gaze locked onto Ai's starry pupils. "No." He replied in a hushed tone. "Nothing in particular."

Off to the side, Ruby inched closer to her older brother. "Kinda scary, isn't he?"

Aqua whispered back in agreement. "Yeah, that face of his."

Jet, on the other hand, found himself captivated by the Director's hair, his eyes widening with fascination.

The Director took notice of the three siblings and inquired. "Hm? Whose kids are these?" Two out of the three flinched, and Miyako stepped in quickly. "Oh, they're my kids."

The Director's expression darkened. "The idea of a manager bringing her kids to the set..."

The two siblings and Miyako trembled at his stern tone. However, a moment later, the Director seemed to have a sudden realization. "Is this one of those work-style reform things?"

"Eh?" Miyako responded, puzzled.

The middle-aged man rubbed the back of his head. "Sign of the times, huh?" With a dismissive wave, he turned to walk away. "Well, some people even bring their dogs these days."

Two siblings, along with Miyako, breathed sighs of relief.

Jet couldn't help but comment. "I like his hair. I'm going to grow it out like that."

Miyako, speaking without thinking, remarked. "He has wavy hair, while you have it curly. If you grow it to the Director's length, when you wet your hair, it'll actually be around your mid-back and not your shoulders."

Jet, undeterred, responded with a grin, "I see no problem with that."

/-/

The room was abuzz with excitement as the staff members and actors took notice of Jet, Ruby and Aqua, referring to them as triplets. Both Ruby and Aqua found themselves being pampered by the staff, seated on the laps of gorgeous women. They reveled in the attention, their cheeks blushing with satisfaction. Jet, on the other hand, observed the scene with a tilted head and a look of confusion, standing beside Miyako and holding her hand. Miyako could only sigh, running her free hand across her face in exasperation.

Aqua, while perched on the woman's lap, took a closer look at her face and recognized her. Oh, if I recall, this girl's a pinup model...

Across from them, Ruby's chosen companion hugged the little girl a bit closer, cooing at her with affection. The woman known as a young performer celebrated for having "the prettiest face."

"Goo-Goo! Ga-Ga!" Ruby chirped happily.

Aqua's eye twitched in response to Ruby's overly cute act.

With a mischievous grin, Jet let go of Miyako's hand and approached Ruby and the actress. He placed his hands on Ruby's cheeks, pinching and stretching them out playfully. "Hehe, my sister's cute, ain't she?"

Ruby glared at her brother but didn't take any action to stop him. Instead, she closed her eyes, pouted, and allowed her face to be messed with.

"Aww, how cute." Anearby cameraman chimed in, crouching in front of Jet with his fist extended, waiting to be bumped. "What's your name, little man?"

Jet beamed, revealing pearly white baby teeth, and enthusiastically bumped his tiny fist against the cameraman's. "I'm Jet!"

"Too bright!" The cameraman laughed, affectionately rubbing his hand through Jet's dark curls. Jet continued to smile, allowing the man to ruffle up his hair, creating a delightful mess. After the man was finished, Jet whipped his hair back, still grinning and giggling. His laughter had an infectious quality, bringing smiles to all those who heard it, as it filled the room with an intoxicating sense of joy.

"Oh, come here, you!" Another woman squealed with delight, picking Jet up and cradling him in her arms. If Aqua remembered correctly, she was an up-and-coming actress. "Just call me Onee-chan from now on, okay?"

Jet blinked slowly, clearly puzzled. "Onee-chan?"

Jet had mentioned he was American, and he was still getting accustomed to Asian customs. He found it strange how familial titles were used to address people who weren't actually family. Aqua suspected that this Western perspective might be why he found it odd.

The actress holding Jet suddenly pulled him closer until their faces were just inches apart, studying his hair with a quizzical gaze. "Hmmm..."

Jet raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"

The woman hummed thoughtfully. "It's just that you look a lot like Ai, and you don't really look like your siblings..."

Both Aqua and Ruby froze, a sinking feeling in their stomachs. They turned their heads toward Jet, who had the full attention of their own women and the rest of the gathered staff. Off to the side, Miyako also froze, sweat forming on her brow. They were fortunate that Ai was preoccupied, getting into her uniform, or she might have unintentionally complicated the situation with her words.

Jet, however, remained remarkably composed. He smiled at the woman, his face devoid of any anxiety. "Oh, that's because I'm related to her. I'm a relative."

The actress tilted her head inquisitively. "Like a cousin?"

Jet grinned, not giving a clear answer but not denying it either.

"But you called Ruby your sister?" she continued.

"Right!" Jet nodded enthusiastically. "Because I think of her like my sister!"

The woman squealed with delight and hugged Jet even tighter, pressing his face into her chest. His smile remained, but his eyes dimmed slightly. It had become a rather bizarre pattern for Jet, with women repeatedly smothering him in their bosoms.

"So you guys aren't triplets?" The cameraman from earlier asked, rising to his feet and stretching. He seemed a bit envious of Jet's current position.

From the embrace of the actress, Jet's cheerful voice muffled but still audible. "I think of both of them as my siblings."

The gathered actors and staff collectively thought. "Too cute." In their hearts and minds, there was nothing more precious in the world than Jet.

On the other hand, the blond siblings and their pretend mother couldn't help but think. You're taking years off my life.

/-/

Aqua stumbled out of the studio, feeling utterly drained. His little body had been pushed to its limits, trying to keep up with the hectic pace of a film shoot. He let out a tired sigh as he trudged down the corridor, each step feeling heavier than the last.

But just as he thought he could finally catch a break, a shadow suddenly loomed over him. Aqua's eyes shot open, and he jumped slightly when he saw the Director standing in front of him.

"Hm? Oh, you're that manager's kid," The Director remarked, narrowing his eyes at the toddler. "I don't mind you being here, but if you cry and interrupt the filming, I'll kick you out."

Aqua quickly waved his hands in a panic. "Oh, we'd never! Though we may be babies, we shall strive to not make any such blunders!"

He continued to bow repeatedly, hoping to make a good impression on the Director. The man's unexpected presence had caught him off guard, and he wanted to ensure there were no misunderstandings. "I am well aware that not hindering the production process is a baseline rule. Please show favor to our agency's Ai going forward."

The Director's curiosity seemed piqued as he leaned down slightly, his disheveled brown hair framing his face. "Whoa, this baby sure is talkative! Where'd you learn all those words?"

"Here and there on Youtube..." Aqua admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment.

"Man, that Youtube is amazing! Sign of the times, huh?!" The Director crouched down, his hands under Aqua's tiny armpits as he lifted the toddler high into the air. Aqua's wide eyes met the Director's as they hung face-to-face in mid-air.

"I see a good number of precocious child actors, but you're really something else," The Director remarked. "You do acting by any chance?"

Aqua turned his head to the side, a bit unsure. "No, acting and such isn't something I..."

"You'd be interesting up on screen. I'd like to put you in something." The Director gently placed Aqua back on the ground and crouched to the toddler's level. "Here's my business card. Give me a call if you sign up with an agency."

Aqua blinked, processing the unexpected offer. Then, with a thoughtful expression, he shook his head. "No, if you're going to hand out work, then give it to Ai rather than me."

"Oh, that idol huh…She has an exceptional face. With some luck, she'll survive in the industry," The Director mused, his tone tinged with a hint of cynicism.

Aqua arched an eyebrow, curious. "She needs luck despite having an exceptional face?"

The Director raised three fingers, directing Aqua's attention to the actresses and the crew going over the script. "Listen closely, kid. In this industry, there are three types of actors."

As the Director explained, Aqua watched the people on the set attentively, intrigued by the dynamics he was about to learn.

"One is the star actor. Their primary role is to attract an audience. They act as poster children, earning solid performance fees. Then there are those with real talent. Their job is to ensure the quality of the product on screen and maintain the programming block's brand."

The Director gestured for Aqua to follow him to a window overlooking the set, where they could see everything unfold. "Lastly, you've got newcomer actors. Acting ability isn't really expected from them. Their goal is to bring a sense of freshness to the screen."

Aqua nodded and peeked through the doorway, focusing on the newcomers working hard on the set.

"Investing in these newcomers is like planting seeds," The Director continued. "We hope that at least one of them will grow into a star. But it's a cutthroat world. They need to either draw in viewers or become well-liked on set to stand a chance."

The Director closed his eyes, sighing deeply. "Those who survive are first-class at something."

Aqua smiled, feeling somewhat enlightened by this insider's perspective. "Well, she'll be fine, then. Ai is a first-class idol."

The Director shook his head. "No, even being a first-class idol won't cut it."

The Assistant Director walked over, briefly setting aside his script book to speak with his boss. "Director! We're all ready for the set test."

"Okay, I'll watch from here," The Director replied, raising his hand in confirmation. He moved to the door and leaned against the frame. The Assistant Director rushed back to the main camera, ensuring it focused on the snapping film board. "Ready, and…!" He stopped short, closing the board with a snap.

"What are you saying?" The main lead asked, tilting her head at Ai.

"Want me to ask Touma-kun for you?" Ai, confident and poised, offered.

The main lead approached, a hint of pouting in her expression. "Hey! Don't even think about it!"

Ai's laughter filled the air, captivating everyone on set. The camera successfully captured her beauty, and her voice sounded like a melodious song.

"Her acting is average." The Director commented, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "But she really attracts your attention."

"Right? She mentioned that earlier." Aqua chimed in, recalling their earlier conversation. "She thinks of it like a music video."

"She thinks of it like a music video." The Director repeated. "Sign of the times, huh?"

"What?! They're super well-made, so you should really give them a look! I'll even lend you the DVDs!"

The Director sighed, urging Aqua to lower his voice, and then turned his focus back to Ai. As he rubbed his stubbled chin, he couldn't help but find Ai's presence fascinating. She seemed to draw his attention more than any other actress on set, and he knew this might cause ripples within the industry.

His gaze shifted to the side, where Miyako and the two toddlers were watching with keen interest. Ruby was practically vibrating with excitement, her eyes sparkling as she fixated on Ai's performance. On the other hand, Jet appeared unassuming, just a child sitting quietly next to Miyako.

But there was something about Jet that intrigued the Director. Despite doing nothing noteworthy, he demanded attention not only from the Director himself but also from his crew. It was unusual for a child to garner such interest by simply being there, and it intrigued him further.

"But you're not the only one I can see promise in," the Director finally said, shifting his attention back to Aqua. "Those two siblings of yours..."

"Ruby and Jet?" Aqua confirmed.

The Director nodded. "That's right. Your sister will likely attract a lot of attention when she's older. She has a charm and personality that people will adore. As for your brother... I can't explain it, but just by looking at him, he instantly captures my attention."

His eyes briefly flickered back to Jet, almost against his own will. It was surprising how much the boy had intrigued him, considering he hadn't initially wanted to pay him much attention.

"It's almost scary, that charisma of his." The Director admitted in a hushed tone. He then turned his focus back to Aqua, offering a warm smile. "Although I believe that you will truly shine."

/-/

Several days after filming had finished, when the moon was already in the night sky, the small family of four gathered in their living room. Ruby sat on Ai's lap, her legs kicking with excitement. Her two brothers took their places on either side of Ai. Ruby couldn't contain her anticipation as she stared at the TV screen.

"I can't wait to see your performance, Mama!" Ruby exclaimed, her eyes fixed on the screen.

Ai smiled, her hand gently patting Jet's head. "Well, they did film me quite a bit."

Aqua leaned forward, his expression pensive. He knew this was the moment they had all been waiting for.

"It's starting!" Ai cheered, her excitement contagious.

As the show's intro and opening scenes played out, Jet found himself feeling a bit bored. The drama seemed like a standard one, and he could already predict how it would likely end. But he kept his attention on the screen, hoping for something to catch his interest.

The male lead on the screen spoke, asking the lead actress if she was in a bad mood. Ruby couldn't contain herself and interrupted the dialogue.

"Oh, this is the scene!" Ruby exclaimed, pointing at the screen and nearly slipping out of Ai's embrace. "It's Mama!"

In her schoolgirl uniform, Ai greeted the other characters on screen, and for a moment, both she and the lead actress appeared in the same frame. Aqua, however, was not satisfied.

"C'mon, give her a close-up!" He demanded.

As the minutes ticked by, both Ruby's and Aqua's excitement started to dwindle. The episode seemed to drag on, with only a single scene featuring Ai and seven minutes of commercials.

"What?! That's all?!" Ruby cried out in disappointment, her enthusiasm waning. "Just a bit of a single scene?!"

Aqua couldn't hide his frustration as he jumped off the couch and dialed the director's number on his small smartphone. He walked away to another part of the house, determined to voice his concerns.

Jet chuckled as Ruby pouted. "They cut way too much."

Ai couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened. "I wonder if my acting was bad..."

"No, it definitely wasn't." Jet reassured her. "You were splendid during filming. It was probably some stingy executives or something."

Ai giggled softly and continued to pat Ruby's head. Ruby tilted her head, looking curious.

"What do some old farts in suits gotta do with you, Mama?" Ruby asked.

Ai sighed and rubbed her daughter's head affectionately. "A lot."

/-/

At a bar, the Director, Taishi Gotanda, was enjoying a simple beer when his phone began to ring. He took it out of his pocket, took a nice, long sip of his beer, and then answered it.

"Yes?" Taishi said casually.

"Hey, Director, what's the big idea?!" A voice on the other end of the line exclaimed loudly.

"Oh, hey, precocious baby."

Aqua ignored the greeting and got straight to the point. "You didn't give Ai any screen time!"

"Yeah, about that..." Taishi sighed. "Her part came out great, so it's quite a shame."

"Well, why then?!" Aqua demanded.

"The lead actress's agency promotes her as 'a talented actress with the prettiest face.' So how does it look when a girl with an even prettier face is sharing the screen? It would be a problem for their image strategy, right?" Taishi explained.

Aqua frowned in frustration.

"Ai simply appeared too cute on the screen." Taishi continued, taking a drag of his cigarette. "And so, word came down from the top to cut her out as much as possible during editing."

"Good grief..." Aqua sighed, running his hand across his face.

"The screen time a performer receives tends to be decided by the power balance between companies, so just see it as an unexpected misfortune and accept it." Taishi advised, tapping his cigarette against an ashtray.

"I can't accept it." Aqua muttered.

Taishi inhaled the smoke and then exhaled with a sigh. "It's fine to dream of the entertainment industry, but it's best not to have illusions about it. This isn't a place for art, but rather for business." He said, putting out his cigarette. "But that said, I understand your point, and I feel bad about this. I hesitate to say 'in exchange,' but I'd like to offer Ai another job. For a film, that is. Can't complain about that, right?"

"Seriously?!" Aqua's eyes widened at the thought.

"On the condition that... you also appear in the film," Taishi added.

/-/

On the outskirts of a rural part of the city, there was a vast area of forestation that was being lended to Taishi's studio. There they had set up a production site for the film, with various tents already pitched and their equipment in the process of being unloaded. As it was still quite early in the day, Taishi had taken it upon himself to explain some of the finer details of the entertainment industry to Aqua.

"Listen up, precocious baby. In Japan, casting is for the most part decided upon by the higher-ups. The bigger the budget for a project, the less it can afford to flop. In order to secure actors who are sure to draw viewers, the higher-ups have their own battles to fight. The Directors with casting authority are the very select few super heavy weights, or those working on low budget small scale films."

Taishi smirks down at the toddler. "So which do I look like to you?"

"Um…a super heavy weight-"

"Swing and miss!" Taishi swings into a turn, and spreads his arm out, exasperated at the answer he received. "We're on the set of a low budget film here."

Aqua frowns, but before he could reply, Miyako approaches with sleeping Ruby in her arms and Jet trailing behind her. "Director, thank you for taking care of Aqua today."

Taishi turns his attention to her. "No, not at all. And we're on the same page about that matter, right?"

"Er, yes…Aqua has joined Strawberry Productions as of this month."

"The thing is, there'll be hell to pay if I use a kid who's not affiliated with an agency."

"In terms of acting I feel like my sister is probably better than me." Aqua speaks up, looking at Ruby who was drooling in her sleep.

"Nope, It's you I want. It's an exchange for your performance that I'm giving Ai a part." Taishi lightly smack his rolled up script on Aqua's head. Much to his annoyance, and Jet's amusement. "In the industry we call this bartering. It's one of the fundamental's so keep it in mind."

"Bartering Ai-san for her own son…" Miyako leans down slightly. "That stern-looking Director has taken quite a liking to you Aqua. What in the world did you do to make this happen?"

"Nothing all that special…Old guys for some reason tend to enjoy it when young people have a casual attitude with them, so I don't act pompously toward him is all."

"You're one dreadful baby…"

Jet sneaks up behind Aqua, raising a hand up into the air and… "Bonk! Bonk!"

/-/

"Mama! Mama! I wanna go back to Mama!" Ruby was in the midst of throwing a tantrum on the floor. "Why isn't Mama here?"

"Because Ai doesn't film on the same days I do." Aqua explained, trying to pacify his sister.

"I wanna go home and snuggle up to Mama!" Ruby continued, kicking her feet and waving her arms. "I wanna be held to Mama's breast and pampered!"

Aqua sighed internally. He couldn't help but wonder if Ruby felt any embarrassment acting this way at her age, though he knew she was far older on the inside.

Suddenly, a small thud echoed in the room, capturing their attention. Both Aqua and Ruby turned to find a young girl in a yellow sundress and sun hat. She held a rolled-up script in her hand, pointing it at them. "This is a professional worksite, you know!" She scolded. "If you came to play, head home right now! ...And is he sleeping right now?!"

Aqua and Ruby exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of who this sassy little girl was. Aqua venture. "He does that." Pointing to Jet, who was currently napping on the floor with his face pressed against it.

"Kana Arima. I'm an actress in the film," The little girl introduced herself confidently.

Ruby's expression turned flat. "You know, I don't really like this girl. Like, she seems fake, and I have an instinctive distaste for her."

Aqua couldn't help but chuckle at his sister's frankness. "There are some people who are unusually hard on child actors... Like you, for example."

Kana was undeterred by Ruby's bluntness. "I know about you! You're that kid who had an in." She accused. "Back when we did the script reading, you and that idol weren't even part of the story. Even Mama said the Director forced it through! That's simply not acceptable, okay!?"

Aqua attempted to defend himself. "Well, that's not really-"

But Kana continued. "I watched the drama the Director shot recently, and that idol hardly had any screen time at all."

The gasps of anger that escaped both Aqua and Ruby were audible.

Kana kept going, seemingly unaware of the shock she was causing. "Seems the one thing she's good at is buttering people up!"

At that moment, the assistant director appeared, carrying some boxes. Kana saw an opportunity and took it. "Hey, AD, carry my bag," She demanded.

"Um, well, hold on just a minute..." The assistant director tried to explain.

But before she could finish, Jet had already taken the box from her hands. He smiled at her, despite the box being almost as big as he was, and his eyes barely visible over its edge. "Where to, Ms. As-" He corrected himself. "Ashi-san?"

"Oh?! You don't need to do that!" Ashi protested, though her gratefulness was evident. Jet shook his head.

"I want to help you out! I can't just rest easy if you're struggling. So where are we going?"

Ruby and Aqua watched this interaction with blank expressions. They exchanged a glance, both equally puzzled by their older brother's sudden transformation into a helpful gentleman.

Kana, on the other hand, had finally caught up and looked baffled. "Wasn't he dead asleep? How did he get up so fast? Without me noticing...?"

Both Aqua and Ruby answered in unison. "He does that."

Kana was left standing there, pondering this revelation, before realizing she was falling behind. "Wait! AD, wait for me! I don't know where you're going to put my bag!" She sprinted after Jet and Ashi, her little legs pumping furiously to catch up, all the while ensuring her sun hat stayed firmly in place. "AD?!"

Ruby couldn't help but comment, "I know I say this a lot... But Jet really should've been the oldest brother instead of the middle child. He just fits the caring older brother role better than you."

Aqua crossed his arms over his chest, not wanting to admit that Ruby had a point. "Shut up..."

/-/

The rough outline of the film's plot revolved around a woman with zero confidence in her appearance, who, for some reason, goes to a sketchy hospital deep in the mountains to get plastic surgery. Aqua, Ruby, and Kana played the roles of creepy children she encounters at the entrance to that village.

"Greetings, visitor. We welcome you..." Kana said hollowly, tilting her head up slightly to show her darkened eyes. "Now, please do stay for a while."

Aqua spared her a glance, recognizing Kana's talent as a genius child actor. Even if he tried to replicate her performance, the vast difference in their abilities was evident. He knew that attempting to mimic her would fall flat, and he needed to find his unique angle.

The standard answer would be to act like a creepy kid, but Aqua sensed that wasn't what the Director wanted from him. The Director's vision seemed to align with the unsettling atmosphere they were trying to create.

Stepping forward, Aqua adopted an oddly cheerful tone. "There's only a single lodging in this village. Once you check in, you might enjoy taking a stroll around the village."

This scene was added hastily after the Director met Aqua and revised the screenplay with him in mind. Aqua understood that he didn't need to act in the traditional sense. Instead, he should respond to the intent of the Director's direction.

Taishi leaned forward to get a better look from the camera, a smirk on his face. "Even without acting, you're plenty creepy already."

"Well then, if you will follow me." Aqua said to the lead actress. The moment hung heavy, like a thick fog settling in. Their gazes locked in an unyielding contest, and the actress drew in a shivering breath, feeling an eerie sensation crawl down her spine. It was as if Aqua's eyes held secrets that transcended the natural world, their depths filled with a chilling, otherworldly knowledge that sent icy tendrils into her soul.

"Cut! That'll do!" Taishi announced, breaking the intense moment.

"That's good stuff." The assistant director grinned.

Ruby turned to face Miyako, who was holding her on her lap. "He was just being himself, huh?"

Jet laughed from his place on a fallen log.

Aqua let out a sigh of relief, and the lead actress crouched down before him. "You're amazing! You sent a chill down my spine."

"Really? That's good to hear," Aqua replied with a smile.

Kana walked away, her head down. "Nothing good about it."

"Clear out anything in that camera's frame! We're gonna shoot the start of the next scene," Taishi announced.

"Yes, sir!" The crew members replied in unison, scurrying to clear the set.

But amidst the commotion, Kana approached the director. "Director. Reshoot the scene."

Taishi raised a curious eyebrow. "Hm? But there aren't any problems with it."

Kana's voice trembled as she spoke. "There's a huge problem!" Her words pierced the air, drawing the attention of the entire crew. She continued, her desperation evident. "Just now, I... I wasn't nearly as good as that boy. I can't take it! One more time! I'm begging you! This time I promise I'll do better! One more time!" Kana latched onto Taishi's pants and began to sob uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.

"Kana-chan!" Her mother and Ashi rushed forward, attempting to pull her away.

"Please!" Kana screamed, desperately clinging to Taishi. Eventually, she had to let go and was guided to a nearby bench, where she was comforted by Ashi and her mother.

Jet, who had been watching quietly from a distance, suddenly approached Kana. He stopped a foot away, tilting his head as if considering something. Confusion spread among the older women, unsure of his intentions, while Kana remained too absorbed in her grief to notice him.

Taking another step forward, Jet surprised everyone by hugging Kana. She initially stiffened at his touch but gradually relaxed as he began to gently stroke her hair.

"There, there," Jet whispered in a voice as soft as silk. "Let it all out. It's gonna be okay. I'm right here."

Kana froze in his embrace, tears pouring down her cheeks. Her mother and Ashi exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of how to react to this unexpected turn of events. Kana continued to sob into Jet's shoulder, her face buried in the fabric of his shirt, which soon became damp with her tears.

Despite the discomfort of the situation, Jet wore a warm, comforting smile. He whispered soothing words into Kana's ear, his fingers gently wiping away the tears and snot that stained her face. Jet didn't mind the mess, all that mattered to him was providing solace to the little girl in his arms.

And his grin never wavered.

/-/

In the distance, Aqua peeked his head up from the bench he was sitting on, and next to him was the Director. Taishi leaned in and spoke to Aqua with a thoughtful expression. "Hey, Precocious. What do you think is the most essential element for an actor?"

Aqua considered the question for a moment before responding. "Hmm... ability or a feel for acting? Drive and effort?"

"Well, that stuff is important too." Taishi agreed. "But in the end, it's communication skills."

Aqua furrowed his brow in curiosity. "Communication skills?"

Taishi nodded, sharing his wisdom. "If fellow actors or staff take a disliking to you, your job prospects will soon dry up. If you get a swollen head while still young and act like a big shot, you have no future."

Aqua pondered Taishi's words. "Were you trying to rake her over the coals?" He asked.

"I wasn't thinking anything patronizing like that." Taishi replied sincerely. "But this sort of thing is nourishment to grow."

Aqua looked away, feeling somewhat humbled by the conversation. "That girl was more impressive than me. I was just being the way I always am."

Taishi gave Aqua a warm smile and patted his head. "Even so, I never once instructed you to do that. Reading someone's intentions is one part of communication skills. Acting with an understanding of the direction and intent is, of course, fundamental for an actor. But precious is the actor who can even read intent that can't be put into words. After all, the correct visual is something we Directors possess in our minds."

Taishi continued. "Rather than one who does amazing acting, become an actor who can act just as envisioned."

Aqua mumbled, still processing the conversation. "Er, I'm not going to become an actor…"

And thus, in that fleeting moment, Aqua dipped his toes into the world of the entertainment industry.

/-/

Three years had passed since I was reborn as Ai's child. The film that the Director shot had been reasonably well-received, and he even got nominated for the Director's Prize at some prestigious awards ceremony. Reflecting on it, I thought my acting had been quite skilled. However, in the end, it was Ai who had carried the entire film.

I wasn't sure if that film had been the springboard, but Ai had landed a lot more work afterward. To sum up Ai now, she was a major up-and-coming idol and media personality. It felt like she was on the cusp of something big.

Ai was soon turning twenty, and so far, we had managed to go about our daily lives without being uncovered by the public. And to my great relief, my real identity and my past life's corpse had not yet been discovered.

"Hmm, you're looking cute again today!" Ai beamed, looking at her children dressed in their school uniforms. "Super cute!"

"Well, you're cuter overall, Mama," Ruby replied with a sweet smile.

Aqua raised an eyebrow. "What's with this rivalry?"

"Well..." Jet looked over himself, a hint of perplexity in his expression. "This is different from what I'm used to."

We enrolled in preschool.

/-/

At the preschool playground, Ruby and Aqua found themselves huddled together at the base of the slide.

"That reminds me, what were you doing before you were reborn?" Aqua asked his sister. "And how old are you really, anyway?"

"Well…" Ruby contemplated the questions for a moment, then jumped as a realization hit her. If I was younger than he was...

In her imagination, Aqua crossed his arms mockingly. "What the heck? Should've figured you were just a kid. From now on, you better listen to everything I say, junior."

"I'm an adult woman, okay?!" Ruby retorted, her confidence slightly wavering. "Asking about a woman's age... what an insensitive brat you are!"

Ruby turned to face the slide, preparing herself to go down it. "Besides, who cares about my previous life?! Quit prying!"

Aqua rolled his eyes but conceded. "Well, I suppose you're right."

Thinking about her past life made Aqua feel depressed. He had grown to love his current life as a child, and his old memories only brought him down.

He opened up a book. Compared to his days at a demanding job, being a preschooler meant he could eat, sleep, and read books as much as he pleased. It was a relatively easy gig.

Ruby cheered as she went down the slide

That said, it's really something how seriously that girl is able to play…

Two preschool teachers nearby noticed the unusual sight. "Huh? A preschooler is reading one of Natsuhiko Kyogoku's tomes..."

"Yeah, my brother is pretty sophisticated." Jet chimed in as he walked past the two teachers, patting one of them on the leg. "It's cool, right?"

The two teachers shared a simultaneous thought, watching Jet climb the playground equipment to sit down next to his brother. "Such a saint..."

Jet's eyes scanned the kanji characters on the page, his expression a mix of curiosity and recognition. He pointed to several of them, his finger hovering over the intricate symbols. "Logic is a cruel tool to use for…the mending of hearts?"

Aqua arched an eyebrow, genuine curiosity piqued. "You know how to read Kanji?" He asked, his expression a mix of surprise and fascination. "Did you study the language in America?"

Jet let out a chuckle, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Well, I learned some words from watching subbed Anime when I was a teen, but I actually studied it here." He admitted. "I was stationed at the Kadena Air base in the Okinawa Prefecture for a while back in 2011."

Aqua's eyebrow shot up in further surprise. "Stationed?" He questioned. "Were you a soldier?"

Jet nodded proudly, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "Yep, I was a proud Pararescue for the United States Air Force."

Aqua couldn't help but be taken aback by this unexpected revelation. "Hmm," He mused. "Well, now that was quite the interesting revelation. Wait… 2011?"

Jet confirmed with a nod, his expression growing slightly solemn. "Yeah," He said, his voice taking on a more somber tone. "I helped out when the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami struck the east coast."

Aqua's jaw dropped slightly as he processed this information.

Jet continued, a hint of nostalgia creeping into his voice. "It was a really terrible sight. So when I wasn't on the field, I spent a lot of my time studying the language so that I could help calm down survivors."

"I must've spent around four hours each day studying," He chuckled. "And I began to learn the Kanji when I visited shelters and camps. I had some help from locals too. I was even able to make some friends... I wonder how they're doing right now? I hope they're living happy lives."

The smile on Jet's face dimmed for a moment, his eyes reflecting a touch of sadness. But just as quickly, his goofy grin returned.

"I hope that they're all still practicing English, just how I taught them," Jet said optimistically. "It would be a real shame if all the hours we spent together went to waste during the years."

"So... that explains it." Aqua muttered, his voice tinged with newfound understanding. "I did wonder for a while how you instantly knew the language when you weren't Japanese in the past."

I was right, Jet was a righteous…No…he is a righteous person.

/-/

The preschool classroom buzzed with excitement as the elderly teacher gathered the children for their dance routine practice.

"Okay, everyone, it's time for your dance routine," She announced, her gentle voice carrying through the room. "It won't be long before your families come to watch your dance... so let's practice hard today!"

The children, filled with youthful energy and anticipation, responded eagerly. "Yes, ma'am!"

But amidst the enthusiasm, one voice rang out in protest. Ruby abruptly stood up and yelled. "No! I won't do it!"

Ruby bolted from the room, her tiny feet carrying her away like a whirlwind, leaving behind a surprised and concerned teacher.

The teacher called out, her voice filled with urgency. "Ruby-chan!"

/-/

Outside the school, on the outskirts of the playground, Jet and Aqua made their way to where Ruby was hiding behind a tree, her face tucked into her knees.

Jet knelt down beside her, a warm smile on his face, and gently asked. "Why'd you run away, Ruby?"

Ruby, her voice muffled by her knees, replied. "Because I'm bad at dancing. Or rather, I've never done it before."

Aqua joined in, concern in his voice. "Hm? Did you always stay cooped up in your room and play there?"

Ruby hesitated for a moment, her thoughts drifting back to the times when she was a cancer patient, the pain, and the struggles she had endured just to walk. "I guess I was similar to a shut-in. I tried several times but could never do it. I don't feel capable of real exercise."

Aqua placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and said. "I don't know what things were like for you before, but are you really okay with this? You've got a long life ahead of you."

Ruby slowly raised her head, meeting the caring gazes of her brothers. In that moment, she felt their support and realized that maybe, just maybe, she could overcome her fear of dancing and step out of her comfort zone.

/-/

Inside their home's dance room, Ruby stared at her reflection in the mirror, taking a deep breath before attempting to dance. She lost her balance and fell to the ground, instinctively protecting herself from any pain, but she couldn't stifle the scared gasp that escaped her lips.

Suddenly, the room's lights turned on, and Ai walked in. She crouched down before her daughter and aske. "Oh? Dance practice? How about I dance together with you?"

Ai gently took Ruby's hands and helped her to her feet. Ruby offered no resistance. "We'll be performing an old song at our next concert, so I've gotta practice." Ai explained.

She played the song on her phone and quickly got into the groove of things, dancing with grace and skill, while Ruby watched from the sofa.

"Mama, your choreography is a bit off!" Ruby piped up as she got off the sofa.

Ai turned to look at Ruby, her curiosity piqued. "Huh?"

"At your Budokan performance, your hand was higher." Ruby explained, raising her own hand as an example.

"Oh? So you watched my concert video?" Ai asked, rubbing Ruby's head affectionately, much to Ruby's joy. "I'm impressed you still remember!"

Of course I do, Ruby thought. I've seen videos of Mama's concerts hundreds... no, thousands of times. I remember every last bit of the choreography, too. She remembered the days when she was bedridden, only able to turn her head to watch Ai's performances.

Ai smiled warmly. "How did it go again?"

Ruby raised her leg and arm to demonstrate. "At this part, you went high-" However, she lost her balance again and yelped as she fell, immediately protecting her head upon landing.

"Are you alright?" Ai rushed to check on her daughter.

"Yeah," Ruby mumbled.

"Ruby, with the way you move... it's like you're ready to fall at any time," Ai said softly.

Ruby couldn't help but think back to her failed attempts in her past life, the desperation and depression that followed whenever she failed.

"If you're scared of falling over, you'll just fall even more," Ai advised as she picked Ruby up from the ground and adjusted her daughter's posture. "Stand more confidently, with your chest out."

Ruby listened intently, feeling the warmth of her mother's embrace. As the two locked gazes, Ai whispered. "You'll be fine. Trust your Mama, okay?"

/-/

Ruby stood before the mirror in the darkened room once more, her determination burning in her eyes.

My life came to an end with the majority of it spent in hospital rooms. My body was disabled, and it mostly didn't do what I told it to. Lying in bed, I kept longing for it so bad... Mama's cool moves... are all etched into my brain. All of that light... is burned into my retinas.

As she gazed at her reflection, Ruby's eyes shone bright with memories of the colorful expanse of rainbow lights from Ai's concerts.

Oh, my light. If only I could move like that...

Ruby began to move her body tentatively, taking her first steps toward a dream she had long held.

If only I could be so free…

With each movement, she felt the years of longing and frustration melt away. She twirled, feeling the exhilaration of motion.

Move more!

Like a dam breaking, something inside Ruby's head snapped, and she pushed herself further than she ever had before.

My body!

She imagined dancing alongside Ai, matching her every step, feeling the joy and freedom of movement.

Ah, it's okay for me to dance, too!

Aqua stared at Ruby from the door, peeking through the crack. "So this girl isn't only good at acting, huh?" He observed her as she danced. "She has a sense for dance... and those good looks she got from our mother."

As Aqua watched, a sudden realization struck him, and he covered his face with his hands, his thoughts racing.

"I've just had a scary thought." He muttered.

Hands clamped the sides of his head, covering his eyes as if to block out the impending realization. "You know that we also gotta dance now~" He could practically hear Jet's mischievous grin.

"I don't know how to dance." Aqua admitted, his voice a low murmur.

"That's fine, I got help." Jet replied with unwavering enthusiasm.

/-/

I've had a little bit too much, much (oh, oh, oh-oh)

All of the people start to rush (start to rush by-)

A dizzy twister dance

Can't find my drink or man

Where are my keys? I lost my phone, phone (oh, oh, oh-oh)

Aqua flicked his arms to mimic the dance character's movements, trying his best to keep up.

What's (what's) going on on the floor?

"What's going on on the floor?" He sang along to the music, his movements a bit stiff.

I love this record, baby, but I can't see straight anymore (Woo!)

Keep it cool

What's the name of this club?

I can't remember, but it's alright, a-alright

Jet, on the other hand, was giving his all. He was sweating, his movements enthusiastic and precise. His footwork was immaculate as he followed the routine shown on the screen.

"What are you doing?!" Jet yelled, his movements becoming flamboyant. "You need to put your soul into Just Dance! If you don't, it's just... dance..."

He flung his arms into the air, kicked his legs, and struck a pose with dramatic flair, all while continuing to follow the dance instructions on the screen, earning Perfect scores with ease.

Just dance

Gonna be okay, da-da-doo-doot-n

Just dance

Spin that record, babe, da-da-doo-doot-n

Just dance

Gonna be okay

Da-da-da-dance (dance), dance (dance), dance (dance)

Just, j-j-just dance (dance, dance, dance)

"Just dance, Aqua!"

Aqua sighed but put a little more effort into his movements. A small smile crept onto his lips as he danced alongside his enthusiastic brother, realizing that he was actually enjoying himself despite his initial reluctance.

/-/

"Man, this is some good booze," Ichigo exclaimed, waving a bottle of wine in his hand. "Come on, celebrate your new digs with a drink! Drink up, drink up!"

"Wow, that's a Moriizo!" Ai observed.

"Not so fast," Miyako intervened, reaching out to take the bottle from Ichigo's hand. "Ai doesn't turn 20 until next week. Please wait just a little longer."

Ichigo chuckled. "Ah, you're right, got me there!"

Their attention then shifted to the TV, where a news channel was covering Ai's recent accomplishments.

"The TV drama Ai stars in is climbing up in the ratings!" Ichigo cheered, wrapping an arm around Aqua, who didn't seem entirely comfortable with the gesture. "And B-Komachi's work schedule is packed too! Next week we're finally performing at a stadium!"

"He's certainly in a good mood." Ai remarked.

"Well, it was always the president's dream to have an idol he nurtured make it to the stadium. A dream all us staff share." Miyako explained, her smile reflecting her pride.

Ai tilted her head in curiosity. "Are stadiums really that special?"

"They carry a different weight compared to other venues. Moreover, you can't even book a slot without going through a specialized company. The proficiency and track record of staff who can manage a huge number of spectators is vital." Miyako elaborated. "Plus, there's a rigorous screening process to see if an artist is suitable. They're venues that require a large amount of commitment and a lot of staff labor. Simply having money doesn't mean one can perform there. They're stages onto which only a chosen few can climb. Stadium concerts are what everyone dreams of."

"I see." Ai replied, taking in the significance.

When I sell well, everyone is pleased. So I'll put on the appearance of being happy too.

Miyako poured herself a glass of beer and Ichigo another drink before they clinked their glasses together.

"This is an important period! So be sure not to have any scandals!" Ichigo jokingly admonished Ai. "Please don't try to meet up with their father, you hear?"

"Of course." Ai reassured him.

I'm a compulsive liar. Before even thinking, I say whatever fits the situation. Even I can't distinguish my real feelings from lies.

"Mama, pat me." Ruby whined.

Ai obliged, gently patting Ruby's head. "Pat! Pat!"

Ruby sighed in contentment.

For the longest time, I've been bad at loving something. I thought I couldn't possibly be suited to be an idol.

Ai remembered the time when Ichigo had first scouted her. I thought if I frightened him a bit, the scout would leave. My impression of idols was pure beings who flashed smiles and brought happiness to everyone's faces, the polar opposite of me, a people-hating liar.

...Hearing his words afterward, I decided to become an idol. I wanted to love someone. I wanted an object for my love. I thought if I became an idol, I'd be able to love my fans. I wanted to say 'I love you' and have it come from the bottom of my heart, so I spouted the lie of 'I love you' endlessly.

Jet returned after his nap, having rested in his brand new room. As he rubbed his eyes to shake off the drowsiness, he greeted the others with a casual nod and a faint smile. He walked over to Ai, his eyes carrying a hint of weariness from his slumber. In a surprising move, one he had never attempted before, he leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek.

Ai blinked in astonishment at the unexpected gesture, a blush touching her cheeks. Jet then ambled away, settling himself on the floor near Ichigo's feet, preparing for another nap.

Despite the subtlety of the moment, a storm of emotions raged within Ai. She concealed her turmoil skillfully, her face a mask of composure, but no one around her was aware of the emotional turmoil she was desperately trying to hide.

I thought that if I became a mother, I'd be able to love my children. But I've not once told my children I love them. If I were to utter those words and realize I was, in fact, lying... the thought of it scares me. That's why today I will once again lie, believing the lies will become the truth, even if I end up paying for it one day.

/-/

Ai was engrossed in her social media feed, Ruby fast asleep on the bed, and Aqua in the middle of changing into his sweater when the doorbell rang.

"Could that be the president?" Ai wondered, starting to move toward the bedroom door.

"I'll get it!" Jet announced from the hallway.

"Okay!" Ai replied and returned her attention to her social media.

Jet opened the door with a smile on his face, expecting to see Ichigo and Miyako, but his expression quickly shifted to confusion when he found a complete stranger standing at the doorstep, holding a bouquet of white roses.

"Hmm? Who are you?" Jet asked, his curiosity piqued.

For a moment, the stranger didn't answer. His voice wavered with raw emotion when he finally spoke. "You... You look just like her..."

Jet's head tilted to the side, his confusion deepening as he studied the stranger, whose gaze seemed strangely fixated on him. His eyes then trailed down to the bouquet of white flowers the stranger was holding, catching a glint of metal among the pristine petals.

/-/

Took a while to write this chapter, sorry for the wait. I've had a draft finished for this chapter back in May, but I just couldn't bring myself to like it. As a result writers block set in for a while, until I decided to actually improve my writing by reading several books and taking notes off Youtube videos. This is the end result and I'm satisfied with my progress. I'm probably not going to write any chapters with such a high word count any time soon, I'll admit that I just tried to get as much as the prologue over within this chapter.

Chapter 4 is on the way…Just going to say, get ready. And I hope I'll exceed your expectations.

The Oshi no Ko timeline is a little messed up, and I'm having a hard time figuring out what year it is in the manga. So doing a little research, I'm just going on a whim and saying that the Triplets were born in 2018, and at this point in time it's Winter 2021 or Spring 2022…To keep it simple, a pandemic didn't exist, nor did any world-altering problems. And after the time-skip, when the triplets are 16, it'll be 2034.

Also, during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which caused the total decimation of the coast of Honshu, along with a radiation-powered explosion from a nearby power plant, which took a documented 15,000 lives and many more injured, the US stationed military bases were quick to help.

And upon discovering the amount of damage, Base Kadena requested for more soldiers from the mainland of the US. And thankfully, they received more hands to help with their efforts. Which included the 33rd and 31st Rescue squadrons, which had pararescuemen, combat rescue officers, resistance and escape specialists, along with communication specialists. And even though half of their personnel were in Afganistan, the remaining squad members immediately went to lend a hand.

Luckily, Jet was one of those available soldiers. I think it's a neat little history lesson.

Also by the time this is up, I have also posted a new fanfic about Total Drama, if you're interested, the first two chapters are already up by now. And it's with great pride that I say, that I finally touched my Aot fanfic too, so expect a new chapter to be up in the coming weeks.