Ok, so I rewrote the original version of this chapter for a couple of reasons: A lot of people (mainly on SB) thought I went too overboard with the Haruno glazing and it kind of took away from the main plot. And two, recent OnK chapters made me have a different understanding of Ai. So I thought it was a good opportunity to pivot so that this story could align a little bit better.
The title is still from Burning Pile, by Mother Mother.
Ai didn't exactly know what to expect. The guy living in Yukinoshita's place didn't ask for a number, an address, or anything of that sort. He'd just closed the door and Ai had had to trace her steps back and buy something nice for the twins. It wasn't exactly the best outcome, but Ai couldn't complain that nothing bad had happened. On the other hand, she should've known that contacting someone from Hikigaya's circle would not be very helpful but…
Well, at least she tried, right? It'd make the wait a bit easier on her mind. Thinking that she did something while she waited for the text back, because she wasn't insisting after she'd burned her "I'm worried about you" card. Pulling it off once was alright, expected even. Or at least, that's what her co-stars implied while they talked about their friends and family. People on the TV, too, usually had connections with the friends and families of their acquaintances. And the things she saw on the internet helpfully informed her that the stronger connections between people were those that, indeed, shared more of their lives with one another.
That's… Okay. Ai didn't exactly have many people to share with. She hadn't really weighed that before, because the director suspected that Hikigaya wasn't someone with a lot of friends either, but their last meeting made it apparent that he at least had some. And he probably hung out with them, texted, and shared experiences.
People that he trusted, so Ai should be able to trust as well.
Either way, the day finished. She was asked by Ichigo-san where she'd been, and Ai traced her route around the city without changing much. After all, that zone was the best known by all three. So it wouldn't be strange for Ai to feel the most comfortable taking a walk around there.
Then, the next day arrived. The idol group had scheduled a recording session to celebrate Ai's successful return to the stage, and to thank everyone that participated and cheered the girls that night. Ichigo-san had asked director Taishi to work on this, as a token of friendship so that the still-rising-star director could have a bit more cash to fund his projects; so it's not like it'd take as much effort as with other people getting involved in the production process. The director knew Ai better than most, and he'd also worked with the rest of B-Komachi a couple of times. They even brought the twins along, so Ai was feeling a lot calmer than the day before. More back to the usual.
Hmmm, could Ai count him among the people she could "exchange" with Hikigaya…?
"Can we stay while they're recording? I wanna see mama acting!" Ruby had said from the back seat, making Ichigo-san frown as he gave the kids a look through the mirror.
"I wanna see my babies watch me too!" Ai sat in the middle, with Aqua to her left and Ruby to her right. She bumped her fist far enough to hit the car ceiling lightly, and that made Miyako-san cringe a bit.
"I don't know…" Ichigo-san glanced at his wife for a moment, wordlessly asking for help.
"Not with the rest of the girls, no. You two are staying in an adjacent room."
"Aw, c'mon!"
"Sounds about right."
The contrast between the two had Ai release a light chuckle. They'd probably make a great comedic duo one day, their personalities bounced off each other even when they weren't directly interacting with one another. It's not like she always found it funny, or that she ever actually did… Without getting too much into the logistics of Ai's mind; the point is that, from a business perspective, Ai felt that it would work.
"Don't worry, we'll do something nice once we're done." Ai placed a hand on each of their heads, closing her eyes to feel the connection in a deeper fashion. More personal by closing herself off to the rest of the world for a moment "Something nice, nice… How about something to eat?"
"You didn't have breakfast?" Miyako-san glanced at her, carrying a strict glance that made Ai choose her words carefully in spite of how simple the actual answer was "Did the kids eat at least?"
"Something light. Couldn't cook anything elaborate." Ai had to be more careful about food since the children were born. It hadn't always been simple, but the reality of having them be malnourished felt real enough that Ai had put a lot of effort into this. Before, she could've gone through her day without having breakfast. But now? She had other two mouths to feed. And she couldn't have them see their mother not eat, or have her do so at a different time.
Eating together sounded important, after all.
"It was filling." Aqua came to the rescue, nodding to Miyako-san to dispel her worries.
"Mama's cooking is always delicious, after all." Ruby added, nodding vigorously until Ai stopped her with her hand.
"Careful not to hurt yourself." She warned the kid before returning her gaze to Miyako-san "I didn't do the dishes though."
"That's fine. We'll start early to finish early." She accepted her words and moved on. Thankfully. Ai couldn't have them start doubting her now "We can get you all something nice."
This time, Ai joined Ruby in her cheering. Food that is paid for with someone else's money always tastes great, after all. Especially after an arduous day of work. It felt like Ai could put a bit more of her concentration like this, push her mind away from the silence in her phone while still wondering. She didn't want to forget about it, that'd be bad too. But keeping tabs on something that was still and unresponsive also had its downsides.
Ai-chan was back, she couldn't just let her career slip from her hands while she looked for her answers. That'd defeat the point. There would be nothing to go back to, nothing to give to the kids she knew for certain she loved.
Balance, balance, balance… Such thoughts preoccupied her while they discretely entered the building. Arriving early worked double duty, as there were less people around, she'd have to worry, and thus they'd be able to prepare the twins a spot to hang out and wait. Ai would not be seen arriving with the Saitou couple, and it'd give her time to…
The director was already there.
"Eh?"
That much was expected, but Miyako-san's stunned expression clued Ai into the fact that something was critically wrong. He wasn't alone, he was talking with a woman. That wouldn't be weird, it's really awkward when people are working in the same room but do not interact at all, but that woman's presence making Miyako-san stop in her tracks made Ai instinctively look back to confirm that the twins were indeed already hidden.
"Ah?" The young woman giving them her back realized that they had company, so she turned around and gleefully waved at them "Ah! Good morning, Hoshino-san!"
Ai's stomach turned for a moment.
"Yukinoshita-san…?" Miyako-san still couldn't believe her eyes "What are you…?"
"Hoshino?" Ichigo-san interrupted before things could get more awkward "Did you give her your maiden name?"
"Eh?" The young woman blinked, her expression dropping "Maiden…?"
"She's Saitou now." The director interjected "Do you know each other?"
"Oh? Did you get married recently? Congratulations." The young woman smiled warmly, some of the previous cheer returning "We met some time ago."
"Not that long ago." Miyako-san replied with more serenity now.
"Man, that's so nice. Other people would be going on a honeymoon instead of working." The young woman gave Miyako-san a thumbs up, willfully unaware of the tension that her greeting had caused "You're the real deal, alright. I'm impressed."
"It's a business transaction. Don't think too much about it." Miyako-san looked away, avoiding Ichigo-san's expression while her face contorted into something Ai couldn't understand. Still, she managed to pull herself together, so when she spoke again, her tone was even "What are you doing here, Yukinoshita-san? Is it safe to assume you're a model or…?"
"Oh, no! Well, not professionally at least. I'm more of a business woman myself. I do a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Look to expand, make relationships. You name it." She shrugged with a sidewise smirk, looking away like she was trying to see a mental list of the things she'd said "It's easier and has less baggage. Getting in the public eye can be messy, and neither I nor my family need any of that right now."
"We were just talking about the problem with having no connections in the industry while starting out." The director interjected, glancing at each of the Saitou before continuing "Especially for the talents themselves."
"Yeah, wouldn't be the first time someone wants to catch me lacking." The young woman chuckled, and that comment made Ai's mind snap out of silence imposed on Ichigo-san and her.
"Yeah, that sucks so much." Ai placed a hand on her chest, stepping away from the sides of the Saitou couple "I'd know."
"Oh. Sorry! I didn't catch your name." The young woman looked a bit embarrassed, but she still met Ai halfway and reached out with an open hand "Yukinoshita Haruno. At your service."
Aha…!
"Ai-chan, the pleasure's mine!" Haruno's hand was cold but firm. It felt like the textbook way to do a handshake, even though it wasn't really costumery even in this industry. It was more something of movies, commercials. Of power games. So Ai pulled back and waved toward the two adults behind her "And this is our boss, Saitou Ichigo-san. Seems like you already met Miyako-san, huh."
"Good morning, Yukinoshita-san." Ichigo-san nodded to the young woman, sort of keeping to himself without looking too out of place. Miyako-san crossed her arms though while he spoke though "I don't think my wife told me much about you, sorry."
"It's fine, it's fine. We just exchanged names." Haruno looked at Miyako-san for a moment, like she was expecting her to say anything. But Miyako-san didn't "I was doing other stuff. We didn't really talk."
"Ah, a busy woman I see." Ichigo-san nodded.
"Well, I could say the same of your wife!" Haruno fixed her attention on Ai "I didn't know who I was talking to back then. I'd have at least tried to show my good side."
"Miyako-san is excellent." Ai nodded sagely "You better not have made her uncomfortable or anything!"
She pointed at the young woman cutely, putting her other hand on her hip with practiced ease. This, for some reason, helped people think of her words as a joke. So that would help ease the mood even more, let the woman get back to her A-game.
"Me? No way, I'd never." Haruno chuckled and waved her hands, dismissing the notion "You can't go around making enemies in business… You'll sink very quickly if you do."
"But not making waves is just as dangerous, don't you think?" Ai put a finger on her cheek, making her best 'think about it' expression "You'll sink into irrelevance."
"Ah! Not only a talented singer and dancer, but also have an eye for business too?" Haruno chuckled "Amazing. And here I thought your boss had lucked out on finding you first."
"I was, indeed, the first person that found her." Ichigo-san pushed his chest out a little "It takes a good eye to find hidden gems, after all."
"Hmmm, yeah. I suppose we can't expect everyone to be good at their job." Haruno snapped her fingers "Opportunities wouldn't be so easily found if that was the case."
"Easily found?" That probably touched a sensitive nerve on the director, given how he looked at the young woman with some apprehension.
"Well, I mean, it's not so straightforward of course. But a lot of people that have found their way to success owe the incompetence of others as the main contribution for this." Haruno put her hand out like she was stating the obvious "Take Ai-chan for example, how hard would the back and forth had been if someone else had found her before or after?"
"We've had those." Ichigo-san looked at his wife with an awkward smile.
"Oh, do we have…" Miyako-san sighed, more tired and almost physically older after being reminded of the 'negotiations' to keep Ai in their company.
She wouldn't leave them, of course. Their work ethic and relative understanding of Ai made her comfortable, especially since Ichigo-san knew what Ai wanted out of this job. Plus, it's not like she could go to another company with her kids in tow and expect things to go well. She was shackled to the Saitou couple just like they were to her, and they'd made the best out of it both in business and effort to walk similar paths.
Pregnancy and recent events excluded, of course.
"Ugh. Opportunists, am I right?" Haruno rolled her eyes, a bit amused at the notion. Ai didn't know why, if it happened to her too, she'd find it funny. But it's not like Ai understood people a whole lot. Still, it scratched her brain funny. Felt like Haruno was doing it on purpose. Just shy of speaking her mind out, just shy of pointing at Ai and saying 'got you!' for what she'd done "Must be harder when your employees are all cute girls. I've found that it warps things in creepy ways."
"Oh, you also work with young girls?" Ichigo-san sounded a bit surprised.
Haruno clasped her hands, stretching them down and lifting one of her feet.
"Ah. Err… Sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"It's alright! I know I give a very serious and mature vibe." Haruno interrupted Ichigo-san, standing properly, and waved his concerns off with her left hand "I'm probably not idol material anymore though. That much I understand."
"Eh? How old are you?" Ai tilted her head.
Haruno opened her mouth like she was shocked by the question.
"How old do you think I am?" Ah! Trick question!
"Eh, y'know. Twenty… Eight?" Ai made sure to make her 'cutely pondering' face just so she wouldn't actually offend the woman in front of her. She knew a lot of people found the topic sensitive, men and women alike, so she'd learned to approach this topic like this whenever she screwed up "No, wait. You said you look mature. So you must be younger, right?"
"I'm in my mid-twenties, so yes. Correct!" Her expression could've been cheerful out of politeness or amusement. Ai couldn't really tell.
"Eh~? We're not that far apart!" Ai crossed the distance and held Haruno's hands between hers "Is it normal to make it from 'cute' to 'cool' in such a short time?"
"Aww~. Of course it is!" Haruno returned the gesture, folding her fingers around Ai's hands like she was doing "You probably know better than I that it's all about presentation! Clothes, makeup, tone of voice. Things like that."
"I see, I see. I can't really see myself being a cool onee-san…" Ai released the young woman and caressed her chin, putting her other hand on her hip while she tried to guess how deep she should make her voice to send her point across.
"That's good, great even." Haruno nodded to herself "It means you're still profitable, after all."
That jab made Ai lose the thread of her bit.
"Eh?"
Ai's confusion made Haruno stop from continuing, so instead she stared at the Saitou couple with some wonder.
They'd been content to let the girls interact, but now their body language had changed. Becoming more awkward.
"I was under the impression idols retire young." Haruno spoke with a lot more tact now, eyeing the business people and then Ai a couple of times "How old are you?"
"I'm twenty. Just fresh out of the oven." Ai replied with a pleasant, but less cheerful, tone.
"Hmm, well. Plus, you're Ai-chan, so you'll probably outlast your co-stars…" Haruno looked away, trailing off and lowering her voice like she had forgotten she was talking to them. But she corrected it when her eyes returned to them "Ah, I don't mean to pry or anything. I'm trying to wrap my head around how things work on your side."
"Ever the businesswoman, hmm?" Miyako-san had grown tired of standing around. So she went to the side of the room with a table, water dispenser, and a small coffee machine "Coffee? Water?"
"Thanks." Haruno shook her head.
"I could use some coffee." Ichigo-san approached his wife "Director?"
"I'm good, thanks."
"Ai?"
"Water sounds fine."
"It's not something we've discussed recently." Ichigo-san spoke without looking at Haruno, looking at his watch before continuing "Recent events made us feel like it'd be insensitive. And unnecessarily worrisome for Ai. She's just reaching the peak of her career, after all."
"Hmmm?" Ai turned her head, having heard nothing about this before herself.
"Ai is still young, barely an adult." Haruno nodded "And the public can't get enough of her. I can see that much."
"And she doesn't have to leave the industry in its entirety." Ichigo-san pointed with his chin at the director, who'd just begun to approach the 'adult' side of the room "We've explored other venues for her, it'd be a terrible oversight to let her go just because she starts to be considered too old for idol activities."
"Of course, this is all theoretical." Miyako-san interjected "I'm sure you understand that projections are exactly that and nothing more. Public perception shifts and it's more worthwhile seeing a little more short-term in general."
"Ah, sounds like the mentality of a star company." Haruno sounded more interested now "Respecting your workers creates a more stable and productive environment in the long term, yes."
That… Sounds like the opening for a joke, right? To keep the mood civil and not talking about how Ai found out where she, technically, lives.
"Well, not like they don't work us to the bone!"
"Ai, please…" Ichigo-san sounded a bit worried, but she and Haruno laughed it off.
"Well, you're the ones bringing in the money! Of course that's the case." Haruno put her left elbow on Ai's right shoulder, but did not make her carry her weight. It felt… Weird. Not because their height wasn't that different so it was a bit awkward, but because it felt like Ai was being used like a paperweight. Or, rather, like she was being put behind a cardboard cut of a person. Holding it there, not really knowing what to do "Take it from someone who does the planning and negotiating: Most people don't care who does that as long as they get the big names on posters and ads. It's all about marketing the better-known stars."
"I'd disagree with the notion, but we covered that topic already." The director spoke slowly, awkwardly. He looked like he wanted to say more but didn't quite find the words for it. He eyed Ai, but she only saw him through the corner of her sight. As she was locked looking at Haruno, as it'd be rude not to look at the person talking to her when they were physically close.
She'd been touched before in all sorts of situations and contexts, and she could tell that the other woman didn't really do this to show interest of care in Ai. Producers and chairmen would try to get close, squeeze a bit of warmth out of Ai either to get her on their good side or because they had more carnal objectives. The same went for other stars, although there was more of a mix of 'doing the bare minimum to keep things civil'. Egos were as rampant as one would expect, even if some were better at hiding it than others.
This wasn't it. Haruno wasn't just doing it to not lash out at Ai. It felt more like the first times she and Hikaru had touched each other. Awkward, empty. The motion was there, but it lacked substance.
She did not care for Ai, she was performing for the Saitou couple.
Ai blinked a couple of times. Had she misunderstood something? Did that guy break his promise? But if so, why had this woman come to meet Ai? It was too much of a coincidence, just the next day. So early in the morning? No, that couldn't be it.
She glanced at Haruno better, even though the woman was giving her attention to the director now.
"-a level of trust, I guess. A name can make people think 'ok, this sounds like a safe investment'. But that's because movie productions have their directors also be kind of celebrities as well."
"Yeah, B-Komachi as a brand is better known than Strawberry Productions for sure." Miyako-san nodded, eyeing up like she was bringing the information directly from memory.
"I haven't been approached by any fan on the street though." The director looked away, sounding a bit bothered.
"Then you get to live the best part of both worlds." Haruno smiled a bit more confidently now "Believe me, you do no want that to happen. It's… Not enjoyable."
A pregnant silence engulfed the whole room.
"Yeah…" Ai chuckled awkwardly, taking the chance to separate from Haruno. Whose arm dropped without her needing to shift her weight at all. She hadn't actually leaned against Ai, she hadn't actually 'relied' on her at all.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't want to… Y'know." Haruno flinched, motioning with her hands to show a bit of distress. But it felt practiced, hollow. Ai wasn't sure if she was imagining it, or maybe she was projecting the fact that Haruno might know that Ai had done something similar to Ryousuke and that made her a bit paranoid. She didn't know.
"It's okay, it's okay! I'm working on it, he heh…" Ai scratched her head, closing her eyes and smiling in an awkward show of 'you're crossing a boundary here' that anyone would get.
"Is that so?" The woman at least had the decency to not smile while tilting her head this time.
"We're making sure to keep Ai safer." Miyako-san spoke with a strict tone, like she was willing Haruno not to keep talking about it "Though we can't coddle her too much. It might be bad on a lot of fronts."
"Yeah. The idea of needing protection all the time can mess with people…" Haruno looked away before clapping her hands together "But, well, I've never faced something of that magnitude, so I guess all I can do is wish for you to not to have to deal with something like that again."
Ai blinked, not really knowing how to react to the way she worded that. Her expression also didn't reveal anything, but Miyako-san caught some meaning behind it.
"You've been stalked before too?"
Oh. Wait. Wait, wait, wait…
"Beautiful and successful lady." Haruno shrugged instead of spilling the beans like Ai had feared, catching the idol with her mouth open as her own words overrode Ai's attempt to steer the conversation "I'm afraid it's not as uncommon as you'd think. Don't you think?"
"I see…" Miyako-san furrowed her brows.
"There's a lot of ugliness involved when people stop thinking of you as a person and more like a commodity." Haruno continued with a shrug, eyeing Ai with some seriousness. Albeit not like she was accusing her of anything "I've found that smacking those people as soon as possible is the best way to deal with things like that. Break the pattern before it blows out of proportion."
"Lawyers must love you." Ichigo-san looked a bit put off while Haruno approached him, taking the cup he held and giving it to Ai to drink the water she asked for.
"Nah, these things have a way to give you bad publicity. And in entertainment that might not be too bad a thing, but in business it's different. If you bring problems to the table, people will not want to work with you." Haruno shook her head "Dealing with things in private is often the best solution. Nothing like a little scare here and there to keep creeps in line."
Eh? Wait, does that mean…?
Haruno smiled at the director.
"As I was telling Gotanda-san, I'm a woman of many talents. It'd be ridiculous if I went straight for legal action every time a problem like these arises."
That made the Saitou couple exchange a worried look.
"I'm note sure I follow." Ichigo-san said, and that had Ai nodding along. She was a bit confused, but not for the same reasons as the couple.
She eyed the director, who simply kept on watching things unfold. Staying behind the metaphorical camera in the room. She might need to ask for his opinion on all of this later.
"Most people… Ah, maybe Ai-san is not comfortable with the topic? Let's just say that people that do things behind the scenes often don't have the guts or resources to make a move in the light." Haruno closed her fist and shook it a bit while speaking "I've found that walking up to them in no uncertain matter and going 'stop this' is efficient. If only because I have my own tricks up my sleeve."
…Like being able to appear in Ai's life so fast that the girl had been reeling since she saw her when they arrived. Right?
"I see…" Ai looked at the floor, physically pondering. But in her mind, she was just trying to come up with a way to move the conversation away from the topic.
"Again, I haven't gone through being actually attacked. So don't take my word for it. Stay safe, Ai-san." Haruno lifted her hands like she was conceding the victory to someone else "Sorry I can't give you any encouraging words or concrete, helpful advice."
"We appreciate the sentiment." Miyako-san interjected "Though it's not something we should…"
"Good morn… Eh?" Niino opened the door that was behind Ai, making the first thing she saw was all the adults kind of loosely surrounding both her and Haruno. Tension in their faces and an expressionless Ai turning to look who'd just entered.
"…discuss here." Miyako-san finished her sentence, carried by the momentum of being trained in not letting people talk over her. As someone who made choices, she had to be strict in this.
This was a bad time for that.
"Hello, hello. You must be Nino-chan." Haruno tilted and waved with both hands, growing cheerful again and stepping out from behind Ai. From Niino's perspective, that is.
"Eh? You are…"
"Yukinoshita Haruno, at your service." Haruno made circles with her hand like a faux impression of a subject introducing a noble. It was kind of funny, because there was no one to introduce but herself. And also because Haruno was dressed in plain, practical clothes like Ai was. Which kind of made them both blend more with Ichigo-san and Taishi-san than with Miyako-san, who was all dressed up and in full makeup "Man, this means it might be time to dip. Can't be late for the meeting."
"Wait, eh? What are you doing here?" Niino was still reeling. They had indeed mentioned Haruno two days ago, when Miyako-san was running damage control. So it might've been a little odd that she was there. Maybe that's also why Miyako-san was on edge. From their point of view, it almost looked like they'd summoned the woman. Close enough to be strange, but not so much that they felt like Ai: Like it was an omen.
"I'm… Meeting with someone?" Haruno looked puzzled by the question, but quickly changed mental gears and gave the idol a polite smile "I might look the part, but I'm not here to sing or record anything with you. If that's what you mean."
"No, I…"
"Nino." Miyako-san interrupted the girl, an unspoken warning carried by her tone alone "We were just talking about what Haruno-san does for a living."
"Hmmm? I make connections." Again, the young woman seemed to be caught a bit off guard by the shift of the conversation. But more in the 'oh, now is this?' rather than 'what are you even talking about?'. Ai suspected that she was more like herself than the blond guy had been, being able to just seemingly carry on without losing her metaphorical balance in the conversation. Feeling what is best for the occasion "Friends, partners, all that. For now, I don't have to make every decision. So my main function is that. When my parents need me for something else, well."
She shrugged with a tired smile, breaking character a bit before putting back on the mask with a sigh.
"I see. So you're here to see what's the trend, so to speak?" Ichigo-san cradled his chin.
"Not exactly, no. More like, scouting for the people behind the scenes." Haruno moved her right index finger around "Getting the competent people better opportunities."
"Ah, well." The director scratched the back of his head awkwardly "Thanks."
"You're very welcome. I like your style." Haruno relaxed her features a bit "Brings back memories."
"Really?"
"I know a lot of people." Haruno shrugged, eyeing the door when the voice of two girls talking entered the room. They stopped when they saw everyone, and just like Niino, looked weirded out by Haruno's presence "You strike me as the kind of person that's easy to work with. Hello, girlies."
"Umm, hi…" The voice sounded uncertain, wary. Ai didn't turn to see who it was because she had locked her stare on Haruno's body language.
It felt less… Threatening. Like she'd stopped hounding Ai with her comments, although the idol didn't know if this was a good sign or not.
"If that's so, I might just give you a call." The director chuckled "See if I can use your connections a bit."
"Why, of course! Any business that has nothing to do with my family is well-received… Don't let them know that though." Haruno chuckled and pulled her sleeve to look at her watch "Guess I'll see myself out, then. Thanks for your time, Taishi-sensei."
"Actually, before you leave." Ichigo-san interrupted "I was wondering if we could talk for a bit."
"Hmmm? Of course." Haruno erased all traces of cheer, giving Ichigo-san a poker face like she was trying to appear more mature "There should be a meeting room on the lower floor, right?"
"There's one in this one." Ichigo-san looked at Miyako-san "Can you oversee this?"
"Of course." She replied with her arms crossed.
"Ummm…" Ai felt her hands shaking. The fact that Ichigo-san stopped Haruno meant that he suspected something, right? He wouldn't be thinking on pressing the woman for questions out of Ai's earshot, right?
"Then, have a great day." Haruno waved when Ichigo-san took the lead.
"I was actually…"
"Ai." Miyako-san stopped her "Let's get ready."
Ai eyed the rest of the room.
"What's up with this?" Ari whispered in Ai's ear as the two adults left.
"I… I don't know." Ai let her expression fall, showing nervousness "I hope it's nothing bad."
Because she wouldn't know what to do if this was the end of her little journey.
"Good work out there." Haruno's voice reached Ai's ears as she was taking a break, sitting on the floor outside the main studio while the others were chatting away. Her presence had made the girls a bit nervous, and although they didn't say anything, the push to talk to Ai had decreased. So she kind of had to be outside to not stick out. Also, it helped that she'd been able to sneak to the room her kids were in. So she could recharge a bit of her battery and go back out without anyone bothering her.
"Ah, did you have the meeting you talked about?" Ai offered the woman a tired smile, and blinked a couple of times when a can of mineral water was offered to her "For me?"
"No, for your friends inside." Haruno chuckled "Yes, of course. Who else?"
"Ah, well. Thanks." Ai wasn't really thirsty. And water like that didn't really help when she was, but she took it between her hands all the same.
"No problem. Talking with Ichigo-san has opened my eyes a bit." Haruno put her back on the opposite side of the small corridor, against one of the pillars separating the wide windows that faced the street "It's the least I can do."
Ai stared at the can, chewing on her words.
"Did you tell him?"
"That we met yesterday? Of course." Haruno chuckled lightly "It's normal, we lived in the same building after all. Not that big of a coincidence at all."
Ah…
"I see. Yeah. Did you like my present?"
"It was delicious." Haruno nodded "Although I do find it a little weird. Was it for yourself? I don't think you bought it for me."
"It'd be rude to meet someone and arrived empty-handed, I think." Ai pointed out "I wanted to make a good impression."
"Nice, nice. That's always important." Haruno nodded and looked away, trying to see through the window to her right "You truly are a showbiz kid, huh."
"I've been at this for years." Ai nodded.
"Though I would suggest against going back. Hayato-kun does not like being disturbed, and I'm pretty sure it'd be dangerous for you to roam around that zone." Haruno's eyes became sharper, although she still did not look at Ai "Just saying."
"Thanks. I think I'll follow your advice." Ai chuckled, trying to buy herself a bit of time to think what she wanted to say "These weeks have been…"
"Bad?"
"Weird."
"I'd suspect that much." Haruno returned her face to Ai, but watched her with it not fully facing her. Like she wanted to look at Ai through the corner of her eyes "You did almost die."
"I was saved." Ai smiled softly.
"Yeah, yeah…" Haruno looked away again "He does that."
"So I was right? You're friends with Hikigaya?" Ai stopped the pretense of being invested in whatever the conversation was, seeing as no one was interested in getting out looking for Ai yet.
Might as well.
"Our relationship is far more complex, but not as interesting as you'd think." Haruno sounded uninterested in the topic, but Ai had the feeling that, just like with everything else, she wasn't being honest. She could feel the 'we're the same' feeling that she'd noticed in the past. Hikaru, the guy in Haruno's apartment… And Haruno herself. Just to name the most relevant at the moment. The ones that clearly felt that way to Ai "I AM kind of responsible for your luck, so you're welcome."
Ai blinked when she couldn't quite process Haruno's words at first.
"What?"
"I sent Hikigaya to that building… Well, not directly. But it's a prank gone wrong all the same." Haruno moved her nose in a funny way, still looking solemnly out of the window "That's why I came here in peace, see personally that it doesn't get any messier. Take responsibility for bringing him close to dangerous people, if you will."
Ai furrowed her brows.
"Did I give you that impression?"
"It feels like you were tracing your stalker's steps." Haruno turned to face Ai again, looking a bit surprised at the question.
"Ah, well. He was a very big fan. I just thought there was some merit to approaching things in an unorthodox way…"
"Scary… But I guess it's not unexpected." Haruno scratched the spot between her eyebrows "You're not normal by any means. You gotta be a little weird to be in showbiz, from what I've seen. But you're the biggest name around."
Now, Ai actually frowned.
"That's not very nice of you."
"It's also not very nice to try to stalk people unrelated to your little problems, but here we are." There was amusement in Haruno's tone now, but it quickly vanished as she crossed her arms "I came with the full intention to just cut this thing from the root. No point in making a potentially dangerous person go around unchecked."
"So you do care about Hikigaya." Ai tilted her head, still frowning.
"Not particularly, no. But someone I do care about cares." Haruno shrugged.
"The girl that was in his generation?" Ai pursed her lips, trying to make herself as unthreatening as possible. As they were talking about Haruno's little sister.
"There were a lot of those."
"Ha-ha." Ai shook her head "I think you misunderstand my intentions."
"Not really. It's a story I've seen before." Haruno pulled out one of her arms, admiring her nails while speaking "The begrudging hero saving an innocent maiden, and so she falls head over heels for him. Except, it's not really him. It's the idea of having a personal hero that is enthralling."
She dropped her hand, gauging Ai's reaction.
The idol's glower disappeared a bit, but she kept a professional smile on.
"Has he saved someone else's life before?"
"Not to this level, no." Haruno shook her head "Which is kind of bothersome. Your situation is, indeed, dire. And that's precisely why I wanted him to distance himself from all of this. Seems like Ichigo-san shared the sentiment…"
"But it matters to me. I want to show appreciation; to show him how much his actions matter to me."
"By stalking me?"
"It worked, right? You came here to meet me." Ai nodded to herself.
"I'd have crushed you if I woke up a little more pissed off." Haruno tilted her head.
"But you didn't. I wonder why."
"Guess I came here too early, had some nice chat." Haruno smiled again "It gave me enough of a pause to consider it a good idea to see what you're all about first. You are a big shot, in your own way, after all."
"Seems kinda weird that you'd want to face me like this, then." Ai pursed her lips again.
Haruno smiled but didn't give in. She didn't answer the challenge.
"I was kind of curious why me too. It doesn't follow the usual pattern, it's strange." Haruno lifted a finger "I might believe first that Hikigaya-kun talked badly about me, but you sound like you wanted to meet me."
"I just want to understand, have clarity." Ai shrugged now "I can't be close to him…"
"I wonder why."
"…because our lives are so different in schedule and order. So…"
"That's a really backwards way of thinking." Haruno chuckled, not looking at Ai again "You want to understand? Just talk to him. If he doesn't want to talk to you, there's not much you can do. No normal person would do that."
"It's important." Ai insisted.
"Or, hear me out, you want to make it important." Haruno slid off the wall until she was crouching, smiling smugly at Ai "I know it was impactful; has to be, you almost died. But you're breaking at the seams and it's evident that you're only holding on by a thread."
Ai didn't know what expression to make while Haruno spoke.
"You say it like I'm dangerous." Ai pointed out.
"I say it like it is, like someone who can see that the stars in those eyes of yours are nothing but mirrors of the lighting on a stage." Haruno cupped her cheek while speaking "I could've done things differently. But it struck me that I can just do this: Talk things out, make less enemies, and still, you'll understand that I'm the real deal."
"It seems like you're making a lot of assumptions though." Ai put a finger on her cheek, adamantly refusing to let go of the glower in her stare "That's a lot of pondering just for poor ol' me."
"We're not so different." Haruno lifted her chin, proud like a peacock "And, with the due respect, I had to act the part."
"I still think you're showing a lot more care for someone you imply you don't care about."
"I'm not implying anything; I honestly don't like Hikigaya-kun that much." Haruno narrowed her stare "I don't hate him, but I don't agree with his sluggish and careless way of life on principle."
Sluggish, huh? Yeah, Ai could see it.
"And I think you wouldn't like him either. So, from girl to girl, I chose to be upfront with you." Haruno showed Ai her hands while speaking.
"Isn't that for me to decide though?" Ai chuckled "I mean, I'm an idol. I might not be the best judge for boys but… I wanna think I can discern people's character well enough."
"And so you talk to me, more real in these couple of minutes than you'd probably been with Hikigaya-kun for however long you've talked with him."
That made Ai remember the concert, the way she retreated. Tried to pull back and run damage control, knowing that he knew it had to happen. Knowing that telling him she was sorry should work things out.
No such luck. What she 'knew' would happen didn't. And Ai was at a loss for words, thinking about how she didn't insist except for the first time. Thinking about how she chose to look for different avenues.
"I don't know what you're looking for, but it's certainly not his company." Haruno grunted as she stood back up, stretching her arm lazily and making a satisfied face "Good talk, Ai-chan. It's been a while since I had a heart-to-heart. Not even Hayato-kun likes those with me."
Her mind was buzzing, so she didn't reply immediately.
"I was gonna ask you…"
"Hmmm?"
"No, it's nothing." Ai sighed, putting some airs of being cutely mad "You wouldn't get it. Idols must have wholesome thoughts after all, and you're all grim and naughty it seems."
Haruno's grin stretched so wide that Ai thought she would break out cackling.
"Sure! Let's go with that. Reality is often disappointing, as they say."
"You have your 'reality' mixed up with mine."
"You're really underestimating how much of a weirdo you are." Haruno shook her head.
"I'm a perfectly normal girl."
"No perfectly normal girl imitates her to-be murderer." Haruno insisted "No normal girl cares more about an idea than the person in front of you."
Ai blinked a couple of times.
"Sorry, you lost me."
"You haven't actually asked anything about Hikigaya-kun. Nothing meaningful, at least." Haruno sounded amused again "Why is that?"
"I was getting there." Ai insisted.
"No, you weren't. You're just trying to tell yourself you care about him. You're afraid that, if you let things run their course, the weight of your life would be shown for what it is: A note in the grand scheme of things." She smiled with some pity, and Ai actually felt a little sick holding her gaze like that "No one likes to think themselves bad or unimportant, much less someone looking to make it big for… Whatever reason you may have."
"…" Ai hugged her legs, feeling like Haruno's eyes reminded her of her mother. Even though she couldn't quite remember the woman anymore. Or perhaps linking the unwanted scrutiny to a hidden piece of her memories "Those are… A lot of assumptions for someone who doesn't care about the cause of all of this."
"I told you before: I have to take responsibility for my actions." Haruno shrugged "That's what adults do."
"Taking responsibility…"
"It's fine if you don't get it right now, the Saitou have been protecting you after all." Haruno smiled with less coldness now "Nice family you have going. I wonder if you'll inherit the company."
That… Was a thought that hadn't crossed Ai's mind.
"They're not my family."
"They're not?"
"We're just… Business partners."
"Pfff…" Haruno covered her mouth "Now, you sound like Hikigaya-kun. Nice, nice."
"I don't understand you." Ai frowned more "Are you having fun? Does getting a reaction out of me tickle you silly?"
"That sounds like I'm some sadistic woman, and I'm not." Haruno replied with more seriousness "As I told you, I've found that being precise in showing how much of a bad idea it is to cross me works wonders. Makes it so we don't have to go into legal matters, finish things in a friendly enough way."
Ai considered it for a moment.
"Guess you want me to state that I won't bother you anymore."
"You'd be guessing right."
"And Hikigaya…?"
"What about him?" The woman asked back a little too fast.
Ai chuckled.
"I see."
"I think you're making a strange assumption, but…" Again, she shrugged "I don't think I have to worry about you."
"Thanks. For the vote of trust, I mean."
"From one cute girl to another? It's my pleasure." Haruno became a little warmer before leaving "Enjoy your success~."
Guess Ai understood wrong. Even someone as pure as Hikigaya had to find a woman like Haruno unpleasant.
…
That doesn't look good, does it?