Hey guys I know it's been a while but I've been busy with this chapter so it took me longer which is probably gonna happen in the future. Since I have to think of what the characters say and also compare with what happens in the show/manga so it's kinda hard. Might take up to 2-3 weeks before I can upload a new chapter. Besides that I also will put music into this for certain scenes, some especially if you gotta pretend if the lyrics are in Japanese for the sake of the characters. Cause lets be honest Oshi no ko is not our world so don't look at it too realistically. Anyway sit back and enjoy.
Watch where you're going, man!" the tattooed guy barked, his voice deep and challenging.
Indy stepped back, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "Hey, my bad! Didn't see you there. "The guy scoffed, crossing his arms. "You think you can just bump into me and walk away?"
Indy rolled his eyes, trying to keep the situation from escalating. "Look, it was an accident. No harm done, right?" The guy leaned forward, his expression hardened. He grabbed Indy's blue jacket and pulled him forward. "Do you know who you're talking to, pretty boy, I run these streets here."
Indy felt a flicker of anger ignite within him, but he fought to keep it in check. "Hey man hands off or else imma have to rearrange that ugly face of yours!"
"Then prove it," The guy taunted, his lips curling into a sneer. "Let's settle this here and now." The two got into each other's faces , gaining the attention of people around them and soon a crowd formed.
Before Indy could respond, a random passerby—a cute tanned skin Gyaru woman in a leopard print jacket—stepped in. "Takun~ If you're gonna settle this, do it in the both think you're hot stuff, so let's see who's faster." The tattooed guy named Takun smiled at his girl. "That's a great idea babe"
Indy scrunched his eyes , glancing at the couple who had challenged him. "Are you serious? A race?" "Scared?" Takun shot back, his voice dripping with mockery. "Or do you not even have a car?"
Indy's eyes narrowed. "I have a car. It's right over there." He pointed dramatically toward his parked 1987 Mazda RX-7 , which sat a little forlornly among the flashier vehicles. The rust patches glinted under the neon lights, and the tires had definitely seen better days.
Laughter erupted from the crowd. "That hunk of junk? No way it can beat my ride!" Takun shouted, gesturing toward his gleaming, souped-up 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer.
Indy shrugged, a smirk creeping onto his face. "It's not the car that matters. It's the driver behind the wheel."
The crowd murmured, intrigued. "Oh yeah? Put your money where your mouth is, then," Takun challenged, stepping closer.
Indy felt the pulse of adrenaline. "Alright bet. Let's do this!" He climbed into his RX-7, the engine rumbling to life with a reassuring crowd formed a makeshift starting line, their excitement palpable as the two lined up to the start.
Indy looked over at the guy, who was revving his engine, his girlfriend right beside him in the passenger seat. A smug grin plastered across his face. "You're gonna regret messing with me pretty boy…"
"You keep calling me pretty boy, you're gonna make me think you play the other team dude." Indy shot back, revving his own engine, the sound of a fierce roar that resonated in his chest.
"WHAT THE HELL YOU SAY!" Takun screams as his girlfriend tries to settle him down. "Don't listen to him babe, even if you are gay I still love you~. Takun just looks at her with a dumb expression and does Indy.
"Well that confirms it…" Indy chucked
SHUT UP!" Takun screamed. "Babe, what the fuck!"
She shrugged her shoulders. "Look I'm just sayin." They started arguing with each other as Indy watched in amusement.
Soon enough a striking girl stepped forward, her hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of silk. She flashed a playful smile as she began to count down. The two racer's started revving their engines.
Three…
Two…
One…
GO!"
"VROOOMM!" The engines screamed to life as both cars shot forward, tearing through the parking lot like bullets. The night lights of Tokyo blurred into streaks of color as Indy gripped the wheel, his heart racing with the thrill of the chase.
As they sped down the empty streets, Indy felt exhilarated, the world around him fading away. The wind whipped through the open window, and he could barely hear the roar of his own engine over the symphony of adrenaline and excitement. He veered into a tight corner, expertly drifting around it. Chasing the Mitsubishi. "You're gonna have to do better than that!" Takun yells as his girlfriend cheers for him.
"We'll see about that!" Indy called back. He was filled with an unshakeable confidence as he navigated the winding streets, the city lights reflecting off his windshield.
But Indy's mind raced faster than the cars. He needed to find a way to outsmart his opponent. His eyes darted around, searching for an opportunity. That's when he spotted it—a narrow alleyway that looked like it could fit his car.
"That looks promising!" he hollered, veering sharply into the alley.
"Wait, what?!" The guy's voice was a mix of disbelief and frustration. He looked back to see his opponent make a turn in an alley. "That moron going the wrong way."
"Who cares!" His girlfriend hollered. "Just means an easy win for us!" They both nod and continue on through the streets.
Indy grinned, feeling the adrenaline surge as he made the tight turn. The alley was cramped, but he maneuvered through it with the finesse of a skilled driver, the RX-7 groaning slightly as it squeezed between the walls. He soon burst out the other end, the city opening up before him.
"Ha! Suckers!" Indy shouted, glancing back to see the Mitsubishi now behind him.
"What the fuck! No way he made it infront of me!" Takun yelled, his voice echoing in the night. "You're not getting away that easily!"
"What are you doing! Don't let that loser beat us! Cause if you do, this relationship is sooo over." The gyaru girl complained as Takun grunted in frustration. "Shut up!"
Indy pushed the pedal to the metal, the RX-7 responding with a satisfying roar. He could hear the faint sound of the Mitsubishi revving behind him, but he didn't look back. The finish line was in sight, and victory was within his grasp. He had to maneuver around the cars on the street passing red street lights as he went.
Just as he was about to cross the finish line, Indy's heart sank. The engine sputtered, then coughed violently. "No, no, no! Not this shit again!" He shouted, willing the car to keep going.
But the RX-7 had other plans. The engine wheezed and began to smoke, the dashboard lights flickering as the car slowed to a crawl just 20 feet from the finish. The other driver zoomed past him, a triumphant shout heard from the couple.
Indy slammed his hands against the steering wheel. "FUCK!" He cursed, frustration boiling over. He tried to restart the engine, but all he got was a pitiful sputter. "Great. Just great," he muttered under his breath, stepping out of the car. He popped the hood, smoke billowing out and curling into the night sky. "What the hell is wrong with you?" He glared at the engine, his heart sinking as he recognized the problem—it was something with the engine, something he couldn't fix on the spot.
"Dammit!"
The other car circled back, laughter mixing with the rev of its engine. "Looks like your 'racing' skills weren't enough after all! What was it you said it's not about the car but the driver. Well how did that work out for you." Takun taunted, his voice dripping with mockery his girlfriend laughed at Indy's luck. "Aw babe~ I knew you'd win that no problem~" She snuggled right beside him like a leech.
"Of course." Takun boasted as he looked at Indy with a smirk. " Hey I will admit you almost had me, keyword 'almost'. He laughs at his shitty joke as he drove off
Indy gritted his teeth, watching the guy drive away in victory. He felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him as the crowd murmured, some laughing, others offering sympathetic crowd began to disperse, their excitement fading. He could hear whispers behind him, and it made his cheeks burn with embarrassment.
"Dammit!" Indy kicked the tire in frustration but doing that made the tire pop, losing all its air. He sighed at his shitty luck, pulling out his phone. "Guess I'll have to call Adachi."
"Yo Boss… can you uhhh…. pick me up?"
Ruby Hoshino perched on a barstool at the kitchen island, the cool granite beneath her fingers as she sucked on the straw of her juicebox. The golden glow from the hanging pendant lights cast soft shadows that danced across the walls, and the faint hum of the refrigerator filled the silence, but inside Ruby's heart raced with a different kind of sound—the echo of her dreams.
"I'm gonna be like my mother! Ugh!" She declared but was quickly shot down by a tap of a notebook on her head. She looked back seeing her older brother Aqua was the cause.
"Talking about your dreams is fine and all, but highschool entrance exams are soon." She slaps away the notebook from her head giving her brother a complacent look. "Calm down, you just don't get it do you Aqua. I am going to be an idol okay! Highschool's with performing arts departments focus on the interview. They only look at academic ability in passing.
"If I become an idol, I wont need to study for entrance exams, it's a two-for-one-deal!" She cheered.
"Don't gamble your life based on that little factoid" Aqua quickly retorts causing Ruby to sighed with annoyance. "You know, I don't mind if you dream of being an idol, but don't have illusions about being an idol. Essentially, their salary is low, they retire before reaching 30, and their lives are under constant scrutiny by fans." He explains. "Only a small percentage survive in the industry after graduating, and in the end take up another line of work."
"What's your point?" Ruby counters. "Isn't life about doing what you want with it?! You'll never do anything if you worry about the costs and returns." She thinks back to her past life as a cancer patient struggling to walk in her days at the hospital. "Some people go their whole lives unable to really do anything, you know?"
She looks away from him crossing her arms. "That's not how I'm gonna live my life! Why can't you believe me like Indy does?!"
Aqua sighs at the mention of his troublesome brother. "Cause Indy doesn't follow any logic only in self belief, that's not how the world works."
"Whatever, do as you like… I'm heading to the Director's place." He says as he walks towards the door to head out. Ruby looks back at him, a solemn expression across her face.
My brother changed after mom died. She thought to herself. He always has a gloomy face and never seems to be having fun. It seems like he's been up to something ever since he became an apprentice of the director, but he won't tell me what it is.
And he's not the only one who ended up changing. Ichigo fell out of contact after the incident, after which Miyako took over the agency. B-Komachi after losing Ai disbanded after two years. Strawberry productions no longer has an idol department, instead expanding operations into managing internet personalities.
Other than that Indy didn't seem to change much at least what I've seen, he's still the same goofball I know but…he's been working at that mechanic shop we went to before. Making money to help Miyako out with bills despite her refusal. Lately he's been going out at night with this car he bought from Adachi trying to restore the hunk of junk. I worry about him, but all he tells me is to just focus on becoming an idol like mom.
Ruby just sighs as she looks at the clock seeing that it's late. "Indy, where are you…?"
As the tow truck comes to a stop at Indy's home Adachi couldn't stop laughing at Indy's recollection of his race. "Man kid, that's funny to think it stopped just a bit before the finish line"
"Shut up, I would've won if the engine didn't blow out on me" Indy tries to explain but it falls on deaf ears. "Still though, I didn't think the old girl still had it in her to race again" Adachi looks back at the Mazda with a smile. "When you told me you wanted this piece of junk to fix, I thought you were pulling my leg!"
"Yeah well, I told you I can make her run again!" Indy boasted. He gets out of the truck hurriedly working the truck's tow to get the Mazda back in the garage. "Now hurry up! We gotta get her in before Miyako-"
"Ahem" a sound of someone clearing their throat comes from the house. Indy freezes and looks back slowly seeing Miyako crossing her arms, a furious expression on her face.
"Uh, hey, Miyako," Indy said, feigning nonchalance as he stepped away from the truck. The shadows cast by the porch light flickered, revealing her disapproving glare.
"You think you can just sneak in at this hour?" Her arms crossed, she stood like a fortress, ready to defend her territory. "Where have you been? You know how worried I was?"
"Oh, uhh you know, driving around town a bit, the usual." Indy tried to swipe the sweat off his hands. Miyako looked at the Rx7 seeing that it was on the tow, showing that something happened. "And the car. What happened there?"
"Ah, Miyako-chan, that car had an engine failure." Adachi stepped in to support Indy's story. "Y'know how old cars can be. The boy called me to pick him up and now we're here." He smiled, hoping to convince the angry woman.
She gives a suspicious look at the two with half-lidded eyes not believing a word they said, but seeing that Indy looks okay she suppose it's okay, for now at least. "Hurry up and get inside, we'll discuss this later so you're not off the hook.
Indy salutes. "Yes Mam!" He hurriedly proceeded inside the house as the two adults watched him go inside. Miyako turns to the older man. "Thank you for bringing my son home, Adachi-san." Adachi just tips his hat at her. "Of course it wasn't a problem, but don't be so harsh on the kid, he's only young once."
"I know, but its my job to worry about him. Especially now, the whole new illegal street races are popping up everywhere. I'm scared he's going to end up coming face to face with those kinds of criminals." Miyako says solemnly.
Adachi nods his head in acknowledgement. "That we can all agree, but I'l make sure to watch over him in case he's in good hands."
"Thank you Adachi-san"
"Now then, let me drop this off and get out of your way, It'll just be a bit." He says as Miyako nods while watching him work the tow truck.
Back inside Indy entered his home the familiar scent of home wrapping around him like a soft blanket. The living room glowed warmly, and there sat Ruby, her vibrant blonde hair spilling over her shoulders.
"Indy!" she squealed, jumping up from the couch. "You're back!"
"Hey, Rubes," he said, forcing a smile despite the weight in his chest. "How's it going?"
She proceeds to punch his shoulder hard, gaining a grunt of pain from the young racer. "Ouch! What was that for!"
"That's for being you and making us worry, you didn't even answer my calls or texts." Indy just scratches his head. "My bad must've had it on silent. I tend to forget those types of things." He chuckles as Ruby sighs at her brother's idiocracy.
Indy looks around looking for a particular cold hearted brother. "Hey where's Aqua at?" Ruby just gives him a sad look. "He went to the Director's place, he also gave me a lecture about being an idol again."
"Same old Aqua we know and love I guess. I wonder why he goes there?."
"Maybe he wants to act again?"
Before Indy could respond, Ruby's phone buzzed violently on the coffee table, cutting through the moment. She snatched it up, her excitement palpable. "It's the idol Audition agency!" She goes to the corner of the room to talk to the agents. "Yes this is Ruby!"
As she is speaking with them, Miyako walks in and Indy remembers something. "Oh yeah Miyako here." He pulls out a wad of cash from his pocket and presents it to her. "It's for the payments of the house, here take it."
"Indy we talked about this. You don't need to give me-" Miyako tries to reject but Indy pushes into her which she then is forced to grab. "Nuh uh, not gonna hear it! A man has to honor his responsibilities, and you're one of mine." Indy states a serious expression on his face. "Please."
Miyako stares at the boy then sighs as she grabs the money and puts it in a safe place. "You really don't know when to quit, do you?" Indy smiles at her statement and soon Ruby's call on the phone gets their attention.
"Oh…I see. Thank you" Ruby gloomily says as she ends the call. Her quiet response concerns the other two. "Ruby…" Miyako worryingly says to the quiet twin.
"I…didn't get in." She admits tears falling from her. Indy hugs her from behind trying to comfort the poor girl. "Hey…it's alright. That's just one audition. You'll get another chance."
"I wanted this so bad," she sobbed against him, her optimism crumbling like a sandcastle. "Just like Mom…"Indy held her tighter, feeling the weight of their shared loss. "I know you did. But you're still amazing, no matter what they think."
Miyako joins in the group hug as well. "That's reality for you. There are lots of politics involved, and you can't even expect your ability to be judged fairly." Miyako explains. "Not everyone can have it go as well as it did for Ai."
What they don't know is that the one on the phone was actually Aqua calling from the directors place making it seem like it was one of the audition agents.
Thanks Director." Aqua says tossing the phone back to the director sitting at his computer. Taishi blew a puff of smoke from his cigarette. "The fact that you can fool your own twin sister shows you got real acting chops." Aqua sat by his desk reading some scripts. "What're you gonna do when she gets a call from them for real?"
I already sent them a short text from Ruby's phone saying she was withdrawing. Plus I blocked their number on her settings."
I just don't get it" Taishi says, crushing his cigarette on the ashtray. "Why're you going to such lengths to crush your sister's dreams? The girl is quite a beauty; she has a chance of making it."
Look, I won't let her become an idol. I won't let her tread in Ai's steps. You can count on that." Aqua ominously said, as his starry eye blacken." Taishi was perplexed at that. "Quite the sister complex there. You're overprotective to a fault."
"What about your brother?" The director asked as Aqua stared at him in confusion. "What about him?"
"Well I see he's been getting into these street races. Saw a whole lot of supped up cars in Shibuya city today, and a lot of shady people as well."
"It's not like he listens to me much, he's too hard headed for his own good."Aqua explains as he goes back to reading scripts. For Aqua growing up he and Indy argued like a lot. As Aqua kept being secretive Indy was questioning where he went and what he's doing much to his annoyance. He means well but for Aqua, this is something he has to do alone…
The next day came and even though Aqua crushed Ruby's chances of becoming an idol yesterday it was all for naught. When Ruby was coming home from school she was actually scouted by a scouting agent as he gave her his company's card. Thus the family were shocked to hear about this.
"You were scouted?!" Aqua, Miyako, and Indy yelled in disbelief.
"Yeah, from one of those underground idol groups. I feel like this has gotta be fate!" Ruby held the card like it was a lost treasure she found. "Mom also became an idol after being scouted, right?
"Is it really a legit idol group?" Miyako questioned. "Not some sketchy job?" Aqua added.
Its nothing like that." Ruby refutes. Indy grabs the card from her hands real quick to look at it. "Hey Indy!" He looked over it then gave Ruby a questioning look. "I know I want you to be an idol and all, but did you read over the contract?"
"The scout said I can come see their next concert. Then we'll get into the contract and stuff after that." She said dancing (literally) around the question.
The three give her a look as she just celebrates to herself. "Aw, I can't wait"
Later in the night Miyako, Aqua and Indy sat in the office that Miyako works at to see what to do about the situation with Ruby.
"What a pain in the butt… I've got to find a way to stop her." Aqua complained while Indy gave a disapproving glare at him. "There you go again spouting that nonsense again."
"I not letting her go down this road not again… especially after what happened to-"
"DON'T YOU BRING MOM INTO THIS, I worry about Ruby too, BUT I DON'T GO AROUND TRYING TO STOP HER FROM ACHIEVING HER DREAMS LIKE YOU DO!" Indy yelled, surprising everyone except Aqua as he gave his own glare at him.
Miyako, seeing the boys riled up, decides to speak. "I sympathize with you Aqua, I get not wanting your sweet sister to follow that same path." She looks down contemplating as they both listen. "You know, I…still find myself thinking that if I'd done this or that back then maybe things would be different now. I never want to feel like that again.
Indy puts a hand on her shoulder squeezing it for reinsurance as he gives her a smile. "What matters is that you cared for us like if we were your own Miyako, you'd protect us in a heartbeat. I mean I would especially know."
"You're not our step mom but you're the mom that stepped up." Indy chuckles as Miyako tries not to smile at it but does anyway.
"You're not getting any brownie points for that y'know" Miyako smirks at Indy as he rubs his head. "I figured you'd say that."
"Well she has come to look more and more like Ai…" Miyako admits. "I hate to say it, but she has the qualities to make it. It was always going to turn up like this."
"Exactly! That's why I have an idea." Indy states as the two look at him questioning that Indy actually has an 'idea'.
"Why don't you take her into Strawberry Production's agency?"
Miyako shakes her head. "You know we don't manage idols anymore. Plus who would want to join an idol group that went down like us."
"Well we can get Aqua to recruit them. He's got his pretty face to lure in potential talents." Indy says as Aqua scrunches his eyes at him. "You make it sound like I lure girls on a daily basis, plus don't you remember what I've just said?."
"I miss the part where that's my problem." Indy shrugs as Aqua glares. "Besides you can decide if that person is worth taking in, it's your call to make since I don't really know what to look for.
Aqua looks at him surprised. When you think about it he's kinda right. If he chooses who joins the group there won't be bad rumors or just any bad mouth girl. He hates to admit it, but this could probably work.
"I don't know…" Miyako mutters unsure of the idea.
"Just think about it, that's all I'm askin. For Ruby's sake, I trust…no I believe you can make this work." Indy declares.
Miyako stayed quiet and looked at Aqua to see his reaction. "It's your call to make." She sighs and looks back at Indy. "We'll see, I'll think about it."
"Alright, that's our Miyako! Certified mom of the year!" Indy celebrates but gets chopped on the head by Miyako. "I said I'd think about it."
"Yes Ma'am"
The next day Ruby was getting ready to go see the underground idol group. Putting up makeup and brushing her hair in front of the mirror so she can make an with how she looks she went downstairs to show off to her family.
"Ta-Da! So what do you think?" Ruby cheers as she gives a peace sign.
Miyako was the first to answer. "You look cute."
Ruby giggles. "Well, on a big day, you've gotta look fashionable right?" She lifts her dress and bows like a princess. "Oh I can't wait…"
"Ruby, so are you serious about this?" Miyako asked in a serious tone. Ruby gives a nod at her question but Miyako wants to make sure. "You know the world your about to enter into is a harsh place, right? You might not sell well and end up feeling miserable. Its not just the salary aspect either, in your private life…" Miyako explains but Ruby interrupts her.
"I know that. Aqua already told me as much." Ruby says.
"Ruby." Indy calls out as they all look toward him. Indy gave Ruby a serious expression to show he wasn't joking around. "Forget what Aqua and Miyako are saying right now, I want you to tell me with your heart that this is what you want. Even if there's a slim chance you'll make it, the risks that you may fall victim to stalking. Do you truly want to do this?" Ruby felt shocked at that, especially coming from her supporting brother. Of course there's risks in becoming an idol she thought but this is her only chance to back out of that dream. Thus she already had an answer
"You better believe it! After all now's my chance…I can finally become an idol." She looked at Indy showing her perseverance as she screamed. "I'm gonna be like Mom!"
The three stare at her in silence until Aqua finally in his silence speaks up. You really mean it?" Ruby looked at the older twin committed to her answer. "Absolutely!"
Indy loses his serious expression and replaces it with a proud smile happy with her answer. "Well then, that settles it. Don't join that idol group." Ruby look confused and betrayed at that. "Huh…Why? I'm serious about being an idol…" But Indy interrupts her with a hand. "You didn't let me finish." He signals toward Miyako to explain.
"Well if you really mean it then join our agency." Ruby faltered as Miyako explained. Strawberry Productions will be putting together a new idol group for the first time in over a decade."
So it was then decided that Ruby would join Strawberry productions as the new B-Komachi group. Miyako and Ruby sat down in the office to finish the contracts while Indy and Aqua stayed to watch.
"Put a tally expression here." Miyako pointed at a part of the contract. "Tally expression?... I don't really get it, but I just press down here?" Ruby asked but finally put a stamp on the paper completing the contract.
"Okay. And with that, you're now an entertainer with Strawberry Productions. If you pull anything, we'll sue you." Miyako jokes.
"Whoa scary."
"Well, I'm not kidding."
While they finished up, Indy looked toward Aqua in a smirk. "I told you she'd come around to agreeing so don't get mad~"
Aqua gave an unimpressed look at him. "I didn't say I was against it."
"You sound mad though."
"I'm not"
"You are"
"So not"
"So are!" They kept going back-to-back at each other until Miyako bonked both of them in the head to stop.
A few days passed until the day of the entrance exams came for the triplets to apply for Youtou High School. An integrated middle and highschool, and one of the few in Japan that has a performing arts department. And not just anyone can apply for performing arts, as it is necessary to produce a certificate showing you are affiliated with a talent agency.
While Ruby applied in the performing arts department since she was part of an agency now: Aqua and Indy went for the general ed. The standard score to apply said school was a 40 which Aqua overachieved with a 70 which shocked the staff. While Indy well just barely passed, with a 45 no question there. Since he was fixing up his car and totally forgot until Aqua reminded him to which he tried to cram study for it at the last minute.
"To be honest I thought you were gonna fail" Aqua said as he was walking with Indy down the hall to meet up with Ruby after her exam. Indy walked along nonchalantly as he put his both hands on the back of his head like he didn't care. "Oh Aqua, you fail to see that I can do anything when I put my mind to it." Indy proudly says.
"Yeah that's the thing 'When'?" Aqua teases much to Indy's annoyance. "What's that supposed to mean!"
They walked along the hall until they spotted Ruby leaning by the school's window. "Yo Ruby!" Indy called out to which Ruby finally noticed them. "So how'd it go?" Aqua asked
"Fine, I think… How about you guys?" She asked.
"It went without a hitch, but I couldn't say the same about Indy." Aqua said.
"Oi Aqua, don't say it like I didn't get in."
"Did you?" Ruby questioned. "Of course I did! Just who the hell do you think I am!" Indy crossed his arms.
"A Grease Monkey" Ruby admits
"Room temperature IQ" Aqua admits
Their words cause Indy to sulk in a corner sitting with his arms around his knees depressed at the thought. "Am I…really that stupid." Indy tragically says.
Aqua shakes his head while Ruby just giggles at her brother's reaction . "Well in an unlikely event that I'm rejected, my name is probably to blame." Aqua professes.
"Well, your full name is 'Aquamarine Hoshino', after all" Ruby clarifies as a girl walks by them and tries not to step on Indy on the way. "Though it's a pain to say, so everyone just calls you 'Aqua'."
The random girl stops in her tracks as she hears this. "Aqua?" This gains the attention of the triplets, as they look towards the girl. She slowly turns around. She was a bit shorter than Ruby, and her short red hair bobbed as she turned and pointed straight at Aqua. "Aqua Hoshino!" She went up close to Aqua repeating his name. Indy finally stood up to see the commotion.
Aqua stared at the girl confused. "Who are you again?" To which Ruby suddenly remembers. "Oh isn't it that girl? The genius child actor who can lick baking soda."
"No wait I think it's…" Indy says, trying to remember. He then put his fist in his hand finally figuring it out. "Your Cry Baby Kana, right?"
"The genius child actor who can cry in ten seconds flat!" The girl screamed.
"Isn't that what I said?" Indy asks
"No that's-" She tries to say but stops. Admittedly he did get it right but not in that way of wording it. "Actually you're kinda… Wait, that's not the point!" she pointed at herself while looking at Aqua.
"We acted in a film together - I'm Kana Arima." The girl finally revealed.
"Oh, long time no see. So you're in the performing arts department." Aqua inquires. Kana put both her hands on his shoulders relieved that he remembers her. "I'm so glad. I had thought you'd call it quits. We finally meet again."
She backed up excited at the moment, putting her hand behind her back. "You're joining up? You'll be in our performing arts department? Won't you?!"
"No…I applied for general education." Aqua revealed.
"WHAT THE HELL!" Kana screamed suddenly.
"My sister is trying for performing arts and I'm worried about her, so I applied here too." Aqua said like there was nothing wrong.
"Same goes for me." Indy added.
"What?!"
"My brothers have quite a sister complex." Ruby admits innocently.
"Gross!"
"What's wrong with going to the same school as your sister?" Indy asks, scratching his head.
"Everything! What kind of person does that!" Kana says. To which Indy admitted. "Me."
"Again, Gross!"
The three siblings huddle together as they whisper to each other. "You know I never did like this girl." Ruby whispered. "You'll be her junior if you're accepted, though." Aqua explains. "Yeah, plus isn't she kinda short to be a junior, the years didn't do her much good." Indy stated bluntly. "Yeah true…" Ruby accepted with a chuckle.
"Hey, I can hear you!" Kana angrily says as the triplets look back to her innocently like they weren't talking shit. "And don't think I didn't hear that 'small' comment from you Indy." To which said guy whistles off to the side.
Ruby finally gives in and offers her a hand lazily. "Aww…No point in fighting it. Let's be friends, little child star." Kana just goes up to her and threatens her like a chihuahua. "Quit or I'll bully you!"
Indy just pats her head like a dog as he laughs. "Ah, don't be mad, CBK-senpai were glad to see ya again. Even if you haven't grown up one bit." He muttered that last bit hoping she didn't hear.
"CBK?" Kana asks.
"Your nickname, Cry-Baby-Kana!" Indy happily says, as Kana gets mad and tries to bonk him but seeing as she's 5 '4 and he's 5' 10 it was not gonna happen. Seeing that the three were goofing around, Aqua then decides to leave so as to not be caught up in their antics.
"Well I'm gonna stop by the director's place." Aqua waves them off, as the two other siblings say their farewell.
"Okay, see ya." Ruby waves. "Again? Well, say hi to Taishi for me." Indy says ignoring Kana's attacks.
Kana stops, seeing Aqua leave and goes after him leaving the two blondes. "Wait, hold on! I'm still not done with you Aqua!"
The two watch as they leave as Indy looks toward Ruby. "Well, what do you know, to think we see her here of all places. Feels like fate."
Ruby sighs and shakes her head. "I suppose if you wanna think of it that way. I'm surprised your all buddy-buddy with her since the last time you met her. What's up with that?"
Indy scratches his head in embarrassment. "Well lil Sis sometimes you gotta learn to forgive so that you may move forward in life. Plus I think she's actually changed since then."
"Sure… whatever you say, Bro." Ruby said not convinced in the slightest.
"Well, since we're done here, wanna head home?" Indy asked. "Sure, let's go!" Ruby gets ready and starts walking with Indy back home.
The sun hung low in the sky, painting the streets of their suburban neighborhood in warm hues of orange and pink. Ruby and Indy walked side by side as they conversed over the mundane sounds of passing cars and distant chatter.
"So…Indy, how's your car coming along?" Ruby asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "It's almost up and running," Indy replied, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "But I really wish I had some cash to make it better. You know, a sweet paint job, maybe some upgrades."
Ruby tilted her head, her side ponytail swaying with the motion. "I still don't get why you wanna fix that old junker car. Wouldn't it be better to get a newer car instead?"
"Once I saw it I knew I had to get it. I couldn't leave it to get scrapped! Plus it's got pop-up headlights." Indy replied enthusiastically as Ruby rolled her eyes.
Suddenly, a flash of white darted across their path stopping the two. Indy halted mid-step, his eyes wide. "Whoa, is that…?"
What they saw at least to Indy was a familiar looking white dog sitting right in front of their path. Its tongue was out and it wagged its tail side-to-side.
"It's you…" Indy said under his breath as he couldn't believe it was the same spirit that talked to him when he was young.
"A dog! Oh my gosh, it's so cute!" Ruby cooed, her voice rising in pitch as she spotted the fluffy creature standing confidently in front of them. The dog seemed to pause for a heartbeat before suddenly bolting down the street. Without a second thought, Indy took off after it, his heart pounding with a mix of surprise and excitement. "Wait! Come back!"
"Indy, wait where are you going!" Ruby called after him, her voice echoing as she sprinted to catch up. The chase was on, both of them weaving through pedestrians, the distant sounds of the city fading as they focused on the elusive canine.
"Don't run away!" Indy shouted, determination fueling his speed. "Damn this dog is fast!"
They chased the dog through winding alleys and past colorful storefronts, until it finally stopped outside a convenience store, sitting patiently as if it had been waiting for them. Indy slowed down, bending over to catch his breath. "Alright you, why'd the hell do you run away like that?!" The dog didn't answer him, just tilted his head as he was confused.
"I could ask you the same thing!" Ruby yelled coming behind Indy and hitting him in the head. He rubbed his head as Ruby berates the poor guy. "Jeez Indy, you didn't have to scare the poor dog like that."
"Ow Rubes, I just thought that-" Indy says but Ruby told him to zip it. She approached the white canine with a soft expression. "You poor thing, did my dumb brother scare you. Don't worry come here~" she cooed, kneeling beside it offering a hand. The dog leaned into her touch, its tail wagging as it licked her hand. "Aw~You're so sweet!"
Indy eyebrows furrowed in confusion watching his sister tame the dog. I swear it's the same Inugami I saw in my head, but is it just a regular dog?. He watched as the said Inugami acted like a regular dog playing with Ruby. "Why wont you talk?" He muttered.
Ruby got up and turned her head at Indy. Hey since we're here and all, we should get some food for him to eat, it's gotta be hungry after that chase you made it go through. Isn't that right~" Ruby suggested as the dog barked in agreement.
Indy rubs his head and sighs. "I guess since we're at the convenience store, go for it." Ruby nods and pets the dog. "You hear that cutie, we're gonna get you some food" Ruby coos as the dog licks her face. Indy gives her some money for food to buy while he stays with the dog outside waiting.
As they wait for Ruby to buy dog food Indy just crouches in front of the dog inspecting it. Indy frowned, his brow furrowing. "So you're not going to talk? Or am I just crazy?" The dog stared at Indy, its head cocked, as if considering an answer.
Suddenly, the dog's lips parted, and a voice, deep and resonant yet playful, answered him. "I stayed quiet to avoid raising suspicion." Indy widens his eyes in shock. "I knew it, I'm not crazy!" Indy laughs.
"I wouldn't say that, my friend" The now identified Inugami chuckled.
"Alright so talk, why didn't you speak earlier?" Indy pointed an accusing finger at the Inugami.
"Well I didn't want to make myself known to anyone other than yourself. Imagine what they would do if they witnessed a talking dog. The secret of the gods and spirits must be kept secret." The Inugami explained
"What about my siblings? They're also reincarnates as well." Indy asked, the Inugami looked towards the store that Ruby went into. "I'm afraid as of now they cannot know, at least until I find out what being reincarnated them."
"Okay then…Wait what happened since last time, you said that I was the one that can save Ai from dying, but she died anyway what's up with that."
The dog looked down and whimpered. "I'm sorry it looks to be that the Gods needed Ai to die for a reason I do not know of."
Indy looked down, saddened at what he said. "The Gods you say, what the hell do they get outta killing mom like that." Indy said with anger in his voice.
"It is as I say. While Ai' Hoshino's death was inescapable, that cannot be said for what to come in the future." The Inugami says solemnly. "What do ya mean?" Indy asks.
The spirit dog explains that there is a dark force in Tokyo that will threaten the lives of the people that Indy will meet and only he can stop it. It is unknown as to whom it may be but the Gods believe that if it is not stopped everyone that he knows and loves will meet a dark end like his mother.
Indy's heart raced, a mix of hope and fear coursing through him. "Can I really save them? I mean, I didn't get a chance with Mom. What makes this time different?"
"Find those who will stand with you. They are closer than you think." The Inugami's gaze softened. "They will help you on this quest to prevent the dark future of yours. I will be here to guide you as always but it is you that will change it."
Indy scrunches his brows deep in thought. This whole thing sounded crazy but at the same time he is really not gonna do anything to protect what he cherishes most. Hell No! If he has to walk through hell to save his family he would do it in a heartbeat no question asked.
"Alright then, so what's our first step?" Indy asked. The Inugami smiled happily with his decision. "Well the first is to find allies, your first should be coming soon if I believe."
"What do you mean-" Indy says but was pushed by a guy walking down the sidewalk. The guy didn't say anything and just kept walking, paying Indy no mind. Indy was of course mad at that and went to confront the guy that pushed him. "Oi! You're supposed to say sorry when you bump into someone asshole!"
The guy stopped at Indy's words and looked back giving him a mad-dog look. "You wanna run that by me again, punkass."
The guy was a bit shorter than Indy coming up to 5'7. He wore a middle school uniform but it was unbuttoned so you could see his red shirt and his pants were baggy. His hair was also unique as the base of his head was in cornrows that ended with a loose bundle of black hair. It was one of the weirdest hairstyles that Indy had seen.
"Yeah Cornrows, it's proper manners to say sorry to those you push out the way." Indy bit back as the guy got up to his face. "Like hell imma say sorry to a bitch ass like you."
"You wanna go? I'm more than happy to show you what I'm made of." Indy cracked his knuckles, ready for a fight. He had dealt with worse in his past life, and if he had to throw a few punches to prove himself, so be it.
"Sure, I've been bored all day until you showed up." Cornrow guy replied back, getting into a stance to fight. While this is happening the Inugami watches in silence a glint sparkles in his eyes as to what is about to come.
Before Indy could respond, the guy's expression shifted, curiosity replacing aggression. "Wait a second." He studied Indy, brow furrowing. "You look... familiar. What's your name?"
"Indy," he replied, confusion swirling in his gut wondering what the guy was on about.
The guy's eyes widened. "Indy… No way it's really you."
"Huh? Do I know you man?" Indy asked, also confused.
The guy laughs his hands on his knees. This kind of pisses Indy off. "The fuck you laughing for." The guy finished laughing and wiped a tear in his eyes, "I knew I'd recognize that dumb blonde hair anywhere."
The guy smiles in a grin at Indy as he points at himself. "Indy, it's me Hayato!"
"Hayato… as in Nakamura Hayato?" Indy asked, remembering the name. The boy he acted with when he was young.
"The one and only, how's it going…Indy."
Indy, shocked at the news, stays still, this causes the now revealed Hayato to look confused at his friend. "Uhh…Earth to Indy.." He waves at his friend.
Indy just goes up to him and yells happily. "You son of a Bitch!" He goes to dap up his friend and they grab onto each other's hand with a firm grip. "I almost beat your ass over that man. What the hell."
Hayato just chuckles. "Yeah my fault G, I kinda tend to react like that when someone calls me out the way ya did."
"I mean look at you, I didn't even recognize you, and what's up with that hair?" Indy asks, pointing at Hayato's cornrow/ loose bun haircut. "What's wrong with the trim?! It's trendy!"
"Doubt it, you need to fire your barber." Indy said unimpressed. " Well besides my supposed bad haircut. Where you've been man, it's been 12 years since I saw you." Hayato asked, crossing his arms.
"I uhh…" Before Indy could say anything, a voice chirped from behind them. "Indy! What's going on?" Ruby emerged from the store bag in hand with dog treats for the Inugami. "I heard a commotion and- Whose that?" Ruby finally noticed the cornrowed man beside her brother.
"Oh Ruby, this is an old friend of mine Haya-" Indy said quickly, waving a dismissive hand as he introduces Hayato but stops midway as he looks towards his friend. Hayato went silent, his mouth slightly agape as he stared at Ruby, eyes wide with surprise. She was striking, a blend of golden blonde hair shining like the sun. Hayato had never seen a girl this cute and mesmerizing in his whole life. The moment stretched, filled with an awkward silence until Indy cleared his throat.
"Uh, this is Hayato," Indy said, gesturing to the still-stunned guy. "Remember that film I did as a kid, he's the guy who acted with me."
"Oh that one…" Ruby said, her voice trailing off as she studied Hayato. She bowed, giving a cute greeting to the frozen guy. "Hello, I'm Ruby… "
Hayato stays silent until he suddenly grabs Indy and pulls him to the side for a quick conversation. "Hey man who's that cutie you're with, I've never seen a girl like that before. Is she single?" Hayato whispered. Indy gives him a stare as he crosses his arms. "That's my sister, dude."
"Seriously?" Hayato's eyes widened. "Damn, man, you didn't tell me you had a sister like this! Can I still…"
"No" Indy gave a flat answer. "Why not? She's hot!" Hayato persisted, glancing back at Ruby, who was feeding the Inugami the treats she bought. "Oh I don't know, maybe, because she's my sister, Hayato!" Indy hissed.
"Bro let me cook, please" Hayato pleaded as Indy was gonna argue again but stopped and had an idea. He smirked at Hayato. "Alright then, give it your best shot." Indy said as Hayato looked at him in shock. "For real, you won't get mad." Indy just nods his head.
"Alright!" Hayato cheered as rubbed his hand, fixed his hair, and walked over swagger in his step to Ruby to attempt to make a pass on her.
"Hey~ Ruby right." Hayato asked in a playboy way. She looked up from feeding the dog and tilted her head at the boy. "Yes…?"
"I was wondering if you-" But Ruby was quick on the pass. "No," She said with an innocent smile. "Uhh…What…?" Hayato asked, confused, as Indy hides a laugh behind him, already knowing her sister's answer.
"No," She repeated. Hayato stared blankly. "Eh?"
"I'm sorry but I'm aiming to become an idol and I cannot have a scandal, plus I don't think I would date a guy with that gross haircut." Ruby explained bluntly her words hitting their mark as Hayato sat depressed in the corner sulking.
"Damn bro it really be like that, I got no game." Hayato depressedly said as Indy patted him on the shoulder over his broken confidence.
"Is he really your friend Indy, out of all people, why him?" Ruby asked flatly. "Ah he's not so bad once you get to know him." Indy clarified.
"Well anyway, I wanted to ask. Can we keep this dog? I'd feel bad that it doesn't have a home to go to." Ruby asked pleadingly. Indy stared at the Inugami remembering its conversation with it. He might as well take him seeing as he's gonna need all the help he can get to stop whatever dark force threatens his family.
"I guess so, we gotta ask Miyako if we can keep him though." Indy said Ruby jumped happily and the dog barked in compliance.
Indy looked over at his depressed friend still sulking on the ground.
"Well It's getting late so we gotta go, Hayato..." Indy says, as the siblings plus dog go to leave. Hayato shakes off his gloomy aura and asks Indy suddenly. "Wait, you guys going home? Why don't I take you. My car is just around the corner." Hayato offers, spinning his keys in the air.
"Really, you sure?" Indy asked to which Hayato nodded. "Of course, anything for a friend in need, and a cutie like Ruby-Chan~" Ruby gave an audible disgust sound at that. She didn't hate the guy but that playboy act is kinda cringe.
They walked over to a parking lot and there they find Hayato's car waiting. A blue Nissan GTR R34 Skyline, it looked brand new, rims sparkling, and with a spoiler to add. "Whoa, a skyline she's a beauty." Indy whistled amazed at the car. "Of course I only look for the best, and what else but the 'Godzilla'." Hayato said smugly.
"Before you guy's go on a monologue on cars, can we go?" Ruby said wanting to just leave already the dog barking in agreement.
"Ah right."Hayato said as he opened the door. While the car was nice the Interior is kind of small, especially the back seats. "Well the back is gonna be kinda tight, so while Indy and the pooch goes in the back, Ruby-chan can ride shotgun with me." Hayato says, pointing at himself smiling at the blonde girl.
"I'll take my chances with the dog in the back." Ruby says dismissing Hayato's offer climbing in the back, the white canine following her in.
Hayato pouts at the denial as Indy pats his shoulder. "She'll come around…maybe." Indy says getting in the passenger seat.
"Maybe, he says…" Hayato says sarcastically as he heads in the driver seat, turning on the car. The engine roars to life like a tiger. They buckle up and once Hayato checks his mirrors he looks at the two siblings. "Yall better hold on tight, it's gonna be 0 to 100 real quick." he yelled over the sounds of the loud engine.
"0 to a Wha-WOAAHHHH!" Ruby tries to ask over the sound until Hayato hits the gas, the tires screech and the skyline goes full throttle into the streets. Pedestrians move out of the way of the oncoming vehicle. The two boys cheered as Ruby held on tight hoping that Hayato didn't crash on the way home.
Back with Aqua after dealing with Kana's constant pestering they made it to Taishi's mothers house where the Director finally got to see the child actor once again to his surprise. After conversing for a bit they were called down by Taishi's mother to come and have dinner. They stayed and were currently conversing on various topics, one in particular in which Kana wanted to see Aqua's old acting shots.
"By the way, do you have any videos of Aqua acting?" Kana asked, reaching for some salt on the dinner table.
I mean I do but…" Taishi answered but Aqua quickly rejected. "Don't show her. I wasn't thinking straight and I'd like to forget I've ever did that. I was under the false impression I had talent, and the films paid dearly for that."
So he says" Taishi says. " If you want to see him acting, you'll have to talk him into acting again."Kana looks over to Aqua, a teasing smile on her lips. "Oh? So that's how it is?
"Not happening."
"Actually, there's this project I play the female lead in, and not all the roles are filled in yet." Kana explained. "Want me to talk to the higher-ups and see what I can do?
"No" Aqua rejected again, causing Kana to shout. "What?!"
"What's the project called?" Taishi asked, pulling out his phone to look it up. " I'll Go With Sweet Today'- It's a Tv drama based on a shoujo manga." Kana explained.
"Sweet Today?" Aqua asked. You know it?" Arima changed seats sitting close to Aqua giving him a cutesy look. "You interested?"
"Like I said, I'm done with acting." Aqua stated but Kana was not having it. "If I put in a word, the part might be as good as yours. The producer Kaburagi-san, has a soft spot for me, you see."
"Kaburagi?" Aqua muttered softly. "Is the producer's full name Masaya Kaburagi?" He asked as Kana confirmed it.
To Aqua this producer was important. As a kid he looked through Ai's old contacts from her phone. This took four long years just to figure out her password, but when he did he went through all of it. Making a list as to who Ai was in contact with and one of those names was Masaya Kaburagi…
"Come on, join me! Besides, the cast is basically all people our age! The male lead has a girlish face- he's really cute!" Kana spoke highly.
"I'm in." Aqua said abruptly, surprising the former child actor. "Reach out for the producer for me."
"What's with the sudden change of heart?" Arima asked, confused, but she suddenly thought that Aqua changed his mind after she said the male actor was cute. She got flustered at the idea of Aqua getting jealous of her talking about this actor, which is not the case as Aqua had other plans in mind.
She giggled at the thought. "I'm looking forward to seeing you act."
"That said, the situation on set can be a bit problematic, so be prepared for that okay?" Kana added.
"Hm?"
(Back with Indy)
"CAN YOU NOT TRY AND KILL US!" Ruby screamed holding onto dear life as the skyline made its way through traffic at high speeds.
"Oh, sorry Ruby-chan" Hayato apologized as he slowed down a bit, relieving the poor girl's stress. "We should be there in a few minutes top."
"Geez, I swear you're exactly like my brother." Ruby sighed as the two boys chuckled. "I'm not that bad, am I Ruby?" Indy asked.
"Hey it's crazy to think you guys are going to the same school I'm going to as well. I'm telling you man its fate that we met." Hayato says making a turn on a street. You're gonna apply in the performance arts program Indy?"
"Nah, I applied to the mechanic workshop. I don't think I'm cut out for acting" Indy explains.
"I see… well I'm glad to see someone familiar going there. Me though, I'm gonna be a music producer. Got a whole rap career going on."
"Really, a rapper?" Indy asked. While Rap back then was something new in his old life. Once Indy reincarnated he discovered all kinds of new music rap being one of them, his impression of it was good, but that was more towards American rap. Japan isn't really all that popular so seeing his friend pursue a genre like that was surprising.
"That's right, I even got a whole song right here, wanna listen?" Hayato asks as he pulls out a CD showing the two and dog.
Indy and Ruby look at each other and shrugged, might as well listen while their here. They both nod as Hayato puts his CD in his car's CD player.
(Ginger by Eric Reprid plays, just pretend it's in Japanese)
The bass shook the car's interior as the song played. The two listened as Hayato was banging his head at the music watching to see their reactions. Indy reacted positively as he listened, rap has come a long way since back in the 80's. Ruby's was kinda mixed, while the song was really explicit, she couldn't help but say it wasn't bad. She was actually expecting something worse.
"It's a bop, right!" Hayato asked over the music.
"It's not bad, I can see myself driving with this playin in the background." Indy says as Hayato stares at Ruby for her review.
"Its okay…" Ruby admits.
"Just okay?"
"Well it's not my type of music, so I cant really say if its good or not." She explains.
"An okay from you Ruby-chan is all a guy like me needs." Hayato smiles as the girl rolls her eyes at the rapper.
"Oh look, we're here!"
The car finally makes a stop at their destination as Ruby quickly gets out of the vehicle, the dog following as well. "Hah… Finally to be on land again."
"Dramatic much?" Indy teased as he climbed out. "I mean, it wasn't that bad, was it?"
"Not that bad?" Ruby shot him a playful glare, her hands on her hips. "I felt like I was on a rollercoaster that was about to launch off the rails!"
Hayato chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "You're just overreacting. It's not like anything happened."
"Tell that to my heart!" Ruby screeched, as the dog comforted her with some licks to her face. Indy turned to Hayato, leaning against the car. "Thanks for the ride, man. I'll hit you up when I get the time.
"No prob. Anything for my bro! See ya at school." Hayato replied. His gaze flicked to Ruby, who was already halfway to the front door. "Hey, Ruby!" he called out. "Maybe next time we can go to the movies, eh"
She didn't even turn around. "Not happening!" she shouted back, her voice echoing against the walls of their home. She pushed the door open and slipped inside, leaving Hayato staring after her, his head slumped depressingly.
"Dude, you really need to work on your game," Indy said, leaning against the car, arms crossed. "Welp, drive home safe alright."
He soon recovers and gives Indy an unfettered smile. "Of course, see ya." Hayato waves as he finally drives off.
After the ride home that the two siblings had to convince Miyako to keep the dog that they found on the street. She was hesitant as to keep it saying it's a lot of responsibility, but Indy offered to look after its needs and if anything happened it was his responsibility to which Miyako finally gave up and allowed the dog to that time Aqua arrived home from the directors place now confused as to why his Siblings brought a stray home. After their explanation, now the group were now deciding on a name for the dog/yokai spirit in disguise.
"How about Chopper?" Indy suggested. To which the dog shook its head.
Nobu?" Miyako added, again the dog shook its head.
"Oh I know! Hana!" Ruby suggested. "Ruby it's a boy…" Indy corrected
"Inu…" Aqua said uncaringly as Ruby shot him a look. "We're not calling him dog." (Inu means dog in japanese)
After a while of name suggestions the group is exhausted.
"Well we tried every name we could think of. What else is there?" Ruby stated, scratching the dog's ears.
"Hmmm" Indy thought to himself. As he thinks Miyako drops a piece of edible seaweed on the floor she was using to cook. The dog soon sees this and starts eating it happily. "Hey! Don't eat that!" Miyako scolds trying to grab it but the dog just growls, scaring the woman.
"Just leave it Miyako," Aqua says. "Its not like seaweed is bad for dogs." This suddenly gives Indy an answer to his question.
"How about Nori?"
The group stared at him confused until Indy explained. "Well seeing as he likes seaweed lets just name him that."
The dog barks happily at that as it wags his tail at the name. Ruby smiles at the dog. "I think he likes it."
"Well since that's done, I'll be heading to my room.." Aqua says getting up from the dining table.
"Aren't you gonna tell them?" Miyako says, causing Aqua to give her a look telling her to zip it. The two siblings stare in confusion. "Tell us what?" Indy asked.
"Aqua is gonna be in a TV Drama" Miyako simply stated as Ruby and Aqua look shocked.
"What! you're gonna be in a TV Drama, Aqua?!" Ruby yelled.
"Why'd you tell them?" Aqua chastised. "I mean, you weren't gonna tell them yourself were you? Doing publicity for our entertainers is an agency's job" Miyako explained
"Come on Aqua~." Indy teases as he puts his arm around his shoulder much to his annoyance. "You can't always keep us in the dark with stuff like this. We're bound to find out sooner or later."
"Well, Mom did say… that one day maybe I'd be an idol, you'd be an actor and Indy would be someone great in life." Ruby said, interrupting the two brothers bickering as they looked at her. "I see you haven't forgotten."
She says this in a sad smile remembering what Ai had said to them in her final moments, something that they will never forget. To Aqua this was a means to an end towards his goal of finding the true culprit of Ai's death.
While Aqua thinks to himself Indy shakes it off by changing the touchy subject. "Hey so Miyako, what's this show called that Aqua's gonna be in." He goes to where Miyako is sitting at the table, laptop in hand.
"I'll Go With Sweet Today. It's based on a shoujo manga." Miyako answers, looking it up on her computer.
Ruby comes over as she recognized the name. "Oh, I know that one 'Sweet Today'! It's a manga Aqua's got in his room! That was a fun read!" She says excitedly.
"Don't read my stuff without asking." Aqua scolds.
"I didn't know you read that kind of mushy stuff Aqua, you learn something new everyday I suppose." Indy exclaims. "Why don't I buy you a porn mag, just tell me your type of material."
"Who reads porn mags nowad- Oh…that's right." Aqua says blankly looking at his brother already knowing the answer.
"Ew! Gross Indy!" Ruby shrieks at her perverted brother's suggestion. Nori shakes his head at the thought, probably regretting reincarnating him.
"Getting back on point." Miyako interrupts giving Indy a scolding glare. "The show's a drama produced by a recently established internet TV station that will have six episodes total, three of which have already been released." Miyako explains. "Even the main cast is mostly made up of new actors, and it seems the production is a bit on the smaller side."
"Apparently, Aqua will play a villain who shows up in the final episode." Miyako states.
"You're perfect for it. You've got a sinister-looking face, after all." Ruby points out as Aqua gives her that 'Sinister' look. "Oh, shut up."
"Hey Ruby you're right, he does have that look on his face" Indy teases as he and Ruby laugh at Aqua's expense.
"Since it's an internet-streaming show, we can watch it right now." Miyako suggested. "Oh, let's watch it now!" Ruby agreed, as the four plus dog leaned in to watch.
As they watched it looked like any run of the mill Rom-Drama, but as soon as the actors started talking well let's just say it was cringeworthy. The actors were delivering lines like it was their first time acting, no effort on emotion like if it was a school play. What surprised them the most was that Kana was acting the same way, which confused them as they know she has acting abilities better than this. It was so bad that even Makai had to cover his eyes with his paws at the awful acting. Aqua walked out of the room to later come back with the manga to check the differences. After a few more seconds of this Miyako ultimately closed the laptop after that whole cringe fest.
…
"What the fuck did I just watch…" Indy said out loud, breaking the awkward silence.
"Wait, was 'Sweet Today' really like that?!" Ruby asked Miyako.
"Yeah… I was wondering if that was the feeling it had to it." Miyako asked herself unsure. "The direction is really weird but I wouldn't say it's unwatchable..." Ruby contemplates. "But, all these characters not in the manga are getting screen time."
"I think that's the least of its problems… right Nori?" Indy asked the dog which barked in agreement.
"The production side must want to feature as many actors as possible, huh?" Miyako says trying to see the reason for the poor show's quality..
Ruby quickly snatched the manga of 'Sweet Today' from Aqua and flipped through it. "Also the story didn't unfold like that in the manga, did it?"
"When you pack 14 manga volumes into a half a Tv season, it's inevitable that some of the story will get cut." Miyako explained.
"Plus the acting is…" Ruby mutters.
"Terrible, Crummy, a piece of Hot Garbage… pick your poison. " Indy says counting the words off the list. "Exactly! Wasn't Loli-senpai better at acting than this?" Ruby asked.
"I wouldn't know. What do you think, Aqua?" Indy looked toward the older triplet. Aqua stayed silent drinking his cup of coffee, most likely thinking the same thing. He knows Kana is not a beginner, so why is she holding back? He would have to ask her at a later time.
Wow new things on the horizon right? Nori the spirit animal companion, Indy's childhood friend Hayato. I hope you guys like these characters even if they seen now as maybe you don't like them or you do. There will be more I will say that but I will try not to make them boring. I'm going to make a deviantart so you guys can see the charcters so you can have a better idea of what they look like in my profile and on this so check it out. Anyways see you next time. torenter528