The following story is implausible to tell but as real as life itself. It all began when an idol committed the greatest sin of her profession: having a partner and children. This was the story of Ai Hoshino, the greatest idol of all time. Like many other idols, it was almost inevitable to go through the ordeal of scandal. None of them were destined for purity. After all, they were ordinary people with an instinctive yearning for carnal affection. Normally, when everything came to light, idols had no choice but to apologize. But Ai was not one of those. She would have proudly accepted it, even if it had led her career down the drain.
When she became pregnant, the alarms from her circle did not wait to sound. Her manager, Ichigo Saitou, being aware that she was the leader of the group B-Komachi, not to mention their main asset, handled the situation with the utmost discretion. It was perfectly sensible for him to know that both Ai's future and that of his agency were at stake. For Ai, this was simply an adventure. Balancing being an idol with motherhood was a risky task that very few dared to attempt. Despite her partner, whose identity remained mysterious for a long time, insisting on abortion, she refused. She had her reasons. For Ai Hoshino, love in all its forms was a chimera. Born at the lowest rung of the social ladder, she was the daughter of a single mother with questionable habits that eventually led to imprisonment for theft. After leaving prison, she never saw her again. Consequently, turned into an orphan, she was sent to an orphanage. It probably wasn't the best place for a child, but for Ai, it was preferable to enduring abuse. From a young age, she realized she was an unwanted child who should never have existed. This was something Mr. Saitou noticed when he first met her.
From the period following her departure from the orphanage until she became an idol, there are numerous gaps about what happened back then. No one knows how she got out or exactly what she did, beyond small jobs at a theater agency called Lalalay before receiving the offer to become an idol.
Ichigo Saitou, who had founded a modest agency he ran with the help of his wife, needed a product that would make a difference to compete with the big names. Selecting the girls was a tough task. After months of auditions, it was decided. The only thing missing was a leader since none of the previously selected girls had the mettle for it. Ichigo met Ai at one of the theater performances, playing a supporting role in a play, and after the performance, he invited her for a milkshake. Initially, she wasn't sure. "Give love to fans without knowing what love is? What kind of joke is this?" she asked herself. But she was convinced by the manager after he explained one of the shrewdest functions an idol must perform: pretending to love her fans. It was like doing the job of a politician, but as a child, since they shared the common trait of selling promises, however false they might be. Everyone has wanted to hear they are loved at some point. For this reason, Ai finally agreed out
of interest in seeking that substitute. After all, nothing could go wrong, even if consumed by a generally unhappy audience. Or so she thought.
At the tender age of ten, she became an idol. In less than a year, she and her B-KOMACHI group started appearing in the top charts. Little by little, they began to gain their scale of fans. Ai Hoshino had taken to her role very well and was the driving force of the group. Her beauty and her boldness made her unique. She went from being a girl with a cold, lost look to an idol who captivated with her smile. Ichigo Saitou had trained her well. Above all, she was a product, but above that, she was like a daughter to him. In fact, since the moment she was hired, he automatically became her guardian and the closest thing to a father. He was aware that Ai needed a paternal figure, and he was there to fill that role.
In a few years, the fans had risen exponentially, reaching all age groups. At every concert, Ai Hoshino's name was cheered. However, for Ai, that substitute for love was not enough. That's why she decided to cross the line no idol should ever cross by getting pregnant at sixteen.
When Ichigo found out about this, he tried not to panic. He sought all necessary contacts to handle it as secretly as possible.
The next day, they set off for a hospital located in a desolate area. It was so remote that there wasn't even a decent road to reach it, and on Wikipedia, there was only a five-line paragraph talking about the village.
"Are you aware of how vultures the paparazzi can be?" Ichigo asked after taking a turn.
"Yes," Ai responded with complete indifference.
"Really, sometimes your nonchalance drives me crazy. Be thankful I've had the contacts to get you to a place where you won't be on everyone's lips. I doubt there's anyone around here who's a fan of idols unless they're some old pervert." Ai laughed. "Do you find that funny? Anyway, I won't talk about it anymore until we get there. Right now, I want to focus on driving."
When they arrived at the hospital, Ai covered her face with a cap and sunglasses, as had become customary whenever she went outside. When they entered, it took a while to reach the maternity section. The room they needed to get to was that of Doctor Gorou Amamiya. Upon opening the door, a relatively young man with black hair and glasses greeted them, showing he was affable.
Ai noticed something odd. She observed that the doctor's behavior was suspicious. His poor attempt to suppress his emotions gave him away. It was more than likely he was one of her fans. Ai had to take advantage of some private moment to clarify her doubts.
And so it was one night under the full moon, on the hospital's roof, where they spoke about their true intentions. Ai's suspicions were confirmed. Her doctor was a fan, but for a peculiar reason. He wasn't one of the obsessive types, and the reason he became a fan was quite touching. Four years earlier, the doctor had met a sick girl with cancer who was a fan of hers. Being practically abandoned by her parents, the doctor decided to fill that void. He had become a fan out of commitment. He found it touching while also feeling pity. That girl was probably not so different from her, discarded by her parents and receiving love from a stranger. The only difference with her was that this girl, named Sarina, had managed to achieve happiness through love, something that for Ai was still an unfulfilled subject. This story reassured her since this man was not exactly an idol fanatic. In fact, Ai, despite pretending unconditional love for her fans, harbored a contained aversion towards men over thirty who were idol fans, seeing them as nothing more than "creepy old men."
In complete confidence, Ai declared her true intentions. Without any shame, she confessed she was undertaking an impossible mission: balancing being an idol with motherhood. For Doctor Amamiya, these wild statements showed that Japan's most popular idol had no scruples. For her, falling into the abyss of scandal was an extreme sport, much like speculation on war and misery for a stockbroker. But the motivation behind it was more emotional. Fans no longer sufficed, and the only option left was her children. She would try by all means to be a good mother, unlike her own.
Amamiya, being understanding, committed to ensuring her twins would be born as healthy as possible and would encourage her at the moment of birth. That promise was never fulfilled. The night before her children's birth, he disappeared. Ai asked about him, but no one could answer. Sadness invaded her moments. Mr. Saitou tried to cheer her up when her water broke. They couldn't allow any disturbing elements. Any disruption would mean all the effort was in vain. But Ai remembered the doctor's words, wishing her luck and a happy life not to worry about him, that when this was over, he would still be just another fan, like a drop in the ocean. What mattered was oneself when fulfilling the goals set for oneself without regard for others. And thus, Ai relaxed and labor began.
Following the doctor's instructions, the babies were born normally and not by cesarean as initially forecasted. All this to avoid any marks that could raise suspicions. The intervention was a success. After some tense moments, Ai was handed her two children. The celebrated idol hugged them with all her affection. It was like a gift from heaven. The babies, upon seeing the light, cried but began to relax in their mother's arms.
"Congratulations on your children," said Ichigo, appearing in the room. "Do you know what names you're going to give them?"
"Aquamarine and Ruby," said Ai with a smile.
"Not very orthodox, but since they're your children, I accept those extravagant names."
After a few days of rest, they returned by car with two baby seats they had bought near the village. It was time to return to routine but turned into a high-risk sport.
And here begins our story. A tale whose central element was implausible. And it was that absolutely no one knew the secret hidden by Ai Hoshino's two children. They were reincarnations of characters who still retained the consciousness of their past lives. But they weren't just anyone; they were people somehow linked to the celebrated idol. Ruby's true identity was Sarina Tendouji, her late greatest fan. While Aqua was actually her doctor, Gorou Amamiya, whom she had been asking about for a long time.
The reason for all this lay in matters incomprehensible to a society skeptical of theological and metaphysical issues. It seems it was the design of the gods. The reasons were unknown. But one of the causes could be intuited; perhaps the two reincarnated had a strong desire to remain in the earthly world. This was the case for the doctor and the patient. Their desire linked to Ai Hoshino brought them back to the world once more. According to Hindu/Buddhist theology, we reincarnate based on our actions and desires. In Sarina's case, when she died, she wished for a worthy life mixed with her source of admiration for Ai Hoshino, making her become her daughter. On the other hand, for Gorou, his desire was to know the life the idol would have from then on. But beyond the karmic cycle, they were entrusted with a mission they would become aware of years later.
For both, it was a strange experience hard to explain. At the moment of birth, they obviously possessed the body of a baby. However, they retained the minds of their previous lives. It was like an isekai adventure. Starting over with a much more idyllic life than the previous one without needing to be in a fantasy world. The idea of being the child of a celebrity was an attractive yet uncertain idea for the average mortal. Often, it was a bad omen. It all depended on the celebrity and the education they provided. In Ai Hoshino's case, the recipe for disaster was clear. She was a too-young single mother to take on the responsibility of parenting. Moreover, having grown up in a dysfunctional family made finding role models for raising children even more difficult. Fortunately, she wouldn't be alone in this mission. Her manager Ichigo Saitou and his wife Miyako would help address the deficiencies and, above all, hide the secret that could shake both the idol's career and the entire agency, IchigoPro. Therefore, a series of rules was established so as not to arouse suspicion. Publicly, the children would appear to be Ichigo and Miyako's, and they would try to ensure Ai watched her words carefully.
The biggest problem was that they were unaware of the real nature of those children. They were children with adult minds. With a whole life ahead and much cunning, they could achieve anything. Because of this, several strange anecdotes can be told. For example, one day Miyako, tired of playing nanny, decided to take out all the compromising material, especially photos proving that Ai Hoshino was a mother. In that fit of hysteria, she didn't care about dragging her husband's agency down with her. She just wanted the check from the exclusive to live the good life. Aqua and Ruby had to come up with a quick plan to avoid it. On the fly, they put on a show, leveraging their adult consciousness, pretending to be emissaries of the gods, especially Amaterasu. Overwhelmed, Miyako believed them, especially when they made the implausible promise that she would have a second husband who would be a very handsome actor. It was the first time they shone before the world, but no one was there to witness that moment. But it wouldn't be long before they did.
Both Aqua and Ruby suspected each other but didn't dare say so for fear of being branded as crazy by their sibling. It was difficult. They knew each other yet didn't. It was like a conjunction of voices calling out to each other but never meeting due to the quirks of the building.
Despite this, their respective behaviors differed greatly, with Ruby clearly being more childlike than Aqua. She showed clear closeness regarding her biological mother. While Aqua tried to be as reserved as possible, to the point of not even calling Ai "mom," Ruby took advantage to be spoiled with hugs and caresses, especially during moments like breastfeeding. Aqua, instead of feeling envy, felt repulsion at how she could be so trusting.
Time passed, and the children had grown enough to be taken in a stroller to events. The first place they went was to a promotional concert event, in the front row. When Ai Hoshino with her B-Komachi came out on stage, fans began cheering and waving their penlights with all their might. The feeling was very contagious. Aqua and Ruby had the order not to do anything to draw attention. However, the temptation was too strong, and they couldn't resist it. Without realizing it, they started moving their hands with the penlights in a whirlwind from side to side, cheering. Deep in their hearts, they were die-hard fans of Ai Hoshino; seeing her give her all on stage from the front row made them release a dopamine rush they had to compensate for somehow. Unknowingly, they had broken the promise not to draw attention. Everyone was astonished by what was happening. Ai smiled seeing her two most precious treasures cheering her on. It was strange to see; two children were recorded, and the video went viral on social media. Neither Ichigo nor Miyako found it amusing.
But that fun yet unfortunate event was nothing for Ai. From one year to the next, she began to receive all sorts of offers, starting from collaborating in radio programs to even appearing in a TV series. Aqua and Ruby were excited, but Miyako made things clear from the start.
"I shouldn't bring you," said Miyako with a stern look at the ground where the children were. "The director isn't very friendly with children, and any problem, I'll be the one to take the blame."
The children were indignant; while Aqua put on a pitiful face, Ruby started to kick. Miyako tried to appear firm, but her weak posture made her yield. In the end, they ended up on the set with the same conditions as always: not to call Ai "mom" and not to draw attention.
When they arrived on set, the first thing they encountered was the intimidating face of the director, making everyone except Ai tremble. The director obviously didn't like seeing children, but paradoxically, he accepted it with the condition that if they cried, they were out. But during his break, he started talking to Aqua. He was surprised by his intelligence at such a young age, and they talked about Ai's future in the industry. Right after finishing talking, they began shooting. Ai, without being nervous, gave her all, highlighting in her performance despite her scant experience as an actress. Both Aqua and the director were amazed.
Despite the anticipation of seeing her, Aqua was indignant when he found out she only appeared for five seconds on screen. Without his mother's permission, he grabbed her mobile phone and called the director. After demanding explanations, he answered due to pressures between agencies. To compensate, the director decided to make another movie with her in exchange for Aqua appearing in the film. Aqua wasn't pleased, but he was willing to do anything for Ai. For the director, it would be interesting to work with that child. For him, he was like a real-life Stewie Griffin.
Both fulfilled their part. Ai had the lead role while Aqua, with a supporting role, outshone a recognized professional actress like Kana Arima, to the point of making her cry. Neither Aqua nor Ruby liked that girl much. The director had already warned her she would have problems if she kept up that attitude. Around the sets, it was said she had insulted more than one actor or director, which was starting to get on everyone's nerves. But they wouldn't hear from her again for a few years.
Despite that slight setback, the deal was a success. That film made Ai's career diversify to the point where she began to appear in all kinds of programs and magazines, not to forget that her charisma had captivated all of Japan. She was so famous from the northernmost tip of Hokkaido to the southernmost of Okinawa. She had literally become an icon for the nation as Marilyn Monroe had been in the United States. It was a curious comparison since both shared an childhood marked by complete orphanhood. Also, they were given nicknames for their hair colors; while Monroe was called "Miss Cheesecake," Ai was dubbed "Miss Wine." Although, it must be noted there was a significant difference, and that was that fortunately for Ai, drugs and medication had not called to her life, at least in the moment before graduating as an idol.
Everything seemed covered in that life, but loose ends troubled her, especially those related to her former beloved, the biological father of her children. For her, it was a story she never preferred to tell because of the pain and anguish it caused her just to remember it. Seeing her children progress made her forget that bad experience. All the teachers hailed them as prodigies and considered they should be several grades ahead. But where they shone the most was in the artistic field: Aqua had acting skills, and Ruby had a talent for dance. However, something she hadn't noticed was her children's perception of their environment and, above all, their family. She still remembered when her two children debated over their father's identity. She was struck by when Ruby humorously concluded it was a virgin birth without a man involved. Those words were somewhat hurtful for the celebrated idol. "If only I had been like the Virgin Mary," she thought on occasions, as it would have been the perfect way to reconcile being an idol with being a mother. That way, she would never have breached the code of purity an idol should uphold. No matter how many years of secrets, one day it would come out, and the world would never forgive her. But for her, fame and reputation had become secondary. Her deepest desire was to love and be loved. And although she had achieved this with her children, she realized she had put a thick veil over her former beloved. Sometimes she didn't know the exact reason why she had done it, whether out of fear or the void she felt inside. Each time Ai introspected, she didn't fully understand herself. If she were a box and her feelings objects to store in it, in reality, she was an empty box that at most would have crumbs and cobwebs. She considered it was time to face things.
Stepping out onto the street with the utmost discretion, she put on her cap and sunglasses to cover her face. After walking around pondering what she would say, she entered a phone booth where there was an advertisement for shampoo with her face on it. After a few seconds where a group of girls praised her, she picked up the phone and dialed the number once they left.
"Hello," said a young man, his voice somewhat somber.
"It's me," Ai responded.
"Oh, Ai, what a joy to hear from you."
"I'd prefer if you didn't say my name. Right now, I'm in a phone booth so no one knows about this conversation."
"Could I know why you're calling me?"
"It's a long story, but after all this time, I've felt the need to tell you how things have gone since we parted ways."
"And what do you want to tell me?"
"You know? The children have grown so much. Don't you want to see them?"
"Does this mean we'll get back together? If so, I'd see them."
"No. I don't want to get back with you."
"That saddens me."
"I knew you'd say that."
"What else was I supposed to say?"
"Well... I thought you might have changed a bit, but by your tone, I doubt it."
"Since I met you, I never thought you'd answer me like that," said the boy, laughing.
"I'm not in the mood for jokes," Ai swallowed hard. "But if I'm honest... I never forgot you; you were my only path, and your smile was a good reason to be a better person... Or so I thought."
"I understand. Though if I'm honest, I'd like to see you at least one last time."
"I won't deny you that wish. I think you'll love them. My children are very intelligent. They'll understand why we did what we did."
"I'm aware of that. Are you still living in the same place?"
"No, I've just moved recently. I'll give you the address..."
After confirming her address, the boy thanked her and ended the call. Ai hung up immediately. Despite the emotional bond, she felt nervous to some extent every time she spoke to him. When they met, he was the light that made her appreciate life. The attraction they felt for each other led to a forbidden relationship where they conceived the "children of sin." When Ai left the company Lalalay, where they met, they started seeing each other secretly. But as the idol's career ascended, they drifted further apart. Adding to that, Ai increasingly feared him as his mind filled with sinister thoughts. Upon becoming pregnant, she initially decided to count on him. Her last face-to-face encounter was something she preferred to forget. She still remembered when she told her beloved she was four months pregnant.
"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!?" he shouted, grabbing her by the neck and slamming her against the wall. "FIRST, YOU ABANDON ME TO BECOME AN IDOL, AND NOW THIS! DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO GET FURTHER AWAY FROM ME?!"
"No..." said Ai, fearful. She was completely paralyzed and could barely breathe.
"THEN I WANT YOU TO ABORT! NO ONE WILL WANT YOU AS AN IDOL WITH CHILDREN!"
"L-Let me breathe, p-please," Ai pleaded desperately, to which the boy willingly complied. "You know? When I met you..." Ai gasped, "you were... the best for me... But you've changed... You're not the same anymore... I choose the children over you... Goodbye."
And when Ai headed towards the door, she was yanked back by her hair.
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING!?" the boy screamed. "YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE UNTIL I SAY SO!"
"Let me go!" Ai screamed, holding back tears from the pain. She scratched his arm with which he was holding her, and the boy let go due to the pain from the wounds.
Ai ran, slamming the door shut. She rushed down the stairs, almost tripping several times. When she exited the building, she hid in a dead-end alley so no one would see her crying.
It was strange to see the idol like this due to her peculiar inexpressiveness. However, what happened that time was an emotional blow. The first person she loved and who loved her had turned into a monster. She realized this when she became an idol, distancing from him, but more so as she ascended. He couldn't stand seeing others succeed in their careers, especially if they were women. She still didn't understand the reasons for his attitude back then. Although it was clear she shouldn't approach him anymore to risk her pregnancy due to stress, anxiety, or something worse, she kept contact through phone calls. Specifically, there were two: the first when Ai was hospitalized, and this time in the phone booth. On both occasions, she always ended up confessing her whereabouts. Despite knowing she was falling into the same trap twice, she still had feelings for him. That Stockholm syndrome would come at a very high price.
The day of the reunion would be very difficult to manage. "If we ever cross paths, don't respond or pay attention to the subtitles beneath my smile; I know how to see. I'll deny I'm crying. I'll pretend that time heals everything," Ai thought if that moment were to happen. What bothered her most about that potential scenario was his hypocritical attitude: going from wanting her to abort the children to wanting to see them. Something didn't add up there, and it worried her to some extent. But it was better not to overthink it since the moment it happened would be marked by total uncertainty.
Several days after the call, Ai Hoshino would again be on the cover of all the country's media. The reason was that her graduation concert as an idol was approaching. The event would take place at the Tokyo Dome, one of the country's main venues. Only a few lucky ones could see Ai Hoshino's last concert with B-Komachi in person. Although her future was secured as an actress, appearing in a well-rated series, it wasn't known if she would continue in the music world with a solo career. What was clear was that at twenty years old, she had a career ahead of her.
Hours before going on stage, Ai was preparing in her new apartment for the occasion. There were Aqua and Ruby, witnessing how she was full of enthusiasm for the event.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang; Ai approached to open it. It was the manager.
"What are you doing here?" asked Ai, surprised.
"Sorry," said Ichigo. "I think I left my wallet."
"Ah, yes. I remember now. I left it on the table."
"Perfect, thanks." Ichigo went to the living room. "Do you mind if I stay here for a while?" Ichigo asked Ai while putting his wallet back in his pants pocket.
"No, not at all," Ai responded.
"Good. Since it was already planned, I'll stay here until you're ready. So don't rush."
"Thanks."
The doorbell rang again.
"I wonder who that could be," said Ichigo. "Do you want me to get it?"
"No need." Ai approached again.
When she opened it, she encountered a strange hooded figure holding what appeared to be a bouquet of white roses.
"Congratulations on your Dome concert," said the stranger. "How are the twins?" And then he stabbed her in the stomach.
Hearing those words from an unknown voice caused Ichigo to feel panic. He ran to the entrance to see what was happening. His worst fears were realized when he saw blood spread on the floor and the stranger smiling.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, YOU SON OF A BITCH?!" Ichigo roared, punching the attacker in the face and knocking him down.
The perpetrator got up to flee.
"RUN, YOU BASTARD! YOU WON'T ESCAPE THE POLICE!"
When Ichigo turned around to help Ai, she had fallen backward with the knife still embedded.
Aqua and Ruby ran to the entrance to see what was happening. They couldn't believe it. Aqua didn't know how to react while Ruby's face was covered in tears.
"Kids, it's better if you see this. I'm taking your mother to the hospital. There's no time to wait for an ambulance. Stay here, please. Don't worry. She'll get better."
Ichigo carefully lifted Ai, who was in a near-death state with the knife still attached to her body. If it was removed, it would be catastrophic. Supported on the manager's shoulder, Ichigo went to the car as fast as possible. Fortunately, he had parked nearby.
When he put Ai in the car, he checked her vital signs. He sighed slightly, knowing she was still alive, but she was gradually losing consciousness. Ichigo set off in the most abrupt manner. Exceeding speed limits, without the seatbelt on, ignoring signs, and constantly honking, he warned that he was carrying a gravely injured person and was heading urgently to the hospital.
For a moment, Ichigo activated the hands-free to make a call.
"Why are you calling me, Ichigo?" asked Miyako.
"The concert is canceled," Ichigo responded.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm not joking! Ai has just been stabbed!"
"How could this be possible!?"
"There's no time for questions! This is a matter of life or death! I'm taking her to the hospital, and I doubt she'll stay conscious! If I don't make it in time, we'll lose her! I need you to go to the apartment to stay with the children, please!" Ichigo hung up and stepped on the accelerator harder to get there before it was too late.
When they arrived at the hospital, it had only been five minutes. Enough for Ai to lose consciousness upon arrival.
When Ichigo alerted the doctors, Ai was immediately admitted to the ICU. Her pulse and breathing were weak. Hope was fading by the moment.
Meanwhile, in Ai's mind, she was unaware of where she was. She walked through a black void guided by a white path. What she could predict from being in that void was that it was probably her inner self and that she was on her deathbed.
"Goodbye, lovers and friends, and above all, my children. It's very sad to leave you. When they lie and say this isn't the end, you can laugh anyway. I want no flowers, no poems, nor virtues I never had..."
Ai reached the end of the path where there was a strange girl, and behind her, a tree full of crows.
"No. It's not your turn," the girl said, her gaze fixed on Ai.
Immediately afterward, the crows swooped down on Ai, completely obscuring her vision.
Ai opened her eyes again and realized she was looking at the ceiling of a hospital room, which was white.
"She's waking up!" shouted a voice similar to Ichigo's.
"Don't shout," said a voice like Miyako's.
When she could clear her vision, she realized she was hospitalized, attached to a vital signs machine, and beside a window with a good view of Tokyo.
"Ai, what a joy to see you alive!" Ichigo shouted again with delight, looking at her face.
"What happened? How long has it been?" Ai asked, confused.
"You were stabbed and you passed out," Miyako answered. "Three days have passed since you were attacked."
"I'm so sorry. It's my fault," said Ai, somewhat sadly.
"Don't say that," said Ichigo. "It's only the fault of the one who tried to kill you. In fact, the police have just arrested him, and they're interrogating him now."
"Are the children okay?" Ai asked.
"Yes, they're actually here."
Miyako took Ruby out of the stroller while Ichigo lifted Aqua, placing each on one side respectively. Ruby to her left and Aqua to her right.
"My children," said Ai, joyful and relieved. "You've suffered so much, but don't worry because Mom is back. You are my greatest treasures. I truly love you." Ai, with a smile, hugged her twin children. It was the first real display of love she had shown. The children were happy, snuggled in their mother's arms. It was like being reborn.
That fateful day had ended with a happy ending.