After more than a year of uncertainty, where her face was only seen in TV series, Ai Hoshino confirmed her first solo album. This was her announcement on social media, where fans expressed their anticipation. Both Ai and Ichigo were aware that it was a risky venture. Not everyone would like this shift from idol music to more conventional pop. To avoid failure, Ichigo made sure to hire the best producer possible: Hachiro Sato, a man with over thirty years of experience in the music world, having propelled many successful careers across genres like pop, rock, rap, and indie. Additionally, before starting to record, Ai began learning to play guitar and piano with the aim of composing and releasing her own songs.

When the recording of this album was announced, fans were asked to be patient until the release date was announced. The recording took a year in total, including rehearsals, breaks, and re-recordings. While Ai gave her all in the studio, she continued to appear in series and commercials. Ichigo always made sure his top star had something to do; after all, all the eggs were in that basket. Although he saw potential in his two children for the future, everything had its time.

Three days after finishing the album, the release date was confirmed for five months later. It would be titled "Love Quest." The choice of this name was not coincidental. The life of an idol was a constant struggle in search of something she didn't understand—love. From this personal enigma, it was interesting to ask: What kind of love? The exact answer was hard to articulate, as it could encompass many areas like family, fraternal, or romantic love. Even in the Japanese language, there are two different words for love with nuances: there's "Ai" (愛), which alludes to a more affectionate term in the context of friendship or family, which coincidentally was the name of the celebrated idol. It was ironic that someone bearing that name couldn't grasp its concept. Then we have "Koi" (恋), which refers to affection between partners. If Ai Hoshino had been pressed to clarify, she would probably have been at a loss. Meanwhile, fans kept spinning all sorts of theories, some more far-fetched than others, but there was never a suspicion that she might have a partner since it seemed she couldn't violate the idol's ethical code.

Once again, Ai Hoshino returned to Yamaguchi's show. This time, the former idol dressed more casually than before: blue jeans, a black T-shirt with "Love" printed in white on the chest to match a hoodie and white sneakers.

"It's a pleasure to have you back on the show," the host greeted her as she took her seat. "It's been a year of mysteries. I only knew about you because I once saw you in that mystery series. If I remember correctly, you played a killer... A bit ironic, isn't it?"

"Someone says every victim eventually becomes the executioner," Ai replied with her radiant smile and a sarcastic comment, making the audience laugh. "Life takes many turns."

"Yes, of course," Yamaguchi regained his composure after laughing as well. "But today's topic is about music. What you became famous for. You're finally releasing your first solo album. There are many theories about your album, 'Love Quest.' Could you explain the choice of that title?"

"You know? I was going to answer that question today," the audience was surprised. "For me, love is both a treasure and a longing," Ai answered naturally. "I've always been looking for it wherever I go."

"Could you tell us the reason if it's not too personal?" the host showed a serious face, in case he might have touched a sensitive nerve.

"You see..." Ai's smile progressively faded. "I was an unwanted child and became an orphan at a very young age," both the host and the audience were stunned, mouths agape at the former idol's candor. "When I was offered the chance to be an idol, I was promised I'd find it through fans. And so it was. In fact, I've come to recognize more than one."

"Could you give us an example?"

"Of course. The guy who stabbed me, I recognized him immediately," the audience was surprised again. "I met him at one of the events where we shook hands." Inside, Ai was glad he was dead.

"Well, that's certainly surprising," the host's eyes were wide.

"Indeed. If I didn't, I'd be a bad idol." Ai laughed.

The release day was critical for her. At one of the theaters in Akihabara, hundreds of fans queued to get a signed copy of the album, shake her hand, and take a photo. Despite no longer being an idol, she still had to fulfill certain obligations under contract.

It was nine in the morning, and the impatient crowd rushed towards the entrance. Security staff organized the line. Although there were some women, the vast majority were men. Ai recalled a post about a dating site survey where nearly fifty-eight percent of women said they would refuse to date men who were idol fans. It was at that moment that Ai understood why.

At first, everything went normally. Ai showed the same energy as always, but after an hour, she began to tire. Gradually, she started to notice the true appearance of her fans. She had always turned a blind eye to them since they were, to her, just cardboard cutouts. But from that moment, they were something much worse. Ai began to feel as if she had walked into a sewer. The stench of sweat in the room was making her nauseous. Her fans started to appear like rats or cockroaches, making matters worse. Ai held back her urge to vomit while forcing a smile to the point that it seemed stapled on. The breaking point came when she saw the faces of Ryuusuke and Hikaru. Finally, Ai vomited and collapsed on the spot.

She opened her eyes again, this time lying on the backstage sofa. As soon as she regained consciousness, she sat up. Facing her was Ichigo.

"Are you okay?" Ichigo asked, kneeling beside her.

"I am now," said Ai, interrupted by a yawn. "How long was I out?"

"Fifteen minutes," the manager responded, handing her a bottle of water.

Ai sighed.

"Don't worry. We've called the event off," Ichigo smiled to downplay the situation.

"I appreciate it," Ai took a sip from the bottle. "Thank goodness the kids weren't here. They might have been worried, especially Ruby." Ai placed the bottle on the nearest table to her left.

"I don't know. It was on Miyako's recommendation because sometimes they can be a handful and they weren't prepared for something so monotonous and exhausting," Ichigo said as he stood up.

"You know they don't bother me," Ai laughed. "After all, they're my daily joy."

"Now that you've left being an idol and you're of age, it's time you started taking responsibility for your own children," Ichigo sat to her right. "It's what every good mother would do. Do you want to be like yours?"

"Of course not. But sometimes I don't know how to do it. Luckily, they're not little devils. Aqua is a good kid with a promising future, maybe I should worry more about Ruby, she has much enthusiasm and wants to be like me, I'll do whatever for her..."

"But being an idol requires a lot of effort, and the problem is you're making her too aware of it."

"I know..."

"Who would've thought that Miyako and I, a couple not willing to have children, would end up with two kids in our care? Must have been karma for such a hedonistic wish," they both laughed. "Despite everything, you've always been like a daughter to me, and I've done everything for you," he hugged her. "You know you can count on me."

"Thank you," said Ai as her manager released her. "My debt to you is immeasurable. Without you, I don't know what my life would have been."

"You know you can be honest with me however you want. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a question, what happened during the session? I've never seen you look so bad, and on top of that, vomiting in public."

"Well..." Ai tried to lie. "I was just tired."

"Well, I'm glad it was just a scare."

Despite that somewhat unfortunate event, the album was a success both in sales and reviews. The album reached number one in sales, selling out in all stores. Specialized critics rated it between eight and nine out of ten, noting Ai Hoshino's versatility as something to admire. But what made it special?

Starting with the most superficial aspect, the cover featured one of the best photographs ever taken of the idol. She was seated on a step wearing a white dress, matching a half-pointed arch over her head. The album contained twelve songs, including a cover of a song called "Pop" by the Spanish group La Oreja de Van Gogh, which she discovered through YouTube's algorithm; after poorly translating the lyrics, she realized it resonated with her. Additionally, the album's standout single was "Finding a Star," which interestingly competed for the number one spot on Japan's Billboard chart alongside another song called "Idol" by the duo Yoasobi, which coincidentally was about an idol named the same as her, with similar descriptions she felt very identified with, and mentioning two children with the same names as hers.

One day at an awards ceremony, Ai Hoshino met Lilas Ikuta, the vocalist of Yoasobi. They greeted and complimented each other on their work.

"You know?" said Ai with a smile. "I felt identified with the song. It's funny because that idol you mention has the same name as me."

"Yes," Ikuta laughed. "We used that name as a reference to you."

"Oh, that flatters me."

"Yes, I imagine. Although we did it thinking about those novice idols who have to start by pretending."

"I understand," those words hurt Ai.

The conversation ended with Ai asking if she could cover songs by Yoasobi one day, to which Ikuta responded positively.

But Ai Hoshino wasn't the only star in the family. A year later, Aqua officially debuted as an actor under the stage surname Mizuno. His second film was again with director Taishi Gotanda. The new project was another horror movie titled "The Emissary of Evil," whose synopsis was about a child possessed and subsequently exorcised. That child was played by Aqua himself.

Later, he appeared in another film, this time a comedy directed by a friend of Gotanda. Here he played an annoying but clever kid in a dysfunctional family. His role was to invent gadgets that caused more than one problem. Although the movie was a flop, Aqua's character, also Gotanda's idea, turned him into an internet meme.

He had better luck on television, appearing in a sitcom again playing a child, but this time as an exemplary son. This was when his career boomed, receiving multiple offers that were a real headache for the agency to manage.

Aqua's popularity was such that he was invited to a special event with a bunch of child actors. Despite all the praise, he felt completely indifferent. For him, being an adult trapped in a child's body, being surrounded by kids with their respective mentalities was exhausting. Accompanied by Miyako, he could see the suffering on her face from being around children, knowing that deep down she detested them. He was aware that when he grew up, he would need to compensate somehow.

Aqua was leaning against the wall, observing the landscape of a bunch of children with careers as fragile as glass, which would be shattered at the slightest fall. He knew this perfectly well, so he had to work hard and keep a low profile unlike others he had met...

"Oh! Aqua, it's been a while!" approached a familiar face, a redheaded girl with a beret.

"Well, I see you remember my name," Aqua said with a sigh.

"We met in that movie, remember?" the girl showed a superior smile.

"Yes."

"And what's my name?"

"I don't remember," those words fell on the girl like a stone, making her fall to the ground.

"Well, know that I am Kana Arima! Repeat after me! Kana Arima!" From her tone, Aqua perceived that this girl still hadn't learned anything. "Make no mistake. I'll have my revenge one day."

"Same old story," said a girl with long blue hair.

"Mind your own business!" Kana shouted at her. "I knew him first."

"Well, I'll introduce myself, I'm Akane Kurokawa," the girl greeted, her gaze fixed on Aqua to contain her disdain for Kana. "Pleased to meet you."

"Likewise," Aqua said in a neutral tone. "I'm Aqua Mizuno."

"Have you had your moment of glory?" Kana asked Akane directly with a tone of disdain.

"You never change," Akane said to Kana, turning her head towards her, starting an argument.

Aqua realized these two girls knew each other and didn't get along well. When they began to argue, he decided to switch off his brain and move to another area of the room.

Meanwhile, Ruby had to wait since she wasn't old enough to be an idol. Seeing her brother Aqua already with roles frustrated her. As a consolation, she sometimes participated in certain children's competitions, some of which she won.

But it wasn't until she was twelve, with Ai's authorization, that she could participate in auditions when called upon. Although Ai downplayed it, Aqua was worried about his sister and was hesitant about her becoming an idol, sensing she wasn't aware of the path ahead. Being a child, she wasn't prepared to pretend and hide her emotions. But he couldn't stop her with Ai involved.

Finally, with Ichigo's approval, Ruby debuted as an idol within B-Komachi at the age of thirteen. To counter any suspicions of nepotism, Ruby auditioned like any other girl and made it on her own merits. However, there was a hidden reason behind her selection: Ruby resembled Ai, so she was a good way to fill that void.

It was good times; Ai was crowned "The Queen of Pop," and her solo career was a success. Meanwhile, her children, like "princes" in her shadow, followed in her footsteps.