Hi everybody! Back with a whole new chapter. Ever releasing just the prologue, a lot of readers have started to express their love for this fan-fic. I thank you for your support, and hope to create a story worth your time. And now, the main event. In this chapter, everyone in the previous chapter finally arrive at their destination. Once they settle in, things become peaceful. And Leon does everything to make sure things stay peaceful...
Ch. 1 – Expectations
Within a certain room of a certain hospital, a doctor in his 30s currently watched an idol DVD with the lights off. One featuring Ai Hoshino. He sat so enthralled by the television appearance of Ai that he lost all awareness of his environment as he loudly cheered for her.
"AI! YOU'RE THE BEST! THE GREATEST IDOL EVER!"
This began to weird out the people in the same room as him.
"Oh god, I wish I could see just how cute she is in person."
The doctor groaned a little as he paused where only Ai's face can only be seen.
"The ace of the idol group B-Komachi, their center that made the group popular in the first place, the spectacularly beautiful 16-year old girl, Ai! This group has been around for four years, but they finally became the idol group all of Japan love! There is no doubt in my mind that this is how Ai will become the greatest idol-!"
The lights switched on as both a nurse and the patient within the room saw the doctor's enthusiasm and gushing for B-Komachi as off-putting. The nurse who flipped the light switch asked,
"Sir, why are you playing that DVD in a patient's room?"
The doctor snapped back to reality as the nurse added,
"Even you have to admit this is a little...offbeat."
The doctor now faced the nurse and attempted to offset the awkwardness of the situation he created.
"Engaging in the beauty of the world can do wonders for one's health."
xxxxxx
Later on, both the doctor and the nurse talk on the roof of the hospital. The nurse asked,
"Honestly doctor, why did you even watch that in the first place?"
"Well, for starters, how likely are we gonna have an idol concert way out here?"
"Not a bad point..."
"I also watch that DVD as a form of medical practice."
"Okay, now you're losing me. Before we continue...you should see this."
The nurse texted a link to the doctor's touchphone. The doctor performed a most fanatical scream when he read it.
"AI IS GOING ON HIATUS?!"
The doctor began to cry fanboy tears when he read the news headline. The nurse continued to stand in disbelief at how he acted in reaction to the news.
"I don't understand why you're so crazy for Ai. I mean, she's 16. Or this is how young you like your girls, huh doctor?"
"Just...hear me out."
The doctor looked at the mountains as he gave an explanation of why he presents himself as fixated on Ai.
"I did my residency in this hospital. Back when I first started here, I'd slack off in patients' room. So...not much change there."
"You should do something about that."
"Not the point I was making. One day, I met a patient that...gave me a reason to take my job seriously."
flashback
In room 301, the doctor hung around a young patient named Sarina Tendouji. She was admitted there due to being diagnosed to anaplastic astrocytoma, a type of brain cancer. What kept her depression at bay was her love of idols. And the idol group she was into was B-Komachi.
"Look, that girl is Meimei. Her dancing skills are terrific."
"All right..."
The doctor sat unimpressed but hid it in consideration to her.
"Both Ari-pyan and Kyun-pan are great singers, but the one I love the most...is Ai. We're about the same age, but she looks so grown up and she is so talented in singing and dancing."
From the doctor's perspective, Sarina seemed to possess hearts in her eyes when she talked about Ai as she sighed with longing before confessing,
"If reincarnation was a real thing, I wanna look like her."
At that point, the doctor asked,
"You really believe in this reincarnation thing? Personally, I think you're grasping at straws when it comes to that sort of thing..."
Sarina pouted before replying,
"Not much of a dreamer, are you Sensei?"
"How can you tell?"
Sarina then watches the snow fall outside her window.
"Don't you wonder if this life is the only one we have? What if we live more...as different people? That maybe...you can be reborn into the person you always wanted to be?"
"Not really."
"So you don't really any dreams, do you Sensei?"
"You're fine the way you are, Sarina. Being reborn means leaving behind what makes you okay in the first place."
Sarina smiled a little when he said that last sentence.
"Look, after you've discharged, then you'll have the freedom to become an idol yourself. Hell, I'll even become your number one fan when you get there."
"Really? My number one?!"
"Sure. I'll bet you'll become an idol just as wonderful as Ai."
At that moment, Sarina hugged the doctor as she exclaimed,
"I love you, Sensei! Marry me!"
"Not gonna happen! You're too young!"
Sarina then pouted as she backed off before replying,
"Fine, Mr. Morality..."
"I know how disappointed you're feeling right now, but when you get older, I give the idea more thought..."
Sarina wanted to believe him, but she sat aware of her chances later on in her life.
"Sensei...you're a real meanie right now, you know that?"
"I was just being practical..."
After some time passed, Sarina passed away.
end
"Anaplastic Astrocytoma. She was 12 when she...kicked the bucket. If her chances were better, she'd be around Ai's age right now. Because of her, the way I cheer for Ai, wanting to see her make her dreams come true...is my way of honoring Sarina's memory."
"Ah, I see...so you really are a lolicon."
"Weren't you paying attention?!"
"Yes, and what I got out of it was you liked this Sarina girl so much that you use Ai as a substitute."
"You really have a twisted mind, you know that?!"
"Well, how else do you expect me to react?!"
"The way you're reacting right now gives me the message that you're jealous of the fact that men pay more attention to someone like Ai than someone like you!"
"EXCUSE ME?!"
"YOU HEARD ME! Makes sense really! Who eats a Christmas cake in the middle of summer?!"
The nurse slapped the doctor before leaving him alone on the roof.
xxxxxx
Despite the painful sting of the slap, the doctor's concern for Ai was genuine.
"I hope she gets healthy soon..."
His phone then gave a text notification from the nurse from earlier.
You have a patient in your office right now.
I'll be right down
The doctor arrived at his office and sees three individuals waiting for him as they sat on their seats.
"Hello, I'm Doctor Gorou Amamiya, Is this your first visit, Ms...?"
"Hoshino. Her last name is Hoshino."
Gorou saw the individual that spoke to him just now. Like him, he wore a pair of glasses. However, he wore a black suit with a tie. This made Gorou a little curious as to what was his relationship with his soon to be patient.
"May I assume you're miss Hoshino's..."
"Bodyguard."
Gorou sat surprised when he mentioned his profession before examining Hoshino. Before he can speak, Leon beat him to the punch.
"She's about 20 weeks pregnant. I know it's a little late for an examination, but..."
"Leon. Let the doctor do his job."
Leon groaned a little when Ichigo told him this as he jumped the gun.
"My apologies, doctor. I did not mean to make light of your profession."
"Well, you didn't exactly...but you are right. She's been pregnant for several weeks. How old are you, ma'am?"
Ichigo answered.
"16."
Gorou sat in thought before asking Ichigo,
"Are you the father?"
"On paper, yes..."
"Could you elaborate?"
"She grew up in a children's home, so I'm really more her guardian."
"I see...may I ask?"
"Hm...?"
"Why a bodyguard? Is there a problem with the boyfriend?"
Ichigo now felt that he was in a tight spot when Gorou pointed out Leon. He struggled to give a convincing explanation. While Leon observed that the doctor had on him a B-Komachi keychain possessing a chibi image of Ai on one of the belt loops on his pants.
"This man is a fan...this could derail everything..."
At that moment, Ai took off the cap she wore when she entered the hospital, revealing herself to Gorou. Leon became alert to the most likely outcome of such an action. Gorou became enthralled when Ai revealed herself to him.
"Doctor, what's the matter? Maybe this is just a terrible case of constipation."
"Highly unlikely, sir."
Said Leon, to which Gorou snapped back to reality as he responded,
"O-Once again, Mr...sorry. I didn't get your name."
"...you're free to call me Leon if you like."
"Thank you. Like I was saying, Leon is correct. If it was, she'd be dead."
Ai then gave a thumbs up as she declared,
"I'm just doing just fine. No problems today so far."
"So far?"
"Yesterday, she had a minor headache. Other than that, healthy as a horse."
Ai laughed a little before telling both Ichigo and Gorou,
"Yeah. Don't worry."
Gorou then got up from his chair and tells everyone,
"Well, I'll get an examination ready. Please wait here."
As Gorou closed the door, Leon then confesses,
"I believe we may have to get a different doctor."
Ichigo responded,
"Hold on, how do you know that?"
"I saw that he had a piece of B-Komachi merchandise on him."
"Oh wow! He's a fan?"
Asked Ai, to which Ichigo added another question.
"How do you know that?"
"I saw that he has a keychain of Ai on one of the belt loops of his pants. It was hidden behind his lab coat, but I got a good look of it before everyone else missed it."
"The detective strikes again!"
Exclaimed Ai before Ichigo shushed her.
"Keep it down. We don't want everyone knowing you're here."
"Your boss is correct, miss Hoshino. It's part of the reason why you hired me."
Ichigo asked Leon,
"You think he's gonna tell somebody?"
"...it's a little too soon to tell. Most likely, he's coming to terms with the fact that Ai is here."
"Why? Is he a fan?"
"A major one, most likely. I saw his reaction when Ai took off her cap."
Ichigo groaned a little when Leon mentioned that.
"Give me until the end of the day. I'll give you a definitive answer."
"Uh...what does that word mean?"
Asked Ai.
xxxxxx
Meanwhile, on the other side of the door, Gorou loudly whispered to himself,
"Oh my god! Is it really her? Or maybe someone who can seriously pass for her?"
Gorou opened the door a little to get other look at Ai before closing it again and locating a nearby employee's bathroom to gush in private while continuing to loudly whisper to himself.
"No...it's her. It's really, really her. And she is so much cuter in person!"
Gorou's voice slowly increased in volume as he was still reeling in seeing Ai in person. He then slammed his head to the floor when he remembered on crucial face.
"NO! My favorite idol is pregnant! Oh man, it feels like such a punch to the gut that'll also make you vomit later on!"
Back in Gorou's office, Ichigo asked Ai,
"Will you now please tell me who's the father? I mean, at the very least, you should've consulted me."
Leon listened in on the conversation as Ai answered,
"Well...that's a secret!"
Ai acted cute to throw off Ichigo's insistence to give the identity of the father. Ichigo groaned again while Leon simply shrugged it off.
"Well, if she doesn't feel like it...no use trying to get it out of her."
Later on, Gorou performed a series of tests to determine the state of her pregnancy. By the end of the day, Gorou gave the results.
"20 weeks pregnant. It's twins."
Both Ai and Ichigo asked at the same time,
"It's twins?"
Leon kneeled down near Ai as he stared at the sonogram image of the twins in question. He kneeled fascinated at the fact that Ai currently carried two babies within her. Ai felt more than fascinated. She sat with a measure of awe of what she carries within her now.
"I'm having two babies?"
Leon then tells her,
"Congratulations, Ai."
Ai turned her head to see Leon kneeling close to her. While Leon looked at her in the eyes as he says,
"Twins are a pretty rare thing for any mother."
Ai became a little flustered at how close Leon was to her but hid it well enough. Ichigo then asked,
"Are you sure you want to keep the babies, Ai?"
Leon added,
"He does have a point. You do have options, Ai. And they will be respected."
Gorou nodded in agreement. All three men stared at Ai before she gave her answer.
"I...want to keep them."
While Leon abided with Ai's decision, Gorou kept his doubts to himself while Ichigo tells her,
"But if word of this gets out that you became pregnant at 16 years old...both your career and my agency will be ruined."
Ai took this into consideration before asking,
"Leon, what do you think?"
"...Whatever you decide, I will support it...to the best of my abilities."
She then asked Gorou the same thing.
"What about you, Dr. Amamiya?"
Gorou sat slightly confused as to why Ai asked him such a question.
"I...might have to defer to Leon on this. This is really your decision. Take the time to really think on it."
xxxxxx
By the time it the night arrived, Gorou was now off-duty. He went to the vending machine at the lobby for a drink before overhearing two of the visitors in said lobby talking about a news report currently on the television. The report in question was about an idol, Miu, announcing her marriage to an entertainer, Ponta-san. The visitors in question bemoaned about what they just learned.
"I really liked Miu."
"A little well-timed, in my opinion..."
One of them then had an idea.
"Hang on...what if I die now?"
"Dude, the hell you talking about?"
"I'm talking about reincarnation! There's a chance, right?"
"I think you've been watching too many isekai anime..."
The fan then groaned before saying,
"Seriously, what the point of supporting an idol with a husband and kids?"
Although he felt that this idol fan acted like an idiot for one moment, Gorou understood the underlying point. He remembered how devastated he felt when he aw Ai pregnant. It meant that, at one point, she had a boyfriend. Or at least, a man she was intimate with. At that moment, he bumped into Leon.
"Leon?"
"Hello, Doctor."
Gorou noticed that Leon only wore his white long-sleeved dress shirt.
"Can I help you with something?"
"Just wanted to get some water."
"Oh. Vending machines are in the lobby."
"Thank you."
"Before you go, can I ask you something?"
"...very well."
"How long have you've known Ai?"
"Only about yesterday."
"Huh. Thought you were with her longer."
"Well, the security company I work for recently launched bodyguard services for idols. The agency Ai works for managed to hire me at an affordable rate. According to my boss."
"I see."
"May I ask you a question?"
"As long as it's nothing personal..."
"What's the appeal of idols, exactly?"
Gorou looked at Leon with disbelief.
"Are you serious right now?"
"90 percent of the time."
Gorou stood in further disbelief before he tried to stop himself in breaking down in laughter.
"Okay, I'll try my best to explain. Idols are the kind of people who share their stories to those who choose to be their fans. Because of this, you feel like you want them to soar to greater heights. All idols want the same thing: to make dreams come true. To become shining beacons of light that save us from whatever darkness he have in our lives."
Leon began to feel familiar emotions. Ones connected to his past negative experiences. For him, his bad days outweighed his good days.
"Sounds...good so far."
"It's more than good. At best, it's magical. Idols represent all that is good with the world."
"By that logic, shouldn't an idol having children be considered something good?"
Gorou stammered for a moment before continuing.
"It's different!"
"How, exactly?"
Gorou struggled with an answer that supported his enthusiasm for not just idols, but Ai. herself. At that moment, Gorou came to a realization both as a fan and a well-adjusted adult. One he shared with Leon.
"Well...ideally, it should be that way...but some idol fans...well they don't all feel the same way I do."
"How so?"
"...some fans think they should have their idols all to themselves. They want the hope, the light...and the cuteness of an idol for them and them alone. It's really self-centered if you think about it. It's that kind of think that create bad fans who completely miss the point."
"Idols are for everyone, correct?"
"Exactly. When they act cute, when they dance, when they sing, it's enough to make you think there is such a thing as beauty and love in the world. Isn't there anyone who makes you think this life is worth living?"
Leon took a moment before giving an answer related to the subject of the conversation.
"David Bowie."
"Wow, really?"
"I remember listening to one of his songs at a young age. It made me feel so many emotions I did not think I was capable of."
Gorou chuckled a little at Leon's answer. A chuckle that made Gorou feel that Leon can somewhat understand his passion.
"Well, that's actually a good answer. I don't know any idol who can sing like him, but at least you can get it."
Leon gave small smile before replying,
"Give me some credit."
"One more question. Do you know where...she is?"
"...on the roof. That was also why I was getting water."
"Tell you what. It's on me."
xxxxxx
Ai stood on the roof of the hospital, staring at the stars while her hands on her still developing children. She caressed her pregnant belly, still in awe of who were inside her. Although she felt no small measure of discomfort of carrying two humans, Ai nonetheless experienced wonder of what she is going through right now. A that moment, Leon arrived with a pair of water bottle.
"Ai."
"Leon."
"I got the water you asked."
"Thank you."
As she drank her water after receiving the bottle, Ai noticed Gorou arriving as well.
"Doctor?"
"You know, it's really windy tonight."
"Leon let me borrow his suit, so I'm fine now."
Gorou sees the suit on Ai and pieced together,
"So that's why. But then, aren't you cold, Leon?"
"I'll live."
Gorou then got a little close to Ai as he asked her,
"So, why come here?"
"My agent chose this place. He chose it because it's way out from Tokyo, a lot of expecting mothers come here to give birth to their kids...and right now, that."
Ai pointed at the night sky.
"There are so many stars here. You can even see them at dusk. I almost never see them back in Tokyo."
Ai stared at the sky a little longer as Gorou asked,
"So you came here so that way no one here would recognize you?"
"Oh right. I forgot to tell you what's my job."
"It's fine. I know what you do, Ai."
"Oh...you know about me?"
"Some time ago, I had a patient who was a big fan of yours. She liked everyone in B Komachi, but you were her favorite."
Ai felt she received a compliment.
"Aww, and here I thought all of the doctors here would be old men. That was why I came here. Guess there's no hiding my incredible glow. Which makes things incredibly awkward."
Ai placed her right index finger and thumb below her chin, acting as if her "genius" plan became exposed. At that moment,
"Maybe your confidence can make up for it."
Ai laughed at what Leon just said. Gorou then asked,
"So...are you going to quit being an idol, then?"
"No way! Why should I?"
"But that just means..."
Ai knew what Gorou will say next. She confesses a fact about herself to him.
"The thing is...I don't have a family. I've wanted one all my life. So, right now...since I'm carrying twins...I'm sure our family will be fun and cheerful one."
Gorou stood amazed at how happy Ai looked when she imagined how her life will be when her twins will be born. Leon felt the same way, but for different reasons. He now started to comprehend what Gorou talked to him about earlier.
"So, you're going to give birth...and also be an idol? But that means..."
"Yep. I won't make it public. Idols are more than popular. We're something to worship. We shine through our lies. Lie are the most special kind of love. Being able to hide having kids is something only expert idols can do."
As it now came fully night, both Gorou and Leon see one single star shining brighter than the rest in the sky. From their perspective, Ai stood directly under it.
"No matter what we struggle with, no matter how many lies we tell, we stay looking happy on the stage. It's the best job ever."
Ai had her arms wide open, signaling to both Gorou and Leon the depths of her desires.
"But...I still want to feel some sort of real happiness. Even though some of our fans don't realize it, idols have their own lives and feelings as well."
Ai looked at the lit-up town as she continued confessing.
"I want to be happy as an idol, and I want to be happy as a mother. I know that you have to choose one...but I want both. Ai Hoshino is a greedy girl for a reason."
Gorou went into an internal frenzy at how Ai acted in front of him and how she acted on screen. For him, this was a kind of experience that many idol fans would sell their souls for.
"I've made my choice, both as a fan and as a doctor. Ai Hoshino, I will perform the delivery. I will personally make sure that you deliver two healthy children."
Ai smiled before replying,
"Thank you, Sensei."
Leon watched on as he felt another familiar emotion. One he only felt two people no longer in his life.
"At first, I only thought of Ai as a client. One going through a situation that demanded no small measure of sensitivity on my part, but that was it. But after tonight, she presented herself as so much more than that. Whether as an idol or as herself, Ai Hoshino is someone who is strong in her own way, more cunning then she seemed...and bold to a fault. This is my second time in Japan, and she already stands out from everybody else. Perhaps more so than any other idol currently existing."
He sees both the star in the night sky and the ones in her eyes shining with the same level of intensity. He sees the resolve within Ai in continuing her career as an idol and wanting to be a mother.
"She shines as brightly as the north star above her. What I felt that night...was the kind of elation I only felt twice in my life. The first was when I first listened to Space Oddity. The second...was my last night with Allison."
Leon took a deep breath to shake off the chill.
"I told her that I will support what she decides to the best of my ability. That...will be my promise to her. With any hope...I can keep that promise."
xxxxxx
(The next day, morning)
(Changes – David Bowie)
Ai, Ichigo, and Leon were all in Gorou's office again as he had a whiteboard behind him. Gorou started writing on, eventually revealing the plan to make sure Ai will be in a healthy state to give birth.
"All right. We started things off with Ai going under an assumed name as she stays here in the hospital."
"Thanks for the tip, Leon."
Said Ai, to which Leon replied,
"Just doing my job, miss Hoshino."
"Call me Ai from now on. Please."
Ai acted cute as she placed her hands together as if she were praying.
"Okay...Ai."
"If I may...?"
Asked Gorou, to which Ai tells him,
"Sorry, Sensei. Please."
"Thank you. Now, for someone like you Ai, we'll have to perform a C-section. We don't know right now what size of the heads of the babies...but if, and only if, they're too large for someone of your build, it may be our only option for a successful birth."
"Is that a bad thing?"
Asked Ai.
"Not at all. It's common for some expecting mothers, such as yourself, for the pelvis to not having enough space for the baby to emerge from your womb."
"Really?"
"I'm sorry, but that's unacceptable. We can't have anything that gives away the fact that Ai just had children. What other options do we have?"
Said Ichigo. Leon then gives his opinion.
"What about diuretics? They're usually administered during the birthing process."
"Yes, but there are risks involved. We won't know what effect they will have on Ai."
"What about certain diuretics like furosemide? I've read online that it is safe to take during pregnancy."
"Only for certain cases. Again, we don't know how it will work on Ai. If even at all."
"I see..."
"I appreciate the fact that you take your job as Ai's bodyguard seriously, but when it comes to medical matters, I'm the professional expert here."
"Apologies."
Ai felt the need to intervene as she tells Gorou,
"Look, whatever's fine with me. I know you'll decide the best option for me, Sensei."
"Ai...I just want you to survive this. I mean, it's not uncommon for mothers to not feel okay after giving birth."
"I'll be fine, Ichigo."
Ai then place her hands on both side of her head to act in a cute manner.
"They're my babies. I'm sure they'll be beautiful and have tiny little faces~."
Ichigo sighed before replying,
"Acting cute won't get you out of every situation..."
Gorou then wrote on the whiteboard, creating a schedule from where they are now to the expected date of birth. Gorou laid out a special diet for both Ai's health and the growth of the babies. Both Ichigo and Leon memorized the schedule and did their parts in maintaining Ai's health. For Ichigo, he paid for Ai's meals and the room they both shared for the duration of their stay. For Leon, he stayed by her side whenever she needed to do light exercise outside of the hospital or participate in the hospital exercises for expecting mothers, which he performed with ease. This made Ai a little jealous, but she forgave him for it when he went to the nearby city to give Ai her favorite ice cream. As time passed, Leon got to know the nurse Gorou always worked with. To the point where they started dating. This made Ichigo a little displeased as Leon was supposed to be focused on his job, but Ai spoke up in his defense. Despite this, their time in Miyazaki proved itself to be a peaceful one.
(skip to 3:14)
Even when Leon stayed at Ai's side, she always looked cheerful at the prospect of being a mother. Leon liked how relaxed and thrilled Ai acted as she walked among the autumn leaves.
"It's been so long since I've arrived here. My boss back home is satisfied with how I'm doing. So far, this assignment has been a quiet one. Much more so than my previous ones. I wonder if Mr. Hachikawa will extend the deal after Ai's successfully given birth."
Leon smiled a little as Ai softly sang to herself as she continued to walk in a carefree manner.
(end music)
As they kept walking, Leon then thought to himself,
"I wonder what Ai meant when she said to Dr. Amamiya that lies are the most special kind of love...either way, she does possess undeniable star power. Perhaps that's her approach to being an idol..."
Leon noticed that Ai walked a little too far ahead.
"Ai, don't go too far."
Ai realized that there was too much space between her and Leon and jogged a little to get back to him.
"Sorry. Guess I wasn't paying attention."
"It's fine. Just stay where I can see you."
"How about we head back?"
"All right then."
During the walk back, Leon asked,
"Ai?"
"Yeah?"
"That night on the roof, where you told Dr. Amamiya about your decision to keep the babies..."
"Oh yeah. It feels so long ago."
"Yes it has. My question is...what do you mean that lies are a special kind of love?"
Ai stopped for one moment to face Leon. This time, she had a sad smile on her face. Leon can tell that he stepped into personal territory with her and wanted to make up for that.
"I'm sorry. If you don't want to talk about it..."
"It's fine."
"You sure?"
"Why not? You protect me for a living."
"Yes, but that honestly doesn't mean..."
"It's fine, Leon. I don't mind telling you."
"...Fine. But only if you're okay with it."
Ai then continued walking toward the hospital as she shared what she meant what she told to Gorou.
"Well, I learned that when I first met Ichigo..."
flashback
Ai was by herself drinking a smoothie. She wore some hand-me-down clothes that did barely fit her.
'When Ichigo first met me, he only focused on my looks...'
As she drank, she was approached by a blonde short-haired man wearing a black suit and sunglasses.
"Excuse me?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you by yourself?"
"Sure am."
"Okay. You see, I'm a scout. And..."
He handed Ai card that held his name.
"Ichigo Saitou, Ichigo Productions."
"That's right. I'm the boss of an idol group, and I think you can be an excellent fit."
Ai sounded a little excited when Mr. Saitou told her she possessed the potential to be an idol.
"Wow. Me, an idol? Or are you someone from one of those shows that pranks people?"
"Not at all. My agency is putting together an idol unit with middle-school models. And I believe you have a shot at being the center."
Ai then looked dejected as she replied,
"Not interested."
"I-I think you'd be perfect. I promise."
Ai took another sip of her drink before telling Ichigo,
"I'm sorry, but you'd better forget about me. For starters, I grew up in a children's home. I only have a mom, and she was arrested when I was still in elementary school. So I was put in a home while she was in jail. And she never came back for me...even after she got out."
Ichigo saw the stars in her eyes darkened when Ai told him her story.
'I told him about my life because I thought it would scare him a little. Just enough for Ichigo to change his mind and leave.'
Ai took another sip before continuing.
"I'm fine, all the same. It's better than getting hit. Plus...I don't have any happy memories. I don't know what it's like loving someone or being loved by someone. So really, what am I missing?"
Ai finished her drink before finishing her part in the conversation.
That's why I'm bad idol material. Idols are supposed to be pure people who both show smiles and give smiles to everyone they sing to. The opposite of me, a liar who hates people. Loving those who call themselves my fans sounds too much for me. Plus, I probably won't even believe them when they say it to my face."
Ichigo took a moment before giving a response he believed will get Ai on his side.
"That's fine."
"Huh?"
"Believe it or not, this is not the kind of job meant for normal people. This actually makes you a lot more qualified than you think."
"But...don't idols say things like 'I love all of you' and all the other stuff? If I said that, I'd be lying."
"That's fine. Take my word for it. The lies that idols tell are the one the fans really want. Even though society tells us lies are not okay, the fact is...it takes real talent to make people believe whatever you tell them. Even if it's not true."
At that moment, her eyes lit up as Ai realized that she possessed something that could give her a better life.
"Is it really all right? I can still say 'I love you' even though I don't mean it."
"Well...if it's for a certain truth. And the truth is...you someone to love you, right? And you want to know what is it is to love someone?"
Ai took off her cap as she blushed at how transparent she was to Ichigo.
"You just haven't found a reason to love yet. Or maybe you haven't found something worth loving yet. If you can sing and dance while looking cute doing so, that's a sign of love to your fans. As an idols, you'll sing songs that have the words 'I love you' a lot in your music. The more you say those words...that's when the lie feels true to you."
"It does?"
"They actually have a word for this in America. It's called truthiness."
Ai began to laugh at how ridiculous the word sounded.
"You laugh, but google it, you'll find out I'm telling the truth."
'Ichigo then told the words that made me the idol you see right now.'
"Believe me when I say this. Lies are a special kind of love you give to the audience."
end
Both stopped walking as Ai looked behind her to see Leon with a sad expression on his face.
"You surprised? Or scared?"
"...Worried."
Ai felt amazed by Leon's honesty.
"Why be worried for me?"
"Because...I have...some idea of the kind of life...that led you here."
"Really?"
"Yes...although it's almost nighttime. We should hurry back."
"That's right!"
Ai began to run back towards the hospital, but Leon did not feel right in letting her. He caught up to her, which astounded her.
"Leon?"
Leon then carried her bridal style as he ran towards the hospital. As he ran, Ai tells him,
"You don't have to do this."
"I am your bodyguard, Ai. And as someone who is protecting a pregnant woman, I have to guard your body from exhaustion. I will be fine. You are the priority I cannot fail."
As Leon slowed down when was within walking distance from the hospital, Ai looked at him with a friendly look on her face that expressed her gratitude towards him.
xxxxxx
The day when Ai would give birth finally arrived. But the time the birth will take place was at night. The nurse helped Ai on her bed as she spoke with Gorou.
"Thank you for everything you did for me, Sensei. Please come back as soon as I call."
"Sure thing. I live close by, so I'll definitely be here when the time comes. But if for some reason I can't, there's another doctor that'll take over."
"Please no."
How Ai said that two word sentence made Gorou concerned.
"I just...want it to be you, that's all."
"It's okay, Ai. Besides, that was just a little joke. I'll see you when you're ready."
"Okay. Good night."
When Gorou stepped outside the hospital, he sees Leon standing outside of the entrance.
"Leon?"
"Ai asked me to guard you back home."
"Did she really?"
"Earlier today, actually."
Gorou felt both condescended and touched by Ai.
"To be honest, I don't expect anything to happen. But better safe than sorry."
Gorou gave a sigh before telling Leon,
"Fine. Follow me."
As the two walked, Gorou asked,
"So...how are things between you and Eriko?"
"She broke up with me."
"Really? I thought you two got along."
"We did. I enjoyed her company and our talks. Some of the time, she complains about how someone like you pays more attention to idols than to women like her."
Gorou groaned a little.
"Other times, she tells me about her life, what she likes..."
"What else did you do?"
"We shared out interest in music."
"Oh. Which Bowie song did she like?"
"Well, she doesn't have a favorite kind of music. And what happened after that is the reason why we broke up."
"Oh no. What did you say to her?"
"I told her she was basic."
Gorou almost made a pratfall when Leon confessed that last detail.
"You told her she was basic?! No wonder she broke up with you."
"I was only being honest."
"Yeah, but there is such a thing as moderation."
Gorou took a breath before talking further.
"Leon...you need to hold back on that kind of feedback. Yes, being honest is always something worth doing for the rest of your life...but it's not enough for everyone."
"I should take a page out of Ai's playbook?"
"...maybe just a little bit. Just enough so that the next woman you date might stay for longer than a year."
Leon went quiet again for a moment before asking,
"Will the babies be born right?"
"How so?"
"Like...they'll make it. I remember what you told me and Ichigo."
Gorou went silent himself for one moment before replying,
"All we can do now is hope for the-"
Leon shushed Gorou as he saw some sort of individual wearing a black hoodie. The dim brightness of the streetlamps ahead made it hard for Gorou to get a good look at him, but eventually see what Leon spotted.
"Who is that?"
"Someone I spotted last night. Most likely a stalker, considering that he asked me if I knew the doctor who was caring for Ai."
Gorou gasped a little as he looked at the stalker before talking to him.
"She was here under an assumed name! Not to mention that information was never made public! So how the hell do you know she was here?!"
The stalker backed off a little before taking out a knife. Although he was far away, both Gorou and Leon correctly guessed that the stalker took out something metal as some of the light of the streetlamps bounced off its reflective sides. Leon then tells Gorou,
"Doctor, go back to the hospital."
"Wait..."
"This is an order from the bodyguard of Ai Hoshino, your favorite idol."
Although he wanted to resist, this situation presented itself as the kind where Leon will have to fulfil his responsibility to Ai. Especially as she ordered him to safely guide him home tonight.
"Fine...but come back alive!"
Gorou ran back to the hospital. The hooded individual ran towards Gorou, but Leon whips out his gun, a Heckler and Koch P30L, and shot one bullet to scare the stalker. Gorou looked back as he heard the gunshot and feared the worst but kept running towards the hospital. Leon aimed his shot at the concrete ground, just before the stalker can advance further to him. The stalker breathed in an uneven pace as the bullet bounced off the concrete sidewalk and landed on a nearby tree. The stalker then ran into the woods, with Leon following him.
xxxxxx
(earlier)
Ai laid on her hospital bed, with Eriko monitoring her health for a little while before resuming her duties. As she finished, Ai took the opportunity to talk to her.
"Eriko, right?"
"Yes."
"I always remember the names of people who've been always kind to me. And that's not a lot."
"Well, thank you, miss Hoshino."
"How long have you worked with Gorou-Sensei?"
"A little over three years."
"I see...there's something else I want to ask."
"What is it?"
"You and Leon. How is it?"
Eriko felt a little on the spot before telling Ai,
"We...broke up."
"Huh? Why? I thought you liked him."
"I did...for a lot of reasons really. He's handsome, mindful, courteous. Really, all the right qualities of a man. And he's certainly not lacking in the physical sense..."
Eriko now possessed a kind of grin associated with satisfaction, although Ai did not know it. Then, in a tone that signaled glee, Eriko continued with,
"And he always paid for me when we go out on dates. He even took me dancing sometimes. Those were really good times."
Eriko then blushed when she remembered the nightclubs Leon took her to, something Ai knew to be a good sign.
"So why break up with him?"
Now Eriko expressed a sour look on her face when she confessed,
"Because apparently he likes girls to be music otakus. When we dated further, he went on and on about David Bowie, or this new musician he's been following. Someone called the Weekend, whoever that is..."
"And then?"
"And then, when he asked me for my taste in music, I told him that I didn't really have one. Just whatever sounds good. Do you want to know what he called me?"
"What?"
"BASIC!"
Ai covered her mouth as she gasped.
"No!"
"Yes! So I threw my drink at him and told him we're through."
Ai laughed at how Eriko broke up with Leon, which made her smile.
"I get why you did that, but don't hate Leon forever."
Eriko gave a sigh before replying,
"I won't but...a part of me really wanted it to work between us. But that's what I get for dating a guy younger than me."
"Younger?"
"Oh...I'm surprised he didn't tell you. He turned 20 about a month and a half ago."
"No way. We skipped his birthday?"
"Well, we celebrated it...a lot actually."
"Huh?"
"Well...you must have some idea...on how..."
Ai picked up on what Eriko spoke about.
"Oh...wow."
Eriko blushed a little before confessing,
"Like I said before...he's not lacking in the physical sense."
"Well, I'm sure you'll find someone for you..."
Just now, Ai felt a strong physical sensation.
"Ai, what's-"
Now the sheets and blanket Ai laid on and under got wet. Eriko knew all too well what that meant.
"I'll call Gorou right-"
The door to Ai's room opened to reveal Gorou arriving while panting heavily.
"Doctor?"
"Gorou-sensei!"
"Ai, are you all right?"
"I think it's time."
Gorou wanted to tell Ai about what was happening to Leon but saw that her water broke.
"Eriko, get me two newborn cribs and whatever amount of towels we have on hand. We're gonna have twins tonight!"
xxxxxx
(play Assassins – John Wick OST, start at 0:18)
Leon chased his target within the woods. Although the stalker was slower than Leon, the stalker proved tried to use the environment against Leon to slow him down. Leon eventually caught up to the stalker and tried to grab him by the coat, however another gunshot can be heard. This time, the shot was aimed at Leon, but Leon stopped running in time to dodge the shot.
(skip to 0:33)
He looked around to see where the shot came from, but the darkness of the woods made it hard for him to see. Leon then took off his glasses and replaced them with another, bulkier pair. However, this pair possesses multiple functions related to vision. Leon used the night-vision function to see into the dark before taking out his gun to guard himself. He walked as silently possible through the forest, on the hunt for the stalker. Only when he reached a cliff did Leon decide to "take" a small break.
(pause music at 0:49)
"Either there's a leak at the security office back in Tokyo, in which case I'll have to ask Mr. Hachikawa to update the company's cyber-security...or maybe...somebody hired him..."
(resume music)
Leon then heard the steps of someone rushing towards him from behind and ran aside. The stalker had his knife out and frantically tried to stab Leon, but Leon proved himself not just more agile than him, but also far more of an adept fighter than the stalker.
"Maybe I should rule out that last guess..."
To get the stalker in his grasp for questioning, Leon stopped fighting for one moment. This made the stalker think Leon was quitting, allowing the stalker to stab Leon in his left shoulder. Although the stab landed, Leon looked unaffected by this as he grabbed the arm the stalker held his knife with.
"You will need far more than this to kill me."
The stalker gave a nervous and frightful gasp before attempting to free himself from Leon's grip. Leon, however, also proved himself far stronger than him as he pushed the stalker backward to a tree.
(end music)
The stalker frantically tried to escape, but Leon did not let go.
"Let's take a good look at you."
With his free hand, Leon reached for the hood. At that moment, a bright light shone through. Since Leon still wore his specialized glasses, he got blinded by the intensity of the light and lets go of the stalker by reflex. The stalker took the opportunity to escape and cried like a coward while doing so. Leon's sight eventually returned to normal as he took off his specialized glasses and places back his regular ones. He looked around again to find the stalker escaped from him, much to his disappointment. Then Leon heard his phone ring.
"Mr. Saitou?"
"Where the hell are you?!"
"I'm heading to the hospital right now. Is Ai alright?"
"She's giving birth right now!"
xxxxxx
Although in excruciating and unforgiving pain, Ai currently gave birth to her children. Ichigo held her hand during the process while Gorou supervised the process.
"You're doing wonderfully, Ai. Keep at it."
"Okay, Gorou-Sensei."
Ai kept pushing their children out of her womb. Eriko was outside the room, keeping an eye out for Leon. Moments later, Leon arrived on the floor where the birth currently took place. Eriko sees him entering through the left side of the hallway via the stairs. She ran towards him to ask him,
"Where were you?"
"Security concern."
"Wait, what?"
"I'll explain later."
She then sees a part of his suit torn apart. Her training led her to conclude that he was recently assaulted. Before she can say anything, Leon ran towards Ai's room. He witnesses Ai in the process of giving life as she sees Leon at the entrance of her room.
"Leon!"
"I'm here, Ai."
Said Leon as he entered her room and held her hand. Which gave Ichigo a welcome break. Eriko entered as well and stood by Gorou as she asked,
"How is she, doctor?"
"She's dilating."
"Is that good?"
Asked Ai, to which Eriko replied,
"Yes, Ai. It means your babies are beginning to exit your womb."
"Great."
"Just keep pushing. You're doing good."
As Ai pushed, both Ichigo and Leon remembered a conversation they had with Gorou a month ago.
flashback
Ai finished her latest sonogram reading, which displayed two fully formed babies within her. Ai sat amazed by what she saw, with both Ichigo and Leon feeling the same way.
"In less than a month Ai, those two will be a part of your life."
"Ahh. Thank you so much, Gorou-Sensei. I love that we're so close."
"Well, let's not rush it. Babies are delivered on time for a reason."
"I remember what you told me about premature birth, Sensei. I want this to go right, too."
"All right then. Nurse, please help Ai to her room."
"Yes, doctor."
As Eriko helped Ai to her room, both Ichigo and Leon started to follow her. However, Gorou asks them,
"Could you two stay? There's something we need to talk about."
Confused, both Ichigo and Leon sat back down on their respective seats as Gorou tells them,
"It's about the babies..."
"What's wrong?"
Asked Ichigo. Gorou had a serious look on his face as he confesses to the two of them,
"The health of one of the twins...is showing very erratic health."
"Erratic?"
Asked Leon.
"One of the heartbeats of the twins has become very irregular. Irregular in a way that...makes me doubt whether it can survive the birthing process."
Both Ichigo and Leon became a little apprehensive by what Gorou spoke about. Leon remained calm as he listened, but Ichigo became visibly nervous as he asked,
"You mean like...Ai is carrying a dead baby within her?"
"Not like that. Rather..."
"One of the twins may be stillborn after Ai gives birth to it?"
Asked Leon, to which Gorou confirmed,
"...yes."
Ichigo then asked,
"What's stillborn?"
"It's when the baby dies after it comes out of the womb. Stillbirth is death before that."
Ichigo began to fear for Ai. Gorou tells them,
"Right now, both babies are still showing signs of life. I'm just saying to the both of you because if the worst case scenario happens..."
"She'll be devastated."
Said Leon, to which Ichigo declares,
"We'll keep it to ourselves for now. I don't want Ai worried for possibly nothing. I mean, what are the chances the worst can happen?"
"One in 175 pregnancies."
Ichigo enthusiasm got deflated when Gorou mentioned the figures.
"Really?"
"At the very least...this hospital is considered an excellent one for expecting parents for a reason. We've never had a stillborn is this hospital before. No reason to break the record now."
Leon smiled in agreement with Gorou.
end
As Leon held Ai's hand, she asked Gorou,
"Sensei, is the baby coming out?"
"...yes it is, Ai. Just keep pushing."
Gorou felt horrible for lying to Ai just now, but the fact that the baby barely moved made him fear the worst. As did Leon, but he kept it to himself. Then, what happened next almost threw him for a loop. Time looked as if it slowed down around Leon. He felt something within him, something he was capable of but hid it from everyone, began to transfer itself from him and into Ai. Specifically, the possibly stillborn baby. Whether consciously or unconsciously, Leon allowed it.
(play Oh! You Pretty Things, start at 0:18)
Time began to resume its normal course from Leon's point of view as Gorou exclaimed,
"The first baby's getting out!"
Ai let out a small squeal of joy before resuming giving birth. Gorou then asked Eriko,
"Nurse, towel."
"Yes doctor."
As Eriko handed Gorou one baby blue towel, with one last push, Gorou declared,
"It's a boy."
Gorou wrapped the baby in said towel and handed the baby to Eriko, to which she placed it one of the cribs. Gorou tells Ai,
"Last one, Ai. You can do it!"
After about three minutes of pushing, Gorou tells her,
"It's a girl."
Gorou wrapped the girl in a pink towel as Ai caught up with her breath as the ordeal finally ended. Everyone in the room went silent as the cries of newborn babies filled the room. Everyone either stood or sat relieved of a successful birth. Ai then asked Gorou,
"Doctor, can I hold them?"
"Sure thing. Leon, give me a hand?"
"Very well."
Leon went for the boy while Gorou carried the girl. The girl reacted to Gorou carrying her, but from the baby's point of view, she gave a positive reaction. For Leon, he felt some sort of connection with the boy.
"I did not know if it was because of what I just experienced...all I knew...this kid was somehow...special to me...and I to him."
(skip to 1:19)
It stopped crying when Leon held him. The boy then looked like it reached for something. To which Leon gave one his index fingers for it to hold. As the boy got his grip on his index finger, the connection between Leon and the newborn boy became a little intense. Rather than feeling fear, Leon wanted to embrace the connection as he whispered to himself,
"Wow..."
Eventually, both gave Ai her babies to carry. The babies started to cry again, but this only made Ai all the more grateful that they emerged from her womb alive. Ai began to both laugh and cry at what she accomplished tonight. Much to the relief of the men in the room as Ichigo whispered to Gorou,
"Guess we did had luck on our side..."
"I agree. Although that's just one doctor's unofficial diagnosis..."
Leon stood in silence as he stared at the sight of a mother enjoying her newborn children. This made him think back on his past. The few people who enjoyed having him in his life.
"Part of me wanted to be part of what was happening in front of me...and somehow, Ai knew this."
"Leon?"
"Yes, Ai?"
"Would you like to hold Aqua?"
For one moment, Leon felt as if he received an invitation to something he did not feel he deserved. To be part of something small, yet precious. Everyday, yet out of his reach for personal reasons. Reasons he will confess to his loved one later on in life, but not yet. Leon felt elation within his heart, presented to him by an idol who welcomed him into her life. Unfortunately, Leon ruined the moment for himself as he asked,
"Wait, Aqua?"
"Yeah. His name is Aquamarine, and she's Ruby!"
Ai gave a huge grin as she carried her babies. While everyone else possessed deadpan expressions on their faces as Ai revealed what she will name her children.
"Despite everything that happened, Ai was still Ai..."
(end music)
And this is where finish for now. How about this chapter? We got major character development, a little bit of action, but most importantly, Gorou lives! I intend for him to play a part in the story going forward...up to a point. If any of you remember the original manga, there were supposed to be two reincarnations...but only one is confirmed. We're only on the first chapter, and already the story is heading into a certain kind of direction. Where it goes...well, stay tuned for the next chapter for how it goes, and more Bowie goodness. Thank you for reading. Don't forget to share with your friends and leave a review.