Chapter 20 : For their sake
Chapter Summary : -
The next morning, sun filtered through the blinds, casting streaks of light across the pale walls of Ai's Hospital room. Ai lay propped up against the pillows, her blanket pulled up over her lap. Her face was pale, still recovering from the attack. Saitou sat beside her, shoulders hunched forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
The air was heavy, thick with tension, as two cops stood by her bed, their presence felt invasive yet necessary.
One of the cops cleared his throat, "We'll try to keep this short, Miss Ai. We know you've been through a lot."
The other cop nodded, his pen poised over his notepad, ready to record every word.
"We identified the perpetrator a few days ago." The officer said, his voice steady but grim, "A college student named Ryosuke. We found a note in his apartment. He—" he paused, glancing at Ai's pallid face, "He took his own life. The note suggests he did it out of guilt, believing you were dead. It appears this is a case of a deranged fan with an unhealthy obsession. However there are aspects we are still investigating — most notably, how he obtained your address. From what we understand, you had only just moved into the apartment, is that correct?"
Saitou shifted beside her, his sharp gaze locking onto the cop, "Yes that's correct. She moved into that apartment two days before the attack. The address was private information, only my wife and I knew it."
The officer's partner was scribbling everything in his notepad, while the first cop continued, "There's a possibility someone could have leaked it. Is there anyone else who could have known the address?"
"I'm sure no one else knew," Saitou said firmly.
The officer turned his attention to Ai, "Miss Ai, Is there anyone — outside the agency — who might have known your address? Or anyone who may have a reason to harm you?"
Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Her hesitation stretched the silence unbearably thin.
"Why would anyone want to harm her?" Saitou questioned, more to himself than to anyone else.
The officer raised his eyebrow, "It's not uncommon for ex-partners to act in bad faith in cases like this. Is there anyone like that, Miss Ai?"
"She's an Idol!" Saitou snapped, though his voice remained measured, "Her life revolves around her career and she never had time for romantic relationships — there's no one like that."
The officer nodded, though his expression remained skeptical. "We are just exploring every possibility," he paused momentarily, allowing his partner to catch up with his notes before continuing, "The note that Ryosuke left behind didn't mention a motive. Do you have any clue why he attacked you?"
Ai's hands trembled beneath the blanket. Her voice, when it came, was barely above a whisper. "I… remember him."
Everyone turned their attention to look at her as she continued, "I remember seeing him at B-Komachi's fan meetups," Ai said quietly. "He was… strange. He made me uncomfortable, but I didn't think much of it back then."
The officer nodded, "And do you have any idea what might have motivated him?"
"He… was angry," Ai stared down at her lap, her voice soft and trembling, "that I had kids… even though I was an Idol."
The words hung in the air like a bomb detonating in silence. The cop's pen froze mid-stroke.
Without a second to waste, Saitou's voice cut in smoothly, "There was a rumor going around that me and my wife's kids were actually Ai's. Since they are with Ai all the time, some fans started spreading that nonsense."
The officer pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling heavily, "I see. So Ryosuke might have latched onto that rumor and believed it to be true."
"It's possible," Saitou said.
The officer's partner nodded, "That would explain his motive. He could've been stalking you to confirm it, that would explain how he knew your address."
The tension in Ai's chest eased slightly as the detective scribbled his final notes and snapped the notebook shut.
"Alright," the cop said, "I think that about settles it. A delusional fan acting on a fabricated story. It's a tragic case, but unfortunately, not uncommon in your line of work."
Saitou stood up as the cops were about to leave and politely said, "Thank you."
The officers gave them a small nod and excused themselves, leaving the room in a heavy silence.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Saitou turned to Ai. His gaze softened slightly but there was still a weight behind his words, "You didn't try to contact him, did you?"
Ai froze, then forced herself to meet his gaze and replied firmly, "I haven't spoken to him in five years."
Saitou's expression didn't change, "Are you absolutely sure? There's no way he was involved?"
Her heart pounded in her chest, but she held her ground. "Yes. We haven't spoken or seen each other in five years. He's out of my life. It wasn't him."
Saitou studied her for a long moment, his eyes searching her face for any cracks in her resolve.
Finally, he sighed, "Alright…"
But the way his shoulders tensed as he stood told her he still had some doubts.
"I'll handle the media," he said, "They're going to hound you once they find out you've woken up."
"What about Aqua and Ruby?" Ai asked softly.
"They are fine. Only a few doctors here know the truth, and they've all signed NDAs. The official story is they were visiting you in your new apartment when it all happened. So you're all safe."
She nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly as Saitou walked toward the door.
"Get some rest, Ai. I'll go take care of everything else."
With that, he left, leaving Ai alone with her thoughts.
Not even a minute had passed but the room felt unbearably quiet. Ai leaned back against the pillows, her mind replaying the event of the attack.
Ryosuke had known about her children. That much was clear. But how? Did he really act on a rumor? Had he pierced things together through stalking her? Or… had someone told him?
"No," she whispered, gripping the blanket tighter. "It can't be him, He wouldn't hurt me.. He wouldn't hurt our children…"
Then, another face surfaced in her mind — Airi.
"If you take him from me, I will ruin you." Airi's voice slithered through her head like a haunting refrain.
It had to be her. She was the one with power and connections. She must have manipulated Ryosuke and sent him her way.
But… Did Airi know about her and Hikaru meeting again? Even if she did, how did she know her address?
Her hands clenched into gentle fists, gripping the blanket.
Did she still have her filthy claws on Hikaru? Was she trying to use him to harm her?
None of it made any sense.
- x -
As Saitou had predicted, the paparazzi descended on the hospital within hours. The once quiet corridors outside Ai's room turned into a battlefield of flashing cameras and shouting questions.
Needless to say, their presence was a nuisance for other patients and doctors alike, the security tried their best to lead them out but they managed to barge into Ai's sanctuary, flooding the air with questions.
"Do you know who your attacker was?"
"Why do you think he targeted you?"
"Can you tell us about the traumatic experience?"
"How are you feeling about the whole thing?"
Their questions came rapid-fire, their cameras clicked relentlessly, but Ai didn't answer anything. Saitou was there to shield her, stepping in like a wall between her and the storm.
"Ai will not be answering any questions at this time," he said loud and firm, his voice cutting through the noise. "All statements will come through the agency."
The reporters pressed on, but Saitou's unyielding presence eventually drove them back, "Have you all no shame rushing her in a hospital?!" he barked.
The security staff ushered them out, and the door to Ai's room closed.
Not long after, it was all over the news — Super Idol Ai finally opens her eyes after the violent attack.
That evening, after the whirlwind of the cameras and questions had settled, Ai finally found solace. Her hospital room, though sterile and stark, was warm with the presence of her children.
Ruby sat on the edge of her bed in a loose seiza style, facing her mother, as she animatedly recounted the day's events at school.
"... and I made a new friend today!" Ruby chirped, her voice bright and cheerful. "And she gave me this sticker — look!" she dug through her bag and pulled out a glittery sticker shaped like a smiling star.
Ai smiled softly, taking the sticker from Ruby's small hands. "It's adorable," she said, her voice tender, "Did you say thank you?"
"Of course!" Ruby beamed, then launched into another story. "But some people at school aren't so nice. They keep teasing Aqua for his name. Brother even got into a fight last week with this boy. It was his fault of course, he kept messing with brother. But he apologized and now they're friends!" she blabbered turning to her brother at the last sentence.
Aqua, who was seated beside them, was quietly peeling an apple with a small fruit knife. His movements were precise, almost surgical, the blade gliding effortlessly along the curve of the fruit. And without looking up, he corrected his sister, "I wouldn't call us friends. He just apologized, that's all."
Ruby rolled her eyes, "But you don't even talk to anyone at school! He is the closest thing you have as a friend!" Then, she turned to her mother, "I never thought that brother would make a friend, since he likes to be alone."
Aqua finished peeling and slicing the apple and placed it neatly on the tray. He pushed it towards Ruby and Ai, "Here, you two can have this."
Ruby immediately grabbed a slice, biting into it with a satisfied hum, "Thank you brother!" she said through a mouthful of apple.
Ai picked up a slice as well, chewing slowly as she watched her children interact, their playful banter brought a small chuckle to her lips.
"And, how was your day, Aqua?" She asked gently.
"It was fine, nothing special," he said simply.
"Brother's Lying!" Ruby said quickly, pointing at him, "He always answers the teacher's questions before anyone else! Everyone thinks he is the smartest kid in the school now."
"It's not a big deal," Aqua said in a calm voice, "Ruby knows all the answers too, she is equally as smart."
"But you're always faster!" Ruby shot back, pouting as she reached for another apple slice.
Ai smiled warmly as she listened to them bicker, her heart swelling with affection. No matter what storms raged outside, her children brought her a sense of peace she could never find anywhere else.
The door opened with a quiet creek, and Saitou stepped inside, his expression calm but tired.
"Good news," he announced, walking towards them, "The doctor says Ai can leave in two weeks. There are no complications and her recovery is going well."
Ruby cheered, clapping her small hands, "Yay! Mama's coming home soon!"
Aqua meanwhile stood up on the bed and carefully placed the knife on the table beside the bed. Saitou's gaze lingered at him for a moment, a serious but reflecting expression across his face.
The paramedics had told him how Aqua had stopped Ai from bleeding out after she was attacked. Bandaging and applying pressure with precision far beyond his years. Upon questioning how he knew to do that, his answer was baffling — youtube.
Far-fetched, Saitou thought, but there was no denying the extraordinary intelligence of these kids.
Clearing his throat, he looked at Ruby and Aqua, "Alright, kids. It's getting late. Time to go home. You should let Ai rest now."
Ruby immediately clung to Ai's arm, her wide eyes pleading, "No! I don't wanna go! I wanna stay with Mama!"
Ai stroked her daughter's hair soothingly, then looked up at Saitou with a smile, "Leaving so soon, Mr Sato?" A playful edge in her voice.
"The kids need to sleep," he replied with a chuckle, "They have school tomorrow."
Ai nodded, reassured by the care and structure Saitou provided in her absence.
Aqua stood beside Ruby, tugging on her sleeve, "Come on Ruby, Let mother rest, we'll come visit her tomorrow."
Ai's heart warmed at the sound of him calling her mother. She reached out and pulled him close, wrapping her arms around both her children. Holding them close, she whispered, "Aqua, Ruby… I love you both."
"I love you too, Mama," Ruby said, her voice a little louder and her words formed of genuine love between a daughter and a mother.
"I love you too, mother," Aqua whispered back without hesitation but no less sincere. His heart relaxed, savoring the warmth of her embrace. A mother's love was a comfort he hadn't realized he needed so deeply.
After a few moments, Ai let them pull away. Her smile lingering on her face as she watched them climb off the bed.
Saitou took their hands in his, "Alright, Ai. Goodnight," he said with a small nod.
"Goodnight, Mr Saitou. Goodnight, Aqua, Ruby." she waved as they slowly walked out of the room.
The door clicked shut, leaving Ai alone once again. She let out a soft, contented sigh, sinking back into her pillows.
- x -
The sound of the door opening cut through the stillness of Ai's hospital room. Her first thought was that it must be the nurse, but when she opened her eyes — it was the last person she expected.
Hikaru Kamiki — the father of her children.
He quietly closed the door behind him and for a moment, neither of them moved.
Ai scrambled upright, her heart pounding as fear coursed through her veins. Her body instinctively shifted back, pressing against the headboard, as he took a tentative step forward.
"Ai…" Hikaru's voice was soft, almost trembling, "Are you okay?"
She couldn't answer. Her chest tightened, her breaths coming faster as her mind raced.
Hikaru hesitated. Seeing her retreat, he stopped, his shoulders sagging, "I just want to talk," he said, his voice almost pleading, taking another hesitant step forward, "Please."
"Stay away from me," she said quietly, her voice trembling.
"Ai… I'm not here to hurt you," he said quickly, "I care about you and I'm so relieved you're okay. I just… I need to explain."
"There's nothing to explain," Ai said, her voice trembling, "Reaching out to you was a mistake. Please, leave me alone."
Hikaru flinched as if she'd struck him, "Ai… I'm so sorry. This is all my fault," he said, his words spilling out in desperation. "I should have come to see you myself. I shouldn't have sent him. I didn't know…" his voice broke, "I didn't know he was a maniac—"
"You sent him?" The words hit Ai like a punch to the chest, "You… sent him." She whispered again feeling her heart ache, her fear crumbled, replaced by disbelief.
Hikaru tried explaining quickly, "He was only supposed to deliver a message, I didn't mean for any of this to happen," his raw voice pleading, "I swear, Ai. I just wanted him to deliver a message. I should have—"
"You put my children's lives in danger!" she said in disbelief, her voice trembling with betrayal, her hands gripped the blanket tightly.
"I didn't mean to!" Hikaru said desperately, "They're my children too—"
"No." Ai's quiet voice cut through the air like a blade. Her face was devoid of any expression and she gently shook her head, "Not anymore."
Hikaru stood frozen, his lips parting as if he wanted to say something but no words came out.
"They're not your children," she said, her voice cold but trembling, "They were never your children."
The words struck him hard and his face twisted in pain, "Ai… please… I didn't mean to—"
"Don't come near us again," she whispered, her voice heavy with sorrow, "Get out."
Before he could react, Ai's hand clicked the button to call the nurse.
The sound of hurried footsteps in the hallway made Hikaru's head snap towards the door. Panic flashed across his face, and without a word, he turned and fled. Disappearing through the door just as the nurse entered.
"Miss Ai?" the nurse asked gently, her tone laced with concern, "Is everything alright?"
Ai closed her eyes, taking a shaky deep breath to steady herself. When she opened them again, her mask of composure was back in place. "Water, please," she requested with a soft smile.
The nurse handed her a glass of water and adjusted her IV before leaving.
Alone again, her composure shattered. Hikaru's words echoed in her mind, raw and broken. He hadn't lied — she could see that clearly now. The regret in his voice, the way his shoulders slumped, the crack in his tone… it was all real. He hadn't meant for any of this to happen.
Tears welled in her eyes, and her lips whimpered. Her heart felt heavy, and she let out a quiet sob. Despite everything, she realized with painful clarity — she still loved him.
A tear escaped her eye. Now that she had calmed down, she wished she could take her harsh words back. She wished she could talk to him and figure things out. Despite everything, she couldn't bring herself to hate him.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Saitou and the officer's voices ringing in her head. "It's not uncommon for ex-partners to act in bad faith." "You didn't try to contact him, did you?"
If anyone found out she'd reached out to Hikaru — if they learned he had her address all this time — his life would be over.
No one can ever know the identity of her children's father.
Her hand trembled as she wiped away her tears.
To protect him, to protect herself and her children, she must cut him out of her life — permanently.
- x -
Authors note : This one took a long time to edit. Honestly - I was being lazy, I wanted to have this chapter to be up last sunday, but for the four people who were waiting. Here you go. Enjoy.
I've started so many novels, and this is the first one I've actually finished. What an achievement.
Up next - Final Chapter : Welcome Home