Chapter 14: Accomplices
"News of star singers getting married and having children isn't uncommon. The reason Ai is worried about exposure is simply that your profession is an idol."
"In that case, leave the children to me. Hikaru Kamiki has vanished; my registered stage name in the industry is now Hikaru Hoshino. There's no issue with registering the twins under my name. Society won't harbor much malice toward a male actor—it's just a secret marriage and children, it won't cause much of a stir."
Hikaru Hoshino spoke with calm composure, only to be interrupted by the President.
"Have you forgotten something?"
"What?" Hikaru felt a sudden sense of foreboding.
"Think about the age gap. What kind of star has a secret marriage and kids at fifteen?"
The President, having investigated Hikaru Kamiki's information, was furious.
"Seducing my little Ai at fifteen... you really had the nerve, didn't you?!"
"Uh, that actually wasn't my fault." Hikaru turned stiff, hastily trying to come up with an excuse, but realizing there was truly nothing to say, he lowered his head in silence.
"President~" Ai held back the enraged Ichigo Saitou. "While he was a total scumbag back then, Hikaru Hoshino isn't him."
"Did you forget? Kamiki and Hoshino are two different people."
Hikaru looked at Ai in surprise. He truly hadn't expected her to use that reason to defend him.
Transmigrating into a scumbag's body, the "dissociative identity" narrative was just a means of self-preservation he had concocted. In reality, he had little confidence that this explanation would earn anyone's trust. He hadn't expected anyone to believe him—no, perhaps he *had* been holding out hope, otherwise, he wouldn't be stunned right now.
A warm current flowed through his heart. Suddenly, he felt that all of this was worth it.
Because someone had truly noticed *him*.
"So, President, I hope you can look at Biyoo without any prejudice. Appearing in this world so suddenly, he must have been very scared, yet he still acted for my sake."
"I believe in him, you know."
Ai turned around, the stars in her eyes shining softly.
"If you put it that way..."
The President let out a sigh.
"I'll try to accept him. But I can't guarantee I'll succeed. If you find me hitting this kid over the head with a sake bottle one day, don't be surprised."
"Isn't it more likely the President gets hit instead?" Ai said with a laugh.
"Ai! How did you turn so bad? You're even making fun of me now!"
In the end, the group failed to settle on a solution for the children's surnames. They could only take things one step at a time; the twins wouldn't be entering the entertainment world just yet, and no one would notice the connection so soon. There was still time for a buffer.
After leaving the office, Hikaru Hoshino and Ai walked one after the other down the hallway.
"Ai, thank you for speaking up for me."
He was the first to speak, offering his thanks.
"It's nothing."
"I already believe that you and Kamiki aren't the same person."
Ai skipped ahead, then suddenly spun around.
"How can you be so certain?" Hikaru was curious.
"Because, Biyoo, you aren't wearing a mask."
"I don't know what Kamiki's true nature was like, but his smile was like mine—carefully designed. Because of that, I used to see him as someone like me. But I'm different now." Ai curled her lips upward.
"Now I think any kind of smile looks pretty good. Well, after all, Ai Hoshino is just that beautiful! I'm the world's number one bishoujo idol!"
"Pfft."
"Hey, what are you laughing at?"
"Laughing at what a narcissist you are."
"Facts aren't narcissism! I just have a clear sense of self-awareness."
The two continued walking side-by-side for a distance before Hikaru Hoshino suddenly tucked away his smile and spoke abruptly.
"Ryosuke is dead."
He tapped on his phone's hot search interface and scrolled all the way to the bottom.
20. University student living alone in Tokyo commits suicide indoors.
"So, do you regret killing him?"
"No," a dark star lit up in Ai's eyes. "Wasn't he the one who moved against me first?"
"I was just acting in self-defense."
"Then..."
Hikaru leaned in close to Ai's ear.
"We're accomplices now."
Ai's voice suddenly grew quiet. "We won't get caught by the police, will we?"
"The Metropolitan Police are probably still investigating his cause of death, but it won't lead back to us. After all, he committed more than just this one crime."
"Dr. Amamiya?"
"Yeah."
"What a shame. I actually quite liked the doctor."
"Wait until you get home, then say that again in front of the kids."
"What?"
"Nothing. Just a joke."
After leaving the company, Ai invited Hikaru to the house to see the children. After a moment's thought, he followed her home.
However, he obviously wasn't interested in seeing those two precocious twins; he just wanted a place to plan out their future development.
"Why is this guy still here?"
Ruby came to open the door after hearing her mother's voice, but upon seeing Hikaru first, her face immediately dropped.
"Isn't it only natural for a father to come see his kids?"
Hikaru naturally changed into the guest slippers and walked toward the living room.
"You should really install a security chain," he said seriously, turning back to Ai.
Aqua, waiting in the living room, shuddered upon hearing this, likely imagining some unpleasant scenario again.
"I know. Sit down first, Biyoo. I'm going to run to FamilyMart and grab some bento."
Ai was about to head out again when Hikaru grabbed her arm, looking helpless.
"You don't know how to cook?"
"I know a *little* bit."
Ai made a "tiny bit" gesture. "I can put eggs in a pan and fry them!"
Hikaru began rummaging through the kitchen and eventually found two stalks of green onions.
"I wanted to cook, but it looks like I'll have to forget it. Let's go out to eat; my treat."
Hikaru signaled for Ai and the children to get ready.
Ai thought that sounded like a good idea and followed. The twins followed Ai's lead, so they naturally didn't refuse. Eventually, Hikaru brought them to a members-only Japanese restaurant. He had found the membership card in his own pocket; it was likely one of the places Kamiki liked to frequent.
As industry insiders, they couldn't just dine anywhere due to the risk of being spotted by passersby. Most chose members-only establishments, which offered higher privacy and private rooms. Since it was Hikaru's first time in Tokyo, he had no idea where any other private restaurants were.
The shop owner clearly recognized Hikaru—or rather, Kamiki—as he looked visibly surprised to see him entering with Ai. However, he didn't say anything, giving them a glance before returning to his work.
The group quietly entered a small private room. Hikaru handed the menu to Ai, then pulled out a small notebook, turned to a brand-new page, and took a fountain pen from his shirt.
Ai was curious about his behavior; she immediately tossed the menu to Aqua and leaned over to peek.
Aqua handed the menu to Ruby and leaned in as well.
Ruby began happily ordering, circling all the dishes on the menu that looked appetizing.
"Biyoo, surely you don't have a habit of keeping a diary?" Ai asked, puffing out her cheeks.
"What decent person keeps a diary?"
Hikaru replied as he quickly wrote a line in the notebook.
"Ai Hoshino's Cultivation Plan"
A moment later, he felt dissatisfied.
With a *swish*, he crossed out the entire line.