Ai walked home with measured steps, her face a perfect mask of composure. She nodded politely to the station attendant, sat on the train, and kept her eyes fixed straight ahead. Not a hair out of place. Not a hint of the storm raging inside her.
Tokyo blurred past the windows. Stations came and went. She maintained the facade with the discipline of a performer who'd spent years controlling every facial muscle, every gesture, every breath.
Only her hand betrayed her, fingers absently touching her lips when she thought no one was looking.
The walk from her station to her apartment building took precisely seven minutes. She counted each step, focusing on the rhythm to keep her expression neutral. The security door. The elevator. Her keys jingling as she unlocked her door.
And then—finally—she was home.
Ai closed the door behind her, pressed her back against it, and let out a sound between a squeal and a gasp that she'd been holding in since leaving the arcade.
"Oh my god," she whispered, sliding down until she sat on the floor, knees pulled to her chest. "Oh. My. God."
She touched her lips again, the memory of Toshiro's kiss sending electric currents through her body. His hand on her face. The way he'd pulled her closer. The little sound he'd made when she'd slid her fingers into his hair.
"I kissed him." She pressed her palms to her burning cheeks. "I actually kissed him."
Ai Hoshino, Japan's pure-image idol, had made out with a boy in a photo booth like some love-struck teenager. And not just any boy—Toshiro Kagami, PRISM's newest center. The beautiful, talented, impossibly charming boy who called her "Starlight" and looked at her like she hung the moon.
If Ichigo found out, he'd have a coronary.
But Ai couldn't bring herself to care. Not when her lips still tingled. Not when her heart hammered against her ribs like it might break free. Not when she felt more alive than she had in a while.
"What are you doing?" she asked herself, but the question held no real weight. She knew exactly what she was doing.
It terrified her.
It thrilled her.
The sound of the television drifted from the living room, jerking her back to reality. She wasn't alone.
Ai pushed herself up, smoothed her clothes, and took a deep breath. She could do this. She performed for thousands daily. She could certainly act normal in front of Miyako and her twins.
"I'm home," she called, stepping out of her shoes and into the apartment proper.
The living room came into view—Miyako sprawled on the couch, scrolling through her phone; Aqua and Ruby on the floor, transfixed by the television.
On screen, B-Komachi performed their hit "HEART's♡KISS." Ai watched her on-screen self execute a perfect spin, her stage smile dazzling under the lights.
"Momma!" Ruby leapt to her feet, launching herself at her mother with the full-body enthusiasm only a two-year-old could muster.
Ai caught her, swinging her up into a hug. "Hello, little one. What are you still doing up? It's past your bedtime."
"Wanted to see you dance," Ruby said, patting Ai's cheeks. "You're pretty."
"Thank you." Ai pressed a kiss to Ruby's forehead, her heart swelling. This—this was what mattered. These two precious lives depended on her. She couldn't afford to be reckless.
And yet...
"You're late," Miyako said, not looking up from her phone. "Hot date?"
"Professional development," Ai corrected, setting Ruby down. The little girl immediately returned to her spot next to Aqua, who hadn't moved, his eyes still fixed on the screen.
"Uh-huh." Miyako's tone made it clear she didn't believe that for a second. "Professional development that leaves you looking like that?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Ai busied herself with her bag, carefully avoiding Miyako's gaze.
"Sure you don't." Miyako finally set her phone down, giving Ai her full attention. "Your cheeks are pink, your hair's messed up, and you've got that look in your eyes."
"What look?"
"The 'I just did something I shouldn't have but don't regret it at all' look." Miyako's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I've worn it myself many times."
"It's nothing." Ai's phone chimed in her bag. She pulled it out, heart jumping when she saw the name on the screen.
Did my Starlight make it home safely? -T
Warmth spread through her chest at the sight of his words. "My Starlight." Not just Starlight, but his.
"That's not nothing," Miyako said, nodding at Ai's face. "That's a full-on dopey smile."
"It's just a text."
"From disaster chef?"
Ai nodded, typing a quick reply.
Safe and sound. Did you survive the train ride with all that muscle soreness? -A
His response came immediately.
Barely. An old lady offered me her seat. Said I looked like I was in pain. My pride may never recover. -T
Ai laughed out loud, then immediately bit her lip when Miyako raised an eyebrow.
"So what happened? And don't say 'nothing' because I know that look too well."
Ai glanced at the twins, making sure they were absorbed in the TV before lowering her voice. "We kissed."
Miyako's eyes widened. "You what?"
"We kissed," Ai repeated, unable to keep the smile from her face. "In a photo booth at an arcade."
"An arcade? What happened to dinner?"
"We didn't get that far." Ai sank onto the couch beside Miyako. "He was practicing late. I found him at SYNC, exhausted. So we went to have fun instead."
"And fun turned into tonsil hockey?"
"Miyako!" Ai hissed, glancing at the kids again.
"What? They're not listening." Miyako leaned closer. "So? How was it?"
"Amazing," Ai admitted, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I've never been kissed like that before."
"Like what?"
"Like... like he'd been waiting his whole life to do it." The memory sent a fresh wave of heat through her. "Like I was something precious."
Miyako studied her face. "You really like him."
"I do." Ai twisted her hands in her lap. "And I'm seeing him again on Saturday."
"Another 'professional development' meeting?"
"Actually..." Ai took a deep breath. "I kind of told him I was babysitting Ichigo's twins on Saturday. And asked if he wanted to join me."
Miyako stared at her blankly for a moment. Then understanding dawned. "You're going to use Aqua and Ruby as decoys, pretending they're our kids."
"Yes."
"That's..." Miyako shook her head. "Actually pretty genius."
"Right?" Pride crept into Ai's voice. "No one would question me watching my boss's kids. And it gives us an excuse to spend time together outside of work."
"And lets you see how he is with children," Miyako added shrewdly. "Which matters to you."
"Of course it does." Ai looked at the twins, her gaze softening. "I need to know if he's someone who could fit into our lives. Someday."
"It's still risky." Miyako's tone turned serious. "What if he recognizes you in them?"
"He won't. Why would he?" Ai shook her head. "Besides, these disguises work better than you'd think. People see what they expect to see."
"And if things get serious? You'll have to tell him eventually."
"I know." Ai sighed. "But not yet. Let me just... enjoy this for a little while."
"Enjoy what?" Ruby asked, suddenly appearing at Ai's knee. Her wide eyes stared up curiously.
"Enjoy spending time with you," Ai said smoothly, pulling her daughter onto her lap. "And guess what? On Saturday, we're going to have a special friend join us for an outing."
"A friend?" Ruby bounced excitedly. "Like Miyako?"
"No, a new friend." Ai smoothed Ruby's hair. "And you and Aqua will need to pretend that Miyako and Ichigo are your parents that day. Can you do that? It's like a game."
Ruby nodded. "I'm good at games."
"I know you are, sweetheart." Ai kissed the top of her head. "Now, it's way past your bedtime. Let's get you and your brother to bed."
As if on cue, Aqua yawned, finally tearing his gaze from the TV where the performance had ended.
"Come on, sleepyhead," Ai called to him. "Bedtime."
Aqua padded over, his movements deliberate even in his tiredness. He looked up at Ai, his blue eyes serious. "You were good today."
"Thank you, Aqua." She ruffled his hair gently. "That means a lot coming from you."
She herded the twins through their bedtime routine—teeth brushing, pajamas, one story each. Ruby fell asleep halfway through hers, but Aqua listened attentively until the last page.
"Ai," he said as she tucked the blanket around him. "Are you happy?"
The question caught her off guard. "Why do you ask?"
"You look different tonight." His small face was serious. "Brighter."
Children noticed everything. "I am happy," she told him. "Very happy."
He nodded, satisfied. "Good. I like when you're happy."
"I like it too." She kissed his forehead. "Sleep well, Aqua."
When she returned to the living room, Miyako had made tea and sat waiting, two steaming cups on the coffee table.
"They're getting more perceptive," Ai said, sinking onto the couch.
"They take after their mother." Miyako pushed a cup toward her. "So, this Toshiro. You're really into him, huh?"
"More than I should be." Ai wrapped her hands around the warm cup. "If we'd gone to his place for dinner again instead of the arcade, I might not have come home tonight."
Miyako's eyebrows shot up. "That serious?"
"That... intense." Ai stared into her tea. "When he kissed me, I forgot everything. Who I was, where we were. If someone hadn't opened the curtain..."
"You would have given him a very different kind of professional development," Miyako finished with a smirk.
"Miyako!"
"What? I'm just saying what you're thinking." She sipped her tea. "Though I'm glad you didn't. First times shouldn't be in photo booths."
"It wouldn't be my first time," Ai pointed out.
"No, but it would be your first time with someone you actually saw a real future with." Miyako's voice softened. "That's different."
Ai hadn't thought of it that way, but Miyako was right. With Toshiro, everything felt new. Raw. Real.
"I'm scared," she admitted quietly.
"Of what?"
"Of how much I want this. How easy it would be to lose myself in him." Ai set her cup down. "I have responsibilities. The twins. My career. I can't afford to be reckless."
"Being happy isn't reckless, Ai." Miyako reached over, covering Ai's hand with her own. "You deserve good things too."
"Even if those good things could destroy everything I've built?"
"Do you really think he'd do that to you?"
Ai thought about Toshiro's gentle hands. His smile when he called her Starlight. The way he'd looked at her in the photo booth, like she was the only person in the world.
"No," she said finally. "I don't think he would. Not intentionally."
"Then maybe it's worth the risk." Miyako squeezed her hand. "Just be careful. Take it slow."
"I will." Ai's phone chimed again. Another text from Toshiro.
Sweet dreams, Starlight. Can't wait for Saturday. -T
Ai smiled, typing her reply.
Sweet dreams, Shiro-chan. Neither can I. -A
She set the phone down, catching Miyako watching her with an amused expression.
"What?" Ai asked.
"Nothing." Miyako shook her head. "Just... it's nice seeing you like this. Young. Happy. Like the girl you should have gotten to be."
"I am happy," Ai said, and realized it was true. Despite the complications, the risks, the potential for heartbreak—in this moment, she was genuinely happy.
===
Aqua lay in bed, staring at the glow-in-the-dark stars his mother had placed on his ceiling months ago. The room was quiet except for the occasional car passing on the street below. From the next room, Ruby's soft snores drifted through the wall.
He couldn't sleep. Not with his mind spinning like this.
That man. The one who had made Ai's face light up when she checked her phone. The one she'd mentioned was joining them Saturday. It had to be Toshiro Kagami.
Aqua had noticed the name appearing more frequently in recent weeks. First in passing mentions, then in longer conversations with Miyako when they thought he wasn't listening. Now apparently he'd graduated to spending time with them directly.
The thought stirred complicated feelings in his chest.
In his previous life—the one before darkness and rebirth—Aqua had been Gorou Amamiya. A doctor. A fan. Someone who'd watched Ai Hoshino from afar, admiring her talent and beauty through screens and magazine pages.
Now he was her son.
The cosmic joke wasn't lost on him, even with his two-year-old brain. Reincarnation had given him what millions of fans had dreamed of: direct access to Ai Hoshino's private life. But it had come with responsibilities he'd never anticipated.
He'd spent his first months in this new existence observing, adjusting, planning. The circumstances of his and Ruby's conception weren't lost on him.
Aqua had made a silent vow then: his only wish in this new life was to see Ai happy.
And lately, she had been happier.
He'd noticed the changes. More genuine smiles. Lingering glances at her phone. Humming to herself while making breakfast. Small things that spoke volumes.
Tonight, she'd practically glowed.
Aqua rolled onto his side, hugging his stuffed penguin to his chest. The logical part of his adult mind—the part that remembered medical school and patient consultations—urged caution. New relationships were fragile things. They could bring joy, yes, but also pain.
But the part of him that was simply a child who loved his mother wanted to see her smile more.
He'd watched Toshiro Kagami's performances in Hokkaido. Studied his interviews. The man had talent, certainly. Charisma in spades. But what struck Aqua most was the odd stillness in his eyes sometimes—a depth that seemed out of place for someone his age. As if he'd seen more than his years should allow.
Aqua understood that look. He saw it in his own reflection.
The sound of rustling sheets and tiny footsteps interrupted his thoughts.
"Aqua?" Ruby's voice was thick with sleep. "You awake?"
He sat up. "Yes."
Ruby padded across the room and climbed onto his bed without invitation, dragging her stuffed bunny behind her. Her red eyes gleamed in the dim light from the nightlight.
"Can't sleep," she mumbled, settling beside him.
"Me neither."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the kind that only siblings could share. Despite being twins, they were opposites in nearly every way. Ruby was all emotion and impulse. Aqua was calculation and restraint. Yet somehow, they balanced each other.
"Ruby," he said finally. "What do you think about Ai's friend? The one who's coming Saturday."
Ruby's nose wrinkled. "The man?"
"Yes. The man."
She hugged her bunny tighter. "No man is good enough for Momma!"
Aqua sighed. "Momma likes him," he pointed out.
"So?" Ruby's lower lip jutted out. "Momma likes lots of things. Like natto. Natto is gross."
"This is different." Aqua chose his words carefully, conscious of speaking at a level his sister would understand. "Haven't you noticed? She smiles more when she talks about him."
Ruby's frown deepened as she considered this. "She does smile pretty."
"She does."
"But..." Ruby picked at a loose thread on her bunny's ear. "What if he's mean? What if he makes her cry?"
The question struck closer to Aqua's own concerns than he wanted to admit. "That's why we need to watch him. See what kind of person he is."
Ruby perked up at this, her earlier resistance transforming into interest. "Like spies?"
"Something like that." Aqua leaned back against his headboard. "Ai said we're pretending to be Ichigo and Miyako's kids on Saturday, right?"
Ruby nodded vigorously.
"Then he won't know who we really are." A plan began forming in Aqua's mind. "Which means we can test him."
"Test him how?"
Aqua smiled slightly. "See how he treats children who aren't his responsibility. If he's patient. Kind. How he handles problems."
Ruby's eyes widened with understanding. "We make problems?"
"Small ones," Aqua clarified, recognizing the dangerous gleam in his sister's eyes. "Nothing that would upset Ai. But enough to see who he really is."
Ruby bounced on the mattress, excitement overtaking her sleepiness. "I can spill things! And ask lots and lots of questions!"
"That would work." Aqua nodded. "I'll watch how he responds to you. See if he gets frustrated or stays calm."
"And if he's mean, we tell Momma not to see him anymore." Ruby's expression turned fierce, a tiny warrior ready for battle.
Aqua shook his head. "We can't tell Ai what to do. But we can tell her what we saw. What we think."
"And if he's nice?" Ruby asked, her voice smaller.
"Then..." Aqua hesitated. The thought of sharing Ai with anyone still felt strange. But her happiness mattered more than his discomfort. "Then we give him a chance."
Ruby considered this, her face scrunched in concentration. Finally, she nodded. "Okay. But he better be super nice. And funny. And give good piggyback rides."
"That's a lot of requirements."
"Momma deserves the best," Ruby stated with absolute conviction.
Aqua couldn't argue with that logic. "She does."
Ruby yawned suddenly, the late hour catching up with her planning. "Can I sleep here?"
"Fine." Aqua shifted to make room, knowing resistance was futile. Once Ruby decided something, changing her mind was nearly impossible.
She snuggled down beside him, bunny clutched to her chest. "We're gonna be good spies, right?"
"The best." He pulled the blanket over them both. "Now sleep. We need energy for Saturday."
Ruby nodded, her eyes already drooping. "Night, Aqua."
"Goodnight."
Aqua watched as his sister drifted off, her breathing slowing to a steady rhythm. His own thoughts continued churning.
In his previous life, he'd been helpless to do anything for Ai Hoshino except admire her from afar. Now, he had the power to influence her happiness directly. It was a responsibility he took seriously.
This Toshiro person—whoever he really was beneath the idol persona—had somehow worked his way into Ai's heart. That alone made him worth evaluating. If he proved worthy of Ai's trust, Aqua would grudgingly extend his own. If not...
Well, even a two-year-old could be surprisingly resourceful when motivated.