"I love you" are the last words Ai Hoshino remembers saying before she died... but when she opened her eyes she became... A baby?!? And she became the youngest daughter of Aquamarine Hoshino!
The director led me down the corridor and we walked to the back door of the studio.
It was an access reserved for employees, even if they never used it, which led to a small courtyard.
In the middle of it stood a little girl about my age.
She had golden brown hair and golden eyes.
Unfortunately, these were characteristics I knew all too well.
-You're Masachi Oshikawa, aren't you? I asked. Ko's little sister.
She turned towards me a little embarrassed.
-Y... Yes, that's it...
She's so cute!
I slapped my cheeks, making Masachi jump.
No! I shouldn't have thought like that! Maybe she's here to trick me!
I looked back at the director to see that he had cleverly ducked! The deceiver!
-Hoshino! Masachi called to me.
I turned back to her.
-Oh yes, I'm sorry, what did you want to talk to me about?
-Well... Well, thank you for coming," Ko's little sister mumbled, fidgeting with her dress.
-Oh, you don't have to thank me for that.
-Yes, I do! Mum told me that you should always thank people!
My suspicion melted like snow in the sun. There's no way I'd be set up by such a sweet little girl!
Masachi reminds me a bit of Ruby when she was a baby, so many happy memories!
Masachi Oshikawa resumed her speech:
-I'm so sorry! she exclaimed.
-Huh?!? Why?
-In truth, I was the one who asked the director to take me off the role of Ume! I don't really like acting, but it's my big brother's passion! He was so happy when he found out we were going to play together that I didn't dare tell him the truth! I heard that Ko had annoyed you, so I came to apologise! It's all my fault, sorry!
She's got a crazy flow!
Masachi started crying, startling me.
-Don't worry! Honestly, what Ko was doing was ignoring me and spilling my juice! I'm not angry with you at all, you can call me Ai if you want.
The little girl looked up at me with teary eyes.
-Really ?
I nodded.
The showbiz world is extremely tough and I think Ko understood that. He must have been scared that his sister wouldn't get a part because of me. What's more, he's only 4! What he did was serious but I know he was only acting in Masachi's interests.
Masachi threw herself into my arms.
-Thank you Ai, I love you! Will you be my friend?
She's getting ahead of herself! Well, it's true that at that age you make friends quickly.
Unless, as in my case, you've got an alcoholic mother who beats you because her boyfriend hits on you.
-I'd love to! I agreed with a smile. But I'd advise you to go and talk to Ko. I think he'd like to know all about it.
Masachi nodded.
We headed for the door, the director waiting behind it.
When he sees us, he smiles.
-So it went well? he asked.
-Yes!" exclaimed Masachi, throwing herself around my neck. Ai is my new best friend.
When did I agree to this?! Hana's going to give me a hard time if she finds out.
-By the way, where's Ko?
-In the dressing room.
-Thanks ! exclaimed my new friend before running off.
We watched her go, then the director said to me:
-Frankly, you amaze me. I've known Masachi's family for a long time and this is the first time I've seen her so relaxed with someone other than Ko. She's usually so shy.
-You talk to me like an adult," I say.
-That's the impression you give. You're very intelligent from what I've seen. Your parents are very intelligent, I'm sure you take after them.
I shrugged.
-You probably do.
I suddenly had an epiphany. What if I took the opportunity to ask some questions about what had happened between my old life and the new one?
-Say," I hesitated slightly, "what do you know about Ai from B Komachi?
The director turned a questioning look towards me.
-Your grandmother? Wouldn't it be better to ask your parents?
-It's just that... We never talk about it at home. But I understand that it's frowned upon for idols to have children. Didn't it cause a scandal at the time?
-The truth came 12 years after Ai's death. Well, the assassination. As the twins were well known, Ai had been gone for a while and given the context of her death, there wasn't a huge scandal.
I froze in shock, so my secret had finally come out?
I didn't really know what to think, to be honest. I knew it was going to happen one day but...
-Your parents made a film about your grandmother, the director told me.
-Really?
-Yes, it's simply brilliant! Ask your parents to show it to you when you're older.
I plucked up my courage and asked:
-And Hika...
I was interrupted by a wild Ko who suddenly barged in.
-Hoshino? Can I talk to you for a second?
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Hi there!
I hope the chapter content will make up for the time the story's been on hiatus 😅. Sorry again for the long absence, I'll try to be more regular.
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