Ai Hoshino II

10

-I'll leave you two alone to talk things over," snapped the director.

Oh the coward!

I turned back to Ko.

-What do you want, Ko? I asked him.

I'm not usually aggressive, but this time he deserved it.

He seemed rather embarrassed. He was wringing his hands like his little sister.

-Well, Masachi told me everything. Masachi told me everything. So I've come to apologise for my behaviour. Of course I'm not asking you to forgive me, given what I've done it would be normal if you didn't. I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry. I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry and that if you want me to, I'll leave the room.

He talks a hell of a lot for a 4-year-old!

-No! You don't have to leave the room, it would harm everyone," I said.

-That's true, I hadn't thought of that," muttered Ko.

-The important thing is that someone thought of it," I reassured him. Besides... I've already told Masachi that I forgive you.

-Thank you very much!

-Well, on one condition," I continued.

-Whatever you want! exclaimed Ko.

He's so cute! He looks just like Aqua...

-You must never harass anyone again, okay?

-I promise! Ko swore.

-Then that's perfect! I said, smiling.

That's settled!

It was at this wonderful moment that an assistant chose to arrive.

When she saw us, she exclaimed:

-What are you doing here? The rehearsal started ten minutes ago!

Ko and I exchanged a long, meaningful glance.

Because even if the director wasn't very strict with us, the producer wasn't.

I suspected that he didn't like children.

-Ai?

-Yes?

-Shall we run?

-I was about to suggest it.

We made our best sprint to get to the stage on time.

We nearly hit five people in our path (that's negligible 😄 ), but we got there ONE minute before we were due on stage.

The producer looked at us angrily, inwardly furious that he couldn't reprimand us.

He did, however, make one remark with all the venom he could muster:

-Just because you don't start playing straight away doesn't mean you have to arrive 20 minutes after the start of rehearsal. You can benefit from observing your elders, but if you think you're superior...

I gave him a tense smile. It's because of people like them that child actors like Hikaru break down. Because we talk to them, treat them and punish them like adults.

I did my best not to think about Airi again.

Ko gritted his teeth, he was used to it.

Seeing the heavy atmosphere, the director, in an attempt to lighten it, intervened:

-By the way, children, I'd like to introduce you to the main actor who, like the other main actors, played this role years ago. He hadn't seen the rehearsal coming until now, here's Taiki Himekawa!

I didn't realise it straight away. Does this director think he's a loyal gentleman or what?!

Suddenly my eyes widened. Taiki... Himikawa?

Wasn't that the name of Hikaru and Airi's son?!?

I looked at him. He'd aged a lot (which makes sense) but there was an air of resemblance with the child I'd met at Lalalaï during my training course.

-So Ai Hoshino as Ume and Ko Oshikawa as Yasuro. It'll be fine as presentations, but we need to keep rehearsing quickly, the premiere is in a month! shouted the producer.

Taiki opened his eyes wide and then knelt down in front of me.

-Hello Ai, I'm your uncle. I don't suppose you remember me?

Because I met him in this very life?!

-HIMEKAWA! On stage! shouted the producer, who hated it when people didn't follow his instructions.

The actor sighed but went on stage.

-We had to perform now," yawned Ko. But with Himekawa here I don't know how long we'll have to play.

-Hopefully not too long. I don't feel like going home at midnight either," I said.

In the end they cut Taiki's scenes in half and put us in the middle.

I have to admit that Taiki is a comedy genius, even more so than his father and Aqua.

-Ai!!!

I saw my mother arrive with a big smile on her face.

Wow! There's more to this than meets the eye!

-I'm glad you've made a new friend! Akane exclaimed.

-Huh ? I said, surprised.

-Masachi gave me her mum's number so you two can communicate!

This girl is definitely moving too fast for me!

-Brilliant! I exclaimed with a fake smile.

I'm having too much trouble keeping up!

Speaking of the wolf, I heard the little girl's voice behind me.

Mum and I turned round.

-Bye Ai! See you soon! Masachi shouted.

Ko gave me a little wave. A woman who must have been their mother smiled at us.

Then the three of us left the studio.

I sighed, this life was definitely full of twists and turns!

_______________________________________

Hi there!

I think in 1 or 2 chapters I'm going to jump back in time to Ai's 12th birthday. Because three years isn't a very interesting age here, is it?

I hope the lack of regularity doesn't bother you too much 😅.

Bye bye 👋🏻

Elaine