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If anyone asked (Name) if they know who Ai Hoshino is, they'd instantly say no.
Lying had always been one of their many abilities, even so to the point they can keep their entire life under wraps. Not even their own boss, Strawberry Productions' president, know a whole lot about them other than what's said on their résumé.
Was it to protect themself? Was it to convince people to like them? They weren't sure anymore. They had kept up this act for as long as they remembered, and so long that they forgot what they were doing this for. It goes to show just how much effort (Name) had put into their lies, building excuses and reasons on top of each other, only for it to come crashing down because of another liar. And that liar happened to Ai Hoshino, the very idol herself.
At first glance, you wouldn't expect a star sensation like Ai becoming close friends with nearly faceless NPC. But life loves to deceive and bend standard societial 'rules'.
Almost every single day, Ai and (Name) are stuck by each other's metaphorical hips. The little winks Ai sends to the camera when she knows they're watching; the sudden boost of happiness and motivation sparkling in the girl's being whenever (Name) comes to her concerts, no matter how small and cramped the venue may be.
(Name) puts all their damn hardest into their friendship as well. After all, for Ai, they're willing to do anything just to make her smile. Even if it meant risking their job position to ensure Ai continues to shine brighter tham ever, smiling without a care of the world. Bentos after bentos, all packed and meticulously put together in a cutesy manner; Constant texts and phone calls, reminding Ai to take care of herself and stay always alert of her surroundings— They did everything to let Ai know that they consider her as a friend, not just a one-time co-worker.
They were friends, and they always will be no matter what happens. So when Ai called (Name) over to a rural little town, they didn't expect that the said idol was pregnant.
"Promise me, (Name). You won't tell this to anybody." The president, Ichigo, begged and grasped their shoulders. But (Name) quickly pushed his hands away, muttering curses underneath their breath.
"I promised like... What? fifteen times? I'm not some lousy mole rat that's going to snitch on their bestest friend." (Name) rolled their eyes, eyes glancing through the door's small window. Though it was frosted glass, they could clearly see Ai relaxing in her bed and caressing her belly.
"But still..." Ichigo bit his bottom lip. "Fine, I trust you. But you better not break this trust or else."
"I know, boss." (Name) merely mumbled. They turned away and held the door handle, readying themself to meet Ai's ever so starry gaze. "I know."
And when you stepped inside, Ai suddenly went into labor.
It's been years ever since Ai gave birth to the twins, Aquamarine and Ruby. And being Ai's best friend comes with a cost, and that was becoming her kids' babysitter. (Name) had little to no complaints about this, knowing full well how hard parenting is (I mean, look how they turned out—their mother completely gave up on them), but their co-babysitter, Miyako had some.
But it was nothing that couldn't be fix with a little bit of elbow gease and a lot of convincing. The four of them managed to pull it off fairly well and not a single peep about Ai's kids came out to the public.
Speaking of the kids...
"Aqua, Ruby. it's time to sleep." (Name) groaned for the seventh time, rubbing their numbing face. Though they called out for the blonde-haired babs, they wouldn't get away from the TV and continued to watching their dazzling mother perform on stage. "You know this is recorded and you can watch it tomorrow, right?"
Ruby whined. "But watching it live is so much better!! It feels like you're actually there!"
"Still though... Your mom's gonna be mad at me if she finds out that I've been letting you two stay up past your bedtime." (Name) shook your head.
"Just one more! And we promise we will sleep!" Ruby pleaded whilst Aqua didn't bother looking away from the screen, too mesmerized by the flashing colors on screen.
"... Fine. But you two better sleep or I swear—"
"We will!"
They, in fact, did not sleep after that. And rather Ai, it was Miyako scolding (Name) for letting the kids be awake at such hours. But at least, the pop sensation found the entire situation amusing rather than being angry at them.
Through it all, (Name) had been with Ai. Never as friends, but not quite like lovers either. They both know that it wouldn't end well for them, but there's a scratching hand in the back of their mind— a whisper, a dream of a time where they could kiss each other on the lips as free as they'd like without the public caring. But they knew it'll never happen.
The closest thing (Name) and Ai ever had to a romantic interaction was a simple brush of a hand; a hug that lasted far too long to be seen as platonic; the longing looks they gave each other when the other was sleeping. And it was never more than that.
And there will come a time where they'll regret about it all. A time where we'll regret keeping those feelings to themselves, no matter how confusing it is, the shame and sorrow of not being able to truly be honest to yourself will eat you up til your last, dying breath.
Ai sat there, clutching Aqua in her bloodied hands and feeling her pulse slipping from her grasps. "Aqua, Ruby... I love you." She whispered, loud enough for the twins to hear as she pressed her head on the door.
"Finally... I got to say it. I'm... I'm so happy." The idol cried out, forcing a smile to etch her features. The blood bled heavily and through her clothes, her eyes glossy and dazed from the tears and soreness.
Ai's smile flattered. If only she could say the same to (Name), If only they were here holding her dying body in their arms. But that would be too cruel of a wish, wouldn't it?
She chuckled, pushing herself up against the door with the little strength she had left, still cradling Aqua in her arms. As she said her final words, her body went limp. Her pulse slowly, painfully slipped away.
Nothing good happened after (Name) heard about Ai's death. With guilt, anger and remorse overwhelming their heart, they locked themself in their room for hours without end and buried themself under the blankets for a long time. All those years, they had grown accustomed to the blinding light of a computer screen and the smell of rot filling their room like Kudzu.
But they can't keep living like that forever, no, Miyako wouldn't let them. As well as the twins (although it's mostly Ruby would wants to help them, Aqua is still deep in murder mode). In the end, they pushed onwards for a better future. But they don't know if they could even call it a 'better future' when Ai isn't around anymore.
So if anyone asked (Name) if they knew who Ai Hoshino is, they'd instantly say no. Because if they did acknowledge whatever relationship they had with the late idol, they don't know if their heart could handle the emotional baggage all over again.