Work Text:
The Beginning of the Curtain Call
The applause from the audience did not fade.
All the cast members stood on stage, holding hands, and bowed deeply.
The curtain fell.
Still, the clapping would not stop.
“That was a huge success.”
Kaburagi smiled from his seat in the audience.
“Kana Arima is the real deal.
She managed to win over the entire house in just a few hours.”
After Tokyo Blade—
the kind of acting where she supported the story from the side and raised its quality—
came a performance that shone brightly and drew every eye.
But that was not all.
She could carry the work on her shoulders,
sometimes pull the audience completely into her world,
and at other times make the other cast members shine even more.
That was the kind of leading actress Kana Arima was.
“…No doubt about it.
In a single role, she went from supporting the stage from the side
to completely command it.”
“And honestly… this only works because of Himekawa’s performance in this production.”
Gotanda had recognized Kana Arima’s talent for a long time.
But even he had not expected that her adaptability and acting range
had grown this far.
（I’d heard she had been building her career in many different places since then…
but I never imagined her brilliance had deepened like this.）
And the one who drew out her brilliance… was— Taiki Himekawa.
Gotanda fixed his gaze on the stage.
The lead actor stood beside her, holding Arima’s hand as they bowed.
（Taiki Himekawa… huh.Life can be cruelly ironic sometimes. Don’t you think, Aqua?）
Neither Gotanda nor Kaburagi could do anything—
except quietly watch the two of them,shining there together.
The applause still would not die down.
(She’s amazing… as always, Arima.)
Himekawa thought so as he glanced sideways at Kana Arima, standing beside him and bowing deeply.
Was it his own acting that had drawn out this scene?
Or was it simply because she herself was far too dazzling?
After they returned behind the curtain, Himekawa suddenly called out to Arima.
“Want to hype it up a little more before we finish?”
“Huh!?”
The house lights had already returned to their normal brightness.
In the middle of it all, Himekawa took Arima’s hand and led her back out in front of the curtain.
The sheer reality of seeing the two of them—who had been on stage only moments ago—right there in front of their eyes sent the audience into even greater excitement.
Loud applause erupted for the two who had stepped out from the stage.
Even whistles echoed through the hall.
Himekawa lifted Arima’s hand high.
Arima, wearing her brightest smile, waved broadly to the right and to the left.
As the audience watched Arima being lightly pulled along by the hand Himekawa held up, voices sprang up all around the theater.
“They’re just like Leo and Luna in real life!”
“Kana-chan is so cute!!”
Those excited shouts burst out from every corner of the hall.
Then, as if escorting her, Himekawa guided Arima off to the side of the curtain—
and the two of them slipped backstage together.
An announcement asking the audience to leave the theater echoed through the hall.
It was the very moment
GENIUS 2027 truly came to an end.
Backstage, the cast and staff were already waiting to welcome the two of them.
The moment Himekawa took Arima’s hand and passed under the curtain,he suddenly felt his hand being pulled by something.
Instinctively, he pulled back.
“Arima…?!”
If he hadn’t pulled her hand in time, she would have collapsed straight onto the stage.
Instead, still clinging to his hand, she dropped to her knees—
and lost consciousness without a word.
“Hey! Arima?! Can you stand?”
There was no response.
The cast and staff who had been waiting nearby rushed over.
Seeing what was happening, Melt immediately took charge.
“Someone, please tell Raida-san too!
He should be in the lobby!
And please—no one talks about this. Keep it confidential!”
“I’ll go find Raida-san.”
Kamoshida moved at once.
“I’ll carry her to the dressing room for now.
Melt, can you check if anyone from Arima’s agency is here?”
“Yes.”
Himekawa carried Arima to the dressing room.
She was still in her makeup and costume.
Even though she was wearing an outfit soaked with fake blood,
Arima felt terribly light in his arms—
her arms and legs were so thin they seemed as if they might break.
(How was she even standing until a moment ago…)
That was what crossed his mind.
Afraid he might bump into something and hurt Kana Arima,
he moved carefully, carrying her as gently as he could.
He couldn’t let anyone else see her like this.
So he locked the dressing room door.
He laid her down on the sofa,
wiped the fake blood from around her face with a towel,
and all he could do was wait for Melt to return with her manager.
Maybe… this wasn’t a situation where he should be stepping in.
And yet—
As Taiki Himekawa, he simply couldn’t imagine a future in which he would never see Kana Arima again.
When the final curtain had fallen, the words had almost slipped out of him—
I won’t leave you alone anymore.
What was that feeling?
Did he just not want to leave Arima alone?
Or was it that… he himself didn’t want to be alone?
Why did he feel that way?
The words “I love you” had, in the end, turned into a blade.
Jealousy.
Betrayal.
A cruel chain born from love itself.
In the end, his parents were gone— and only he was left behind.
His younger brother, who shared the same blood, lost his life to his own father,
all for the sake of protecting their sister.
That was why—
to him, the word “love” was a curse.
Something that chained people to each other.
Something that ended up destroying them.
That had always been what he believed.
What does it take for someone to be happy?
How could he ever say that he—or everyone—was truly happy?
He didn’t know whether what he felt for Kana Arima could be called love.
The only thing he knew was this.
He would never forgive anything that tried to hurt Kana Arima.
He would never forgive anything that tried to take Kana Arima away from him.
If it was for Kana Arima,he would never leave her side.
Arima slowly opened her eyes.
“… ”
“Arima…? Are you awake?”
“You’re in the dressing room.
You collapsed the moment we went behind the curtain. Don’t move too much.”
Relief washed over him.
Himekawa gently brushed her hair back and touched her cheek.
But in the next instant—Arima slapped his hand away.
“Stop doing that…”
“…Arima?”
“Don’t make me expect anything!”
“You’re going to leave me too, aren’t you?!So stop trying to be nice to me!”
Himekawa grabbed her wrist.
But her eyes were soaked with resentment.
For a moment, he couldn’t say a word.
He realized that his actions had frightened her.
She was afraid of being loved.
Even if she hoped for it, she would be betrayed.
Even if she reached for it, she would be left behind.
Carrying that fear with her, she had kept standing on stage all this time.
That was why—
If he reached out, he might break her.
If he held her too tightly, he might only corner her further.
Himekawa stopped his hand and slowly dropped to his knees beside her.
He simply sat down next to her—
and made a quiet promise to himself that he would not leave her.
“…I’m not letting you go.”
He whispered the words in a low, trembling voice.
Arima’s eyes wavered.
But the look of rejection did not fade.
“That’s what everyone says… and then they leave.
Anyone, eventually.”
He didn’t mind being rejected.
He would accept that fear, too.
That was the only answer Himekawa had right now.
“…All right, Arima.
Shall I call someone from your agency first?”
It was a practical suggestion.
He didn’t say anything unnecessary.
So that he wouldn’t hurt her.
It was the only choice he could make—one that wouldn’t burden her any further.
Arima averted her eyes for a moment and said in a trembling voice,
“…Do whatever you want.”
Himekawa didn’t push her any further.
He only made a vow in his heart.
—Even if she rejects me, I will never leave Arima alone.
Voice
Darkness.
…It was pitch black.
Kana Arima lay still and slowly opened her eyes.
(…Where… am I?)
A faint ceiling came into view.
Then a voice reached her ears.
“Arima…? Are you awake?”
“You’re in the dressing room.
You collapsed the moment we went behind the curtain.
Don’t move too much.”
(Why did you come back…?)
(It’s fine. I just felt a little dizzy after pushing myself through the performance…)
She was about to say it out loud—
when a hand touched her cheek.
(No—!)
(There’s no way he would be here…!)
Her eyes flew open.
Standing right in front of her, looking down at her with worry,was Taiki Himekawa.
Instinctively, she slapped his hand away.
(Every single one of you… always like this…)
“Don’t make me expect anything!”
“You’re going to leave me too, aren’t you?!
So stop trying to be nice to me!”
(This is the worst…
Mistaking him for you… I’m the worst.)
(Please… don’t ever call my name in that voice again.
Don’t be gentle to me.Don’t make me hope—that maybe… this person won’t leave me.)
She clenched her teeth.
And being too cowardly to say any of it out loud only made her anger turn on herself.
Backstage
Himekawa stepped out of the dressing room and went to look for Arima’s manager, Saitō Miyako.
It was the final performance, and the backstage area was crowded with busy staff and cast,
but it still didn’t take long to find her.
He heard familiar, lively voices.
Ruby and Melt were standing there— and Miyako was with them.
“Oh—Himekawa-san!”
Ruby noticed him.
“Thank you for today. It was a wonderful performance.”
Miyako also bowed politely.
“With such a short rehearsal period for the additional shows, I was honestly a little worried about how Arima’s performance would come together…
but it was a very good stage. I believe that was thanks to your lead as an actor, Himekawa-san.”
As expected of someone who had spent many years in the entertainment industry,
she spoke naturally in careful, appropriate words for the situation.
But Himekawa took a small breath and said it clearly.
“Saitō-san. I’m very sorry, but Arima collapsed backstage after the curtain call. She’s resting in a dressing room right now. She has regained consciousness, but she’s still lying down.”
In an instant, the expressions on Miyako’s and Ruby’s faces changed.
“Senpai…?”
“If it seems safe for you to see her, I thought it might be better for her to go home afterward.”
“…I understand. I’ll speak with her first.”
Himekawa nodded and guided Miyako and Ruby to Arima’s dressing room.
He knocked and let the two of them go inside.
And then—
Himekawa did not follow them in.
Himekawa was walking down the hallway toward his own dressing room when he ran into Melt.
“Thanks. I’m sorry for all the trouble.”
“Not at all.So… is Arima okay?”
“Probably.But I don’t think she’ll be able to make it to the after-party tonight.”
“The producer is planning some big, formal reception next month anyway—you know, with sponsors and industry people. Wouldn’t that be a better time?”
“And if it’s just the cast, you can always grab a meal together whenever you feel like it.”
“…Hey, Himekawa-san.”
“Hm?”
“You really don’t have to worry so much about Arima.
You know better than anyone how strong she is, right?”
“…Yeah.”
With a faint, wry smile, Himekawa continued on and returned to his dressing room.
Yes.
That was what he had believed.
He had thought that he knew how strong Kana Arima was— that he understood her better than anyone.
And yet, now…
Now he had also come to realize just how fragile she could be.
In the dressing room, Ruby was holding Arima’s hand, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Senpai! Are you okay?! What happened?!”
“Yeah… after the second curtain call… right when I stepped behind the curtain.
My vision suddenly went dark, and I just… fell. I don’t remember anything after that…”
“So… Himekawa-san caught you?”
Miyako crouched down and peered at Arima’s face.
“I think he carried her all the way to the dressing room.
He was holding her when she collapsed, so she probably didn’t hit her head or her body.”
“…Did you thank Himekawa-san properly?”
“… ”
Arima lowered her gaze and fell silent.
She remembered herself snapping at him instead of thanking him.
“…Not yet.”
She had said what she wanted to say.
It just hadn’t been a thank you.
“I’m still worried since we don’t really know what caused it, but…
you seem better than I expected.
Still, I think it would be safer for you to get checked, just in case.”
“Yes.”
“Then, Arima-san, let’s go home. I’ll take you. Or would you rather come by the office?”
“…Home is fine.”
If she went to the office, his presence would still be everywhere.
If she sat down on the sofa,she could almost imagine him leaning in again, teasing her like always.
Why couldn’t I run away from it?
Why couldn’t I forget him?
Kana Arima would spend this day alone—
this year as well.
After-party
“Man—this was incredible!!”
Raida was loudly draping himself over Kindaichi.
“You know how the audience wouldn’t move even after the curtain call was over and the lights went down? And then Kana-chan and Himekawa-kun came back out!
That moment—absolute peak climax! Two hundred percent satisfaction! Thanks, Himekawa-kun!!”
“That was proof the whole audience was completely absorbed in the show!”
Himekawa gave a wry smile and bowed lightly in response to Raida’s praise.
“Thank you.Yeah… it really got the energy going.”
He kept up the conversation casually.
But his mind was filled with only one thing.
What had happened to Arima after that?
Was she at the hospital now?
Or had she gone straight home?
Was it really okay to leave it like that?
Was she actually all right?
…Though, for her, it was probably none of his business.
“Himekawa. Are you worried because Arima isn’t here?”
Kindaichi looked over at him.
“Well… there’s no question she was the star of this stage.”
“I was the one who insisted that Luna could only be played by Kana Arima.
And I do want to tell her myself that it truly became the best possible production.”
“And you, too.
You stayed Leo—the one who keeps protecting Luna—until the very end, and you fully embodied the boy who carried the soul of Tōki.
Melt and Kamoshida have grown frighteningly fast as well.
They’ll raise the potential of theater itself, together with us, from here on out.”
“…Yeah.”
Himekawa simply accepted Kindaichi’s words, lifted his glass, and lowered his gaze.
Arima’s lies, and Arima’s truth.
Now that he had seen both,what was he supposed to do to protect her, to stay beside her,
and what, exactly, was being asked of him?
Only those vague, restless thoughts kept running through his mind.Before he realized it,the party was already coming to an end.
He sent a message to Miyako—the contact they had exchanged on the way out.
Thank you very much for your help today.The staff were also very concerned, so if you are able to,could you please share any updates on Arima’s condition and her next steps?
I would really appreciate it.
A few minutes later, a reply arrived from Miyako.
Arima would be resting at home for the time being.
In other words—
Arima had gone back home.
There didn’t seem to be any serious problems.
Most likely, she had recovered enough that the decision was made to let her rest at home.
And yet—
For Arima, this day was the day of her loss.
Three years had passed since the day she promised Aqua she would come to her B-Komachi graduation concert.
One year after that.
Two years after that.
What had she been doing all that time?
She had appeared in overseas films,kept taking on new challenges in commercials and dramas,
and remained constantly in the public eye.
She kept shaving herself down, polishing herself further and further—
clinging to the front line, determined to stay there.
But in truth, the growing attention and expectations had always been what she feared most.
To be praised meant knowing that one day, inevitably, she would fall.
And for her,anyone who placed their expectations on “Kana Arima”
would eventually leave..
The bitter irony was that the one who had carved that trauma into her most deeply
was his own younger brother.
He gave a small shake of his head.
23:45
What should I even write?
She might already be asleep—probably not feeling well.
After the after-party, Himekawa searched for something to send to Arima.
“Kindaichi couldn’t stop praising you.”
“One of the cast said he seriously fell for you.”
“Melt and Kamoshida said they want to do another four-person play someday.”
There were so many things he wanted to tell her.
And yet—
what he truly wanted to say…was none of that.
And of all days, today was really the worst day for it.
He knew that so much.
But at the same time… somewhere inside him, he also understood
that today—this particular day—was part of it, too.Fate, maybe.
Back home, he cracked open a beer, thinking he wasn’t quite drunk enough yet.
Before he realized it,
he was talking to Aqua.
“Aqua… I guess this is how it is, isn’t it?”
“Whether she’s an Arima who still can’t forget you,
a former idol, or a top-class actress… no matter what kind of Kana Arima she is, I don’t care.”
“And if there’s anyone who tries to take her away from right in front of me…
I won’t forgive them.”
“That’s why… I’ll remain by her side.”
“…That’s okay, right?”
He opened the window and stepped out onto the balcony.
For some reason,he wanted someone—anyone—to know:
"I’m right here!"
Cold air rushed in.
When he looked up at the sky,
the first snow of the year brushed against his cheek.
He scoffed softly at himself—at how ridiculous he must look—and let out a small laugh.
“I’m so pathetic… What am I, a lovesick girl or something?
Seriously… this is embarrassing.”
An Apology
As he stood on the balcony, trying to cool his head a little, his phone suddenly lit up.
(At this hour?)
When he saw the name on the screen, he couldn’t help but smile.
(…Arima?!)
“Hello?”
“Sorry… for calling so late. Were you awake?”
“Yeah.
I mean—are you okay?”
“Yeah… um…”
“Hm?”
“…Thank you for today.
And… I’m sorry. You helped me, and I didn’t even thank you.”
“(Wait—what!? She’s seriously too cute…)
It’s fine. The rehearsal period for the extra shows was really short.
You were probably exhausted. Don’t worry about it.”
“…Yeah.”
“And hey… you remember what I said to you today?
That I’m not going to leave your side.”
“…I did say that.”
“Trust me.”
(Silence.)
“…Huh? That’s beside the point.”
“No, it does.Because that’s how I feel.
And whatever I decide is always going to come true.”
“Hey―！Could you not decide things on your own?
I just called to say thank you. I’m hanging up.”
The line went dead.
He stared at his phone—
and then realized he was smiling to himself.
“I’m seriously pathetic…”
Then he muttered under his breath,
“But, Aqua…this year, I win.”
Himekawa was still looking at the photo on his phone—
the one they had taken together at the Tokyo Blade after-party.
Reunion
“Arima-san, we’re going to schedule an event on the 3rd next month for the Blu-ray release of that stage production.”
Miyako called out to Kana Arima at the agency.
GENIUS 2027.
Almost a month had passed since then.
After collapsing on closing night—and pushing him away in the dressing room—she hadn’t seen Himekawa again.
She had called him that night to apologize.
But after that, she hadn’t contacted him at all.
(Saying things like “I won’t leave you,” or “I won’t let you be alone”…
you really shouldn’t say things like that so easily…)
(It’s not that I don’t like Himekawa-san or anything…)
(Did I give him the wrong impression? by my something)
If Himekawa—
someone she respected as a fellow actor, someone she trusted—
were to leave her because of this,that would hurt.
She simply didn’t want to be hurt anymore.
A Wall
Familiar faces filled the dressing room.
The moment Arima stepped into the performers’ room, voices called out to her.
“Arima! Long time no see!”
Melt waved at her from the back of the room.
Arima waved back.
“You look busy.”
“Yeah, kind of.
They just confirmed a drama starting in April, and I might be doing another 2.5D stage show too.”
“You’re really in demand as an actor now.”
“Well… I still can’t compete with Himekawa-san, though.”
“…Y-Yeah. I guess so.”
As she was catching up with Melt,
the very person they had been talking about—Taiki Himekawa—walked into the room.
“Hey. Long time no see.”
“O-oh! Himekawa-san! It’s been a while!”
“Melt, I’m going to go say hello to the director for a moment.”
“Huh? Arima?”
Arima slipped past Himekawa, brushing by his side as she headed straight for the exit.
“…Did I do something wrong?”
“Huh? No… she seemed totally normal until just now.”
“…So… I did do something?”
“…I don’t know….”
The venue was filled to capacity with fans who had won their seats through a lottery.
As soon as the MC stepped onto the stage, cheers and applause burst out across the hall.
“Thank you all for coming today!
Now, please welcome the cast of GENIUS 2027, along with stage director Kindaichi!”
Melt, Kamoshida, Arima, Himekawa, and Kindaichi walked out together.
The moment they appeared, the excitement that had filled the theater on closing night seemed to return all at once.
The applause grew louder.
“First, Arima-san,” the MC said, turning toward her.
“Looking back now, what kind of production was GENIUS 2027 for you?”
Arima lifted the microphone.
For just a split second, her eyes flicked toward Himekawa.
Then she turned back to the audience.
“…I gave everything I had to the role.
Being able to live inside that world on stage… that was everything to me.”
Her voice was calm and steady.
The MC nodded with a smile.
“I’ve heard that all of you—being around the same age—had wonderful chemistry during rehearsals.
Could you share any stories from the set?”
Before anyone else could speak, Melt immediately leaned forward and grabbed the microphone.
“Oh, it was seriously fun on set!”
Laughter rippled through the hall.
“And honestly—watching Himekawa-san and Arima,I kept thinking, ‘You guys should just date already!’”
The audience exploded.Cheers, whistles, and high-pitched screams filled the venue.
From beside him, Kamoshida let out a small, helpless laugh.
“There he goes again… you’re really persistent.”
The MC seized the moment.
“Oh? Is that so?”
She turned straight to Arima.
“What do you think, Arima-san?”
All eyes gathered on her.
Arima adjusted her grip on the microphone and offered a small, controlled smile.
Before she could answer, Himekawa spoke up casually.
“…There were a lot of moments where Arima’s acting really carried me this time.”
The MC nodded eagerly.
“And you, Arima-san?”
There was a brief pause.Just long enough to be noticeable.
Then Arima spoke.
“Himekawa-san supported me greatly—
as a professional—in helping me portray Luna.”
The audience reacted immediately.
“She’s so stoic!”
“How professional—so cool!”
Melt frowned slightly and leaned back in.
“‘As a professional’…?
Come on, Arima, it felt way more relaxed than that, didn’t it?”
“Hey, don’t say weird things.”
Arima replied lightly, almost bashfully.
The tone softened, and the audience laughed again.
Himekawa followed the flow and added with a faint smile,
“Well, Melt’s ad-libs were completely out of control that day.”
A small wave of laughter passed through the seats.
Arima glanced at him.
Just for an instant.
Then she quietly turned her eyes away.
“…I accepted it properly—as an actor.”
It earned another small laugh.
But the conversation did not open any further.
The more they exchanged words, the more something felt subtly off.
Not distant.
Just… misaligned.
A slight difference in timing.
A slight difference in direction.
And yet—
that tiny difference felt strangely large for Himekawa.
(…What is this?)
“Thank you very much!”
Guided by the MC’s voice and the applause, the cast lined up and bowed together.
As they left the stage, Arima offered only a brief,
“Thank you,”
to the staff nearby and headed straight toward the dressing rooms.
She gave a small nod and disappeared through the door.
Himekawa stopped where he was.
His eyes followed her back.
His feet would not move.
He remained standing beside the door to Arima’s dressing room.
Lowering his head slightly to the staff passing through the corridor,he stayed there—waiting.
15 Years of Lies, and the Truth of Now
“…Good work.”
Arima looked as if she were heading straight home.
She already had her coat on, and he could tell she was unconsciously gripping the strap of her bag.
“…Ah. Yes. Good work.”
(There it is…)
With a quiet sigh, Himekawa fell into step beside her and spoke.
“…Arima. Aren’t you keeping your distance from me lately?”
“…No. Not really.”
“You are.”
Arima stopped walking.
“You’re obviously being cold to me.”
“…”
“I’m sorry about what I said the other day. I shouldn’t have said something like that out of the blue.”
Arima bit her lower lip and lowered her gaze.
(It’s not like I want him to apologize.)
“Even if I care about you…even if I’m kind to you…
you think that someday I’ll leave too.You think that, don’t you?”
“You think I’m just the same as everyone else.”
“…What’s so wrong with that?You’re human too.”
Arima let out a small, bitter smile and looked away.
(There I go again, saying something I don’t even mean.
I hate how complicated I make everything.)
“Even if I tell you I’m different… you can’t believe me.That’s what this is, right?”
“…”
“And… isn’t that because I’m Taiki Himekawa?”
Arima slowly lifted her face, looking at him.
(It doesn’t matter to me at all…Why does he keep cornering himself with his own words…?)
“Did I hit the mark?”
(Why does he drag me back to the years I ran through with my eyes closed…
and pull at my heart like this?)
Standing right in front of her was Taiki Himekawa —
the other victim of the film she had just appeared in.
Fifteen Years of Lies
It became a massive hit almost immediately after its release.
There was no doubt that Aqua’s incident had been the spark that drove the film’s success.
The public was consumed by the shocking story of Ai Hoshino’s life.
Tears of sympathy.
Anger toward the corruption of the entertainment industry.
Fascination with the taboos that had been kept hidden.
Amid all of that, however, the fate of one man
—the man who would end up carrying the deepest sense of guilt—never drew quite as much attention as one might have expected.
Taiki Himekawa.
A man who had survived the shocking double suicide of his parents and risen to become a top-class actor.
The truth behind that tragedy was finally brought to light through this film.
In the movie, Himekawa played his own father—Uehara Seijūrō, the husband of Himekawa Airi.
A man who, upon discovering his wife’s affair with Kamiki Hikaru, lost control and committed a desperate lovers’ suicide with her.
The child born from that affair—the boy who was left behind—was Taiki Himekawa himself.
Yet, in the shadow of The [fifteen-year lie] left behind by Ai Hoshino, perhaps all that remained in the audience’s minds was the image of him as nothing more than a victim of a disgraceful and tragic double suicide.
Arima played a woman who had belonged to the same idol group as Ai—
a woman who continued to harbor both love and hatred toward her.
Her name was Niino Fuyuko.
On the day of her own graduation concert, she went to Ruby’s home intending to kill her—and was arrested at the scene.
Everything was taken from her by Ai, the idol who shone so brilliantly.
The lover who had once been hers left her—and she drove him to his death.
Trapped inside an illusion Kamiki Hikaru had planted in her,
she tried to murder Ruby—the one who might surpass Ai as an idol—
all to protect the eternal radiance of Ai Hoshino.
She was even certain that she had fully become the “Niino Fuyuko” Aqua had wanted her to be.
And then—
the death of Hoshino Aqua.
Through that single film, many truths were revealed,
many lives were lost,and many wandering souls were finally able to rest.
She was proud of having appeared in that film.
She believed she had given a good performance.
But it had taken her three long years to stand back up after that day.
If his words were to pull her back there again now,she no longer knew how she would find the strength to stand up once more.
With just those words, he brought that same sensation back to her—
the feeling that the ground beneath her feet was quietly shaking.
And yet…Somewhere deep inside, she might be wishing for a new beginning—
a first step forward, taken only after everything that had happened back then.
That was exactly why,in front of Taiki Himekawa’s sincerity,her own cowardice felt unbearably ugly.
“That has nothing to do with it! Just—let me be!”
She knew how pathetic she sounded.
But shouting was the only thing she could do.
And Himekawa could only stand there and watch her back as she walked away.
If there was any small mercy at all,it was that his cursed blood was not the reason Arima avoided him.
Still—
there was a reason she avoided him.
Co-Starring
At the agency, Miyako handed Arima a script.
“Arima-san… there’s an offer for a drama starting on the 20th.
Frill Shiranui had to drop out at the last minute,and they’re looking for you as her replacement,so I’m going to block the dates in your schedule for now.”
“Huh… that’s pretty sudden.”
“It is… The lead is Himekawa-san, and they specifically asked for you, so I couldn’t turn it down. Your schedule was open as well.”
“What?! Does he think I’ve got nothing better to do?”
“Well, you don’t have that many active projects right now anyway, Senpai.”
Ruby said with a smile as she sat down beside her on the sofa.
“But Frill and I are totally different, aren’t we?
Our images—and even the impression we give—are practically the opposite.”
“Frill Shiranui is known for being beautiful and alluring.
She’s what you’d call a classic cool-beauty type.
And apparently, Himekawa-san insisted that if he were to do this role, it had to be Kana Arima as her replacement.”
“…What does that even mean?”
“You need to realize that people expect you to change,” Miyako said calmly.
“And both Himekawa-san and this drama’s producer, Kaburagi-san, believe that you can.”
“There’s no real reason to refuse, is there?”
Without saying anything further, Miyako entered the schedule into her computer.
“…All right. I’ll do it.”
Arima is more than ten centimeters shorter than Frill Shiranui . Their public images, the way they are positioned in the industry, and even how they are presented to audiences are completely different.
And yet, Arima had been offered the role as Frill Shiranui ’s replacement.
There was no real reason for Arima to turn down the job.
A brief face-to-face meeting and a light table read were scheduled before filming.
Arima arrived on set with her manager, Miyako.
The atmosphere was busy and unsettled as preparations continued.
Staff hurried back and forth, carrying equipment.
“Good morning,” she said, bowing.
The staff returned her greeting with warm smiles.
(Calm down. It’s just work.
Same as always. Just another set. Just another role.)
As she walked past, faint voices drifted to her ears.
“Huh, it’s not Frill?”
“It’s Kana Arima . What role is she playing?”
When she stepped into the meeting room that had been prepared,
she spotted a familiar back.
For an instant, her heart jumped—against her will.
TaikiHimekawa.
He was still wearing his black jacket, calmly going over the script
with the director and the producer.
Nothing about him seemed out of place.
(…How can he look so unfazed?)
Her pace quickened slightly, as if trying to stay out of his line of sight.
“Good morning, Arima-san.”
The assistant director called out to her, and she quickly put on a smile.
“Good morning. I look forward to working with you.”
“Thanks a lot.”
From behind, Miyako gently guided her by the shoulder.
“This way—your dressing room is over here.”
At that moment, Arima caught a glimpse of Himekawa’s face from the corner of her eye.
Their eyes met for just a split second.
But Himekawa said nothing.
He only gave a small nod.
Arima quickened her steps, almost fleeing toward the dressing room.
The conference room in the studio served as the gathering place.
Scripts were lined up across the long tables, and the cast and staff took their seats one by one.
“We’ll start with introductions,” the assistant director announced.
Each person’s role and agency were introduced in turn.
When her name was called, Arima stood and gave a brief bow.
After the introductions were finished, the director addressed the room.
“Since Arima-san is joining us as a replacement,
we’d like everyone to read through the script together and get a sense of the relationships between the characters and the flow of the dialogue.”
“Let’s begin from the top.”
The air tightened slightly.
Arima took a slow breath and opened her script.
(They’re testing me.
But it’s fine. Just do what I always do.)
Across the table, Taiki Himekawa delivered the first line.
His voice was low, but clear.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The emotion carried in his words seemed to ripple through the room.
Even though they were separated by a table, the distance between them felt as if it had vanished.
(…He really is remarkable.And… this atmosphere—what has always been demanded of me isn’t what is needed here.What’s needed is…)
Arima answered with her line.
The moment she began to speak her lines, the story rose into being.
Himekawa caught his breath for a brief instant—
at the tone of her voice, her delivery, and the direction of her gaze.
The director’s eyes widened.
Several staff members stopped writing.
Their exchange went far beyond what anyone had expected.It was not simply that their timing matched.
They swallowed each other’s breath and emotions, stealing the next line from one another.Both Arima and Himekawa were drawn into the sparks between them.
When the last line ended, silence filled the room.
A few seconds later, the director broke into spontaneous applause.
Arima lowered her gaze.
(…I was only acting.And yet, I let myself be pulled in again.)
Across from her, Himekawa was sitting quietly, smiling.
(It really has to be Arima.
I can’t help it—I love acting with her.)
A Gift from someone
Filming was progressing surprisingly smoothly.
Kana Arima had stepped onto set carrying the anxiety of being a replacement,
but her new interpretation quickly caught the attention of the staff—and of viewers as well.
Before long, the role was no longer seen as “a substitute performance.”
It was becoming Arima’s role.
On social media, praise lined up one after another.
“She’s incredible for a replacement.”
“Honestly, it only works because it’s Kana Arima.”
Her discussions with Himekawa increased as well.
Between takes, they adjusted scenes together, refining each other’s performances.
The more they clashed, the more their rhythm aligned.
The atmosphere on set was gradually changing into something unmistakably different.
Something that only existed because it was the two of them.
One day, during a short break, a staff member brought something over.
“This was delivered for you, Arima-san.”
It was a box containing a bouquet, wrapped with a white ribbon.
On the tag, printed clearly, were the words:
Dear Kana Arima.
Arima and Himekawa exchanged glances.
“I wonder who it’s from…”
Arima wasn’t an idol anymore.
Receiving a gift with no sender attached made her feel slightly uneasy.
Through the transparent wrapping, she could see the flowers inside.
“Well… either way, we should take them out and put them in water.”
She lifted the lid.
“—!”
A sharp pain shot through her finger.
Bright red blood welled up from the tip of her finger where it had brushed the edge of the box.
Inside, taped to the inner corner of the lid, were several razor blades.
They had been placed so that anyone reaching in to take the flowers would cut themselves.
“Arima!!”
Himekawa rushed to her side and grabbed her wrist.
Red slowly spread across her pale fingers.
Kana tried to laugh it off, but her voice shook.
“It’s fine… really.”
“…I’m sorry―” Himekawa said, his voice tight.
“Why are you apologizing?!”
His grip tightened unconsciously around her wrist.
“…Arima. Don’t be alone anymore.”
“If I hadn’t been here today…
If something like this happens again…”
“Don’t say things like that! There’s no end to those ‘what ifs’!”
“I can’t protect you if I’m not beside you.”
“Don’t decide things on your own…! Just—drop it!”
“Sorry. But… I can’t leave you by yourself anymore.”
“If you really feel bad, then stop worrying about me!”
(…Even if you say it that seriously… what am I supposed to say back…?)
After hearing about the incident, Miyako rushed to the studio.
Arima was already being treated in the medical room.
Himekawa and Miyako were allowed to stay with her.
“…It’s such an old-fashioned way to hurt someone…
Why would anyone do something this malicious…”
“Well, I already have a lot of antis…
And I am filling in for Shiranui Frill, so it’s probably something like,
‘Don’t get full of yourself,’ you know?”
Arima laughed lightly, trying to ease Miyako’s worry.
“…I won’t let something like this happen again.”
Himekawa muttered the words sharply, almost glaring at her.
Standing right in front of him, she had still ended up bleeding.
He couldn’t forgive himself for that.
Miyako noticed the intensity in his expression and gently cut in.
“It’s easy to say that.
But you have your own work, Himekawa-san.
You can’t watch over her twenty-four hours a day.”
“Then what should I do?”
“…At the very least, the agency will strengthen security.
You should focus on your own work as an actor.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
When the treatment was finished, Arima stepped out with a bandage wrapped around her finger.
“Thank you very much,” she said to the nurse, bowing politely.
Sensing the awkward tension between the two of them, she forced a bright tone.
“Okay! I’m totally fine now, so I’m heading home for today.”
She picked up her bag and turned to leave.
“I’ll take you,” Miyako said, standing up.
“No, really, I’m fine! I’m sorry for the trouble—honestly!”
A brief silence fell.
Then Himekawa stepped in front of Arima.
“I’ll take you.”
“…What?”
“…Himekawa-san?”
“I only cut my finger. My legs are fine, I can walk just fine!”
Her voice rose without meaning to.
“You’re not fine. I saw what happened today.”
Arima fell silent.
Miyako let out a small breath.
“…Please,” she said quietly. “Himekawa-san.”
“Hey, even you, Miyako-san?!”
Before she could protest any further, Himekawa lightly took her arm.
“Let’s go.”
Pressed by the low firmness in his voice, Arima had no choice but to start walking.
“…Why—?! Don’t treat me like a child!”
She complained over her shoulder as she hurried ahead.
The moment Arima’s footsteps disappeared around the corner of the hallway,
Himekawa turned back to Miyako.
“Himekawa-san.”
“…Today, I’ll take responsibility for protecting Arima.”
Miyako narrowed her eyes slightly.
“This isn’t something that can be solved with the word ‘responsibility.’
Kana Arima isn’t your talent. You aren't manager of Arima”
“I know. But… there’s no guarantee that something like today won’t happen again.”
His voice was low and unwavering.
After a short silence, Miyako nodded.
“…All right. I’ll leave her with you.”
“And… I’m very sorry for the trouble our Arima has caused again.”
Himekawa bowed lightly—and went after her.
Inside the taxi, Arima stared out the window in silence.
Every time the bandage on her finger came into view, her breath tightened.
Himekawa sat beside her without speaking, but his gaze never left her.
“…If you stare that hard, even a cut won’t heal.”
She muttered.
“It’s not about healing.”
His voice was quiet, but firm.
“I don’t want to take my eyes off you.”
The taxi stopped in front of her apartment building.
After paying, they stepped out into the cold night air.
“Thank you. You can go now,” Arima said, turning around.
But Himekawa walked alongside her all the way to the entrance.
“Here is fine.”
“No. To your door.”
“…(You’re such a pain…)”
“I need to report properly to Saitō-san.”
“…Yeah, yeah.”
The red light on the parcel locker in her building was blinking.
“Oh—looks like something arrived.”
Holding the delivery slip that had been stuck in her mailbox, Arima entered the registered code.
She casually reached for the box inside—
but Himekawa suddenly stretched out his arm and stopped her.
“Wait. Arima. Don’t touch it.”
“Huh? It’s just a package.”
“What if it’s been tampered with… like earlier?”
He said it flatly, in a low voice, and pulled the box out himself to check the contents.
Inside—
“…See? It’s nothing weird.
It’s just the phone cable I ordered yesterday.”
“…Still. That’s fine.”
He didn’t hand it back right away.
“I’ll check it first. Before you touch it.”
For a brief moment, Arima was at a loss for words.
(…He’s such a pain. Seriously.)
That was what she thought—
and yet, she felt a faint warmth spread somewhere deep in her chest.
(Protecting me… huh.)
The honest one
The drama ended with strong ratings.
Even for a terrestrial broadcast, it recorded numbers that were unusually high for recent years, and naturally, attention gathered around the two leads.
At the after-party, Arima kept a relaxed but professional distance as a co-star.
Her softened attitude reassured Himekawa.
The first round of the wrap-up party came to an end.
Some of the staff still looked eager to keep drinking, but both Arima and Himekawa declined, using the next day’s shoot as an excuse.
From tomorrow on, they would be acting with different co-stars, living in different worlds again.
Before that, they both felt the same quiet wish—to talk a little, just the two of them.
They headed home along the riverside, beneath a row of cherry trees.
This year, the blossoms had come late.
Now, at this time of year, petals were falling all at once, tinting the surface of the water a soft shade of pink.
“This set was really good,” Himekawa said first.
“Yeah. I was worried, since I came in as a replacement.”
“But… I gained some confidence this time.
I realized I can actually handle roles like that, too.”
Her voice reached him—light and clear, filled with a quiet confidence.
The riverside path ended, and they stopped at a traffic light.
While waiting for it to change, a small silence settled between them.
“…Hey, Arima.”
“What?”
“…Honestly, the time I spend with you is the most fun for me.”
“…Well, of course it is.”
Grinning, Arima nudged him in her usual teasing way.
“I mean, I can act, I move well, I read a lot—
so yeah, I know plenty of things.
And on top of that, I used to be an idol, remember?”
She finished with her familiar little snort of pride.
“Hmph.”
“You’re absolutely right,” he said simply.
The light turned green.
Arima, who had already stepped forward, suddenly stopped in the middle of the crosswalk.
“…Huh?
What was that supposed to be? Are you being sarcastic?”
They crossed the street and stopped again, facing each other.
“When we’re acting…
when we’re clashing during rehearsals…
and even in all the ordinary moments in between…
before I even realized it, I couldn’t imagine a future where you weren’t there.”
“…?!”
“And so—
marry me.”
“I’ll protect you for the rest of my life.”
“……”
“……”
“HUH?!?!?!”
A cherry blossom petal drifted down in the wind and stuck to the lens of Himekawa’s glasses—
as he stood there, frozen in place, completely alone.
Assumption
Himekawa was at Lalalai’s rehearsal studio for the next stage production.
The cast was the usual group.
This time, it was a project they could approach with a little more breathing room.
During the afternoon break, as he was sitting in the small rest area in the backyard,
Kurokawa Akane approached him as if she had been waiting for the moment.
“Hey. What’s up?” he asked.
“Did you hear back from Kana-chan yet?”
She cut straight to the point.
“…Not yet.
Wait—how do you even know about that?”
She folded her arms and glared at him.
“Kana-chan told me.”
Then, without giving him any space to answer, she continued.
“Why would you say something like that to her, all of a sudden?”
It was obvious—she hadn’t come here to listen.
She had come to protest.
“Why would you say that when Kana-chan might not even be able to answer you yet?”
“…Not able to answer?”
Akane’s irritation showed in her voice.
“Did you really think Kana-chan could simply understand words like
‘I’ll stay with you forever’ or ‘Marry me’?”
“Do you actually understand how she’s been protecting herself while standing in top-class productions?”
“If you think you understand her and still say something like that…”
Her voice hardened.
“…then I don’t think you can make Kana-chan happy.
You’re being far too naive.”
Himekawa could only listen as her words overwhelmed him.
“Even if you love her, even if you want to protect her—
what are you going to do when Kana-chan can’t forget Aqua-kun?”
“When she’s afraid of being the only one who gets to be happy?”
“When she starts thinking that even if she got married, she’d end up separating someday—just like her parents?”
“When that negative switch flips inside her, Himekawa-san—
what are you going to do then?”
Her accusations came one after another.
He understood what Akane was trying to say.
It wasn’t as if he knew Arima better than she did.
But there was one thing he could say.
“Even like that…
Kana Arima is fine just the way she is.”
“I want to stay close to her. I want to protect her.
I don’t want her to ever be alone again.
And… I want to be near her myself.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes for that.”
“…Whether I can truly make her happy—
honestly, I don’t know.”
Akane let out a quiet sigh.
(…That much, I can’t deny.)
(Aqua-kun… what would you think?)
“Just remember this,” she said softly.
“When someone leaves, there’s always a reason on the side of the one being left behind as well.”
“Kurokawa?”
“And even if you say you’ll never leave Kana-chan,
there’s still a possibility that she may leave you.”
“When that happens… what will you do?”
For a brief moment, it felt as though she were looking straight through his heart.
But then Akane’s expression softened.
“I’m sorry. I guess I got a little too worried and said too much.”
“…Well. It was sudden news. I can’t blame you.”
“If you hear anything new, let me know too, okay?
I really want to see Kana-chan in her wedding dress someday.”
“…Yeah. Thanks.”
Himekawa lowered himself onto a nearby stool, feeling a small sense of relief.
Akane left him with a gentle smile.
“I’ll head back to the studio.”
“Yeah. Tell Kindaichi-san I’ll be right there.”
She nodded and disappeared down the connecting hallway.
Before returning to the studio, Akane sat down on the bench in the changing room, in front of her locker.
She didn’t want to think about unnecessary things.
But she couldn’t ignore the warning ringing inside her head.
People’s thoughts, their choices, their pain—
none of it could be reduced to a single, simple explanation.
Uehara Seijūrō learned that his wife, Himekawa Airi, had been raising Kamiki Hikaru’s child as their own—
and in his rage, he chose a double suicide.
Kamiki Hikaru loved Hoshino Ai.
Terrified that her presence would fade from the world after she left him,
he created the circumstances that led to her murder—
even if only as an instigator.
Were the women who left the only ones at fault?
No one could say that.
There must have been reasons on the side of the ones who were left behind, too.
If Kana Arima were ever to leave Taiki Himekawa…
Akane shook her head, as if to deny the thought, and murmured to herself.
“But… if that ever happens, Himekawa-san,
there will be a reason on your side as well.”
“The only way you can truly protect Kana-chan for the rest of her life…
is by never becoming the reason she would choose to leave you.”
“If Kana-chan ever leaves you…”
“…Neither Aqua-kun nor I would forgive you.”
She pressed both hands against her knees, as if praying, and lowered her eyes.
“Right, Aqua-kun?”
Family (Miyako’s POV)
"So..."
“…Since then, she hasn’t replied.
And I haven’t seen her either.”
In Ichigo Pro’s reception room,a neatly wrapped box of sweets,
brought as a formal courtesy, sat on the table in front of them.
On the sofa were
Saitō Miyako, Hoshino Ruby, and Taiki Himekawa.
“…Himekawa-san.
Has your agency said anything…?”
“Not yet. Nothing.”
(This man is… kind of intense.
Arima-san has it rough too, but… he’s a handful in his own way.)
Unlike Miyako, who looked clearly unsettled, Ruby remained perfectly calm.
Himekawa turned to her.
“Ruby. What do you think?”
“About what?”
“About Arima becoming family.”
“If it works out, isn’t that fine?”
“……”
Miyako looked away slightly before cutting in.
“Ruby…
If Arima-san were just an ordinary girl, then—”
She paused.
“…No. Actually, it would still be a problem.”
She turned her gaze toward Himekawa.
“Marrying Taiki Himekawa—the nation’s star actor—
isn’t something you can take lightly..”
“There will be public scrutiny.
People will absolutely say, ‘Why her?’”
“The agencies, the media—
and the risk that people will accuse the whole thing of being a publicity stunt.
This isn’t something you can wrap up with ‘we love each other, so we’re getting married.’
You do understand that, right?”
Himekawa fell silent.
(…He really hadn’t thought that far, had he.
Arima-san certainly has.)
“Why not just keep it secret?” Ruby said lightly.
“…I don’t think I could,” Himekawa replied.
“You do seem surprisingly honest, Himekawa-san,” Miyako muttered.
“I wanted to hear the opinion of my only family—Ruby—first.”
“……”
(Hey！You’re the one in the bigger agency.
You should have sorted things out on your side first—before bringing this to us.)
“And also, since Saitō-san is both Ruby’s mother and Arima’s manager,
I wanted to speak to you properly as well.”
(Please don’t mix up our positions like that…it only makes this more complicated for me.)
“So… you still don’t have her answer.”
“When are you going to ask her?” Ruby said bluntly.
“…When she feels ready to answer.”
“…That sounds like you’ll be waiting forever.”
“There’s no point forcing her.
She needs time to think.”
Ruby stood up and pointed straight at him.
“Himekawa-san.”
A brief pause.
“You don’t even realize that you’re already putting pressure on her.”
(Ruby… well said.
At this point, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Arima-san were holed up at home right now,having no idea what she’s supposed to do.)
Himekawa looked genuinely taken aback.
Miyako let out a small breath of relief.
“If you’ve already cornered her, then you have to push.”
“Senpai will never fall unless you push.”
“And if you seriously want to build a life with her,
a proposal means nothing if you don’t push.”
(…Oh.gosh…)
“I’ll arrange a time for senpai to come and talk.
I’m her family, after all.”
“The answer is still up to her, though.”
“…O-okay.”
“Miyako-san. That’s fine, right?”
“…It’s not like I can say no at this point.”
She turned to Himekawa.
“Himekawa-san—
depending on her answer, can we have a proper meeting between our agencies?”
“Of course.”
(That should go without saying.)
A little later.
“Ooh—Ruby! Long time no see!”
“Hey, MEM-cho.
Can I ask you for a favor?”
“…Eh?”
“…Wait—what?”
“Eeeeh!?
Isn’t this way too serious for just a streamer like me to get involved in?!”
“It’s fine.
There’s nothing wrong with celebrating a former B-Komachi senior’s happiness.”
“I want proper proof.”
“For their sake, too.
I want to keep a record of what they said first.”
“If either of them breaks their promise later,
we can pull out the evidence and yell at them anytime, right?”
“B-But…”
“I’ll get Himekawa-san’s permission.”
“And if both of them say it’s okay to be on stream,
then go ahead and let it go viral.”
“Let the entire country be their witnesses.”
She smiled.
“Oh—and by the way.”
“If senpai turns down the proposal itself,
then of course, it’s all canceled. Okay?”
A story of my brother and my senpai (Ruby’s POV)
Today, I called senpai to the agency.
I had Himekawa-san come ahead of time and explained everything properly—
that there would be a camera, and what the purpose of today was.
My only blood-related family left to me
(well, technically he’s my half-brother),
Taiki Himekawa—
is about to propose to Kana Arima.
The first center of the new B-Komachi.
And also… the first love of my twin brother, Aqua.
Well—he already proposed.
So today is about properly recording senpai’s answer.
That’s why we’re hiding in the room next to the reception room.
Just in case, I’m also secretly recording footage for my own private report.
“Hi everyone! Hello!
It’s your star, Ruby Hoshino!
Today is a huge family emergency!
But since everyone involved is also a celebrity,
I’ve decided to properly record everything on video!
And get this—
my second big brother, the national star actor Taiki Himekawa,
has proposed to none other than
the nationally beloved former child actress,
the first center of the new B-Komachi,
and now the legendary genius actress, Kana Arima!
Apparently… he still hasn’t gotten her answer yet.
But today, at the place I set up,
we’re finally going to hear it…!
I’m so nervous!!
All right—let’s hide and watch what happens!”
“MEM-cho, how is it? Are we good?”
“…Yeah.
I mean… this is seriously a lot of pressure…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine!
Himekawa-san looks calm, but he really doesn’t mind this kind of thing at all!”
“Um… but…
from Arima-chan’s point of view, this is… kind of impossible, isn’t it?
There’s no way this can be made public…”
(whispering while watching the hidden-camera monitor)
“Himekawa-san is acting all relaxed,
but he’s obviously super nervous!
Senpai should be arriving any minute now.
Oh, and by the way—
I didn’t tell senpai that Himekawa-san would be here today.”
MEM:
(Wait—WHAT?!
She’s going to be 1000% furious if she finds out!!)
The doorbell rings.
Then the sound of the door opening.
“Good afternoon.”
“Oh! Senpai has arrived!
I’ll go greet her first like nothing’s going on!”
“Morning, Senpai!”
“Morning.
Ruby, what did you want to talk about?
Is Miyako-san here too?”
“Nope.
There’s a guest in the reception room.
They really wanted to see you.”
“Huh? What is that supposed to mean?”
“I’ll bring tea, so you go on ahead!”
——————————
“Okay! I’ve successfully sent senpai into the reception room alone!”
MEM:
“…This is really bad for my stomach…”
——————————
“…Huh…? Why are you here?”
“Ah… about your answer… from the other day…”
“?!”
(We’ve been set up!!
Ruby… you little—!!)
A Complicated woman
“I came because Ruby told me to come to the office.”
“…She said waiting around wouldn’t get you to answer.
That I should meet you face to face.”
“…Seriously.
You two are such a sis-con and bro-con.”
Arima plopped down on the sofa, clearly irritated.
“…Anyway.
I already told you how I feel.”
Himekawa looked straight at her.
“I want to hear how you feel, Arima.”
“….”
“…I don’t know.”
Her voice finally broke the silence.
Watching her lower her gaze like that—
even for Himekawa, it hurt.
“First of all… even if I say I’ll marry you…”
“There’s no one who would actually celebrate it for me.”
“You’re a nationally famous actor.
I’m just a former child actress who happens to be useful right now.”
“But someday I’ll get replaced by someone younger.
No one would ever think we look good together.
Do you understand that?”
“And… I’ve only ever lived as an actress.
I don’t even know what normal fun is like.”
“I’ve never dated anyone properly.”
“My personality’s terrible.
My mouth is sharp.
I don’t even have a good figure.Right?”
“I can’t really cook.
I’m childish.
And honestly…”
“I don’t know if I can become the kind of ‘family’ you’re imagining.”
She squeezed her hands in her lap.
“But…If you’re still okay with all of that…”
“…then…
I guess I can become your family.”
“Wooooow—
Senpai is such a complicated woman!!”
“It’s just so Arima-chan… I’m honestly amazed!”
“Yeah, yeah.
I already said that’s fine.”
Himekawa calmly pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it.
“Wait!!”
“…?”
Arima hesitated, then spoke quietly.
“…And… I still dream about Aqua sometimes.
I still think…
what if he were alive…
what if I could see him again…”
“And?”
“…And what do you mean, ‘and’?!”
Inside the box was a small ring.
Himekawa gently caught Arima’s left wrist and drew her closer.
“The woman my little brother loved…
is going to become the wife of his older brother.”
“The things my brother never got to do—
I’ll do them all instead.
I think that’s fine.”
“Have I ever once told you to forget about Aqua?”
Tears spilled from Arima’s eyes.
They overflowed before even sliding down her cheeks,
dropping quietly onto the floor.
“Stay with me…
and remember him together.”
“With Ruby, too.”
Himekawa slid the ring—
slightly loose, but carefully chosen—
onto her left ring finger.
“Kana Arima.”
“I will protect you for the rest of my life.
So please… stay with me.”
“…Yes.”
Behind the monitor,
Ruby gently patted MEM-cho’s head as she cried uncontrollably.
Ruby felt like she might cry too.
But even more than that—
her chest was filled with a quiet, overwhelming tenderness
for the two of them.
June bride
“It looks like we can miraculously get a ceremony slot in June.
Is that okay with you?”
Taiki asked, glancing at his phone as he checked the email.
“…Huh?
You mean a June bride? Me?”
“A June bride is supposed to be guaranteed happiness, right?
Are you really fine with that?”
“Of course.”
Kana was still sharp-tongued, still blunt, and still full of sarcasm—just as always.
But even with all of that,
he felt no hesitation at all about spending his life with her.
Not even a little.
Vows
It was a softly overcast day in June.
Only a small group of family members had gathered at a quiet little church in Tokyo.
In the bridal waiting room were Ruby—soon to be her sister—and the Saitō couple, who would become her parents-in-law, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Normally, there would be a formal meeting between the two families at this point.
But for them, there was no need.
A knock echoed at the door.
The groom, Taiki Himekawa, opened it.
“Himekawa-san! Congratulations!”
Ruby called out brightly—
but Taiki himself was completely transfixed by the bride standing before him.
“…Well. I guess that’s only natural.”
Arima smiled faintly and rose from her chair.
It was a simple dress.
And yet, the moment she wore it, the entire room seemed to bloom with light.
Even the way she turned around felt graceful—almost like a slow-motion scene.
“…How do I look?”
“…Can I take a picture?”
“Hey. Compliment me first.”
“And—wait.
You’re really going to wear your glasses during the wedding ceremony too?!”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah…?!”
“…I don’t want to miss a single moment today.”
For a brief moment, Kana was left speechless.
Then, a little embarrassed, she looked away.
“…At least take them off for the photos.
You’re dressed properly today, you know.”
Just then, Taishi Gotanda stepped into the room.
“Ooooh—Arima!
You’re way too beautiful. Seriously.
If Sōjuku were here, he’d be crying from how beautiful you look.”
It might not have been the most appropriate comment for a wedding room—
but everyone present smiled, their eyes quietly filling with tears.
The organ began to play.
Taiki Himekawa walked slowly down the aisle.
On the groom’s side, Toshirō Kindaichi stood alone, having risen from his seat to face him.
Then, from beyond the doors, Kana Arima entered—her hand resting lightly on Yasushi Gotanda’s arm.
On the bride’s side sat only Ruby and the Saitō couple.
In this small gathering, the two of them would make their vows.
The ceremony continued.
The exchange of vows.
“Taiki Himekawa,
will you take Kana Arima to be your lawful wife,
to love and cherish her
in sickness and in health,
in joy and in sorrow,
in prosperity and in need,
to honor and comfort her,
to help and support her,
and to remain faithful to her
for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
Then—
“Kana Arima,
will you take Taiki Himekawa to be your lawful husband,
to love and cherish him
in sickness and in health,
in joy and in sorrow,
in prosperity and in need,
to honor and comfort him,
to help and support him,
and to give him your whole heart
for as long as you both shall live?”
The pastor’s voice echoed through the church.
(Please… swear it.)
For just a brief instant, something dark and cold passed through the depths of Himekawa’s eyes.
If this vow were ever broken—
what would I become?
I might destroy Kana Arima.
Just like my father did.
Just like they did.
That was why—
“I do.”
Arima answered clearly, without hesitation.
“Then, please share your kiss.”
At the pastor’s words, they turned to face one another.
Only then did he realize—
since the ceremony began, perhaps they had barely looked at each other at all.
As Arima bent her knees slightly, he lifted her veil with both hands.
For a fleeting moment, he feared that she might see the darkness he had just felt.
But there was no need to worry.
Arima had her eyes tightly closed, her lips pressed together—
as if she were bracing herself.
And somehow, that made him feel relieved.
All he felt now was—
how unbearably precious she was.
Just before their lips met, he called her softly.
“Arima.”
She opened her eyes at the sound of her name.
He gave her the warmest smile he could manage.
Arima smiled back—almost without realizing it.
and he gently pressed his lips to hers.
Dear Mom. Aqua.
Today, my family grew by one.
My other big brother, Taiki’s wife.
Kana.
She’s very kind,very lovely—
and
my precious big sister.
This story will continue in 5:55.