Shimokitazawa Exhibition Hall.
As the performance of the rising idol group B-Komachi came to an end, the atmosphere in the hall was still burning hot.
"No wonder she's the strongest new star, Ai-chan is becoming more and more dazzling!"
"This is torture… I have to wait another three days—72 hours—4,320 minutes—259,200 seconds before I can see Ai-chan again!"
"Ai, Ai, Ai! I swear eternal loyalty to Ai-chan!"
Backstage, the cheers of the audience could still be faintly heard.
The other members of B-Komachi all looked atAi with envy.
This girl seemed like she was born to be an idol, always radiating the brightest smile—
even when she was offstage.
That unshakable state made the other members admire her… and fear her a little.
But Ai herself wasn't aware of any of that.
While the love from her fans made her feel warm inside,
what she cared about most was the love from her little shota, Asa!
"At this time, Asa must be thinking about me!"
The corners of Ai's lips curved up into a pampering smile.
The first thing she did was pick up her phone.
[Missed Call: Asa]
"Heh heh, I knew it—you miss me!"
The affection in Ai's starry eyes deepened even more.
Already impatient to call back and hear Asa's voice again, Ai unlocked her phone.
A message from Asa popped up.
Ai froze for a moment.
The content of the message was like a bolt from the blue, striking her heart directly.
"Asa… has been adopted…"
Her lips turned pale, her body swaying slightly.
The next moment, her vision went black, and she collapsed to the ground.
"Ai, what's wrong?!"
Saitou Miyako, who was nearby, was startled and quickly caught her.
She found Ai's face pale and her eyes lifeless.
"Asa… Asa… I need to go home! Right now!"
Miyako immediately drove Ai back.
As soon as they arrived at the orphanage, Ai rushed in.
"They're gone… all of Asa's things are gone…"
Biting her lip hard, her face grew even paler.
She went straight to the director's office.
Finally, she got the confirmation.
"The Yukinoshita family, who have been supporting the orphanage for years, adopted Asa."
"I know you two were close, but don't be too sad."
"In the Yukinoshita household, Asa will never want for food or clothing…"
The director kept talking, but Ai didn't hear a single word.
Her mind was filled with memories of living together with Asa.
…
"Asa, once I earn enough money, I'll adopt you myself, okay?"
…
"Asa, listen to how this song sounds if you sing it like this…"
…
"Asa, you have such talent. Even when you hum casually, it sounds so good…"
…
They had grown up together…
They had already made promises to each other…
It was Asa who taught her the meaning of love…
"Yukinoshita family…"
Ai bit her lip, her slender hands clenching into fists.
"Asa, I will take you back no matter what!"
"You are my irreplaceable 'love'…"
---
Yukinoshita Residence
Living room.
Two tall, beautiful girls stared in shock at the little boy standing beside their mother.
"Haruno, Yukino, this is Asa Shiraiwa. From now on, he will be your younger brother."
Hearing their mother's words, Haruno and Yukino were stunned.
Their mother had brought home… a little brother?
"Good evening, Haruno-neesan, Yukino-neesan!"
Asa politely greeted them.
His gaze lingered on the breathtaking faces of the two girls before him, and he thought to himself:
'So this is Yukino and Haruno…'
At that moment, Yukino, still shocked, took a deep breath. Her cold eyes showed a trace of anger.
She stared at her mother, almost in disbelief.
"Why didn't you talk to us about this first?"
She couldn't accept it.
This mother, who had always been domineering, who barely cared for them, and only came home once a week, suddenly brought back a little brother?
And she and Haruno hadn't known a thing beforehand!
Such an important decision… made without them at all?
Were they even considered part of the family?
Facing Yukino's question, Mrs. Yukinoshita frowned slightly.
The warmth she had felt earlier was instantly gone.
Of course she knew it was a bit improper to adopt a child without consulting them.
But—
She was the kind of person who had the final say in both the Yukinoshita family and the company.
She had full authority to make such decisions herself.
Haruno had always been obedient in front of her, but Yukino often opposed her, which she found irritating.
Without waiting for her mother to speak, Yukino cast a disappointed glance and turned away, heading to her room.
Bang!
The loud door slam made Haruno sigh.
Trying to ease the tension, she said, "Don't mind her, Mom. Yukino's probably just in her rebellious phase."
Although she too was dissatisfied with her mother's decision, she knew better than Yukino how cold and forceful their mother could be.
Going against her head-on would never end well.
"Hmph…"
Mrs. Yukinoshita gave a light snort.
"Asa Shiraiwa will stay here with you two."
"I've already completed his admission to Shuchiin Elementary."
"From now on, let him go to and from school with Yukino."
Haruno blinked, a question mark practically floating above her head.
Entrust him to Yukino?
But her mother's arrangements were never up for discussion.
She could only nod helplessly.
Then, Mrs. Yukinoshita gently patted Asa's head.
"Get along well with your two sisters."
With that, she and Mieko left for the company—there was still work to handle.
Haruno watched her mother's departing figure, a strange expression on her face.
What had she just seen?
After so many years…
For the first time in ages, she saw a hint of softness on her mother's face.
Even her voice had been gentler.
"Does Mom… actually like this boy that much?"
Haruno crouched down so her gaze was level with Asa's.
Looking closely, she finally noticed his features.
His pale, delicate skin was flawless, his handsome face natural and unforced. His slightly chubby cheeks made her instinctively reach out and pinch them.
He might be just a little boy now, but there was no doubt he'd grow into an exceptionally handsome man.
"So handsome… so cute!"
Just meeting his eyes stirred a wave of affection in her heart.
"How old are you, Asa?"
"I just turned eight…"
Hearing his soft, childlike voice, she suddenly felt that having a little brother wasn't so bad after all.
Yukino had grown up—still cute, but no longer as obedient as when she was small.
A little boy like this was much more fun to "play with" as a toy.
Feeling Haruno's crimson eyes on him, Asa couldn't help but grow suspicious.
Something told him this woman wasn't thinking anything good.
Thinking back to that trip-and-fall moment earlier when getting out of the car, Asa felt both nervous and a little expectant.
Could this be… the start of a secret route?
Just then, Haruno noticed his worn-out clothes and clapped her hands.
"Oh, right—let's get you a bath first!"