The Betrayed Hero and the Idol

With Freya and Amethyst sleeping softly in their cribs, I went to work picking up the mess from today's celebration.

Aqua and Ruby turned seven today, which means it's been around four years since Ai and I became official.

Time flies, huh?

It feels like just yesterday I got dropped in this world, and now I have four kids and a wife.

But anyway... I was getting a bit worried.

About Aqua and Ruby, that is.

While the two had never really had friends before, I had hoped starting grade school would fix that, and we would have some more guests for their party.

But alas, it was a family-only celebration yet again.

Well, if they can't make any friends in school, I have to hope that their extracurriculars will change things.

Aqua was the only child actor in his film and was a fairly... weird kid for his age, so it was somewhat expected for him to have some trouble making friends.

Ruby, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.

She had a bunch of girls with similar interests that she saw nearly every day, and she was very extroverted, so the fact there was yet to be a best friend that she brought home was a bit worrisome.

But, she had mentioned a girl a few times before... the one with red hair... so maybe she was getting there.

Anyway, aside from Aqua finishing his second film, and discovering his passion, there was one other change to our family.

We had grown from six to seven.

In the form of a new pet rabbit, adequately named 'Pyon' by Ai.

I was still confused as to why she chose a rabbit rather than a dog or cat, and Ai simply pointed to her hairpin, which had a small bunny on it.

According to her, when B-Komachi was younger, and had more of a childlike appeal, every member had an animal to go with it, and Ai's was a bunny.

And... that was it.

That was the only reason.

Well, from what I could tell, it was her way of gaining some independence and individualism, making a new identity past just being the perfect idol and perfect mother, but rather becoming her perfect self.

Just like I had hoped.

Other than that, I had started training Ruby and Aqua in martial arts, focusing on simple hand-to-hand techniques as I doubted they could carry a weapon, but I did plan to have them learn the basics of daggers and swords.

Again, not that I expected them to be able to carry them around, but rather the best way to know how to defend against a weapon is to know how to use it yourself.

But those two still didn't even know how to land a right hook, so that was a ways away.

Hmm... they have dojos around here, right?

Maybe I'll do that once the littles grow a bit more.

And then... Nimbus.

My band which I had recently only treated as a hobby.

Now that I had a family to take care of, my wish to spread music across the world had died down.

But I didn't exactly quit either.

After all, it made good money, and I had to repay Ichigo somehow for his kindness.

Plus... it was really easy.

What was not so easy, however, was Aqua's situation.

The filming had gone well, and the private screening for the cast members would be in a few days.

But Aqua... he was good.

Too good.

Not only was he really mature for his age, but he also had great acting skills to go on with it, skills that were fit for a veteran rather than a youngster like him.

This made him extremely unique in the entertainment world.

Child actors... well, to put it simply, relied solely on their talent.

They were often stupid, spoiled, immature brats, and due to that, the film often had to accommodate them rather than the original vision.

But Aqua was different.

If he grew his reputation a bit more, he would likely become the most sought-after child actor in Japan, as even if the general public didn't adore him, directors knew how much of a gem he was.

So, this ability, while good for his career, was detrimental to his childhood.

I had to keep a close eye on him.

I would love to rely on Ai, but... a situation like hers is one I didn't want my children getting into, so she wasn't exactly the best role model.

But I guess I'd have to wait and see how this all plays out.

As Gotanda had said, Aqua was a genius at acting. 

Not in the traditional sense, but a genius nonethesame.

I didn't want him to fall into the 'gifted kids' trap I've read about.

But... yeah, life was good.

And the responsibilities of being a parent, while stressful, were equally fulfilling.

Hmm... thinking about Aqua's private screening reminded me that I wanted to do something fun afterwards.

After all, while it was a great film and Aqua had a wonderful performance, psychological movies like that weren't exactly riveting for a younger audience.

I had already scoped out some family activities to do now that Freya and Amethyst were older, and with the first snowfall being forecasted for tomorrow, I couldn't help but think of a certain one.

I think it was about time the Hoshino family learned how to ice skate.

----- Ai POV - 3 Days Later -----

"Thank you... for being there for Mom, I guess. You're not too bad of a guy... father."

With those final words, the screen cuts to black as the audience rises to their seats, the room infected with the blaring sound of applause.

But I was not among them.

After all, I was too busy wiping my tears.

It wasn't because of sadness? 

No... definitely not.

But it wasn't happiness either.

Pride?

Yes, I was overflowing with that at the moment, but I wasn't crying because of that.

I suppose... the best way to explain it would be... reminiscence.

Nostalgia.

It's just... when I saw him up there... my baby Aqua... I realized he wasn't a baby anymore.

The way he stumbled as he tried to walk... how he would call for me to help him reach the table...

I'd never get those moments again.

And dammit... I'd spent so much time working and working when I could've had even more of those happy memories!

Watching the Aqua on the screen have a picnic with just his mother... why didn't I spend more time like that with him?

With Ruby too?

No, I knew the answer.

It was still too dangerous for my career.

But who the hell cares about a career?

Haa... well, to figure this out now... it's better late than never.

My Aqua and Ruby... I'll definitely make up for the time we lost.

And Freya and Amethyst... I won't make the same mistake again.

Speaking of those two...

"Mine!"

"No, mine!"

"Sister... dum-dum!"

Haa... they're getting into one of their silly arguments again.

What's it over this time?

"Amethyst... don't call your sister a dum-dum. You're supposed to be there for each other!" Ruby interjects.

"Wha? Ah... sowwy, Ruru." Amethyst responds dejectedly.

"It's alright Amie. Now, how about you let Freya have a turn!"

"Okay..."

Amethyst then hands the toy over to Freya as Cassius begins loading them into their stroller.

While the toy was a wonderful idea for keeping them entertained and quiet during the showing, it also brought its own set of problems along with it.

Motherhood is... unexpectedly troublesome.

And as I've learned time and time again, Aqua and Ruby were very special.

If I had to deal with this bullshit while being an idol... well, let's say my smile might have slipped one or two times on stage.

Anyway, after exchanging some small pleasantries with the cast and the director, my family made our way toward a nearby ice rink.

I had never gone ice skating before, as the activity was difficult to come across in Japan.

Unless you're in Hokkaido, I guess.

But yes, this was the perfect chance to make good on my promise!

----- 30 Minutes Later -----

...How could this be?

I wanted to make good on my promise and spend some quality time with my kids, but all I've been doing is falling on my ass!

The familiar sound of a skate blade cutting through ice, similar to a cloth being ripped, comes closer to me.

"Aww, honey? You okay? Here, let's get you on your feet." Cassius says with a smile.

Damn him.

Why was he so good at this?

I would say I was just bad, but he was even doing spins and backwards 'crossovers' like nothing!

Well, actually... considering Ruby had taken to it quite well... maybe it was just me.

But still!

Clasping his hand, I let him pull me to my feet.

But just as I put pressure down on the ice, my feet slipped out from under me once again, only to then be caught in Cassius' arms.

Uuu... This wasn't family bonding at all... it was just pathetic.

"Hehehe! Mama's silly!" Amethyst says from the side.

"No mean, Amie. G-Go Mom!" Freya adds.

Well... maybe there was some family bonding to be had.

The littles, as they couldn't be trusted to skate by themselves, had been given a skating aid, which was basically a box that allowed the child to hold onto it, making sure they didn't fall unless they let go.

...I could really use one of those right now, but I was a bit too big.

Anyway, seemingly inheriting their father's talent, they had taken to hovering around me and being my little cheerleaders with ease, at least when they weren't being pushed at crazy speeds by Cassius.

Seriously... what an irresponsible man.

"W-What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Oh, whoops.

I guess my feelings leaked into my expression.

"Here, now that Aqua isn't falling over, it's about time we get some one-on-one training with me."

He then skates behind me before firmly grabbing my hips, eliciting a squeak to escape from my mouth.

"Hm?" He hums.

"S-Shut up! You know why I'm sensitive there!"

After all, last night was a very... exciting night.

Now nights like those weren't exactly uncommon, but this time I asked Cassius not to heal me afterwards.

I wanted the reminder of our fun, after all.

But if I knew we would be doing this, I definitely wouldn't have done that!

"Uhh, yeah, sorry. Anyway, the first step is to walk, okay? Don't try to skate or glide, just lift your feet and put them down. Baby steps, like this."

He then does exactly that.

He raised his foot before bringing it down, barely making any progress in terms of movement.

It looked kind of silly, but... I guess I'll try.

Okay, Ai!

Let's do this!

Slowly... slowly...

There!

"I did it!" I exclaim.

"Yeah, but it- No, never mind. Great job, Ai." Cas responds.

I repeat the same process.

My steps getting larger and my confidence growing every time.

At least, that is until I fall yet again.

Right into my husband's arms.

The teasing words I expect don't come.

Instead, our eyes are glued to each other, the clouds from our breaths forming into one.

So close like this, I couldn't help but notice the subtle glow of Cassius' cheeks.

Was it because of the slight cold of the arena?

Or was it because of... me?

I feel my heartbeat quicken.

What the hell?

Why am I acting like a maiden now?

I'm a very experienced woman at this point, so how...

How can you still make me like this?

With one arm tightening its grip on my body, his free hand reaches up toward my face before caressing my cheek, his thumb slowly rolling across my lower lip.

Hnng!

N-No!

Not here, you stupid husband!

But despite my internal defiance, I was like putty in his hands.

Our lips inch closer as I feel my body temperature rise.

The peach fuzz on the area above his upper lip... his sharp jaw... it's all too mesmerizing to stop.

Ah... I'm going to ravage you tonight.

I slowly close my eyes and lean into his gentle lips-

"Ahem!"

I open my eyes in an instant.

Turning my head to the source of the noise, I see Ruby looking at us with starry eyes while Aqua is wearing a large frown.

Although... both of them had quite a blush on their faces.

Hehe... how innocent.

Glancing back to Cassius, I pull on his sweater, bringing his head down to my shoulder.

"Continue this tonight, okay? As long as you're good~" I whisper into his ear.

"Oh... yes..."

Fufufu, he's so cute when he's speechless.

And to think I'm the only one who can make him this way...

"Mama! Come skate with us!" Ruby says.

"Yeah. Just get away from Cassius. Please." Aqua adds.

Right.

I wasn't here to play around with my husband, that was for later.

Today was a day for family fun time!

And now that I can finally move on ice...

"Alright~ I'm coming to get you!"

I place my blade sideways, just as Cas did it, before pushing off.

I-I did it!

"Yahoo-! Oh? Ah!"

Ouch!

I... I fell again.

"Hehe... Mama silly."

"Yeah! Silly Mom."

Well... at least Amethyst and Freya are having fun.

But would it kill you to care for your dear old mother a little?