Male Idol V13c124

Volume 13 Chapter 124 Shirogane Aqua, The End Of The Journey

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Edited by: Kanaa-senpai

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 The day after the All-Star Game.

 We left the hotel early in the morning and arrived at Hamamatsu Station.

 ”Alright! Everyone, let’s reach our goal today!!”

 ”Yeah!”

 ”Mm.”

 ”Zzz.”

 Wait a minute! One person is sleeping right now!

 At first, I thought it was Toa who was sleeping, but it was actually Shintaro.

 Dude… sleeping while standing is quite a skill.

 Look, your eyes are half-closed! Wake up!!

 ”Aqua, why are you so energetic before 6 AM… you just got back after 2 AM this morning.”

 ”Well, it’s because I’m training!!”

 The idol I admired in my past life, Myojo Lily, was, in a word, a monster.

 She appeared in a mysterious commercial asking if you can be an idol for 72 hours, and then she actually completed a strange project called 72-hour TV all by herself.

 I was surprised during the idol auditions, but no matter how tough the training was, Hisui-chan always kept her idol smile.

 From the data, it’s clear she has a strong foundation, but more than that, it’s her spirit or endurance… no, that’s not it. Kids like Kukuri-chan, who are good at pretending, also kept smiling, but Hisui-chan’s smile was definitely not one of suffering or hiding pain; it was a genuine smile.

 Huh? Wait a second… Is that why, in the world where I existed in my past life, no one noticed Myojo Lily’s illness? I just realized this shocking new fact… Lily-san’s words, “Some people say an idol’s smile is an illusion, but if you keep lying, it will eventually become real,” meant that.

 I feel a little sentimental.

 ”Aqua, you suddenly look down. What’s wrong? Are you really okay? It must be tough not getting enough sleep. Hey, do you want to use my lap as a pillow?”

 ”Ah, um, but first, let’s play darts.”

 Huh? The several women who were looking over here are shaking a bit and leaning against the pillars and walls.

 Are you all okay?

 ”A lap pillow… really?”

 ”Ah, I need to drink Aqua first thing in the morning…”

 ”Jingle jingle.”

 There are a lot of people taking medicine; I hope they’re okay.

 If you push yourself too hard, you’ll end up getting sick.

 Japan in my world had its troubles, but in this Japan, thanks to Prime Minister Habu’s policies, during unemployment, you’re exempt from consumption tax, resident tax, and health insurance fees. Even if you get sick, companies and the government help you out so you can live a minimum standard of life.

 The black companies that exist in this Japan are probably just Beryl; no, I’m the only black employee here. Well, Beryl is black because I’m doing it voluntarily, though. Haha!

 No matter how you try, there are only 24 hours in a day, and human life is limited. For someone like me, who has so many things I want to do, there’s just not enough time.

 More than anything, being an idol is the most fun, so for me, it’s not really work; it’s just an extension of what I usually do. Yeah.

 ”So, who’s going to throw the darts?”

 ”Shintaro, you can do it, right?”

 ”Mmm.”

 Hey! Shintaro, it’s great that you replied, but don’t answer in your sleep!!

 ”Awashima-san is watching!!”

 ”Eh!?”

 Surprised, Shintaro looks around nervously.

 Alright! He’s awake now!!

 Guys get the most pumped when they realize the girl they like is watching them.

 I’m counting on you, Shintaro!!

 ”W-Well then, I’m going to throw it!”

 Shintaro throws the darts with a lot of energy.

 Wow, Shintaro! Even though you just woke up, you hit Honshu!!

 ”Ah”

 ”Oh!”

 ”Kyoto!!”

 Ugh, it’s not the eastern capital, but the western capital! So close!!

 After rolling the dice, we quickly buy the first train tickets at the ticket counter.

 It takes about an hour on the train… Wait, isn’t it fast to get to Kyoto in just an hour!?

 I thought it would take longer, but it didn’t.

 ”First, let’s check the mission, then we can eat breakfast.”

 ”Yeah, that sounds good. I’m super hungry too.”

 ”Ah, that’s true.”

 ”Okay, then I’ll peel off the sticker on the board with the mission!”

 Tenga-senpai confirms we nodded and peels off the sticker on the board.

 [To Aqua-kun, since you came to Kyoto, please visit your own grave this time.]

 My own grave!? What does that mean?

 Shintaro and I look at each other, blinking in surprise.

 ”Wait… Could it be that Kanon already bought my grave in Kyoto…?”

 ”Eh!? But, if it’s Kanon-san, that could be possible…”

 That’s true… I nod at that statement.

 I look at the staff to confirm, but they just have smirks on their faces.

 So that means, the answer is not what I thought.

 ”W-What… Kanon-sama bought Aqua-sama’s grave!?”

 ”If it’s that Kanon-sama, it could happen.”

 ”We have to go pay our respects right away!”

 ”Hey, hey, you guys need to calm down. This problem definitely doesn’t mean that.”

 As Shintaro, the 3 of us, and I were scratching our heads trying to figure it out, Tenga-senpai suddenly opened his eyes wide and clapped his hands.

 ”I got it!! It’s about the shrine dedicated to Seimei that junior acted out!!”

 ”””Ohhh!”””

 So that’s it! When I checked the staff’s expression, they looked pleased.

 Phew, even Kanon hasn’t made my grave yet.

 ”Since we know the place now, let’s grab something to eat. Oh, I want breakfast.”

 ”I’ll go for obanzai then. Since we’re in Kyoto, I want to eat Japanese food.”

 ”Yeah, both sound good. Junior, what do you want to do?”

 Hmm, well.

 Since we’re at it, I want to eat both…

 ”Then let’s have breakfast first, and if we have time after the mission, we can have Japanese food for lunch, how about that?”

 ”OK!”

 ”Yeah, I agree.”

 ”Sounds good!”

 We called out to a big sister leaning against a nearby pillar.

 ”Excuse me, miss?”

 ”Sorry for bothering you during the busy morning.”

 ”Sorry. I just wanted to ask you something.”

 ”Is there a nice place where we can have a delicious breakfast?”

 The big sister blushed but told us about a few places that were open at this time.

 ”Aqua-sama and the 4 from BERYL… wall slam, huh?”

 ”Wow, how much good karma did that lady earn in her past life…”

 ”If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to go to work after this.”

 ”Don’t worry. Recently, the company has introduced a system for unexpected days off in case you run into Aqua-kun. If Aqua-kun does something that makes half the employees unable to come to work, the company can legally take a day off.”

 ”I might use that day off too. Unlike paid leave, it’s unlimited, and I can easily take a break just by saying it’s because of Aqua-kun.”

 ”Cheating isn’t good! It’s not good, but just watching that scene earlier made me wet, and I have to change my underwear. There’s no way I can go to work like this.”

 ”Yeah, yeah. The sister nearby is dripping in her tights. Everyone feels the same way.”

 After thanking the big sister, we head to one of the recommended shops.

 On the way, I spot a place serving morning ramen.

 Wow. Morning ramen would have been nice too. I decide that next time I travel to Kyoto, I will definitely eat morning ramen.

 ”This seems like the place.”

 ”Yeah.”

 ”It has a nice atmosphere.”

 ”Let’s go in!”

 We enter the café and look around.

 Oh, it reminds me a bit of Tomarigi. The atmosphere is very similar.

 Most importantly, Tenga-senpai, who values the atmosphere above all, looks really satisfied.

 ”Welcome! Ah… Aqua-sama!? And everyone from BERYL too!?”

 The sister who seems to be the master looks surprised.

 ”There are 4 of us, but can we eat here?”

 ”Ah, yes. Please take a table.”

 We follow the big sister to a table.

 I had heard from the big sister who recommended this place that it was a hidden gem, but looking around, there was only one other customer sitting at the counter besides us.

 I call out to the customer in a kimono sitting at the counter.

 ”Excuse me. I have a camera, but I’ll try not to film you as much as possible.”

 ”Ah, it’s fine. A man like you, especially the famous Shirogane Aqua-san, shouldn’t worry about such small things. The women around you are just being considerate.”

 The woman sitting at the counter looked at me and smiled.

 …She’s beautiful. The adult women around me, like Agewa-san and Kiyoko-san, have a different kind of elegance. It’s not the same as the natural grace of Kanon and Emily, who are born into high society. It’s more similar to Kukuri-chan’s vibe.

 The woman stood up and placed some money on the counter.

 ”Owner, thank you so much for everything. It will be tough from now on, but keep doing your best.”

 She smiled at the shop owner while hiding her mouth with a fan, then headed towards the exit without taking her change.

 I guess she was embarrassed about being filmed. Still, it’s true that our presence caused some trouble.

 I chased after the woman who left the shop.

 ”Um…! I’m really sorry for bothering you during your meal!!”

 ”Ah… You really are different from the other men.”

 The woman turned to me and pointed her closed fan in my direction.

 Oh, wow… Up close, she’s incredibly beautiful. Even for someone like me, who is used to seeing pretty people, she stands out.

 And there’s something… nostalgic about her, a vibe that makes her hard to dislike.

 Hmm… She looks a bit like someone I saw recently…

 My mind, usually not working this hard, is now racing with thoughts of Great Kaiju Yukari-gon.

 Hey! Don’t pop up when I’m thinking about a girl! Shoo! Shoo!

 When I get home, I’ll play with you properly, so just stay there quietly! Stay!!

 ”If all the women living in Japan liked Shirogane Aqua-san, they must have all been really happy.”

 ”Yes!”

 I firmly grab the older sister’s hand with both of mine.

 Wow, I can’t believe there’s a woman in Kyoto who understands what I’m trying to do.

 I was genuinely moved.

 ”I’m working hard to be like that too!!”

 The big sister, surprised by my grip, quickly shakes my hands off.

 Huh? Could it be that she’s shy?

 ”…I see, it makes sense that my daughter who can’t read the room would like you too.”

 A daughter!? S-sister, do you really have a daughter at such a young age!?

 If this sister has a daughter, she’s definitely going to be beautiful in the future.

 Just as I was trying to imagine that, Kohina-senpai, who isn’t a Great Kaiju, interrupted me.

 Hey! Why do you keep popping up in my head like this!!

 Seriously, you’re always getting in my way… Huh!? Is this what they call the Kyoto mischief!?

 ”Just like my daughter, who can’t read the room, I’ll say it clearly: I don’t like you.”

 ”I love you, sister!!”

 ”Huh!?”

 The sister looks the most surprised she’s been all day.

 Huh? Did I not get my meaning across?

 I quickly correct myself.

 ”I am Shirogane Aqua.”

 ”…Are you making fun of me?”

 Ah, I see. Since the sister isn’t a fan of mine, she doesn’t know much about Shirogane Aqua.

 I need to properly explain who Shirogane Aqua is to her.

 ”Excuse me. So, you’re a beginner with Shirogane Aqua, huh?”

 ”What do you mean, a beginner with Shirogane Aqua!?”

 Ah, this is great. I love it when a beautiful sister shows her true self and lets her guard down!

 ”Hey, sister, your daughter is totally into me, so you must hate me, right?”

 ”Wha!?”

 ”I get it, I get it. If your daughter became a fan of another male idol, I’d be super jealous too. Just thinking about it makes my heart hurt…”

 ”W-wait a minute!?”

 As I hold my chest, the sister looks worried and supports my body.

 Huh!? This feeling… I couldn’t tell because of her kimono, but she has quite the chest!

 My rating of her just went up a lot.

 ”Don’t worry. I won’t take your daughter away from you.”

 ”U-uh, I can’t believe you care about my daughter…”

 With her face bright red and her words trailing off, I place my hands on her shoulders.

 ”It’s okay. Shirogane Aqua will never tear apart a parent-child bond! In fact, I’m the kind of guy who can take in the whole family! That’s Shirogane Aqua for you!!”

 ”Huh!?”

 ”So, you can relax and become a fan of mine together with your daughter!!”

 The older sister stares at me with her mouth half open.

 Wait? Is she mesmerized by me?

 Wow, even a beautiful big sister is captivated! Being a popular guy is tough!

 ”Pfft.”

 ”Ehehe.”

 Huh? Looking around, I see that all the passersby are watching us.

 Wait, did they see everything that just happened between me and the sister?

 ”Of course, it’s Aqua-sama. The Kyoto girls’ tricks don’t work at all.”

 ”It’s really Shirogane Aqua. His mental game is on a whole different level from other guys.”

 ”To be honest, I think Aqua-kun’s happy expression when he saw the surprised face of the sister was way better than the sister’s tricks.”

 ”I get it. I actually love everything about Aqua-sama, even his slightly bad personality!”

 ”To be honest, with what happened with Furia-sama and Kanon-sama, saying he won’t tear apart the family is just ridiculous, but Aqua-sama doesn’t actually hate Furia-sama, so it works out.”

 ”Huh? By that logic, isn’t Aqua-sama unbeatable?”

 ”Oh, I was wondering what you meant by an unbeatable person, but it was about Aqua-sama…”

 ”Why not just give up and become a fan of Aqua-kun? It’s pointless to resist him.”

 ”Actually, the people who resist him probably fall harder when they do. So, sister, keep trying!”

 ”I get it. Those kinds of sisters seem like they would become more active in romance once they fall! I read that in the erotic doujin about Victoria-sama that Hagetoru published and got in trouble for!!”

 Just then! The sister’s face turned bright red, and she quickly pulled away from me and jumped into a passing taxi.

 Ugh, I was hoping we could have a fun meal together at that café earlier!!

 Was she a bit embarrassed? I thought she was a cute older sister.

 ”Sister, next time, let’s have a meal together with your daughter, the 3 of us!!”

 I waved my hand with a smile at the taxi the older sister got into.

 ”Aqua, how was it?”

 When I returned to the café, Toa and Shintaro were looking at me with worried faces.

 It seems everyone was concerned about the older sister.

 I smiled at everyone.

 ”It’s okay, it’s okay! She was just a little shy, but in the end, we got along really well!”

 ”Pfft!”

 Huh? Did the camera lady suddenly burst out laughing or something?

 I ate the morning meal that everyone had ordered for me.

 Oh, it’s not toast but a sandwich with rolled omelet. The mustard is really good!

 After having a solid breakfast, we got on the bus to head to the shrine we were aiming for.

 ”Yay! It’s Aqua-sama!!”

 ”Aqua-sama came to see Seimei-sama!!”

 ”Let’s take a picture!”

 ”Me too!!”

 Since taking pictures is allowed, everyone can take them!

 But please don’t post them before the broadcast!

 I struck a pose and asked everyone to keep that in mind.

 ”Mission accomplished? Not yet.”

 ””””Huh!?””””

 Could it be that the shrine where Seimei is enshrined isn’t here!?

 I talked to a nearby sister who was holding a board with the mission written on it.

 ”Oh, isn’t this the Arashiyama cemetery?”

 ”Probably, yeah.”

 Arashiyama cemetery? Wait!? The grave isn’t here but somewhere else!?

 No way…. After asking the kind sisters for directions, we took a taxi to the nearby station and then took a train to Arashiyama.

 ”Oh, Aqua-sama!”

 I waved back with a smile to a little kid I met on the train.

 Of course, I wasn’t the only one. Toa and Tenga-senpai, who were called out, waved back too.

 Seeing Shintaro chatting happily with Grandma nearby made me smile as well.

 Everyone has really grown compared to when we first met. We can talk to girls like this now.

 But, this should be something normal. That’s why I’m happy.

 I feel like we’re steadily taking one step, then another, forward.

 ”We’ve arrived! This is the place!”

 We’re here to visit Seimei’s grave.

 With this, our mission is complete.

 ”It’s almost lunchtime. But, can I throw some darts first?”

 ”Of course, that’s fine.”

 I hand the darts to Tenga-senpai.

 Normally, I would throw them and hit Tokyo to finish, but after seeing what just happened, I thought it would be good to let everyone take a turn.

 ”Tenga-senpai, I’m counting on you.”

 ”Yeah, leave it to me.”

 Among Toa, Shintaro, and Tenga-senpai, I chose to trust Tenga-senpai with the darts because he’s the one who cares the most about BERYL. So, as a man, I’m betting on Tenga Akira.

 Tenga-senpai takes the darts from me and throws them without hesitation.

 There’s no need to pray about where they’ll land.

 I believe more than anyone that the darts filled with Tenga-senpai’s feelings will definitely hit the target.

 ”Yay!”

 ”It hit Tokyo!”

 Toa jumps up and down happily at Tenga-senpai’s successful throw.

 Next to him, Shintaro smiles with a bittersweet expression, as if he’s a little sad that the journey is ending.

 Tenga-senpai and I don’t say anything, we just share a small smile and high-5 each other.

 ”With this, we’ll make it in time for the event.”

 ”Yeah, that’s right.”

 ”Ah, it’s a bit sad to think it’s ending.”

 ”Yeah! I actually wanted to travel with you all a bit more!”

 Here, we receive a board from the staff with our mission in Tokyo written on it.

 When we peel off the sticker, it says, “Everyone must return home safely. The journey continues until you reach home.”

 ”Well then, since we’re here, let’s enjoy Kyoto a bit more before we go back!”

 ”Yeah!”

 ”Alright!”

 ”Of course!”

 We explore Arashiyama and for lunch, we eat the Japanese food that Shintaro wanted.

 In the end, we have a little free time to buy souvenirs.

 That’s when I have a fateful encounter.

 ”Hey, we meet again, big sister!”

 ”Eek!”

 I run into the beautiful woman I met at the café in the morning.

 This must be… fate, right?

 It seems like there’s an unbreakable bond between me and this woman.

 ”W-What? Are you following me…?”

 ”What would you do if I said yes?”

 I want to be the kind of guy who chases after women, not the other way around.

 Because I’m the hunter, Shirogane Aqua.

 ”Just as I thought! You really heard about me from my daughter, didn’t you?”

 Huh? What does that mean?

 From what the woman said, it seems her daughter can talk to me, which means her daughter is related to me.

 Could she be an employee of Beryl?

 When I had a blank look on my face like Kaede, the woman glared at me with a bit of annoyance.

 Oh, oh, oh, that angry face! I’ve seen it somewhere before!!

 ”Stop looking so clueless! You knew I’m the mother of your friend, Kohina Yukari, didn’t you?!”

 ”Huh?”

 What… did you just say?

 I freeze with a hoge face like Kaede when she’s confused.

 Oh no, this is definitely the Hoge-lar Wave coming at me.

 I can feel my IQ dropping significantly.

 ”…What’s with that face? You really didn’t know? Ugh… Announcer Morikawa and that girl, why is everyone around her like this… Fine! If you get it, I won’t talk to you again. If you haven’t heard it from her, I’ll say it instead: that girl hates me. She resents me! Got it?”

 Kohina-senpai hates her mom?

 That word quickly blows away the Hoge-lar Wave around me.

 I’m glad I’m Shirogane Aqua. If I wasn’t the idol Shirogane Aqua, I would have definitely been swallowed by the Hoge-lar Wave. But since I am Shirogane Aqua, I can ride this Hogewave.

 ”Wait a minute. Mom.”

 ”Mother-in-law!?”

 I make a serious face, not a joking one.

 ”Have you seen the movie where Kohina-senpai commits seppuku?”

 ”…I’ve seen it. Well, sort of… yeah, sort of.”

 Ah… I see. I’m sure now that this person is Kohina-senpai’s mom.

 ”If Kohina-senpai really hated you, she couldn’t act like that!!”

 ”Huh!? W-Why would you know that…?”

 ”Because I’m an actor too, so I know for sure!!”

 I grab Kohina-senpai’s mom’s hand and step forward.

 Most guys would probably take a step back if the girl they’re with shows discomfort.

 But not me!! Taking a step forward is what Shirogane Aqua is all about!!

 If you master pushing through, it becomes a weapon. Yes, power and momentum can solve everything!!

 ”As a fellow actor, I don’t think someone who hates their mother can pull off that performance. Even if covering up lies is acting, the true feelings of the person acting can’t be faked!!”

 At my words, Kohina-senpai’s mom shows a shocked expression.

 ”Even if you say that, she never comes to see me. Besides, if I were in her position, I wouldn’t want to come either…”

 ”Then I’ll bring Kohina-senpai to see you.”

 Seeing my serious face, Kohina-senpai’s mom softens her expression a bit.

 ”Really…?”

 ”Has Shirogane Aqua ever lied?”

 ”…That sounds a bit suspicious.”

 ”Sorry. The truth is, I only lie when I have pervy thoughts about girls! But other than that, I’m a guy who keeps his promises!!”

 Kohina-senpai’s mom looks at me with a skeptical gaze.

 Uh-oh. She caught me sneaking in a lie disguised as a promise.

 I thought, this is definitely Kohina-senpai’s mom.

 ”Fine, whatever. If that’s the case, I’ll be waiting with some bubu-zuke ready, but don’t get your hopes up.”

 ”Wait? You’re making Ochazuke for me, mom!? Wow, I’m so happy!!”

 Kohina-senpai’s mom looks like she’s about to fall over from my words.

 Oh no, is she okay?

 I quickly support Kohina-senpai’s mom. Ugh… she’s really big. This is quite a size…!

 But I can’t just be all flustered about that.

 Considering the meeting time with Toa and the others, I need to hurry and buy some souvenirs.

 ”I’ll definitely take you with me!! It’s a promise!! I’m looking forward to the Ochazuke you makes!!”

 I wave my hand at Kohina-senpai’s mom loudly, then leave and run towards the souvenir shop.

 ”Now I feel a bit sorry for that sister…”

 ”I only heard a little of their conversation, but I totally agree.”

 ”Right? Mom, Aqua-sama is so cute!”

 ”Hehe, yes. Hehe.”

 ”Ah, I also want to treat Aqua-sama to some bubuzuke!”

 After buying the souvenirs, I meet up with everyone.

 We took the Shinkansen back to Tokyo and safely finished our BERYL trip.

 When I arrived at Shirogane Kingdom, I couldn’t help but grin when I saw Kohina-senpai’s face while handing over the souvenirs.

 ”Huh? What? That’s creepy…”

 ”Hey! That’s the most piercing thing to my heart!?”

 ”Because it’s your creepy face looking at me and grinning! You probably did something silly again, right? Come on, spill it before Kanon-san and the others get worried!!”

 ”Guh!”

 Ugh, just wait! I’m definitely going to surprise Kohina-senpai by introducing her to her mom!

 Since Kohina-senpai helped me with Mommy Mikuni, I should be able to meddle a bit between Kohina-senpai and her mom.

 Of course, if the two of them truly hated it from the bottom of their hearts, they wouldn’t do something like that. But I have a feeling that’s not the case. If it were, Kohina-senpai wouldn’t have been able to act like that, and Kohina-senpai’s mom wouldn’t have reacted the way she did.

 There are things that only humans can do while they’re alive.

 Since I’ve died once, I told myself that I must have some burning concern for others.

 Because just reading the atmosphere won’t change the world or even people’s hearts. Idol Myojo Lily taught me that. When in doubt, go all out with what you have. That’s how she and I live our lives!!

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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.