Volume 13 Chapter 412 Shirogane Aqua, Irreplaceable Thing
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Cutting short the world tour and having returned to Japan, I open the door of my house.
”Aqua…!”
I caught Kanon as she ran to meet me, pulling her into a tight, fierce embrace. Having received the declarations of Prime Minister Habu and President Maitrix, she must have been just as anxious as everyone else. I pulled back just enough to look at her, smiling gently.
”It’s okay. Since when has anything been wrong when I’m by your side?”
”U… un.”
I tried to lean in for a kiss, but then I noticed the eyes watching us.
A-are? Everyone? What is everyone doing here?
Emily stepped forward, gesturing toward Kanon. “Did everyone see that? That is the composure of the First Wife¹! Even a global crisis is just a little spice for their flirting!”
A collective “Oo~” of admiration rose from the group. Kanon’s face turned bright red as the teasing continued. I set my luggage on the floor and spread my arms wide.
”I’m home. Come here, everyone.”
”Aqua-sama!”
I hugged them one by one. Yui, Ayana… they had all been so worried while I was away. I made sure to hold them until they felt at ease. When I finally reached Kohina-senpai, who had stayed back until the end, I held out my arms again.
”Come on, Kohina-senpai. You can be as spoiled as you want today.”
”Haa?! Why would I ever want to be spoiled by you?!”
Mugh!
She took the stuffed toy she’d been clutching and mashed it into my defenseless face.
Kugh! I was a fool to think she’d actually be sweet at a time like this!
”Don’t just stand there acting like an idiot. Get inside,” she said, huffing. “It’s still freezing out here. If you’re not careful, you’ll catch the flu like I did!”
”Hee-i.”
I handed the stuffed toy back and finally stepped into my home. Kohina-senpai aside, it was clear the last few days had taken a toll on them. After spending some time together, I retreated to my room and crawled under the covers. It was already 4:00 AM. We’d stayed up far too late talking in the living room.
I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Currently, all companies and schools, following government policy, are suspending attendance for males…
I knew it couldn’t be helped, but the timing was terrible. Just when things were finally becoming normal for boys and girls. I grit my teeth, clenching my fists against the frustration. I had worked so hard for this—marrying Kanon and the others, the children, my dream of becoming an idol, and the friends who fought by my side.
”Is it all going to go to waste just because a single rock fell from the sky?”
Right now, the Prime Minister and the President were doing everything they could for the planet. And yet, I was just hiding in my room.
”Ah—no good. Thinking about it isn’t helping!”
I headed to the children’s room to clear my head. They were all sleeping soundly. Seeing their faces softened my expression, and I stepped out into the yard for some fresh air. I hadn’t expected to find Kohina-senpai already there.
”You! Outside again with those thin clothes? I just told you it’s cold!”
She tried to wrap her own blanket around me.
”No way. What if you get the flu again?”
”Don’t you dare resist me! You’ve got some nerve!”
We fumbled back and forth with the blanket until the sheer silliness of it made me laugh. Kohina-senpai’s sharp expression finally broke, replaced by a gentle smile.
”Finally. You look more like yourself. But…”
She reached out and started poking the furrow between my eyebrows.
”Kohina-senpai?! What are you doing?”
”What does it look like?”
I rubbed the spot she’d been poking. She gave me a wide, brilliant smile.
”You want to be an idol who makes people smile, right? Then it’s no good if the idol is the one making a grimace.”
I froze. Myojo Lily, the idol I admired in my previous life, never stopped smiling even on the verge of death. And here I was, losing my nerve over a falling rock? I had work to do.
”Hmph. Now you have a proper face.”
Slap!
She slapped my back as she passed by. “Listen. I’m your boss—Kohina Freedom Yukari! So just like me, you do whatever you want!”
”Kohina-senpai…”
I was too good of a disciple to point out how lame that stage name was.
”I have to go to the broadcasting station.”
”You going alone?”
She dangled her car keys in front of me.
Really, how can one woman be this cool? Of all the people I’d met, she was the only one I felt I could never win against.
”So it’s come to this, has it?”
”Ako-san.”
Ako-san emerged from the shadows with a small chuckle—the same private smile she’d shown me when we first met. “Go to the national broadcaster. I’ll call ahead and make sure they’re flexible.”
”I understand. Thank you, Ako-san!”
She stepped closer and gave my chest a light, encouraging punch.
”Everyone is living in fear right now. We need someone who can be a light in this darkness. I know you can do it, Aqua-kun. So just keep running. We’ll handle the small details.”
I threw my arms around her, making her let out a startled little yelp.
”Thank you! You chose me out of millions of people, and I promise you won’t regret it! I’ll be the brightest star in the sky—not just for me, but for you too!”
She laughed, a bit embarrassed, and patted my back. Soon after, I was in the car with Kohina-senpai, heading for Shintaro’s place. I found him sitting in his entryway, already dressed and waiting.
”I’ve been waiting, Aqua. I knew there was no way you’d just stay quiet.”
”Heh. You see right through me, don’t you?”
Clink!
We bumped fists.
”Let’s go do what only we can do.”
”Yeah!”
Shintaro nodded firmly. I was glad I’d met him in this world. He looked away for a second, looking uncharacteristically bashful. “By the way, Aqua. Once this is all over, I’m going to tell Chigiri-san—”
”Wait, Shintaro! Stop!”
”What?”
”That’s a death flag²! Don’t you dare finish that sentence!”
I metaphorically snapped his death flag in half.
”Should we go pick up Toa next?” Kohina-senpai asked.
”No. Toa and Tenga-senpai will be fine. Just head to the station.”
Shintaro grinned at my confused look. “Don’t underestimate us, best friend. We’ve been following your lead for a long time.”
* * *
When we arrived, Toa was already standing outside the building in full costume. “Hey! Toa! Is it okay for you to be out during a lockdown?”
He just turned his phone screen toward me. “Look. Do you know what this is?”
”A livestream?”
”Streaming is great. Anyone, anywhere, can watch it regardless of age or gender.”
He gestured to the crowds of women lining the streets, all quietly watching over him.
”I streamed my whole walk here, and these older sisters protected me. Safe, right?”
”Haha. I guess so.”
I patted his head, amazed at how much he’d grown, and thanked the women nearby.
”Let’s go! Tenga-senpai is probably waiting!”
We hurried inside, where Tenga-senpai was leaning against a wall near the studio. “You’re late, juniors. Everyone’s waiting.”
”Everyone?”
”That’s right!”
Moja-san and Nobu-san appeared from a waiting room, followed by Maruo.
”Aqua-san. We’re all here!”
I looked into the room and saw them all—Kujaku, Hajime, Tsuwabuki-san, the research students, and even some regular fans.
”We all feel the same way, Aqua-kun,” Rihito-san said, clapping my shoulder. “We won’t let the clock you started stop now.”
I clenched my fists.
”So, what’s the plan, Leader?” Moja-san asked.
I looked around at all their faces. “I… I just want to make people smile. Especially now. People might think it’s trivial, but I don’t think there’s anything harder than keeping things normal when the world is falling apart.”
I wasn’t a hero. I couldn’t stop a meteor.
”I want to tell everyone that tomorrow will be the same as today. To ease their hearts. For the people out there trying to save the world, I want to protect the ‘now’ they’re fighting for. I want to keep our peaceful days alive.”
Toa put a hand on my shoulder. “Then we’d better get to cheering them up.”
”Let’s do it, Aqua,” Shintaro added, joining us. “Our way.”
Tenga-senpai gathered us into a huddle.
”It’s 6:00 AM Monday! The station is ready. Let’s set this country—no, this world—on fire with our passion!”
Everyone roared in agreement. I tried to thank them, but they all just waved me off.
”Alright, everyone! Let’s go! For everyone out there who’s lost hope!”
With that, I led them onto the roof to prepare for the live broadcast.
—
Summary:
After a meteor crisis interrupts his world tour, Aqua returns to Japan to find his family and friends living under a male lockdown. Despite the global panic, he is comforted by his wives and finds resolve through a sharp pep talk from Kohina-senpai. Realizing he cannot simply hide, Aqua decides to use his influence as an idol to stabilize the public’s morale. He gathers his allies, including Shintaro and Toa, who has creatively used his fanbase for protection during travel. The group unites at a national broadcasting station, ready to deliver a live performance to inspire hope. Their shared determination marks a stand against the literal and metaphorical darkness threatening their world.
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Trivia:
- Kohina’s mention of the flu and Aqua’s thin clothes highlights her protective nature despite her abrasive ‘Yukari Freedom’ persona.
- Toa’s use of a livestream for protection shows the evolving power dynamics between idols and the female-dominated society.
- Aqua’s memory of Myojo Lily serves as a narrative anchor, shifting his motivation from fear to professional duty.
- Shintaro’s interrupted confession is a classic trope used to build tension and signal that the upcoming events will be life-changing
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Character Insight:
Aqua’s relationship with Kohina-senpai is solidified as a master-disciple dynamic where she provides the mental fortitude he lacks in a crisis. Meanwhile, his bond with Shintaro is shown to be one of absolute trust, as Shintaro anticipates Aqua’s movements without a word being spoken.
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Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The government has implemented a gender-specific lockdown, preventing males from attending school or work due to the impending meteor threat. This underscores the protective but restrictive status of men in this world.
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TL Notes:
The ‘Death Flag’ term is kept as a meta-reference common in modern light novels, reflecting the protagonist’s awareness of narrative tropes.
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Glossary:
Notes:
• Aqua – A male public figure or idol planning a world tour starting in the United States. Perceived as an ‘invader’ or rival by the Chairman. The central figure of the Holy Aqua Faith and the Church of Power. A student at Otomezaki Academy. Possesses the ‘legendary sword’ and the ability to turn lesbians into submissive females through physical contact. The central male figure of the Church of Power. Husband to Yukishiro Emily. Possesses a powerful scent and male pheromones that incapacitate women at close range.
• Kanon – Aqua’s wife, a high‑profile idol known as Kanon‑sama, is a celebrated fashion icon whose signature style fans copy. Fans call her cool, jealous, and the Internet Master. She’s the figure Aqua constantly makes excuses to.
• Emily – Emily (Yukishiro Emily), a beautiful, graceful descendant of the Yukishiro family, is a female talent famed for vocal impressions — especially Kanon — and winner of the ‘Impression King’ title. She regularly collaborates with Shirogane Aqua on variety shows and is one of his wives.
• Yui – A girl with a large bust (G-cup+) who tries to remain professional but is frequently the object of Aqua’s gaze.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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