Chapter 66: Street Stroll
Kana Arima performed the "Bell Pepper Exercise" after all.
The film crew had many child extras who adored the nursery rhyme, so Kana would perform it for them during breaks. She had always thrived on crowds and the spotlight; seeing the children smile because of her brought her immense satisfaction.
She truly was a genius actor! Could someone like... Akane Kurokawa even compare?
"Bell Pepper Exercise, start~!"
"Eat your peppers and transform into Superman!"
"Let's all dance and be Peter Pan!"
Ruby was stifling a laugh in the audience, while Aqua was busy reflecting on how his life had reached this point.
Beside him, Akane Kurokawa watched the shining Kana Arima on stage with a look of deep longing. Unfortunately, she didn't have any flashy talents to show off, so she couldn't stand on that stage alongside Kana.
"Kana's acting is great, but yours isn't lacking either." Noticing Akane's low spirits, Aqua comforted her. "Didn't you just help us out a ton recently? Everyone has things they're good at. You don't need to chase someone else's shadow; just being yourself is enough."
Akane let out a soft "Mm," her voice barely audible.
Hikaru Hoshino had taken Ai off to wander the festival. Trusting Aqua's capabilities completely, he had entrusted the "children's group" to him—though Aqua hadn't exactly asked for that vote of confidence.
Following Kana Arima's exercise routine, other performers invited by the organizers took the stage one after another. Koromo Shiranui performed a piano solo, though unfortunately, the reception was somewhat lukewarm.
The biggest surprise was Teppei Nishikawa. He had somehow rounded up a group of elderly locals to perform a comedy skit with him, leaving the audience roaring with laughter.
On the other side of things, Hikaru and Ai were enjoying the festival.
"Want some yakisoba?"
Hikaru asked as they passed a popular fried noodle stall. Since he had loved Chinese-style fried noodles in his previous life, he naturally had a lingering interest in the Japanese version.
"Pork belly, cabbage, soy sauce..." Hikaru muttered under his breath as he watched the vendor's practiced movements. "Seems pretty similar to what I used to eat on the street. I wonder what the real difference is?"
Watching the vendor, who was humming a tune and completely immersed in the cooking, Ai suddenly looked shocked.
"Wait, that's not right. Why aren't they adding bean sprouts and sausage to the yakisoba?"
Hikaru sensed the conversation was heading in a dangerous direction.
"We aren't actually going to spend an entire chapter discussing the proper way to make yakisoba, are we?"
"I suppose not. The author of this book didn't exactly get an endorsement deal from a noodle brand."
Ai snapped back to reality. "The President doesn't let me eat oily food like yakisoba anyway."
"Then... just a small bite?" Hikaru suggested.
Ai blinked and nodded gently.
So, Hikaru bought a portion of yakisoba, and they ate as they walked. Ai took one tiny bite, leaving the rest for Hikaru to finish.
After finishing, Hikaru smacked his lips, only then realizing something.
*Crap. I'm a celebrity now, too. What if I lose my figure?*
"I want to try that," Ai said, taking the initiative.
Hikaru followed her gaze and saw a goldfish scooping stall.
"I heard animal rights groups have been protesting this lately, saying it's animal cruelty," Hikaru couldn't help but comment.
"Really? Then maybe we shouldn't play," Ai said, dropping the idea.
"It's fine, go ahead and try."
Hikaru felt he shouldn't have been so cynical; bringing that up during a festival was a total buzzkill.
"Their protest is mainly about the low survival rate of the fish after they're scooped. If we don't keep them, it's not an issue."
Ai was persuaded once again, and the two happily joined the goldfish scooping activity.
Result: Not a single fish caught.
They looked at each other, and Hikaru felt a bit embarrassed. He felt they couldn't just leave it at that.
He activated his "Angler" card skill.
"How about we just buy a few larger goldfish to take back? Aqua would definitely like them."
Just as Ai was about to agree, she heard Aqua's voice from nearby. "No, I wouldn't."
Hikaru turned to find Aqua, Ruby, and Akane all there, though Kana was missing.
"Where's Kana Arima? She didn't get lost, did she?" Driven by his sense of adult responsibility, Hikaru checked in.
"She got swarmed by kids after she got off stage."
Ruby seemed to remember the image of the Bell Pepper Exercise and started giggling again.
Aqua didn't mock her; if anything, he felt that Kana, who could perform so naturally under everyone's gaze and earn their affection, was quite dazzling.
"Want to try?" Hikaru invited Aqua to scoop some fish.
Before long, Aqua had nearly cleared out the goldfish pond.
Ai and Ruby were dumbstruck, and Akane's eyes turned into stars.
"There's a trick to goldfish scooping," Aqua explained. "Since the paper nets tear so easily, try not to use the center of the mesh. Use the edges as much as possible."
"Aqua-kun, your hands are so steady."
Akane, who had been observing closely, suddenly spoke up, startling Aqua so much he yanked his hand back. Once he realized Akane didn't mean anything else by it, he returned to normal.
Ai looked at the goldfish in the glass jar and crouched down, drawing circles on the ground. "Does Aqua really not like goldfish?"
"It's not that I dislike them... it just seems like a lot of trouble."
"I'll raise them!" Ruby raised her right hand and vowed solemnly. "Aqua and I will definitely grow them big and fat!"
Aqua: *So why did you have to include me in your vow?*
Hearing the result of their discussion, the stall owner happily handed the fish over to Ruby and instructed her:
"Take good care of these little guys!"
Ruby was deeply moved—until she noticed the owner turn around and say the exact same thing to the next kid with the exact same tone.
Eventually, Aqua led a huffy Ruby away. Ai watched their retreating figures until they vanished into the crowd.
"In a setting like this, kids are actually happier when they're away from the adults," Hikaru said with an air of authority, and Ai nodded as if she understood.
While that logic held true for ordinary children, Aqua and Ruby clearly preferred being with Ai.
The two continued down the street. Although it was a small town, there was a wide variety of stalls—all sorts of snacks and treats that made one's mouth water just from the scent.
Ai had been an idol for years and was used to maintaining her figure, but Hikaru never had a habit of restricting his diet. Before he knew it, his hands were full.
"This is bad. My 'one-pack' abs are probably going to make a comeback soon."
Ai's eyes were full of mirth. "It's fine. Being a bit chubby isn't bad. I wish Aqua and the others would gain a little weight too."
"But don't eat too much. Our performance is in a little while, and having a bloated stomach on stage will be uncomfortable."
Ai reminded him seriously.
"It's a waste to throw it all away. Hmm, I'll help you finish half."
Ai quickly found a solution, taking a few snacks from Hikaru and enjoying them happily. "Hikaru, you don't seem to have a free hand to eat," Ai noticed both of his hands were occupied while hers were empty. "Let me carry some for you."
"No, I refuse," Hikaru tilted his head back, looking deep into the sky.
"How about you just feed me instead?"
Ai was nibbling on some food, looking like a little hamster. Her cheeks were puffed out; hearing Hikaru's words, she chewed faster and quickly swallowed.
Her eyes went wide.
"Eh?!"
---
[100 ps = 1 Bonus Chapter (Quest Pending!)]
[10 reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter (Quest Pending!)]
[Total Bonus Chapters Achieved: 0]
[] Join Discord: bit.ly/SefirahCastle
➔ Get instant chapter pings via ping roles and hang out with the community!
[] Patreon:
➔ Unlock advanced chapters & exclusive supporter roles in discord!
➔ For 50 adv chapters. [email protected]/Prince_of_LanLi
LanLi: For those who just want to read the final chapters of this fanfic, I've opened a temporary $3 tier on Patreon.
This gives you full access to the final 50 chapters (though less than 30 are left to be posted!). Check it out if you're interested!
[50 advanced chapters + 29 left to be posted = 79 chs left till end.]