Aoi's eyes light up as she discovers an old DVD tucked away in a box of her mom's memorabilia from her idol days. She waves her twin brother <USER> over eagerly.
"<USER>, look what I found! It's a DVD of mom performing on stage way back when she first started out! We should totally watch it."
She bounces on her toes excitedly and pops the DVD into the player without waiting for <USER>'s response. As the video starts up, Aoi settles onto the couch while <USER> takes a spot beside her. Their mom appears on screen looking shy and nervous in her frilly idol costume. Aoi coos sympathetically.
"Aww mom looks so cute and innocent here! Her first outfit is really pretty too, all pink and sparkly."
She smiles softly as the camera pans over the cheering crowd. In the background they hear their dad's voice pipe up enthusiastically.
"You look beautiful dear! Go get 'em, fan #1 is rooting for you!"
Aoi blinks in surprise, then bursts into giggles.
"Fan #1? Wait, so dad was mom's number one fan before they started dating? That's so adorable!"
She clasps her hands together, gushing over this newly discovered part of her parents' love story. As the video continues, Aoi scoots closer to <USER> with shining eyes.
"Can you believe our parents were this cute? No wonder mom became such a successful idol with dad supporting her!"
I look back at her as I nod, remembering how I was adopted two years ago. I still remember the day she visited the orphanage with her parents, and took me, a gloomy dark boy with an athletic frame.
"Oh <USER>, that reminds me! Have you ever wondered what it would've been like if we had met them as part of their family? Would we be close with our siblings?"
She seems to think about this for a moment before continuing, her expression growing slightly wistful. "Or maybe they always meant for us to be together... I mean, look at how much we both love music and performing."
Her eyes flick down to their intertwined hands for just a second before looking back up at his face, searching for some sign of what he's thinking about this idea.
I smile, as I tell her that her time of her performance at her concert is soon coming up.
Aoi grins back, excitement sparkling in her eyes. "Yeah! Only a few more hours until I get to be on that stage again! It's gonna be amazing." She squeezes his hand playfully before letting go and starting to stretch out her arms. "I should probably get some practice in now, just to make sure everything is perfect for tonight. Wanna come watch me?"
She arches an eyebrow challengingly, as if daring him to say no. The air between them crackles with energy and competition as they both know how much this performance means to each of them.
I nod of course. Soon, I drive her to the concert, and she soon gets prepared for the stage.
As they arrive at the venue, Aoi's heart is already racing with anticipation. The energy in the air is electric as fans mill about, waiting eagerly for her to take the stage. She thanks <USER> for driving her over and gives him a quick hug before making her way backstage.
Once she's ready, she takes a deep breath and steps out onto the stage, instantly radiating confidence and charisma. The crowd goes wild as she launches into her first song, her voice sounding even better than usual thanks to the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins.
For the next hour, Aoi commands the stage with grace and skill, moving effortlessly between dance moves and hit songs. She can feel <USER> watching from the sidelines, their shared love for music and performance connecting them even when they're apart. As the concert draws to a close, she takes one last look out at the audience before bowing deeply, taking a moment to savor this special night and all that it means for her future as an idol.
After the concert, she greets her fans as she starts to autograph them one by one. She sees me I am watching her form a distance, guarding her.
As the fans disperse and she finally makes her way over to him, Aoi can't help but beam with pride and happiness. She takes his hand in hers gratefully, squeezing it warmly as she looks up at him with heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you so much for being here tonight, <USER>. You really are the best big brother ever." Her eyes sparkle with emotion, her cheeks flushed from the excitement of the performance.
She leans in close and whispers conspiratorially, "You know, you're not bad at singing either. Maybe someday soon I can convince you to join me on stage?" Her voice is teasing but full of sincerity, and she gives his hand another squeeze before letting go, already back to her bubbly, cheerful self as she starts walking towards the exit.
As she walks home, she hums her song, the excitement not yet disappeared. She spots a broad man wearing a dark coat approaching her, as he pulls out his notebook and ask for a autograph.
"Of course!" Aoi exclaims with genuine enthusiasm, quickly moving to intercept the fan and whip out a sharpie. She beams up at him as she signs her name gracefully on whatever item he has for her (a poster, CD, magazine). "I hope you enjoy it! Please come see me again soon," she gushes, hands fluttering animatedly in the air before finally landing on his arm.
As he thanks her profusely and walks away with a big grin, Aoi can't help but feel a surge of happiness wash over her. This is why she loves being an idol; the feeling of making people happy with her music and performances. Even late at night, when most would be tired after such an exhilarating show, Aoi still has the energy to put on a smile for her fans.
As she walks along a dark secluded alley, a figure suddenly grabs her from behind, and pin her on the wall. It is the man from earlier, but he has a sadistic grin across his lips, as he strangles her neck.
A scream rips through the night air as Aoi feels strong hands grab her from behind, pinning her to the rough brick wall. Her heart lodges in her throat as she struggles against her attacker, but he only seems to grow stronger with each desperate gasp for air. She can't believe this is happening; how could someone be so cruel? Her world begins to spin and darkness creeps in at the edges of her vision, threatening to overtake her...
Suddenly, a powerful arm snakes around the man holding her and yanks him off with enough force to send him flying across the alley. Aoi coughs and gasps as precious oxygen fills her lungs once more, sinking back against the wall in relief. Her savior steps closer, his hands fisting at his sides as he glares down at the unconscious figure sprawled on the ground. "You leave her alone," he growls through clenched teeth.
Aoi can only stare up at him with wide, terrified eyes, barely recognizing the voice of her twin brother beneath the fury and determination that fills it now. Her heart swells with gratitude as she reaches out to take his hand in hers, squeezing it tightly as a tear slips down her cheek. "Thank you, <USER>," she whispers hoarsely. "You saved me."
But before I can smile back at her, the man pulls out a gun, firing two times at my chest. I instantly crumple to my feet, as the man turns to her.
With a bloodcurdling scream that echoes through the night, Aoi throws herself at her attacker in a blind fury. Her nails rake across his cheek as she struggles against him, determined not to let him hurt her or anyone else ever again. Tears stream down her face as adrenaline fuels her desperate fight for survival; this is no longer about being an idol or living up to expectations. This is about protecting those she loves and refusing to become a victim.
But the man doesn't let up easily, his grip tightening around her slender arms as he tries to wrestle her to the ground. The cold metal of the gun pressed against her temple sends a shudder through her entire body, stealing what little strength she has left. She whispers a silent prayer that somehow, someway, her twin brother will manage to get away and find help before it's too late...
As their struggle continues, Aoi feels herself slipping closer and closer to despair. The darkness at the edges of her vision grows brighter and more alluring with each passing second. She refuses to give in, though; she will not let this man take her life or that of her savior. Somehow, she must find the strength within herself to fight back...to survive.
The man grabs her neck, and throws her body at mine. He shoots his gun again, but I lunge forward, taking the shots instead. Suddenly, the man hears the sirens approaching, and quickly run away.
As the sound of sirens grows louder and closer, Aoi finally manages to break free from her attacker's grasp. She stumbles backwards away from him, her heart racing as she takes shaky breaths in between gasps for air. Tears stream down her face unchecked as she looks around wildly for any sign of her twin brother, relief and terror warring inside of her chest like two opposing forces threatening to tear her apart.
Finally spotting him lying motionless on the ground a few feet away, Aoi takes off at a sprint towards him, her voice caught in her throat as she shouts his name over and over again. With trembling hands, she presses two fingers against the side of his neck, feeling for a pulse. She doesn't dare hope that he could still be alive...but maybe...just maybe....
My pulse is weak, blood forming on my bullet wounds. She sees the officers approach her, as she cries out for help, her hands desperately holding mine.
As the officers descend upon them, their voices calling for backup and medical attention, Aoi's entire world begins to spin out of control. "Please," she whispers hoarsely, her voice breaking as tears stream down her face. She sinks to her knees beside her twin brother, refusing to let go of his hand despite the blood that now stains their fingertips. "Please don't leave me... please..."
The officers quickly call an ambulance, as they ask her what happened.
Through shaking sobs and gasps for air, Aoi manages to explain what happened as best she can through her tears. Her voice breaks and cracks with emotion as she recounts the terrifying attack, struggling to find the words to express just how grateful she is that <USER> was there to save her life. The police question her intently about their attacker's appearance, but all she can focus on is the feel of <USER>'s hand in hers and the sound of his ragged breathing growing weaker with each passing second.
She looks up at the officers, eyes pleading as she begs them to help him, promising that if he pulls through she'll devote her life to catching whoever did this to them both. It's a promise made desperately in the moment, but one that she knows deep down she will keep no matter what.
The ambulance soon arrives, as they load me on the stretcher and rush me to the hospital. During the ride, she clutches my hand, sobbing uncontrollably.
As the ambulance doors slam shut and they pull away from the scene, Aoi buries her face in her hands, unable to stem the tide of tears any longer. All she can focus on is the pain that radiates from her heart, a dull ache that throbs in time with every shuddering breath he takes. Her grip on his hand tightens as they speed through the streets, determined not to let go until she knows for certain that he's safe. The hospital seems to stretch out into eternity, each passing moment feeling like an agonizing hour as she prays with every fiber of her being that they won't be too late.
In this moment, nothing else matters; not the idol career she's worked so hard for, not the throngs of adoring fans who hang on her every word and gesture. All that exists is the bond between herself and her twin brother, a connection that transcends even death itself. She refuses to accept that this could be their fate; they will survive this, she swears it. Somehow, someway, they will make it through together.