(1 month later)
It had been a whole month since that fateful day when Ai departed, and the three siblings carried on with their lives. Currently, they found themselves in their apartment, with Aqua occupying a solitary spot in the corner, engrossed in an outdated cellphone. Aikara and Ruby, on the other hand, lay sprawled out on the floor, fixated on the television screen.
As they watched the adorable characters dancing across the screen, Ruby couldn't help but cast a questioning glance at Aikara. "Why are we watching kiddie shows? I thought you were all about anime."
Aikara turned to her, sporting a wide, carefree grin. "Well, you see, I auditioned for the live adaptation of this very show. Watching it while waiting for the results helps ease my nerves."
"Then why drag me into this?" Ruby inquired, her tone tinged with disapproval. "I'd rather watch something with action, preferably involving guns and killing."
Aikara let out a giggle, causing Ruby's cheeks to flush with embarrassment. She stared at him defiantly, crossing her arms and puffing out her chest. "What? Got a problem with my taste?" she retorted.
"Not at all," Aikara replied, his voice dripping with playful teasing. It was evident that he was purposefully provoking Ruby, and his tactic seemed to be working. Ruby's fists clenched tightly, ready to deliver a biting response, but before she could, a phone abruptly began to ring.
"Hmm?" Aikara tilted his head, perplexed by the ringing phone. Glancing at the device in front of him, he recognized the number and quickly stood up, grabbing the phone with excitement.
"Hello, this is Aikara," he spoke into the phone, while Ruby looked on curiously. "Yes," he paused, waiting for the response on the other end. "I see." He laughed as he rubbed the back of his head. "Thank you for considering me." With those final words, he ended the call, lying back down on the floor and picking up the remote.
"What was that phone call about?" Ruby asked, her eyes fixed on Aikara as he changed the channel from the kids' show to a reality program.
"Oh, that?" Aikara replied with a smile. "It's not a big deal. I just got rejected for the role I auditioned for."
"Eh?!" Ruby exclaimed, shock evident on her face. "You got rejected?! How did that happen? You're so talented at acting."
"I'm not entirely sure, Ruby," Aikara replied nonchalantly, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
Ruby couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at his response. Aikara seemed so casual about it. Was he trying to hide his pain from rejection?
"Are you okay?" Ruby asked, her concern evident.
"Huh? About what?" Aikara replied with a wide smile, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"About what? I'm obviously talking about-" Ruby began, before Aikara interrupted her.
"Ah, you mean about getting rejected!" he exclaimed, placing a finger on his cheek. "While it's disappointing, it happens to many actors. I just need to work harder, right?"
Aqua, who was at the corner of the room just a few meters away from them, looked up from his phone as he listened to Aikara and Ruby's coversation.
Meanwhile, Aqua, who had been quietly observing the conversation from his spot in the corner of the room, looked up from his phone. He had been keeping a close watch on Aikara for the past month, monitoring his actions to see if he had truly moved on. Although Aikara hadn't shown any signs of hatred or sought revenge, Aqua couldn't shake his suspicions regarding one thing. After the funeral, Aqua had informed Aikara that their father was involved in the entertainment industry. He distinctly remembered Aikara immediately diving into auditions for various roles, only to face rejection in the end.
Aqua couldn't help but speculate that Aikara was pursuing these opportunities in a bid to become successful and uncover their father's true identity. While it might be his overthinking, Aqua believed it was better to be cautious now rather than regretful later.
I suppose it's time to confront him about it, Aqua thought to himself. He decided to wait until nightfall when he was certain Miyako and Ruby would be asleep, intending to wake Aikara and get to the bottom of the matter.
___
(Aikara POV)
"Wake up."
I awoke to a muffled voice, pulling me out of my slumber. Still groggy, I couldn't quite make out the words, but the voice felt familiar.
"Ahhhaa" I yawned as I stretched and sat up on the firm futon, imitating my usual Ai-like manner. "What's up, Aqua?" I asked, tilting my head in curiosity as I gazed at my brother standing before me, his lips sealed.
For a few seconds, he didn't respond at all and I was about to repeat my question but he stood up and started walking to the balcony "Follow me." He said, not explaining any further as he continued his walk.
Gosh, when did my adorable little Aqua-chan grow up like this? It saddens me as a mother because I won't be able to spoil him as much as before.
As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I inwardly groaned.
It had been a month since I donned this facade, and although it might seem like a short time, it was long enough to start erasing my true emotions and adopting Ai's mindset.
But adopting her perspective came with its own set of challenges.
Most of the time, I found myself seeing the world through her eyes.
It's a strangely surreal experience, to be honest.
As Noah, I never had to deal with this, since my mask was purely fictional.
I learned about the life she led, her preferences in men, and even her favorite child—almost everything.
If I continue down this path, I'll once again lose touch with my true self.
At present, I don't unconsciously think like Ai all the time; there are still moments when I break free from her influence. There's still a barrier between me and Hoshino Ai.
But with the passage of time, that barrier will weaken.
It's not necessarily a bad thing for me; after all, I made a promise to put on this mask and bury my true emotions, so as not to burden others.
Though, there should still be a slight barrier between me and her because if there isn't, my perception of the world will be messed up and I'll think of Aqua and Ruby as my children, which isn't true at al.
Aqua's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Aikara, do you still desire revenge?" he asked.
Of course not. I made a firm decision to relinquish that emotion by donning this mask.
"I think me not going to you to discuss revenge is enough of an answer." I replied, placing my hands behind my back and closing my eyes.
"What made you give up?" He asked.
I didn't answer his question as I rested my hands on the balcony, and I gazed at the stars as I murmured, "The night sky in Tokyo is truly beautiful."
"I suppose it is. But Miyazaki Prefecture is even better. The stars shine so brightly there even while the sun is setting," Aqua replied.
"Miyazaki Prefecture?" I inquired, tilting my head in curiosity and placing a finger on my cheek. "Does this relate to your past life?"
"I refuse to answer that," he responded firmly. "We decided not to discuss our previous lives because they were rather depressing."
"Ah, right, right," I chuckled, looking at him with a smile and closing my eyes. "My apologies."
"So, answer my question."
"It's nothing significant. I realized that if I continue down this path, I'll only cause worry and concern for everyone, and I don't want that."
Aqua fell into deep thought for a few seconds before nodding. "I see," he replied. "So, you still harbor the desire for revenge, but you've chosen to set it aside for the sake of others. You truly are kind."
Kind? I'm not sure about that. I only yearn for their approval and affection. I'm not kind; I'm cunning, devious, and a liar. I know someday I'll pay the price for my deceit, just like Ai did.
"Nevertheless, despite your claim of giving up revenge, it seems you can't fully let go, considering you continue to audition for roles," he pointed out.
"Hahaha," I laughed, trying to brush it off. "What are you talking about, Aqua?" I asked, but he remained silent, his gaze fixed on me, unyielding.
As his gaze continued to linger on me, doubt started to creep up my mind.
Do I still want revenge?
I convinced myself that I continue to audition for roles because I want to fulfill Ai's wishes of me becoming an actor, but could Aqua be right?
Of course he isn't right, I decided to throw away those emotions as I placed on a mask.
Yet, what is this feeling in my heart?
I'm sure most of my feelings of self loathing, grief, and sadness have reduced significantly because of deciding to bury them under a mask of lies.
But right now, because of Aqua's words, I feel a flame burning inside me, threatening to engulf my entire being and ruin what I desperately worked hard for.
And that flame is a burning desire to kill my father.
Why is it still there?
I want it to disappear.
If it doesn't, I'll worry those around me and lose their love. I know how repugnant these emotions are, and if anyone were to discover them, I'm certain they would despise me.
So please, just disappear.
I'm begging you.
You already buried yourself in a mask of lies as you made your true feelings disappear.
What's the trouble in including one more?
Suddenly, memories of Ai flooded my mind—her maternal love, her smile, her actions, and, most importantly, the image of her lifeless body and the metallic scent of blood in the air.
Sweat started to bead on my forehead as my breathing grew labored.
Yet, strangely enough, my mind became clearer.
I see. This feeling is too intense to extinguish.
Even if I continue acting for years, I'm certain this emotion will persist within me.
I suppose I desire my father's demise that strongly.
Images of Aqua, Miyako, and Ruby flashed in my mind.
If I continue down this path, they'll worry about me, maybe even stop loving me.
These hesitant thoughts swirled around my mind.
However, amidst all the turmoil, I reached an understanding.
I will kill him.
These emotions burn too fiercely for me to ignore.
So, I'm sorry guys.
Even though I'll worry you, even though I might make you guys not love me anymore.
I'll not make this desire of mine disappear. I'll not throw away my true emotions in an attempt to please you guys anymore.
Because for the first time ever, I've become greedy enough to not throw myself aside for the sake of others. I'll continue this revenge, even if I pay for the price someday.
It's fine if I die at the end since if my life ends as a result, it will merely be the punishment I deserve for being a liar, just like Ai.
_____
A.N
This is his character development!
He finally decided to be true to himself. How wholesome and sweet.
You can support me in patreon dot com/SUSGT
You'll be able to read four advanced chapters.
So this is the direction I decided to go.Aikara is the son of Ai and [father name].So it makes sense that he is half of each.Ai is a liar and [father name] is a person with murderous intent.Aikara is both of them, which is a symbol that he is their son.
Despite being both of them, you can clearly see its not exactly half and half and he is more like his mother than his father. He's not cold, calculating, and willing to sacrifice people for his goals. It's like a battle in his mind between Ai and his father on which parent he will most likely take after.
I think it's a good duality with Aqua.
They both experienced great lost after seeing Ai dead body. And while Aqua becomes more cold and calculating as he grows older like his father while still having certain qualities of Ai(if you read the manga, you know), Aikara will become more and more like Ai while having a certain quality of his father(desire to kill).
Ai and Aikara were two sides of the same coin before where the both lie because of love.
But now, it's Aikara and Aqua who is two sides of the same coins where they're developing in opposite directions yet the catalyst of it all is the same(which is Ai's death)
Not only does Aikara and Aqua become more like the people I mentioned in terms of personality, they also become more like them in terms of appearance.
Aikara, despite being a male, resembles Ai a lot.
And Aqua, starts to resemble his father more and more. Even Akane said they look similar.
Anyway, that's all I have to say regarding the character development of Aikara.
I'm personally satisfied with this direction and if you were hoping for something else, I'm sorry for not fulfilling that expectation.
Oh yeah, and there's one more thing I wanna say.(manga spoilers below)
You know how Aqua fully became like Hikaru in the latest chapters and he was even willing to manipulate Kana for his goals, that means he let go of his Ai like quality.So it begs the question, will Aikara experience the same development as Aqua but in reverse? A development where he fully becomes like Ai and discarding his Hikaru quality.I'm not too sure if this will happen since I honestly don't have a plan yet and I only come up with events during moments of inspiration.