NOVEL NEXT Chapter 75 – A Start of Conflict 02
It seems that news about Ai having children had started to fill gossip shows on television, tabloids, and the internet. In fact, the information was so widespread that it became a trending topic of conversation on twatter.
Also, the official forum of B-Komachi was flooded with fans asking about the authenticity of the news and fans who were enraged by the fact that the idol they adored was not pure and had children.
Many fans even bombarded Strawberry Productions by calling the office continuously. It wasn't long until the fanatical fans threatened both the company and Ai.
The predictable thing had happened once the secret was revealed publicly. In the manga, the secret was revealed when Ruby and Aqua were grown up, and Ai had died, making the narrative more positive towards Aqua and Ruby and the public even more sympathetic towards them.
This time, a considerable controversy tarnished the image of Ai, B-Komachi, and Strawberry Productions. It even seems that the story is a bit exaggerated, so some various forums and websites link several names of actors, directors, and various men as possible boyfriends and also the father of Ai's child.
Honestly, even though we had planned to solve this problem, the situation was very hectic in the company office when it happened. Miyako and Ichigo had already spoken to the members of B-Komachi, Starlight, and various company employees to solve this problem.
Basically, Ai will have a press conference and speak to the public. Although to be honest, I think this kind of thing is too much. This is the idol culture in Japan. I can't change that.
The only thing that's interesting about all this is that none of the news or websites mentioned that Ruby and I are Ai's children. I don't understand why they didn't put that out. Is it because it could give a positive impression or as a guarantee for something else? I don't know, but this is very beneficial for all of us.
"It's quite noisy down there, right?" Ruby said as her eyes focused on the smartphone.
"Well, of course. A lot of angry fans and reporters gathered. We've also announced that Ai will be speaking before the press." I answered Ruby's words before turning to her and asking her this time. "What have you been doing?"
"Me? Well, I was just protecting mom and fighting with the haters!" Ruby replied while looking busy with her smartphone.
"Geez, what are you doing? Stop that, we're also going to appear at the press conference with our mom? Are you ready?"
"Of course, you have nothing to worry about."
We all gathered at Ichigo Production's office to prepare for the press conference with Ai. I could see Ai sitting not far away near the mirror, and one of the employees was arranging her hair and putting light makeup on her. I don't think Ai needed to use makeup because she was still a stunning woman without it. Ai should be at an age where she was at her best after all. After all, in anime worlds mothers usually look younger and much better-looking than fathers.
"Okay, you three are ready, right?" Miyako clapped as she entered the room and told us that the time for the press conference was about to begin.
"Yes, okay…" Ai answered Miyako's call with a cheerful smile. "It's time for my job." She added.
Ai finally went towards the room where the press conference was held. There were already many reporters waiting. Amidst the hustle and bustle of reporters, Ai looked so calm and not the least bit panicked or nervous. Next to her, Miyako and Ichigo accompanied Ai. In fact, they seemed to be more anxious than Ai herself.
Ai stood at the podium, and the reporters and probably people were waiting to see what she would say. Basically, when facing a controversy like this, the first thing to do is apologize to fans and the like. It's also standard in the Japanese business world. As far as I know, they always thought of the consumer first.
Something that I understand from a business point of view, but in the current situation, I feel there is no point in apologizing because Ai did nothing wrong. Only bigoted and parasocial people would be happy about this. Then if Ai apologizes like this, it will only add to their ego. As a person who in my past life was far away from idol culture, I didn't really understand.
In other words, it's good to change that in this world if we do the right thing. They were especially thinking about what would have happened to Ai if I hadn't saved her. This had to be changed, and no one else but this company could possibly try to change what they wanted from their idol.
For now, in this company, although it is primarily V-tubers rather than idols, there are only two groups, so it is easy to control. Ah, we also have some actors and child actors too. I don't think this company has a policy against dating and the like as long as they are careful.
Therefore, the first thing that came out of Ai's mouth was a statement, not an apology.
"Regarding all of the gossip around me in the news and internet about me having a child is a truth." When Ai said that, the reporters gasped simultaneously, as well as various whispers, before the sound died down as Ai continued.
"As you may be disappointed, I actually don't just have one child but have two, and to be more precise, twins. Honestly, it's very difficult for me to not always publicly recognize them as my children. Especially when I love them so much. I can even say that I'm a little relieved that I can publicly acknowledge them now."
I could see a lot of shock on the expressions and faces of the reporters, who didn't expect to hear something like this.
"I may have disappointed my fans and also inconvenienced my friends from B-Komachi and the staff from Strawberry Productions. At the same time, I am very grateful to Miyako's management and the president for giving me the opportunity to become an idol." Ai said that her appearance at this conference was quite something else since it felt like she was letting herself drown in emotion.
"As an orphan I wished to have my own family so I couldn't let them go. At the same time I also dreamed of becoming an idol and was already training as a trainer. I couldn't just let go of both and if I went back in time to choose between these two things. I would still choose the same thing. Because to me, being a mother and an idol are equally important." Ai finally stopped for a moment.
"Even though I finally managed to become an idol for a long time, it can be attributed to all the people close to me, the fans, and my children. Well, especially my children who have always understood and helped me become the idol that I am now. I think the time is right for me now to focus on them. Therefore, I'm thinking of resigning from B-Komachi and retiring as an idol after the live performance at Tokyo Dome next month."
After Ai said that, all the reporters were immediately noisy with Ai's announcement. The sound of flashes from cameras, as well as various impatient reporters throwing different questions at Ai, immediately made Ichigo and also Miyako try to calm the reporters before Ai spoke something that surprised the reporters again.
"I will also introduce my twins. Although they are both publicly known I couldn’t openly announce that they were both my children. Maybe some of you can guess who they are. But it's good to formally introduce them to the public so that my fans and people know who they are…" Ai said while gesturing with her hand that it was time for Ruby and me to enter the press conference room.
Without saying much more, we both entered the room, and the reporters immediately fell silent when we entered. I don't know if it was because they were surprised and didn't expect something like this to be true.
"Huhu~ I don't want to introduce them to the public because they are still minors. However, since both of them are already famous, I guess there's no harm in it. These are my children, Hoshino Aquamarine and Hoshino Ruby." Ai introduced us both as her children formally and publicly for the first time. It immediately set the entertainment world, the internet, and Japan itself into a frenzy.
