Future (4)

(A/N: I'll be honest—I don't know much about the entertainment industry. Even in the earlier version of this story, long before its rework, I used B-Komachi as the idol group's name instead of Strawberry Productions, simply because I didn't realize that was the actual name of Saitou's company.

The reason I chose Oshi no Ko as the protagonist's home world is pretty straightforward: the antagonist was already set in stone—her own father. I'm not a business major, nor do I have the time or research skills to dive deep into the financial aspects of the story. The timeline I've established also isn't suited for complex stock investments or a finance-driven rise to success—unlike certain chat group fanfics where the protagonist makes it big through strategic stock trading.

That said, my goal is to create an engaging intersection between the group chat's adventures and the protagonist's personal journey. And just as a reminder—I'm a third-semester medical student. So, you might want to adjust your expectations.)

I stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in my pajamas. My damp hair still dripped slightly, and the towel from earlier hung around my shoulders.

The moment I entered the hall, a familiar voice stopped me.

"Were you talking to someone, young miss?"

It was Morishita-san. She must've overheard my conversation with Shun. She stood just outside the bathroom door, apparently keeping watch.

"...Morishita-san, isn't standing guard by the bathroom a bit over the top? This is our house, after all."

She bowed slightly, her expression as calm as ever.

"The young master, sometimes comes home early from madam Hoshino's, madam Saitou's, and the young miss' sister's shopping sprees. And the young miss, often forgets to lock the bathroom door. I'm here as a precaution, in case anything happens."

Hm? Aqua escaping those endless shopping sprees with a well-timed Uber ride? That tracks. Poor Yoshifumi-san must be playing the role of porter instead of bodyguard, hauling all their shopping bags.

Still, why guard here specifically? My head tilted slightly, my confusion probably obvious. Morishita-san noticed and continued.

"The young master has the same habit as the young miss."

...Oh. Right. Aqua always heads straight for a bath after coming home. She's making sure we don't run into any awkward bathroom encounters. Judging by her words, Aqua must already be back.

"Where is Aqua now?" I asked.

"In the living room, young miss."

I nodded and turned toward the living room instead of heading to my bedroom like I'd planned. Relaxing could wait—I might as well say hi to Aqua and see if he knew when Mom would be back.

But before I could take another step, a voice stopped me. "Please wait, young miss."

Ugh.

"Your hair needs to be dried first. If you leave it wet, you might catch a cold."

"Fine, do whatever you want."

"Thank you. Please go to your room—I'll grab the hairdryer from Madam's room and be right there."

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*Vrrrrrr*

The low hum of the hairdryer filled the room, set to its gentlest speed. The pink walls glowed brightly—another one of Ruby's decorative touches.

I didn't mind. The girlish vibe wasn't my style, but it wasn't worth fussing over. If anyone asked, though, I'd make it clear: this was all Ruby's idea.

I sat at the smaller desk next to my main one, where my PC and keyboard were neatly arranged. This desk wasn't for work or study. It was a dressing table—an exact copy of Ruby's online find. Not that I ever used it. This was only the fifth time all year.

The difference between our tables was obvious. Hers was covered with cosmetics and tools, while mine was spotless—no makeup, no clutter, and definitely no hairdryer marks.

As I waited, I kept fidgeting with the Anemo Vision I'd recently gotten. It would light up now and then, especially when it was tucked in my backpack at the library. I had to be extra careful not to draw attention if I ever wanted to take it out.

"You're a lady. Please take care of your hair," Morishita-san said, holding the dryer in her left hand. She ran her fingers through her hair, parting and smoothing it to dry faster.

I could've just used magic for this, but that wasn't the point. Sure, I used magic sense to catch her thoughts now and then, but that wasn't why I went along with her nagging.

Curious about what's on her mind right now?

"Please do it yourself sometimes, or at least ask Aqua-sama or Ruby-sama for help."

Thought Communication translation: "This is it, mademoiselle~! The image I dreamed of when I became a bodyguard! The elegant bond between a refined ojousama and her loyal attendant ✨🌸. Aqua-sama and Ruby-sama always turn me down when I try to help, but you, Ame-ojou-sama, perfect! vous êtes parfaite!✨"

Yep, that's her. Behind that cold beauty look, was her trembling of excitement. This is why I called her eccentric.

Besides salary, most of her "scolding" is just flowery daydreams sprinkled with the occasional thought of flattery to me. Honestly, why didn't she become a maid? Oh, right—we only hire bodyguards.

Still, she genuinely cares about our safety, so she's not all bad. Letting her fuss over my hair every now and then feels like a small payment for her dedication.

Anyway, I think I'll just go to Mom and say something like, 'I want to go to this academy.' Just straightforward like that. There's no need to hurry, though—I can always talk to her about it tomorrow if I don't feel like doing it today.

"I'm done, young miss." Morishita-san finished by giving the end of my long hair twin braids after drying it.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

Right on time, I sensed Aqua outside my door.

"I'll get it, young miss," Morishita-san said, moving quickly as always.

When the door opened, Aqua stood there. "Morishita-san? Oh, were you helping Ame with her hair?"

"Yes, young master. I'll excuse myself now."

"Good work."

They exchanged a few brief words before she departed, leaving Aqua to step inside. I tilted my head, curiosity flickering in my expression. I had intended to seek him out, but it seemed he had anticipated me instead.

"Anyway," he began, his tone casual yet pointed as he held up a thick, blue-covered book. It was Human Physiology by Lauralee Sherwood—the latest edition from last year. The same medical textbook I had borrowed from the library.

"I found this in the living room,"

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"Ame-chaaaaan~ we brought some food~🎵" Ruby's sing-song voice echoed through the house, her words flowing with the melody of the latest hit from her favorite idol group.

From the entrance, their lively chatter grew louder. I could already hear them approaching—and even caught the president's voice. They must have arrived home together.

"Ah? You're both already here? What were you talking about?" That was the president. He walked in beside Ruby, who was carrying a bag of takeout.

They saw Aqua and me sitting across from each other at the dining table, an unusual stillness between us. Normally, if nothing was up, Aqua and I would already be sprawled out in the living room, competing over a console game.

"Uh... It's nothing importa—" I started to deflect, but Aqua cut me off.

"It's important."

His voice was sharp and deliberate, drawing the room's attention instantly. All those vocal exercises he'd practiced really paid off—it was impossible to ignore him. "E-eh?" I stammered, caught off guard by the weight in his tone.

Ruby, mid-swing with the takeout bag, froze in place. Mom quietly took a seat beside Aqua, her eyes searching our expressions. Miyako-san, who had been carrying the president's suit to the laundry, stopped in her tracks, watching intently. Even the president, in the middle of tugging off his tie like a stressed-out office worker, set aside his sunglasses and gave Aqua a serious look.

Aqua's gaze pinned me down. His expression hardened as if silently urging me to say what I'd been holding back. "What you want to do is important to us too, Ame."

"Hm? Ame-chan wants what?" Ruby asked, curiosity lighting up her face.

"Oh!" Mom clapped her hands together in sudden realization. "Are you finally willing to become an idol too? Like your onee-chan and your mom~?"

"Really? Ame-chan is?!" Ruby's excitement bubbled over. She set the food down and lunged at me, wrapping her arms around my head in a tight embrace.

"Give her some space. She can't talk if you do that," Aqua said flatly.

"Ugh, why are you always so mean to me?!" Ruby shot back, puffing out her cheeks. "I'm not pressuring her to join me as an idol, okay? I'm just hugging her because I'm happy for her!"

"So... not an idol?" Miyako-san chimed in. "Maybe Ame-chan wants to be like her Onii-san? An actor?"

I wriggled under Ruby's grip until I finally freed my head. "It's not that," I said, firmly but calmly.

That's when the president's eyes sparkled with sudden inspiration. "Ah! Hm. Heheheheh..." His laughter was unnervingly confident. "Rest assured, I know exactly what you want to pursue. Leave it all to your uncle, Ame-chan—I'll teach you everything about business—!!!"

"That's not it either," I interrupted, my tone flat. My darkened glare shut him down in an instant, and his bravado melted into dejection.

"Pfft—!" Aqua's amused chuckle broke the tension. Then, without a word, he slid a business card onto the table. The sight of it silenced everyone. It was the card from the researcher woman I'd recently met.

"I... I want to become a doctor."

The words trembled on my lips, heavier than I ever thought they'd be. It's the kind of ambition parents dream of for their children—a career cloaked in respect and nobility, the perfect answer to a kindergarten teacher's question scrawled on origami papers with a crayon: What do you want to be when you grow up?

It's the simplest dream. The purest. The kind that makes adults smile and pat you on the head, saying, "You'll do great things someday."

But for me?

For me, it might just be salvation.

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To be continued.