The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast shifting shadows across the room. Aqua lay on the edge of the bed, his back turned to Akane. His fingers loosely gripped the sheets, tension radiating from his still frame. Behind him, Akane exhaled softly, her guard slipping.
"This isn't the ending you really want, is it?" Akane murmured, soft yet unwavering.
Aqua's grip tightened. "It doesn't matter what I want. It's already over."
Akane pushed herself up, the light catching on her bare shoulders, accentuating her arched back. "Lying to yourself won't change anything. You think revenge will bring you peace?" She reached out, fingertips ghosting along his spine. "Or are you afraid that once it's over, you'll have nothing left?"
Aqua exhaled sharply, his gaze fixed on the floor. "I've got nothing to lose."
She let out a quiet breath, shifting closer, her warmth pressing against him.
"If that's true… then let me be someone special for you."
He turned slightly, meeting her gaze over his shoulder. "You're too good at this."
Akane smiled faintly. "Mhm, it's what I normally do." Her fingers trailed down his arm, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Just for tonight, forget everything for me."
Aqua hesitated, his hand hovering over hers before finally clasping it. He turned, pressing his forehead against hers. His breath was slow, and heavy.
"CUT!" The director's voice echoed through the studio.
The dream was over.
The dim glow vanished, replaced by the glare of bright studio lights. A boom mic hovered above them. The murmuring of the crew filled the space where such a profound intimacy, no matter how artificial, had briefly lingered.
In entertainment industry, no one cares about the truth.
As long as you sell the show and the audience buys it, that's all that matters.
Your feelings? They hardly matter, merely parts of the script. Props in a fabricated lie.
Aqua let go of Akane's hand, sitting up with his usual gloomy expression. She stretched her arms before flashing a playful smile. "Not bad. You almost had me."
Aqua didn't react immediately. He stayed silent, then murmured, "You too."
Akane blinked, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.
For a second, she wasn't sure if it was him acting still.
"So, how's Kana? Everything good?"
"She's fine. We just talked on the phone an hour ago."
"That's weird... she isn't jealous of me anymore." She pouted slightly.
"Maybe because she understands the professionalism that comes with being an actress, I suppose. Which means she no longer saw you as a threat."
"Yeah, you're right. Kana-chan has always been like that." She smiled faintly, perhaps reminiscing about whatever fantasy she once had of her former little idol.
"Wait... also, what do you mean by a threat?"
"Are you calling me a parasite now? Aqua, you meanie~!"
She gave Aqua a faint, playful nudge on his shoulder, pouting dramatically.
However, Aqua didn't budge, his usual gloom settling over him as he sat at the edge of the sofa.
"Come to think of it, I never once thought of surviving. I had no idea that kind of outcome was even possible. To me, it's a miracle."
Akane exhaled, leaning back against the sofa, searching his face. "You know, back then… I thought stopping you would have been the best outcome."
Aqua said nothing, his gaze flickering to her for a moment, then away.
"But now that it's done, you still don't look satisfied at all. Is there something still lingering on your mind?"
"No." Aqua replied.
"Liar." She sighed, disappointment in her tone also drawn on her face.
"Do you ever think about how things could've been?"
She asked once more, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers.
"No," He replied again.
She sighed once more, but this time, a faint, knowing smile formed on her lips.
"Yes—yes. You did it again, Mister Liar."
"I'm not lying."
"No, that's a lie. Don't speak as if we don't know each other inside out."
"When you said that... it sounded... suggestive."
Akane's breath hitched, a flicker of something close to panic in her eyes. However, expected from an actress, she quickly masked it, dismissing her anxiety.
"What's this? Another game to expose my feelings for you?"
"Eh, whatever." He gave a quick sharp glance at her face, then looked away again.
It's been a few months since the TV series 『 恋人な天使 』(Koibito na Tenshi, lit. "Lover Angel") first aired. The romantic comedy drama's audience skyrocketed, especially following the events of the first episode.
Akane played "Tenshi". While I, Aquamarine Hoshino, took on the role "Akuma", which was perfectly fitting for the show's narrative whereas it displays the contradictions between love, beliefs, and cultural difference displayed by both entities.
Oh, that scene? It was the closing stage of this show, a final episode where everything, after the mundane emotional rollercoaster, turns out to be a 'happy ever after' ending.
This show aired a week after I survived the accident during Ruby's concert.
"Hm, what is this? Talking to yourself again, Aqua-kun?"
"Not your business, Akane. Don't mess around." My jaw tightened.
"I bet it must be some kind of edgy flashback monologues, hehehe~"
Akane's eyes held a playful glint, hinting something deeper lingered beneath.
"Don't grin like a fool. It's irritating to see." I scolded her, my voice sharp.
I shifted, looking away as Akane, with nothing on, covered herself with a blanket.
"You are not my boyfriend anymore. Maybe you should get used to it, Aqua-kun."
Akane's smile widened, with a calculated amusement in her eyes.
"That's true. But you know what, I'm still your friend."
"So what? You still can control and use me, is that what you're trying to say?"
"I'm already over with that one." Dry tone expressed in my lethargic voice.
"Hm. Of course." She wasn't convinced, even by this casual exchange.
Akane's gaze lingered on me, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.
Now, forget about the distraction in front of me and back to the topic.
Because I have a genuine question here: What should I do next?