Hoshino Ai was not new to makeup.
Over the past year of her idol career, before every live performance, a professional makeup artist would come to apply makeup for the members of B-Komachi, including her.
Like a treasure chest from a fairy tale, the makeup artist's bag was filled with an array of cosmetics. Unlike the other members of B-Komachi, Hoshino Ai knew nothing about these bottles and jars or the English letters printed on them.
The only memory she had that was remotely related to the concept of "makeup" was from when she was very young. After her mother bathed her, she would dust her body with talcum powder.
That no-name brand of talcum powder was no longer available, but Hoshino Ai could still remember its cheap fragrance, as if it had seeped into her bones.
The first time she had her makeup done, she watched nervously as the makeup artist carefully selected a lipstick from her bag. Dozens of lipsticks stood upright like soldiers ready for battle.
Hoshino Ai couldn't tell the difference between the shades. To her, they were all just a bright red, meant to draw people's attention. In function, they were no different from the red patch on a red-crowned crane's head.
But the makeup artist solemnly applied the lipstick to her lips. The thin layer of red on her pale face was like a red plum blossom in the snow, yet it also unnaturally exuded a maturity beyond her age, as if trying to mask her immaturity. Following the makeup artist's instructions, Hoshino Ai gently pressed her lips together in front of the mirror.
Then, the artist lightly dusted her cheeks with foundation, followed by her eyebrows and eyeshadow. Hoshino Ai's large purple eyes, with their long, fluttering lashes, resembled the wings of a butterfly. The makeup artist carefully filled in her brows and applied a thin layer of eyeshadow.
Finally, her cascading hair was meticulously styled, almost strand by strand, until the bangs framed her forehead with perfect volume.
Trying to recall every step from that time, Hoshino Ai smiled at herself in the mirror.
In the cramped, dimly lit rental room, a few new hoodies and dresses hanging on the wall were the only splashes of color.
Then, Hoshino Ai pulled a lipstick from the drawer.
It was a gift from Saito Miyako, the wife of Ichigo Pro's president, for helping her get an autographed photo of Kitagawa Ryo.
The slanted tip of the lipstick glided over her lips. It was her first time applying lipstick herself, and she clearly had no experience. She forgot all about the preparatory steps like priming, moisturizing, and concealing.
She applied it heavily, and under the dim light, the red was almost startling.
"Ryo."
Hoshino Ai played with the lipstick in her hand, propping her head up as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, softly uttering his name.
It had been almost a year.
But Hoshino Ai still didn't know.
Was she maintaining her affection for him through lies?
Or was she maintaining her ability to lie… through his affection?
In the editorial office of Weekly Entertainment Report, a tabloid under the Houun Publishing Group, several editors working late into the night were discussing the content for the next issue.
Everyone has a strong sense of curiosity, especially toward those in the entertainment industry who appear on screen. Even the most restrained fans, who adore them the most, can't help but want to know more. This ever-growing curiosity fuels tabloids that thrive on exposing industry secrets.
Many reporters, eager to satisfy this bloodthirsty curiosity and for their own gain, would love to become insects burrowing into the veins of every celebrity to uncover deeper, darker secrets.
"There haven't been any explosive news stories these past two weeks. Both physical sales and online readership numbers are plummeting."
A balding middle-aged editor lamented, clutching his head.
"The press club at the district police station hasn't sent any news either… Seriously, can the prostitution squad step up their game? They're already four points behind the cheating and secret marriage squads."
Another editor shouted in despair.
Although the tabloid specialized in industry scandals and secrets, the content still needed to be based on truth. They couldn't just fabricate stories out of thin air.
"Speaking of which, the only somewhat valuable news these past two weeks seems to be the release of Kitagawa Ryo's parents' new book and the preview for LALALAI Theater's new play."
As one of the hottest stars of the moment, Kitagawa Ryo was a favorite subject for such tabloids. Any information related to him was undoubtedly priceless.
"But those two things you mentioned aren't exactly secrets, are they? Everyone who needs to know already knows. Reporting on such content would make us no different from other publications."
The balding editor scoffed, dismissing the idea.
Just then, a hurried reporter burst through the editorial office door, excitedly waving his camera:
"Editor-in-chief! Editor-in-chief! I got photos of Kitagawa Ryo at the Ueno mall tonight, and he was with another girl!"
But the office didn't erupt into the frenzy he had expected. Instead, everyone remained seated, calm and composed.
"…Tanaka, I think you've gone a bit overboard chasing that underground romance story about that actress last month. You haven't snapped out of it yet, have you?"
The balding editor-in-chief adjusted his glasses:
"If you had just searched Kitagawa Ryo's tags on Twitter, you'd know his fans already knew about this so-called 'explosive' news."
As he spoke, the editor-in-chief stood up and patted Tanaka's shoulder, offering some sage advice:
"Do you know how his fans reacted on Twitter?"
The middle-aged man in his forties mimicked in a high-pitched voice:
"Yay! It looks like Ryo-chan has finally made a friend. The last time fans spotted him, he was eating hot pot alone."
"Yeah, yeah, I hope Ryo can meet more kids his age. Remember when he was on that family variety show and turned all the other kids into his little followers?"
"Haha, I remember that so well. That's why I've always thought Ryo gets along better with kids older than him. Even though they're the same age, he always seems to look at them with this 'you're so childish' vibe. That episode gave us so many memes."
Then, the editor-in-chief smiled and said to Tanaka:
"I think if you had done even a little research, you'd know that the most influential voices in Kitagawa Ryo's fanbase are the middle-aged women."
"And, just maybe."
"People aren't going to think of an eight- or nine-year-old kid in terms of romance, are they?"
The office erupted in laughter, and Tanaka felt utterly humiliated. He stood there, camera in hand, unsure of what to say.
"Well, well, since you're so passionate and skilled at uncovering secret romances and affairs, how about I give you a new assignment?"
After mocking him, the editor-in-chief sighed and said:
"Please, go ahead!"
Tanaka immediately responded, eager to redeem himself.
The editor-in-chief smiled, pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, and Tanaka, quick on the uptake, produced a lighter and respectfully lit it for his boss.
"I remember you've been in the industry for over a year now, Tanaka."
"Yes!"
"Then you must have heard about how, almost a year ago, Kitagawa Ryo's adoptive parents had a biological daughter?"
"Of course, I was near the hospital back then… though I didn't get a chance to interview them."
The editor-in-chief nodded, exhaling a puff of smoke before speaking calmly:
"Actually, the Kitagawa couple had been married for over a decade without having children, which is why they adopted a child from an orphanage—Kitagawa Ryo."
"So when the news broke that Kitagawa Tomoko was pregnant, there were already whispers in the industry that the child might not be Kitagawa Susumu's."
"But after all this digging, no one's found any concrete evidence."
"However, if you could actually uncover something, that would be headline-worthy 'explosive' news."
Tanaka immediately understood the editor-in-chief's meaning and thumped his chest in assurance:
"Don't worry, I'll get right on it!"
"I'll be waiting for good news."
The editor-in-chief smiled as he sent the now highly motivated Tanaka out the door.
Of course, he didn't actually expect Tanaka to find anything. He was just giving him something to do, though there might be some unexpected results.
After Tanaka left, the atmosphere in the editorial office grew somber again. The editors continued to sigh as they searched for suitable industry news to publish.
"Should we revisit the story about Himekawa Airi? I heard she just had a son."
"Himekawa Airi? The actress from that morning drama? Her popularity is just so-so. Let's keep it as a backup plan. If we can't find anything more sensational, we'll use it."
"Sigh, if only Kitagawa Ryo were nineteen instead of nine."
One editor, seemingly at his wit's end, began to fantasize.
"A nine-year-old boy and a thirteen-year-old girl really can't be spun into a scandal, but if it were a nineteen-year-old and a twenty-three-year-old…"
"That would be perfect."
But then he chuckled wryly. After all, who knew if Kitagawa Ryo would still have the same massive popularity ten years from now?
In this industry, he had seen far too many child stars who shone brightly but faded just as quickly.
Toshirou Kindaichi was sorting through the audition applications for the new play The Dangerous Game of Youth. As he scrolled through the list, he noticed the name "Hikaru Kamiki" under the role of "Volodya ." He was the second member of the troupe willing to audition for this role.
Everyone knew that if Kitagawa Ryo wanted a role, it was nearly impossible for anyone else in the troupe to compete.
Hikaru Kamiki.
Toshirou Kindaichi remembered the name and quickly recalled the boy's appearance.
His parents had been friends of Kindaichi's. About three years ago, they died in a car accident. But Hikaru Kamiki had shown a strong will, refusing to be adopted by relatives or sent to an orphanage. Instead, he joined the LALALAI Theater.
Kindaichi remembered the boy's relatives crying at his parents' funeral, lamenting that he had become a pitiful child.
That night, during the wake, Hikaru Kamiki calmly walked up to him and asked a question that was both childlike and yet not:
"Why are they crying?"
"Because everyone is sad."
"Why are they sad?"
Kindaichi couldn't understand the boy's state of mind when he asked that question.
He only felt that this child was filled with an eerie, almost inhuman quality.
And these traits were strikingly similar to Kitagawa Ryo's.
So, when Kitagawa Ryo temporarily left the troupe to focus on his film and TV career, Kindaichi had invited Hikaru Kamiki to join. And he had stayed until now.
In terms of appearance and acting ability, Hikaru Kamiki did have the potential to play Volodya .
After a brief hesitation, Kindaichi approved his audition application.
In another room, Hikaru Kamiki was practicing his lines in front of a mirror.
He was analyzing and sketching out the character of Volodya .
"I don't understand the importance of life, nor the meaning of protecting it. I feel no connection to the emotions that arise from the birth or loss of life."
"I've always been this way. I don't understand these things, even though I should, even though everyone else seems to know. I've studied so much to understand, but no matter how hard I try, I still don't get it… why people want to live."
Hikaru Kamiki began reciting his lines. Suddenly, he stood up in the room, smiling at his reflection in the mirror.
"I'm tired of this mundane existence. But fortunately, I've discovered a fascinating game. It might sound harsh, but to me, this is something I can call a game."
He spread his arms wide, his eyes gleaming with joy and fervor.
The handsome face in the mirror began to twist.
"Human nature isn't worth testing, but that's exactly why I want to see it. I've gained deep moral satisfaction and enjoyed your numbness and incompetence, your inability to take even the slightest action. Farewell, dear classmates. Ah, you're all just puppets! Your entire lives are controlled by strings, manipulated by others."
Hikaru Kamiki suddenly whistled.
"It's all my fault, but there's no other way. Perhaps only by constantly taking something valuable from others' lives can I truly feel alive. Success! Let the music play! Fire the cannons! Cheer and applaud! The king has returned victorious!"
The character's lines blended with his own monologue.
After a brief moment of fervor, Hikaru Kamiki quickly regained his composure. Emotional control was one of the most basic skills for an actor.
As he opened the door to the practice room, he ran into Kitagawa Ryo and Hoshino Ai in the hallway.
Without hesitation, he ignored the girl and focused directly on Kitagawa Ryo.
The two-time reigning champion of the "Most Wanted Child Star to Be a Mother To" poll, the hottest child star of the moment, Kitagawa Ryo, who seemed to be adored by the entire world.
From the moment they met two years ago, Hikaru Kamiki had a strong premonition: only by defeating Kitagawa Ryo could he truly feel the weight of his own existence.
Hikaru Kamiki shook his head, feeling a slight sense of regret.
It wasn't until after that incident that he learned Kitagawa Ryo had never once regarded that woman as his mother.
Otherwise, he might have felt a greater sense of accomplishment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guys will take a break for 2 days because of some occasion, After that I will upload rest of the chapter.
Thanks for the support and stay tuned.