What if-Side Story

This is on an alternate universe, where Aikara carried just a tad more weight than usual, for sometimes even the slightest alteration can lead to a significant change.

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(Aikara POV)

Today was the day of the Tokyo Dome, and we were all getting ready to leave.

Well, only Aqua was still preparing. Ruby, Ai, and I were already done.

In fact, Ai was scrolling through social media while Ruby lay on the bed.

And as for me, I sat in the chair, watching them with a small smile on my face.

Honestly, ever since I reincarnated as Ai's son, life has been better.

I haven't stopped acting, though. I still maintain this persona in front of them. But even so, I'm happy with my family.

I never had a brother like Aqua before. He's cool, mature, and calm most of the time. He even taught me Japanese when I was struggling to understand it. He's a reliable brother. Maybe it's because he was an old man in his previous life?

Ruby, on the other hand, is a unique experience for me. Even though I already had a sister in the form of Ellie, Ruby brings a different energy. Unlike Ellie, who is usually reserved unless she's with me, Ruby is bright and full of energy. I'm a bit envious of her true personality. And despite her creepy behavior towards Ai, I've come to accept that side of her because she's still my adorable little sister.

And Ai, even though I know I shouldn't have favorites, she's my favorite mother. I shouldn't have this preference, but I never had a mother who was so similar to me before. My memories of my first mother are faint at this point. On the other hand, my second mother, although kind and great, was just too different from me. Ai and I share similarities. We're both liars for love. And it's that connection that makes her the closest to me.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Could that be the CEO?" Ai asked curiously, taking a step towards the door.

"I want to come too, Mom!" I exclaimed, jumping out of my chair and skipping over to Ai. "It's boring to just wait here. Let me greet President Satou as well!"

Ai smiled at me, nodding eagerly. "Of course, Aka!" she exclaimed, waiting for me to join her by her side.

How considerate.

We walked towards the door together.

"Are you excited, Mom?" I asked, looking at her with a bright smile and tilting my head. "It's the Tokyo Dome, the culmination of your success."

"Yes, I am!" Ai replied, matching my smile and tilting her head. "I hope you all enjoy my performance later!"

I wanted to ask her more, but before I could, we reached the door.

Ai opened it, and to my surprise, instead of the expected CEO, I saw a young man wearing a gray jacket standing there, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Hm?" Ai asked in confusion.

Who is he?

"Congratulations on your dome concert," he began, causing both Ai and me to tilt our heads in confusion.

Is he a fan? Then why is he at our apartment?

"How are the triplets doing?" he continued, revealing something hidden within the bouquet. I widened my eyes in surprise.

"Ai!" I shouted, jumping toward her and successfully pushing her aside.

But it seemed I was too slow as I felt a knife pierce through my chest, causing me to cough up blood.

I stumbled backward as blood flowed from my mouth, my mind muddled by the speed at which things were happening.

Wait, did I just get stabbed?

This is...

"Ah!" The hooded man shouted, interrupting my thoughts. "I-I didn't mean to stab the child!" he said before hastily running away from the apartment.

I looked at his retreating figure, cursing silently for the first time in my life.

He left me here bleeding and now he's running away.

Coughing up more blood, I fell to the ground, my vision becoming blurry.

"Aka!" Ai shouted as she knelt down, embracing me. She grabbed her phone from her pocket and called what I presumed to be the ambulance. "Get here fast, please! My son got stabbed! My address is..." She provided her address, and as she hung up, I looked at her with a reprimanding gaze.

"Geez, Mom," I said weakly, grabbing her attention. "Why did you say 'my son'? You could get exposed, you know."

She looked agitated at my words as she shouted, "You shouldn't be worried about that! Just keep your eyes open; the medics will be here soon."

Suddenly, another familiar voice caught my attention.

"Aka!" Aqua shouted as he rushed to my side. "What happened to you?"

"Nothing much, just got stabbed by a creepy stalker. Don't worry about me!" I exclaimed, trying to flex my biceps, but it proved to be the wrong move as I coughed up more blood.

"Shit!" Aqua cursed, placing his hands on my wound. "You got stabbed in the mediastinum!" He looked at Ai. "Ai, did you call an ambulance yet?" She nodded in response.

Damn, my vision is starting to blur, and my head feels dizzy. I don't think I'll be able to hold on until the medics arrive.

Strangely, a sense of calm washes over me now.

Of course, I hate that I'm dying soon, and I'm slightly scared of what awaits me. But I never deserved a chance like this in the first place. I cheated death by reincarnating, and now death is reclaiming me, taking me back to where I should have been all along.

The sound of the door opening reaches my ears, but I don't bother to look because I know it's Ruby. Besides, my vision is very blurry now, and I can't see well anymore.

"Aka nii-chan!" she screams as she runs to me and hugs my body.

Damn, I'm sorry for showing you such a gruesome sight, Ruby. You're pure and innocent, and I wanted to protect that.

Suddenly, I felt tears dripping onto my head. Is Ruby crying right now?

I internally let out a sigh, you've always been such a crybaby, Ruby.

In my blurred vision, I turn to Ruby, seeing only a hazy figure. I stretch my hand towards her cheek. "Don't cry, Ruby. Has someone been bullying you? Big brother will protect you," I say, my mind struggling to comprehend what is reality because of the severity of my injuries.

For a brief moment, clarity returns to me, perhaps fueled by sheer willpower. Nah, I don't believe in anime stuff like that.

"I don't think I'll make it," I say, knowing there won't be much time left. I have to say it now while I can still hold on to my consciousness, despite the pain and injuries. "I'm going to miss all of you."

I envelop Ruby in a hug. "I love you all. You have no idea how happy I am to be a part of this family."

I turn my gaze to Ruby, still in my embrace. "Ruby, I'm sure you'll become an amazing idol in the future. I wanted to appear with you on a late-night show at least once, teasing you in front of the camera."

"Aqua," I say, getting his attention. "I'm sure you'll become a great actor. I see the passion you pour into it, and I was excited about the prospect of starring in a movie with you."

"Mom, thank you for everything you've done for me. You may not know it, but you're my guiding light, my beacon. I love you with all my heart. Please tell Ellie I'm sorry for leaving so early. And make sure the Tokyo Dome continues." I pause, struggling to catch my breath, as my injuries make it harder to breathe.

"All three of you, can you hold my hand?" I suddenly requested, catching them off guard. "You see, I can't see anymore. It's all dark."

It's true; I can't see anymore, probably because of my injuries.

Unlike what it seems like, I'm not scared of the dark; I just want to feel their warmth one last time.

"Everyone, I love you with all my heart. Please remember that."

I hear a muffled voice from Ai, but I can't make out her words.

Did she say she loves me?

I don't know.

Probably not.

I know it's difficult for her to express those three words, and I don't blame her for not saying them even now, as I stand at death's door.

"Ah," I start, tears streaming down my face. "I wish we could have grown up together, sharing wonderful moments."

My consciousness fades further, and my tears, flowing down my cheeks, can no longer be felt.

I thought I had accepted death, but it seems there are still some regrets lingering within me.

"I'm glad to have you all as my family. I'm sorry for lying to each of you; I know it's wrong, but I wanted to earn all of your love." I say, not clarifying what I mean. "Ruby, Ai, Aqua, do you love me?" I ask, aware that I won't be able to hear their response.

At least I managed to rescue Ai, which brought immense relief. She's like a guiding light in my life, giving me hope and making me feel complete. My affection for her knows no bounds.

The news of her survival fills my heart with joy. It's a delightful realization that she made it through.

Suddenly, the mantra I made when I was young came to my mind.

Love is worth any lie, any act, any cost.

Ironically, those words now seem fitting for this situation. They were originally intended for acting, but who would have guessed they would resonate so strongly here? Although, in all honesty, it's slightly different.

Because while following this mantra meant I did this to receive Ai's love, I did it for another purpose. I did it because I love her.

As I closed my eyes, a sense of tranquility washed over me, and I felt my consciousness fading. With a peaceful smile on my face, I let go, knowing that I had done everything out of genuine affection.