Chapter 106: "Little Ai"

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### Nighttime

*POV Tadano*

Who would have thought that I'd run into the Seiyuu of my wife Uta? Today was definitely a great day. I thought to myself as I twirled the pencil in my hand. 

"Ai: "You have a very big smile, Tadano-nii. Did something good happen today?" she asked curiously.

Tadano: "Oh, you can tell?" I asked, amused as I looked at the little star sitting next to me. 

Ai was sitting on the floor with my manuscript in her hand.

Tadano: "Oh, it seems you finished reading quickly enough to notice my expressions..." I said, pointing to the sheets of paper in her hand.

Ai blushed and tried to hide them behind her back while looking away.

Ai: "Hehe... I don't know what you're talking about..."

I smiled at her reaction.

Tadano: "Well, my little star, it seems you'll have a Kohai soon..." I said with a smile as I continued my strokes.

Ai was stunned by the news. The next second, her eyes filled with tears, and she tugged at my clothes with a tearful and aggrieved look.

Ai: "Tadano-nii... *Sob*... don't replace me... *Sob*... Ai promises to be a good girl... Uuu..." she said between sobs.

Tadano: "When did I say I would replace you?" I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her train of thought.

Ai: "Really?" she asked with tearful eyes.

Tadano: "Yes... yes... now stop crying or you'll soak all my manuscripts," I said while ruffling her hair.

Ai: "AWU! Don't mess up my hair! Ai worked hard to make it look this nice!" she said, pouting.

...

*Stroke*

Ai: "So... this Kohai you mentioned, when is she coming?" she asked curiously while playing with my hair.

Tadano: "Probably tomorrow afternoon... Wait, what are you doing?" I asked, feeling something was off.

When I looked up, I saw the playful expression of a mischievous little star.

Ai: "Hehe... I was a bit bored..." she said, sticking out her tongue playfully.

Looking back, I saw she had used a pile of books to be in a higher position. Apparently, I was distracted enough while drawing.

Ai: "Hehe, it's only fair that I do this! You do it to me all the time, so it's good that every once in a while, I get to ruffle your head," she said, puffing her small chest with confidence.

Tadano: "You little rascal, just wait until I get my hands on you..." I said mischievously as I quickly turned around.

Ai: "Eh? Wait! WAAA..."

Taken by surprise, Ai almost fell, but I caught her quickly.

Ai: "Haha... you wouldn't do anything bad to little Ai, right?" she said, somewhat fearfully, looking at me.

Tadano: "Hehe... what do you think?" I said confidently.

Ai: "Wait!... Haha... Yamai-nee!... Haha... Help!... Haha..."

Tadano: "Haha, you little rascal, you dare mock me... now suffer my special move. The infinite tickles!"

Ai: "Waa!... Haha... You're... you're a monster.... Haha..."

...

*Open*

Yamai: "Dinner is ready... Eh?" she said gently while wearing a pink apron. Then she looked at the trembling Ai lying weakly on the bed, and a question mark formed over her head.

Tadano: "I just gave a little lesson to a mischievous star..." I said with amusement.

Ai: "Uuu... You're so mean, Tadano-nii... Ai felt her soul slipping away..." she said in an aggrieved tone.

Tadano: "Alright... alright... I'm sorry. What do you want as an apology?" I asked while stacking the papers and putting them in an envelope.

Ai: "Bubble Tea!" she shouted almost instantly.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

Tadano: "Alright, I'll buy you one tomorrow. It's too late now, and you have to eat dinner," I said as I stood up and approached Ai.

Ai: "Okay, but I want a large one tomorrow," she said in a spoiled tone while stretching out her hands.

Tadano: "*Sigh* I hope I'm not leading you down the wrong path," I said as I picked her up, to which she responded naturally by wrapping her legs around my torso.

Ai: "Not at all! Ai is a good girl, and everyone loves her! Right, Yamai-nee?" she said confidently, looking at Yamai.

Yamai: "I wonder if that's true..." she joked, letting out a small laugh.

Ai responded by pouting.

...

After having a pleasant dinner where Ai talked about her growing singing and dancing skills, as well as the fun comments from her fans on social media, the three of us went to bed together to sleep.

This was usually my routine when I stayed at Yamai's house. Not being with Ai all the time, she became more spoiled and demanding of my attention when we were at home. She often clung to me and refused to leave. She also demanded attention or training. Other times, she simply sat nearby and did her homework. In short, whenever I was at Yamai's house, Ai was never far from me. If it were anyone else, I'd think this behavior was concerning. But one had to admit the saying, "Beauties create their exceptions." With how cute and small Ai was, her behavior wasn't annoying at all. On the contrary, it was endearing to see both for me and Yamai.

Ai is quite small and cute at the moment. She's still a bit far from the Idol Goddess she was in the original work, but she's not far off. If I remember correctly, in the timeline, she should have just been discovered by Ichigo in the original work. Then she would spend a year in training, and the following year she would meet that bastard Kamiki Hikaru. Pushing aside the dark thoughts I had towards that yellow-haired bastard, I looked at the small figure of Ai. Without a doubt, she's a little girl.

"Comparing her to my height, even when she matures, she'll still seem like a child to me," I thought with amusement.

Ai: "Tadano-nii... Hmmm... I love you..." she said in her sleep while clinging to my arm.

I couldn't help but smile.

Tadano: "She's a cute kid..."

Yamai: "You said it... On the days you're not here, she works hard to make great progress and be able to show off to you when you come. She's definitely very attached to you," she said affectionately while adjusting the hair of the sleeping Ai.

Tadano: "Hehe, I definitely hit the jackpot when I found her that day... Tell me, Yamai, when is her next performance?"

Yamai: "Uhmm, if my calculations are correct, it's in three days. But are you sure you want to go in person? Don't you have to prepare for the Kodokawa contest the next day?" she asked, somewhat worried.

Tadano: "Don't worry, the game is ready, and the copies are prepared and packaged. I have no doubt I'll get first place," I said confidently.

Yamai: "Hehe, alright, I believe in you. By the way, that thing you drew earlier, do you need it delivered to the Gongon Editorial?"

Tadano: "Yes... I don't think I'll have time tomorrow since I'll be taking care of our new member."

Yamai: "I see... It must have been something very interesting because Ai was very attentive while reading it," she said, somewhat amused.

Tadano: "Hehe, it's on par with the three giants of the industry," I said confidently.

Yamai was surprised and said, "It's on par with those three greats... Wow! If I may ask, what is it about?"

Tadano: "Simple... Ninjas!"

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**Author's Note:** "Here is the latest chapter. If the workload is low, I promise to bring more chapters. Aside from that, remember to drink plenty of water, and know that I love you all very much. Sincerely, your favorite depressive author."

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