Chapter 11: Moment of Nocturne

As the day turned to night, Minoru found himself once again dwelling on memories of his past life.

The reason behind this contemplation was clear as he hoped to use these memories to strengthen his bond with his children.

Aqua and Ruby were both avid fans of Ai.

However, Minoru couldn't quite pinpoint the exact reason.

Perhaps it was because Ai was their mother, or maybe they simply admired her work, regardless of her maternal role.

'That ain't important! What matters is that if I support Ai's career, maybe they'll start seeing me as a real dad, not just some loaded biological dad!'

With this in mind, Minoru scribbled a note that read as follows...

Currently: Ai > Aqua & Ruby > Minoru

Goals: Minoru & Ai > Aqua & Ruby

"By doing that, I might finally get to hear my kids say 'Dad~' Lol!"

A faint smirk appeared on his face as he took another look at the note, pondering how lowly he felt in his children's hearts, like a mere side character in their lives. He wanted to be the main character, and he was willing to use his memories to cheat his way to that status.

"Well, my bad for jacking this song, but your sacrifice won't be in vain."

Minoru had already done a thorough search and was certain that the song's lyrics he had written were not owned by anyone, as the group didn't even exist. He was well aware of how backward the entertainment industry was in this world, so he carefully selected the perfect song for B-Komachi.

The title of the song he had written was "Cupid."

Minoru chuckled to himself.

"For someone who ain't really into idol groups, I gotta admit, I'm kinda embarrassed to say I like this song."

He continued with a wry smile.

"Haha. Let's give it a try on the piano, shall we? Everyone is already asleep, and only God and I can hear me singing. It'd be hella embarrassing if someone from my old world caught wind that I'm swiping this song for my grand plan."

Muttering to himself, he left his study room and made his way to the living room, where a grand piano stood. Minoru took a seat on the piano stool, placed the lyrics in front of him, rested his left foot on the pedal, and positioned his fingers on the keyboard.

"Hmm, let's warm up first," he said to himself, gently placing his fingers on the keys in the key of G major, intending to sing another song before testing out 'his creation'.

---

"Should I accept that drama role?"

Ai pondered this question as she received an invitation from Gotanda Taishi, the director she had worked with before.

Her agency also advised her to seize this opportunity to boost her reputation, giving B-Komachi a chance to hold a concert event at the Tokyo Dome.

Ai realized that her agency seemed to rely more on her than on the other members of her idol group.

Not that she minded.

She enjoyed performing in front of her fans, spreading her persona of 'cuteness' while wearing a thick mask because she believed that, a lie is an embodiment of love.

However, lately, her conviction had wavered.

It all started when she managed to tell her children that she loved them without a hint of a lie.

Minoru had even encouraged her to drop the facade for a minute and be a little selfish.

Still, Ai couldn't bring herself to let go of the career she had painstakingly built over the years.

Being an idol was a part of her that she wasn't ready to relinquish.

"Ugh, I'm confused."

At the moment, she lay in the Aqua and Ruby rooms, feeling a sense of loneliness. Also, considering their ages, she didn't find it strange for her children to share a bed.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed Aqua stirring.

"Aqua, where are you going?"

She inquired as he suddenly woke up and climbed out of bed.

"Thirsty."

He mumbled with a yawn, heading towards the door, which, in turn, woke Ruby up.

"Hmm... Mama?"

Ruby murmured sleepily.

"Yes?"

"Toi-wet..."

"Okay~"

Ai responded, lifting Ruby from the bed, understanding what she meant.

As she walked out of the room, her eyes widened upon hearing the sound of a piano and someone singing in the living room. She glanced towards the source and found Aqua peeking at it.

"Mama, who's singing?" Ruby asked.

Instead of answering Ruby, she decided to walk over to Aqua and join him. Her heart began to beat rapidly as the beautiful music filled Ai's senses. The room was dimly lit, with the only source of bright light focused on him. The Tokyo lights in the background shimmered like stars.

Ai and Ruby widened their eyes as they spotted Minoru in the corner, dominating the room with his performance and turning it into his stage.

Minoru was lost in his world as he sang, his hands dancing effortlessly on the keyboard, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.

"Wrap me up in all your love."

"I want you in my arms. Oh, let me..."

"Hold ya!"

"I'll never let you go again... like I did."

"Oh, I used to say..."

"I would never fall in love again until I found her..."

"I said, I would never fall unless it's you I fall into..."

Ai blushed intensely as she watched Minoru. She couldn't help but admire how well he sang this song, combining it with the piano like he was shooting a music video.

As she listened to the lyrics, she was captivated, wanting to experience what love truly felt like. Her heart skipped a beat, feeling the emotions that Minoru poured into his performance.

For Ai, Minoru was still her ex, but she wasn't dwelling on that anymore.

After all, he had saved her life, and the warmth she felt in her heart was indescribable. Her feelings for him had grown stronger as he took care of them, from providing a home and warm meals to teaching her how to manage the household.

This daily life with him had given her a sense of family she had never felt before.

Unbeknownst to her, her feelings for him were resurfacing as she watched him sing. She wondered if he had written this song himself.

'Did he... make this song?'

Aqua, on the other hand, was amazed about the person who performed and believed that the song could become a hit in the industry. He couldn't help but think highly of Minoru's potential to shine as a star in his own right.

'Yanagin—no, my dad is so freaking cool!'

Ruby was excited about Minoru's performance but refrained from cheering and clapping her hands to avoid distracting him.

"I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her..."

"I found y—huh?"

Minoru glanced at the back as he stopped playing the piano.

He sensed someone watching him and smiled when he realized he had been caught.

"Ahaha... Ruby said she needed to go~"

Ai awkwardly explained, scratching her cheek.

Her face turned even redder, and she fled the scene, taking Aqua and Ruby with her.

"Kyaaaaa!" Ai screamed as her body seemed to float, feeling strong hands wrapping around her.

"Huahahaha! I got you! Why are you running?"

Seeing their mother's face, which became an open book, Aqua and Ruby exchanged knowing looks, realizing that their mother had fallen for Minoru.

Minoru returned to his previous spot, placing Ai on his lap, as he smirked then asked them.

"Did I wake you guys?"

He flashed a mischievous grin at them.

They both shook their heads in unison.

"I want to go to the bathroom."

"I'm just thirsty."

"Haha, okay, go ahead."

Minoru and Ai watched their kids as they walked away to tend to their needs, and then their eyes met.

"Um... how long should I stay like this?"

Ai asked, her cheeks still flushed.

However, being a former fuck boy, Minoru could sense that she wasn't entirely opposed to her current state.

"As long as you want," he replied with a playful smirk.

Ai's face was on the verge of exploding with embarrassment, but she looked away in an attempt to hide it.

"Hmph! Player...! There's no way we can do anything with the kids watching us, you know!"

Ai crossed her arms and pouted, directing her playful frustration at Minoru.

Currently, the four of them were squeezed into a narrow chair, with Ruby sitting on his lap and Aqua on Ai's.

"Yanagin~! Sing that song again!"

Ruby looked eagerly at the keyboard, excited to hear the song once more, from her VIP seat—her dad's lap.

"Sure…"

Minoru placed his hands on the keyboard and began with the intro.

Ai, Aqua, and Ruby watched in awe as he played the piano.

"Georgia..."

The three of them raised their eyebrows, wondering who that was.

'It seemed to be just a part of the song...?' 3x

"Wrap me up in all your..."

"I want you... in my arms, oh, let me..."

"Hold ya!"

"I'll never let you go again like I did."

"Oh, I used to say..."

"I would never fall in love again until I found her..."

"I said I would never fall unless it's you, I fall into~!"

"I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her..."

"I found youuuu..."

"Georgia..."

"Pulled me in, I asked to..."

"Love her, once again you fell, I..."

"Caught ya~! I'll never let you go again like I did... oh, I used to say..."

"I would never fall in love again until I found~ her..."

"I said I would never fall unless it's you I fall into..."

"I was lost within the darkness, but then I found~ her..."

"I found youuuuu..."

Minoru whistled and entered the last part as he played his piano solo.

Ai closed her eyes with a smile, swaying to the rhythm, thoroughly enjoying the moment.

On the other hand, Ruby and Aqua were becoming sleepy, as their dad was just too good at singing lullaby songs.

It was just another cherished moment for their newly blended family.

Yet, in the end, he's not singing that song with everyone around.

---

More stones!