Chapter 54: For Real?

Minoru was still clad in his workout gear, the fabric clinging to him with sweat and wisps of steam rising from his back. Despite the heat radiating off him after his session, he remained cool as a cucumber, even after watching the news of Eileen making her move by leaving NATO. Leaning back in his seat, he propped his elbows on the table, interlocking his fingers as he shut his eyes, pondering the bizarre phenomenon that had just unfolded before him.

"So... you two switched bodies?" he inquired, eyeing the two women facing each other once again.

The pair flinched, exchanging a glance. "I think so," Ai, trapped in Mai's body, replied.

"It's a rhetorical question, Ai," he deadpanned.

'Mai's face' contorted into a pout. "Hey! How can you stay so calm? What if we can't switch back?"

"Chill out, woman. You want me to perform a demon exorcism?"

"I'm not joking! You should be freaking out more. Your wife is in danger, you know?" Ai, inside Mai retorted.

Observing this, Mai, inside Ai's body, couldn't hide her surprise. If Ai was married to Yanagi-sensei, as she recalled hearing, then that meant... that almost kiss wasn't a lie or a joke. It also meant...

"Ai B-Komachi is married to Yanagi-sensei?" she mumbled, her gaze distant.

The married couple turned their heads, noting Mai's dazed expression as she stared at them blankly.

"Ahem," Minoru interjected, clearing his throat. "Let's focus on solving this problem first—"

"NO!" Mai exclaimed, leaping from her seat. "The problem is that Ai is married!" she insisted, her tone serious.

Ai frowned. "And why is that a problem?" she asked skeptically. Could it be that she, too, harbored feelings for her husband, like so many other girls?

"Be-Because, as your biggest fan, how could you do this to us?!" Mai cried, tears welling in her eyes.

"Eh?" Ai was taken aback. "You... you're my fan?"

"Yes, I am! I still remember the day you performed for the first time. I thought you were just another idol group, but it turned out to be a jackpot! Since then, I've never missed buying new B-Komachi merchandise, like hairpins, pillow covers, and even my phone case!"

They both stared at Ai, or rather, Mai in Ai's body, it was an unexpected revelation. It seemed that Sakurajima Mai was a die-hard fan, practically bordering on hardcore, given how ecstatic she appeared to meet her idol.

"This is indeed my merchandise," Ai said, removing a hairpin adorned with a design resembling a white rabbit, her iconic symbol. "I know this situation is strange for me to say this, but thank you for your big support," she said, offering a sweet smile to Mai.

"N-No, it's my honor to have Ai currently residing in my body. Ah, too bad I don't have my phone with me; I would have loved to sign my new case~!"

Residing in my body? Minoru thought, finding the statement... odd.

Nonetheless, the atmosphere should have been tense, yet it had taken an unexpectedly light-hearted turn. Minoru silently slipped away from the conversation, opting instead for a cold shower before starting on breakfast.

---

The beginning of his reincarnation into this world remains inexplicable, as science hasn't yet reached a stage where it can fully grasp the workings of the soul. However, Ai and Mai swapping bodies was a phenomenon, an anomaly of its own.

"And my kid's bookshelf..."

Minoru couldn't forget about it, even though he wasn't too worried. No, it's just that he didn't have the luxury of dwelling on it, his mind wandering elsewhere.

"Ai! Help me bring the dish and arrange the table," Minoru said, engrossed in his cooking.

"Gotcha!"

Though, this morning was different.

"Hmm..."

Mai hummed as she observed the scene. She watched 'herself' helping out her teacher to prepare breakfast. It was so weird, almost like glimpsing into her future with her husband, envisioning how every morning might unfold in her marriage life.

But their actions felt too smooth, too natural. It seemed inconceivable that they weren't truly married. No, Mai refused to accept it. She furrowed her brow deeply. Perhaps Ai was being forced into acting this way.

'Let's think this through first...'

From her perspective, her teacher, Yanagi Minoru, seemed too capable, possessing everything that everyone dreamed of. He had looks, wealth, youth, and an overwhelming aura. It wasn't that Mai was romantically attracted to him, but she understood that generally, Yanagi-sensei was the type that women sought as partners.

However, this thought was just a prologue for her to understand why Yanagi-sensei was connected to Ai B-Komachi. How did they meet and end up in this situation? It was simple...

Yanagi-sensei was wealthy, looking at this high-end apartment, indicating he might be related to her agency as a major sponsor. Mai wasn't naive; she understood how society worked and how big shots with money often took 'advantage' of big stars in the entertainment industry.

Ai B-Komachi might have been forced into a relationship with Yanagi-sensei because he could do so as a significant sponsor backing her agency. Hence, Ai ended up in this unreasonable situation.

'Ai is my wife, you say? Don't joke around, sensei!' Mai gritted her teeth. 'Don't think that I'll accept this nonsense! I'll expose this act and rescue Ai from you!'

Minoru felt something stabbing at his back as he cooked. 'I'm sensitive to others' gaze and I wonder if I offended her or something?' He continued to cook, sensing Mai's burning determination as her gaze continued to pierce through him.

---

After a while, breakfast is finally ready.

"Whoa~"

Mai exclaimed as she looked at the table. The spread looked and smelled amazing. Her stomach rumbled loudly from hunger, and she heard a similar sound from her friend Ai.

"I don't know why, but I'm so hungry," Ai said, rubbing 'her stomach.'

"I'm sorry, Ai-san! The truth is, I haven't eaten for two days! I'm really sorry!" Mai bowed to Ai, feeling ashamed.

"Oh my… even if you're dieting, you must be careful. It could make you sick, Sakurajima-san," Ai said with a smile.

"Ah, yes, thank you…"

Mai smiled back, but it was forced. She couldn't tell Ai that she couldn't afford to buy food because people couldn't see her, so she hadn't eaten for that long.

"Ai-san, you can call me casually, just call me Mai!"

Ai smiled broadly. "Sure! Just talk to me casually too, kay? And since I'm older, you can call me Nee-san."

Mai was taken aback as she held 'her mouth'. "For real!? Alright then, Nee-san!" As expected, Ai was the best girl. She didn't regret supporting her all this time.

Ai looked at Mai, feeling bad after mistaking her.

It turned out Mai hadn't accepted the fact that she was really in a relationship with Minoru because Mai liked him, however, Mai was a big fan of hers! Right, right. Ai recalled waking up hungry that time and seeing familiar things like her poster and rabbit, which had become her icon. But she didn't dwell on this detail for too long. She's too scared after waking up as someone else then rushed here.

'Mai-san is a good girl...'

Ai picked up a slice of salmon that Minoru had cooked. "Since you're my first guest in this house, here's the first bite. Say aaa~" As she did this, Mai's reaction was cute as she blushed. Ai felt weird seeing herself blush like that.

"What an honor, thank you! Aaaa~ Hmmph?!" Mai held her mouth in surprise.

"Ehee~ Delicious, right?" Ai smirked, proud of his cooking.

"Woah! This is delicious." Mai didn't hesitate to grab a fork and start digging into the salmon.

"Hehe~ My husband is good at cooking. Hah~ it really makes me envious."

As Ai said that, Mai stopped eating and glanced at Minoru.

'I almost lost myself back there. Don't think your cooking will deceive me, Sensei…'

Mai continued to munch on the salmon as she looked at Minoru, who was reading his newspaper and sipping his coffee.

'Why does he look so calm, like... he's living a married life? Is he acting? I was deceived by how commanding and dashing he was before. Turns out he's playing with my idol! He's a villain! I'll protect Nee-san no matter what!'

Minoru lowered his newspaper, noticing that Mai was warily looking at him.

What was wrong with this woman? His poker face conveyed his confusion. Why was she holding that fork as if she wanted to stab someone with it? Weird woman.

He continued reading, 'From their conversations, it seems her situation was indeed serious. If she hasn't eaten for two days... that means the people who can't see her or hear anything she says are happening on a large scale. Though, I don't know if people outside the city or maybe prefecture are experiencing the same...'

But it seemed they both got along well, and the fact that Ai handled the situation perfectly helped him a lot.

"What's wrong, Mai-san?" Ai inquired with a concerned tone.

"Ah, nothing, Nee-san. I just noticed I'm the only one who's touched the food," Mai replied, puzzled.

Ai smiled broadly, "Well, you see, we always wait for the family to gather before we eat. Speaking of which, I hope we can keep this as a secret, kay~?"

Family? What family? Mai was utterly bewildered by Ai's words. Even though Ai wanted to keep this a secret, Mai understood that if an idol were to be dating someone, it would be fodder for the media and public gossip. If people found out Ai was with a man, the consequences could be catastrophic! Of course, Mai would protect her no matter what.

"Of course! Don't worry, Nee-san! I'll protect you no matter what!" Mai assured her.

"Hehe~ Thank you! I can always rely on Mai-san," Ai said, blinking cutely.

'But this is too much. How can she possibly act this way? The fact that she's forcing herself to this extent and playing the role-play of a good wife must be hard. I see it now. Behind that perfect mask of him, Sensei is such a big pervert...'

Once again, Mai misunderstood something here.

"Hmm, good mowning…"

Minoru put down his newspaper with a smile.

"Morning…" he said as he approached them, "Still sleepy, huh? I'll help you wash your face."

He gently lifted the little girl, who was yawning with her eyes shut, and both Ai and Mai watched as he embraced her.

"Mowwning, Daddy…" Ruby murmured, resting her cheek on his broad shoulder.

Mai's eyes widened in shock. "Who's she?" she asked, looking at the little girl with long silver hair as Yanagi-sensei washed her face tenderly.

"Our daughter, Hoshino Ruby~ Didn't I mention before that we wait for the family to gather together?" Ai explained, looking at Mai, who was still processing the revelation.

Mai smiled awkwardly, "Ahaha… Nee-san is joking, right?"

But as she asked that, Ai's smile didn't waver as she slowly shook her head.

"For real?"

---

A/N:

Morning! It's been a while. Anyway, let's get this story back on track!