"True strength is not just power — it's the courage to face your own darkness, and to protect the light within those you love."— Hoshino Souta
Scene 1: Morning Training
The first soft blush of dawn spilled over Yoto High as Souta stepped onto the rooftop, where the gentle early light mingled with the crisp morning air. Ruby and Reina were already there—Ruby's eyes half-awake, fingers still lingering on her tablet, and Reina poised with a book she rarely put down. Today was not just another day; it was a promise of growth.
"Okay, let's start simple," Souta said, stretching his hands with deliberate calm, as if every joint and muscle knew the importance of being present. "We'll train mind and body. Rei, you focus on staying grounded. Ruby, focus on control—not just of your voice, but your emotions."
Ruby groaned in playful protest, her voice light despite the underlying seriousness. "I'm an idol, not a martial artist…"
Reina's smile was quiet and understanding as she replied softly, "Control is everything." Her tone carried not reproach, but an invitation to embrace discipline as a path to self-mastery.
Souta's gaze swept across the rooftop, meeting each friend's eyes with earnest intensity. "We'll get stronger—together." In that moment, each of them felt the weight of their shared journey. Every stretch was more than physical exercise—it was an affirmation that they would face the challenging world side by side.
Scene 2: Souma's Games
In the soft shadow of the school grounds, a presence lurked where light rarely reached. Souma watched from behind a cluster of trees, his eyes dark with mischief and something more dangerous. His lips curled into a smirk as he whispered into his phone, the sound swallowed by the rustle of leaves around him. "They think they can grow strong? Let's see how long they last when the world forgets Souta… again."
Almost simultaneously, a ripple of doubt began to circulate through the corridors. Teachers started murmuring uncertainly. A nervous school manager, checking for updates on his phone, boldly replaced posters featuring Souta with ones showing Souma instead. Social media erupted with bewildered comments and confused hashtags: "Who's the real Hoshino Souta?" the online chatter demanded.
It wasn't just a game to Souma. It was a calculated disruption—a test of identity and belonging. And with every whispered comment and every headline, the delicate tapestry of Souta's world felt more fragile.
Scene 3: Ai's Resolve
Back at home, away from the public eye, Ai sat quietly in the living room. Around her, the familiar warmth of family photos and treasured mementos filled the space with silent reassurance. Yet her eyes were distant, filled with worry for the boy who carried too much weight on his tender shoulders.
"Souta's right," she murmured, gazing at the snapshots that captured moments of laughter, sorrow, and unspoken promises. "We can't rely only on him. We have to be strong too—for ourselves, and for him."
Slowly, Ai reached for an old, leather-bound notebook—a secret repository of dreams, ideas, and plans once scribbled with the spark of new hope. "This is my dream journal—full of ideas for new roles and performances," she said quietly, her voice building resolve with each word. "If I train harder, I can protect us all by giving Souta a family who stands tall no matter what." In that moment, Ai's determination lit a spark within her. It wasn't just about the stage anymore—it was about building a fortress around the ones she loved.
Scene 4: Ruby's Moment
Later that afternoon, Ruby found herself alone in the quiet of her room. The soft hum of a distant melody filled the air as she began practicing her singing—her voice trembling as tears blurred her vision. Each note was a struggle between the genuine ache of sorrow and the fierce desire to rise above it. "If Souta's fading... I have to carry us," she whispered to herself, her voice wavering between resolve and despair. "Not just through song—I have to be strong."
With trembling fingers, she reached for a small mirror on her bedside table, wiping away her tears with a tender familiarity. Staring at her own reflection, yet feeling the pull of a promise meant only for him, she murmured, "For you, Souta." In that fragile moment, Ruby wasn't just an idol in training—she was a beacon, a guardian of memories and love for someone who might otherwise slip away.
Scene 5: Souma's Shadow
That night, beneath a sky smeared with silver moonlight and the whisper of wind through the trees, Souta's dreams became a stage for darker truths. In his slumber, he found himself in an endless corridor of shifting images and half-forgotten memories. Souma appeared, no longer lurking in the shadows of reality but standing boldly in his dream. "You teach them strength, but you forget something—the world is cruel. They will fall apart," came his voice, cold yet hypnotic, echoing around the empty dreamscape.
Souta's voice, steady despite the turmoil within, responded firmly, "Then I'll catch them." But the challenge lingered in the air. "But who catches you?" Souma pressed, his eyes narrowing as if capable of seeing right through Souta's heart.
The question hung like a dark cloud in the otherwise silent dream. It gnawed at him, reminding him of the risk of caring too deeply in a world that never promised safety.
Scene 6: Family Dinner
That evening, the family gathered around the dinner table, their shared meal a temporary reprieve from the chaos beyond their walls. The rich aroma of curry mingled with the warmth of lamplight as stories and laughter filled the air, reclaiming the space with normalcy. For one blessed moment, all felt secure.
But as the chatter slowly subsided, Souta stood from his seat. Every eye turned; the room hushed, sensing that something important was about to be said. His voice was quiet yet carried the weight of an unspoken promise. "Can I ask something?" he began, a tremor in his tone betraying his inner uncertainty.
The entire table waited, hearts pounding in tandem with his. "Would you want to be strong enough… to protect yourselves— even if I wasn't there?" he continued, words hanging delicately between fear and hope.
The room fell silent. Ruby set down her spoon, looking into her brother's eyes as if trying to read the truth behind every trembling word. Aqua leaned back, expression unreadable but eyes glistening with empathy. Ai, ever-present and protective, met her son's gaze with fierce tenderness and concern. "Souta… why are you asking this?" she whispered.
With tears threatening to spill, Souta spoke soft yet firm, "Because one day…I might not be here. Not because I want to leave, but because someone might try to take me away from you. And I won't let that happen unless I know you'll be okay."
Aqua broke the silence with a half-gruff, half-caring remark, "You're still a kid." But Ruby quickly shot back, "But he's our kid."
Then Ai moved closer, placing a gentle hand on Souta's cheek. "If you teach us to be strong— we will." "But no matter what— don't disappear without saying goodbye," Souta added, voice thick with the weight of his secret and his love. Ai pulled him into a heart-felt embrace. "I won't. I promise."
In that tender circle of family, despite the lurking shadows of doubt and the haunting echo of Souma's threats, they reaffirmed a simple truth: together, they would face whatever tomorrow held.