She nodded and took the bentos before saying goodbye.
When she left, Ai looked at me.
Ai: "Tadano-Nii, aren't you going to school?" she asked timidly.
Tadano: "Don't worry, little star, your brother will spend the whole day with you. Today I'll teach you the basics of being an idol and introduce you to someone," I said while ruffling her hair.
Then I sent a message to Ichigo.
Who better to take care of Ai when I'm not around than Ichigo, the bear dad himself?
In the original work, Ichigo took care of Ai as if she were his own daughter; in fact, she was his most precious possession.
So much so that he even neglected the other members of the B-Komachi group.
After finishing washing the dishes, I began instructing Ai in some breathing and voice control techniques.
Even though initially I had no idea about these things, thanks to the high level of my [Singing] skill, all these concepts and techniques as well as their proper use had been imprinted in my mind and were used almost instinctively.
So it was easy for me to instruct Ai in these techniques.
Ai was very happy that I was teaching her and listened attentively to all my teachings.
She was worthy of the title of number one idol in the original work.
She learned very quickly and absorbed all the knowledge like a sponge.
After a while, we took a short break.
Ai was drinking tea with honey to relieve the discomfort in her throat.
Tadano: "Alright, little star, do you want to see a trick?" I asked with a mysterious expression.
She was very interested and nodded energetically.
Smiling at her enthusiasm, I snapped my fingers.
With a puff of smoke, a clone quickly materialized.
Ai was so surprised that her mouth hung open.
It was even funnier to see her expression when the clone changed its features and height until it took the form of Nagisa.
Before the girl could say anything, I spoke.
Tadano: "Alright, little star, this is Nagisa. She will help you train your acting skills as well as how to handle situations when you're on stage," I said, pointing at Nagisa.
She smiled gently and crouched down to be at Ai's eye level.
Extending one of her hands and in a gentle, somewhat maternal tone, she said,
Nagisa: "My name is Nagisa. Let's work hard together, okay?"
Ai nodded and with a happy smile took Nagisa's hand.
Thus, our day continued...
Ai was instructed by Nagisa while I played the role of the audience.
It was funny to see how nervous Ai got.
On one occasion, she was so nervous that she started acting like a robot. I cursed my luck for not having a camera at hand; my phone had been dead for a while.
When the sun was about to set, I heard the door open.
Turning around, I saw Yamai accompanied by Kaede and Nene.
Both were curiously looking at little Ai.
Then they looked at me.
The next minute, Nene picked up the phone and was about to call 110.
Nene: "I understand you like cute girls, but that's no reason to kidnap a girl off the street," she said, looking at me suspiciously.
Tadano: "Wait, I didn't kidnap anyone!" I said, raising my hands.
Nene: "Tell it to the judge..." Then she really started typing on her phone.
I rolled my eyes and jumped on her.
After a tickling attack, she was on the floor writhing and occasionally laughing.
Nene: "Haha... Can't take... Haha... a joke..." she said somewhat annoyed while trying to calm down.
Tadano: "I don't want to hear that from someone who was about to call 110 over a joke..." I said while helping her up.
Nene: "Tch... well, leaving that aside, I'll go prepare dinner. You guys have things to teach the little one, right?" she said while moving away and approaching Ai.
Nene: "Hi, little one... my name is Onemine Nene. If this bad guy ever intimidates you, tell me and I'll come to give him a lesson," she said while placing her palm on her arm, trying to show her strength.
Ai nodded happily.
Ai: "Thank you, Nene-nee." She said cheerfully before being hugged from behind.
The culprit was Kaede.
Kaede: "Moo∼ they're forgetting about me... I also like Ai-Chan a lot," she said while rubbing her cheeks against Ai's.
Ai laughed happily.
Kaede: "My name is Otori Kaede, and remember, Ai-Chan, if you have any problems, tell me and I'll help you with whatever you need," she said while trying to strike a cool pose.
Then Kaede, Nagisa, and Yamai took Ai to practice.
Ai asked the girls some questions which they answered.
However, I couldn't help but sigh at seeing a "peculiar" scene.
Ai: "... and that's how I got here. The only thing I regret is losing my money due to such a silly mistake..." Ai said while pouting in frustration over her carelessness.
Hearing that, Kaede casually took out her wallet and placed a wad of bills in front of Ai.
Kaede: "Is that enough?" she asked with a kind smile.
Ai: "Eh? ... No... that's not what I-I meant..." Ai said, a little nervous at seeing so much money.
Kaede: "Uhm? Do you want more?" she asked before trying to take out more but was quickly stopped by a hit on her head.
Holding her head with a hurt expression, Kaede looked at her attacker.
It was none other than Nene, an exasperated expression decorating her cute face.
Kaede: "That's cruel, Nene-Chan..."
Nene: "*Sigh* Think a bit, Kaede, you can't just put so much money in front of a child so casually. Look at her, you've made her panic." Nene reprimanded.
Kaede looked at the nervous Ai and apologized.
Undoubtedly, Kaede tends to be very eccentric when it comes to money.
After a while, we all had dinner together.
Not long after, Ai fell asleep.
After tucking her in, I went to the door to see the girls off.
Kaede: "Does she really have to stay here? I can take her to my house, you know? I have a lot of space," Kaede said while pouting.
Nene: "I can make some space, and maybe she'll fit in my house..." she added in a low voice.
Tadano: "Your house would probably overwhelm her..." I said while pressing her nose.
Tadano: "As for you... do you really think a teenager like her would fit in your house?" I said while looking at Nene.
Both lowered their heads.
Kaede and Nene: "But..."
Tadano: "I understand you don't like me spending so much time with Yamai. However, I want to spend a bit more time with Ai and it seems she likes this environment, so I'll leave her here for now. And don't worry, I'll spend more time with you to make up for it, okay?" I said while pulling both girls into my embrace.
Both clung to me and accepted.
After a few goodbye kisses, both girls left.
When I entered, I saw Yamai who was happily watching the sleeping Ai.
Yamai: "She's really cute..." she said while brushing Ai's hair.
I nodded.
...
While I was in bed, I looked at my phone.
That bastard Ichigo hadn't responded since I sent him the message and hadn't shown up either.
If he didn't have a good explanation tomorrow, I would have to teach him a bit about the rules of our cooperation.
...
Author's Note: "Alright, here's today's chapter. I apologize for not having a chapter yesterday, but I needed the rest. That said, enjoy. Remember to drink plenty of water and that I love you very much. Sincerely, your favorite depressive author."
------------------------------- nwnr