Idol’s Day Out

I would like to thank my readers thus far for the support! I have unfortunately been unable to connect online right before the deadline. However, Aria and John’s story continues! Vince too, for his fans (Lolo and Mai).

                                *****

“Welcome back to JNN News. I’m Gil Fujisawa.”

“And I’m Masato Kiriya. Let’s return to tonight’s top story—one that’s exploding across social media. The highly publicized breakup of Ryo Sera and Aria Kingsley.”

“Indeed, Masato. For anyone somehow unfamiliar with the situation, three days ago— during a private party—Ryo Sera publicly announced a wedding date. However, the celebration took a sharp turn when a series of explicit photographs were handed to Aria Kingsley. Moments later, she removed her engagement ring and threw it at Sera in front of the guests.”

“And let’s not forget Gil, those images are directly connected to the photo that leaked online months earlier, showing Ryo Sera with the now-missing idol Ai Kamazaki. At the time, Sera dismissed the encounter as ‘a simple business meeting.’”

“Following the incident and the resurfacing of these additional images, police arrested Ryo Sera for questioning. He was later released on bail but has been banned from leaving the country as the investigation continues. As of now, Sera has returned to the top of the suspect list in the ongoing Velvet Reaper case. Meanwhile, he has filed a lawsuit against AEGIS Protection Group, accusing them of leaking the photographs. Masato—how is the public reacting?”

“Emotions are running high, Gil. Online reactions range from outrage to outright hostility.”

‘How could he do this to our queen?’

‘He never deserved her.’

‘We’re boycotting all Sera Productions films and advertisements.’

“Some comments have sparked heavy backlash, including statements like:”

‘All men deserve two or three women at the same time.’

‘What a chad—Ryo living the dream.’

‘Aria’s mid compared to Ai. I’d do the same.’

“Those comments are frankly disgusting. What is wrong with people?”“And it doesn’t end there, Gil. A growing number of posts are now targeting Aria Kingsley’s new bodyguard.”

‘There’s definitely something going on between her and that bodyguard.’

‘Ryo was the third wheel the whole time.’

‘I think Ryo couldn't sit on the chair in the corner and watch anymore. lol.’

“These rumors stem from eyewitness reports at the party, claiming it was Aria’s bodyguard who delivered the photos to her—bruised, bloodied, and visibly injured.”

“And that detail alone has only fueled the speculation further.”

*****

John was halfway down the corridor toward Rina’s office when he heard her voice snap through the door. “I can’t even be by myself for one day before everything goes to hell.”

Then—silence.

He hesitated, then knocked.

“Come in.”

Rina was seated behind her desk, elbows planted, her forehead buried in her palms. Her shoulders looked heavier than usual.

“You okay?” John asked softly.

She let out a long breath. “Our talent division is getting dragged straight into this PR disaster. And my sister hasn’t left her room in three days. She just cries.” 

She looked up at him, with red eyes. “How do you think I’m supposed to feel?”

Rina leaned back in her chair, frustration spilling over. “I’m being stretched thin—work on one side, family on the other. I don’t even know where to start anymore.”

Her jaw tightened. “I wish to God, Ryo never held that party. Who invites media to a private event? Absolute idiot.”

John studied her for a moment, taking in how worn down she looked. “Did you know him before he got engaged to your sister?”

“Yeah,” she said quietly. “Two years ago, he was… different. Humble. Shy. Down-to-earth.”

She paused. “After his mum passed away, something in him just flipped.”Before John could respond, she continued, voice sharper now. “I don’t know whether I should thank you or blame you for all of this.”

John stiffened.

“In this industry,” Rina said, “people go behind each other’s backs all the time. It’s not right, but it’s normal. I’ve had my fair share of experience to know how happens.” She exhaled.

“This is only exploding because Aria is Aria. If she weren’t this big, no one would care.”

John lowered his gaze. “You’re right,” he said. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have shown her those photos at the party.” He stood and stepped closer to her desk. “Tell me what I can do. I want to help.”

Rina looked at the photo of her and Aria—laughing, arms around each other, on her desk.

“Go to her,” she said. “Try to make her feel even a little better. I’ll handle the business fallout.”

“Got it.” John turned to leave, hand already on the door, then paused. “Can I ask you something?”

She looked up.

“Why didn’t you become an idol?” he asked. “I saw how you were daydreaming on that talk show.”

Rina laughed softly. “That’s embarrassing. I thought no one could see me.” She grew quiet, staring past him. “No one was backing me. I wasn't getting any roles to strengthen my position and I kept getting older and older.” She shrugged. “So I stopped.”

Then she met his eyes, resolve sharpening her voice. “But I won’t let that happen to Aria. I’ll stand by her—so she doesn’t go through what I did.” She softened. “Please, John. Do what you can for her.”

John nodded once. “I will.” He closed the door behind him and headed toward Aria’s room.

*****

He went upstairs to Aria’s room and knocked. “Aria.”

No response. He knocked again. “Can I come in?”  Still nothing. John opened the door and stepped inside.

She was curled beneath the blankets, voice muffled but sharp. “Do you always walk into people’s rooms when they don’t answer? Go away.”

“Aria,” he said calmly, closing the door behind him. “You’re only hurting yourself and the people who care about you by locking yourself in here. You didn’t do anything wrong. Punishing yourself won’t fix what he did.”

She didn’t respond.

“I know getting cheated on hurts very badly,” he continued. “I won’t pretend otherwise. But

it’s not the end of the world. Everyone’s worried about you. Your sister—”

“What about you, John?” she cut in. “Are you worried about me too?”

“Yes, I am.”

She peeked out from under the blanket, eyes red. “As my bodyguard… or something else?”

John let out a soft chuckle. “Don’t be like that. I’m here because I want you to feel better, Aria.”

She sat up slightly, still wrapped in the blanket. “Feel better?” Her voice cracked. “Can you erase my memory? Or give me back the time I wasted on him?”

He shook his head. “No. I can’t do that.” Then gently, “But I can spend time with you. We can make new memories. They won’t fix everything but they can make things hurt a little less. Step by step.”

She fully sat up now, hugging her knees. “Do you have something in mind?”

“Yeah,” John said. “Get dressed. We’re going out.”

She blinked. “Out? John, the paparazzi are camping outside. What if someone follows us?”

He glanced around her room, then his eyes landed on something near the vanity. A slow

grin formed. “I’ve got a plan.”

*****

The mansion gates opened, and a car rolled out. Instantly, paparazzi and reporters swarmed it, cameras flashing as they rushed the passenger-side window.

“Miss Kingsley! How are you feeling?”

“Any comment about Ryo Sera?”

“Are the cheating allegations true?”

“Are you sick? Is that why you’re wearing a mask?”

The car moved forward as the crowd followed with it, voices overlapping in a frenzy.Meanwhile, as the car moved further enough, two figures in hoodies, joggers, and face masks slipped out through the gate behind them—moving at an unremarkable jogging pace, blending into the background.

“I can’t believe that actually worked,” Aria whispered once they were far enough away.

John smirked. “That blonde wig in your room looks almost identical to your real hair. Add a mask, and any one of your maids becomes the perfect decoy.”

She shook her head, half-amused, half-amazed. “Where are we going?”

“Let’s get a little farther and grab a cab,” he said. “Then you’ll find out.”

*****

Their first destination was a theme park. 

They rode the Ferris wheel, the merry-go-round, and the go-karts. On the track, Aria screamed and laughed so loudly it startled nearby riders. When they got off the last ride, she slowed her steps, glanced at John, and quietly slipped her arm through his. 

He looked at her for a moment. Their eyes met, lingering just a second longer than necessary, before they continued walking together. They shared hot dogs and candy corn, drifting through the park like any other couple.

Aria’s phone vibrated. She glanced at the screen, then turned it off without another look.

“Who was that?” John asked.

“Ryo,” she said flatly. “That’s the seventh unknown number he’s used to call me. He doesn’t seem to be running out, so… I’m just shutting my phone off.”

“…Okay.”

“Hey there, sir!” a game stall owner called out. “Come test your skills and win a gift for your girlfriend!”

Aria immediately turned red, tightening her grip around John’s arm. He noticed.

“Hm,” he said thoughtfully. “My girlfriend, you say?”

He turned to the stall owner. “How much?”

“The first two shots are free. After that, it’s one hundred yen per shot.”

John picked up the air gun. “Which one?”Aria scanned the prizes and pointed eagerly. “Apchoo! Shoot Apchoo!”

“Apchoo?” John echoed.

“Yeah—the black-and-yellow chubby cat. It’s my favorite anime character.”

John aimed and fired, hitting the plushie directly in the head. It didn’t budge. He fired again, this time striking the shelf beneath it.

“That’s it, sir,” the stall owner said smugly. “No more free shots.”

John paid without a word. He raised the gun again and fired—this time at the shelf’s left support.

The entire rack collapsed. The stall owner stared in shock before silently handing over the Apchoo plushie.

Aria accepted it with both hands, eyes shining. “Thank you, John. How did you do that?”

“That’s the oldest carnival trick in the book,” he said. “They stick the toys to the shelf. The first shot told me it was stuck. The second showed me which side of the shelf was the weakest.”

“You’re a pro.” She smiled. “What’s next?”