Oshi No Ko; You are my World (SEASON 2 BAYBEH)

25: Papa Dio

A month had flown by since the dazzling premiere of their movie, and life had only soared higher for Dio, Ai, Kana, and Aqua. The world seemed to embrace their talent, propelling them to new heights of success and recognition.

Dio found himself on the precipice of stardom, his name emblazoned on billboards and his face gracing the covers of prestigious magazines. Rumors whispered that his performance in the film would surely secure him an Oscar nomination. Critics hailed him as a revelation, praising his nuanced portrayal and magnetic screen presence. Dio was riding the wave of his dreams, fueled by his unwavering determination.

Meanwhile, Kana and Aqua reveled in their newfound prominence as young prodigies in the acting world. The industry buzzed with excitement, eager to witness the growth and talent of these rising stars. Kana's natural charisma and Aqua's emotional depth captivated audiences, making them highly sought-after for a variety of roles. Their youth and talent were a potent combination, leaving an indelible impression wherever they went.

As for Ai, her star shone brighter than ever before. Her versatility as an actress and her captivating stage presence propelled her to the status of a true star. Fans and industry insiders alike hailed her as a force to be reckoned with, and her popularity soared to unprecedented levels. But amidst the glittering lights and adoring fans, a sense of unease gnawed at her heart.

Ai often found herself lost in introspection, questioning her emotions and the depth of her connection with Dio. She treasured his words when he called her his, but the demands of her career weighed heavily on her mind. She yearned to confess her true feelings, to let Dio know the depth of her affection, but the fear of jeopardizing their careers held her back.

In quiet moments of solitude, Ai would reminisce about the fleeting glances and stolen moments they shared. She longed for the courage to express her love and to bridge the gap between their professional and personal lives. The weight of her dilemma bore heavily on her shoulders, casting a shadow over her otherwise shining success.

"I'm relieved that this lie didn't become reality," Ai whispered to herself as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her thoughts drifting back to the promise she had made to Dio five years ago.

"Sigh... Would he be upset that I couldn't keep my promise? I can already imagine him getting all fussy about it," she mumbled with a slight pout, before letting out a sigh and readjusting her makeup.

Meanwhile, backstage of a popular talk show, Dio stood, his blond locks gradually regaining their former splendor, though he still tied them in a ponytail as requested by the young girl.

"Hmph, can you believe they're making a man of my stature wait?" he grumbled softly, careful not to let his words be overheard. As a star, a prodigy, he had a reputation to uphold, and it wouldn't do well for his fans to catch wind of his complaints, though they were true.

With a sigh, he decided to take a leisurely stroll around the set. The backstage area seemed quite ordinary compared to the grand venues he had experienced in the past. It was even smaller than the backstage areas at Ai's concerts, but that was understandable.

As Dio's footsteps echoed down the hallway, people couldn't help but stop and stare at him with a mixture of admiration and disbelief. He relished in the attention and made no effort to stop them, graciously acknowledging their presence as a token of service to his newfound admirers.

"Thank you so much," a familiar voice echoed from the end of the hallway, causing Dio to halt and turn his attention toward the man emerging from a different studio. He appeared, for lack of a better word, ordinary. His graying dirty blond hair showed signs of age, and his prominent wrinkles told tales of a life well-lived. Nevertheless, he possessed a certain charm that the people of this era would deem "chic" in terms of fashion.

"You..." Dio mumbled, pointing a finger at the man.

"You..." the man mumbled in return, pointing at Dio with a mixture of shock and confusion.

"You sound just like me," they both said simultaneously.

The two blond men stared at each other, uncertain of how to react to this unexpected encounter. After a moment, Dio cracked a smile and placed a hand on the man's shoulder.

"Your voice is truly exceptional, like none other. You are undoubtedly a blessed individual," Dio chuckled, patting the man's back.

"I don't quite understand all that fancy talk, but your voice is great too. It soothes the soul," the old man chuckled in response, drawing the attention of those around them.

"And you possess a handsome face to match. If only you were a bit younger, we could have made fine co-stars," Dio remarked playfully.

"Well, you're quite handsome yourself. You look just like I imagined my grandson would, between my eldest and his wife!" the old man replied.

"Oh? Then I must grace the young child with my presence. It would be an honor for him," Dio declared.

"Ah, of course. Let me get your phone number," the old man nodded, reaching for his phone and preparing to exchange contact information with Dio.

Just then, a white-haired girl rushed over to them, her blue eyes filled with a mix of excitement and annoyance.

"Dad! What on earth are you doing, approaching strangers and carrying on like that?"

"Ah, Kei. This wonderful man came up to me, and we hit it off. We were just exchanging phone numbers," the old man explained.

"That's not the point!" the young woman shrieked, grabbing her father by the collar and hurriedly pulling him away.

"I'm so sorry, Y/N-sama!"

"Oh, so that was the actor you were gushing over?" The old man remarked.

"Shut up, Dad!"

Dio sighed, closing his phone after successfully exchanging numbers with the man. It wasn't a bad idea to make connections in the world, and a child who resembled him certainly deserved his blessings.

"Hmm, Shirogane... A fine name," he mused, gazing at the name on his phone before closing it and walking away.