Vol. 1 Chapter 1 – Prologue

It was spring break, the last day of my third year at middle school.

With the graduation ceremony already over and his acceptance into high school secured, Aoi Yuuto opened the window, letting the spring night breeze wash over him as he casually picked up a romance novel he had read countless times before.

This novel, which had also been adapted into a movie, became legendary not only for its tear-jerking story but also because the lead actor’s performance captivated audiences, sweeping nearly all the film awards in the year of its release.

Having seen the movie over a dozen times, the actor’s lines, expressions, and even the way his gaze moved were burned into my memory.

“Bath is ready~… Oh, reading that again? Yuuto.” (Mom)

My mother, fresh from her bath, sat down next to me, drying her wet hair with a bath towel.

“Well, yeah. Reading the text first and then watching the movie really shows you how high the quality is. Why don’t you read the original too, Mom?” (Yuuto)

Placing the book with its bookmark onto the low table, I leaned back deeply into the sofa, stretching my body, stiff from reading.

“I’m not really into books, so I’m good. Besides, my main interest is your father. You know that, right?” (Mom)

She chuckled lightly, humming as she tended to her hair, the tune echoing in the spacious room. Mom always looks happy when she talks about my dad.

My father, Hokujou Yuuya, is an actor so famous that practically everyone in the country knows him. Hokujou Yuuya also played the protagonist in the novel I was reading.

“…Mom, do you not feel anything anymore? About Dad.” (Yuuto)
“Hmm~ I think of myself as his number one fan in the world… but I was the one who said I wanted to have you, Yuuto, and I’m truly grateful that he respected my selfish decision and provides financial support, at least? Well, I do feel a little bad that you don’t have a father because of my selfishness, though~…” (Mom)

My mother has never been married. I haven’t heard the details, but apparently, her parents, who had connections in the TV industry, introduced her to Dad. Mom, who was a fan, pursued him earnestly, and eventually, I was conceived. Dad, marketed by his agency as a national treasure-level handsome man with a predominantly female fanbase, had apparently considered leaving the entertainment industry. But Mom supposedly proposed it herself, saying, “If you let me have this child, I won’t ask for anything else, so please continue your career.”

As a result, without any public announcement, Hokujou Yuuya continued his career and provides us with financial support. Thanks to that, we’ve never struggled financially, and we live in this tower apartment that’s far too large for just the two of us.

“But couldn’t you have at least told your parents? You haven’t been able to go back home because of that, right?” (Yuuto)

Mom, who had kept her relationship hidden even from her own parents, was kicked out of the house by her father, my grandfather.

“What? Are you worried about it? It’s fine, really. It’s my life, and Grandma has been secretly coming to visit since you were little.” (Mom)

She chuckled and tossed the bath towel she’d been using onto me.

“Well, the one thing I worry about is whether you’ll become super popular in high school, Yuuto. You look exactly like your father did when he was young, and you’ve got my blood too, so won’t the upperclassmen take notice?” (Mom)

She teased me with her eyes as she picked up the hair oil from the low table.

“…Do I really look that much like Dad?” (Yuuto)
“Let’s see… Before, I felt like you were about 50% me, but lately, you’re probably about 80% your father.” (Mom)

That brought one concern to the surface.

“…I wonder if they’ll find out? That Dad and I are related by blood.” (Yuuto)

When I voiced my concern anxiously, Mom burst out laughing and brushed it off.

“No one’s going to think you’re related just because you look alike. If it really looks like you’ll be found out, maybe you can just fudge it by saying you’re distant relatives or something?” (Mom)
“…Right…” (Yuuto)

Still, the anxiety lingered.

I couldn’t tell myself, but if Mom said I looked that similar, it must be true. If it got out, it would probably end up hurting Mom…

“Yuuto, hurry up and get in the bath.” (Mom)

Mom, apparently finished with her hair care, was moving on to her skincare routine. There was no point in worrying about high school before it even started. To switch gears, I headed for the bathroom.

“Oh, if you get a girlfriend, introduce her to me, okay? I’ll give her a thorough check.” (Mom)
“…I don’t think it’ll be that easy…” (Yuuto)

Her usual optimistic remark somehow felt like a small comfort.

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• Tower apartment: A high-rise luxury apartment building.
• National treasure-level handsome man: How media describing exceptionally good-looking male celebrities.