【OSHI NO KO】 (【推しの子】)

This story is a work of fiction.

Actually, most everything in this world is fiction.

They fabricate,

exaggerate,

and thoroughly conceal anything inconvenient.

That being the case,

the idol fan is one

who wants to be skillfully lied to.

In this world,

lies are weapons.

Ai!

Oh, I wish I could witness her cuteness in person.

The idol group B-Komachi's absolute ace,

their unshakable center

is the supremely pretty 16-year-old girl,

Ai!

They've been a group for four years!

They've gradually gained popularity,

their media exposure has increased,

and it feels like the public has now finally discovered them!

This is the moment where she finally takes off.

Her stardom is--

Excuse me. Why are you playing a DVD in a patient's room?

It goes without saying that this is rather odd.

Observing something beautiful is good for one's health.

There aren't any idol concerts

this far out in the countryside,

so I see this as a form of medical practice.

It's proselytizing, plain and simple.

Please don't make it

our hospital's official position.

Oh, that reminds me, Doctor.

I saw this trending online.

What?!

Ai is going on hiatus?

AI OF B-KOMACHI GOES ON HIATUS DUE TO POOR HEALTH

You really are a fanatic, aren't you?

She's 16, isn't she?

So you're a lolicon?

Please don't call me that.

I've got my own reasons for it, okay?

I did my residency at this hospital.

In those days,

I would often slack off in patient's rooms.

-Same as now. -You should stop that.

SARINA TENDOUJI

One of the patients I met back then

changed my destiny.

- -Look, this girl is Meimei.

She's a great dancer.

Huh?

Both Ari-pyan and Kyun-pan are really good singers.

But my absolute favorite idol is...

Ai, without a doubt.

She's about the same age as me.

But she looks so grown-up

and great at singing and dancing.

And she's so pretty.

If I could be reborn, I'd wanna look like her.

What's with this reborn stuff?

-Come on, don't be ridiculous. -

Hmm. Not much of a dreamer, are you?

Haven't you ever thought about what it'd be like

if you were born as a celebrity's child?

Like, if you had connections

and you were incredibly good-looking right from birth?

Nope.

So you really don't have any dreams.

You're fine the way you are, Sarina.

There's no need for you to be reborn.

After you're discharged,

why not become an idol yourself?

I'll be your fan if you choose to do it.

-Really? -

I love you, Doctor. Marry me!

Forgive me, but I'd be a social outcast if we married.

Okay, Mr. Moralist.

A shame, isn't it?

But I might consider the thought when you get a little older.

Is that right?

Doctor, you're a meanie.

It's a practical plan, right?

An anaplastic astrocytoma.

She was just 12 years old.

If she were still alive today,

she'd be 16, just like Ai.

Guess I followed Sarina's favorite idol,

superimposing the two of them in my mind.

Her walking the path towards her dreams,

I suppose I just wanted to see that happen.

Makes sense to me.

So you really are quite the lolicon.

Were you even listening?!

That was quite a touching story!

There's something graphic

about the way you're obsessed with her.

Aren't you just using Sarina

as an excuse to release your own desires?

Ridiculous!

I swear, in Sarina's name,

I'm supporting her with the purest heart!

So, if that little Ai girl happened to approach you

and ask you to date her,

would you?

Well, lunch break is over.

Let's get back to work.

How about it, Doctor?

Swearing in the name of Sarina,

what's your answer?

Still, I'm worried about Ai.

I hope she gets healthy and makes a comeback.

OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Hello. Thank you for waiting.

Let's see.

Is this your first visit, Miss Hoshino?

Yes.

Judging by her belly,

she's about 20 weeks along now.

That's rather late for an initial examination.

16 years of age?

She must be dealing with a lot.

Perhaps she got this far along

because she had no one to talk to.

Are you her father?

Well, on paper, yeah.

Huh?

She grew up in a children's home

and I'm her de facto guardian.

Or, rather, her guarantor.

Oh, I see.

16, raised in a children's home.

I feel like I've heard this story before.

It's just like...

Doctor, how is it looking?

Any chance she just has a terrible case of constipation?

If that were the case, she'd be dead already.

I'm doing fine! No problems today, either.

First off, you'll need an examination.

I need to get everything ready, so, please wait here.

OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

Man, is that really her?

She's a perfect lookalike for Ai.

Wait! There's no way a super fan like myself

would be mistaken!

Wow, Ai is so cute in person!

-No! -

My favorite idol is pregnant!

It's such a shock.

I feel like I'm gonna vomit.

-Damn it! - Ai.

How in the world did you let this happen?

Yeah. Seriously?

As your agency's president, why didn't you consult me?

Who's the father, anyway?

Well, you see...

That's a secret.

A secret?

Well, no point belaboring it, then.

As for your examination results,

you're 20 weeks pregnant with twins.

It's twins!

Two of them.

Ai, are you serious about carrying them to term?

If it gets out that you've become pregnant at 16,

your career

and my agency

will be finished.

-What are your thoughts, Doctor? -

The final decision rests with you.

Really think it through before deciding.

As a doctor, that's all I'm able to say.

As a doctor?

Yeah.

- Ugh! Really? -Huh?

COMEDIAN PONTA AND IDOL MIU ARE MARRIED AND EXPECTING

Ah, man, I really liked Miyu.

Well, that's rather timely.

Hold on. If I die right now,

there's a chance I'll be reborn as an idol's kid!

Don't you think?

That's pretty messed up, dude?

Oh, come on!

Can you really stand an idol who's got a husband and kids?

Even if you've got a guy who you've fallen for,

I'll still keep supporting you.

That said,

if you give birth to these children,

I suspect I won't be able

to see you soar to greater heights.

I guess the views of fans are pretty self-centered.

You think so, too,

-don't you, Sarina? -

- Oh! -Hmm?

-Doctor. -Oh, Miss Hoshino.

It's not good for you to be out on a windy night.

I'm bundled up, so I'll be fine.

Hmm.

I chose this place based on my agent's recommendation.

It sure is lovely.