Third person point of view 

"I'm surprised you managed to make your way out of the airport at one peace. Mom could never." 

 "What happened to hello? How are you?" Karma scoffs a smile, pulling a chair to sit in front of his father, Akabane Keitaro. 

He gave him an unimpressed look. "Okay, so why are you here?"

The redhead smirked, waving down a waiter. "Wow, not even a hug?"

"You know we don't do that."

"Right. 'Cause you're too cool for that stuff." The classic banters of parents  with their rebellious teenage child. 

Karma shrugged, glancing at the menu. "I'll get a cheeseburger meal."

"I take you to this fancy restaurant and that's all you get? Jesus, this is why I have to check up on you." Karma lets out a sarcastic laugh. Yeah, right. He hasn't even seen him in more than a year. "Are you even eating well? Where's all that money we've been sending you?" 

 "I could assure you that it was all well spent~" And by that he meant all his hoarded snacks and manga collection. Of course, his parents would never know that. They were barely home let alone enter his room. 

"On actual food, I hope?"

He took a dramatic pause. "...Sure."

Keitaro sighed, "You'll die before I do at this rate."

"Wouldn't that be a shame~?" 

They exchanged dry smirks before Keitaro shook his head. "I'm serious, Karma. You might be a genius, but you're still stupid when it comes to self-preservation."

"You're talking like I got hospitalized or something."

"Not yet. But the way you're going? It can happen. We'll cut off your budget if you actually get sick with your unhealthy habits this time." Keitaro warns, gesturing two fingers on his eyes and back at his son. "This the very least I ask of you. All that junk would cost you if you keep this up. I won't meddle with your school affairs as long as you are in the right and just graduate." 

Karma leaned back, watching his father order ribs. "What, am I finally getting the 'son, take care of yourself' speech?"

"Well, you could use some nagging every once in a while." His father leaned in. "Like on how you pummeled a bunch of D-Class kids in broad daylight?"

"Ah, figures. I thought it was weird that you showed up when mom's currently in Hokkaido." Karma snorted, "And I was just... making a point."

"Uh-huh. And the board chairman didn't expel you for it?"

Karma lazily stirred his drink. "Nope. Guess he likes me~"

"That man's a tough nut to crack." Keitaro leans back as their meals get served on the table, "He knows exactly how to play people on the palm of his hand. So imagine my surprise learning that Ginka-chan is also his child." 

 "Well, they are more similar than you think." Both carrying a charismatic demeanor that captivates others. Great people skills that grant them firm grasp in social situations. A presence that you can't deny. "I just think it's weird. Her name never came up before, not even at your business parties. You'd think someone like her would be all over high society."

"Exactly. She's never directly involved especially those where heirs commonly attend. Only Asano-kun is usually there."Karma blinks. 

Is it because Ginka's always busy with idol activities that she couldn't? But that wouldn't make sense either. Knowing the board chairman, he'd definitely focus on having her follow his ideal education. So why is she doing entertainment on the sidelines? Her father doesn't seem the type to give her that freedom.

That caught Karma's attention. "Really? Why?"

"Probably because she didn't want to be."

Karma narrowed his eyes. "You knew her before this, didn't you?"

Keitaro nodded, "I saw her a few times in the agency."

"Wait. You're saying she was in your old industry?" 

"We were." His brows furrowed at why he was so confused, but then realizes. "Ah, but under different labels. It's the same building though so I do run into her."

Nishimura Keitaro, a former child star actor of ten years, who started his career as early as three years old and fled away from the watchful eye the moment his contract ended. With all the money he managed to save up throughout those projects, he led a normal life in Germany from high school onwards. 

Leaving Japan at fourteen, he was no longer recognized by the public upon returning as an adult. 

 Karma clicked his tongue. "Huh. So she was locked in the entertainment industry before she even got into Kunugigaoka?"

"You could say that."

Now that was interesting.

Karma expected Ginka to be another Asano prodigy—one of those untouchable elites. But if she had been in idol training since childhood...

That meant she wasn't born into power like her brother. She had to work for it.

"I did find it strange, though," Keitaro continued, cutting into his ribs. "Most trainees were chatty—desperate to be noticed. Ginka, on the other hand, barely spoke unless spoken to. She acted like she wasn't allowed to be there."

Karma raised an eyebrow. "Shy?"

Are they still talking about the same person? 

"Not quite. More like... cautious. I could understand why she'd want to separate her personal life with how invasive people can be. She didn't even want me to know her real name. And I'm her senior. Even the other trainees back then weren't so reluctant. I wonder what changed her mind?" " His father points his fork at him, but then sighs and continues on eating. "Funny, huh? That a girl like her—who's got millions wrapped around her finger—used to be so closed off?"

Not everyone thrives in the entertainment industry by simply being themselves. Some had to hide behind a mask to sell themselves into attracting a greater audience. It is their secret blade that protects them. 

But also a double-edged sword. Just as much love they receive by meeting their expectations, there are still those who can't stand them. Their sincerity is often questioned. 

And since they have been in the industry for so long, it has and would be difficult to escape given that's all they know. 

 Even Karma could see how this affected his father by the way he raised him. 

Karma drummed his fingers against the table, thinking. "Then why did she suddenly decide to reveal her name now?"

His father shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe she finally got tired of hiding."

Or maybe... She had a plan.

Karma wasn't sure why yet, but something about this didn't sit right.

Ginka was too polished. Too smooth, too practiced. The way she smiled, the way she carried herself—flawless.

People like that? They either spent their whole lives learning how to be perfect... Or they spent their whole lives hiding something.

Keitaro raised an amused brow at his son's silence. "What, starting to get nervous?"

Karma chuckled. "Hardly."

"I actually felt sorry being unable to do anything while she was being screwed over by the company." Keitaro sighs, bitter memories of his childhood flashing through his mind. "I really hope she doesn't lose her light the way I did." 

 "What are you talking about? Isn't she one of the major money makers now?" If anything, the group should be treated like royalty with how they carried in sales. 

 "Welcome to the dark side. You'd be surprised how bad artists are still treated despite that." Keitaro attempts to joke, "It would be great if your carefree nature rubs off her. She works too hard for her own good. If she keeps this up, she might actually burn out." 

 Karma's brows furrowed. Why was he dumping that on him? Then again, when has he never run away from things like this? May it be life, or him. "You talked enough to ask her name. Why don't you tell this herself?" 

 "That was just for formalities. We only spoke a few words with each other." He lifts his wine glass to take a sip, "Besides, won't you get sick hearing an old man lecture you about how you should live your life? She might connect better with peers her age." 

 "Of course.."

"Good. Because if you ever get involved with that girl—"

"Pfft. Please." Karma rolls his eyes playfully, "She's not my type."

Keitaro smirked, raising his wine glass. "Famous last words, I'd say."

Their lunch ends shortly after and the two bid their goodbyes. Keitaro had a scheduled flight within the day to follow his wife so Karma took the train back home.

Karma lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. It wasn't like him to overthink things, but something about this situation bothered him.

Ginka Asano.

Why was she so good at making people like her? That kind of charm—the effortless kind—was dangerous. It meant she could steer any situation the way she wanted, say all the right words, play all the right roles.

And she probably didn't even need to think about it. It was just natural for her.

People like that were the most unpredictable.

Karma smirked, flipping onto his side as he slowly drifts to sleep. 

Well, this could be fun. If Ginka was really that good at putting on an act... Then it was about time someone tested her.

And it seemed that the opportunity came faster than expected.