"I got your message and thought I'd come see how you were doing," Aisha said with that carefree smile of hers, one that didn't quite match the tense atmosphere. "But I never imagined he'd be this handsome. Are you a model or something?"
"Eh? N-no… not at all. I'm just a regular, plain guy," I replied awkwardly, instinctively reaching for my neck.
"I see… And yet here you are, broke and with two girls. Yep, totally normal," she added with a sarcastic tone, crossing her arms.
"Hey," Kaori-san cut in, frowning. "You do realize it's rude to eavesdrop on other people's conversations, right?"
"Jeje, sorry," Aisha chuckled, keeping her cheerful smile. "I didn't mean to interrupt. But, well… since the three of you are here, I actually have the perfect plan."
"What… kind of plan, Aisha…?" Ailany asked, lowering her gaze, sounding a little wary.
Aisha spun lightly on her heels as if this plan of hers was some kind of game. She stopped a few steps ahead, glancing back at us over her shoulder.
"First — you guys come with me. I promise I won't do anything weird… yet," she teased, winking. "Second — I know someone who could help you get a little cash. But, of course, it won't be for free."
"And why should we trust you?" Kaori asked, arms still crossed. "You just conveniently showed up out of nowhere."
"Because I'm Ailany's friend. Unlike those other girls who only ever used her, I'm actually willing to help. Even if it means dragging all of you along," Aisha replied, her tone firm this time — almost serious.
"What kind of help…?" I asked, still uneasy.
Aisha turned fully toward us, lowered her voice a little, and said:
"There's this event happening in Shibuya today. It's one of those places where tourists pay to experience 'Japanese culture'... and they need people to act as pretend families for a themed photo shoot. It's just for the afternoon. The pay's good. No paperwork. And it's kinda fun. I did it once before."
"Pretend families…?" I repeated, stunned.
"Yup. I'll be the adorable, overenergetic daughter. Ailany can be the big sister from the countryside visiting the city. Kaori-san, you'll be the cool, modern aunt. And you… you'll be the young, handsome dad in charge of us all. Isn't it perfect?" Aisha grinned, raising her arms like she'd already won.
Kaori-san and Ailany fell silent. And me? I just wanted to sink deeper into the train station bench.
> Young, handsome dad…? Me…? In a photo shoot… as head of the family…?
"No way in hell…" I muttered, my face going completely red.
But before I could complain any further, Aisha was already pulling us along, full of enthusiasm.
"C'mon! The train leaves in five minutes. If you miss this, you'll regret it forever."
And so, without fully understanding how it happened, the three of us got dragged by that energetic girl in a burgundy sweater into yet another ridiculous detour on our trip to Uke Mochi.
> To think this morning all I wanted was to find a road… and now I'm about to play pretend dad in Shibuya. Definitely wasn't part of the plan.
The train car swayed gently as we made our way toward Shibuya. Ailany stared quietly out the window. Kaori-san checked her reflection in the glass, fussing with her bangs like she was trying to hide her discomfort. And Aisha… well, Aisha sat across from me, grinning like this was all some kind of school field trip.
"So, anyone wanna practice their role?" she suddenly asked.
"Role…?" I echoed.
"Yeah! We're a family now, right? You gotta act natural. I don't want them kicking us out because we look like a bunch of broke students hoping for free snacks."
Kaori-san let out a dry laugh.
"Isn't that exactly what we are?"
Aisha brushed it off with a grin.
"Kiryuu-san, you're the dad. You need to speak firmly, but gently. Like a young widower raising his daughters with all the love in the world…"
"W-widower?!" I blurted.
"Shhh! Quiet down, Dad," Aisha teased, putting a finger to her lips. "You're embarrassing your daughters in public."
Kaori-san sighed and crossed her arms. Ailany-chan, meanwhile, slowly turned to me and murmured in a soft voice:
"Do you… think I could be a good big sister?"
The question caught me off guard. Her eyes had this different kind of shine to them, like she was hiding a deeper doubt. I nodded without thinking.
"Yeah. I think you'd be great. You're kind, and you always care about people."
Ailany-chan looked down, her cheeks turning pink, hands tightening around the hem of her skirt. Kaori-san gave her a sideways glance, frowning slightly.
"And me? I'm the aunt?"
"The cool, modern aunt," Aisha cut in. "The one who works at a trendy café, rides an electric bike, and has her own cooking channel."
Kaori-san raised an eyebrow.
"Okay… not gonna lie, that actually sounds kinda cool."
"I knew it!" Aisha beamed. "And I'll be the adorable, over-energetic daughter. As always."
The train announced the next stop, and Aisha jumped to her feet.
"Alright, happy family — time to disembark! Don't forget to smile… and Kiryuu-san, don't forget to walk like a responsible, protective dad, okay? Shoulders back, steady gaze… but make sure you look like life's been exhausting."
"How am I supposed to show all that… on my face…?"
"Just imagine you're paying bills," Kaori muttered dryly. "Bet it'll come naturally."
We stepped off the train into the warm afternoon breeze. Shibuya sparkled with lights and signs, a city that never seemed to look back. In that moment, I felt the weight on my mind ease, just a little, among the crowd.
We didn't have money. We didn't have a clear destination. But we had this ridiculous opportunity, and… somehow, it made me smile.
> Maybe getting a little lost wasn't so bad, if it meant finding something more important.
And so, with uncertain steps but a slightly lighter heart, we followed Aisha, the girl in the burgundy sweater, toward a building tucked between the streets of Shibuya.
"Welcome to 'Sakura Memories,'" she announced. "This is where your life as a fake Japanese family begins."
I glanced at Kaori-san and Ailany-chan.
And for just a second… both of them smiled back at me.