The renowned American psychologist Philip Zimbardo, who conducted the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment, once wrote in his book:
"The line between good and evil is permeable and almost anyone can be induced to cross it when pressured by situational forces. Key factors include dehumanization, diminished responsibility, blind obedience to authority, group pressure, moral disengagement, and anonymity."
The online world provides everyone with anonymity. And wherever anonymity exists, absurd spectacles are bound to emerge—selfishness, exclusivity, and emotions normally buried deep within one's heart run rampant under its veil.
These feelings only take hold when one goes online, suddenly transforming into a monstrous entity that lords over the digital world, acting as if nothing can touch it.
As it turns out, matters related to sex have always been the most eye-catching—one of the internet's greatest hooks and hotspots.
Though Tanaka had only released a few blurry photos and vague descriptions, rumors about Issugi Rina spread like wildfire, growing increasingly distorted.
In the sensationalist reports of other tabloids and the escalating gossip, Issugi Rina once again became a symbolic figure—a button that, when pressed, brought pleasure. Everyone reveled in it.
Twenty years old. Prestigious university student. Rich girl. Sasaeng fan. And most importantly—beautiful.
These labels were arbitrarily pieced together and linked to the center of the storm: Ryo Kitagawa. Like a game of fill-in-the-blank, provocative narratives fueled the imaginations of netizens, giving wings to their fantasies.
Meanwhile, after Ryo's management team issued a stern statement, his fans launched their own offensive.
Twenty years old. Prestigious university student. Rich girl. Sasaeng fan. And most importantly—beautiful.
The same labels, but in their rhetoric, they shed any hint of romantic fantasy, becoming battlegrounds for attack. They swarmed Issugi Rina's social media accounts across all platforms.
"An adult preying on a minor? And she calls herself a top university student? Did her parents buy her way in? Shouldn't the school expel someone like her? Think you're special just because you're rich? Who actually finds this stalker pretty? Her nose is obviously fake—can't you see the surgery scars?"
They vehemently condemned the sasaeng's actions—breaking into Ryo's home, stealing his clothes—while proudly boasting about their own encounters with him: "I was only ten centimeters away from him after that theater performance!" or "I snagged this autographed limited-edition shirt with my lightning-fast reflexes!"
Ruby clicked through several of the most aggressive fan accounts and found their earlier posts.
"An adult creeping on a minor is disgusting."
[Don't you think Ryo's look in Spider totally gives off 'younger puppy-dog' vibes? Like he's deliberately teasing us older sisters.]
"How did someone like her even get into a top university? Daddy must've paid her way."
[Had another fight with my parents. My allowance isn't enough—I blew it all on Ryo merch.]
"Can this psycho stalker just die already?"
[New fic update! Extra-long chapter, Ryo-centric, NSFW (spicy scenes), tags: #GB (female top/male bottom) #fluff #age gap #loyal dog]
[Ryo pulls the thin blanket up, as if trying to hide his flushed face, leaving only his dark eyes glaring at you—a silent accusation of last night's debauchery. You click your tongue, slipping your hand under the covers to fish out his underwear, pressing a kiss to the fabric before tossing it aside…]
Ruby covered her face, feeling her brain cells withering with each word.
At this point, she couldn't tell whether these "fans" were driven more by hatred or jealousy—perhaps even envy.
But regardless, Ruby felt a deep unease about her brother's future.
The lines between girlfriend fans, dreamers (fans who fantasize about romantic relationships with their idols, a term originally from otaku culture but now applied to real-life celebrities), and sasaengs were already blurred.
If Ryo ever did something they deemed "unacceptable," the fallout would be catastrophic.
So—
For the sake of world peace…
Ruby concluded that the best future would be for her brother to live with her forever.
Issugi Rina never imagined her actions that day would be noticed—let alone captured from afar.
Unsurprisingly, her parents were livid. At first, they tried to use their influence to suppress the scandal, but they quickly realized it was impossible.
Like a forest fire fanned by the perfect winds, the incident spread uncontrollably, igniting the entire online world.
Issugi could hide in her room like an ostrich burying its head in the sand, but her parents had no choice but to endure their colleagues' stares at work. Those relentless gazes clung to them like fish scales, reeking of judgment.
Yet even secluded in her room, Issugi couldn't fully escape the outside world. The moment she opened her phone, she was bombarded with reports and discussions about herself.
Every comment she'd ever made online, even years-old throwaway remarks, had been dug up.
The malice from the internet seemed determined to devour her whole.
But to Issugi, none of that mattered.
The only opinion she cared about was Ryo Kitagawa's.
For eight years, she had fed her longing and desire into the private message window on his profile, as if nurturing an eternally starving beast.
Now, she needed a response.
Because Issugi still stubbornly believed Ryo would understand her actions.
Not even his management's official statement could sway her.
Who says that reflects Ryo's true feelings?
I don't accept it.
That didn't mean Issugi was entirely numb to other thoughts, however.
That sneaky photographer.
She seethed with hatred—not because he'd exposed her, but because she couldn't stand the idea of someone else secretly aiming their lens at Ryo's (her) home.
The glow of her computer screen reflected Issugi's face.
It was the face of someone who adored Ryo more than anyone else.
The face of a true believer.
"Sasaeng fans are terrifying. I've heard stories from friends, but I never thought you'd experience it too."
"Yeah, in all my years in the industry, this is my first time encountering someone this obsessive. I've had fans try to rush the stage for a hug, but nothing like this… headache-inducing."
Ryo switched his private phone to his left hand as he spoke to Ai Hoshino, pulling out his work phone with his right to check a new notification.
Ai had called the night the incident broke, but Ryo had been busy comforting a distraught Ruby, so their conversation had been brief.
Now, on the morning of the second day, she'd called again to check in.
"By the way, have you found a new place yet? Your old address was exposed in the news after the fire. It's not safe—sasaengs might track it down."
"Yeah, I'm definitely moving."
Ai smiled at the concern in Ryo's voice.
She had no intention of staying in her old home. Not only was the address now public, making it easy for obsessive fans to find, but she also wanted a fresh start.
That fire had been a dividing line—a farewell to the painful memories and the mother who embodied them. Ai hoped her life could begin anew from here.
"I've asked Mr. Izaki to look into secure residential complexes. If we find a good one, you could move into the same neighborhood."
"Okay."
Ai agreed softly before adding,
"But you really need to be more careful with gifts—whether from fans or business partners. Screen them thoroughly."
"I didn't expect this either. Morinaga's always been reliable, and this was purely Issugi Rina's personal act. Their previous plushies were all fine."
"You still have the Strawberry Rabbit, right?"
Ryo glanced at the three plushies packed in a plastic bag in the corner. Though Ruby was now wary of them after the hidden camera incident, children's moods were fickle. She might warm up to them again.
After all, she'd slept with Orange Bear for years.
"Of course. The rabbit's cute, and it's based on my character. I'm glad you didn't throw it out."
Ai's tone was light, but she soon sighed.
"My Tokyo Dome concert is in two days. With all this chaos, you probably can't come now. I even saved you a front-row seat."
"Yeah, laying low is best for now. My apartment's probably surrounded by reporters as we speak. I'll have to watch the livestream."
"Speaking of, how's your headspace lately?"
Given Ai's recent ordeal with her mother, Ryo worried it might affect her performance.
"No issues. We've rehearsed with Ari and Kyun countless times, and we've already done a stage run-through."
Ai's confidence was unwavering.
"Then I'll look forward to an amazing show."
"Feel free to expect greatness."
"Alright, I've got work stuff to handle. Talk later."
Ryo rubbed his temples as he read the message from Mr. Izaki on his work phone, exhaustion creeping into his voice.
"Take care of yourself. And don't forget to watch the livestream."
Ai's voice softened playfully before she hung up.
Ryo shook his head with a wry smile. He'd genuinely wanted to attend B-Komachi's Tokyo Dome concert in person. As one of Japan's most prestigious venues, it held immense significance for any idol group.
In a way, this concert was the culmination of Ai's career since her debut at twelve—a testament to how far she'd come.
The underground indie idol from back then had finally reached these heights.
The thought made Ryo reflective. Unlike his younger self, who'd yearned to grow up quickly, now that he stood on the cusp of sixteen—of adulthood—he felt something different.
It wasn't until a sasaeng broke into his home, wearing his clothes like some perverse trophy, that Ryo truly grasped he'd shed his "child actor" label.
He was now a teenage actor, soon to be sixteen—no longer the kid who'd debuted all those years ago.
Truthfully, Ryo had already earned enough to live lavishly for the rest of his life. Yet quitting acting had never crossed his mind.
As someone who'd been a theater actor in his past life, Ryo still approached every role with passion and reverence—one reason for his sterling reputation in the industry.
Moreover, he needed to prepare thoroughly for Ruby's eventual debut. There was no such thing as being too prepared.
Through his friendship with Ai these past eight years, Ryo had also witnessed the darker side of idol culture.
Though Ai had overcome every hardship to get where she was, Ryo didn't want Ruby to endure the same.
Hardship builds character, some said. But growth didn't require suffering—nor did one need to be grateful for it.
Ryo simply wanted the people he cared about to be happy.
That shouldn't be too greedy a wish.
Probably.
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