Chapter 389 - THE WONDER TWINS (1/2)

”You do not have to push yourself to share.” Akira shook her head.

”No, I want to tell you,” Nanase said with a firmer voice.  ​​

Akira was not sure if hearing her aunt's secrets was a good thing for her. Everyone had things that they hid in their hearts. Their fears, hopes, dreams and past… If she learnt something uncomfortable, their short good relationship could change.

Still, she nodded.

”I did not grow up in Mountain Ridge. I was born in a town with a strong artistic culture. The town had the best in terms of old theatrical shows, traditional music performances and artistic displays. It was a real colourful place with a lot of tourism.”

”My mother was a top actress in the local theatre. It might not seem like a big deal with the current accessibility of movies and TV shows. But it was a prestigious and well-paid position. She was the star who brought in people for the productions.”

Nanase sunk into her memories as she began telling the story she had hidden in her heart for so long. She forgot that Akira was from the younger generation. Perhaps, it was because she was yearning deeply to talk about her old experiences.

She still remembered the stories people would tell her about her mother. She was the belle of the ball because she was a cultured beauty. Her local and foreign suitors could fill every corner of the town.

Her mother did not think about getting married because it would affect her position as the beloved sweetheart of the theatre. However, she would have a few dalliances with some of her suitors. The lifestyle worked out for her well.

Until she got pregnant with Nanase and her sister…

”Twins run in my family,” Nanase told Akira. ”But I hoped that I would not get twins. I was happy when I got Kensei and thought that I would not be affected by it. Then, I got the twins. I felt so afraid when I thought of raising them.” Nanase said.

”Why?” Akira could not help asking.

”When we were very young, my mother sent my sister and me to live with my grandmother on a farm some distance away from the town. She wanted to keep living her bright life as a star, and two burdens would not be useful.” Nanase replied.

She liked living with her grandmother and working on the farm even though she was little. It was satisfying and fun. But her sister could not bear with the dirty and smelly life. She was only happy when their mother told them she was taking them back to the town.

Nanase was not enthusiastic about leaving her grandmother, but she did not want to disappoint her mother. The three of them started living a life in her mother's bungalow, but it was not a comfortable and relaxing life.

Her mother started training them in the arts with a lot of vigour, even though they were only about ten years old. She was a strict and unforgiving teacher. She would not listen to their protests when they were too tired to move.

Sometimes, she would blame them for losing her original fame as a top actress in the theatre. When she was pregnant, a younger and hotter version took her position as the lead.

Her return was not as triumphant as she thought, especially after giving birth. She had gained a lot of weight, and her face no longer had its healthy glow. She had to take smaller and less glamourous roles.

Other times, she would encourage them to work harder because it was the only way they could make her sacrifice of giving birth to them worthwhile. If they did not become stars, they would have cost her everything for nothing.