Short Story: The Shadow Behind the Lens
The sound of the shutter kept echoing—click, click, click—as Ai’s forced smile began to falter and fade.
Then, one of the men lifted a portable monitor, connecting it to the camera. On the screen, Ai’s bound figure on the wooden chair appeared with chilling clarity. He chuckled softly.
“Perfect… In just a few hours, these photos will spread everywhere—unless you do exactly as we say.”
Ai’s face turned pale, her heart sinking. The truth struck her—this wasn’t just forced photography. It was blackmail, a weapon that could shatter her life as an idol.
Another man stepped forward, carrying a sealed wooden box, and placed it directly in front of her. The faint sound of rusty nails scratching inside sent a shiver through the room. Everyone fell silent, their gazes fixed on Ai.
She stared at the box, her eyes trembling. She didn’t know what was inside—photography equipment, tools of intimidation, or something far worse.
The lights still blazed down on her, but inside, Ai felt only darkness. She realized now that what awaited her was no longer just the command to “smile”… it was a slow destruction, recorded frame by frame.
"All characters are 18 years old or older."
Ai Hoshino : Oshi no ko