Episode 1

Camellia

"Come on C.C., can't you participate in something for once?! You're always avoiding us, it's no wonder no one hangs out with you!"

The words bit her like a poisonous snake, however she didn't cower. Instead she let out a sigh knowing that the entire class was stressed about their fashion design project. They were required to organize a showcase of Britannia's fashion throughout history.

Still, she thought it was unfair. She had worked all week on organizing the showcase, yet her group mates insisted that she participate as a model. Finally, she looked up from her laptop at the girl who glared at her with frustrated green eyes.

"Can't you find someone else to participate Shirley? I'm sure there are plenty of girls on campus interested in modelling."

"The dress was made to fit you C.C., we had this planned from the beginning. People are only coming to see you finally out of your usual sweatpants and hoodies."

"In case you've forgotten Shirley, you were the one to make the decision on your own. I did not agree." She shot back at the girl, making her even angrier.

"Youuu, you, ugh! I can't take it anymore, let's go Kallen."

Shirley threw her hands in the air and walked away from the table. Kallen tried to calm her down as they exited the cafeteria. On their way out, C.C. could hear Shirley's curses aimed at her, even a few students stared at her, wondering how she upset the usually cheerful girl.

What has the witch done now?

The scholarship student sure is cold, ouch.

No one even likes her. She's only hot.

Shirley, is always smiling. To frustrate her this much is…

The murmurs started to haunt her, so she put her earplugs in her ears and turned her music up to the highest volume.

They always talked, and talked and gossiped and lied. It's in human nature, is what she had learned from her past experience.

'They lie and betray, I'd rather not be bothered' she thought, as images of a nun and a cross flashed before her eyes.

After thirty minutes of doing miscellaneous tasks on her laptop, a hand tapped her shoulder to get her attention. She stopped her music and looked up at the culprit. Her golden eyes met his violet ones.

"Are you C.C?" He asked and she nodded, removing her earplugs as he sat beside her. Suddenly it dawned on her that it was none other than Lelouch Vi Britannia, the headmasters son, and one of the most famous makeup artist in their university and on social media.

But…why was he here? Shouldn't he be working on the makeup design for the models?...Another thing clicked in her mind and she didn't like it.

"I spoke with Shirley earlier."

Here it goes again. Now she was becoming frustrated.

"The show is in three days, and I can't finish the concept unless you're there. Can't you reconsider C.C?"

He gave her a friendly gentleman's smile, which made her feel uncomfortable. It was so fake and devoid of sincerity. However, she knew they wouldn't stop pestering her. She succumbed to the pressure and agreed to be the model.

Lelouch felt accomplished. Yet again his charm worked, he thought. He offered C.C. to come with him to his studio so he could work on the concept of her makeup. She agreed, and they were off.

It was late in the evening when they arrived at Lelouch's studio apartment in Tokyo. It was no surprise to her that his apartment was A-class.

'After all, he is the chairman's son.'

She took off her outdoor shoes and put on the fluffy pink slippers he provided. Their softness hugged her feet and relieved her of tension.

"Did your parents buy you this?" She mockingly asked as her hands dug deep into her yellow hoodie. She scanned the kitchen and living room as he answered.

"No, I pay for it with the money I earn as a makeup artist. I have quite the following you know."

She raised her eyebrow as he spoke triumphantly.

"Oh right, almost everyone knows you. The brand deals must flood your inbox."

He nodded and then offered her something to drink. She agreed on orange juice and they headed to the kitchen.

She took a sip and immediately let out an uncharacteristic squeal. 'Damn, even the juice is high quality'. Lelouch hid his smile by taking a sip himself.

'Even the ice witch has a cute side~'

"So, where are the other models?" She asked, looking around to see that only they were in his apartment.

"I finished their makeup concepts earlier this week, only you were left."

She made an 'oh' expression.

"Well, let's get this over with so I can go home."

"Have you eaten dinner? I can make something when we're done."

She shook her long green hair. He watched as it swayed around her.

"Actually, I ordered pizza when you told me your address on the way here…oh, do you mind?"

He was dumbfounded. So casually, she walked into his apartment and even ordered pizza. He continued to hold in his amusement as to not seem rude. He simply nodded with an exasperated smile.

They moved to his makeup studio where professional lights and cameras were set up. C.C. gawked at the table that held countless pallets, brushes, mascaras and foundations of all colors.

"It's surprising isn't it?"

"You're really passionate about makeup?"

Lelouch nodded as he gestured her over to a chair. She placed her orange juice on the table as he pulled up another chair in front of her.

His violet eyes scanned her face carefully. He couldn't read her expression as she looked at him blankly; her gaze being cold, as if trying to intimidate him. He was very used to being in the company of women, but her aura was different. 'Just who are you?' He wondered.

"Your skin is very smooth. Do you wear makeup?" He asked, staring into her cold golden eyes.

"No…I've never had a reason to." In that moment, he saw the strong gaze in her eyes falter.

She had secluded herself from her classmates ever since coming to the university. Not being used to this much social interaction, and of course being in such close proximity to someone, unconsciously parts of herself slipped out and Lelouch was able to catch them as they fell.

"The concept of your dress is 18th century Britannia…hmm, I'll start with a few colors I have in mind."

C.C nodded as he began to moisturize her face in order to apply foundation. Grabbing a palette labelled 'La Vie En Rose~' from his desk, he used a fluffy brush to contour her face.

"Your face is already beautiful without makeup, so I can understand why you wouldn't bother."

"Are you being facetious Lelouch?" He stopped and looked at her, and then continued with his work.

"Not in the slightest. After taking a closer look at you, you're quite the beauty C.C…by the way, why do you use that nickname? What's your real name?"

Her eyes faltered again. She wondered why he didn't just do her makeup in silence. She tried to look away from him but it was impossible with how close they sat from each other.

"Is it hard to talk about? I apologize for prying too deep."

She sat in silence for a while as he continued to brush makeup onto her skin. The soft brush sent shivers down her spine. In that moment it was serene. She relaxed a little and decided to answer his previous question as he began to work on her eye makeup. With her eyes closed, she spoke,

"It's okay…my name. My name is Camellia."

He contemplated.

"The flower that signifies the coming of spring~" He chimed.

"The flower of mourning, the flower that blooms silently, the flower of love…The flower that doesn't know its true color." She blurted, and he stopped applying eyeshadow to look at her. He picked up a maroon lipstick and moved closer to her, all the while thinking carefully of what to say next. In that moment she opened herself. Her expression was longing, longing for someone to tell her the right answer.

"Each color is its true color. One which cannot be restrained to one definition….Camellia~."

He stopped midway of applying her lipstick to look into her golden eyes. They glimmered under the intense light and he to found himself flustered. In that moment she looked like a goddess. His eyes drifted to his hand that held the lipstick against her soft lips.

"Lelouch?"

She called and he immediately snapped out of his trance. He apologized quickly as she looked at him curiously. His heart started to thump loudly in his chest and he prayed she didn't hear it. He tried to apply highlighter but couldn't get that image of her out of his mind. He was going crazy as she returned to looking at him stoically.

*DING DONG

He bolted out his chair, subsequently knocking over the glass of orange juice on the table. C.C gasped as it spilled on her white sweat pants.

"I'm sorry! Let me get something to dry you off!"

"Its fine, its fine" She said calmly as she picked up the glass.

"It must be the pizza I ordered. Can you get it for me? I'll dry off in the bathroom."

He looked at her worriedly, but headed off to the get the pizza. His eyes widened when the pizza delivery guy handed him 5 boxes.

'She must have ordered for the next two weeks' he thought, bringing the pizza to the quartz island in his kitchen.

After a few minutes, C.C exited the bathroom. The orange juice stain very evident on her pants. Lelouch frowned. He brought her here when it looked like she was having a busy day, and what did he do? Ruin her pants.

"I can bring you a change of pants." He offered and C.C accepted, as she didn't want to walk around with an orange juice stain. He rushed to his room. She could hear him loudly fumbling with his dressers.

'This boy...'

Soon he emerged from his room with a pair of black sweatpants.

"These are the smallest size I have."

"Thanks." She said, taking the pants and heading back to the bathroom.

They sat at his island to eat pizza. Lelouch questioned her about the abundance she had ordered but she simply replied, "I'm collecting points to get a cheese-kun plushie." It wasn't the answer he expected.

"How are you going to eat all of this?"

She shrugged.

After half an hour had passed, he got his answer. The girl had eaten an entire box of pizza in front of him. He had stopped at his fourth piece, but she kept going as if she were in a trance. Her face would light up as the cheese covered dough entered her mouth.

For C.C, pizza was like a sanctuary. Her source of comfort in this world. When she ate, nothing around her mattered. Pizza made her feel warm inside and so, she indulged in it.

She looked up and remembered that she was here to get her makeup done.

"Sorry, I think I ruined the lipstick."

He shook his head,

"I've already picked the concept. We are done for today."

She nodded and got up from the table. Lelouch offered to drive her back to campus but she refused, insisting to take the subway alone. As they headed to the front door, she turned to him.

Their eyes met and locked.

"Lelouch…" she started.

"What you said earlier about my name..."

She looked away from him. He could see a tinge of pink on her cheeks. In that moment he wanted to reach out-

"Thank you."

She said the words so softly. It lingered in his mind.

"See you on Saturday for the showcase…oh, I forgot to tell you that the makeup looks great. I'm sure the showcase will go smoothly. Good night~"

She put on her shoes and waved goodbye. As her hand gripped the door handle, he spoke,

"Good night Camellia~"

Saturday

CHAOS

C.C's class scrambled around backstage, making sure that everything was perfect. Their term grades, and reputations in Brittania's fashion world were on the line, so they couldn't allow anything to slip up.

C.C walked around with her note pad in hand, checking that all the stage lights, models and props were in order.

"C.C!" she turned around after hearing a voice she hadn't heard in three days. Lelouch walked over to her carrying his makeup bag.

"I have to start your makeup now or you won't make it on stage." C.C sighed and mumbled, "That wouldn't be so bad."

Clearing her thoughts she spoke louder,

"Give me a second to finish up here and I'll come to the dressing room." He nodded and headed to the dressing room to start on the other models with the other makeup artist majors.

C.C looked around for Rivalz to take her spot. After finding him near the observer's seats, she handed the blue haired boy her chart and gave him further instructions before leaving. On her way back, she passed by Shirley, Kallen, Milly and Euphemia who were all dressed and ready to go onstage. She fastened her pace realizing she was late.

Lelouch watched the time tick by on his phone. He, along with the other makeup art majors were finished with all the other models. They decided to leave and enjoy the break but he had stayed to wait…and he waited for a long time. The worst part of it all was that he forgot to ask for her number, so there was no way he could call to see where she was.

C.C grabbed her dress from the clothing rack and ran into the dressing room, surprising Lelouch. She said nothing to him as she disappeared behind a curtain to change into the dress. She saw the corset left for her sprawled on the floor and sighed.

"Lelouch" she called and he stood up. She peaked her head out of the curtain and gestured him over. He stepped into the curtain and was shocked at her appearance. She wore nothing but her black underwear, bra and a corset which she held up from the front, leaving her pale back exposed. The room started to heat up for some reason.

"There's no one else here, so I need you to help me with this. Sorry for being late by the way."

"Its fine, I'll be able to finish your makeup in time." He said as he tried his hardest to suppress the blush on his cheeks.

"Thank goodness." She let out a heavy sigh as he grabbed the strings of her corset. At hearing her voice his face heated up even more. They were so close in this small space. His breath and hers mixed together. As he tightened the corset she let out a gasp causing him to stop.

'It's dangerous'

He wasn't the only that could feel the atmosphere. C.C, too felt how close he was to her, but what could she do. Suddenly he pulled tighter as to her instruction. She let out a louder gasp and stumbled forward. He quickly caught her. With his arm around her waist, he pulled her forward, her back colliding with him. She stood up quickly.

"I think this is tight enough. You can tie it now." He nodded and quickly did just that. Hurriedly he rushed out of the curtain.

'Very dangerous!' He thought once again, this time slapping his face. He rushed over to the table and prepared the makeup he would use.

After a few minutes of fumbling with her petticoat, she was finally able to put on the dress and exit the curtain. The last thing she needed help with was the buttons on the back of the long red Victorian dress. Lelouch quickly buttoned the dress and she sat on the stool so he could start her makeup.

He quickly primed her face before moving on to the contour. Even after the heated moment in the curtain they were forced to stare at each other. Her breaths were soft and slow as she watched his eyes dart around her face.

His darting eyes stopped on hers. Time felt slow, slow until it froze. Their scent, lips, eyes, body were all desirable in that moment. They didn't notice as the distance between them shortened until it disappeared.

His lips touched hers ever so softly. She closed her eyes and returned his gesture. Her hands drifted up his shirt as their lips moved together in unison. She couldn't stop and he couldn't hold back. They were drawn to each other like magnets.

'It's warm.' C.C thought as she felt a similar sensation as to when she ate pizza. She wanted it to last forever~

This time they moved faster, taking minimal breaks in between each kiss. The air was hot, the room was hot, and they couldn't stop,

"C.C?!"

They were brought back to reality as a loud voice interrupted them. Turning towards the door, they noticed a very shocked Milly. The girl mischievously smirked.

"Sorry to interrupt guys but, there's a show that you need to model in C.C."

With that she left and an ominous feeling came over C.C.

To be continued~