Hi, Blank here, and with me I bring a brand new story! Oh, and, this one is mine! Even though I just said that, I want it to be clear... Alright, now;

"Hello" -Talking

'Hello' -Karou's thoughts

Hello -Mister Director

Hello -Anything bolded has a very important role in the story, so pay attention to them! You'll find out why they are so important in later chapters, though.

Disclaimer: I make no profit from this, and do not in any way, shape or form claim to own this anime series. But, I do own the plot of this story! And, I also own Mister Director!

Keep on smiling, no one cares if it's real or not. They only want to see it, so that they can convince themselves that you're fine!

Smile. Laugh. Joke. Talk. Grin. It's nothing but a well scripted play. Always acting. Always.

No one ever notices, and, I guess that's what hurts the most.

But I never pay attention to my feelings, I just focus on keeping up the act, on working harder so I can play the part just right, so then the curtains never close, and the audience never leaves.

(I don't want to be alone again…)

Play pretend with me, why don't you?

I promise, it'll be fun!

You can join me in the act, until we're under the ground, in our coffins, and the curtains have closed!

Have you heard the bells, as they toll?

Oh, what a beautiful sound!

It strikes something in my chest, causing my eyes to burn and beg to leak, and makes me want to give up the act so people can notice that I'm not alright, and that something's wrong!

But, alas, I can't! For, without me, the show can't go on!

Tell me, dear, do you see the clouds?

They storm, and swirl, making me smile, genuinely, even!

They make me want to dance, and to let the act become a reality!

To make all this fake happiness and joy real!

But, does that mean I like it or I don't?

I can never tell!

I know that it hurts, and that you don't like keeping up the act, but you're the only one that can do it! You don't want to worry them, do you?

I know that you all are getting suspicious, and I don't mind.

As long as I can keep the show on, I'll be happy with anything you do!

My brother, my mirror image, my twin, one of the many characters in the show!

Tell me; is my acting really that good, so that not even you can notice that there is something wrong with me?

I used to (FOOLISHLY) believe that you would be able to pick up on my lies, but you never do, and that confuses me.

You always catch me when I'm lying!

…don't you?

But, just remember; you're doing this for them! Not yourself! If it wasn't for this act, you wouldn't be able to lie at all, and now look! You do it without even thinking! Dear child, do you even know when you're lying, and when you're not?

Come now, ink on paper, drip like the wonderful black water you are!

I watch as you pour; down, down, down!

And I love it!

…don't I?

Isn't the pang in my chest and the clear salty liquid coming out of my eyes good?

Why is it, that when I watch you pour and drip and look so sad and pitiful, that I'm reminded of myself?

Why?

Last time I checked, which was only hours before, this wasn't a normal thing.

But, when has anything about me been normal?

Well?

Aren't you going to answer me, little mocking bird?

Or are you just going to stare at me, laughing at my stupidity to understand a simple concept that I don't even know the beginning of?

Just like you always do?

When things go wrong, should you run and cry in a corner, or should you go fix your mistakes? Without me, that's just what you would be doing; sitting in a corner, crying. Are you proud of yourself? For being so weak and pitiful? Just like that ink?

"Karou…?"

Spoken so quiet, I could barely hear it.

How long was I sitting here, lost in my musings?

"Karou?"

Why is he saying my name again?

Oh, that's right. I never responded to him yet.

Time to end the intermission, and go back to the play.

Why don't you just give up? You're not good at this, at all! At this rate, they'll find you out in no time, and you'll just be a burden! Is that what you want to be? A burden?

"Yes Hikaru?"

Was it me that said that?

I don't know.

I don't remember moving my lips to talk, and I don't remember even using my voice.

Now that I think about it, I don't even remember what my voice sounds like…

"Karou… Are you alright? You aren't acting like yourself today…"

He trails off, leaving me lost in my act again, as I stare and smile (FAKE), while on the inside, I'm screaming.

'He only notices now? After all my years of acting, he's finally catching on-!'

I pause in my inner ranting for a mere second, thinking it over.

'Ah, never mind. I was out of my acting for a while, and he noticed. How sweet of him. Being able to tell when I stop acting, but not when I am. What is wrong with him?'

That's right, Karou. Ignore them! Don't stop the show for their sakes!

"Kao-Chan?"

A worried voice…? It sounds so… Childish? Is that it? Or is it innocent? …Maybe both?

"Yes, Honey?"

The words slip out, and I don't even think about them. It's nice not having to think, don't you agree, Mister Director?

"You never answered Hika-Chan's question!"

"…He asked something…?"

Keep pretending! Act as if there's nothing wrong! Keep up the show! Play your part! Keep reading the script!

I now notice that everyone is staring at me shocked, clearly thinking that I remembered.

Now they look concerned. That's rare. For it to be directed at me, anyway.

Or, should I say, not me? But… Still me. Not me at all, but still me, in some strange sense.

Does that make sense?

No?

Oh well, that's fine.

I never expected you to understand anyway.

It's much too complicated for your tiny and uncomprehending minds.

"Yes, Karou. He did ask something. Are you not feeling well…?"

Tamaki asked this, looking worried… Just like everyone else.

Wrongly worried.

That's right! Nothing's wrong with you! Keep it up! You're doing great!

I tilt my head, faking innocence and confusion.

"No! Of course not! I'm fine! I was just thinking."

They stare at me, obviously doubting what I was saying.

No! Your act is failing! I knew it! That's all you ever were, are, and will be, a failure! Go in a corner and cry! Or, why don't you just kill yourself? You'd be doing the world a favor!

I smiled at all of them, not letting them know the true effects of Mister Director's words.

For, if I did show them what his words did to me, they'd be confused and worried, since I'm the only one who knows who Mister Director is, and I'm the only one who could hear him.

Twirling and spinning, you never stop do you?

Because, if you did, then you would die, and cease to exist… Wouldn't you?

And, in a way, that's just like me.

Always moving, always having to do the same thing every day, or else I would break down.

Only differences, though, are that you have to spin to keep going, while I have to lie, and when you stop, you disappear, stop being in the world, while I would break down and most likely kill myself for my inability at being able to do something as simple as act.

Isn't that pitiful?

Isn't that just like what Mister Director said?

Isn't that proof at how useless I am?

That's right, you little pest! You ARE useless! You're pitiful, too! And, I congratulate you for being able to see that you should kill yourself! You're finally getting smart!

"Hey… Are you all right, Karou?"

I hear the voice, but ignore it.

In-fact, I can't even tell who said it.

It could've been anyone.

It might've even been a part of my imagination.

I wouldn't be surprised, I'm always hearing voices, so it's sometimes hard to know who said what.

"Karou…?"

I feel something wet going down my face, and, obviously, they noticed it too.

What is it, I wonder…

They're tears you idiot! I knew you couldn't act! I knew it! Can't even keep your feelings in check, you little brat?

My hand pulls away from my face, and I stare at it.

Mister Director was right, I am crying…

But… Why?

I feel arms wrap around me, and, to my shock, I feel warmth next.

Why would there be warmth after someone wraps their-

…Oh…

Never mind.

I understand now.

I'm being hugged.

But… By who?

And, why?

Are they feeling sorry me, since I'm crying?

The warmth is comforting, so, the play gets another intermission, as I lean into the touch.

The nice, warm, soft touch.

And that was chapter one! Did you like it? Hate it? Absolutely despise it and now you're running after me with pitchforks? EEK! Okay, so, I really want to hear your opinions, whether they be good or bad, so review or PM me and tell me what you think of this story! See you all (If anyone's even reading this!) next chapter!