Start Again

This story was inspired by one of the songs in One Ok Rock's latest album Ambitions.

Fushigiboshi no Futagohime belongs to its rightful owners.


Perfect.

"Hey, she…she talked to me!" the pale-silver haired guy whisper shouted. Loud gasps filled the classroom.

"She?"

They didn't dare breathe as she passed by.

She sported the body of a tennis model. Long hair tumbled down her waist, long legs strode with confidence, eyes flashed with dignity, head lifted with pride, lips curled to a smirk.

"Kitagawa! You mean, she?!" the students couldn't keep their emotions at bay at the sight of her.

She's just too damn perfect.

"That…that Rein Kazehaya chatted you?! What on earth did you do, you punk?!" some guys blurted in envy.

Rein, upon hearing this, couldn't stop a grin. She turned and walked towards Toma Kitagawa who kept on bragging about his exclusive chat with her.

Rein Kazehaya is just too perfect for plebeians like them.

"Kitagawa-kun…" She started. She didn't have to clear her throat to earn their full attention.

"Thank you for helping me write my term paper. I knew I could count on you. See you next Saturday." She faked a smile, took a step back to bow and walked away.

"S-see you next Saturday, Kazehaya!" Toma exclaimed, hoping she heard him. Rein simply waved a hand in reply, not bothering to turn around.

"Damn you, Kitagawa! Did she just ask you out?!" a guy growled as he grabbed Toma by the collar.

Toma chuckled at how his classmates lost their minds in envy.

"Come on, it's not my fault that she chose to ask me for help. Lucky that my brain's several step ahead of you guys." Toma bragged.

"You deserve to die!" they screamed tackling him on the ground.

"Hey, hey! It hurts!" Toma choked out, trying to escape his friends' wrath.


Rein Kazehaya.

She's the epitome of perfection. A girl envied and admired by many.

"Rein, this is Lione Mizushima."

"Lione, this is Rein Kazehaya," the photographer introduced.

Rein gave a bland smile and was about to walk away but Lione moved quickly.

"Nice to meet you, Kazehaya-san! You're so beautiful," Lione beamed.

"You look beautiful yourself, Michimiya-san," says Rein as she suppressed the urge to scoff.

Lione laughed lightly. "It's Mizushima, Kazehaya-san…" she corrected.

"Ah, sorry." Rein smiled sheepishly. She turned to the photographer and raised an eyebrow.

"What's the meaning of this?" she grumbled, eyes closing to slits.

The photographer sighed, scratching his neck.

"Her mother asked me to arrange a photo-shoot with you. It seems like Mizushima-san admires you," the photographer convinced.

Rein scoffed. "Oh, really?" Sarcasm dripping in her tone.

"I knew this would happen. Okay, her mom bribed me to put her daughter in the magazines no matter what," he explained.

Rein clicked her tongue in annoyance. "So the best option is to use me? Pathetic." she protested.

"Don't think like that, Rein. Look, her mom's pretty influential in this industry. You could benefit from this too." the photographer offered, trying to ease the situation.

"No matter how I look at it, I'm being used and I don't like it." Rein hissed and walked out.


People are always either lying to me or using me. Ingrate humans.

Rein kicked her discarded shoes on the side and slumped on the couch as soon as she reached her apartment.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

"Yes?" she tiredly spoke.

"Rein? You're photographer and the entire team informed me about you cancelling today's photoshoot. Is that true?" Her mom's venomous tone rang on the other line.

Rein rolled her eyes and sighed. "Yes. I'm tired so please –"

"Why did you do that?!" Elsa yelled.

"What do you mean 'why'? I'm so sick of it!" Rein bit back.

"You're going back to apologize. Now." Elsa rigidly commanded. Rein knows that there's no point in talking back. Her mom always wins anyway.

"I bet you know how important it is for you to appear in this month's issue. Don't let me down." Elsa reminded or more like threatened.

Before Rein could say anything, Elsa ended the call.

Her hand fell limply on her side, eyes stared blankly on the rotating ceiling fan.

Out of anger, Rein threw her phone on the wall, its pieces scattering on the floor.

Satisfied by what she did, she took a deep breath and pulled on a nonchalant expression.


"Ah! Kazehaya-san!" Lione rushed to her.

Rein did her best to avoid the girl's frantic eyes.

"Are you –"

"Sorry 'bout earlier, Lione. I'm just stressed from school and work," says Rein as she settled herself in front of the full-length mirror and began applying makeup.

Lione's eyes lit up. "I-I thought I made you mad. I'm glad you're okay, Kazehaya-san!" she exclaimed.

Rein felt irritated at the girl's cheerful expression but was careful to hide it. "Please call me Rein, I called you Lione, didn't I?" she spoke with equal enthusiasm and flashed a near-genuine smile.

Lione couldn't stop a smile. "R-really? Is that okay?"

Dumb girl. If it's not okay would I even suggest it? Rein stopped herself from saying that out loud. "Of course. I'm looking forward to work with you from now on." She faked a smile and extended a hand.

Lione clasped her outstretched hand. "I feel so honored!"

"Lione, you're up!" the staffs called.

"I'll see you later, Kaze— ah, Rein-san." Lione smiled. Rein replied with a nod.

As soon as Lione left the room, Rein pressed a palm on her forehead and sighed.

"Whatever you do, we'll never be friends, Mizushima."


"Rein, you're going to transfer."

Rein choked on her tea. "What?" she spluttered.

"Manners, Rein! Don't choke on your tea!" Elsa scolded.

Rein wiped her lips before speaking again. "Why am I transferring?" she asks, trying to set aside her feelings.

"Your school is to head over heels on you. You couldn't possibly study there without getting bothered every day. Besides, it was Sophie who recommended this school." Elsa notified, running her fingertips on the cup's rim.

"Sophie?"

"Yes. Pack up your bags. You're leaving at dawn." Elsa commanded before leaving her daughter to proceed with her work.

Rein scoffed. "Of course. As if I have a choice."

19 years and my life is still a mess. Will I die like this?