My Superhero with a Dope Disguise

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She changed my life but you changed my world.

"Is there something I can help you with, senpai?"

Naoto Shirogane's elegant yet prosaic voice was heard at one side of the train. The female 'prince' just happened to pick up the notebook that accidentally fell on the floor and since she didn't think it would hurt to look into Yu Narukami's lecture notes, her thumb pressed upon the edges and flipped through the pages.

The one that was dated ten days ago was filled with below than his average jutting. Less after that, and even fewer as the days went on. It was easy for a detective to assume that he had been struggling with a troublesome mind.

"What?" Yu had his elbow seated atop the window ledge of the train, his knuckles loosened as it cradled his chin. By the time he turned his head for the fellow Tokyo U student, she was already holding his notebook under his nose. "Oh. Thanks," he continued mildly, taking the thing from her grasp in such ease.

The two were on their way to a beautiful eight hundred metered long white sand beach, located at Shizuoka. It was apparently a long journey from Tokyo but only thirty five minutes away from Inaba. Everyone was taking off from their respective regions, heading to the same destination. Except for Yosuke Hanamura who was already there since yesterday.

"Just try to relax, senpai," Naoto started to stand off of her seat. "Look, we're here," and pointed their long awaited station.


It was quite a challenge to be cut loose from Masataka Sato's radar. Once she was given a night off and then ten days later, she asked for an early vacation that would be extended to reach the holidays! Unbelievable!

Rise Kujikawa had always known that she was the favoured one among the talents in their agency and yet she never used this to her advantage unless needed. Ever since her infamous hiatus, her friends from Inaba have been her priority so it was a no-brainer why she uses her benefits on circumstances that included them.

Was there anything a paparazzi wouldn't give to have a photographic shot of this? The starlet was spotted laying on a recliner under a blue and white striped umbrella in that popular beach in Shizuoka. In a new Coco Chanel bikini and legs draped, she was the epitome of faultlessness.

Day in, night out, she had been trying her best to take one certain dude off of her mind. Yu has a girlfriend now; Yu didn't like her; Yu already chose someone else. Rise would have thought of anything just to get over him. However, the more she reminded herself to forget, the more she was unable to move on.

"Where did the sun go?" her pinkish lips mouthed the words, her perfectly shaped fingers hopping at the side of her sunglasses and taking them off briefly so she could get a quick glance of the perimeter.

Chiselled chest and buff biceps, she was greatly astonished… and upset… to find Yu walking pass behind her in his topless glory, arm in arm with Yukiko Amagi, his oh so demure girlfriend.

"Ugh," muttering quietly in her seat, she refused to be excited to see that he has finally arrived. Back when she was fifteen, she wouldn't think twice showing him how much of a pleasure it was to have him around. The pop star was twenty now, she can by far find that him having some other chick latched onto him reason enough for her to be more unenthused than thrilled.


Fly whip.

Some hour in the middle of the afternoon, Yu was once again reunited with Naoto. Yukiko, as juiced up she was in being one with the sea as she was understanding, let her boyfriend catch up to his studies. It was a bummer that he had to bring his books to this trip but that's the price one pays to be a pupil of Tokyo U. Everyone was just thankful that their smartest members were able to come with.

"Senpai, I haven't sharpened my skills with cognitive psychology. What do you think about it?"

The blue haired female in a sleeveless hoodie gaped into the elder one's silver orbs— they have been gazing far like they have been for a couple of minutes now. "Senpai?"

"Sorry, what?"

Yu was just in his long black board shorts, his head turned to the side, his mind flying off to China. That masculine jaw that seemed to project itself more under the afternoon sun was not the most handsome part of his face. Rather, Naoto reckoned, it was the perplexity in his eyes as it proceeded to gaze towards the shore.

"I was talking about Psychology, senpai," she continued politely, her voice still stern.

"Sorry," Yu repeated as his head flipped back to its proper place, his fingers fumbling through the pages of his text book.

"Nevermind," the detective, once more, spied at the edge of the sea— just where it stops to kiss the sand. "Nanako-chan seems to enjoy Rise's company out of the bunch."

It was true that Yu's twelve year old cousin had always found his friends entertaining. Nevertheless, she was often found to favour the starlet above everyone else in the group. "That's because she's always smiling brightly… like…"

"Like what?"

The silver haired male slightly jerked his head to the side, the corner of his lips perking up. Smirking at Naoto, he finalized his answer. "Nothing…"


Come ride this.

It was truly a blessing to be surprised by that little girl who was once in twin pigtails to arrive with a huge grin in her face. Rise had taken off her sunglasses and welcomed Nanako in her arms. Longer hair and developed height, she looked so much prettier now!

After Ryotaro Dojima-san approved of her going around every person, giving them her greetings, she had particularly asked the pop star to make a sand castle with her.

Rise, as much as she boasted that she was already twenty, could not at all help to be eager about this activity. Beaming with her perfect teeth, she snatched the little girl's hands and accompanied her to the shore. Time to get crackin'!

"And what is going on in here?" Shortly, a manly voice came. The twenty one year old boy had his toes tipped, his knees folded and his elbows settled atop his thighs.

Just beside the under-constructed castle, the amber-haired femme gaped at her right and welcomed Yu's presence with a chortle. "You couldn't possibly be envious about what we're doing, Yu."

Nanako laughed at that, animated at the sight of the two teasing each other. "Big bro's actually quite skilful with his hands! He can help!"

"You don't say…" Rise jeered, her sight sprinting from the younger one and then to her cousin.

Narukami soon collected a generous amount of sand, poured a bit of salt water on it and started constructing a tower with it. Not only it looked creative, it was also sturdy… unless it was shoved off by a powerful elbow… on purpose.

"Rise!" The leader of their previous Investigation Team yelped, scolding their pigtailed woman who only responded with an energetic chuckle that the whole of Japan always found dazzling.

By the time the gentleman took his revenge by destroying everything the two girls worked hard for, the castle was no longer anything majestic but a lump of mud. Since it was next in line to face Nanako's wrath, the two were abandoned to no choice but to give into her wish— to have her whole body be buried in sand— that apparently took them until sunset.

It was all so fun, Rise couldn't have asked for a better afternoon.


My sidekick.

The cottage they rented out was just a tad above of average size. Even so, it was aristocratic and charming in a way that it was painted in shades of beige and white. The widespread porch was granted with a long rectangular table, giving everyone their own space to eat happily. Maki, tamago, and udon, their delectable dishes were quite festive, matched with colourful beverages.

"Why don't you go drink a barrel of beer so you can get out of those uncomfortable boy things, Kanji?"

Twenty one year old Yosuke tapped the tip of his glass, his mockery cutting itself through the banquet.

Easily agitated and threatened, Kanji Tatsumi, twice or thrice accused as homosexual, stood from his seat and shook the table. "You take that back, you son of a—" all those testosterone that was able to demolish an entire biker gang with the ever so popular pick up line 'Get bent!' cut its own tongue when the detective prince's eyes landed on him.

"Say, Kanji~," Teddie cooed from the other side of table, his adorable blue orbs sparkling in anticipation. "Do you remember that time when—"

"NO and neither do you." Twenty year old Kanji, still blushing from his current rage and the possibility of the flamboyant blonde telling everyone a story with a twisted ending, pulled his ass back down on his chair and proceeded with his saké. No Yosuke nor Teddie would be enough to put him apart from his rice wine.

Rise, who was chuckling at the other end was tugged on by a little girl. "Rise-chan," Nanako whispered in her ear. "What do they mean?"

Even if the attempt to keep her voice discreet, a cousin who closely watched over her was likely to pick things up in such ease. Yu froze on his spot, his chopsticks floated awkwardly over a plate and the nigiri clasped in it proved to be vulnerable. Leaving sweet Nanako's innocence to Rise's jurisdiction was a tad scary to be honest.

"It…" Momentarily stopping, she caught Yu's gaze and she couldn't help but sense the worry in it. "It is just something people say to make a party more fun… but you can't say these things until you're twenty." The reason was vague but it was enough to make the teeny bopper stop wondering and at the same time prevent herself from imitating Yosuke's words until she fully understood the malice in the world.

Yu would have said something better but he thought it was a clever answer nonetheless. Shooting Rise a quick smile and a nod, Yukiko just had to make it awkward by standing from her seat as if she was a bit jealous.

Apparently, the starlet had to stand too— she needed to use the restroom.

A couple of minutes later, the two attractive females were spotted standing near the kitchen sink. As they washed their hands, a timid and seemingly serene voice was heard. "Nanako seems to be close to you, Rise-chan... Maybe because you're a pop star and kids love that."

Amber hair slowly swung as the singer's head swivelled abruptly, her eyes finding Yukiko's who proceeded to focus on the soap. "Maybe…" her answer was of uncertainty and but she sure felt a little offended. Rise would like to believe that Nanako was fond of her because of who she was, not because she was the endorser of Calorie Magic. "So you've been back in Inaba for the last three days. Are you returning to Tokyo soon?" Small talk, perhaps, and yet she just needed to ask.

"I don't know…" There was a short pause before the demure priestess responded, her eyes still locked with how she rinsed her wrists. Rise was starting to think they have rituals with cleansing their hands. "Yu has not asked me to stay with him… Most probably because of the inn I run."

That's right, she thought. The Amagi Inn was so famous that it was lucky to be hailed as Inaba's prized possession. Yukiko was fortunate to be its new manager.

Though she had resolved the issue that she was no longer a caged bird and decided that she cannot actually desire to leave their family business, maybe, just maybe, she was starting to rethink things. All over again. Rise had a hunch.


A day later, all of them were back in Inaba. Since the holidays were approaching, everyone was determined to stay until a few days after New Year's Eve. Everyone… except one certain celebrity who was not allowed to stay as long as they expected. It was not only because her career was difficult and demanding, but she also needed to be with her parents and her grandmother in Marukyu's, to every local's dismay, would be closing the store in order to come with.

Rise tried her best to program herself that seeing Kanji's mother's textile shop once more; tasting the topsicles in Junes and playing video games with Chie were enough for her vacation. Yu Narukami wasn't the only good thing in Inaba and it would be rude for everybody else if she thought otherwise.

This small window for recess that she was granted with brought her many smiles despite the heartache every time she would see the man of her dreams holding hands with another. This may not be the end of the world and there were more things to look forward to, but she knew her limits. Hence packing her things and leaving them in the living room to be easily picked up was in order.

Rise, to no one's knowing, was jetting off a day early than she told them she would.


My superhero with a dope disguise.

Dressed in a long striped blouse, leggings, stilettoes and dark shades, pop idol Rise Kujikawa sneaked out of Marukyu's, leaving all of her luggage and a small note to her grandmother that she would just see her in the city. The chauffer that was assigned to pick her up tomorrow would not acquire two passengers but only one.

It may come off as a surprise but she knew it was better this way— solely because she hankered the time alone and the lonesomeness in a long train ride would do her good.

"Who's Rainie Kujikawa?" Malformed voice and Italian hand gestures, the starlet denied her true identity to one passer-by who almost recognized her.

Hurrying off from that random woman, she reminded herself that she was only a few steps away from the train station. Once she gets there, she would have her solitude. "Rise, where are you going?" Only there was a sudden grip on her elbow, preventing her from moving on— literally and emotionally.

As she turned her head as she stood frozen by the corner of the street, she knew who her intruder was. How could she mistake it for anyone else? "Yu…" That was simply impossible.

"And why are you dressed like—" Needless to finish the question, a smart person like him who familiarized her soul was able to figure out what she was ought to do.

"The paparazzi would be hanging around my house tomorrow and I cannot stand another faulty and useless rumor." Such creative critters they were, they could make any story out of any stolen photo. Though her true reason was cloaked within the depths of her jealousy and insecurity, the leader of their long-gone Investigation Team bought the one she laid out for him.

"All right," he said. "I will walk you to the train station."

Narukami noticed that all she had was a single bag. Much less with his carry-ons, all he had with him was his cash and phone— the ultimate bundle when one decides to go grocery shopping by the time the sun sets.

Though it was true that it did not quite occur to him that the supportive member of their group wouldn't be spending the holidays with them, the reality of it seemed to have hit him when he caught sight of their destination.

Engaged in small talk, he felt thirsty for words and questions he desired to say and ask. If only he knew what they were, his mouth would have done the job a few minutes ago and wouldn't be struggling searching for them now that they were in line for the amber-haired femme's ticket.

Then again, he may have been too focused on savoring each second with her to concentrate on much else. Rise, no matter what type of drama conspired in between them, was indeed special to him.

"I will see you in Tsukuba, senpai." Time always runs out when you didn't want it to. Though there was a genuine smile on her face, one that she mastered to hide every dismal in her life, he couldn't help but return it… even if he knew he should. "Or maybe in Tokyo," she added with her fingertips reaching the bottom part of her cheek. "I don't know," she shook her head. "We'll keep in touch," she giggled and it was soon followed by her hand waving as she stepped through the train doors.

This wasn't right, he thought. The straight line in the middle of his lips didn't budge, his eyes refused to see the doors close in on him.

All of a sudden, it was as if the milliseconds warned a situation that forced him to choose between life and death.

The bell rang and the conductors announced for take off. Rise was still smiling happily and Yu was losing her.

Just before the doors closed, he took a good grip of her forearm and pulled her out. The train marshals spewed angry words in horror that the girl could have been harmed. Nonetheless, their screams were muted for all he cared. Yu had her in his arms, protecting her from the fury of the acceleration of the transportation next to them.

Standing on the platform, as the station grew empty, he lowered his gaze on her. After a brief pause, he launched his face closer to hers, letting their lips crash into one another. The endearment had slipped out, their first kiss felt like the touchstone of sanity and solace in this world.

Rise slowly pulled away, her palms on his chest, the ends of her shoes tipped to annul their ten inch height difference.

The confusion and shock in her stare were deeply satisfying in a way that Yu wouldn't have anticipated. There was no logic to his actions but he would try to explain them to her should she inquire for the specifics.

"I…" she decided to break the ice, but not to address her concerns about what just came to pass. "I still need to go back to Tsukuba." What were the chances that she would stay in Inaba and risk the paparazzi ruining the good image she had been working so hard for? Maybe she would…

"I'll go with you, Rise," or maybe she wouldn't have to.

Still wrapped around his arms, she felt her lips curving upwards, abandoning the puzzled expression she once had and transforming it into one of gratitude.


After they caught the next ride, it was obvious that it was still a long way to go before they get to Tsukuba. With his right elbow seated atop the inner window ledge of the train, his lips leaned onto his knuckles, the silver haired boy continued to stare through the transparent pane, watching the first shade of the night loom over the passing sceneries.

Within the minute, his phone beeped. Sliding his thumb through the buttons, he silently read Yukiko Amagi's text message: Where are you?

"Who was that, Yu?" The amber haired girl's head lifted off from his shoulder, her dazzling eyes droopy due to her sleep being interrupted.

"No one," he shook his head. "Just some classmate from Tokyo U."

"Oh."

"Now, you try to sleep some more. Let's talk later after you rest." Using his left palm to graze lovingly from her hair down to her shoulder and sleeve, he felt new butterflies being born inside his stomach— making their way through the battle against the continuous pangs of guilt eating him away.

As he felt Rise's left feminine forearm looping above his stomach, he rested his cheekbone atop her head and let his eyes wander off to the glass window. Cheating gave him a new companion: Guilt.