Note: Standard disclaimer applies. I do not own the songs inputted in this story either as it belongs to its rightful owner. The lyric inputted is translated by yours truly.
It was purely chaos, and that was simply putting the situation lightly. Many students (both males and females) were excitedly talking about the photo shoot I would be having at Hyoutei in the afternoon. If I could somehow have the controlled the situation, I would not be choosing my school as my set location for a photo shoot. That would merely be inviting trouble, which is something I did not need, but it is going to be something I would have to deal with in a few hours.
Truth to be told, I was unsure how I would be able to escape from these students to get into my dressing room, which my stylists would be bringing forth later on. Normally, it would not be hard to slip by these students… but on a chaotic day as this, it would certainly prove to be a challenge.
I sighed yet again as I sat in homeroom, half-heartedly listening to zealous chatters, and wondered if it was a mistake to come to school. Since the cultural festival was in a couple of weeks, we were given time to prepare for the event, and thus, the lessons were canceled during this period. I still have yet talked to Kaji-nii about leaving school to be home-schooled.
"So you thought you could escape from your job, and not come to school yesterday?" one of the female students sneered as she slammed her hands on my desk. I did not show that I was greatly startled, and looked back at her with a calm gaze.
"I had food poisoning," I lied smoothly with an even gaze, and did not even flinched when she hardened her gaze.
"Yeah, well, you better not sound horrible singing JIROU-sama's songs, and taint his image," that was all said, leaving behind a binder full of CDs, and lyrics of the songs I had sung in the past. Heh, I do not even need this to be able to sing professionally.
"Just because you have the same first name as him, don't think you're good," another female student added as she flicked her hair to over her shoulder, and strutted towards her group of friends.
"And what's with you, leaving school after lunch? Who do you think you are?" a third female student from the same posse stated with a scowl. She crossed her arms, and looked at me in the most criticizing way, which was similar to the gaze I withstood when I first started modeling.
"I don't need to explain my situation to you," I responded calmly as I took off my glasses, and put it away in its case, and added softly, "I thought we'd get past this stage because we've been classmates since elementary school. I'd guess not,"
I walked out of the classroom with my belongings, and nearly bumped into Atobe. The latter, Oshitari, and Shishido looked like they had just came back from a morning tennis practice. "Jirou? What's wrong?" Atobe inquired with a slight concern tone, and blatantly ignored the tensai's smirking visage.
"Ah, nothing, Atobe-san," I answered with a faint smile, and continued, "I'll see you around," I turned around to continue to my destination, but immediately stopped when I felt someone tugging on my wrist. I looked back to see Atobe holding my wrist, and gazed back up at him quizzically.
"Why are you constantly running away from me?" he questioned in a tone so soft that I had to strained my hearings to hear.
"I think you know the reason, Kei-chan. We're not as we were a few years ago, and I don't think I can endure through that pain once again," I replied just as softly.
"Where are you going then?" Atobe inquired with an eyebrow raised as he eyed at my bag, and then towards me. Oshitari and Shishido raised an eyebrow in question as they await for my answer, but I just gave a small smile as if to buy some time.
"The classroom is too noisy, so I'm just going to walk around and find some place to practice," I responded in my usual happy-go-lucky tone, and I gave a half-salute towards the three before walking away.
I found myself inside one of the many music rooms, and closed the door behind me before I made my way towards the grand piano. I dropped my bag next to the leg of the piano, and pulled out my cell phone, which I placed on the hood of the said instrument. I ran my fingers through the keys once, trying to get used to the sound before placing both my hands on the cold surface.
"Hmm, I should try to finish the song I was working on," I mumbled in remembrance, and reached inside my bag to get my notebook. I quietly hummed the song as I began playing the piano, trying to get the rhythm, and then finally started singing the song from the top. I highly doubt anyone would be able to hear me due to loud chatters from various students.
"Once again, today I stand still here to gaze up at the sky
Even when the cold wind breezes through my heart, I cannot move
That smile from the other day remains on my eyelids
And it blooms as a single flower in the corner
I moisten it with my tears so that it will not wither.
I cannot hear your voice, I can't hear it.
It's a thought that repeats over and over.
Please don't disappear, it's fine if it's just an illusion
Stay by my side and hold me, as it was on that day"
I paused in mid-play, trying to figure out how to continue the song, but since I had no ideas, I began to play the song from the beginning. I closed my eyes, trying to imagine the scene I wished to portray to my listeners in my mind.
"Was our meeting a mistake?
The spilled broken fragments of two people are…
Even now, it continues to shine faintly" I whispered, trying to adjust to the new lyrics that just formed in my mind. This verse reminded me so much of a scene on that fateful day… a day which changed my life, and shaped me to be the person I am right now.
I quickly jotted down the verse that I just sung, so that I would not forget, and looked at the verses that I had written. I did not realize that I was frowning until I saw a reflection from the piano surface. Somehow… there needed to be another verse before the last verse I just sung. I let out a yawn, feeling slightly drowsy from this ballad, and put away my notebook.
I stood up from my spot, and walked over to a sofa placed in the room before I laid down on it. The song that I've been working on continuously played in my mind, and I could not help but hum it even though it was still unfinished. Before I realized it, I was singing it out loud, and when I realized my action, I almost had the whole song complete. I immediately reached for my notebook to scribble down the lyric, and walked over to the grand piano again to play the whole song.
"Can you hear my voice? I am right here, thinking of you
I want to see you, even if it's just once more, I want to see you
If my wish can come true, I just want to see you…" this was the last verse to this song, and when I finished, I had a small smile on my face.
"Perfect, I just need a title for this," I sighed in relieve as I reread the lyric before I closed the notebook with a satisfied smirk.
I had no idea how long I was asleep on the couch, but when I woke up, I heard quiet chatters in the room. I immediately sat up, and looked around to see that I was not alone. Judging from how the sunlight shined directly into the room, I figured it was around noon, and with a sigh, I stood up and stretched.
"Awake now?" Oshitari inquired amusedly with a smirk, nearly startling me but I controlled myself jumping.
"What are you guys doing here?" I questioned instead with an eyebrow raised, and reached down to grab my bag. I fished out my cell phone whilst I waited for his response, and noticed that it was a little past noon.
"We couldn't find a room to discuss our culture festival activity," Atobe replied grandly as he flicked his hair, and glanced at me briefly before stating, "When Ootori suggested a music room, we immediately came into the first room we saw,"
"I see," that was all I stated as I walked towards a window, and glanced down to see various yellow tapes to ward off fans, and such. It looked like my photo shoot set is getting prepared, and I could not help but start to feel extremely nervous about the event.
It was not due the location being at my school, but the fact that most students would be watching. I would not mind people watching my photo shoots; however, what made me nervous is the people who will be watching… especially him. That is, if he is going to watch...
I let out a sigh that I did not know I was holding, and watched silently as the staff members for the photo shoot set up the lightings, screen, and whatnot. I wondered how I will get out of here without causing any suspicions and arrive to the set on time. I ran my hand through my hair, and walked away from the window.
"So what are you doing for the culture festival?" I inquired with curiosity, as I flipped and closed my cell phone. It happened to be a nervous habit of mine that I do whenever I feel anxious.
"A horror house," Shishido responded blatantly with a scowl, and then questioned, "Did you practice for your part? It'll be hard from what I heard,"
"Don't worry about me," I responded with a princely smile that I learned to use for my photo shoots. "I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised when the time comes,"
"You've been acting differently lately, Jirou," Oshitari commented as he eyed at me in the most scrutinizing way that made me feel self-conscious of myself.
"Have I?" that was all I responded while I looked away from his intense gaze. It was about 12:20 in the afternoon, and I have forty minutes to figure how to escape from here. Plus, I also need to have my hair, and make-up done, as well as change into different attires.
"Why do you keep looking at the clock, Jirou-senpai?" Hiyoshi Wakashi questioned, making me aware of my actions, which I just smiled in response but I did not say anything to his inquiry.
"Excuse me for a moment," I mumbled as I walked towards the door.
"Are you going to run away from us again?" Mukahi asked in a tone that made me pause in my mid-step. My hand froze before it touched the door, but I immediately relaxed, and continued with my motion.
"Run away? Never," I answered softly with a small smile on my face, and added, "Right now… I have a little too much on my plate. Maybe, one day… I will let you know what's going on,"
I stood outside the main door, and glanced around the campus, noting the area for the photo shoot, and various students standing area waiting for 'my' appearance. I exhaled deeply and shook my head when I realized that it would be risky to walk out of there without any sort of disguise. After all, how would I explain to everyone about the difference in 'my' appearance?
"The only solution in this situation would be…" I mumbled when this brilliant idea hit me like a flying rock. Figuratively, of course… I immediately fished for a couple of ideas that I needed, and let out a triumphant 'Ah-ha!' when I took it out. It was a pair of sunglasses, and a hooded sweat shirt. Even though it looked suspicious, it was my only savior at the moment.
I slipped by to behind a building, and threw on the slightly large hooded sweat shirt. I grabbed a cap and put it on before covering it with the hood. For extra measure, I slipped on my sunglasses, and repeatedly told myself that I did not look suspicious. Nope, not at all… I kept telling myself to act like my idol persona, and not my student persona.
"Who is that?" I heard one of the students whispering loudly. "That can't be JIROU-sama,"
"This should be fun," I mumbled sarcastically as I walked towards the trailer, and ignored various whispers from the students, who were wondering about my identity due to my clever disguise.
"You sure took your sweet time arriving here," my stylist commented in a snarky tone with a smirk, trying her best not to laugh at my outfit. "Well, sit down. We need to get started," she stated as she pushed me down to a seat in front of the mirror.
She tossed my cap to the side, and told me to take off the hideous sweat shirt. She ruffled my hair a bit before she started to dye it in its usual color of chestnut brown. My clothes stylist was assembling the clothes, and accessories I would be modeling.
"What happened to your manager?" my hair stylist inquired out in the blue.
"He has some exams to take," I responded with a shrug, and continued, "My sister will be here soon to sort of take his position for the day, or something like that. Maybe she'll just stand by and watch, who knows..."
"I see… well, since we're doing the school theme, perhaps, you should stop emitting that 'untouchable' vibe that you seemed to be doing for every shoot," she suggested as she finished coloring my hair for the umpteenth time within the month.
"I so do not release that sort of vibe," I grumbled under my breath, but nevertheless took her suggestion to consideration. I let out a sigh yet again, and accepted a drink from one of the staff members.
Once the necessary changes has completed, I changed into a new set of Hyoutei school uniform with top buttons unbuttoned, and the necktie slightly loosened. I slipped on my contacts and then grabbed my jacket to complete the look before I walked out of the trailer. I glanced at my cell phone to gauge for the time, and noticed that I was slightly late.
"Alright, let's get started," the producer of Wink-Up stated as soon as I walked to the set, and commended, "We'll be doing the front cover, and a two-page spread. I'm sure you know how the photo shoots work, correct?"
"Yes, don't worry about it. Let's begin," I responded with a smirk as I stood in front of the white screen, and multiple cameras.
"JIROU-SAMA!" I heard various girls screaming for my name. I inwardly cringed at the loudness, and had to resist the urge to plug my ears from the shrilling screams.
"Quiet on the set!" the producer shouted over the screams with a mega-horn, and gave me a nod to get into my place.
For the first photo, I swung the jacket over my shoulder, and put one hand in the pocket. I let out a small smile, and waited for the camera to take the picture. I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply before moving onto the next pose.
When the first set was finished, I had a throbbing headache due to the screaming fans. I walked back to the trailer to change into a different school uniform; this time, it was of Seishun Gakuen. I merely raised my eyebrow at the plainness that is a white shirt, black pants, and black jacket.
"Mari-san, can you hand me that light blue muscle shirt?" I requested as I eyed at my new outfit. As soon as I got my requested item, I walked behind the screen to change, and headed over to the set once again.
"Alright, what do you think?" the producer stated as I looked at my photos. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed the tennis regulars were looking at me. I diverted my attention back to the screen that the producer was pointing.
"They look fine," I responded with a small shrug, and inquired, "How many will you be using?"
"Well, one for the front over, and about eight to ten for those two-page spread," the producer answered with a thoughtful look, and let out a hearty chuckle, "It'll be hard for us to choose since there are so many great pictures,"
"Thank you, sir," I replied politely with a small bow, and added, "Thank you for your hard work,"
"We'll call you in a couple of days for an interview," he stated with a nod, and directed his crew to start cleaning up. In the meantime, I headed over to the trailer to change, and paused in my track when I saw my sister with Niou.
The latter merely grinned at me with a wave, and hugged my sister. I sent him a seething glare while resisting the urge to shake my fist at him. I stalked back to the trailer to change into a set of comfortable clothes.
"What is he doing here?" I mumbled darkly under my breath as I took off the white uniform shirt. "Just because he knows my secret, it doesn't give him the right to hang around my sister as he pleases. I mean, it's bad enough that Rina-chan has to deal with his antics at the tennis practice, but geez,"
As soon as I finished changing into black slack, white dress shirt with top buttons unbuttoned, a red tie loosened, and black shoes. I left my hair and accessories as it is, and bid the staff members farewell before heading out. I nearly wished that I had not left the trailer because as soon as I set my foot down on the ground, my eardrums nearly blasted away with loud screams.
Luckily, I had called for the security for cases as this, and walked down the path that they had cleared for me. I nearly got molested by grabby hands, and sent a piercing glare at a girl who grabbed my hand.
"Atobe, he's more popular than you are," I heard Oshitari's amused voice from somewhere in the crowd, and I looked around before I spot him, and the rest of regulars standing next to Rina, and Niou.
"Che, all these 'Kya, kya' is giving me a headache," Shishido grumbled as I approached to the group, and almost made me want to slap my face into my palm when I noticed the security team is faltering a bit.
"You and me, both," I agreed as I stood in front of the group, and let out a dejected the sigh. He, and the rest of the Hyoutei tennis regulars looked at me in surprise at my sudden appearance, but I just gave them a tired smile in response.
"JIROU-san, I sincerely apologize for my students' action," the headmaster of Hyoutei stated with a deep bow, and I just nodded in response before eyeing at the screaming fans warily.
It was amazing that I am not deaf yet, and stated, "Just quiet them before I take the matters into my own hands,"
"ALL OF YOU BETTER QUIET DOWN THIS SECOND OR I WILL EXPEL YOU!" the vice-principal's voice boomed over the PA system, and for the next couple of seconds, a stunned silence followed.
Well… that was one way to quiet the fans… I was certainly not expecting that. "Thank you for everything," I stated to the headmaster with a nod, and a bow before I turned to leave.
"It was our pleasure, although I'm sure you could do with the screaming girls," the headmaster chuckled at his own statement.
I arrived to the park with my sister, Niou, and the Hyoutei tennis team. The latter just followed me since Rina, and Niou were following me. I massaged my temple a couple of times, trying to ease my headache, but to no avail.
"Heh, you got all of Japan's girls screaming their heart out for you," Niou laughed at my expense, and totally missed my death glare towards him.
"That's not funny. It gives me a headache every time I have a photo shoot outside the studio. Don't even remind of concerts, and such," I responded with a scowl, and mumbled out, "This is why I don't do autograph signing, or meet-and-greet with fans,"
"Awwh, but you should be happy that fans love you," Niou responded in a mocking tone while he ignored various confused expressions from some of the regulars.
"Have you even seen some of my fans from the concert?" I retorted with a scoff as I walked over to the vending machine to get a drink, and continued with my statement, "I'm just happy that they have some morals to not stalk me,"
"Niou-san, how do you know JIROU-san?" Ootori interrupted politely as I grabbed my drink and walked back to the group.
"We met a karaoke bar yesterday," I responded with a smirk, and nearly laughed at Niou's blinking expression. I could tell that he was going to make some elaborate tale, but I had beaten him to the punch.
"Awwh, aren't you going to tell them?" Niou inquired teasingly as he resisted the urge to laugh at my mock-horror expression.
"Tell us what, exactly?" Atobe stated with an eyebrow raised.
"That you are…" Niou trailed off and gestured to me so that I could finish his trailing sentence. That Niou… I knew it was a bad idea that he knows my secret. Now what am I going to do?
"That you are actually Akutagawa Jirou?" Oshitari continued with a knowing smirk, and let out an even bigger smirk, if that was possible.