+ Into the Façade +

In the world where the boundaries between acting and living fade, life becomes confused… unreal… and almost as if imagination had taken over reality… The façade goes into place and life then becomes a living stage.

Multiple footsteps made their way up the stairs mingling with the chatter from the teachers, excitedly talking about their upcoming lessons on the third floor. It was usual for everyone to get hyped up over the next three periods, regardless teacher or student. It was a lesson which makes each day at Erinnerugen an anticipated one.

Yet, within the sea of smiling, excited faces laid a placid one, completely devoid of emotions. His steady footsteps stood out from the others, though soundless but distinct. There was the soft sound of heel against floor as he climbed each step with slow patient ease, flipping through his notes which he cradled in the crook of his arm with the grace of an experienced professor. As the group climbed the last flight of stairs, he stopped and placed his notes back into its folder which he in turn placed into his bag. Today was not just another ordinary day for him. He heard there was someone new in his class- someone oh so familiar. Yet his façade stayed where it was, unwavering under its mask. The teachers had left to head to their own classes thus he too turned and headed towards the door marked '2A-2B', his anxiety showing in his small gesture as he pushed his slipping spectacles back to perch on the bridge of his nose, the clear plastics glinting to veil his eyes as he palm closed over the handle of the door…

Chapter 003- Reflecting Mirrors

By fannychan

Ryoma entered, eyes wide with amazement. The four walls which surrounded him were donned with silver mirrors, reflecting everyone in the room which in turn reflected the image onto another. It was a continuous stretch, marred only by the small place where the door was from which he had entered. Suddenly, he was shoved roughly to the ground, his elbows bruised by the hard tiled floor.

"Ryoma Echizen. Don't think just because you are new here means you can call it the shots. Mizuki was becoming a rising star until now when you simply snatched his role from under his nose!"

There was a moment of stunned, empty silence, as cold golden-green eyes stared at the boys who towered over him.

"Shut up Fuji Yuuta." Eiji spoke softly, startling nearly everyone. "So what if Mizuki's famous? To us, he's still an arrogant bastard who looks down on people. Good for him that retribution hit him in the form of an illness instead of something more deadly!" he stood slightly in front of Ryoma, frowning.

Ryoma sat up from where he had fallen, eyes silently filled with gratitude as Yuuta and his group backed away slowly, casting another look of pure hatred towards his fallen figure. Then he gave a last glare at Eiji.

"You watch it too Kikumaru." And he walked away.

"You all right Echizen?" Eiji, expression impassive, extended a hand towards him in which he accepted. Brushing off his uniform, he glanced around. The other students were staring at him and whispers could be heard, buzzing wildly throughout the room. Eiji led him to one side where they sat, back to the mirror, waiting for their teacher to arrive.

"Those guys were Mizuki's 'loyal followers' or so to speak. Their leader seemed to be Fuji Yuuta, surprisingly being Fuji Syuusuke's younger brother. He is not like Fuji at all. Anyway, Hajime Mizuki is admired by a lot of people- his good looks, his wealth and his superb acting skills. But the one thing that makes him so disliked is that attitude of his. He acts as if we 'common folks' are several grades lower than where he stood. Sure, he is one of the best actors in our school but still, he need not act so high and mighty…" Eiji had started rambling on, his hands gesturing wildly. Ryoma soon tuned him out, spinning around to watch his own reflection on the silvered walls.

"And once he even… wait a minute. Echizen-kun. Did Fuji said that you took over Mizuki's role? THE role that is in the play done by THE best class in third year? Class 3A?"

Ryoma nodded absently and from somewhere in class, he heard a girl gasp loudly.

Eiji looked stunned, brown eyes reflecting confusion swirling in his mind. He lips parted slightly, seeming as if words were about to be uttered. It was then the door opened, slightly causing the room to become off balance as the continuous stream of mirror to door to mirror was disrupted.

The small commotion that arose immediately seemed to have vanished as everyone started rushing towards the center of the room. Eiji lowered his eyes, hurt evident within them, and tugged on Ryoma's sleeve as he too searched for a spot to sit down. Puzzled golden-green eyes studied Eiji's back, somehow sensing that something was terribly wrong. Nevertheless, the thought went away soon enough as Eiji pulled Ryoma down to sit next to him.

Uninterested, Ryoma glanced at the mirror to his side, distractedly watching the open doorway reflected on it. Wavy brown hair peeked out from behind the lacquered wooden surface followed by sharp distinct features and glasses which glinted under the bright lights of the room.

Ryoma's heart stopped beating as he stared at the reflection of teacher who had arrived, the image he conjured completely different from the one that was now shown in front of him. He shot up from his slouched position, eyes scanning through the placid features, the cool aura and the wire framed spectacles. It couldn't be. They were exactly alike. It couldn't be him… it just couldn't!

His mind was in complete chaos. He stared into his palms as the teacher headed to where the students sat, sitting on the chair and placing his burden onto the small table beside him.

"Good afternoon class." His voice was stern and deep.

"Good afternoon Tezuka-sensei." The class, or rather, two classes replied in a unified voice.

It couldn't be him. Can't be… Ryoma's eyes mirrored his surprise and shock, his pain and hurt- the eyes that swam like the endless depths of a person's emotions. He glanced up, tilting his head sideways.

"How…?" Ryoma breathed, voice soft yet broken. Only Eiji's sharp senses managed to pick out the quiet words apart from the voices of the room. His questioning gaze found their way to beside him, where Ryoma sat, eyes wide with shock, staring intently at Tezuka-sensei. It had seemed there was a never-ending air of intrigue surrounding Ryoma… ever since the start of day. And it only seemed to get more mystifying.

Brown icy irises behind thin lenses swept across the expanse of the room, coming to fall lightly on soft green hair, before continuing its trip to the end. Tezuka then closed his eyes resignedly, pointedly refusing to acknowledge the anguished look from the boy. His attention then diverted to the class.

"This is only the beginning of the year. It is important that you should all learn the basics that every accomplished actor must achieve. Today, I will be focusing on your overall acting skills so as to judge how you are able to improve. Tomorrow, I will be giving each of you a schedule based on today's performance in which you have to diligently follow for the rest of this term. A new judgment will be passed next term and the consecutive ones after that. The purpose of this is to see your improvement and how effective the schedule is. Now, head to a spot by the mirrors and practice with your reflection. In half an hour, I will see your skit. A short script will be provided for you so be prepared for anything."

Everyone stood up and wandered away in pairs as the silence in the class was broken once again with excited chatter and whispers. But, though he had managed to stand up amidst the varying degrees of hurt he felt, his feet were seemingly nailed to the ground. Eiji stood by him, silently. It seemed a somewhat mutual understanding had developed between the pair and each had soon come to respect the other's privacy. Speak when spoken to. Don't take things too personally. It seemed as if each had secrets to hide, especially so for Ryoma.

Tezuka made a small movement to stand up, to walk towards him. And as if time had unfrozen itself, Ryoma flinched slightly before turning and heading towards the mirror, Eiji following him wordlessly…

After countless failures and even more silly mistakes by various students throughout the room, thirty minutes passed rapidly and even the additional fifteen minutes were unable to curb the nervousness the students felt for their first diagnosis.

But that was all the practice they could get for that day as Tezuka called the class back to order.

Then, one by one, the students started performing to the class, some nervous to the extent of forgetting their lines while others faired averagely. But none seemed to leave a deep impact on him. Tezuka recalled a student from the past year whose memory was still deeply embedded in his mind- Fuji Syuusuke. He was indeed a special case of rare talent.

As the minutes gradually ticked by, drowsiness was starting to get to him. It was then did gold-green eyes stared frostily at him as they passed, heading towards the small bowl which contained short scripts that they were to memorize and act. Two minutes, which was the time allotted for the students to prepare their scripts, passed with agonizing slowness and impatience.

Tezuka now felt strangely vitalized, eyes emotionless yet curiousness and annoyance overwhelmed him.

Ryoma then walked to the back of the room so that he was in clear view of Tezuka, who was now critically examining his every gesture, his every move. Everyone in the room was deeply entranced, wondering what this newcomer had in store for them.

"Why do you have to go?" His voice was full of child-like innocence and everyone was immediately taken aback. His once cold features were now replaced by an open expression as he entered the role of the character. His eyes glittered slightly with what seemed like unshed tears.

"Ne… okaa-san… don't go… please… Tou-san is no longer angry…" Then there was a sudden pause and a forlorn look lingered within golden eyes. Suddenly, a loud, piercing cry erupted from the throat of the young actor that stood there, motionless at first, now, as if a puppet on a string being given a sharp tug, took staggering steps forward. Now there was a desperate edge to his voice, anxiety and loneliness filling the young soulful tone. "Okaa-san. You can't leave… papa and me. You just can't… Kaa-san… please… KAA-SAN!"

His breathless ending left the last note resonating in the silent air, vibrating around the shocked expression his sensei revealed.

The few girls that were in the class had tears sliding in a single drop down their cheeks whereas the boys wore similar stunned expressions on their faces. The magnitude of emotions that Ryoma conveyed was indescribable. To the extent that no words can put down what he had felt to do them justice. The feelings that coursed through the pure childlike aura he emitted were nothing like the rest. The way his eyes swam and how the light twinkled as if playing hide-and-seek and the emotions which his simple actions were able to invoke. It was simply astounding.

Speechless, the round of applause that followed next must have been the loudest yet. Though some still refused to acknowledge that he was good enough to be able to replace Mizuki, many others did. They realized why he was chosen and supported him.

The rest of the period passed rapidly. It was a pity that no one else came close to the standards Ryoma had set for them but nevertheless, everyone enjoyed themselves tremendously.

"Are you going home Echizen?" Eiji asked, as they headed out of the door.

"No, I still have to ask the principal about my books so you go ahead first," Ryoma replied absently, eyes wandering about the crowded corridor as the other classes came out from their respective rooms.

"Okay. Bye then!" Eiji then bounded towards a boy Ryoma remembered from lunch break and started laughing and chatting rapidly, the other boy only offering a small, gentle smile in response. But Ryoma had more important things on his mind and paid them no heed as soon as they disappeared down the stairs and out of sight.

Pushing open the door that he had emerged from and re-entering the room, he glared at the teacher who still sat on his chair, flipping through his notes nonchalantly. He had not heard Ryoma enter.

"Tezuka-sensei," Ryoma started but Tezuka, glancing up from his notes, cut him off.

"You performed well. I never thought you had a flair for acting."

Echizen ignored what he had said.

"Why are you teaching here? You should be somewhere else like…"

"You have no right to question your teacher."

Ryoma clenched his teeth irritatably.

"Was it that time you…"

"Stop."

"Did you…"

"I told you to stop."

"But you aren't suppose to be here!" Ryoma breathed heavily, eyes glintering slightly with tears that were threatening to fall. The overwhelming emotions from five years ago were still as vivid as if it had happened just yesterday.

"Ryoma. I told you to stop," Tezuka replied, voice so harsh and quiet that it knocked Ryoma out of his reverie.

Tears slid out of brilliant shining gems and Ryoma quickly wiped them away. He turned around.

"I understand… sensei. Sorry to take up your time."

Then he rushed out, pushing the door open. As the door clicked shut silently on the recoil, Tezuka glanced at his reflection before tilting his head to the ceiling, fingers slowly massaging his aching temples. He knew something was bound to happen… but he never expected the boy to cry.

Ryoma rushed out, tears still trailing down his cheeks. He felt strange. It had been years since he had last cried and it was to the extent that he had even thought he had lost the ability to do so. Yet now it seemed that the rivulets wouldn't stop trickling down. A headache would most probably follow this… Suddenly he rushed head first into something warm and as if giving into the turmoil he felt, he clutched to the nearest fabric and sank to the floor crying.

He felt the person kneel down with him.

"It's okay." He felt a slender, warm hand stroking his head, as if luring his mind to peace. A minute later, the tears ceased to flow and he glanced up the person whom he had embarrassed himself in front of.

The ever-smiling face greeted him, the hand from his head reaching to his cheeks to wipe the trails left behind by the tears.

Then, without warning, the striking blue irises revealed themselves and they remained there as he pulled Ryoma up.

Somehow, Fuji had managed to lead him to the entrance of the school.

"Will you be all right?" Ryoma nodded, eyes unfocused and glazed with a sheen of moisture.

"There will be a full-dress rehearsal tomorrow. Ann-chan said to memorize your script to the best of your ability." Fuji smiled, closing his eyes, before biding him goodbye.

Ryoma stood there, stared at the fading figure, his mind filled with the stunning mixture of emotions that he had just seen swimming within those striking blue irises that somehow, one way or another, made his hurt and pain vanish, just as if this whole drama had never happened. Turning around, he headed the other way, towards home, away from the school which had reminded him so much of everything he had wanted to forget, bringing up hurtful and painful memories from the past.

His mind drifted to the first time he entered the empty room full of mirrors, the way he was reflected in each one of them, the way he was unable to escape their watchful gaze and the reminder that he was unable to escape reality. But he soon felt the headache coming on and thus stopped thinking.

He just wanted to get away from the school and go home- to where nothing there would ever hurt him. And forget once more…

… Until tomorrow.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ryoma, Fuji or anyone from POT . … /sniff/ No matter how much I wanted to… hehe… Hmm… I guess there's nothing more to add… okies… going to rush off to study… sighz.

Fanny chan/downcast/ Hai hai… gomen nasai… hontou. I have been super super busy with my school work and exams and everything else that I just didn't have time to complete this. I knew this took a long time but I hope you like this chapter. I introduced Tezuka into the ficcy! -

Chibi fanny: Hmm… I wonder why does everything link back to five years ago… haha, HIMITSU! Okies… please R & R! Thank you very much!

Fanny chan: I must really apologise for taking such a long time… but hopefully the next one will be quicker. I have something in mind already. Oh and I also apologise for any serious errors in this. I really hope it was satisfactory. Perhaps there are some confusing parts… maybe. I hope not.

Oh yes, and for those who didn't know, this is the website for you to understand more on erinnerugen and the floor plans. (http/ okies?

Ikyutakei: Sorry for taking so long to complete this. I hope you are still interested -. Arigatou to your nice review and enjoy school! Hehe. Well, I understand the boredom of school but I guess sometimes it can be fun! -

Rinnikka: Really/Teary-eyed/ I'm so touched… Thank you so much. I'm really sorry I didn't update sooner but I had to pushed this back due to the many tests I had in the past month. But it's kinda over until next next week so oh well… the life of the student is never ending -

Cheeseburger of Doom: The hyperlink is here now. I guess juz doesn't like hyperlinks hehe. And I hope u won't be too mad if I portray Mizuki as the kinda bad guy. But if u don't want that, for your sake, I might make him nicer -… I plan to have him pair with… oops, said too much haha.

firedraygon97: So so sorry for the typo. But it's correct now right, ur nick? I double, triple-checked it -. Hope you enjoy this chapter too… Thank you very much for your comments -

Rings Of Saturn: hehe, I want to build the Fuji-Ryoma relationship. At first, I was so agitated I just wanted them to start in the chap. Then I think maybe next one… haha, actually, I have no idea so well, I hope u like this. And that 'Thing' between father and son… hehe, looks like Tezuka is involved in it somehow as well. But Arigatou for your kind comments.

Mizu : WAHH… plz don't get mad at me for not progressing this fic that fast… there is a little teeny bit here rite? Plz plz don't get mad… I'm so sorry /teary eyed/ I'll try my best…! Thank you for reviewing -

kasugai gummie: I wanted action too… but then my story won't last long… I plan to take this fic until Ryoma's next year and perhaps the next so I can't let him do that… hehe. But he will in due time I guess. - Arigatou for your review.

Jia: so sorry I didn't update fast enough. Forgive me but here it is now and I hope u like it…

Sayuki: ARIGATOU SO MUCH! The thing five years ago will be known in due time and I hope you will be patient with me… I take a long time to update so I'm so sorry. But I hope u find this chapter satisfactory and hope to read more… . …

Angel72: Thank you so much. I don't care if Ryoma's eyes is green or golden-green, they are both very pretty colours that's why I love him so much! Hehe…