A/N: It makes me a little sad that no one's reading, but oh well. I kinda expected that anyway. That wouldn't stop me from updating, though. Hehehe! XD

Pages of a Storybook

Chapter 02: April 6 - Prank

It was two days after when it happened.

Kei was enjoying the solitude as he followed the path to his way home, his eyes heavy-lidded because of the peaceful atmosphere. The sun was about to set in the horizon and the colors of the sky was a mixture of pink and reddish orange, creating a rather attractive sight that he was tempted to make a small detour at the park and lay down on the bench to appreciate it more fully.

"He's so hot... The magazines don't do him justice."

"I know, right? Even in his uniform he's still so sexy!"

A pair of girls was throwing him a couple of flirty glances on the other side of the road and he gave an inward sigh at their high-pitched voices and suppressed giggles. With a frown, he tucked his hands in his pockets and took longer strides, wanting to avoid any unnecessary confrontations if ever those girls mustered the courage to come and talk to him.

He didn't really mind his part-time modeling career too much. After all, all he did in most photo shoots was to space out in front of the cameras and he'd still get paid for it. Although his family was anything but poor, the money was still a welcome bonus to his allowance. They served their purpose well whenever he made his silver accessories.

What he did mind was the popularity that came with it. It wasn't as bad at first, but after a couple of months, it went spiraling out of control. He just didn't get the hype. He was just a high school student. There were loads of other models who were way handsome than him, but for some unexplainable reason, he was always picked on the cover of the Habataki Watcher magazine. People were making such a big deal out of it that he felt as if he was suffocating.

If it weren't for the fact that his uncle kept on pushing him to do these small favors, he would have stopped modeling a long time ago. There were even numerous incidents wherein he refused to go to work, especially if he was in a bad mood or if he just didn't think it was worth the trouble.

Before he'd become a model, not many people liked his distant attitude and no one really bothered to get to know him. When he'd grown popular, they had flocked towards him and showered him with praises that it came to a point where they would make a big deal out of everything he did. They would gush about his good looks, admire him for his innate genius, or idolize his athletic abilities.

He had grown tired of all that and that led him to grow colder and more distant towards them than ever before.

Their numbers eventually dwindled. One by one he watched them leave.

Now, he was alone... Still, he'd rather be by himself than have their blind affections and false friendships.

He stole a glance to his right, his pace gradually getting slower as soon as the two girls were out of his hearing range. Soon he'd be arriving at a fork on the road and he wondered again if he should take a break at the park before going home. His mind was so focused on the debate going on inside his head that he didn't notice the little boy trailing behind him and poking his elbow.

"Hey, oniisan! Hey!"

It took a couple more pokes for Kei to notice the boy who was now smiling widely at him. He raised a confused eyebrow. "What?" The boy was probably not older than twelve and the insignia on the breast pocket of his uniform told him that he was also studying in Habataki, the grade school section.

"Oniisan..." He continued, his smile now forming into a frown. "Can you help me? I forgot my phone at home and I'm supposed to meet my sister so she can come and pick me up." His big brown eyes became rounder as he pleaded with him. "Can you please call her for me?"

Kei blinked. His eyes scanned his surroundings and found the streets deserted except for the two of them. He eyed the boy for a few more seconds, thinking how strange the whole situation was. The boy's facial features were sort of familiar...

"Please, oniisan? It's getting late and mom's gonna throw a fit if I don't get home on time."

Deciding to put all his suspicions away, he shrugged and grabbed his phone from his pocket. "What's her number?" The boy answered with a huge grin and Kei narrowed his eyes at him and his weird enthusiasm. He looked as if someone had given him a whole batch of candies.

Kei was getting rather impatient after the fourth ring. He was about to ask the boy if he gave him the right number when, to his surprise, the boy was nowhere to be seen. He looked around and briefly saw the kid's back before he disappeared on the other side of the street. It was at that time when the ringing stopped as someone picked it up and rustlings were heard. "Hello?" He started when no one seemed to reply.

"Yes?"

He stopped, a bit startled. He recognized that voice. "Who is this?" He asked, frowning.

"Eh? Um... I'm Kimura Akari."

There was an awkward silence that followed. He hurriedly walked towards the street the boy had gone but found no trace of him. He realized then that he had been tricked by the boy. No wonder the kid's features were so familiar! They had the same auburn hair and brown eyes. How could he have missed that? Was he a relative of hers? A brother maybe?

It was bad enough that she was in the same class as him and now she'll know his cellphone number, too? He slapped an exasperated hand to his forehead and sighed. "Oh, the one from the welcome ceremony day. Ah, it's Hazuki." He didn't let his voice waver despite his annoyance. It had only been two days since their meeting at the church and yet fate was turning another one of its gears again.

"Hazuki-kun? How did you get my number?" She sounded so shocked that he almost dismissed the idea that she had anything to do with the prank. Still, he wanted to make sure...

"Well, a grade school student who was passing by gave it to me..." He glimpsed at where the boy disappeared to, trying to find out if the troublemaker was eavesdropping.

"W-Wow~! Isn't that mysterious?" He noted the stutter in her voice and he could almost picture her getting embarrassed. She sounded genuine enough, but seriously what was that boy thinking? Giving him her number? Of all people, why did it have to be him?

Truly irritated now, he said a curt good bye and hung up. Hopefully, she wouldn't call or pester him after this. She may have been his childhood friend before, but he wasn't ready for this yet. He didn't want to face her just yet.

His mind made up, he didn't bother glancing at the direction of the park and just went straight home.

Kids. He would never underestimate them again.

A/N: Again, reviews are always welcome. =D