Disclaimer: Harassment and bullying.
« Let's pop the champagne and make it rain »
Shopping bags were littering the floor of Hyori's bedroom. The slim window was closed and blocked the chilly early January air outside. Curtains were hanging in front of the window. They were brand new and the first to be installed since the girl moved in. The little succulent on the girl's desk was also a novelty in the bedroom. The petite blue donkey tail wasn't big enough to be hung as twin two-inch branches adorned the pot. They were mostly green at this point, with blue tips.
Hyori had spent her Sunday in the Gotemba Centre with Bliss and Muse. She had been on the first shopping spree of her life. The experience was exciting and she was content to finally furnish her bedroom and put in her drawers clothes that didn't single her out. She loved her kimono and yukata dresses. It was a reminder of where she comes from. A reminder that was starting to cling to her torso like a second skin. Her dresses had grown, or shrunk, into oversized shirts. She couldn't properly fit them anymore. Her hosting dresses had also been changed for better fitting sizes. Since Orochimi only cared about her hosting clothes, Hyori had to purchase new clothes by herself. Technically, it was a gift from her first regular.
Her profile quickly gained the attention of pressured C-levels who wanted to get drunk on something besides alcohol. Her visitors wanted her to shut down their stress levels until the next intense audit, fundraising campaign, fiscal closure, project delivery and all the stress-inducing events of the people on top of the corporate ladder. She was graciously paid for her services and her favourite visitors were the completely exhausted ones who sought nothing more than to rest. She was currently offering her services for fifteen thousand Yen per hour. Full nights made her earn a third of the average monthly salary. With her quirk, she ensured her visitors wouldn't dispose of her until four in the morning. She would offer them the best 'sleep' and they would want more.
A few days ago, she received a recurring reservation notification on her phone. She had tapped on it and multiple slots were listed in the 'Reservations' section. All of her upcoming Thursdays were booked by the 'Supreme Leader'. From the ramblings of some of her visitors, Thursdays were the most taxing days. They din't have a real weekend break to look forward to. Yet, the fatigue of the previous days was catching up. Thursdays were a dreadful reminder that their weeks were too long and their weekends spent reading emails weren't a real break. The more weeks passed, the quicker she was booked. At some point, the most eager visitor decided to upgrade to regular.
Orochimi was delighted. Regulars were God-sent. A recurring reservation was tied to a recurring reservation of a hotel room starting at one hundred and fifty thousand Yen. The rooms would be paid for even if the visitor had other plans for the night. An ordinary booking could be cancelled with a two-day notice. But a recurring reservation was the promise that no one else would take the spot until the end of the year. It was leasing, rather than selling, and it preyed on the thought of scarcity. The Private Affairs Manager was sure another visitor would upgrade in the upcoming months and maybe a third.
Hyori's first visitor was now her first regular and offered her a one million gift card for Christmas. In exchange for gifts, the man expected her to get more affectionate in her approach. He wanted her to welcome him into the room, which meant she had to be there half an hour before eight in the evening. He also wanted her to wish him a good day the following morning, which meant she would have to stay until six in the morning. She was grateful the man lived and worked in Tokyo. He had to hop in a cab at dawn for the Fridays.
She had been over the moon when she received the gift card. The latter was more liquid than the pay she could only receive once the monthly accounting processes were over. She remembers her first payday in early August. She had hosted for ten days and her paycheck read nearly one million. She had checked her banking application multiple times to verify it wasn't a hallucination. She would have crossed the million mark if it weren't for the one hundred thousand Yen of taxes she had to pay. It was her first time paying taxes. She had been a useful member of society.
Being a minor, she wasn't offered all the banking options and her card was limited. She was offered a piggy bank account where she deposited almost all her early September pay. She had hosted for twenty-one days in August and her pay was twice as much as her first one. Hyori remembered the storybooks her Mother read when she was much younger. The savvy ones would always have something to reap in dire times. She didn't know how long her popularity would last. The pension would host her until she turned eighteen. At this point, she would have to stand by herself and pay for everything.
Moreover, her bank had a newsletter in which they published their offers and some advice. The content was generally curated for loans and overdrafts but sometimes expanded on saving options and trust funds. She didn't have enough at the time. Yet, she would have had enough at eighteen if she saved all her paychecks. Not necessarily all of them but at least ten months out of twelve. She remembered one of her first conversations with Bliss. She could use gifts from her regulars to help her save. She had fractionated her first pay into quarters. Each quarter should last for a trimester, seventy-five thousand per month. That should be enough to take care of the expenses the pension didn't cover. Namely, she used that money to purchase Encyclopedias and other books.
She had been enrolled in the closest middle school in September after the summer break. She was on par with the academic curriculum but much ahead in art, except the culinary arts. One thing she hadn't anticipated would be the fatigue of the night catching up during the day. Her balance had been disturbed by hosting from eight in the afternoon to four in the morning. She found herself occasionally dozing off during lessons or breaks. Not wanting to fall behind in her education, she would hide textbooks in her musical instrument cases. She studied while her visitors were asleep.
She wasn't like Muse, aged fifteen as she discovered, who was a famous content creator. The latter had received enough funding from her fans to open a trust fund. The shape-shifter's most devoted fans sometimes paid for services in real life, when she wasn't busy with her regulars. She also wasn't like Bliss, aged seventeen as she discovered, who could entertain multiple visitors at once. The latter hosted company diners in the biggest suite and charged the companies for all the participants as if they had individually booked her services. Companies had more money than any of their employees. It meant she was paid large amounts and received huge gifts, especially from luxury corporations that upgraded to regulars.
Both girls had stopped after middle school and took certifications in fields that magnified their quirks. Bliss held a masseur certification and Muse was working on an acting certification. They had been oriented by Orochimi and the latter wanted Hyori to pursue a therapy certification. The woman told her so in an interview following the signature of her first regular. The manager had underlined the necessity for Hyori to finesse her abilities and build a relationship with her most promising regulars. Given her limitations, she couldn't diversify her income sources like Muse or up-charge like Bliss. She had to plan in the long run and therapy could be a viable career for her.
Hyori had confided their manager's recommendations to her roommates. They were relaxing in the sauna after their day out. She didn't want to stop after middle school. She wasn't sure of what she wanted to become. She had never had a conversation regarding her career prospects. The other girls hadn't pressed her for details about her upbringing. Hyori had informed them that she wasn't meant to ever step out of her former house. Her family didn't plan for her to be in the pension. Her roommates thought she had been raised in a traditional home and was probably meant to be handed to whatever husband her family deemed worthy. They weren't far from the truth and Hyori let them entertain the idea.
"You can still become a therapist after high school?" Reasoned Muse. "A college diploma will be a perfect cover for your services. And you might also learn useful knowledge. Plus, you enjoy studying."
That was the issue. Being a therapist wasn't lucrative. She would be tempted to offer unorthodox services but didn't want to keep doing that for years after the pension. It wasn't the freedom she envisioned for herself. She had left the inner palace to run away from lust.
"I don't want to offer services after the Red Velvet. That would be the same as going back into my past home." Confessed Hyori.
"You don't have much of a choice. Unless you want to say goodbye to a comfortable life." Reminded Muse.
"What do you want to do?" Asked Bliss with concern. "You always say what you don't want."
Hyori considered the question. What did she want? She didn't want to be a living doll. She didn't want to entertain strangers. She didn't want to be a fake girlfriend. She didn't want to enter the inner palace again. She didn't want to lower her living standards. She was already living in a basement. She didn't know what she wanted. She was too focused on her fears to mind what made her happy.
"You are overthinking." Said Muse with finality. "Just enjoy the rides. They aren't all that bad. Some are even enjoyable."
The conversation died and the girls shifted to lighter topics. Muse's reindeer concept had been a success and she received the latest top-notch action camera and lighting kit among gift cards and jewels. Bliss was the least active during the holiday season when companies were closed. She had more free time that she spent completing drama marathons. She updated her roommates on the unfolding of the dramas she was currently watching. They didn't watch it themselves but they loved hearing the breakdowns.
Laughter and cooing occasionally filled the bathroom where the girls were pampering each other. They eventually parted after enjoying dinner together. They hardly had days off at the same time outside of holidays and did the most to treasure these moments. These were the moments they weren't performing and could have fun on their terms. They would brush each other's hair, experiment with makeup to reproduce intricate online trends and play board games.
In bed, Hyori's mind wandered about what she wanted out of life. Right at the moment, she wanted more days out with her roommates. It was her first time living with people around her age. Most nights, she wanted her Mother to hold her. They hadn't seen each other ever since she moved into the pension. Her Mother never stepped out of the inner palace. She didn't have any occupation that would bring her outside. Hyori didn't have any access to the inner palace anymore.
Sometimes, she thought about Ms Sako. She wondered what her elderly tutor had been up to. Did she move out of the Tokyo area? Was she living with her children? Her grandchildren? Did she sometimes think about the girl she once taught? She had tried looking for her in social applications. There were thousands of 'Sako' online. She was tempted to purchase an announcement slot in the newspaper but what would happen if she met her tutor? What would she tell the woman? Surely, she wouldn't talk about her hosting career.
She rolled in bed until her mind shut down on its own. Muse was right. She was overthinking. She couldn't help herself, though. She sometimes wished she could cast herself under her haze and sleep as if she didn't have any issues.
In the wee hours of the morning, Hyori's phone was ringing onto her new bedside. Her morning alarm was a repetitive doorbell. She had tried a bird song melody at first. But the electronic device didn't sound as good as real birds and the computerised noise made her switch to a sound she wasn't used to. The girl switched her alarm off and climbed out of bed. The winter break was over.
After a quick shower, she dressed in her school uniform and a winter coat. Mondays were the only days she showered right before school. On the other days, she considered her four in the morning shower enough. She would rather wake up at eight in the morning and maximise her resting time. She was usually cotton-headed after staying awake the whole night. She was now used to having her quirk activated for extended hours on a willing subject. Doing her homework during her visitor's artificial sleep helped to stay awake.
In the living room, breakfast was already waiting on the dining room table. She retrieved a lactase pill from the fridge and sat at the dining table. Orochimi gave her pills to help her digest the mandatory morning milk. Said milk was infused with fertility controllers that would prevent the girls from having their periods. Hyori doubted it was healthy in the long run but Orochimi had assured the milk contained enough supplements to short-circuit their ovaries out of their bodies' development. She even stated the blend would enhance their shapes.
Hyori wasn't convinced but was on board with not having her periods anymore. If the milk would prevent her from the painful episodes, it was worth downing the overly thick and creamy beverage. Over time, she had to admit the milk affected the body. She had been drinking it for six months and her abdominal fat tissues had migrated lower. She also started wearing a minimiser bra for gym and physical education at school. She doubted puberty alone could change her body that much in just a few months. Her arms were still big, though.
After her breakfast, she left the apartment and boarded her bicycle. She had purchased an all-road one with her Christmas gift card and was excited to use it. She didn't have daily gymnastics sessions in the pension and the hotel requested a subscription to access its gym. The basement wasn't an option either. She didn't have enough room to run. Cycling was a decent alternative on top of the stretches she did in the morning.
The city Daiichi Junior School she attended was a seven-minute ride from the hotel. She arrived around half past eight. At this time, the halls were crowded with students walking towards their classrooms. She walked towards her classroom and sat on her side of a double desk in the back while her peers were greeting each other. She wasn't the most open kid and her classmates respected a convenient distance. They didn't mind her in good as well as in bad. Besides requesting her to sit in the back because of her height. Said height helped her get closer to the girls who often asked her to help clean the top of the board and sometimes fantasised about being as tall as she was and becoming a model.
When she enrolled at the beginning of the second semester, her classmates had been too caught up in catching up to give her any form of attention. She had remained on the low until she started dozing off during lessons, last November. She had become the oddity who slept during classes but scored high. Her first nickname had been the 'almost teacher's pet'. Her classmates had gossiped that she would be a teacher's pet if she didn't sleep during classes.
While she unloaded her backpack, a kitten charm was dangling on the side. The movement caught the attention of the girl in front of her, Hanabi. Hanabi was a petite girl with a big mouth. She wasn't the gossiping type. She had a big mouth in the sense that she couldn't close it to save her life. The girl seemed to always have something to say and talked before thinking. One could say she talked as she was thinking.
"You have a kitten charm, Shinsou." Pointed Hanabi. "Are you trying to be cute? I thought you weren't interested."
"It's a… Christmas gift." Replied Hyori. It was technically a gift paid using another gift.
"Such a cute gift! Do you have a boyfriend?" Questioned the girl.
"Of course she doesn't !" Exclaimed Kiku, the boy sitting on the other side of the double desk.
Kiku was the only pupil in the class taller than her. He was around an inch taller and sported a bob. He was the awkward Kendo and Iaido champion of their middle school tournament. The school placed second in the Prefecture's Kendo Championships last October, thanks to him. He was also Hyori's recurrent physical education partner for duo activities like three-legged races and dance, since she was too tall for her other classmates.
"Why not?" Protested Hanabi to Kiku's exclamation.
The boy didn't answer and turned the other way.
"Is your boyfriend in the school?" Asked Hanabi. Her attention was back on Hyori.
She didn't have to answer thanks to their teacher announcing the beginning of the classes. What could she answer? She didn't expect people to question her apparel. Would she be questioned if she had a new phone? She wanted a phone with a screen as comfortable as Bliss and Muse's phones. She was glad the schools had uniforms. She would have probably been questioned for attending in kimono or yukata dresses.
After the morning classes, she stood from her sitting position under her desk with her peers. While the class headed to the cafeteria to retrieve the school-sponsored lunch, she beelined for the school entrance. She used to have her lunch in the apartment. The school lunch wasn't bad but the hotel's leftovers were much tastier. On that day, the pension's lunch platter was an antipasto one with mortadella, prosciutto, salami, mozzarella balls and a vegetable medley of grape tomatoes, roasted red peppers, marinated artichokes' heart, olives and mushrooms. They additionally had a cup of cream cheese. After her lunch, she had twenty minutes to get back to school and would walk beside her bicycle.
The physical education and art classes were held in the afternoons. This afternoon, Hyori's class had gathered in the inner basketball court. They played ball tag after stretching and running some laps. The session was ending and the pupils were performing cooling-down stretches. Hanabi positioned herself on Hyori's side to inquire about her private life. The teacher let the class loose during the last minutes as long as they were calm. Hyori wasn't going to escape the girl's curiosity.
"So…" She started. "Is your special friend in the school?"
"No, he isn't." She was going to keep her answers as short as possible. Her classmate was curious but didn't press on the same questions.
"Is he in another school?" She tried again.
"No, he isn't." Again.
"Is he a university student!?" The girl was visibly thrilled.
"Why would a university student date her? That's gross!" Interrupted Kiku beside Hanabi.
"If he's not in our school or another one, he's in university." The interrupted girl replied.
"Or nonexistent." Persisted the tall boy.
"Why are you putting yourself between us? It's a girl's discussion!" Hanabi was whisper-screaming at him.
Defeated, the boy backed off and got as far from them as possible. He moved less than one metre away in a symbolic gesture. Satisfied, Hanabi turned her attention back to Hyori.
"I noticed you are different now. You are still big but in a pleasant way. How did you change so fast?"
Hyori noticed the closest girls were suddenly making unfocused movements. They were eavesdropping and the centre of their attention was brought up.
"Are you saying I was ugly?" Asked Hyori in an attempt to make a diversion.
"I'm saying you are prettier." Answered the girl. "Even under the jogging outfit and the winter clothes, one has to be blind to not see the difference! How did your waist slim like that!?"
Hanabi was whisper-begging and the look in her eyes indicated that was the true question behind all the small talk.
"You don't need to get slimmer." She deadpanned.
"I know but you aren't just slimmer! Your thighs are still as big as they were. They even seem a bit bigger now. Maybe it's just because your waist is slimmer? But I want to know how to get curvy like that."
Hyori considered her classmates' words. She wasn't hallucinating. The pension milk did unnaturally change her shape but she couldn't say that to her classmate. What was the point of telling her the secret of her appearance was a special milk she had no idea how to get for herself? She couldn't. Therefore, she settled for a coherent lie.
"I started cycling a few months ago." She told her classmate. Cycling was primarily a leg exercise. The girl shouldn't suspect the lie.
"And your chest?"
"That's just puberty." Her classmate seemed disappointed. "And cow milk." She added for some obscure reason.
After school, Hyori rushed into her bedroom to nap and put on a sheet mask infused with red algae, green tea, rice and a dash of beauty quirk. They were sold at the hotel beauty salon for the hefty price of two thousand Yen. Soaked in the milky serum, she loved the feeling of the microfibre sheet. It held to her face while she slept and provided a nice cooling sensation. Afterwards, it left her skin hydrated with a velvety touch and no sign of unrest.
During her nightly routine, she wondered about her earlier confession. She didn't know why she gave intel about the cow milk. Maybe it was the defeated face of her classmate? The latter perked up as soon as the confession fell in her ears. It wasn't much from her point of view, but the little information she gave to the girl seemed to be a lot for her classmate. The latter's happiness was contagious because Hyori felt warmth welcoming her.
Hanabi was cute but that wasn't the case for the rest of the class. Some of her classmates joked about her 'attempts at being cute'. She hadn't acknowledged the jokers at first. She didn't see the point in entertaining them. They took it as a public offence and kept making snarky comments directed at her. They gossiped about how she was too tall for her age and probably lied to look smarter. They made fun of her weight and told her she should stop eating or else she would become obese and ugly like she used to be. They harassed her to join their games after school and gossiped that she thought she was better than everyone because she didn't play with them.
Their demeanour had been bearable until someone remembered she had a brainwashing quirk. Their first move had been to have her expelled for lying about her age and influencing teachers. The plan fell short because the school had her birth certificate and the tests were multiple choices. She had thought their short-sighted minds would move on to something else since no one entertained their antics. She didn't reply to her bullies and the school administration shut their complaints down.
She hadn't foreseen the day a boy slapped her behind and pretexted he had been brainwashed into it by a vindictive Hyori who wanted him expelled. He got off scot-free and the harassment only spiralled down afterwards. She had been on the receiving hand of lewd touches under the silence of the school's teachers and administration. The only solace she had was Hanabi switching her seat with her in class and having her friends hang around her in physical education. The petite girl had fought with Kiku the day he repeatedly touched Hyori's inner leg. It seemed they were childhood friends with building tension between the two.
Other classmates voiced their complaints regarding her prompt departures from school even on the days she was part of the class cleaning selection. There was not so much a couple of girls could do against a determined mob when teachers weren't in the room. Her classmates had come to her and attempted to guilt her. Yet, Hyori didn't feel guilty at all. She wasn't going to take any chances for the sake of some cowards who looked past bullying. Since she wouldn't see them next year, she didn't care about the impression she made. It would only ever be an impression.
Hyori was sure they wouldn't have tried to reason with the 'villain girl' if they could simply have a teacher or a school supervisor force her. Without second thoughts, she didn't attend any extra-curricular activities and was ready to leave that school behind. The more days passed, the less she was willing to climb out of bed in the mornings. She dreaded going to her middle school. She only had two weeks left before her transfer to another middle school.
The Spring sky was raining on the bay area of Kamakura. It had been raining almost every day since the beginning of April. The month was already halfway past but the Spring wasn't 'springing' like Muse would say. Waking up from her slumber, Hyori had trouble climbing out of her bed. Her eyes were barely open and she had prominent bags under her eyes. Usually, they were barely noticeable. At the moment, fatigue and emotional exhaustion were taking a toll on the girl.
The teen girl had been transferred to another middle school. Located on the other side of her previous school, it was a mixed middle and high school. The route was different and she hoped not to cross her former classmate's path again. She wanted to erase the past year from her memory and everyone else's. This time, she didn't want any creepy kind of attention for once in her teen life.
The girl who attended the city Daiichi Junior School couldn't be traced back to her new self. Amidst all the bullying, she confided to her roommates. Muse admitted she changed her shape into a 'discreet one' while attending school and Bliss used to amplify pain on any lecherous hand. Most teachers turned a blind eye as long as you didn't confess using your quirk, even for defence.
Hyori didn't have these tools. She wondered how the other girls facing the problem managed it. The internet was filled with one-star graded and saturated helplines that couldn't do anything besides being a listening ear. Complaining to the police was useless and most of the stories on social media were discouraging. The bullying only ended when the victim was dead or moved. Hyori didn't want to die and wasn't planning to move anywhere. She was tied to the Red Velvet, anyway.
She had an epiphany after mourning during the first week of the spring break. She would have none of her problems if she weren't a girl. She was scarred and her mind kept coming back to the same conclusion. She had no proof that there weren't bullies in her next school. She couldn't change schools every year. That would be bizarre when she would apply for university.
She had doom-scrolled for hours looking for something to hide her appearance. It was a bold move but she had to take drastic measures. She had to run far away from lustful eyes. The horror stories she read depicted gloomier alternatives. She couldn't risk being targeted by teachers this time around. Finally, she came across a trend that could turn her public life around. She had been fascinated by a video of a girl going from the poster Lolita to a cute salaryman.
The short video had the tag 'butch' and she tapped on it. Under her eyes, hundreds of short clips showcased girls switching dress codes with more or less success. Most of the girls were petite and their gestures undid the charm. She exited the social application as she was feeling parched. She walked down the silent hall and served herself a cup of water in the equally silent living room. It was four in a Tuesday afternoon and her roommates were probably napping.
She would probably be napping as well if she wasn't doom-scrolling. She had an hour or so left before she ascended to room 302. It was a bit strange to entertain someone else in the room where she met her first visitor and regular. Usually, she was booked on the second floor. Sometimes, she was on the first floor. She hoped the visitor would upgrade to a regular. He had stated he wanted to rest and should be handled with care due to an invalidating accident. She wouldn't say no to a less vigorous regular.
After quenching her thirst, the teen retrieved her toiletries purse and headed to the bathroom. She took a shower and shampooed her hair. The petal crown adorning her head had grown from a halo into a Willow tree with curly branches touching her shoulder blades. She was at the stage where gravity prevented her loose hair from hanging on its own.
She could still form a bouquet when she put her petals into a tail or a warp at the top of her head. It was cute but it made wearing her wig without assistance difficult. She resorted to gelling her hair down before fixing her clip-in wig. She would have one of the salon hairdressers cut her hair again but she wasn't sure she could do it alone. She enjoyed running her hand in her mane. It felt therapeutic at times. She was nostalgic for the times it used to be long.
In her bedroom, she chose a maroon and fitted sweater dress. She had stopped wearing shapewear in December last year when her changing form became noticeable. In front of her mirror, she applied a light pink balm before brushing her eyebrows and shaping them with a dash of transparent brow gel. She couldn't put on makeup that would leave hard-to-wash stains. She picked a set of flat Mary Jane that matched her dress and slid her phone with an A6 notebook in her koto case.
In the room, she was welcomed by a bald man sitting on the living room sofa. His face was scarred and he was probably blind. He was already wearing pyjamas and a breathing mask. Hyori wondered whether or not he should be seeking medical aid instead. She wouldn't complain, though. She wouldn't stop the man if he would rather pay her than sleep in a medicalised bed.
"Good evening, Professor." She greeted the man.
"Good evening, my dear." He replied.
He might be blind but he gave her the creeps. He seemed overjoyed to meet her.
"I've heard a lot of good things about your services. You seem to have a wonderful gift that lets you appease the mind. As you can see, I'm experiencing discomfort in my skin and need something nice to ease me into rest. It's all due to a car accident nearly a decade ago. But medication isn't good enough for me. I want something more gentle and human than injections or pills. Sit on my side if you are up to the challenge."
The man… Enjoyed the sound of his voice. His speech had been a bit dramatic. She was tempted to raise an eyebrow but that wouldn't be professional. Instead, she walked towards the sofa the man was sitting in and lowered herself to his right. Her visitor had talked enough to grant her access to his mind. She traced circles on his half-open right hand while feeling the weight of his mind.
The man was disturbed. His intrusive thoughts were strong and multiple. She could tell his mind was strained. She was having difficulties stretching the blanket of her mind over the troubled sea of thoughts. Even when she laid her blanket, bumps formed at the surface and the charm felt unstable. She would have to lull the sea into a sleep. She started humming and the agitated sea's jittery movements toned down into spilling waves.
On one hand, the bald man seemed satisfied and settled under the haze. On the other hand, she was strained and would have a headache in the morning. That was for sure.
"You requested gentle care. Do you want to sleep right now?" She inquired.
"You can make people sleep at will. It's a wonderful gift fitted for my predicament. I will take your offer. I've been strained for too long already." He answered.
Hyori rose to her feet and guided the blind man into the bedroom. As much as he was blind, his other senses were fine-tuned, balancing his lack of sight. They moved slowly until he was sitting on the edge of the bed. She crouched down to remove his slippers. Afterwards, he helped himself to a sleeping position and she tucked him in. She was about to move into the bedroom salon when he halted her.
"I want to sleep right away if you don't mind. Undress and come here. I need some warmth."
Hyori did as she was told and climbed beside the bald man. Once she was settled, he laid on her and used her chest as a pillow. Something in his mind eased when his ear rested above her beating heart. The gesture felt weirdly intimate. They hadn't rocked but the way he laid on her was new. It didn't feel lustful. It felt like he was looking for a missing piece. She switched his senses off save from his touch. That way, he could still feel her heartbeat. She put him in an artificial sleep and held him until four in the morning.
The day after, the man woke up as soon as she lifted the blanket of her haze. Usually, her visitors would ease into a half-sleeping state after hours of stillness. This time, it seemed her visitor hadn't dozed off at all. If it weren't for her quirk, he probably wouldn't have slept without pills or injections. She was a bit concerned for him and wondered what kind of illness or discomfort he was carrying that could affect him so much. Could a car crash affect the mind that much? She was already stepping out of the bedroom when she heard him.
"You did a great job. I'll come back."
True to his words, the man requested her services again. When she unlocked her phone around noon, she had an RV icon on the upper bar. The clock was reading a quarter past noon. She unlocked her phone and tapped on the RV application icon. The 'Reservations' section opened. All her Fridays and Saturdays slots were reserved for 'Professor'. The bald man from earlier had already upgraded to a regular and booked her twice a week.
She was surprised but could understand. If the only thing that could switch his mind off was medication, he was probably desperate for a softer option. On one hand, she felt guilty for taking advantage of his medical condition. On the other hand, she was glad to have two days in a row where she wouldn't have to be intimate with a stranger. That would be a nice break considering she didn't usually host on Sundays.
She closed the RV application and opened her social media instead. She did it without thinking. She didn't know what she would see but she was curious. On top of her recommendations was a short clip of a girl, or maybe a young woman, changing from an ordinary girl to a handsome salaryman. Handsome wasn't a good term. The term 'fine' was more appropriate. Muse often used this word to describe the male lead of the dramas Bliss watched.
It wasn't just the outfit. The girl's mannerisms were attractive. It didn't seem forced or awkward. The charm didn't break when she moved. She was exactly what Hyori wanted. She wasn't petite and even looked a bit full in some places and had long hair. But once she layered her clothes, she was… She was Hyori's first crush. She couldn't breathe for a moment and had to lock her phone. She never felt like that. It was intense and her heart was beating fast. She might need to calm down before looking again.
She rose from her bed and excited her room. In the living room, Bliss was watching some drama and Muse was sitting at the dining table.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Hello." Replied both girls with their eyes fixated on their screens.
The day's lunch was a platter with a baked avocado covered with an egg and bacon, a roasted sweet potato and a stuffed bell pepper. They had a cold milkshake on the side. Hers was a lemon milkshake with a string of honey inside. The beverage felt incredibly good and she almost downed it in one go. She loved milkshakes almost as much as she loved ice cream cakes. She wanted to try some with coconut or almond milk, someday.
She ate silently while considering if sharing the news of her new regular was worth it. Bliss and Muse rarely talked about their regulars. She supposed the first one was an achievement and worth the excitement. She wasn't sure the second was a notable event. Moreover, she didn't feel like celebrating cashing someone else's condition. She wondered if her roommates were confronted with situations that made them guilty.
"Do you have visitors you felt guilty for entertaining?" She asked.
"Why would we be guilty? They are paying to get what they want." Countered Muse without looking up from her phone.
"The visitor I had yesterday is ill. He told me he couldn't sleep without medication ever since he had an accident. When I connected to his mind… It felt straining. I feel like I'm taking advantage of his condition." She confided.
"How can you feel so much after just one night?" Questioned Bliss from the couch.
"He already upgraded as a regular and booked two days in the week." She replied.
The information got the two girls to turn their heads to face her. They were surprised. To say the least.
"Already!?" Bliss exclaimed more than she questioned.
"He must be addicted if he booked two days a week after a single night. What did you do to him?" Joked Muse.
Hyori took a moment to consider. Her mind drifted to how he slept on her.
"I put his mind at rest. And it seems he can't do it himself for some reason." Answered Hyori.
"That means you are helping him, not taking advantage of him." Concluded Muse.
"Muse is right. He wouldn't rest at all if it weren't for you." Supplied Bliss.
"You overthink. Just ride the waves. You can't find meaning in every single thing." Muse told her.
"I will do my best." Doubt was painted across Hyori's face as she answered.
Later that night, Muse's words echoed in her mind. Hesitating won't do her any good. She opened her social media again and navigated into a profile. The girl from Noon wasn't wearing a suit most of the time but the charm was still on. She was laid back and didn't do much. Yet, the little she did was tingling Hyori.
She wouldn't keep on hesitating. She was going to wear the boy's uniform for next year. If luck would be on her side, she wouldn't have too much convincing to do. Thanks to the cultural aspects of Onnagata, the schools' rules books didn't enforce the type of uniform a student had to wear. They were only required to wear the uniform without adding or omitting a piece and offered the recommended girls' and boys' uniforms. Key words being recommended. Most people played along but she didn't have to.
She wouldn't be able to use the common restrooms and would have to use the ones in the infirmary, though. The rules books prohibited the use of the opposite sex bathrooms. She could use the girls but that would give her away. She doubted an outfit alone would spare her the treatment she received in her former school. After all, women wearing pants in the workplace weren't spared from sexual harassment. She needed to gaslight the whole outside world every time if she wanted to remain on the low. The only neutral bathrooms were in the infirmary rooms. It was expected since there was only one toilet inside. She wasn't planning on using the bathroom at school, anyway. It wasn't the most hygienic option and would only be a last resort.
Her plan was risky but she was willing to try. She was too terrified at the idea that her previous hell could break loose again. Armoured with new-found courage, Hyori opened her texting application and sent a message to Orochimi 'Can I get the boys' uniforms? For school.' The woman mainly communicated with the girls by text. She was busy on the phone all day and only met them in her office for critical interviews.
The spring break was coming to an end and Hyori hadn't received more than a text from Orochimi. The woman had stated 'Noted.' to her request regarding her uniform. Once again, she opened her text application, hoping her notifications were inadvertently unactivated. the 'Noted.' text was mocking her at the bottom of the conversation.
With a sigh, she put her phone on the side and focused on the book in front of her. She was sitting at her desk, reading an academic journal that reviewed sleep pathologies. The topic of the article she was reading was 'Sleep Disturbances and Nocturnal Agitation Behaviours In Adults With Post Traumatic Disorders'. She didn't want to wait for years before gaining knowledge that could help her in hosting. She didn't even want to host after high school. Yet, the odds she would find an equally lucrative career were meagre.
Hyori honestly didn't know what she wanted to do in the future. So far, she knew she didn't want to keep hosting. She wasn't sure she wanted to become a therapist. The career seemed to fit her especially now that she saw a clear connection between her quirk use and neurology. She could also try to become a neurologist. Somehow, she suspected she would earn less as a proper neurologist than as a therapist with benefits.
Her roommates once told her she could keep a relationship with a regular she enjoyed. That seemed aligned with being a therapist with benefits. An in-house therapist with benefits. She doubted she would develop any feelings for her visitors. They were paying for a tailored human interaction. Dating them would feel like working every night and even during the day.
She was taking notes from the lecture when the apartment's doorbell rang. Her bedside clock was reading seven in the afternoon. She had bought a clock when she realised how easily she could spiral into doom-scrolling after looking at her phone numeric clock. She didn't want to take a chance during her Sunday or Holidays studying sessions. Bliss was probably watching something on the television in the living room. She would know who was at the door sooner or later. She wanted to finish reading the article before taking a break.
She had been reading for three hours and needed to stretch her legs in the following hour. She was already feeling the strain of sitting for hours. She distantly contemplated purchasing a new chair for her desk. Her birthday was in three months. She hoped to receive at least twice the gifts she received for Christmas last year. After all, twice the regulars better mean twice the gifts.
Once she had reviewed her notes, Hyori stood from her desk's chair and exited her bedroom. Bliss was indeed lounging on the U-shaped sofa but the television was off. The taller girl was on her phone. Muse was also in the living room, filling a bottle with the fountain's water. What seemed to be a shopping bag was put on the dining table. The dining table was the only elevated flat surface of the apartment's living room. That meant it was also the apartment's postbox for the girls' deliveries. The hotel's porters would receive their courier and bring it to them after the office reception checked them.
Hyori approached the bag and her name was written on it. She promptly plucked the pre-perforated adhesive line off the box. There was a school uniform inside. She was overjoyed when she realised Orochimi got her the uniforms she wanted for her new school attendance. The happiness on her face piqued Muse's interest and the latter walked behind the teen girl.
"Did a visitor request you to cosplay?" Asked the slim girl.
"It's for school." Replied Hyori.
The deadpan look she received from her roommate indicated that her answer didn't explain anything.
"I… I decided to wear the boys' uniforms. I… Last year… I don't want it to happen again." Hyori was looking at the box when she explained.
The three girls remained silent for seconds. Muse was taken aback and looked grave. Bliss was conflicted and there seemed to be a lot she wanted to tell but refrained.
"Will you also change your name?" Inquired Muse after the pause.
It was Hyori's turn to be taken aback. She hadn't thought of that. Her classmates called her by her last name. She didn't think about changing her first name. Could she even do that?
"I didn't think about it." She answered. "Is it possible?" She asked after a short hesitation.
"The process is long and you will need a tribunal decision. Requesting a pseudonym is faster and you only need the Mayor's signature." Bliss answered.
Hyori took a moment to consider. She only had two days left before the weekend. Would the procedure be quick enough for her to start school with her pseudonym?
"You seem to know a lot about the topic." She said.
"I use a pseudonym for my streaming career. It helps to register my content and receive gifts without giving my real name." Replied Muse.
The idea was tempting. If she wanted to turn her public image around, she might as well go all in and change her public name along with her appearance. Hyori retrieved her phone from her peach-coloured combi's front pocket, opened the text application and sent 'I need a pseudonym for school' to Orochimi. After texting their manager, Hyori beelined for her bedroom while the other girls turned around to what they had previously been up to.
The teen girl entered her bedroom and tried on her uniforms. The charm didn't quite operate. She needed something to morph the wavy lines into straight ones. She tried to layer like the girls on the internet. While she was rummaging through her closet, she noticed her minimisers on one shelf. They provided support and flattened her chest during physical education classes. She tried on one and dressed in her uniform again. The results were much better. She still had volume in front of her but it was more evenly pressed and less prominent. She had seen boys with prominent chests. Her's should be fine under her uniform. She tried the school garments again. The jacket laid just right. Her shirt revealed a frontal curve on her bust. She will try to keep her vest on as much as possible.
On the topic of her jacket, it wasn't adjusted to her shoulders. It would be sagging if it weren't for the pads. It wasn't the best result but she looked different enough. It was good enough as long as her jacket was on. Looking down at herself, she noticed her waistline was too noticeable in the pants. She needed something to even her lines. She rummaged through her closet again. The charm might be complete if she layered multiple shirts under her uniform. After putting on three of them, she was finally satisfied with her outfit. She might need a better option during the summer but she could think about it later.
Her phone made a ping sound announcing she had received a text message. She retrieved the device that was still in her combi and unlocked it. She had received a text from Orochimi who informed her that her pseudonym request was 'Noted.' Hyori wished the outcome would be as favourable as her previous request. On the upper bar, the numeric clock read a quarter to eight in the afternoon. She had barely enough time to pamper herself for the night.
The following week, she was wearing a navy blue short-sleeved jacket on top of a navy blue pants. Her hair had been cut short and loose curls were defying gravity again, revealing her forehead. She was clutching her cycle handlebars in apprehension. She hadn't slept the previous night due to her excitement. She would certainly need a beauty facemask before her night visit. The Seiwa-Zushi Middle School was a thirteen-minute distance while cycling from the hotel. It was twice as far as the Daiichi school and seemed twice as big. Tall trees were adorning the entrance and smaller trees were standing on a roundabout between the entrance gate and the main building.
From her former school's higher grounds, she could catch glimpses of the sea and watch the sunlight make it shine. She couldn't see the sea from her new school. Yet, the buildings were nicely painted in emerald and honey tones that reminded the sea of the Bay Area. Flowers on the bushes lining the paths were enhancing the school's decorum.
More importantly, no one paid her attention. Hyori's palms had been sweating during her walk from the gates to her seat under her desk. She acted like a scaredy cat ready to bolt at any sudden movement. She was half expecting teachers or the school's administrative agents to pin her for her dressing. She supposed she was fine as long as she used the infirmary toilets. She hoped people wouldn't be sick too often. The thought of waiting for extended minutes or using the bathroom after a sickness episode was appalling.
She didn't remember much from her classes besides the introduction segment. Being a transferred student, she had introduced herself as Hitoshi Shinsou on day one with her new public image. The class had been eerily silent and casted her right away in a 'don't talk to that kid' box. Not minding the lack of reaction, she thought that the 'villain kid' etiquette was going to stick around.
Similarly to her previous school, she was sitting in the back of the class. She was still riding her growth spurt and the shorter pupils didn't want her big head in front of them especially when her curls would make it harder to look at the board. She doubted she blocked the view that much but she had never sat behind someone a head taller. She couldn't confirm or refute the complaints and sat in the back. For all she knew, her head really bothered the shorter pupils behind her. Hyori didn't mind sitting in the back. The position made her semi-transparent during classes. It was more of a win than anything else. She only wished it were her choice and not the general pressure.
Hyori woke up early on her special day. One year ago on this very day, her life had been turned upside down. Although the sound insulation prevented one from hearing a loud sound from on the other side of the walls, it was safe to assume the apartment was quiet. The clock on her bedside read half past seven. She had only slept for two hours upon coming back inside the apartment.
She exited her bedroom and took a morning shower. With her hair being short, she didn't feel the need to put on a shower cap. It would quickly dry on its own. The apartment was indeed quiet. Her roommates would probably wake up around eight for breakfast. In the living room, three platters were put on the dining table. She picked one and discovered two egg toasts, a fruit salad, a vanilla milkshake and their regular milk. She would save the milkshake for later during the day.
Back inside her bedroom, Hyori didn't feel like studying on her birthday. She wanted to relax and do nothing all day long. Sadly, it wasn't possible since she was already booked for the night. 'Supreme Leader' had booked an extra session to spend her birthday with her. In the meantime, she was in the mood to practise on her Kokyu violin. She hadn't made progress on the instrument, compared to the Koto harp she used almost every night. She started with a slow lullaby until she was confident enough to pick a faster-paced one. She had been playing for an hour when she decided to nap for a bit.
Hyori was woken up by her phone's bell ring. She picked the device and unlocked it to read the RV notification she had received. The numeric clock read ten in the morning. She had three unread messages, two from 'Supreme Leader' and the third from 'Professor'. Her regulars had each given her a one-million-gift card and 'Supreme Leader' had added vouchers for the hotel spa and beauty salons. The first time she received an expensive gift card, she barely had anything and needed to furnish her room. This time, with her bedroom furnished and twice the amount she previously had, she decided to upgrade her belongings.
If she commuted by car, she could arrive at the Gotemba Outlet before noon and would have to leave prior to six in the afternoon. That would be just enough time to get ready for the night. Yet, she wanted time to enjoy the beauty salon. She would need to leave the outlet at four in the afternoon, in retrospect of the first and last time she had been in the hotel beauty salon. She could keep the spa voucher for another day.
Hyori promptly rose from the ground and looked for casual outfits in her closet. She didn't have a lot of summer garments. Besides too short yet ample Yukata dresses, she only had her pyjamas. She only left the hotel for school and her hosting clothes were not casual. She decided that wearing a shorter than usual Yukata dress wasn't going to kill her. Once she was dressed, she felt grateful her waistline was slimmer than it used to be when she received the dress. The length fell between her calves and ankles and her forearms weren't totally covered.
Once she was dressed, she hired a cab that would arrive in less than ten minutes. She exited her bedroom while opening her text application. She would inform her roommates of her whereabouts so that people know where she was and what she was up to. The girl boarded the cab in the ground-level parking lot before the hotel's entrance gates. She opened the wishlist she saved in her phone's note application.
The teen girl had wanted a sturdy cargo bicycle she saw in commercials on social media. She had fallen in love with the pastel palette colours and the soft shapes. The device had a good reputation but was on the pricier side. She didn't want to spend the money she earned on it. The cycle alone and its apparels would take a little over a third of one of her gift cards but was worth it. Either way, she could return it in the three months following her purchase. She had also wanted a Nec Plus Ultra laptop and a tablet to replace her textbook. Of course, she had her eyes on the last touchscreen phone whose commercials had been plaguing her social media since February.
The devices on her wishlist would require one card and might take a bit of the second. With the remaining card, she would purchase a paw-shaped cushion seat for her desk chair, silk bed sheets and covers, a heated throw blanket for the winter and boys' clothes for every season. Afterwards, she would figure out what to get with the remaining of her gift cards.
In the outlet centre, she was offered a membership account to register her cards. Last time, she had been with Bliss who helped her redeem her gift card into twenty coupons of fifty thousand. This time, she was alone and discovered a kid with so much money on gift cards was suspicious. She had been brought in an office behind the coupon reception and a commercial interviewed her. A young man, maybe in his late twenties, asked her how she got the cards, who gave them to her and who were these people for her.
The situation seemed serious and she had the feeling she couldn't answer with the details of her life in the pension. Instead, she replied that friends of her legal guardian gifted it to her for her birthday. The man suspected she wasn't telling everything and asked details about her guardian. His mood turned sour when she told him the name Orochimi. He replied that she was "at least in good hands" before telling her an unattended kid with a lot of money was always suspicious and interviewing them was a mandatory procedure. The Gotemba Outlet was used to handling the Red Velvet kids but she should be careful in other commercial venues.
After the scare, he registered her gift codes into an account linked to her phone number. The number was registered under Orochimi's name, which covered the under-the-counter procedure. She could change the phone number once she was sixteen and had a passport. In the meantime, her shopping account would be 'monitored' by Orochimi. At least, she would be able to keep some change for later instead of having to redeem the gift code at once. The funds would expire after twelve months following the edition.
Hyori had suspected the happenings in the hotel weren't a hundred percent legal. She was operating in a grey area like the commercial centre by covering Orochimi's business. That was probably the reason she only received gift cards and vouchers from this mall or from the hotel. Her manager trusted the establishments to turn a blind eye on her activities. It might not be too dramatic if the commercial told her she was in good hands. After all, she hadn't been assaulted nor harmed in any way. Then again, she was docile and couldn't say how her visitors would react if she denied them.
Hyori decided to halt her gloomy thoughts. She felt like she had lost enough time in the office and should focus on what she came for. She hurried towards the electronic stores to fulfil her wishlist. She had gotten kitten earbuds and a rapid charging station on top of what she already planned to get. In the decoration stores, she requested a home delivery and purchased scented candles as extras. In the clothing stores, she let the vendors suggest her clothes for her 'boyfriend' and purchased a cute 18k heart shaped earring. She had fallen in love with the barely defined shape of the golden 'elsa open heart stud earrings'. They looked like golden droplets that curiously bent into a heart shape. She also opted for a home delivery besides the earrings and an outfit she wanted to keep on.
Last but not least, she purchased her bicycle and its accessories. Going back to the hotel by cycling would take hours. She hired a cab that secured the cycle on the backside rack. On her way back, she felt different in a good way. The feeling reminded her of her first shopping frenzy during the Christmas season. This time, she was alone and gazed out of the windows instead of chatting with her roommates. Outside, the Summer sun was bathing the city in its afternoon light. The sea was shining as its water had turned into crystal droplets. Kids were enjoying ice cones and lollipops. Some holding their parents' hands, others on their own.
Later in the afternoon, she stopped by the hotel beautician who had softened her skin the previous year. She hadn't been able to replicate the result by herself and had tried multiple high-end brands to no avail. Afterwards, she requested a hairdresser to arrange her wig in a butterfly layered side part. She had put on a short burgundy fluffy tulle dress that reached above her knees. She was sporting short-heeled strappy sandals and carried a red velvet wallet purse. A light makeup adorned her face and gave her a fresh rosy look.
During the night, the 'Supreme Leader' had complimented her earrings and treated her to dinner in the hotel's restaurant. She had never been there since she started living and hosting in the hotel. She might have seen the place from afar during the night but it didn't give justice to the nightly decorations. Closed floor-to-ceiling curtains were decorating the walls. The ceiling was high with paintings expanding from the main suspended light in the centre. She had never seen such a big suspended light. What looked like a ballroom was illuminated as if the sun was still up inside.
For the first time since they had been involved with each other, she felt courted. The musicians were playing some romantic jazz compositions. He had asked her if she liked the gifts and enjoyed herself in the beauty salon.
"Are you enjoying yourself in the Red Velvet?" He had inquired during the meal.
Hyori wasn't enjoying herself. Not all the time. She enjoyed the money and the gifts but didn't enjoy the process. Yet, she couldn't say that. Thinking about her answer, she wasn't sure enjoying herself would be a good answer. The man probably knew he wasn't her only regular and she had multiple visitors she didn't remember the names of.
"Some days are better than others." She replied.
The man seemed to consider her answer as he took a sip from a classic scotch whiskey.
"Would you feel better if I booked one more session per week?" He asked while looking at her straight in the eyes.
Surprise could be read in her eyes.
"You would?" She countered without thinking. "I mean… Thank you for your offer." She corrected herself.
Her words seemed to have hit the right spots because the man smiled at her with endearment.
"Of course." He replied with a smile.
Later in the evening, they ascended into the usual room 302 in which they took a lift for cloud nine.
The following day, Hyori was walking on clouds and decided to try her cycle on the hiking trails. Higher on the hills, the sunlight was partially held by trees' branches, in the forest. The paved path was covered in spotlights as sun rays sneaked into the space between branches and leaves. The air was humid and the mountain breeze occasionally blew cool air between the trunks. The forest wildlife could be heard singing its happiness and happenings. Small rodents were running around at every turn and birds were flying from one tree to another. Perched on the highest branches, crows were exchanging croaking sounds. They were barely noticeable hidden in the shadows.
Hyori pushed her cargo bicycle with a cooler on the back. Her curly violet petals were sprouting from under her hat. She wore sunshades and a loose long-sleeved shirt on top of wide-legged jean pants. The ample fit captured the airflow and sheltered her from the sun's rays. She was still sun-sensitive and couldn't stand to walk under the summer sun without protection. She was heading down the hill towards the city after spending the afternoon on narrow and unpaved trails of the Gionyama Hiking Course. She had enjoyed herself in the hills. At this time of the year, tourists crowded the city of Kamakura. They were mainly Tokyoites on a summer break. Once she left the forest for good, Hyori mounted her bike and cycled towards the hotel. She arrived after a quarter of an hour and left her cycle in the underground parking before making her way into the apartment.
Her day had felt like a living dream. Her own dream. She was feeling different and probably looked different from the girl she had been one year ago. She had been wearing clothes she chose and liked. She walked down paths she wanted even if she just circled a battered path. She drank a cool beverage and had an ice-cream-stuffed crepe. She was in her cool world, enjoying life at her pace.
Notes:
" I used real schools in the prefecture but want to underline that the events I depicted are purely imaginary. I have no data regarding police involvement in solving bullying in Japan.
" Also, I have no idea if Onnagata apprentices can attend school in girls' uniforms. My only reference is Nadeshiko from Shuugo Chara. Please, do not take my prompt as a reality of Japan. I have absolutely no expertise on the topic of Onnagata and Japanese dressing rules in school.
" Here is the clip Hyori projected herself on if you want to crush with me.
48/video/6707021754067324166
" Here are the earrings she bought.
jewelry/earrings/elsa-peretti-open-heart-stud-earrings-GRP11358/