Chapter 3

"I want you to be my muse."

"Muse?" puzzled, I tilt my head.

"Yes. I want you to wear my designs."

"designs? clothes? You're a designer?"

He looks away and scratches the back of his neck like he is shy. "Yeah... actually I'm the president of H.E club"

My eyes widened. He's in a gang but his hobby is sewing, interesting. "Wow. A division captain like you? President of Sewing club." I mumbled.

"How did you know that I'm a division captain?" He asked. Shoot! Me and my big mouth.

"I... Uhm.." I paused to think of an excuse "I heard some students talking about you and gangs." I nervously said.

"Oh..." He paused for a while. "So... Is it okay for you? to become my muse?"

If I agree there's a risk that he will recognize me and discover my secret. No, I should refuse. I promise to win against my brothers.

"I'm sorry but I have to refuse. I have a lot of things to do, I'm sorry" I bow at him.

"Oh. It's fine! I understand." He said with a smile. "Thank you for your time, y/n-chan" He slightly bows at me then returns to our classroom. I felt a little guilty, I am not really busy but I need to prioritize my goal.

At lunch, I decided to stay on the school's rooftop, it's locked to keep the students away but I know a way on how to open it. Talking and smiling to a lot of people is very tiring.

"Playing miss perfect is draining my lifespan," I said while stretching my arms. I loosen my tie and unbutton some of my blouse's top buttons because It's suffocating me. I removed my shoes and lay on the floor. My arms spread wide while looking at the sky. I then munch some sour tape candy.

"What a shitty life you have, y/n," I said while pointing at the sky.

"Fuck everything! Fuck everyone! Fuuuuck!" I shouted out of frustration.

Someone chuckled. I quickly sat up. "Who's there?" I turn my head. I button up my uniform and fixes my hair.

"You sure curse a lot and loud." The lavender-haired boy said as he walk towards me.

"Mitsuya-kun," I said as I try to fix myself.

"It's fine, you don't have to pretend in front of me." He gently said and sat beside me.

"So you heard me." I scoff. "I'm a fraud. You must be surprised."

He looks at me for a while. "Surprisingly, No. I know you had your reasons why you want to portray this perfect image so I won't judge you." He said, his gaze is hypnotizing me. I slowly feel that my face is burning. I get some sour tape and hand it to him. "Please don't tell anyone. I need to maintain my reputation."

"Your secret is safe with me." He said and accepted the candy. "But..."

"But?"

"I will keep your secret if you agree to be my muse." He took his phone and snapped a picture of me. My hair is a mess and my uniform is untidy.

"Hey! That's unfair! I really thought you're a good guy." I said as I try to snatch his phone.

He chuckles and then his face turns sad. "I really want to win this competition." He said while looking down.

I stop from snatching the phone and stare at him for a while. "Why do you want to win so bad?"

He takes a deep breath and eats some candy before he speaks again. "The prize money... I need those for my siblings, also the scholarship that's the only way I can step into college."

My heart feels a slight tug. he has a family and will do anything for his siblings. Sometimes I wish my brothers would do the same but unfortunately, they don't care.

I sigh. If I do this I need to prepare myself not to get caught.

I shut my eyes. "Fine, I will model for you."

He didn't respond so I opened my eyes. there I see him with tears welling up. "Thank you! y/n-chan." He said with a smile.

"Drop the chan since you know my secret. Just call me y/n,"

He smiled. "thank you, y/n" 

Mitsuya messages me that there is no errand day today because he'll be busy doing something. I know that because he told me earlier that he'll start sketching for a design. That is why I am free all afternoon. I will take this opportunity to step up my game.

I sat on my bed. If I will work with him as y/n He must not know that I am Akio. I need to make an effort to look more like a boy.

If I order a high-class wig to look like a boy, It might fall during fights. It will also take time to attach the wig.

"But If I cut my hair..." I pause for a while to think... "I can buy extensions to make them long again for school and it's easy to remove before Toman activities."

I gently nod. "Yes! That will do." I pause to think again, I brush my chin with my fingers. "I need to change my eye color too. I should buy contact lenses."

I stand up and take my bag. I can't cut my hair so I decided to go to a salon, I will also buy clip extensions and contact lenses. Dad gave me my own credit card so I don't call him every now and then to ask for money.

"Done!" The hairdresser said. I stand up and look at the mirror. She did a great job! the hair suits me and it's not that short-short. I can still put extensions and no one will notice I have short hair.

"Thank you," I said.

I just got out of the salon when I received a message from Mitsuya saying he wanted to meet within ten minutes. I didn't have my binder with me! I quickly ran to a boutique to buy some binder and men's clothes. I removed my make-up in a public restroom. I draw some fake eye bags using my brown liner to make myself look more masculine. I put on some brown contact lenses that I bought earlier. I throw away my bag and my clothes. I just put my card, phone, and wallet in my pocket. This double life is killing me and it's only been four days! It could have been less complicated if Mitsuya are not in my class and if I am not his muse.

"Mitsuya-san!" I stop in front of him as I hold my chest. I ran from the plaza to his apartment.

He looks at his phone. "Right on time, Akio."

"I thought that there's no meeting today," I take some time to catch my breath.

"You cut your hair." He said while ignoring me.

"Yeah," I replied.

"Look, I can't buy dinner for my siblings. I can't leave them alone because Mana has a fever. I called you here to ask you to-"

I'm a barbie girl~ in a barbie world~

He stopped talking when he heard my ringtone. There's a silence between us for a couple of seconds. We're just staring at each other. The only sound that echoes around us is my ringtone. Shit! Fuck Rindou! he changes my ringtone again! That mother-

"Is that yours?"

"No?" I said while looking away. He chuckles. I look back at him and slowly get my phone from my pocket. I look who's calling and it's the devil himself, my brother. I aggressively ended the call and put it back in my pocket.

"My cousin! He's playing with me again. he changes my ringtone." I explained. I can't tell him that I have brothers it might complicate things if he starts to ask about them.

"It's fine. I won't judge you." He said while covering his mouth. A silent laugh escapes from him.

I stop myself from rolling my eyes at him. I just sigh, what a long eventful day.

"I'll buy them food. What do they like?"

"Mana is requesting burgers and Luna wants fries." He takes some money from his pocket and gives it to me. I bow at him and started to walk away.

I return after twenty minutes or so. I fix my shirt before I knock on their door. I might have bought a lot of food. The money he gave me is just enough for his siblings. I added some extra so Mitsuya and his mother will have some too.

"Akio, come in," Mitsuya said. I removed my shoes and went inside.

"Pardon my intrusion," I said and looked around. The apartment is smaller than I thought. There's just a kitchen and a small table that can fit up to four people. There are three doors and that's it.

"Sorry, the apartment is small."

"Oh, it's fine! It still feels like home." I said.

I have a big apartment with a big kitchen, big table, an air-conditioned room, and A living room but it doesn't feel like home.

I went ahead and put the bags on the table. I gently get the food out.

"Woah. I told you to buy a burger and fries. What is this?"

"I notice that the money you gave me is just enough for your siblings so I bought extra for you and your mom." I paused... "and for me too plus! They gave me a free toys because I bought a set meal. Your sisters will love these." I said while showing him the toys I've got.

"You don't have to do this..."

"Yeah, maybe... but I want to eat dinner with someone so-"

Mitsuya smiled at me. Ah! His gentle smile. 

"Thank you, Akio."