Everyone wears three faces. The one we show to the world is easy and polite. The one we share with close ones is softer but still guarded. Then there's the face we keep locked away—the real one, full of all the messy, hidden feelings no one sees. I never showed anyone my second face. Until she came—the girl who saw through both my faces. Maybe that's why I started to remember who I used to be before I learned to hide. This is our story.
My siblings shine so bright that I just stayed as their shadow. I hate people—I hate liars most of all. I've been betrayed enough times to stop believing in sincerity. Boys, girls—it doesn't matter. They'd befriended me just to reach my siblings. So I stopped trusting. I stopped trying. No one knows the real me. And maybe no one ever will.
This is Seiryū High. The school I go to. The school building is designed in the shape of E.
There are two students who are so popular here and they are my siblings. This is Ayame Nishitani, the smartest girl in school who aces every test. She's also the queen of the school's drama club and impossible to ignore, especially her shiny silver hair and crystal–like blue eyes. Even though she has changed her last name back to Kawasaki, no one uses it. I think nobody has noticed her as a sister of mine and his. He is Kyoya Kawasaki, the most handsome guy in school. He's a natural in every sport, even those he barely plays. He's got purple wavy hair which gives him a gentleman look. His mint green eyes are always full of energy. They both fail in each other's field.
And this is me, Akiya Kawasaki. I am nothing special like those two, just an average guy until... well, that's a secret and you'll find out eventually in my story. Well, you might be thinking about why Nishitani has a different last name, I'll tell you about it later. I have one more secret that will be revealed as we continue.
I don't trust anyone whether it's a girl or a boy. Since my childhood, girls approached me to get close to my brother Kyoya. Boys were no different; they also came to get close with Ayame. I have experienced so many betrayals that I wasn't able to trust anyone. Now let's start the story of my life—how I learned to trust people.
"Good morning, Himari!"
"Good morning, Yui!"
"We've got maths first period today. Lemme copy your homework."
"Huh? You forgot to solve the exercise again?"
"I am worried. What would you've done without me? (Mechanical pencil and eraser too.)"
"Thanks! I'll treat you later."
A few moments later Yui remembered something. "By the way, Mizu, this morning while I was coming to school a boy from another school asked me for your contact. Should I tell him?"
"Turn him down."
"Huh? Again!"
"If he doesn't have guts to approach me then I don't..."
"Mizuno. You dropped the keys near the locker." I cut their chit-chat.
Himari Mizuno is considered the most beautiful girl in our grade and ranks as the second most popular girl in the entire school. Widely admired for her striking appearance, Mizuno stands out with her vibrant crimson hair, styled in glossy waves that catch the light, and her ash grey eyes; she draws everyone's attention. She is always impeccably groomed. Her stylish looks add to her reputation for elegance and presence—she truly stands out in any crowd. Aside from her looks, Shiori excels academically and is known for being a homebody, preferring to stay in rather than hang out with friends. Most boys get noticeably flustered just by looking at her, and many believe she could easily become the girlfriend of my older brother Kyoya given her popularity and quiet charm. She is in the class right next to mine.
"Huh. Thanks."
"He is Akiya Kawasaki from the next class. He is really odd. The dark black hair and glasses hide his face and eyes. He skin is pale. He is called something like Ghost. His voice sounds half-asleep. I never saw him talking with anyone. Anyone can hardly notice him.
He is nothing like his older brother, Mr. Kyo, a man with endless energy, and here's Kawasaki, he's his complete opposite. He gives off a total ghostly vibe."
I started to think of Kawasaki as an wandering ghost. I imagined him looking scary with flashlight over his face inside a dark room. "Like that?" I asked. "Yeah. Something like that." Yui replied. She also imagined the same. But sometimes I wondered how he actually lives?
"Let's drop it. I'm going to the arcade with Tsukino and others, wanna join?" Yui invited me but I rejected, "Sorry, I'll pass." I slightly tilted my head. "Uhh! You always say that!" It's not like I don't wanna go, but I've got stuff to do anyway. They'll be fine without me as always. You don't really get people until you start figuring yourself out first. I think that's how things are. And that goes for me too.
I slammed the door, changed the clothes, tied my hair, and took the vacuum cleaner like a sword as if I was going into a war. VRRRRRRRR VRRRRRRRR VRRRRRRRR VRRRRRRRR. I started cleaning from the living room. "Ha. I gotta pick Kaede!" Since both of my parents are busy with their jobs. Well, it's not like this is the reason I avoid hanging out. You can say I am just a homebody; I don't like to go out too much. And I am an older sister, so it's my responsibility to look after my lil' brother.
"Kaede, let's go home." I called him.
"Ah. Big sis." He was with his teacher waiting at the gate of his elementary school. He has always been a crybaby since he was little. Unlike me, he has brown hair like my father. He held my hand like always and we returned home.
***
Seiryū High after school was crowded with umbrellas. I, Akiya, was nearly invisible, slipping through the people without them noticing. My glasses were fogged, head low and uniform baggy. Nearby the locker, two of my classmates were gossiping.
"Ayame's show was perfect!"
"Kyoya's last goal was amazing!"
I opened my locker and quietly pulled out a letter. "Again, them." I sighed. I opened my battered umbrella and quietly exited the school out in the rain. Meanwhile, Himari was rushing through the hallway. Her hair was tied in a metallic orange ribbon—holding a clipboard in hand. "Ugh! Did the club setup have to be today?" She groaned.
"Don't forget the signups!" The teacher said.
"On it!" She responded.
The rain had stopped so I closed my battered umbrella and took out the errand list which I was going to do on the way. My phone buzzed. It was Kyoya's message: Don't lose the list, Errand boy~.
"Errand boy, Huhh." I muttered.
I completed all my errands then was returning home. I spotted a kid—huddled, scraped his knee, trying not to cry. I approached him gently, "Hey….. need a hand?"
I crouched, opened my small first aid. "Let's clean that real quick, okay?" He nodded. I gently wiped and bandaged the scrape. He sniffed but endured it. I offered him my hand with a soft smile. "You're brave kid. Where's home?" He pointed in that direction and we headed off together.
We walked side by side in the drizzle, sharing a peaceful moment, and arrived at Kaede's door. He unlocked it; we stepped inside. I took my shoes off. I sat on the rug, took off my glasses, wig too, ruffled my hair, revealing my eyes—one mint green, one sapphire blue—and my silvery-purple hair. I was comfortable, looking totally different—relaxed, gentle. My shirt also got wet and smelly by sweat, so I changed into the flannel green and buff beige vignette–checkered oversized shirt; an extra shirt is always kept in my bag. Kaede heads off for a juice box; he offered me one too.
Kaede studied me. He was stunned by my transformation, "So cool!" He said.
"Huh?" I didn't understand what made him say cool.
"You're so cool, big brother!" I blushed, surprised by the praise. It was the first time someone said that to me.
BANG!
The front door burst open. "Kaede! I'm home, sorry I —" Kaede's sister yelled and went straight to her room. After some time, she came down to the living hall. Wait! Crimson hairs, grey eyes. She's Himari! This girl is Himari! Means Kaede's sister is my class's most popular girl, Himari Mizuno and on top of that she's in her usual outfit and her hair was somewhat messy. She looks late getting home, maybe because of that her hair's a mess.
Kaede races to Himari, showing off his bandaged knee. "A–Ah–Ahhhhh" Himari cried out loud. Her cry was almost glass-breaking. I regretted not bringing my headphones with me. She was completely startled, having tear–jerking eyes. Well it's about her lil' brother, isn't this what we call brother complex? Fawning over your lil' brother, right? It seems she manages her house, that's why she is called busybody.
I think she worries about him so much, but man, she hasn't noticed me yet. I think now it's my time to go. It's not like I want to stay. I don't have any connection with her. She must also be after my brother. I think I should leave. I was here for Kaede. Now my work is done.
"It's fine now, so I'll get going." I said.
Himari jumped, becoming aware that they're not alone.
Ohhhh crap! I completely ignored him!! Wait, wait, wait I should stop him first.
"Umm! Wait! It looks like we caused you trouble so—"
"Not at all. I gotta go." He cut me off while talking.
"Please wait!"
"Sorry but I'm running on my errands." He said and left like that. His eyes and hair are different colors.
***
It's the next day. The class is buzzing as usual. Students were engaged in talking amongst themselves. That guy from yesterday just left, despite how many times I requested, he ignored me. But I was the first to ignore him and now I'm staring at his glasses.
"Mizuno—"
"Eek!" I jumped at someone calling my name. I brought myself back together quickly and turned, "Yes?" Uhh? Akiya? Did I again drop or forget something? 'Cause he talks to me for things like that.
"Could you come over there for a sec?" He asked me politely, though it bothered me with the depressed air he carries around him. I went over near the stairway as no one was around. Why isn't he wearing his glasses today? His eyes….. are blue; it's the first time I saw them and they are cold like ice, no emotion, no life.
There was an awkward silence between us so I started the conversation, "Will you say anything?" I asked.
"I forgot my glasses at your home, can you please bring them tomorrow?" He requested.
"No need. I have them with me," I reacted.
"Oh, really! That's great! By the way, it's amazing that you run your home all by yourself, Mizuno. I was quite surprised."
"Oh my! That's noth—" Hn!!?... I froze. What? "Wha—!?" I cried out. "How? H–hu–how do you know that?"
"Huh? It's me, didn't I come to your home yesterday?" He said.
"No!! It can't be you!" I refused. Akiya and this guy look completely different. He can't be him. He can't be him.
Huh! Mizuno! Jeez, this girl. How can someone blackout suddenly without any reason? Later, I took the fainted nurse to the infirmary. After some time when I went back to check on her; Yui and Tada were already there. By the way, Tada is a good guy who is reserved, not much like me, hardworking, caring, responsible, sometimes inflexible in thinking, has a strong sense of duty, and aims to maintain harmony. 'Peacemaker' suits him the most. Oh, I forgot I was here to check on Mizuno.
"Mhn mhn….." she was lying on her stomach, squeezing the pillow tightly. Doomed. This is the face she was making.
What the hell is she murmuring? "Are you okay?" Tada asked her in a deep, warm voice.
Nevertheless, she didn't stop even when she heard him. Himari rose and dashed to her home. Phew! She almost collapsed into me. To me, she looked like truck–kun who'll kill me painfully without getting reincarnated to another world. Oh shit! I forgot my glasses from her. Wearing only one contact feels odd. I'll take it back tomorrow…..