Replay 4: The Way Up To Heroes

556 31 5
                                    

I spend an hour browsing in the huge bookstore, trying to select the right books for practicing my acting skills. As I flip open a novel, I worry that my skills are rusty after waking up from the long coma.

Clearing my throat, I'm about to whisper a dialogue spoken from the main protagonist when the girl from before taps on my shoulder. I glance up, annoyed that she had managed to find me in the crowd.

"I'm so sorry for bothering you," she murmurs awkwardly. "But I would like to treat you dinner as thanks from before." Her face turns red from embarrassment, and I can almost see her recalling the dirty dude touching her in the train.

"No thank you," I say as politely as I can. "I'm having dinner with--" Mitsu and Souji's faces flash in front of my eyes, and I wince. "--my family."

The girl looks disappointed. "I guess that can't be helped," she says. "But do you mind if we trade email addresses?"

I raise my eyebrow at her suspiciously. Is she just ignorant or thick-skinned? Maybe I need to say it in a more direct way. "I'm sorry if you're too dense to understand, but I'm not interested in--" I pause. Wait a minute...if we do trade email addresses, are we counted as friends? Girl friends? I stare intensely at the girl, whose eyes were sparkling in anticipation. "Fine. Let's do that."

The ping from my cellphone indicates that I've received the girl's email address through infrared. I read the email address--yuki.chizuru@japmail.com--and ask her how I should call her. She tells me that her name is Yukimura Chizuru, and I feel a sting in my head for a second before it is gone.

"Well, I'm Akamine Jun. Nice to meet you," I say quickly, placing the novel back to the shelf. The girl smiles brightly and nods.

"Nice to meet you too." She then notices the time in her phone, and panicks. "Oh no! I'm late!" Chizuru turns to the exit and waves. "I'll contact you tonight!" As if we were old friends.

I blink and look at my cellphone. The screen is black because it is on standby, and I can see myself with a stupid weird smile. I pinch my cheeks and snap my phone shut, continuing to search for the books I want.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last night, I had a great plan.

Since my mother's popularity is shrinking because of the recent scandal, I should take the chance to go into the industry as her successor or replacement. Even though she's now missing, lots of people do agree that she has a talent that could make her international.

Unfortunately, she isn't here right now. Maybe companies would think that they would just have to make do with me.

Even better--I will outshine my mother, and when she comes back, she will have no choice but to admit that I have a talent that even she couldn't compete with.

I burst into sudden laughter, startling customers who are exiting the bookstore. Hastily I shut my mouth and bow apologetically. They just scorn and walk away.

My lips twitch into a smirk. They can ridicule me all they want, for I am about to be the greatest actress alive! Maybe I will have the chance to receive an Oscar's award...

I wake up from my daydream when someone bumps right into me. My bag drop to the ground, scattering its contents, and the person apologises without turning back to help. I glare at his back before kneeling down to pick my books up. Harry Potter and Twilight. I've heard girls fangirling about them before, and I want to find out why. It will be a great experience reading these.

Hurriedly, I head to the CD shop to purchase movies of the same titles. Since they are light, I decide to grab the entire series and head to the cashier. The queue is long but I have all the time in the world so I stand there waiting for my turn. Suddenly, someone calls out to me.

"Excuse me, girl. May I check your bag?" A security guard eyes my bag of books. I shrug and hands it over to him. He wastes no time checking it and shoots me a look. "Have you paid for this?"

The guard pulls out a DVD titled 'The Exorcist' and frowns at me. I cringe at it--I am no good with horror movies. I quickly shake my head, still gawking at the cover.

"Please explain why it's in your bag then. Were you going to pay for those movies--" he gestures at my full hands "--and then make a run for this? Just because you don't have the money to buy it?" His tone turns accusing. Shocked, I shake my head again, speechless. I have five thousand yen in cash and a bank card in my purse. Why the hell would I steal anything?

I open my mouth to defend myself when a tall man and a familiar boy steps up to us. "She isn't the one." He looks down at the boy beside him. "I saw him slipping the DVD into her bag." His violet eyes are glowing. "I also found some more DVD in his bag." I glance at his side, and there indeed is an opened bag. A corner of a DVD cover pokes out as to greet me.

The guard eyes the man. "Thank you," he says. "But may I know who you are?"

"I'm a teacher," he replies immediately.

This whole time they are talking, I'm staring at the boy, who stares back as if he's challenging me. That servant! He was that servant who pushed me down the stairs! I begin to see red.

"What is your name?" I ask, trying to calm myself.

He smirks. "Oh, you remember? I'm truly honoured."

It is then the guard places a hand on Shinichi's shoulder. "We will need to call up your parents. This way to the office."

As he follows the man, I glare at him. This was the guy who pushed me down the stairs just because he thought a girl playing Romeo wasn't good. According to Yamada, he soon persuaded Satoshi to take over my role, and they ended up losing the competition.

My fist tightens. Damn it, if only I was more alert, I could have avoided the crazy dude.

I then realises that the teacher is still beside me, and thank him. He frowns at me as if he just sees me and turns away to leave. "Be more alert next time, kiddo," he says. I watch him exit the shop and sighs. For the first time in my life, a stranger advises me.

Well, am I honoured.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope this chapter hasn't been boring for you readers. It's kind of a filler thing, to introduce our Yukimura Chizuru and some teacher *hint hint*. I will update soon, but I hope you guys would comment and vote as always. Love y'all!

Transferred into Hakuou!? (Hakuouki Fanfiction)Where stories live. Discover now