Cinnamon Girl (Keiji Akaashi Fanfiction)

Prologue

Prologue.

If you could have the chance to read the story of your life, would you read until the end? Would you change your ending if you had the chance?

How could you call that a happy ending? When it ends?

I see humans every day. But little to no humanity. But can I blame them? I give them reasons not to respect me.

I wonder how long it's been since I started writing down my thoughts. Even I don't know.

For the past few months, I've been having difficulties falling asleep. My thoughts refuse to stop tormenting me. I don't know what to do. But writing them down helps a little bit.

I wonder if you ever struggle with things like these, too? But I guess not.

Because most of them are about you.

But I don't mind at all... because you are my favorite story.

"Saito Yuka... are you the one my boyfriend texted?"

My eyes lifted from my lunch, seeing a girl in front of me. Her glassy eyes were filled with fury, and based on the clenched fists, she wouldn't accept any kind of explanation.

I sighed. Another baseless accusation. It's really hard to be this popular. Every time their boyfriends cheat, I'm the one at fault immediately.

"Who?" I asked.

"Hiro-kun," She answered.

"Who's that?"

"Don't play dumb! I saw your name in his inbox, you slut!"

Her piercing scream echoed through the whole classroom, gaining most of the attention in the class.

But what's the use of explaining myself? What's the use of crying my heart out in front of them? Nobody will believe me anyway. So I'd just have to live to their expectation; to their twisted version of me.

"Stay away from him! He's not a toy for you to play with!"

"He's all yours because I like my boys how I like my toys. Brand new." I smirked.

Then a series of gasps erupted. I wasn't surprised when she literally spilled the tea on me. I was fortunate enough that it was lukewarm. The liquid trailed my face down to my neck and soaked my uniform. I ran a palm over my face, then ran my fingers through my wet hair, setting my fringe aside. I smirked again before standing up, taking my blazer off. My bra was showing through my white blouse.

"Now I know why your boyfriend slipped into my inbox. It's because you're pathetic and boring..." I tried my best not to make the shaking of my hands obvious as I make the attempt to pop the buttons of my blouse open.

No. I won't fight. I won't fight a battle that I knew I wouldn't win. Because no matter what I do, nobody will ever respect me. They wouldn't be surprised if I ever pull such a stunt... even if it's something undignified.

But someone stopped me from doing so.

"That's enough." He said firmly. He covered me up with his blazer and pulled me out of the classroom.

I swallowed as I try to hold my tears in, but somehow I feel so happy. Because at the end of the day, nobody really knows who I am. Nobody knows the real me. The me who's not a slut. So I still have a reason to be happy.

He led me to the locker room and locked the door behind us. I just sat on the bench, looking at my hands on my lap as he wordlessly skimmed through his locker for something.

The tea feels so sticky now...

He knelt in front of me and wiped my face using his towel.

I lifted my head to meet his gaze. His face was expressionless, and I had to look away because I might cry of how beautiful he is.

"Why do you still defend me?" I whispered.

"Because I know you. I know the real you."

"It doesn't matter. It's still true... I'm a slut."

"Even if you believe that, that does not mean you're a bad person."

"I don't even deserve you, Keiji..."

"I don't care."

"I'll ruin your reputation."

"I don't care."

"I'll only hurt you."

"I don't care."

I smiled sadly. "Why don't you just believe them?"

"Because I know you better than them. I'd already seen you in your best, in your worst and in your most flawed. So no matter what you do and whatever people may say, it won't change the way I see you... even in your most guarded moments."

"Why don't you just believe them?" I repeated.

He smiled, his eyes gentle yet domineering at the same time. "Because... I have my own heart, Yuka-san."