December 2016.
Ao Academy will soon be having its 21st anniversary. The Senior High School students had been swamped preparing for the upcoming events such as theatre plays and booths. Class 12-A agreed to perform Phantom of the Opera and have a Coffee Booth.
The Phantom of the Opera is the timeless story, the unforgettable score, and the longest-running show in Broadway history. It was based on a horror novel and has been adapted into countless films. The Phantom of the Opera is a story about a mysterious, disfigured man who chooses a protégée, Christine Daae, to sing his works and become the first lady on the stage in a Parisian opera house. The story unfolds as Raoul, a new patron of the opera house, and the Phantom battle for Christine's love. As Christine's star rises, and a handsome suitor, Raoul, from her past enters the picture, the Phantom grows mad, terrorizing the opera house owners and company with his murderous ways. Still, Christine finds herself drawn to the mystery man.
The ending of the story was Christine reminding the Phantom of his goodness and kindness with a kiss. The phantom realized that his love for Christine was becoming toxic, so he then let Christine and Raoul go together. Leaving his cape and mask behind, he vanished alone into the underground maze. It was a beautiful and mysterious opera show which had been adapted into many other forms of a medium because it truly was an excellent classic.
As much as Angel wanted to take the role of Christine, the 3-day seminar for class representatives on the day of the play hinders her. It will be held at Ichikawa, Tokyo. Hence, the she gave up the role and was passed to Mizuki, one of the beauties of their class. Mizuki tried to refuse but the whole class' decision had been very firm. Like a wall unbreakable by anyone. She could only accept her fate.
Today, they had a dress rehearsal. On one of the abandoned rooms stood two figures, a female in fluffy dress and a tall man with nine tails. Jiro wanted to have a picture with her just like how other students did. Mizuki's dress reveals her attractive collarbone and smooth shoulders. Her dark hair was loose curly and rests in front of her.
"Don't you think your dress is too daring?" Jiro asked with knitted brows. He's leaning his back handsomely on the wall with his arms crossed in front of him. His head was lowered so he could look at Mizuki.
"Daring? Nope. Girls my age are like this," she answered.
"I don't like the plot of your play," he suddenly changed into a new topic. He looked outside the window to hide the loneliness in his eyes.
"But aren't humans only meant for humans?" Mizuki asked innocently.
"You think so?" Jiro looked intently to Mizuki. But this time, she only saw pain and sadness. The gaiety and elation he always has in his eyes were not present. The dimness of the place and pained look in Jiro's face makes a melancholic scene. Her heart ached and tried to pull a joke.
"I think this dress suits you better," she twirled around and took her phone.
"Bad joke," Jiro chuckled lightly. His laughs really became music in her ears. It's soothing and calms her nerves. His voice was deep and low, but vivid.
"Come here," Mizuki put her hand in the air while holding her phone and set the camera to front for a selfie. Jiro stood behind her and bent down since the camera only reached his chest.
"Smile~," both of them flashed sweet smiles and took selfies with different selfies until they were satisfied. They happily reviewed each of the pictures. Even in pictures, only Mizuki can see Jiro. Others would just see it as a mere selfie of Mizuki.
They were laughing when Angel and her friends suddenly emerged from the door. Angel, Daniela, and Alexa needed to get extra trays in preparation for their Coffee Booth. They were dumbfounded to find Mizuki here alone.
"Were you just... laughing alone earlier?" Daniela asked in surprise. Her eyebrows were knitted and filled with accusation.
"I just find my selfies funny," Mizuki reasoned out. She excused herself and walked towards the door. Jiro on the other hand just followed her.
"No, you were talking with someone. The way you look on a certain direction seems like you were looking straight into someone's eyes," Alexa shivered with that thought. She bumped as she walked past Mizuki's shoulders to look around the room. But there was no one.
"This wasn't the first time we've seen you talking to someone unseen though," Angel raised a brow and took steps towards Mizuki. She smirked atrociously.
Mizuki grew nervous. She just wished no one noticed the beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she tried to sound as calm as possible.
"Perhaps the death of your parents brought you madness. Were you just talking to them? Can I say 'hello' to them? Can I?" Angel laughed.
Jiro became impatient and snapped his fingers. Angel suddenly started coughing hard. Daniela and Alexa came to her in panic asking her if she's okay. They hurriedly went out to go to the clinic.
"Will she be fine?" Mizuki asked Jiro after the girls left. Jiro just nodded.
"Thanks," she smiled.
"By the way, will you watch our play tomorrow?"
"Do you really have to kiss that phantom?"
"No no. We will just create an illusion. We'll cheat like he's just going to put his thumb on my lips as
barrier. Like this," Mizuki put her hand on Jiro's face, her thumb was on his lips. She froze when she
realized what she was doing.
"Oh, yeah, that's what's going to happen," Mizuki took steps away and cleared her throat.
A smile formed on Jiro's face. "You won't mind if I cheat too?"
"What do you mean?"
Jiro did not answer and just grinned before turning into a blur and vanished completely.