Mizuki who was playing the role of Christine started walking towards the phantom. Its face wore a half mask to cover its imperfections and ugliness.
"Christine, don't promise him. Don't marry this devil! If you say you love him just to save me, then my life would end too!"
She heard Raoul pleading for her to come back, to never choose the phantom. But Christine wanted to save him in exchange for her life. When she got near the phantom, she cupped its face and slowly closed her own face to reach for its lips. It tasted sweet and everything seemed to stop moving as if they were brought into a different dimension. She removed its mask and Jiro was revealed in front of her.
"Arama!" Mizuki woke up from her dream. How dare Jiro enter her dream? She got up to wash her
face. Minutes have passed yet drowsiness seemed to have forgotten to visit her. It's past 5 o'clock in the morning anyway. She decided to review her lines for their play later.
Mizuki waited for Jiro but he never fetched her. Thus, she went to school alone. Their play would start at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Jiro never appeared the whole morning. His absence was new to Mizuki. He never left her side for more than two hours. But today, she hadn't seen him ever since morning. She hoped that he would come back before the start of their play to provide support but he never appeared.
Their play was already about to end. The audience seats were filled with students. The stage was
designed perfectly. The costumes of the characters were on point. And Mizuki was stunning and beautiful. She had attracted a lot of admirers from her classmates and audience. The way she acts looked natural.
Mizuki felt déjà vu. Her dream last night was just about to happen. What if the man behind the
phantom was Jiro? Was it what he referred to as cheating? She was in a panic but tried hard to calm her heart. The familiar line of Raoul now came.
"Your Majesty, please let go of Christine. I'm willing to do anything for you!"
Raoul begged to the phantom. But when the phantom saw this man who had stolen his precious woman, he lost control once again and used a special noose to lasso Raoul's neck.
"Ah! Don't!" Christine cried out in alarm.
The Phantom looked at Christine, who was anxiously crying out loud, and forced her to make a
decision. "Now, I'll give you two choices. Use Raoul's life to exchange for your freedom. He dies, but I'll let you go; or two, put the wedding dress on and be my bride in exchange for Raoul's life!"
"Christine, don't promise him. Don't marry this devil! If you say you love him just to save me, then my life would end too!" Raoul said without hesitation when he heard the phantom's deal.
Christine took a deep breath and started walking towards the phantom and without warning gave the phantom a long kiss.
The play ended. Everyone was celebrating with joy and a lot of students eagerly took pictures with
Mizuki. She was the star of today. And the phantom? It was not Jiro. She didn't know if she should be glad or disappointed.
Mizuki changed into casual clothes and was about to leave when the phantom— his classmate named Sean chased her. She turned around and smiled politely.
"Mizuki, can I have a moment with you?" Sean asked hopingly.
"Sure."
"Let me help you carry those," he grabbed Mizuki's paper bags before she could even refuse.
They went into a cafeteria and sat awkwardly for a moment.
"Hm, what do you want to talk to?" Mizuki asked kindly.
Sean has been her classmate since 10th grade. There were also times when he would give signals of his feelings for Mizuki but Jiro was always by her side so the signals never reached her. Jiro is like an unseen wall protecting Mizuki from all harm and as well as... admirers.
"Mizuki, I always see you as a diamond. Something so rare, important, brave, strong but would make one afraid of touching you. There is something in you that's alluring but at the same time frightening. No no, I'm not saying bad things. I'm actually showering you praises. I was really happy that this play happened. Mizuki, I really like you. I hope you can give me a chance to prove my sincerity. I—"
His words were cut when Mizuki coughed continuously. Sean felt shivers traveling down his spine. As if someone was giving him death stares and wished him to die at that very moment. He looked around but there was no one giving him those creepy stares.
Mizuki was agitated. Did Jiro hear all of it? Jiro was now standing behind Sean. There was a green fire on his right hand, ready to strike Sean even if he just blinked. Mizuki didn't know what to do. She can neither scold nor glared at Jiro.
"Ah, Sean, I remembered I have some urgent things to do. I'll think about what you said but please
don't expect much. I have to go," Mizuki forced a smile and hurriedly picked her paper bags and left.
Sean was flustered with her actions. He traced back his words to see if he had said something wrong but found none. Weirdly to say, the chill disappeared when Mizuki left. He was left with confusion.
Mizuki ran to chase Jiro. She didn't know but her heartbeats were racing due to panic. Why was she
panicking? She doesn't know. When they entered an empty alley, Mizuki blocked Jiro's path.
"Where were you today? What are you talking about cheating?" She asked as she gasped for breaths.
"That was a joke though. Well, I couldn't bear seeing you kissed a man—"
"I did not kiss anyone!"
"Hm, but you had a date with him. So sorry to disturb you. I think you should go back. You were
looking for a partner for your birthday right? Why don't you ask him? I'm sure he won't refuse," Jiro said straight before circling around Mizuki and continued walking.
"Jiro, you know that's not true. It's actually you that I want to ask," Mizuki said hopelessly. Her
shoulders were drooping as she stood in place.
"Ask me what?" Jiro with knitted brows faced Mizuki.
"Will you be my escort on my debut?"