[Chapter 6: Training partners]
During four and a half or so hours of fixing my hair, in that time span we decided to dye my hair into blue which is also my natural hair color the same with Ayaka, and then we proceeded to style my hair.
The reason why it was black is because I got it colored just before school started, because, black hair looks cool. Considering that high school where exciting events most likely to occur, I got all out on picking my battle appearance.
The reason it took a while is from waiting for the dye to settle.
"A-nd done."
After finishing the haircut, Mr. Muscular Owner-san handed me a hand mirror for me to get a closer look at my new look.
"Whoa!" Ayaka gasped, looking at my new appearance.
"Do you like it" Mr. Muscular owner inquired.
"Ah, y-yeah ...not bad, I looked totally normal."
The one I'm seeing in the mirror right now was a young man that looked totally more than the average looker. Though I only saw it as normal. It's a face I see everyday so I'm more focused on the hair that doesn't look edgy.
"What's does he mean by normal?"
"Don't mind it"
The hair cut was really nicer than I expected. It took quite a while so it would be disappointing if it didn't.
So this is what an ordinary character looks like. I still prefer the old one but this will do. It's necessary to conceal my identity as a shadow hero.
[While not being aware that he looks better than the average person, our Chuunibyou taught of it as him just getting a regular haircut. He didn't really pay much attention to his face since he sees it everyday.]
"He looks totally different. I almost forgot how better onii looked since the last time I saw him without his bangs. But now..." Ayaka muttered, seemingly impressed.
"Good job Mr. Boss Owner, as expected from you."
"Oh my. You flatter me."
They shake hands as if they had just achieved the greatest feat of humanity.
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After getting my hair cut done, its now one o-clock in the afternoon.
The photo shoot will start at 4pm which is three hours away from now.
We ate first, then during the remaining time, Ayaka and I shopped for clothes which took more than an hour.
After buying clothes we decided to walk around some more. At that time we came across an arcade. We played in the arcade which by the way I totally dominated. Ayaka had this frustrated look but she seems to be enjoying it even when losing.
The two of us are having the time of our lives that I haven't felt for a while from being alone this past three months.
Afterwards, we bought ice-cream and now walking side by side as we spend our remaining few minutes until the photoshoot.
'Now that I think about it, this is the first time in a while since the two of us hung out like this.'
"Now that I think about it, this is the first time in a while since big onii and I got hung out together like this."
Coincidentally, Ayaka was thinking the same.
"Sure does, you always rejected when I offer to go outside and play"
"By go out, you mean one of your little adventures then it's totally your fault."
She pouted, putting the blame on me on why we don't go out together outside that often.
I still don't get why she doesn't want to though... [The guy who always brings a sword around with the overly flashy getup in public asked why.]
"Oh yeah, you can go on ahead in the studio without me. I still need to go to the tailors to get your uniform made. All the ones that you have are beyond being your school uniform anymore so you need to buy new ones."
"Yeah... Sorry about that.."
While I didn't regret the modifications I made in my uniform. Even though the school allows modifications to express individuality, I still know that it's bad to alter my uniform to that extent.
I also felt bad for giving Ayaka the trouble of buying my new uniforms in order for operation perfect side characterization/blending in with the crowds as a true shadow hero to work.
"You can also go home without me. I could be there for a while. I'll also be meeting up with a friend after I get your uniform made. I kinda owed her one yesterday."
"Is it Kaori-san? the one you brought home from before?"
"Yeah"
"You see, my friend knows a good tailoring store so I asked her to introduce me. She'll accompany me there so you don't have to worry about me getting bored waiting." Ayaka assured me.
"Okay then," I extended my hand to my face, with one eye peeping through my finger, "Don't stray too deep in the night. The darkness isn't a forgiving place. Abide by the law of the night if you want to survive." I advised her.
[Translation: Don't stay out too late and miss the curfew, Mom would be angry.]
"Got it."
After saying our goodbyes, we parted our ways, Ayaka goes to the tailor for the uniform, meanwhile I headed to the photo studio to take the photo shoot.
Parting our ways, with our backs now turned to each other as we proceeded to walk, Ayaka was mumbling to herself.
"It's not that I don't want to... It's just that, I can't keep up anymore..."
Ayaka's expression turned a little sadden. Deep inside, Ayaka still wanted to play chuunibyou with her brother.
"And it's a little... too embarrassing..."
Her eyes turned to the side, embarrassed as if saying that's definitely the reason why.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the Photo Studio.
"Oh, Yukiya-kun you're finally here." Mr. Owner greeted me. "Where's Ayaka?" he inquired.
I put my hand on my face and replied.
"The path that I chose was mine alone. Ayaka is on her mission to acquire the cloak of simplicity that has the ability to belend amongst the crowds. But even having our separate ways, our convictions stood strong in order to pursue one goal."
"So she's picking up your uniform, Ayaka told me in advance."
'The shop owner decoded what I said? Is he perhaps part of the operation: blend in the crowds too..?' I speculated, since he seemed to know so much and Ayaka seemed to trust him.
What Ayaka told Mr. Owner before hand: "I will get my brother's uniform to the tailors. Don't mind what he says, it will make things complicated." is what Ayaka adviced to Mr. Owner-san.
If it wasn't for Ayaka telling the owner that she would pick up my uniform beforehand the shop owner would probably not understand a thing that I'm saying.
The owner handed me a piece of paper.
"Sign here, this is proof that you worked for us so we could compensate you legally."
"Ah, I see... A-Alright then"
'What's up with the formality...' I wondered, 'I see... so this is an act as well. This paper is a prop to set a serious tone, a vow to fulfil my goals and show my sincere determination. It's like the leader offering a contract, how much are you willing to give for what you desires... I see, I see, I totally get it.' [He didn't get it.]
The paper that the owner handed was a legit contract but I was too lazy to read it all even if it was just a single piece of paper. I signed it right away with only reading the title "Modeling for Hatsu Co." That's probably what company Mr owner was working for.
It's not like I didn't read it because I was careless, it was because I trust Ayaka and her connections, this couldn't have been anything big or even real, and all is just playing pretend to set the atmosphere for my resolve of being a real shadow hero.
As I look around, there are quite a lot of people here than I had expected. The shop owner, me, and a bunch of staff were inside the Photo studio.
I thought people here would only be the shop owner and a handful of people. However, I did not expect to see this many crew working here.
And there is another thing I didn't expect. It's...
"Haruka-san, come over here."
The owner called for a girl named Haruka-san who was already standing in front of the camera when Mr. Muscular Owner called.
She walked over to us where we are standing, near the entrance.
'She looks familiar...' I thought to myself as I examined her face.
I stared at her for a moment verifying if I could recognize her or not.
"Um... excuse me... can you stop staring... it's, a little embarrassing..."
She turned slightly red and seemed uncomfortable at the way I'm staring at her. Because, the way I was staring at her, I got lost in thought, without knowing it, I got stuck staring at her without uttering a word.
I stepped back as soon as I realized. "Oh, ah, yeah! Sorry about that. I just thought you looked familiar"
'Oh yeah, I forgot. People dislike staring at them or taking over their personal space.' [The guy who everyone avoids]
Usually I apologize in a confusing and elaborate manner, with words like "Pardon my rudeness." or "I have mistaken, for that I have sinned." However, with her around, I can't say too much because me being a powerful individual is now a secret. That's why I'm holding off my Chuunibyou dialogues as much as I can.
Plus, I'm treating this as good practice. By conversing with her, I could adapt to the normie language faster.
"Her name is Haruka Fujisato, you will be her partner in the photo shoot" introduced Mr. Muscular Owner the girl named Haruka-san.
She's a girl who seems to be around the same age as me. She has orange hair and dark colored eyes, her beautiful face that no one would doubt that she's a model. But, of course I didn't really get the standard of beauty, so I didn't pay much attention to her looks. The only thing I care about is what I think of as cool like shadow heroes, swords and magic and such.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Haruka Fujisato, glad to be working with you."
"S-Same here, m-my name is Yukiya Saito ...wait, partners?" I shakingly said, holding back delivering Chuunibyou dialogues.
"Nice to meet you, Yukiya-kun." She said, greeting me with a professional and welcoming smile.
'Wait, what do they mean working together? ...could she be? ...A training partner?!'
My eyes widen and the expression on my face brightens.
This is what I've been waiting for, a partner/ally. However, the partner they meant was for the photo shooting only and not an ally.
"Haruka-san is under training (on how to model). I thought you would be a perfect match for her because you two seem to be around the same age and your heights fit together nicely." The owner said.
'Under training?'
'I see now... So, she would be my training partner on becoming the perfect side character huh... Meaning I should learn from her.'
'So the owner and Haruka-san are in on it. Did Ayaka ask them to help? if so, they are people who also hold my secrets as Phantom. I see. Don't worry Ayaka, I will surely use this opportunity you gave me to learn.
In the back of my mind, I was fully determined by this operation to blend in with the crowds, honing my normie skills with the help of these people as my training partners.
"Yukiya-kun, Haruka-san, the photo shoot will begin soon." Mr. Muscular Owner informed from the set.
"Yukiya-kun, let's go."
"Ah, yes. Lets..."
We headed together on set and posed for the photo shoot.