Amanda returned inside and three minutes later, Sam, Tom, and Sarah saw the twins.
They were still in their cheerleading uniform because they still had practice later. And suddenly, it was like the twins and Tom made eye contact. The two just looked at him, looking at each other, and then turned at him again.
They looked unsure of whether they were right or nod. With a nod to each other, they ran toward the group, more specifically at Tom. He knew that he would be caught later, so he just braced himself.
Amy and Mary stopped in front of him, confusing both Sam and Sarah. They looked at his face closely and then Amy, the shorter one, muttered.
"James? Is that you?"
As expected. Because he had improved his face to this point, they naturally recognized him.
"That's you, right?" Mary pressed as he averted his eyes a bit to show his hesitation.
"Ah, James!" Amy finally got it. She was like a puppy, her big and round eyes glimmering in happiness at the revelation.
Seeing her happy state, Tom knew that he was busted. He tweaked the
"You got me."
Hearing that voice, the twins jumped at him for a hug, confusing the three spectators, especially Amanda.
"It's indeed you!"
"Hehe, you really look different on campus. We almost couldn't recognize you!"
Their tone was mixed with excitement and fascination, at the very least. Maybe they appreciated their boyfriend's disguise and appearance.
Tom let them hug him and said.
"Hey, Amanda is watching, and so is my friend. Not to mention the curious eyes, too."
"Oh right. Sorry."
Amy and Mary stopped clinging to him, not feeling the least embarrassed about their action.
Just at the right time, Sam moved closer and patted his shoulder.
"Buddy, any explanation?" He said with a surprised and confused face. "You're not telling me that you've befriended Arlet twins? And... What the fuck is this James thing?"
"Well..." Tom rubbed his neck, a nervous habit he did when asked a tricky question. "Let me explain everything."
So he told Sam the story he prepared. He had already mentioned that he wanted to improve himself, so he had been doing exercise and learned how to dress up. It wasn't convincing, of course, but no one doubted him.
And he also explained what happened that night. He was worried about Sam and came to the club, but ended up with Amy and Mary.
Their relationship improved since that day and now they were dating. Or rather, now he dated the twins, both of them.
"And I also sent another application to the idol audition using my old family name. Well, you know the rest of the story. My voice also sounded different right? It was a trick I learned from watching online videos. That's about it. So, you heard everything. That's everything I can say."
Tom started from the beginning. Amy and Mary only stood quietly and nodded along.
As Tom finished explaining everything and was waiting for his friend's response, Sarah suddenly pointed at him.
"Then you were the hunk that I saw in that picture? It's unbelievable!"
"Buddy, is that real? Dude... This is some 'how you did it' story. If it's not me, no one would believe this." Sam was shook. "Still, is there a proof?"
He couldn't wrap his head around it. He didn't comment on the dating the twins part because it wasn't illegal nor unusual.
Still, he couldn't believe that his friend could become someone like James.
"Wait here then." Tom said before he went into the bathroom. He didn't change his clothes or anything, just changing his appearance.
The length of his hair was roughly the same. If he came out right now, it just looked like he styled it in the bathroom.
After taking 5 minutes, he returned to where they were and Sarah gasped. Amy and Mary squealed and jumped at him again, being as clingy as usual. Amanda made a surprised sound.
In the distance, the cheerleader club members shrieked after an unknown handsome guy appeared. Although they heard everything, they couldn't help but appreciate his appearance.
Meanwhile, Sam huffed. He looked at Tom seriously and said.
"You know what I wanted to ask, dude... Send me everything you used to turn into a hunk. This is a lifetime request, brother."
Tom smiled wryly. He had long guessed that Sam would request this. After all, Sam was a handsome college guy who couldn't get a girlfriend as far as he knew. Although he could make advances, it's just that his mouth stopped him from getting girls.
Tom had enough confidence to help his friend. So he agreed to his request, making him grin like a fool.
And Sarah...
"I can't believe it. The person in the picture really is you." Sarah mumbled.
She couldn't take her eyes off of him. Soon enough, Tom noticed that Sarah approached him and stared at him.
"I..."
"Sorry, Sarah. As you heard earlier, I am dating these two, so..." He patted Amy and Mary's heads. Their cheeks reddened in embarrassment and they grabbed the fabric of his T-shirt.
"No, I don't want that anymore." Sarah grinned and pointed at him and then at her brother. "This is great. Two guys I know in the idol audition. Wow! Make sure that you find a hot guy for me, okay? Introduce one to me! After all, I was the one who helped you to get better at singing."
Tom chuckled. His friend's sister was really unique. But it was good to see her had accepted his decision, as he didn't want to touch his friend's sister.
That was why he sighed in relief.
"I am not really expecting to get some hot guy, though."
"Me neither." Sam added, "If I find a guy who looks good with you, I will drag him to meet you, though. You can trust your brother!"
"In other words, an unlikely event..." Sarah rolled her eyes.
"Hey!"
Everyone laughed at their weird conversation. Still, Tom was glad that no one asked unnecessary questions or felt suspicious. Now James was gone, only appearing as Tom's persona. He made James as part of his identity.
Even if he was in his real or improved appearance, he was still Tom.
He looked at the twins, who stepped away slightly from him, and said.
"And so, you found me." He smiled at them and leaned closer. "As promised, I will tell you. My current name is Tom Alford, nice to meet you girls again. Please just call me Tom from now on."
To finish his words, he pecked their lips, making them blush.
"Hehehe, alright, Tom."
"We love you, Tom."
"Yeah, I love both of you too."
Tom's chest was filled with an unfamiliar but pleasant warmth. Because of him finally being brave and revealing his identity.
Sam shouted at him, telling him to stop that lovebird act that made him jealous. Sarah scoffed and Amanda giggled.
Meanwhile, he was looking forward to everything that was about to come.
Next week was already the start of the summer vacation. He only had one goal. To finish his new quest.
[
─Ding!
[Use the skill
The world apparently answered. That there was still a secret it hid.
And a smile slowly formed on his face.
'Life isn't boring.'