I kissed my brother - Chapter 2

Making the perfect first impression wasn‘t exactly my goal. But I was 17, I should be mature. Or at least something close to that.

So I did what I was supposed to. I dressed pretty in a white top with ruffles. I looked like someone‘s 5 year old child. Cute and innocent was the look I was going for - showing Eito that he married a woman who was capable of raising her daughter to be a fine young lady.

„You look lovely“, my Mum said when I came out of my room. 

I had to admit she did look really happy. She seemed so relaxed and she wasn‘t even nervous that I was right about to meet him. Is that what love was? Did love make her feel comfortable in a situation like this? But I didn‘t get much time to think about the meaning of love in all this, because the door bell rang and with that my Mum jumped to run to the door.

She hugged the man named Eito, he hugged her back with a large smile on his face. He was a short Japanese man. He didn‘t look special and he didn‘t look rich if it wasn‘t for the little emblem on his perfectly ironed shirt.

„You must be Sydney“, he smiled at me. He seemed nice, I thought. I didn‘t want to admit it though.

He hugged me too which I didn‘t expect him to do. I grew up learning that Japanese parents don‘t show much affection. So having this stranger hugging me right away felt awkward. I didn‘t know I liked it or not. 

And then I saw him as my Mum opened the door to let another guest in. She was smiling up at him, a 185 cm tall god. 

„You‘ve got to be kidding me“, I said and blinked at him. First this morning, then at school and now he was here. He was the son of my Mum‘s new boyfriend? No, no, no, no.

„And just like that we meet again“, he said with a slight hint of playfulness inside of his voice. He looked exactly like the type of guy who could wrap any girl around his finger. 

„You two already know each other?“, Eito asked and looked a little startled. 

„Yeah, what a coincedence“, I said and glared at him. I didn‘t really have any reason to glare. Maybe it was just to defend myself and make him forget about the fact that I took his picture without his consent and ran away leaving him on the street with the honking cars. Not my best move. 

„Where did you guys meet?“, my Mum asked.

Him and me were still quietly looking at each other. I didn‘t know what he was thinking. I didn‘t have the slightest idea, but I had to make it seem like I knew what I was up against.

„I thought you only arrived here a couple of hours ago“, Eito said a little confused and looked at his son who seemed to come after his mother. Not meaning to be rude, but Eito looked nothing like his son. Nothing.

I raised an eyebrow and wondered why that guy didn‘t reply already. And I was wondering why my Mum didn‘t count one and one together - she must‘ve known that he was a teacher at my school.

„He‘s a teacher at my school?“, I made it sound like a question. I saw how he flinched.

„Eito is a teacher at your school, yes“, my Mum confirmed what hasn‘t been my question.

I finally looked away from him and at my Mum. 

„He was supposed to start today, but because we were stuck in Hawaii he will have his first day tomorrow. But don‘t worry he won‘t be bugging you a lot“, she explained and fixed my hair like only a mother would.

„So they are both teach...“, I furrowed. Though I couldn‘t finish my question because Eito‘s son was quicker and held his hand over my mouth. 

„Why don‘t you show me your room before dinner?“, he pulled me away from our parents.

I freed myself from his grip and looked up at him angrily.

„My room is that way“, I spat and rushed off having him follow me and leaving our parents speechless at the front door.

We reached my room, I waited for him to enter and then closed the door behind him. 

„So?“, I asked.

He turned around with an awkward smile on his lips. I could tell he didn‘t like I had just caught him in a lie.

„You are going to Edwin High?“, he asked.

I nodded.

„I didn‘t see you there“, he said.

„I saw you though“, I said and crossed my arms in front of my chest, leaning against my desk.

„How unconvenient“, he said and breathed in sharply. 

„So I take it you are not really a teacher there?“

„Correct“, he replied. 

„Care to explain?“, I asked. 

„Not really“, he simply replied and looked around my room. 

„You better do because otherwise I‘m gonna tell your Dad.“

He stopped walking around and turned in my direction. 

„What do you want?“, he then asked. Good to know that he was afraid enough of his Dad that the ‚I will tell on you‘-card worked.

He was wearing a neat pair of suit pants, a black silk shirt and an expensive looking watch. I wished I could take a picture of that too. This outfit was even better than the navy suit he wore this morning.

„Another picture“, I said boldly.

„What kind of fetish is that?“, he rose an eyebrow.

I sighed: „It‘s not a fetish, it‘s reference.“

„Reference?“, he repeated.

I nodded and grabbed my phone. 

„For my webtoon.“

I held the phone up in the air and tried to get a good angle. To my suprise he was going along with it.

„So if I let you take my picture, you will keep it a secret from my Dad?“, he wanted to confirm.

„Sure“, I said a little absent while trying to concentrate on the picture. „Can you look a little more arrogant?“, I asked.

„You got yourself a deal, Miss...?“, he said and reached his hand out.

„Sydney Tamashiro“, I said and grabbed his hand. 

„Daichi Ohira“, he introduced himself. His name sounded like a forbidden candy that I suddenly had the urge to taste on my lips.

I shook that thought off and let go of his hand. 

I waved him back so he would finally pose for the picture.

„Can I see it?“

„The picture?“, I asked.

„Your webtoon“, he said.

„Really?“, I wasn‘t used to people being interest in my drawings. Apart from Ellen of course. But Ellen was Ellen. I could probably draw a stick and she would tell be how beautiful and artsy it was. „But don‘t laugh“, I added and opened my laptop.

„Wait, you‘re telling me, you drew this?“, he went.

I nodded.

„That‘s actually pretty good.“

„Thank you.“

Another thing I wasn‘t used to was being complimented by others. 

„You have to show me once you use me as reference.“

„You are interested in seeing that?“

Daichi nodded: „Sure.“

He seemed genuine. But I knew better than to trust a man. I didn‘t know him, I didn‘t know his intentions. So I needed to stay careful around him. I couldn‘t let my guard down.

It was hard not to stare at him. Don‘t get me wrong, I wasn‘t into him. I was simply fascinated by him. I‘ve never seen such a beautiful person other than on TV. He looked like a model, tall, slender yet muscular, perfect skin, perfect hair, his voice was calming and exciting at the same time, the look on his face was intense and yet seemed so innocent and pure. I was just full of ideas on how my character in my webtoon would be. So many storylines popped into my head. 

„Sydney?“, my Mum brought me back to the table.

„Huh?“, I flinched.

„I was asking if we should go see the house tomorrow. Or is it too soon?“

„The house? Oh, sure, the house. No, we can look at it tomorrow“, I said without really knowing what was going on.

A smile flashed over Daichi‘s perfect face. 

„You can choose your own room. I told Daichi he had to let you choose first“, Eito said proudly. 

I wanted to appreciate that gesture. But I had a hard time doing so.

„Are teachers earning so much money?“, I heard myself ask. So much for appreciation.

Eito laughed awkwardly: „Well, the pay isn‘t bad.“

„Sydney!“, my Mum hissed.

I glanced at her and then back at Daichi who was pulling apart the fish my Mum had cooked.

„Here“, he said and put a large piece on my rice bowl. „I took the bones out.“

Did he want a price for that?

Something about the Ohira family seemed off. They were way too nice. What did they want from us. It obviously wasn‘t money. Organs maybe?

And there I saw my kidney being shipped to China. I‘d seen way too many movies about that.

„So what do you think of Daichi?“, my Mum suddenly asked.

I immediately choked on that piece of fish Daichi had given me.

„What?“, I caughed.

„I mean as your new brother? Is that something you can arrange yourself with?“

„Don‘t you think you could maybe ask me that when HE ISN‘T SITTING WITH US?“, I got unintentionally loud at the end of that sentence.

I quickly cleared my throat and concentrated on my rice bowl.

„I find we should all be open about this and communicate with respect. That‘s how Eito and Daichi are practicing it“, my Mum said.

„Don’t worry. You won‘t be seeing much of him anyways“, Eito said and smiled at me. „He will attend college soon.“

„About that, Dad“, Daichi said. He took a sip of water while he had full attention.

I wanted to be the water touching his lips - that would make a great sentence in my webtoon. Daichi was pure gold for my inspiration. I needed to write that down as soon as possible.

„I will kind of skip a year and start college next year.“

„You what?“, Eito went. The chill and calm Eito suddenly didn‘t seem so chill and calm anymore. They weren‘t perfect after all. But I still liked them around. At least until I finished my story.

Daichi reached for the water carafe while avoiding eye contact with his Dad. He then knocked it over which resulted in me taking an involuntary bath in cold water.

I clenched my teeth and fists and looked at Daichi, holding myself back not to yell at him.

„Oh gosh, I‘m so sorry“, Daichi jumped up from his chair.

„I‘ll get some towels“, my Mum ran into the kitchen.

„I‘ll go change“, I said still holding my rage back. He totally did that on purpose.

„I‘ll help her“, Daichi said and again followed me up to my room. Nobody seemed to have noticed that him helping me change didn‘t make any sense.

I pulled my wet shirt over my head and threw it onto the ground with a sigh.

„What are you doing?“, Daichi asked shocked.

„Changing my shirt? Because you spilled water all over it“, I asked back and turned around.

His gaze dropped from my face over my bare body.

„In front of me?“, he asked with something in his voice that sounded like discomfort.

„You‘re my brother. Plus, you followed me in here“, I shrugged my shoulders and turned around to get a fresh shirt from my closet.

Daichi slowly approached me.

„That means I can take my clothes off in front of you too?“, he asked while unbuttoning his black shirt.

I turned back at him just to see his perfectly shaped torso. I couldn‘t ask him to take a picture of THAT. So instead I needed to burn this image into my brain. 

„Why would YOU take your shirt off?“, I heard myself ask, concentrating on his chocolate abs. What that too cliché? He was definitely a lunatic though. Our parents were just outside my room and he was doing...yeah what was he even doing?

He came even closer and pushed me backwards until I hit the closet door. A satisfied smirk captured his lips when he saw the confused look on my face. Daichi then grabbed me and pulled me over to the bed. I didn’t really know what was going on. 

„You should be more careful“, he said. I was lying on my bed, plushies surrounding me and Daichi on top of me, his muscles flexed and the scent of his parfum slowly finding its way to my nose. God, he smelled so good.

„What are you doing?“, I asked without moving. Surprisingly having him on top of me wasn‘t the most uncomfortable position I could think of. Wait what? What the hell was I thinking?

„You can‘t take off your clothes so carelessy in front of guys“, he said.

I had a hard time focussing on his face when he wasn‘t wearing a shirt. 

„Do you want to take a picture of this too?“, he asked with a smile.

He was teasing me. Snap, he totally caught me staring.

„Oh I‘ve seen chicken before. No need to take a picture“, I replied. 

Daichi clenched his teeth. 

His eyes were lingering over my body while he was holding my wrists, leaning over me.

„What are you doing?“, I asked him again. I felt how my brain wanted to shut down, how I just wanted to enjoy his forbidden closeness. 

Daichi leaned in and whispered into my ear: „Guys might take it as an invitation when you undress in front of them.“

My body started to tingle and it was horrible how comfortable his skin felt on mine. This wasn‘t right at all. What was going on with me? I realized how my body had started to burn and for a short moment I had invisioned touching his skin, exploring his body.

Daichi‘s face came closer, I felt his breath on my cheek and I could see my own reflection in the depth of his eyes. He was beautiful, attractive, stunning.

He leaned in to, as what it seemed like, kiss me. Before his lips could touch mine, I pulled my leg up hitting him right, in the crotch. He whined in pain and I managed to push him off of me. He fell from the bed, landed on the floor with a loud rumble, holding his crotch, his eyes filled with tears of agony.

„Sydney, are you okay?“, my Mum asked in front of my door. She must‘ve heard the noise when Daichi fell to the ground and came looking for us. Took her quite a while to check on me, after all him and me had been in my room for at least 10 minutes. 

I quickly grabbed Daichi‘s shirt as it was the closest thing nearby and pulled it over to cover my body.

„How long can it take to change a shirt?“, my Mum asked while opening the door, barging into my room. She first looked at Daichi on the floor and then looked at me with confusion and worry on her face.

„Why isn‘t Daichi wearing a shirt?“, she asked.

„Oh, that. He offered me to wear his shirt because I said I never wore actual silk before“, I lied. „Right, Daichi?“, I kicked him to get his approval.

„Yes, that is totally what happened“, he confirmed, the pain clearly audible in his voice.

„Then what is he going to wear now?“

I couldn‘t help myself but smirk when we were sitting back at the dinner table. Me wearing the expensive silk and Daichi wearing one of my band shirts from school - pink with a sparkly EH on the chest.

„It really compliments your skin tone“, I said.

„Didn‘t you have any other shirts that he could wear?“, my Mum asked me. She didn‘t seem too pleased.

„No, Mum. He is way to well built to fit into my clothes“, I said to make it believable. It was astonishing how easy it was to fool the old people. Daichi totally knew I was just playing around, saying whatever they needed to hear to not be mad at me.

„It‘s really fine“, Daichi said. „A handsome face can pull off anything.“

„See, Mum. He‘s fine.“

„I really hope you will get along now that Daichi is going to stay with us“, my Mum mentioned. She had a worried look on her face that I didn‘t understand. Moving into a new house with her and her new boyfriend, fiancé or husband or whatever he was, was bad enough. Did she really think some idiot step brother like Daichi would do any difference. I couldn‘t care less if he was going to be in college or staying in the same house with me. It was just one year left anyways and then I would be long gone for my dream university, far away from them. Well not really far actually, but you get the point.

i-Love - My Online Crush - Chapter 11

 „Kyungmin? Is that you?", Chanmi went.

She was also dressed as a vampire. Because most people dressed as vampires on Halloween. 

„What are you doing here? Is Soo Young here too?", she asked.

„She probably left with that Jimin guy.", Kyungmin sighed. 

He sat on the side of the road with a bottle of soju. 

„Huh?", Chanmi went.

„It's a long story.", Kyungmin said.

„I got time.", she said and sat down next to him. She told her group to go on without her. 

„You remember Hansol, right?", Kyungmin started off.

„Yea, Soo Young said they were over."

„Hansol and her were over. Because Hansol wasn't who he said he was."

„You are confusing me.", Chanmi said. 

„Hansol was only a step in for Jimin."

„Who is Jimin?", she wanted to know.

„That guy from BTS.", Kyungmin said. He himself couldn't believe it. But he had to since he'd seen it with his own pair of eyes. He'd seen how that slender figure had made his way through to Soo Young and how she was hypnotized by him right away. He had watched her hugging him without hesitation. They seemed close. Too close for Kyungmin's taste. 

„For real?", Chanmi went.

Kyungmin nodded and drank more soju. 

„But...", Chanmi was out of words.

„I don't get it either.", Kyungmin said, shaking his head.

„Didn't you tell her you liked her?", Chanmi asked.

„I tried."

„What does that mean?"

„We kissed..."

„You kissed?", she gasped. „When? How?"

„It just somehow happened. We kissed, she kissed me back. I thought that would be the start of something. But we never talked about it after.", he sighed.

„And why not?"

Kyungmin shrugged his shoulders: „She was really drunk that night. She wanted to forget about Jimin. My timing wasn't right. I shouldn't have kissed her then. I should've waited for a good moment. But I couldn't stand seeing her so miserable. I couldn't stand watching her being sad over some dude who broke her heart."

„But she is with him now?", Chanmi asked. She seemed to be missing some details in between.

„Don't even ask me how that happened. Soo Young was fine, things had ended and she was returning back to normal. I thought soon I'd have my chance to tell her. That was until he showed up tonight out of nowhere."

„Wow...What did you do then?"

„I punched him.", Kyungmin said and looked at his hand that hurt quite a bit.

„You didn't.", Chanmi laughed.

„It isn't funny. I completely lost it when I saw them together. She was so mad at him and he treated her so bad and then they were about to kiss."

„Ouch.", Chanmi made a face.

„Now I completely scared her away."

„I don't think you did."

„I saw them leaving together to god knows where. Whatever he told her, she probably believes it. She is naive."

Chanmi didn't know what to say. 

„What am I supposed to do?", he asked her.

„I don't really know too.", she said.

„I don't want to wait and fix her broken heart. I was the one always being there for her. I worked in the morning and at night just to be there for her when she needed anything."

„You worked only to see her? You are a hopeless romantic."

Kyungmin nodded: „I can only hope that they won't last. But doesn't that make me a bad friend? I should want her to be happy."

„But you want her to be happy. Just not with him."

„Who am I to decide who is best for her though?", he went.

„This situation...", Chanmi went.

„Sucks.", Kyungmin finished her sentence.

„Yea, it sucks.", she agreed.

Both nodded, accepting the misery of the moment.

Jimin and I went back to his apartment. A place where I had been before and that made me feel awkwardly cheap.

We had to be extra careful. We couldn't risk another picture being taken. So I was hiding on the backseat, while he was driving into the garage. It looked as stupid as it sounds. And I didn't feel good doing it.

I knew it would be hard to be with him. We would always have to be careful wherever we went. But I didn't want to think of the hardships that may come with this relationship. If it even would be a relationship. Can you even imagine me dating Jimin? I sure can't.

„What do you want to do?", he asked me when we reached his apartment. „You should probably change into something more comfortable and get rid of the fake blood.", he added., pointing on my outfit.

I was wearing a pair of shorts and a crop top, revealing a lot of my skin. Only now I noticed the way I was dressed.

„Don't you like my outfit?", I wanted to tease him.

Jimin stepped closer and ran his hands over my bare arms. „I guess I like it a bit too much.", he said and bit his lower lip. 

„It would be a waste then to change into something else.", I said. I didn't know where this confident and playful side of me suddenly came from. It was just the feeling he gave me. 

„I couldn't agree more. I could look at you all night." He stood there in his blue prince attire made out of velvet. It looked really expensive. But on him everything looked worth a million dollars. Even sweat pants. And yea, I actually knew that.

„Oh, you're just gonna look?", I grinned.

A smirk went onto Jimin's perfect lips. 

„What do you have in mind then?", he asked and looked at me. 

„I could think of one or two things.", I said and backed off a little. But he didn't let me. He followed me not letting any space between us. I wanted him to chase me.

„Then let me show you what I had in mind since I first saw you.", he said with a husky voice. 

My back hit the wall and I was caught between it and Jimin's slender body. My heart was exploding, I was sure he could hear it.

His black eyes gazed into mine. He cupped my face and ran his thumb over my lips. 

It was going to happen. I knew it. 

„Show me then.", I whispered back.

„Are you sure?", he asked. And I loved him for it. I loved how he was teasing me, nearing his lips but stopping right before he would actually kiss me.

I focused on him and tried to breathe normally. 

„Don't tell me I didn't warn you.", he then said and with that, his lips crashed onto mine. It was a hungry kiss. Like he had been waiting for it to happen. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer. The taste of him was amazing. I was sure that was what angels tasted like. He tasted pure, like heaven.

I reached out for his face and he suddenly flinched. I looked at him, my lips already reddened from his kisses. His bruise must've hurt.

„Maybe we shouldn't then.", I said quietly.

He chuckled. „I can bare a little pain if it means I get to kiss the most beautiful girl alive."

„What about the dead then?", I asked as a joke.

„Alive and dead.", he said and kissed me once more. 

It wasn't my first kiss. But it was my first kiss with Jimin. And it was the best kiss I had ever received. Like I had kissed a bunch of people before to compare... But I somehow regretted the kiss with Kyungmin. It would've been something so special. giving Jimin my first kiss. I wanted to give him my first everything.

I quickly wanted more. I suddenly felt like he was too far away, even though our bodys were pressed against each other.

„Soo Young.", Jimin breathed. He brought some air between us. „Should we eat something?"

„Really?", I went. Mood killer much.

„Aren't you hungry?", he asked me.

My belly grumbled. He must've heard it while we were kissing. Stupid stomach ruining my moment.

„But I...", I said.

„You should eat something.", he insisted. 

Why would he do this now? Why couldn't he just continue to kiss me?

„Can't you just...have me now?", I asked and blushed at the same time. It was a ridiculous thing to ask.

„Wow...", he went. „Wow, I mean...wow.", he kissed me once more in response and let his hands run over my body, his muscles tensed. I was melting underneath his touch. And I was hungry to touch him too - not hungry for food. It was when I tried to remove his velvet jacket that he stopped me again.

„I can't have you now.", he said, heavily breathing.

„Why not?", I wanted to know.

He chuckled. „Because there is nothing worse than an empty stomach."

I looked somewhat disappointed.

„Don't get me wrong, you are driving me crazy right now. It's hard to hold back. But I don't want you to rush things."

„It's not rushing.", I complained.

„I'm yours now, Soo Young. I won't go anywhere anymore. I will stay by your side until you get annoyed of me."

„Don't say something like that.", I protested. „How could I get annoyed of you?"

He smiled at me and took my hands into his. His perfect and soft hands. I've never seen such delicate hands on a man. But then again, he was an angel after all.

„Let's get you something to eat. I don't want you to collapse because you don't eat well. Not on my watch", he changed the topic.

He was probably right. But I was scared to lose him again. And to have lost my chance to be with him. I didn't know why everything felt so right with him. It was scary in a way. It made me act in ways that I didn't know from myself. It was like my mind didn't function, my body tried to take over control. And my body wanted him really bad.

„Can I have one more kiss before we eat?", I asked him.

„You can have as many kisses as you want.", he replied in a sweet tone.

I closed my eyes and waited for him to place the most soft kiss onto my lips.

We stayed up late, watching horror movies, cuddling and exchanging some more kisses. But none of them as hungrily as before. I was holding back and so was he. For whatever reason it was good to hold back. I didn't get the point of holding back when there were two people obviously wanting the same thing. But I guess that's how it was done. And so I stuck with it. 

I later found myself in his bed. I lay in Jimin's bed. Who would've believed something like this would happen?

The darkness surrounded us and I could barely see him. But knowing he was there, made me feel save.

„I want to do so many things with you.", he said.

„Like what?", I asked.

„I want to go travel. Have great food together, explore new places. You can come to the studio with me and maybe you can even come on tour with us one day. I want to spend every day with you."

„Really?"

He stroke over my hair, caressing me.

I wasn't sure if what he had planned out in his mind would be possible.

His manager didn't seem to like me very much. Or more likely didn't seem to like the fact that Jimin had a girlfriend. I didn't know he had a contract that forbid him to date or not. And I didn't want to ask. I felt like he would tell me if it was necessary. For sure I wouldn't be the reason for him to lose his company. I could never take this away from him. I knew his career would always come first. And I was second.

A feeling of sadness overcame me. Laying in bed with him seemed like something that could be difficult in the future. I always had to sneak in and sneak out of the building. I wasn't some celebrity girlfriend to show off. I was just me. We probably couldn't have an open relationship. I wouldn't be good enough for him. And I was sure people would tell me over and over again until it would break me. 

I was unbelievable enough that someone like him actually liked me and wanted to be with me. 

But I knew too that it wasn't completely up to him. 

I knew that eventually I had to leave his side for his own good. I had to enjoy it while it lasted. I decided that I would put him first. I couldn't be selfish. Not with him. He didn't deserve to be dragged down from someone like me.

„You are so amazing.", I whispered sadly and ran my fingers through his soft hair. 

I wanted to remember this night forever. My first night with Jimin.

I kissed my brother - Chapter 1

I shoved a spoonful of cereal into my mouth while nearing my aunt who was sitting on the couch, her eyes fixed on the TV.

„Do you have to watch this first thing in the morning?“, I asked her.

„Psst!“, she shushed me and leaned forward to concentrate even more on what was going on in her favorite TV show.

I sighed and sat down next to her.

„I really don‘t understand why you like to watch this so much“, I said and munched on my breakfast.

„Don‘t you need to go to school or something?“, my aunt replied.

„Did you make me lunch?“, I wanted to know.

Now my aunt finally looked at me. She was the younger sister of my mother. She was definitely the beautiful sibling. That was one of the reasons I liked being an only child. No pretty sibling I had to compare myself to. 

„Your Mum didn‘t say anything about making you lunch“, she said.

„My Mum also didn‘t say she wouldn‘t be here for the first day of my senior year“, I said and squinted my eyes at her. I knew it wasn‘t my aunts fault that my Mum was stuck in Hawaii for a couple more days. She had gone there for work - that‘s what she had told me after all - and my aunt was watching me for the time being. I thought it was a little unnecessary leaving her 17 year-old daughter with her aunt. I was perfectly capable of taking care of my own. 

„Give me money for lunch then“, I said. I grabbed my school blazer and my backpack. „And you should really stop watching that show. The concept of unconditional and never ending love is so outdated“, I added.

„It is not“, my aunt replied. She gave me a couple of dollars and pushed me towards the front door.

„Where is your husband then?“, I asked. „Or where is my Mum‘s husband?“, I added. I refrained from calling him my Dad. I didn‘t have such a thing.

„You shouldn‘t be so negative. Just because your Mum and me didn‘t find the right person yet, doesn‘t mean we can‘t find them eventually“, my aunt tried to defend her idea of living her life.

„I still think it‘s bullshit to just sit around and wait for mister perfect to come along. Why don‘t you do your own thing instead? Why are you so obsessed with finding a guy, having a relationship? Why do people need love? What are you trying to compensate?“

My aunt interrupted me: „Syd! Just shut up. Nobody needs your negativity“

„It‘s not negativitiy. It‘s reality“, I replied while my aunt was basically kicking me out of my own house. 

I was already kind of late and luck had to be on my side if I wanted to catch the bus on time. 

‚I‘m afraid I‘m gonna be left stranded by myself. All the foolish dreams I had inside of me are broken. Everything I wanted in the distance out of reach. Am I the only that‘s gonna stay here forgotten?‘, was running through my ears when I had almost reached the bus station.

The traffic light jumped to red as I was putting a foot on the street. I kept walking, ignoring the honking cars. Their light was red still anyways so why the rush?

A man got out of his car and before I could reach the other side of the street he was standing right in front of me. I was startled as he grabbed the cord of my earphones and pulled them out of my ears at once. I knew I should’ve invested in a pair of bluetooth earphones like everyone was wearing them these days. I wondered how he would’ve pulled those out. 

„What the...“, I complained and raised my eyes to look at the man‘s face.

My right eye started twitching when I saw how handsome he was. He wore a dark blue suit that hugged his slender body perfectly. 

„Red“, he said.

I blinked at him in confusion. „What?“

He then pointed at the traffic light that was glowing in a bright red color.

„Did nobody teach you what the red light means?“, he asked.

I wasn‘t sure what to reply. He looked exactly like someone who would appear in one of my aunt‘s dating shows. Until now I had thought guys like him wouldn’t exist, at least not anywhere near where I lived. His looks were out of this world. His black hair covered his forehead and most of his eyebrows, his dark eyes sparkled at me in the color of mud, just they were way more beautiful than mud. Maybe it was more of a soil color. Was that a better describtion? His skin looked flawless and his lips... don’t even get me started on his lips.

„Could I take a picture of you?“, I asked him.

Now it was him who seemed confused. He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. 

I fished my phone out of my pocket ready to take his photo.

„What are you doing?“, he snatched the phone away from me, right when I released the shutter, leaving a blurry mess on the screen.

I surely couldn‘t use that as reference for drawing my webtoon. 

The light switched to green and another concert of honking cars filled the streets. 

„It‘s green now“, I said and while the stranger turned around to check, I managed to get my phone back. „Smile!“, I went and took a bunch of pictures of him. One should be useful. And with that I took off with full speed.

„Hey!“, he yelled after me. „Stop right there.“

But the honking cars and angry drivers made it impossible for him to follow me.

Because that guy had held the traffic my bus had been stuck too and I was comfortably able to get on and get to school only slightly late. I could call myself lucky that day.

„Sydney, Sydney!“, my best friend Ellen came running as I was putting my backpack into my locker. „Your drawings became so good over the summer. I loved that last episode of ‚Mr. Cat‘“

„If you loved that one, just wait for my new project“, I said.

„Did you finally find your inspiration?“, Ellen wanted to know.

I nodded but I didn‘t get to tell her the story about meeting the perfect guy just this morning because the school bell interrupted us and I had to hurry to my first period.

It was only at lunch time that I got my chance to tell Ellen.

„Since when do you buy your lunch?“, she asked with a somewhat worried look on her face.

„Oh, that‘s totally temporary. My Mum didn‘t get back from her trip to Hawaii yet and my aunt forgot to make lunch“, I shrugged my shoulders.

„I have to tell you something“, Ellen then said and sat down next to me.

„I wanted to tell you about...“, I started out but got interrupted by Ellen.

„My new homeroom teacher is so gorgeous. I mean, I don‘t even know where to start“, she babbled.

I had forgotten she was one of those brainless female humans who only thought about men. 

„He looks really young and he wore the most expensive suit. All the girls are so into him...“, she continued.

„Are we actually having this conversation right now?“, I asked her.

„You are writing about men too“, she said. „In fact you just wanted to tell me about your inspiration for the male lead.“

„That is something completely different“, I spat. 

„And how is that?“, Ellen asked raising her eyebrows.

„I am drawing perfect men, giving them perfect characters. But as you might‘ve noticed, those men are made up. They aren‘t real. Men like that don‘t exist.“

Ellen sighed: „I really wish someone would come along and prove you wrong“

„You will probably die waiting for that to happen. Sorry to disappoint“, I grinned at her. „So, as I was about to show you, before you so rudely interrupted me to swoon over some lame teacher...“

„There he is“, she yet again interrupted me.

„Are you serious right now?“, I got angry.

Ellen had huge hearts in her eyes and I automatically followed her gaze. 

„Oh you‘ve got to be kidding me“, I said.

„Mr. Ohira!“, Ellen yelled and waved.

My eyes followed Mr. Ohira as he was passing the cafeteria. It felt as it was happening in slow motion. I looked at Ellen, realizing what she had just done. My head turned back to Mr. Ohira who was about to turn into our direction. With one movement I quickly slid underneath the table, hiding away from the teacher.

„What are you doing down there?“, Ellen asked after a while.

„I dropped my...key?“, I said.

„You totally missed Mr. Ohira“, she said.

„Is he gone?“

„Yes, he‘s gone“, Ellen replied.

„Are you sure he‘s a teacher here?“, I heard myself ask her and climbed back up. „He looks way too young to be a teacher.“

There was just no way that man I just met this morning was a new teacher at my school. NO WAY. And there I was and thought the luck was on my side for once. 

„Why are you so weird all of the sudden?“, Ellen asked.

„Well, remember I wanted to tell you about my inspiration? It was a guy I met this morning.“

Ellen nodded: „And?“

„It kind of is Mr. Ohira“, I said and smiled awkwardly. 

„No way!“, Ellen went with large eyes.

„Exactly my thought“, I replied. I fished my phone out of my pocket and showed Ellen the most decent picture of all the pictures I had taken this morning.

„Omg, it actually is him“, Ellen marvelled. „Wow he is so stunning even in pictures. Can you send these to me?“

I looked at her in disbelief.

„Don‘t you realize my life is over right now? I totally have to change schools.“

„Don‘t overreact like that“, she muttered and still stared at the display.

I let my head sink down on the table and made a face.

„Sydney!“, an unpleasant voice sounded in my ears. „I hate to see you down. No wait. Actually, I love it. So spill the tea“, Cora said. She and her best friend Jane had approached us for really absolutely no other reason than making fun of me. 

„What do you want?“, I mumbled into the table. 

„Yeah, Cora, what do you want?“, Ellen sighed. We both had to put up with a lot of crap that Cora had pulled. And we both were tired of it. It had been quiet last year but it seemed as if Cora had decided to once again start picking on us.

„Chill, girls!“, Cora said and whipped her hair over her shoulder. „I come in peace“, she added.

I finally looked up from the table. There she was, my enemy, Cora. She was that typical girl that everyone liked despite her awful personality. I had always wondered how she did it. 

„So, I guess you already heard we have a new teacher“, Cora started again.

Defintitely something I didn‘t want to be reminded of.

„Is he Japanese?“, Cora asked.

„You really came here to ask me that?“, I asked back.

Cora looked a little unfomfortable and avoided eye contact. I knew she didn‘t want to be seen talking to me. And yet here she was sitting at my table, having a somewhat normal conversation with me.

„Well, yeah“, she said.

I laughed quietly. 

„So is he or is he not?“, she said angrily.

„I take it you ask me because...“, I started off and waited for her to finish my sentence.

„Because you are Japanese, duh?“

„Why does it matter if he is Japanese though?“, I asked.

„I was asking a simple question. This conversation is already taking way longer than I thought it would.“

I didn‘t know why it mattered to Cora if Mr. Ohira was Japanese or not. Sadly enough his name wasn‘t giving it away - at least to her apparently. But the talk made me realize something - he was the first attractive guy I had seen in my city. And he was the first Japanese man I had seen here. We had a few Asian people living here, but we were definitely the minority. 

„Okay listen“, Cora said. „I might have a crush on Mr. Ohira and I thought I could make him something for lunch and show that I cherish his culture. He must miss the food from his country.“

„That‘s just racist“, Ellen said.

I thought about it for a moment. I could‘ve told her he was Vietnamese and let her ruin all her chances with him - if she even had any. 

„Yes, I suppose he is Japanese“, I then said instead. Being truthful was always better.

„You suppose? You don‘t know for sure?“, she asked.

„Look“, I said and turned to her „his last name is Japanese for all I know. But it would be stereotypical to say that he looked Japanese. Maybe he is half Japanese, maybe he was adopted by a Japanese family and has their name? I can‘t tell you for sure. I guess you have to ask him if you really want to know.“

Cora sighed and clenched her teeth.

„I should‘ve known you wouldn‘t be helpful.“

I shrugged my shoulders in response.

I was lucky enough not to run into Mr. Ohira that day. But I knew I was gonna meet him eventually. My school was quite small after all. I was only left to hope he would‘ve forgotten about the little scene I had caused him on his first day of school. It wasn‘t likely to happen, was it?

When I arrived home, I noticed an expensive car in our drive way. 

I opened the door and believe me when I tell you I wasn‘t ready for what was awaiting me.

„Mum?“, I asked. She looked different. Good different. But that was what made me anxious. I‘ve seen her look like that before. „Don‘t tell me...“, I said and dropped my backpack.

„Honey“, my Mum came and gave me a hug. It was hard not to notice the big ring on her finger.

I started crying. I know it didn‘t really make sense to cry in a situation like this to the normal eye. I should‘ve been happy for her. But seeing her on and off with several boyfriends over the years had taught me otherwise.

„Don‘t cry Sydney“, she said and kissed my forehead. 

„Don‘t tell me“, I cried. „Just don‘t. I don‘t even want to hear it.“

„Sydney don‘t be unfair“, my aunt then said.

„It‘s different this time, Sydney“, my Mum said.

„You said that every time.“

„I know. But this time it‘s really going to be different.“

I shook my head and backed away from her. 

„He is a really sweet man. He is smart and kind. He has a son too who is about your age. He wants to marry me, Sydney. We are going to be a real family“, my Mum explained. She had a spark inside her eyes that I couldn‘t stand looking at. I wasn‘t enough for her after all. 

„We already were a real family. You and me. What‘s so wrong about that?“, I continued crying. 

It has been like that all my life. My Mum dated some weird guy, they broke up after a while, she was devastated every time, crying after some man who had treated her like shit. Every time she promised me she would be done with dating those losers and yet she continued ending up with worthless idiots who only hurt her. I begged her to just leave it be. We were a family after all. Me and her, wasn‘t that all she needed? It was everything I needed. I just needed my Mum and no one else. But there were things I couldn‘t give her. Things for what she was seeking relationships. But in all those years it had never gotten this serious. She never had a ring on her finger. 

„How long has this been going on?“, I asked her.

My Mum sighed. 

„Sydney, sit down“, my aunt said and guided me to the couch, patting my back to calm me down.

„I‘ve been seeing this man for quite a while now. But I didn‘t want you to meet him before I knew he was the right one.“

„How do you know he is the right one?“, I asked.

„Sydney, when the time comes, you will know. You will feel it in you heart“, my Mum said and put her hand on the left side of her chest.

„I‘d rather trust my brain than my heart“, I replied.

„I know you aren‘t happy with this. But can‘t you trust me? This man really loves me and I really love him. And I want us to be a family.“

„You love him or you love his money?“, I spat. I knew it was unfair of me to say that but I was boiling on the inside. 

„Please give him a chance. He wants to meet you tonight.“

I shook my head. 

„He has a really nice house, where we can move into.“

„I don‘t want to move“, I yelled. „We have a perfectly fine home. I am not going to leave everything behind just because you found another loser to be with.“

„Sydney, please...“, my Mum tried to get through to me. But I had enough for know. I needed to be alone.

I left the living room, followed by my aunt.

„I want to be alone.“

„And I will leave you alone, after you listened to me“, my aunt said. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, glaring at me.

„You knew about this“, I stated. I could see it in her eyes.

„Eito is a really great man. He even moved here so that you don‘t have to change schools before graduation.“

„So should I be thanking him now or what?“

„I just want you to give him a chance for your mother‘s sake. I haven‘t seen her this happy since...“

„Since her first husband“, I finished her sentence.

My aunt nodded with a sad expression on her face.

„You know I don‘t trust them.“

„I know. Trust your mother instead that she is making the right decision this time. She has learned from her mistakes too. She hasn‘t told you about him because she didn‘t want to make the same mistakes again. She wanted to make sure it would work out first. He asked your mother to marry him, he moved through the country to be with her, he left his job, had to find a new job out here, he bought a house for you to live in. I know you don‘t want to see it and believe it. But he is actually one of the guys from your webtoons.“

„He most certainly is not“, I stated. Those guys weren‘t real! Why was everyone so desperate in trying to convince me of the opposite? 

„Just do me a favor, will you?“, my aunt said.

I looked at her waiting for her to tell me that nonsense of favor she wanted.

„Be polite when you meet him. Give him a chance to prove himself, will you?“

I didn‘t reply. And my aunt finally left me alone in my room. 

I sank down on the bed hugging my pillow, gathering strength for the war I was about to fight. This wasn‘t over yet.