1 Chapter 1

"I missed you too, darling!"

I texted back, partially a lie. I've never really missed him, or any of the guys I had texted before. I only miss how they make me feel.

I miss playing the role of lovers. I miss how they act as if they could give me the whole world. Even though I know they're only lying bastards who toy with me the way I toy with them.

I've texted plenty of guys over the years. I texted the ones I found interesting for up to a month or two. But the majority, whom I don't even remember their names, barely lasted for few days.

Two days have passed and I'm already bored of my new guy. I needed to find an interesting one.

I was spacing out at my phone's screen when someone bursted into my room and I heard the whining of my stepsister.

"Nanakoo I need to go shopping!"

I rolled my eyes then glared at her. "Seriously Aki? You went shopping just last weekend!!"

She seated herself on my bed and continued: "I knoow but my friends are meeting this weekend and I have nothing to wear! Come ooon Nanakooo, pleaase?"

"Why me!?" I sighed.

"Well, mom seems exhausted and dad is on a night shift so.."

"Gosh I can't wait until you get your own car license next year!"

"I can't wait either!! Will you lend me your car when that happens~?" She teased.

"In your dreams? Yeah maybe!"

She pouted "So, about shopping?"

"Okay, okay I'll take you! You better make it quick though!"

She jumped off the bed and threw her arms around my neck "thaaanks Nanako! Just what would I do without youu!"

She stormed out of my room as each of us went to change.

30 minutes later, I was starting to lose my patience.

I texted her repeatedly

"Akiiii??? You still going??"

"Aren't you done already!!?"

"What's taking you so looong!"

She replied with a single "Coming! Just a second!"

But, she certainly took a lot more than a second! I went to her room and realized she had been doing her makeup.

"So that's what took you so long.." I murmured.

"If you don't come outside in 5 minutes, I'm leaving without you!" I said, though I actually had no choice but to wait.

I went to my car and she followed me shortly afterwards. We went to the mall and walked through several shops. After a tour between changing rooms, she finally decided on what to buy.

She tried on a plain white t-shirt with a peach-colored coat and a pair of jeans. Later, she matched it up with beige heels and handbag of a matching color.

"How do I look~?" She grinned at me.

I took a moment thinking about how admirable and enviable she looks then answered: "Pretty. It suits you."

Her outfit was so simple, but somehow when she tried it on, she seemed classy and elegant. I have always been jealous of her style and how well she can pitch up the perfect outfit.

Not just that, I have always been jealous of many other things about her. Like how she stole the spotlights and mom's attention from me the moment she was born. And, how lucky she was enough to inherit her dad's foreign features of a blonde hair and blue eyes, while I inherited the regular boring-brown hair from mom and my dad's grey eyes.

Her voice interrupted my thoughts: "Hey, Nanako! I'm done here. You sure you don't want anything?"

"No, I'm good."

She paid with the money mom lent her then we went back home.

While I was changing back into my pajamas, I heard my phone buzz.

Curious, I checked it to see a message from what could be my potential new guy. Finally something good today!

I opened his message

"Hey gorgeous! ;)"

Before replying, I checked his display picture. It was a cropped face with curly shoulder-length beautiful caramel-brown hair and what seemed like violet eyes. So far, I'm in!

"Hey handsome!"

"Is that really you in the picture?"

He replied so fast: "Yup! Why would I pick a fake picture in a dating app?"

He added before I could reply: "Charmed yet? ;)"

Such a show-off!

"Why cropped face then?"

"So that my fans wouldn't recognize me when I'm walking down the streets :d"

He uses way too many emojis! But I guess I can handle that. We introduced ourselves properly and had the typical introductory small talk.

A week had passed since I started talking to Takaya. I'm surprised that I haven't felt bored yet. He doesn't seem to be as fake as the others. He had shown me different aspects of his personality and shared me his interests.

He doesn't seem to be hiding anything from me either. He flirts, teases, makes lame jokes and puns, gets considerate, expresses concern and interest in me. I regret not finding him earlier!

I might be just overthinking, but something doesn't feel right. He seems too good to be true!