【Sin Bound】

Faint sunlight trickled through the kitchen window, falling onto the clean pots lined on the shelf. The metal glimmered under the warm amber.

The door creaked. Bare feet slid onto the floor, toes flinching at the floor's unwelcoming chill. Scratching the tousled blond locks, Akira dragged himself to the fridge. Yawning, he peered in at the shelf. “Maybe scrambled eggs—“

He cracked an egg; the yolk slid into the pan. The butter sizzled angrily with the intrusion. He smiled in the anticipation of a delicious breakfast. Suddenly, the oil droplets shot out and splattered on his hand.

“ARGHHHHHHH”

.

.

“Let me see.” 

A woman in her late thirties sat next to him. A pearl necklace dangled around her slim neck. Her slick black hair was tied in a neat bun, complemented by a pure white dress that looked too elegant for his messy morning. She held his hand, turning his wrist to inspect the burn marks.

 "You should be glad I dropped by." She sighed, lowering his hand to look at him. “Why do you even try when you know you weren’t made for this?”

“I am twenty." He mumbled. "I ought to at least be able to cook!” He looked into her eyes but quickly diverted his gaze.

"Akira." She rubbed her thumb on the back of his hand. "You have the money, so why not have others cook for you?" 

He pulled his hand back and glanced at the breakfast.

 In porcelain plates lay truffle omelette—creamy folded eggs filled with black truffle shavings, pan-fried mushrooms, and cheese. His mouth watered as he swallowed back his urge to devour the meal.

“Just eat; you are too old for holding tantrums.”

The aroma curled around him as he finally gave in. Lowering his head slightly as he began eating. As the flavour melted in his mouth, he let out a sigh. Despite the savoury satisfaction, his face remained expressionless.

“I know you are liking it.” Her voice jolted him. “You should just let the maid do the work, or did this one also try flirting with you?”

“She did! And she also called me your boy toy or, at times, a gigolo!”

“Is that so?” Her fingers brushed his cheek. For a moment, he nuzzled into the warmth before catching himself; he slowly backed away.

“My uncle might be dead. You are still my aunt—”

“Are we talking about this again? Are we related by blood?”

“N-no…”

“And you love me… I see no fault.” She reassured him – once more. A smooth reassurance.

Even though deep down a sense of guilt lingered, he couldn’t help but feel lured in. He stood, stepped towards her, and leaned in. His lips touched her soft lips. She gently patted his chest, pulling away from the kiss.

He flinched; he needed comfort; he needed the love. His eye twitched.

“Akira, this can wait. I need to know if you are up for the modelling sponsor. I think it’s a great opportunity.” She smirked, clearly understanding him. 

Akira narrowed his pale, crystalline blue eyes into a feline-like gaze. Tilting his head back, his lips curled into a smirk. “Heh, quit toying with me.”

He slowly wobbled back, slumping back in his chair. She is looking down on me again. “I am doing great…. I am quite popular… have made hundreds of stupid followers who crave everything about me.” 

She kept looking at him silently. 

He clenched his fists, making sure his voice remained calm. "Fine, I will take the modelling offer. Though I am sure you already approved."

She smiled at him, narrowing her eyes at him. “If only you had made it big as an actor—“

His eye twitched again.

“I know… I know I wasn’t talented…” His voice cracked; he inhaled sharply. His eyes locked onto hers. Still not interested. “I will hit a million… I will be famous, and I will marry you.”

.

.

Steam drifted from the bathroom into his bedroom. A towel wrapped lazily around his waist, he dried his hair, his mind replaying the moment she slapped the maid across the face.

He smirked. Serves you right, stupid maid; now you know I am not a mere keptie.

He dressed in a hoodie and trousers, then jumped onto his bed. His fingers stroked the sheets absently.

I will marry you.

The words echoed back, tightening his throat. The room seemed to shrink, the air heavy. He curled on his side, hugging his pillow as a low chuckle escaped him.

Shameless, Pathetic, immoral –

*Beep. Beep.*

“Oh, it’s time.”

He changed into his streaming outfit. An oversized black hood, a black t-shirt, and a mask with a small ‘T’ written on it. He hurried into his small, windowless streaming room. Blue and purple lights pulsed over posters and figurines he didn’t care about.

He sat at his setup, clicked live, and the countdown began. Let's have some fun here.

3...2...1

"Hey, y'all! Kyroxfun, your beloved streamer, here!!

Did you guys miss me the entire week?"

Kyrosimp [My Husband (⁠๑⁠♡⁠⌓⁠♡⁠๑⁠)]

Kyrofan [How are you <kissy face>]

Amby267 [Hello, I hope you had...Read more]

Others>>

He adjusted his mask, scanning the names. He casually leaned closer to the camera but suddenly sat back down. 

Yelp [Showing you canines again??]

Call_911 [YAY more fan service]

Others>>

"Ahh~ Did you guys think I was showing my canines again?

Nope~"

Kyroprince [Please, I beg, I love you, please, please.]

Others>>

"Ahh, come on, Kyroprince, you shouldn’t beg that much

I might get seduced~."

The rapid waves of 'I love you' were drugged to him. He grinned behind the mask. After the morning with his aunt, this was the adoration he craved. But to be fed by adoration meant to feed adoration.

"Ahh…. I wanted to ask you guys something.

Do you guys dream about me? One of those kinds of dreams~

But you guys have no idea what I look like?"

I_bark [FACE REVEAL WOOF WOOF]

Dajhaldo8839 [Lol, are you showing us your face so we can dream about you!!?]

Ama98 [I want to dreamTvT]

Others>>

He laughed, stood up, and grabbed the camera. He moved it down, lifting his shirt slightly, and he yanked it back to his face.

"Did your hearts get played with? But soooooorry."

"That would have had me cancelled. Haha."

.

.

After a few hours, the stream ended, and Akira scrolled through his socials. He rolled a cigarette between his fingers.

The follower count had increased once more. Each stream he did was a massive success, and he was well aware of this fact.

Hmm... I should stream on weekdays, too, or should I just add in more fan service? 

A reaction video caught his eye.

— Ahhh, did he lick the camera? ewww—

Yeah, that's why I am more popular, idiot.

Another

—He is so hooooot.—

You can't even see my face

Another

—Why is Kyroxfun the next big streamer?—

Because I am bolder.

The smoke from the cigarette curled around him. Sinking him into a usual spiral of uneasy clicking. He sighed; the fog swirled out of his mouth, blurring his vision. 

I hate this.... 

He wasn't the type to continue drowning himself.

Signing into a private account, he typed Nyn_pi and clicked on her live video. His eyes were fixed on the screen as the 3D model of a brown-haired girl waved. 

"Heya! Your virtual streamer Nyn_pi..."

A gentle smile took over as he tossed away the cigarette butt. I should text her after this stream.