With the Right Lighting, Pt. 5

I never finished editing those photos from last night, because for a while, I sat at my computer.

What was I doing? Absolutely nothing. Just staring at the screen — at the photos of Megumi — like I was some creepy stalker.

Told myself I'd wake up earlier than usual today to finish editing, and that's exactly what I did. I woke up almost two hours before my first class, sat down, and locked in.

By the time Megumi rose from the couch like a vampire burning from sunlight, I was just about done. With only a brief skim, she posted them, eager to see the results. Unfortunately, I couldn't stick around long enough to see how it went.

And now, I was walking along a pathway in the middle of the campus courtyard with Koga following beside me.

"You're acting weird again," he said.

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"Not sure. There's just something... off. You were distracted for the entire lecture, but your eyes weren't on Chiaki, so I don't think it's her."

"What the... It's not her, so don't worry about that."

"Then what is it? You seeing another girl? You can tell me that much, can't you? I promise I won't pry any more than that."

"Mind your damn business. I'm already sleep-deprived as is. I don't need you to add to that plate."

"Come on, dude. We tell each other our deepest, darkest secrets all the time, but you've never been this secretive with me."

"Trust me, Koga. If I told you, you'd probably drop dead on the spot."

"You committing crimes or something?"

I sighed.

"No. Just... I'll tell you when I feel like it."

Koga crossed his arms with a raised brow, but before he could say anything else, Yue ran up from behind and threw her arms around our shoulders.

"Yo!" she greeted with that massive grin. "Anyone down for some PC café action tonight?"

"Shoo~ We gaming?" Koga said. "I'm down to lose some ranked points. Taka?"

"I... I might be preoccupied..."

As if Koga's suspicious stare wasn't enough, now it was Yue. And hers was infinitely more horrifying.

"Taka's acting weird again, Koga," she whispered.

"Yeah. That's exactly what I said just a minute ago," he whispered back."

"Knock it off..." I muttered.

Honestly, I wish I could tell them. As Koga said, I tell him everything. Yue included. But not this. This is way too delicate. How are they gonna react if I tell them that I have Megumi no Hana holing up in my apartment? Nothing good, I imagine.

"Oh! I totally forgot," Yue said, pulling out her phone. "Did you guys see Megumi no Hana's post?"

"Huh? She posted?" Koga asked, leaning in. "I thought she was taking a break."

"She probably still is. Not like that's supposed to stop her from putting out a photo here and there — and dude... Koga, I might have to break up with you."

"That's what you said last time. Come on, pull it up. Let me see it."

Yue opened her social media app, and the first thing that popped up on her feed was the photos that I took just yesterday.

In an instant, Koga was stunned.

"W-whoa..."

"I know, right?! She is so hot, dude. It's actually not fair. The wolf cut, the black hair, and just... everything about her! It's a way different style from what she had before, but damn... She's got me kicking my feet like an eight-year-old girl."

"It suits her. Definitely sets her apart from all the other actresses."

"Yeah! And look! It was only posted a few hours ago, but it has more likes than her last post. Even the comments are saying how good she looks.

While they went on and on about Megumi's new style, I just stood there, listening.

I thought back to what that director had said about Megumi — How she wouldn't appeal to normal, everyday girls as she was now. And yet, here they were. Koga and Yue, living proof that he was completely wrong.

A sense of accomplishment filled my chest, making me feel all fuzzy inside.

It worked.

Maybe not for everyone, but these two were enough for me.

"Come to think of it, is this her house? Doesn't look like it," Yue said.

I almost choked on nothing.

"Hmm? Oh, you're right," Koga chimed in. "She's posted photos of herself in her house before, hasn't she?"

"Yeah! I remember that. The place was fancy as hell, but the backdrop in these photos looks modest — almost like an apartment room. And... W-wait..."

She pulled the screen way too close to her eyes.

"Isn't this pretty much the same layout as Taka's place? The kitchen counter is over there, and the dining table is to the right of that pillar."

"...Huh. Huh~"

My body shut down as they both narrowed their eyes on me, much more suspicious now than ever before.

Freaking Yue and her unnatural perception... She's always had a knack for noticing small details like that, which was why I always went to her whenever I needed help with my photography homework.

"Taka~" Yue said, almost singing. "Could it be that this is what you were hiding from us?"

"...Are you being serious right now?" I mumbled.

"Hey, man. At this point, I'm down to chalk it up to this cuz you're so freaking adamant about not telling us what it is."

"Well, it's not this. I can say that much for sure. Imagine what the media would say about a celebrity rooming with a college student her age. They'd flip the hell out."

"Nothing's impossible, man," Koga snickered. "Say, since you're over Chiaki now, how about shooting your shot with a friendly DM?"

"Absolutely not."

"Worst she can say is no. Who knows? She might look at your profile picture and fall in love at first sight."

"That might be the dumbest thing that's ever left your mouth."

Koga lifted his hands as if surrendering.

"Welp, I tried. Anyway, time to get to my next class."

"I'll shoot you a text if I happen to be free for the PC cafe," I said.

"Sounds good."

As they walked away, I took a moment to sit down at a nearby bench. I slouched a bit, leaned my head back, and exhaled sharply.

That was close. Extremely close.

How could I have been so dumb? Koga and Yue have been to my apartment before. They know that place like the back of their hands. Not only that — every other room in that apartment complex pretty much shares the same layout. If even one of them happens to be a fan and is as perceptive as Yue, then they might catch on.

We should've gone to the park, or across town, or... I don't know. Anywhere that isn't close to here.

Thankfully, I played it off flawlessly. Nothing like a bit of nonchalant disbelief to seal the deal. Still, I need to be more careful from now on.

"Hah... Shit."

From my pocket, I slipped my phone out and opened up Megumi's post on social media.

Even after all that, I still couldn't stop myself from admiring just how nice the photos looked, and it wasn't because of my subpar editing skills.