【The peircing portrait】

It is so pathetic to see how a major streamer, @Kyroxfun, can be so unapologetic about his scandalous relationship with another major streamer, @Dream_warrior03.

One sentence from the streamer states, 'But this is getting boring; can this be stopped?'

So he believed he could play around until he got bored. It is unbelievable how this streamer can fall this low.... Read more.

Akira's eye twitched; how dare he twist my words like that!?

The management had told him to remain silent so they could avoid further drama. Social media, like always, took complete advantage of the situation.  No one had proof of their relationship, but the attention was due to the fans who felt betrayed.

His phone vibrated endlessly.

[Die, you trash.]

[You think you can steal my goddess.]

Too many messages from too many unfamiliar names. Sanae's fans had flooded his DMs.

It still wasn't his downfall but rather a rise. He had gained more attention; the world wanted to see what Kyroxfun was like. 

Why does everyone have to be so weird?

He quietly stared at the ceiling. The air conditioner hummed. The only other sound... his breathing.

Isn't it way too quiet?

The phone rang.

His chest tightened the moment he saw the caller ID. 

'Aunt'

After much internal debate, he decided to pick up.

"H-hello?"

"Hello, Akira." She spoke calmly. "I have sent the driver to pick you up. Be ready."

And that's it; she hung up. 

He didn't object.

The drive was quiet and calm. The familiar white manor emerged from afar. He looked at the cleanly cut bushes outside while the car entered past the old grates.

Akira stepped into the building; with each step, his heartbeat quickened. He caught the servants looking at him. In three years, many faces he had seen since childhood had gone wrinkly. 

He sighed. They must be scared if I come back.

"Akira."

His aunt crossed the hall and pulled him into an embrace. "It's been so long."

His body stiffened.  His arms lifted but dropped without wrapping around her. He peeked past her shoulder to look at the servants, who scattered immediately.

"Aunt, how have you been?"

She moved away and looked at him. "Are you still mad, or is it the fame?"

"Neither." His lips effortlessly curve into a smile. 

She turned and gestured for him to follow.  "I have a surprise for you."

They walked to her room. 

He took a step in and stopped.  His eyes fell on a photo frame hung on the wall.

A pair of couples. Two blond men, a silver-haired woman, and his aunt.

"I decided to hang it up again." She spoke softly. Almost too soft.

Akira's jaw tightened. "Why?"

She smiled, moving closer. "You didn't like it?"

He looked at the picture; his uncle's crystal blue eyes pierced through him. 

"I told you," he almost mumbled. "I hate all these pictures."

"They are your parents."

"Shut up." 

The words burst out before he could stop them.

She is tormenting me, deliberately. 

His hands gripped her shoulders before he realised it. His breath turned uneven. 

She didn't move. Instead, he cupped his face, guiding his gaze to hers. "Is the world unfair to you?"

"So you know." He looked away

"People aren't as loving as you were imagining?"  She softly chuckled. "They don't let you feed on them?"

His fingers flinched. "You are also one of them."

"Am I?" Her thumb brushed his cheek, and she kissed his forehead. "I am most likely the only one who truly loves Akira."

The warmth flooded in, intoxicating yet comforting and familiar.

I will go back.

His chest tightened.

To that lonely apartment?

He rested his hand on hers.

I like Jitsuko...

Wrapping his arms around her.

I am too impure.

He moved in. No matter what he did, he couldn't outgrow this familiarity. 

I built my career to escape, but I am here to escape my job.

The next morning, he groaned, still half asleep. He reached for the phone, which usually stayed on the side table. His fingers brushed the pillow instead. His eyes snapped open. 

The memory seeped into his mind. 

He sat up, scratching his head. His eyes flicked to the portrait's silent judgmental look. He looked away and left the room.

The breakfast was already prepared. He sat across from his aunt. She flipped the page, glanced at him, and placed it aside.

"The earrings are new." She layered some butter on the bread, handing it to him. "I noticed the left ear is slightly swollen."

"It's fine now." Akira rubbed a finger on his earlobe before taking the slice.  "Why did you call me here? You don't like showering me with attention?"

"I don't?" She chuckled. "Look how spoiled you are. Kids who are overindulged come out this way."

"This isn't what I meant."

She narrowed her eyes. "Who is this Dream_warrior03?"

Akira blinked, a slight twitch of his eye. He laughed. "No wonder you called me here, showed me something I disliked, and then that..."

"Who is she?" She cut in. "Your career will take a fall—"

"You aren't worried about the career; you are worried your toy will escape."

The nostalgia of his words struck him; three years back, he had said the same. Back when he started talking back to her.

"I-I am sorry." He lowered his gaze. "She is just a random person..."

For some time, they remained quiet. 

She took a sip of her tea. "And now you are famous."

The sentence was enough to make his head spin. Akira swallowed, recalling all his childish claims about marriage.

What do I say?

Do I still want to?

"Ahhh, I see." Akira pressed his hands together. He smiled at her. "I should go now."

He stood, trying to avoid her gaze.

Her nails tapped softly against the table. 

"So I was bound to end up alone?" She spoke in almost a whisper, but loud enough for him to hear.

Akira froze.

She looked at him with a smile. "You were going back. Why are you still standing?"

He remained silent, unsure what to say. He wanted to sit down, wanted to give up, and wanted to stay.

But how can I?

She controls everything.

He sighed and took a step away from the table. "I-I will see you around."

She parted her lips but didn't say a word.  Quietly, he moved to the door; before he could leave, she added.

"Take the portrait with you." 

He bit his lip. Yeah, she wants me to have a constant reminder of her.

"Okay." He walked out.