The Overly Extra Overseer

“Woah,” Cherry whispered in awe with twinkling eyes. She surveyed the grand, dark room decorated with massive red curtains and golden ropes. A low chorus of unintelligible murmurs spread across the rows of velvet red chairs, and Cherry could hear her heart beating with anticipation. “Is this what they call an ‘auditorium?!’ This place is huge!”

A young man with the same features as her shushed her and nudged an elbow. Cherry blinked and snapped out of her daze, and the twins took their seats as the rest of the students. As soon as the remaining audience took their seats, the room dimmed even further.

Loud clicks echoed as spotlights flickered on one by one, its bright yellow beams shone on the red curtains that opened on their own.

Standing alone in the center of the stage was a young man with brown hair and green eyes, wearing the same uniform as the audience—and for whatever reason, he had a clothespin pinching his nose. He cleared his throat and tapped on the microphone attached to a podium.

“Greetings, students of Astrale Academy. Welcome back to another year of institution,” said the young man, his voice somewhat muffled. “To the first-years, we welcome you to a new, grand experience. I am Clover Vamier, your student president. Whether you are a returning or a new student, everyone who steps inside this campus is bound to walk on the golden path toward the future. As most of you may know already, our school is the pride of Theatreux, known to combine art and science into the entertainment industry—”

“Oh, blah, blah, blaaaah!” blurted out another voice. “The hell you thinking, starting the morning with a boring-ass speech?! Look at them! Half of them are barely awake!”

Clover squinted and turned to the side of the stage, covering his mouth as a strong fragrance crept onto the stage.

A rumbling drumroll silenced all of the murmurs at once. The spotlights broke off from the speaker and began to dance around. A misty fog crept across the floor, slowly clouding the nonchalant student president.

At once, all of the spotlights shined on a silhouette that marched on stage with a prideful, playful air.

“So much for an organized surprise.” Clover sighed and shook his head. He faced back at the audience and said, “Well, whatever. Everyone, we have a very special guest today. I would like to introduce you all to—”

“Laaaaaadies aaaaand gentlemen!” an enthusiastic voice boomed across the grand auditorium. The youthful crowd grimaced and cupped their ears, gawking at the new individual who began to twirl. “Welcome to your first day at Astrale Academy!” He laughed and spun in his spot, the foggy clouds that crept around him swooped up in his spin.

As the fog dissipated, the individual grew clearer. There, taking over the center of the stage, was an orange-haired man in a flashy red suit with a golden top hat and a cape, spinning in place. Glitters made of sunshine scattered around him, twinkling and floating around the air before fading away. He tossed around his hat and twirled his red cane as trumpets and percussion blasted from god knew where.

Flashy, colorful sparks and confetti scattered the stage, and the spotlights broke away from the man and wildly spun in circles. More than half of the spotlights flickered into a variety of blues, reds, and greens. The students watched the extravagant display and looked at the man as if he lost his mind, and the burgundy-haired twins were no exception.

“I, Monty Starman, the Overseer of The Spectacular Theory, personally wish you all a most wonderful, a most spectacular, a most dazzling morning! ‘Cause it looks like you all need it! Yeah, I see you sleepyheads out there!” he shouted, pointing a finger at the bewildered audience. If they weren’t fully awake yet, it was safe to say they all already were by now.

"Monty Starman? The Monty Starman?!" a voice in the crowd whispered.

"Oh my stars, it's him!" squealed another voice. "It really is him! The Overseer in the flesh! I've only ever seen him in the newspapers! I-I can't believe it!"

“Sweet lord, he’s so much more handsome in person!”

The crowd grew louder, their whispers and squeals spreading excitement as heads turned left and right.

Cherry blinked as Monty’s finger stopped in her direction. She looked around before shyly pointing at herself.

“Yeah, you! I’m looking at you, girlie with pretty red hair!” Monty shouted gleefully. “You look absolutely sleep-deprived! I hope you’re awake now, m’lady!”

The students who sat around her shot looks of pity, judgment, and bits of jealousy. Cherry flushed her face with embarrassment and looked away. Monty laughed mischievously and began to point out other students in the same manner.

Clover, who stood awkwardly beside the red eccentric, contorted his face and fell into a sudden sneezing fit. He groaned and covered his face, walking off the stage and sneezing all the while.

“Ahaha, whoops! I forgot Clover’s allergic to perfume! Sorry, buddy! Anyway, good morning again! Let us start this year with a fantastic performance! Come on out, boys!” Monty clapped his hands, and at once, a colorful parade made its entrance.

Some did frontflips, and others did backflips. Some entered the stage on a unicycle, juggling colorful balls, and some even breathed fire as they marched into the spotlight with extended arms, waving at the astonished audience with cheerful smiles.

Cherry herself glued her eyes to the stage, her heart pounding in the same rhythm as the thundering music that blasted into everyone’s ears.

Something sparked and burned in her fluttering heart. Something intense and lively. Something filled with passion and excitement—like a fire. The performance lit a fire in her heart. The longer she watched, the bigger the flame that danced wildly inside her chest.

Never in her life did she ever see something so brilliant. It was thrilling. It was exhilarating. It was breathtaking. It was as if the stars directly descended from the sky to dance around on the very stage before her. She could feel her heart collecting all their raw passion. She could feel it dying to break out of her chest and join the festivity.

Her eyes in particular couldn’t break free from the oddly handsome Overseer, who sang and danced at the center of it all. Her eyes captured his graceful, playful movements, and her ears recorded his melodic, lively voice. Oftentimes when he faced the audience, she could’ve sworn he was glancing at her. She brushed away such ridiculous thoughts until his deep blue eyes met her gaze.

He winked at her, and her heart skipped a beat.

Cherry finally looked away, her heart throbbing and cheeks flushing.

“Sis?” The boy sitting beside her tilted his head. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she mumbled, shaking her head.

He frowned and squinted. “You’re all red,” he said. “Are you feeling sick?”

Cherry blinked and rubbed her forehead before shyly looking away. “Yeah,” she murmured. “Maybe I am.”

✦☆✦

Cherry stared at the bed’s tester with color drained from her tear-stained face, wholly baffled.

What the hell was that dream about? She used to attend Astrale Academy? Who was that beside her? He looked almost identical! Did she have a twin brother?! Also, what was Clover doing there? Were they schoolmates? Did this confirm that they knew each other after all?!

Also, why did she suddenly dream about this Monty Starman guy? Why did it hurt thinking about him?

And… why was she crying all of a sudden?

As she hitched her breath, she found herself sniffling and hiccuping. She wiped her face with a hand and clutched at her aching chest with the other.

A knock at her bedroom door jolted her out of her thoughts.

“Cherry, are you awake?” Dorothy asked, her voice muffled.

“Oh, Dorothy? Yeah,” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes and shaking off her groggy state.

“Oh, good! I’m so sorry for waking you early, but you have to come meet us in the parlor room! It’s super important!”

“Eh? Really? What for?”

“We have another new guest!”

“Oh… Wait, what? Who?”

“It’s a surprise! Come and see for yourself!”

Cherry steadied her breath and wiped her face dry. “A-Alright! Give me a moment!” She hastily swapped her clothes, and while doing so, she spotted a faint trail of black feathers from her bed to the balcony.

Wait, since when were there more of them?

She glanced at the closed window, briefly pondering to herself.

Well, whatever. She could clean up the mess later.

Cherry turned to the mirror, spending one last minute briefly combing through her tangled hair, and as soon as she fixed her image, she left her room and faced Dorothy, who escorted her to the parlor room. Once she opened the door, a familiar, enticing aroma greeted them.

“Ah, you’re here now,” said Clover “Good morning, Cherry.”

“Good morning,” she responded, looking around. “Everyone’s already here?”

Just like yesterday, Theodore sat carefreely on the left end of the couch. He slouched back with his legs sprawled onto the table centered around the wide couches, not giving a damn in the world about his etiquette. He rested an elbow on the couch’s arm, his other hand holding a teacup filled with a red drink.

The brown-haired brother sat formally beside him with his legs crossed. One hand rested on his lap, and the other held a teacup.

Penelope sat on the right end, but this time, she wore a yellow boater hat with a purple ribbon. She slouched her back against the couch with crossed legs, a stark contrast from her usual, elegant demeanor. Even more unexpectedly…

“Oh,” she said, tipping her hat. “G’mornin.’”

By the stars, she actually talked?! She didn’t expect that accent at all!

“Morning!” said Dorothy, snapping Cherry out of her surprise. She waved an arm as she approached the group, and with a graceful leap, she swung herself over a couch and plopped on a seat.

“Morning.” Theodore let out an exaggerated yawn, his blank mask eerily failing to express his drowsiness.

Despite everyone’s casual attitudes, Cherry, on the other hand, couldn’t help but freeze in place, gluing her eyes to the newest guest sitting among them.

There, sitting on the couch was a young man with pure crimson eyes and burgundy hair like hers. It practically felt like looking at herself in the mirror.

“You…” Cherry sputtered around. “A-Are you…”

The man tossed a faint smile and said, “Yeah, it’s me, Charlie Elthean. Your twin brother.”