Author's Note) Facade (Haruhi) (Patreon)

I cooked up a quick thing of bacon and scrambled eggs. Nothing too fancy, just some salt and pepper and a cup of coffee. Coffee was life sometimes, especially during long writing sessions. But to drink it in the mornings was a bit strange to me.

“Fo-Foods ready.” I placed the plates on the table. Hirano was staring at the food with wide eyes. She even licked her lips as she hurried over and say down. “It-It’s no-thing special….”

“You have no idea how long it has been since I had home cooked food!” Hirano dug right in. Her bright smile as she took a bite of my freshly cooked food made feel slightly embarrassed but also very happy inside. Just knowing someone liked something I made was enough to make me smile.

“Ah! Watanabe! You smiled! You should smile more!” Hirano’s outburst made me jump. I knew Hirano was very outgoing, but this was much more than I had ever expected. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to yell…. I am just happy that I can eat your cooking and can actually feel relaxed.”

“Relaxed?” I asked out of curiosity. I wanted to know as much as I could about my muse.

“Umm… how do I put it? The me at school is more of a facade. I have to work hard not to act my normal self, so being able to unwind and be me in front of a classmate is refreshing. You see since I was young, people would get close to me because of money and because of who my parents are. They want to make connections or try to get money out of me. Even now, the girls in class are only pretending to be my friends because they want my money. I might have nice clothes and all the top brands, but I don’t have money myself…” Hirano scratched her head. She seemed a little embarrassed to be speaking about this.

“I-I think it’s fine to-to be you… It-it’s not like yo-you are trying to be mean to people…. If-if… And I-I mean if so-someone is being me-mean to-to you. The-Then be-be mean back…” I hate my stutter… it is more due to my past than anything since I am so used to choosing my words. Each word had to be said with great care, or I might end up using my magic. I have gotten used to controlling my magic pretty well if I am calm, but the stutter has stuck and is embarrassing.

“Hehe…. You are right!” Hirano beamed me a smile as she stuffed another fork full of eggs into her mouth. “I shouldn’t have to not be me… luckily I have you as my partner, so I no longer have to deal with those uptight pinup girls who only want to befriend me for money. You have no idea how much my face hurt every day while trying to keep my smile going.”

I could understand where she was coming from. I don’t think I could do it. Keeping up a facade every day like that. But the Hirano before me still acted like Hirano I know from school. So I do not think she has been acting all that different. Maybe the facade was the true her when she was talking with people she, liked? Whether this is the case or not, I will make sure to support her. “I-I will support you….”

“Hehe! I am really glad we became partners.” Hirano seemed to be glowing, which was good.

After breakfast, Hirano went to get ready while I just tossed on whatever was close by, tied my hair up as usual and took out my notebook. I had to make sure I got everything written down as fast as I could. Luckily, Hirano was the two-shower-a-day type, so it gave me enough time to get everything jotted down before she came out.

When she was ready, we left the house and headed to the school to begin our training. I was a little nervous since I would finally be using my magic. I just hoped I did not think of something else or get freaked out and accidentally destroy something.

First-years all had the next three days off with no classes, but that did not mean second and third-years were not at the school. Many students were roaming about as we pulled up to the school gates. Of course, the black Maybach made people turn heads. Even I was surprised when the car pulled up to pick us up. I knew Hirano was rich, but I think this was a little over the top. Since Hirano herself did not have money, it was as if her parents were trying to flaunt their wealth through her since they could not do it themselves. It kind of irked me. My parents might not be around, but they would never flaunt their wealth through me. Hirano did not seem to be bothered by it, but I still felt it was a bit much.

Hirano got out first, and I followed after her, but before I could get out of the car, Hirano had turned and reached her hand out to me. And me not thinking reached out to grab her hand allowing her to pull me out of the car. It was the first time I felt so many sets of eyes piercing into me.