“Agh, what a pain in the ass!" Why do I have to go to school? I am 18! I already have my modelling career going for me.

"Eito, stop sounding like a spoiled brat and just go!" My manager says. Spoiled? I can't help it that I grew up in a massive house with rich ass parents. I don't even want to live like this anymore. 

"You sound like my dad. Why are you making me do this?" I say angrily. My dad is on a business trip and he has the audacity to take his place like this. Worst of all, my own father told him to keep an eye on me on his behalf since my mother is on location right now. I finally had the house to myself and they are treating me like a kid who can't be home alone.

"Eito, I spoke with your parents about this. They also wants you to go to school. You've been out of it for years, and that is not a good example for your siblings or for everyone who looks up to you. Your public image will go sour. Also, this is a plan B, if you fail as a model, you can become a famous businessman or something." My manager is pissing me off. "Or something" he says. What the fuck does he mean with that? Just because my brother is meant to take over the family business and I am the second child, I am not free to do whatever I want? I am almost completely sure he means that I have to work for our family business. They want me to work under my own brother. 

“Plan B you say? That just makes it sound like you are not capable of doing your job long and well enough to keep me at the top." Now I did it. My managers eyes widen. He grabs me by the arm, my bag in his other hand, walks out of the door with me and pushes me in the car.

"Eito. If you really want to stay stupid, go ahead, but you need to go to school!" Who does my manager think he is? 

“Mako, drive him to his school, don't let him escape." I hear him say to my driver.

"Of course sir."

"MAKO YOU HOW COULD YOU?!"

My dad is a property manager and comes from quite a rich family. My mother is an actress and used to play in teenage dramas when she was young. When they got married, it was all over the news. The famous Satome clan is extending. At that time, my mother was pregnant with my brother. He was to become heir to to the family business. His life was set since birth. I sometimes feel bad for him, but he doesn’t seem to hate it. As for me, my good lucks and name got me a modelling career. But since looks are not forever, I now have to go back to school, so I can study and become someone worthy. Honestly, I don’t want to. I have enough money, live in a great house and have plenty connections cause of my job. I can live quite well from what I have now. But my parents and manager don’t think so. They say that relying on your parents money forever is terrible. And I do get that, but they also expect me to get married and have kids in a few years. That is what I don’t like. They don’t know I like guys, and they will disown me if they find out. They want me to become a normal family man, with a wife and kids. I am not about that life. I want to be free. Go clubbing, hook up, play video games, travel around the world. And I don’t think the way I am going now, will end up in me settling down with anyone I like. They’ll arrange me to marry with some rich guys daughter.

I am also quite sure they planned all this. Since my mother is in showbiz, they know the toll it has on a person. They know that you have a prime and after that it is all downhill. They wanted me to get a taste of it and right before it is too late, train me to work in the company. They don't want to say it to my face, but it is obvious. They of all people should know that being a businessman isn't easy either. Dealing with paperwork, deadlines, financing, competition from other companies. I am not a business person and if they want the best for me, they should let me go. 

.

.

.

~At school~

As I step out of the car I take a look at my new school. It is massive and looks quite fancy as well. This is a school for the higher middle class and richer kids.

Taking a look at the e-mail I received about my new class, I learn that I am in Class 3A. I have to take the stairs in the central hall, go through the doors on the right and my class is the first door on my right. Everything on the left is staff and storage related, so if I don't want to be stuck in a broom closet, don't go left. How ironic.

...

"Class, today we have a new student in our class. Please introduce yourself!"

"Hello, my name is Eito, Satome. Satome Eito. Pleased to meet you." As I lift my head I look around. Usually by this time, everyone would be shocked and star struck. On the right side of the room there is this boy, right next to the window. He looks uninterested.

"Did he say Satome Eito? The famous model? "

"Oh my God it is him?"

"Satome is in our class?"

"I can't believe this, I need to text my friends about this!"

Ah there it is, the recognision has kicked in. I am sure that guy is interested now..

"Ah, Satome-kun, you can sit behind Tomisaki in the corner." The teacher signals to the desk behind the guy. The guy still looks uninterested. I wonder what his deal is? Did he not get enough sleep?

"Yes, miss." I say to the teacher, and make my way over to the seat. How is he so unfazed? Everyone is still whispering about me.

"Miss! can't Satome-kun sit here? Why does he have to sit behind Tomisaki?" A girl says. "Yeah, maybe Tomisaki goes for him next." a boy says. What are they talking about? Is he a bully? Are they saying that he’ll beat me up? Is this one of those guys who spars with the new kid? Like the ones I read about it comics? But he doesn’t look aggressive at all. He looks as harmless as a puppy. 
"Pssst." I hear in my right ear, breaking me away from my thoughts.

“You better stay away from him, He's a f*g." The boy next to me says.

"Oh, really?" I respond and turn my head towards the boy in front of me. So he isn’t a bully, yet I wonder why everyone is so against him. I have always hated that word. The fact that he said to stay away from him just because he is... that, rubs me the wrong way. He looks so innocent. What has he done? It seems this year is going to be interesting.

...

As the teacher ends her lesson, the whispering resumes. These kids sure can talk. They are all saying they hope he doesn’t go near me. He doesn't seem threatening at all.

“I hope Tomisaki doesn’t seduce poor Satome kun.” One of the students say. What? Seduce?

“If he turns Satome gay too that would be the end!” Another one says.

Oh there it is, homophobia.

Turning me gay? Let me tell you something, kids.

I happily play around with both genders. He can’t turn me gay if I already sleep with guys. If this boy is gay, then these people are scum for talking this way. I suddenly feel an urge to protect him. This situation is very familiar to me. I once had a best friend who was gay. His parents didn't know, but mine someone did. Or at least they said they "can sense it and it is very obvious". Not sure what they meant with that, but after a while, they stopped me from hanging out with him, in fear of him turning me gay. I was 15 at the time and had a girlfriend I knew from when I still went to school. To him I was his straight best friend, but I accepted him fully. So when I stopped talking to him and made excuses why I couldn't hang out, it hurt both of us. I could tell he was heartbroken, cause he had no one else to talk to about his guy problems, other than me. It still pains me, but I was weak. Right now we are simply strangers. I ended up breaking up with my girlfriend at the time. I didn't feel the love anymore, she agreed. Soon after I found out that I too am attracted to guys. Modelling became I way to express myself, school was not even on my mind. Every time the concept of going back crossed my mind, I saw his heartbroken face. Imagine him finding out I too am attracted to guys, after avoiding him for months. It makes it sound like I was running away from myself. Though, maybe I was.

Enough sad thoughts... Come to think of it, I haven’t had a tour around the school yet. This might be my chance.

Before the teacher leaves I stand up from my chair and walk up to her.

“Miss, I haven’t had a tour yet, can I ask Tomisaki-kun to be my guide?” I ask kindly. Her face quickly changes from a neutral to a worried one.

“Tomisaki-kun? Oh I completely forgot! He is the council president after all. That is kind of his job. He is really known as the model student. Always there to help his fellow students out. And I do think he needs a friend. He’s been looking very out of it lately so maybe you can shake him up a bit.” The teacher says enthusiastically. She really forgot that I this guy is meant to guide me.

Model student huh? However, I can’t see how he would be helping his classmates out if he’s being treated like this. And the fact he hasn’t said anything to his class teacher is alarming.

“Yeah! That’s settled then!” I say and we both nod. She turns her attention back to her bag, finishes packing and turns to the class.

“It’s lunchtime, I’ll see you guys later!” The teacher says and leaves the classroom.

Fuck, I need to talk to Toya after the shoot tonight. Maybe he can help me with this situation.

Toya is, how do I put it, my new best friend... with benefits. Okay, I know that that sounds weird, but hear me out. He has been with me since my modelling career started taking off. We belong to the same agency, so it is only natural we started to get close. Seeing each others bodies so often, we developed a sexual attraction to each other. Nothing romantic. Frankly, I enjoy his company on our normal days just as much. He knows more about being into guys than I probably do. If not for him, I would be completely clueless.

Not to forget that our job is quite stressful. The diets, uncomfortable clothing and poses, delayed pays, paparazzi. Oh and I should not forget how rude the photographers can be. Or getting rejected, cause our current body doesn't look good enough for the vibe they are going for, bullshit. Us playing around helps us relax a bit. And yes we have thought about finding boyfriends, or for me a girlfriend or boyfriend, but we never have time. So me going to school on top of my job, only makes things harder.

“Hey Toya, I need to ask you for some advice tonight. We’ll talk after the shoot.”

Send!

“Sure. Don’t be late or both our managers will kill us.” Since when is the troublemaker Toya such a good boy? He’s usually the late one.

“Lmao Toya, we are from the same agency. My manager and my parents plotted against me and forced me to go to school, so if I can easily come up with excuses like “I had to run errands for a teacher.” He will probably even be proud.” Not that I am planning on coming late, but I have to know what these kids are plotting.

“Bro that is exactly what I mean. I’m just saying, my manager has been very grumpy lately. She keeps mentioning you and saying I have to go to school too. I can’t be there alone with her or I’ll die and once you arrive she’ll scold you too.” So Toya’s manager is acting like his mom. Ironic cause we just turned into adults this year. I don’t have time for this. I already said we’ll talk tonight. Is his manager giving him such a hard time that he is afraid to be alone with her? Sounds familiar.

I look at the boy who is sitting in front of me. He is playing a game on his phone. Why is he not eating? There’s still loads of food in my bag, so this is the perfect opportunity.

“I’ll talk to you tonight. If I’m late just say the first day of school require a lot of preparation.” I hit send and stand up. I grab my left over food and walk over to the boy.

“Hey, you aren’t eating? You forgot your lunch? I have some for you if you want!” I put my food on his table and smile. I can feel eyes burning into my back.

“Satome shouldn’t be so nice to him.” One of the girl says.

“We should teach Haru a lesson!” They are going to what? I turn my attention back to Tomisaki, he looks upset, looking down at the food in front of him.

“Hey? Are you alright? Here, eat! I am full anyway, stupid manager put too much food in my bag.” He probably thinks I need this much food. If I get hungry again I can just buy some. My bag got so heavy with all this crap. It came in handy now, but I won’t let this happen again.

“Ah, thank you! Yes I will eat it!” He smiles and grabs the rice ball. Yet he still looks sad. What are these kids doing to this poor boy?

“Good boy!” I say and smile. Will that make him feel better? He stops and looks up at me in shock. Fuck, did that startle him? He probably thinks I expect him to pay me back, because I am some famous douchebag or something.

“Oh, don’t look so scared. I just heard you were dangerous and wanted to see for myself. But you aren’t threatening at all.” I hope that makes him feel better. I think giving him my number is a good idea. I’m glad I got these business cards ready.

“Here is my contact info, if you run into any trouble. Please just contact me. Also... I kinda asked the teacher if you can become my guide here, until I get completely used to the school. I heard you are the president, I am curious as to why they forgot to mention this is supposed to be your job. So we have to stay in touch anyway.” Keep smiling.

“Deal, I’ll message you now so you have my number too.” He smiles back at me. I can feel my heart beat faster. Wait what? Fuck, I took a break from 'playing' with Toya, but if this guy gets to me even further I might need to rethink. He puts my details in his phone and starts to type away. Just as I lose myself in my thoughts, my phone wakes me right up.

*ping*

“Hey, it’s Tomisaki Haru!” I can’t help but smile in adoration. Haru, such a cute name. No! Fuck! I did it again. Calm down Eito.

“Got it! Thanks!” I quickly walk back to my seat and try to gather myself. As I look at the group of kids at the door I can see them looking at Haru disgustedly. One of the girls looks at me. Both anger and worry are plastered on her face. What are they going to do?

.

Lunch ends and the people who left 15 minutes ago just made it in time. They are acting so suspicious. What are they planning? Their “Teaching Haru a lesson.” Doesn’t sit well with me. I need to follow them after school.

...

“The point is not that I don't recognise bad people when I see them — I grant you I may quite well be taken in by them — the point is that I know a good person when I see one.” ― Enid Blyton, The Rubadub Mystery