Sara and Hayase, for those who didn't guess that :-)
They make such a cute couple!

“Sala has to be an enigma,” Mom told me. “Otherwise, Sala loses appeal.”

“Mom,” I complain, “I hate dressing up like that!”

“I told you, Sara, you’re doing it until Sala loses appeal,” she replied, turning from me and leaving my dressing room.

I sat in front of the mirror and stared hard at my reflection. I saw a cute face, shoulder length blond hair, and a nice body. Why did I have to pretend to be someone I’m not?

Kazuma suddenly stood behind me. “You need to get ready. Sala.”

I nodded. “Thank you. Won’t you excuse me?”

Kazuma nodded, stood and walk out of the room to stand outside my door as I changed. He’s one of the few who knows about me being Sala. I can’t trust just anyone, but Kazuma is more than just my bodyguard and my manager. He’s my cousin.

I dressed quickly, careful not to look at myself in the mirror. It would ruin me if I did. If I saw myself somewhere between, I can’t think of ‘Sara’ and ‘Sala’ as separate people anymore. After pulling a cami over my head, I put on my red wig and looked at myself, carful to concentrate on the general impression instead of on the details, because the camisole was skin tight and you could still see my breasts.

I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. I am Sala, I thought before opening my eyes. I reached around and shrugged on my over shirt and buttoned it most of the way.

A knock sounded at my door. “C’mon in, Kazuma,” I replied absently in Sala’s voice.

The door creaked slowly open. Kazuma never opened the door like that. I spun quickly to find myself staring at Hayase, my classmate and the lead vocalist of The Rise. I felt the blood drain from my face.

“Hayase,” I said in Sala’s voice. “What’s up?” Sala had met him last week.

“Just wanted to wish you good luck, Sala,” he replied, winking. I remembered watching him practice that wink in class until he got it right. It had taken him months, but he looked so cute doing it!

“I forgot that The Rise would be here, too,” I replied absently. “But good luck to you as well, Hayase.” I turned and faced the mirror.

I saw him hesitate and then I felt his hand settle on my shoulder. “I’m a big fan, Sala. You’ve got a miracle voice.”

I stiffened at his touch. “Thanks. I also like your voice, Hayase. I listen to your CD everyday,” I told him, running a brush through my wig. I saw Kazuma appear behind me and set one hand on each of Hayase’s shoulders.

“I would appreciate it if you checked with me before you visit Sala in the dressing room,” Kazuma told him, his voice saying ‘I’ll kill you if you do it again’.

“It’s fine, Kazuma. He was just wishing me good luck,” I told him, smiling at his defensive nature.

He raised his brow at me. “Was he?”

I grinned. “Of course he was. Good luck to you, too, Hayase,” I told him, my gaze meeting Hayase’s in the mirror. “Remember what I told you. And don’t forget that your voice is its own type of miracle.”

His eyes widened. “Thank you, Sala,” he replied, blushing slightly and leaving quickly.

“That wasn’t so nice, Sala,” Kazuma told me, his eyes twinkling.

“What wasn’t so nice?”

“Confusing that poor boy like that. He thinks you’re a god now. Or a goddess if I get the right vibe from him,” he added.

I sighed. “I go to school with him. Sara goes to school with him,” I corrected. “And he’s a good friend to her. So she asked me to return the favor.”