Severely

.•:*¨Chapter Three¨*:•.

I am back at my apartment, sorting out my thoughts.
I glance up at the digital clock that is mounted on the wall, just placed above the flat-screen television.
16:15
Sunday, 1st August.
So, I did really lapse through time. I stare blankly at the black screen of the television.
One month to save Yui.
I exhale deeply.
I pick up my phone, unlockimg it, then calling my manager.
After three rings, the phone picks up.
"Hello? Tohma-kun?"
"Hello. Ah yes, it's me."
"Ah. Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah I am. Don't worry about me. I'll be at the studio tomorrow to resume the shoot.
Please inform the head manager. Thank you."
"Alright. Then I'll see you soon. Take care of yourself."
I smile, even though I'm talking to him through the phone. "Thank you. See you."
I could hear him smiling as he was silent for awhile before hanging up.
Ten minutes pass. I glance up at the clock.
1st August. Sunday.
I scroll through the contacts lists, feeling relieved that Yui's contact number is still there, with her contact picture.
That picture was a candid.

Yui was in a floral dress, her caramel locks covering her chest, with the daisy hair pin pinned to the right side of her hair.
I took that photo when I called her name on purpose.
As she turned, I snapped a photo, causing her to look surprised. Even though she had a look of surprise, her natural lip curls making her seem as if she was smiling.
She pestered me to delete the photo, but of course I playfully refused, telling her that she always looked pretty no matter what facial expression she made, and kissed her on the lips to quiet her.

Oh, how I wish to relive those moments once more.

I sigh, releasing the grip on my phone, letting it slip onto the velvet navy blue couch. I rest my head, tilting it back, then peering to the right, where the glass coffee table stood, and where the daisy hairpin lay atop.
The afternoon sun starts to shine through the human-sized windows, even though Autumn's at the corner. The sunlight reflects a small spectrum of a rainbow on the glass table.
I stand up, and walk towards my bedroom, wanting to take a shower.

I remove my garments, and step into the shower.
The hot water stings my skin for the first few seconds, but my body adapts to it almost immediately.
I stay under the running water for a few minutes before lathering myself in shampoo and soap.
As I pressed down onto the soap dispenser head and start to massage it onto my hair and body, the smell of green tea, combines with the steam, floods my room with the scent.
I finsh lathering myself and rinse everything off after that.
Finally done, I dry myself with a grey towel and wrap it around my waist, allowing it to rest there. I then take a separate towel and start to dry my hair.
I walk to the misted mirror, and swipe it, clearing the water molecules that clouded the mirror. I see my own reflection, which stares back at me.
I comb my hair back, revealing black hair roots beneath the indigo coloured hair of mine.
I had dyed it when I was eighteen, just a few months after I had just started my modelling career.
I was given a chance at modelling when I was just a colleage student.
Back then, I was a flim and media studies student, while I was preparing for one of my projects, a group of girls from the photography team, approached me for help for a project of theirs.
I thought nothing of it, and agreed without hesitation.
In the studio, I was greeted by a numerous amount of friendly faces. It was then I had also met Yui Mikasa, for she was modelling for ballet photoshoot. Yui had always been passionate about ballet, and many people knew that. I didn't think of it that time, only the way how Yui's lips naturally curled up to sides of her lips, looking as if she was always smiling.
During her part of the shoot, she wore a full ballet costume, her makeup as graceful as her poses and her expression sharp and serious.
I was captivated by her.
Yui left earlier than I did during the shoot.
Once the shoot was over, I thanked everyone and went off.
It was days after the shoot, when I was greeted by Yui, under the burning hot summer day, whilst studying.
"Aikara-kun! Guess what? Remember the photoshoot you had a few days ago?"
I nodded.
"My aunt runs a modelling agency, and she saw the photos that were used for the photography team's project. She is interested in you, and she asked me to invite you to be part of the company."
I was astounded when I heard that.
Me? A model?
"But aren't you invited too?" I ask.
She nodded. "But ballet is my passion, and my photoshoots are mainly for ballet purposes. So, I'm not really interested."
"Ahh I see."
And that was the first step into becoming the person I am today.
Being a model is tough, but I've grown to get used to the enviroment, people and cameras.

I snap back to the present, out of my daze ans walk out the bathroom, towards my wardrobe.
I pick out a maroon tank top and a pair of black cotton sweat pants to wear.
I check the time in the clock. It nears to six o' clock already.
I think about what to have for dinner.
Probably just gonna microwave a bowl of Mac n' Cheese.
I pick my phone from the couch, pressing the home button. The phone flashes an unread text message notification.
I go ahead to grab a bowl of Mac n' Cheese from the fridge, and then popping it into the mircowave.
While my dinner cooks, I unlock my phone. The text message reveals to be from my manager, on the details for the shoot tomorrow.

Please be in the studio by 11am. Take care.

I sigh, slouching against the kitchen counter.
The microwave rings, with the aroma of the food hitting me once I pull open the microwave door.
I handle the hot bowl of Mac 'n Cheese steadily, careful not to burn myself.
With a spoon that I had grabbed earlier on, I sit down on the high raised chair and stir the food, spreading the cheese equally across each macoroni, the aroma hitting me once more.
I scoop a spoonful, and blow to allow it to cool off a little before attempting to eat it.
This tastes pretty good. I wonder where did I ever buy this from.
I lazily scroll through the newsfeeds of the social media, catching up with the latest news and gossip.
Nothing interesting. Just a bunch of sites with ignorant gossips about certain stuff. You know, the usual stuff.
I finish off my dinner and threw the packaging and bowl(it is disposable) into the bin.
I walk back to my room, and lie on my bed, awake, waiting for time to pass, and my food to be digested. Many thoughts went through my head.
Is Yui fine?
Is Yui safe?

Will Yui remember me?
I shake off the last thought in my head.
I must protect Yui.