Ruse| KTH

3| Asset

Time: 5:18 PM

Location: School (more specifically, outside)

~

Don't ask how I managed to make it through the day. I don't even know myself how I managed to cope with the endless questions and stares. Anyway, it's time to initiate the plan-

My phone rings.

It's dad.

Fuck. I can't tell him I have detention on the first day.

I answer the call immediately.

"Ro? Where are you?" He asks.

"At school"

"Why are you still there?"

"I'm gonna stay after school for a while to complete my mission. Ok?"

"Fine, just be careful."

"I will." I reply with a small smile. He sounds concerned but he shouldn't be. I can do this.

~

Location: Detention Room

~

I enter the small classroom. It seems empty, the walls are kinda worn out but it does smell like coffee. The teacher isn't here yet so I'll just sit down.

I decide to sit at the front next to the window. The sunset and school field are in my view. I plug in my headphones, admiring the beauty of the scene. I wonder who this guy is. Is he cute? Is he-

"Ah, I see you're early, Miss Ro, I assume?" A teacher stands in the doorway with the same boy from earlier this morning standing behind him.

"Uh, Yes sir." I reply politely, slightly startled as I stand up.

I don't know why I'm being nice but what I do know is that I am not getting another detention and this one seems nice so I'll try to be nice back.

The boy behind him studies my appearance before looking down.

I glance at him too. His blonde locks brush over his deep brown eyes. I didn't notice this morning but he holds this mysterious aura. Maybe it's just me.

"This is Taehyung. Your Class President. I'll be busy marking papers so I've assigned him to keep an eye on you. I doubt you'll do anything to cause any more trouble than you're already in. Just behave for an hour." He explains.

Good. That should be enough time. But how can I leave when this kid is here?

"I'll be leaving now" He concludes and walks off. Leaving me here alone with him.

"So...Taehyung, right? Can I quickly go to the toilet?" I ask bringing out the puppy eyes to further convince him I need to go.

"Sure" he smiles sweetly. "But I'll wait outside just in case anything happens."

"Ah, no I'll be fine. It'll only take a few minutes" I argue, slightly annoyed as I'm trying to get away from him.

"No, it's my job to make sure you don't run away." He insists, still smiling innocently.

Ugh this dude.

"Fine. Can we go now? I'm kinda in a hurry" I utter quickly, grabbing his wrist and walking out.

Shit. The fuck am I gonna do now? I gotta make another excuse but what else can I say?

As I think about an excuse, we pass the janitors closet and my grip on his wrist tightens. Here goes nothing.

With all my strength, I drag Taehyung into the small room full of dust and pin him to the wall. Both my hands are on either side of his head as I gaze at him intently.

"R-ro" He stutters. Sweat forming on his forehead. Both our hearts beating wildly. I didn't think this through at all.

Due to the small proximity between our faces, my face heats up. Slowly becoming the shade of a red tomato, I try to remain calm.

"Taehyung" I breathe out. Why am I out of breath?!

"Please, I can't go to detention. I-i came here to find my long lost b-brother. I don't have much time. Can you help me, please?" I mutter weakly against his lips.

How did I come up with that so quickly? I'm so proud of myself. I smirk mentally. Hopefully he'll believe my lie.

He blinks slowly, sympathy evident in his eyes as he realises my situation.
Did it work?

"What can I do, Ro?" He replies firmly, maintaining our intense stare.

Oh Tae, you naive little boy. If only you weren't I'd think you were pretty cute.

I smile slightly in satisfaction but sigh afterwards, continuing my facade.

"I need you to help me get into the Principals Office. There are files there to help me find which class he's in." I move away from him as I say this, straightening up.

"What if I know him? What's his name?" He questions.

Shit. Why is he so stubborn?

"His name? I don't know. He may have changed it but my father told me he studies here. That's a start, right?"

The lies flow off my tongue like honey. The feeling is sweet as you pretend to be someone you're not. Convincing people through the power of mere words. This persona I've created, masking my identity is something I'll need to keep in mind now in front of Taehyung at all times and essentially everyone in school.

However, my foolish self hadn't realised that not all people are idiots. These lies may eventually lead to a bitter downfall. I'd need to fail by someone breaking these walls of lies and discovering the truth.

But I've never failed. Nor have I made a mistake. I was trained to keep things efficient and faultless through my father. I've always preferred it that way don't get me wrong. He never forced me to. I wanted to make him proud and prove that I'm not weak.

Or maybe I knew no other way. What is authentic within me anymore? I don't know. But as of now, I've held the same mind set up to today. And I don't plan on changing any time soon.

The thrill is something unexchangeable. I like it. This false sense of reality... it's like living a dream.

"I guess so..." He replies doubtfully. "So let's go now. The principal shouldn't be in his office right now. He had a meeting after school." Taehyung recalls, adjusting his glasses and ruffling his hair. Cute.

"Let's go?" He asks kindly, grabbing my hand softly. "I'll help you find him, don't worry Ro."

He leads me outside, our hands still together. I walk beside him, slightly in shock at his concern towards someone who he's only met. I smile and thank him.

The plans working well, Ro. Taehyung may not be a part of the plan but he is useful. Let's just make sure he won't ever figure out who I am.