I Choose The Villain Duke

"Miyu-chan, here's your mango juice," Ren said.

"Thank you," Miyu said, a bit embarrassed.

Ren already knew her favorite snacks and drinks.

"How do you think of my acting this day?" Ren asked.

"Miyu thinks Ren is really talented in acting," Miyu said. 

It was true. When Ren was acting, Miyu could not see a trace of the actor. She could only see the character that Ren was portraying.

Ren chuckled. "I feel that Miyu-chan is even better than I am in acting."

"That's not true. Miyu is just new in acting. It's because of Ren's help that Miyu is able to act comfortably. Thank you for the juice. I'll get going now," Miyu said, getting up to leave. 

"Wait, Miyu-chan!"

Miyu ignored him and went to her room in the resort the movie crew has rented for the movie. Hanako was already inside Miyu's room, organizing her clothes for the shooting the next day.

"Miyu-chan, I'm not sure if I'm just imagining it but is Ren-san flirting with you?" Hanako asked.

"I don't know and I don't care. I'm not interested in dating," Miyu said, shrugging. 

Hanako looked worried. "I know you aren't but Ren-san is a really good catch. I think you'll fall for him soon."

"Don't worry, I won't. I'll just ignore him like all the other guys who tried," Miyu said.

Hanako sighed. "If you say so."

That was what Miyu said but the heart was not something one can control.

*

*

*

On the last day of their shooting, Ren requested for Miyu to go at the seaside cliff which was a few minutes walk away from their shooting location.

Miyu wore a sleeveless pink dress and a beach hat. She didn't dress up for him she told herself. She just wanted to look cute as always she told her pounding heart.

Ren was already there when Miyu arrived. He was holding a bouquet of yellow dandelions. Ren looked good as always. The sunlight was shining behind him and his blonde hair seemed to appear more radiant as usual. He smiled when he saw her.

"Miyu-chan, I'm glad you came," Ren said.

Miyu tried to look unflustered. "It's because Ren-san requested for me to come. Is there something you want to say?"

Ren handed her the bouquet of dandelions. "Miyu-chan, you're just like these dandelions. You shine so brightly. You look so dazzling to look at. I even wonder sometimes if I've done something good in my past life to be rewarded with your presence."

Miyu laughed. "What's with that? Miyu is also lucky to be working with Ren-san."

"No, I'm the one who's lucky. Don't you think it's fate that we've met?" Ren asked.

"I don't know. Ren-san, thank you for these flowers. Let's go back now. They must be looking for us," Miyu said.

"Miyu-chan, I like you. I really like you. Will you allow me to date you?" Ren asked.

Miyu was startled. Her heart was pounding and for some strange reason, she felt something akin to happiness. He was like a Prince Charming.

"Miyu-chan? Ah, you can have more time to think about it. You don't need to reply now," Ren said.

"N-no, it's not that. It's just that Miyu has never dated so Miyu doesn't know what to do," Miyu said.

Ren looked incredibly happy. "Does that mean you're considering it?"

Miyu nodded.

"Miyu-chan, do you dislike me?" Ren asked with a gentle smile.

Miyu shook her head. "No, Miyu thinks Ren-san is very kind."

"I really like you but I won't force you. What do you think of us going out so we can get to know each other more? You can reject me anytime if you think you wouldn't be happy with me as your boyfriend," Ren said.

"Well . . ."

"I really like you. Miyu-chan is really cute. I just can't help but fall for you," Ren said.

Miyu nodded, her face blushing.

"Are you saying yes, Miyu-chan?" Ren asked.

Miyu nodded again, hiding her blushing face with her hair.

Ren hugged Miyu.

"I'm so happy! Thank you, Miyu-chan! I promise I'll make you happy always. I'll be a really good boyfriend to you. I'll never leave you, Miyu-chan. I promise!"

Miyu felt like she was floating. She had never planned on dating someone but Ren was so earnest, she found herself wanting to trust him.

Miyu hugged him back. Her very own Prince Charming. Perhaps she can find the happiness her mother wasn't able to find.

*

*

*

They eventually went back to where the others were.

"Where were you? We should have been traveling half an hour ago!" The director scolded them.

"Sorry, director. I just had something to talk about with Miyu-chan," Ren said.

"What's that? Flowers? Why do you have flowers with you?" The director asked.

"Director, I've asked Miyu-chan to be my girlfriend," Ren said proudly.

Everyone gasped.

The director looked surprised too. "And? Did you accept?"

Miyu nodded.

Everyone cheered and applauded.

"Wow! Congratulations, Ren!"

"We're happy for you!"

"You look good together!"

Ren laughed while Miyu remained quiet because she was too embarrassed, she didn't even know what to say.

They boarded the bus. Hanako was already there. Miyu sat beside her. She must not have heard Ren's announcement if Hanako was already inside the bus at that time.

"Dandelions. Who gave them to you?" Hanako asked.

"It was Ren-san," Miyu said.

"I told you, didn't I? Ren-san likes you," Hanako said.

"I know now," Miyu said.

"Did he confess to you?" Hanako asked, looking mildly disturbed.

Miyu nodded and smelled the dandelions. They smelled like ordinary flowers but she smiled. She remembered Ren's words. The dandelions did look really bright. Did she appear like that to his eyes?

"I see. I wish you the best," Hanako said. She was obviously hurt but Miyu did not notice.

"Thank you, Hanako. I knew you would understand," Miyu said.

"Miyu-chan, does Ren know about your true personality?" Hanako asked.

Miyu laughed. "Of course, he doesn't. But it feels like it's easier to act cute when I'm in front of him."

"But you would always have to act. You will surely get tired of that," Hanako said.

"Don't worry, Hanako. I've been acting for years already in the real world and not just under the camera lights. I'm used to this," Miyu said.

"But Miyu-chan if he really likes you, I'm sure he'll be willing to accept you for who you are," Hanako insisted. 

"Huh? That's what Mother thought and Father left her! Hanako, just let me be. I can handle this," Miyu said firmly. 

Hanako nodded but she still looked worried.

*

*

*

Miyu thought those blissful days would last forever. Miyu and Ren would go on dates together while in disguise so the public won't recognize them. They would go to the park, eat sundae at a family restaurant, go to the movies, and they had lots of fun together. Miyu was enjoying Ren's company so much, she didn't even mind that she had to always speak in a cute way. It almost felt natural. 

"Ren-san, Miyu is going to be away for a while. The shooting location is far away from here so would have to stay there for two weeks," Miyu said with a sad expression.

Ren put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "It's okay. I'll wait for you to come back."

Miyu hugged him back. "Miyu is so happy."

She truly was.

*

*

*

The next day, Miyu and Hanako arrived at the city where they were going to shoot a movie. As usual, Hanako began preparing Miyu's room while Miyu rested on the bed. She put Miyu's clothes inside the wardrobe, organized Miyu's skincare and makeup products on the vanity table, and called for room service.

"Miyu, how have you been?" Hanako asked.

"I'm fine. Ren is really making me happy," Miyu said with a genuine smile.

"He is? The two of you are still going out?" Hanako asked, surprised. 

"Of course! Why? Did you think I would break up with him?" Miyu asked, starting to get irritated.

"N-no, it's just that I thought you would have a hard time acting while you're dating. Does he know already?" Hanako asked.

Miyu was looking more irritated. "Of course not! And besides, it's not a big deal! Even if he finds out, what's wrong with my way of speaking now?!"

The real Miyu was short tempered, had a blunt way of speaking, and not cute and innocent at all like what she showed to the public. Hanako couldn't tell that to Miyu.

"N-no, nothing is wrong. I'll go to my room now. Have a good rest. We'll start shooting tomorrow," Hanako said while backing away.

"Tch. Useless manager. Why does she always look displeased with my relationship with Ren?" Miyu grumbled to herself.

*

*

*

That night, someone went inside Miyu's room. Miyu was sound asleep and the camera had no sounds or flash so Miyu did not stir awake at all when the stranger took off her blanket and began taking pictures of her.

There should have been no major problem.

Pictures of sleeping people would just usually consist of a drooling face, a funny sleeping posture, or messy hair. But Miyu's sleeping habit was a bit unusual.

She liked sleeping naked.