Inside Purple Palace-
"Haaaa~"
"Fufu. You alright?"
"Y-yeah. Just feels weird being looked at now."
Misa took me into a private area that's only meant for us girls. Two bodyguards remain outside for safety reasons, but it's not just Misa and I that are here. There seems to be a few other girls putting on each other's makeup and fixing their hair together.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it in time."
Surprisingly, out of nowhere, Misa pulls out what looks to be a cigarette before lighting it in her mouth.
"Pahhh~"
"...You smoke?"
"Sometimes. There's a lot of guys here today so I'm just simply preparing."
"Preparing?"
"Well I have to numb myself somehow."
She says before taking another puff. My dad used to smoke, but he gave up when my younger brother and sister were born. I still remember how suffocating it was to be around him back then, and seeing Misa smoking like this...
"Ah! Jasmine! Could I take one as well?"
"Here, knock yourself out."
"Thanks~"
One of the other girls took notice as Misa just handed the cigarette that she just used to the girl before she runs back off to the others.
"...Is it normal to smoke here?"
"Not everyone does it, but yeah. This area is one of the few areas here where we can. This room is well ventilated you see."
True to her words, the room isn't being filled with smoke as I can now, after a few moments, I can only smell the lingering essence of it, but that's when Misa's perfume comes back into my lungs, as if purifying it instantly.
"Still… I don't think you should smoke."
"Pfft. You sound like Kate."
"Does Kate not smoke?"
"Yeah. She hates it."
We've been working for a while now, but it's mainly been just me following Misa around as she mingles with the clients. A few of them did get close to me, wrapping an arm over me as they chat, but I was still pretty confused on what to say.
Before we arrived, Misa told me-
("Do not say anything about your personal life here, especially to the clients. This place is built on lies; a fantasy. Just say what they want to hear and take their money. That's what we're paid for.")
Is what she said to me, but I couldn't figure out what to say. I'm not a great liar and haven't really thought up a "persona" or anything like that.
"...I still don't feel okay taking half of your tips though."
"It's fine~ You're actually bringing a lot to the table you know."
"R-really?"
"Mhmm! Normally I'd be dealing with one client at a time, at max maybe two, but with you there we managed to grab us four."
"That's right! Jasmine is one thing, but to grab the guys' attention like that. You're quite the talk of the club right now, haha."
One of the girls from that group seemed to have overheard our conversation, but I'm not sure how I feel about her "pep talk." I get she's trying to make me feel better, but I'm still not used to any of this. It all feels… dirty…
"Is she now?"
"Yup! Even my clients earlier took notice and asked who the new girl was. I had to really try and reel him in ya know!"
"Pfffu-fufufu. Well we'll be taking it easy from now on, so don't worry. We won't take too many away from you."
"Mmmm! Fine~ I guess I'll get a head start then."
She says as she leaves the room, heading back to the main floor. The other two girls also followed suit a few moment later after taking one last puff from Misa's cigarette.
"Right! Now that they have left, let me show you something."
"H-huh?"
Misa shifts closer to me, wrapping her arm around me the same way that the guy from earlier did to me.
"Guys like this like to take control. It might be scary being pulled in like this, but it's these type of guys that you have to go on the offense."
"Offense?"
"…Like this-"
With her free hand, Misa guides one of my hands onto her thigh before she slowly moves my hand, caressing her own thigh. I can feel my heart starting to beat out of my chest as I instinctively grab hold of her thigh as I feel the softness spreading around my fingertips.
"Yes. That's perfect. You want to start around the knee area and slowly work your way up, like this. Working towards their inner thigh."
She says while moving my hand just as she described as my fingers soon reach deep into her inner thigh as somehow even more softness could be felt. Just as I was about to force my hand away however, Misa moves my hand away from her crotch, moving my hand towards the outside.
"Fufu. Nervous?"
"O-o-of course!"
"Fufufufuuu~! Well, you want to tease them like that. You don't want to touch anything, but more so give off the impression. It's important to keep your eyes open, watching their reactions. If it's good, then you're bound to make some good money from them, but they might try and do something more."
"L-like?"
"Well, lets say I want to-"
"M-Misa!"
Before she could reach over to my breasts, I smack her hand away somewhat reflexively as I recall the night when Misa pushed me down and… ki… kissed me…
"Yes! Good, good. You don't need to let them do as they want, like I said. But you do need to work on your reaction."
"E-eh?"
"You were far too aggressive. I mean, some people might be into that, but it's safer to act a bit playful, with a more softer face."
"...I don't think I can do that."
"Fufu, it's fine~ You'll get used to it. For now don't worry too much. Just know that I've got your back, okay?"
"M-mm…"
She says with a bright smile on her face. I do feel more comfortable with the idea of going back out there now… as long as I'm with Misa that is.
"Right, you look a lot better. Shall we head back out there?"
"Yes."
Together, with Misa, we head back out to the main floor as we soon found a group of three men this time. Two of them seeming to be waving us over, or more specifically, Misa.
"Ayyye~ Jasmine! Care for a drink?"
"If you're paying, fufu."
"Oh? Who's this?"
"This here is-"
"Millie! N-nice to meet you!"
Instead of like last time where I let Misa introduce me to the clients and pretty much remained silent throughout the day, I decide to finally step up and at least pull a bit of my own weight.
"Aha! Cuteeee!"
"She's new here so she'll be accompanying me. You don't mind that, right~?"
"Of course not! We actually brought a friend here with us. He's also new here so we were hoping to maybe grab another girl."
"Yeah! But to think she's also new here. Heheh. Oi, you two might hit it off."
One of the men looks back at the other guy that hasn't spoken yet as he turns his gaze towards me. He's wearing a mask like the others, but I can feel his gaze though it.
"N-nice to meet you, Millie."
"Mm! Likewise~"
I try and use a "sweeter voice" in hopes to maybe seem a bit more appealing. Also since the new guy seems to be smaller than the others, around my height in fact, I feel a lot less intimidated.
All of us move to one of the open booths as Misa pours out glasses to the guys here as well as for herself.
"Eh? You forgot about-"
"Ah, Millie doesn't drink. Don't mind it."
"Heheheh. More for us then~"
In no time at all, Misa felt right at home, casually chatting with the two men as I'm left to deal with the newcomer. However-
"…"
"…"
Unlike what Misa taught me, he isn't even doing anything! I was fully ready to try out some of the techniques, but if he's not going to do-
"H-hey…"
"Yes?"
Finally, he speaks up.
"Sorry. You just look a lot like someone I know."
"Oh? Someone you know?"
In the corner of me eye, I see Misa getting all "touchy feely" with the other two, so I try and mimic her a bit and move a bit closer to the newcomer, with our shoulders now up against one another.
"Y-yes! U-uhmm… Someone who I… have a crush on."
OOOOH! Wait, can't I work with this then?
I look over at Misa as our eyes lock onto one another. She gives me a slight nod as if to give me the go-ahead before she immediately continues her conversation with the others. With that, I choose to simply place my hand on his thigh, not moving it much, but it seems like his face is already growing quite red.
"U-uhmm. Y-your boobs are-"
"Hmm? What about them?"
I know. I'm intentionally pressing them up against his arm. It's weirding me out though as I can't help but think of Kai when I'm like this, but I try and not let it bother me too much as I try and put on a "mask" just like Misa.
"Th-they're really soft."
"Is that so?"
I again press up against him, this time moving my hand on his thigh a big further, as if to tickle him in a way, which seems to have worked as I can feel his body tensing up even more.
"So? What's your crush like?"
Not that I'm really that curious, but I felt like maybe if I can get some info on her then maybe I could act a bit more accurately to what his crush would be like.
("Just say what they want to hear and take their money.")
Misa's words echo in my head as I try and put that into action right now.
"W-well. She goes to the same school as me-"
School? So he's also in high school? We do look the same age I guess…
"She's the prettiest girl in class, no- in the whole school in my eyes. She like your typical gyaru, but I don't know… She feels a bit more than that behind all that..."
"Hmmmm? You seem to know her quite a bit if you're saying that."
"W-well, she always seems disinterested in most classes, but despite that, she never fails a single test. Sh-she uhm, also helped me during one time during cleaning duty. I'm not that strong you see, so she helped me with some of the heavy things as well. You'd think someone like her would want to just dump someone like me with all the work and hang out with her friends, but she's always like this. She seems… I don't know. Cool?"
Cool, huh? Maybe acting this way might be a bit wrong then? Thinking so, I refrain from going further with my bit and remove my hand from his thigh while still keeping a close distance to him.
"So you fell in love with her when you two were on cleaning duty?"
"Y-yeah… She just seemed so radiant that I could barely even say thank you to her. She probably doesn't even know my name, ahah."
"Hmmm. And you say that I look like her?"
"Y-yes…"
"Then may I ask what her name is?"
"… Nicole… Her name is Nicole."
...What?
"I think she-"
His words turns to white noise as I try and process what's happening. Sure this might all be a coincidence, but now that he said my name, I kind of do remember helping out someone in class before, not too long ago at that. I remember having to do most of the heavy lifting during that day, just like what he described…
"-llie?"
What do I do?! If he knows who I am and figures out that I'm actually Nicole, then wouldn't my school life be ruined? What if-
"!"
Suddenly, I feel my leg being whacked against something. It's then that I look over to see that Misa is watching me. Before I could speak up though, she just smiles my way before opening her mouth.
"Hey, Millie. Want some juice? You can't be the only one drinking nothing, right?"
"Y-yes! Yes, thank you very much."
Thanks to Misa literally kicking me out of my spiralling thoughts, I come back to reality as Misa waves over one of the servers.
The rest of the day went well after that incident, but I couldn't do what Misa had taught me to the newcomer. Not when I realized that his crush is actually me… That said, he tipped me handsomely and the other guys also enjoyed my company as well when I was brought into their conversation.
We make our way back to Misa's apartment after finally calling it a night, but I still think back on that guy… He didn't talk too much after that as he quickly got drunk from the alcohol. I couldn't imagine someone in my class drinking, but I'm honestly glad. If he was sober the whole time, maybe he might've come to realize who I am… However, him getting drunk wasn't his plans so I can't fault him on that. Misa must've switched out the drinks to help me...
"Nicole. What's wrong?"
"Hmm?"
Misa speaks up suddenly the moment we close the front door. Her eyes a lot sharper than when we were working...
"What happened back there? You were doing so well and you just zoned out."
"...He said he had a crush on me."
"Huh?"
"The newcomer… We share the same class, but it didn't seem like he realized who I was…"
"Ahh~ Well, those things can happen. Even happened to me a couple times."
"Th-then what was I meant to do?"
"Well, he thought you 'looked' like his crush, right? I would've just played along and acted out his crush."
"...Even if your acting as yourself?"
"Hehe. Well, I get that it feels weird, but that's what we call a jackpot."
"Huh?"
We move to the bedroom as we both sit on the edge of the bed as Misa undoes her hair in the midst of her words, her hair cascading down her sides part by part.
"People pay a lot of money to act out romances like that. So just imagine how immersive that boy must've felt?"
"Immersive? But I AM the real me."
"Pfff-fufu. Yes, but that's just the way the business is. I think your situation was pretty lucky considering he believed you were Millie and not Nicole."
"St-still… I just feel guilty…"
"...Haahhh~ Right, think of it this way. Do you like him?"
"Eh?'
"In class, do you like him? Are the feelings mutual?"
"N-no… I had a boyfriend at the time so I wasn't interested at all."
"Hmmm~ So what's the harm? He gets to play out his fantasies and it's not like you need to suffer, right?
"…"
"It'd be different if you liked him as it'd introduce a whole new mess, but the fact of the matter is is that he didn't know. If you're still fine with your relationship with him in class, then I see it as a win-win. He gets what he wants, and you get money."
"...I understand, but It still doesn't feel right to toy with his feelings."
"Did you perhaps even ask if he wanted to play out a romance with you?"
"N-no…"
"Then that's why you're feeling guilty. Would it have been better if he asked that of you?"
"W-well… I'm not sure."
I think the whole "acting out a romance" is a bit too far… I know I'm meant to play as my fake persona "Millie," but to suddenly be asked to play as myself-
"E-eh?"
Out of nowhere, I feel myself being pulled into a hug, into Misa's arms as her hair tickles the side of my cheeks as she holds me from behind.
"Either way, great work today."
"Misa?"
"Honestly, I was extremely proud of you tonight. Sure there was that slip up, but look how much money we made."
She then proceeds to pull out some money in front of me, a huge wad of cash while still holding me close with her other arm.
"This is your half."
"H-huh?!"
Wait… This is only "HALF?!"
"Mhmm. You might not have notice, but those three guys paid quite a lot, especially that newcomer. He seemed to have really liked you, fufu."
"B-but that's 'cause he thought I was-"
"He was paying for 'Millie,' not you, Nicole."
She pulls me into a deeper hug as if to further emphasis her words as the smell of her perfume engulfs me, making me relax almost instantly in her arms.
"Remember. We all put on masks here. When you're in Purple Palace, you need to be Millie. That's what he paid for. He didn't pay for Nicole, just am imitation… a fake. So don't be too hard on yourself, okay?"
"…"
I find myself holding onto Misa's arm for some added comfort as I take in her words.
"...Thank you, Misa."
"Mmmm~ You're so cute though, worrying over his poor heart."
"E-eh?!"
"Fufuu. But to think you already have a boyfriend. Does he even know about that?"
"I uhh… well… I'm not- with my boyfriend anymore."
"Oh? What happened?"
("She's just a friend from the countryside! There's nothing going on!")
Flashbacks to the day I broke up with Kai replay in my mind...
"...That moron chose to chase after some other girl. Apparently she was his childhood friend, but I was meant to be his childhood friend!"
"Hmmm."
"We spent so many years together, visiting each other's houses! My little brother also loved him! I thought he would be the one, yet he-"
"It's all transactional."
"...Huh?"
Cutting me off, Misa says something quite perplexing, causing me to stop in my tracks.
"Everything in life, including love. It's all simply transactional. I'm guessing you were the one that was making most of the plans?"
"W-well! In middle school it was different, but-"
"This country girl. I'm betting he knew her before you, correct?"
"W-well, yes."
"Fufu. Then that's it. You just couldn't 'out-pay' his childhood friend. He saw more benefits for picking her than you, so of course he'd take the better pick."
"...You're saying she's better than me?!"
Hearing Misa's words, I turn my head to the side, glaring daggers at her, but Misa just met my gaze head on, unfazed.
"I didn't say that. That's what he said. At least his actions did. When someone finds a better dress, a better slab of meat, a better person, they'll just toss the other to the side…"
My angers quickly calms down as I notice that Misa, despite looking into my eyes, felt far more distant, almost as if she's looking through me, into something far off in the distance.
"...That's stupid."
"Hmm?"
"Thinking like that. Calling love something as simple as being transactional."
I think about my own parents as I say this. How even though my father sometimes gets verbally abused by my mother and my mother not liking what my father does on his days off. Despite that going on for so long… They're still together.
"I think love is a lot more than that…"
"Fufu. Well, you're still young. You'll come to understand when you're older."
"I'm not that younger than you though…"
"Fufufu. Well either way, I need to take you back to your parents. So come on. Let's get dressed."
"R-right…"