He Hates Me, He Loves Me Not

The setting sun shines a faint orange glow as it signals the end of the day. A light breeze caresses upon a lonesome figure, blowing strands of pink hair to cover his beautiful face.

Kaiden pays it no mind, using a small but calloused hand to tuck a wayward strand behind his ear. In this refreshing yet solemn weather, all his focus is on the screen being held by his palms.

The volume of his phone is not at its fullest (as Lucy said it's not healthy for him to play loud music), but it's loud enough for him who's sitting alone under the shade. Nonetheless, he can't help but be swayed by the lively opening song of this reality show. Even the opening sequence, which is familiar to most ordinary folks, is a novelty to him, so he leans back into the tree behind him and relaxes.

The bullet screen, however, doesn't share the same relaxed atmosphere as Kaiden. Comments have been popping up since the familiar tune has started. Anonymous usernames have been discussing this and that with each other, while others have been simply sending their messages of support. One is even asking what to do if his parents catch him watching this show instead of studying, earning him no helpful advice from the teasing spectators.

Finally, the comments dwindle down once the camera pans to an unfamiliar neighborhood. A pleasant, female voice provides a voice-over narration, but it seems that no one is particularly interested in the introduction.

[It's here! It's here!]

[Everybody, quiet down and focus!]

[Wait, isn't that dangerous?]

[Why are they showing where they live?]

Kaiden agrees. Although a newbie to entertainment variety shows, he knows that the first episode usually starts by showing the audience how the guests prepare for the day. He also knows that the moment personal information is revealed on the internet, privacy is no longer expected.

Thinking about the people who took pictures of him at the coffee shop without his permission makes him shudder. Still, he tries to push away those memories to be in the moment.

("It's gone. You're safe," his auntie's comforting voice whispers in his mind.)

[Poster upstairs, I can see you're new here so I, the Benevolent One, will educate you. Kneel before me and ask for my knowledge]

[*eye roll*]

[*eye roll*]

[*eye roll*]

[Am I missing something?]

[Don't pay attention to that chuunibyou upstairs. It's an open secret that this part of the show is fake.]

[Yeah, don't worry. They don't actually live there. Might just be some random street.]

[Ok. but why bother?]

[Most artists live in apartments provided by their company. It'll be boring if they just showed the same place again and again.]

"I see," Kaiden murmurs to himself. Looking back, he never saw a camera crew around his old place despite being neighbors with a top star. It makes sense now.

[The inside is real but they only show places like the living room and the kitchen.]

[Yeah this ain't a house tour show. This is an outdoor reality show. This is just fan service.]

[Who cares about that? I want to see whose place they're going to show first]

[I bet it's V!]

[You wish! He's so popular nowadays. They're definitely going to put him last]

Kaiden unconsciously frowns at this comment. Looking at the username, it's the same poster who was called a chuunibyou earlier.

What even is a /chuunibyou/?

[Why are they doing this to us? *cry cry*]

[This is my V's first show. They aren't bullying him, right?]

Ignoring the comments declaring their love for the new popular singer, Kaiden wants to satisfy his curiosity. His finger hovers over the 'exit full-screen mode' button when the view and narration change.

On the screen, the camera follows a woman with lavender to white ombre hair as she climbs up the stairs.

[Such big artists but they live in a place with no elevator?]

[This is show is really doing everything to extend airtime]

They eventually stop in front of a door. The woman makes a beckoning gesture before she gives three sharp knocks. With clear editing, this knocking scene is played three more times but with a different door each. This brings the total number of guests to four.

[LOL why is Eva so dramatic? Can't she see the doorbell over there?]

Kaiden doesn't have time to read what the other comments say because the first door opens, revealing a figure even an internet noob like him recognizes. How can he not when he used to see this person in his textbook?

Former professional pool player Simon Reyes has no expression on his face. He stands in the slightly open doorway wearing his 'indoor clothes'—a tattered, white tank top and green-striped boxer shorts. His chestnut eyes flit from Eva to the camera. Then, to everyone's surprise, the door closes with a bang.

Eva turns back to the camera with wide eyes, the look on her face asking, 'What just happened?'

[HAHAHAHAHHAHAH!]

[LOOK AT EVA! HAHAHAHA!]

[LOLOL POOR EVA NEVER GOT A DOOR SLAMMED ON HER FACE BEFORE]

"Did you not tell him we're coming?" Eva whispers to the person behind the camera.

"No, we did," a low, male voice answers.

[Did they forget to edit this out? *laughing with tears*]

The camera lowers as if it's about to be turned off when the door swings open.

Simon is seen panting, now wearing a rumpled, white, button-up shirt and black pants. His dark brown hair is a mess, looking as if someone haphazardly tried to style it but gave up at the last minute.

When he looks at Eva again, he gives her a bright smile, pretending like nothing happened, but the slight flush on his face betrays him. Opening the door wide, he ushers them in with a cheery, "Come in. Come in."

[HAHAHA! Even a world champion is a slob at home. I'll show my wife this next time she nags at me]

[What is with that speed?]

[Look at all those wrinkles]

[Bet he grabbed the first shirt he saw.]

[No, Idol! Your image is completely ruined! *sad* *crying*]

Kaiden silently watches as Simon gives a short tour of his place. This is the first time it's being broadcasted to the public so all the comments are lively. Knowing that it's bound to increase engagement, the production group even includes a couple of seconds to highlight the trophies and medals on one wall of Simon's house.

After Simon has calmed himself, Eva hands him a card—FIRST MISSION, the caption says. The contents are a mystery, leaving the audience hanging when the scene cuts to the next door.

Except for the earlier door slamming incident, the next two guests are introduced smoothly. Kaiden doesn't know them but thanks to their fans jumping around in the comments, he discovers that one is an actress while the other is a radio host. They are both apparently very popular but with the life Kaiden used to lead, he seldom had leisure time to follow a TV series or listen to the radio.

His thoughts have started to wander, recollecting the days and nights he ran around trying to earn a living. Before that, he wasn't allowed to leave his room, much less stay in the Wester's living room and watch TV. It became easier once he started living in the Lin Manor, but then it became difficult again.

A burst of loud laughter coming from his phone snaps him out of his thoughts. He watches in time as the boisterous radio host reads the mission card with amusement twinkling in his eyes.

Satisfied with this part, the show moves on to the last door.

By process of elimination, Kaiden knows who's going to be behind that door. He can't help his excitement. This is, after all, the reason he's watching the show in the first place.

The door cracks open, and Kaiden doesn't blink. Just as a peek of silver hair appears, the show's advertisements start playing.

Too engrossed in anticipation and disappointment, he doesn't notice a figure slowly creeping towards him.