Principal Kim observed for ten minutes before nodding approvingly and moving on to the next classroom, much to James's relief. The parents seemed equally satisfied, some taking notes while others watched proudly. James began to relax slightly, thinking perhaps he could pull this off after all, until the classroom door opened again, admitting a whirlwind of color and energy in the shape of Muse. She wore paint-splattered overalls over a bright turquoise top, her hair adorned with what appeared to be pencils as hair sticks. A large bag slung over her shoulder clinked mysteriously as she moved.
"Sorry, I'm late, Teacher Evan!" she announced cheerfully, setting her bag down with a metallic clatter. "The creative forces of the universe were against me this morning."
The children erupted in excited greetings, clearly familiar with and fond of Muse. James stood frozen, hoping his brother's glasses might sufficiently disguise him. Muse turned to him, mouth open to continue her explanation, when she paused. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied his face, head tilting in curiosity.
"You look different today, Teacher Evan," she observed, voice lowered so only he could hear. "New teaching style?"
James swallowed. "Trying something different. Also, a slight cold." He coughed unconvincingly.
Muse's expression made it clear she wasn't buying his explanation, but with a classroom full of children and observing parents, she merely nodded. "We'll talk later," she whispered, making the simple phrase sound like a promise and a threat.
Turning to the class with undiminished enthusiasm, Muse clapped her hands. "Who's ready to move their bodies in amazing new ways today?"
The children cheered, and James beamed at their excitement. Whatever his concerns about being discovered by Muse, he couldn't help but appreciate her easy rapport with the children.
"Teacher Evan, we'll need space for our movement activity," Muse announced. "Could you and Ms. Hope help the children move the tables?"
James admired Muse for the next forty-five minutes as he led the class through creative movement exercises. Unlike the rigid, perfection-oriented dance training he was accustomed to, Muse's approach emphasized imagination and self-expression. Children became trees bending in the wind, animals moving through the jungle, and robots with rusty joints—all while learning about spatial awareness, balance, and coordination. Most surprisingly, Muse incorporated elements that reminded James of actual dance training, proper breathing techniques, core engagement, and spatial awareness—but presented them through games and imagination rather than technical instruction. Children absorbed these fundamentals without the pressure or self-consciousness often associated with formal dance education.
"Now," Muse announced as they neared the end of her session, "we need a volunteer to show us how different emotions change our movements. Teacher Evan, would you help us?"
James froze momentarily before remembering he was supposed to be Teacher Evan. "Me?"
"Yes, you," Muse smiled innocently, though her eyes held a challenge that made James suspect she knew exactly who he was. "Show us how your body moves when you're happy."
Put on the spot, James hesitated. His instinct was to demonstrate with precise, choreographed movements, but he knew that would give him away immediately. Instead, he awkwardly jumped up and down with his arms raised, a crude approximation of joy that made several parents chuckle.
"Wonderful!" Muse encouraged, though he could see amusement dancing in her eyes. "And now sad?"
James hunched his shoulders and dragged his feet, making his best impression of untrained movement rather than the carefully crafted performance of sadness he'd perfected for C7's more emotional songs.
"Perfect," Muse nodded. "And now, can you show us... embarrassed?"
That one required no acting whatsoever. James's face flushed as he demonstrated, acutely aware of Muse's knowing gaze.
"Thank you, Teacher Evan," she said sweetly. "Children, thank Teacher Evan for being such a good sport!"
"Thank you, Teacher Evan!" the class chanted.
The remainder of the morning proceeded without incident. The children practiced writing the letter P using the mysterious "rainbow method" (tracing the same letter multiple times with different colored markers), listened to a penguin story, and completed an art project involving painted handprints. James gradually relaxed into the role, guided by Evan's meticulous notes and Hope's subtle assistance. Surprisingly, the children accepted his mistakes, and their openness and enthusiasm created a forgiving atmosphere unlike anything he was accustomed to in his perfectionist world. As the parents departed and the children prepared for lunch, Muse approached James again.
"Not bad, 'Teacher Evan,'" she said quietly, emphasizing the name in a way that confirmed his cover was blown. "Though your penguin dance needs work."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," James maintained weakly. "I always teach this way."
Muse laughed. "Evan mentioned he had an identical twin, but he failed to mention his brother would be impersonating him today."
James sighed, giving up the pretense. "How obvious was it?"
"To the children and parents? Not very. To someone who's recently spent time with Evan. Immediately apparent." She studied him curiously. "So, you're the idol twin."
"James," he confirmed, extending his hand formally. "James."
"Muse Song," she replied, shaking his hand with a firm grip. "Child development specialist and now an accomplice to educational fraud."
Despite her words, her tone remained light, her eyes sparkling with amusement rather than judgment.
"Evan has a terrible cold," James explained quickly. "He never misses work, and this observation day was important, so I…"
"Stepped in to help your brother," Muse finished for him. "That's rather sweet."
James blinked, not expecting this positive interpretation of his deception.
"Though your 'happy' demonstration was possibly the most constrained expression of joy I've ever witnessed," she added teasingly. "Do they not allow real emotions in idol land?"
"We express plenty of emotions," James defended. "They're just... choreographed."
"Precisely planned joy doesn't sound particularly joyful," Muse observed. "But what do I know? I work with five-year-olds who feel everything at maximum volume with zero restraint."
Before James could respond, Hope informed him that the children were ready for lunch in the cafeteria. Muse gathered her materials and prepared to leave.
"Will you tell Evan I stopped by his apartment later?" she asked. "I have some ginger tea that works wonders for colds."
"Of course," James agreed, then gathered his courage. "And maybe when he's feeling better, we could have coffee? Since you know about the twin situation now."
Muse tilted her head, viewing him with interest. "The three of us? That's an unusual suggestion."
"Well, you're Evan's friend," James explained awkwardly. "But since you've met me under a pretense, I thought properly introducing myself might be nice. As myself, not as my brother pretending to be me."
Muse laughed, the sound bright and unrestrained. "That sentence was an adventure from start to finish. But yes, I'd like that." She shouldered her bag of supplies. "I'm curious to see how different the real James is from Teacher Evan."
"Probably more coordinated but worse with finger paint," James admitted.
"We all have our strengths," Muse grinned. "Though I must say, for someone who performs in front of thousands, you looked terrified of twenty-five kindergarteners."
"Different audience, different terror," James explained. "Concert audiences don't ask why the sky is blue and expect a scientifically accurate answer."
Muse's laughter followed her out the door, leaving James with the strange sensation of having both failed at his deception and succeeded at something.