Chapter III | “Forever Yours”

♢♢♢

Morning, after leaving the hotel.

I hopped into a taxi and headed to the office where Kureha-san was waiting.

I greeted the office staff and made my way to the usual meeting room. Kureha-san was there, as always, dressed impeccably in her villainess-style outfit, elegantly sipping coffee.

“Oh, Himari-chan. Good work~☆”

“Good work, Kureha-san. Are you staying over today?”

“Nope. I went home properly~ Had some work, but I left it to the puppy~♪”

“Stop bullying Yatarou…”

He was already exhausted from chaperoning us yesterday…

Well, I don’t really get the dynamic between these two. Speaking of which, does Sakura-san even know about Yatarou?

As I was lost in thought, Kureha-san glanced at her expensive-looking watch.

“Oh. Time to go~”

“Huh? No briefing about today’s job?”

“I’ll do it on the way~ Everyone’s schedules are packed, so briefings usually happen in the taxi. You might have to go alone next time, so make sure you remember everything in one go~”

“Y-Yes!”

There’s a next time…

My heart raced a little. For the past six months, I’ve done my best. Finally, the real deal. And it’s the job that launched Kureha-san’s big break…

I clenched my fist tightly.

(I’ll make this a success no matter what!)

I got into the taxi with Kureha-san, and she explained the job on the way.

“That said, it’s not a super complicated job~ Just follow the shooting staff’s instructions and take a few photos for the magazine~”

“Just a few photos?”

“Yup~ They’ve prepared the outfits, so you’ll change a few times, but it might be done by noon if things go smoothly~”

“I-I see…”

It felt a bit anticlimactic… but at the same time, I was a little relieved.

It’s a job Kureha-san passed to me, so I was expecting something more unreasonable. But this job is something her juniors have done multiple times, so I guess it makes sense.

Kureha-san smiled brightly.

“If they like you, they’ll call you back again~ So do your best~”

“Yes!”

We finally arrived at the studio.

It was a slightly old, square concrete building.

(It looks a bit musty… covered in vines and all…)

Thinking such things, I followed Kureha-san and stepped into the entrance.

—A clean, refreshing scent, unexpected for the exterior, made my spine straighten.

What’s this?

The moment I entered the building, a sudden chill ran through me. Kureha-san, still smiling, strode confidently down the quiet hallway.

I hadn’t realized I’d stopped in my tracks and hurriedly chased after her.

“K-Kureha-san, it’s really quiet here…”

“Yup~ It’s always like this~”

We reached a room with a sign that read “Meeting Room 1.”

Kureha-san knocked and opened the door.

“Excuse us.”

Inside, an older man with glasses was calmly checking a camera.

Kureha-san bowed gracefully and introduced me to him.

“This is Inuzuka Himari from Origin Production. Thank you for having us today.”

“Ah, nice to meet you.”

The man gave a gentle smile and spoke to Kureha-san.

“Kureha-chan, you’ve really settled into the manager role, haven’t you?”

“Oh, I’m still very much active, you know?”

“Says the one who’s been turning down modeling gigs lately.”

“If it’s a job from you, Gou-san, I’d happily take it.”

“Haha, spare me. You’re too much for me to handle now. I’m too young to lose confidence and retire.”

“Hehe, don’t tease. It’s not like you to fuss over a youngster like me, Gou-san.”

As they exchanged polished, professional words, I stood behind Kureha-san, perfectly missing my chance to jump in.

…Then, the man called Gou-san turned to me.

“I’m Sahara Gou, the photographer. I’ll be in charge of today’s shoot.”

“H-Hello! I’m Inuzuka Himari! Thank you for having me!”

I hurriedly greeted him, and Gou-san and Kureha-san chuckled together.

“Still a bit stiff, huh?”

“She’s a high schooler, so that’s only natural.”

“Says you, who was going all out from the start.”

“Oh, no bringing up old times!”

Their conversation had the weight of years behind it.

They’ve probably been at this since Kureha-san’s breakout days.

“Alright, let’s get you prepped. Uh…”

He pressed a button on a desk phone to call someone.

The meeting room door opened, and a woman in casual clothes with a ponytail poked her head in. Gou-san introduced her.

“This is the director, Yuino. Follow her instructions today.”

“Yes! Thank you for having me!”

Yuino-san, looking slightly sleep-deprived and tired, gestured for me to follow her into the hallway.

I turned back to Kureha-san, who wasn’t moving, and called out.

“Huh? Kureha-san?”

“I’ll stay here and chat with Gou-san a bit~ Leave the rest to the stylist~”

“Got it.”

Led by the woman named Yuino-san, I started walking down the quiet hallway again. Her back exuded a faint sense of exhaustion, but her steps were firm.

On the way, she gave me a brief rundown about the shoot.

“This time, it’s a fall fashion feature. Expecting a warm winter, the outfits are relatively light. But since the magazine focuses on the model, you don’t need to hold back too much…”

“Um, hold back?”

“Hmm, it’s hard to explain in words… If you’re unsure, just follow Gou-san’s instructions.”

“Got it.”

We arrived at the dressing room.

At a table with a large mirror, a woman in her late twenties, wearing a summer knit cap and squinting slightly, was waiting. She reminded me of my older brother’s friends.

With a sly, almost suspicious smile, she offered me a chair.

“Here, here~ I’m Yaguchi, the studio’s exclusive stylist~ Nice to meet you~”

“Nice to meet you.”

Wow, she’s so casual.

She’s the complete opposite of Ritsuka-chan, Nagisa Yonekawa’s professional makeup artist. Well, this is probably the more standard vibe…

As I sat down, she got to work right away.

“Himari-chan, right? Where’re you from~?”

“Kyushu.”

“Oh, wow, that’s far~ Did you come all the way for this shoot?”

“Yeah, Kureha-san called me…”

“That’s tough~ Gosh, youth is amazing~ I don’t have that kind of energy~ So, what’s your usual makeup like? Got any preferences~?”

“Huh? I get to decide?”

“This magazine is model-focused, so we let the models do what they like~ Gou-san’s preference, you know~ Some girls even go completely opposite to their usual style for a challenge~”

“Then, I usually go natural, so please keep it like that.”

“Ooh, nice~ You know what suits you~ I better step up my game or I’ll get scolded~”

Man, she talks a lot…

Even someone like me is reduced to just responding. Machine-gun talk… no, that’s not quite right. It’s more like talking is as natural as breathing for her.

Despite her sly smile, the conversation feels comfortable. I can see why Kureha-san said to leave it to her.

Her hands never stop working as we talk, and the look comes together quickly.

Incredible. Ritsuka-chan once said, “Communication skills are a must for hairdressers,” and now I get it. I’ve been to a few salons back home, but this is the first time I’ve met someone this comfortable to talk to right off the bat.

“Since you’re from Kyushu, this area’s new to you, right? There’s a great dessert place down the street toward the station~ This time of year, their Shine Muscat parfait is amazing~”

“Oh? Is it good?”

“Super delicious~ And it’s so Instagrammable! The fruit’s piled up like the Great Buddha in Nara~ Look, here’s a pic from when I went with Yuino-chan…”

As she reached for her phone to show me, Yuino-san let out a loud cough from behind.

“Yaguchi. Shooting time.”

“Oh, sorry~”

She apologized, but her sly expression didn’t falter.

“Go check it out after the shoot~ Oh, but if you’re with Kureha-san, maybe you’re heading somewhere fancy for lunch~”

“Dunno. I heard it might wrap up before noon if it’s quick.”

“Oh, right~”

For the first time, Yaguchi-san’s hands paused.

She furrowed her brow, crossed her arms, and let out a thoughtful hum.

“It’d be nice for us if it ends before noon~”

“Huh?”

Did she just say something ominous?

Before I could ask, Yaguchi-san’s expression snapped back to normal.

“All done! Now, please change into this outfit~”

“Oh, okay…”

I got swept along and changed quickly, missing my chance to ask.

After a quick touch-up, she asked one last question in front of the mirror.

“What about that choker around your neck~?”

“Oh…”

I touched the double-flowered choker.

The one Yuu gave me. My number one.

It’s been with me all this time, my other partner.

…But yeah, this is work. I should take it off.

“For you, Himari-chan, is it okay to keep it on~?”

“Huh?”

I turned at Yaguchi-san’s words.

“Is it okay to wear it?”

“Yup~ This shoot allows personal items, so it’s fine~”

That was unexpected.

Now that I think about it, she did say this shoot is model-focused. Maybe they want my personality to shine through.

“…My family has like a hundred flower accessories back home. Should I have brought them?”

I said it half-jokingly, and Yaguchi-san burst out laughing.

“A hundred!? That’s amazing~ You love them, huh~!”

“W-Well, my best friend makes them…”

“Wow~ Handmade? Your friend’s a high schooler, right~?”

As Yaguchi-san got carried away with the topic, Yuino-san coughed pointedly.

“Oh, sorry~ …Himari-chan, a hundred would bury the outfit, so let’s stick with the choker~ But if Gou-san asks you to take it off, please do~”

“Y-Yeah, haha…”

It got a bigger laugh than I expected, and I started to enjoy myself. Plus, she complimented Yuu’s accessory. Yaguchi-san might be pretty cool~!

“Alright, let’s head to the studio~ Follow me and Yuino~”

We left the dressing room and headed to the studio.

Walking down the still-quiet hallway, we reached a large soundproof door, like something from a movie theater. The room labeled “Studio Tsubaki” was today’s workplace.

The moment Yuino-san opened the heavy door, a flood of voices poured out!

I hadn’t sensed anyone, but inside were tons of staff members. My eyes widened at the number of people bustling about.

“Wow, that’s…”

Yaguchi-san grinned slyly and said,

“First time on a set, right, Himari-chan? This is actually fewer people than most shoots~”

“Really?”

“Outdoor shoots or ones with multiple models have way more~”

Come to think of it, the drama shoot I visited during the school trip for Nagisa Yonekawa had even more people. Well, drama shoots are different, I guess.

Gou-san was watching the staff with a warm smile.

(Wait, where’s Kureha-san…?)

That flashy lady’s nowhere to be seen?

I glanced around and quickly spotted her. She was in a corner, talking to a suited woman who looked a bit nervous and stiff.

When she noticed me, she waved airily.

“Himari-chaaan, over here~”

“Oh, okay…”

As I approached, the suited woman immediately handed me a business card.

“I’m Komatsubara, in charge of this magazine!”

“I-I’m Inuzuka Himari! Nice to meet you!”

I took the card in a fluster, trembling slightly.

They’re treating me like such an adult~!

As Komatsubara-san explained the magazine’s process, I grew more and more nervous.

…All these people are here just for my shoot.

It felt surreal. Thanks to Kureha-san, this stage was undeniably set for me…

(I-I’ll be fine! I’m a beautiful girl loved by the gods!)

As I clenched my fist, Gou-san called out.

“Alright, shall we begin?”

The staff shouted in unison, “Let’s do this!”

I stood there, stunned, until Kureha-san pushed my back. I hurriedly stepped onto the set and bowed to the staff.

“Let’s do this!”

“Let’s do thiiis!”

The shoot began.

It didn’t matter that I was a newbie; it was business as usual. I’m the newcomer here. I’ve got to do this right…!

Bracing for some wild demands, I was surprised when Gou-san said calmly,

“We’ll start with a flow, so just strike some poses.”

Freely!?

That was unexpected. I thought he’d give specific instructions.

(Let’s see, it’s a light fall fashion feature, right?)

Alright, then…

I struck a pose I’d prepared, one that’s been trending on Instagram lately. Gou-san said nothing, just aimed the camera with a calm expression.

The flash went off, and a few photos were taken.

“Hold that pose for a moment.”

Gou-san moved and shot from different angles.

After repeating this a few times, he looked up from the camera.

“Now, a different pose. Freely.”

Freely…

I fought to keep my face from twitching and tried another trending SNS pose.

Gou-san said nothing, took a few shots.

He changed angles, shot again, and returned to the front, making another request.

“Next pose, please. Freely.”

“Y-Yes…”

Uh, um…

What else is trending…?

This went on for several rounds.

Over and over.

No breaks, just endlessly striking “free” poses.

No “good” or “bad,” just a flat request for the next pose.

I felt like a part-timer sorting bread on a conveyor belt. My thoughts systematized as the task dragged on. Oh, that bread’s a bit burnt. Might as well eat it.

I lost track of time.

It felt like hours had passed, or maybe not even thirty minutes.

My body started to feel colder and colder.

The dazzling lights.

The flashing camera.

From here, the staff’s faces were backlit, unreadable. Just shadows, like faceless figures.

Amid the writhing shadows, I kept searching for the next pose in my head.

(It’s like I’m a heroine being auctioned off to monstrous beings.)

My brother watched an anime like that. What was it? Oh, right, The Ancient Magus’ Bride. She gets bought by a monstrous mage and becomes his bride.

But my story didn’t begin.

After Gou-san’s umpteenth “freely.”

—My mind went completely blank.

My body felt like it had turned to stone.

I couldn’t move a single finger.

I didn’t know how to move.

With a trembling voice, I barely squeezed out,

“W-What kind of pose should I do…?”

Even I could tell the studio’s air had frozen.

I wanted to run away, but I didn’t have the courage. Desperately, I searched for Kureha-san, but in this moment, I couldn’t find her. The backlighting made everything invisible.

Gou-san, camera still raised, spoke with a calm smile.

“Any pose you like is fine.”

It was, in a way, the answer I expected.

Does he hate me? Why? Did I mess up somehow? But Yaguchi-san said to follow Gou-san’s instructions if I didn’t know. Was that a trap? I don’t get it anymore.

“Uh, um…”

Anyway.

A pose I like.

I need to pick a pose I like… Wait.

What do I even like?

I don’t have anything I like.

I’m empty. Just a cute, clever girl who’s lived on charm alone. How could I possibly know what I like now?

I’ve always been bad at creating things myself.

That’s why Yuu shone so brightly to me. I wanted to get closer to him, surpass him, and thought being a model was my way to do it…

“A model without obsession is boring to shoot.”

At that voice, I snapped my head up.

Gou-san’s calm smile was gone. His cold, emotionless eyes stared at me.

“A kid with the drive to make it big is always imagining their future successful self. That’s the only way to create the sparkle that captivates people.”

“…”

His words left me frozen in place.

I didn’t even think to argue back.

These past six months, I’ve worked hard.

I kept up my Instagram as Kureha-san told me, stayed on top of trends, trained my body at the agency, and studied at school.

…But I was just doing what I was told.

My future successful self?

I’d never thought about it.

I vaguely pictured getting lots of jobs, smiling brightly, getting tons of photos taken… and promoting Yuu’s accessories.

That fluffy image burned away, charring at the edges. And when it was gone, all that remained was me, standing alone in this vast studio.

“I-I’m… uh…”

“…”

Gou-san let out a small sigh and lowered his camera.

“Himari-chan seems off today. Shall we call it quits?”

“…!”

Before I could say anything,

Komatsubara-san, the magazine rep, hurriedly cut me off.

“P-Please wait! Finding another model now would be impossible with the schedule…”

“But I’m not feeling it. I won’t allow imperfect work to be published.”

Gou-san’s quiet demeanor was unwavering. That must be the core of what makes him a creator.

I knew instantly.

He’s like Yuu, with those rainbow-colored eyes.

Then he turned to Kureha-san, who was watching from the back. She met his gaze calmly.

“Kureha-san, next time, bring someone more to my taste.”

“…My apologies. This was my oversight.”

The staff around us started murmuring.

Reactions varied: “Whoa, seriously?” from the shocked, “Again?” from the exasperated, or like Yuino-san, who immediately started rescheduling.

Komatsubara-san pleaded with Kureha-san.

“K-Kureha-san! Please convince him…”

“No way. Has Gou-san ever changed his mind after saying that?”

“B-But adjusting the schedule from here is impossible…”

As Komatsubara-san panicked…

—Clap. Kureha-san clapped her hands.

The sharp sound silenced the room’s buzz.

In the still studio,

Kureha-san smiled brightly.

“So, I’ve already arranged a substitute.”

Komatsubara-san’s eyes lit up.

“R-Really!? But can they make it in time for today’s shoot…?”

“Hehe. She’s already here, and I’ve asked Yaguchi-san to handle her. She’s just Gou-san’s type, so don’t worry.”

Gou-san, meeting her gaze, said,

“…Fine.”

He began instructing the staff to check the equipment.

As the set grew busy again, I stepped off, escaping the pitying looks.

Meeting Kureha-san’s eyes, she smiled and beckoned me.

“Himari-chan, come here.”

“…”

We slipped into the hallway, facing each other in an empty spot.

I couldn’t look at her, trembling.

“K-Kureha-san, I…”

“…”

—Squish. She pinched my nose.

She tugged it upward, hard.

Gah! Kureha-san’s super mad! I can see a clear ‘💢’ behind her smile!

“Ugh~ Even if it’s your first job, that was just way too bad~ You’ve smeared mud all over my face. What should I do with you~☆”

“S-Sorry, sorry! Kureha-san!? I can’t breathe~!”

“That’s right♪ Maybe I’ll make you bike back to Kyushu~ One foot on the ground, and you do another lap~☆”

“That’s brutal!? Stop adding laps like it’s a school track~!”

Oh.

My tension… it’s easing a bit?

Seeing my face relax, Kureha-san sighed in exasperation.

“Himari-chan, what’s your takeaway?”

“…I don’t really know…”

I spoke my feelings honestly.

“They told me to do what I wanted, but I didn’t have anything… My mind went blank…”

“…”

Kureha-san looked at me steadily…

“Then watch closely, okay?”

“Huh…?”

At the same time, I heard it.

From down the hallway, the sound of boots clicking.

I turned—and there was Yume-chin.

Her hair down, exuding a mature vibe unlike her usual self. Her cheeks flushed with anticipation for the world she’d longed for.

The substitute Kureha-san mentioned…

“Oh, Yume-chin…”

I started to call out.

But Yume-chin slipped past me.

Without a word, without even a glance.

It wasn’t that she ignored me.

I knew instantly.

In the world reflected in her eyes, I didn’t exist.

Again.

I felt it six months ago with Ritsuka-chan.

Those brilliantly shining eyes were proof she was the same as Yuu.

Kureha-san started to explain the job to Yume-chin…

“Yume-chan, this job is…”

But Yume-chin stopped her.

“Kureha-san, I don’t need an explanation.”

And she declared clearly,

“I’ve thought about being recognized here thousands of times!”

She opened the studio door alone and stepped into the set.

“I’m Kirishima Yume! Let’s do this!”

Her loud voice seemed to sweep away the stagnant air.

I felt Gou-san’s eyes change in an instant.

His calm gaze remained—but it now held a spark of interest in Yume-chin. His eyes flickered with rainbow-colored sparks.

“This way, please.”

“Yes!”

She stood on the set.

Her confident stance, unimaginable for a first-timer, carried the air of a veteran model.

She probably wasn’t reading the staff’s expressions. Her experience on theater stages was fueling her.

But that alone wouldn’t be enough for this shoot…

As I harbored a small worry, Gou-san spoke up.

“We’ll take a few shots.”

“Poses?”

With a smile, he gave the same words as to me.

“Freely. Any pose you like.”

Yume-chin thought for a moment.

She raised her right arm toward Gou-san… toward the camera lens. Pointing her index finger sharply.

With a provocative gaze, she declared,

“—We meet here, and it’s fate for a hundred years!”

A moment of silence.

Then—Gou-san burst out laughing.

“Pfft!”

The shutter clicked simultaneously.

The tense air relaxed in an instant.

The staff started laughing, too.

They muttered things like, “First meeting, right?” or “Is Gou-san her sworn enemy?” The laughter warmed the set’s atmosphere.

For some reason, Yume-chin looked smug, overwhelming everyone.

At first glance, it seemed like mere attention-grabbing.

But for some reason,

I felt I could see the solid effort Yume-chin had put in behind it.

An indescribable pressure. It was as if her entire life flashed before my eyes like a movie scene.

This was the charm of Yume-chin I’d heard about from the agency girls.

Her honed, natural acting ability slammed her life into others’ eyes—a wild yet delicate way of being a model.

Gou-san’s expression, checking the photos, showed clear conviction.

“Nice. Let’s take a few more like this.”

“Yes!”

Unlike my shoot, the entire set moved like a single living organism. After finishing the provocative pose, they moved to the poses requested by the magazine.

Now Gou-san gave detailed instructions.

“November, a park at 2 p.m. Meeting a friend of the opposite sex from school. But add feelings beyond friendship.”

“Yes!”

Yume-chin gazed at the camera, leaning back as if against something.

It felt like I could see the specified scene. The image of going out with a boy she usually talks to openly, for the first time just the two of them. Probably heading to the biggest mall in town together. The mix of wanting to have fun as friends and a slight hope to move the relationship forward was evident in her gaze.

Gou-san nodded, satisfied.

“Good. Now advance the time. Make it 6 p.m. And age up by about three years.”

“Yes!”

The same pose, but her expression became more mature.

If the last one was a high schooler, this felt like a college woman. The destination wasn’t a mall anymore—probably a chic bar nearby.

(…Amazing.)

Gou-san’s “freely” was likely a test for models. Those who passed got more and more demands.

For Yume-chin, it was the perfect stage to unleash her acting skills.

Gou-san immersed himself in his subject, shooting from every angle. Yuino-san, instantly reading his intent, directed the staff to adapt flexibly.

It was the same set as before, but it felt like I’d wandered into another world.

The energy was different.

The heat it held was different.

Like the final gear clicking into place, the set roared to life.

I could only stare, dazed, from the outside.

Yaguchi-san, the stylist, peeked out from behind us.

“Kureha-san, that girl’s amazing~ Is she really a newbie~?”

“Hehe, thank you.”

“No, seriously~ I’ve seen tons of rookie models here, but no one’s ever pointed at Gou-san like that right off the bat~ Gave me chills~”

“Kirishima-san’s got guts.”

“Haha, guts are a huge talent~”

Yaguchi-san dropped her usual sly smile and turned to me.

“Himari-chan, tough break~”

“Oh, yeah. Sorry, you did my makeup and everything…”

“That’s fine~ It’s my job~ Newbies getting cut by Gou-san’s crazy demands is normal. Do better next time~”

“…Yeah.”

Next time, huh.

I stole a glance at Kureha-san’s profile.

Her usual bright smile gave nothing away.

(…Will there even be a next time?)

I clenched my fist tightly.

Yume-chin’s shoot wrapped up in about an hour.

After some explanations about the magazine, we left the studio.

Kureha-san woke Yatarou, who was napping in the car, and the four of us headed back to the office. In the backseat, Yume-chin, still buzzing from her first job, was talking Kureha-san’s ear off, cheeks flushed.

“Kureha-san! Thank you for calling me!”

“Yup~ You were the closest one~”

“I’ll do even better next time, so call me again!”

“Hmm~ If you’re nearby next time, maybe~”

“Got it! I’ll ask Ito-san to schedule my theater performances near your jobs!”

“Hehe, make sure you talk it over properly~”

I sat in the passenger seat, listening with maximum awkwardness.

…Apparently, some of my photos will be used. According to Kureha-san, Yume-chin’s will be on the cover, and mine are probably just fillers.

(I never thought it’d turn out like this…)

Yatarou, driving next to me, let out a small sigh.

“You were thinking you’d make a grand debut on your first job, huh?”

“Ugh…”

He hit the nail on the head, and I flinched.

Yatarou grinned and continued.

“I was the same. Thought I’d win a contest, move to Tokyo, have my debut work sell like crazy, and live a dazzling writer’s life.”

Kureha-san laughed fondly from the back.

“Puppy won the contest, but his debut flopped hilariously~ Still, he’s stubborn about not writing mainstream stuff, threw tantrums, and got dumped by his editor~ I still remember him crying to me when he couldn’t pay rent~☆”

“Kureha, you jerk! You didn’t have to spill that much!”

Yatarou’s face turned red as he snapped back, then clicked his tongue awkwardly.

“Anyway, the point is, the first try never goes perfectly.”

Yume-chin poked her head forward.

“Exactly. You’ve only been training seriously for six months, right? Thinking you’d nail your first job like that is why you got burned.”

“…But it was your first job too, Yume-chin.”

Kureha-san giggled.

“Give her a break~ Yume-chin’s been with us a year and was pumped for her first job~”

“I’ve been with the agency for three years!”

“Oh? Was it~?”

The conversation was deliberately bright.

I knew they were all trying to cheer me up.

…Even so, I couldn’t shake my gloom. Maybe I really am just petty.

♢♢♢

 

They dropped me off at the hotel.

Kureha-san opened the car window, smiling brightly and waving.

“See ya, Himari-chan~ I’ll contact you later~ Until then, keep up with your lessons~☆”

“…Yeah.”

Kureha-san turned to the driver’s seat, saying, “Guess I’ll have you take me to another set~,” while Yatarou grumbled, “Let me sleep already!” as the car drove off.

I dragged my heavy mood into the hotel.

…But my feet stopped, and I sat on a bench in the hotel’s courtyard.

Alone in the beautifully maintained garden, I felt like Alice in Wonderland. Thinking such whimsical thoughts probably means I’m really down.

I didn’t want to go back to the room where Enocchi was waiting.

I didn’t want to explain today’s failure with my own mouth.

…But I can’t just sulk here forever. If I stay too late, I’ll worry her.

I hugged my head.

(Ugh, how do I report this…?)

Wait, Yume-chin was performing with Ten-ten’s theater group today, right?

If she left midway, does that mean… she already knows everything?

I paled.

(Ugh, so embarrassing! I just want to go home~!)

Suddenly, I sensed someone in the garden.

My heart skipped, and I quickly whistled innocently. No way am I letting a stranger see me rolling around like a kid—that’s a total NG for a beautiful girl!

…As I played my little act, a voice called out.

“Huh? Himari?”

“Eh?”

I turned—and there was Yuu.

He was holding a convenience store bag, blinking at me.

I felt a wave of relief… No, wait! This isn’t the time for relief!

“Y-Yuu, why are you here?”

“Makishima and Tenma-kun started round two, so I escaped to the convenience store… Then I remembered this hotel has a nice courtyard. Since we’re leaving tomorrow, I wanted to check it out properly.”

Saying that, Yuu sat next to me on the bench.

It was a strange feeling.

Awkward, but seeing Yuu’s face made me feel a bit at ease…

“Is Ten-ten staying with you tonight too?”

“Yeah. The evening performance got canceled, so he went to eat with the theater group and Yonekawa-san… Oh, right. Do you know anything about Kirishima-san? Tenma-kun’s worried since she hasn’t replied.”

I flinched, and Yuu noticed.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, um, Yume-chin…”

She was with me until just now.

She succeeded in the job I failed, didn’t upset the famous photographer, and, uh…

—I might not be able to do this alone.

Those words almost slipped out.

But I held them back… and barely snapped out of it.

(No. If I lean on Yuu now, I’ll…)

Before, I could make excuses for my failures.

But this time—it’s truly, completely my failure. If I run from this, I’ll become truly pathetic and useless.

“Uh, well… Haha, so, um? Actually, I kinda messed up today’s shoot. Yume-chin was called in as my substitute.”

“Oh, I see. Tenma-kun mentioned that might’ve happened… Was the shoot okay?”

“Oh, yeah! It was perfect! Yume-chin was amazing. Even Gou-san, who got mad, cheered up! She’s been working for three years, inspired by Kureha-san. Way harder than me, so it makes sense…”

It’s fine, it’s fine.

My tongue, always quick in moments like this, hid my feelings well.

“So, all’s well! My grand debut didn’t happen, but that’s normal, right? The entertainment world’s tough. But I’m fine!”

“Himari.”

Yuu’s quiet but firm voice pulled me back.

I slowly returned my gaze, which I’d averted, to his face. He was looking at me with deep concern.

“If you’re fine, why do you look like you’re about to cry?”

“…!?”

I touched my face.

Of course, that wouldn’t tell me anything… but the feelings I’d been hiding burst open.

Tears spilled out.

Once they started, they wouldn’t stop… I grabbed Yuu’s shirt and wailed.

“Waaaaaaahhh…!!”

I was serious.

I’d only been serious for six months, but it was real.

Time doesn’t matter.

I wanted to believe I was capable.

For the first time in my life, I finally found something I wanted to do on my own.

I didn’t want to fail.

I wanted to show Yuu I could do it properly.

But reality wasn’t so kind… All my enthusiasm was met with a result that easily dismissed it.

“Himari, it’s okay.”

“…Huh?”

Yuu placed a hand on my shoulder and said clearly,

“Himari, you’re okay.”

“W-Why…? I was a total failure… Gou-san even said I was boring…”

My words came out in broken sobs, but Yuu spoke nostalgically about the past.

“Do you remember when we were in middle school, and we started that online shop?”

I remember.

We mimicked what others were doing… got advice from my brother and Sakura-san, and worked hard to launch the online shop.

We eagerly prepared all those flower accessories.

…But they didn’t sell at all, and we stood frozen in front of a mountain of inventory.

Facing reality, I thought, “Maybe this is hopeless…”

—But seeing Yuu keep making accessories at his desk made me want to try again.

“Back then, I thought, ‘This might be over,’ you know…”

“Huh?”

His words made my eyes widen.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I seriously thought we were done. But you said, ‘Let’s do better next time.’ And you went all out negotiating with Hibari-san and others to sell the inventory. Knowing you believed in me made me think I had to work harder.”

“…”

I just wanted to cheer Yuu up.

That’s all I meant, desperately throwing out those words.

Back then, I failed too, and we didn’t have a clear solution. Negotiating with my brother was totally improvised. We managed to sell everything, but the original plan was to have them fly off the shelves online…

But still, if my presence—if I was Yuu’s support…

—Yuu-kun and Hii-chan, you’re both weirdly obsessed with “achieving your dreams in the perfect way,” aren’t you?

Last summer vacation, Enocchi’s words flashed through my mind.

…What a joke.

So much for “working hard for six months.”

Sure, I worked hard, but I haven’t grown at all fundamentally.

…But maybe that’s okay.

I realized I haven’t grown.

I realized Yuu believes in me.

That alone means I’m moving forward.

“Yuu, thank you.”

Before I knew it, my tears had stopped, and the heavy gloom from earlier had faded a bit. It wasn’t gone, but I felt a little lighter.

At least enough to think I could move past today.

“…So, today, Gou-san said something like this.”

I slowly recounted the day.

I wanted to share my first experience with Yuu.

I’m growing up in places Yuu doesn’t know.

But I wanted to carve it in that we’re still connected.

“So, that’s how Yume-chin stole the show today. But I still don’t get what touched Gou-san’s heartstrings. Maybe he’s a bit of a masochist?”

After listening, Yuu said with a serious expression,

“…Hey, Himari.”

Hm?

What’s up?

I tilted my head, dazed, and Yuu muttered,

“Wouldn’t your usual thing have worked?”

“What?”

“You know, that ‘puha’ thing you do when you tease me…”

“…”

His words left me speechless for a moment.

—Huh?

I immediately blurted out a denial.

“No way!? That’s just…!?”

“I mean, probably not, but hearing your story… that photographer wanted to capture the model’s inner self first, right? That’s why he liked Kirishima-san’s war-declaration pose. Maybe the first pose he wanted was something like that…”

I whipped out my phone.

I called Kureha-san, and she picked up right away.

‘Himari-chan? What’s up~? Need your big sis to comfort you~?’

“N-No way! Um, Kureha-san, about Gou-san’s ‘freely’ pose…”

Hesitantly, I shared Yuu’s guess.

No way, it can’t be.

A famous photographer wouldn’t tank a job for a reason like that… My desperate hopes—Kureha-san laughed them off.

‘Oh, yup, that would’ve worked~ Himari-chan, you kept doing those trendy SNS poses, right~ Gou-san hates cookie-cutter stuff, so he was probably in a bad mood~’

“…”

The feeling of the floor dropping out—that’s probably what this is. So unreliable, I couldn’t even muster the energy to resent the world…

My trembling hand barely held the phone.

“B-But no one said anything, not Yaguchi-san or Yuino-san…”

‘Hehe, Gou-san’s a weirdo who wants to catch the moment a young girl blooms on her own~ He tells the staff not to give hints~ Such a bad personality, right~’

“~~~!”

As if seeing through my beet-red face, Kureha-san laughed gleefully.

‘Tough luck☆’

—The call cut off.

The phone beeped mercilessly.

My mind replayed today’s dark history like a montage.

“Uwaaaaah~~~ ! I’m such an idiot! A total idiot~~~ !”

“Himari! Calm down! I get it, but your voice is way too loud!”

Yuu hurriedly steadied my shaking body.

Today!

I probably set a new record for my life’s darkest moment!!

“Ugh… Letting a sure win slip away… I’m so frustrated~~~…”

“Well, it was your first time, so it happens.”

Yuu said with a wry smile.

“You just need to win in the end.”

“…Yeah.”

That’s right.

I just need to win in the end.

I’ve made tons of mistakes before.

That doesn’t mean I won’t make more…

But if I win in the end, they’ll all be good memories.

“I’ll keep working hard.”

“Yeah.”

We made that promise again.

Even if our paths diverge now, we know we’ll meet again down the road.

♢♢♢

 

The next day.

Past noon, we were at Haneda Airport to head back home.

After enjoying some pricey Japanese cuisine at a tenant restaurant, we left the place.

“Phew! That was delicious!”

“Yeah. Is it okay to eat such fancy stuff…?”

“It’s fine! It’s the allowance my brother gave for you to splurge!”

“Your phrasing…”

“Besides, other places were so crowded we might’ve missed our flight.”

“True. The lines are insane. Haneda at lunchtime is wild…”

Enocchi and Makishima-kun came out after us.

They looked thrilled, eyes sparkling with satisfaction.

“Haha! Food tastes thirty percent better when it’s on someone else’s dime.”

“Jeez, Shii-kun, that’s crass.”

Watching them, I whispered to Yuu.

“…But, Yuu, maybe don’t take Enocchi to fancy places.”

“…Yeah.”

Man, that was something.

She loved it and didn’t hold back at all. If it wasn’t my brother’s money, we’d definitely have been arrested for dining and dashing, banned from leaving Tokyo.

“Oh, we need to buy souvenirs.”

“Right. We’ve only got an hour, so not much time.”

Unlike our local airport, this place is huge after the security check.

Depending on the gate, it can take thirty minutes to walk from the security gate, and if you calculate time like at home, you’ll miss your flight.

“Alright, let’s decide quickly. …Rion, got anything you want to buy?”

“Oh, there’s something I’m curious about.”

“Oh? Like what?”

“I heard there’s a famous, delicious baumkuchen here…”

I perked up.

“Oh, that’s probably ‘Jiichiro.’ I got some at the agency before.”

“Seriously? Let’s get that then.”

A delicious baumkuchen from Shizuoka.

Fluffy, moist, with a rich buttery flavor.

We checked the shop’s location on my phone and went to buy it. It was close to the gate, which was a relief.

After securing souvenirs, we passed through security. Makishima-kun, with his chains, got stopped like three times. Serves him right.

We walked to the boarding gate.

Thirty minutes before departure. So smooth. You could say it’s thanks to me, the Tokyo-savvy girl.

From the waiting area’s large window, I gazed at the runway.

…Suddenly, a strange loneliness hit me.

The high school summer was ending.

My last summer vacation became a bitter memory.

I was supposed to make a dazzling debut.

To be recognized by Yuu.

I was supposed to take a step ahead.

But reality wasn’t kind, and a simple misstep in mindset made me easily miss my chance.

All I was left with was overwhelming regret.

(…Can I really make it?)

To the place beyond this dark path.

To where Yuu and the others are heading.

There’s no light anywhere, just loneliness and anxiety. The path under my feet might give way to a pitfall someday.

On such a path, can I really catch up to Yuu and the others?

Anxiety tried to tangle my feet again.

Yuu’s words last night made me happy.

But… after a night, the weak me is tormented by the same fears.

Am I really—

“Himari, you’re okay.”

I turned at the voice.

Before I knew it, Yuu was standing beside me, staring at the runway through the window.

“Huh, what?”

“You’re thinking about yesterday’s failure, right?”

“Ugh…”

He hit the mark, and I looked away.

But acting proud here felt stupid, so I threw out a complaint.

“…You’re usually so clueless, but you’re sharp at times like this.”

“Sorry for being clueless. I mean, I know I am…”

Yuu said with a wry smile.

“But I can tell when you’re worrying about something. …Because I’ve been watching you all this time.”

“…!”

There’s no deeper meaning to his words.

I know that. …But I couldn’t stop my face from heating up, and I kicked Yuu’s butt to hide my embarrassment.

“No cheesy lines!”

“Ow!? Hey, don’t actually kick me!”

Laughing, Yuu looked straight at me and said,

“You’re okay, Himari. I guarantee it.”

“…A guarantee from wobbly-mentality Yuu doesn’t mean much.”

As Yuu sighed, “Geez, you…,” I stuck out my tongue.

…But I was happy.

I’m not alone.

Even if our paths diverge, even if we can’t walk together anymore… or if I can’t keep going and stop far behind.

There’s someone here who’ll still see me.

I glanced at Yuu’s face.

“So, even if I can’t be with you, you’ll keep believing in me?”

Yuu smiled at my words.

“Yeah. I’ll always be watching.”

The dazzling sunlight illuminated Yuu’s smile.

…I want to keep reflecting in these rainbow-colored eyes.

Four years ago, when we met, this might’ve been my wish.

Because I realized that—

This last high school summer will surely shine forever in me.