Chapter 31 — The Queen Who Forgot Her Crown
The moment my greeting left my mouth, the whole studio started breathing differently.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Miyahara," I said with a small smile.
It was just a simple line. Polite. Normal.
But for her, it clearly wasn't.
Miyahara Yume, the woman whose face ruled billboards and magazine covers, stood in front of me with a flushed expression that didn't match her public image at all. Her cheeks were tinged pink, her eyes a little wider than they should be, and her fingers, which probably handled microphones and contracts like nothing, were now nervously touching the hem of her sleeve.
"I–It's… an honor," she replied, bowing slightly.
Too polite. Too nervous. Too… human.
If I hadn't known she was a top celebrity, I would have thought she was just a shy university girl meeting her crush for the first time.
The staff watched everything with sharp, hungry eyes.
Some tried to pretend they were fixing cables or checking papers.
But almost everyone had the same thought:
The queen is blushing.
Because of him.
The manager, standing near a light stand, quietly inhaled.
This is going to be more troublesome than I expected…
---
Studio Atmosphere — A Boy and a Goddess
"Let's move to the main set," the photographer said. "We'll start with the solo frames first. Miss Miyahara, you're welcome to watch from here."
Her voice was steady, but even she kept glancing between Yume and me, like she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
I nodded. "Understood."
Yume stepped to the side, just beyond the edge of the set, where she could see everything clearly. She folded her hands in front of her, trying to look composed. From a distance, she still looked like the perfect professional model — elegant posture, calm gaze, controlled breathing.
But up close, you could see it:
The faint pink on her cheeks wouldn't go away.
The way her eyes kept drifting back to me.
The tiny, almost invisible movement of her fingers as they squeezed the fabric of her coat.
I walked toward the mark on the floor, where the tape indicated my position. The lights warmed, the softbox glowed, and everything around us settled into that familiar stillness that comes before the first shutter sound.
"Alright, Haruya-kun," the photographer said softly. "Let's start simple. Relax your shoulders. Look slightly to the left… yes. Eyes soft."
I exhaled.
It was strange, but in that moment, I felt completely calm.
No nervousness. No fear. Just a quiet excitement deep inside me.
Compared to my previous world — nights spent overtime in an office, walking alone in dark Tokyo streets — this life felt almost unreal. People fussing over my hair, waiting for my expression, holding their breath for one simple look.
Being a rare boy really is cheat-level, I thought.
The camera clicked.
Once.
Twice.
The large screen to the side showed the captured images in real time. Each frame displayed my reflection — pale skin, silver hair catching the light, blue eyes softened by the glow. It always surprised me a little, seeing myself like that. I never got used to it.
Someone near the monitor sucked in a sharp breath.
"Again," the photographer said, smiling to herself. "Chin a little lower. Now… look directly into the lens. Imagine you're looking at someone important."
My mind flashed with random images.
My mother's relieved smile.
Aoi and Sakura fussing over me.
Saeko nervously holding her bento box.
Reina punching that pervert girl without hesitation.
And now… this celebrity woman standing off to the side, trying not to visibly melt.
I raised my gaze and gently focused on the camera.
The click echoed.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Yume's shoulders tremble slightly.
Inside her head, thoughts collided.
Why does it feel like he's looking straight into my soul?
This is dangerous. That expression is illegal.
No, I can't show this face in front of my staff… I'm supposed to be the composed one here…
She subtly turned a little so that the others couldn't see the full color of her face.
Too late.
They had already seen it.
---
Staff Whispers — Quiet Jealousy
Near the makeup table, two stylists pretended to arrange brushes.
"Did you see her face?"
"She almost dropped her bag when he smiled."
"I've been her stylist for five years. I've seen her handle crazy fans, obsessed co-actors, pushy directors… I've never seen that expression before."
One of them glanced at the monitor, then back at Yume.
"I kind of get it, though. Look at him. He doesn't just look pretty. He looks… soft. Like if you touch him, he might disappear."
Another whispered, half-jealous, half-amused, "If she wasn't such a big celebrity, I'd be tempted to shove her over and steal her spot."
"Don't," the other hissed. "She invested millions just to arrange this meeting. You'd vanish from the industry overnight."
Across the room, two junior assistants tied cables together but kept peeking up.
"Honestly, if I were her, I'd do the same."
"What, invest hundreds of millions of yen just to meet a boy?"
"Yes. Look at him. That's an investment in happiness."
Author (人*´∀｀)｡*ﾟ+ laughed quietly. "I swear, this is reverse chastity world at its peak. An entire top-tier studio and big star dancing around one middle-school boy."
They fell silent when the manager walked by.
Her eyes scanned the room like a hawk. She knew they were talking, but she let it go as long as no one crossed a line.
---
Yume Watching — Queen Turned Fangirl
Yume stood by the edge of the set with one hand resting lightly on the metal stand behind her. Her heart hadn't calmed down since he walked in.
On the screen, he appeared in different angles: sometimes leaning slightly, sometimes standing tall and straight, sometimes looking thoughtful, sometimes just letting his natural expression settle into something gentle.
Not a single picture looked bad.
In fact, every frame looked like it could be a campaign poster.
No wonder he went viral… she thought.
He looks unreal. And yet, in person… he feels even more real than any man I've ever talked to.
He wasn't cold. He wasn't arrogant. He didn't look bored or proud.
He took instructions seriously. He smiled easily when spoken to. And when he thanked people, he did it with his whole expression, not just words.
Her chest tightened.
Boys in this world… they know they're rare. Most of them act like little emperors just because nature and laws protect them.
She remembered all the male celebrities she had met — kind on camera, entitled behind the scenes. Most of them didn't bother to remember staff names. Most of them didn't even say "thank you."
But this boy…
He bowed to the photographer.
He greeted each staff politely.
He smiled at the makeup artist and said, "I hope I'm not troubling you too much."
Not troubling you too much?
Yume's fingers curled.
How is someone like this allowed to exist?
If I wasn't careful, I'd fall for him in a single day.
No… who am I kidding? I think I already am.
---
Short Break — First Soft Conversation
After a while, the photographer called, "Alright, let's take a ten-minute break."
The lights dimmed slightly. Assistants hurried in to adjust props and equipment for the next set.
I stepped away from the mark, rolling my shoulders a little. Even though it wasn't physically tiring, standing under bright lights with everyone watching always used a strange kind of energy.
A staff member offered me a bottle of water. "Here you go, Haruya-sama."
"Thank you," I said, taking it.
As I unscrewed the cap, I noticed someone approach from the side.
Yume.
She walked slower this time, as if giving herself time to breathe.
"Are you alright?" she asked, voice still soft, but less shaky now. "You've been standing for quite some time."
I smiled. "I'm fine. I used to work longer hours in my old world."
She blinked. "Your… old world?"
Ah.
Right.
To them, it was just a phrase I used jokingly sometimes. Only I knew it was literally true.
"Just a little joke," I said lightly, covering it up. "I mean before I started this life."
Yume chuckled softly.
Her shoulders loosened a bit. "I see. Well, please don't push yourself. If you ever feel tired, just say it. No photoshoot is more important than your well-being."
I looked at her.
She meant it.
In this world, everyone said things like that to men, but with Yume, there was a special weight behind her words. It wasn't just society's rule talking; it was her own feelings.
"I'll remember that," I said.
For a second, her eyes met mine fully.
Neither of us looked away.
It wasn't intense or dramatic. Just… steady. Warm. Quiet.
Behind us, someone near the makeup table whispered to her friend, "If I stare any longer, I'll start shipping them."
"Start? I've already written their wedding in my head," the other replied.
---
Models' Room — Jealousy Behind the Door
Not far away, in the models' waiting room, a small crowd of women gathered near the half-open door, pretending to check schedules.
One of them sighed.
"This is unfair."
Another snorted. "What, that Miss Miyahara gets a private talk with him?"
"Yes! We were here from the first shoot. We saw him before she even knew he existed. And now she walks in and suddenly she's standing beside him like some… some destined heroine."
A third model crossed her arms, irritation simmering just under her skin.
"Boys always look at her anyway. Even in regular shoots. She always gets the male leads, the centered frames, the romantic brands. Now even this boy…"
They glanced toward the hallway, where you could see the edge of Yume's pastel coat if you leaned out.
"I bet she's trying to get close to him," one said bitterly. "Acting all elegant and shy, but in her head she's already planning how to make him hers."
Someone laughed quietly. "Are you jealous?"
"Yes," the model snapped, then deflated. "Of course I am. Do you know how many girls would kill for the chance to stand next to him even for one photo?"
Another girl sighed and fell onto the couch. "I don't blame her, though. If I had that much money and status, I would've tried the same thing."
There was a pause.
Then a quiet agreement.
"Yeah… same."
They all turned again as laughter from the main studio faintly echoed in.
For them, each second that passed where they weren't standing near him but she was… felt like a loss.
---
Back on Set — Paired Presence
The photographer called for the next segment.
"Alright, let's move on. We'll take a few more solo shots, then some frames with atmosphere behind. Miss Miyahara, if you'd like, you can sit nearby. It makes it easier if we need any reaction shots later."
Yume nodded, but inside her mind, her thoughts wouldn't calm.
He didn't look away when I spoke.
He answered me like we were just two normal people.
He didn't flatter me. He didn't simp. He just… talked.
It was refreshing. Dangerously refreshing.
I stepped back into the lights.
Yume settled into a chair off to the side, not too far, not too close. The photographer raised her camera again.
"Okay, Haruya. Let's try something new. I want you to imagine someone is watching over you quietly. Not in a creepy way. In a protective way."
My gaze instinctively flicked toward Yume.
Someone watching over me quietly, huh?
In my old world, no one did that.
In this world… my mom, my sisters, Saeko, Reina, now this studio, and even this celebrity — they all worried about me like I was made of glass.
I let that feeling sink into my expression.
Soft smile. Slightly lowered gaze. Relaxed shoulders.
Click.
At the edge of the set, Yume's breath caught again.
It almost felt like the expression was directed at her alone.
Her heart thumped harder.
Stop it, stop it, stop it… at this rate I'll start buying every brand he poses for. No, I'll buy the whole company.
She covered her mouth with her fingers, looking away as if that could slow her racing thoughts.
---
Manager's Thoughts — Protecting the Center
By the corner, the manager watched everything like a chess player counting each piece on the board.
She could see it clearly:
The way the staff admired him. The way the models envied Yume. The way Yume was slowly, helplessly falling.
This is what happens when you put a rare, beautiful boy in a closed space full of women, she thought. Emotions multiply.
But at the same time, she also understood the opportunity.
As long as they protected him properly, the world outside would only see the finished product:
Beautiful visuals. Elegant campaigns. Perfect, controlled images.
The chaos behind the scenes would remain invisible.
Still, she made a mental note.
If Miyahara Yume continued to react this strongly, they'd have to lay down stricter boundaries later.
No unsupervised conversations.
No sudden invitations.
No subtle, romantic offers disguised as "professional collaboration."
Not without permission.
And definitely not without Haruya's comfort.
---
Short, Honest Moment
After another series of shots, the photographer finally lowered her camera.
"That's enough for today," she said. "We have more than enough good material. Great work, everyone."
A tired but satisfied murmur spread across the studio.
I stepped down from the platform, exhaling. My body felt a little light. Standing under the lights and being watched non-stop was exhausting, but in a strangely addictive way.
As I walked past Yume, I paused and looked at her.
"Thank you for watching the whole time," I said genuinely. "I hope it wasn't boring."
Her eyes widened.
"B–Boring?" She almost sounded offended. "No, not at all. It was…"
She swallowed.
Regained some composure.
"It was beautiful to watch," she said softly. "You have a natural presence. It's rare even among professionals."
I scratched my cheek lightly, a little embarrassed. "I still have a lot to learn."
"And I still have a lot to control," she muttered under her breath, then coughed once to hide it.
I pretended not to hear.
For a moment, we simply stood there, the studio noise fading around us. It wasn't loud, but somehow it felt like the air between us had thickened.
Finally, she spoke again, quieter.
"If it's allowed… I would like to do a joint photoshoot with you someday," she said. "Only if you're comfortable, of course."
A joint shoot with a top celebrity, huh?
I thought about it for a second.
It could help my dream of becoming an actor later. It would raise my name even higher. But more than that…
It sounded fun.
"I don't mind," I said. "As long as everything is safe and my family doesn't faint when they see it."
Yume laughed — a real, soft, unfiltered laugh that made the nearby staff blink. They weren't used to hearing that sound from her.
"I'll make sure it's safe," she replied. "In every way."
---
As the day slowly began to wind down and staff started packing equipment, one thing was clear to everyone present:
Something had shifted.
The queen of the industry had fallen from her throne for just a moment — not in status, but in composure.
Not because of a scandal. Not because of a rival. Not because of a career problem.
Because of a boy.
A rare, beautiful, impossibly gentle boy who smiled like he didn't know how much power he held.
And somewhere deep inside, both of them felt it:
This wasn't just a normal meeting.
It was the beginning of something that would follow them far beyond the studio walls.
---
— To be continued…