After arriving at their destination, they stepped out of the station and headed toward their next stop.
The rain showed no sign of letting up, still pouring heavily as if it had no intention of stopping.
"Sooo… where is your modeling shoot?" Kuroki asked.
"It should be right here," Satsuki replied.
Kuroki looked up. Towering above them was a tall building—at least twenty floors.
"Holy shit…" he muttered under his breath.
They walked toward the building. Inside, the lobby was luxurious, decorated in sleek white and black tones. A woman at the front desk noticed them immediately.
"Hello, Miss Aozaki," she said with a polite bow.
"Hello, Reina," Satsuki greeted her back.
Reina's gaze shifted to the boy standing behind Satsuki. "Oh? And who is this?"
"This is Ichinose Kuroki," Satsuki replied.
"Ohhh…" Reina's eyes widened slightly as she studied him. "So this is the boy."
She extended her hand, and Kuroki hesitated for a moment before shaking it.
"My name is Reina. I've heard so much about you from Miss Aozaki."
Kuroki tilted his head in confusion.
"So much about me? What do you—"
Before he could finish, Satsuki suddenly covered his mouth and dragged him away.
"O-Okay, let's go now!" she said quickly, pulling him toward the elevators.
Satsuki pressed the call button, and they stood in awkward silence while waiting.
"Sooo, what was tha—"
The elevator doors opened. Satsuki immediately pulled him inside.
"Come on, let's go."
She pressed the button for the 11th floor.
They stood side by side, the silence thick.
(Is she trying to avoid my question?) Kuroki thought.
(Has she really been talking about me at work? …No way.)
A memory flashed through his mind—Satsuki threatening him, saying she'd kick his ass if he ever showed up here.
(So why would she talk about me?)
He glanced at her.
ding
The elevator doors opened.
"Hurry up," Satsuki said, rushing out.
"O-Okay."
They jogged toward the studio.
"I'm here, Lady Hime!" Satsuki called out.
A woman with short dark-blue hair and a black dress turned toward them.
(Who?) Kuroki wondered.
"Ah, finally, Satsuki," the woman said—then noticed the boy beside her.
"Oh? Is this—"
Before she could finish, Satsuki pressed a finger to her lips, silently telling her to stop.
"Ohhh, I get it," the woman said with a knowing smile.
Kuroki watched them, completely lost.
"You there, boy," she called.
"Y-Yes?" Kuroki jumped slightly.
She stepped closer and suddenly grabbed his face.
"H-Huh?!"
She pulled him closer until their noses were nearly touching.
"Mmm… you've got a pretty face, young man," she said thoughtfully.
"And nice eyes, too."
"H-Huhhhhh?" His head was spinning.
"Hehe," Satsuki laughed. "Lady Hime, don't tease him so much. It's probably his first time being this close to a girl."
"Ah—sorry," Lady Hime said, quickly letting go.
"It's fine," Kuroki muttered.
"Come on, Satsuki. We're behind schedule," Lady Hime said.
"Okay, Lady Hime."
Satsuki stopped for a moment and turned to Kuroki.
"Oh—Kuroki, there's a snack table over there with a bunch of treats." She pointed.
"I see."
"So go wait over there, okay?"
With that, she walked away.
Kuroki headed to the snack table, eyes widening at the variety—dorayaki, mochi, dango, and more.
As he grabbed a few, he noticed Satsuki again.
She had changed outfits.
A black turtleneck hugged her frame, layered with a white furry coat. Her jeans were fitted, and she wore makeup—tasteful, elegant.
(She looks… really different.)
"munch munch"
He ate quietly, watching the shoot.
"Okay, next pose!" Lady Hime called.
Satsuki shifted effortlessly.
"Next!"
(She's like a completely different person.)
(At school she's annoying, bratty, lazy… but here, she's focused. Dedicated.)
(I've never seen this side of her before.)
A heavy feeling settled in his chest.
(She has so many opportunities.)
(So why is she still around me?)
(I don't want to hold her back… but I feel like I am.)
—
Twenty minutes later…
"Where is Shiroyama?" Lady Hime asked the staff.
"He should be here, ma'am," a man replied.
ding
The elevator opened, drawing everyone's attention.
A tall man stepped out—around 185 cm—with white hair and a black trench coat, holding a cup of coffee.
"There you are," Lady Hime said. "What took you so long, Shiroyama?"
"Sorry, Hime," he said casually. "Traffic's a bitch."
"Well hurry up. We're behind schedule."
He handed his coffee to a staff member and removed his coat.
Kuroki quietly walked over to Satsuki.
"Um… who's that?" he whispered.
"Oh, him?" she whispered back. "That's Shiroyama Takumi. He's a well-known actor in Japan. His father's friends with my dad."
"I see…"
Shiroyama returned, now changed.
"Alright, let's go," he said. Then he noticed her.
"Yo, Satsuki."
"Hey, Taku!" she greeted him brightly.
("Taku?")
"Oh?" Shiroyama glanced at Kuroki. "Is this your little brother?"
The comment felt more like an insult.
"Brother? No," Satsuki corrected. "This is Ichinose Kuroki."
"Oh… Ichinose Kuroki, huh."
Shiroyama looked him up and down, then smirked.
Kuroki's fists clenched.
(I don't like this guy already.)
"Okay, next shoot!" Lady Hime called.
"Alright, let's go, Satsuki."
"Yes."
They walked side by side, leaving Kuroki behind.
Shiroyama glanced back and gave him a smug look.
(What the hell is this guy's problem?)
Veins bulged on Kuroki's clenched fist.
(It's like this guy…)
He froze.
(There's no way.)
As they posed together, whispers spread among the staff.
"They look perfect together."
"Yeah, they really do."
Each word pressed down on his chest.
From a distance, Kuroki stared at the two of them.
A mix of emotions twisted inside him.
(Why do I feel this way?)