Shizuka The Fashionista Part 3

Chapter 3

Shizuka and Yuki learn the consequences of being successful. Erika experiences the dark side of modelng.

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Yuki walked into the workout room to see Shizuka doing her daily exercises. The Moon River building set aside a room for her to do her exercises in private so it was not often anyone saw Shizuka doing her routine. She was wearing a navy leotard and spats while her lilac hair was tied in a ponytail. Yuki watched in fascination as Shizuka spun around on a brass pole, defying gravity in the midst of a pole dance. Shizuka spun faster and faster as she lost herself in her dance, her long hair whipping around her head. 
Yuki could not take her eyes off of Shizuka. Shizuka was so focused on her dance that she did not notice Yuki staring at her. When Shizuka finished her routine, she looked up at Yuki and grinned.
"You were watching me?" Shizuka asked.
"Yeah. You looked good."
"Thanks. I'll be off in a minute, wanna join me?" Shizuka asked.
Yuki grimaced. "Oh no, I can't do that. I'm nowhere near in shape as you are."
For as long as Yuki had known Shizuka she knew she liked to eat healthy and stay in shape in order to keep her body fit as a fashion model, but it was only for her last film where she had to learn how to pole dance that Shizuka added it to her daily routine. Yuki had never thought of pole dancing to be anything more than erotic titillation at clubs for men to gawk at, but through Shizuka she learned it was a legitimate exercise.
Yuki looked up and down Shizuka's body, admiring her figure. The leotard she was wearing left nothing to the imagination and made her look more fit than if she just wore a tank top and shorts. 
"Why are you wearing a leotard?" the photographer asked, curious.
"It helps with gripping the pole better," Shizuka explained. "And besides, there's no loose clothing to get caught on anything, as unlikely as that sounds."
Yuki nodded, thankful that Shizuka gave her a clear, logical answer. She watched as Shizuka stretched out her muscles and cooled down from her dance. When Shizuka finished her cool down, she walked over to Yuki with a towel around her neck. 
"So, what brings you here?" Shizuka asked.
"I just finished a shoot and I wanted to see what you were up to," Yuki replied.
"Well, I'm done here now," Shizuka said, wiping her brow with the towel. "I'm going to hit the shower for a bit."
Yuki nodded and watched as Shizuka walked out of the room. She stood there for a few moments, still in awe of what she had just witnessed. She had never seen someone move so gracefully and effortlessly before. Yuki knew she would never be able to do what Shizuka could do, but she couldn't help but feel inspired to try. 
Yuki decided to give it a shot and walked over to the pole. She tentatively grabbed onto it and tried to mimic some of the moves she had seen Shizuka do. It was much harder than she thought it would be. Yuki struggled to keep her grip on the pole and quickly realized how much upper body strength was required. Despite the difficulty, Yuki persisted and kept trying to mimic the moves she had seen Shizuka do. After several tries, she finally managed to spin around the pole once, but then lost her grip and slipped down to the floor. She couldn't help but laugh at herself as she got back up. 
Yuki tried again, determined to get it right. She focused on her grip and tried to use her legs to help spin around the pole. After a few more attempts, Yuki finally managed to spin around the pole twice before losing her grip. She was out of breath and her arms were sore, but she felt exhilarated by the experience.
As Yuki was catching her breath, Shizuka came back into the room dressed in a robe with her hair still damp. She smiled at Yuki and walked over to her. "You gave it a try, huh?" she said, amused.
"Yeah, it's a lot harder than it looks," Yuki replied, still feeling winded.
Shizuka laughed. "It might be better not to try it in your nice clothes."
Yuki looked down at her outfit and realized she had forgotten she was still in her work clothes. She laughed and shook her head, feeling foolish. "Yeah, I guess you're right," she said. 
Shizuka laughed. "Come on, let's go get something to eat. I'm hungry and you look like you could use some food, too."
Shizuka went back to the locker room to get dressed and Yuki was alone again in the workout room. She glanced at the pole again, mentally making a note to take up the challenge again someday. She had always been too nervous and shy to try the pole, but maybe one day she would test her boundaries and see what she was capable of.
----
A few days later Yuki worked up the nerve to try pole dancing again. Shizuka merely smiled and offered her a spare leotard, which Yuki graciously accepted, but when she got to the locker room to put it on she suddenly felt self-conscious about it. The leotard should have been no different from putting on a one-piece swimsuit, but Yuki knew Shizuka had worn it and Yuki remembered what she looked like wearing it.
She glanced over her shoulder to Shizuka behind her, who had already stripped off all her clothes and was stepping into her leotard. Yuki felt her face flush staring at her friend's bare behind, then quickly turned away and started undressing herself. As she slipped into her own leotard, she could feel her heart racing with embarrassment. She felt the snugness of the leotard against her body, wondering if it was too small for her body or if she was just a fattie. Yuki quickly pulled her leotard on and walked over to a mirror to look at herself. The leotard hugged her body tightly and made her look chubbier than her slimming work clothes and she compared herself to Shizuka, who was thin and fit. Yuki turned away from the mirror, feeling her cheeks heat up with embarrassment. She looked over at Shizuka, who was already dressed and ready to leave. 
"Are you okay?" Shizuka asked as she put her hair into a ponytail.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Yuki replied, feeling self-conscious about her leotard.
Shizuka smiled. She handed Yuki a hair tie. "You ought to tie your hair, too. Loose hair makes things difficult, especially with your long hair."
Yuki nodded and quickly tied her hair up into a ponytail, feeling more confident with her appearance. "Thanks for the advice," she said, feeling grateful for Shizuka's help.
Yuki looked at Shizuka, then back to the mirror. The two women never went to the pool or the beach so they never wore swimsuits, and the leotards were the closest approximation to it. If it wasn't for Shizuka's disdain for swimwear Yuki would have discovered just how pudgy her own body was a lot sooner, she felt.
The two left the locker room and into the workout room. Shizuka had placed two exercise mats down for them to do their workout on so they could do basic stretches before going to the brass pole. As they started their workout, Yuki's mind wandered to the pole, imagining herself doing it and feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. She had never really considered it before, but the idea of trying something new and challenging was appealing to her.
Shizuka started to do basic stretches while Yuki wondered what exactly she was doing. She decided to focus on her breathing as she felt her body moving. She inhaled deeply as she started her exercises. She had never done exercise like this in her whole life and her body protested against it.
"This is so hard," Yuki complained. "I don't know how you enjoy this."
Shizuka laughed. "You're just out of shape."
Yuki rolled her eyes. It must be one of the downsides of having a top fashion model as your best friend. "Yeah, I guess," she said, taking a deep breath and trying to focus on her breathing. 
She started to do the same basic stretches Shizuka was doing, but her mind was elsewhere. Yuki knew that she was not used to exercising like this, and her body was not prepared for it. She tried to push through it, but her breathing became shallow and she felt her muscles starting to cramp.
"Stop," Yuki gasped, unable to catch her breath. 
Shizuka turned to her with concern. "Are you okay?"
Yuki shook her head, feeling embarrassed about her inability to keep up. "I don't know," she said, feeling frustrated. "I just can't seem to get a rhythm going."
Shizuka put a hand on Yuki's shoulder. "It's okay, we can take a break for a bit."
Yuki nodded, grateful for her friend's understanding. She leaned back on the mat, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. As much as she wanted to tackle the pole that day Yuki knew her body was in no shape to do so and probably would not be in good enough shape for some time. 
She looked up at Shizuka, who was still stretching, and smiled. "Thanks for your help, Shizuka," she said.
"You just need to let your body get used to it," Shizuka suggested. "I do this whenever I can. If we do it together it'll be easier than if you tried to do it on your own."
Yuki nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "I'll give it another go," she said, getting back on the mat and starting to do some basic stretches again.
After the two women finished their warmup Shizuka got up from the mat and started walking to the pole. Yuki followed her, feeling a bit embarrassed about her earlier struggles. 
Shizuka turned to Yuki and gave her a reassuring smile. "You'll be fine." 
Yuki nodded, feeling a bit more confident as she got closer to the pole. She watched as Shizuka got into position, her body language calm and focused. She watched in amazement as Shizuka lifted herself on the pole, taking a few practice turns before launching into her routine. Yuki couldn't help but admire her friend's grace and skill as she moved effortlessly around the pole. She watched in awe as Shizuka spun and jumped, her body moving with perfect fluidity. She wondered just how great her upper body strength must be to lift her entire body up the pole. Yuki felt a bit jealous that she didn't have such incredible strength, but she knew that it was all about confidence and practice. As Shizuka finished her routine, she turned to Yuki with a smile.
"Now, you try it," Shizuka said, gesturing to the pole. "Of course, we're not going to do anything fancy like I just did, but I'm going to help you do some basic maneuvers."
Yuki hesitated for a moment, but then she took a deep breath and approached the pole. She watched as Shizuka took her spot on the mat, ready to help her. As Yuki got closer to the pole, she felt her heart racing. She took a deep breath and lifted herself onto the pole, her body trembling slightly as she did so. 
She felt a jolt in her body as she felt Shizuka's hands on her body, helping her hold steady. She felt one hand on her side and one on her bottom, and blushed. Yuki felt self-conscious about her best friend supporting her this way. 
"Come on, Yuki," Shizuka said, "don't think of it like that or we'll never get through this."
Yuki nodded, trying to push those thoughts out of her mind. While she moved, she felt Shizuka's hands on her body, guiding her movements. The movements were very basic, but Yuki knew she would not be able to do anything fancy for her first time.
"I had an instructor help me," Shizuka explained. "I don't claim to be a good one, but the basics should be enough. You need to get over me touching you, because I'm going to be handling you a lot."
Yuki nodded. Shizuka watched her closely, making sure she didn't fall off the pole. As Yuki continued to move, she felt Shizuka's hands on her body once again, helping her hold steady. 
She felt her face redden even more, as her best friend had never touched her so intimately before. Shizuka for her part did not seem to react the same way and Yuki knew it was because she didn't have any lingering love interest like she did. Yuki felt a bit embarrassed by her reaction, but she tried to focus on the task at hand. She continued to move, focusing on her breathing and the sensations in her body. She felt Shizuka's hands on her waist, guiding her movements. Yuki tried to keep her breathing steady as she continued to move, but she could feel her heart racing with each passing moment. She longed for years to make her relationship with her best friend romantic and intimate, and those feeling she buried for Shizuka's sake were bubbling to the surface again. Yuki's heart ached with the desire to be closer to Shizuka, to share her life and experiences with her. She knew that it was just friendship, but it was still something she couldn't ignore. 
After she finished her routine, Yuki let out a sigh of relief, feeling tired but satisfied. 
Shizuka smiled at her, her eyes shining with pride. "You did great," she said, patting Yuki on the back. "I'm proud of you." 
Yuki blushed at friend's encouragement. She knew that Shizuka was just being kind, but the sincerity in her voice made her feel special. 
After they left the pole, Yuki felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She knew that her feelings for Shizuka were complicated and conflicted, but she couldn't deny them completely. They were alone in the workout room, wearing nothing but leotards, and sweaty and exhausted from the rigorous exercise. Yuki felt Shizuka's hand on her back, and she turned to look at her friend. She couldn't deny the attraction she felt towards Shizuka, even though she knew their relationship was platonic. 
Shizuka noticed Yuki's gaze. "Is everything okay?" she asked, concern etched on her face. 
"I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed," she admitted. "It's hard being a lesbian with a super sexy best friend who isn't into anyone." 
Shizuka sighed. "I guess I should've known better. I mean, I was embarrassed when working with my instructor, so I thought you'd be more comfortable with me helping you." 
"Actually, it's kind of nice to have someone to lean on," Yuki replied, feeling a bit more at ease. "It's just, sometimes, I wonder how things would be between us if we were more intimate like the public think we are." 
"I've heard all the stories," Shizuka claimed, shaking her head. "Two single women, one an open lesbian, living together under one roof, and everyone's convinced we're an item." 
"I know, it's a bit of a cliché, but sometimes I wonder if things would be different if we could just let our guard down and enjoy each other's company." 
Shizuka nodded understandingly. "I get it, but I don't think that's what we should be focusing on right now. We have each other, and that's enough." 
Yuki smiled at her friend. "You're right," she agreed. "It's important to focus on the present moment and enjoy each other's company without expectations." 
Shizuka stepped away from the pole and headed back to the locker room. "Come on, let's take a shower and get something to eat."
"Sounds perfect," Yuki said, following her friend. 
In the locker room Shizuka started stripping off her leotard, but stopped for a moment, and turned to Yuki. "Maybe it's better if we shower separately," she thought.  
Yuki nodded, understanding her friend's hesitation. "That sounds like a good idea," she said, feeling relieved. "We can both feel more comfortable and relaxed." 
Yuki walked back to the workout room, shutting the door behind her. The communal showers offered no privacy and she knew it was better to avoid tempting her feelings if they were both showering at the same time. She knew it would be some time before Shizuka was finished so Yuki went back to the brass pole. She put her hand on the pole, wondering how long it would take for her to do routines on Shizuka's level. 
Her mind drifted to Shizuka. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be in the shower with her friend, to feel her body against her own. She imagined Shizuka's curves and the way her hair fell around her face. She couldn't help but smile as she imagined the two of them enjoying each other's company in the shower. She imagined Shizuka as one of those lustful romantic novel leads and she swept Yuki off her feet as they danced and played in the shower, and made hot, steamy love on the communal shower's floor. 
Yuki shook her head, laughing to herself. "Stop," she said, blushing. "That's not how it works." 
Shizuka emerged from the shower, wrapped in a towel. "It's all yours," she announced.
"Thanks again," Yuki said, smiling at her friend. 
Shizuka stepped aside as Yuki walked back into the locker room and headed straight for the communal shower. She knew Shizuka would be in the locker room getting dressed, but she knew Shizuka would not be making any unannounced visits to the shower to tease her. Yuki undressed quickly and stepped into the shower, feeling the warm water cascade over her body. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath, feeling the tension in her muscles start to melt away. 
After she finished showering Yuki picked up a towel and wrapped it around her body. She walked back to the lockers to find Shizuka had already finished dressing, although her hair was still wet. Shizuka got up and left the locker room to give Yuki some privacy to dress. Yuki quickly dressed in her street clothes, throwing back her slick, wet hair behind her, then walked out to meet up with Shizuka. 
The two went to one of the studio dressing rooms to dry their hair. Yuki thought back to Shizuka's desire to shower alone and knew that this was as close she was ever going to get to seeing her friend naked. She knew most girls her age had already done so from various social activities, but Shizuka made it a point to avoid communal baths and hot springs. Yuki was disappointed she could not share in normal activities like that, but understood that Shizuka was very particular about being seen naked. In fact, despite being a fashion model Shizuka frequently did not show off her body as she often wore baggy clothes and other clothing that otherwise protected her modestly. She often wore kimonos and other traditional Japanese clothing that gave off a feminine charm. To Yuki it seemed as modern a fashionista Shizuka was she seemed to be born in the wrong era.
When the two women finished drying their hair they left the Moon River building and headed out to eat.
"Are you okay with just getting coffee?" Yuki asked.
"Sure," Shizuka replied. 
The two decided to go to the new coffee shop where Yuki's girlfriend, Megumi, worked as a barista. As they walked in, Yuki's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Megumi behind the counter. She wore a white apron and had a cute bow in her red hair. 
Yuki smiled at Megumi, who gave her a warm greeting. "Hey Yuki, how's it going?" Megumi asked, taking the order from Yuki.
"I'm good, thank you," Yuki replied. 
Yuki ordered her usual coffee and a small cake, while Shizuka ordered an iced tea and a modest salad. As they waited for their orders, Yuki couldn't help but steal glances at Megumi. She was a cute and bubbly person, with a sweet smile and a friendly demeanor. Yuki felt a flutter in her chest at the thought of spending more time with Megumi. She had not seen her girlfriend in a few days and was looking forward to catching up.
Both Yuki and Shizuka picked up their orders and sat down at a table to eat, leaving Megumi to continue working. Yuki looked down at her cake, anticipating the sweetness in her mouth, but then glanced at Shizuka and her salad, and wondered if maybe she needed to eat healthier as well.
Shizuka looked up at her, noticing her staring at her salad. "What's up?" she asked. 
Yuki shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe I should start eating healthier, I guess...." 
Shizuka smiled at Yuki. "That's not necessary. You're eating healthy food already. You just need to be mindful of your choices and maybe take a break from indulging in all that sugar and fat."
Yuki sighed, looking down at her cake longingly. "I don't know, maybe it's part of the reason why I'm so out of shape and fat."
Shizuka's eyes softened as she looked at Yuki. "You're not fat, Yuki. You're healthy and strong. You just need to take care of yourself." 
"I know, I know. It's just hard sometimes." 
Shizuka reached out and placed a hand on Yuki's arm. "Well, if you want the salad, I can eat the cake. It's all paid for already, you know," she offered. 
Yuki's eyes widened in surprise at Shizuka's offer. "Oh, thanks, Shizuka! That's really nice of you." 
Shizuka slid over her salad to Yuki, and Yuki slid her cake to Shizuka.  Shizuka took one bite from the cake and Yuki noticed her grimace.
"That's... really sweet," Shizuka said, forcing a swallow.
Yuki laughed. "Yeah, I guess it would be."
She took a bite out of the salad, and was equally disappointed at how bland the greens were in her mouth. The two women glanced at each other again, then wordlessly exchanged their plates back to their original owners.
"Maybe I'll try out a salad some other time," Yuki said, sighing. 
As they sat there eating, Yuki thought about the events of the day. She never thought about exercising or eating healthier before she saw Shizuka do her pole dance routine in the workout room. It was a moment of self-discovery for her, realizing that she could be just as graceful and athletic as her friend. The idea of taking up pole dancing was exciting and challenging, but she knew that it was something that she could do on her own terms. 
She looked over at Shizuka, who was still eating her salad with a peaceful look on her face. "Hey, Shizuka," she said, breaking the silence. "Have you ever learned how to dance when you were younger?" 
"Yeah, but it was traditional folk dancing, not anything fancy. Why do you ask?" 
Yuki shrugged. "I used to do ballet when I was younger. I loved the pretty outfits, but I hated doing the dancing. I hated how people looked at me and criticized my body and my form. My parents were so disappointed in me, that they wasted time and money and all I wanted to do was wear pretty clothes and look good. I think that's why I took up photography. I think I wanted to capture the moment rather than live it." 
Shizuka nodded, understanding. "Yeah, I can see why you would want to capture moments like that. Photography is such a beautiful art form, isn't it?" 
Yuki nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. It's like a filter for the world, letting us see things from a different perspective. And it can be a way to capture those moments we might otherwise forget. Like the way the light changes in the morning, or the way the wind blows through the leaves on a tree. It's really something special." 
"I can see why you love it so much, Yuki. It's just so... magical." 
"Yeah, it is. I just had an idea for a photoshoot we could do. It would be a way for me to capture that magic and share it with everyone else." 
"A photoshoot? What about?" 
Yuki leaned in closer to Shizuka, her eyes shining with excitement. "I want to do a photoshoot that only you can do, Shizuka. One uniquely you. I want you to do a pole dance wearing a nice Lolita dress." 
Shizuka's eyes widened in surprise. "That sounds... interesting." She paused for a moment, considering her friend's request. "But why do I have to wear a Lolita dress, Yuki?" 
Yuki grinned mischievously. "I want to capture your beauty and grace in a unique way. I want to see you dance like no one else can. And I want to create an image that's just you, Shizuka. A portrait of you as the most graceful and athletic Lolita fashion model I know. You'll be the star of the shoot, and I'll be the photographer. Together, we'll make something truly amazing." 
Shizuka looked at Yuki with a mix of curiosity and excitement. "You realize that doing a pole dance in such clothing would be difficult, right?" 
Yuki nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I know, but I also know that you're a professional fashion model and actress. You can do it. I'm sure you'll make it look effortless. And we can expense out the dress so we don't have to use your own wardrobe." 
Shizuka laughed. "Well, when you put it that way, we can go with something expensive and elaborate, can't we?" 
Yuki grinned back at her friend. "Exactly. And we can also make sure to take lots of pictures so we can showcase your unique beauty and grace in all its glory." 
Shizuka nodded in agreement. "That sounds like a plan. And I can't wait to see the results." 
----
The two friends started making plans for the elaborate shoot and brought their plan to Arisa, who was excited to doing a big production such as this. Arisa suggested various props, and other details that would make the shoot truly unique and special. Yuki and Shizuka were excited to collaborate with Arisa and help make their plan come to life. 
After several weeks of planning Yuki was excited to do the photoshoot. She stepped into the studio, and marveled at the decorative set. It was stylized like a candyland castle from the fantasy stories of her childhood, decorated with sweets and bright flowers. The pole was stylized as a candy cane. 
Arisa secured three cameramen to take live footage of the shoot while Yuki would serve as the main photographer. Yuki agreed to it because the camera could not capture the motion of Shizuka on the pole and wanted to capture the motions as well.
After Yuki and Arisa inspected the set to their satisfaction, Shizuka entered the set, wearing her elaborate and expensive Sweet Lolita dress. She spared nothing in going all out into transforming into a dainty candyland princess, wearing a ruffled pink dress with red accents. She wore an elaborate pink wig with hair done in exaggerated drill hair twintails which framed her small, sweet face. She walked wearing pink Mary Jane shoes with an exaggerated heel that raised her height, and Yuki wondered how she could walk with those shoes. Her arms were covered in simple pink opera gloves, and her legs with a pink thigh high stockings with a ruffled top. Unlike her usual wear Shizuka wore these stockings with suspenders to help keep them up while on the pole, but the suspenders themselves were hidden under her bloomers, a staple Lolita underwear for modesty and something everyone was undoubtedly going to see.
"Oh, you look like a dainty little princess!" Yuki exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "I love it! You look absolutely stunning, Shizuka. I can't wait to see how you dance on that pole!" 
Shizuka smiled, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. She looked down at her dress and reflexively tugged at her bell-shaped skirt. "I've practiced a bit with less elaborate clothes, but I can't guarantee I'll get everything right with this much on." 
Yuki put a reassuring hand on Shizuka's shoulder. "Don't worry, Shizuka. We'll just have the cameramen capture everything and edit out all the mistakes later so it'll be perfect no matter what. Besides, we have all day to do this, and once we're done we can do the grand finale." 
Shizuka nodded, a smile forming on her lips. "Oh, it's the 'grand finale' you're calling it? I bet you're looking forward to that!" 
Yuki chuckled. "Of course I am! It'll be a lot of fun." She winked at Shizuka before turning back to the set. "Alright, let's get started!" 
Shizuka made her way to the set, and sat down amongst the candyland props. Yuki giggled, feeling as if her friend was a fairytale character come to life. Yuki took her position, she adjusting the camera and began taking pictures. Shizuka stood up on the pole, her hair bouncing with each movement. She moved gracefully, her body swaying with each step. Her movements were fluid and deliberate, each movement a work of art in itself. Yuki captured every moment, her camera capturing the candyland castle set and Shizuka's movements on the pole. The sound of the camera shutter echoed through the studio, creating a magical atmosphere. As the final picture was taken, Yuki and Arisa stood back to admire their work. Shizuka had captured her essence in each frame, her beauty and grace both showcased.
Shizuka climbed down from the pole and sat down on her knees, spreading out her skirt and folding her hands in her lap.  Yuki walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You did amazing, Shizuka. I'm so proud of you." 
"Thanks, Yuki. I had a lot of fun on the pole." Shizuka looked up at the ceiling, lost in thought. "I don't know if I want to do it again after this, but it was definitely a lot of fun." 
Yuki leaned in closer to Shizuka. "Come now, it's time for the grand finale!" She gestured to the camera crew, who were already preparing for the big moment. 
Shizuka stood up, her heart racing with anticipation. Yuki led her to the center of the set, where a large screen had been set up. Yuki smiled, gesturing for Shizuka to stand in front of the screen. Shizuka took a deep breath, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. They both knew what the grand finale entailed, and it was a completely absurd thing to do, but Yuki wanted to do it and Shizuka did not want to disappoint her friend. 
Yuki stepped back, giving Shizuka a reassuring smile. "Just remember to act natural, Shizuka. We want this to be a surprise for everyone."
Yuki then turned to the stage crew, who were ready with their buckets and happy to carry out her orders. "Now, we've only got one shot at this, so let's all do our best!" The crew nodded in unison, ready to go to work. Yuki stepped forward, placing her hand on Shizuka's shoulder. "Are you ready, Shizuka? Let's do this." 
Shizuka nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, facing the camera. Her heart raced with excitement. She could feel the weight of the moment bearing down on her, but she knew that Yuki was counting on her.
Yuki stood back and raised her camera and the cameramen started filming. "Let's do this!" she shouted.
Shizuka took in a deep breath as Yuki started taking pictures, awkwardly doing the cute dance Yuki asked her to do. She felt like a dork doing it, her heart beating in anticipation for what was coming when the crew members were ready to throw the contents of their buckets at her. Shizuka continued her little dance as the first bucket of pink slime splashed against her, covering her face and the front of her dress in pink liquid. She squinted her eyes and forced her body to keep doing the dance as the next bucket of slime was thrown at her. Yuki continued to take pictures, capturing Shizuka's awkward attempts to dance. 
After the third bucket of slime was thrown, Shizuka's heart skipped a beat. She felt a rush of adrenaline and could feel her body shaking with excitement. She knew that this was the moment she had been waiting for, and she was ready to take it all in. Yuki continued to take pictures, capturing Shizuka's awkward attempts to dance and make a fool of herself. Shizuka couldn't help but laugh at herself.
When she finished her little dance Shizuka struck a pose and was splashed with pink slime from all directions. She stood there, covered in slime, looking like a rag doll. 
Yuki chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're so adorable," she said, taking a step closer to Shizuka. "This shoot was so uniquely you."
Shizuka could not contain herself and broke out into laughter, still standing in the same pose. "It wouldn't be me if I wasn't covered in slime, right?" 
Yuki laughed with her, wiping the slime off her face with a towel. "You're the best, Shizuka."
Shizuka looked around the set, the various crew members all having their phones out and she had no doubt they all took pictures of her covered in pink slime. It reminded her of her time filming the live action adaptation of Vampire Princess Luka where she was similarly covered in slime in various scenes, and it was those memories that prompted her to accept Yuki's absurd grand finale idea. Shizuka couldn't help but smile at Yuki's enthusiasm, even if it was a bit overwhelming.  She knew that Yuki was always pushing her to be creative and take risks, and she admired that about her friend. She also knew that Yuki was right about this particular shoot being unique and special.
After the shoot was over Shizuka was covered in towels and escorted back to the dressing room to get out her messy clothes. Yuki sighed wistfully, disappointed that the shoot was over, but happy that she got to do it with her best friend. "I'm glad we did this," she said, patting Shizuka on the back. "It was so much fun."
Shizuka smiled, feeling the same way. "Yeah. It's not every day you get to mess up an expensive Lolita dress like this." 
Yuki laughed, shaking her head. "But it was worth it, right? You looked so cute covered in slime." 
Shizuka grinned, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, it was pretty funny. But I'm glad you guys enjoyed it. I hope you had a good time too." She playfully lifted up her slimy hand and wiped a bit of it across Yuki's cheek. "I've got to get cleaned up. I'll see you later." 
Yuki nodded, watching as Shizuka disappeared into the dressing room. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of her friend covered in slime, feeling a bit like a kid herself. But she knew that it was all in good fun, and that they had both had a great time.
----
As Shizuka changed into a fresh set of clothes, she thought about the shoot. She remembered how excited Yuki had been and how much fun they had all had. Yuki's enthusiasm had been infectious, and it was clear that she had a true appreciation for creativity and beauty. Shizuka knew that Yuki was different from most people, but she also knew that Yuki's unique perspective and passion for photography was what made her such a special person.
She looked over at her discarded costume, covered in now dried pink slime. She wondered if the wig and dress would survive the mess, but knew it was not her duty or problem to clean them up. She felt regret at having to ruin such a nice dress, but it was worth it for Yuki's vision.
Shizuka nodded toward her stylist, who then showed her a picture of her covered in pink slime. Shizuka winced, knowing that pictures such as that were likely to show up on the internet considering how many of the crew took a picture of her during the shoot, but she didn't care what people thought of her for doing it. She knew that she was doing it for Yuki and her love of fashion and photography, and that was enough for her.
She left the dressing room, wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans combo which were decidedly less elaborate and more mundane than the Lolita dress, but suited her needs just fine. Shizuka made her way down the hall to the office she shared with Yuki, and found her friend sitting at her desk looking at her pictures. 
Yuki looked up at her. "Hey there, Shizuka," she said, smiling. "The pictures turned out great."
Shizuka sat down in the chair across from Yuki's desk as she turned her monitor so both of them could see the pictures. While Shizuka did not make a habit of looking at her own pictures she was marveled at how different she looked as a candyland princess. Many of the pictures were of Shizuka on the pole, with one leg wrapped around the pole and the other extended, and several shots of her with her body splayed horizontally, and then some up her skirt as well. 
Yuki chuckled at some of the more risqué shots, but Shizuka just rolled her eyes playfully. "It was all in good fun," she said, smiling.
"Next time we should have you take off the bloomers," Yuki teased her. "Everyone would love to see your cute butt." 
Shizuka blushed at the thought and laughed, feeling a bit flustered. "Well, I suppose that could be fun too," she said, trying to play it cool. 
Yuki chuckled and leaned back in her chair, admiring the pictures on Shizuka's screen. "I'm glad you had a great time on set today," she said, her tone warm and sincere.
Shizuka smiled at Yuki's kind words. "It was a lot of fun," she said, feeling grateful for Yuki's genuine interest in her work. 
"And I'm glad you think so." Yuki nodded, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Of course, I'm always happy to see you enjoying yourself and getting into character," she said, her tone playful.
The pictures then proceeded to the grand finale, where Shizuka had buckets of pink slime thrown on her. Shizuka laughed at herself. "I look like such a dork." 
Yuki chuckled along with her friend, enjoying the lighthearted moment. "But it's all in good fun," she said, gesturing to the pictures on the screen. "And we're all having fun, right?"
Shizuka nodded, feeling grateful for Yuki's support. "Definitely," she said, smiling at her friend. "I'm just glad I could make you happy." 
Yuki leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, I'm glad you could make me happy too," she said, winking at Shizuka. "Maybe we can do another messy shoot in the future!" 
Shizuka laughed, feeling grateful for Yuki's playful nature. "I look forward to it," she said, feeling a surge of excitement at the thought. "It's always fun to see how far you can push yourself in this industry."
Yuki nodded, a smile still playing at the corners of her lips. "Exactly," she said, her tone light and playful. "It's all about pushing boundaries and having fun with your work." 
----
Shizuka did not maintain a social media presence, but Arisa, as her agent, did. Following the photoshoot phone images of Shizuka covered in pink slime naturally surfaced on the internet, generating a buzz. As a rising star in the film industry many were shocked that Shizuka would do such a thing, but her longtime fans knew this was within her wheelhouse. The photos soon found their way to Arisa's social media feed, where they were met with mixed reactions from fans and colleagues alike. Some praised her for pushing boundaries and embracing her inner creativity, while others questioned her judgment and morality. Yuki and Shizuka remained silent on the matter, though Yuki's admiration for Shizuka's talent and passion was evident in her words and actions. Arisa herself was proud of Shizuka's work, believing it to be a representation of her boldness and creativity. She also knew that it was ultimately her job to manage Shizuka's reputation and protect her from any negative backlash that may arise from the photos.
Arisa was met with two large camps of disagreement. The first was one that believed that Shizuka was too old to be dressing in Lolita dresses and it was a sign of her being childish. The second camp felt that, as a star actress, Shizuka should not demean herself by doing attention-seeking things like covering herself in slime for the reactions. Arisa knew that both opinions were valid, but she also knew that it was her job to mediate between the camps and ensure that Shizuka's actions did not cause harm to her career or reputation. She knew that the opinions of others were not always based in reality and that it was her responsibility to understand and address any issues that arose. 
Arisa took a deep breath before responding to the first camp. "I understand that Lolita fashion may seem childish, but it's important to understand that it's not about being immature, it's about embracing your creativity and pushing boundaries," she said, her tone firm but calm. "Shizuka is a professional artist and her actions are her own. It's not a reflection of her age or maturity level, but rather a demonstration of her passion and drive for art. I trust that her fans and followers will understand that and support her." 
She then turned her attention to the second camp. "I also understand that it's important to consider the context of Shizuka's actions and the reactions they may elicit. While her actions may seem frivolous or immature, they are just a part of her personality and art. I don't believe that Shizuka is a shallow person who only wants to gain attention or validation from her fans. She is a talented artist who cares deeply about her craft and her fans. I trust that Shizuka's actions are not a reflection of her character or personality, but rather a demonstration of her passion and creativity." 
Arisa paused for a moment before continuing. "I understand that these opinions may not align with your own, but I hope that my words were able to provide some perspective and understanding. We live in a world where there are many different opinions and perspectives. It's important to understand that not everyone's views align with yours, and it's also important to respect the opinions of others. I hope that everyone can keep an open mind and continue to support Shizuka's art and creativity. Thank you for your time and consideration." 
With a deep breath, Arisa signed off and ended the call. As she let out a sigh, she knew that it was always important to remain calm and composed in these situations. She knew that her words may not always sway the opinions of others, but she hoped that they could at least provide some understanding and perspective. Arisa took a moment to reflect on her response, knowing that it was a delicate balance between respect and empathy. She hoped that her words would not alienate anyone.
She sat back in her chair and wondered why those things became the controversy and not the pole dance.
A few days later she checked Shizuka's online fan page where her longtime fans normally gathered. The longtime posters were supportive of Shizuka and confused why the media even jumped on this story considering her filmography, with many linking articles they found absurd.
However, a newer poster started a hot thread topic claiming that Shizuka should be ashamed of herself for acting immature and she needed to grow up and act her age. The poster claimed that since Shizuka was a model and actress that she should know better, that she was acting like a fool for the media and was being irresponsible to her fans. The poster claimed that she was being immature and a bad role model, and that she was harming her career and reputation.
The thread continued to escalate and fans of both sides joined in. Many of the newer fans were young girls who idolized Shizuka and found the entire situation repulsive. They claimed that she was degrading herself and acting like a pig for publicity and that she was disgusting. They compared her to other idols and celebrities who they felt had sold their souls for fame. 
The thread continued to grow and divide fans. A lot of the comments were hateful and crude, with people calling her a pig, and a skank. Both sides continued to argue with each other and the moderators had to shut down the thread.
Arisa sighed and looked at the screen. Shizuka's longtime fans were well aware of her drive and passion for the art and Lolita fashion, while her newer fans only truly knew her from her recent box office hit film and didn't know where Shizuka came from. Arisa knew that it was hard to please everyone, but she hoped that she could provide a middle ground where both sides could agree to disagree without destroying each other.
A day later, to Arisa's surprise, Yuki entered her office with a new idea for a photoshoot.
"I want to have a shoot of Shizuka rolling around in the mud with pigs," Yuki proposed.
Arisa sat back in her chair, not realizing her jaw was dropped. "What?" she managed to stammer.
Yuki grinned mischievously. "I know, it sounds weird, but I think it could be a great shoot. Plus, it's just so much fun to see her in action."
Arisa shook her head, still in disbelief. "You're really serious about this, aren't you?" 
Yuki nodded. "Yeah, I am. I just think it would be a really unique and interesting way to showcase Shizuka's talent and personality."
Arisa raised an eyebrow. She felt almost certain that it was no coincidence that Shizuka was being criticized for being a pig, and now Yuki wanted to shoot her like she was a pig. Everything in her body told Arisa that this was an ill-conceived, stupid idea. Yuki continued to talk about the shoot, describing in detail the different poses and locations she was planning on using. Arisa could see the excitement in Yuki's eyes, and it made her uneasy. She knew that Yuki was a passionate and creative photographer, but this idea was far from what Arisa had in mind and not what Shizuka needed for her career. 
"I don't think it's a good idea," Arisa said firmly. "Shizuka is a model and actress, and this kind of behavior isn't appropriate for her career or for her fans. It's disrespectful and could potentially harm her image."
"Oh, come on, Arisa," the photographer protested. "You're not going to tell me what to do. I'm a photographer, and I think it's a great idea."
Arisa sighed, trying to keep her temper in check. "I understand that you want to showcase Shizuka's talent, but this isn't the right way to do it. We have to respect her as a person and as a professional. We can't just create a shoot that's disrespectful or inappropriate."
"Respect?" Yuki rolled her eyes in disbelief. "Please. I think it's more about wanting to see her in action and having fun. And besides, she's a professional model and actress, she's used to this kind of thing. I think she'll be fine."
"It could hurt her career. Her reputation as a model and actress could be damaged. And it's not just about her career, it's about her personal well-being and the people who look up to her. We have to think about the bigger picture."
Yuki shrugged. "I'm sorry, but I don't see why it matters. She's a professional, and she can handle it. Besides, I'm sure she'll love it. I don't know why you are so against this when you loved the last shoot."
"It's because the media found out about the last shoot is why I'm taking this position," Arisa pointed out. "We haven't even published that photoshoot yet and everyone thinks Shizuka is immature and looking for attention." 
Yuki raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? I find it hard to believe that anyone would think that way about her. She's an incredible talent and a great friend."
Arisa sighed. "I don't know, Yuki. We have to be careful. It's important that we maintain our integrity and reputation as professionals. We can't just do whatever we want without considering the consequences. We have to consider the people who look up to us and the potential damage it could cause to our careers." 
Yuki nodded slowly. "You're right, Arisa. I understand now. I won't do anything that would damage her reputation or career. But I still want to do this shoot. It's going to be so much fun. And besides, who knows? Maybe it will turn out to be a great shoot for everyone involved. I'll make sure to keep you informed of any potential issues or concerns."
Arisa nodded, still unsure about Yuki's plan. "Alright, Yuki. We'll give it a try. But first, we need you to supervise the editing for the last photoshoot. Given what we know now, we need to make sure everyone knows this isn't a frivolous shoot or anything but tasteful. The media blowup doesn't even know the shoot was really about the pole dance." 
Yuki nodded, her excitement returning. "No problem. I'll make sure it's all tasteful and respectful. I promise you, Arisa. And I'll even let you come and watch."
Arisa smiled. "Thank you, Yuki. I appreciate your dedication to this project."
----
After another week passed Moon River publicly released the photoshoot, with Arisa hoping that the true nature of the photo leaks being put into better context. Yuki worked tirelessly to edit the images and make sure that everyone was happy with the final product. 
The media was amazed with the photoshoot and were more amazed that Shizuka was doing her famous pole dance in a Lolita dress. Yuki's skillful editing painted a story of a young woman comfortable in her own body and her surroundings living in a carefree manner while defying gravity. Shizuka looked stunning in the photo shoot, her confidence and grace radiating from every frame. The pictures were breathtaking, capturing the moment perfectly and showcasing her true beauty. Yuki worked to ensure that the photos were the best they could be, knowing that it was important for the audience to see a side of Shizuka that was more than just a fashion model. The photos were published and Yuki was happy to see that the media was appreciative of the work she had done.
Most of the media and Shizuka's fans were satisfied seeing the whole picture and the controversy died down, but some still clung to things to complain about and hate. While the portion of the shoot where Shizuka was covered in slime was mostly seen as a playful and whimsical story, the haters were quick to latch onto their narrative of her being immature.
Arisa sighed, knowing that it was impossible to please everyone, and she knew that Shizuka's popularity also meant that she would always have people ready to tear her down for it. But Arisa also knew that her job was to protect Shizuka and Yuki, and she would do whatever it took to make sure that they were able to continue with their passion for photography and fashion without any interference from their detractors.
Now that Yuki proved she could live up to Arisa's demanding specifications, Arisa knew she had no choice but to take Yuki's proposed next shoot into consideration. She couldn't ignore Yuki's talent or dedication to her work, and she knew that Yuki would continue to push the boundaries of what was possible with photography. Yet, despite knowing full well it was for artistic reasons, Arisa personally felt revolted at the idea of Shizuka rolling around in the mud with pigs. She knew that it was important for Yuki to have the freedom to experiment and push the limits of what was possible with her photography, but she also knew that Yuki could push her bold and strange ideas too far and Shizuka was too close to her to consider turning down even her wildest ideas. It was Arisa's job to protect Shizuka from herself if it came down to it.
The truth was, Arisa didn't want Shizuka rolling around in the mud with the pigs. It was a strange concept to her, and she couldn't help but wonder what kind of twisted mind Yuki had to come up with such a bizarre idea. Arisa knew that Shizuka was a strong and confident woman who didn't let anyone dictate what she could and couldn't do, and she knew that Yuki was the same way. Arisa was also aware that the media was always ready to jump on the chance to tear someone down, and she couldn't let Shizuka fall victim to their criticism. Arisa knew that she had to find a compromise that would allow both Yuki and Shizuka to have their artistic freedom and not be held back by the expectations of others while denying as much ammunition for their detractors as possible.
The next day Arisa met with Shizuka and Yuki to discuss the proposed shoot.
"I don't want to see you rolling around in the mud with pigs," Arisa said flatly. "It's not appropriate for a fashion shoot, and it's not how I want to see you." 
Shizuka, for her part, remained stone-faced and silent, but Yuki was ready to protest immediately. "It's not like that, Arisa," Yuki said firmly. "I've been thinking about this idea for a while, and I know it's not just a regular shoot. It's about challenging myself and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in photography. And I want to do it with Shizuka."
"But we're long past the point where Shizuka is simply an artist," Arisa retorted. "Shizuka, like it or not, made it big, and now people pay attention to her. People look up to her. People expect things fron her to set a good example. She's long past the point where she could do literally anything and nobody would care."
Shizuka closed her eyes before speaking. "I never did this to become a fashion idol, or a film idol, or an idol of any kind."
"Yet you are one, whether you like it or not," Arisa pointed out. "It's my job to have a handle on those things. Your public image simply matters now."
Shizuka sighed heavily. "I understand that, Arisa. But I don't want to be anything other than the person I am. I'm not interested in being anyone else's image or idol."
"You are someone's idol," Arisa assured her. "This is the price of making it in the industry, Shizuka."
Shizuka looked at Arisa intently. "Are you saying I need to grow up?" Shizuka asked, her tone firm.
Arisa sat there, stunned at the accusation. She felt in her heart that she was on Shizuka's side on the matter, but realized that she did think, deep down, that Shizuka needed to act her age. The revelation simultaneously made sense to her and horrified her. She knew that she needed to tread carefully in her relationship with Shizuka, as she could not force her to act a certain way. 
"I'm not saying that, Shizuka," Arisa said softly. "But it's important for you to understand that this is not just about you, it's also about the industry and the expectations of those around you." 
Shizuka nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on Arisa. "I understand," she said finally. "I'll think about it and let you know my decision." 
Arisa nodded, relieved that Shizuka was willing to at least consider the situation. "Thank you, Shizuka." 
After the meeting ended, Arisa felt conflicted. She wanted to support Shizuka and Yuki's artistic vision, but she also couldn't shake the feeling that she was being pressured into something she didn't want to do. She knew Shizuka well enough to know of her disdain for idol culture, but Arisa also knew that Shizuka became an idol herself and there was nothing anyone could do to change that. Arisa's mind was a whirl of conflicting emotions. On one hand, she felt relieved that Shizuka was taking her concerns seriously and considering her ideas. On the other hand, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was pushing too hard, and that Shizuka was being pushed towards something she didn't want.
----
Later that night, Shizuka sat back on the couch in her apartment, with Yuki brewing tea in the kitchen. She had a lot on her mind, foremost at Arisa's reaction to the proposed photoshoot. She had never been in a situation like this before, and wondered what happened. She had known Arisa longer than Yuki and it was unusual for Arisa to be so adamant toward her.
"I don't want to be an idol," Shizuka murmured. 
Yuki brought Shizuka a cup of tea, which she accepted wordlessly. Yuki knew that Shizuka was deep in thought, and she didn't press her friend. Instead, she sat down next to her on the couch and took a sip of her own tea. "I know, Shizuka," she said softly. "But that's the job we signed up for. And we both know that it's not something we want to do." 
Shizuka looked up at Yuki, her eyes full of sadness. "I know Arisa is right... about everything. It's her job, after all. It's just... I never went into this industry looking to become an idol. This really is the price of my success." 
Yuki nodded in understanding. "I know, Shizuka. It's hard to see yourself as anything other than what you are, but you're right. It's the price we pay for the success in our careers." 
Shizuka took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "It's funny, when we first met, our dreams were to make it big," she said. "And here we are, we've made it. And now we're at the point where we wish we were back where we started." 
Yuki gave Shizuka a reassuring smile. "But we're not," she said firmly. "We're here now, and we have to make the best out this situation. We can't change what we're doing, but we can make it better." She put down her tea on the table, and grasped Shizuka's hand. "We don't have to do that photoshoot. We can think of something better to do." 
Shizuka looked at Yuki, offering her a small smile. "We've made it. We should act like we made it," she agreed. 
"Exactly. We have a great job, great friends, and we're living in a beautiful city. Let's enjoy it and make the best out this situation." Yuki chuckled softly. "Although I was looking forward to seeing you roll around in the mud." 
Shizuka laughed, feeling a bit lighter. "I'm sure Arisa would have been disappointed if we did," she said.
----
Erika entered the coffee shop just as Megumi was starting her lunch break, holding a magazine in her arms. Megumi waved, and Erika ran over to join her friend. 
"What's up, Erika?" Megumi asked, looking at the magazine in her hand. 
"I saw this new photo shoot in the magazine," Erika said, flipping through the pages. "It's Yuki and Shizuka's latest shoot." 
Megumi's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I've heard about it. It's supposed to be amazing." 
Erika nodded, grinning. "Yeah, there was a huge stink about it before it released, but everyone seems to like it." 
Megumi took a sip of her coffee, her eyes still on the magazine. "It's always good to see Yuki in action. She's an amazing photographer." 
Erika smiled, feeling happy for her friend. "Yeah, she's really talented. It's great that we have her as a photographer. But Shizuka is amazing as well."
Megumi looked down at the photographs. "Oh my. She really did a pole dance wearing that dress?" Megumi giggled at the thought. "That dress looks amazing on her." 
Erika nodded, smiling. "I heard they actually filmed this one, but they haven't released a video or anything. I wish I could see it."
Megumi chuckled. "I think it's a great idea. Yuki's photography is always so creative and unique. It would be really cool to see it come to life on film."
She flipped to the next page, and her jaw dropped. "Oh no! They really threw slime on her!" Megumi exclaimed, shocked.
Erika laughed. "Oh yeah, they did! Didn't you hear about the controversy when those photos leaked?" 
Megumi shook her head, still staring at the magazine. "No, I haven't. It's unusual for a fashion shoot to go viral."
Erika nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I can't believe it. It's almost like the slime has become a symbol for the whole shoot."
Megumi looked at the magazine again. She felt it was horrifying to have that happen to such a lovely Lolita dress, but the photos were arranged to capture Shizuka's unwavering smile, as if she were enjoying it. If Shizuka could stand getting covered in pink slime, who was she to judge? 
"Well, Yuki is a creative artist, and that's what makes her amazing. She'll come up with something even better next time," Erika said with a reassuring smile. 
Megumi nodded, still looking at the magazine. "I can't wait to see what she does next. It'll be amazing to see the final product." She looked back at Erika. "You want to pattern your modeling career after Shizuka, right? Would you have done this?" 
Erika nodded eagerly, a smile on her face. "Absolutely! I love the way she works and the way she looks. I want to be just like her one day." 
"Even if it means getting slime thrown on you while wearing a Lolita dress?" Megumi joked, teasingly. 
Erika laughed, shaking her head. "Hey, that's not the point. I love fashion and modeling, and Shizuka is a great inspiration for me, but you'd have to pay me real well to do that!" She grinned mischievously. "But who knows, maybe someday I'll be the next Shizuka and I'll have to deal with slime and all." 
Megumi smiled, shaking her head. "You're such a goofball, Erika." She looked back at the magazine, still amazed at the idea of a Lolita dress covered in slime. She hoped the dress wasn't ruined, but knew that it was likely the dress was bought specifically to be used in that manner. She was just happy that the photographer caught that moment of pure joy and cuteness, and that Yuki could make the whole thing into something beautiful and artistic.
Erika looked at the wall clock and sighed. "Well, I got to get back to the manor. I shouldn't take up your whole lunch break, after all." She stood up, stretching her arms. "I'll see you soon, Megumi."
Megumi stopped Erika's arm when she tried to reach down for the magazine. "Oh, if you don't mind, can I hang on to this?" she asked.
"Sure, I guess. You want to look at the shoot more?"
"Yeah. I want to look at it after I get off work."
"Okay then, don't spend too much time admiring the photos!" Erika said, waving. "I'll see you later, Megumi. Take care!"
Megumi watched her friend leave, then picked up the magazine to store in her locker for later.
After she got off work Megumi brought the magazine back to her apartment, and set it on the table to study Yuki's photography more. She did not want to admit it in front of Erika, but Megumi found Shizuka's shoot fascinating even as she lamented the messy dress. She touched the photos, trying to imagine it was her in Shizuka's place, and Yuki was busy taking photos of her.
As Megumi continued to study the magazine, her mind wandered to Erika's words about being the next Shizuka. She couldn't help but smile at the thought, imagining what it would be like to work at Moon River and wear a Lolita dress covered in slime. She shook her head, trying to clear the image from her mind. 
"Shizuka, you're so talented and beautiful. I wish I could be you," she whispered to herself.
----
That night, Megumi dreamed she was the model in Yuki's photoshoot. She wore a Sweet Lolita dress and a pink wig with oversized, drill shaped twintails, and she was surrounded by a sea of admirers. She smiled and waved, her heart racing with excitement. She could hear the cheers of the crowd and feel the heat of the lights flashing on her skin. Yuki was shooting from behind the camera, capturing every moment of her performance. Megumi felt herself getting lost in the moment, forgetting about the reality of her day-to-day life. She was in a fantasy world where she was in control of her own destiny, and Yuki was her personal photographer and friend. 
As the shoot continued, Megumi felt herself becoming more and more confident. She twirled and posed, showing off her figure and her Sweet Lolita dress. The crowd cheered and whistled, and Yuki continued to capture every moment with her camera. Megumi felt like she was living a dream, and she didn't want it to end.
Suddenly, she was splashed with a bucket full of pink slime. The slime hit her face and hands, and she quickly wiped it away with her hand. She looked around, feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable, but then she was splashed with more pink slime from all directions. Megumi held up her arms in a vain attempt to cover herself from the splash, but the slime got all over the place and she recoiled in terror. The slime was sticky and cold and got all over her lovely Sweet Lolita dress until she was completely drenched. The crowd around her laughed and jeered, and Yuki continued to take photos. Megumi felt like she was being humiliated in front of everyone, and she started to cry. She fell to her knees, wishing for the nightmare to be over.
However, a hand reached down to her. Megumi looked up, and saw Shizuka staring down at her, also wearing a Sweet Lolita dress and wig, and also covered in slime. The difference was she was smiling.
Megumi looked up at Shizuka in surprise, and accepted her outstretched hand graciously.
"It is not so scary if you aren't alone," Shizuka told her.
As soon as Megumi accepted Shizuka's hand, she woke up from the dream. Megumi looked around her room in alarm, making sure she was exactly where she was supposed to be. She looked at the clock and realized it was still in the middle of the night.
"That was a strange dream," Megumi muttered under her breath.
She got out of bed and went to the bathroom sink to splash her face with water. As she washed her face, Megumi couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach. She was glad that Shizuka was there to comfort her, but she couldn't help but wonder if the dream was a warning or a message. She wondered what it could mean and what could happen next. Megumi knew she had to talk to Yuki about it, but she was scared to bring it up. She didn't want to worry her girlfriend. Instead, she decided to just go to bed and try to get some rest. 
She tried to go back to sleep, but she found herself tossing and turning, her mind racing with thoughts of the strange dream and the slime that covered her. She wondered if the photoshoot had truly bothered her that much, and resolved to talk to Yuki tomorrow to sort out her feelings.
----
Yuki agreed to meet Megumi early the next morning before they both went to work. She walked into Megumi's apartment and saw her girlfriend sitting on the couch, looking pale and tired. Yuki immediately put on her best friend face and sat down next to Megumi on the couch.
"What happened to you?" Yuki asked, concern etched on her face.
Megumi hesitated for a moment before telling her about the nightmare and the slime she had just woken up from. Yuki listened intently, her eyes filled with empathy. When Megumi finished, Yuki put a comforting hand on her girlfriend's shoulder. 
"I'm here for you, Megumi. Whatever you need, I'm here to help," Yuki said firmly. 
Megumi looked up at her girlfriend, grateful for her support. "Thank you."
Yuki smiled softly. Arisa trying to reign in Yuki's creative liberties was starting to make material sense to her as her wild ideas for art were starting to show consequences that were personal to her. Despite her best intentions Yuki knew that sliming the dress bothered Megumi on some level, but she didn't know what to do about it, or if she should. Yuki knew she couldn't force Megumi to accept her fashion creations. 
Megumi put her head on Yuki's shoulder and rested her head on her girlfriend's shoulder. 
"I don't know what I'm going to do," Megumi said, almost resigning herself to the fact she just directly criticized her girlfriend's work. 
Yuki pulled Megumi closer, wrapping her arms around her in a protective embrace. "You don't have to like everything I do," she said. "Nobody does. It's good that you told me so we can avoid making that mistake again." 
Megumi looked up at Yuki, surprised by her girlfriend's reaction. "I'm sorry, Yuki. I didn't mean to hurt you," Megumi said softly. 
Yuki smiled at Megumi. "It's been hard for me, too. I've had my share of growing up lately, you know. I still make mistakes, but I'm trying to do better." Yuki leaned down and kissed Megumi softly on the lips. "I love you, Megumi. You don't have to apologize for anything." Yuki pulled away and looked at Megumi with a soft smile. "But if you ever feel like you're being judged by me, please know that I love you no matter what." 
Megumi's eyes filled with tears as she nodded, feeling grateful for Yuki's love and support. "I love you too, Yuki," Megumi said, wiping away her tears. 
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you." Yuki smiled and hugged Megumi again, feeling grateful for her girlfriend's understanding.
"I know. I'm just tired. Let's just go to work and forget about this, okay?" 
"Okay," Megumi said, smiling back at her girlfriend.
The two leaned in for a kiss. What was supposed to be a simple kiss led to more. The two were in no rush, and felt the desire slowly building up. 
"We've still got plenty of time before work," Yuki reasoned, before diving back in.
Megumi moaned softly. Her girlfriend's tongue and lips explored her mouth, making her feel like the most intimate and loved partner in the world. 
Yuki pulled away slightly, looking at Megumi with a mix of desire and respect. "You're so beautiful, Megumi," she whispered, her voice filled with admiration. "I want to show you how beautiful you are." 
Megumi's heart raced as she felt Yuki's hands on her body. Her hands ran up and down Megumi's arms, sending shivers down her spine. Yuki leaned in and kissed Megumi's neck, her lips trailing down to her collarbone. Megumi moaned softly as she felt Yuki's touch, her body responding to Yuki's touch. Yuki whispered in Megumi's ear, "I want you, Megumi. I want to show you how much I care for you." 
Megumi's heart raced as she felt Yuki's hands on her body. Her hands roamed over Yuki's curves, feeling the softness of her skin and the warmth of her body. Yuki's lips found their way back to Megumi's collarbone, causing her to shiver with anticipation. Megumi's hands moved down to Yuki's waist, pulling her closer as she kissed her deeply. Yuki responded eagerly, her tongue exploring Megumi's mouth with a passion that left both of them breathless. The two fell back onto the couch, panting and gasping for air.
"It's too early in the morning for sex," Yuki decided.
"Agreed," Megumi replied. "We still have to go to work."
Yuki got up, straightening out her clothes before giving Megumi one final kiss before leaving her apartment. She walked with a renewed spring to her step, as if everything was right in the world.
----
Arisa sat at her desk, with Shizuka sitting across from her. She was not looking forward to this meeting, but knew that, since the controversy surrounding her last photoshoot Shizuka now became a frequent target of accusations that she was an immature grown woman. Arisa thought the idea was hogwash, but knew it was a growing sentiment among Shizuka's detractors, and that Shizuka was extremely bothered by being called immature.
Shizuka was nervous as she sat across from Arisa, but tried to remain composed. "What do you want to talk about, Arisa?" she asked, her eyes darting around the room nervously.
Arisa took a deep breath, "I want to talk about the latest shoot you did for Moon River. There's a lot of talk that you're an immature woman and it's not going away."
Shizuka's cheeks flushed red at Arisa's words, but she remained calm. "I understand that people have their opinions, but I know who I am and what I stand for. I'm a professional, and I know my worth."
"We here know that," Arisa replied. "Your friends, your fans, your coworkers all know that. The problem is everyone else out there. Talk like this can seriously affect your job prospects in the future. I've had arguments with potential clients that are concerned about hiring you because of that image perception. Trust me, you're not alone in this."
Shizuka's eyes softened at Arisa's words, and she leaned forward in her chair. "I'm not worried about that happening. I have too much pride to let something like that happen. I'm an adult, and I'm an artist, and I'm good at what I do."
"It's not just about you, Shizuka," Arisa continued. "Your career could be at stake here. You have a responsibility to Moon River and your future as a fashion model. You need to grow up. You need to take a stand."
Shizuka crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. "I know how to be a grown up."
"Do you?" Arisa asked. "Because I'm not so sure."
Shizuka stood up, clenching and unclenching her fists. She paced around the room before stopping in front of the desk, right in front of Arisa. "I don't need someone nearly ten years my junior telling me I'm not grown up enough," she yelled.
Arisa flinched in her chair, shocked at such a reaction. Shizuka continued, her voice dropping to a near whisper, "I grew up fast. I know what I want. I know what I'm capable of. I don't need anyone to validate me."
"Maybe you don't," Arisa said softly. "But I think you should hear me out."
Shizuka glared at Arisa, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her cheeks were red, her eyes narrowed, her fists clenched at her sides. "What are you saying?"
"I know you ignore social media and avoid gossip in general, and that's fine, but it's part of my job to watch that for you," Arisa continued. "And believe me when I say that having a pulse on your audience is very important, and it's important enough now that I have to bring it to your attention because I'm concerned about your future. I'm not saying you're doing anything wrong, but the public perception is an important aspect of being a fashion model and actress that you're ignoring. It's not that you have to prove yourself to them, but you have to have their confidence."
Shizuka crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair again. She bit her lip and narrowed her eyes. "What are you getting at?"
"I'm saying that you're smart. You're talented. You're beautiful. You're a fashion model. You're an actress. You're a grown woman. You're strong. You're an inspiration. You're a role model." Arisa took in a deep breath. "But the thing is, you relinquished control on your own narrative. Because you don't interact with your fans or the media you let them write your story. We know your story because you let us in. I think maybe it's time you let the world know who you are." 
Shizuka sat still for a long time, her eyes narrowing and widening as she considered Arisa's words. Arisa continued to wait patiently, watching her friend's reaction. 
Shizuka let out a long, loud sigh. "I don't know what to say," she admitted.
"Well, I'm happy to hear that," Arisa said. "Because that means you still have time to decide. Take your time and think about what I said. Think about what I want for you and what you want for you. I'm here if you need to talk. Or if you ever feel like you're in doubt, you can come to me."
"Okay," Shizuka said softly, staring at her lap. "Okay."
"Great," Arisa said. "I'm glad we got that out of the way."
After a few minutes of silence, Shizuka stood up from her chair. "I'll be in my office."
"Take your time," Arisa said. "I made sure your schedule is cleared for the rest of the week."
Shizuka walked away from the table, leaving Arisa alone with her thoughts.
----
When Shizuka returned to her shared office she noted Yuki wasn't around. She quietly closed the door behind her and locked it. She knew Yuki could get in if she wanted, but Shizuka wanted the privacy for the time being. She took a deep breath and sat down at her desk, her mind racing with thoughts of what Arisa had said. The truth was, Shizuka had been ignoring her fans and the media for a long time. She had let them control her narrative and become a mere prop in their own little world. But now, after hearing Arisa's words, Shizuka realized that maybe it was time to start taking back control.
She sat down at her desk and noted that Arisa sent her an e-mail with a number of links she should read. Shizuka snorted, knowing that Arisa anticipated what she was about to do, and then picked the first link.
Shizuka was surprised to see the first link led to a fan page dedicated to her. She felt embarrassed at the idea of looking at such a thing, that people would bother to talk about her enough to make a dedicated page about her. She quickly closed the link and scrolled down the list, searching for something else. As she scrolled through the links, she noticed that they were all related to her work as a fashion model and actress. She hesitated for a moment, but curiosity got the better of her. She reopened the link to the fan page and was greeted by a barrage of comments and messages. 
Shizuka felt a mix of emotions as she read through the messages. Some were supportive and encouraging, while others were critical and rude. It was a hard pill to swallow reading both praise and criticism after so long as Shizuka prided herself on living a quiet, private life, but the reality of what she was seeing on her computer monitor told her that was merely an illusion she made for herself. It was easier for Shizuka to live her life believing that her life was immaterial to the rest of the world, and the thought of that safety made her realize she was acting very immature after all. 
She sat back in her chair, contemplating what Arisa had said. She never really considered the idea that her life was something to be shared with others, and the realization was both overwhelming and freeing. It was a big step to take, but Shizuka knew that it was time for her to start living her life with the rest of the world. 
She took a deep breath and began to scroll through the comments again, this time with a more open mind. As she read through the topics, she saw that there were many different kinds of posts and comments. Some people were critical of her modeling career, while others praised her for her work as a fashion model. She saw comments about her physical appearance, her work ethic, and even her personality. Some people were just curious and wanted to know more about her, while others were judgmental and rude. Shizuka couldn't help but smile at the variety of opinions and reactions. She had never really considered that her life was anything other than her own, but the idea of being a part of a larger community was both exciting and overwhelming. 
As Shizuka read through the comments, she began to feel a sense of camaraderie with the people who were sharing their thoughts and opinions with her. She felt a connection with them, like they were all a part of a family. She realized that her life wasn't just her own, but it was also a part of a larger world that she couldn't ignore. It was time for her to start listening to the people who were sharing her life with her, to learn from them and to grow in a way that she had never thought possible. Shizuka took a deep breath and closed her eyes, letting out a sigh of relief. She knew that she had taken a step towards becoming a better person, and that was a huge achievement. She opened her eyes and looked back at her computer screen, seeing the multitude of comments and messages. She knew that she had a lot to learn, but she was excited to see where her journey would take her. 
Shizuka noticed that many people were sharing their own experiences and struggles. Some were struggling with their own personal struggles, while others were sharing their stories with others. She saw people who had overcome struggles and found success, as well as those who were still struggling and felt alone. Each of those were spun together with a common thread, and Shizuka realized it was her. Each of the comments related to how Shizuka's work helped them overcome their problems in their own ways. Shizuka felt numb at being thought of as a savior type, but knew that it made these people happy.
She also read the comments that were critical and rude toward her as well. She saw people who were jealous or insecure about her success and wanted to tear her down. Despite wanting to ignore such posts, Shizuka read them anyway, knowing that even such hateful comments probably had origin in something she did, a possible consequence she didn't consider before. She knew that it was important to acknowledge these feelings and find a way to process them, rather than brush them off and pretend they didn't exist. She knew that the hateful comments were just a small part of the larger picture, and that there were many more positive comments and messages that she couldn't ignore.
Shizuka then turned her attention to the posts about her work history. She felt nostalgic reading about her past praised roles, with fond memories reappearing at the mention of her acting jobs. She remembered her start in live action with the romantic comedy television series Chaotic Love where she played a stoic maid who increasingly got into messy situations. She remembered her roles doing voice overs in video games and anime, and then cosplaying her own characters at Yuki's insistence. She remembered her first live action lead film role on the video game adaptation of Vampire Princess Luka and being covered in slime and monster gore. She smiled at the memories, feeling grateful for the opportunity to have lived such an interesting life.
Yet it was when she reached a topic about Mystical Dream Girl, a series of visual novels, that gave Shizuka pause. Shizuka remembered voicing the girl Mia, the Dream Girl of the fourth game, where the company asked her to do an image song. She remembered failing her test song spectacularly to the point where the plans for the image song were scrapped and her character was given an extra DLC episode instead. That episode made Mia explode in popularity, which Shizuka never realized, to the point where Mia was considered the definitive Dream Girl in the series. The fans of the Dream Girl games were passionate about her, and even though she had never met them in person, they felt like they knew her. Shizuka felt a pang of nostalgia for her character, wishing she could have shared her experiences with the fans and even have a chance to meet them in person. She knew that the Dream Girl games were a labor of love for the creators, and she was touched by their dedication to her character.
She moved on to the topic about Magical Girl Wars, a live action television series adaptation of a manga series Shizuka took part in. She had played one of the villains in the series, a Gothic Lolita magical girl named Sakura, who was intended to die midway through the series, but she knew that the production company liked her enough to alter the story to keep her around. Shizuka was surprised to find that her portrayal of Sakura was very highly praised, to the point the manga author wrote an extra chapter adapting Sakura's survival in their own story because of her acting. She remembered the mangaka mailed her a copy of the extra chapter, but she did not truly appreciate its signifigance until now. Shizuka's heart swelled with pride. She had always known that her acting was good, but it was the genuine love and support from the fans that made her feel truly grateful. 
She found a topic relating to Chronicles of the Green Dragon, an anime where Shizuka voiced Lily, an esper girl, and another for Legendary Flying Swallow, where she voiced the busty kunoichi, Kasumi. She voiced many other minor roles in anime beside them, but those two stood out among her fans' favorites.
As Shizuka continued scrolling through her posts, she realized that she had never truly appreciated the impact that her work had made on the lives of her fans. She had always been too caught up in the details of the production to notice how much her work meant to them. She had never truly taken the time to appreciate the passion and dedication that the fans showed towards her. Shizuka smiled, feeling touched by the thoughtfulness of her fans.
Shizuka looked up from her monitor at the clock, realizing that hours had passed since she started reading her fan page, and that she had missed lunch entirely. It was the middle of the afternoon and nobody had come to the office to check up on her, not even Yuki. She wondered idly if Arisa had arranged for everyone at Moon River to simply leave her alone for the day. 
Thinking about it, she sent an e-mail to Arisa asking for a lunch delivery, and received a reply quick that it was coming.  She then turned her attention toward the other links Arisa sent her and went back to reading about her career from the eyes of the rest of the world.
By the end of the work day Shizuka had eaten her late lunch and read numerous critiques about her modeling and acting, leaving her much to consider about her future. She knew that her career was taking off, but she still had a lot of work to do to maintain her image as a reliable and successful model and actress. She made a mental note to continue working hard and improving her skills, knowing that her success depended on it. As she shut down her computer, she realized that she had a newfound appreciation for the work she had put in. She had always loved fashion and had a natural talent for modeling, but she had never thought about how much it meant to her fans.
Shizuka made her way back to Arisa's office, and found her still sitting at her desk as she usually did. 
"Still working, huh?" Shizuka said, half as a joke.
"Yes," Arisa answered, raising her eyes from her computer monitor. "I trust you've had a lot of time to reflect?"
Shizuka nodded, sitting down in the chair next to Arisa's desk. "I have," she replied. "I've been thinking a lot about my career and the impact it's had on people. I never really appreciated it until today."
Arisa leaned forward, her eyebrows furrowed. "Impact on people? What do you mean?"
Shizuka sighed, feeling a bit self-conscious. "I mean the impact my career has had on the lives of my fans. I never really thought about how much they admire me and how much they look up to me. I've always been too focused on the production and the outcome of the work to really appreciate it."
Arisa nodded, understanding. "I see. Well, I think it's important to take the time to appreciate the things you do and the impact they have on others. It's a way to show them that you care and appreciate them as well."
Shizuka smiled gratefully at Arisa. "Thank you, Arisa. I really appreciate your guidance and support. It means a lot to me."
Arisa nodded. "I'm glad to be able to help. You're doing a great job with Moon River, and I'm proud to have you on my team. Just remember to take the time to appreciate the people around you, even if it means asking for their help."
Shizuka laughed softly. "So, I've heard from a little birdie that... you're a huge fan of a certain Dream Girl."
Arisa's eyes widened in shock, and she blushed profusely. "Wait... how did you...?"
"You gave me too much information," Shizuka replied. "I read you were obsessed with Mia."
Arisa's eyes lowered, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I... uh...." Arisa's voice trailed off as she realized she had forgotten she had posted a lot about Mia on Shizuka's fan page, to the point where even Shizuka could figure out it was her posting the messages. She looked up at Shizuka, feeling embarrassed. "I'm sorry you had to see that."
Shizuka laughed. "Don't worry about it. I'm used to it by now. It's just one of the many perks of being a successful fashion model and actress."
Arisa nodded, feeling a bit better. "I'm glad. You know, Mia is a very well-written and realistic character. You really brought her to life. It was as if she was as real to me as any person here."
Shizuka smiled, feeling touched by Arisa's words. "Thank you, Arisa. I'm glad you enjoyed my work."
Arisa nodded, looking up at Shizuka. "I know you don't make a habit of watching your own work, but... do you want to see how great Mia is?"
Shizuka raised an eyebrow. "Really? I'm interested in seeing it."
Arisa nodded eagerly. She turned her monitor to face Shizuka, and revealed she still had the Mystical Dream Girl visual novels installed on her work computer. "Mia appears in the fourth and sixth games, so you can see a lot of her!"
Shizuka took in a deep breath, wondering if she was going to make it home that night.
----
It was late in the evening when Shizuka made it back to her apartment. Yuki was there, sitting on the couch watching a variety show when she entered.
"Oh, so you had a busy day?" Yuki asked.
"Yeah," Shizuka replied. "The last few hours Arisa was speed running a visual novel for my benefit."
Yuki laughed at the thought of her two friends sitting in front of a computer playing a video game. "That sounds like fun."
Shizuka shrugged. "It was. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, but I think I might have a new appreciation for visual novels. Still... it was so weird listening to my own voice come out of another character's mouth." 
Yuki nodded, understanding the feeling. "It's definitely different. I'm glad you had a good time."
Shizuka sat down on the couch next to Yuki. "So, I guess we need to grow up."
Yuki leaned her head on Shizuka's shoulder. "Yeah, we do. I guess we need to prove ourselves to the world with this next photoshoot." She looked around the apartment, considering. "Let's start by brainstorming a new image for the photoshoot. Maybe we can do something with nature, like a beautiful sunrise or a lush forest." 
Shizuka smiled. "That sounds amazing. I think we could do something with that." She thought for a moment, her mind racing with ideas. "We could have me do a Mori Girl look and have the whole thing done in the forest." 
Yuki nodded, impressed. "That's a great idea, Shizuka. It'll be unique and beautiful." She stood up from the couch and began to walk around the room, thinking. "Let's start by sketching out some ideas. We can use this as a starting point." 
Shizuka got up from the couch and followed Yuki, excitedly discussing their new project.
After an hour Shizuka decided to turn in as she had a meeting with the producers for her next film the next day, leaving Yuki to fill in the finer details herself. Yuki's eyes followed Shizuka until she disappeared into her bedroom, then she sat down on the couch and sighed.
"Growing up, huh?" she muttered to herself. "It felt like only yesterday when we were doing young and stupid things." Yuki turned off the television and got ready for bed. Maybe being grown up wasn't such a bad thing.
----
Over the next two weeks Yuki and Shizuka planned their photoshoot in the forest, renting a small cabin for such a purpose and picking out a selection of possible Mori Girl outfits for Shizuka to wear. Arisa approved of the shoot immediately, feeling that a nature shoot was different and would show a different side of Shizuka than normal.
However, when the day of the shoot came the weather was predicting heavy rain. Despite this, Yuki and Shizuka decided to proceed with the shoot, choosing to do many more shots inside the cabin and then end it by doing shots in the rain. An unusual quirk of Shizuka was her love for the rain and she didn't mind getting wet, which is a side Yuki knew was not commonly known about her and felt it was a great chance to show it off.
Yuki and Shizuka made their way to the cabin along with the set crew from Moon River as the rain poured down on them. The equipment was already protected from the rain, but many of the crew grumbled over getting soaking wet. Shizuka, on the other hand, kept running around in the rain without either an umbrella or a poncho, taking in the atmosphere like a manic fairy. Yuki could see the excitement in her friend's eyes as she ran around and took many candid pictures of Shizuka playing in the rain.
When all the equipment was set up in the cabin Shizuka dried off and changed into her outfit for the shoot. An off-white dress, kissed with lace trim, whispers against her skin, while a warm brown vest, reminiscent of fallen leaves, hugs her gently. Beneath, a cream-colored underskirt peeks out, adding playful layers. Her hair was braided loosely as a woodland crown and she wore delicate leather lace-up ankle boots. A hint of wildflowers tucked behind her ear completes the enchanting picture.
Yuki decided to start the shoot by having Shizuka sit in a comfy chair near the fireplace. She allowed the natural glow to reflect on her, giving the sense of a warm, comfortable atmosphere. The rain continued to beat on the roof above them as Yuki took her shots, taking care to make everything look warm and inviting. They then spent the rest of the time in various parts of the cabin in different poses, with Yuki making sure to get one of Shizuka looking out the window with a longing look.
After a few hours of shooting, Yuki and Shizuka decided that they got all they could inside the cabin, and it was still pouring rain outside.
"So, what do you think?" Yuki asked.
"I think it's time we go outside," Shizuka answered.
Yuki nodded. Once they started shooting outside they weren't going to shoot inside the cabin anymore. She didn't want everyone in the crew to get soaking wet while they played in the rain so she decided she would go out alone with her camera with Shizuka. Most of the crew agreed to it, while some wanted to watch the two women work anyway.
The two walked out to the porch, Yuki with her camera ready at a moment's notice, and Shizuka next to her, looking out at the rain with a quiet, soft look on her face. Yuki admired Shizuka for staying in character, knowing that she was going to be keeping that face the entire time.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
Shizuka nodded solemnly. "I am," she replied, her eyes still fixed on the rain. "I don't know how long we'll be out here, but I'm ready to get my rain boots wet."
Yuki smiled and got into position, ready to capture the moment. The rain was still pouring down heavily, but Shizuka didn't seem to mind. Yuki started shooting, her camera capturing the raindrops on the porch and the puddles on the ground. Shizuka stayed perfectly still, her face emotionless as she stared out at the rain. Yuki was careful to keep the lighting soft and natural, trying to capture the essence of the moment. She watched as Shizuka held out her hand to the rain experimentally, as if trying to decide whether to go out or not. Yuki kept shooting, her heart beating in anticipation for the moment, until Shizuka finally took one boot step out onto the wet grass, then bolted out running into the woods, into the rain.
Yuki was shocked at how fast she started running, then chased after her, not wanting to lose sight of Shizuka. The rain was coming down harder now, and Yuki could hear the sound of the water pounding the ground. She knew that Shizuka was running fast as if possessed, but she couldn't keep up with her. She ran for a few minutes, until she finally caught up to her.
"Shizuka, slow down," she called out, catching up to her friend.
Shizuka turned to face Yuki, her eyes wide with surprise. "What? Why?" she asked, looking at Yuki with concern.
Yuki took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay," she said, her tone apologetic. "I'm not in as good of shape as you are."
Shizuka smiled at Yuki, her eyes still filled with concern. "It's okay," she said, "I'm used to this kind of weather. It's just getting wet and muddy."
Yuki studied her friend carefully. She was indeed soaking wet and her boots caked in a layer of mud, but she was otherwise fine. She looked around to her surroundings and finally realized why Shizuka stopped here. They were standing at the edge of a small stream, the water rushing past them in a fast and steady flow. Yuki realized that this was the perfect opportunity to capture Shizuka in her natural environment, surrounded by the sounds and sights that she loved. Yuki took a deep breath, feeling the raindrops on her face and the cool mist in the air. She focused her attention on Shizuka, her camera ready at the ready.
"Don't go anywhere," Shizuka suggested. "I'm going to walk across the stream."
"You be careful," Yuki warned, a little concerned about the strength of the rushing water.
Shizuka smiled, a small but genuine smile. "I will," she said, "but I don't think I'll be going too far. The water is shallow enough for me to cross."
Yuki nodded, watching as Shizuka carefully waded through the stream, her movements graceful and fluid as the water rushed past her legs. She was relieved to note that the stream went no higher than Shizuka's calves. She captured the moment in a series of shots, the water rushing past her friend as she crossed the stream. Yuki could see the joy in Shizuka's face as she crossed the stream, her movements graceful and effortless. The rain continued to fall around them, but Yuki knew that it was a part of the experience, and she couldn't bring herself to interrupt Shizuka's moment.
When Shizuka made it to the other side of the stream, she turned back toward Yuki, her face still in character, then bent down and stuck her hand into the stream. Yuki watched as Shizuka pulled out a small pebble, her movements slow and deliberate. She looked up at Yuki with a small smile, then turned and walked back across the stream, the sound of the water rushing past her ears. Yuki watched as Shizuka stopped in the middle of the stream, lowering her body, then lowering her back into the water. She lay in the stream, her head above water, letting the rushing water flow past her. She closed her eyes, a tranquil, content look on her face. Yuki couldn't help but smile at the sight of her friend. She knew that Shizuka loved the sound and smell and feel the water, and it was a moment she would never forget.
After a few minutes Shizuka sat up in the stream, then got back up, walking back to Yuki.
"How was that?" she asked.
"It was amazing," Yuki replied, her camera still trained on her friend. "You looked so beautiful in the water, Shizuka."
Shizuka smiled, her eyes sparkling in the rain. "Thank you, Yuki. I felt like I was free, like I was no longer bound by the constraints of society or expectations."
Yuki nodded, her camera still trained on Shizuka. "It's such a beautiful place to capture moments like that," she said, her voice filled with admiration. "You are so lucky to have this kind of natural beauty in your life."
The two decided to head back toward the cabin, the rain still pouring down on them. They did not go back the way they came and took a slight detour. 
Yuki stopped and took pictures of the soaking wet Shizuka standing under a dense canopy of leaves, capturing falling droplets in slow motion. They walked further up the stream and found a waterfall, and Yuki had her pose in front of that, too, casting a misty halo around her friend.
They walked to the edge of the forest to a large, muddy meadow. Yuki and Shizuka's boots squished under their feet on the soft mud, and they looked at each other with knowing smiles. 
"I like this spot," Shizuka said, kicking at the mud with her foot. "It's nice and quiet... and isolated."
Yuki nodded in agreement, her camera still trained on Shizuka. "It's perfect for capturing moments like this," she said, her voice filled with excitement. "It's like a blank canvas, untouched by human hands."
Shizuka reached her hand down into the mud experimentally, squeezing it through her fingers, then stood up and walked out into the mire, leaving a trail of muddy footprints behind her. She swept her arms out in a grand gesture, tossing the mud aside and raising her face to the sky, as if welcoming the rain. 
Yuki was quick to take these shots, eager to capture everything. She watched as her friend started dancing in place, spinning like a whirling dervish before throwing herself backward into the mud. Shizuka lay there, laughter on her lips, as if she was truly free and unrestrained by the shackles of the world.
After a few moments of rolling around in the mud Shizuka got on her feet and made her way back to Yuki. Her once pristine, if soaking wet, Mori Girl dress was now caked in a layer of earthen mud. She bent down on her knees and scooped up another handful of mud, looking up at Yuki with a knowing smile. 
"Nobody has to know," she said mischievously. "Let's keep this one between us." 
Yuki smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She lowered her camera and hung it from a tree with her travel bag. "Of course, Shizuka. I have no intention to share this with anyone else."
Shizuka grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Good, because I have a surprise for you," she said, her tone teasing.
Yuki laughed, holding out her arms to her side. "I'm ready!"
As soon as the words escaped her lips Shizuka's handful of mud flew at Yuki's face.
Yuki wiped the mud from her face, laughing. "Oh, it's on!"
She ran up to Shizuka and tackled her, the two friends sliding across the meadow in the mud, the rain pouring down from above. Shizuka's laughter echoed through the meadow as she tumbled with Yuki, their bodies sliding and rolling through the mud. The two friends laughed and giggled, their clothes getting soaked and caked in mud. 
The two rolled onto their backs, staring up at the sky while covered in mud, laughing. 
"They're going to ask questions if we go back like this," Yuki said.
"We can clean off back at the stream," Shizuka suggested. "Nobody needs to know." 
Yuki grinned, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're right. Let's go back and clean off. We'll have to come up with some story to tell them why we were gone so long." 
Shizuka nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's going to be hard to explain all this mud." 
Yuki laughed, shaking her head. She got up and picked up her camera and travel bag, then they went back to the stream to clean off the mud. After they were cleaned up to their satisfaction they headed back to the cabin, where the rest of the crew were waiting for them. The rain had not let up the entire time.
After getting back to the cabin both Yuki and Shizuka changed out of their wet clothes into spare clothing they brought with them, and were handed freshly brewed tea. They sat down in front of the fireplace, quietly reflecting on the day. 
"That was so much fun," Shizuka said, smiling at Yuki. "I love spending time with you like this."
Yuki smiled back at her friend. "I do too, Shizuka. It's always a good time when we're alone like this."
The two laughed and chatted away. They knew the crew in the cabin were making speculative conjectures on what exactly the two of them were doing out in the rain, but they didn't care. Neither one of them was going to give away their private moment out in the meadow. They were comfortable in their friendship, and they knew they could trust each other with their secrets.
The fire crackled and popped, casting a warm glow across the cabin. The sound of rain hitting the roof was a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Yuki leaned back in her chair, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the warmth of the fire. Shizuka continued to chat with her, occasionally interrupting her thoughts with a playful comment or a teasing smile.
"You know, Yuki," Shizuka said, "we still have this cabin for the rest of the day, right?"
"Yes, we do," Yuki confirmed. "But we can't have everyone stay here. It's too small for that."
"I know, but it's so cozy in here. We could send the crew back home and stay here for the night."
"That's a great idea. It would be nice to have a little break from everyone for a change. The only thing is, we came with the company vehicles. We couldn't get out of here without them."
Shizuka sighed. "It was just a thought."
Yuki's smile faded slightly. "I know. Besides, I want to get these pictures developed so we can put together the spread."
Yuki gave the order for the crew to start packing their things. She and Shizuka stayed in front of the fireplace for a while longer before putting it out, then got up to pick up their belongings. As much as they wanted to stay in the cabin the logistics didn't allow it and it was too much of a hassle. In the end they and the Moon River crew packed up and headed back to the city, the rain still pouring around them. 
----
The next morning, Yuki woke up early and went to the studio to develop the pictures she had taken during the previous day. As she worked, she thought about her friendship with Shizuka. It was something special and unique. Yuki had always admired Shizuka's talent and style, but she couldn't deny that there was a certain chemistry between them. Yuki knew that she was attracted to Shizuka, but she didn't feel the same way. They had never crossed that line and it was unlikely to happen in the future. Yuki was content with their friendship, and she felt lucky to have such a great friend in Shizuka.
She looked at her pictures wistfully, stroking her friend's tranquil face longingly. Shizuka was always so elegant and poised, but the shots of her in the rain had captured a rare vulnerability Yuki knew was special. Yuki couldn't shake off the feeling of being incomplete without Shizuka. She knew that their friendship was special and unique, but it didn't have the same romantic elements as her relationship with Megumi. It was something that she couldn't fully explain, but it was important to her. Yuki continued to work on the pictures, lost in thought as she tried to come up with a way to express her feelings.
For a moment she regretted not having pictures of the two them playing in the mud, but Yuki knew it was for the best. It was a moment that she had wanted to capture, but it wasn't something she wanted to share with anyone else, especially not the world that wanted the two of them to act like grown adults.
A few hours later, after developing all of her pictures, Yuki packed them up and brought them with her to present to Arisa. She found the young agent sitting at her desk as usual, likely looking at her spreadsheets again. She sat down quietly and waited for Arisa to finish whatever it was she was doing. As she waited, Yuki thought about how much she appreciated her work with Arisa. Arisa was always so understanding and patient, always willing to listen and offer advice.
"So, how was the weather?" Arisa asked as she turned away from the monitor to face Yuki. 
"Very funny," Yuki replied. "You know just as I that it rained the entire time. Well, it was probably for the best because Shizuka looked even better than if it were sunny or simply overcast."
Arisa smiled. "I'm glad you think so."
Yuki handed her the developed pictures. "You'll like these."
Arisa took the pictures and looked at them closely. "Wow, Yuki, these are amazing. Your work is really coming along," she said, looking up at Yuki with admiration. As she shuffled through the later half of the pictures, a look of concern spread across her face. "Wait, you went and shot out in the rain?" 
Yuki nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, I couldn't resist taking some shots. I wanted to capture the vulnerability that Shizuka showed in the rain. And I think it came out really well." 
Arisa smiled warmly at Yuki. "I'm glad you got the shots you wanted. You always do such great work." 
Yuki blushed, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Thanks, Arisa. I appreciate it." She shifted in her seat, feeling a bit uncomfortable. She noticed that Arisa was scrutinizing the wetlook photos, trying to decide whether they were tasteful enough to be used. Yuki admitted internally that she did not consider such thoughts, but felt that, since Shizuka was wearing layers as a Mori Girl, any wetlook incidents would be minimal and only the dress would become transparent when wet. Yuki knew that Arisa was probably just being cautious, but it made Yuki a bit nervous as well. 
"Is everything okay, Arisa?" Yuki asked, trying to change the subject.
Arisa looked up at Yuki, her eyes meeting Yuki's. "Yes, everything is fine. I just wanted to make sure that we're not compromising Shizuka's safety. We don't want anything to happen to her," she said, her tone serious. 
Yuki felt a knot form in her stomach at the mention of safety. She knew that Arisa was right to be concerned, but she also knew that Shizuka was a tough girl who could take care of herself. It was only when Arisa brought it up that she realized when Shizuka was laying in the stream she could have hurt herself. Yuki's heart sank at the thought of what could have happened to her best friend.
If Arisa was feeling the same concern she did not voice it, as she passed through the stream pictures without saying a word. Yuki couldn't help but wonder if Arisa was just being cautious or if she was trying to be polite. Either way, Yuki was grateful for Arisa's concern. Yuki took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She knew that it was important to be professional when working with Arisa, but she also couldn't help but wonder if Arisa was feeling the same way she did.
When Arisa finished going through the photos, she handed them back to Yuki with a smile. "You're probably right about the rain. You can tell a good story with these photos." 
Yuki picked up the pictures and got up from her seat. "I'll get to working on the spread right away," she said. 
Yuki sat down at her desk and began to work on the spread. She took her time, editing each shot and adding her signature touch to the pictures. She scrutinized the photos, looking for whatever it was that Arisa seemed concerned about, and knew it had to do with the pictures at the stream. As Yuki worked on the spread, her mind wandered to the stream photos. She remembered the look on Shizuka's face as she lay in the stream, vulnerable and exposed. Yuki couldn't help but wonder what had been going through Shizuka's mind at that moment. Had she been scared? Had she been worried? 
She walked over to Shizuka's desk and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Shizuka, are you okay?" she asked, concerned. 
Shizuka looked up at Yuki curiously. "What?"
"I was going over the photos from the shoot," Yuki explained. "You remember when you were lying in the stream?"
Shizuka nodded slowly, betraying no emotions.
"What were you thinking when you were lying there?" Yuki asked, her voice soft and gentle.
Shizuka hesitated for a moment before responding. "I was just...relaxing," she said softly. "The stream was so peaceful and soothing." She smiled weakly, her eyes still fixed on the distance. "It felt like I was weightless, like I could just let go and float away."
Yuki couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at her friend's words. Shizuka was a creature of contradictions who loved the water, but was afraid of drowning, and yet hearing her talk about it so nonchalantly ate at Yuki. She could see the vulnerability in Shizuka's eyes, and it made her heart ache.
"I would miss you greatly if you floated away," Yuki said.
Shizuka said nothing, nor did she move. Yuki didn't know what to think, but she knew Shizuka just admitted that she was considering letting go in those few minutes in the stream. She knew that she had to tell her the truth, no matter how difficult it might be.
"Shizuka, I'm not going to let you go," Yuki said firmly. "I want to be there to catch you if you start to feel like you're losing control. I don't want you to drown or hurt yourself."
Shizuka looked at her friend with a small smile. "I appreciate your concern, Yuki," she said softly. "But I think I'm strong enough to handle it."
Yuki nodded, her heart heavy. "I know you are," she said. "But I just want to make sure you're safe. And I want to be there for you, no matter what."
Again, Shizuka said nothing. Yuki knew there did not need to be any words between them, and now understood the vulnerability Shizuka was showing in the photos was real. She resolved to do her photos justice.
Yuki went back to her desk and resolved to finish the spread.
----
After the shoot was published Shizuka decided she needed to pay attention to what her fans and critics were saying about her. She quietly looked at fan reactions on her fan page with a sense of anxiousness, wondering if she managed to shed her image of immaturity. She was relieved when she saw that she had.
She had a few mixed reviews, but overall people were complimentary of her transformation into a more mature, and more confident fashion idol. Her fans loved her Mori Girl look, but especially found it fitting that she dashed out into the rain in the same clothes without worry or care. It was as if it was a statement that Shizuka was defying the social norms to be herself out in the wilderness and the rain. Her fans appreciated her boldness and bravery, while her critics, who universally loved that she showed a soft, vulnerable side, nonetheless felt that her imagery was a statement against the prevailing conservative notions of the country. Shizuka felt she did not set out to challenge society with her modeling, but if the public felt she was making a statement about staying true to herself she didn't see any reason to change that perception. 
As she read the reviews and comments, she realized that her fans had a lot of insight to offer her. One comment in particular caught her eye. It was from a fan who wrote, "Shizuka, you are not just a fashion model or actress, you are a symbol of strength and beauty. You show us that it is okay to be different and that we can be brave in our own way. You are a reminder that we can all be individuals and that we deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. I admire you for your dedication to your craft and your commitment to your fans. Thank you for being a positive and inspiring role model for all of us. Keep being you, Shizuka, and may your success continue to grow."
Shizuka thought the words were hokey, but felt they were genuine nonetheless. She had never really thought of herself in those terms before, but now she understood that she had a responsibility to use her success to inspire others. She smiled softly, feeling grateful for the opportunity to have a positive impact on people's lives.
She was touched by the messages of support and admiration that were shared. Her fans were a loyal and supportive group, and it was comforting to know that she had a real bond with them.
Shizuka got up from her chair and went to the living room of the apartment, where she found Yuki sitting on the couch checking her phone. She looked up as Shizuka entered the room and smiled warmly at her friend, tears of joy streaming down her face.
"Everyone loved the shoot," Yuki whispered, happy and relieved.
Shizuka sat down on the couch next to her. "Yeah, we did it."
It was as if a great weight was lifted off both their shoulders, having spent weeks under scrutiny and pressure that they weren't taking their lives and careers with the seriousness it required from their successes, and now it seemed they were on the right track.
Yuki took Shizuka's hand in hers and squeezed it gently. "I'm so glad you're happy. I've been worried about you lately."
Shizuka smiled at her friend. "Thanks, Yuki. I'm doing alright. Just trying to keep focused and stay true to myself." 
"You know, I think it's time we start talking about something important," Yuki declared. "Like, what we want out of life and what we're truly passionate about." 
Shizuka's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you serious? I never thought about it like that before."
Yuki nodded. "Yeah, I think it's time we start thinking about our goals and what we want to achieve. We can't just coast along forever, living in the moment and not making any progress." She leaned back on the couch, looking thoughtful. "What do you want to achieve, Shizuka?"
Shizuka thought for a moment, considering her words carefully. "I want to continue to be a positive role model for young women, to show them that it's okay to be different and that they deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. I want to continue to inspire people and to create art that touches their hearts." She looked at Yuki, feeling grateful for her friend's support and encouragement. "And I want to continue to work as a fashion model and actress, to be able to make a living doing what I love and to help others." She smiled at Yuki. "But above all else, I want to continue to be a friend to you and to our other friends and colleagues. I want to continue to support and uplift each other, to celebrate our successes and failures alike, and to be a positive force in the world." 
Yuki nodded, understanding the weight of her friend's words. "I'm glad you feel that way, Shizuka. I think we all deserve to be happy and fulfilled in our lives, no matter what. And I'm so glad you're my friend, Shizuka. I can always count on you to be there for me and support me." 
Shizuka laughed. "Listen to us talk, it's like we're trying to propose to each other." 
Yuki rolled her eyes playfully. "Maybe we are, Shizuka. But I'm just happy to have you in my life, no matter what happens." She leaned in and kissed her friend on the cheek. "And I promise to always be here for you, no matter what." 
Shizuka smiled, feeling grateful for her friend's loyalty and support. "I appreciate that, Yuki. You're one of the most important people in my life."
----
Yuki watched Shizuka retreat back to her room, her heart pounding in her chest. As soon as Shizuka closed the door she realized she was holding her breath and exhaled audibly. She felt a mix of emotions, ranging from excitement to nervousness. She had never been this close to someone she was romantically interested in before. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing thoughts. She knew that Shizuka was not romantically interested in her, but the thought still made her heart race. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be in a romantic relationship with her friend. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She knew that she and Shizuka were just friends and that their friendship was important to her. 
Yuki stood up from the couch and walked over to the window, looking out at the city. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to calm her nerves. She couldn't deny the attraction she felt towards Shizuka, but she knew that she had to resist the temptation. The moment she heard Shizuka make the joke about proposing Yuki almost gave in to her innermost desires. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She knew that she couldn't let her feelings get the best of her and risk ruining her friendship with Shizuka. 
She took a few more deep breaths and opened her eyes, taking a step back from the window. She couldn't let her imagination get the best of her. She knew that she had to trust that her friendship with Shizuka was important to her and not let her own desires cloud her judgement. Yuki knew that Shizuka was a beautiful, talented, and kind person. She couldn't deny the fact that she found her physically attractive, but she also knew that that was just one of the many reasons she valued their friendship.
Yuki wondered if she still had some growing up to do. Her mind knew her relationship didn't need sex to be fulfilling, but her bodily urges were strong still. She shook her head, trying to push the thought out of her mind. She knew that she had to trust her instincts and not let her feelings cloud her judgement.
However, if her relationship did not require sex to be good, what was she doing with her girlfriend, Megumi? Yuki knew that Megumi was a wonderful girlfriend and a great person, but she was starting to believe their relationship was based entirely off sex. Yuki's mind raced with conflicting thoughts and emotions. She knew that she had to be honest with herself about her feelings, but at the same time, she didn't want to hurt Megumi's feelings. There was no doubt in Yuki's mind that her relationship with Shizuka was the most important one in her life, but felt that was being unfair to Megumi. Yuki knew that she had to find a way to balance her relationship with Shizuka and her relationship with Megumi. She couldn't continue to lead Megumi on without being honest with her. She would just have to sit down with Megumi and have a serious adult talk with her.
In the end Yuki texted Megumi, asking to meet her tomorrow after they both got off work. When Megumi agreed immediately Yuki's heart pounded in her chest, her anxiety taking over her thoughts wondering if she was about to make a grave mistake.
----
The next day, Yuki met Megumi outside of her coffee shop. They chatted for a while, catching up on each other's lives before walking down to the nearby park. As they walked, Yuki couldn't help but steal glances at Megumi, admiring her red hair and outgoing personality. Megumi noticed Yuki's gaze and smiled, causing Yuki's heart to skip a beat. They continued walking, enjoying each other's company as they talked about their favorite hobbies and favorite movies. 
When they arrived at the park, Yuki led Megumi to a secluded area, away from prying eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves as she looked into Megumi's eyes. 
"Megumi, we need to talk," Yuki began.
Megumi looked back at her, and decided she was serious. "Oh? Are we having The Talk?" she asked.
Yuki nodded quietly. "I think it's time to find out what we really want out of our relationship." 
She took a deep breath, feeling her heart racing in her chest. She knew that Megumi was a wonderful girlfriend and friend, but she couldn't ignore the fact that their relationship had been based entirely on physical attraction and sex. Yuki knew that Megumi was probably feeling the same way, but she also knew that she didn't want to hurt her friend's feelings. Yuki took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. 
"I think we need to talk about our feelings and see if we're compatible in a different way," she said softly. 
Megumi looked at Yuki, her eyes widening in surprise. "Oh, Yuki. That's so sweet of you," she said, her tone softening. "I had no idea. But I think we're compatible in a different way, too. We both care about each other deeply and we respect each other's opinions and feelings." 
Yuki smiled, feeling relieved and grateful. "I'm glad to hear that," she said, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew the difficult part was coming next. "But you have to know... understand, I guess, that Shizuka is the most important person in my life."
"I know," Megumi said. "You two are inseperable. You called her your soulmate more than once. I've had a lot of time to think about it, and I know how important she is to you. Like you told me before, it would be selfish of me to ask you to cut ties with her. For a long time I couldn't understand this feeling, but I put myself in your shoes and wondered if it would be fair if I cut ties with everyone important to me to be with you. And I realize it wasn't. I want my parents and my friends to share in my happiness. So, I'm okay with it." 
Yuki's heart swelled with happiness and relief. "Thank you, Megumi. I really appreciate that you understand," she said, her voice shaking slightly. 
Megumi smiled warmly at Yuki. "Of course, Yuki. I love you and I support you. I just want you to be happy." 
Yuki smiled back at Megumi, feeling grateful for her support. "Thank you, Megumi. That means a lot to me," she said, her heart pounding in her chest. They sat in silence for a few moments, enjoying each other's company. Yuki took a deep breath, feeling more at ease now that she had voiced her feelings. 
"So, now that we got the hard part out of the way, maybe we need to discuss the minutiae" she began. "I know you're jealous of how much time I spend with Shizuka."
Megumi nodded. "I want to spend more time with you, it's true," she admitted. "We did have a fight over it before, after all. But I talked with all my friends and family about it and parents said I shouldn't ask you to stop spending time with your friends because it would be just as bad if you asked me to stop spending time with my parents." 
Yuki smiled, happy to hear that Megumi had talked about the situation with her parents. "That's so sweet of them," she said, feeling touched. "I wish I had as good a relationship with my parents as you. And you're right, that wouldn't be fair to ask that of you because of how I felt about my parents." 
Megumi nodded in agreement. "I know it's not fair, but I still want to support you and help you with anything you need," she said, her tone sincere. "And I think it's important for us to be honest with each other and not hold back because we're afraid of what other people might think or say." 
Yuki smiled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah. I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to move our relationship to the next step. I'm sure I would like to move in with you one day, but I'm not ready to make that step yet." 
Megumi nodded, understanding the situation. "I'm okay with that, Yuki. I just want you to be happy and I don't want to rush into anything either." 
Yuki smiled, feeling grateful for Megumi's understanding. It was a huge step of maturity on her part and it only made Megumi more attractive to her. "I appreciate that, Megumi. And I'm glad we can talk about things like this. It helps me to feel more comfortable around you." She took a deep breath, feeling more relaxed now that the difficult part was out of the way. "But what about you and Erika? Do you guys talk a lot?" Yuki asked, curious about their relationship. 
Megumi smiled wryly. "Actually, Erika is pretty cool. She's a fan of Shizuka and she seems to really respect her." She paused for a moment, looking thoughtful. "I think she's kind of like a little sister to me, you know? I feel like I can talk to her about anything." 
Yuki nodded, listening intently. "That sounds nice," she said, smiling warmly. "I'm glad you have someone like that in your life, Megumi. And I'm glad you're getting along with Erika too." 
Megumi smiled back. "I would like to say she's my Shizuka, but maybe that's going a little too far!" she joked. 
Yuki chuckled, feeling happy to see Megumi's positive attitude towards Erika. "I'm sure it's fine, Megumi. Erika is a great friend and she seems to really like you." 
Megumi blushed, feeling grateful for Yuki's words. "Thanks, Yuki. It means a lot to me." She looked around the park, taking in the cozy atmosphere. "This place is really nice. I'm glad we can spend time here whenever we want." 
Yuki nodded, her eyes lighting up with joy. "Me too, Megumi. It's a beautiful day and I'm glad we can enjoy it with you." 
The couple leaned back on the bench, feeling content and happy. They stayed for the rest of the afternoon until the sun set, leaning against each other in silence. 
After the sun set, Yuki turned to Megumi, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Hey, Megumi. Now that we've decided to keep our friends in our lives, maybe it's time we... consummate our relationship." Yuki grinned, feeling playful. 
Megumi's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly regained her composure. "Oh, no, we shouldn't do that in the park!" she exclaimed, sounding nervous. "We should do that back at my apartment instead." 
Yuki chuckled. "Of course! Let's go!" 
The couple quickly left the park and made their way to Megumi's apartment. As soon as Megumi led Yuki to her bedroom they started undressing until both of them were in their underwear. Yuki reached out and wrapped her arms around Megumi's shoulders, staring into her eyes. 
"You're beautiful, Megumi," she whispered, feeling a rush of emotion. 
Megumi smiled softly, her eyes shining with love and desire. "And you're beautiful too, Yuki." 
She leaned in and kissed her deeply, their lips meeting in a passionate embrace. As they kissed, Yuki felt a surge of desire run through her body. She wrapped her arms around Megumi's waist, pulling her closer. The two of them continued to explore each other's bodies, their passion growing with each passing moment. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they both pulled away, gasping for breath. Yuki looked into Megumi's eyes, feeling a mix of emotions.
"I wanted to do this to Shizuka for years," Yuki admitted. 
"You can call me Shizuka if you want," Megumi suggested. "Unleash all your repressed passions on me." 
Yuki smiled, feeling grateful for Megumi's understanding and acceptance. "Thank you, Shizuka," she joked, smiling softly. "I'm glad you're here with me." 
As the night wore on, Yuki and Megumi's lovemaking became more intense. They both forgot about the outside world and embraced each other in a passionate embrace. Yuki could feel Megumi's body trembling with desire as she explored every inch of Yuki's body. The room was filled with the sounds of their moans and sighs as they reached a new level of ecstasy. Yuki loved Megumi and wanted to take their relationship to the next step, but also knew that she didn't want to give up her relationship with Shizuka, either. She felt like she needed to do more growing up before she could come to an answer to her dilemma.
----
Yuki woke up the next morning feeling frustrated and conflicted. She knew that she loved Megumi, but she also loved Shizuka. She couldn't deny that Megumi was there for her in a way that Shizuka could never be. It was hard to be in a relationship with someone who didn't want a romantic relationship. Yuki knew that she needed to find a way to be happy in both relationships, but she wasn't sure how to go about it. 
She got out of bed and headed to the kitchen, making herself a cup of coffee. She sat down at the table and realized that she had a decision to make. She couldn't live with both Megumi and Shizuka. It was too complicated and stressful. But she also couldn't give up her relationship with either of them. The more she thought about it, the more Yuki knew that she had to choose one. She could either stay with Megumi, who she loved and who was supportive of her, or she could stay with Shizuka, who was a close friend and who loved her in a platonic way. She knew that it would be hard to choose between the two, but she also knew that she couldn't keep living like this forever. 
Yuki thought back to her collection of romantic comedy anime and wondered why her love triangle couldn't be as simple and obvious as those stories. She realized that she needed to find a way to reconcile her two relationships and make it work. She knew that she had to find a balance between her love for Megumi and her love for Shizuka. She felt that she couldn't be with one without being with the other. She took a deep breath and decided to talk to Shizuka about the situation. Yuki knew that Shizuka would understand and support her decision. She took a deep breath and walked out of Megumi's apartment, making her way back to her shared apartment with Shizuka.
When Yuki returned home she found Shizuka was eating breakfast.
"I guess you had fun last night," Shizuka said.
Yuki nodded. "I had a lot to... uh, think about."
Shizuka looked at her curiously. "Is everything okay?" she asked.
Yuki hesitated for a moment before deciding to be honest. "I can't decide if I want to be with Megumi or you," she said, looking down at her lap.
Shizuka frowned. "Why does it have to be between us?" she asked, seemingly missing the point.
Yuki sighed. "I know, I know. It's complicated. I love both of you, but I don't know how to make it work."
"What's so complicated about it? Megumi gives you something I can't give you. Isn't that enough?" Shizuka asked.
"It's not just that," Yuki said, feeling embarrassed. She didn't understand why Shizuka was acting dense about this, but some part of Yuki felt maybe she was over complicating things. "I just don't know how to make it work with both of you," Yuki said, looking down at her hands. "It's like I'm making a choice between two relationships, but I don't want to choose either one. I want both of you."
Shizuka looked at Yuki for a long moment before speaking. "Don't you have both of us already?" she asked, her tone gentle. 
Yuki nodded, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. "I know, but it's not the same. It's not the same as having both of you in my life."
Shizuka reached out and took Yuki's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Yuki, you need to stop watching bad anime. It's rotting your brain. You don't need a 'One True Love' at all."
Yuki stared at Shizuka in surprise. "But... but I do," she said, feeling conflicted. 
"That's the thing, Yuki. It already works. The thing about your trashy love story anime is none of it is like you or your dilemma at all. You're a girl looking for relationship with other girls. That's already a subject your love story anime doesn't cover. You're already running outside social norms. If you want a relationship with two girls that fulfill different needs in your life, you've already got it. You don't need to choose one or the other. There's no reason to." Shizuka leaned in closer to Yuki. "Look, Yuki. I know this is confusing for you, but it's okay. Just take some time to think about it. Don't rush into anything. You don't need to make a decision right away. You can take things slow and figure out what you want for yourself."
Yuki nodded, feeling grateful for Shizuka's advice. "Thank you, Shizuka," she said softly. "It sounds so selfish to want both."
"It's also selfish to want to be happy. There's nothing wrong with being selfish." Shizuka smiled at Yuki. "I'm selfish too. I know it can be scary, but it's also a big part of being an independent person. You have the right to be happy, and I want you to be happy too."
Yuki smiled back at Shizuka. "Thank you, Shizuka. I appreciate your understanding. I just wish there was a way for me to be happy with both of you." 
Yuki went back to her room and closed the door behind her. Shizuka did not act the way she thought in her mind's eye, but that was just Shizuka being Shizuka. She was kind and understanding, and even unusually direct with her words, but Yuki knew she was right. She had her own needs and desires, and she should not need them to be dictated by outside social norms. 
She sat down on her bed and took a deep breath, feeling relieved to have a moment to herself. She knew that she loved both of her friends deeply, and she couldn't imagine her life without them. As she thought about it, Yuki realized that she was grateful for the way her life was right now. She had two loving and supportive friends, and she had a job that she loved. She smiled to herself, feeling grateful for all the positive things in her life.
"Why not just have both?" Yuki asked aloud. It seemed like a simplistic concept, but the idea made sense to her. Why not have the best of both worlds? She thought about it for a moment longer before realizing that it wasn't just a matter of convenience. Yuki was truly happy with both of her friends, and she didn't want to settle for less. It was a matter of finding the right balance between her own needs and desires and those of her friends. 
As Yuki sat on her bed, she thought about the way her life had changed since meeting her friends. She had always been comfortable with her own identity, but she realized that it was more than just a label. It was a way of being in the world, of being herself. Yuki felt a rush of excitement and hope as she realized that maybe, just maybe, she could find happiness with both of her friends. Maybe she could make it work.
----
Erika was excited to go to lunch with Shizuka. It was rare for someone normal and mundane like Erika to meet with their idol, much less share a meal with them. 
The two of them walked outside of the Moon River building and went to the noodle stand that was always there at the street corner. It was the usual spot the employees of the talent agency to get their lunch and nearly everyone knew the stand's owner by name. Erika, being a relatively new talent, still felt awkward about being on a first name basis with the stand's owner, but loved the perk of having her usual lunch order ready without being asked.
Both Erika and Shizuka stood near the stand, slurping their noodles quietly. As Erika ate her noodles, she couldn't help but steal glances at Shizuka. She admired her beauty and her talent as a model and actress, but she also admired her poise and grace. Shizuka seemed so sure of herself, like she knew exactly what she wanted in life. Erika couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be that confident and successful in her own career.
"So, how is modeling coming along?" Shizuka asked.
Erika almost jumped, not expecting Shizuka to show any interest in her career. "Oh, um, it's going well," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "I've been working for Moon River for a few months now, and I've been doing well."
"You're still working full time as a maid for Kanna, too," Shizuka pointed out. 
"Yes, I am," Erika replied, nodding. "It's actually going pretty well, too. The other maids don't pick on me anymore. It's like I'm one of the girls now."
"That's great to hear," Shizuka said, smiling. "Kanna is a good employer, but the maids can be pretty mean to each other sometimes."
Erika nodded again, taking another bite of her noodles. "Yeah, it's like a big family. But I like it that way. It makes it easier to stay motivated and focused on my job."
"So I guess you aren't leaving her service anytime soon?" Shizuka asked, curiosity in her voice. 
The maid hesitated for a moment before answering. "Well, I don't want to stay forever. I want to be a successful model like you someday, and I want to make my own mark in the industry. Lady Kanna pays well and she lets me live at the mansion. I don't think I make enough money as a model to live off that full time."
"I know the feeling," Shizuka replied, nodding in understanding. She looked down at her noodles longingly. "I was poor as heck when I first came to Tokyo and I had to do a lot of odd jobs to keep afloat. A lot of things I'm not proud of."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Erika looked down at her own noodles. "My parents threw me out of the house when they found out I was working as a maid. I can't imagine what I'd do if Lady Kanna wasn't there for me."
"Don't worry about it too much. You'll find your place in this industry. You have the talent and the drive to be successful." 
"I know, but I wish my parents weren't so mad at me. They even stopped accepting the money I sent them. They're that mad at me."
Shizuka reached out and touched Erika's arm gently. "It's not your fault. Your parents need to understand that you have a career and you deserve to pursue it. And besides, you're not the only one who had a terrible home life. Yuki doesn't get along with her parents, either. She ran away from home and came to Tokyo just to get away from them."
Erika looked up at Shizuka with surprise. "Really? That's so sad. I had no idea. What about you?"
The older model closed her eyes for a moment. "I... well, I walked out of the house. There's no doubt my parents wish I came home, but I don't want anything to do with them." She opened her eyes and looked at Erika. "I guess it's a little different than you and Yuki, but it's funny how we all have such terrible home lives."
"Yeah, it is. It makes you appreciate each other's struggles even more."
"Exactly. And you know what? We're all so much stronger for it." Shizuka finished her noodles and looked at Erika. "I'm looking forward to what you can do in the modeling circle."
"Thank you, Shizuka. That means a lot coming from you."
She stood there for a few minutes until she remembered that she didn't finish her noodles yet. Shizuka laughed softly as she returned her own bowl to the noodle cart, then waved goodbye, heading back inside the building. 
Erika was glad her idol thought highly of her. Ever since she did a dual Sweet Lolita photoshoot with Shizuka she thought it was great that she could be so close to her. While she never had the privilege of working with her again since then Erika hoped she would get another chance, perhaps wearing another elaborate dress or costume.
After finishing her noodles Erika straightened out her skirt and looked up at the Moon River building, then walked back inside to do another minor photoshoot for her portfolio. 
As she walked through the lobby, she noticed a group of people gathered around a bulletin board. Curious, she walked over to see what was going on. The board was covered in flyers and posters advertising various modeling opportunities. She scanned through them, looking for something that caught her eye. There was a flyer posted looking for young, aspiring female models to cosplay as characters for a future video game promotion. Erika's eyes widened in excitement. This was exactly the kind of opportunity she had been waiting for!
Erika quickly took a photo of the flyer with her phone and started making plans to appear at the open audition. While the flyer did not specify what the game in question was Erika knew it must be for an unreleased game. She hoped that she would be chosen to wear something nice and fancy.
----
The audition took place on the weekend. Erika's heart raced as she made her way to the audition. Her mind was filled with ideas of how she could showcase her skills as a model. She couldn't wait to see what the casting director had in store for her. 
When she arrived at the audition venue, she noticed that it was located in a secluded part of town. The area was quiet and serene, with a small garden in the center of the square. Erika took a deep breath and reminded herself of her goal. She needed to impress the casting director and show her talent. 
The waiting room for the casting call was small and there were only a small handful of girls there. Erika guessed there were no more than twenty of them there, and all of them were either in their late teens or early twenties. Each one looked as fresh-faced as she did, hoping this would be their big break. Erika knew something this minor wouldn't be anything big itself, but it could lead to something bigger down the line if she played her cards right. She sat down and nervously fidgeted with her phone, waiting for the casting director to arrive. As the minutes ticked by, Erika grew more and more anxious. 
After what seemed like an eternity, the casting director arrived and scanned the room.
"This is it? Well, okay," the casting director said, seemingly disappointed at the turnout. He cleared his throat before beginning. "Okay, so you girls are here for the cosplay promotion, right? We need some of you to wear outfits the girls in our upcoming game are wearing and then stand around and smile for the cameras. That's it."
Erika looked around the room at the other girls, and wondered if she would be one of the fortunate ones. She knew that she was a novice model and had little experience in cosplay, but she was confident in her abilities. As the casting director continued, she took a deep breath and tried to relax. 
The casting director called her name and that of several other girls. Erika stood up and stood in a line with the other girls, standing at attention.
"Okay, we called you up because you all fit the height requirement we want for one of the characters," the casting director said. "Now, only one of you is going to be picked for this role, but don't leave if you're not picked because we might want to use you for another character." 
As the casting director continued to talk, Erika looked around at the other girls, trying to gauge their reactions. They all seemed nervous, but Erika knew that it was just part of the audition process. She took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. She needed to stand out in some way to get this job, but the casting director had yet to tell them how he was going to choose. 
"Now that we have that out of the way, let's get on with this," the casting director said. "I want you girls to pick up this rubber ball from the ground." He unceremoniously dropped a single rubber ball on the ground in front of him. 
The girls gathered around it, looking confused. Erika's heart sank as she realized that the casting director had already decided who would be picked. She knew that she had to come up with a plan fast. She tried to focus on her breathing and her thoughts, trying to come up with a good strategy. Instead, she simply reached down and scooped up the ball with her hands, with the other girls watching.
"Congratulations, you're in," the casting director said.
"What?" was all Erika could say.
"You picked up the ball, so you're the girl," the casting director confirmed. He sighed. "I didn't think it would be that difficult." 
Erika felt a pang of disappointment in her chest, but she knew she had to keep going. She did not think the casting director would be this flippant about hiring models, but she still needed the job. 
The casting director asked her to sit in a chair behind her while he continued to weed out the candidates in his bizarre manner. When Erika took her seat she felt the eyes of the other girls on her, angry and jealous she got through the audition process in that manner. Erika could only surmise that any future selection would be more intensely competitive and quietly thanked her own initiative for getting her out of that kind of mess.
She watched with fascination as the casting director had the remaining girls do equally strange little games to weed them out. Erika knew the casting director was only doing this because he didn't care about anything save how good the girls looked. The other girls were clearly uncomfortable and angry, but they tried to maintain a brave face. 
After what felt like hours, the casting director finished picking out six girls that would take up the cosplay jobs. Erika was starting to wonder if being one of the chosen ones was really a good thing. As the final girls filed out of the room, Erika followed in the rear, trying to maintain a calm demeanor. She knew that the next step was going to be even more challenging, but she was willing to do whatever it took to get this job. Erika couldn't wait to see what the characters looked like and how the story would unfold.
The casting director brought them to the dressing room. He nodded to the staff and turned his attention to the girls. "We're going to fit you in the costumes. It's best to make any necessary adjustments now before we put you on stage at the event, after all."
Erika was approached by one of the stylists and was led to a chair. She was nervous and excited at the same time to see what kind of outfit she would be wearing. The stylist began to measure Erika's body, taking notes on her size and shape. She measured Erika's bust, waist, hips, and thighs, making sure to adjust the costumes accordingly. Erika was relieved that the stylist was not overly concerned about how she looked and just wanted to make sure the costumes fit properly. 
After the stylist was finished Erika finally saw the costume she would be wearing. It was a skimpy maid's outfit with a matching wig and apron. Erika's heart sank as she saw the outfit. It was not at all what she had hoped for, but she knew that she had to wear it for the event. 
She looked at the other girls around her, who were also dressed in skimpy maid outfits that were not much better than her own. She tried to hide her disappointment as the stylist adjusted their costumes, but she knew it was pointless. She wondered what kind of game she was promoting. As the girls were ushered out of the dressing room, Erika felt a pang of disappointment in her chest. She knew that she was being put through the ringer for a job that she didn't really want, but she knew that she had to keep pushing herself to do her best.
The casting director had the girls lined up. He looked at them up and down, scrutinizing their fit in the skimpy maid costumes. Erika felt his eyes on her and winced, feeling like her body was being judged. The other girls looked uncomfortable, their faces twisted in anger and frustration. Erika tried to hide her own discomfort, but she knew that she had to be strong for the sake of her future.
The casting director stopped pacing and shook his head. "You girls need more bust."
Erika and the other girls groaned collectively. She knew just as well as the other girls that they were likely going to have to wear fake boobs with the maid costume to make themselves more voluptuous... or rather, more appealing to horny male gamers. Erika felt sick to her stomach at the thought of having to resort to such measures. She knew that it was a necessary part of the job, but she didn't want to be a part of it. Erika tried to keep her emotions in check as the casting director continued to berate the girls about their body proportions. She knew that it was all part of the game and that she had to keep pushing herself to succeed. Finally, the casting director finished with his inspection and walked away.
The girls were ushered back to the stylists, who were equally annoyed with the casting director. They got busy fitting the girls with their fake boobs, which altered the measurements of the costumes, which led to more work for them. The girls all looked around at each other, feeling frustrated and angry at the whole situation. Erika tried to keep her feelings to herself, but she couldn't help feeling defeated. 
After Erika put on her fake boobs she tried to stand up, but felt unusually top heavy. She knew it was the fake boobs, and cursed them with every fiber of her being. The other girls looked at her and rolled their eyes, clearly amused at her discomfort. Erika took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. 
The promotional event would take place the following weekend. Erika left the building, glad to be rid of the fake boobs and the skimpy maid outfit, if only for a week. She wondered how she landed so many terrible modeling jobs, idly wondering if she was cursed.
----
The next day Erika returned to the Moon River building. She was hoping to catch Shizuka to ask for advice, wondering if she was being too eager to accept every and any modeling job that came her way, only to be disappointed. It was a repeating cycle she wanted to break and knew Shizuka must have had this problem when she started out.
Erika found Shizuka in her office, sitting at her desk, typing away on her computer. She smiled when she saw her friend, eager to talk to her about her latest modeling gig.
"Erika!" Shizuka greeted. "What brings you here?"
"I... need to talk with you," Erika said, nervously taking the seat on the other side of Shizuka's desk. "I think I screwed up again."
Shizuka raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh really? What happened?"
Erika took a deep breath and began to recount the details of her latest modeling job, her heart racing as she spoke. Shizuka listened intently, nodding occasionally. When Erika finished, she let out a sigh of relief. 
"I see," Shizuka said thoughtfully. "Well, I'm glad you're taking this seriously. But I think you need to be more selective with the jobs you accept. It's important to know your limits and stick to them."
"I don't know. This sounded like a good idea at first glance." She handed Shizuka her phone, showing her the photo of the flyer she used to find the job.
Shizuka read the flyer quietly. "Oh, I see. This is a typical newbie trap. There's a lot of jobs like this, but the goal for the client is to get cheap labor. It's designed to prey on models desperate looking for work."
"Wow, you know so much," Erika replied, impressed.
The older model handed Erika back her phone. "Well, I hope so, because I fell for this type of thing a lot when I first came to Tokyo."
Erika blinked. "What? You?" 
"It's why having an agent like Arisa is so important," Shizuka explained. "Yeah, I know agents cost a lot, but they're better at finding jobs good for you than you are."
"Thanks, Shizuka," Erika replied, grateful.
"I know Arisa doesn't give you a lot of work, but it's not for a lack of trying. Trust her to do her job. But, now that you're in for this job, you have to go through with it. If you don't people will remember you and think you're a flake." 
Erika nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Okay, I'll do my best. Thank you for your advice, Shizuka."
"Anytime, Erika. And if you ever need advice, don't hesitate to ask me." 
"Thank you, Shizuka. I really appreciate it."
She left the office, feeling a bit better than before, but still dreading having to put on the fake boobs again. As she walked down the hallway, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to see Kanna walking towards her, a smile on her face.
"Hey there, Erika."
"Oh, Lady Kanna!" Erika greeted, bowing politely. "I didn't know you were here."
"Just making my rounds, dear. I see you and Shizuka get along well."
"Yes, she's a good friend," Erika confirmed. "She's always been there for me."
Kanna walked beside Erika and held out her arm. "That's good to hear. Come, we can go back to the mansion together if you'd like."
The maid hesitated for a moment before taking Kanna's arm. She couldn't help but notice how Kanna's body language was so confident and graceful. Her black hair was styled perfectly, and her clothes were made from the finest fabrics. Erika couldn't help but admire Kanna's beauty and style. 
"So, Lady Kanna, what brings you to Moon River today?" Erika asked, curious.
"I was in a meeting for a potential project," she replied. "I can pull some strings here and there when I need to." 
"That's really impressive, Lady Kanna. You have a lot of connections." 
Kanna shrugged. "It comes with the family name. And besides, I have a good friend in the agency who can help me out if I need it." 
"That's nice. And Shizuka, she's a friend too, right?" 
"Yes, she is. We're very close."  
"I'm glad to hear that. I'm a huge fan of her work." 
"So I've heard." 
The two stepped out of the Moon River building and Erika was surprised to see a limousine waiting. Erika was suddenly glad she accepted Kanna's offer as this meant she would not have to make a trip to the train station to get back to the mansion. As they entered the limousine, Erika was greeted by the smell of freshly baked cookies and the soft hum of the limousine's interior. Kanna turned to Erika and smiled. 
"So, Erika, how is your modeling coming along?" she asked.
"It's been going well, Lady Kanna. I've been getting some great opportunities and I'm really excited to see what the future holds."
"That's wonderful to hear, Erika. I'm sure you'll make a great success out of it."
"Thank you, Lady Kanna."
The limousine pulled up to the mansion, Erika got out first and Kanna followed suit. She walked up to the front door and held it open for Kanna, allowing her to pass before entering herself. 
"Thank you for the ride, Lady Kanna," Erika said, bowing.
Kanna turned to her and smiled. "Of course, Erika. It was my honor to have you accompany me today." 
Erika watched as Kanna disappeared from sight. She looked around, knowing that coming back to the mansion early like this meant she had to get back to working as a maid sooner than she would have liked. With a shrug, Erika headed straight to her room to change into her uniform so she could get to work.
----
When the weekend came Erika showed up at the event hall for the promotion of the new game. She sulked quietly, trying to adjust her fake boobs, but knew it was pointless. 
She looked at herself in the mirror and thought she looked ridiculous. Her low cut blouse and her fake boobs looked like they belonged on another girl. Erika was by no means flat, but she didn't like the idea of having boobs bigger than her head strapped onto her. 
When she entered the stage, she could feel the eyes of the audience on her. She tried to keep her composure, but it was hard when she knew they were judging her based on her appearance. She looked around and saw that the other five girls were similarly faking smiles as she was. The girls, dressed in their skimpy maid costumes and huge boobs were promoting yet another maid romance game catering to horny male gamers and Erika felt dirty for promoting it. The only consolation she had was all she had to do was stand there, smile, and look good. 
Erika paid no attention to what the speakers were saying, nor did she care about the game being promoted. Her face was getting tired from constantly forcing a wide grin, but she knew she had to pretend to be excited for the game for the audience's sake. She thought about how much she hated this job and how much she wanted to be a successful model instead. She wondered how many stupid and lame jobs Shizuka had to put up with before she became successful.
When the event came to a close, Erika made her way backstage toward the dressing room, eager to get out of the costume. Before she could make it, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Erika turned around to see an aging man with a toothy grin and a nice suit. She guessed he was some kind of executive related to the game production, but she didn't care.
"Oh, where are you going, missy?" he asked. "You girls aren't done yet."
"I think I did my job, thank you," Erika replied politely. She turned to leave, but the man grabbed her arm. 
"Wait, wait. I couldn't help but notice how beautiful you are," he said, his breath smelling of alcohol. "You're a natural for the game. I could use a model like you." 
Erika's heart raced as she looked up at him. She had never been propositioned before, and it made her feel uneasy. She tried to pull away from his grasp, but he tightened his grip. "I'm not interested," she said firmly. "I don't want to be a part of your game."
The man chuckled. "Oh, come on, missy. You don't understand. You have so much potential. I can help you get ahead in this industry." He leaned in closer, his breath hot on her face. "Think about it, missy. You could be a star. A top model. With my connections, you could be on the cover of magazines in no time."
Erika looked past the man to the other girls. She noted that the other girls were being approached as well, and a couple had already been led away. She felt hot in her cheeks, knowing that the situation of her job changed from being lame and boring to dangerous. She tried to back away from the man, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her closer. 
"I'm serious, missy. Think about it." 
Erika felt trapped, unsure of what to do. The man's grip on her hand was painful, and she knew she had to get away. She tried to pull her hand free, but he held on tight. "Let go of me." Erika's voice shook as she spoke, her eyes wide with fear. The man just laughed, his grip on her hand becoming more painful. 
"Don't worry, missy. I won't hurt you. I just want to offer you a little bit of extra money. Just enough to make your dreams come true." 
Erika's heart raced as she tried to pull her hand free from the man's grasp. She knew she had to act fast, before it was too late. She did not want to sleep with this man, nor become another statistic of a woman falling prey to another powerful man. 
"Let go of me," she repeated, her voice shaking with anger. "I don't want your money or your help. I just want to get out of here and go home." 
The man's grip on her hand tightened further, causing her to wince in pain. "You don't understand," he said, his eyes narrowing. "I have power, missy. And I can make things happen for people. People who matter. You could be one of them. Just think about it." 
Erika shook her head, trying to pull her hand away from him. She glanced toward where she last saw the other girls, but realized they were all gone, having accepted the propositions from horny old men. She was the last holdout, and she was alone. "I don't want your money or your help," she repeated firmly, her voice shaking with anger. "I just want to go home." 
The man's grip on her hand tightened, causing her to wince in pain. "You're not going anywhere," he growled. "Not unless you come with me." He leaned in closer, his breath hot on her face. "You're mine now, missy. And I'll make sure you stay that way." 
Erika tried to pull away from him, but his grip only tightened. Her mind was frantic, wanting to escape from this man and get away as fast as possible. 
She wondered what Shizuka would do in this situation. She knew Shizuka would never put up with this behavior as she proudly and freely admitted she was a virgin, so Erika knew she never slept with anyone. She had no doubt in her mind that Shizuka faced this sort of situation in the past and must have gotten away from it somehow. Erika knew the answer was within her, and it was only a matter of finding it and using it to her advantage. She tried to calm herself down, knowing that she had to think quickly and come up with a plan. 
The man's grip on her hand was painful, and she could feel her heart racing. She knew she couldn't let him take her, not after all the other girls he had taken. She had to think of a way out, something to help her escape from this man and get away from his advances.
She looked down at her fake boobs, the pair of melons that were larger than her head, and suddenly Erika knew she had the answer literally in front of her. She looked up at the man and smiled, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I can't let you take me," she said firmly, her voice low and dangerous.
Without warning Erika bumped her fake boobs into the man's head, sending him reeling back. For the first time since this nightmare job started Erika was glad she had those heavy, fake boobs as the man careened backward and onto the ground. Erika quickly took the opportunity to run, her heart pounding in her chest as she sprinted away from the man. She could hear him cursing and shouting behind her, but she didn't look back. She entered the dressing room, quickly gathering her belongings, and bolted out the door.
Leaving the event hall behind, Erika could feel her heart pounding in her chest and her breath coming in short gasps. She knew she had to get away from that man and his associates by any means necessary and did not care she looked like a skank running out into the streets. Erika ran as fast as she could, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to put as much distance between herself and the man as possible. She did not stop until she made it to the train station and boarded the train, hopeful that she put enough distance from him to be safe.
Erika collapsed on the seat, exhausted. She ignored the stares of the other passengers who looked at her curiously and fished out her phone from her purse. Erika knew she would likely be safe at Kanna's mansion as that was the address she used for her contact information, but she didn't want to go back there just yet. Instead, she decided she needed to hide out elsewhere. As the train pulled away from the station, Erika scrolled through her contacts until she found a safe place to stay.
----
When Megumi opened the front door of her apartment and saw Erika wearing a skimpy maid outfit, she was confused. More confusing was why her boobs were bigger than her head, but she kept her questions to herself and immediately ushered Erika inside.
Erika sat down on the couch and dropped her purse and bag on the ground, then buried her head in her hands.
"What happened?" Megumi asked, quickly locking the door. 
"He... he grabbed me and... I had to run away," Erika replied, her voice shaking. 
Megumi sat down next to her and put her arm around her. "Calm down. Start from the beginning." 
The maid took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. She told Megumi about the incident at the event hall and how she had managed to escape. Megumi listened attentively, her eyes filled with concern. 
"That's terrible. But you're okay now?" 
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said, , still shaken from the experience. 
"I'm glad you're okay. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you." Megumi playfully nudged Erika with her elbow. "And what is with that getup you're wearing? Did you grow up when I wasn't looking?"
Erika laughed nervously. "It's fake. It's really heavy, too. My back is killing me."
Megumi laughed. "Well, it does make you the envy of the town."
"Yeah, I guess, but since I didn't give it back I'm sure it's coming out of my paycheck." Erika sighed. "I'm probably not going to get paid for this job after all this mess."
"It's not your fault. You did everything you could to protect yourself. And besides, you did a great job. I'm proud of you." 
Megumi reached in to hug Erika, but the fake boobs were getting in the way. "Maybe I should help you take that off."
"Yeah, that might be a good idea," she agreed. 
Megumi helped Erika remove the heavy boobs and the skimpy maid outfit, and as soon as it was off, Erika felt a lot better. She reached into her bag and started putting on her street clothes. Megumi put her arm around Erika's shoulder and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
"I'm glad you're okay, Erika."
"So, is it okay if I stay for a while?" Erika asked hopefully.
"Of course," she answered. "You don't have to leave just yet."
Erika smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Megumi."
----
The next few days went by in a blur for Erika. Despite the incident at the event hall she heard nothing about it from the client, only that her paycheck was contingent on her returning the costume. At first Erika wanted to ignore them, but Megumi convinced her that it was better to give the costume back, and even joined her when she did. The paycheck, Erika felt, did not make up for the harassment, but she cashed it anyway on principle. She was grateful to have Megumi there to support her.
Erika wondered if she should have gone with the man like the other girls did and wondered what happened to them. On the other hand, Shizuka made her feel it was important to stick to her values, and Erika didn't want to give up her virginity to a random, lusty old man. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She knew that she had to move on from the experience, but it still bothered her.
"Is it really that common for girls to sleep their way to success?" Erika wondered out loud. "Shizuka says she never did it, but Shizuka is Shizuka and she's different from other models." 
"I don't think it's just about sleeping your way to success, Erika," Megumi offered. "It's about finding your purpose and following your dreams."
Erika nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But I still wonder what could happen if I had gone with the man. Maybe it would have led to something more." 
Megumi gave her a reassuring smile. "It is possible, I admit. Powerful men with money have done it before. But it's not something that should be pursued lightly. You have your own dreams and values, and it's important to stick to them."
"I know, I know," the maid replied, nodding quickly. "It just feels strange to me, you know? I mean, those other girls went along with it. I just wonder if I'm the odd one."
"Maybe you really are just like Shizuka." Megumi said with a smile. "And maybe that's a good thing. You have a strong sense of what you want and you're not afraid to pursue it. That's something to be proud of, Erika."
The two friends returned to Megumi's apartment, and Erika was glad to have a friend like her.
----
The next day, Erika sat in a meeting with Arisa to discuss what happened. Next to her was Shizuka, who decided to join the meeting for moral support, and Erika was grateful for her presence. The women listened intently as Erika recounted the circumstances of the event hall encounter, including the lustful man. She added in the detail of the other models taking off with other men, expressing concern over their well-being, and finished with her escape and hiding out with Megumi. The room was silent as they listened to her story, and Arisa broke the silence. 
"Well, Erika, we're here to support you and help you move on from this experience. We want you to know that you're not alone and that we're here to help you in any way we can. Having said that, as your agent, I forbid you from seeing out jobs on your own." 
Arisa's words were stern, but Erika could see the concern in her eyes. 
Shizuka leaned forward, placing a hand on Erika's shoulder. "We'll make sure you get the help you need and that you don't feel alone in this. And we'll also make sure you're safe and protected from any potential predators or stalkers." 
Erika nodded, feeling a little better knowing that they had her back. 
"In addition," Arisa added, "I'll make sure that any potential employers know about your situation and will take extra precautions to make sure you're safe and respected. We'll also be monitoring your social media accounts and make sure that any inappropriate posts or pictures are removed. Is that okay with you, Erika?" 
Erika nodded, feeling a little more reassured. "Yes, it is. Thanks, Arisa." 
Arisa smiled warmly. "Of course, Erika. We're here for you."
"Um, what about the other girls?" Erika asked. "I want to find out if they're okay."
"None of those girls work for us," the agent revealed, and Erika's heart sank. "I can pull some strings and obtain a casting list from the job, but that might be all I can do. It's very likely they're freelance models and not signed to any agency so there's nothing we can do for them." 
The maid nodded slowly, feeling a little disappointed. "I understand. But I want to find out if they're okay. I don't want to leave them to deal with this alone." 
"I know, Erika. And I completely understand. But I can't promise anything. Some of those girls may have willingly made that decision and we have to respect that. Don't get me wrong, though. I appreciate your empathy, but we can't help everyone." 
Erika wanted to protest, but Shizuka put a hand on her shoulder. She looked at her, and Shizuka merely shook her head.
With that, Arisa decided it was time to change the subject. "Well, Erika, I would like to give you time to recover from your ordeal, but it seems that you like modeling that much. As such, I think I can fit you in for an upcoming magazine shoot. You'll like this one." She handed Erika a brochure. "It's for a fashion magazine that's looking for models. I'll make sure the shoot goes smoothly and that you have the best experience. It could be your chance to showcase your talent and gain some exposure." 
Erika's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of modeling. "Really? That would be amazing, Arisa. Thank you so much!" 
"Of course, Erika. We'll make sure you have all the support you need during the shoot. And who knows, maybe you'll even end up on the cover of the magazine." She winked at Erika, hoping to lighten the mood. 
"Thanks, Arisa. That would be amazing. I'll make sure to have the best experience."
Arisa and Shizuka watched as Erika left the office, a huge smile on her face. As soon as the office door closed they turned to each other, their expressions serious.
"I'm glad she's okay," Shizuka said, "but that was reckless of her." 
"Yes, it was," Arisa agreed, "but we have to trust in our employees and help them through difficult times. We can't always be there for them every time they need us." She paused for a moment before continuing, "And it looks like Erika is going to have a good time with that magazine shoot. I'm glad we can give her a chance to show her skills."
"What about those other girls?"
"I've got pull so I can find out easily," Arisa assured her. "It's what we can find out is the concern." She looked down at her hands, lost in thought. "I hope we're able to do something for them too. It's not right to leave them to deal with this alone."
"We'll do what we can. It's all we can do." 
Arisa sat back and sighed. Both she and Shizuka were aware that hundreds of young, aspiring models, fell prey to powerful, rich men who offered to let them get ahead in the industry at the cost of their bodies. While many indeed led successful careers doing so, the most unfortunate of them fell prey to the porn industry, and were milked for all they were worth before being discarded. Arisa couldn't help but wonder if the girls who had turned to the underworld for a better life had any idea what they were signing up for. They had chosen to sell themselves to the highest bidder, but they didn't realize the harsh reality of what that meant.
----
A few days later Arisa received a list of the names of the girls who worked at the event hall. As Shizuka suspected, all of the girls save Erika were freelance models, and it was thanks to Erika's attachment to the Moon River agency that Arisa secured the list. 
Shizuka walked into the room where Arisa was poring over the list. "Hey, Arisa. Any luck with finding out more about these girls?" 
Arisa shook her head. "Not yet. I've reached out to a few of the other agencies and hopefully we'll be able to get some information from them." She looked up at Shizuka. "It was just lucky that I was able to obtain this list, but I couldn't get more than that. I made hell with the company because one of my girls was harassed so they only did it just so everyone would keep quiet about it."
"That sounds about right," Shizuka said, folding her arms. "Better to leave it hush-hush than to air dirty laundry." She looked at Arisa. "But I'm glad we were able to do something about it. It's not often that we can help the women in our industry."
Arisa nodded. "Yeah, but this list alone isn't enough. They could be pseudonyms for all we know." She looked down at the list again, studying it carefully. "We need to find out more about these girls. Maybe we can gather some intel on their whereabouts or if they've been in contact with any other agencies." 
"Kanna's husband, Shion, is an information broker. We should approach him." 
"That's a good idea. We can use his connections to gather more information." She looked at Shizuka. "I'll talk to Shion and see if he can help us out. We can't let these girls go through this alone anymore."
"I agree. We need to do whatever we can to help them." Shizuka looked at Arisa. "What do you want us to do?"
"I want you to keep an eye on Erika. She's still naive. Show her the ropes. Make her your protege, if you have to."
"Protege?" Shizuka echoed. "Are you sure she's ready for that?"
Arisa nodded. "She has a good heart, and she's eager to learn. Plus, she idolizes you."
Shizuka sighed deeply. "This is also part of growing up, isn't it?"
With that statement Arisa could not help but burst into laughter.
"Hey, that's not funny!" the model protested.
"Oh, yes it is! She... she's going to be like your grown-up daughter or something!" 
"That sounds much worse than a protege!" Shizuka replied, exasperated. "But if you say so." She looked at Arisa. "I'm not sure what kind of role I'll be able to give her. I can't just mold her into a perfect model or actress overnight."
Arisa smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry about it. Just make sure she's safe and happy. That's all we can do." She looked at Shizuka. "Let's go talk to Shion and see what he can do for us. We need to find out as much as we can about these girls."
----
The turnaround from asking for information was surprisingly fast to Arisa as the very next day Shion delivered the contact information on the girls. As expected, a couple of the girls were using pseudonyms, but Shion was still able to find out their names. He promised to get back to them with more information as soon as he could. Arisa couldn't help but smile at the information broker's efficiency.
Arisa looked at the list as she sat back in her chair, then glanced at Shizuka from across her desk. "It's a start, but now comes the hard part."
"Yeah," Shizuka agreed. "Some of them may not want our help. I mean, we can't just call them up and ask them if they were  taken advantage of, you know."
"I know, but we have to at least try. We can't just give up on these girls."
"I agree, but what do we do next?"
Arisa thought for a moment before responding. "I think we need to start by meeting the girls in person. We can't just rely on their words alone. We need to see if they're truly in danger or if they're just afraid. And we need to make sure they're comfortable with us before we can do anything else."
"Agreed. We need to be careful and not make them feel uncomfortable," Shizuka added. 
For their plan of attack Arisa decided to take the first three names on the list and Shizuka the last two. They would try to meet the girls in person to assess their situation and gauge their comfort level with them. 
Arisa looked over at Shizuka and smiled. "Ready for the next step?"
Shizuka nodded. "Let's go meet these girls."
----
Over the course of the next five days Arisa and Shizuka met separately with the five girls. 
Shizuka met the first of the two models and quickly determined she was a willing participant of the sexual advances and decided to write her off, but the second girl refused to speak of it. She determined that it would take some real time to gain her confidence, and in the meantime left her contact information if she changed her mind.
Arisa met with the first of her three models and was able to gather enough information to feel confident that she was in danger, but she also made sure the girl was comfortable with her before taking any action. Her second model was also a willing participant in the sex. As for the third model, Arisa decided to approach her more cautiously, but she was able to gather enough information to feel confident that she was not in danger. She also made sure the girl was comfortable with her before taking any action.
Both Arisa and Shizuka met at the coffee shop Megumi worked at to compare notes.
"Well, I guess we can't help all of them," Shizuka concluded. "But at least we can make sure that those we can help are okay." 
"I think I can offer to work with two of them," Arisa decided. "It's up to them after that."
"Sounds like a plan. Let's focus on those two we can help and see where we can go from there."
They got up to leave the coffee shop until Megumi approached them. "Hey, guys. I just wanted to say hi."
Shizuka smiled warmly. "Hey, Megumi. What's up?"
Megumi leaned in closer to Arisa. "I just wanted to say that I'm really glad you're here to help those girls. I know it's a lot of work, but it's important work."
Arisa nodded. "I know, and I'm glad to be a part of it. It's not just for the sake of our agency, but also for the girls who need our help."
"Yeah, I can see that. You're both really kind and caring." Megumi looked around the coffee shop before adding, "So, Shizuka... I heard you took Erika under your wing." 
"Yeah, I did," she confirmed. "She's a good kid, really. I just want to make sure she has a safe and happy life."
"I'm glad," the barista said with a wide smile. "She really can be the next you now."
"Thanks, but I doubt that'll happen anytime soon. She's got a lot of personality and charm, but she's still a novice model. It's not an easy profession to break into."
Arisa added, "But I think we can help her to do that."
Megumi nodded. "That's great to hear. And I think you're right. She's got a lot of potential."
Shizuka smiled. "I agree. We can help her to develop her skills and get more experience. And hopefully, one day, she'll be a star."
----


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~ Razorclaw X