Shizuka The Fashionista Part 3

Chapter 4

Yuki's relationships are put to the test when Nana decides to insert herself back into her life again.

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Erika saw an increase of jobs provided by Arisa since that day. She was happy to never have to deal with humiliating jobs or harassment from lustful men again, and she was becoming known to higher profile clients. 
One day, Arisa received a message from a potential client asking for her assistance. They were a well-known lingerie brand and needed a model to showcase their latest collection. Erika was ecstatic at the opportunity to showcase her skills and experience, and she quickly accepted the job.
The shoot was to take place in a high rise penthouse. For her protection Shizuka decided to join her, and Erika was grateful for her company. She felt confident nothing would go wrong while she was around. 
When they walked into the penthouse, Erika was amazed at the grandeur of the space. The walls were adorned with intricate paintings and tapestries, and the floors were made of polished marble. Erika couldn't believe she was in a place like this and wondered if she could buy ten of her parents' place selling it. 
Shizuka noticed Erika's excitement and smiled. "Don't worry, Erika. This is just the beginning of your career. And I'll be here to help you." 
"Thank you, Shizuka. I promise to work hard and do my best." 
Their conversation was interrupted when the photographer arrived. He was a tall man in a nicely pressed suit. "So, which of you is the model?" he asked,
Shizuka nonchalantly pointed at Erika. "It's her." 
The photographer looked at Erika with a mix of curiosity and admiration. "You look quite young, little lady."
"I'm twenty," Erika protested. "I'm not that little!" 
"No, you're not," the photographer agreed, chuckling. "But you have a certain innocence about you. And that's what we want to capture here."
"Exactly," Shizuka agreed. "We want to capture the purity and innocence of youth."
The photographer gestured toward the bedroom. "If you don't mind, I'll leave it to you to decide what to wear first. I'll be waiting here for you."
Erika bowed politely to the photographer and headed for the bedroom, with Shizuka following behind. Shizuka shut the door behind her and Erika looked at a rack of clothing, with various pieces of lingerie hanging from it. She picked out a simple black set, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. She quickly undressed and put them on, then walked to the mirror to admire herself.
"I feel very sexy," Erika said. She rubbed herself experimentally. "Too bad I'm not a bombshell."
"That's okay," Shizuka replied, laughing. "Most girls aren't well-endowed. You're fine."
Erika blushed at Shizuka's words and smiled. "Thanks, Shizuka." After all, she thought darkly, it was still better than having to wear those fake boobs.
"Now, show the photographer what you're made of!" the older model encouraged her.
Erika walked out of the bedroom with a confidence in her step, swaying her hips as she went. The photographer's jaw dropped momentarily before he caught himself. Erika felt a rush of excitement and anticipation as she walked down the hallway, her eyes locked onto the camera lens. She was ready to prove herself as a model, to become a part of the fashion world.
The photographer directed Erika to the couch and she lay down on her side, striking a typical alluring pose. Shizuka watched with pride as Erika worked her magic, her eyes filled with admiration for the young girl's talent and beauty. The photographer snapped away, capturing every detail of Erika's body. Erika felt herself getting lost in the moment, feeling confident and alive. She closed her eyes and let herself go, letting the music of the photographer's camera fill her mind. The experience was overwhelming, but also exhilarating.
After several shots and changes of clothes later the photographer turned to Shizuka. "You're a model, too, aren't you? Would you like a shot at this?"
Shizuka shook her head. "No, it's Erika's time to shine. And besides, I don't do lingerie modeling."
The photographer nodded understandingly. "Of course. She's a natural. I think she could be a great addition to our roster." He turned to Erika. "You ready to show us what you're made off?" 
Erika nodded eagerly, feeling confident and ready for the challenge. The photographer snapped away once again. Her curves were accentuated by the lingerie, and her movements were graceful and fluid. 
When the photographer finished taking pictures, he turned to Erika with a smile. "You did a great job, Erika. I'm really impressed. You have a natural talent for modeling."
Erika beamed with pride and thanked the photographer for his praise. She knew that she had a future as a model, and she was ready to take on the challenge.
After changing back into her street clothes Erika thanked the photographer again and left the penthouse with Shizuka. Her excitement carried all the way to the elevator ride down.
"That was so much fun!" Erika exclaimed, wanting to share her enthusiasm to the world. 
"I know, it was really fun," Shizuka agreed. "I'm glad you had a great time."
"I loved the lingerie! I felt like a sex goddess wearing it. It was a total rush." She giggled, feeling the excitement still coursing through her body. She then glanced at Shizuka. "How about you?" 
Shizuka shook her head. "I don't wear lingerie."
"Why not?"
"To be perfectly honest, I didn't feel like a sex goddess wearing it," Shizuka revealed, her voice even. "To me, it was just skimpy clothes."
Erika's enthusiasm dimmed. "Oh, really? I guess it was rude of me to say those things earlier."
"Don't worry about it," Shizuka assured her. "Lingerie isn't for everyone. But it's always good to try new things, right?" 
Erika nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, I guess so. I just never thought about it before." She looked back up at her idol. "I wanted to be just like you, but it seems we don't agree on this one thing."
"That just means we're not the same person," Shizuka suggested, her tone gentle. "It means you have a different niche than me, is all. Who knows what you might find that sparks your interest?"
"Maybe a giant spider," the younger maid deadpanned, imitating a character in a movie she had seen.
Shizuka burst out laughing. "Maybe."
They both laughed then walked out of the elevator and into the lobby.
"I can't wait to see what the future holds for me as a model," Erika said confidently. She looked up at Shizuka. "Thank you for taking me out today. I had a great time."
Shizuka smiled warmly. "Of course, Erika. I'm always happy to help you with your modeling career."
Erika's face lit up with joy. "You're so nice!" she gushed.
The two womens walked out of the lobby and into the night.
----
When Erika returned to the mansion she saw Haruka at the entry hall. The other maid noticed a glow on her and she couldn't help but smile.
"Well, it seems you had a good evening," Haruka teased.
Erika gave her a wide grin. "I had a really good time, thank you."
"I'm glad to hear that. But did you come back with any new friends?"
"No, silly," Erika denied, giggling. "It had nothing to do with boys."
Upon hearing that, Haruka seemed a little disappointed. "Oh, little Erika, so naive in the ways of the world. You should be looking for a good man, not boys."
"But I don't want a good man," Erika whined. "I want to find someone who makes me happy."
Haruka rolled her eyes. "Well, good luck with that. Men can be so complicated."
"I don't mind the complications. I like challenges."
"Challenges? What kind of challenges?"
"Well, like maybe a challenge to be the most beautiful maid at Moon River." 
"That's not a challenge. That's just being yourself."
"Maybe I'll give it a try. I think I can do it."
"Sweet little Erika," Haruka said, shaking her head, "you're too kindhearted. You always have been."
Erika pouted. "I know, I know. But what can I do? I like being nice."
Haruka laughed. "Well, I think I know what we can do. I think I'll take it upon myself to teach you how to catch the interest of a man."
"You will?"
"Of course I will," the older maid said, nodding. "I'm a wonderful teacher. But we won't jump in feet first, of course. First, I need to teach you how to be more... sociable."
Erika's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Sociable?"
"You know, like, a party girl. You know, like how to flirt and everything."
"But what about being a good person? I thought that was more important."
Haruka sighed, shaking her head. "Erika, Erika, Erika. Sweet little naive Erika! I think you'll find that it's more fun to be both." She grabbed Erika by the arm. "Come with me. We'll start your first lesson right now."
Erika could do nothing but follow along with the older maid as Haruka led her through the halls of the mansion with purpose. They did not stop until Haruka got to the bar, and only then did she release Erika's arm. Haruka smiled slyly, stepping behind the bar and producing two glasses, setting them in front of Erika.
"Now, I'm going to teach you how to drink socially," Haruka announced, leaning against the bar. "Don't worry, we're not going to get drunk or anything. If you do get drunk you can consider that a failure on your part."
Erika looked at the glasses with suspicion. Haruka liked to play tricks on Erika, but her words sounded genuine. After all, getting drunk on the job was always bad and she had never seen Haruka get drunk, so maybe she could learn something from this after all.
Haruka produced a bottle and poured it into both glasses. "Now, the first rule of social drinking is to drink as little as possible." She handed Erika one of the glasses and took the other for herself. "You can have a little sip, but that's it. And you can't drink too much." She took a sip of her own drink. "The goal is to carry on a conversation. You'll have to learn how to do that with people who aren't interested in you, so don't worry about making it perfect. Just have a good time and make people feel comfortable around you. And remember, it's all about confidence and charm. If you can make people feel good, they'll be more willing to help you out."
Erika looked at her drink in confusion. "Seriously? We're not supposed to just empty the glass?"
Haruka shook her head. "No, no, little Erika. You have to learn to pace yourself. Don't just empty the glass. That's how you end up drunk and your wallet empty." She took another sip of her drink and smirked. "Besides, I have a feeling that you won't be emptying the glass anytime soon."
Erika rolled her eyes, but couldn't help smiling at Haruka's playful tone. She watched as Haruka continued to explain the art of social drinking. While she listened, Erika's mind raced with ideas about how to be more sociable. 
"Now, my sweet little Erika," Haruka continued, "you've always been excitable and outgoing. That makes you come off as cute and adorable, but that doesn't make you seen as a woman. If you want a man, you need to be seen as a woman." Haruka took another sip of her drink and leaned in closer to Erika. "And as a woman, you have to learn to be confident and take charge. Don't let anyone take that away from you. And if you ever need someone to help you with that, I'm your woman." 
Erika's heart skipped a beat at Haruka's words. She had never thought of herself as a woman before, and the idea of taking charge and being confident was scary. She looked down at her drink and saw the reflection of her own confused eyes staring back at her. 
Haruka noticed Erika's hesitation and leaned in even closer. "Don't worry, Erika. You're already a woman. You just need to learn how to use it. It's all about confidence and finding your own way. And I'm here to help you with that." She pointed down at Erika's glass. "For one, you still haven't taken your first sip yet." 
Erika looked down at her drink and took a small sip, feeling the alcohol warm her throat. She glanced up at Haruka and smiled, feeling a bit more confident now. "Thanks, Haruka. I think I'll have another sip." She took another sip and watched as Haruka smiled back at her.
"Alcohol has a way of loosening up inhibitions," Haruka explained. "It's also a good way to relax and unwind after a long day. And who knows, maybe you'll even meet someone you like." She raised her glass in a toast. "Cheers to that." 
Erika clinked her glass with Haruka's and took another sip of her drink. She thought about what Haruka had said. She had always thought of herself as a girl, but Haruka was right. She was a woman, and she needed to start acting like one. She couldn't let anyone take that away from her. Erika smiled at Haruka and took another sip of her drink, feeling more relaxed and confident. 
"Thanks for the advice, Haruka. I think I'm ready to take on more responsibility." She took another sip of her drink, feeling more and more relaxed with each passing moment.
Haruka took another sip from her glass. "You know, my sweet little Erika, you're a quick learner."
"Thank you," Erika replied. She never felt so comfortable in Haruka's presence before, but it felt good.
The older maid crossed her legs and put down her glass, giving a small flick of her blonde hair. "You know, you could stand for a little makeover. You know, shed your girlish charms and all."
"Why would I do that?"
"Because you don't just need to act like a woman, you need to look like a woman, too."
"I look like a woman!" Erika protested. "I've modeled in lingerie and feel like a goddess."
"Well, it's not as if you're going to go everywhere in your underwear, right?"
Erika's face fell. "I guess that's true," she conceded.
"So, why don't we go shopping tomorrow? Get you some new clothes, makeup, maybe a haircut. You never know, you might even find something you like."
"Really?" Erika asked, her eyes lighting up. "Thank you, Haruka."
"Anything for my little Erika."
The two maids finished their drinks and went their separate ways. Erika couldn't help but feel excited about the new adventure that lay ahead of her. She had never been close with Haruka, but now she felt like they were more than just colleagues, and the thought of getting to know her better felt exciting.
----
The next day Erika and Haruka were granted permission to take the day off, so they decided to go out shopping together. 
Erika put on a simple yellow sweater over her light-washed denim jeans, but she felt very ordinary next to Haruka. The older maid wore a vintage emerald green turtleneck tucked neatly into a faux leather black skirt. Her bob hair was neatly parted at the side, giving way to a loop earring hanging from her earlobe. Compared to Erika's plain sneakers Haruka wore over-the-knee black boots with chunky heels. It was the first time she saw Haruka wear anything other than the maid uniform, and she was impressed at how trendy and sophisticated she was off the clock.
Haruka looked at Erika up and down. "Well, we're going to have to fix that later," she decided.
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Erika wondered.
"Well, what you're wearing is fine for a cute little high school student," she explained, "but it's inappropriate for a woman your age."
Erika disagreed with Haruka's assessment, but she decided to keep an open mind, knowing that Haruka was more than likely going to show her something fashionable. She decided she wouldn't mind wearing what Haruka was wearing.
They decided to start their day with a trip to the salon. Erika was nervous about getting her hair done, but she trusted Haruka's judgment. 
"I think my hair is fine," she claimed. "I don't need my hair done."
"Don't knock it until you've tried it," Haruka replied. "It's not all about maintaining your appearance. You can become a new you."
Erika hesitated for a moment, but then she decided to go for it. She sat down in the chair, and Haruka took a seat beside her. The stylist came over and greeted them with a warm smile.
"So, what are we looking for today?" she asked.
"A makeover," Haruka replied. 
The stylist laughed. "Well, we can start with a new haircut. What are you thinking?"
Haruka looked at Erika, who was now looking a bit nervous. She rubbed a strand of Erika's dark hair between her fingers as if formulating a plan in her head. 
"So, tell me, little Erika, what is your favorite color?" she asked.
"Purple!" she answered immediately. 
"Is it, now?" Haruka replied, acting surprised. "Oh my! That's my favorite, too!"
Erika looked up at Haruka, wondering if she was being serious. "I mean, it's really because Shizuka's hair is lilac. It really stands out. I want to be just like her."
Haruka grinned mischievously and looked at the stylist. "Dye my little friend's hair lilac, if you would. Just like that supermodel, Shizuka."
"Alright," the stylist replied, putting on her gloves. "Close your eyes, sweetie. This might sting a bit."
Erika stared at Haruka in alarm. "Wait, we're dyeing my hair?"
Haruka giggled, ruffling Erika's hair playfully. "Trust me, it'll be worth it."
Erika closed her eyes and braced herself as the stylist began working her magic. She felt the cool dye running through her hair and the warm water rinsing it out. When she finally opened her eyes again, she couldn't believe what she saw. Her hair was a bright lilac color, just like Shizuka's. She felt like she was in a dream.
"Wow!" she exclaimed. "It's beautiful!"
Haruka grinned. "Told you it would be worth it."
The rest of the day was a blur for Erika. They went shopping, trying on clothes and makeup. Haruka taught her how to use different brushes and colors to create different looks. By the end of the day, Erika felt like a completely different person. She felt closer than ever to Shizuka, her idol.
When they returned to the mansion that evening Erika went back to her room and studied herself in the mirror. She touched her hair experimentally, as if she was still in a dream. Erika couldn't help but smile at the thought of her new hair color. It was a soft shade of purple that matched her idol's perfectly, and it made her feel confident and stylish.
"Haruka... thank you," she said softly. "I never thought I could look like this."
"You deserve it," Haruka replied, her voice warm and reassuring.
Erika smiled shyly and blushed. She felt like she was floating on cloud nine. She was grateful to Haruka for introducing her to this new side of herself. 
She thought about her idol, Shizuka. She had always admired her from afar, but never had the courage to try and imitate her. But now, with her hair dyed, she felt like she had something in common with her idol, and it was a declaration to the world that she wished to follow in Shizuka's footsteps in her climb through the modeling world. She couldn't help but smile at the thought. She was excited to see what the future held for her and her dreams of becoming a fashion model. She knew that it would be difficult, but she had to believe that she could do it. She was confident in her abilities and her talent.
"I will be the next Shizuka!" Erika decided.
----
The next afternoon Shizuka dropped by the mansion. The maid escorted her to the mansion's dojo, where Kanna and several of the maids were practicing swinging the naginata, the weapon of choice of the female samurai. Kanna and the maids were dressed in their training uniforms, made up of a white top and blue hakama. Shizuka entered quietly, watching the girls practice vigorously.
Kanna's family was run like a traditional samurai family and were training operating under the assumption that they would defend the mansion if it were ever attacked, but in the modern world Kanna reasoned it was an excellent way to stay in shape and a good team-building exercise. As Shizuka watched the girls practice, she couldn't help but admire their grace and skill. They were like a well-oiled machine, each movement precise and calculated. Shizuka smiled to herself, thinking about how she used to feel when she first started practicing martial arts and how much she had improved since then. 
The maid led her to the changing room so she could put on her own training uniform. Shizuka quickly changed as if it were second nature for her. It was not the first time she was invited to train with Kanna, but the last time was before her pregnancy. It was only recently that Kanna started training again.
When Shizuka emerged from the changing room, Kanna and the girls were ready to greet her. "Good afternoon, Shizuka," Kanna said. The girls greeted her as well, bowing politely.
Shizuka scratched her head sheepishly, slightly embarrassed by the attention. "Good afternoon, Kanna," she replied.
A smile appeared on Kanna's lips. "I'm a little out of practice, but I would like to spar with you." She raised her training naginata for emphasis.
Shizuka nodded quietly, and a maid handed her a wooden training sword. Unlike Kanna Shizuka had no idea how to swing a naginata as her own training was with the sword. She lifted the training sword, carefully inspecting it and testing its weight in her hand before being satisfied. Kanna nodded encouragingly, and Shizuka nodded back, ready to face her friend.
Shizuka took a deep breath and charged at Kanna, her training sword raised high. Kanna sidestepped her attack expertly, her movements fluid and graceful. She parried Shizuka's sword with a swift strike, her naginata glinting in the light. The two women continued to spar, each one landing a strike or block with deadly precision. As they fought, Shizuka noticed the other girls watching them from the sidelines, their eyes filled with admiration. Kanna was a master of her craft, and it was clear that she had years of experience under her belt. Shizuka found herself caught up in the moment, the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She focused on her training and pushed herself to improve, trying to match Kanna's skill level. 
The two women continued to spar, their movements fluid and graceful as they traded blows and blocks. Shizuka felt a rush of excitement as she faced her friend, her training sword raised high. She could feel the sweat starting to bead on her forehead as she fought to keep up with Kanna's speed and accuracy. The other girls watched in awe as the two women sparred, their movements graceful and deadly.
After several long rounds both Kanna and Shizuka leaped back, lowering their weapons, and bowing to each other, signaling the end of the sparring session.
"You've gotten better since the last time," Kanna praised, trying to catch her breath.
Shizuka nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "And you've still got it for someone who hadn't trained in the past eleven months," she replied. 
Kanna chuckled, a sound that was both reassuring and slightly teasing. "But we should probably take a break before we're both exhausted," she said, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. "I have some tea brewing in the next room." She gestured for Shizuka to follow her.
Shizuka nodded and followed Kanna to the next room, where a small round table was set up with a tea pot and a handful of cups. Kanna gestured for Shizuka to sit down. Kanna poured two cups of tea and handed one to Shizuka, who accepted them gratefully. 
"Thank you, Kanna," she said, taking a sip of the hot liquid.
"You're welcome, Shizuka," Kanna replied, taking a sip of her own tea. "I'm glad we could spend some time sparring today. It's always good to keep things interesting."
Shizuka nodded, her lips curling into a small smile. "It's like a small reminder of home. It's why I like coming here."
Kanna set down her tea, letting out a deep sigh of contentment. "I know it's hard to be away from home sometimes, but I'm glad we can still come here and enjoy each other's company." She looked over at Shizuka, her eyes softening slightly. "I enjoy my time with you, Shizuka. You're like the sister I never had."
Shizuka's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "Come on, Kanna. Don't get all mushy on me." She laughed, a sound that was both lighthearted and gentle.
"So," Kanna said, changing the subject, "have you seen Erika lately? She dyed her hair to look just like you."
"No... and I only saw her just the other day," Shizuka replied, shaking her head. "Is this something she just did last night or something?"
Kanna shrugged. "I don't know the details, but when I saw her this morning she had dyed her hair. She looks like a little you."
Shizuka's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? That's... quite striking. It's like a tribute or something."
"Yes, it is," Kanna agreed. "And it's also a sign that she's growing as a person. She's always been a bit clumsy, but now she's trying to improve and be more confident."
"I'm glad she's trying to improve. She's a good person and a promising model." She took another sip of her tea, relishing the warmth it gave her. "I think she'll go far in this industry. She has a unique style and I can see a lot of potential in her."
"And since you're her role model, it seems you really need to be careful!" Kanna pointed out. "You need to set a good example for her to follow."
Shizuka nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I know, Kanna. And I'll make sure to do that. I want her to be successful and happy, just like me."
"Good," Kanna said, nodding in approval.
They sat in silence for a time, enjoying the peacefulness of the tea and the small talk.
"So, what are you up to professionally these days?" Kanna asked.
"I've got a role in another film," Shizuka answered. "After that, more model shoots and a recurring voice-over in an anime. I'm in talks to doing some voice acting in a video game and another anime slated for next year."
Kanna was impressed by her body of work. "You certainly like to keep busy."
Shizuka shrugged. "It's what I do, Kanna. It's what I've always loved to do. And I'm grateful for it."
"I can tell," Kanna said, a small smile on her lips. "It's always good to have a passion in life." She looked around the room for a moment. "I think maybe I used up a lot of your time. Perhaps we had better be going."
"Yes, it's been good to see you again, Kanna. And good luck with your future, with your work and your marriage. I hope it goes well."
"Thank you, Shizuka. I'll make sure to keep in touch."
----
Erika made her rounds throughout town showing off her new hair. Megumi at the coffee shop was pleasantly surprised at her lilac hair. Arisa at Moon River was taken aback by the sudden change, but if she was dissatisfied she hid it well.
She was in the lobby of the Moon River building when her eye caught something worth attention. Erika saw a familiar face sitting alone on one of the lobby's couches: one of the girls who was with her at the event hall a couple weeks ago, looking nervous. She decided to walk over her and make some small talk.
"Hey," Erika greeted.
The girl looked startled, as if broken out of a reverie. "Uh, hello. Do I know you?" she asked, her eyes darting around nervously.
"No, I'm sorry. I just recognized you from earlier," Erika replied with a smile. "There was that maid game revealed at an event a couple weeks ago. You were one of the girls, weren't you?" Erika asked, trying to sound casual.
The girl's face flushed with embarrassment. "Yeah. I was there." She looked up at Erika, squinting her eyes. "You were there, too, weren't you?"
Erika nodded slowly, but kept her smile on her face. "Yep! I was there! Although... I guess you didn't recognize me at first because I dyed my hair since then."
The girl's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, I see. Well, it suits you," she said, still looking a bit flustered.
"Thanks. So, what brings you here?"
"I was offered an agent here the other day," the girl revealed. She looked down at the floor. "It took me a while to actually come here. I'm a bit scared."
Erika nodded. It seemed as if Arisa's promise to help the other girls at the event hall bore fruit after all. She was worried that all five of the girls disappeared forever, but was glad to learn that at least one of them was getting their career on the right track. 
"Don't worry, I'll help you out," Erika offered, reaching out to give the girl a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.
The girl looked up at Erika with grateful eyes.
"I'm Erika, by the way," she added, taking a seat next to the girl. "You're going to be in good hands."
The girl smiled shyly. "Thanks, Erika."
Erika stayed with the girl long enough for her to be called in to her meeting with her future agent. She wished her the best of luck, then walked out of the building, confident that the girl's career was in good hands. She wondered if she would ever see her again, or if she would ever make it big. Erika had no doubts she had talent, and Erika was sure that her path would be a bright one.
----
Over the next week Erika made sure to let everyone know she intended to become the next Shizuka, and while most people seemed to take it as a joke her closest friends knew she was serious. She didn't want to let anyone down, not even herself. Her dedication to her craft was unwavering, and she worked tirelessly to improve her skills. While she continued to work as a maid for Kanna, Erika also attended modeling sessions at Moon River. She practiced walking in high heels, posing for photos, and doing makeup and hair. She studied Shizuka's performances and tried to imitate her style. 
One day, while Erika was practicing her poses in the studio, she noticed that Shizuka had come to watch her. Erika's heart skipped a beat; she had always admired Shizuka, and the thought of impressing her was almost too much to bear.
"Hey, Erika," Shizuka said, smiling warmly. "I didn't know you were here today." 
Erika felt her face flush with embarrassment. She quickly gathered her composure and greeted Shizuka with a bow. "I'm sorry, Shizuka. I didn't mean to intrude," she said, feeling silly for getting caught practicing in front of someone she idolized.
"Don't worry about it, Erika. I think it's great that you're taking your career seriously," Shizuka said, walking over to stand next to Erika. "And I'm happy to see you working hard on your modeling. You're going to be really good at it."
"I hope so, Shizuka. I really want to be the best I can be."
Shizuka nodded. "I'm sure you will be, Erika. You have the talent and the hard work ethic." She paused for a moment before adding, "I have a shoot coming up in a half hour. Do you want to watch me work?" 
"Yes, please!" she said, her eyes widening with excitement. "I would love to watch you in action!"
Shizuka led Erika to the set of the photo shoot, where a team of photographers and stylists were busy preparing for the shoot. Shizuka was wearing a beautiful kimono and had her hair done up in an intricate bun. 
When the shoot began, Erika watched Shizuka move effortlessly in front of the camera. She was impressed by how confident and professional Shizuka was, even when things didn't go quite as planned. The photographers directed Shizuka to pose in various ways, and she followed their instructions flawlessly. Erika noticed how much work went into each shot. The photographers would adjust lighting and angles, while the stylists fussed over Shizuka's hair and makeup. It was clear that everyone involved was dedicated to making the shoot a success. Erika felt a sense of awe as she watched the team work together like a well-oiled machine. Eventually, the shoot came to an end, and the team began packing up their equipment. 
"What did you think?" Shizuka asked.
"It was amazing," the maid said. "I had no idea how much work went into a photo shoot. You were so professional and confident."
"Thank you, Erika. It takes a lot of practice and patience to be a successful model. But it's also important to have fun and enjoy what you're doing," Shizuka said, putting a hand on Erika's shoulder. 
"I definitely had fun watching you work," she said with a grin. "Thank you for letting me come and watch."
"Anytime, Erika. And if you ever need any advice or tips, don't hesitate to ask." 
"Really? That would be amazing," Erika said, feeling grateful for Shizuka's offer.
"Of course," Shizuka said. "I remember how intimidating it was when I first started modeling, so I'm happy to help out however I can."
Erika grinned from ear to ear. "Thank you so much, Shizuka. You're such an inspiration to me," she said, feeling a surge of motivation. "I'll definitely take you up on that offer."
"I'm glad to hear it, Erika. Keep working hard and following your dreams. I have a feeling you're going to make it big." 
Erika felt a warmth in her chest at Shizuka's encouraging words. She had always looked up to the older model and to hear such praise from her made her feel like anything was possible. As they walked out of the studio, Erika couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to have watched Shizuka work.
----
That weekend Yuki woke up in a bed that wasn't her own.
She stared at the ceiling of an apartment that wasn't her own, and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was still morning, but if she lay in bed any longer it would be lunchtime.
Yuki turned over and felt Megumi next to her, still asleep. Yuki smiled and brushed a strand of red hair out of Megumi's face. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have found someone as wonderful as Megumi. They had been dating for almost a year now, and Yuki felt like she was living in a dream. 
She slowly got out of bed and tiptoed to the kitchen to make some coffee. As she waited for the coffee to brew, Yuki looked around the apartment. It was small but cozy, filled with little trinkets and decorations that Megumi had collected over time. 
Yuki thought about her time with Megumi the previous night. They had gone to a small jazz bar and listened to live music, enjoying each other's company and the atmosphere. Yuki smiled at the memory of Megumi's laughter and how they had danced together. It was moments like that which made Yuki feel like she was exactly where she was supposed to be in life.
After spending hours there they made their way back to Megumi's apartment and consummated their relationship, going at it for hours into the night. Megumi was just as passionate about Yuki as Yuki was about her. They talked about everything and nothing, laughing and sharing stories of their lives. Yuki knew that she had found the perfect person to share her life with, and she couldn't wait to see where the future would take them.
Yet deep in her heart she still felt she wasn't ready to ask for her hand in marriage. Yuki felt Shizuka was her soulmate and her attachment to Megumi never felt nearly as close. She knew Megumi already accepted that about Yuki, but Yuki still needed time to reconcile her feelings herself. For now, Yuki was content to enjoy the comfort and companionship of her friends and to continue to explore her creative side through her photography and cosplay.
After finishing her coffee Yuki slipped back into Megumi's bedroom, and found she was still fast asleep. With a playful smile on her face, she decided she needed to tease her girlfriend a little. Yuki leaned over and tickled Megumi's nose with a feather she found on the nightstand. Megumi stirred and let out a small sneeze. 
Yuki giggled silently, feeling mischievous. She leaned in closer to Megumi's face and whispered, "Good morning, sleeping beauty."
Megumi's eyes fluttered open and she smiled when she saw Yuki. "Good morning to you too, my love," she replied, her voice still heavy with sleep. She reached up and pulled Yuki down for a soft kiss.
Yuki smiled and kissed Megumi back, feeling content and warm inside. She knew that no matter what challenges they faced in life, as long as they had each other everything would be okay. As they broke apart, Megumi reached up and brushed a strand of Yuki's hair out of her face. Yuki looked at Megumi with a soft smile, feeling grateful for her friendship and love. 
"I love you," she said softly, holding Megumi's hand. 
Megumi smiled back at Yuki, her eyes shining with happiness. "I love you too, Yuki," she replied, returning the smile.
Yuki pulled the covers away from Megumi, then pulled down her panties for another round of sexual adventures. Megumi giggled and playfully pushed Yuki back onto the bed, guiding her hands to her own body. They kissed passionately, their bodies moving in sync as they explored each other's desires. Yuki's hands roamed over Megumi's body, feeling the softness of her curves and the warmth of her skin. Megumi responded eagerly, her own hands exploring Yuki's body with equal passion. They lost themselves in the moment, each giving in to their desires and finding satisfaction in the other. As they came down from their high, they lay there for a moment, catching their breath and enjoying the afterglow of their passion. 
Yuki smiled softly, feeling content and fulfilled. 
Megumi leaned in and kissed Yuki's forehead, her lips brushing against Yuki's skin. "You're the best, my love." 
Yuki smiled, feeling grateful for Megumi's love and support. "You're the best too, Megumi," she replied, leaning in to give her girlfriend a gentle hug. "And I'm so glad we found each other."
Megumi pulled away from the hug, her eyes shining with happiness. "Me too, Yuki. Me too." Yuki and Megumi stayed like that for a while, holding each other and basking in the warmth of their love.
----
Shizuka's next film was called "The Shogun's Bodyguard" and it was a dramatic action film taking place during the days of the Tokugawa Shogunate. She played the role of the titular bodyguard, a trained ninja disguised as a servant maid to the future Shogun, a teenager who styled himself a womanizer and playboy. Shizuka was tapped to play the role of the bodyguard because she had an extensive list of credits playing stoic action girls, but it was her previous romance film "Romance in Three Hotels" that convinced the producers to cast her. Her appearance as a romantic lead let them know Shizuka had the range to play a powerful ninja and a love interest. 
Shizuka sat in numerous meetings for weeks negotiating with the producers to tone down the romance aspect of the film. While she was capable of acting out romantic scenes she felt very uncomfortable doing them and she wanted to limit any scenes with physical intimacy. With Arisa's help she managed to get the script to trim down the more exhilarating love scenes, if not remove them entirely, to a level which Shizuka found acceptable.
She walked on the set in her costume, a period-appropriate courtesan's kimono for her role as the disguised bodyguard. Shizuka was no stranger to the kimono as she previously appeared as a secondary character in several period dramas and had the experience to carry herself with the correct air befitting the disguise. 
The director and actors' eyes were on her and Shizuka knew she was the center of attention on the set. She passed the actor who played the teenage future Shogun and noticed his eyes were sizing her up.
"Do you like what you see?" Shizuka asked. She recalled his name was Masato, a relative newcomer to the industry, but one who also had a modest body of work. 
Masato blushed at the question, quickly averting his gaze. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare," he stammered.
Shizuka chuckled, putting him at ease. "It's alright, Masato. It's part of your character to be a bit of a womanizer, right?" she said with a teasing grin.
Masato nodded, still embarrassed. "Yes, but I don't want to make you uncomfortable," he replied.
Shizuka smiled warmly at him. "Don't worry about it. We're all professionals here, and I know how to handle myself," she reassured him.
The director called for them to take their positions, and Shizuka got into character as the disguised bodyguard. The scene was set in the Shogun's private chambers, where he was entertaining several guests. Shizuka's character, disguised as a maidservant, entered the room carrying a tray of refreshments. Masato's character, the teenage future Shogun, immediately noticed her and started flirting with her. Shizuka's character remained stoic and unresponsive to his advances, which only made him more determined to win her over.
The scene as scripted called for Shizuka's character to humiliate the future Shogun to put him in his place in front of his father and the guests. She knew that would serve to make her character irresistible to the future Shogun and it was a key part of the two characters' dynamic. The tension in the room was palpable as the future Shogun's arrogance clashed with the quiet strength of Shizuka's character. The guests in the room watched with interest, waiting to see what would happen next.
Shizuka's character deftly carried out her plan, embarrassing the future Shogun in front of his father and guests. Masato played his part perfectly, reacting with a mix of shock and humiliation. The tension between the two characters was electric, and the chemistry between Shizuka and Masato was undeniable.
After the director called "Cut!" and they finished shooting that scene, Masato walked over to Shizuka and praised her acting skills. "You were amazing! I can't believe how you were able to convey so much with just your facial expressions," he said, clearly impressed. 
Shizuka smiled graciously. "Thank you, Masato. You were great too. I think we really captured the tension between our characters," she replied.
Masato nodded in agreement. "Definitely. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of our scenes turn out," he said with a smile.
"I feel the same. I think we make a good team."
"Yeah, I think so too," he replied with a grin. "Maybe we could grab a drink after filming one day?" he asked tentatively.
Shizuka's smile faltered slightly. She was hesitant to get too close to her co-stars, especially when it came to romantic relationships. "Thanks for the offer, Masato, but I prefer to keep things professional on set," Shizuka replied politely.
"Of course, I completely understand. Just thought I'd ask," he said with a shrug.
Shizuka watched the actor retreat back to his dressing room. She knew they still had time before the crew set up the next scene and wondered if she was being too harsh in spurning his advances.
The next few hours passed in a blur as they shot several more scenes, with Shizuka and Masato exhibiting belligerent sexual tension. The sun had already set by the time they wrapped up for the day.
Shizuka walked out of the studio and was hit by the cold air of the night. She pulled her coat tighter around her as she made her way to the train station. She thought about her earlier encounter with her co-star, Masato. Maybe she had been too quick to dismiss him. He seemed like a nice guy, and they did have good chemistry on set. However, Shizuka was disinterested in romance and she felt his interest in her was no different from every other guy who wanted to be with her for her looks. 
She boarded the train. Shizuka sighed and leaned against the window. She had always found it difficult to navigate relationships in the entertainment industry. It was hard to tell who was genuine and who was just looking for a fling. It seemed that most, if not all, of the men who she politely rejected wrote her off as an ice queen and difficult to work with, a reputation that she earned in the early days of her acting career and continued to hound her. In recent days she found it closed some opportunities that would have otherwise been open to her.
Shizuka sighed, frustrated at how much societal norms were being weaponized against her. She always knew she was different from other people and made a token effort to act like them when she needed to, but it always felt forced and fake. It almost seemed as if when she stepped out into public she was constantly putting on the face that was expected of her-- as if she was constantly performing. It was exhausting and often made her feel anxious and on edge. 
It was with her friends and her longtime fans Shizuka felt she could be herself. While she enjoyed her career and all the limelight it brought her, she had a deep desire to return to a life of obscurity, anonymity, and a quiet existence. Maybe even go to living in the countryside where nobody knew her. It was an idle thought, but one that had been in the back of her mind for some time.
Shizuka had been an actress for almost five years. She had achieved moderate success and recognition. She had appeared in a few television advertisements, a few dramas, and several movies. However, none of it had ever felt like an authentic expression of herself. She always thought of herself as a fashion model first and constantly wondered how she made the transition into acting, like it was a fluke or accident borne of her success.
----
Weeks passed and Shizuka was growing alarmed at the increasing attention she was getting from her film co-star, Masato. Their on-set chemistry was so remarkable that the film crew and director wanted to take advantage of it and have Masato's character act more flirtatious toward Shizuka's character, which made Shizuka uncomfortable. She tried to let Masato know her 'playing hard to get' was just an act and she did not actually feel anything, but Masato seemed to start believing the spark they were showing in their scenes was real. Shizuka tried to ignore the gossip and advances and focus on her own work, but the attention only increased, making her feel even more insecure and alone.
After the day's filming finished Shizuka made her way back to her apartment, back to the safe haven she knew and loved, and found Yuki there, watching anime on her video recorder.
"You look... anxious," Yuki noted, pausing her anime.
"I'm not sure how much I can take this anymore," Shizuka admitted. "Everyone around me on the set is shipping me with Masato, and Masato is buying into it."
Yuki sighed sympathetically. "I know how that feels. It can be hard to be yourself when everyone is constantly pressuring you to conform to their expectations."
As different as their situations were, Shizuka knew well that she and Yuki were considered deviants by the conservative Japanese society, which made them popular with the youth, but deeply unpopular with the older generations. Yuki, an open lesbian career photographer dating another woman, had already played out in the public eye and it was generally not an issue anymore. Shizuka, on the other hand, was aromantic in a world where she was seen as very attractive, but she could not understand their feelings and the world in turn did not understand her.
"I feel like I'm just putting on a show for everyone," Shizuka said, her frustration evident in her voice. "I hate the way I look, the way I act... it's all just a performance." 
Yuki placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. She also did not completely understand Shizuka's feelings, but their status as outsiders gave them common ground to work with.
"It may be a performance you're putting on for the world, but I'm glad you can show yourself to me," she said. "Maybe the world just isn't good enough for you."
Shizuka laughed at the thought. "The world's not good enough for me? That's a really strange idea."
"Well, I'm not sure if I believe that. But I do believe that you're amazing and worth so much more than what the world sees you as."
Shizuka stood up and made a fake pose, holding out her hand to Yuki. Mustering up her deliberately phony grandiose voice, she declared, "Clearly, my lady, you are worth the whole world!"
Yuki laughed as she accepted Shizuka's hand, and they struck a goofy pose they saw on an old movie poster. They settled back down on the couch, laughing. 
"I don't think you should string along Masato if you don't feel anything," Yuki suggested. "I know you think you shouldn't because it'll affect his performance, but you must know it's already affecting yours, faking it or not."
"So, do you think I should let him down gently, or go for the hard sell?"
"I think you should let him down gently. It won't be easy, but it's the right thing to do."
Shizuka sighed. She liked being direct and she found beating around the bush to be an annoying waste of time, but there was always the possibility that being too direct about it would make Masato resent her.
----
Shizuka had not looked forward to sitting down with Masato.
Filming for "The Samurai's Bodyguard" was done for the week so Masato took the opportunity to ask Shizuka out to dinner. At first Shizuka politely declined, but after her talk with Yuki she called him to let him know she changed her mind. The young actor was immediately excited at her change of heart and booked them for a modest Japanese restaurant in the city. They agreed to keep the dinner casual so Shizuka put on a white T-shirt with a black silk slip dress over it and high-rise denim jeans.
Shizuka entered the restaurant and found that Masato was already there. He was seated at a table wearing a simple T-shirt and slacks with a fashionable short sleeve jacket.
"I'm glad you could make it," he said, standing up to extend his hand.
Shizuka politely shook Masato's hand and took a seat opposite him. "I wouldn't stand someone up on a casual dinner. It's not like we're dating."
Masato laughed nervously. "Well, I didn't want to push the issue too far."
The two actors ordered their food quickly and were brought tea to drink in the meantime.
Masato folded his hands on the table and looked intently at Shizuka, seemingly admiring her conventional beauty. "You look lovely tonight," he said.
"Oh, come on, Masato," Shizuka scoffed. "I didn't glam up tonight."
"I didn't mean it like that. You look beautiful no matter what you wear."
Shizuka smiled politely, unsure of how to respond to the compliment. "Thank you, I suppose. But I'm not here to impress anyone."
"I understand. I just wanted to make sure that you're comfortable."
Shizuka was certain Masato made an attempt to flirt with her and she knew she failed to respond in the appropriate manner. She couldn't help but notice how Masato's eyes lingered on her as they spoke, but she decided to let it go and focus on the conversation. "So, what's on your mind, Masato?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
"I think you are a remarkably professional actress," he began. "I've seen some of your live action work and I'm impressed with how you capture the emotions of the characters you play."
Shizuka smiled politely, not wanting to reveal too much about herself. "Thank you, I appreciate the compliment," she said, taking a sip of her own tea.
"I can tell that you have a great talent for acting. I'm glad to see someone who is not afraid to take risks and try new things. You aren't afraid to say or do something that is against the grain and you don't take yourself too seriously. You're very approachable." 
"I'm not sure what you mean by saying I'm approachable," she said, surprised by Masato's words.
The actor laughed. "Oh, I don't mean it in a bad way. I just mean that you're easy to talk to and I think you have a great personality. You're not afraid to speak you mind. I mean, I should know, because you always rebuffed me!"
"Well, I still don't want to date you," Shizuka reminded him.
"I know, I get that," Masato replied. "I just want you to know that I admire that about you. A lot of girls would gladly throw themselves at me because I'm an actor and they want to hook up with someone famous. You're not like that at all. You're more real than most girls I've met."
"I appreciate your kind words, Masato," she said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "But I'm not interested in dating anyone right now."
"I understand. I just wanted to express how much I respect you as an actress and a person." He took another sip of his tea before continuing. "I hope we can continue to have a pleasant conversation and maybe even make a connection one day."
The two were interrupted with the arrival of their food. The two actors quietly ate their dinner. 
After they finished their meal, Masato leaned back in his chair and looked at Shizuka. "Shizuka, I wanted to ask you something," he said softly.
Shizuka eyed him suspiciously. "I hope you're not asking me to be your girlfriend."
"No, no!" he laughed. "It's not like that. Well, if you went out with me when we started filming, I might, but anyway...." Masato shrugged. "I hope I'm not being too forward or rude for asking this, because it's been on my mind ever since we started working together...."
Shizuka folded her arms. She was getting annoyed at Masato beating around the bush. "Come on, Masato, spit it out."
He took a deep breath. He looked around the restaurant, as if he was hoping nobody would hear him, then leaned closer. "Are you... a lesbian?"
Shizuka blinked. That was not the question she was expecting to hear. "No," she replied, keeping her voice low. "What made you think that?"
"I've noticed that you don't seem to get along with men, and it seems like you hang around women a lot. I mean, there's also rumors about you and your photographer roommate, too, but I didn't want to ask based on that."
Shizuka covered her mouth. She wanted to burst out into laughter, but knew that would only draw more attention to their table and their conversation. "I have guy friends," she said, trying to keep her voice calm and composed. "I'm not looking for a relationship, is all. Don't take it personally."
"I understand," he said. "I didn't mean to invade your privacy or anything. It's just... well, that means you're an unattainable woman. That just makes you come off as more attractive. Surely you must know that."
"No, it's not like that. I just prefer to keep my personal life personal," Shizuka explained, feeling a bit frustrated. "I'm not some mysterious, unfathomable object of affection. I'm just me. I can't help it if men and women find that attractive."
"I understand. I didn't mean to offend you. It's just... I was just curious."
"I won't begrudge you for trying, though." Shizuka smiled, relieved that the conversation was back on track.
The two stepped up from their chairs, reached across the table, and shook hands. "I'm glad we could talk," Masato said. "I'm glad I can talk to you about this. It's always nice to have someone to talk to about things."
Shizuka nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's nice to have someone to share things with. Plus, I think it's important to be honest with people. It's not always easy, but it's worth it."
They paid for their meal separately and left the restaurant. The two actors walked together to the train station, where they would go their separate ways.
Masato turned to Shizuka as they stood on the platform. "I had a good time," he said.
He leaned in to give her a kiss, but Shizuka put up her hand between them. "Nope, sorry. Boundaries, buster." 
Masato laughed and backed away, still smiling. "Okay, okay. Just wanted to make sure you were okay. We can still be friends, right?"
Shizuka nodded. "Sure thing. I'll see you on the set."
Shizuka's train arrived first, and she boarded, waving goodbye to Masato.
----
The next week Shizuka was back on the set to resume filming "The Shogun's Bodyguard". Celebrity gossip magazines and the tabloid caught wind of her 'date' with Masato and played up their off-the-set encounter for all it was worth. She received ribbing from the set crew and her stylist, but to her great relief Masato was embarrassed by the gossip and apologetic. Shizuka did not blame him, but rather her celebrity status getting in the way of her personal life once again. She had grown used to keeping her personal life separate from her professional life, but now it seemed like the more she tried to distance herself from the limelight, the more people wanted to know about her private life.
This week the production planned to film some of the indoor fight scenes at the young Shogun-to-be's residence. It was a series of scenes where Shizuka's character, still disguised as a courtesan, would use her ninja skills to dispatch the assassins sent to kill her young charge, which meant she had to wear her ninja outfit under her kimono this time. She practiced the physical stunts required of her every night preparing for these scenes, and she idly wondered if Masato was aware of her background with the sword. 
When Shizuka stepped out of her dressing room, she saw Masato sitting on a couch in the hallway. She knew most of his parts during these scenes he would be either absent or cowering in fear, which probably didn't do much for his ego, but it was just an act.
"So, you're going to show us your moves?" he teased.
"Yeah," Shizuka confirmed, "just like how you're going to soil your pants, right?"
Masato laughed. "You're such a joker, Shizuka. But I'm sure it'll be fine. We just need to make sure you don't slip up and get hurt."
"I'm not going to get hurt. You better hope you don't get hurt."
"My bravery will be legendary!" Masato shouted in a mock tone. "Surely all will fear my soiled pants!"
Now it was Shizuka's turn to laugh. It was true that Masato was exaggerating, but she would not mind if he really did soil himself when he saw her in action. "Watch your step, Masato. You never know what could happen."
"Don't worry, Shizuka. I'll be fine. Just focus on your performance."
Shizuka continued on to the set. She learned to appreciate Masato's laid-back nature, but she still didn't see him as dating material, much less anything worth fawning over. He was still young and had a lot to learn about women.
After production was ready to go Shizuka walked onto the set with her courtesan kimono on. The director wanted her to throw off her kimono to reveal her ninja outfit in a dramatic way in one cut before doing the series of fights required of her. While the kimono was usually fastened tightly to her body the dramatic reveal only secured it in cursory ways to make it easy for Shizuka to throw off. The director wanted to do several takes to have a good variety of versions of the reveal so Shizuka knew this was going to take a while.
Shizuka walked to the center of the set and faced the camera. She thought in her head of the number of ways the director could have her throw off the kimono, but she knew the director wanted to surprise her. She felt the quick instructions were going to be similar to how Yuki directed her fashion shoots. 
Over the next half hour Shizuka felt she was in her element, rapidly throwing off the kimono and putting it back on in quick succession to achieve the dramatic flair the director was looking for. She lost count of how many times she did so, only remembering small details of how she did it including throwing it over her shoulder, tossing it to the side, and simply letting it fall to her feet. Shizuka did not know what the director was looking for, but hoped he was getting it.
After the last take was done Shizuka was afforded a much-needed break. She knew she no longer needed the kimono for the rest of the day. As the crew worked to set up the stage for the next shot she walked back to her dressing room to cool down. Shizuka sat in front of the mirror, fanning herself with a piece of paper. She took a deep breath and tried to relax her muscles. Her body was sore from all the rehearsing and shooting, but she couldn't let that show on camera.
An hour later the director was ready for her. Shizuka returned to the set and noted there was a table with her weapon props for the upcoming scenes. She picked up a short sword and tested its weight carefully. She noted that it was not as heavy as an authentic sword, but it was heavy enough to be used in the same way. Despite being a replica Shizuka knew she had to be careful how she swung it because it could still potentially hurt the stuntmen.
She glanced to the side where Masato stood. His kimono was untied so the female viewers could get a peek at his bare chest. Shizuka knew he would have very little to do in these scenes other than crawl on the floor looking panicked, fearful for his life. She hoped he could sell it because she didn't want to film the same sequence over and over again. Shizuka knew the scenes required a lot of coordination and she wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page. 
"Places, everyone!" she heard announced.
Shizuka looked at the prop table one last time and replaced the sword. The set armorer handed her a pair of throwing darts she was to use as her initial weapons, then she moved to the center of the set. Masato got into his position behind her, his back to the wall and on the floor. 
The director started filming the first shot, and Shizuka immediately went into her role as a stoic action girl, something she was long comfortable with. She was about to give anyone who doubted her martial ability a wake-up call, and she smiled inwardly thinking about it.
----
After production wrapped for the day, Shizuka headed back to the dressing room to change until Masato stopped her.
"Shizuka, you were incredible," he praised her. "I never seen anyone move like that before."
Shizuka smiled at him, feeling a bit flattered. "Thank you. I've been practicing for years. It's good that film production is a valid avenue to show it off."
"I have to say, I was a bit nervous working with you at first," he admitted. "But now that I've seen what you can do, I feel much more confident in our scenes together." 
"I'm glad to hear that," Shizuka replied, still smiling. "It's important that we work well together for the sake of the film."
"Definitely. And speaking of working well together, I was wondering if you wanted to grab dinner with me tonight?" Masato asked, looking hopeful.
"Borders, Masato," she gently reminded him.
"I'm not asking you out on a date," he protested. 
"It sure sounded like it!"
"It's not a date if it's between friends." 
Shizuka shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I don't think that's what it is, Masato," she said softly.
"No worries. It was just a thought. I guess there's no reason to fuel gossip, is there?"
The two laughed at their predicament. 
"Anyway, I want to get changed out of this outfit," Shizuka said. "I'll see you tomorrow." 
"Alright, see you tomorrow," Masato replied, still looking a bit disappointed. 
Shizuka smiled and waved as she stepped into the dressing room
----
Shizuka had always had a disdain for idol culture and hated being in the middle of it. Thanks to the success of her previous film, "Masquerade of Moonlight", her image entered public consciousness and she was now subject of gossip and rumors like other mainstream actors. Her rise in stature was compared to emerging idol singers, which irritated Shizuka to no end because she hated the idea of marketing herself as a product. Shizuka preferred to be herself and let her talent shine through, but that didn't seem to matter to the media or her newer fans.
One of the unspoken rules of idol culture was a desire for perfect purity. Shizuka inadvertently fell into this mold with her aromantic attitude and her free admission of virginity, instantly drawing attention as an 'ideal idol' that drew the ire of actual professional idols. As a result, fans of idols in other areas of the entertainment industry felt the need to disparage her, hoping to tear down her image so her purity would not outshine their own idols-- an idea Shizuka found ridiculous.
She was grateful her longtime fans, many of which who followed her since her joining the Moon River agency, contuned to support her despite the onslaught of criticism. They knew who Shizuka was and respected her for it. She was one of them, after all. 
But the constant barrage of negative comments and judgmental eyes made her feel like a fish out of water. Shizuka had never been one to care much about what others thought or said about her, but her recent experiences with the media and idols had reaffirmed how much she valued her privacy and personal space. She knew that she could never be truly happy or fulfilled if she was constantly surrounded by people who were only interested in her for her image or her ability to perform. 
Despite the criticisms, Shizuka continued to work hard and pursue her passion for modeling and acting, hoping to gain more respect from the industry and fans alike. But it was clear that there were some people who didn't understand or appreciate her for who she was. Shizuka had learned to compartmentalize her life and keep her true feelings and desires hidden from the public eye. She knew that the public would never truly understand her or her lifestyle choices, and that was okay.
It should have been no surprise, however, that the media would concoct their own story to fulfill their narrative when the tabloids started speculating on her love life, prompted by her rumored on-set chemistry with Masato. The article appeared in a popular tabloid magazine and was quickly picked up by other media outlets, causing a frenzy of rumors and speculation about the supposed affair between Yuki and Shizuka. The article speculated that Shizuka was a closet lesbian as Yuki was openly known to be lesbian after her previous relationship with the idol singer, Nana. That Yuki and Shizuka lived together, and Yuki called Shizuka her soulmate, served as further proof of their claims. 
Shizuka scoffed at the tabloid article as the gossip of her being in a romantic relationship with Yuki had been floating around for years and she simply ignored it before, and genuinely thought it would blow over just as fast now. She had never been interested in Yuki romantically, and she was comfortable with their platonic friendship.
The thought it would blow over changed when Nana resurfaced, seizing the opportunity to get herself back into the public eye thanks to the tabloid article mentioning her. Shizuka had not heard from Nana for a long time as she considered her an attention-seeking diva. She had been dropped from her music label at least three times to Shizuka's knowledge and had at least two public meltdowns. Nana tried her best to stay in the public eye by pulling wild and crazy stunts for attention, and her diehard fans could not wait to see what she would do next.
What Shizuka truly despised Nana for was her relationship with Yuki. Yuki had been her girlfriend for some time and Nana was responsible for her coming out as a lesbian. The two were serious enough that Nana proposed to her, but Shizuka felt it was a publicity stunt. In the end Yuki called off the engagement and broke up with Nana when she finally got fed up with her antics.
So when Nana appeared on public television and claimed she lost the love of her life, Yuki, to Shizuka, it caused a stir that nobody could predict. Yuki and Shizuka were shocked and confused by the allegations, wondering why Nana would make such claims.
Arisa called both Yuki and Shizuka to an emergency meeting. Yuki was as pale as a ghost, and while Shizuka remained her usual stoic self everyone knew she was irritated at Nana's callous behavior.
"I hesitate to call this a scandal, because it isn't," Arisa began, "but this is certainly a problem for all of us professionally." 
Yuki and Shizuka nodded, both looking at each other with concern. 
Arisa continued, "We need to do damage control and come up with a strategy to combat these rumors and protect your reputations. I've already reached out to Moon River's legal team to see if we have grounds for a lawsuit, but that may not be the best course of action. We don't want to give this story any more attention than it's already getting." 
"I don't want to be the center of any drama or have my personal life discussed in public," Yuki said. "But I also don't want Nana spreading lies about me and Shizuka. We need to set the record straight."
Shizuka nodded in agreement. "Agreed. We need to address this head on and nip it in the bud before it gets any worse," she said firmly. "But we also need to be careful about how we approach this. We don't want to come across as defensive or give Nana any ammunition." 
"I understand your concerns," Arisa said with a nod, "and I have a few ideas on how we can handle this situation," Arisa said thoughtfully. She pulled out a folder and opened it up, revealing a few pages of notes. "First, we can release a statement denying the allegations and reaffirming that you two are just friends. We can also provide evidence to prove that Nana's claims are false." Arisa paused, looking at Yuki and Shizuka to gauge their reactions.
Yuki looked confused. "I'm not sure how we could prove that." 
"We have a few options," Arisa replied carefully. "We could release photos of the two of you together that are clearly platonic in nature. Or we could have some of your close friends and colleagues come forward and vouch for your relationship." 
"That just puts more of our lives out in public view," Shizuka disagreed. "They don't need to know the details of our private lives." 
"I understand your concern, Shizuka. But we need to do something to combat these rumors. The longer they persist, the more damage they can do to your reputations. We can also consider taking legal action if necessary, but like I mentioned before, we want to avoid giving this story any more attention than it deserves." 
"I know that we need to address this," Yuki said, "but I also don't want to be too aggressive. Maybe we could release a statement and then just let it go. If we keep responding to every rumor or article, it might just fuel the fire."
"Yuki has a point," Shizuka agreed. "We need to address this, but we also need to be careful not to give Nana any more attention than she already has. Maybe we could release a statement and then just focus on our work. Let's not let this distract us from what really matters." 
"I'll work on drafting a statement that addresses the rumors without being too aggressive," Arisa said. "We can also reach out to our contacts in the media and ask them to refrain from reporting on this story any further. With a little bit of effort, we should be able to put this whole thing behind us." 
Yuki and Shizuka exchanged a grateful look. 
"Thank you, Arisa," Yuki said. "I appreciate your input and expertise on this matter." 
Arisa smiled. "No problem, Yuki. I'll make sure everything is taken care of." 
----
After the meeting concluded Moon River released a statement denying the allegations and reaffirmed Yuki and Shizuka's platonic friendship. They also asked for restraint from the media and for people to respect their privacy. They closed the statement with a warning that if any further allegations were made, they would take appropriate action.
Yuki was relieved that the situation was under control, but she couldn't shake the feeling of unease. She knew that Nana was a desperate and reckless person, and she couldn't believe that she would stoop so low as to make such accusations. Despite that, she knew Nana's accusation hurt because there was an element of truth to it. Yuki knew that Nana was serious that she was the love of her life-- she was the only one of Nana's potential suitors she proposed to, and the realization terrified her.
Yuki made her way through the streets on the way to Megumi's apartment, with the dark feeling that she was being watched wherever she went. She couldn't shake the feeling that Nana was still out there, waiting for the right moment to strike. Yuki tried to push the thoughts of Nana and her allegations from her mind. She knew that she and Megumi had a good relationship, and she wanted to enjoy the time she had with her.
When Megumi answered the door, she greeted Yuki with a warm smile. "Yuki! Come in!"
Yuki bowed graciously, then hurried on inside, unable to shake the feeling she was being watched. Even when Megumi locked the door her mind was still ill at ease. As Yuki took a seat on the couch, Megumi turned to her with concern in her eyes. "Is everything okay, Yuki? I saw the news."
Yuki forced a smile and shrugged. "Well, you can't believe everything you hear on television." 
"I know, but still, it's unsettling. Do you want to talk about it?" 
"No, I just needed some space to clear my head. I'll be okay." 
Megumi nodded understandingly. She sat down next to Yuki and held her hand. "I remember when you told me Nana was your ex. I never imagined she would try to get back at you like this." 
"It's been a stressful week." Yuki smiled at Megumi's words. 
"I understand. But you have to remember that you can't let these things consume you. You have a great relationship with me, and you should enjoy it. Focus on that and put your mind at ease." 
Yuki nodded, grateful for Megumi's support. "Thank you, Megumi. You're right. I just need some time to process everything." 
"I'll be here for you whenever you need me. Just know that I'm here for you, Yuki." 
"Thank you, Megumi."
The two women started getting intimate with each other, and decided to move to Megumi's bedroom to get more intimate. For at least a few hours, Yuki forgot all about Nana.
----
The next day, Yuki learned how wrong she was for thinking the problem would go away. Nana posted a video on social media, showing Yuki and Megumi's intimate moment from the previous night, taken by a 'concerned fan' and passed on to her. The video was widely circulated on social media, and Yuki felt the world turn against her. 
The good news was the attention was taken off Shizuka and the media and internet mobs lost interest in her. The bad news was that same attention turned on Yuki, and now Megumi was dragged into the mess. Yuki felt sick to her stomach as she watched the video. It was embarrassing, humiliating, and hurtful. She couldn't believe that Nana had gone this far. Yuki couldn't believe that her private, intimate moment with Megumi had been filmed and it was all over the internet. She felt betrayed and disgusted with Nana.
The media got their hands on the 'sex tape' and it became the newest idol scandal. The latest salacious story claimed that Nana's one true love was taken by a lowly maid cafe waitress, and Megumi's picture was posted on news and the internet, destroying her privacy. Yuki couldn't believe that the media had turned against her instead of Nana, and Megumi was simply caught up as collateral damage. She felt responsible for the situation. She told Megumi to trust her relationship with her, and now she felt like she had let her down. Yuki wanted to go to Megumi and comfort her, but she couldn't bring herself to face her. Instead, she locked herself in her apartment, trying to process everything that had happened.
Shizuka saw Yuki on the couch nearly catatonic and brought her water.
"I'm sorry this happened," Shizuka said, gently holding the cup of water for Yuki. "I know you're hurting, but you have to remember that you're not the only one affected by this. Megumi is suffering too."
Yuki looked up at Shizuka, tears streaming down her face. "I know. I want to go to her, but I can't. I hurt her too much."
Shizuka placed a hand on Yuki's shoulder. "I don't know how we're getting out of this one, but you can't let Nana beat you like this."
"I know, but it feels like there's no way out. Everyone's looking at me like I'm some kind of pervert."
"I don't think you're a pervert, Yuki. I think you're a loyal friend who just got caught up in something you didn't fully understand. Let me help you figure out how to handle this."
Yuki looked at Shizuka, grateful for her support. "I appreciate it, Shizuka. I just don't know how to make this go away."
Shizuka was at a loss. She had no answers to give, nor any solutions to make the problem go away. She got up and looked out the window of their apartment and was glad that nobody was staking it out, but she knew she still had to be careful. It irritated her that she wasn't safe in her own home anymore. Not even Arisa knew what to do about this. 
The only thing she could do was stay with her best friend and keep her out of trouble.
----
Across town, Megumi shut herself in her apartment. She called in sick for work, but the coffee shop owner understood the real reason and told her to take the rest of the week off. She spent the day in her apartment, avoiding everyone, feeling hurt and confused. She had no idea how a video of her intimate moment with Yuki was taken and felt unsafe even in her own bedroom. As she lay in bed, feeling defeated and alone, she heard a knock on the door. She got up and opened it to find Erika standing outside, looking apologetic.
"Megumi, I'm so sorry about this," Erika said, her eyes filled with tears. "Who could have known this could happen?"
"I don't know, Erika. I just hope that it doesn't affect my career."
Erika hugged Megumi, holding her tightly. "I understand you don't want to see anyone. I tried calling you several times, but you never picked up. I just thought you needed a friend now."
Megumi started crying in her friend's arms. "It's not just you. My parents tried calling me for hours. Everyone tried calling at least once. I can't face anyone. I don't even know where to begin."
Erika wiped away her tears. "I know it's tough, but you can't let this affect your life. You're a strong and capable woman, Megumi. You can handle this."
Megumi nodded, still sniffling. "I know, but it's hard to be strong when everyone's looking at me like I'm some kind of criminal."
Erika hugged her friend even tighter. "But you're not a criminal, Megumi. You're a good person. You didn't make a mistake. Yuki didn't make a mistake, either. Everything happened was out of your control."
"I just wish I could talk to someone about this. It's so confusing and I don't know what to do."
"I know, Megumi. But you have me, and Yuki, and even Shizuka. We're your friends and we'll be here for you. You don't have to face this alone."
Megumi wiped away her tears and smiled weakly. "Thank you, Erika. I know you're right. I just don't know how to deal with this."
----
Kanna entered the office of her information broker husband, Shion, anger filled in her eyes. She stood back and let Shizuka and Yuki handle the first salvo launched by Nana, but the second one, the 'sex tape' as the media dubbed it, crossed a line that Kanna knew required retribution. She could not stand by and let some washed-up idol drag her friends through the mud.
"We need to do something about this," she said, sitting on her husband's desk. "This brat went too far this time."
Shion, for his part, remained calm as he continued to watch his multiple monitors. He was not ignoring his wife as he was listening to her intently, but he was also analyzing the data running across his screens which was equally important.
"I've already taken care of it," he said calmly, not turning his head. "I have a contact who can handle the situation."
Kanna narrowed her eyes, not fully convinced. "I don't mean your usual 'take care of it' package, dear. I want you to make Nana disappear."
Shion's eyes flickered over to his wife. He fully understood the meaning of her words and it was cause for concern. "What do you mean?" he asked her to clarify, keeping his voice steady.
The lady of the house leaned in closer to him, her displeasure readily apparent. "I mean you have to make sure that Nana disappears from the public eye. You need to make sure that she doesn't have any contact with anyone, or any kind of media attention. She must vanish off the face of the earth so nobody would ever talk about her again."
Her husband nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll take care of it. I have a plan in mind."
Kanna let out a small sigh of relief. "You don't need to bother me with the details. I know it's better that I don't know. It's just... this Nana is a cockroach and she needs to be taken care of in a more permanent fashion." 
Shion nodded again, his mind already working on the plan. "I'll make sure Nana never comes back." 
"Sometimes you're real scary," she muttered, awed by her husband's brutal efficiency.
Her husband gave a hearty laugh. "I try my best, dear."
As much as Kanna wished she knew what he was planning to do, she knew it was for the best that her fingerprints remained absent on whatever fate befell Nana. While it would have been satisfying to let Nana know who was bringing about her downfall, there were two problems with it: one, Nana had no idea who Kanna was and her relationship in the whole affair, and two, it could land Kanna herself in legal trouble, and she had much more to lose than a desperate, washed-up idol. Shion, when carrying out requests such as these, made it a rule to never let his targets know who hit them to make their retributive options impossible. It may not be personally satisfying, but it was cold, ruthless, and efficient.
Kanna looked at her husband's monitors again, her eyes scanning the data. "What are you watching?" she asked, curious.
Shion turned his attention back to the screens. "Just watching a few things," he replied, keeping his gaze focused on the data. "Just making sure everything is running smoothly."
"You're always watching something, aren't you?"
He smiled wryly. "I know everything. That makes me untouchable and secures our future. For our son and any future kids we have." 
Kanna couldn't help but admire her husband's dedication to their family. "I just wish you could turn that off sometimes," she said softly.
"Oh, do you want to go to bed now?" he asked coyly. 
"No, I don't want to go to bed. Not until Nana is taken care of at least. I don't think I can sleep soundly knowing she's out there causing chaos in my city."
Shion perked up at the thought. "Well now, that sounds like incentive. Don't worry about a thing."
The idea of having another episode in bed for motivation both excited Kanna and made her very worried.
----
The next morning, Kanna was awakened by the sound of a loud knock on her door. She groggily got up, her eyes bleary with sleep when it opened. Erika, her maid, was standing there with a tray of breakfast. 
"Good morning, Lady Kanna," she said cheerfully. "Breakfast is ready."
Kanna looked at Erika. "Why am I getting breakfast in bed?" she asked, stiffling a yawn.
The young maid smiled. "Oh, your husband ordered me to do it. I was only so happy to."
Kanna raised an eyebrow. This was his way of telling her that he was done, but she wasn't going to find out what happened while she was still in bed. She took the tray from Erika and sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes as she tried to shake off the sleep. "Thank you, Erika," she said, taking a sip of her coffee.
With that, Erika bowed politely. "Of course, Lady Kanna. Anything for you, my lady."
Kanna took a sip of coffee and looked out the window. Shion was very mild-mannered and ordinary, and didn't stand out in any way. That unassuming appearance only served to make him extremely dangerous. She met him during childhood and they built a strong rapport with each other despite coming from different backgrounds. Kanna's wealth served to make Shion very powerful and she was glad to have someone like him on her side. 
Her thoughts drifted to her husband's plan. She couldn't help but wonder what he was going to do to Nana. Was he going to kill her? Was he going to make her disappear? She shuddered at the thought, but pushed it aside. She knew that Shion was a man of his word. He would never resort to violence unless it was absolutely necessary. She also knew that Nana was dangerous and that she would never stop until she was taken care of.
----
Nana woke up that morning feeling better than she ever felt in years. She had slept soundly and woke up refreshed. She stretched her limbs and walked around her apartment, enjoying the feeling of being alive. She loved that the world was talking about her again.
Yuki and Shizuka were very slippery characters, she knew. She was disappointed that she could not sink Shizuka's reputation so easily, but Yuki, being an open lesbian, was easier to tear down. As much as Japanese media loved to throw lesbians at horny otaku the conservatives in power hated their visbility. Nana smiled to herself, knowing that she could always find a way to get back at her ex-girlfriend. 
Her agent had been upset with her, of course. Nana didn't care what he thought because she had plenty of agents before him, and would likely have plenty more after that. She bought their loyalty by sleeping with them, and they always kept her trysts secret in fear of being destroyed themselves. 
As Nana got ready for work, she couldn't help but smile to herself. She knew that this would be the day that she would get back at Yuki. She would know the pain and humiliation she felt when she dumped her, and then Yuki would be rock bottom in her career, too. She hoped Yuki would be committed to a mental hospital like Nana was, and learn what it was like to have her rights taken away from her.
Ultimately, Nana hated seeing Yuki so successful when her own idol career was careening at the bottom of a canyon. She couldn't help but envy Yuki's ability to rise above the mundane and become a successful photographer. Nana felt like she was stuck in a rut, and she needed to do something to get out of it. The attention she was getting from the media over the scandal was only a stepping stone to her meteoric rise back to the top. After all, she was the star idol singer Nana and she was teflon compared to those lowly peasants. Controversy and criticism were her bread and butter and attention only made her stronger.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Nana opened the door to see an ordinary, boring deliveryman, offering her a large box in his arms. 
"Package," the bored deliveryman said.
Nana looked at the package, scrutinizing it suspiciously. "I wasn't expecting a package," she claimed.
The deliveryman shrugged. "It is this address, isn't it?"
Nana checked the address label. Sure enough it was addressed to her apartment, and the name was the same one she used for personal orders. She signed for the package, thanked the deliveryman, and closed the door, feeling uneasy about the mysterious package. She decided to open the package anyway, knowing that it couldn't possibly be an explosive or anything of the sort since the delivery company would have long since disposed of it before it got to her door. She set the package down on the kitchen table. Nana picked up a pair of scissors and carefully cut open the box.
Inside the box was a stack of four boxes of chocolates. Nana was disappointed, thinking the package was something a little more interesting than chocolates as she pulled the top box out. She opened it to find a set of chocolate cigars. She picked one up and scrutinized it for a moment, wondering what the purpose was before sticking it in her mouth.
The first bite gave her all the answers she needed. The cigar was actually hiding illegal drugs. More specifically, it was the most illegal drug in all Japan.
Nana's eyes widened in shock as she realized what she had just consumed. She quickly grabbed the rest of the cigars and stuffed them into her pocket, hoping to avoid being caught. She knew that she had to be careful with what she ingested, as her body was still healing from her recent overdose. She couldn't risk getting sick again. She quickly grabbed a glass and filled it with water, hoping to wash away any traces of the drugs from her system. 
She checked the other boxes and found similar sets of cigars. Nana was infuriated. How dare someone try to frame her like that? What kind of a person would do such a thing? Nana had to get revenge. She couldn't just let someone try to ruin her life like that. She had to figure out a way to stop them. 
Nana quickly packed the remaining boxes of chocolates into her bag, and rushed out the door. She had to come up with a plan to stop the people who had done this from ruining her life. She had to stop the media from reporting on the story. She knew this was something that could ruin her for life.
She quickly hailed a cab and gave the cabbie the address of the office of her agent. 
"Are you sure this is where you want to go?" the cabbie asked.
Nana nodded her head excitedly. "Yes, yes! This is where I want to go! Please hurry!"
The cab driver gave Nana a disapproving look before shrugging and speeding away.
The office building was tall and gray. Nana paid the cab fare and rushed inside.
The elevator ride up to the office was quick. As soon as the doors opened, Nana rushed out into the hallway and made her way to the agent's office. She checked her appearance in the mirror before heading to the agency's reception desk. 
The receptionist greeted her with a warm smile. "Hello, Nana! How can I assist you today?" 
Nana's heart raced as she tried to come up with a convincing excuse for being there. She had to act fast before the receptionist started asking questions. "I'm here to see my agent."
The receptionist gave her a weird look. "He's on a call right now."
"This is an emergency!" Nana seethed. "Please, I need to speak with him urgently." 
The receptionist hesitated for a moment before nodding and gesturing towards the door. "Please make yourself comfortable and he'll be with you shortly."
Nana nodded gratefully and made her way to a nearby couch. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. Her agent was the only one she could trust now that she burned her bridges with everyone else, and it's likely she'd burn the bridge for this agent with this incident as well, but she didn't care. She realized that she needed to come up with a plan fast. She couldn't let anyone find out about the chocolate cigars. She had to keep them hidden until she had a chance to get rid of them. 
The wait seemed to take forever, but the receptionist finally announced, "Your agent will see you now." 
Nana stood up and made her way towards the door. As she approached, she could see her agent sitting behind his desk, looking rather annoyed. 
"What do you want?" he asked curtly.
Nana responded by dropping the chocolate cigars on the agent's desk. "I need you to help me get rid of these," she demanded.
The agent looked at her with skepticism. "What did you do this time?" he asked.
She hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell him the truth. "I'm not sure what happened, but someone has been sabotaging my life and I need your help to stop them."
The agent raised an eyebrow. "Sabotage? What kind of sabotage?"
"It's complicated," she answered cryptically. "But I need you to help me figure it out. I need your help to find out who is behind it all."
"So what does that have to do with chocolate cigars?" The agent's tone was skeptical. 
Nana felt disappointment when she realized her plan was falling apart. She needed to come up with a new plan fast. "It's not just about the cigars." She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I need your help to find out who's behind it all. I know it's dangerous, but I'm willing to take the risk if it means saving my life." 
The agent looked at one of the chocolate cigars, picking it up and holding it to the light. He decided to snap it in half, and its contents emptied on his desk. The agent's face turned white.
"Nana, what did you do?" he managed to squeak out.
Nana took a step back, her eyes wide with fear. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said quickly. "I swear I don't know anything about those cigars."
"We could go to prison just for having these!" he screamed, clearly in a panic. 
Nana felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. She knew she had to come up with a way to save herself before it was too late. She knew her agent wasn't going to save her at the expense of himself. 
"Look, I understand your concern," she said, trying to sound sincere. "But I'm not the one who did this. I don't know anything about the cigars or why they were tampered with. I need your help to figure it out and stop whoever's behind it all." 
The agent looked at her for a moment, considering her words. "Alright," he said finally. "But if you're not willing to help me, I can't help you. I have to think about my own safety first." 
Nana nodded, glad that he changed his mind. "I understand," she said. "I just need your help to figure out who's behind it all. I can't do this alone." She took a step closer to him, her eyes locked onto his. "Please, I need your help." 
The agent sighed heavily, knowing that he had no choice but to help Nana. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples. "Alright," he said. "I'll do what I can to help you. But I want you to know that I'm not happy about this. I'm not comfortable with the idea of... well, recreational cigars." He glanced at the broken cigar on his desk, then looked back at Nana. "But I'll do what I can to help you. We'll just have to be careful." 
Nana smiled gratefully, feeling relieved. It was the first time in her career as an idol singer she felt like she could lose everything, including the shirt off her back. She knew she had to trust her agent and figure out a way to get out of the mess.
----
To her great misfortune, Nana was careless when handing the chocolate cigars. The one cigar she had bitten into had leaked a trail of the drugs behind her, leaving a conspicuous trail for anyone at her apartment to trace the illegal drugs back to her room. Another resident alerted the apartment owners, and the owners in turn alerted the police, who verified the nature of the illegal drugs and started a manhunt for Nana.
It was not long before they cornered her at the agent's office, and the agent immediately turned on Nana to save himself, much to Nana's chagrin. As the police handcuffed Nana, she could feel the panic rising within her. She had never been caught before, and the thought of being in handcuffs was terrifying. The agent looked at her with a mix of disgust and fear, as if he was already regretting his decision to help her. 
Nana knew she had to come up with a plan quickly if she wanted to survive. She looked around the office, searching for any possible way out. She noticed a window on the far side of the room and saw a small balcony outside. 
Against her better judgement, and, as Nana no longer cared, her fear of being a caged animal overtaking her, she bolted for the window, the police surprised at her sudden resistance.
"I was framed!" Nana screamed as she ran for the window.
She imagined herself breaking through the glass, breaking the handcuffs behind her, and flying away to freedom, away from the police, away from her sniveling, cowardly agent, and away from the troubles she had. And she would fly off into the blue skies and find the ones who sent her the illegal drugs in those chocolate cigars, and make them pay.
But reality had a way of disappointing her time and again. The police managed to tackle her to the ground before she made it anywhere near the window. As she lay on the ground, handcuffed and terrified, Nana could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She looked up at the police officer who had tackled her, his face twisted in anger. 
"You idiot!" she screamed, "I'm innocent! I've been framed! You got the wrong girl!" 
The police officer ignored her protests, and instead began to search her belongings. Nana felt her stomach knotting up as she realized that she was going to be taken to jail. She cursed herself for letting her fear and desperation get the best of her.
----
Later that afternoon the news revealed that Nana was arrested for possession of illegal drugs. The media had a field day with Nana's sudden return to prominence and her equally sudden fall from grace, perhaps for the last time. The punishment for possession of the drugs carried a hefty fine and a long prison sentence, which meant her days as an idol singer were over.
Yuki, Shizuka, Arisa, Megumi, Erika, and Kanna all sat in front of their own televisions, shocked that something like this could happen. While Yuki and Megumi were not quite free of Nana's reign of terror the speed of which the media and the internet mob turned away from them gave them some measure of comfort.
Shion ignored the news, as it was simply business as usual to him. Of the wrinkle of who ordered the delivery of the drugs to Nana's apartment he quietly arranged to have the order placed on Nana's own phone, with all evidence pointing to her having made the order with no one being the wiser. Of course, a competent defense attorney could bring up that her phone was cloned and the order made in that manner, but it was unlikely to get her off when the city had ruthless prosecutors in charge. That Nana had the drugs in her system was simply a bonus. To the rest of the world, a shadowy information broker and his web of reach had nothing to do with the fall of the idol singer Nana, and that's the way he liked it.
Yuki and Shizuka sat in their apartment, taking in the news. Neither one of them had any idea what happened.
"This is so strange," was all Yuki could say.
"I can't say I'm surprised," Shizuka added.
The two were simply numb to the news. They knew Nana and the depths of her cruelty, but they took no pleasure in seeing her fall like this. Instead, they felt a mix of emotions. One part was sadness that Nana had let herself go so far. The other part was anger towards Nana for what she had done to Yuki and others. The third part was a feeling of relief that they were no longer in Nana's orbit. 
While they continued to sit in silence, Yuki picked up her phone and dialed Megumi's number. She didn't know what to say, but she needed to let her girlfriend know that she was okay. After a few rings, Megumi picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me." Yuki's voice was shaky. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm okay."
"That's good to hear," Megumi replied. "I saw the news."
"I did, too."
"About Nana, I mean. I... don't know how I feel."
Yuki sighed. "I don't know, either."
"I'm just glad you're okay," Megumi said. "And I'm glad we're not in the middle of all this anymore."
"Me too. It's a lot to handle."
"I know, but we'll be okay. We just have to take it one day at a time."
"That's right. One day at a time."
The two continued to chat for a while longer, but eventually Yuki hung up the phone and turned to Shizuka. "I just can't believe it," she said, shaking her head. "Nana was so cruel to me and others, but I never thought she'd go that far."
Shizuka put a hand on Yuki's shoulder. "We know she was unstable, but that doesn't excuse her behavior. And now she's gone."
"Yeah, and it's just...weird. I can't believe it's over. It was all so sudden. Everything happened without us doing a thing."
Shizuka looked at Yuki with concern. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"I don't know," she admitted. "There was a time when I thought she was the love of my life. I even chose her over you. There must have been something good in Nana that I would do that."
Shizuka reached out to take Yuki's hand. "We'll always be your friends, no matter what," she said firmly.
Yuki smiled at her. "Thanks, Shizuka. I appreciate it."
Shizuka squeezed Yuki's hand. "Let's focus on getting through this and moving forward. We have each other and that's all that matters."
"That's right. We have each other and that's all we need." 
----
The next few weeks were a blur of emotions for Yuki. She grieved for Nana, but also for her lost friendships with other members of the fashion world who turned their backs on her because of Nana's video. She felt betrayed and hurt, but through the experience she found which of her friends and colleagues would stick with her to the end. That was a silver lining she wanted to believe in. 
As for Shizuka, she continued to support Yuki through this difficult time, offering words of comfort and encouragement. But Yuki could tell that Shizuka was also processing her own feelings about Nana's actions. Shizuka didn't say anything, but Yuki knew she had nothing but scorn for all the trouble Nana caused her and everyone around her.
Yuki declined to testify at Nana's trial, wanting to get past the horrible sequence of events. The prosecutor sympathized with her and assured her that Nana would be put away even without her testimony. Yuki knew that her testimony would only add fuel to the fire, and she didn't want to give Nana the satisfaction of knowing that she had hurt her again. She also didn't want to relive the experience of being humiliated in front of her friends and colleagues. The only thing she wanted Nana to know was she no longer gave her any thought. Yuki didn't want to feel like she was carrying around the weight of Nana's actions for the rest of her life. She wanted to move on, to heal from the wounds she had suffered.
As it was for almost every trial in the country, Nana was found guilty of illegal possession of drugs in an open-and-shut case. The case almost entirely relied on the drugs themselves without the prosecutors bringing in character witnesses, having cut a deal with the deliveryman, the cabbie, and Nana's former agent to testify against her. Nana's attorney mounted a feeble, token attempt to suggest Nana was set up, which the judge dismissed out of hand for lack of evidence. Unlike the anime stories there was no miracle to save her from her fate.
Nana's sentence carried a possible maximum of twenty years, but Yuki doubted she would stay there that long. She at least had the solace to know that Nana would be out of her life for the foreseeable future.
Yuki couldn't help but wonder if she could have turned Nana's life for the better. She knew she was the only one Nana proposed to, and perhaps it was just a publicity stunt, but the gesture still meant something to Yuki. She knew that Nana was just a girl with a troubled past, but she had also been someone Yuki cared about deeply. As she thought about all of this, she realized that it was time to move on. She knew that she needed to focus on her own life and not let Nana's actions define her.
It was the thought of letting Nana go when Yuki had an epiphany. She had given up her life with Shizuka for Nana, and felt it was a huge mistake after their breakup. She wondered if that was what was holding her back from moving her relationship with Megumi forward. She knew that she had to take a step back and assess her life. She needed to find the courage to move forward and take risks, to be open to new experiences and relationships. Yuki realized that she needed to let go of Nana and let her go without holding onto her. She needed to focus on her own life and her own happiness.
It was with this thought in mind Yuki decided to make the biggest decision of her life.
----
Yuki and Shizuka celebrated the new year in their apartment, wearing elegant kimonos they owned for such occasions. This year they invited Megumi and Erika to their apartment, along with Arisa, Kanna, and Shion. Of their circle of friends both Kanna and Shion declined, having their own new year traditions at their mansion, and wanting to share it with their young son. Yuki and Shizuka were content to spend the evening with their closest friends, drinking tea and laughing over old memories.
Late in the night Yuki and Shizuka shared a quiet moment in Yuki's room as the others were still in the living room. They sat by the window and looked out at the stars, thankful for the time they spent together.
"I'm very happy," Yuki said wistfully. "I wish this could go on forever."
"Yeah," Shizuka agreed. "But, I guess nothing goes on forever, does it?"
Yuki looked at Shizuka with surprise. "Oh, how did you....?"
"I know you've been mulling over it for weeks," Shizuka answered. "I figured I should bring it up."
Yuki nodded. "I guess I just never found the right words to express it."
Shizuka wrapped her arm around Yuki's shoulders. "Yuki, you will always be my best friend. The five years we've lived together under the same roof are times I wouldn't trade for the world." She sighed deeply, as if hesitating to put her thoughts to words. "But I also know that we have different goals in life. You want to be a photographer, while I want to be a fashion model. And while I understand your desire to pursue that dream, I also want you to be happy and fulfilled." 
Yuki looked at Shizuka, her eyes shining with tears. "You're right," she said softly. "I don't want to hold you back. But I also don't want to lose you."
Shizuka smiled at Yuki. "I know it's hard to let go of something you've been holding onto for so long, but I want you to be happy too. And it's not like we'll never see each other again. It's just... well, I guess we can't make breakfast for each other anymore." Shizuka's smile faded slightly as she looked down at her lap. 
Yuki reached out and gently pulled Shizuka's hair aside. "I know it's a little weird." 
Shizuka looked up at Yuki, her eyes meeting hers. "I'm not good at this touchy-feely stuff." 
Yuki laughed softly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "It must be why I like you so much. You are so honest to a fault."
Shizuka's cheeks flushed slightly, but she managed a small smile. "I'm glad you like me, Yuki. But I don't want to be a burden to you. I want to be your friend, not your girlfriend."
Yuki's heart throbbed with anticipation. She knew this time was coming, and she felt she was a coward for letting Shizuka shoulder the burden, but she knew this was just as much her right as well. Yuki had been thinking about this moment for a long time, and it was only by letting Nana go that she could be free to be with the one she loved.
Shizuka held Yuki's hands gently. "I want you to marry Megumi," she said, as straight as possible. 
Yuki's eyes bust into tears. "Shizuka... I... this is so wrong! I can't believe you just said that for me." 
Shizuka held Yuki tightly, her arms wrapped around her friend. "Everyone knows," she stated, similarly as even as the last one. "I'm just trying to be honest with you, Yuki. I know we both want different things, but we're also both committed to being friends. And who knows? Maybe someday we'll find something else that brings us both happiness." 
Yuki pulled back and looked at Shizuka, her eyes shining with tears. "I don't know if I'm ready for that, Shizuka. But I do know that I love you, and I will always be here for you." She smiled through her tears, her heart overflowing with emotion. 
"Go to Megumi," Shizuka directed her. "Make her happy." She quietly pressed a small jewelry box into Yuki's hand. "This is for you," she said softly. 
Yuki looked at the jewelry box and the ring inside, her emotions a mix of confusion. "Shizuka, you realize I'm supposed to give Megumi a ring, not you give me a ring to give her...?"
Shizuka merely shrugged. "Well, it's not like you got a ring, did you?" she said with a small smile. 
Yuki chuckled softly, shaking her head. "No, I guess I didn't. But I appreciate the thought behind it, Shizuka." She took a deep breath and looked up at Shizuka, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I just don't know if I'm ready for marriage, Shizuka. I'm not sure if I can give Megumi what she needs from me."
"I know it can be scary to take that step, Yuki. But you have to decide what's best for you and Megumi. And remember, I'll always be here for you, no matter what." She gave Yuki's hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it. "For now, go to Megumi and make her happy."
Yuki nodded, wiping away her tears. "I will, Shizuka. Thank you for everything. I love you. I'll be back soon."
Yuki stood up and exited her room, back to the noise of the living room. Shizuka watched her go to Megumi and whisper something in her ear, and the two of them went outside the front door. 
Shizuka left Yuki's bedroom and back to the living room, where Arisa and Erika sat at the table, confused at what was going on. 
"What happened?" Arisa asked.
Shizuka shook her head. "Nothing, just a friend's wedding."
Erika's eyes lit up. Her excitement was boiling over. "Oh, are you serious?!" she exclaimed.
Erika could not contain herself and squealed in excitement, running to the window to get a peak of Yuki and Megumi's moment of privacy. Arisa merely shrugged at Shizuka, then got up from  her seat to join her. The two of them made their way over to the window, peeking through the curtains to catch a glimpse of Yuki and Megumi's happy faces.
----
Yuki and Megumi stood outside, arm in arm, their faces lit with a radiant smile. The moon hovered above them like a picturesque backdrop in the night sky as they gazed into each other's eyes with love and affection.
Yuki had pocketed the ring Shizuka gave her, anticipating the moment she had been waiting for ever since she started dating Megumi.
"Megumi," Yuki whispered. "You make me so happy. I can't imagine my life without you."
Megumi's eyes sparkled with emotion. "You make me happy too, Yuki. I love you more than anything in the world."
Yuki took a deep breath and got down on one knee, pulling out the ring from her pocket. "Megumi, will you marry me?" 
Megumi's eyes widened in surprise as she saw the ring. She covered her mouth with her hand, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes, Yuki. I will marry you," she said, her voice choked with emotion.
Yuki slipped the ring onto Megumi's finger, her heart swelling with joy. Megumi threw her arms around Yuki's neck, pulling her into a deep and passionate kiss. They held each other tightly, reveling in the moment and feeling their love grow stronger with each passing second.
After a few moments, they broke apart, still smiling from ear to ear. Megumi looked at the ring on her finger, marveling at its beauty. "It's perfect." 
Yuki beamed with happiness. "I'm glad you like it." 
The couple heard a loud thump and turned their heads toward the apartment's living room window, only to see Erika and Arisa fallen over. Yuki and Megumi couldn't help but laugh at the sight. They knew their friends were probably spying on them, but they didn't mind. They walked back inside, holding hands, and found Erika and Arisa on the floor, giggling.
"I see you guys had a good view," Yuki teased, grinning from ear to ear. 
Erika blushed and got up from the floor, brushing off her yukata. "Congratulations, Yuki! I'm so happy for you both!" she exclaimed, beaming with excitement.
Arisa stood up as well, straightening out her yukata. "Yes, congratulations."
Yuki turned to look at Shizuka, who was standing in the kitchen with her arms folded and a slight grin on her face. She quietly gave a thumbs up and Yuki did the same. Yuki couldn't help but smile, feeling grateful for her friends and their unwavering support. 
"Thanks, guys," she said. "I couldn't have done it without you."
----
The next morning, Yuki woke up to the sound of a knock on her door. She got out of bed and walked over to answer it, her heart racing with anticipation. She opened the door to find Shizuka standing there, looking stunning in a traditional kimono.
"Good morning, Yuki," she said with a smile. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
Yuki shook her head, a smile spreading across her face. "Not at all, Shizuka. Come in."
Shizuka stepped inside the bedroom and faced Yuki. "I wanted to talk to you about something important," she said, her eyes searching Yuki's face for any sign of hesitation or discomfort. 
Yuki nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. 
"We need to decide on our living arrangements," Shizuka announced. I know now with your engagement you're likely to move out and live with Megumi, but I can't see myself getting another roommate."
Yuki's heart sank at the thought of having to leave her apartment, but she knew Shizuka was right. She had been thinking about it for a while and had come to the conclusion that it was best to move out. "I understand," Yuki said, trying to keep her voice steady. "But I don't understand what getting a new roommate has anything to do with anything."
Shizuka placed a hand on Yuki's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I first got this place when I first came to Tokyo. Sure, it wasn't ideal to live in a two bedroom apartment by myself with irregular income, but it felt right for me. It was like I was keeping a space open for a friend that wasn't coming. That is, until you came along." 
Yuki looked at Shizuka with surprise. She never talked about this before.
"We've been friends for five years and roommates for nearly as long," Shizuka added. "And when you move out, the only thing I would think about when I see your empty room is you not being there."
Yuki smiled softly, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "I know you'll miss me, but I'll still be here for you," she said, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity.
"I know, but I don't want to live like that. That's why, when you move out, I want to move out, too."
Yuki nodded, understanding Shizuka's reasoning. "So, in the end, you think we're both leaving this apartment?"
Shizuka nodded.
Yuki looked around the apartment. It was not her apartment originally, but she made a lot of memories there. A part of her didn't want to let it go. But... maybe they didn't need to. Maybe there was another way.
"Shizuka, I have an idea," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Why don't we take over your apartment? Instead of moving out to live with Megumi, maybe she should move in here." 
Shizuka looked at Yuki in surprise. "What? No, I can't do that," she said, shaking her head.
"No, you don't understand," she said, shaking her head. "I mean, instead of me moving out, you can move out and Megumi can have your room." 
Shizuka looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "That could work."
Yuki beamed at her, feeling relieved that they didn't have to leave the apartment after all. "We should ask Megumi first before we make any final decisions, but I'm sure she'll agree. After all, her apartment is small and in a dirtier part of town." 
Shizuka nodded in agreement. "That's a good point. And this apartment is really nice, it would be a great upgrade for her." 
Yuki smiled, feeling happy that they had found a solution that worked for everyone. "Plus, we've already made so many memories here. I don't think I'm ready to leave just yet." 
Shizuka smiled back at Yuki, feeling happy for her friend. "Me neither," she said.
----
Shizuka was happy for Yuki and Megumi, but she wanted some time away from them. She made her way to Kanna's mansion, and was greeted by the door by Erika, who brought her to Kanna. The two sat down in the den and discussed things over tea.
"I see you're taking my offer to live here seriously," Kanna said. "I know I said it was an open offer, and it still is, but I'm not sure why you're considering this now."
Shizuka took a sip of her tea, considering her answer. "I've been thinking about it," she said, her eyes meeting Kanna's. "As much as I would like to stay with Yuki forever, I can't bring myself to do that with Megumi around. I need to give them space to develop their own relationship naturally. Without me." 
Kanna nodded understandingly, her eyes softening. "I see," she said. "But I can't help but wonder something. You were the one that pushed for Yuki to propose. You were the one who offered to move out. Don't you think you're having a martyr complex?" 
Shizuka shook her head. "No, I don't think I am," she said, her eyes meeting Kanna's. "I just want to make sure that Yuki and Megumi can be happy."
"But what about you?" Kanna asked, concern etched on her face. "You've always been there for Yuki. Don't you want to be happy too?" 
"I do," she answered. "But I can't force someone else to be happy, and I don't want to be a burden on Yuki. I just want to be there for her and support her as a friend, and I don't have to live with her to do that."
"Shizuka, dear... please listen to me carefully. You're the one foremost in Yuki's heart and mind. Megumi can't serve as your replacement no matter how much you think it's the case." 
Shizuka looked down at her tea, her cheeks coloring slightly. "I know," she said softly.
Kanna placed a comforting hand on Shizuka's arm. "I guarantee Yuki won't be happy if you cut yourself out of her life. I know you already know that. But you need to listen to yourself, Shizuka. You're not just a friend to Yuki, you're her soulmate. And that's something that can't be replaced by anyone else. You're the one she trusts and loves the most." She paused for a moment, trying to gather the right words. "Relationships... aren't all about sex. I know it seems backward in this world where love and marriage are bandied around as being the most important things, but a good, deep, platonic relationship is just as powerful. Maybe it's of equal importance. It is not a lesser relationship simply because you don't sleep with her; it just means it's different." She sighed, taking in a deep breath. "Shizuka, you aren't any lesser for being who you are. So what if you don't want sex? So what if it's not romantic? That doesn't make you broken or less human. You're still the same person, and Yuki loves you for who you are. And that's all that matters."  
Shizuka looked up at Kanna. "You really are like a sister." 
Kanna smiled softly. "If you feel like you need to move out, I understand. But please don't do it just for Yuki. You deserve to be happy too."
Shizuka remained silent. She finished her tea and stood up to leave. "I have a lot to think about. Thank you for the tea, Kanna." 
She quietly closed the door behind her, and turned to see Erika was still at attendance. Her usual cheerful demeanor was subdued. She looked at Shizuka with a mix of sadness and concern. "Is everything okay, Shizuka?" Erika asked softly. 
"It's nothing important." 
She started walking toward the exit, with Erika trailing behind. Shizuka took large strides and the maid rushed to try and keep up with her, her hands folded in front of her. Shizuka's mind was a whirl of emotions. She understood everything Kanna said on an academic level. She knew how important her friendship with Yuki was, but she never truly understood why Yuki called her her soulmate. She didn't know what it meant to Yuki because it didn't mean anything to her.
When the two reached the entrance, Shizuka turned around and faced Erika. "Erika, what do you think about the idea of us living together?" she asked suddenly.
The maid was taken aback by the seemingly random question. "I...I don't know, Shizuka. I don't understand."
"What if I moved out of my apartment and moved in to the mansion?" she clarified. 
"I... uh, I don't know," Erika admitted. "What about Yuki?"
"Yuki will have Megumi." Shizuka's eyes flickered with uncertainty. "It's better for everyone if I leave them alone." 
Erika opened her mouth to object, but stopped herself. She looked down at the ground and dug into the floor with her shoe nervously. "Oh, yeah, I get that. Megumi is my best friend, but I wouldn't want to, either." She looked back up at Shizuka. "I wouldn't mind seeing you around here more often. It's not like you don't come around all the time already, you know.  Maybe we could hang out more?" 
Shizuka smiled gently and ruffled Erika's lilac hair.  "Well, aren't you precious?"
"Hey, stop that," Erika protested lightly, although she clearly enjoyed the attention.
Shizuka laughed and turned away. "We'll see what happens. Have a good day, Erika." 
"You too, Shizuka," Erika said cheerfully. 
Shizuka walked out the door, and left Erika standing alone in the entryway.
----
Over the next several weeks Shizuka fully committed herself to her work. She spent less time at the apartment and more at her jobs, whether it be fashion shoots, movie sets, or recording studios. 
Yuki was worried that her friend was avoiding her as she only saw her briefly in the mornings and late at night, and almost never at their Moon River office even though she shared it with her friend. She brought up her concerns with Arisa, but Arisa advised her to give Shizuka some space to sort out her emotions. Yuki had a feeling she knew what was eating at Shizuka because she felt the same thing, but she was at a loss at how she could fix everything. As much as she wanted to marry Megumi and live happily ever after, a part of Yuki wished everything could just go back to the way it was before she proposed. 
She could not deny that the entire situation happened with Shizuka's orchestration. Yuki had never seen her best friend act so self-destructive before and it worried her. She knew that Shizuka was always busy with work and her personal life, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more going on. 
Late one night, Yuki was about to go to bed until she noticed Shizuka's phone was left on the coffee table. She picked it up and studied it curiously, wondering if she could unlock the phone and invade her friend's privacy to find out what was going on. She hesitated, realizing that she had no right to invade Shizuka's privacy without her permission. She decided to leave it be and go to bed instead. 
Yuki stared at the ceiling for what seemed like hours. A part of her wanted to go back and look at the phone again. But she knew that it was better to trust that Shizuka was okay and to leave her alone. She imagined that Shizuka would tell her, in her quiet, reserved way, that she was just processing everything and needed time to figure things out. Yuki closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
The situation continued for several more days until one morning Yuki woke up and found Shizuka in the kitchen making her breakfast. Yuki felt a mix of emotions as she watched her friend making breakfast, admiring her beauty and the care she put into her appearance. She knew that Shizuka was the only person who could truly understand her, but she was also nervous about what she would find out. 
Yuki decided to take a page from Shizuka and get directly to the heart of the issue. "So, I guess you decided to stop avoiding me?" 
Shizuka looked up from the stove and gave Yuki a small smile. "Yes, I did. I just needed some time to think about everything."
Yuki nodded, feeling relieved that Shizuka was finally talking to her. She sat down at the table and watched as Shizuka cooked, her eyes focused on the task at hand. The aroma of the food filled the air, making Yuki's mouth water. She waited quietly until Shizuka finished, placing two plates and bringing them over to the table. Shizuka poured herself tea and Yuki helped herself to coffee. The two sat down and ate quietly.
Yuki put down her utensils and watched Shizuka eat, propping her head with her arm and a small smile on her face. It was an ordinary, mundane moment shared between the two, but Yuki wanted to cherish it all the same. The two ate in silence, each enjoying the comfort of the presence of the other. 
After they finished, Shizuka cleared the table and they went back to their respective rooms to get dressed. No words passed between them when they prepared for work, when they got on the train, or when they settled down in their office at the talent agency. Both women were just happy to be in each other's company.
Yuki glanced over at her best friend and soulmate. She knew Shizuka was going to be okay.


========================

The talk about the prosecutors and attorneys is a tongue in cheek reference to Ace Attorney.

The scene where Yuki proposed to Megumi was the original ending of the story, but I felt like going on more because that event doesn't really give Shizuka's story any sort of closure.


~ Razorclaw X