Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093075629868223/episodes/16818792437636351826
(From Kurusu’s perspective)
“Okay, let’s take a little break!”
With that, the staff members began filing off stage one after another.
After getting a quick touch-up from the makeup artist, I settled into a prepared chair to rest.
Right beside me—
“Haa… haa… My heart…!”
For some reason, I saw my junior looking like she’d just finished a full marathon, judging by her words and appearance alone.
“…Are you okay?”
“Y-yes!? I-I’m fine!”
She stuttered. Ugh, this kid is seriously cute.
(I can see why Yuzuki and Irie like her…)
It’s not just her looks, but her personality too.
Her aura feels a bit like Shiori-san’s. Refined, with a delicate fragility that seems like it might break if touched.
But, I realized while shooting together that this girl seems incredibly shy around strangers.
(Was inviting her a mistake…?)
Judging by this state, I seem to be pushing her pretty hard.
Since it was sudden and she’s not under contract, paying her in cash… well, that’s not really an option.
There’s a chance she took the job because she cares about me—or rather, about Irie.
That’s precisely why seeing Sakurazaka-san so exhausted made me feel terribly guilty.
“Don’t push yourself too hard, okay? If it’s too much, you can stop anytime—”
“N-no! I’m really fine!”
Sakurazaka-san shook her head vigorously at my concern.
Then, she fiddled with her small hands just a little…
“I’m happy… to get this kind of opportunity.”
“Did you want to be a model?”
“It’s not that I want to be a model… but rather, I want to be able to stand before people with confidence.”
Sakurazaka san smiled at me.
“I want to be like you, Kirishima-senpai.”
“Me?”
“Yes. I admire how poised you are in front of the camera… even on TV where so many people are watching. I think to myself, someday I want to be like that too.”
Modeling work isn’t just about being in front of photographers and staff.
Your image ends up in bookstores and online sites, exposed within the vast framework of the media.
When you think about it, it means being seen by far more people than just awkwardly standing on a stage.
Shyness, stage fright… it’s no exaggeration to say that’s the complete opposite of my personality.
“It’s precisely because of an opportunity like this that I want to try it. Even if it’s rough treatment or forced, often you can’t move forward without a trigger.”
…I see. That’s why you took it on.
(…That’s fine.)
I like people like that.
People who understand their flaws and refuse to give up on overcoming them.
Even if they’re strangers, I feel compelled to root for anyone putting in the effort.
“And besides—”
As I thought this, Sakurazaka-san flushed slightly, looking a bit embarrassed,
“My prince told me it’s okay to take my time, but I want to make something I can be proud of with the push he gave me.”
Yes, she said it.
Words I’d heard somewhere before, words that felt familiar.
(…I can’t believe it, but)
It’s not about him, is it…?
I don’t know if it’s because we just talked about it, but the thought suddenly crossed my mind.
“But, but I don’t plan to neglect anything else! Studying is my only strength, so I’ll work hard at that too! Otherwise, I’d feel terrible towards Irie-senpai, who’s taught me so much…”
Thud.
Deep in my chest, I felt a definite ache.
Those words, meant without any hidden meaning, pierced my heart strangely.
(…This girl)
She has a connection with Irie.
A relationship of senior and junior, where he teaches her studies.
In the confined environment of school, lasting only three years, they’ve built something solid—
(Compared to that, I…)
I can’t attend school much.
Even when I do go, we’re not in the same class, so I rarely see him.
I don’t have the framework of a childhood friend like Yuzuki, or a reliable senior like Shiori-san, or a cute junior like Sakurazaka-san.
…I don’t have any of that.
Without opportunities, it just grows fainter and fainter.
(…If)
What if work gets busier and I can’t see him as much? What would happen then?
Modeling was supposed to be about finding my prince. I don’t intend to cling to it.
But quitting my current job feels irresponsible. I can’t do that.
We exchanged contact info, but if Irie prioritizes school, we might not even exchange messages as much as before.
If that happens… if it comes to that, then maybe.
Even though I couldn’t forget him this much.
(Ah… No, this is bad.)
It’s been like this lately.
Whenever something happens, I start thinking.
About this worst-case scenario…
“Ah, Kurusu-chan! Can you spare a moment?”
Just then, my manager, Ando-san, rushed over to me.
Then, pulling a schedule book from her pocket, she said,
“We have a shoot scheduled for next week. Can you make it? I understand you’re still within your attendance limit…”
Yes, she said it.
(………………Ah)
No.
Again, steadily… I feel like I’m getting closer to the worst possible outcome I don’t even want to think about.
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