...One hour ago...
"You're saying... you want me to be your exclusive model from now on?"
Hearing this, Hoshino Ai blinked her eyes curiously.
"I know what a print model is, but what's an exclusive model?"
"It means that from the moment the contract is signed, you can no longer be a model for any other brand. You can only do promotional work for my brand, and we become partners whose fortunes are tied together."
Tetsuya explained.
"With a stricter contract, it might even interfere with your work outside of modeling. That includes your current work as an idol, and any potential acting career you might have in the future. Everything would have to be negotiated with my brand."
For a model, being an exclusive can be proof of her status and taste, but it can also become a shackle she cannot escape.
That's why it's rare in the industry for a model to truly choose to become exclusive to a single brand. After all, in the ever-changing world of fashion, such a close partnership usually has more drawbacks than benefits.
However, after listening to his explanation, Ai's face took on an expression of complete infatuation.
"...That's wonderful."
She murmured, snuggling back into his embrace.
"It's settled then, Tetsu. No contract needed. From this moment on, I'm your exclusive model!"
"W-wait, Ai! This isn't something you can just decide on a whim!"
Tetsuya quickly adjusted his posture, lest she notice the "strangeness" of his body.
"I know you'll agree, but I still need to get your agency's permission first. I'll go talk to them after the live is over, so don't be in such a hurry—"
"It's fine. They'll definitely agree."
Ai grabbed both of his hands.
"Higuchi-san always sounds cold, but she's actually always been quite indulgent with me. Besides... our agency has always respected the choices of its artists. As long as I make my stance clear, they'll definitely agree."
At this, she slowly raised his hands and placed them on her own neck—
"So, you can already think of me as your exclusive model, Tetsu... No, that's not right. Just a 'model' is too distant... You can just think of me as a doll."
Under Tetsuya's stunned gaze, Ai gently separated his fingers and wrapped them completely around her neck.
"Any outfit you want me to wear, I'll wear it willingly, no matter what it is. If you don't like it, I can take it off for you at any time. Not just my clothes, my body, my everything, it all belongs to you. As long as you want it, I'm willing to do anything for you."
"W-we just made things clear, didn't we..."
Hearing Ai's bewitching words that nearly melted his reason, Tetsuya replied in a slightly trembling voice.
"Even if you don't do this, I will never leave you—"
"That's not what I'm worried about... I'm very clear now on the fact that you need me, Tetsu."
Ai said, gazing at him with a smile.
"This is all coming from my own desires and thoughts. Do you remember that night at [RiNG]? The moment my disgraceful state was about to be exposed to them, you suddenly pulled me into a tight hug to block their view..."
"About that... I was in such a rush, so I wasn't able to hold you as gently as I usually do!"
Tetsuya quickly explained.
"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable—"
"How could I feel uncomfortable? On the contrary... ever since then, I've been hoping you'd treat me just as 'roughly' as you did that day."
Although a sweet smile never left her face, there wasn't a hint of jest in her tone.
She was seriously making her "request" to him.
"At this point, just being your model is no longer enough to satisfy me, nor is it enough to prove my love for you."
As she spoke, her hands suddenly tightened, pressing his hands firmly and completely around her smooth, pale neck.
"Can you feel it, Tetsu? My body has already given me the best answer."
At the same time, her heartbeat, accelerated by excitement, was transmitted through her pulsing artery to his fingertips.
"I am willing to be your dress-up doll, and yours alone, forever."
"Calm down, Ai!"
As her fingers gradually tightened, Tetsuya quickly broke free of her hands and immediately looked at the spot he had just been "gripping."
"I-I already know you're willing to do anything for me! But treating you roughly... I-I'm sorry, I really can't understand that..."
He looked with a pained expression at the mark on her neck that was turning from white to red.
"Honestly, even if you're trying to show your loyalty, you shouldn't use so much force..."
"? This much force is nothing at all, is it?"
Ai said with a look of regret.
"But never mind. This sort of thing is probably a bit too early for you, Tetsu."
She lifted her chin, presenting the mark to him once more.
"In any case, my body is the contract, and this mark is my answer."
"From today on, I am a dress-up doll that belongs only to you."
...
"You... you! What are you making Tetsuya-san do!"
After listening to Ai's explanation, a blushing Uika began to scold the infatuated-looking girl in front of her.
"You're a pervert! Worse than a pervert! A total deviant!"
"...So what? It's not like I'd do this to anyone else."
Ai showed not a shred of shame. Instead, she retorted righteously to Uika.
"Even if I'm a deviant, I'm a deviant for Tetsu alone!"
"Doing it only to him isn't okay either! He's only just recently started to build up his common sense about the opposite sex! Exposing him to something so... hardcore right off the bat is a bit too much for him!"
Uika continued to lecture.
"You need to learn to take things step by step, Ai. Being too aggressive in your pursuit will only scare him. Even if he decides to do that kind of thing with you in the future, if you suddenly ask him to choke you or something, he'll definitely be frightened!"
"..."
Hearing this, Ai, who had also calmed down, thought for a moment before nodding.
"That's true... Tetsu did look a little scared just now."
"Sigh..."
Although the crisis with the live had been averted, just as she had feared, this was all just the beginning.
This lovestruck girl, who had barely gotten back on the right track, clearly needed further guidance and education.
As for who should be tasked with this...
"The road is long and the burden is heavy for me, huh."
Gazing at the person before her, who was teetering on the edge between madness and reason, Uika let out a heavy sigh.