At Seiko Company's Studio
The studio was flooded with light.
The sharp glow of professional spotlights illuminated every corner of the set. The scent of perfume mixed with the cold breath of air conditioning, spreading through the enclosed space. Cameras were mounted on metal rigs, cables crisscrossed the floor like veins, and staff members moved back and forth, checking even the smallest details without pause.
Hana stood at the center of the studio, script in hand, her sharp gaze sweeping across the entire set.
In a quieter corner, Chihiro stood still, both hands tightly gripping her notebook. She deliberately kept her eyes away from the center of the room—
Where Rei was standing.
He was dressed in a white suit, posture straight, calmly discussing lighting angles and fragrance balance with the stylist. His movements were natural, his faint smile confident and composed.
Chihiro's heart skipped a beat.
Just work, she told herself.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
"Chihiro," Hana's voice called, pulling her back to reality. "I want you to observe the model's on-camera reactions. If anything feels off, report it to me immediately."
"Yes." Her voice was soft, but firm.
Chihiro nodded, refocusing on her task.
No matter what the past held, Rei was merely a business partner today.
She would not allow herself to confuse the present.
"Chihiro-san?"
A familiar voice came from behind.
She paused for half a second, then turned.
"…Naomi?"
Naomi stood there, holding a stack of documents, wearing her usual mischievous smile.
"I came to deliver some files to Hana-san," she said lightly, "and thought I'd take a look at the shoot while I was here."
Her eyes, however, quickly drifted toward the center of the studio.
Chihiro let out a quiet breath.
She had expected as much.
---
✦ Two Hours Earlier – Executive Office
Takahashi rested his chin on his hand, staring blankly into space.
"…"
"Takahashi-senpai!" Naomi called out.
No response.
Naomi puffed her cheeks, took a deep breath—
"TAKAHASHI-SENPAI!!!"
"—Hey!" Takahashi jolted, nearly falling off his chair. "Don't shout right next to someone's ear!"
"Well, whose fault is it for ignoring me?" Naomi crossed her arms, clearly unapologetic.
Takahashi sighed. "Alright, alright. My bad."
Naomi instantly brightened.
"What were you thinking about? You looked super serious."
"It's nothing big," he replied, his tone lighter.
"Ehh?" Naomi's expression drooped. "Then I'll go deliver the documents to Hana-san."
"Hana…?" Takahashi looked up. "You're going to the studio too?"
"Yes." Naomi tilted her head. "Why? Is something wrong?"
Takahashi motioned for her to come closer and lowered his voice.
After listening, Naomi eyed him suspiciously.
"Lately… you've been paying an awful lot of attention to Chihiro, haven't you?"
"Caring about employees is a manager's responsibility," Takahashi replied flatly.
Naomi dragged out a grin. "Oooh, is that so~~"
She nodded. "I'll check on things and let you know."
"I'm counting on you."
"Yes~"
The door closed behind her.
Takahashi leaned back in his chair.
"…That was close."
---
✦ Back at the Studio
"Takahashi-san sent you here, didn't he?" Chihiro asked—not accusatory, just confirming.
Naomi blinked. "Huh—how did you know so easily?"
"He worries too much." Chihiro smiled faintly. "Tell him everything's fine."
She turned away.
"I'll get back to work."
Naomi watched her, her expression growing serious.
"…What exactly is your relationship with Takahashi-senpai?" she asked quietly.
Chihiro stopped.
She took a deep breath, then turned back, her voice calm.
"It's not what you think."
She spoke slowly.
"There are times I admire him. Times I want to stand a little closer. And times I want to share his burdens."
An image of Takahashi surfaced in her mind—silent, patient.
'I will never force her to choose when she isn't ready.'
Chihiro smiled softly.
"But right now, I want to become someone stronger on my own first."
Naomi remained silent for a moment.
Then she smiled—this time without mischief.
"I understand."
"You really are strong, Chihiro-san."
She bowed lightly.
"I'll head back now. Good luck with the shoot."
Naomi turned and walked away.
Only after she had gone did quiet tears fall, unnoticed by anyone.
---
Nearly two hours passed.
The shoot finally came to an end.
The moment the director called out "OK," the entire studio relaxed. Voices filled the air as tension melted away.
Chihiro stood beside the technical table, head lowered as she recorded progress in her notebook. She was so focused that she didn't notice the shadow stopping in front of her.
"Have some water."
That familiar voice made her hand freeze.
She looked up.
Rei stood there, holding two chilled bottles of mineral water. Sweat still clung faintly to his forehead after the shoot.
"…I'm not thirsty." She replied quickly, instinctively stepping back half a pace.
Rei stiffened.
"Ah— I just wanted to offer." He raised the bottle hurriedly, his voice slightly flustered. "I didn't mean anything else."
The distance between them suddenly felt unmistakable.
Realizing her reaction had been excessive, Chihiro tightened her grip on the notebook and took a breath.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I'm just… working."
Rei looked at her for a few seconds, then let out a small laugh—familiar, but strained.
"Yeah, I get it." He placed the remaining bottle on a nearby table. "Drink it when you're thirsty. Staff collapsing on set wouldn't be good."
Chihiro didn't respond, only nodded silently.
Rei turned to leave, but paused just before walking away.
"…You really haven't changed."
"Mizuno-chan."
The name lingered in the air.
Chihiro stood still for a moment, then replied in a cool, even tone.
"Thank you for your concern." "But there's something I need to say."
"…Please call me Mizuno-san." "This is a workplace."
Rei froze briefly.
Then he smiled faintly—and walked away.
END
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