Stealing Spree

“Okay, for this shoot, I want you to take a moment to visualize our theme. I’m sorry but we have no budget to actually go to a beach and take this shot, we have to make do with what we have here…” As the director and lead photographer started to explain the concept she wanted to attain, Yua and the model from the other agency listened attentively.

Modeling might seem simple at first glance but one needed a certain mental fortitude and confidence to actually pull it off. While they only needed to wear the clothes they had to model, they were required to pull it off brilliantly, or else, it would be the reverse; the clothes would be the ones wearing them. If that happened, their identity as a model would be labeled a failure.

In the field of fashion, there are two types of people. The ones who can make clothes or any other garments look good on them and the ones whose appearance will be boosted because of the clothes they’re wearing.

Yua, Koizumi-san, and the other models were part of the 1st type. As for me, I guess I had no idea. I may have expensive-looking clothes in my wardrobe but I seldom spend a long time pairing them with one another.

Well, looking at them right now, especially Yua, they’re already envisioning themselves acting and giving their all to capture the most fitting image for the theme the director selected.

Earlier, when I returned from getting the refreshments, Mashiro-san called me to the side – she bothered to inform me what I could and couldn’t do in this situation.

Well, she probably thought that I might try to stop the shoot if the photographer asks for a more daring pose.

The theme was ‘Summer’ so… I could see clothes that would show more skin than normal. There were even swimsuits. But at the very least, they’re a little acceptable. It’s not the type that emphasized one’s private parts, it only highlighted the visually appealing figure of both models.

As for the order that they would model it, they would surely start with casual clothes and the finale would be those swimsuits.

At the moment, Yua and the other models were still in their default outfits. At the side of this rather wide studio, there’s a wardrobe prepared which contained all the clothes they would model today.

Actually, the clothes were identical which further reinforced that this event was going to be a competition between the two agencies. And fortunately, there were three separate venues, one for each category.

The second model of SS Modeling, Sayo-san, and Koizumi-san were probably in the same place together. They’ll be competing with each other.

Anyway, Yua and the other model’s makeup had already been done up, albeit lightly. But even with that, it successfully highlighted my girl’s beauty. And whenever our gaze would meet, she’d occasionally slip back to her dorky yet very adorable countenance, making the whole room brighten a bit.

And although most of the people here were already used to pretty faces, they couldn’t help but glance at her with looks of admiration.

I guess having her hair freely flow down to her back added up to her charm. That’s only on this occasion though. Her little side tail that she always wore was still the best for me.

Uh. Wait. Somehow, I was enjoying this more than I should have.

Was it because this became an entirely different experience from back then?

Possible. No. That’s the only answer.

In the past, I was mostly indifferent to other things aside from watching the girl from afar and fulfilling my desire for her. This time, however, I took joy in every little thing that concerned my girl. If possible, I wouldn’t mind becoming their photographer just so I could take Yua’s photos myself.

Likewise, Yua also appeared even brighter. And that didn’t escape the notice of her mother, Mashiro-san, the staff from the magazine, and the director.

“The return of a top model, huh? I’ll hand this one to you, Kishima-san. But don’t think she’ll be able to take everything. We still have Juri on our side. Sayo is great, I’ll give you that but no one can beat that girl.”

Minutes later, as the photoshoot started progressing from clothes to clothes, outfit to outfit, I heard someone nearby say that.

Glancing at the source, I saw the one supervising the other agency say that with a bitter expression. Next to her, Mashiro-san had a triumphant smile as though she already won the battle.

Her comment was true though. In the first three outfits that Yua and the other one modeled, Yua would always get lauded praise from the director while the other girl only received lukewarm praise.

And every time that would happen, the girl, who was roughly around the same age as us, started to get irritated.

Although that could be attributed to the crowd reaction, one shouldn’t lose their cool in this kind of situation; especially if it’s a competition.

I walked around earlier and saw someone, possibly the one from the magazine, keeping tabs on it. For sure, my girl already got more pages than the other.

As for her comment about Koizumi-san… that might be true. She’s on another level compared to Sayo-san, after all.

“Oh? Is that the reason why you called her in for this even when she mentioned how she wanted to take a break for a while to focus on improving her photography skills?” Mashiro-san replied to the woman and surprisingly, it contained information that caught my attention.

She wanted to take a break…

Is that why she’s too keen on getting me on board? Is recruiting me just her excuse to have a decent model to improve her skills?

I don’t know. If it’s only that, she won’t go out of her way to invite me to accompany her… Well, I might as well as her when I get the chance.

“… That’s none of your business.” The woman from the agency eventually answered dismissively. She scrunched her face up and turned around, leaving the studio.

Most likely, she’s going somewhere she could feel the superiority.

Upon seeing that, Mashiro-san’s triumphant smile widened and when she caught me staring at her, she walked over and said, “It feels refreshing to get revenge on someone who stepped on you, don’t you think so, Onoda-kun?”

“Yeah? I guess so.” I flimsily answered.

Mashiro-san laughed and tapped my shoulder, “Come on, humor me. Anyway, Yua is back and she’s even better than better. That must be thanks to you, right?”

“No. I don’t think so. She’s just really that great.”

Although my presence in her life indeed improved Yua’s countenance, I chose to just lift her further.

Mashiro-san didn’t say anything else then and simply nodded in approval.

Like this, the first half of the photoshoot quickly ended. The models and the staff responsible for it were given a chance to take a break.

I escorted Yua back to their dressing room and stayed with her for a while, praising her for the job well done.

A while later, Auntie Misora and the other model, the third one, also returned.

Due to that, I had to leave the room again. Luckily, Auntie was there to look after Yua.

The same as earlier, I went to the nearby open area to pass the time.

Or so I thought.

Right as I took my phone out, I got notified of a new message. As for the sender… Koizumi-san.

“Onoda-kun, are you still here?”