Work Text:
“I'm so sorry Kusanagi-san!! I couldn't get a special appointment made for you for this photoshoot”
her manager cries on the phone, she could imagine her bowing on the other side of the phone, but that isn't the focus now
Even though Nene was still an amateur model, her manager could always get her a separate shoot schedule due to her anxiety, especially when it's a group photoshoot like this one, but it seems she's gonna have to go through with this one
“We could cancel your appearance if you'd like? I understand how much everything can be overwhelming for you, your comfort is my priority so I could arrange it for you” her manager offers, and as much as she wants to accept her offer, Nene knows she has to refuse
This upcoming photoshoot was for a very popular clothing magazine receiving the invitation email was like finding treasure gold, especially for an amateur trying to become more famous like Nene is
“It's alright M-san, I would have to do it eventually” with reluctance, Nene declines her offer, and looms over the following days
—
Right off the bat, the atmosphere of everything felt different compared to what she was used to. There was a lot more chatter in the air and a different kind of professionalism. While of course her usual photoshoots were all pretty professional in her opinion, they always had a more welcoming vibes to them, while most people she sees here are still busy with preparation even though she isn't that early to arrive
“Are you Kusanagi-san?” A worker asks as she stumbles into the room, Nene, with her mind slowly becoming more overwhelmed, could only nod slightly. The worker leads her into another room and oh- oh this may be worse than she thought
The chatter here is a lot louder, consisting of the workers' professional chats and the casual laughs that a few models are having. the lights here seem even brighter, and there are a lot more models than she anticipated. There were a couple faces that she could recognize that were featured in other popular magazines, models way higher in the rankings than her, more professional, more experienced, and that fact is making her sweat even more.
A make-up artist calls for her attention, which she barely hears over the ringing in her ears, she sits down and everything seems to be getting more real yet uncomfortable. The lights burn to her skin and the laughter behind her back feels like it's directed towards her. Nene tries to sit still and keep her posture straight but she wonders if the worker noticed, noticed how much her palms are sweating, noticed how she can't seem to keep her focus, she wonders if everyone is watching her, judging her lack of experience in this type of situation, she feels phantom gazes trying to laser through her and get every single imperfection-
“FORGIVE ME FOR MY LATENESS EVERYONE!!!”
The door burst open, making everyone jump including Nene out of her panic spiral
“Tenma-kun, please keep your voice down-”
“But I must apologize!! I, Tenma Tsukasa! Tsukasa, written as the ruler of the world! Tenma, written as soaring pegasus! The future star model, Tenma Tsukasa, must apologize profusely for being 2 minutes late than the meeting time!!” He bowed dramatically to the worker that had led him to this room, who was shaking their hands and head seemingly flustered.
….who the hell is this guy? Were Nene’s first thoughts after he finished his speech, everyone's eyes were on him including her, the room silent except for his repeated apologies to the flustered worker
“Tenma-kun, please calm down and stop apologizing” one of the photoshoot directors speak up from behind him, the loud guy turned to face them and tried to bow again while spewing apologies, but the director stopped him before he could and scolded him for the loud entrance
The chatter starts again as soon as the scolding starts, but this time, it isn't too overwhelming for Nene as she had a chance to take a breather with the distraction, her make-up artist calls for her again but this time, she was able to answer them.
Her palms were still sweaty, but her breathing was a lot calmer than before and she was able to keep her posture straight as the make-up artist works, they seemed to notice how overwhelmed Nene was feeling and started a light chat with her in hopes to calm her down more, it works well as time passes, it was all getting better now
“Well then Tenma-san, please sit still as I work on your face alright” a worker next to Nene spoke up. Oh no.
Sure enough, a quick glance revealed that ‘Tenma’ was about to get his makeup done right next to where Nene was sitting, she just hoped that he wouldn't make much of a ruckus, it would mean her close-to-nice calm time would get interrupted
“Woah! are you Nene Kusanagi?” excuse me?
He recognized her??!!
“U-um.. yes. Do I know you perhaps?..” trying to stay calm at the sudden attention, she keeps her eyes facing the makeup artist while answering, even if she doesn't wanna give a response, it would not be good if this guy makes a fuss about it and gets everyone's attention even more.
Though she wonders if they're already staring, she feels her back getting sweaty with nerves
“Not personally as we never met! But I sure do hope someone as pretty as you have seen my previous photoshoots as I've done with yours! I have to say, you look prettier in person”
“What-?!” That diverted her nerves immediately, face flustered, Nene almost turned her head to look at him with an astonished look, but she managed to keep her head straight
“Tenma-san please take a seat…” “Oh sorry!” The cosmetologist called him, and he finally sat himself down
While Nene thought the interaction would end there, this guy kept trying to start up a conversation with her. thankfully, the make up artist eventually scolded him and that made him shut up, but not for long.
Throughout the whole preparation, clothes consultation, hair styling, and others, the guy keeps trying to talk to her. Be it meaningless talk about how the weather is, asking about how her work is, does she know him and more
The most frustrating part is whenever he compliments her tho, it always gets her flustered and she doesn't know why
While Nene isn't used to praise, she's never felt her heart race this much over one. Is it because of how smooth he gives it? Or is it his charm? She doesn't know, maybe she doesn't even want to know at this point
“Tenma-san.. the shoot is about to start” Nene reminds him, in hopes to get him to stop talking to her while they are waiting for their turn
“Oh sorry! I'm just so captivated by your appearance, my lady” he winked at her, which makes Nene’s already existing blush deeper
“Why do you keep doing that..” Nene asked, in a slightly irritated tone, she didn't mean to say it like that but she couldn't get it out any other way
“What do you mean?” He tilted his head
“You keep trying to talk to me even though I barely respond to you, what do you want from me, Tenma-san?” She asked, tone sounding more frustrated than she intended, she shouldn't ask this, she should just let him be and forget all about him after the shoot is over, she doesn't know why she's so hung up about this
This is a bad idea
“Well-”
“Kusanagi-san, it's your turn now, please follow me” one of the director calls, cutting Tenma’s sentence
“I'll tell you after, Kusanagi, do your best!!” He urges her to follow with a smile, which made Nene’s steps falter for a bit
Seriously, she doesn't understand the guy
—
The shoot was finally over. Nene let out a big sigh of relief as she waits for her manager. During the shoot, she was able to take a look at Tenma’s turn, and he was behaving very differently unlike how he acted before, his demeanor was calmer and had more confidence as he followed instructions. It surprised Nene quite a lot, especially since the guy wouldn't shut up the whole time he was with her
Seeing his confidence made her think about her own performance. For the start of the day, she was so nervous and anxious about everything. Everyone was so nice yet she kept feeling like she was a prey to everyone's eyes, the only reason she was able to slowly break out of that trance was because of how Tenma was acting around her
Whenever Tenma tries to talk to her, when she was able to get out of his attempts, another model would call her and ask if she was okay, it would lead to nice conversations being made, and eventually, it got her nerves to calm down before the shoot….
..was that his intention?- did Tenma notice that she was overwhelmed with his first look on her that he decided to take action?
No, a guy like him surely wouldn't have deeper meaning to his actions like that
“Kusanagi!” Speak of the devil, Tenma walks into the room and immediately heads over to Nene once he spotted her
“What do you want?” Nene sighs, not sounding as frustrated like before, the fatigue is getting to her
“Just wanted to tell you, Good job! You did great back there, Haha!” He loudly laughs, seems like this guy still has so many energy left after today
“Good job to you too..” was all she could say back, she really doesn't have the energy anymore to deal with Tenma’s quips.
“Are you waiting for someone to pick you up?”
“My manager, yeah, you doing the same thing?”
“he's already here actually, he just has some stuff to do before we leave”
“I see..”
This was probably the most back and forth conversation they've had today, was it because of Nene’s exhaustion? Yeah let's just say it is, she doesn't wanna think about it if there's another reason
However, there is still one thing she wants to know
“You haven't answered the question?”
“Hm?”
“Why do you keep talking to me? This is the most I've gone back and forth with you the whole day, yet you kept trying anyway, why?”
Tenma hummed at the question, then lighting up before responding
“Because I wanna get to know you, Kusanagi!!” He cheers
“Is there really no other reason?..”
“Well, maybe I just want to get to know the pretty girl” he smirked
“Oh my god your insufferable, Tenma-san” Nene shot back with an eye roll
They both chuckled
“Call me Tsukasa!! And shall this future star model meet you again in the future!!”
—
“Did you have a good time, Kusanagi-san?”
her manager asked, sounding hesitant as she wonders if Nene is too exhausted to have a conversation after the hectic day
Nene thinks back on her day, how she started off being so overwhelmed with everything, yet she was able to slowly ease herself with everyone being friendly with each other
And with Tsukasa’s voice that broke her out of her trance of panic
She knows that maybe in the future, not all her shoots will be as friendly as this one, especially with how competitive the modelling field can be
But for today
“I think I did, M-chan” Nene smiles
—
“A quick question, M-chan, have you heard of Tenma Tsukasa?” “Ah yeah, he's another model that started right around when you started as well” “he’s still an amateur as well?” “Yes, Kusanagi-san, you sound surprised” “Ah no it's nothing-”