The Photo-Shoot
He's Too Hot For You
There was sweat, cleavage, shiny breasts, colorful waterproof lingerie, overly excited camera men, old men in the form of creepy fans, a beach and a groaning model who would only smile when the camera man would nearly press the button and yell, "That's gorgeous, honey!" in which she would strike a pose-- hand on her hip, tying her heels in a sexy way, one that she'd bend over so cleavage would show--did it matter? And then of course, once the click was touched and the man yelled, "I like that, roar." She went back to her bored stance, face in hands and slouched over.
Today was not a good day for Kaori, it was hot, humid and she was barefoot on concrete, then barefoot on sand, then barefoot on a parking-lot floor. Was this why shoots for summer were in winter? Truth be told, she'd rather be in air conditioning buckling thick coats, fur boots and shiny spandex. But, with a sigh she contemplated the downfall to that strategy, she'd have to do this very shoot in the cold of winter, splash ocean water when it was snowing, this made her shiver. Kaori had no idea if it was worse to freeze or feel like burning in summer make-up Though, she couldn't actually burn, they made sure that each model wear SPF 100 in the best brand with waterproof foundation that was meant to look natural.
"OKAY! NEXT SWIMSUIT!" Kaori and the other two models were moved to a white tent where five other people would help them into their swimsuit. They all stripped down and placed the next scantily-clad outfit on themselves with two other hands eagerly helping. The fabric of the suit that could barely pull itself off as a one-piece--it was more along the lines of a bikini connected together--her ebony hair was then brushed back into place, lip-gloss polished back on, this one with a creamy orange tint to match the dramatic brown of the suit, and mascara reapplied. Kaori waltzed out of the tent within six minutes of entering and went back to her previous lollygagging, poses being more arrogant this time, she made sure it matched the image of her one-piece. It was noon by the time four pictures were taken and before the fifth could happen, all was interrupted but one particularly annoying cry.
"RI-NEE! RI-NEE! RI-NEE!!!" A girl who's hair was bluer than the sky, but redder than the swimsuit of the girl next to her came running, knocking down the lecherous fans that stood in her way. Kaori sidestepped out of the way just in time, if she would have stood in the spot she previously was she would have been tackled by a girl half a foot shorter than her. The girl pouted, chin rested inside roasting sand, she seemed unaffected by the scorching temperature of Tokyo in the summer time.
Kaori glared at her sister, lazars emitting from her violet irises. "What are you doing Kaoru? You're interrupting my photo-shoot." Kaori looked to the crew who were now eating sort-serve ice-cream handed out to them by a green haired boy, the other two models refused their sweet treat.
"AKIRA~!" Screamed Kaoru in a sing-song voice. The boy turned to look to her and scrambled to help her up. Once both feet were firmly on the ground Kaoru paced her fists on her hips and said in a clear voice, "Your manager said that I could come in if I brought snacks." This eccentric sister grinned and folded her fingers to a peace sign. Akira handed Kaori an ice-cream.
As much as this stubborn girl was thankful for an icy treat, she didn't show it. She instead pouted, faced the other direction and crossed her arms, only a few seconds later did she began to eat it. Her sister grinned at Akira, who sighed and shook his head. "Oh, Ri-nee, Haru-nii said he was on his way a few minutes ago, he doesn't have classes today."
Surprised, Kaori dropped her ice-cream, it splattered and nearly melted in contact with the sand. "What!? Why didn't you tell me sooner, Akira?"
"I was going to, Kaori! But then you yelled at me and didn't let me hug you and--"
"Last time Harumi saw me in a swimsuit he tried to untie it! And then he said that I was contaminating everyone's eyes so he tried to knock some of my fans out--"
"Ah, Ri-nee--"
"And then he forced me to leave the beach! My photo-shoot! It'll be ruined--"
"Ri-nee--"
"And I only got a fraction of what I was supposed to get! I couldn't eat any shaved ice because of that bastard seeing me in a swimsuit--"
But before Kaori could officially finish her sentence she was poked in the side, warm air was blown in her ear. Behind her stood a man much inches taller than her, beautiful, a greek god, in only a vest and shorts. Kaori squealed when he squeezed his arms around her slim waist and nuzzled his nose in her exposed shoulder, in which the victim responded by trying to release his arms.
Kaoru began to chat with the director while this was happening, they struck up a deal and shook hands on it, the director signaled for the camera man, and he clicked down his switch, encoding a picture into his camera.
Oblivious to all happening the totally-not-lovey-dovey couple were fighting in laughter, Kaori trying her best to have Harumi quit tickling her. His method of flirting was far from subtle, yet her stubborn habits prevented her from giving in a realizing that she was flirting back. Of course she liked him, it was hard not to. But he was too stupid for her to think she did.
Seven photos later, the director claimed the photo-shoot finished, the crew and models fled to clean up and confiscate their outfits, the little fans left marching away with heavy steps. Kaori, realizing the situation, broke free of Harumi's arms and ran to change back to regular clothes.
She emerged her tent with a make-up less face, denim shorts and a bottle of sunscreen she managed to barter from one of the cosmetic handlers. She rubbed in the white cream in her skin and let Kaoru put her hair in a ponytail. She groaned and requested that she stay in air conditioning, even if she believed it damaged her skin.
* * *
"You . . . You're an idiot Harumi!" Kaori stormed off, kicking the door open on the way, even knocking over some furniture that was in her way. Harumi stood flabbergasted, frowning and holding his cheek that was glowing red from a poisoned slap. Behind a wall the two youngest watched a fight that they had no idea would end up so horribly. Sometimes Kaon's dear sister would storm off, but she'd never hit Fuyuki's dear, misjudged brother. The middle-schoolers looked at each other with widened eyes.
"Kaon, you need to go tell Ru-nee about this, I'll tell Aki-chan. I didn't think that Ri-nee would get that angry."
"What about Natsu-nee?"
"Don't tell her. She'll probably make Haru-nii feel worse. Don't tell mom or dad either, their both getting the party ready, don't want to ruin it."
Kaon was about to leave, but then paused, and looked to Fuyuki who was talking to herself in thought.
"Fuyuki?"
"Yeah?"
"Where are Ru-nee and Aki-chan?"
Pause. Fuyuki was quiet for the first time in a while.
* * *
In the middle of an ice-cream store a very high pitched, catchy song played, singing about vanilla and salt. Kaoru pulled a neon-rainbow phone from the midst of her now gold and navy hairdo. She slid it open and in clear english, "Yeeeeessss~?"
"Kaoru, where are you?"
"Hmmmm? My studio--" She winked at Akira. "I have a deadline--whhhhhyyyy~?"
"Oh, you do? I won't bother you then. Wait, where's Akira then? He wasn't at his house."
"He's with Yuujirou-kun and Touru-kun; they might sleep over today--Kaori? You there?"
* * *
"Ohhh? What do we have here? Is this a depressed Harumi?" Natsuru grinned with devil interest, leaning to her brother's height.
Harumi's face was in deadpan, it sickly and grey. His hands held his ashamed face. "I'm an idiot."
"Really, now? You just figured that out? Congratulations."
"Last week I promised Kaori that I would take her swimming today, and I, and I!"
"You forgot right?" At this line, Harumi began to cry. Not just cry, but wail. He burst into tears and let out cries of depression, he pushed himself up and stomped to his room like a true twenty-year-old would. Natsuru's grin only widened at this, how entertaining. She knocked on his door and said in a maliciously singsong voice. "And how's that bad?"
Harumi's bawling only worsened, after a minute, it reduced to sniffles and he muttered, "I forgot it was her birthday today."
"And how does that make you feel, Harumi?"
"And then she slapped me and left the house. And-and, you know the worst part?"
"What's that?" Natsuru was beaming from ear to ear at this point.
"I actually had the nerve to think that she looked cute when she slapped me."
Natsuru broke out in laughter.
* * *
It was hot. And every person on the street in Tokyo thought so. It was over ninety-three degrees hot, everyone's body heat added to that, the wind wasn't picking up, and Kaori was regretting her over reaction. So what if he forgot? He was an idiot, she could forgive him. This was why Kaori hated being childish, she knew that the only thing holding her from going back to Harumi was her strong pride. She clearly regretted it now that she was out of any form of air-conditioning. She ran to the nearest store.
Ironically, it ended up being a video game store. With the best air-conditioning, and the newest releases, where was she to complain. Kaori realized in her pocket as the hold credit card, her new paycheck had just arrived a few days ago, with even some nice ol' extra cash on it for an unknown reason. She picked off the sequel to her favorite game that just came out and nearly brought it to the counter,, but when she looked out the window, she was much to irked to buy it now. She placed the case back on display and rushed out to look at the huge TV playing in the middle of Tokyo.
She was furious, why was this picture on the big-screen? Who's consent was given for this to be acceptable? Filled with negative energy, Kaori ran the miles home, burning calories in the process. When she arrived at the Sakamoto home, she pushed the doors open and tripped into her little sister's bosoms. A vein popped on her head, but was calmed down when she saw what was happening. The entire Sakamoto family wished her a happy birthday, giggling at her awkward stance. Once her shock was gone Kaori glared at her little sister,
"What is the meaning of this, Kaoru?"
Her sister played innocent. "What are you talking about, Ri-nee?"
"WHY WAS THE PICTURE OF HARUMI TICKLING ME PLAYING ON THE TELEVISION IN THE MIDDLE OF TOKYO!?"
"What there's a picture of me--" Harumi's sentence was left incomplete when he was kicked in the shin.
"Oh, that? Its just a little extra money I made at that photo-shoot a few weeks ago. The director let me forge Harumi's signature. You don't like?"
Kaori blushed to the color of a ripe tomato, she was left without a word.
"Oh, and Kaori?" Natsuru grinned to brooding heights.
"What?"
"Happy birthday." To which this blushing, furious and embarrassed model was pushed in the direction of a greek god who was also flushed to a much darker skin tone to his color. And as directed from his sister, the clueless male began to state he was tricked into saying such a thing. But, still in her mad haze, Kaori did not listen, instead she stole a piece of cake and chomped on it, walking to the back yard where the rest of the family had left to for a birthday barbecue.
Outside, much later than the scene above, Kaori was eating her kalbee, and drank iced tea, content with the cool nighttime temperature. Across the wooden table Harumi watched the girl he loved with glassy eyes, he was day dreaming of things that annoyed Kaori as she sipped her amber drink. She had forgiven him by now, as their fights always lead, but it was disturbing how he was eyeing her.
"Kaori, I love you."
She shot bright red and choked on her drink--leading to a coughing fit.
She strained her voice to say the mumble, "Me too I guess. . ."
Harumi began to lean over the table, eyes closed, he tried to touch her face. His lips touched barbecue beef instead.
"I'm eating, lover boy. Try that move later."
