She studied day and night to enter a university. But, she had never thought that she would be selected for something as big as Konoha University. Only the rich can afford it. Though she would get a scholarship, she still has to pay 1,70,000 yen fees per semester. She may not be that poor but she isn't that rich either. Dad had gone and paid the admission fee without thinking about the consequence. He said nothing matters more than her bright future but it's stupid for him to do so. What if we go bankrupt by paying the expenses! It's just not the fees, food in the canteen and hostel fees is going to choke her father. It's not enough for him to work in a bank, he should probably loot the bank to meet the expenses.
"Forehead, you look moodier than ever. Did you skip the breakfast today too! You look skinnier than those models in dad's office. One of these days they are going to faint on the ramp. " Ino said fanning her face with a book.
" But still, you keep pestering your father to let you enter the fashion industry. " Sakura mouthed nonchalantly, still thinking about her problems.
" Guess what forehead, I have succeeded in making him give in. I am so excited, I can't wait to show those models who is the queen. " she squealed in excitement .
" Nice "
"Are you not happy for your friend forehead. Just imagine, I am going to be the supermodel. My face will be on those big billboards. I am going to be on the covers of those Uchiha magazines. Then all those Uchihas would fawn over me. Don't be so depressed forehead. I will still be your friend. I will not let fame get to me . "
" That's very kind of you Ino. "
" You don't look exhilarated at all. What's the matter forehead? You haven't been so sullen since your spilled juice. Did your roadside burger fell off or something. Fix your face because Ino the supermodel will make sure her friend is well fed. "
"I can't take it anymore Ino. These people are draining our money. I should find a job soon. Otherwise, I am not sure I would be able to look myself in the mirror for stressing dad. "
Ino looked thoughtful drawing her eyes together in concentration.
" Hey forehead, how about you join my father's agency with me and try modelling. "
"Are you nuts pig, it isn't safe for women over there. It's not even safe for men. They will chew me alive. "
" Forehead, dad will look after you just like the way he will look after me. He already liked the idea of you being a model. He once asked me, if you were interested. He wanted a model who is skinny with a baby face. Till now, he couldn't find someone like you. He would be happy to take you in. Just imagine, the amount of money you will be able to earn. You could eat as much as you want to, in the limit, of course, you don't want to get fat and destroy your career. What do you think? "
" I don't know pig, I am just 5'5. Aren't models like 5'10 5'11? "
"Industry has changed. They want cute ones too. Short is cute. "
"I will think about it."
"Sakura, we are going to have so much, fun together. Just imagine us stomping those models ego, who look down upon us for being short. "
"Ino and Sakura if you are done with your gossip, can I start the lecture. " Asuma sensei stated, glaring at the girls.
"Let us talk about it in the break. We have to attend a party this evening. I will give you details "
.
"Hey, Sakura put on the dress and accessories I've sent you. " Ino ordered Sakura on phone.
She turned off her phone and picked the light pink floral gown, which Ino has sent her. It is beautiful and she would have been even more comfortable with the soft material if it were a little longer. She should be happy for at least not sending her something vulgar. Her reflection looked so pleasant even without any makeup. She should give it to Ino, for choosing something eye pleasing. If she were to choose she would have picked some dress with red color, because of her partiality towards red, even though it clashed horrendously with her hair.
She picked up the gladiator shoes, which Ino sent her and slid her feet into them. Ino could be quiet generous to her, even when Sakura acted like a bitch to her. She doesn't know what she sees in her but she was glad she got to meet Ino. She made her life in college so bearable. Her legs looked endlessly long. They looked quite sexy. When she was 12, she looked like some grasshopper. Now, she looks sexy and ready to take over the world. Truly, age does wonders to you.
She doesn't have to be worried about the horrid part of getting ready. Ino said some makeup man of hers will take care of it. She just has to jump into Ino's luxurious car and reach some so-called high five party.
"Ino stop glaring at the models " Inoichi reprimanded.
" But dad, all those models are so ugly ". Ino stomped her feet gritting her teeth.
"Ino, jealousy isn't a good thing "
"Why the hell are we here to stare at ugly old men and ugly models! "
"This is an important party. This is important to make connections. "
Ino could be quite whiny but it's kind of cute. Sakura had never gone to some party as huge. Everything looked so fake. What have I gotten myself into?
" Listen, Ino and Sakura. That man with silver hair is a 40% shareholder of Namikaze company the person beside him is Minato Namikaze , he is the owner of the company. They have a reputation of being amicable and noncontroversial. If I want to recommend you for a company as a model , it would be them. I would feel you both are in safe hands.
"Are they going to make me the show stopper ".
"Ino, that's straight unfair to all those girls in the agency who have worked so hard. You have the privilege of entering the Yamanaka agency without any struggle. But I will not make you a show stopper without even proving yourself. "
"Anyway, I don't want to work with Namikazes and whatever. I would only work for the Uchihas. That's the main motivation for me to enter the industry ".
" Ino, we had cases where Uchihas behaved demeaning towards our agency's models. It wouldn't be advisable to work for them. "
Sakura didn't understand Ino's Uchiha obsession. Apparently, they were good looking bunch loaded with money. The Uchiha obsession for Ino must have sprouted because of her crush on some senior, Sasuke Uchiha. She doesn't care about under whom she worked as long as she gets paid.
Her eyes trailed up some ugly robe to a man wearing it. He has long silky hair with pale skin. And then he met her eyes. She was sure she pissed her panty. He was so scary with snake-like golden eyes narrowed on to her. He looked feminine but there is something about him that screamed, he cooked young kids and ate them for dinner. Then, he smiled like he knew what she was thinking about him. She is a sensitive human being. More often than not she recognizes a psycho when she sees one.
She turned her gaze towards Inoichi, like a coward she was, unable to hold a staring contest with the snake-man.
Inoichi was speaking to the before mentioned Namikaze. The man Minato radiated warmth and love. What a contrast from a child chewing psychopath. Thank God, normal human beings still existed in this wretched world. The man beside him though looked bored, there isn't any malice radiating off of him. Then, the guy just stared into her eyes.
"Hi, I am Kakashi Hatake " he extended his hand .
She turned her gaze towards Inoichi as if asking for permission. Why she did it, she doesn't know. He nodded his head in encouragement. She slid her hand in the silver-haired, masked man's hand. Wasn't he supposed to leave her hand after shaking, why does he still hold her hand and stare at it lazily!
"Your name "
" Sakura Haruno ".
" She is my daughter's friend and new model. She's like my own daughter. I have mailed you both Ino's and Sakura's portfolio. There's only one week left for the Namikaze show. Decide which of the 8 models you wanted and inform me by tomorrow. "
She is now worried about working of her creep alert sensor. This man sure is a creep for not letting go of her hand yet.
Would she ruin the relationship between Yamanaka and Namikaze by biting off his hand ?
"They look so young. How old are they? " Minato enquired.
"17 years old " Inoichi replied.
"Wow, they are so poised. And there is my son, 18 years old and he couldn't eat ramen without spilling it on all his shirt. "
She nodded her head left and right, in disapproval to Ino's twitching mouth. She knew it's on the tip of her tongue, something like "What a loser. "
She reached her limit and she was about to say 'Let go, you creep.' He did let go of her without her lashing out. She rubbed the hand against her frock, trying to get rid of the touchy feel. Was he smiling! She couldn't tell. But, his eye crinkled. He looked amused. She diverted her attention to Inoichi-san and Minato-san, not wanting to be associated with the crazies.
As soon as they have gone, she expressed her displeasure that Kakashi was a creep.
"He was messing with you. He is really a nice guy " Inoichi replied.
That's the first thing crazies do. Make people believe they are not crazy. She knew better than to fall into their trap.
"You both stay here together or go join our agency's models. I will be back in a minute " Inoichi went off towards the men's bathroom.
"Hey, pig where are you going ".
"Saw some strawberries. I will bring some for us "
Ask Ino to stay in one place. Ugh. She couldn't spot the blonde in the crowd. So, she decided to go find her, in the direction she had gone to. She hit a rock hard wall and fell on her butt. And she will bet the wall being some well built tall man. Such a cliché. She lifted her head and met with the reason for her fall, a well-built man with unruly long hair, piercing black eyes and chiseled jawline. He is a good looking man but her sensor was telling to flee the crime scene. He looked dangerous. Not the snake-guy's kid muncher danger but the i-will-make-you-scream-for-death-as-mercy danger. She ignored the man's hand, which was extended towards her, lifted herself up and back tailed with as much dignity and poise she could muster. Damn, models were not supposed to fall even during an earthquake.
He grabbed her and flipped her with force. Her nose hit his chest painfully hard . She growled and pushed herself from him.
" What's your name " he enquired.
Like she would tell her name to someone as rude as him.
" Shizune "
"Last name "
"Haruhi"
"How old are you "
"Forehead, where the hell are you " Ino shouted.
"Coming"
She ran back, without answering. There are always perks of being friends with Ino. She would never reveal her name for the sake of some overrated poise and maturity.
"Kisame, find out about the girl. "
Kisame pitied the girl for catching the Uchiha's attention. She looked so pristine and innocent, she doesn't deserve to be messed with.
