It's a nice relaxing evening with my bestie and her family the night before her first shoot. I don't like watching Game of Fancy Chairs when everything's new, I'd rather know what happens so I can watch it without getting attached to someone who ends up dead.
I look over to Tomoe, "You know there isn't going to be a happy ending anyway. I was honestly rooting for the nigh…"
"I just don't get it," Ako interrupts sighing, "Whenever grownups in a show or movie swear it's always cool or funny but whenever it's me it's always oh that's inappropriate Ako! Or whenever I want to be cool I always end up cute instead. It's like I picked the skulls and bats not the bunnies and kittens people!"
Ako puffs her cheeks and Tomoe tells her, "I know people can be weird sometimes."
Their mom tells them, "Whenever I swear and eat something it always tastes ickier."
Ako rolls her eyes.
"Don't you roll your eyes at me missy you know it's true."
Her mom gently nudges the feather duster and Ako gulps looking at it. There aren't many feathers missing and the handle isn't bent at all.
The episode ends and I thank Tomoe and tell her, "It's too bad you have to model."
"I'll make enough money to pay off those lights and drums and pretend it never happened."
"Yeah with all those people on social media and at school who'll never ever let you forget?"
"Hmmmmm…" Tomoe slumps and frowns. "Someone hide me please."
It's still dark but almost sunrise. Dark red and a bit of orange peep over the little horizon I can see past the hills houses and buildings. I see a guy just standing on the sidewalk and I freeze. He looks at me and runs across the street without making a sound. He hides behind a tree and I'm already carrying my phone. I don't want to escalate even though I know this neighborhood, if I scream they'll know I'm in trouble. Okay this is weird I have to…he fades away starting with his feet like he wasn't even there phew it was only a ghost.
I feel my pulse still going up so I walk next to a group who's also going to our school and use noonlight, just in case. Those six seconds were pretty weird.
One of the girls compliments my backpack, "I like your backpack. The cat face works with your pins."
I meet Tomoe just outside her house and tell her everything. "A ghost!?"
"Yeah. He wore blue jeans, had short hair, wore a white shirt, and had short hair."
"Think we should contact a shrine?"
I stroke my chin, "You know, we probably should."
The door slams and Ako looks excited. "You saw a ghost Ran? That is so cool!"
"Umm, actually it was pretty scary."
"Of course Ran it was a ghost!" Her eyebrows scrunch as her smile sharpens and puts her hand over her mouth pretending to be evil again, "He he he, I Ako, dark ruler of the underworld call upon my army of ghost to help my sister and her bestie…"
Tomoe shakes her head.
Ako exclaims, "But sis!"
I tell her, "It was only scary until I found out it was a ghost."
I go into my notes and write down everything from the ghost, I can tell this will inspire a great song.
Ako walks with us and I tell her about the ghost and she says, "But I thought ghosts didn't have legs?"
"Tell that to the one I saw."
Tomoe smiles, "You're doing much better with your grades."
"Thanks. I still can't get over how you're modeling."
"Hey I'm not looking forward to it either."
I look up to her smiling, "Who knows maybe you'll like it?" Oh gosh I hope she doesn't. Should I be worried? She's Tomoe of course she would never do that.
She looks down doing a fake but playful glare, "Not funny Ran." We laugh.
Ako's voice raises, "Hey I'm here too you know!"
I tell her, "And so is Rinko."
"Hey Rin Rin! What's wrong?"
Rinko sighs, "I just can't get the rhythm right on this song."
"Yukina and Sayo can be so strict I tell you! They always tell us we don't play well enough." Ako's eyes brighten as she smiles big, "Until we do!" Her and Rinko giggle agreeingly.
Ako says, "Yukina may be a perfectionist but she's so cool and you can tell she really likes us too."
We're at Rinko's school, "Bye Ako I'll text you before rehearsal okay?"
School's out and I hear Kaoru talking to Kanon, "To be, or not to be, that my kitten, is the question."
Kanon puts her finger on her chin leaning back a little, "To be what?"
"To be a beautiful flower rising out of a crack in the sidewalk, to be a fleeting sunrise," she dramatically raises her voice, "To be…" she sounds calmer, "at rehearsal with me, yeah that's it my little kitten."
"Umm, of course. We agreed to meet Misaki there anyway."
I look up to Tomoe and smile, "You have to admire how smart and poetic Kaoru is."
"Not to mention that really elegant guitar she has."
I already texted Moca Tsugu and Himari that me and Tomoe can't rehearse.
Himari runs up to us, her eyes wide and grabs Tomoe's shirt, "Tomoe! I'm scared! Please don't let Afterglow break up!"
Tomoe sighs, "I don't know if we can. I'm not even sure I have a shoot. The models from the other day were pretty sure their agent would like me though."
Tsugu tells us, "I'm sure you guys will figure this out. I just know you can do it. Tomoe, we're all here for you."
Moca wraps one of my hands in both her hands, "Ran, if you find any pastries in the modeling snack area can you bring me back some please? And send them pictures of the cute crumbs on my face?"
I laugh, "Like they'd have any bad foods at their snack bar."
"But so many bad foods are delicious."
"I will if I find any."
I share Nori chips and bitter melon slices with Tomoe and me and Tomoe look at each other before going inside. We stand in a way where we aren't in anyone's way.
Better When You're Gone fills the lobby, I can definitely see Tsugu admiring its masterful synthwork. A peachy aroma with notes of vanilla orchid and cedar fill our noses. The air conditioning is on too high as usual but not 7-Eleven bad.
I ask Tomoe, "What are people like us even doing here?"
"I'm just as confused as you are Ran. Whatever happens just remember, we are not like them. We are outcasts, you know, nonconformist creative weirdos."
We check in then walk down the hall.
Tomoe's eyes widen,
The ceilings are so high and the air feels so fresh and clean. The lights are a bit harsh though. The floor's glossy white marble. Tall potted plants line the wall every few meters.
The cafeteria noise gets even louder I think we're going the right way. Eve works for this agency so I know it's not a scam.
I gently elbow Tomoe, "Psst, looks like they have a snack counter after all."
"Meh, it's salad but I'll take it."
I pick up a paper plate and me and Tomoe put lettuce, kiwi, slices of carrot, and avocado on it then I take a wasabi flavored nori sheet and I rip and crush it and sprinkle the flakes over my salad. A photographer puts lots of dressing on his lettuce. I'm honestly not comfortable eating near all these people especially these models. I'd put everything in a plastic bag but people would think that's weird.
Too bad there aren't any pastries I can bring back for Moca. I'll stop by Saya's bakery to get her one.
Girls with long dark brown hair and comfortable looking robe with a white top and red bottom lean against a wall. One's just scrolling on her phone.
I whisper to Tomoe, "Oh my gosh shrine maidens. We have to ask them about the ghost I saw."
I walk up to them, "Hi. Would you like any of my salad?"
One takes a slice of kiwi and another a slice of avocado and the rest take leaves of lettuce. "Thanks."
"So I saw this ghost earlier and am worried about him. If he doesn't move on he might corrupt into a demon and if he's afraid of moving on…"
She interrupts, "Oh...We're not really shrine maidens it's for a shoot."
I scratch between my neck and collarbone. "Oh, well sorry I bothered you."
"Oh, no problem."
We keep walking and Tomoe rolls her eyes, "Ugh, everything's so fake. Since I'm modeling it's going to feel hypocritical of me to call that out."
Harsh lights fill the dressing room. Different aromas fill the air ranging from fruity to spicy.
I find a single toilet bathroom and Tomoe waits outside. I'm free from the eyes of anyone who cares way too much about people being picky eaters. I start with the lettuce first, then carrots, avocado which is surprisingly filling, and I finish the kiwi last.
We keep walking and a model scans me head to toe.
She throws her hair back and tells me. "You know if you have no butt you really shouldn't..."
I feel my face scrunching as I look up into her eyes, shooting excuse me what did you say energy out of my eyes. Tomoe stares daggers at her too.
She backs away nervously laughing. "Oh, sorry you must be new here. Sorry I was only trying to help, well welcome to the industry." She rushes down the hall.
Tomoe tells me, "Oh the classic insult disguised as fashion advice, you gotta love it."
I ask the woman with the clipboard if I can go in. "Are you Mitake Ran?"
"Yes I'm with Tomoe."
"Go right ahead, and remember don't make too much noise. Hair and makeup takes hours."
