Note: Mai-Hime is an anime that was done by the studio Sunrise.
One day, Natsuki Kuga and Shizuru Fujino were going for a drive. Shizuru was the one driving. She was planning on taking Natsuki to a special place. However, Natsuki had been dealing with fighting so much crime that she had forgotten where she and Shizuru were going. She hoped that Shizuru wouldn't be mad at her poor memory.
Natsuki looked at Shizuru and said, "I'm afraid that I'm guilty of forgetting where we're headed to."
While at a red light, Shizuru gave Natsuki a quick kiss on the cheek and tried to comfort her by saying, "You shouldn't feel sorry at all. You've fought like ten criminals in the past week. You can easily be excused for a few forgotten memories."
Natsuki smiled and said, "Thank you. Where are we going?"
Shizuru replied, "To the new clothes store."
Natsuki didn't think that looking at a bunch of fancy clothes was that exciting, but she was always grateful to get to spend the day with Shizuru. A few minutes later, Shizuru parked the car. Afterwards, she and Natsuki went to the new clothes store.
Natsuki and Shizuru walked inside the store, while holding hands with each other. They looked around and saw that the store was big, but there weren't that many customers for a grand opening.
Natsuki accidentally bumped into a fussy female model. The model gave Natsuki a disapproving look and asked, "What's your problem?"
Natsuki nervously answered, "I'm truly sorry. Recently, my brain's been a little distracted."
The model replied, "Sounds like you're an idiot."
Natsuki faced Shizuru, while asking, "How come there's so few customers here?" Shizuru shrugged her shoulders.
The model said, "They probably want to avoid dealing with bumbling fools like you." The model pushed Natsuki out of her way and walked out.
Natsuki whispered to Shizuru, "Who was that jerk?"
Shizuru said, "I've seen her in advertisements for this store. She's a model."
Natsuki replied, "She doesn't have a beautiful enough personality to be a model."
Mayor Strong had purchased the store as another way for him to make money. He walked up to the customers and said, "Greetings, everybody. I'm the mayor of this city, but you can just call me the charmer that runs this place." He laughed. Some of the customers rolled their eyes. Mayor Strong said, "This is going to be a very special store, because we're selling some of the most stylish new clothes. Prepare to meet our model."
Mayor Strong's top clothes designer, named Ms. Fashion, walked up to him and said, "The model quit."
Mayor Strong angrily asked, "Why didn't you tell me that before the speech? You just made me look an idiot in front of our first group of customers." He faced the customers and said, "Our presentation has been cancelled, but feel free to start shopping."
Natsuki whispered to Shizuru, "What an embarrassing way to open the store."
Shizuru replied, "Let's check out the clothes they got here. The dresses I saw in their ads are amazing."
Natsuki and Shizuru started looking around the store, while Mayor Strong had a meeting with Ms. Fashion in the purse aisle. Mayor Strong nervously asked, "How am I supposed to run this place without a model for my advertising?"
Ms. Fashion confidently answered, "There are plenty of stylish people that would take the job."
Mayor Strong said, "We don't have time to look for a model. I need to get advertisements out as soon as possible. Also, I need a beautiful person to model the clothes."
Yuuichi Tate walked up to Mayor Strong, while smiling. He shook hands with Mayor Strong, while saying, "Greetings, Mayor Strong."
Mayor Strong said, "Hi, Mr. Tate. How can I help you?"
Yuuichi put his hand on Mayor Strong's shoulder, while saying, "Recently, you've been trying to help me, which is something that I really appreciate. In the past, I have been focusing on my own needs. In order to truly thrive in life, you have to help yourself and others. I would like to help all of us."
Mayor Strong replied, "That sounds nice. What's your plan?"
Yuuichi proudly said, "I'm most known for being a slacker, but I'm also quite an attractive fellow. I believe that I could be your new model."
Mayor Strong replied, "That's a kind offer, but I'm afraid that wouldn't work out."
Yuuichi asked, "Why not?"
Ms. Fashion explained, "We're looking for a female model."
Yuuichi said, "I understand."
Mayor Strong said, "By the way, did you talk to the police about getting a job at her police station?"
Yuuichi spoke in a nervous tone of voice, while replying, "I did."
Mayor Strong asked, "What did they say?"
Yuuichi said, "They don't think that I could ever be a part of the police force."
Mayor Strong replied, "In hindsight, you applying for the police force wasn't a good idea. However, I believe that you'll find a job that suits your skills."
Yuuichi put his hand on his chin, while saying, "You own quite a few businesses, Mayor Strong. Do you own any places that pay people to slack off?"
Mayor Strong answered, "I'm afraid not." Yuuichi sighed and started walking out of the store.
Ms. Fashion looked around the store and pointed to Natsuki. She faced Mayor Strong, while saying, "I think that young lady has the potential to make this store the money that you need." As to be expected, Ms. Fashion was more of an expert on fashion than Mayor Strong, so Mayor Strong valued Ms. Fashion's suggestion.
A few seconds later, Mayor Strong walked up to Natsuki and said, "Greetings. I'm Mayor Strong, the master of modern fashion."
Natsuki asked, "How can I help you?"
Mayor Strong said, "I figured that I should tell you that you're going to start working here."
Natsuki raised her eyebrows, while asking, "What are you talking about?"
Mayor Strong said, "My previous model quit, so you can have the job."
Natsuki was surprised to be offered a job in fashion. Shizuru went out of her way to compliment Shizuru on her looks, but Natsuki still thought she was average looking. She said, "I'm flattered by your unexpected offer, but I'm busy with other stuff."
Mayor Strong had a confident smile on his face, while opening a briefcase of money and saying, "Work starts tomorrow."
Natsuki smiled and replied, "No it doesn't, because I'm turning down your offer." Mayor Strong looked shocked, because he had never dealt with anybody who rejected a briefcase of money.
Shizuru put her arm around Natsuki and said, "You should take the job. This new store will fall apart if they don't get a model. Plus, we need a place to get the latest fashion." She blushed at Natsuki and said, "You'd be a lovely model."
Natsuki sighed and said, "I'll take the job, but only for a little while."
Mayor Strong replied, "That'll give me enough time to find a new model, so I accept that deal." Natsuki and Mayor Strong shook hands.
Natsuki and Shizuru went into Natsuki's car and started heading home. Shizuru smiled and asked, "Aren't you thrilled to become a model?"
Natsuki answered, "It doesn't seem like my cup of tea."
Shizuru said, "I look forward to seeing advertisements for the store that have you in them. I'll save them in my photo album." Natsuki blushed.
The next day, Natsuki went back to the clothes store. Mayor Strong and Ms. Fashion led Natsuki to a room where the modeling pictures were taken. Natsuki asked, "Is this going to take all day?"
Mayor Strong, "You don't need to worry about that. The clothes are so good looking that I'm sure you won't care about the time. The first thing we need you to try on will blow your socks off. I mean that, because the first thing we're advertising is flip flops."
Natsuki replied, "Okay." She took off her shoes and socks. Ms. Fashion put a pair of cat-themed flip flops on Natsuki's feet. Natsuki looked at them and asked, "What's up with the green cat design?"
Mayor Strong answered, "Cats aren't usually green, so it's comedy gold." He laughed, but Natsuki wasn't amused.
Ms. Fashion was the photographer. She faced Natsuki and said, "Point your feet in the air, while smiling."
Natsuki sighed and replied, "Alright." She did what she was asked to. Ms. Fashion took the picture.
Mayor Strong said, "It's time for the dress." He threw a dress to Natsuki. Ms. Fashion led Natsuki to the changing stall.
A few minutes later, Natsuki came back while wearing a blue dress that had drawings of penguins getting punched by crocodiles. Natsuki said, "I know that a model shouldn't question the boss about the outfits, but what is thing about?"
Mayor Strong explained, "Penguins and crocodiles have no known type of rivalry. The dress is so eccentric that it's sure to attract customers."
Natsuki was weirded out, but she went along with it. She asked, "How should I pose?"
Ms. Fashion answered, "Put one hand on your hip and smile." Natsuki did it.
Mayor Strong said, "The swimsuit is our next fashion item." He threw a swimsuit to Natsuki.
Natsuki got on a swimsuit that had a lava design on it. She asked, "What's up with the lava look?"
Mayor Strong explained, "Lava is the last thing people would expect from something you wear to a pool. My ideas sure are special." Natsuki rolled her eyes.
Ms. Fashion said, "Even I am struggling to find a way to advertise this silliness."
Mayor Strong whispered to Ms. Fashion, "Can we set her hair on fire? I think it might look cool in an advertisement."
Ms. Fashion whispered back, "We'd get sued if we did that."
Mayor Strong whispered, "Then I won't go along with it."
Natsuki said, "I'm getting cold, so can you take the picture?"
Mayor Strong laughed and replied, "It's ironic to complain about the cold when you're wearing a lava-themed outfit." Natsuki angrily growled.
Ms. Fashion said, "Just do a cute smile." Natsuki was in a bad mood, but she managed to get a cute smile to come to her face by thinking about Shizuru. Ms. Fashion took the picture.
Mayor Strong had Natsuki advertise a few other clothing items, including a hat that had a batty design, a sweater that had a picture of pencils on it and a jacket that had pictures of paperclips on it.
After Natsuki modeled those articles of clothing, Ms. Fashion said, "The modeling is finished."
Natsuki asked, "Will I have to come back tomorrow?"
Mayor Strong explained, "Those are the only model shots we need for our advertisements for the rest of the month. However, I'm expecting to see you next month."
Natsuki replied, "Modeling was a nice thing to try out, but I don't think that I want to do it on a regular basis."
Mayor Strong handed Natsuki his business card and said, "Reconsider your feelings." Natsuki put the card in her jacket and walked away.
A week later, the model shots of Natsuki started appearing in advertisements for the store. Pictures of Natsuki were in paper ads, TV commercials and a few billboards.
Natsuki and Shizuru went for a walk around the city. Natsuki looked around and saw a billboard of her wearing the penguins vs. crocodiles dress. She said, "How humiliating."
Shizuru smiled and replied, "It's the prettiest billboard that I've ever seen."
Natsuki said, "No way. I can't believe that I agreed to let them use advertisements of me all over the city. I'm sure that people will make fun of me for months."
A woman overheard Natsuki and replied, "I saw five people at a nearby store who were wearing that dress."
Natsuki asked, "Really?"
A few minutes later, Shizuru pointed to the swimming pool that was across the street. Natsuki and Shizuru looked and saw that half of the swimmers were wearing the lava-themed swimsuit.
Natsuki had a confused look on her face, while asking, "Why would they wear that?"
Shizuru smiled and answered, "Your cute smile was the perfect advertising gimmick."
Natsuki replied, "Thinking about you is what made me smile, so you deserve the credit."
Shizuru blushed and said, "The reason that I pressured you into doing the model shots is, because I wanted the whole world to see how beautiful you are."
Natsuki replied, "Looks aren't everything. Besides, I'm hardly anything special."
Shizuru held Natsuki's hand, while saying, "Your beauty is more than your looks. You have a beautiful heart. Do you know what I mean?"
Natsuki replied, "Yes I do. When I first met you, I thought you were pretty, but I wasn't attracted to you. What made me love you was the beauty of your heart, because I've never seen anything more lovely than your sweet kindness." Shizuru smiled and kissed Natsuki. The most beautiful thing in their lives was the love that they had for each other.
