Chapter Ten
"Yes, yes, of course, I've been delaying you too long haven't I?" Doukun shrugged helplessly, flashing another smile at her. "Don't worry. Houjun works fast, and since you've come all the way here, I'll just show you to the studio right now!"
Perhaps it was the way Houjun looked, half turned away, a slight flush still visible on his neck and cheeks. Maybe it was because he had fallen too hard earlier, or hit his head or something like that. Not that it mattered very much, because all Genrou could do was nod and follow the tall brunette as Doukun beckoned him on.
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Houjun looked at the reflection in the mirror from the corner of his eye as he prepared his camera. And nearly screwed the superior flash onto his left hand instead.
He had known she was beautiful even with minimal make-up; the winning entry had been proof enough. Now, done up for a professional photo shoot, she looked a completely different person, and yet remained wholly the same.
Rich bronze skin had been toned and powdered, lightened slightly to a smooth honey shade. Dark red hair, straightened and pulled, shot through with wine and golden highlights, reached longer than he would have expected, down to around two inches past the shoulders. Tilting hazel-brown, gold-flecked eyes were traced and lined with a spectrum of colors that flashed from a luscious, deep green to a brilliant turquoise crystal. Her nose was powdered and artfully drawn to appear distinct on film, and her lips were outlined with a matted, syrupy red color that somehow reminded Houjun of rubies and roses.
She sat with her head bowed, her hands still clutching her bag tightly about her chest, her stillness only speaking louder for how uncomfortable she seemed.
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With the photographer moving around on the edge of his peripheral vision, Genrou shifted, turning and craning his neck slightly.
"Hey, don't move."
Tomo's voice was deep and sudden, breaking the silence as the make-up artist continued powdering the exposed skin on his neck and shoulders as though nothing had happened. Cringing inwardly with embarrassment, Genrou muttered an apology and returned to his position, looking up only to catch a glimpse of himself in the mirror.
Hey.
Wow.
He coughed slightly, turning away, but his heart was racing, and he could feel the tips of his ears beginning to burn again.
Damn it, I've got to stop blushing this easily.
Hell, he looked good. But that wasn't what was making his heartbeat pound dizzily in his ears now. No, definitely not. Not that it had anything to do with meeting the cinnamon eyes of the photographer across the room in the mirror either.
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"Tasu?"
The shoot was over. Genrou glanced surreptitiously at the clock on the wall of the far end of the studio, and noted that it had really been fast. Only an hour had gone by, and about six to ten rolls of film sat in their small boxes on the short table that flanked the door. Not that it had seemed that way.
God, this is insane! How can I let a man I've only met twice affect me like that? So what if he seems to be looking at me? He's a goddamned photographer…his job is to look at people!
"Tasu?" The voice repeated itself, a little louder this time.
Notwithstanding that my stomach seems to be on a freaking roller-coaster every single time his hair flops into his face, or he smiles, and how incredible his body—
"Hey, Tasu."
He yelped and whirled, meeting Houjun's amused eyes, trying to conceal with a bland expression the fact that he had, in truth, fantasizing about the very being who stood in front of him now. "Yes?"
Houjun gave a quick grin. "I hope this isn't too soon for you, but I wonder if I could get your permission to host your portfolio in a magazine. I have a project space to fill, and I think those shots I took earlier will turn out to be pretty awesome. When I develop the film, and if they look as good as I think they will be, then I'll send them over to G. With your consent, of course."
Genrou's mind was, safe to say, wiped completely blank at the sight of the older man's curved lips. It took another ten seconds for the words to penetrate completely.
"G Magazine?" God, that's one big, national media for my face to be plastered onto…I can't do it…no way…
"I'd really like the chance to showcase this—" Houjun was talking quietly, but his dark brown eyes sparkled iridescently as he glanced at Genrou, "—this phase of my work."
"I'd like to showcase you, Tasu Leika. May I?"