CHAPTER 3 – MODEL
When Anna arrived in Japan, she had already contacted several agencies all who specifically denied her request on meeting Ren. Either he had a busy schedule, another photo shoot he could not miss, or more fans, they were devoted into keeping her away from him. For a faint reason, she knew it was both the work of Ren and Yoh to keep Anna from finding out more.
That didn't stop her from coming to China. Ren was now one of the most popular male models in the Asian countries, which deeply puzzled her. She had always observed the trinkets, knots, and switches of his mind trying to figure what makes him tick. However, she would have never suggested he would dare head into the modeling career. Ren was always the self-absorbed boy who wanted more power. If this was his way of obtaining it, then more power to him—she thought.
There had to be a way to corner him. She rented a hotel room and on the first night, she removed most of the papers from their envelopes with the papers' one to three letters a piece. There was no way that she could figure what Yoh was trying to communicate to Manta. The only possible chance she could break this puzzle was to see Ren.
She bit on her scarf with the possibility she may have to fight Ren to take him here. She would have to beat him and not just a slap. Unlike the other goofy boys who Yoh was always with in the Shaman Fight, Ren was not a person who would listen to anyone, especially her. Anna took the paper that read 'Tao Ren' in giant print and left her room. When she arrived at the lobby, she noticed the Events board, which conveniently announced of thirteen Asian models to arrive at this hotel within an hour for more photo shoots.
It was the perfect chance.
Groups of fangirls were already huddled outside of the hotel and inside the lobby areas helping themselves to some free food and chatting of who their favorite model was and why. It didn't bother her but their fake enthusiasm was a biting nuisance.
Anna observed the girls for a moment and finally realized what had to be done.
She went back to her room to take the nicest clothes she brought with her. She added a denim bucket hat and thin dark-rimmed shades. The itako thought of taking her beaded necklace with her but it would immediately draw attention. Instead, she resorted to keeping her beaded bracelet and wore the bride's necklace Kino gave to her when Anna was just a student.
Within the time span, Anna was able to braid her hair that has grown over the years. She had never bothered to cut it just because it was never worth the effort. After she felt everything was set and that she mimicked the near image of a Harajuku girl, she headed downstairs to find most of the models already here. However, none of them were Ren. Things had to be taken in hand now—she thought—as she began to scan the wandering thoughts of the male models and their agents who were with them.
Ren was already here.
The photo shoots will only be two hours long.
Quickly, she hurried over to the escalator and strolled as patiently as she could down the stairs to not look suspicious. Recalling some of the previous shamanic skills from the Asakura shrine, she made her way past the guards.
Door by door, she searched and was finally stopped by an agent.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked. "What are you doing here? You're not allowed back here."
"I'm Tao Ren's sister, Jun. I want to see him."
"Regarding...?"
"Our father is dead. Is that a good reason enough for me to tell him?"
The man stood at disbelief and slowly was connecting the dots for himself. It made sense this 'fangirl' could be Ren's sister. They both had the same temper and in no way did 'Jun' seem thrilled about coming here like the population of high school girls in the hotel lobby.
"I'll let him know you're here."
"Be quick about it."
The guard walked past her and knocked on the door that was conveniently the closest to her. She heard a faint voice from the other side and the agent opened the door slightly.
"Ren, your sister is here to see you."
"Regarding what? Are you sure it's not another one of those hideously irritating fangirls?"
"She brings bad news that your father is dead."
After a long, definite pause, the model in the room reluctantly agreed.
"Let her in. Leave us alone."
The guard stepped away and allowed the young girl into the room. Anna thanked him politely stepping quietly and shut the door behind her hearing to make sure the agent was nowhere around. His footsteps faded in the hallway. Ren appeared not to notice. He's gotten a lot more handsome—she thought—his temper is worse.
"You could have told me this by phone." Ren answered hoarsely. There was no answer. He didn't expect any. "Do they want me back for a funeral?" He set the brush down on the vanity and looked away from the mirror. With that, he dropped the case of powder as the glass scattered on the floor like a bombing epidemic of parasites. "You..."
"Hi. I'm your biggest fan." Anna removed the glasses and smiled mysteriously. "Ren."
