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Sunlight poured gently into the room, casting warm patches of amber. The setting could have been from a painting. Nothing in the room stirred save for the gentle rise and fall of a woman's chest as she breathed rhythmically. At first glance, the lithe figure appeared to be lounging comfortably. A closer inspection would show that there was a nearly imperceptible stiffness in her frame. In her poised hand was a card of formal design, her eyes situated on the names presented.

Arashi and Miwako Nagase.

Yukari had been expecting this card for some time now. It came as little surprise that they'd be getting married. Having been together so long, it was the next logical step. But to expect something and for it to actually happen were different matters entirely. Now she held undeniable proof in the palm of her hand. She had to wait for it to be literally spelled out for her to catch up with the enormity of it all.

They're getting married. It was yet another change that took them one step further from who they used to be... Paradise Kiss.

Will George be there?

A small smile graced her lips, Of course he will. A bubble of nervous excitement, different from the joy she felt for her friends, accompanied that thought. It was bittersweet, enough to cause a hitch in her chest as she choked down the echo of sobs long spent.

It had been five years since he moved to France. George's career had blossomed splendidly, but why shouldn't it have? He was rich, talented, and very charismatic. Isabella had left with him that night, not informing anyone of her decision until after they made it safely to their destination. She made sure to keep in touch with her friends still in their homeland, calling to check in or sending the occasion cluster of pictures or magazine cut-outs to offer a piece of George's success. It took her a year to stop asking 'Carrie' to move to Paris.

"Why don't you come to Paris? You would love it here! It's another world entirely, so beautiful and glamorous."

"Isabella..."

"He doesn't say it, but he misses you. Carrie, it's every woman's dream to live for love."

"So you always tell me, but sometimes love isn't enough."

"Carrie..."

"I swear, you're worse than George with your doe-eyed romanticism! Give him my regards."

"Hai."

"Arigato, Isabella."

Yukari furiously swiped at the tears on her cheeks, "Baka! Haven't you cried enough?" Despite her self-scolding, the tears did not stop. She stood purposefully and fought her childish urges to run to safety. She was alone in her own apartment. There was nothing to hide from. Where was there to run anyway?

She took controlled, measured steps to her bathroom. She was no longer a naive child. There was no point in throwing a tantrum when nothing could come of it. When she made up her mind, she stuck to it and lived with the consequences. She may not have been the smartest girl or come from a wealthy family, but she worked hard to be where she was today. She had grown out of this weakness and the upcoming wedding was no reason for a lapse.

She scrubbed her face until it shone a healthy pink. She didn't bother to look directly into her own eyes when she faced her medicine cabinet mirror. She knew what she would see there and she resented it. Mornings like this were a dime a dozen.

Morning?

"Mou! I'm late!"

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"The model is here!"

"Caroline!" Carolled a few anonymous voices in unison, but Yukari brushed them aside as politely as she could manage.

"We were worried about you, Yukari-chan," a man dressed casually in a floral button-up shirt and designer slacks approached her. He was tall and utterly gorgeous. Feathery hair reached past his shoulders, glowing shades of pale gold in the artificial lighting. The top few buttons of his silk shirt were left unfastened, leaving a flash of his smooth chest revealed enticingly to admirers. He grasped her by the shoulders, gently steering her toward a vacant vanity.

"Gomen nasai Seiji-san! I lost track of the time."

"What has gotten into you? You're never late. You don't even have a stitch of make-up on!" Despite his chastising, he smiled reassuringly. Whenever he smiled, Yukari could swear she saw faint sparkles dreamily glimmer about his countenance. It was hard not to feel at ease around him, after you got over the initial star-struck reaction that is.

Miwako was right about him. Planet Sparkle indeed.

"What are you saying? That I have bad skin?" Yukari teased, "Besides, I thought make-up was your job."

Seiji chuckled good-naturedly, his grey eyes twinkling with gentle mirth, "Gomen, Yukari-chan. I didn't mean it like that. You're ravishing on your own and don't need help from the likes of me. Nonetheless, I still like to fuss over you, it soothes my professional side."

"Now who is teasing?" Yukari shared her own delighted laugh, "Anyway, I was late because the wedding invitation came in the mail today."

"I received mine today as well," Seiji nodded in understanding. "Exciting, ne?"

"Hai! With Mikako in charge, this will be the biggest event of the year!"

"Poor Arashi. I heard he wanted to have a small ceremony between friends and family, but the reception is going to be crazy. And now he has to deal with Mikako bossing him around!"

"The press will be all over it whether Arashi likes it or not. Mikako had the right idea to invite some of the media to the after party. Maybe this way they'll be more respectful toward the private ceremony. But who can blame them with that guest list? To have so many famous names gathered for such a joyous occasion is a tantalizing opportunity."

"Even our dear Prince Charming will be there, ne?"

"Jouji? Did he... did you speak to him?"

"Yukari-chan..."

Whatever Seiji may have wanted to add was cut off by the photographer's assistant. She was a petite woman dressed as sharply as a lawyer, obviously new to her position under the typically easy-going Tsutomi. She coughed not too subtly to call the couple's attention, "Miss Caroline? If you're ready, we're all set to get started." Her round, black eyes darted over the model, openly evaluating.

"Hai," the model subconciously straightened under the assistant's scrutiny. When she received a nod of approval, Yukari flashed an appreciative smile to her companion.

"Good luck, 'Caroline.'"

"Arigato Seiji-san."

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Translations:

Arigato - thank you

Baka - general insult; idiot, fool, moron, etc.

Mou - to mourn, to lament

Gomen (nasai) - I'm sorry

name-san - the basic neutral polite suffix, equivalent to "Mr.," "Mrs.," "Miss" or "Ms." in English

name-chan - is the equivalent of "kun" for babies and girls, but it is also used when an intimate friendship or other relationship exists between the speaker and the person being referred to. While "chan" is rarely applied to adult men, in situations where two men have had a long and close relationship, they will often be "chan" to each other.

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