Day 3: Model x Photographer AU
Lies
Flawless, breathtaking, captivating…
Are some of the adjectives people use to define Yae Miko, head high with a smug smirk plastered on her face as her pink hair flows in the air with every step she takes, the clack of her heels resonating deafeningly against the hallways' floors on her way to her next photo shoot.
The sound of her steps immediately makes the crew turn around to watch her and quickly move out of her way as she goes past between them while the couple of girls accompanying her make their way to open the door for her, bowing as if she was a true Goddess walking proudly into her destination.
- Miss Miko, we were waiting for you arrival.
A timid blue-white haired girl says with a respectful bow, smiling at the pink haired woman as she takes her coat in her hands and follows the model to the chair that has her name written on, seeing the couple of girls accompanying her everywhere she goes helping her to touch up her make-up and hair.
- We apologize for the sudden mishap and change of schedule, the new photographer will be here in shortly, she's giving the last instructions to create the perfect set-up for you.
The assistant explains to the acclaimed model, bowing once again as she apologizes before she goes away, hearing Yae humming while dismissing her with her hand too busy staring at her own reflection on a small mirror to say anything else to her, before Yae gives her minions her approval over the last finishing touches applied.
Soon, a tall dark purple haired woman walks through the doors that Yae went through minutes ago carrying with her a spotlight and a couple of clothing, giving them to some of the people at the crew to then instruct them where and how they should be arranged to create the perfect environment for their photo shoot, before walking towards the blue-white haired assistant to take a fancy camera from her hands.
Yae can only arch an eyebrow at the exchange between them, seeing them talking in a cheerful way while hoping the photo shoot ends as soon as possible so she can go back to hide in the solitude of her apartment, when suddenly, a pair of sharp golden eyes meets her amethyst ones.
The model immediately feels her breath being taken away with such intense gaze as her heart races, beating loudly against her ribcage, those mesmerizing golden eyes piercing her soul and undressing her and all her lies with just a single gaze, before a really small smile curls up on the tall woman's lips.
- Miss Yae Miko, it's a pleasure to finally meet you and work with the model that captures the gazes and hearts of all the people around the world.
The photographer flatters the pink haired woman as she strolls towards her confidently, offering her one of her hands while the model's heart skip a beat upon her deep voice and confidence, before she composes herself and grasps the other woman's hand tightly to shake it.
- I'd like to say the same, but I'm afraid I don't have the pleasure to know your name.
The model retorts politely while trying to keep a neutral expression on her face as she observes the other woman smiling for a brief moment, feeling the callousness of her hand on hers.
- My apologies, where are my manners… I'm the photographer, Kujou Sara.
The dark purple haired woman introduces herself as she brings Yae's hand to her lips to leave a subtle and chivalrous kiss on it, making the pink haired woman blush lightly as her heart beats even faster than before, gasping upon recognizing the photographer's name.
Kujou Sara, one of the best and most renowned photographers all around the world. Her technique is envied upon everybody as she's able to capture the soul of whatever she has in front of her lens with just a single click of her camera.
Yae can't help but be surprised to see the renowned photographer being the one behind the camera for a cover photo shoot, something out of the other woman's comfort zone as the photographer is usually taking pictures of animals in their wild habitat.
But she barely has time to keep wondering what is the other woman doing there replacing the photographer that was supposed to take the pictures for the cover of the magazine, when her deep voice pulls her out of her reverie.
- If you are ready, would you mind to go to the center of the set?
Sara asks her ever so politely, seeing Yae nodding in return before walking to the center of the set as she was asked to without saying a word, hearing the photographer giving the last orders to place the spotlight in a certain way and with the right amount of light.
The model can't help but walk to the center afraid that Sara's photographs can reveal the truth behind her persona, how lonely she actually feels and especially, how unhappy she is.
Yae can't help but take a deep breath to calm herself down, before standing in the center of the set, seeing Sara herself adjusting the lens of her camera.
As the photographer does that, her assistant touches up her hair to then indicate her how she should pose, with Yae following her directions attentively while the photographer takes pictures of her standing or sitting on a throne, Sakura petals being thrown over her.
The model notices the way Sara moves around the set as if it was her own house, commanding orders to create the perfect atmosphere to take several shots while the click of her camera echoes nonstop, standing out her pale complexion and the brightness of her pink hair or the mesmerizing amethyst of her eyes in each picture she takes, focusing on framing the upper part of her body in a frontal position as well as her face and the empty smile she wears.
She can't help but let out a sigh of relief as soon as the photographer announces the end of the photo shoot and everybody begins to tidy up, accepting her coat back as her minions help her to put it on.
- Excuse me, miss Miko – Sara comes to ask the model camera in hand, pausing before the pink haired woman indicates her to continue – I'm not familiar with how things are done in the modeling industry, but I guess you'd like to be the first one looking at the pictures I'll choose for the magazine before sending them, is that correct?
Yae can't help but be surprised by this.
Usually the photographers say their goodbyes and she doesn't know anything about them or the pictures until she sees herself on the cover of the magazine as it's out, leaving to her manager and the editorial to take part on the retouches and selections of pictures that the photographers have sent to them.
But for some odd reason, Yae finds herself nodding, not minding to make this time being different, feeling unsure of what Sara's photographs can say of her and that nobody else was able to photograph before.
- Of course. Call me whenever you're done choosing the best ones so I can give you my opinion about your choice.
The model says trying to hide her insecurity, seeing the other woman nodding and smiling softly, before she takes a card out of her trousers to give it to her, exchanging like that their phone contacts.
- Then I'll be waiting for your call, miss Kujou.
Yae says then her goodbye, seeing Sara giving her a last smile before the pink haired woman turns to leave, wanting nothing more than get out of there and of being under Sara's mesmerizing but sharp look trying to discover all her secrets and lies. Trying to calm down the fast and loud beating of her heart as she keeps walking away towards the solitude of her apartment.
Silence and darkness envelop her as soon as she enters her apartment, a reflection of her life itself that elicits a heavy sigh from her as she goes to remove her makeup.
Yae can't help but look at the pale and tired reflection on the mirror trying to smile before it, just to end up letting out a heavy sigh, closing her eyes as she turns to take off her clothes and get in the shower avoiding to look at the shadows of her ribs looming over her frame, before she finishes and gets into more comfortable clothes, eating something light for dinner to head to sleep after a long day of work, golden eyes haunting her in dreams.
The following morning and as every day, Yae wakes up with the sun filtering through her curtains, stretching on her bed before awakening completely to make her way to the kitchen and have breakfast, starting the day with energy.
As she's taking a spoonful of her meal and letting out some lost yawns in between bites, the beep of her phone notifying her of a new message pulls her out of her reverie, opening it to read the text from a certain dark purple haired photographer.
"Miss Miko, I apologize for the inconvenience, but I just wanted to inform you that I already finished choosing the pictures and will have them edited for tomorrow"
The photographer says in the message, surprising the model at how efficient and fast she is, but then again she's one of the best photographers around the world so she shouldn't be surprised about it.
Yae can't help but swallow the bite of the meal she was eating, before she begins to answer the other woman.
"Great! Then I'll drop by later to check them out, miss Kujou"
"I'll be waiting then. Have a nice morning, miss Miko"
The photographer says her goodbye via text, before sending Yae the address of her studio, causing a soft smile to spread across Yae's lips, before the model finishes eating her breakfast to go and get ready to leave her apartment towards the photographer's studio, doing her hair and make-up as she dresses up in a fancy suit to then meet her chauffeur.
- Can you take me to the number 5 of the Tenryou Street?
She asks her chauffeur, giving a white spiked haired man the address of Sara's studio while seeing him nodding, before he starts the engine of the luxurious car.
As they travel through the crowded roads, Yae can't help but notice how they begin to get empty as they get away from the big city to enter a much far away and calmer part of it, silence replacing the hustle and bustle always reigning over the jungle of concrete and skyscrapers.
Yae can only watch enchanted the large house in front of her as soon as they stop at the address given and she gets out of the car with the help of her chauffeur.
- I'll be waiting for you here, miss Miko.
Her chauffeur tells her, making Yae give him a soft smile and nod in return, before she advances through the lovely garden on Sara's entrance, nothing but the chirping of the birds greeting her as well as the rustling of the trees planted in there, especially of the large Sakura tree that captivates her completely, stopping by its shadow to admire it.
And even though the photographer lives in the most remote part of Inazuma's city, Yae finds the solitude and quietness surrounding her and replacing the noise of the rush hour of the city, quite lovely, being much different to her own apartment's solitude.
A soft smile spreads across her lips as she closes her eyes and enjoys such calmness washing over her, helping her to feel a bit more confident, before she ends up crossing the lovely garden to ring Sara's studio's bell.
- Miss Miko, is a pleasure to have you in my humble abode. Would you like some tea?
Sara greets her warmly as soon as she sees her, opening the door of her studio to let the other woman in as she offers the model a cup of tea that Yae can only reject politely.
- No, but thank you, miss Kujou. And you can call me Miko.
- Then if you don't mind following me around, miss- Yae...
Sara tells her and the model then realizes how this isn't only Sara's studio but her house too, noticing the open concept kitchen as they go through the hallways of the minimalist house, the pale purple color dyeing the walls while giving her a warm feeling, before she notices the photographs adorning the walls of what seems to be the living room.
- If you don't mind waiting here for a second so I get all ready…
Sara asks her, seeing Yae nodding before she disappears around the corner and lets the model take a look of the photographs on the walls, her gaze stopping for a moment on one of them completely captivated by the vivid colors of the small pink fox in it, its warmth and sly demeanor transfixing the large photograph, before she goes to the next one, a majestic crow that while even looking intimidating, gives a soft vibe.
Yae can only chuckle as she thinks how ridiculous that sounds, before her eyes land on the large painting decorating one of the walls completely, a purple braided haired God standing in the middle of a raging storm looking menacing as a fox spirit protects her while the eyes of a crow glow mesmeric at her feet, giving the painting an even more powerful vibe.
She's so engrossed in the painting, that she doesn't realize Sara came back until her deep voice pulls her out of her reverie.
- A… friend of mine painted it – she says really softly, looking with fondness at the painting, before she clears her throat – If you don't mind...
Sara tells the other woman prompting her to accompany her to enter a small but cozy dark room.
- Ah, my apologies.
The photographer apologizes as she rushes to turn the lights on, making Yae blink due to the sudden change, before her gaze lands on the photographs hanging around them.
- These are the photographs I've chosen.
Sara says as she points at the series of photographs before them, moving to take down some of them, before Yae's voice stops her.
- And those?
Yae asks her inquisitively upon seeing herself in those photographs, noticing a light blush tinting Sara's cheeks.
- Those photographs aren't suit for the magazine.
- Why?
- Because... they have flaws – the photographer confesses coyly, and the model finds herself almost snorting at her words.
- Nonsense. Leave them there.
She reassures the other woman, seeing her leaving them hanging as Yae starts to look at the first ones. But as she runs her eyes over them one by one, she can't help but feel… empty.
The photographs themselves are extremely well taken, noticing the care in them, but Yae still feels nothing when looking at them.
She doesn't feel anything looking at the empty smile plastered on her face in them, and even though she should be content about being able to hide the lies behind her façade, she can't help but feel disappointed at the renowned photographer.
A dejected sigh escapes her lips as she keeps running her eyes over the photographs until she comes across the ones that aren't "perfect", those which Sara claims they have flaws, gasping as she stares at the first one: a photograph of her looking with nothing but a distant look in her eyes as if she was deep in thought while being sat on the throne used for the photo shoot.
Yae can't even remember feeling like that during the photo shoot, before her eyes land on the next photograph, seeing herself standing up against the same throne as petals fall over her with her eyes closed and a rather soft expression on her features yet an exhausted smile on her lips.
She can't help but feel her heart beating loudly against her ribcage, feeling something uneasy taking over her upon staring at them, captivated yet also scared of seeing herself being exposed out in the open like that.
She can't help but gulp nervously at them and at what the photographer is able to capture with the click of her camera, seeing the timid smile that expresses more than she'd have liked in the following one.
A chill runs down her spine as her hands tremble, and she obliges herself to look away and take a deep breath to talk.
- You're right, these photographs aren't suit for the magazine – she tells the other woman as harsh as she can muster, pointing then at the first photographies – Please edit these ones before handing them over to the editorial.
She asks pointing at the soulless photographies, seeing Sara nodding, before they say their goodbyes and Yae gets out of the photographer's house as fast as her legs allow her so Sara can't keep seeing more through her.
She can't help but notice how her once confident strode becomes wobbly as she advances to hide into the safety of her luxurious car, taking a shaky breath as her body rests against the fluffy seats.
- Itto-san, please, take me home.
- Yes, miss.
She tells her chauffeur quietly, letting her gaze get lost on the quietness reigning over the area as the landscape around them moves and changes through the window of the car, before the noise of the big city and concrete jungle envelops her once again.
She already knew about the talent of the photographer with her camera more than enough, but she couldn't even fathom the idea of feeling so exposed, so vulnerable in front of somebody, all the walls she worked so hard to build up to hide the unhappiness of her life crumbling down with every click of Sara's camera.
After saying goodbye to her chauffeur, Yae rushes to the elevator to quickly hide in the comfort and solitude of her apartment, wanting nothing more than forget everything the photographer made her feel with her photographs and mesmerizing sharp golden eyes.
She barely has the time to get changed into more comfortable clothes and sat on the couch, postponing the meeting with her manager alleging to be feeling unwell, when the sound of the TV playing in the background dazes her until she falls asleep with a tight feeling on her chest and tears falling down her eyes, her thoughts consuming her.
The following morning, Yae wakes up with the sound of her phone beeping with a new message, hearing her bones cracking as she stretches and sits up on the couch with the TV still on in the background, before she grabs her phone from the table in front of her.
"Yae, I've finished editing the photographs, and I will take them to the editorial later in the morning. I've thought you'd like to be informed."
Sara texts her, making Yae's heart race, before she gasps and quickly goes to get changed into a pair of baggy sports pants and a hoodie, tying her hair back into a ponytail as she puts a pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap on to get out of her apartment without the fear of being recognized on the streets, and before she takes the first cab she finds.
She quickly gives the driver the address of Sara's house hoping she can get there just in time to stop the photographer before she leaves to hand over the photographs.
As soon as they arrive to her destination, and after paying the driver, the model gets out of the cab and runs to Sara's front door, almost crashing into her as the photographer gets out of her house at the same time.
- I'm sorry miss- Yae? Is everything alright?
The dark purple haired woman apologizes, correcting herself still unused to not call Yae so formally while surprised to find the other woman at her front door looking rather disheveled and out of breath, seeing her panting hard as Yae holds her knees to catch her breath.
- Can I… see... the photographs?
Yae asks while still catching her breath, surprising Sara with her request, before the photographer nods and lets her in, guiding her to the deepest part of her studio.
On their way, Yae can't help but stare at the walls around her decorated with more of Sara's captivating photographs as well as some figurines, cameras and paintings, making her wonder if this mysterious friend of Sara is a special person or the photographer herself painting them.
But Yae doesn't have the time to keep pondering about it until she can accidentally discover Sara's secret, when the deep voice of the other woman brings her out of her musings.
- If you don't mind…
Sara trails off as she moves to turn on the large pc screen in front of them. Meanwhile, Yae runs her eyes over the dozen of cameras and paintings filling the shelves and walls of the room where the photographer gives form to her lovely creations.
The model isn't sure what is she even doing there, but she can't help but follow the voice at the back of her head urging her to take a look at the photographs once again and change her mind about them.
- Here.
Sara then shows her a folder with the edited photographs, and even though the photographer did a great work editing the photographs to make her look perfect, without any spot on her skin nor wrinkle or any flaw whatsoever, aside of making her look happy while standing out her features and the vivid color of her eyes and hair, Yae can't help but feel empty looking at them.
- I'll leave you to look at them calmly.
Sara tells her as she gets out of the room, leaving Yae alone with the photographs and her thoughts.
A shaky sigh escapes the model's lips as her hand rests over the mouse hesitantly, moving through the pictures on the screen over and over again, before she closes the window and ventures into another folder with the name of "discarded" on it.
Yae feels her heart beating loudly against her ribcage and ears, taking a deep breath before clicking on said folder to then open the first picture stored in there, being immediately captivated by what she hides from everybody but that the photograph shows perfectly.
- I see you've found them.
Sara's sudden voice makes Yae jump startled, turning around to see the dark purple haired woman looking at her with a soft smile on her lips while she hands her a mug of steaming tea. Yae can only look guilty as the takes the mug in her hands, bringing it to her lips to drink the delicious and calming black tea Sara brewed for them.
- I'm sorry, I-
- It's okay, don't worry. I had a feeling those where the photographs you truly wanted to see.
Sara offers as the both of them stare at the picture in front of them, a beautiful Yae with her eyes closed resting against the throne while petals fall over her and a feeling of calm and exhaustion washes over her.
Yae can't help but bite her lip gazing at it, before she lets out a shaky breath, closing her eyes as she finds her voice.
- Is it too late to change the photographs you chose to hand over? – she asks shakily, insecure and unable to look at Sara after all the effort and time she spent on editing the photographs.
Sara for her part, can't help but smile softly, before looking serious once again.
- Are you sure of it?
Sara asks her instead, and Yae can feel her sharp golden eyes piercing through her soul, bringing tears to her eyes.
- No.
She admits scared for the first time ever, tears already falling down her face, before she feels Sara taking the mug off her hands to pull her into a hug. The model can't help but tense, before she hugs the photographer back tightly, hiding her face in Sara's chest as she breaks into tears.
- It's okay, I get it – Sara comforts her as she rubs the model's back in circles to help her to calm down, pulling her away to then wipe the tears away from the model's eyes – I get how scary is to be exposed out in the open like that.
Sara says as she strokes Yae's cheeks, feeling her leaning slightly on her touch. And even though Yae wants to ask her why and unravel the photographer's secrets too, she simply lets her warmth comfort her until her tears stops falling down.
- I'm scared – Yae admits as Sara looks at her softly, stroking her still wet cheeks – I'm scared that everybody will be able to see how everything is like. How unhappy I feel, and how empty and lonely my life is. How much I dislike myself…
Yae confesses in a bare whisper, seeing nothing but understanding in Sara's eyes.
- Then why don't you want me to hand over the other photographs? I can do a better editing if you wish – Sara offers, eliciting a soft smile from the model as she shakes her head.
- I appreciate it, and your hard work in them... but I…
Yae's voice fades as a new wave of tears peek out of her eyes, prompting Sara to hug her tightly again.
- I'm tired of lying, of pretending…
She whispers against Sara's chest, encircling her back to grip her shirt tightly in her fists as she admits for the first time of how tired, exhausted even, she is of having to pretend to be perfect all the time and having to behave in front of the media.
She's tired of having to barely eat so she can look thin and be on an "ideal" weight all the time, or having to attend to parties with people she doesn't know or even like instead of being in her cozy apartment even if that means to sink into the solitude she feels.
She's tired of not having anybody around or being able to trust anybody because people hurt her for the sake of being famous no matter want it takes for them to get there.
And even though she didn't voice out anything of it or how she feels, Sara understands the model perfectly, hoping she can relax and feel safe with her and in her embrace.
They stay like that for what it feels forever, before pulling away.
- If that's what you wish, I'll do a light edit to those photographs to emphasize your beauty, before hand them over to the editorial.
Sara tells Yae, seeing her smiling timidly, before the photographer allows her to explore her house while she works on said photographs and their editing.
The model can't help then but wander around the house, sipping her black tea with milk in delight while looking enraptured at the dozens of photographs adorning Sara's walls: from cute or fierce animals to timid portrays of strangers or even dreamy landscapes, before she stops by some majestic paintings decorating the walls.
Yae stares at the purple braided haired God in one of them completely captivated by the power she holds, before noticing a faint handwriting at its caption.
"K. S"
The elegant handwriting recites, bringing a smile to Yae's lips, before she hears footsteps approaching her.
- It seems like I'm not the only one hiding secrets.
Yae says with a soft and reassuring smile on her lips as she turns around to look at Sara, seeing her blushing bashfully.
- That's an… old story.
Sara answers coyly as she shows Yae the pendrive that contains the edited photographs for the editorial.
- One that I hope I get to hear over a mug of delicious black tea with milk one day, though.
The pink haired woman offers softly, tilting her head with a fond smile playing on her lips while winking, making Sara blush harder yet nod timidly.
- T-that would be nice – the dark purple haired woman admits timidly upon being the one with her secrets being discovered – I'm going to the editorial to hand over the photographs. Would you like me to take you home?
Sara offers Yae, seeing her nodding bashfully as they head to the photographer's car, driving through the calm roads in silence while listening to some music comfortably, before the photographer drops the model by her house with the promise to meet up soon and talk about the magazine's cover and contents and unravel Sara's secrets over a mug of black tea with milk just like Yae suggested.
The magazine, despite what Yae thinks, is a complete success, running out the same day of its launch much to both women's surprise who can't help but congratulate one another as they talk about working together more often since the model can't bear not doing more photo shoots if Sara isn't the photographer in charge of them or otherwise, her assistant Ayaka who seems to have quite a keen eye for details.
- So are you going to be the photographer of my next photo shoot or will it be Ayaka?
Yae asks in the middle of a dark room too busy wetting the photograph in the small tank with liquid in front of her as to notice the soft smile spreading across Sara's lips upon her question, and before she takes the photograph of the tank to hang it on the string to dry it, pausing for a moment to gaze at the pink fox curled up in the middle of a leafy field and the rather soft crow snuggled in its tail that appear in it.
Yae can't help but smile at how soft the photograph looks, before the tall dark purple haired woman invades her personal space to take the next photograph off the small tank.
- Hey!
The pink haired woman exclaims as Sara "steals" her next photograph, hearing her giggling as she hangs it for the model.
- You were taking too long – Sara defends herself, noticing Yae pouting, before she continues talking – I'll be the photographer in this one.
Sara tells the other woman, causing her to smile happily as they leave the dark room to drink some of Sara's delicious black tea with milk, the photograph of a certain dark purple haired photographer and a pink haired model smiling genuinely happy to the camera as they hug tightly being slowly developed.