Hello, everyone!
As mentioned in the description, this was written for the HQ Trendsetter Zine! Here, I, as a reporter for Trendestter Magazine, interview Kuroo himself! It was so much fun to work on this, and to give a twist on Kuroo if he got pulled into the fashion world. I hope you all go check out everyone else's pieces for the zine, since it was honestly an absolutely fantastic group of people who came together for this.
And without further ado, onto the fic!
The man behind Tokyo's most prestigious fashion event of the year starts his day as he always does: with two large cups of steaming black coffee.
He drinks his first cup while looking over his schedule for the day, which includes a massive list of emails to send, people to call, and PR statements to respond to.
His main publicist, Hitoka Yachi, messages him about the waves of reporters who will be in line for the show. She also forewards a message she received from a mutual friend of theirs asking if Kuroo will be "let out of the clink" for the show.
Kuroo grits his teeth. According to him, his schedule keeps him so busy it's become a running joke in his friend circle that he's constantly in and out of prison.
He chugs his second cup of coffee and rushes to put on his trademark black suit. After checking that he has everything he needs for the day, he gets in his car and drives to Tokyo's biggest event of the year.
The Catalyst Fashion Show.
The Tokyo fashion scene first noticed Kuroo three years ago, when he was the lead Promotional Manager for the Japan Volleyball Association. It was a field outside of the show's usual scope, but Kuroo had made a name for himself by being the man people went to when someone needed to put on an event.
No matter how big, how complicated, Kuroo made it work. And when supermodel Lev Haiba had revealed to everyone that Kuroo was a former teammate of his, and that Kuroo had a hidden interest in fashion, managers at the Catalyst Fashion Show approached him with an offer.
Kuroo accepted.
Kuroo flashes his ID to the security guard posted at the fashion show's parking lot, getting buzzed in immediately. Kuroo knows there are issues for him to solve inside, ranging from missing shoes to pushy paparazzi to nervous designers. But instead of heading inside immediately, he makes a b-line for the entrance hall, where he knows an old friend is waiting.
Streamer and YouTuber Kenma Kozume—better known by his online handle, Kodzuken—is slinking his way toward the runway, where he has a front row seat. Each and every paparazzi in the area fights to get a snapshot of one of Japan's youngest CEOs, and the clicks of their cameras only get louder when Kozume spots Kuroo making his way toward him.
Kozume smiles as Kuroo leans over and thanks him for coming. Kozume says that it was a hassle to get there, but how could he not? Him showing up was the best way for Kuroo's show to get free press.
Kuroo grins like a cat. He poses with Kozume for a few photos, thanks him again, and rushes inside to deal with the inevitable pre-show emergencies.
This is the point in time where Kuroo is almost exclusively on his phone. He coordinates with assistants to rush out for extra accessories, check closets for supposedly missing jackets, and double-check that all photographers are in place. His phone doesn't stop buzzing, and Kuroo doesn't stop moving.
He walks by Alisa Haiba, one of the show's two main models who have attracted no shortage of press from around the world. She catches him by the elbow and tells him about "a nervous crow" in the backroom.
Kuroo nods, having expected this. He is now off to find Asahi Azumane, one of Japan's most prominent new fashion designers, who is still worrying about the final touches to his collection.
Kuroo finds Azumane in the backroom, readjusting a shoulder pad on Lev Haiba's jacket. Lev Haiba grins when he sees Kuroo, and Kuroo gives him a smirk before pulling a reluctant Azumane away from the model.
Asahi Azumane is one of Catalyst Fashion Show's main designers, and though the show has given him a time to shine, it also brings immense pressure. Kuroo expected this, so he immediately pulls Azumane aside and tells him to call one of the people on his In Case I Panic contact list.
Azumane takes the advice and calls up one of his old classmates from high school. Just as Kuroo is patting himself on the back for averting yet another crisis, he's found by his publicist. Yachi informs him of an issue with a group of over-enthusiastic fans that have tried to sneak into the runway.
Another emergency. But just like with everything else, Kuroo is well-prepared to handle it.
As multiple fans scream for a chance to get a picture with the famous Kodzuken, Kuroo tsks and lets his security team escort them out. He's about to finish the last pre-show checks when Yachi reminds him that he needs to pose for a few extra photos, so Kuroo straightens out his suit and makes his way to the main gallery.
Photographers line the room that houses the main runway, taking snapshots of the many guests before the show itself starts. Kuroo poses near the entrance. Paparazzi goad him with questions, videographers take the time to do a long camera take, and Kuroo gives them all his signature suave grin.
They ask him to stay and answer more questions, but Kuroo declines. He has some final prep work to do, and he's already late for another interview.
With Yachi's help, Kuroo slips away backstage again. He checks that all the missing accessories are back, that his models have gone through hair and makeup, and that Azumane has calmed down enough to joke with Lev Haiba.
Kuroo then checks in with the lighting and sound crews. They're all set, which just leaves Kuroo with one last thing to do.
Right before the runway starts, Kuroo sits down with Trendsetter Magazine to describe his day and his hopes for the show.
"I'm sure it'll be a hit," he says while leaning back in his chair. "We've got the right publicists, the right models, and the right fashion designer. And we've got myself, of course."
"Before coming into the fashion world, your expertise was in the volleyball scene," Trendsetter says. "What makes the fashion world different to that of volleyball?"
"Honestly, there's less of a difference than you'd think." Kuroo spreads his hands. "You have the obvious differences, of course: one is about sport, the other is about clothes and the like. But everyone has their own specialty.
"In volleyball, you have wing spikers, setters, middle blockers, and liberos. You can have amazing players in each role, but when they really shine is when they're brought together into a team.
"Here in the fashion world, you have the people who make the clothes, the ones who wear them, and the ones who publicize them. The fashion industry is made up of so many parts that, on their own, are valuable. But once you bring them together, they transform into something that you could never accomplish without everyone working as a team."
"And where do you fit in all this?" Trendsetter asks.
Kuroo grins. "I'm the man who brings it all together."
Yachi steps forward and announces that the show is about to start. "Looks like it's time," he says. "But I think I can give you guys one last picture."
Kuroo poses for Trendsetter's photographer and apologizes once again for being late to the interview.
"I hope the quality of the show makes up for it," he says as Yachi leads him away. "I promise, this'll be one of the best runways you've ever seen."
In the front room, the crowd murmurs in anticipation. Then overhead lights dim down, spotlights shine onto the stage, and the murmurs stop.
Kuroo walks out onto the runway, microphone in hand. His suit is nicely straightened, his hair is neat, and unless you'd known about it, no one could guess that this man has been rushing to get the show up and running.
"Thank you for coming, everyone," Kuroo says into the mic, his voice booming across the room. "And welcome to the runway of a lifetime!"