Five minutes were spent lost in a frenzy of dresses and accessories for Hime. Another five were used hidden between the rows of dresses, giving Hime a crash course on how to walk like a model. Thanks to her background as a professional ballet dancer, she had a great foundation to build on. Kyoko then splurged on their quickly dwindling time, using fifteen minutes to do her makeup.
"Only five minutes left," said Hime, hovering by Kyoko as she finished applying her fake eyelashes. Thank goodness the staff had supplied makeup. Apparently, they were allowed to take it home after this. Kyoko didn't need to be told twice. Free high-end makeup? Please, and thank you for your generosity.
"Almost done… There." Kyoko gave her face a quick look over, thanking her steady sewing hands for the even black wingtips lining her eyes. She stood up to head for the back of the room. "Let's go Hime-san."
But Hime hadn't moved. She gaped, staring at Kyoko.
"Hime-san?"
"Sorry." Hime shook herself, following Kyoko to the back of the room. "It just caught me off guard. You look very different. Like, wow."
They had hung the Kimono in the back of the room, placing it under the air vent to help it dry. When Kyoko put a hand to the stains, only a few portions of them felt slightly moist.
"It will have to do," said Hime. "Quick, get everything off."
Kyoko quickly stripped to her underwear, following Hime's next instructions to hold out her arms. Hime placed the kimono backward under Kyoko's arms and wrapped the sleeves around her torso. Next, she took the binding, tying it properly together to hold it all in place.
"I helped one of my cousins do this at her wedding," said Hime. "She saw it on social media and wanted to try it. She wore the kimono properly for the wedding and then adjusted it to this for the parties afterward. She used a different type of kimono, but this one will work. Quick, hold up your dress."
Kyoko bunched up the dress, stepping into the cream decorative petticoat Hime had found. It took some tweaking, but they managed to get everything settled in place.
"One minute left!" called someone at the front of the room.
They tugged and adjusted, desperately trying to settle any imperfections. Even with Kyoko's experience wearing Kimonos, they barely made it. With ten seconds left, Kyoko and Hime looked each other up and down trying to find anything wrong with the other.
Hime wore a ball gown with a tulle outer layer, lined with white lace inching up the dress. With her hair gathered behind her, a crown of flowers transitioned into a mid-length veil flowing gently behind her. Add a complimentary necklace decorating her otherwise bare collar and she looked like a princess.
"Beautiful," breathed Kyoko.
A grin spread slowly on Hime's face as she stared at Kyoko. "I agree. I think we can consider our revenge against Kimura complete."
A buzzer sounded. They were officially out of time.
"Everyone to the front of the room," called out someone Kyoko instantly recognized Maria. "Put down your makeup brush. That's time. Everyone, come out."
Kyoko and Hime stepped out from the back of the room, moving with everyone else into a separate area near the wings. This must be where they were supposed to wait in line during the fashion show. As she walked, Kyoko couldn't help but stare.
Everyone had transformed. With so many women, there was a little of everything in the mix. She saw pure white dresses and others with color accents. There were dresses so big the women had to waddle sideways to make it past the other participants and others so short they looked more like party gowns than wedding dresses. There were blood-red lips, sparkling crowns, and two other women in kimonos. No, that was a kimono-inspired dress, not a true one.
Kyoko could just die now and be happy. If there was one thing in the world that could unite all the single-but-don't-want-to-be-single women on the planet, it was wedding dresses.
As she was ushered into her spot in line, Kyoko finally got a look at herself in a huge floor-length mirror that took up much of the wall.
The kimono had transformed into a western-inspired look. With her sleeves tucked under the obi and obijime, it left her shoulders bare but the obi still bound around her midsection like a traditional kimono. Where the Kimono's material didn't cover, the petticoat brushed the floor and kept a nice bell shape.
While Kyoko's makeup wouldn't pass in Muse's books, it would do for the situation. She'd been a touch heavy with it since they would be on stage, but her eyes were now successfully brightened and wide, lips a plump pink. She hadn't had time to look for any jewelry, but she found that the one piece she'd worn today was just enough for her. The simple yet elegant chain holding Princess Rosa fit right in.
While Kyoko would usually appreciate the magic of clothes and makeup that could completely transform her, she didn't this time. She felt stalled at another piece of information that kept trying to tug itself to the front of her attention.
"I've always found you attractive."
Kyoko pressed her hands to her heart, feeling it swell with an extra bit of tentative happiness. She couldn't wait to see Ren. And maybe— just maybe, he would say she looked nice again.
"How'd I do?" said Hime.
"Like you're going to help me at my wedding. It's just beautiful." Kyoko twirled. Then twirled again. Someone was going to have to stop her.
Hime looked pleased. "Do you see the look Kimura is giving us? It's like she swallowed a lemon."
It was an accurate description. While Kimura had the unfortunate time to fix her hair, perhaps the look of dung under her nose would stick.
Two stagehands were ushering people into place in line, telling them to all shut up and listen as Maria gave them their instructions. As Kyoko got in line, she spotted Sakura in the midst. Her friend had chosen a bold dress with a high collar and a mermaid silhouette that burst into a ruffle of organza. Her hair was board straight and naked, allowing her large earrings to shine. She certainly had the daring look of a catwalk.
Kyoko was awed.
"I want to tell Sakura-san she looks beautiful," said Kyoko.
Hime grabbed her by the arm. "No, don't. This is your whole problem. You are completely unaware."
Kyoko gave a flat look. "You broke up with your fiancé because you stopped being clingy and he thought you lost interest."
Hime huffed. "That's different."
"Not really."
Maria flipped a large bucket upside down to stand on it. She wore another pantsuit today, hair an explosion of curls protruding from a tall ponytail.
"Shut up you twittering chickens!" she yelled. "I know wedding dresses are exciting and all that, great. Glad you can live out your girlish fantasies but for the love of fashion, shut up and listen. We are on a schedule and I don't want to pay those money-sucking leeches for a single extra hour of their time."
"I think Maria forgot to take her nap today," whispered Hime.
Maria focused on them, fixing them with a death stare. Hime straightened with a nervous swallow.
"That's better," said Maria. "Now, there will be some waiting, so you'll have plenty of time to twitter away then. You'll have an interview before and after you go down. You'll each have a male partner to walk the runway with. No practice. You just have to listen to instructions and keep your head on." She gave a devilish smile. "No pressure girls. It's only your dream dress on the line."
With that, she launched into more details about what to expect. It was straightforward, nothing Kyoko couldn't manage.
"That girl is going to grow up to be a force to be reckoned with," said Hime with awe.
"You should meet her grandfather," muttered Kyoko.
The two of them were near the middle of the line, so they had plenty of time to do any last-minute adjustments to her kimono and talk strategy. It also gave Kyoko time to look around the room, assessing her competition. Based on what she saw… she had a fairly good chance at the top three at least. Much of it would depend on her walk.
She watched the women who had gone before, still jittery with nerves as they were led into another separate room for those who had already walked. It stopped the others from asking what to expect and having an unfair advantage.
Finally, it was her turn. She was pulled into a cramped alcove, a camera facing a wall she had to stand before. The female robot helper manned the camera, emotionlessly flicking it on.
"How are you feeling about your chances?" she asked from a sheet of paper. Likely a list of questions to ask each participant.
"Pretty good," said Kyoko with a smile. "I've never walked on the runway, but I have been taught a walk from a senpai with experience. Hopefully, I'll do their instructions justice."
And so it continued with just a few more questions. The woman finally reached the end of the short list, speaking as if she didn't expect any interesting answer.
"Anything else you'd like to say? To another contestant you want to beat, a man you hope you walk with, or anything like that?"
"Ah, yea." Kyoko let her simmering rage rear its head. Little Kyoko demons hovered from her shoulders, cooing in delight.
"Kimura-san, for what you did to those dresses, I hope you fall flat on your face," said Kyoko. "And I'll beat you with one of the dresses you tried to destroy."
"Great." The assistant didn't break her bored expression, motioning Kyoko away. "Now get in place. It's almost your turn."
Kyoko walked toward the stage wings, passing one of the women on the way. It was Glasses-san. A Kimura sympathizer, if Kyoko remembered.
Trained ninja instincts warned her of the feeling of bloodlust. Kyoko stopped dead, looking behind her.
Glasses-san had stopped right behind Kyoko, a single heel digging into the hem of Kyoko's kimono. If Kyoko had taken a single step forward…
"Move," said Kyoko sharply.
The woman jumped, abruptly pulling her foot off Kyoko's hem.
"What?" she said with a forced air of indifference. "Don't be rude."
"And don't play dirty. Be better than Kimura-san."
Embarrassment flashed in Glasses-san's face. It vanished as she gave a defiant sniff, turning her back to Kyoko and stalking away.
Goodness, just how many people hated her thanks to Kimura? Just what had she done to deserve this drama?
Well, you did stuff a mouse down her shirt during the obstacle course.
That had been different! She'd been possessed by Natsu and she'd apologized. Right? She had apologized. It didn't matter. Escalation was never the right choice.
A stagehand waved her forward in irritation, reminding Kyoko of her goal. She stepped up, diligently listening to the instructions of what to do next. Then she looked across and saw who she was walking with.
…Who was this again?
He wore a white tux, one that looked more like a dinner jacket than wedding attire with a black bowtie. His hair was on the long side, bangs pulled to one side that offset his roguish grin. Ah, that's right. This was Yoshio. The man Sexy-chan, Bow-san and Kimura were fighting over.
How wonderful.
His expression brightened as they came together, standing behind the curtain before it began. Kyoko busied herself with getting in the right mindset.
"What's your name?" said Yoshio.
Surprised, Kyoko looked at him. If a person's eyes could be stuck, that's what his were. The man's attention was absolute.
"Mogami Kyoko." She didn't expect him to know. They'd never spoken before.
"Kyoko-san?" His grin spread. "Excuse me for not recognizing you, of course, it's you. Bow-san is very taken with you. She'd talked about you to me."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Though I'd like to get to know you better in person."
"Look," said Kyoko, cutting him off. "I'm sorry to be rude, but we are about to start, and I want to win. Kim— I mean, someone spilled tea on my dress and I want to take them down."
"Oh, of course," said Yoshio. "Then we can talk later?"
What was this guy's deal? "I mean, sure, if you want to."
Yoshio gave a grin, the expression charming, even if a little excessive for Kyoko's taste.
"I look forward to it, Kyoko-chan."
That raised Kyoko's hackles. It was too familiar too fast. This man had only just learned her name.
The assistant hissed they were ready a second later.
The world just needs to slow down for five seconds!
In the three it took for the curtains to rise, Kyoko had pulled from deep within herself, forcing all her emotions into place as her professional persona took over. In perfect step with Yoshio — due to Kyoko both taking the lead while simultaneously following him — they made their way down the runway.
The lights weren't too bright so she could see the three judges watching with their critical eyes. She kept the instructions in her head, stopping where she was supposed to and waiting for Yoshio to show off his attire during his turn.
When she stepped up to the T, she gave the proper time to pose, focusing on showing off the dress more than her own shine. She couldn't help a bright smile though, allowing her excitement to fill her. She was walking down a runway in a dream-worthy wedding dress! Oh, if only Ren was the groom beside her. She might combust from joy!
They took a few minutes on the runway, turning when prompted by the stagehands and posing as the judges took notes and watched every twitch. This was what would be so draining on the contestants. It was easy to walk on the runway and quickly get off. But staying in the center stage as people made notes and critiqued your appearance? That would crack a fair few of them. At least, that was Kyoko's hope.
As she walked to the other side of the T, she noticed the woman with the bowl haircut giving Kyoko a ferocious glare. That didn't look good.
Unease filled her but she kept it from her face, finishing with Yoshio as they walked arm in arm back to the curtains. They were quickly swept to the back room, Kyoko giving Hime an encouraging smile as she passed. The woman looked excited.
The waiting room was partially filled with other contestants already done with their turn on the runway. A large flatscreen TV sat raised on one of the walls, showing in real-time the catwalk. Kyoko made it in just in time to see Hime making the opening walk with her partner.
Yoshio suddenly emerged in her field of vision, making her jump.
"Hey, didn't mean to sneak up on you," he laughed. "Want a drink? I see some in the corner," he was already moving in that direction, somehow taking Kyoko with him.
"Oh, no thanks," said Kyoko. "I'm still underage."
He raised a brow. "Are you? You look mature for your age, I would never have guessed."
He took a drink, handing Kyoko a clear glass he promised was water. She took it, wondering how she could get away politely. She wanted to watch the competition as well as Hime.
"You really look beautiful," said Yoshio.
"Oh, thanks," said Kyoko offhandedly.
"I didn't even think about wearing traditional garb."
"I knew I wanted it the second I saw it." Ah, now she was in a position to watch the TV and him at the same time. Perfect. Looked like Hime was doing alright.
"Decisive, I can understand that," he said. "I'm the same way, just not with clothes."
He gave a pointed smile.
Before Kyoko could do more than give a confused expression, Kimura appeared. Her fingers wrapped around Yoshio's bicep like a bird of prey, talons coated a possessive red. Her expression remained civil, though only just. Kyoko's demons could smell the anger simmering beneath.
"There you are," Kimura said with an overly airy laugh. If Kyoko had to guess, she'd already visited the drinks table. "I've been waiting for you to finish, Yoshio. I wanted to show you my dress. What do you think, do you approve?"
She pulled back only enough for him to see her top half, still attached to his arm.
"You look great," he said.
She hugged him close again. "Really?"
"Yeah."
Kyoko watched the two continue to smile and laugh, thinking she was free of Yoshio now that Kimura had his attention. No need to stay here. The less exposure she had with Kimura, the happier they'd both be.
She took a step away, but Yoshio's voice pulled her back.
"What do you think?" said Yoshio. "Kimura-chan hates my white suit, but I think it looks great."
The moment Yoshio took his eye off Kimura, her whole aura switched to a murderous demon. Then Yoshio looked back and Kimura was smiling as before.
"It won't match the theme," Kimura said with a pout. "I really insist. Why did you have to pick this one?"
"I agree," said Kyoko before Yoshio could say anything. Little that she knew about female dynamics, she knew continuing to talk with Yoshio would be a bad idea. "Listen to Kimura. She knows best. Now if you'll excuse me."
She tried to walk away. She really did, but Yoshio was just too insistent. He skidded in front of her, holding out a hand to stop her.
"Come on girls," he said, holding onto the lapels of the jacket. "I think it looks great on me."
Kimura agreed wholeheartedly while Kyoko rolled her eyes.
"You look like you're trying to pick someone up at the wedding, rather than the groom."
Yoshio barked a laugh, reexamining his suit. "When you put it that way… maybe a little. But they wouldn't have put it with the rest of the jackets if it wasn't meant for a wedding."
Just because something was on the rack didn't mean it should be worn. In the rows of wedding dresses, there had been a few that really did not belong there. Had they been black instead, Setsu would have loved them.
Someone approached, interrupting her thoughts. The second she registered his appearance, she guffawed. Her laughter turned almost every head in the room, but she couldn't help it. It was Ren and oh my gosh, she should have known. He looked completely ridiculous.
Ren had chosen to dress according to his persona, keeping the glasses that magnified his eyes and somehow messing his already tangled hair into further knots. She could tell that the suit he wore fit him well, save for the sleeves that were a little short, but he made it look ridiculous. It was a spectacular piece, with a matching deep navy vest and crisp lines that would have normally shown off his broad shoulders. Yet he had somehow managed to make himself look like a child playing dress-up.
The suit sat off-center from his frame, making it look lopsided and ill-fitting. His tie was a literal knot, probably ruining the poor satin forever. His buttons were set in the wrong holes, his shirt was untucked, and his shoes were brown while his belt was black. There was just too much wrong to register it all at once.
After Kyoko had finally gotten partial control of her laughter, she managed to wheeze out her comment.
"I'm surprised the judges didn't throw you off the set for what you did to their designs."
Still under the eye of many of the participants in the room, Ren ducked his head, slumping his shoulders. Which just made everything look worse.
"I think some of them wanted to," he said. "D-don't laugh at me Kyoko-chan. I did my best."
Kyoko grinned harder. "I can tell. You look amazing."
There was a twinkle of triumph hidden under Ren's dejection. This was the response he wanted. He didn't want to reveal himself yet.
She gave a sigh, shaking her head. "I should have known. I was looking forward to seeing you walk on the stage, but there will be time for that. And I guess you have enough money that you wouldn't care about having to buy your own wedding attire."
"You won't have to worry about that either," he said.
Kyoko grinned. "Did you see my walk? Do you think I'll win?"
"That's not exactly—" He stopped, then restarted with a genuine smile. "I did. I noticed you modified the one I taught you."
"Natsu's sexy walk wouldn't fit with what I am wearing."
"Makes sense."
He eyed her, and this time Kyoko could confidently say that was what was happening. Ren, the man she loved more than anything was checking her out. A weird skittishness crept under her skin making everything feel tight and alert. It was a good feeling, if a little scary.
Ren met her eyes, and she could tell that he saw that she knew that he saw and… oh, what the heck. She was just happy, and she could see that he was as well. His eyes had done that doe-eyed soft look that killed her demons in one shot.
"I like the choice of attire," he said. "Especially the necklace. You look beautiful. Like a bride."
Like a bride.
Like his bride hopefully.
She almost didn't have the heart to stomp on the angel that had prompted that thought. Yet she still did it for safety, promising chocolates later as an apology.
Meanwhile, her face had softened like melted ice cream, her expression likely as sickeningly sweet. She had to quickly turn away from him, lest he see she was already caught hook line and sinker.
Wait… would that be a bad thing? He's trying to make me fall in love with him. Would it help our process to show a little more of my feelings for him?
A dangerous thought that. One she might have to think more about later. Turning away from Ren brought her face to face with a pleased-looking Hime.
"Looks like things are going well," she said with a pointed laugh. "Did you see me, Kyoko? I think I have a chance of winning!"
"Y-yeah." She'd watched a grand total of two seconds of Hime's walk. "You guys looked great."
Hime gave a satisfied hum, pulling Kyoko close to whisper in her ear.
"And looks like you and Ren-san are hitting it off. I won't bother you much more. When you marry him, make sure he doesn't look like that at his wedding."
"I won't," Kyoko squeaked.
Hime waved a dainty wave, hooking her arm with Suzuki and walking away. Dang the happy couple. They liked to butt their heads in the business of those that were struggling. Hime hadn't been so happy when she was still struggling, no she hadn't!
Maybe Kyoko felt a little frazzled by the compliment. She finally looked back at Ren, seeing him patiently waiting. Who knew what was going through his head.
They moved to the side of the room, gaining a bit of privacy to talk. She had no idea where Kimura and Yoshio went but she prayed that Kimura had taken him away.
Or that he had taken her far far away. That was more important.
"The walk," he said, settling in against the wall. "Did I ever tell you who I learned it from?"
"Not by name." And like that, her attention was caught, eyes sparkling in anticipation. "You said you learned it from the most beautiful woman you know."
He nodded. "It's my mother's walk."
Her eyes bulged. She was glad the camera wasn't focused on them for once, able to talk openly about his family. Again, he was giving her information about them. She felt so special.
"She was a model?" she said, breathless.
"Currently is, so far as I know. Though she was doing them less the last time I contacted them." He gave her a sly expression, one more Tsuruga Ren than Nerd Ren. "I bet she'll recognize it on you when she sees the show."
Kyoko's expression immediately flattened. "Please stop reminding me this is all being filmed. I have the feeling I'm going to be very embarrassed by what comes out."
Ren gave a light chortle. "Well, you won't be alone. We can both suffer the humiliation together."
Together. It just all felt so right. So natural. Now that their secret personas were out in the open and discussed, they could go back to being friends and start towards something even better. It just felt too good to be true.
She joined him next to the wall, giggling a little.
"What's so funny?" he said.
"I just… I feel like we might work out," she said. "It seemed so impossible only a day ago, but now…"
He was staring at her with a strange intensity that hinted at the emperor. It looked like he was holding something back. Though it caused her heart to start racing, it wasn't from fear like it normally was.
"Now what?" he asked, voice pitched lower.
She attempted a blithe response but supposed he could see through it anyway. "Now it doesn't seem impossible."
"I thought we already established I thought it wasn't," he said blandly.
"I know, but then I found out you actually think I can look attractive."
"You are attractive, Kyoko-chan. You have to get the wording right." His expression suddenly shifted to a mischievous smile. "If we are doing so well, how come you still don't call me by name? I said you could."
She blinked at him.
"It's not an unreasonable request," he started. "We are trying to—"
"Okay, Ren-san."
It was worth the embarrassment she felt to see his reaction. He stopped mid-sentence, mouth still open, and hand out as he was about to pull out a PowerPoint to explain to her why she should call him by name.
"Or is it not okay?" said Kyoko, starting to worry she might have broken him.
"It's fine." Ren cleared his throat, glancing away for a moment. "I'm just surprised I didn't have to spend an hour convincing you it was okay."
She might have been a little offended that he knew her so well, but she was glad she could surprise him.
"Would you feel better if I call you Corn instead?" she said.
"You can call me whatever makes you comfortable." He held up a hand to her open mouth. "—Except Tsuruga-san. We are far too close for that level of informality."
She bit back the huge smile that threatened to reveal everything. "Alright then. Ren-san it is. Unless you're in trouble then you're back to Tsuruga-san."
Thanks for reading!
Yay for another chapter posted. I might be going back to work soon, so these updates will definitely slow down if I do. In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed what Kyoko did with her dress. I saw an article about the trend supposedly going on in Japan and I was like "huh, that sounds cute. Let's make Kyoko do it." You can google how they look if you're curious. Also, that is Kyoko's opinion about white wedding jackets, not mine.
-BW