The last shot was taken just at sunset, in a small artificial garden decorated with soft lights and paper lanterns hanging from fake bamboo stalks. Ailany held a fan in front of her face with that shy flirtatiousness that came so naturally to her. Kaori, on the other hand, wore a pair of borrowed sunglasses that didn't suit her at all—but she rocked them with playful confidence. And Aisha... well, she was impossible to ignore: striking poses, laughing, winking at the camera. As if she had been born to steal the spotlight.
I didn't feel as awkward anymore. Maybe it was the way Ailany chuckled softly, or how Kaori acted indifferent but never strayed far. For a moment, I felt like I belonged. That this fleeting yet warm moment was mine.
The studio manager clapped her hands with a bright smile.
"Excellent job, Kawa no Hikari family! The photos will be ready in a week. In the meantime, please head to the front desk to receive your payment."
"Yes!" Aisha shouted, pumping her fist. "I can already smell the celebratory ramen!"
While the girls chatted with the staff, an elegant woman approached me. She was dressed modestly, but had that unmistakable professional aura you feel more than you see. She handed me a card.
"Are you Haruki Kiryuu? You were natural… expressive. And you have a striking face. I work for a talent agency. We're looking for fresh faces for our summer campaigns. If you're interested, give me a call."
"Huh? M-modeling… me?"
"Haruki!?" Aisha cut in. "Who's she?"
"S-she said she wants me to… model," I replied, still in shock.
Kaori tilted her head with a smirk.
"I knew that pretty face had to be good for something."
"Are you gonna be famous?" asked Ailany, eyes wide. "Will you be in magazines?"
"Or on tofu packaging!" added Aisha, laughing.
"S-stop making fun of me!"
It was already dark when we stepped outside. The lights of Shibuya flickered above our heads like artificial stars. We walked together, laughter and small talk filling the air, until Aisha suddenly turned on her heel:
"What do you guys want to eat? My treat! But something simple… we're close to the last train."
"Melon kakigōri," said Ailany without hesitation.
"Shaved ice. Nice choice," Kaori smiled.
We sat at a traditional outdoor terrace. We ordered several flavors, plus some freshly made takoyaki. The air was warm, but not heavy. Nostalgic music played from a nearby speaker. Everything felt just right.
But something was off.
Kaori felt… different. Less close, less invasive. And Ailany, the opposite—more affectionate, less reserved. It wasn't their words. It was deeper than that. As if their roles had started to blur.
"Hey, Kaori-san… is Ailany okay?"
"Of course!" they both answered at the same time, forcing smiles.
I watched them in silence.
I didn't say anything. But I took note. Something had changed. And they knew it.
At some point, Aisha stepped away to take a call. When I looked at her, something ran through my chest. Not physically… it was her energy. The way she moved. That voice.
"Hey… I know I'm pretty, but don't stare at me like that," she said when she came back. "It's making me uncomfortable. And I don't want Ailany getting jealous."
"Eh?! S-sorry…"
"Haruki, behave. Don't make my friend uncomfortable," Kaori chimed in… Kaori?
"Since when is Aisha your friend? You barely know her…"
"It's because she liked Aisha right away," Ailany jumped in. "That's why she calls her that."
"Weird," I murmured.
Then I noticed it—their gestures, their phrases. They were acting differently. Not just different... switched.
And Aisha…
She no longer had that light around her. She spoke more softly. Her smile felt borrowed.
"Are you okay?" I asked her.
"It's nothing," she replied, slipping back into her usual tone. "Shall we go to my place?"
We nodded. And left.
The place was small, cozy. Ordinary. But the moment I stepped through the door, something hit me. It wasn't the smell or the mess. It was the feeling.
I'd been there before.
That moment. That girl. That look.
It wasn't déjà vu.
It was something deeper.
As if she had already been part of my story… even before I started writing it.