Shizuka The Fashionista Part 3

Chapter 6

When Hikaru invites Shizuka to his graduation ceremony her life becomes a little more complicated.

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Erika paced through the halls of the mansion, more nervous than ever. Her relationship with Masato was going great, and her modeling career was starting to take off, but she was very reluctant to leave her job as one of Kanna's maids. She loved working for Kanna, if not always as her maid. She loved training in the dojo on most mornings. She loved how much better she got along with the other maids now that she wasn't perpetually clumsy anymore. 
She was scared of making the next big change in her life.
Erika knocked on the door of Haruka's room, hoping she was in a talking mood, and hopefully wasn't going to play another trick on her. To her relief, she heard the older maid's voice on the other end of the door. 
"Come in," Haruka said. 
Erika opened the door and stepped inside. Haruka's room was smaller than Erika's room, much to her confusion, but it had a nice orderliness to it. The walls were painted a soft pink color, decorated with an odd smattering of movie and band posters. There were pictures of Haruka's family and friends on the nightstand. Haruka was sitting on her bed, her legs crossed and her hands resting on her lap. She had a smile on her face as she looked up at Erika. 
"Oh, if it isn't little Erika," Haruka said, her voice sing-song. "What brings you here?"
Erika looked around, her attention distracted by the pictures on Haruka's nightstand. "I just wanted to talk to you about something," she said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. 
Haruka leaned forward, her eyes curious. "Oh? What is it?"
Erika hesitated for a moment before deciding to trust her friend. "My relationship with Masato is going great. Very great, actually. So great, that... well...." She swallowed, knowing that Haruka would likely laugh at her. "I've been thinking about using the condoms you gave me before, but... I don't know what to do." 
Haruka raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Oh, Erika. You're such a dork." She chuckled softly. "Are you asking me how to sleep with a man?" 
Erika nodded, feeling embarrassed. "Yes, I am." 
Haruka nodded, her smile turning into a smirk. "Oh my! Sweet little Erika is growing up. Well, I'm glad you're taking the matter seriously. But first, you need to take care of your own needs. You can't expect Masato to take care of everything." She leaned back against the pillows, crossing her legs again. "But don't worry, Erika. I'll help you out." 
Erika's heart raced as she looked at Haruka, feeling grateful for her friend's understanding. "Really?" she asked, surprised. 
Haruka nodded. "Of course, Erika. I've been through this before, and I have some tips to share."
"I don't know about tips," Erika replied. "I just... well, I don't even know where to start,." 
Haruka leaned forward, her eyes kind. "Erika... you're not suggesting you want to practice first...?" 
Erika's cheeks turned bright red as she nodded, feeling embarrassed. "Yes, I do. I think I need to know how to take care of myself first before I can expect Masato to do it." 
She expected Haruka to laugh at her, but instead, she only shook her head in disappointment. "Erika... it doesn't work like that. Your first time is always going to be the first time. Practicing it beforehand will never make your 'real' attempt the first time." She sat up straighter and looked Erika in the eye. "If you seriously want instruction on what to do, there are sex ed tapes for that. Or, if you don't want to be academic about it, I could show you some porn." 
Erika's face turned even redder at Haruka's words. "I-I don't want to be academic about it," she stammered. "And... I can't watch porn with you...!"
Haruka shrugged. "I wasn't suggesting that. I was going to offer you some, um, more lighter porn you can watch on your own time to get the gist of the act. You know, so you can see what to expect. Sex is a very private thing and nobody wants to openly talk about it. Frankly, I'm surprised you asked me of all people to help you on this." She grinned mischievously. "But if you're serious about wanting some practice, I can help you with that too." She winked at Erika, causing her to blush even deeper.
"I... well... girls don't count for the first time, right?" Erika stammered.
The older maid laughed. "Oh, hah. That's a good one! That's just like you, little Erika." Haruka took a few moments to compose herself. "But seriously, even if you asked, I don't want to do that. Sex is a deeply personal thing, and I don't want to play with you like that." Her eyes trailed off to a particular picture on her nightstand. "It can be a wonderful thing, especially for your first time." 
Erika looked at the picture, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. "I understand," she said softly. 
Haruka leaned back against the pillows and closed her eyes. To Erika it seemed as if Haruka's mind was wandering to a previous encounter she lamented passed. "But let's not dwell on that," she said, opening her eyes and smiling at Erika. "I want to help you become comfortable with your body and with your own needs. That way, you can be confident in yourself and more prepared for the time when you and Masato start exploring each other's bodies." She leaned forward again, her eyes intense. "And trust me, Erika... it will be worth it. You'll feel so much more comfortable and knowledgeable about your own body when you've done it once." 
Erika nodded slowly, feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity. "Okay," she said softly. "I'll try it." 
Haruka smiled at Erika's response. "Good. Now, let's get started." 
She stood up and walked over to the dresser, pulling out a box of condoms. She fished one out with her fingers. "I'm going to show you the proper way to use a condom."
Erika backed away. "Uh... right now?"
"Well, how else are you going to learn?" Haruka asked. "There's no reason to be shy. I've seen your privates before." 
Erika felt a blush creep up her neck. She never took a bath with Haruka before, but Haruka did shave her bush the first time as part of a prank. She had no reason to be squeamish about showing Haruka her privates, but she still felt embarrassed about it. "I-I don't want to do that right now," she stammered. "I don't want to do it with anyone else." 
"Oh, come on, Erika, I'm not coming on to you." Haruka shrugged. "I'm trying to help you. People cause all sorts of grief from using them wrong, or not using them at all. It's not fun, trust me."
Erika's focus narrowed. It finally dawned on her Haruka completely dropped her condescending pet name for her. She knew Haruka was serious. It was the first time Erika could think of that Haruka was talking to her like a regular human being, and it added weight to what she was saying. She took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Okay, I'll try it." 
Haruka smiled at Erika's decision. Her playful demeanor was gone, and her tone was soft, but even. "Right. So, would you like me to demonstrate for you, or do you want me to demonstrate on you?"
Erika hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. 
But Haruka's gentle smile reassured her. "It's up to you, Erika. I'm here to help you feel comfortable and confident with yourself." She leaned in closer, her eyes locking onto Erika's. "But if you want me to demonstrate, I'm happy to do that." She reached for the box of condoms and pulled out another one, holding it up to Erika. "This is a latex one, but you can use any kind you want. It's your body, your choice." 
She then lifted up her skirt and started pulling off her panties, and Erika's face turned red. Haruka did not seem to notice. She demonstrated to Erika how to properly use the condom. 
"It's really easy, Erika. Just make sure you're comfortable and relaxed, and you should be fine." 
Erika nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and excitement. "Thank you," she said softly.
"Now, you can try it yourself. You don't have to do it in front of me if you don't want to, but I suggest you figure this out before you sleep with Masato." 
Haruka then pulled up her panties and lowered her skirt, then went to the bathroom to wash her hands. A minute later she returned, then walked over to her closet and sifted through it before pulling out a jewel case. She held it up for Erika to see a video disc inside. "You should give this a watch."
Erika accepted the video disc and looked at it with confusion. "What's this?"
"It's the most vanilla porn in my collection," Haruka said dryly. "Don't bother watching it for the story. Just go to the chapter where they're in bed. You'll find it enlightening, so to speak." 
Erika smiled, feeling a bit curious about what Haruka was talking about. "Okay, thanks for the advice." 
After a few more small pointers Erika left Haruka's room, the video disc in hand. She never saw porn before and wondered if it could help her get a grasp on what it was like to sleep with someone. She went straight back to her room and set up her laptop. She put the video disc in and started watching the video, trying to keep an open mind. Taking Haruka's advice, she skipped straight to the bedroom scene. 
As she watched, she could feel her heart racing and her face turning red. The couple on screen seemed to be in their own world, lost in their passion. The way they touched each other, the way they looked at each other, it was all so intimate and overwhelming. She could feel herself getting lost in the moment, forgetting about the awkwardness of being the observer. As the video went on, Erika found herself more and more immersed in the story. The way they talked to each other, the way they expressed their desires, it was all so intimate and personal. She couldn't help but blush at the thought of being able to experience something like that herself. 
After the scene ended, Erika was left feeling both confused and aroused. She couldn't believe that she had just watched a video where two people were actually having real-life, non-simulated, non-scripted, non-stop, non-stop... 
"Oh my god, I can't believe I just watched that."
Erika looked down at her laptop, feeling a mix of embarrassment and excitement. She felt bad for watching two people do such an intimate act like this, but she felt encouraged that she could make Masato feel special. Despite her misgivings, she went back to the beginning of the scene and watched the intimate moment a second time. As she watched, she could feel her heart racing and her face turning red once again. The couple on screen seemed to be in their own world, lost in their passion. Erika imagined herself and Masato doing the same thing as the couple in the video and she became extremely hot under the collar. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be that close to him, to feel his body against hers. She thought about how she could make him feel special, how she could make him feel loved.
She watched the video a third time and became lost in her own fantasy. She imagined herself and Masato in the same position as the couple in the video, lost in their own world, lost in their passion. She imagined herself touching him, feeling his body against hers. She imagined them making love, lost in their own world, lost in their passion. 
Erika was shaken back into reality when she realized she had gotten wet. She quickly wiped away the moisture on her laptop and looked around her room for any sign of her blunder. She couldn't believe she had just let herself get carried away like that. While she cleaned herself up she still felt excited to do it with Masato for real.
----
Shizuka was looking forward to cherry blossom season and made plans to go with Yuki and Megumi the very first weekend of the bloom until she received a message from her brother. Hikaru, inviting her to attend his graduation from university. She and Yuki were in their office at Moon River when the message arrived, and she turned to her friend, wondering what to do.
"What is it?" Yuki asked. 
"My little brother asked me to attend his graduation ceremony," Shizuka answered. "It's happening around the same time we planned to watch the cherry blossoms." 
"That's wonderful!" Yuki exclaimed, happy for her friend. "What do you want to do? You can still go to the cherry blossom viewing with us, right?" 
Shizuka shrugged. "Well, if I go, we'd have to put it off at least another week."
"That shouldn't be a problem. You should go see your brother. It's not like you could do that next week, or next year, for that matter. You only graduate once."
Shizuka agreed, feeling grateful for her friend's understanding. 
After Shizuka finished work at Moon River, she went straight to her apartment and started packing her things for the trip. She had to make sure she had everything she needed for the graduation ceremony as well as for the cherry blossom viewing, just in case. A part of her was excited to see her younger brother again, but she remembered that it was likely their parents would be there, too, and her mood darkened. She and her parents didn't have the best relationship and often fought over her lifestyle choices, the most glaring of which resulted her moving to Tokyo to pursue her modeling career.
Shizuka pushed thoughts of her parents out of her mind. She would have to find a way to deal with it, or better yet, avoid them, when she got to the university. 
The day before the graduation ceremony, Shizuka woke up early and headed to the train station. She settled in her seat and checked her phone for any recent messages. Finding none, she put away her phone and looked out the window, watching the landscape roll by. 
Shizuka had not seen Hikaru in person since she left home many years ago, and she was excited to see him grown up. She wondered what his longtime girlfriend, Kurumi, was like now, as they were childhood friends and they were always together while growing up. Shizuka knew she was likely graduating as well as she followed Hikaru to the same university like in a quaint love story.
After the train arrived at her destination Shizuka gathered her belongings and set off for her hotel, where she could rest for a night and have a place to change before attending the graduation ceremony. She still had a whole day before the ceremony, so she texted her brother and let him know she was in town. Hikaru replied almost immediately, telling her that he and Kurumi were free for the day and asked if she would like to hang out with them. Shizuka agreed, eager to spend time with her brother and his girlfriend. They decided to meet up at a nearby café that Hikaru recommended. 
Shizuka arrived at the café and spotted Hikaru and Kurumi sitting at a small table, chatting and laughing. As she approached, Hikaru jumped up from his chair. 
"I can't believe you're finally here," he said, grinning from ear to ear. 
Hikaru changed in the last ten years. Shizuka remembered him being a bit scrawny as an early teen, but now he was taller and had a good set of muscles on him. His lilac hair was short and parted at the middle, and he exuded an air of confidence, his face clean-shaven and his purple eyes seasoned.
Kurumi, a petite girl with emerald eyes and hair to match, styled her hair in a face-framing bob. While she was a bit taller than Shizuka remembered her head barely passed Hikaru's shoulders, but her most notable change was her chest. Shizuka noted dryly that puberty was kind to her as she sported a generous bust, likely the envy of her class.
"Well, I guess you two know how to make someone feel welcome," she joked.
"Sorry, it's been so long," Kurumi said apologetically. "How long has it been? Ten years?"
"That sounds about right," Hikaru said, nodding. 
The three sat down at the table, and Shizuka ordered a green tea. She noticed that Hikaru and Kurumi seemed very much at ease with each other since she last saw them.
"You guys seem awfully close," she noted. 
"Well, it was ten years since you last saw us," Hikaru replied, sparing a knowing glance at Kurumi. "And things change. We're a lot different now." 
Shizuka nodded, understanding the subtle shift in their relationship. When she last saw them Hikaru and Kurumi vehemently denied they were an item, but now it seems they embraced their mutual affection for each other. "It's great to see you two," she said warmly. "I miss you guys so much." 
Kurumi smiled at her. "We're happy to see you too, Shizuka. And we're glad you're here, too." 
Hikaru piped in, "Yeah, we're excited to see the new you." 
Shizuka laughed, feeling a bit awkward under their gaze. "Well, I haven't changed too much."
"That's not true," Kurumi said. "You're a big time actress now, and a supermodel. Nobody back home would have thought you'd become a star."
Shizuka nodded slowly. Her desire to go into modeling was a huge point of contention with her parents, and while many of her peers thought she had the looks to get into modeling most of them did not seriously believe she could make a living off it. She remembered all their criticisms that she was wasting her time and she should just settle down and look for a husband, which only served as fuel for her desire to get away from them.
"I don't think of myself as an actress," she said. "I'm still a fashion model first. Acting is just what I do on top of that."
"But you're really famous as an actress," Kurumi protested. "Everyone back in our old neighborhood talks about you. You even have posters of your movies hung up in that restaurant we used to go to."
Shizuka shrugged. "I don't think of myself as famous." 
Hikaru scoffed at Shizuka's words. "Of course you're famous, Shizuka. Don't be so modest." He took a sip of his coffee, looking at her with a mix of admiration and envy. "I wish I could be as successful as you." 
Shizuka smiled at Hikaru, feeling a hint of guilt for unintentionally making him feel inferior. Both Hikaru and Kurumi went to university to study acting, and it was an unstated point of contention between Shizuka and her brother that she didn't want to bring up. "You will be successful in your own way, Hikaru," she assured him. "You just have to keep working hard and believing in yourself."  
Hikaru nodded, but Shizuka could see the disappointment in his eyes.
She turned to Kurumi. "Do you guys have any plans after graduation?" 
Kurumi smiled at Shizuka. "We were just discussing that," she said. "We both want to pursue acting, but we don't have anything lined up."
Shizuka nodded, understanding the difficulties that came with being in the entertainment industry.
"We've were thinking about moving to Tokyo," Kurumi continued, looking at the table awkwardly. "I... I hope you don't mind."
"Oh please, it's not like I own Tokyo," Shizuka replied. "I'm happy to hear that you're thinking about moving to Tokyo. It's a great city, with all kinds of opportunities for artists and performers. Maybe we could even end up on the same project together someday."
She glanced at Hikaru, and she knew what he was thinking. Hikaru was impatient and wanted to be in the position Shizuka was in now as a successful actress, to be a movie star in several high-profile films. Shizuka knew that the road getting there was not easy and hoped his impatience doesn't inadvertently sabotage his rise.
Kurumi seemed to read the tension between the siblings and decided to try and change the subject. "So, uh, Shizuka. I've heard you have a photographer friend named Yuki. She was in the news several times."
Shizuka nodded. "Yes, Yuki is a talented photographer. She's also my best friend." 
"She's a lesbian, right? I've heard a lot of rumors speculating that you two are dating."
"People thought that for years," Shizuka replied. "They can think what they want." Shizuka's tone was light, but she could sense the curiosity in Kurumi's voice. "It's not like that," she said firmly. "Yuki and I are just friends. We have a lot of respect for each other's work and lives, but we don't have any romantic feelings towards each other."
Kurumi looked surprisingly disappointed. "I see." She paused for a moment before continuing. "Don't get me wrong, but I thought it would be cute."
"Well, when you come to Tokyo, I could introduce you to her," Shizuka replied. "I'm sure she would love to meet you and get to know you better."
Kurumi smiled gratefully. "That would be great. She seems like an interesting person." 
Shizuka nodded and the three of them continued to chat about their future plans. As the night went on, they talked about different acting gigs and possible auditions they could take. They also discussed the possibility of taking a trip together before Kurumi and Hikaru move to Tokyo.
"Shizuka," Hikaru finally said, "do you mind sticking around for another day or so after the graduation? I'd like to go see the cherry blossoms with you and Kurumi."
Shizuka's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to make such a suggestion. She looked at Kurumi, who looked equally surprised. "Sure, that sounds nice."
"Good," Hikaru replied. He stood up from his seat and offered a hand to Kurumi, who graciously accepted. "Well, we ought to head out. We've got things to do before the graduation ceremony. It was good to see you again, sis."
Shizuka watched the couple leave, then decided to return to her hotel. She texted Yuki of her plans to stay an extra day. Yuki received the message and quickly replied with a smiley face.
Shizuka settled down in her room and looked out the window. The one subject she did not discuss with Hikaru was the presence of their parents, two people she wanted to avoid. She felt it rude to bring it up since his relationship with them was still good and she didn't know if Hikaru knew how strained her relationship with them was. She knew the possibility of their contact was extremely likely and resolved to make the best of it as much as possible, to make sure Hikaru's day wasn't ruined. 
----
The next morning, Shizuka woke up early and and ate breakfast. She returned to her room to change into the kimono she packed for the graduation ceremony. She made her way to the university grounds where several other people were gathering to find a seat for the ceremony. She picked out a seat in a back row and hoped she didn't run into her parents while she was there.
The graduation ceremony bored her to death. Shizuka did not pay attention to the ceremony or anything that was going on as she was only interested in seeing Hikaru and Kurumi after the whole commotion was over. They planned to meet and go to a restaurant to celebrate, and Shizuka was dreading seeing her parents with him.
After the ceremony came to an end Shizuka made her way to the spot Hikaru asked to meet them. As she approached she felt a sense of dread. She recognized Hikaru and Kurumi, but she also saw their two younger twin sisters, the teenage Harumi and Akiko, and their mom and dad. She tried to push the feeling aside and smiled when she saw Hikaru and Kurumi waving at her and found herself walking to them. She inwardly decided to try and make the best of it.
When she approached, Hikaru greeted her with a warm smile. "Hey, sis!" he said, pulling away to look at her. "How was the ceremony?"
Shizuka shrugged. "It was boring," she said, looking down at her hands. "I'm just glad it's over." She turned her head in the general direction of her parents and merely gave them a slight, wordless bow. She wanted them to know she was still not talking with them. 
Instead, she turned to Kurumi. "So, where are your parents?" 
Kurumi looked down glumly. "They couldn't make it."
Shizuka raised an eyebrow. "Why not?" 
Kurumi shrugged. "They had some business to attend to. They're always busy with work." 
Shizuka nodded.
Akiko and Harumi acted as distant to Shizuka as she did toward her parents. Shizuka didn't blame them because they were much farther apart in age than her and Hikaru and they did not develop a good bond. The twins usually kept to each other's company and did everything together which put them in their own private clique in the family.
Hikaru noticed the awkwardness of his immediate family and decided to try and turn their attention away from each other. "Well, let's head to the restaurant. I think it's time to celebrate, right?" he said, smiling at Shizuka. 
The whole family plus Kurumi went to a local restaurant. The food was ordered for them in advance and they ate in awkward silence. No one wanted to be the one to ruin the mood, tense as it already was, by starting another argument, especially in public. Kurumi tried to lighten the mood by talking about more mundane things, but there were no takers.
After they finished their meal their parents and the twins left to go back home, leaving Hikaru, Kurumi, and Shizuka alone.
"I had no idea your whole family was so... quiet," Kurumi said.
"I guess there's just too much baggage," Shizuka reasoned. "We're not really a happy family." 
Hikaru nodded in agreement. "I thought maybe everyone could at least come together just this once, but I guess that was wishful thinking." He looked at Shizuka and gave her a small smile. "I'm sorry if I made things awkward."
Shizuka shrugged. "I think it's just easier for our parents to pretend I don't exist." 
Kurumi looked at her with concern. "But why would they do that? You're a very successful model and actress. Surely they must be proud of you for that."
Shizuka gave Kurumi a look. She didn't want to discuss this in public, and especially not now, no matter how much she liked Kurumi. "It's complicated," she said quietly. "Come on up to my hotel room. We can talk about it there if you'd like." 
Kurumi nodded slowly. "I'd like that."
Shizuka led Hikaru and Kurumi back to her hotel room and closed the door. Although she felt safer knowing there were not as many prying eyes upon her, she still felt anxious revealing herself to anyone. However, she knew Kurumi was likely going to become family sometime in the future and she liked the girl, and saw no issue with letting her into her world. Shizuka sat down on her bed and motioned for Kurumi to sit next to her. 
"So, what's going on with you and your parents?" Kurumi asked, leaning forward with concern.
Shizuka sighed. "My mom and dad hated the idea of me becoming a model. They said it was a waste of time and I was throwing away my life. They wanted me to go out and marry a rich husband, like that was the only thing I was good for. I was groomed my whole life for that one purpose; anything else was frivilous, useless, and a waste of time. And then they...." She stopped, not wanting to put her next thoughts into words. "I couldn't take it anymore and moved out to Tokyo to get away from them."
Kurumi nodded sympathetically. "That must have been hard."
Hikaru's face remained expressionless. "It's funny how that works, because now she makes even more money than they ever did."
"But it would be too much of a shame to acknowledge that," Kurumi guessed. 
Shizuka nodded. "Yeah, it's like they don't even want me to be happy. They don't care about me as a person. But I don't care about them. They made their choice, and I made mine." She looked at Kurumi, who was still looking at her with concern. "I don't regret moving out and pursuing my dreams. But it was a lot of hard work. It wasn't easy to get to where I am now. I had to do a lot of things I'm ashamed of to get by. I really hope that you guys have a better shot of it than I did."
"Well, we have you, don't we?" Hikaru said hopefully. "If we move out to Tokyo, you must have some connections that could point us in the right direction."
"I do, but it's still up to you," Shizuka replied, not wanting her brother to depend on her for handouts. "It's not just about connections, it's about making your own way in this industry. You have to work hard and prove yourself if you want to be successful."
Kurumi nodded in agreement. "I know, but I'm not afraid of hard work. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make my dreams come true."  
Shizuka smiled at her. "I'm glad to hear that. I have a feeling that you're going to make it, no matter what anyone else says."
"Well, I think we can start by impressing you. How about we act out some scenes for you?"
Hikaru glared at her. "Are you serious?" His cheeks flared. "Right now?"
"We can show Shizuka what we're made of," Kurumi insisted. "Come on, it'll be fun."
"You talk about how great an actor you are," Shizuka added, glancing at her brother. "I think I want to see what you can do."
Hikaru grumbled but finally relented. "Fine, fine. Let's do it."
"Oh, that's great!" Kurumi cried, her eyes lighting up. "But what should we act?"
Shizuka thought for a moment. "How about you do a scene from Romeo and Juliet? You know, the balcony scene." 
Kurumi nodded eagerly. "That's perfect! I love that scene." 
She jumped up from the bed and walked in a slow circle. She turned and held one hand to her chest and the other outstretched, and recited the dialogue of Juliet. "What man art thou that thus bescreen'd in night so stumblest on my counsel?"
Hikaru dramatically got down on one knee before Kurumi and channeled Romeo. "By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am. My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, because it is an enemy to thee; had I it written, I would tear the word."
Shizuka watched in silence with a critical eye as Hikaru and Kurumi recited the famous scene from the play, as if they practiced it enough they knew it by heart. Kurumi's voice was breathy and melodic, and Hikaru's delivery was dramatic and precise, but Shizuka did not let her feelings stop her from noticing some things they could improve upon.
When they decided to stop their recital, they turned to Shizuka with expectant eyes. 
"So, what do you think?" Kurumi asked, her enthusiasm evident.
Shizuka thought for a moment before responding. "I think you did a great job, but I was under the impression you wanted to become film actors. You two seem to have a lot of practice in the theater."
"Well, it is still acting, after all," Hikaru replied.
"It is a different type of acting," Shizuka pointed out. "I think you both did a great job with your performances, but I think you need to manage your skills and expectations. Theater acting is exaggerated and loud, but film acting requires subtlety and more control. The difference is knowing where your audience is. I'm not saying you can't be successful in film acting, but it requires a slightly different skill set."
"Well, why don't you show us how it's done?" he challenged her. 
Shizuka raised an eyebrow at Hikaru's boldness, but she could see the sincerity in his eyes. "Alright," she agreed. "What do you want to see?"
Both of the siblings turned to Kurumi, who was taken aback. "Wait, why me?"
"You'll pick something fair," Shizuka explained. "I mean, hopefully you'll pick something I can work with."
Kurumi fiddled with her fingers nervously. "Uh, okay then. How about you do that scene from Vampire Princess Luka where you're at the end of the movie?"
Shizuka froze for a moment. She had not played Luka in a while, and she did not have the benefit of wearing her absurd costume to put her back into the mood. She knew what scene Kurumi was talking about, and she closed her eyes and focused. She went into the annals of her mind and unpacked the box she put Luka in, and slowly, mentally, superimposed Luka's image onto her own. She opened her eyes and looked at Kurumi with a newfound confidence. 
"I think I can do that," she said with a smile.
She suddenly pushed Hikaru on the bed, to his alarm, and held him down by the throat with one hand and an imaginary sword in the other. Shizuka imagined herself back in the scene where she had the villain of the story at her mercy, her silver hair flowing in the wind and covered in random bits of slime and monster gore. She stared down at Hikaru with impassive eyes and saw his alarm back.
"Where was your sense of morality when you unleashed these horrors upon the world?" Shizuka recited, the scene of the movie replaying in her mind. Hikaru struggled against her grip, fear evident in his eyes as Shizuka continued reciting her monologue. She could feel the weight of the imaginary sword in her hand, and the adrenaline pumping through her veins. The room was silent except for the sound of her breathing. She ended the scene by thrusting her imaginary sword into Hikaru's head, then released her grip. She sat on the edge of the bed closing her eyes as Hikaru tried to collect himself.
"What was that?" Hikaru gasped, clutching his throat.
Kurumi quickly sat down next to him. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he confirmed. His eyes moved to Shizuka, who had finished her cooldown. "That was... what was that?" he asked, still in shock.
Shizuka smiled. "That was just a scene from a movie," she said reassuringly. "It's not real, it's just pretend."
Hikaru looked at her skeptically, but decided to let it go. "Okay," he said, his breathing still heavy. "Thanks for showing me that."
"That's the difference between us," Shizuka said. "To you, the audience is out over there. To me, the audience is right next to me."
"You were like a completely different person just a little while ago," he said. "I don't know how you do it, Shizuka."
"I've been practicing," she said, standing up from the bed. "I admit, it's not easy. Not everyone can do it, and not everyone wants to do it. If you're not careful you can really hurt yourself doing it."
"I get it," Hikaru replied. "But I have to say, you're really good at it. Your performance just... it was amazing."
"I try my best," she said with a smile. "And sometimes, even when you think you can't do it, you surprise yourself. That's what it takes to be a true performer." 
----
The next day Shizuka went out to meet Hikaru and Kurumi to view the cherry blossoms. Shizuka arrived at the park dressed in the same kimono she wore at the graduation ceremony, not having planned this extra day in town. She spotted Hikaru and Kurumi waiting for her by the entrance of the park, holding hands. 
"Hey, Shizuka! You look beautiful today," Kurumi exclaimed.
"Thank you, Kurumi. You look lovely as well," Shizuka said with a smile. 
Hikaru cleared his throat. "Let's get going, shall we?" he said, trying to hide his jealousy towards Shizuka's elegant appearance.
Shizuka nodded and led the way into the park. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and the air was filled with their sweet fragrance. Shizuka walked ahead, admiring the pink and white petals that adorned the trees. She looked back at Hikaru and Kurumi, who were walking slowly behind her, enjoying the scenery. They walked on the winding paths, under the arching branches of the cherry blossoms. Shizuka felt a sense of peace wash over her.
They found a quiet spot by a small pond, surrounded by cherry blossom trees. They sat down on the grass, taking in the tranquil atmosphere. They decided to have a picnic in this spot, with Hikaru laying out a blanket and Kurumi unpacking the basket she had on her arm.
"I know this is kind of early to ask," Shizuka said, "but when do you plan to move to Tokyo?"
"We want to make sure we have enough money first," Kurumi replied. "Between studying and the occasional performance we haven't got a lot of spending money on hand." 
Shizuka nodded in understanding. "I know it can be difficult to make ends meet, especially if you're trying to pursue your dreams," she said sympathetically. "Finding enough money to pay for a place to stay was very difficult when I moved out there. It took me four years before my modeling took off, and it was a very hard four years."
"Four years?" Hikaru repeated. "I don't want to wait that long." He counted his fingers on his hand. "That's roughly the equivalent of us going to the university and you skipping it."
"Well, it's not like there's only one way to get there," Shizuka said with a shrug. "The biggest obstacle is finding a place to live." 
She suddenly hit upon an idea. "Do you suppose we could actually just get a place for ourselves?"
Hikaru and Kurumi looked at her in surprise. 
"What do you mean?" Hikaru asked.
"Well, I've been thinking of moving out of my apartment for a while," Shizuka explained. "I've had trouble figuring out where I wanted to go so I haven't done it yet. What if we got a nice little house and all three of us lived in it?" 
Kurumi's eyes lit up at the idea. "That would be amazing!" she exclaimed. "We could split the rent and all live together. It would be like a little family."
Hikaru was hesitant. "I don't know," he said. "That sounds to me we'd be living under your roof since we won't have jobs when we move out there."
"I'm willing to put up with you," Shizuka replied, shrugging. "I lived by the paycheck, and trust me, it's not fun. If you don't have to worry about where you live you have a solid base upon which you can build your futures upon. I'm offering this because you're my brother. I wouldn't just do this for anyone." 
Hikaru looked at Shizuka, then at Kurumi. "Okay, let's do it," he said finally. "But we're not doing it forever. Just until we can afford our own place." 
Shizuka smiled. "I understand. We'll see how it goes."
Kurumi giggled. "I'm so excited! This is going to be so much fun!" She bounced on her toes in excitement. "I can't wait to decorate the house and get settled in!" 
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Shizuka cautioned. "We need to find a place to live in first. But let's not worry about that right now. Let's enjoy the moment and have some fun. We can find a place later." 
----
Shizuka returned to her hotel room to change out of her kimono and check out. She planned to get back on the train that evening and go back home. After changing she picked up her phone and called Yuki to explain her idea. Yuki picked up on the second ring. 
"Hello Shizuka, what's up?" she asked.
"Hey Yuki, I wanted to talk to you about something," Shizuka said. "I had a talk with my brother and his girlfriend earlier today. They want to move out to Tokyo, but they don't have any money to afford a place there. So I offered to find a house to help them out."
Yuki's voice raised in surprise. "That's really generous of you, Shizuka," she said. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled to have a place to call home."
Shizuka smiled, but knew the real meat of the issue was up next. "I offered to live in that house, too. Yuki, I'm moving out of the apartment."
To her surprise, Yuki wasn't disappointed or angry. 
"That's not a bad idea, Shizuka," Yuki said thoughtfully. "I was worried that you would end up living by yourself or something. But if it's your brother it should be okay, right?"
"You're not angry?"
"Why would I be angry? I've thought about this ever since you offered the apartment to me and Megumi. We both know you were unhappy with Megumi living with us, and I know you want to give us our own space. And now you won't be living by yourself. This way, we can all be happy."
"Well, we can figure out the specifics when I get back, or even when I find a house," Shizuka decided. "I've got to catch the train, I'll talk to you later."
"Yes, later! Have a safe trip."
Shizuka ended the call, feeling better about her offer. She was happy Yuki readily accepted her decision to move out and looked forward to living in a bigger place.
----
Shizuka and Yuki were back at their office at Moon River, searching for houses on sale in the suburbs of Tokyo. Their workload that day was minimal so they had a lot of spare time to look at real estate sites, but Shizuka did not find a place that she felt met her specifications. 
Yuki noticed Shizuka's frustration and asked, "What's wrong? Can't find a place that you like?"
Shizuka sighed. "Yeah, I guess I'm being too picky. I want it to be spacious, but not too far from the city, and also affordable. It's a lot to ask for," she said, scrolling through the listings on her computer.
"Well, truthfully, affordable is really an option since you make a lot of money," Yuki pointed out. "I mean, we both make a lot of money and we're still living in the same apartment from when we first met."
"And it's a nice, quaint little apartment, too!" Shizuka said in protest. She sighed deeply. "It's just a lot of these places aren't much bigger than our apartment so it kind of feels like there's no point."
"I know what you mean. It just seems like so much effort to find a place that meets all of your needs."
Shizuka leaned back against her chair and rubbed her eyes. "Well, it's not like I have to find a house right this second. There's still time." She glanced over at Yuki, wanting to change the subject. "So, have you figured out a firm date for your wedding yet?" 
Yuki's face turned pink. "Well, I haven't set a date yet," she admitted. "I've been really busy with work and getting settled in with Megumi. But I'm hoping to find the right time to make it happen."
"Well, I hope you figure it out sometime in the next five years."
"It won't take that long."
"The way you're dragging your feet on it, maybe it will. We'll be walking around with canes and stuff before you get married."
Yuki stuck out her tongue, and Shizuka laughed. 
"I'm not dragging my feet, I'm just trying to take things one step at a time. It's not like I can just snap my fingers and make it happen."
Shizuka nodded slowly. Yuki still needed to hire a wedding planner on top of this, but she never set aside the time to meet with any. She liked that Yuki was still dedicated to her photography, but felt she wasn't taking her marriage seriously enough. While Yuki did not have plans to invite her parents to the wedding Megumi did, and getting everyone on the same page, particularly on Megumi's side, was a logistics nightmare. Yuki had already decided on a venue, but it was still a long way from being able to book the day. 
Yuki looked at Shizuka with a soft smile. "I promise, I'll figure it out soon. And you know I'm always here to help you with anything."
They decided to take a break from their house hunting and went out for lunch, walking outside to the corner noodle cart that was part of their daily routine. They ordered their usual noodle bowls and stood near the cart, eating quietly.
"We don't have a lot to do today," Yuki noted. "Do you suppose we should make better use of our free time?"
"What do you have in mind?" Shizuka asked.
Yuki thought for a moment. "We haven't done a photoshoot lately. You know, just you and me, like the old days. I'm feeling a little nostalgic... and maybe a little adventurous." 
Shizuka grinned mischievously. "I'm up for anything, Yuki. What do you have in mind?"
Yuki's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Let's go back upstairs and do a photoshoot. I'll grab a few costumes out of the closet and we can have a little fun!"
The two friends finished their lunch, then made their way back inside the agency building. Shizuka went to a studio set she knew wasn't being used while Yuki went to the costume closet and raided a few outfits that caught her interest. They met back up in the dressing room, where Shizuka saw what Yuki had in her arms.
"I didn't have a lot of time to plan this, so it may seem haphazard," Yuki admitted, while hanging the outfits on the clothing rack. "I apologize if it seems disjointed."
"Don't worry about it," Shizuka assured her. "This is just a spontaneous shoot, after all."
Yuki nodded wordlessly, then pulled out one outfit from the rack. It was a simple black dress with a high neckline and lace detailing. "Here we go," she said with a grin.
Shizuka accepted the dress and quickly changed. The two returned to the set and Yuki started taking pictures. They worked fast and quick with the black dress, then returned to the dressing room to pick out another outfit.
"What do you think of this?" Yuki asked, pulling out another outfit from the rack. This one was a bright red dress with a deep v-neckline and a thigh-high slit.
Shizuka looked at the outfit with a cautious expression. "It's a bold choice."
"I like it," Yuki said with a grin. "I think it'll look great on you."
Shizuka looked down at the dress, then back up at Yuki. "I think I'll pass on this one."
"Too much?" the photographer noted, disappointed. She put the dress back on the rack and fished for another outfit. "Maybe this one?" she suggested, holding up a black corset with silver lace trim.
Shizuka considered it for a moment. "I think I'll pass on that one, too," she said with a small smile. "I don't want to be too flashy or overdone."
Yuki shrugged and put the black corset back on the rack. "Fair enough," she said. "You can't blame me for trying."
Shizuka chuckled. "I don't blame you, Yuki. But I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with that level of attention."
Yuki nodded in understanding. She decided not to show Shizuka the bikini she wanted her to wear and sifted further down the rack. She found a purple kimono with a colorful pattern of flowers. The fabric was soft and flowing, and it looked like it would make a stunning outfit.
"This one," she said, holding it up. "I think this one will be perfect for you."
Shizuka took the kimono from Yuki and admired it for a moment. "It's beautiful," she said with a smile. "I'll take it."
Yuki grinned. "Great. I was hoping you'd say that."
Shizuka walked over to the mirror and put the kimono on. As she adjusted the collar and sleeves, she couldn't help but notice the intricate floral pattern of the fabric. It was soft and elegant, yet had a playful quality that made it perfect for wearing on set.
"You look amazing in this kimono," Yuki said with a grin.
"I look amazing in every kimono," Shizuka corrected her.
Yuki giggled. "Of course! Let me do your hair."
Shizuka sat down in her chair as Yuki styled her hair. Yuki expertly twisted and braided Shizuka's lilac locks, weaving in small flowers and ribbons for a touch of whimsy. As she worked, Shizuka closed her eyes and relaxed into the gentle touch of her friend's hands.
"There, perfect!" Yuki exclaimed, stepping back to admire her handiwork.
Shizuka opened her eyes and studied her hair in the mirror. "It's beautiful," she said with a smile.
The two friends returned to the set and took more pictures. Yuki admired Shizuka as she posed as instructed, becoming the ethereal beauty she imagined in her mind's eye. As she worked, Yuki thought about how lucky she was to have such a talented and beautiful friend by her side. Shizuka moved with grace and confidence, her movements fluid and effortless. Yuki was glad Shizuka took steps to preserve her modesty even in this impromptu shoot as it added a mysterious quality to her that seemed to make her more alluring and desirable.
They returned to the dressing room, and Yuki sifted through the rack of clothing again, feeling she was second guessing herself. She wanted to surprise Shizuka by making her wear more bold and daring clothing, but knew that it was the opposite that was her friend's greatest strength. Her hands pushed aside outfits that Yuki felt did not meet her new standard, not wanting to ruin the moment she was having with her best friend. She finally found what she was looking for, a cute pink Sweet Lolita dress with plenty of ruffles and ribbons.
Shizuka accepted the Lolita dress and quickly got changed. Yuki marveled the transformation from a mysterious, alluring woman to a cute little princess. Shizuka looked stunning in the dress, her lilac hair framing her face perfectly. Yuki smiled, feeling a warm feeling in her chest at the sight. 
Shizuka looked over at Yuki, a small smile on her face. "Thank you, Yuki," she said softly. "I'm glad you picked this out for me." She made a silly, girlish twirl for her friend's benefit for emphasis.
Yuki laughed. "Oh, don't give it all right now! My camera isn't ready!" she protested.
They returned to the set and started posing and shooting anew. Shizuka posed like a shy and demure girl, projecting an air of innocence that was a stark contrast to the previous outfit. Yuki couldn't help but be impressed by her friend's ability to transform into such a different character in just a few minutes.
"You're like a chameleon," Yuki praised.
Shizuka gave her a small pout. "Are you saying I blend in too much?" she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
Yuki shook her head. "No, I mean it's like you can switch between two different personalities in just a few minutes. You're not like anyone else I know."
"Then maybe I am a chameleon!" she decided coyly. She laid on the floor and stretched her arms and legs like a cat. "But I prefer my own personality," she added with a shrug. 
Yuki chuckled and began taking pictures of Shizuka, capturing her unique and alluring features. "You're the best, Shizuka."
Shizuka rolled her eyes playfully. "Always the charmer, Yuki," she said with a grin. "But I think we've got enough shots for now. Let's move on to the next set."
Yuki helped Shizuka to her feet and they returned to the dressing room. Yuki noted the time and realized their day was nearly over and she only had time to get Shizuka into one more outfit. She rummaged through her rack of clothing, trying to find something that would be perfect for her friend. She finally settled on a black and white maid outfit, complete with a white apron and matching headband. 
"This is perfect!" Yuki exclaimed, holding up the outfit for Shizuka to see. "I want you to be my maid!"
Shizuka scoffed. "You don't need a maid!" she protested, but Yuki could tell she was secretly pleased with the idea. 
"But I want you to be my maid," Yuki insisted, trying to hide her smile. She loved the idea of playing this little game than seeing her friend dressed as a maid. "Think of it as a commemoration of the first shoot I added to your portfolio."
Shizuka rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Fine, fine," she said, giving in. "I'll be your maid."
Yuki smiled and walked back to the set, leaving Shizuka alone to change into the maid uniform. She remembered their first portfolio shoot together was with a maid outfit, and how reluctant Shizuka was to put it on. She had fond memories of coercing Shizuka to trust her, and today they trust each other completely.
Shizuka stepped out of the dressing room wearing the maid outfit while adding a few touches of her own. She tied her hair back in a bun and added a few lace-trimmed accessories, and put on a set of fake, low-rimmed glasses as an accessory. Yuki walked over to her and admired the way her friend's features were softened by the maid outfit. She noticed how the black and white uniform made her skin look even more pale, and her eyes seemed to sparkle with an otherworldly light. 
"I am your maid, Yuki," she said in an even, bored tone. "And I am here to do your bidding." 
Yuki laughed and took a step back, admiring her friend's unique and alluring appearance. "You look absolutely stunning, Shizuka," she said with a smile. "I'm going to have a hard time not taking advantage of you." 
Shizuka rolled her eyes and grinned mischievously. "I'm not afraid of you, Yuki," she said, teasingly. "But if you insist on treating me like a maid, I suppose I'll have to play along." She twirled around in a flirty way, causing her black and white outfit to sway seductively. 
Yuki couldn't help but be drawn to her friend's playful spirit. She picked up her camera and started taking pictures, with Shizuka deciding she was going to be a sultry, if not naughty, maid. Yuki couldn't help but smile as she watched Shizuka pose seductively, her body language radiating confidence and a hint of playfulness. She took a few shots of Shizuka standing in front of a chair, her maid uniform swaying with each movement. Yuki's heart swelled with affection for her friend, knowing how much she appreciated the attention. 
"You're amazing, Shizuka," she said, her voice filled with admiration. "I can't believe how well you've transformed into this character."
Shizuka stood at attention, folding her arms in front of her and gave a quick bow, like a loyal maid. "Thank you, Yuki," she said, staying in character. "I am your humble servant." 
Yuki giggled at her friend's performance. She set down her camera and approached her. "But don't forget your duty as my maid," she said, playfully poking Shizuka's arm. "And be sure to do your chores right, or else I'll have to get angry with you." 
"I'll be sure to do my chores right, Yuki," she said, still in character. "But if you see fit to scold me, I will accept your punishment." 
Yuki chuckled. "As fun as this is, it's time to go home." She picked up her camera and took a few more shots of Shizuka, feeling grateful for the opportunity to capture her friend in such a unique and playful light. The two of them had come a long way since they first started in their journey together and Yuki hoped to stay with her in the years to come.
----
The next day Shizuka went to visit Kanna at her mansion. She joined her and the maids for their morning training session, with Kanna and the maids practicing swinging the naginata and Shizuka the sword.
Kanna approached Shizuka as she swung her training sword alone. "I've heard you're looking for a house," she said. 
Shizuka lowered her training sword and turned to face her friend. "You've got good ears, or spies. Whatever. But yeah, I am looking for a house." She shrugged dismissively. "Money isn't really an issue, but I have specific requirements I'm looking for."
Kanna nodded understandingly. "I won't pry into your reasoning if you don't want to tell me, but I think it's good for you to move out of your old apartment. You should bask in some of your success while you're still young." She gestured to the mansion around them. "I can help you find a place that suits your needs, if you wish."
"I'd like that," Shizuka replied. "I'm looking for someplace quiet that a small family can live in. Maybe with a garden, but that's extra. Most likely someplace in the suburbs, not too far from a train station."
"Why a small family?" Kanna asked, curious.
"I'm planning to have by little brother and his girlfriend live in with me," Shizuka revealed nonchalantly. "It's partly to help them get on their feet."
Kanna nodded, impressed. "That's a good idea. It's important for families to be able to support each other when they can." She paused for a moment, thinking. "I can have my husband look into helping you, if you want. He's likely got some contacts that aren't available publicly that can help. Legally, I mean."
Shizuka tried to stifle a laugh. Her mind already had images of men in black chasing someone out of a house to put it up for sale, following the orders of a nerdy little man with a goofy, cartoony smile on his face. She shook her head to dispel the image. "That's very kind of you, Kanna. Thank you." She smiled warmly at her friend.
"I'll ask him after we're done," Kanna said. She then raised her training staff. "In the meantime, how about we seal our deal with a bit of sparring?"
Shizuka smiled, raising her training sword and taking a few steps back. "You're asking for it now, Kanna." 
The two of them began to circle each other, each trying to anticipate the other's moves. As they swung their weapons, Shizuka found herself enjoying the physical challenge of the training session. The sound of wood on wood was pleasing to her ears, and the rush of adrenaline was invigorating. Kanna was skilled with the naginata, but Shizuka's stoic demeanor allowed her to focus and anticipate her friend's movements. She managed to dodge Kanna's swift attack and countered with a sweeping motion of her own. Kanna blocked it with her staff and lunged forward, trying to get a hit on Shizuka. Shizuka swiftly stepped to the side, dodging Kanna's attack. She spun around and tried to hit Kanna's back, but Kanna was quick to turn around and block her strike. 
The two of them continued their dance, the sound of their weapons ringing in the air. They were evenly matched, and neither of them seemed to be able to gain the upper hand. Shizuka could feel her heart racing as the adrenaline began to pump through her veins. She knew that she was pushing herself to her limits, but she loved the exhilaration that she felt.
The maids who were also training stopped and watched the two spar, with most of them cheering their boss on. Shizuka pushed the noise out of her mind and focused on her opponent, and Kanna did likewise, a smile creeping up on her lips. Their duel was like a well-planned dance and the two friends were lost in their own world, telling each other their feelings through their bouts.
Almost as suddenly as the sparring match began it came to a close, with Kanna and Shizuka unable to find an opening in each other's defenses. They stepped back from each other and lowered their weapons, their chests heaving from the exertion.
"It was like the tales of old, where two friends clashing with their swords and forged a bond of brotherhood," Kanna said, wiping her forehead. "Or maybe I should say, sisterhood?" 
Shizuka chuckled. "Yes, that sounds right. It was a good spar, Kanna. Thank you for inviting me." She gave her friend a small smile.
She turned to leave, but Kanna stopped her, putting a hand on her shoulder. 
"No, I'm serious, you are my sister," Kanna insisted. "You are the only one who can communicate with me in battle." 
"You're right, Kanna," Shizuka agreed. "I will always be your sister, whether we're sparring or not." She looked at her friend and saw the sincerity in her eyes. 
"You have a rare charm to you," Kanna added. "You inspire great loyalty in your friends. I'm glad to have met you, Shizuka." 
Shizuka smiled warmly at Kanna, feeling grateful for the kind words. "Likewise, Kanna."
She left the dojo to shower and change, leaving Kanna and the maids to finish their practice session. After changing back into her street clothes and blow drying her hair she found Erika waiting for her outside the door.
"Oh, Erika, what are you doing here?" she asked. 
Erika smiled and shrugged. "Just wanted to say hi. You know, I heard about your spar with Lady Kanna and I wanted to see it for myself." 
"Yeah, it was a great match. Kanna's a tough opponent, but I managed to hold my own."
"I want to spar with you someday," Erika said wistfully. "But every time you come by I've got other duties."
"Oh, don't you know?" Shizuka said, laughing. "All the other maids are saying how tough you are."
"I'm not that good!" Erika protested. "Everyone that heard about my duel with Masato call me a ninja maid."
Shizuka chuckled. "Well, I think you're more than capable of handling Masato. But if you ever want to spar with me, just give me a call. I'll set it up for you."
Erika grinned. "Thanks, Shizuka. I'd like that."
Shizuka gave her friend a small smile before turning to leave. She felt elated that she had a lot of good friends in her life, especially having close friendships with Yuki and Kanna, each of which fulfill her in different ways. Her life now, a shining beacon of success and fulfillment, was a far cry to her situation five years ago, and she was glad and fortunate to be living the life she had now. She had come a long way from her early days as a struggling model. She had worked hard to improve her skills and had never given up on her dreams, even when things got tough.
Her goal now was to inspire the next generation of models and actors who followed in her footsteps. She wished Erika success in her pursuit of becoming a fashion model, and wondered what lay in store for her younger brother Hikaru and his girlfriend, Kurumi, in the acting world. She smiled to herself as she left the mansion, eager to continue her day and start on the next challenge.
----
Shizuka returned to her apartment and stepped into her bedroom, closing the door behind her for privacy. She looked around the room, the walls decorated with posters of her movies, the nightstand had pictures of her with her friends, and her bookshelf was filled with magazines containing photoshoots she took part in. She walked to the bookshelf and fingered her way to a particular magazine she kept in a protective cover, a copy of Vogue where she graced the front cover. She couldn't help but smile at the memory of that photoshoot. It was one of her favorites, a tribute to how far she came from her humble beginnings. She opened the magazine and flipped through the pages, admiring the glossy photos of her in different outfits and poses. 
As she looked at her younger self, she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. She remembered the struggles and hardships she went through to get to where she is now. But she also remembered the people who were there for her along the way, like Yuki, Arisa, and Kanna. They had supported her through thick and thin, and she was grateful to have them in her life. She closed the magazine and put it back on the shelf. 
Shizuka then sat on her bed, taking a deep breath and letting out a contented sigh. She felt lucky to be in a happy place in her life, with a successful career and close friends. Her eyes scanned the room once more, knowing that, with her decision to find a house to live in, she would eventually leave the apartment that sheltered her through both the good times and the bad. It was the same feeling she felt when she decided to move out of her parents' home, feeling a sense of loss at leaving her bedroom behind, but now she was older and worldly and knew it simply meant she was moving to the next stage of her life. She smiled to herself, feeling grateful for her life and for the people who made it possible.
She walked to her closet and turned on the light, admiring her collection of outfits she bought over the years. Among her most prized outfits of her collection were a number of Lolita-style dresses, traditional kimonos gifted to her over the years, and a variety of miscellaneous street fashions. She ran her fingers over the soft fabric of one of her Sweet Lolita dresses, admiring the intricate lace pattern that adorned it. It was one of her favorite dresses, an example of the style she had fallen in love with and a reminder to keep in touch with her inner self. 
She walked over to the dresser and pulled out a photo album, flipping through the pages until she found the picture she was looking for. It was a photo of her at a Sweet Lolita fashion show, taken by Yuki when she was a novice fashion model. In the photo, Shizuka stood in front of the camera, her long hair flowing in the wind and her eyes sparkling with joy. The Sweet Lolita dress she wore was a light shade of purple, with frills and lace covering the bodice and skirt. It was a perfect representation of her love for Lolita fashion, with the colors and patterns complementing her natural beauty.
Shizuka replaced the photo album, then looked at the framed photos on her dresser. The first of the frames was of Shizuka and Kanna under the cherry blossoms, wearing their finest kimonos and standing on their knees on the towel they used for the picnic. The next frame was of Shizuka standing with Kanna and her newborn son in the garden behind their home. The third frame was of Shizuka and Yuki taking a selfie in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Shizuka smiled to herself, remembering having fun at the fashion show.
Next to that framed photo was another framed photo, this one of Yuki herself, taken by Shizuka while lounging in their apartment's living room. It was a candid photo, showing Yuki lying on the couch with her legs crossed, her platinum blonde hair cascading down her back, wearing a simple white tank top and shorts. The sunlight streamed in through the window and cast a warm glow over Yuki's face.
The last framed picture, the one closest to Shizuka's bed, was of herself and Yuki wearing showy yukatas at a summer festival. They were holding sparklers and smiling toward the camera. Shizuka recalled that it was taken in the first year they had known each other. It was a moment they would never forget, and it had cemented their friendship even more. She smiled, feeling grateful for Yuki's friendship and support in all that she had accomplished in the fashion industry.
Shizuka stood up and walked to the window and gazed out into the stars. She thought about how lucky she was to have Yuki in her life, a true friend and inspiration who always supported her in everything she did. She knew she would miss having her best friend as her roommate, but knew it was not the end of their friendship. They had plans to continue working and traveling, and Shizuka felt confident that they would always have each other to share their adventures with.
----
At the same time Shizuka was reminiscing in her apartment Yuki and Megumi decided to go out to dinner. They decided to eat at a yakiniku and got a table near the back of the restaurant. They took turns grilling the meat and vegetables, enjoying the fun of cooking their own meal.
"So, Shizuka decided to get a house," Yuki said.
"Oh, that's nice," Megumi replied. "I guess that means she's going to move out after all."
"It's not your fault," Yuki assured her. "It's something I knew was going to happen anyway. Shizuka has to take care of her own needs and all."
Megumi smiled. "I know, but I worry about her sometimes. I wish she could just live with us."
Yuki nodded in agreement. "I know. It's not an easy thing to do, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the good of the people we love."
Megumi looked down at her chopsticks, lost in thought. Yuki noticed her fiancé's pensive expression and reached over to take her hand. "Hey, what's on your mind?" she asked softly.
"I just...I don't want to lose Shizuka," Megumi admitted. "She's been such an important part of our lives, and I don't want things to change too much when she moves out." 
"I understand," Yuki said, giving Megumi's hand a gentle squeeze. "But we'll always be friends, no matter where we live or what we do."
Megumi smiled and looked up at Yuki. "Yeah, you're right." 
Yuki returned the smile and leaned in to give Megumi a kiss on the cheek. "Besides, we're going to have our own adventures to share, right?" she said with a playful grin.
Megumi laughed and nodded, feeling reassured by Yuki's words and affection. 
As they continued to enjoy their meal, Yuki and Megumi talked about their upcoming wedding plans. They shared ideas for the venue, decorations, and guest list. Megumi even showed Yuki some pictures of her dream wedding dress. Yuki listened attentively, taking mental notes and offering suggestions.
After dinner, they walked hand in hand back to their apartment. They entered finding Shizuka's bedroom door closed, then sat down on the couch. Yuki leaned back, her eyes fixed on the door. Megumi noticed the tension in Yuki's body and placed a hand on her fiancé's shoulder. 
"Is everything okay?" she asked, concerned.
Yuki turned to Megumi, her eyes filled with emotion. "I'm happy for Shizuka, but I'm going to miss her."
Megumi nodded, understanding. "I guess we both thought we were ready for it, but we're not."
Yuki smiled sadly. "I know. But that doesn't mean we stop loving her. We'll still have each other, and we'll still be there for each other when she needs us."
Megumi hugged Yuki, feeling the warmth of her fiancé's embrace. "I know," she said softly. "And I'll always be here for you too."
----
The next week went by quickly for Shizuka. Since she was not currently filming a movie or a live action series she had a lot more free time than she usually did. Her current work commitments were the occasional call into the recording studio to do voice-over work and some modeling, which left her a lot of time to work out her housing situation. 
As expected, Kanna's husband, Shion, came through for her and found a few good locations from which Shizuka could choose from to suit her needs. She picked a modest two-story house in the suburbs that suited her fancy, with a garden in the back and a small balcony overlooking the neighborhood. It was not spacious like Kanna's mansion, but it felt upscale to Shizuka and reminded her of the house she grew up in.
After Kanna and Shion helped her purchase the house Shizuka started packing her belongings for the big move. She made an agreement with Yuki to transfer the lease of their apartment to her and to leave all the furniture behind for her use, with Shizuka deciding to make a clean break and buy new furnishings for her new house.
Shizuka was in her bedroom packing her belongings when Yuki appeared in the doorway, her expression outwardly happy for her friend, but she was also on the verge of tears. Yuki walked over to Shizuka and wrapped her arms around her, holding her close. 
"I'm so happy for you, Shizuka. I'll miss you, but I know you'll be fine."
"It's strange," Shizuka said, looking down at the box she was packing. "I feel like I should have gotten a bigger place a while ago. I love the new house and how big it is. It kind of puts into perspective just how small this apartment really is."
"It's also cozy," Yuki added. "And maybe having a smaller place felt safer. But your new house isn't going to be a bunch of empty rooms, either."
Shizuka smiled at Yuki's words. "I know. And I'm excited to have all the space to create the kind of home I want. And I'm going to miss this place, but I'll make sure to come visit often."
Yuki nodded, her eyes shining with emotion. "I'll make sure to come see you too," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "And I'll always be here for you, no matter what. You know that, right?"
Shizuka smiled at Yuki, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "I do." She leaned in and gave Yuki a quick peck on the cheek before turning back to her packing. 
Yuki watched Shizuka for a moment, feeling a mix of emotions. She loved her friend deeply and was excited for the new chapter of their lives. But she also felt a twinge of sadness at the thought of leaving the apartment where they had shared so many memories. She knew that the transition would be tough, but she trusted that Shizuka would make it work. 
As Shizuka continued packing, she noticed that Yuki was still standing in the doorway, lost in thought. "Hey, Yuki," she said, turning to face her friend. "Are you okay?"
Yuki blinked and shook her head, snapping out of her reverie. "Oh, no, just thinking," she replied quickly.
"Well, if you have time to stand around, you can help me a bit, right?" Shizuka said. "I'm almost done packing, but there's still a few things I need to take care of before we leave. Would you be willing to help me with that?"
Yuki nodded, smiling at her friend. "Of course, I'll help you pack up anything you need to take care of. What kind of things?"
Shizuka paused, her eyes searching for something to say. "Well, you can help pack up my wardrobe. It's all expensive clothes and it needs to be handled carefully. You know, stuff I don't want to just throw in a box." 
Yuki nodded, understanding the weight of the task. "No problem, I can handle that," she said, taking a step forward to help. 
She knew transporting Shizuka's prized wardrobe was very important and looked around to see that her friend had already prepared garment bags to protect them. Yuki knew she would have to cover each and every outfit in the closet, and then they would be stored in a larger container for transport. She looked at Shizuka's collection of outfits in awe, recognizing many of them and being surprised at some she did not recognize. Yuki quickly set to work, organizing the clothes and packing them carefully into the garment bags. 
She pulled out one outfit from the hangar and looked at it in confusion. It appeared to be a red spandex bodysuit and a red leotard, which was completely different from everything else in the wardrobe. 
"What on earth is this?" Yuki asked, holding up the outfit. 
Shizuka looked back at her, with an annoyed look on her face. "It's a souvenir from my days as a starving artist," she said in disgust. "Don't ask." 
Yuki chuckled, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad," she said, trying to lighten the mood. "But I can see why it might be important to you." 
"It's not important to me," she corrected her, "it's just I never got around to throwing it out."
"Well, it must mean something to you."
"It does. It reminds me of how desperate I used to be." 
Yuki looked at Shizuka with understanding. "I'm sorry you went through that. It must have been tough."
Shizuka shrugged, a small smile appearing on her face. "It was tough, but it made me stronger. And now, I have this beautiful wardrobe to show for it." 
Yuki nodded, and she carefully put the strange outfit in a garment bag.
She finished packing up the wardrobe and looked around the now-empty closet with a sense of satisfaction. Yuki knew Shizuka kept a lot of fancy clothes in her closet, and helping to pack them for transport gave her another rare insight into her best friend's world. It was a clear example of the styles that Shizuka loved the most and Yuki filed away that information in her mind for any future photoshoot they may do.
Yuki turned to face Shizuka, who had long since finished packing, and was sitting on the floor looking at one of her photo albums. She walked over to her and looked down at the photo album over her friend's shoulder, curious as to what she was looking at. She blushed slightly when she realized the photos were of the two of them in more casual moments, many of the pictures being done on a tripod, selfies, or taken by strangers. All the photos were of Yuki and Shizuka in their everyday lives. Yuki couldn't help but smile at the memories they brought back of their time as best friends. 
"What are you looking at?" she asked, looking over Shizuka's shoulder at the photos. 
Shizuka turned to face Yuki, a smile on her face. "The best five years of my life." 
Yuki's heart swelled with happiness at the words. "And we'll have the next five years to top that," she said, sitting down next to her. 
Shizuka leaned her head on Yuki's shoulder. "And then five more years after that."
"And five more years after that," Yuki added in agreement. "Until we're old ladies, and maybe even more."
The two sighed wistfully, enjoying each other's company for as long as they could. They both knew that time was precious, and they didn't want to waste a single moment of it. 
"I don't know what we'll do with ourselves when we grow old," Shizuka said, closing the photo album with a soft click. "But I do know that we'll always have each other to share those moments." 
Yuki smiled at her friend, feeling grateful for the bond they shared. "And I'll always be here for you, no matter what," she said, wrapping an arm around Shizuka's waist. "Just like I'm here for Megumi."
They waited in the apartment for the moving truck to arrive. Yuki helped Shizuka load her belongings into the back of the truck, then offered to help unload at her house as well. Shizuka gratefully agreed and the two of them joined the movers on their trip across town to Shizuka's new home.
----
Yuki returned to her apartment later that evening, exhausted from moving all the boxes. She found Megumi in the kitchen preparing dinner. She sat down at the table and watched her cook, while casting a glance at the empty room Shizuka used to occupy. She wished her best friend could be there again, even for one more day, but Yuki knew she would never stop feeling that way.
Megumi walked over to the table holding two plates of food, setting one down in front of Yuki. "So, I guess she's finally gone," she whispered sadly.
Yuki nodded. "Yeah. Her house is really nice, too."
"I'm glad she's happy there. She deserves it."
"She does," she said softly. "But I miss her. I miss her so much." 
"I know, Yuki. I miss her too. But I think she's happy where she is." Megumi placed a hand on Yuki's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. 
Yuki nodded, grateful for Megumi's understanding.
"And," she added, "I think now you've got to help me move all my things out of my apartment to here."
Yuki groaned at the thought of moving more boxes. "Can't it wait a little while? I'm a photographer, not a mover." 
Megumi chuckled at Yuki's excuse. "Yeah, but we need to do it before I have to extend the lease on my apartment!" 
Yuki laughed and patted her friend's hand. "Alright, alright. I'll help you move everything. Maybe this weekend or something. Definitely not tomorrow."
The two ate their dinner quietly. Yuki already missed Shizuka, but was glad Megumi was going to be around in the foreseeable future.
----
Yuki and Megumi spent the weekend moving Megumi's belongings out of her apartment. They were piling up in the living room with the unstated agreement to not touch Shizuka's old room, as both of them felt awkward about using it as a storage room. The downside was the amount of things in the living room multiplied, stacked on one end of the living room with nowhere to put them.
Of her furniture Megumi only brought her bed and display cases for her figurine collection, either dumping or leaving the rest of it since Yuki's apartment had both better furniture and appliances. They moved the bed into Yuki's room and rearranged some of the furniture to push the beds together. Yuki and Megumi spent most of the day rearranging the bedroom to accommodate both of their belongings, and for the first time Yuki knew what it felt like to live like a couple. It was a strange feeling, but also one that felt natural. 
The couple collapsed on the couch in exhaustion. Yuki eyed the boxes of Megumi's belongings that she hadn't unpacked yet and wondered where they were going to put everything.
"It's funny," Yuki said, voicing her concerns, "after helping Shizuka move out and you move in, the apartment feels smaller." 
Megumi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I know what you mean. It feels like we're all crammed into this small space now."
Yuki smiled at her friend. "But it's also nice. We have more space to ourselves now."
They both looked over the couch to Shizuka's old room, but neither one of them wanted to make the suggestion on their minds. It was too soon for them. Instead, they settled into comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company. There would be another time to think about what to do with the unoccupied bedroom.
----
The next Monday Yuki went back to work at Moon River and found Shizuka in their shared office. She smiled, thankful that she could at least still see her best friend at work even if they were no longer living together.
"Hey, stranger," Yuki greeted her, walking to her desk.
"Hi, Yuki," Shizuka replied, looking up from her computer. 
Yuki sat down in her seat and turned on her computer. She turned to face Shizuka. "So, how is your new home?" Yuki asked, curious about her friend's new house.
Shizuka smiled. "It's great. I love the space and the convenience." She swiveled her chair in Yuki's direction. "I got a new couch the other day. I've also set aside a couple bedrooms for Hikaru and Kurumi for when they're ready to come over. Of course, since it's my house I have first dibs on everything, so I claimed every other room in the house for my own."
Yuki smiled, happy to hear that Shizuka was enjoying her new space. "That's great! It sounds like you've been busy settling in."
Shizuka nodded. "Yeah, I have. I'm trying to figure out if it's feasible to install a pole in one of the rooms, but it doesn't look like that's possible." She shrugged. "I don't know, I think maybe setting up an exercise room might be pushing it a little." 
Yuki chuckled. "Well, if it's not possible with the space you have, maybe you can look into other options."
"Well, the worst thing I can do is use one as a glorified walk-in closet."
"Do you even have enough clothes to justify that?"
"No, but if I double it as a dressing room it would make more sense."
"Why would you need a full dressing room at home?" Yuki wondered.
Shizuka shrugged. "I don't know. It was just an idea."
"Well, if you do end up installing a pole, I want to see your moves."
Shizuka rolled her eyes playfully. She looked back at her computer screen and noticed she had a new message. "Well, that's a job," she murmured. 
"What is it?" Yuki asked.
"Arisa has been filtering job offers for me," Shizuka explained. "Apparently I've gotten a lot, but since I asked her to turn down all the romance movies not a lot of them make it to me." She shrugged. "I think I like being an action girl, but movie studios seem to want me to be a romantic lead. That's just not what I want."
"So what is this job offer?" Yuki asked.
Shizuka started reading the message. "It's for a new action movie. It looks promising, but I'll have to read the script first and see if it's something I'm interested in." She paused, thinking. "You know, it feels so weird being discerning like this. I used to accept every job that came my way."
"And that wasn't good for your health," Yuki reminded her.
"Yeah, I know," Shizuka agreed. "I know I can't be a total workaholic anymore, but it still doesn't feel any less strange, like I'm not doing enough." She sighed and leaned back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling. "In a different angle that kind of makes me a loser, having no hobbies." 
Yuki reached over and placed her hand on top of Shizuka's. "Don't say that. You have so many things to do and enjoy. Just focus on doing them well."
"That's easier said than done."
"Yeah, it is. But you have to start somewhere."
The two continued to chat until Yuki had to go to a photoshoot. Yuki was glad, even with all the recent changes in their lives, something remained the same. She walked down the hall and saw Erika waiting for her and gave her a smile. The maid-turned-model was wearing a plain white sundress that Yuki found cute.
"Hello, Erika," she greeted her. "Are you ready for the shoot?"
"You bet!" she replied eagerly. 
Yuki led Erika to the studio, where she had set up her backdrop and lighting. Erika followed her obediently. The sound of clanging metal mixed with the chatter of the assistants as they went about their work. Yuki smiled at Erika, her friendly and outgoing demeanor always at the ready. 
"So let me explain this shoot for you," Yuki began. "I want to capture a natural, carefree essence with you. I want you to be yourself and let loose, have fun. We're going for a whimsical vibe here, like you're frolicking in a meadow or dancing in the rain."
"That sounds amazing!" the maid said, her eyes widening in excitement. "I'm so ready for this!"
Yuki nodded with satisfaction. "Great. Why don't you get dressed and I'll finish setting up here?"
Erika nodded and ran off to the dressing room to change. Yuki set up the lighting and backdrop. She carefully placed the props and accessories on the stage, making sure that everything was perfectly aligned. She did not explain everything to Erika and knew the costumes she picked out for the shoot would be challenging to her, but Yuki knew she had what it took to meet her challenge.
As if on cue, Erika returned wearing the first costume, and Yuki tried her best to stifle a laugh. She was dressed in a green leotard, green tights, and a green tutu. On her head she wore a hood that made her look like a blooming flower.
"Yuki, I feel like a dork," Erika admitted.
"You look amazing," Yuki assured her. "You are a flower among flowers."
"I still feel like a dork!" she insisted, her face red. "Shizuka wouldn't be caught dead wearing this."
Yuki chuckled. "Well, she isn't here to see you, so don't worry too much about it. Just have fun and enjoy yourself."
Erika nodded, but she did not seem completely convinced of Yuki's vision. Yuki could see the disappointment in her eyes as she looked at her outfit. Yuki knew that Erika was a fan of fashion and had a strong aesthetic sense, so she tried to help her feel more comfortable in her costumes.
"Look, Erika," Yuki said, gesturing to her outfit. "I want you to be yourself and have fun. This is just a part of the shoot, but it's important to me that you feel comfortable and happy. I know this isn't something I would ask Shizuka to do, but it's not because you don't measure up to her. It's that you're different, and you're stronger at different things. You're more comfortable showing off your body than she is and that's why I ask you to do these kind of shoots. It's not about competing or being perfect, it's about having fun and feeling confident. So, what do you say? Are you up for it?" 
Erika's eyes widened with surprise. "Really? You really think I can do this?" 
"I do, Yuki replied, nodding confidently. "And if you don't, I understand. But don't worry, I'll make sure you have a good time. Now let's get started. We'll start with the shoot on the stage and then move on to the next setup. I want you to feel free to experiment and be yourself. After all, you are a flower in full bloom. You are showing yourself to the world." 
She turned to Erika and gestured for her to take a seat on the set. Erika blushed and looked down at her outfit, feeling self-conscious. She didn't like the idea of being a flower, but understood Yuki wants to use it as a metaphor for her rising modeling career. Yuki picked up a camera and began to take pictures of Erika as she posed on the set. The lighting was set up perfectly, and the props and accessories were arranged just so. Yuki wanted to capture every aspect of Erika's beauty.
"You are a flower in full bloom," Yuki directed her. "You've seen the sun for the first time, and you're trying to reach for it." 
Erika looked up at Yuki, feeling a bit more confident. "Okay, I'm ready," she said, her voice slightly unsteady. 
Yuki started taking pictures in earnest. She encouraged Erika to try different poses and expressions. She wanted to capture the essence of Erika's personality, not just her physical beauty. Erika began to loosen up as she moved around the set, experimenting with different poses and facial expressions. Yuki could see that Erika was becoming more comfortable in front of the camera, and she was thrilled.
"Great job, Erika," Yuki said, smiling at her. "Now, go change into the next costume."
Erika nodded, and made her way to the dressing room to get into the next costume. When she reemerged Erika was dressed in a more elaborate flower costume, which was a ruffled princess dress that signified her leaving her childhood stage and becoming a teenager of the flower world. The dress was the same color as the petals of her previous costume and she still wore green tights, but her hair was decorated with a flower crown and she wore white opera gloves. Yuki had carefully picked out the dress, knowing that it would suit Erika's personality perfectly. As Erika walked out onto the set, she looked even more stunning than before.
"So, do you still feel like a dork?" Yuki asked with a smile. 
"Not at all, Yuki," Erika claimed, an awkward laugh escaping her lips. "You make me feel so beautiful and confident." 
Yuki grinned, glad that Erika finally understood what she was going for. "That's the spirit. You're a flower in bloom, and you're showing the world your true beauty. You're so talented, and you're going to do great things."
Erika resumed her place on the set, ready to continue the shoot with renewed vigor. Yuki captured every moment of the shoot. She experimented with different angles and lighting to bring out the best in Erika. She moved around the set, making small adjustments to the props and costumes to get the perfect shot. Erika was a natural, moving gracefully from one pose to the next. Yuki could tell that Erika was getting more comfortable with every click of the camera. 
"Remember how it felt when you were in high school," Yuki said, setting the scene. "Remember how it felt when you kissed your first boy, when you danced with your friends, when you worked at your class project for the school festival. You were so excited and alive, just like now."
Erika smiled, her eyes shining with excitement. "Yeah, I do remember. It's like I'm reliving those moments again. I feel like a flower in bloom, and I'm so happy to be here with you and the camera." 
"That's the spirit, Erika. I'm glad you're having fun. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be a famous model like Shizuka."
"I hope so." Erika giggled at the thought. "I've been dreaming about that day for a while now." 
Yuki smiled, happy to see Erika's enthusiasm. "Now, let's go for the final costume of the day."
The maid nodded eagerly and returned to the dressing room. She emerged in the most elaborate costume yet. She was no longer a princess, but a queen, an adult flower ready to spread her seeds to the world. The dress's skirt reached all the way to the floor and she had an elaborate train decorated with petals and leaves. Her hair was styled with a crown of flowers and she wore a sheer veil that shimmered in the light. 
"Wow, Erika, you look amazing," Yuki said, admiring her friend's costume.
Erika grinned, feeling proud of her outfit. "I feel like a queen."
"You should, but I warn you, this will be the most difficult part of the shoot," Yuki said. "You're right, you are a queen. You are the object of adoration to all who lay their eyes upon you. Everyone who looks up to you wants to be you. But you are not simply their ruler. You are their guardian, their protector, their mother. You are an adult."
Erika swallowed nervously. "An adult? I barely think of myself as one right now!"
"And that's why this will be the most difficult part," Yuki replied. "You have to act like an adult, and that means making tough decisions and taking responsibility for your actions. But it also means being kind to everyone around you, no matter how tough that may be. You have to show them that you care about them, and that you understand what they're going through. You can't let your personal struggles cloud your judgment, Erika. You bear the weight of that responsibility on your shoulders, and I want you to show that to me." 
"I'll do my best," she said, her voice steady.
"Good. Now, let's get started," Yuki said, snapping her fingers.
Erika did her best to follow Yuki's direction, but Yuki knew she was overwhelmed by the character she was supposed to portray. She knew Erika did not feel herself to be an adult and was unable to take on the responsibility, but Yuki was fine with her showing this vulnerability. It added a different stage to the adult flower, one that was unsure of her place in the world and how she mattered to those who followed her. The weight of the responsibility was what Erika needed to know when she decided to become the next Shizuka. 
Yuki continued to guide Erika through the photo shoot, helping her find the right poses and expressions to capture the essence of the queen character. She complimented her on her efforts and gave her tips on how to project authority and confidence in her role.
When the shoot came to a close, Yuki and Erika returned to the dressing room.
"You're right," Erika said, heaving a deep sigh. "That was the hard part."
Yuki smiled reassuringly. "I know it was tough, but you did great. I wanted to push you out of your comfort zone."
"Why?"
"It's because that's what it takes to become a model like Shizuka. You have to learn how to adapt to the pressure and challenges that come with the profession. And, let's be honest, Erika, you're not really an adult yet. That's okay. Shizuka didn't really act like an adult for a long time, either. But she did it anyway, and look where she is now. You're going to do the same thing, Erika. You're going to be the next Shizuka, and you're going to do it for yourself. Maybe you won't get there in the same way, but I know you will make it."
Erika nodded, grateful for Yuki's support. "Thank you for believing in me," she said, smiling.
----
Erika's model career was inspired from Shizuka, but her path was vastly different. While Shizuka always maintained an air of modesty Erika was more willing to show off her body. Unlike Shizuka she gladly did shoots in lingerie, swimsuits, and other skimpy outfits. Her body was by no means a bombshell, but it was conventionally attractive for an average Japanese woman. However, as a tradeoff Erika was having difficulty standing out from most other models as Shizuka stood out for her mysterious feminine allure brought about by her own modeling decisions. Shizuka was seen as a woman while Erika was seen as a girl, and a very common girl at that. Erika needed to have something to make her stand out from other models her age. 
Erika realized that her modeling career was not going to be as successful as she had hoped. She was still young and inexperienced, and her desire to emulate Shizuka seemed like hot air. She needed to find a way to make herself stand out and become in demand. 
She started taking acting classes to improve her performance in front of the camera and to learn how to convey emotions with her body and facial expressions. She knew Shizuka also learned how to act, and it was through that avenue she transitioned into acting. Erika wondered if she would end up doing the same thing. Her dream was to become a famous fashion model like Shizuka, but she was starting to doubt herself. She knew she still had a long way to go, but she was willing to work hard to make it happen. She needed to show that she could stand out and be successful, even if it wasn't the modeling career she originally envisioned.
She passed through the halls of the Moon River building on her way out when she heard a girl mention her name as she passed the break room. Erika froze in place, wondering if someone was calling for her, but realized that she was the subject of gossip among her fellow models. She creeped back to the door of the break room and decided to listen in on what the other girls were talking about.
"Yeah, that Erika girl, she's a primadonna," she heard one girl claim. "She claims she's going to be the 'next Shizuka' and even dyed her hair the same color."
Erika's cheeks burned at being trash talked. She resisted the urge to barge into the break room and listened more.
"That's right, she's a freak show," another girl chimed in. "I heard she gets special attention from Yuki, the photographer. What is so special about her, anyway?"
"Well, Yuki is a lesbian, so maybe Erika is... giving her favors," suggested a third girl.
The three girls in the break room voiced their disgust. Erika knew she was being disparaged, but she was angrier that the girls were so flippant and dismissive of Yuki as well. She had no idea that other models found her sexual orientation to be a problem and it made her disgusted.
"Erika thinks she's going to be the 'next Shizuka' so maybe Yuki is taking out her frustrations on her," the first girl suggested, laughing. "Either way, Erika is being shown favoritism. We need to do something about that."
Erika couldn't believe that people were making such assumptions and comments about Yuki. She had always admired Shizuka for her strength and confidence, and she knew that Yuki was just as strong. She couldn't let the other models get away with their gossip and lies. She took a deep breath and walked into the break room, deciding to confront the three girls who were talking about her and Yuki.
"Excuse me," she said, her voice shaking with anger. 
The girls turned to look at her, surprised by her arrival. 
"What do you want?" one of them asked.
"You girls aren't saying nice things about Yuki," Erika said directly. "She works hard to make all of us look good and you say that kind of stuff behind her back."
The three girls looked at each other, unsure of how to respond. Erika wasn't backing down, and she knew that she had to stand up for Yuki.
"That's not true," one of the girls said defensively. "We don't have anything against Yuki. We just don't want her to give preferential treatment."
Erika shook her head. "That's not the point," she said. "Yuki has put a lot of time and effort into making sure that everyone at Moon River looks good. None of you would be doing as well as you've been if it wasn't for her. Show some decency and respect." 
The three girls exchanged uncomfortable glances before turning back to their conversation. Erika could see that they were still upset, but she was glad that she had at least gotten their attention. She left the break room feeling proud of herself.
----
Two weeks after Shizuka moved into her new home and invited Hikaru and Kurumi to join her, the two made plans to move to Tokyo. They settled down in their new home, taking two separate bedrooms downstairs and set about making themselves comfortable. Shizuka was pleased with having them live in her house, but her current schedule had her leaving the house frequently.
Neither Hikaru nor Kurumi, being newcomers to Tokyo, had jobs, so they had a lot of free time on their hands. They sat down on the couch in the living room and stared at the blank television in front of them, not certain of their next course of action.
"So, it's Tokyo," Hikaru said, trying to start a conversation.
"Yes, it is," Kurumi replied. "It's quite different from where we came from."
"That's for sure," Hikaru agreed. "But it's exciting, don't you think?"
Kurumi nodded. "Definitely. I can't wait to explore the city and see what it has to offer. Maybe even find some acting gigs."
"Well, we're not doing anything now, right?" Hikaru replied. "Maybe we should go out there and see what we can find." 
Kurumi smiled. "That's a great idea. I've always wanted to check out some of the theaters and acting schools in the city. And maybe we can even find some auditions."
Hikaru stood up, feeling energized. "Let's do it. We're young and full of ambition. We can make it in Tokyo."
Kurumi nodded in agreement. The two of them got up from the couch and got dressed. They decided the best place to start was Shibuya, so they got on the train and headed into the city to see what was out there. She and Hikaru made their way to the bustling streets of Shibuya, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. 
"This is amazing," Hikaru said, taking in the sights around him. "I can't wait to see what else Tokyo has to offer."
Kurumi smiled back at him. "Me too. It's going to be so much fun exploring everything." 
They walked for a while, taking in the lively crowds of people and the various shops. They passed by a clothing store that caught Kurumi's eye, and she couldn't resist the temptation to try on some clothes. She went inside and looked at the selection of cute dresses and skirts. She felt a tug on her heartstrings as she saw one particular dress, a bright purple and white flowy skirt with a matching blouse. 
"Oh, I just have to have this!" Kurumi squealed.
Hikaru held her arm and started dragging her out of the store. "We don't have any money, remember?" he said, a bit annoyed.
Kurumi pulled away from Hikaru's grip. "I don't need any money," she said, smiling mischievously. "I just need the thrill of the new and the excitement of trying something on." 
Hikaru rolled his eyes but couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. "Alright, fine," he said. "But we can't afford anything too expensive."
Kurumi pouted, but her smile didn't falter. She grabbed the dress and rushed immediately to the changing room to put it on. As she dressed, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have a career in acting. She imagined herself on the stage, surrounded by bright lights and cameras. The thought made her heart race with excitement. She tried to push those thoughts aside and focus on the present moment. After a few minutes, she emerged from the changing room, wearing the dress and blouse.
"Ta-dah!" Kurumi announced herself, spreading her arms out dramatically.
Hikaru did not seem to share in her enthusiasm. "That's not exactly practical for everyday wear," he said, eyeing the dress skeptically.
Kurumi rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, Hikaru. This is just a dress. And besides, I think it looks great on me."
Hikaru looked at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Were you planning to buy it?" he asked, his tone sharp. "We agreed to a budget. You can't just buy something like this on a whim."
Kurumi's cheeks turned pink. "I didn't mean to spend all of our money on this," she said, looking down at the dress. "I just really wanted to try it on."
"It's kind of rude to just put on clothes for the fun of it, you know." 
Hikaru's tone was stern, and Kurumi could sense the tension in the air. She knew that Hikaru was right, but she couldn't help herself. She loved the thrill of trying on new clothes and getting feedback on how they looked on her body. 
She took a deep breath and looked up at him. "I'm sorry, Hikaru," she said softly. "I know we need to be careful with our finances, but I just couldn't resist the urge to try on this dress."
Hikaru's eyes softened slightly. "I understand," he said, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Just don't damage the dress or the store will make you pay for it."
Kurumi returned to the changing room and took off the dress, being careful with it as she went. She knew if she tore the dress somehow it would make it harder to sell and would look bad for anyone like her who wanted to try on clothes in the future. She didn't want to be the one who ruined it for everyone. After she finished changing she put the dress back on the rack, sorry to part with it and hoping that it would still be around when her financial situation improved.
The two walked out of the store in silence. Kurumi's enthusiasm dimmed after Hikaru's reprimanding her behavior. She knew she had to be more responsible in the future and not spend so much money on clothes without thinking about the consequences.
"You know, Kurumi," Hikaru said, looking down at her. "You could be a great actress, but you have to be more responsible with your money."
Kurumi nodded, feeling a pang of guilt in her chest. "I know, Hikaru," she said softly. "I'm trying. I just hope I can make it in the industry someday."
"We'll both make it, and then we won't have to worry about budgeting ourselves like this."
Kurumi knew that he was right. She was too caught up in her own dreams to realize that she had to make sacrifices in order to achieve them. She needed to take her career from the bottom instead of thinking she was already at the top.
They continued walking down the street and Kurumi wondered when she would get a shot at her first audition. As they walked, they saw a flyer on a nearby lamppost that caught their eye. "Auditions for new TV drama series, all roles open," it read in bold letters. Kurumi gasped and pointed at the poster excitedly.
"Hikaru, look! This could be my chance!" she exclaimed.
Hikaru looked at the flyer skeptically. "This is probably for extras."
"Well, even extras get paid," Kurumi reasoned. She pulled out her phone and took a picture of the flyer. "Besides, we need money, right? It can't hurt to go."
Hikaru sighed, but nodded. "Alright, let's go. We can always cancel if it's not for us."
----
The audition took place on the weekend in a local television studio. Hikaru and Kurumi were not surprised there was a lengthy line for the open audition, and Kurumi's hopes were tempered by the numbers. But finally, they made it to the front of the line and were ushered into a room filled with other aspiring actors and actresses. They took numbers from a machine and waited for their turn to be called.
"I don't think anyone knows what kind of show this is," Hikaru said, looking around.
"It could be a drama, a comedy, or even a music video," Kurumi replied. "But we'll just have to wait and see."
After an hour Kurumi's number was called. She and Hikaru got up from their seats and went to the next room to see the casting director. They knew this was their big shot at getting a role on the TV drama, but they did not know what to expect. As they walked into the room, they saw a stern-looking casting director sitting at a desk. The casting director looked up at them and greeted them with a nod.
"Which of you is Number 107?" he asked. 
"She is," Hikaru said, pointing to Kurumi. "I'm Number 108."
The casting director nodded. "We'll get to you next." He turned to Kurumi and handed her a piece of paper. "I want you to read these lines, and then we'll see where we go from there, okay?" 
Kurumi took the paper and looked at it, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. She cleared her throat and began to read the lines, trying her best to embody the character.
After she finished, the casting director nodded thoughtfully. "Not bad," he said. "Can you try it again, but this time with a bit more emotion?" Kurumi took a deep breath and nodded. She tried to tap into her own personal experiences to bring more emotion to the lines, hoping it would impress the casting director. As she read through the lines again, she could feel herself getting more into character. When she finished, she looked back up at the casting director with a hopeful expression.
The casting director's face was unreadable. "Go stand over there," he said, pointing to a wall on the other side of the room.
Kurumi nodded, and stepped out of the way. The casting director motioned for Hikaru over, and handed him another piece of paper.
"Well, I hope you're better than your friend," he said. "Read those lines."
Kurumi flinched when she heard those words. In her mind she thought she nailed the reading, but realized the casting director wasn't sold on her performance. Only now she realized his asking of her to repeat the lines meant that she wasn't as good as she thought she was.
Hikaru took his place in front of the director and looked at the paper in his hand. He cleared his throat and started reciting the lines. As he spoke, Hikaru tried to channel his frustration with his sister's success into the lines. He emphasized certain words and added a bit of his own flair to the performance. When he finished, he looked back at the casting director, waiting for his response.
The casting director nodded. "Not bad," he said. "A little rough around the edges, but there's a certain charm to it." He handed him a piece of paper with a contact number. "You'll hear from us soon." 
Hikaru and Kurumi exchanged a nervous glance, unsure of what this meant for their future. As they walked out of the room, Kurumi couldn't help but feel disappointed. She had practiced so much for this opportunity, and she thought she did well. Hikaru noticed her downcast expression and put a comforting arm around her.
"Don't worry, Kurumi," he said. "We'll get other chances."
"That guy seemed to like you, but he didn't like me," Kurumi said, downcast. The sting of rejection always hurt and she knew it was part of the process, but it was no less a blow to her ego. 
Hikaru looked at her with concern. "Kurumi, he was just being cautious," he said. "I'm sure there are other roles he'll like you for."
Kurumi nodded, still feeling down. She knew Hikaru was right, but it didn't make it any easier to swallow.
The two returned home, feeling awkward about their fortunes. They found Shizuka sitting on the couch reading messages on her phone. 
"Oh, you're back," Shizuka said, raising her eyes from her phone. "How did it go?"
"I don't think they liked me," Kurumi revealed, dejected.
"Well, I think they liked me," Hikaru added.
Shizuka stood up from the couch and approached them, putting away her phone. "I see. Have you thought about signing up with an agent?" she asked.
Hikaru shook his head. "I don't know how to find one," he admitted.
Shizuka smiled reassuringly. "Well, I can help you with that," she said. "I know it sounds like they leech off your money, but they're worth it, trust me. You could sign up with Moon River, like me, for instance. Moon River does represent actors, you know."
Kurumi looked at her with interest. "Really? Moon River is your own agency."
Shizuka nodded. "Yes, it is. And they have a good reputation and many big clients. Plus, they take care of their talents well."
Kurumi felt a glimmer of hope. "That sounds amazing," she said, smiling at Shizuka. "Thank you so much, Shizuka. I really appreciate it."
"I can get you signed up next Monday, if you want," Shizuka offered, "but from there it's up to you."
Hikaru looked at her with admiration. "Thank you, Shizuka. You're a lifesaver," he said.
Shizuka smiled. "No problem, guys. I'm happy to help."
----
Early the next Monday Shizuka brought Hikaru and Kurumi to Moon River. They met with a prospective agent and signed up immediately, hoping that an agent would help turn their fortunes around. Shizuka was pleased with their decision and left them to their own devices. Hikaru felt a little awkward that he both now shared a home with his sister and now an agent from the same company, but he set it aside for his and Kurumi's sakes. They were still in the early stages of their careers, but Shizuka's help gave them hope that they could make it big.
Around mid morning Hikaru and Kurumi walked out of the building together, knowing they were in the waiting period.
"Well, while we're out, do you want to go somewhere or just go back home?" Hikaru asked. 
Kurumi thought for a moment before responding. "Let's go to a cafe," she suggested. "It's a little quieter and I could use some coffee."
Hikaru agreed, and they headed to a small cafe in the heart of the city. As they sat down at a table, Kurumi took a sip of her coffee and sighed contentedly. "This is nice," she said, looking around the cafe. "I haven't been to a place like this in a while."
Hikaru nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I like it. It's not too crowded and the atmosphere is nice," he said.
Kurumi smiled at him. "Thank you," she said. "I'm glad you like it. I'm glad we decided to come here today. It's a nice break from the usual."
Hikaru smiled back at her. "Yeah, it is. Plus, we get to spend some time with each other."
Kurumi looked at him thoughtfully. "I'm glad we're spending time with each other," she said. "It's nice to have someone to talk to and share your thoughts with." 
Hikaru nodded in agreement, but before he could say anything further his phone buzzed. He checked the screen and saw that it was an incoming call from the casting director.
"Hello?"
Kurumi's eyes watched Hikaru intently as he talked with the casting director, but she could not tell what they were talking about. As Hikaru finished his call, he turned to Kurumi and smiled. 
"It sounds like I passed the first round of auditions," he said. "They want to see me again."
"That's great!" Kurumi enthused, but realized she didn't get a call. "I... well, congratulations." 
Hikaru noticed the disappointment in Kurumi's voice and reached across the table to take her hand. "Don't worry, Kurumi. Your time will come," he said reassuringly. "You're talented and you'll get your chance soon enough."
Kurumi smiled gratefully at him. "Thanks, Hikaru," she said.
"Besides," he added, "this doesn't mean I got the job. After this next round you might be the one trying to comfort me."
Kurumi laughed at his joke. "I'll try," she said, still smiling. "But don't worry, I'll be there for you no matter what."
The casting call was schedule for that afternoon and Kurumi decided to join Hikaru as moral support even though she wasn't called back herself. They returned to the same studio they went on the previous weekend and were surprised there were only a small handful of aspiring actors and actresses there. Hikaru did not have to wait long to be called in to the casting director, while Kurumi waited in the lobby for the good news. She fidgeted in her seat, nervous for her childhood friend and boyfriend, wondering what was taking so long.
After what seemed like an eternity, Hikaru returned to the lobby with a handful of papers.
Kurumi stood up from her seat and faced him in anticipation. "So, what's the verdict?" she asked. Hikaru grinned at her, a proud look on his face. "I got the part!" he exclaimed, holding up the papers for her to see. "They want to see me again next week." 
Kurumi's eyes widened in excitement as she hugged him tightly. "That's amazing, Hikaru!" she exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you!" She released him and stared into his eyes. "So, what part did you get?"
"I'm going to be playing a bad boy," he said. "The series is supposed to take place in high school and my character is going to be a tough guy."
Kurumi nodded, impressed. "That's great, Hikaru! I'm so proud of you," she said, smiling warmly at him. "You're going to do great!"
Hikaru grinned back at her, feeling grateful for her support. "Thanks, Kurumi. I'll make sure to bring it every day."
Kurumi watched as Hikaru walked away, feeling a mix of emotions. She was happy for him, but a small part of her was jealous that he had the opportunity to act. She knew that his life goals were more realistic than hers, and she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever be able to achieve them.
----
The week passed slowly for Kurumi and she was becoming increasingly frustrated with her situation. Although she signed up with an agent she had yet to find a job. She was jealous that Hikaru already found work. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be in his shoes, to have that kind of opportunity and support. She knew she couldn't compare herself to him, but it still didn't make it any easier. Kurumi's frustration only grew when she received another rejection email from an audition she had gone to earlier that week. She felt defeated and doubted her abilities as an actress. 
She sat on the couch in the house, scrolling through social media, when her phone buzzed with a notification from her agent. She picked it up eagerly, hoping for good news. Her heart raced as she read the message, wondering if it was a new audition or a call back for one she had already missed. But her heart fell as she realized it was an offer for a background extra. She felt disappointed, but she knew it was a step in the right direction. She thanked her agent for the opportunity and promised to make the best of it.
----
Across town, at the television studio, Hikaru was getting ready to be fitted for his costume. As he was cast in a high school television drama, he had a certain impression of the role he was playing. He was told he was going to be a tough guy that girls would see as a bad boy with an attitude. He readily believed he would be playing a delinquent type character and someone who was outwardly macho and manly.
The costume he was fitted for was far from his expectations and Hikaru looked at himself in the mirror with embarrassment and disgust. He was wearing a very frilly Gothic Lolita dress decorated with ruffles and ribbons all over the place. A matching, frilly bonnet framed his face. His legs were shaved and he wore white thigh high stockings with frilly bands and a bow on the top, and Mary Jane shoes. 
Hikaru was shocked and horrified. This was not the image he had of himself, and he certainly didn't want to be seen in public like this. He looked at himself in the mirror again, feeling embarrassed and ashamed. He couldn't believe he had been cast in such a role. He wondered if this was some sort of joke or if someone had made a mistake. He couldn't help but wonder how this could have happened. He wanted to portray a strong, masculine character, not a frilly, feminine one. 
He didn't know what to do or how to react, so he just stood there in silence, looking at himself in the mirror. He realized that he didn't have the strength or courage to tell the costume department that he was uncomfortable with his costume. He knew getting this job without an agent's input was a mistake, but he didn't know what to do. He couldn't bear the thought of disappointing the director and producers, but he also couldn't stand to be humiliated in front of the camera.
Hikaru mustered up the courage to leave the dressing room and present himself to the producers, realizing he had to face the music. As he walked out of the dressing room, he heard the sound of laughter and murmurs from the other crew members. He felt his heart sink and his resolve weaken as he approached the producers. The producers looked at Hikaru with surprise and amusement, clearly enjoying the spectacle of seeing a tough guy dressed up in frills and ribbons. 
"Well, you look quite fetching," one of the producers joked. "How do you like the costume?"
Hikaru looked down at himself and unconsciously tugged at his skirt. "It's... not what I was imagining, sir." He felt his face flush with embarrassment and confusion. He had never been one for crossdressing or playing a role that wasn't his own. He was a serious actor, not a comedian or a fashion model. He had never felt so uncomfortable in his life. "I can't do this, sir," he said, shaking his head. "I can't do this. I'm sorry, but I need to change my costume." 
The producers exchanged glances with each other before one of them spoke up. "We understand that this is not what you expected, Hikaru," he said in a calm and understanding tone. "But this is the character we cast you for. You gave off some surprisingly convincing frustration and anger in your casting call and that's what we want in this character."
"I was under the impression that anger was placed in being underestimated and misunderstood," Hikaru replied.
"Well, you are," the producer said. "But part of the character's story arc is learning to embrace different aspects of themselves and stepping out of their comfort zone. We believe that you can do that too, Hikaru. You have the talent and potential to bring this character to life in a unique and interesting way."
Hikaru thought about what the producer said and realized that he had a point. He had always been hesitant to fully embrace his feminine side, but perhaps it was time to give it a try. He took a deep breath and nodded, accepting the challenge. "Alright," he said. "I'll do my best." 
The producer smiled and nodded in approval. "Excellent," he said. "We're glad to have you on board." 
The other producers and crew members smiled and nodded, and Hikaru felt a small bit of relief as he made his way back to his dressing room, trying to shake off the feeling of embarrassment and awkwardness that had settled over him. Hikaru would have never guessed his debut acting role would be as a crossdresser, but he had to make the best of it. 
He just hoped Kurumi wouldn't laugh at him over it.
----
Hikaru returned home later that day, coming clean about the true nature of the role he had. At first she thought he was joking until he shared a photo he took of himself in the mirror on his phone. It was then that Kurumi burst out laughing. She couldn't believe her boyfriend was actually wearing a dress and makeup. 
"This is... quite an interesting development," she said, still chuckling. "I had no idea you were a crossdresser."
Hikaru's face flushed in embarrassment. "I'm not a crossdresser," he insisted.
"You are now!" Kurumi replied, laughing even harder. "You make such a cute girl!" 
Hikaru felt his face heat up even more as he tried to think of a way to make her understand that he was just portraying a character on a TV show. "I know, but... it's not something I'm proud of," he admitted.
Kurumi nodded in understanding. "I know it's not exactly what you were looking for, but it's still a great opportunity."
"Well, you're not the one making their acting debut in a dress."
"I'm a girl. I'd love to make my acting debut in a dress. Besides, your sister made her acting debut as a maid."
Hikaru froze in horror. He spent years making fun of Shizuka for her acting roles, putting her down every chance he could for doing things she insisted she would never do, and now he knew the tables had turned. He imagined Shizuka making fun of him for being a macho guy, only to be reduced to crossdressing in a frilly Gothic Lolita dress.
"I can't face my sister like this," Hikaru realized. "She's going to make sure I never hear the end of it." 
Kurumi put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, she's not like that. She's actually a very supportive and caring person."
Hikaru's face softened. "I hope so."
It was later that evening, when Shizuka returned home and learned of the situation that Kurumi's perception of the issue was strongly challenged. Hikaru and Kurumi decided to cook her dinner in order to help soften the blow. The three of them sat down at the table to eat when Hikaru mustered up the courage to tell her.
Like Kurumi before her, Shizuka burst out laughing. But unlike Kurumi, Shizuka's laughter was more gentle and amused than teasing. 
"Oh Hikaru," she said, shaking her head. "You're always surprising me."
Hikaru's face fell, expecting the worst. But to his surprise, Shizuka's next words were kind and supportive.
"I never would have thought you'd take up a crossdressing role," she continued. "You always acted so macho all the time, but it's nice to see you have a feminine side and you're not afraid to take risks."
Hikaru's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you, Shizuka."
"So you're going to be a Gothic Lolita crossdressing guy, right? I love Lolita fashion." 
"I guess I'll have to, now that I'm stuck in this situation."
"Well, it's not like you're alone in this. I can help you be a Gothic Lolita if you want. Consider it research for your acting if you want."
Hikaru glanced at his sister. He wasn't sure if he wanted to play dress-up with her, not after her surprisingly enthusiasm for his embarrassing role. But at the same time, he couldn't deny that he was curious about this fashion trend. "I'll think about it."
Shizuka cast a side glance at Kurumi and the two smiled at each other, which Hikaru didn't like. He felt like they were conspiring against him. Shizuka's smile turned into a smirk as she turned back to Hikaru. "We can go out shopping tomorrow if you'd like. For research."
Hikaru gulped. "Shopping? For dresses?"
"Well yeah," she replied, shrugging. "It's not like I was going to let you wear my dresses. You'd stretch them all out and stuff. You're still a guy, after all." 
"I didn't think about that," he admitted. Hikaru's face flushed with embarrassment. 
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you look good." 
Hikaru's heart sank at the thought of being seen in drag by his own sister. He knew he wasn't comfortable with crossdressing, but he didn't want to disappoint her. "Thanks, Shizuka. I appreciate it."
Shizuka patted him on the back. "Girls out shopping, right?" she teased him.
Outwardly, Hikaru was smiling, but inwardly, he was dying. He felt as if he was being punished in one of the circles of Hell as karmic punishment for something he did in a previous life. He couldn't believe that his own sister would be shopping for dresses with him, a guy. He imagined the disappointment in his parents' eyes of him crossdressing. He imagined his old classmates sending him messages on social media making fun of him. He couldn't bear the thought of being seen on national television in a dress.
----
The next day Hikaru, Shizuka, and Kurumi went shopping for dresses. Shizuka immediately brought them to a specialty store she frequently bought Lolita dresses from and Hikaru marveled that his sister was so into something that wasn't just work. As they browsed through the racks of dresses, Shizuka pointed out a particularly stunning one. It was a deep purple with black lace trim and intricate designs on the bodice. 
"This one is amazing." She held it up to Hikaru, admiring the way the fabric shimmered in the light. "But it's too expensive. Let's get something more affordable."
Hikaru groaned inwardly, feeling his wallet already feeling lighter than it had the day before. "How much more affordable?"
Shizuka shrugged. "Let's not get something too fancy. This dress will be on me, so don't worry about it. Just find something you like."
Kurumi looked at Shizuka hopefully. "Can I get a dress, too?" she asked.
Shizuka grinned at her. "Sure, why not? Let's take a look around." 
They sifted through the Gothic Lolita dresses, looking for something Hikaru would like. Hikaru did not see anything that jumped out at him, as he was too embarrassed at being a guy in a girls' dress store. Kurumi, on the other hand, was excited and flipping through the racks with fervor, trying to decide on one dress.
While they were looking, the store clerk approached them. "Can I help you with anything?" she asked, her tone polite and homely.
Shizuka bowed politely. "I'm helping my friends here look for Gothic Lolita dresses," she explained.
"Your friends?" the clerk repeated, raising an eyebrow. She glanced in Hikaru's direction and nodded sagely. "I see."
"It's a long story, but they're not familiar with Lolita fashion," Shizuka added. "I'd appreciate it if you don't make them feel too uncomfortable."
The clerk nodded understandingly. "Of course, no problem. I'll be happy to assist you with your search." 
She began to suggest dresses that would suit Hikaru's preferences. Shizuka and Kurumi listened intently, occasionally interjecting with their own opinions. As they continued to browse, Hikaru noticed a group of people standing outside the store, eyeing them curiously. He could feel their gaze on him, and he felt self-conscious under their scrutiny.
Shizuka noticed it too, and she turned to him with concern. "Hikaru, maybe we should go?" she suggested.
Hikaru nodded reluctantly, feeling embarrassed about the attention. Shizuka explained the situation to the clerk and the clerk understood their dilemma. 
"I'm sorry about that," she said kindly. "I hope they don't cause you too much trouble."
Kurumi smiled, grateful for the clerk's understanding. "Thank you for understanding."
The three left the store empty handed, but Hikaru could feel the eyes of the people following him. He knew they were gossiping about him in hushed whispers. He didn't want to draw attention to himself, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being judged.
"We can try to get a private fitting at the store," Shizuka suggested. "That way we can have the store to ourselves while we try on dresses."
Kurumi's eyes were downcast, disappointed at the turn of events. "That means we'd have to come back tomorrow before opening."
"Or after the store closes later this evening," Shizuka added. "It's up to you two."
Hikaru looked at his girlfriend with a grateful smile. "That's okay, I can wait," he said, trying to hide his discomfort.
Kurumi looked up at him with a small smile. "Let's see if we can come back this evening."
The three decided to grab lunch and then go to the Moon River building to kill time. Shizuka arranged for the clerk to have them visit the store after hours and the clerk agreed. Hikaru had a suspicion the clerk and his sister knew each other, or that Shizuka was a regular customer, and this was being done as a favor. He sighed, knowing that putting on another dress was inevitable.
When they returned to the store that evening the clerk let them in. The atmosphere of the shop was different now that they were the only customers there, and the streets were emptier, so Hikaru felt more at ease. The clerk led them back to the Gothic Lolita dresses where they begun their task anew.
"So, what kind of dresses suit your fancy?" the clerk asked. 
"I don't know," Hikaru admitted. "Maybe something traditional?"
The clerk smiled knowingly. "Traditional is always a good choice. You can always look back at it later and say 'I always knew I'd end up wearing this one.'"
Shizuka nodded in agreement. "It's true. I find myself gravitating towards traditional and elegant styles more often than not."
Hikaru's heart thumped in his chest in anticipation. Wtih each Gothic Lolita dress the clerk showed him the more he felt dread at putting it on and presenting himself to Shizuka as a crossdresser for the first time. He imagined increasingly more embarrassing scenarios in his head that made him feel nauseated. 
He steeled himself when the clerk handed him one of the dresses. "Do you know how to put this on?" she asked gently. 
"I don't think I'm cut out for this," he admitted, embarrassed.
"Come on, I can help you," Shizuka offered. "Putting on Gothic Lolita dresses isn't easy, especially if you aren't used to it."
Hikaru nodded, feeling grateful for her kindness. But instead of leading him to a quiet, private fitting room, she turned and grabbed a pair of white stockings.
"I can't believe I'm saying this," Shizuka said, holding out the stockings, "but I want you to take off your clothes."
Hikaru's heart raced as he looked at the stockings. He hesitated for a moment, embarrassed. The stockings were soft and silky, and he knew he'd have to put them on quickly to cover himself up.
"Right here?" he asked.
"Well, yeah," Shizuka said, her cheeks flaring red. "I mean, nobody else is here but us, right? And the fitting room is too small for both of us."
Hikaru's heart raced. He took off his shoes, his socks, and then his pants. He took the stockings from Shizuka's hand and sat down, looking at them nervously. At the television studio he had the assistants to help him put on the Gothic Lolita dress, but here he was in front of his girlfriend, his sister, and a nice old lady.
He rolled one stocking up his leg, trying to think of them like his socks, but the texture was completely different. The stocking felt so soft against his skin, and he couldn't help but notice how it seemed to hug him tightly. 
Shizuka noticed his discomfort and put her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry," she said softly. "I'll help you."
As Shizuka guided him through the process of putting on the stockings, Hikaru felt more and more exposed. He could feel the heat rising to his face, and he knew he was blushing. But he couldn't help it.
She finished rolling up the stockings on his leg and stepped back, admiring her work. "There, that wasn't so bad, was it?"
Hikaru stood up and looked down at himself. He felt ridiculous and embarrassed, but also excited. He hoped his excitement wasn't showing through.
He took off his shirt and the clerk's eyes sparkled in amusement. He tried to ignore the stares as Shizuka helped put on the Gothic Lolita dress, which was more involved than he thought was reasonable. Kurumi looked on in amusement as her boyfriend transformed into a girl.
Shizuka turned Hikaru to face the nearby mirror. "So, what do you think?" she asked.
Hikaru couldn't believe what he was seeing. He was wearing a Gothic Lolita dress, but it looked completely different than he had imagined. The dress was frilly and sweet, but also dark and mysterious. The ribbons and lace made him feel like he was walking in a fairy tale, and he could feel his heart racing with excitement. He looked down at himself, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. His body felt different, as if he was becoming something he never thought he could be. 
Kurumi walked over to him, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You look stunning," she said with a smile.
"I'd look better if we went the whole way," Hikaru stammered. 
"So you want to go the whole way?" Shizuka asked, amused.
"No!" Hikaru protested quickly. He knew he didn't have the complete look as he did, but he wasn't prepared to walk out of the store in full Gothic Lolita, either. 
Kurumi stepped forward, taking his hand. "It's okay," she said soothingly. "We'll take it slow."
"So, do you like the dress?" the clerk asked.
Hikaru looked at the clerk in alarm. He knew she was trying to be polite, but he didn't want to just say 'yes' and give everyone in the room the impression he did like the dress. He hesitated for a moment before answering. "It's... different," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't really know what to say."
The clerk smiled understandingly. "It's okay," she said. "Just take your time and enjoy the dress."
Hikaru nodded, feeling grateful for her words. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.
Shizuka, on the other hand, wasn't going to wait for Hikaru to go through the motions. "We'll buy this dress," she said. She glanced at Kurumi. "Did you find anything you wanted?" 
Kurumi shook her head. "I think I'll pass, thanks."
"Suit yourself," she replied, shrugging.
Hikaru wanted to get Shizuka's attention to get out of the dress, but she was too busy paying for it to pay attention to him. He glanced at her in alarm, not wanting to walk out of the store wearing the dress, especially not in the half-completed state he was in.
Kurumi noticed his distress and held his hand. "Don't be anxious," she said. "I'm sure it will be okay." 
Hikaru nodded, trying to calm himself down. 
Shizuka had long since paid for the dress, but she was busy chatting with the clerk about something Hikaru couldn't hear. It seemed as if an eternity had passed before she finally walked back to him.
"So, are you ready to go?" she asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"Uh, how about helping me out of the dress?" Hikaru asked, his distress evident.
Shizuka chuckled. "I thought we were going out to have some fun," she said with a grin. "Besides, I like the way you look in it." 
Hikaru groaned. He had a feeling that Shizuka's kindness in the past several hours was hiding her true intentions and realized she was playing a long game. He knew Shizuka got angry whenever he badgered her about her TV and movie appearances where she seemingly betrayed her own values, and now Shizuka was getting back at him. Instead of helping him undress, Shizuka was putting on the finishing touches of transforming him into a Gothic Lolita girl. Hikaru's heart raced when she put on a silver, long-haired wig over his head along with a headband with a cute ribbon attached, seemingly the finishing touch of his transformation.
He stared at himself again in the mirror. He had never thought he would look so cute, but Shizuka had a way of making him feel special. Hikaru tried to look away, but Shizuka grabbed his chin and forced him to look at her. 
"You look amazing," she said with a smile. "But we're not done yet. We still have to shop for shoes and accessories."
Hikaru's heart skipped a beat. Shopping for shoes and accessories was not something he was looking forward to. He tried to pull away from Shizuka's touch, but she held him firmly.
"Don't be like that." She smiled mischievously. "You'll thank me later."
Hikaru's mind raced as he tried to come up with a plan to get out of the situation without disappointing Shizuka. He looked for Kurumi for help, but she was also similarly amused.
Shizuka quickly ran around the store and bought a pair of Mary Janes that fit Hikaru's feat, along with a small black purse and a frilly parasol. Kurumi picked up Hikaru's clothes and shoes and followed them out of the store. Hikaru stepped out into the world dressed like a Gothic Lolita girl. 
Kurumi looked at him with a smile. "You look adorable," she said. 
Hikaru felt a blush rise to his cheeks as he thanked Kurumi for the compliment. He was focused on trying not to trip in the platform shoes and was glad there was not as many people around to see him wearing the dress. He knew there were eyes upon him, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
"You need to stop walking like a guy," Shizuka suggested. "People are staring at you because you aren't walking like a girl. Nobody can tell you're a guy just by looking at you, but they can tell by your walk." 
Shizuka had a point, and Hikaru knew he needed to change his walk, but he didn't know what she was talking about. "I don't understand." he said.
"Okay, let's put it another way," she said, turning to face him. "You're walking like a guy wearing a girl's dress. If you're supposed to play a crossdresser, you can't do that. Experienced crossdressers aren't worried about how they look. I'm just saying you're wearing a nice dress and you need to own it." Shizuka then took a step closer to him and lowered her voice. "And if you're worried about people staring at you, just remember that I'm here to support you. And if anyone tries to touch you, I'll make sure they regret it." 
Hikaru's face turned bright red as he realized that he had embarrassed himself in front of his girlfriend and his sister. He quickly gathered his courage and tried to change his walk. He took a few steps back and moved his hips in a more feminine way. Shizuka nodded in approval, and he could feel the weight of her eyes on him.
"There you go." She smiled at him. "You look much better now." 
Hikaru nodded, grateful for Shizuka's support.
"Think of yourself as one of the girls," she suggested. "Feel it. Own it. You're an actor, so you should understand, probably better than me. You need to be convincing to us so you can be convincing on the set." She paused for a moment, considering. "Let's practice. Come on, let's try it out." 
Shizuka led Hikaru to a nearby park, and they both took a few steps back to assess their surroundings. As they walked, Hikaru took a deep breath and tried to act more feminine. He moved his hips more slowly and with a less masculine stride. He let his shoulders fall and his head tilt slightly to the side. Shizuka watched him carefully, nodding in approval.
"That's better," she said. "Now walk like that when you're on set. You'll be more convincing and more believable."
Hikaru nodded, feeling embarrassed, but also proud of himself for trying out the new walk. He and Kurumi decided to walk around the park together, and he felt a little more comfortable in her presence than in Shizuka's.
"You know, I'm kind of glad you're doing this," Kurumi said. "I know how embarrassed you must feel, especially since it's your sister watching, but you must know she's doing this because she cares about you." 
Hikaru looked at her in surprise, not expecting her to be so supportive. "Really?" he asked. "I've never seen her act like this before. It's like she's a completely different person."
Kurumi turned and faced him. "She's acting like your big sister, silly!" She laughed at Hikaru's confusion. "You're her brother, so it makes sense that she would act like her normal self around you. But really, I'm glad she's being supportive." She reached out and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "You're doing great, Hikaru. I'm proud of you."
Hikaru smiled at her words, feeling a bit more at ease in her company. They walked around the park a couple times before they ran into Shizuka again, and the three of them decided to head back home. Hikaru noticed Shizuka was acting more animated and playful, which was a far cry from her usual quiet and stoic demeanor. He wondered why she was acting like this as he never remembered her behaving... like a girl.
As soon as they entered their house Shizuka ran to the kitchen to boil some tea. Hikaru and Kurumi sat down at the table and waited, and Shizuka emerged with a tea pot and a set of tea cups.
"Why are you acting so different?" Hikaru asked. "You were never this friendly around me before."
Shizuka poured the tea and sat down next to him. "I don't know," she admitted. She looked down at her tea. "When I first came to Tokyo I didn't know what Lolita fashion was. Since then I've learned to love it and I tried to share it when I could. I mean, sure, Yuki humored me, but she wasn't really into it." She glanced back at Hikaru. "I guess I was excited to share this one thing between us. We didn't have anything in common before."
Hikaru smiled at her. "You're not like anyone else I know," he said. 
"We're glad you let us into your home," Kurumi added. 
Shizuka nodded in agreement. "Of course, it's not my home anymore. It's yours now, too."  
She gave him a warm smile. Hikaru felt a warmth in his chest at her words, but he quickly pushed it aside. He didn't want to get too emotional in front of his girlfriend. Hikaru took a sip of his tea, feeling a bit more at ease. Up until then he forgot he was still wearing the Gothic Lolita dress, and he wondered if he was getting used to it. 
"So, how's work been?" he asked Shizuka, trying to change the subject.
Shizuka sighed. "It's been okay. I'm looking into doing an action movie, but the process is slow." She took a sip of her own tea and looked up at him. "But I'm glad I can still make a living doing what I love." 
Hikaru finished his tea, but Shizuka stood up and stopped him. 
"Wait, Hikaru," she said. "I know you want to take off the dress, but there's one more thing we didn't do at the store I thought you should know about before you change." 
Hikaru's heart raced as he looked at her. He didn't want to crossdress anymore, but he also didn't want to hurt her feelings. "What is it?"
"Wait right there," she instructed. She quickly ran upstairs and disappeared, her feet stomping the floor above them with urgency.
Hikaru glanced at Kurumi, and she only shrugged back.
Shizuka eventually returned, holding something white in her hands. "I know how excited you were to wear the dress, and there's something that can help you." She held it out for Hikaru and Kurumi to see, and they saw it was pettipants.
"What's that for?" Hikaru asked, his face turning red. 
Kurumi's eyes widened in surprise, and she looked at him with a mix of confusion and amusement. 
"It's just something you should wear under the dress," Shizuka explained. "I mean, you were... really excited back at the store. This is for your modesty."
Kurumi blushed profusely when she finally understood what Shizuka was getting at. She looked at the floor, embarrassed, while Hikaru accepted the newer underwear. He looked at them, knowing they were baggy enough to hide his excitement going on in his underwear right now. He quickly put on the pettipants, feeling a bit awkward. Kurumi and Shizuka both gave him reassuring smiles, which helped to ease his nerves. 
"Thanks, Shizuka." Hikaru said, feeling a bit more at ease now that the pettipants were on. "I'll try to behave myself." 
Shizuka chuckled. "Don't worry, Hikaru. You can be a bit of a dork sometimes, but you're my dorky little brother." 
Hikaru smiled at her, feeling grateful for her understanding. Kurumi looked at them both, feeling a bit jealous of their relationship but also happy to have them as friends.
----
Hikaru spent the remaining time before the TV drama started shooting getting used to wearing the Gothic Lolita dress, in an attempt to make himself seem a convincing crossdressing teenage high school student. He knew he was likely overdoing it and the production company was more than likely okay with him still being awkward, but he felt he owed it to Shizuka to do the best he could. He was aware that this show was his acting debut and people would know of his relation to Shizuka, and he didn't want to be seen as the weaker sibling. He hoped his performance would draw comparisons to her, and that would likely increase his job prospects in the future. 
As Hikaru practiced his poses, he couldn't help but notice the way Kurumi watched him with a mix of admiration and concern. She was always there for him, and he felt grateful for her presence in his life. However, he could not help but feel that she was being silently critical about how he was putting himself into the role. Hikaru knew that he had to push himself to be the best actor he could be, but sometimes it was hard to ignore the doubts and nagging thoughts that were creeping up on him. He knew he could not give up his dream of being an actor, but he also knew that he needed to be careful and not let this role consume him.
Kurumi, in the meantime, was seeing steady work as a background character in various television shows and movies. It gave her a steady source of income, but Hikaru could tell she was frustrated at being unable to land a real acting role on any production. She was talented and passionate, but she knew that her lack of experience was holding her back. Girls like her were a dime a dozen in the entertainment industry, and the competition for roles asking for those girls was very serious. Kurumi instantly regretted not starting her acting career in high school, and Hikaru felt more than a little guilty from dissuading her from pursuing a career that early. However, he knew that it was important for her to focus on her studies and career goals, and that she needed to trust her own instincts and talents. 
When production began on the TV drama Hikaru was not surprised to learn his character would start the series dressed as a boy. His costume was a high school uniform, which brought him some feelings of discomfort as he felt he left that period of his life behind, but found the uniform comfortable to wear. While he was not one of the lead characters in the show he was still a main character and had a lot to do. He was not particularly excited to play this character, but he did his best so he could use this job as a stepping stone for bigger and better roles.
After filming for the first episode wrapped up, the producer met Hikaru in the dressing room for an impromptu meeting.
"Hikaru, you did a good job for us," the producer said. "But I wanted to have a talk to you about what's going to happen in the future."
Hikaru nodded slowly. "I presume this is about the dresses?" he guessed.
"That's right," the producer replied. "You may have guessed by now, but your character is going to start wearing dresses later in the show. In fact, you're likely going to be wearing girls' clothes for most of the show. We're still debating on how far we want to take it, but we want you to feel comfortable about it before we commit to it."
Hikaru's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
The producer put his hands on Hikaru's shoulders. "I'm not going to lie. This is subject to change if you're uncomfortable with it. The writers are floating the idea of your character embracing crossdressing more than planned, to the point where you're wearing the girls' school uniform."
Hikaru's heart raced as he looked at the producer. He had never been so focused on the physical appearance of his character, and he knew that this was a huge change for him. He had not thought wearing women's clothing would go as far as to dominate his character's identity. Hikaru took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. 
"I understand what you're saying, but for a character that only starts crossdressing during the course of the show that sounds rather extreme." 
"I know it might seem that way, but we're looking to make a statement with this storyline. We want to make it clear that this is a deeper exploration of identity and sexuality. And we want to challenge the viewers to think about what it means to be a person in this world."
Hikaru thought for a moment before responding. "I appreciate your point of view, but I want to make sure I'm comfortable with the direction we're taking. I don't want to end up feeling like a caricature of a character just because I'm wearing a skirt. I want my character to be as realistic and relatable as possible."
The producer nodded in understanding. "I hear you, and I understand your concerns. We want to make sure that our viewers are able to empathize with your character, and that they can see your journey with respect and without judgement. In any case, before we commit to it, I'd like you to come back to the studio tomorrow so we can do a test fitting meeting with the writers present. I'm fine with whichever way you are more comfortable with, but I want everyone to be on the same page going forward."
Hikaru nodded, feeling relieved that he had some control over the direction of his character. He thanked the producer and left the studio, feeling a mix of emotions. He was excited about the challenge and the opportunity to play a character that he had never considered before, but he was also nervous about how it would all unfold. Crossdressing was as new to him personally as it was to his character and he did not want to go overboard with it and come off as ingenuine.
----
Hikaru returned to the studio the next day and was directed to the dressing room. The producer and the stylist met him there to prepare the test fitting.
"I understand if this makes you uncomfortable," the producer said, "but we want you to put on several sets of girls' clothes we think is common in a high school setting."
Hikaru swallowed. While he had not seen the costumes in question yet, as a former high school student he already had a good idea what they were. "I am willing to give it a shot," he said carefully. "But I want to make sure that I can feel comfortable in the clothes and that I don't come off as a caricature." 
The stylist nodded in understanding and began to gather the outfits. Hikaru held his breath as he identified the outfits: the girl's school uniform, the girl's gym uniform, the girl's swimsuit, and a maid outfit. The stylist helped him put on the school uniform, which was not a good fit for him as the blouse and blazer were tight on him. He looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting the skirt and trying to get comfortable.
The stylist sighed, looking at him up and down. "I'm sorry. It's the best we could do on short notice." 
Hikaru nodded, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief. He felt he looked ridiculous wearing the school uniform. While the blazer was also a part of the boy's uniform this one was meant to be worn on a girl with different proportions than him and it looked terrible on him. He did not like the feeling of wearing the skirt.
They decided to move on to the gym uniform and the swimsuit, but Hikaru refused to put them on. The stylist merely shrugged, having no horse in this race, keeping their opinion to themselves.
Finally, it was time to try on the maid outfit. Hikaru hesitated for a moment before putting it on. The dress was frilly and pink, with a white apron and matching headband. He felt awkward as he put it on, feeling like he was cosplaying. However, unlike the other outfits, the maid uniform was very loose on him and fit better. He smiled, feeling relieved. The stylist helped him adjust the apron and headband, making sure it was properly tied. He looked at himself in the mirror, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. He realized he looked better in the maid uniform because it was more like the Gothic Lolita dress, which hid his manly features better than the girls' uniforms.
The producer returned to the dressing room and nodded in approval. "I knew that was the one that would look good," he said.
Hikaru nodded. "I think this works better with outfits that are bigger and baggier," he suggested. "It doesn't feel right if I wear something tight and revealing." 
The producer nodded in agreement. "That's true. We'll have to work on that." 
Hikaru felt relieved that the stylist and producer had agreed with his opinion. He changed back into his street clothes and followed the producer to a conference room, where the writers of the show were waiting.
"We've done the test fitting," the producer said, "and we've determined that the girls' school uniforms is going too far with it."
Hikaru heard one of the writers groan in disappointment. He had a suspicion that particular writer was a little too enthusiastic about the idea. He listened silently as the producer and the writers started hammering in ideas of the extent they wanted Hikaru's character to crossdress. Hikaru felt his heart sink as he listened to the discussions. He knew that the writers had their own ideas about what was appropriate for a character in a high school drama, but he felt some of their ideas were extreme. Hikaru knew that he was supposed to play a character who was struggling with his identity as a man and as a crossdresser, and that the writers needed to find a balance between showing that struggle and giving him a realistic portrayal. However, he also knew that the writers' ideas were based more on their own desires and prejudices than on the character they were creating.
"I wrote this character," one of the writers claimed. "Crossdressing is merely a gateway into self-discovery. And we shouldn't go half-way. I want this character to embrace becoming a girl and act like a girl, and then fall in love with a man."
The whole room groaned in unison. Hikaru felt sick to his stomach.
"That's ridiculous," the producer said. "You're not describing crossdressing at all. That sounds like a boys love fantasy."
"Boys love is what sells," the writer retorted. "Girls would love to see good looking men kiss." 
Hikaru felt his blood boil at the thought of being reduced to a mere commodity. "That's not a realistic portrayal of crossdressing," he said firmly. "This isn't something that should be turned into a sexualized fetish." 
The room fell silent, as everyone listened to Hikaru speak. He felt the weight of their gazes on him, waiting for him to continue. "Crossdressing is a way for people to explore their identity and gain a deeper understanding of themselves," he said. "It shouldn't be about objectifying or commodifying anyone. It should be about expressing oneself and finding acceptance." 
The writers exchanged glances, some nodding in agreement and others looking skeptical. Hikaru knew that he was right, but he also knew that it was difficult to convince everyone of his point of view. He knew how much power the writers had over his character, but he didn't want to act out a character in such a superficial manner.
The producer cleared his throat, seizing control of the meeting. "I think we should all curb some of these more outlandish ideas," he said. "We're not looking to make a bottom-barrel story. If we want this show to be treated seriously we can't have the story devolve into cheap fantasy schlock."
The writers nodded in agreement, some looking relieved that the producer had taken control. Hikaru felt a weight lifted off his shoulders as he realized that the producer was someone he could trust. He knew that he didn't have the power to change the writers' minds, but he hoped that he could at least sway some of them.
"Thank you," the producer said, "I think we can work on finding a more realistic portrayal of crossdressing in this show." 
The writers nodded, relieved that the meeting had taken a positive turn. Hikaru breathed a sigh of relief as well, feeling grateful that he had been able to speak out against the writers' ideas. He knew that it wouldn't be easy to change their minds, but he was willing to keep fighting for the right portrayal of crossdressing in this show. 
As the meeting came to a close, Hikaru felt exhausted but also hopeful. He knew that he had made some headway in convincing the producers and writers to take his point of view into account. He also knew that he had a long road ahead of him, but he was committed to ensuring that his character was portrayed in a more realistic and nuanced way.
----
In the span of two weeks as a background extra Kurumi had gone to ten different studios and wore ten different outfits. She could not deny the pay for being an extra was better than not getting paid at all, but she felt she was wasting her acting talents doing this. She had always dreamed of becoming a successful actress, but she realized that it was going to take a lot more than just talent to achieve that goal.
She entered the break room of the Moon River building and set down to eat her lunch quietly. The break room was completely empty as it was in the middle of the afternoon, but Kurumi had not had the time to eat and collect her thoughts until then. She felt lonely and jealous of Hikaru's quick success in acting.
Her attention perked up when she heard a knock on the door.
"Am I interrupting?" she heard.
Kurumi turned her head to see a young woman that looked roughly her age. She had medium length lilac hair that didn't quite reach her shoulders, and she kind of reminded her of Shizuka. 
"Oh, no, I'm just having a late lunch," Kurumi replied. "Have a seat, if you'd like."
The newcomer gave Kurumi an enthusiastic smile and sat down in the chair across from her. "I'm Erika. I haven't seen you around here before."
"I'm Kurumi," she introduced herself. "It's nice to meet you, Erika."
Erika's smile widened. "It's nice to meet you too! So, what is your talent?"
"I'm an actress," Kurumi replied. "Well, that's what I want to be." She slumped her shoulders. "All I can do right now is be a background extra."
"Oh, is that why you looked so sad," Erika said. "I mean, it's not like being a background extra is the worst thing in the world. It's just a stepping stone to the big time, right?"
Kurumi nodded. "Yeah, I guess. But it's frustrating, you know? I've been working as an extra for two weeks now and I've barely gotten any acting experience. I want to be a star, but it's hard to get noticed in this industry. It's all about connections, and I don't have those yet."
Erika nodded sympathetically. "I know what you mean. It's tough getting noticed in this industry, especially as an outsider. But don't give up hope just yet. You're getting some valuable experience and you're bound to find a way to break into the mainstream eventually."
Kurumi smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Erika." She looked at her curiously. "So, what's your talent?"
"I'm aspiring to become a model," Erika replied proudly. "I'm working on my portfolio and trying to get noticed. I want to be like Shizuka."
"Oh, you look up to Shizuka?" Kurumi said, surprised. "Why is that?"
Erika's smile faltered slightly. "Well, she's a famous model and actress. I idolize her. She's beautiful and talented, and I want to be just like her."
Kurumi nodded understandingly. "I can see that. It's admirable to want to be like someone you admire. But don't forget to focus on your own strengths and talents, too. Maybe you can find your own niche and carve out your own path in this industry."
Erika nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I just want to be successful and have a great career, you know?"
Kurumi laughed. "It seems like we've got a lot in common, don't we?"
"Yeah, we do," Erika agreed. "Let's be friends, Kurumi." 
Kurumi smiled gratefully at Erika. "Of course, Erika. I'm always happy to make new friends in this industry."
The two quickly exchanged their contact information.
"I'd really like to introduce my boyfriend to you," Erika said, excited. "I'm dating Masato. He's an actor on his way up."
"Oh, Masato?" Kurumi echoed in surprise. "He acted opposite Shizuka in her last movie."
"Yeah, that's how I met him," Erika replied. "We really hit it off."
"Well, I have a boyfriend, too," Kurumi added, smiling. "He's Shizuka's younger brother."
Erika blinked in surprise. "Really?! It's such a small world!"
Kurumi laughed. "Yes, it is. I'm sure we'll run into each other a lot."
Erika nodded, still in shock. "Wow, I didn't expect that. It's almost like we were fated to meet each other."
"Maybe so. It's always great to meet new people and share common interests."
"Yeah, that's true. I'm glad we found each other." 
As they finished their conversation, Erika gathered her things and bid Kurumi farewell. Kurumi watched her new friend leave, happy to have met someone her own age to relate her struggles of her career with.
----
Several weeks later Hikaru was to film the sixth episode of the high school drama. After this the show would be aired on broadcast television from the first episode and the production company would get the first real feedback of their story. The sixth episode, in the meantime, was a pivotal moment for Hikaru's character because it would be the first time in the show he would be crossdressing. He invited Kurumi to join him as a guest on the set, and she readily accepted, wanting to be there for moral support. He was glad that his girlfriend was supportive of him because he still had doubts about crossdressing.
"So why does your character have to crossdress?" Kurumi asked, curious.
"It's part of my character's story arc," Hikaru explained. "My character is a macho delinquent who has his world view shaken by dressing as a girl. It's a transformation that forces him to see himself in a new light, and he learns to appreciate his own flaws and vulnerabilities."
Kurumi nodded, understanding the premise of the story arc. "I see."
They walked through the studio before being stopped by the producer.
"Hello, Hikaru," the producer greeted them. "And who might this be?"
"This is Kurumi, my girlfriend," Hikaru replied. "She's an aspiring actress."
Kurumi bowed politely. "Thank you for taking on my boyfriend in this production."
The producer smiled warmly at Kurumi. "Of course. So, you're an actress, right?"
"Yes, I am," she confirmed. "I'm hoping to make it in the industry someday."
"Well, we're always looking for new talent. Keep at it and good luck with your future endeavors."
Hikaru and Kurumi nodded and watched the producer leave. Hikaru made his way to the dressing room to get changed, nervous at how his debut as a crossdressing high school student would go. Kurumi followed him, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of trouble.
As Hikaru changed, he thought about the pressure he was feeling. He knew the production company chose a Gothic Lolita dress because it was an elaborate, immediate contrast to anything a boy would wear while still being modest and wholesome. He knew he had to pull off the crossdressing convincingly. When he finished getting dressed, he took a deep breath and stepped out of the dressing room.
Kurumi looked at him in surprise. "I will never get used to seeing you like that," she admitted. 
"I know, right? It's not exactly my usual style."
"But it's still you. You're still the same Hikaru, with your sweet smile and kind heart."
He walked out to the set, with Kurumi trailing behind him. For the majority of the cast and crew it would be the first time they saw him crossdress, and he got a lot of stares and snickers. Hikaru took a deep breath and tried to ignore the uncomfortable stares. 
The producer and director approached him.
"I like that awkward look on your face," the director said. "Remember that when we start filming."
Hikaru nodded, grateful for the support. 
When the filming began, Hikaru found himself struggling with the crossdressing and the constant stares and whispers of the crew. He channeled that feeling into his acting, knowing that a first-time crossdresser would face the same scrutiny from his peers. He felt the nerves start to build up inside him. But with each scene, he became more comfortable with the crossdressing. He could see the joy in Kurumi's eyes as she watched him perform, and he knew that he had made the right choice. 
The director approached him after the filming was done. "You were great, Hikaru." 
Hikaru smiled gratefully. "Thank you, director. I really felt the pressure of being a first time crossdresser, but I think I did a pretty good job."
The director nodded in agreement. "You did. And I'm glad you were able to handle it. You've got potential, kid." 
Hikaru's heart swelled with pride at the compliment. He knew that his hard work had paid off, and he was grateful for the opportunity to pursue his dreams. He turned to Kurumi, who was smiling.
"You did great out there," she praised. "I'm so proud of you."
Hikaru smiled back at her. "Thanks, Kurumi. But between us, I think I'd rather get out of this dress."
Kurumi laughed, then followed him back to the dressing room.
"It only gets harder from here," Hikaru added. "Starting from this episode I'm going to be wearing dresses for the rest of the show."
Kurumi rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, don't worry about it, Hikaru. I'm sure you'll do great."
Hikaru opened the door to the dressing room and stepped inside. He was surprised to find a bouquet of flowers on the vanity along with a card. Curious, he opened the card, and his eyes widened in shock as he read the message.
"Good job, Princess!" it read.
Hikaru crumpled the card in anger. He knew someone on the crew was taunting him. He was already upset that he was having to crossdress and deal with all the stares and whispers from the crew. But now, someone was sending him flowers and a card that made him feel worse.
Kurumi stepped into the room, noticing the angry look on Hikaru's face. "What's wrong, Hikaru?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
Hikaru turned to face her. "I found this in the dressing room," he said, holding up the crumpled card. "Who could have done this?"
Kurumi looked at the card and shook her head. "I don't know, Hikaru. But we should probably talk to the producer about it."
"Yeah, I think you're right. It's not right to make fun of someone like that."
Hikaru brought the card to the producer's attention, but he told him that there was not a lot they could do about it other than keep a better eye on his dressing room. Hikaru wanted to do something more, but knew there wasn't much that could be done. He felt frustrated and angry, but he knew that he had to keep pushing forward. 
As they walked out of the studio, Kurumi put a comforting arm around his shoulder. "Don't worry, Hikaru. Maybe it's just a prank from someone on the crew who doesn't know any better."
Hikaru shook his head. "I don't think so. I've got a bad feeling about this."
Kurumi looked at him with concern. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, I think someone might have a grudge against me."
"Why would anyone have a grudge against you, Hikaru?"
Hikaru sighed. He had a suspicion the writer who wanted to turn the show into a boys love show had a hand in it, but suspicions didn't pan out to facts, and he didn't want to start an issue over baseless speculation. "I don't know, but I just have a bad feeling about it."
Kurumi squeezed his hand reassuringly. "I know it's frustrating, but we have to keep pushing forward. We can't let these people get to us."
Hikaru nodded, feeling grateful for Kurumi's support. He knew she was right, and he didn't want to let his doubts get in the way of his goals. "Yeah, you're right. We can't let these people get to us."
----
When the seventh episode started filming Hikaru knew for certain someone on the production team had it in for him. The producer met him immediately at the entrance of the studio and apologized profusely, but he was overruled by the production committee and a change was made to accommodate their wishes. Hikaru didn't like the sound of that, and he found out when he entered the dressing room.
Hikaru found that his character was going to start wearing the girls' school uniform. He felt angry and betrayed, that his character would not make this sudden of a change after only just being introduced to the idea of crossdressing. He knew that he had to speak up, but he also knew that he couldn't jeopardize his role on the show. He approached the producer and asked him to explain the decision.
The producer sighed, and it was clear that he didn't agree with this change. "The higher-ups think it should be more obvious that you want to be a girl."
"I'm under the impression that my character isn't transitioning into a girl," Hikaru protested. 
"That's what I said,"  the producer replied. "But the guys upstairs said girls would love it more if your character started acting like a girl." 
Hikaru felt his anger rising, but he knew he couldn't let his emotions get in the way of his job. He took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. "How can they make this change when only the first episode aired? My character only started crossdressing in the last one." 
The producer shrugged. "I don't know. It's not my decision to make." 
Hikaru felt frustrated and betrayed. He had worked hard to create a character who was complex and multifaceted, and now they were changing everything. He tried to hide his anger and disappointment, but he knew it was there. "This is ridiculous."
The producer looked at him sympathetically. "I'm sorry, Hikaru. I know it's frustrating, but I can't do anything about it. The only thing we can do is slow it down until they come to their senses."
Hikaru sighed, but he knew he couldn't fight anymore. He nodded, and the producer led him back to his dressing room. The change was made, but it was clear that it had upset Hikaru. He couldn't help but wonder who had made the decision and why they had done it without consulting him first. 
Hikaru put on the girls' school uniform and looked at himself in the mirror. The uniform was tight around his hips and chest, and the skirt ended just above his knees. He looked like a guy wearing a girl's school uniform and there was no way to hide it. He tried to play it cool, but he knew he was struggling to hide his emotions.
He went to film as planned. The dialogue was slightly different from his own script and Hikaru knew there were adjustments made. The air on the set was more tense than usual and everyone knew something was going wrong in production.
When he returned to his dressing room, he found the taunt he was expecting. Hanging over his chair was a girl's school swimsuit with a note attached to it. 
"I can't wait to see you," the note read. 
Hikaru's heart sank. He knew that the change was a direct attack on his character and that it was not going to be easy to undo. To his shock and horror, the girl's swimsuit was in his size, and he felt a sense of dread. 
He quickly picked up the swimsuit and threw it back at the producer. "You know what? This is a bad idea," Hikaru yelled. "I don't want to be wearing a swimsuit. It's not right." 
The producer sighed and put his hands up in surrender. "I understand, Hikaru. I'll talk to the higher-ups and see if we can make some adjustments." 
Hikaru shook his head, feeling frustrated and angry. The thought of wearing a swimsuit made him feel sick. He made a call to his agent, but he claimed he could not help because Hikaru accepted this job without going through him, and the contract he signed unfortunately allowed production to do this.
He left the studio that day feeling that his days on the TV drama were numbered, that he was being forced out by someone on the production committee who had a grudge against him. He needed to find a way out of this, to get help from someone with just as much, if not more, leverage to get out of this mess.
Hikaru waited for Shizuka to come home. When she arrived she was exhausted, but Hikaru wanted to make sure to get her attention before she went to her room for the night.
"Sis, I need your help," he pleaded.
Shizuka regarded him with tired eyes. "Can it wait until tomorrow?"
Hikaru shook his head. "No, it can't. My job is on the line."
She instantly snapped awake, realizing the gravity of the situation. "What happened?" she asked.
Hikaru quickly explained the ordeals he faced in the past several weeks: one of the writers wanting to change the story into a boys love story, the taunting about his crossdressing with the flowers, the sudden change in his character's story arc from being about crossdressing to be about becoming a girl, and the latest taunt that he would be asked to wear a girl's swimsuit. Shizuka listened intently while Hikaru let all the pent-up emotions flow.
"I don't know what to do," Hikaru said, defeated. "I don't think I can go much further. I'd rather quit than put up with this anymore."
Shizuka looked at him with concern. "Hikaru, you're having a meeting with the production committee tomorrow, aren't you? You should ask your agent to join you."
"I don't think he can help me," he replied. "He said it's out of his hands because I took the job without his consultation."
"He's still your agent," Shizuka pointed out, her anger rising. "His job is to fight for you. It doesn't matter if he's not getting commission."
Hikaru shook his head. "I know, but he's not very good at it. He's always been too busy with other clients to help me."
"Well, we'll see about that," Shizuka decided, picking up her phone.
"Wait, you're not calling him, are you?"
"Of course not. I'm calling my agent, Arisa."
Hikaru watched as Shizuka called her own agent, wondering what she could do to help. He didn't want to get his own agent in trouble, but Shizuka was right that it was supposed to be his job to help him. He listened as Shizuka quickly explained the situation, then turned on the speaker phone so he could hear Arisa.
"Hikaru, I'm Arisa, your sister's agent," Arisa said. "I'm very sorry about what you're going through. You need someone to be fighting in your corner through this."
Hikaru's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you, Arisa. I really appreciate it. What can you do to help?"
"Well, I can offer some advice on dealing with the production committee. And I can also offer some support in finding another acting job for you. If you would like, I can sit in on the meeting with the production committee with you tomorrow."
Hikaru's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? That would be amazing, Arisa. Thank you so much."
"Don't thank me yet," Arisa cautioned. "It's not going to be easy. But I think I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Just don't give up hope."
Hikaru smiled gratefully. "I won't. Thank you, Arisa. I really appreciate it."
"I want you to know that you're not alone," Arisa added. "Don't give up."
Hikaru nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope. He knew he couldn't give up on himself, not when he had so much to offer. "I won't," he replied firmly.
"Thank you, Arisa," Shizuka said. "I know it's asking a lot of you, but it is my little brother we're talking about."
"I understand," Arisa replied. "I'll do my best to help him. But don't worry, Shizuka. I won't let him down."
Shizuka hung up the phone and turned to Hikaru. "Well, no matter what happens, I really hope it works out for you."
Hikaru smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Shizuka."
----
The next day Hikaru met Arisa in front of the studio. He was surprised that she was younger than him, but she was dressed smartly and professionally. She carried a large handbag at her side.
"Hello, Hikaru," Arisa said, extending a hand. "I'm your sister's agent."
"Arisa, you're... younger than I was expecting," Hikaru admitted, shaking her hand. "But age doesn't matter if you're as good as she says you are."
"And I hope I live up to that reputation!" Arisa replied with a smile. Her expression then turned serious. "But let's save all the praise and celebration for after the meeting, okay? This may not turn out the way you hoped."
Hikaru nodded, knowing he needed to keep his expectations in check. The two entered the studio and were ushered to a conference room where members of the production committee, some of the writers, and the producer were waiting for them. They took their seat and the meeting began.
"The reason we're all gathered here," the president of the production committee said, "is because there's been an issue with production on the drama series. It seems that there is some disagreement regarding the direction Hikaru's character is going."
Hikaru's heart sank. He knew this was going to be a long meeting.
"It seems that Hikaru was also subject to some hazing from the crew," the president continued. "It seems relatively harmless fun to me, but Hikaru thinks otherwise."
Arisa cleared her throat. "Sir, my client is new to the acting world," she began. "I understand that this kind of behavior is common, but I think it's important to address it. It could be a serious obstacle to Hikaru's career."
The producer nodded in agreement. "Yes, we do need to make sure that Hikaru feels welcome and comfortable in the industry."
One of the committee members scoffed. "It's just harmless notes. What is the big deal?"
"The big deal is what came with the notes," Arisa explained. "Are you planning to have my client wear a girl's swimsuit in the near future?" 
The committee member's face turned red with anger. "That's completely inappropriate and disrespectful," he retorted.
Arisa stood up, her posture straight and confident. "Yes, it is. That is why it's no mere harmless prank." She turned to Hikaru. "Hikaru, do you feel comfortable wearing a girl's swimsuit?" 
Hikaru shook his head. "No, Arisa. I'm not comfortable with that."
Arisa nodded. "I understand." She turned to address the committee. "My client signed up with this production under the impression that the character he is portraying is crossdressing. However, recent changes to the script, which were done without notice or consent, have changed this story into one where he is meant to turn into a girl. This is inappropriate and unfair to my client."
The committee members exchanged uneasy glances. "I...see," one of them muttered. "Well, we will certainly take this into consideration."
"Someone on this committee thinks otherwise," Arisa pressed on. "I'm not here on a witch hunt, but someone in this room wants to make this production as uncomfortable as possible for my client." The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to the committee member who had made the inappropriate comment earlier. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably but said nothing. Arisa continued, "I suggest we take a break. I would like to speak with my client privately." 
The committee agreed, and Arisa and Hikaru left the conference room. As soon as they were out of earshot, Arisa turned to Hikaru. "Are you okay?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
Hikaru let out a deep sigh. "I don't know what to do, Arisa," he said, his voice low. "I thought this was my big break, but now everything's falling apart." 
Arisa put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Hikaru," she said. "We'll figure something out. But first, I need you to tell me everything that happened on set."
Hikaru recounted the details of the hazing he had received from the crew, including the notes and the swimsuit incident. Arisa listened carefully, her expression growing more serious as Hikaru spoke. 
"This is unacceptable," she said firmly when he had finished. "No one should have to put up with this kind of treatment."
Hikaru nodded, relief flooding through him at Arisa's supportive words. "What can we do?" he asked eagerly.
"Well, first things first." Arisa began to lay out a plan. "We need to have a serious talk with the production committee about these changes to the script. If they don't agree to remove the transgender aspect, we may have to consider walking away from this project."
Hikaru nodded slowly, feeling a sense of apprehension. "But what about my career?" he asked. 
Arisa smiled reassuringly. "Your career is important, Hikaru. But so is your well-being and dignity. We'll find you other opportunities if we have to. Ones that respect you as an actor and as a person."
Hikaru felt a surge of gratitude towards Arisa. She was more than just his agent; she was his friend and advocate. He knew that Arisa would do everything in her power to help him achieve his dreams, and he felt grateful for that. 
"Thank you, Arisa," he said. "I don't know what I would do without you."
Arisa smiled warmly at Hikaru. "Come on, let's get back to the meeting and see if we can make some magic happen." 
Hikaru nodded and led the way back to the conference room. They resumed their seats and the president of the committee stood up.
"We've taken your words under advisement," the president said. "But we believe that the transgender aspect of the story is important to the overall theme and we cannot remove it without significant changes to the script. We appreciate your input and will continue to discuss the matter with the production team and members of the committee."
Arisa nodded, her disappointment palpable. "Thank you for listening," she said politely. "We'll continue to work on this and find a solution that will make everyone happy."
Hikaru and Arisa left the conference room in silence. Once they were outside of the studio, she turned to face him. 
"You're going to have to look for a new job," she said finally.
Hikaru nodded. "I know." He sighed, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him. "I just want to make my mark and be respected as an actor. But if that doesn't happen... I don't know what I'll do."
Arisa placed a comforting hand on Hikaru's shoulder. "You'll find something, I promise," she said. "But for now, let's focus on finding a way to make this happen. Once we get back to the office, I'm going to make it official. From now on, I'll be your agent." 
Hikaru's heart swelled with gratitude and relief. He had been worried about finding work after walking out from this job, but now he had a chance to make a fresh start. "Thank you, Arisa," he said, giving her a small smile. "I won't let you down."
Arisa smiled back at him, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "I have no doubt that you won't let me down," she said. "And I'll make sure that you get the job you deserve. Now, let's head back to the office and get to work."
As soon as Arisa got back to her desk at Moon River she summoned Hikaru's former agent to her office and chewed him out for not taking care of his clients. In addition to taking Hikaru from him Arisa decided she needed to take Kurumi as well to prevent him from taking out his frustrations on her. Hikaru was pleased, but knew Kurumi would be confused as to what happened until he got a chance to explain it to her.
A few days later Hikaru was formally released from his contract, and Hikaru was relieved he would not have to deal with that production any longer. He later learned, in keeping with the production committee's desire to focus on a transgender character, they hired a woman in his place as a desperate way to save their story. Hikaru felt sorry for the producer for having to put up with such people, but knew it was no longer his business. Instead, he focused on finding another job. Hopefully, with Arisa's guidance, it would be more respectable and rewarding for his career.
----
At the end of the week Hikaru sat down to have dinner with Shizuka and Kurumi. The whirlwind of events that week took its toll and he was glad to start relaxing that weekend.
"So, Arisa tells me a lot happened to you," Shizuka said.
"Yeah," Hikaru replied, nodding. "Who knew acting could get so out of control?"
Kurumi looked at him with concern. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said, trying to sound confident. "It's just been a stressful week, that's all."
Shizuka smiled at him. "It'll be okay. Arisa will take good care of you. Both of you."
Hikaru nodded, grateful for her words. "You've done so much for me. I don't know where I'd be right now if you weren't there for me. Thank you, sis."
"You're welcome. What kind of big sister would I be if I let all that bad stuff happen to you?"
"Probably filming in a girl's swimsuit," he mused dryly.
Kurumi laughed, picturing that mental image. "Oh, that's just too much!" she said. "Well, you do still have a Gothic Lolita dress, don't you?"
"I'm not putting it back on," he insisted. "I don't want to keep dressing as a girl."
"That's too bad," Shizuka replied. "You made a cute Lolita."
"Thanks," Hikaru said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "It was kind of fun for a little while, but it's not for me."
Kurumi nodded in understanding. "I get it. It's not for everyone. And if you ever want to change your mind, we'll support you no matter what."
Hikaru eyed her skeptically. "You seem a lot more into it than I thought."
Kurumi shrugged. "I admit, I liked seeing you as a cute girl, but to me, you're my man."
"So basically we're back where we started weeks ago," Hikaru decided. "Both of us are still looking for work and nothing to show for it."
"I wouldn't say nothing," Shizuka said. "I mean, you filmed seven episodes of that drama series. You're going to get some recognition for that."
"I don't want that to be the thing that defines my career." 
Shizuka shrugged. "But it can't hurt to have some experience on a show like that. And who knows, maybe it will lead to something bigger."
Hikaru nodded, considering her words. "We'll see about that, I guess."
----
That weekend Erika asked Kurumi if she wanted to go on a double date. Having nothing pending to do and wanting to introduce her to Hikaru she accepted, and they made plans to go to a restaurant that Masato liked in the city. The two couples met at the restaurant. Masato and Erika greeted Hikaru and Kurumi warmly at the table.
"So you're Shizuka's little brother?" Masato said, sizing up Hikaru. "You certainly look related."
"Thanks," Hikaru replied. "You acted opposite my sister recently, too."
"It's like six degrees of separation in real life!" Masato said with a laugh. "I think I'm going to like you."
"I'm sure you will," Hikaru said, trying to hide his nervousness. "So, Erika, what do you do for work?"
"I work as a maid for Kanna," she blurted out quickly, then added, "but I'm working as a fashion model, too."
"Interesting," Hikaru said, impressed. "What kind of clothes do you model?"
"Lingerie, swimsuits, mini dresses... you know, stuff like that," Erika said, blushing slightly.
"I see," Hikaru said, nodding slowly. "My sister doesn't do that stuff at all."
"Yeah, I know," Erika replied. "I want to be just like her, but I'm taking a different path to get there."
"That's quite ambitious," Hikaru said, impressed. "I'm sure you'll make it in no time."
Erika smiled, feeling a little more confident. "Thanks, I hope so."
Kurumi turned to Masato. "You're a big movie star. Do you have anything else lined up?"
"I've got a few offers coming in, but nothing big yet. I've got to figure out what I really want to do first."
"Well, I'm still perpetually out of work," Kurumi said, sighing. "All I've done so far is work as a background extra. Hikaru here, on the other hand, was recently on that TV drama that started a couple weeks ago, but he got let go and now he's out of work, too."
"That's too bad," Masato said sympathetically. "I'm sure you'll find something soon."
"Yeah, I hope so," Kurumi said, glancing around the restaurant.
"It's not all bad, though," Hikaru added. "The production committee on that show was being a real bother. I couldn't work with them anymore."
"Why not?" Erika asked, curious.
Hikaru shook his head. "I don't want to make a big fuss over it. I just want to put it behind me."
Erika nodded in understanding. "I get it. But being a model or an actor can be tough, especially when you're starting out."
The four finished their meal and walked out of the restaurant.
"Well, I enjoyed our time together," Masato said. "I hope we can do this again sometime."
"I'd like that," Hikaru said in agreement. 
"It's great that we're all becoming friends," Kurumi added. "I'm glad we could have this little get-together."
"Me too," Erika said, smiling. "Thanks for having me out with you guys."
The two couples waved good-bye and went their separate ways. Hikaru and Kurumi walked toward the train station to take a ride home.
"They seem like a nice couple," Kurumi said. "I'm glad we're all becoming friends."
Hikaru nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I feel like we've all found something in each other that we can share." 
"The strangest thing is we all have Shizuka in common."
"Yeah, I guess we do. It's like she's the glue that holds us all together."
Kurumi chuckled. "You're so cute when you're flustered," she teased, leaning into Hikaru's side. Hikaru playfully swatted at her, but they both burst out laughing at the same time. As they walked, Kurumi thought about how much she loved her boyfriend. She felt a flutter in her stomach every time she looked at him.
"I'm so glad you're my girlfriend," Hikaru said, looking down at her.
"You make me feel so happy every day." Kurumi smiled up at him, feeling her heart swell with affection. She reached up to run her fingers through his short, lilac hair. 
Hikaru wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I'm glad I can make you happy, Kurumi," he said, looking into her eyes. "I promise to never let you down."
Kurumi leaned into his embrace, feeling grateful for his love and support.
----
Walking in the other direction, Masato and Erika headed for his car parked behind the restaurant. They held hands the entire way until they got in the car.
"They're such a cute couple," Erika said, sighing wistfully.
"Well, I think we're a pretty good couple, too," Masato replied.
They leaned toward each other and kissed. Masato released his grip on the steering wheel and turned to grab Erika. They lost track of time, giving in to their passion until they had to come up for air. As they pulled away from each other, Erika's eyes were filled with a mix of longing and contentment. Masato chuckled softly, knowing that his girlfriend was just as passionate as he was.
"We need to do this somewhere more comfortable than the car," Masato suggested.
Erika nodded eagerly, smiling up at him. "Your house is pretty comfortable," she suggested.
Masato's eyes widened, but he collected himself and pulled out of the parking lot. He quickly drove back to his house in the suburbs. The two walked inside and sat down on the couch. Masato turned to Erika and took her hand, looking into her eyes. 
"I love you, Erika," he said softly. "I'm so glad we're in this together."
Erika smiled, feeling the same way. "I love you too, Masato." 
She leaned in and kissed him again, feeling the warmth of his lips against hers. They pulled away and looked at each other slowly. They sat there for a while, lost in their own thoughts and the beauty of the moment. Erika thought about how lucky she was to have Masato in her life. She knew that he was a good man and that they were meant to be. She leaned over and kissed him again, feeling the love and passion between them.
They gave in to their desires and started making out on the couch. Erika's heart raced with excitement as she felt Masato's hands on her body. She moaned softly, lost in the moment. Masato's fingers traced the curves of her hips, making her shiver with desire. He pulled her closer, his lips finding hers again. Erika wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the embrace. She felt Masato's hands move down her back, pulling her closer to him. She could feel his hardness pressing against her thigh, and she felt a rush of desire course through her.
"Is it wrong that I want to have sex with you?" Masato wondered out loud.
"I've been studying how to pleasure a man," Erika whispered. "I want to make sure that we're both enjoying ourselves."
Masato's eyes lit with a mischievous glint. "I can't wait to see what you've learned."
Erika reached down to her purse and pulled out a handful of condoms, remembering what Haruka taught her. "I've learned that it's better to be safe than sorry," she purred.
Masato grinned, feeling a surge of desire. "I don't care about being safe," he said, pulling her closer to him. "I just want to be with you."
"That's great," Erika said, "but seriously, we should use the condoms."
Masato nodded, his eyes never leaving Erika's. "Of course," he said, reaching for the condoms. 
Erika handed Masato his condom. While she felt embarrassed at having to put Masato into this position Erika remembered how insistent Haruka was about having them before intercourse. She did not fully understand the older maid's reasoning, but knew it was important enough for Haruka to stop calling Erika by her pet name while explaining it.
"I want to make love to you," he said, his voice low and urgent. 
Erika nodded, her eyes darkening with desire. "I want you too," she whispered. 
Masato's eyes closed as he felt Erika's hands on his belt. He opened his eyes and looked at her, his heart pounding with anticipation. He leaned in and kissed her deeply, his hands roaming over her body. Erika moaned softly, her body responding to his touch. She pulled him closer, her hands running through his hair. Masato could feel her desire growing with each passing moment, his own excitement rising with hers. He knew that this was what he had been waiting for, what he had been wanting for so long. 
Erika pulled back and got off Masato. She unbuttoned her skirt and started slipping off her panties. "Come on, Masato," she said, "I want you to be ready before you let it all go."
As she started to put on her condom Masato undid his belt and dropped his pants. He seemed slightly resistant to using the condom. 
Erika smiled at him, her eyes filled with understanding. "It's okay, Masato," she said softly, "I'll take care of it."
Masato nodded, his heart still racing with excitement. Erika smiled at him, her hands pulling down his underwear. He tried his best to maintain control while Erika slipped the condom on him. She looked at him, her eyes filled with love and desire. 
"Are you ready?" she asked softly.
Masato nodded, his breath still heavy with anticipation. Erika pulled him closer to her, their bodies pressing together. Her heart raced with excitement as she felt him start to rock against her. She knew that he was close to climaxing, and she wanted to make sure that he got what he needed. She could feel his muscles tensing and his breath coming in short gasps. Erika knew that she had to take control, to make sure that Masato was completely satisfied. She moved faster, her hands working magic. Masato's moans echoed through the room as he felt himself rising towards the stars. Erika continued to drive him towards climax, her movements becoming more urgent and forceful. Finally, he let out a cry, his body shaking with release. 
"That was amazing," she said, her eyes shining with satisfaction. 
"I never thought I could feel like this."
Erika smiled, resting her head on his chest. "Neither did I," she said softly. "But I'm glad we did."
She let herself collapse on Masato's body, happy that her long hours of research made Masato very happy. She mentally reminded herself to thank Haruka for helping her get this far, and idly wondered what the future held for her now that her relationship with Masato went to the next level. 
As she drifted off to sleep, she could feel Masato's warmth and the steady rise and fall of his chest. The room was dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the window, casting shadows on the walls. Erika's dreams were filled with images of the two of them, embracing and making love. She dreamed of Masato's gentle caresses and his warm embrace. She dreamed of the way he looked at her, his eyes filled with love and desire. She dreamed of the way he made her feel, his touch sending shivers down her spine. She dreamed of the way he smiled at her, his eyes full of kindness and affection. Erika's dreams were filled with images of the two of them, embracing and making love.
----
The next morning Erika decided to take a shower to wash off the smell of their lovemaking. As she turned on the water, she couldn't help but smile at the thought of Masato. She knew that they had been through a lot, but she couldn't help feeling grateful for everything they had. She stepped into the shower, the warm water cascading over her body. While she soaped herself up, she thought about the day ahead. 
Her eyes widened in shock. She remembered she was supposed to be back at the mansion. 
Erika quickly dried off and dressed, hoping beyond hope that Kanna wouldn't fire her for her lapse in judgment. She quickly shook Masato awake, who was still sleeping on the couch.
"Masato, wake up," she said, shaking him. "We have to go back to the mansion."
Masato slowly opened his eyes, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Why do we have to go back?" he asked groggily.
"I'm supposed to be working this morning!" she answered quickly. "I'm already in hot water for skipping work so much!" 
Masato sat up, looking at her with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Erika sighed, feeling guilty. "I know, I'm sorry. But I just couldn't resist you all night."
Masato smiled, his eyes shining with affection. "Well, I'm glad you did," he said, leaning in to give her a quick peck on the lips. "I couldn't resist either."
Erika was flustered, and her panic was taking over. She grabbed Masato's pants and threw them at him. "Seriously! I need to leave, now!" 
Masato chuckled, catching his pants and pulling them on. "Alright, alright," he said, standing up and pulling Erika up with him. "Let's get going."
The entire car ride back to Kanna's mansion was tense for Erika. Although it was still early in the morning she had nightmare scenarios running in her head, and her fear of seeing Kanna's disappointed face filled her with dread. 
When they pulled up to the mansion, Erika could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She swiftly gave Masato a quick kiss and jumped out of the car.
"I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I'm in a hurry," Erika said quickly. "I'll call you later."
Masato kept an amused grin on his face as he watched his flustered girlfriend run to the mansion.
Erika didn't hear Masato's car pull away as she fumbled through her keys to open the front door. She hoped to slip into her room and change into her uniform before anyone noticed she didn't return the previous night, but her hopes were dashed when she saw Haruka standing behind the front door.
"Well, well," Haruka said, her eyes filled with amusement. "I guess little Erika had a lot of fun last night."
"I don't have time for this, Haruka," Erika seethed. "I have to go to work."
Haruka chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, come on, Erika," she said, stepping aside to let her in. "Don't be so uptight. I just wanted to check on you and see how you're doing."
Erika gritted her teeth, trying to keep her frustration in check. "I'm fine, Haruka," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I just need to go to work and get my head on straight."
She headed straight for her room, but to her annoyance Haruka was following close behind.
"You know, Erika," Haruka said, "if it's really too inconvenient for your personal life, you can quit being a maid." 
Erika stopped in her tracks, her heart racing with anger. "Excuse me?" she said, her tone defensive. "I'm not just some maid to be dismissed at will. I have dreams and aspirations, just like everyone else."
Haruka raised an eyebrow, her smile fading slightly. "I know you have dreams and aspirations, but it doesn't have to be as a maid."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I mean, you could be an actress or a model or anything you want," she said, shrugging. "You have talent and beauty, Erika. Why not use it?"
Erika's heart sank when she realized that Haruka was serious. She had always idolized Shizuka for her beauty and talent, but now she knew that her dreams were within reach. She knew she could make it as a model. But Haruka was right-- she didn't need to remain a maid to do that. So what was it that she was staying a maid for? She looked at Haruka, and knew she was sincere, but also seemed... sad? Worried?
"Haruka, what is it?" she asked finally.
The older maid hesitated. She turned away, as if she didn't want Erika to see her face. "I always knew you were meant for better things. You've got a lot going for you right now. You weren't meant to be a maid. You're better than that."
Erika felt a lump form in her throat as she listened to Haruka's words. She had always known she had potential, but it was a little daunting to think about pursuing it. She knew she clung to being a maid because it made her feel safe, but for Haruka it was different. Haruka served as one of Kanna's maids for a long time and she had no intention of leaving. As a senior maid in the mansion she had a lot of power in the household, but that was only power held in a tiny, enclosed kingdom. If one took the maid out of Haruka, she would be nothing.
"Haruka... are you...?" Erika couldn't finish her sentence as she saw the pain etched on Haruka's face. 
Haruka nodded, her eyes filled with sadness. "I'm sorry, Erika," she said softly. "I just... I just don't want you to be miserable like me."
Erika reached out and placed a hand on Haruka's shoulder, feeling the tension in her body ease. "I'm not miserable, Haruka," she said, her voice soft. "I'm happy. I'm living my dream. And if I can make it as a model, then I'll be even happier."
"I wish I could be that lucky," Haruka replied, her eyes filled with tears. "But I don't think I'll ever be able to leave Lady Kanna's service. It's just... it's all I know."
"That's not true," Erika said. "All the other maids look up to you. I look up to you, no matter how many tricks you play on me. Maybe that makes me kind of dumb, but it's true. You're like a mentor to me, Haruka. And I'll always be grateful for your advice and support."
Haruka smiled through her tears. "You're too naive, little Erika," she said. "Children must leave the nest someday to make their own way in life. Your way isn't here."
Erika shook her head. "I don't want to leave Lady Kanna's service," she said. "I love it here. And I have so much to offer. I want to be successful, Haruka. I want to make my dreams come true."
Haruka looked at her for a moment before nodding. "You're a silly little girl," she said. She raised her hand to Erika's head and ruffled her hair playfully. She gave Erika one last look before walking away. 
Erika's eyes followed her. She had no idea what Haruka was thinking right now, but she knew the older maid just showed her a rare vulnerable side. She turned and headed for her room, remembering she needed to change into her uniform and get to her daily chores. She knew she could do better than being a maid, but she wasn't ready to let it go just yet.
----
Erika stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of her uniform. She admired herself in the reflection, her dyed lilac hair cascading down her back in soft waves. She brushed her hair back and let out a sigh of contentment. As she turned to leave the room, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror again. Her eyes were bright and full of life, a reminder of the dreams she had for herself. She noticed a new glow within herself, and remembered the wonderful night she had with Masato. She was no longer a virgin, no longer a girl-- she was a woman.
She made her way down the hall to pick up her cleaning supplies, ready to take on her chores for the morning. Erika felt light on her feet, as if everything was right in the world. She hummed a tune as she made her way down the hall, feeling invigorated by her new confidence. As she approached the kitchen, she saw Kanna waiting for her.
"Good morning, Erika." Kanna greeted her with a smile. 
"Good morning, Lady Kanna," Erika replied cheerfully. "How are you today?"
Kanna smiled at Erika's enthusiasm. "I'm doing well, thank you." She studied Erika carefully. "You seem even more cheerful than usual. Did something happen?"
Erika hesitated for a moment before deciding to confide in her boss. "Yes, Lady Kanna," she said. "I slept with my boyfriend last night. It was wonderful." 
Kanna's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh my," she said, trying to hide her shock. "Well, I'm glad you had a good time, Erika. Just be sure to be safe and responsible with your actions."
Erika nodded, feeling grateful for Kanna's understanding. "Yes, Lady Kanna. Thank you."  
Kanna gave her a reassuring smile before turning to leave the kitchen. Erika watched her go, feeling a mix of emotions. She knew she had made the right decision, but she also knew that Kanna would be watching her closely. Erika thought about the other maids gossiping about her and Masato's relationship. She hoped they didn't think less of her for it.
----
Kurumi was getting tired of being a background actor. Ever since coming to Tokyo she had not gotten a break as casting directors didn't want to give her the time of day. Girls like her were a dime a dozen in the acting world: fresh-faced, excitable, and cute. She needed to find a way to stand out from the rest and prove she could act.
She stood in front of the mirror in her pajamas, brushing her teeth, wondering what she could do to stand out more. She felt her auditions were good, but the casting directors kept passing over her. She felt very ordinary every time it happened, and Kurumi now knew what she was doing was not good enough.
She finished brushing her teeth and stared at herself in the mirror. She started unbuttoning her pajamas and let her bra show. She turned from side to side, as if studying her silhouette, then looked down at her breasts. Kurumi was displeased to have large breasts. Many girls at school were jealous that puberty was good to her, but she wished she was back to being flat-chested. She had taken to wearing flattering clothing so people would not look at her chest. 
She knew there was a casting call today, so she got dressed, putting on her usual blouse and skirt. She returned to the mirror and wondered what she could do to improve her look. Her reflection looked like a set of glasses away from a mousy, timid office girl.
Kurumi walked out of the bathroom and went to the kitchen where Shizuka was eating her breakfast.
"Shizuka, I need your help," Kurumi said.
Shizuka looked up from her breakfast. "What's up, Kurumi?"
"I need your help with my audition today. I need you to help me stand out more." She leaned in closer. "I need a makeover so I don't look like an office lady."
"A makeover? You know that takes more time than what you have."
"I know," Kurumi replied. "I don't mean a whole makeover, just... help me look more desirable."
Shizuka looked at her friend with a mix of surprise and amusement. "I guess I could help you out. But first, let me finish my breakfast." She gestured for Kurumi to sit down. "So, tell me what's the problem."
"I don't want to be a background actor anymore. There has to be a way to get casting directors to pay attention to me."
Shizuka nodded understandingly. "I know what you mean. It's tough out there, especially for women. But let me ask you, what have you done to try and stand out?"
Kurumi shrugged. "I... don't know...?"
Shizuka laughed. "And that's probably why you look like an office lady." She gestured toward Kurumi's chest. "You can probably start by unbuttoning your blouse."
Kurumi blushed, feeling her face turn red with embarrassment. "I don't want to be a distraction," she said softly.
"That's not a distraction, it's an asset," Shizuka corrected her. "You're beautiful, and your assets are what make you stand out. But you need to work on your confidence and show off those assets. If you want to stand out, you have to be confident in yourself." 
She leaned in closer, her eyes intense. "If you're presenting yourself to the casting directors the way you're talking to me, it's no wonder you get passed over. You aren't selling yourself. You're acting afraid, like you're being judged. Now, that's not to say that you aren't being judged, because you are. It's part of the process. You need to show them that you have something and they'd be fools to not want it. If it means shaking your boobs at them, then that's what it takes." She shook her head. "I mean, I can't imagine doing it since I don't have boobs."
"Now that's not true," Kurumi replied hotly. "Your boobs are average. My boobs are monsters!"
Shizuka laughed. "Just remember, confidence comes from within. You have to believe in yourself first before anyone else will believe in you."
"I guess I understand what you mean," Kurumi replied.
"So, start unbuttoning your blouse," Shizuka instructed. "Let's see some cleavage."
Kurumi hesitated, but she knew that Shizuka was right. She took a deep breath and slowly unbuttoned her blouse, revealing her toned and defined breasts. She felt a rush of excitement and nervousness as she looked at Shizuka's approving gaze. While she felt Shizuka would not take advantage of her Kurumi had numerous encouters with other girls in the high school locker room where they would grope her inappropriately, knowing how embarrassed and ashamed she was of them.
Shizuka stood up from the table and walked over to Kurumi, taking her hand and leading her to the mirror. 
"Good job," she said, patting Kurumi on the back. "Now, let's see what else we can do to improve your appearance."
Kurumi let out a small sigh of relief as Shizuka's hands began to work their magic on her body. 
"It's not just about the looks," she explained, "but the posture. You need to stand, sit, walk... you know, in a way that you know you have it and aren't afraid to show it." 
Kurumi nodded, taking a deep breath as she felt Shizuka's hands adjust her body posture. She stood with one hip to the side, one arm planted on it, the other hanging. Shizuka tilted her head to the side.
"Now, what do you see?" she asked. 
Kurumi looked at herself in the mirror, and gasped in amazement. She had never seen herself so... unapologetic before.
"I look like a slut," Kurumi answered.
"No, silly," Shizuka said, "you're still thinking like a sheltered little girl. You're a woman. You've got it. You need to act like it." She reached out and ran her fingers through Kurumi's hair, tucking a strand behind her ear. "Don't be afraid to let it all hang out," she added. "The way you look and the way you feel are two different things. You're beautiful, and you're confident. Let that shine through."
As Shizuka continued to work on Kurumi's appearance, she could feel her confidence growing. Shizuka's words were like a light shining in her mind, guiding her towards a new way of thinking. She felt a newfound confidence and self-acceptance, and it was a feeling she had never experienced before. When Shizuka finished her work she stepped back and gave her a proud smile.
Kurumi looked at herself in the mirror again and she no longer saw a timid office lady, nor a prostitute. She saw a confident woman who was ready to take on the world. As she adjusted her blouse and hair, she felt a surge of excitement and power within her. She knew that she had never felt this way before, but she couldn't deny that it felt amazing. Shizuka was right-- confidence came from within, and it was time for her to start believing in herself.
Kurumi headed for the casting call with her newfound confidence.
She returned later that afternoon without having been cast, and Kurumi wondered what she did wrong. 
Shizuka walked into the room with a smile on her face. "You did great," she said. "You really have a presence. And you look amazing." 
Kurumi looked up at Shizuka, confused. "I didn't get the part. Why are you congratulating me?"
The model laughed. "You can't fix your confidence issues overnight, or even within a few hours," she explained. "But that's okay. You've got what it takes to be an actress. Rejection is just part of the process. Just keep working on yourself and believing in yourself. You'll get there eventually."
"I guess this was what it was like for your when you first came to Tokyo, too?" Kurumi wondered.
"Yeah, it is," Shizuka replied. She led Kurumi to the couch and they sat down next to each other. "It was really hard trying to get by with almost no money. I had to take every job I could even if I didn't want it. You don't have the same feelings of desperation I felt because you have a good roof over your head and good friends to support you. So anytime you think you've got it terrible, you just need to remember someone else out there had it worse." 
Shizuka's words struck a chord with Kurumi. She had never really thought about it that way before, but it made sense. She had never felt so grateful for her own situation, and she knew that it wasn't always easy for others. "Thank you for reminding me of that." 
"Of course, Kurumi. Why shouldn't I help my future sister-in-law?"
Kurumi's face reddened. "Hey, that's kind of forward!" she protested.
"I mean, you do plan to marry my brother eventually, don't you?"
"Well, yeah, but...."
Shizuka put a finger over her mouth to stop her. "There's no need to be embarrassed. Think of me as your big sister." Her eyes softened and she looked into Kurumi's eyes with a warm smile. 
Kurumi felt her cheeks flush again as she realized how close Shizuka was to her. She never thought of Shizuka as her future sister-in-law, but now that she did, she felt it surreal to think of her that way, but it also felt good. Shizuka continued to hold her gaze, her smile never faltering. 
She took a deep breath and looked away, feeling her heart rate increase. "I-I don't know what to say," she stammered. 
"It's okay, Kurumi. You don't have to say anything. Just know that I'm here for you, always." Shizuka patted Kurumi's hand reassuringly before standing up. "I should probably get going. Yuki and I have plans tonight." 
Kurumi nodded, feeling grateful for her friend's support. "Yeah, of course. Thank you for everything."
----
Shizuka met Yuki at her apartment, just after Yuki finished eating her dinner. Megumi was not there as she was working late at the coffee shop, so the two had the apartment to themselves.
"This feels like old times," Yuki said, sighing wistfully.
Shizuka smiled at her friend. "It does, doesn't it? Back when it was just you and me."
Yuki nodded, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia. "I miss those days so much, Shizuka. I wish things could stay that way forever."
"No, you don't," Shizuka replied. "We've got a lot of good friends in our lives now. Even though we're not living together anymore, our lives are still better."
Yuki smiled at her friend's words. "I know, but it still feels like we should be living together. Like we were meant to be roommates."
"We're responsible adults now," Shizuka said. "You're going to marry Megumi, and I'm taking care of my little brother. Well, him and his girlfriend, but she's my future sister-in-law, so it still works out."
Yuki laughed. "I know, but sometimes I feel like we should be living closer. It's hard to be so far away from each other sometimes." 
Shizuka nodded in understanding. "Yeah. But distance doesn't change our friendship, Yuki. We're still as close as ever, even if we don't see each other as often as we used to. And when we do see each other, it's always special."
Yuki smiled at her friend, feeling grateful for the perspective that Shizuka always provided. "You're right, Shizuka. Distance can't break our bond, not even if we're thousands of miles apart. I love you, and I'll always be here for you."
Shizuka gave her friend a warm smile. "And I'll always be here for you, Yuki. No matter what."
They sat in silence for a moment, happy with their memories. Shizuka was thinking about how lucky she was to have Yuki as a friend and how important it was to have someone in her life who understood her and supported her. Yuki was lost in thought, her mind wandering back to the past. She thought about the old days, when they were closer and more in tune with each other. The present was good, but it didn't compare to the memories they had shared.
Yuki leaned her head against Shizuka's shoulder and closed her eyes. "I miss you," she whispered. 
Shizuka wrapped her arms around Yuki and held her close, feeling the warmth of her friend's body against hers. "I miss you too, Yuki."


========================

Originally this part and the next part were only one chapter, but it was extremely long in that form. This way the chapter focus remains on Shizuka and her relationships with the rest of the cast, with the primary focus being on her big sister instinct.

Hikaru and Kurumi at their age (roughly 22) should be less naive about the nature of their relationship than when they were younger. Essentially they're past the awkward teenager phase so there's no anime melodrama about the will-they-wont-they stuff in teenage slice-of-life dramas. Of course, being older and more established doesn't mean they won't have other problems-- in this case not having work lined up after leaving the university.

This isn't the first time I've had Hikaru grapple with the idea of crossdressing; it's been teased off and on in Wanderers of Sorceria in spots, but this is the first time where I've done a real deep dive into it. Because this turns out to be part of his job he's going to be professional about it despite not liking it, but that's put to the test when one of the production staff has it in for him (and it's a pretty scathing comment on how crossdressing was seen in Japan in the past twenty years). Shizuka is understanding and supportive, but that's not going to stop her from teasing him relentlessly about it, especially not after putting up with him trash talking her for her equally embarrassing acting roles. On the flip side, I also imagine Hikaru picked up quite a following (particularly, fangirls) from his short stint on that tv drama, so he's not entirely bad off from the experience.


~ Razorclaw X