Chapter 12:
Chapter 12 : Glass wing returns
Everyday you, Shining you
The next morning at Namilab started calmer than usual.
Ayase arrived early, still sipping her convenience-store coffee, her mind wandering back to the gift situation from days ago. Ren had acted strangely—quiet, thoughtful, watching her with a certain intensity she couldn’t decipher.
Ayase pinched the bridge of her nose.
Why is my life turning into a misunderstanding-simulator?
When she pushed open the office doors, she nearly bumped into someone leaning against them.
“Yurina ?”
The agent straightened up and waved lazily with one hand, the other holding a small bag.
“Ayyyyy~ Ayase. Just the woman I wanted to see.” She smirked, her voice dripping with teasing energy. “You’re early. That’s annoying.”
Ayase blinked. “Good morning to you too… Why are you blocking the door like a boss in a video game?”
Yurina huffed dramatically. “I’m here to apologize!”
“For…?”
Yurina held up the bag like evidence. “For the gift. I forgot to warn you. I also forgot to tell Hayama not to write your name like he was confessing in a romance manga.” She ran a hand through her hair. “He’s a rookie in EVERYTHING. Even social etiquette.”
Ayase shook her head with a soft laugh. “Really, it’s fine. It was sweet. Just unexpected.”
Yurina blinked at her. “You… aren’t mad? Or uncomfortable?”
“No. Why would I be?”
Yurina stared at her for a long second, eyes slowly narrowing.
“Hmmmmmm.”
Ayase flinched. “W-what?”
“You’re too nice,” Yurina said finally, poking her forehead. “But that’s why people like you.”
Ayase blushed slightly. “Stop…”
Yurina nudged her inside. “Come on. We have a long day. New schedules, new cast members, new chaos.”
As they entered the main lobby, the elevator dinged. Yurina jerked her head toward it.
“Oh. Speaking of new cast members… today’s the day you meet her.”
“Her?”
Yurina's grin stretched. “You’ll see.”
---
The studio was chaotic, as usual. Photographers adjusting equipment, stylists rolling garment racks, interns sprinting past with clipboards.
Ren was there too, already dressed for a preliminary test shoot—simple, clean lines, soft colors. He looked unexpectedly mature today.
When he spotted Ayase, he stood straighter.
“Ayase. Good morning.”
His voice was calm, polite—too calm, too polite.
Ayase froze a second. It wasn’t like him to be cold, but he wasn’t cold today either. More like… guarded. Thoughtful. His eyes lingered on her a moment too long before he looked away.
She bowed slightly. “Good morning, Ren.”
Takeshi snickered behind her. “Well well. Someone’s being formal today.”
Ren ignored him.
Before Ayase could ask anything, someone walked into the room and every head turned.
She was beautiful. Tall, slender, long dark hair cascading down her back in glossy waves. Her makeup was flawless, her presence effortless.
And she walked toward Ren with the confidence of someone who knew him well.
“Ren” she greeted warmly, using his first name without hesitation.
Ayase blinked.
Ren stiffened for half a second then smiled.
A gentle smile. Familiar.
“…Miyuki. It’s been a while.”
Miyuki.
The name echoed in Ayase’s mind like a bell.
Aki leaned over and whispered, “Miyuki Tachibana. Actress. Former co-star. They had a big hit drama together a couple years ago.”
Ayase swallowed. “Which one?”
“You ever heard of Glass Wing?”
Ayase’s heart dropped.
Glass Wing.A popular romance drama.Famous nationwide.The kind that viewers obsessed over because of the insane chemistry between the leads.
THE Glass Wing.THE drama with the heartbreaking confession scene under the rain.THE drama where Ren played the quiet childhood friend who carried the heroine through her darkest moments.
Ayase remembered watching clips online even though she wasn’t a fan of romance dramas.
The chemistry… was undeniable.
And the heroine—
Was standing right in front of her.
Beautiful. Charming. Comfortable with Ren in a way Ayase could never be.
---
Miyuki laughed lightly as she touched Ren’s sleeve.
“Look at you. You look even better than before. You really grew into your face, huh?”
Ren actually blushed.
Miyuki can make him blush?
Ayase forced herself to look away, pretending to focus on her clipboard.
Yurina smacked her gum loudly. “Calm down, lovebirds. Save it for the camera.”
Miyuki glanced at her then at Ayase.
“And you must be…?”
Ayase straightened. “Ayase Fujimoto. I’m in charge of the Eclipse campaign’s project coordination.”
Miyuki’s eyes sparkled. “Oh? The Ayase? Ren mentioned you yesterday.”
Ayase’s heart stopped.
Ren choked on his own breath.
“I—I only said she’s easy to work with.”
“But you talked about her,” Miyuki said with a teasing smile.
Takeshi howled in the background.
Ren shot Takeshi a death glare. Takeshi winked.
Ayase tried not to combust on the spot.
---
The morning shoot preparations began.
Ren and Miyuki were placed side by side for test lighting, their bodies angled naturally toward each other. Their chemistry was instant, effortless. The crew whispered approvingly.
“They look so good together.”“They’re perfect.”
Ayase stood by her station, pen in hand, unable to stop her chest from tightening.
She had no claim over Ren.He was her coworker.Her client.Her… friend?
Even she didn’t know.
But watching him laugh so easily with someone else—someone stunning, someone experienced, someone who had shared intimate on-screen moments with him—made her feel something unfamiliar.
A small sting.A tiny ache.Jealousy.
A word she didn’t want to admit.
Kana appeared beside her, arms crossed.
“You’re making the face,” she said bluntly.
Ayase jumped. “What face?!”
“The face of someone trying not to look jealous.”
“I—I’m not jealous!”
Kana grinned. “Uh-huh.”
Ayase turned red.
Kana leaned closer. “Relax. Miyuki’s not here to steal Ren. She’s here because the director wants to test a trio concept for the ad. And before you ask—she and Ren are not dating.”
Ayase tried to sound casual. “They seem close.”
“They are. They worked together for a year on Glass Wing.” Yurina stretched. “And for your information, Miyuki is a terrible flirt, but she’s harmless. She flirts with literally everyone. Even me.”
Ayase blinked. “Even you?”
“I mean—look at me,” Yurina said, flipping her hair dramatically. “Who wouldn’t flirt with me?”
Ayase snorted.
Kana nudged her. “Listen. Ren’s weird today because he’s overthinking something. And it’s definitely about you.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Oh please. He watches you like you’re a tutorial on how to be a functional adult.”
Ayase facepalmed. “That’s not comforting.”
Yurina smirked. “You’ll figure it out eventually. Or he’ll explode from emotional repression. Either way, I’ll have popcorn.”
“Ren, Miyuki, Aki! Back on set!”
The three stepped into the soft blue lighting prepared for the Eclipse theme.
Ayase watched.
Miyuki leaned close to Ren, whispering something.
Ren laughed softly.
Ayase looked away.
Her chest tightened again.
Why am I like this?He’s just a coworker.I shouldn’t care.
But she did.
She cared more than she wanted to admit.
After the Shoot
During a break, Ayase stepped out onto the small balcony behind the studio, letting the cool breeze wash over her.
She needed air.She needed distance.She needed to reset.
She leaned on the railing, closing her eyes.
A soft voice interrupted her.
“Ayase-san?”
She turned.
Aki stood behind her, still in partial costume, hair slightly tousled from the shoot.
“…Aki?”
He looked nervous, shifting slightly.
“I… wanted to talk to you.”
Ayase blinked. “About what?”
Aki hesitated.
His eyes softened.
“Ayase-san… are you okay?”
Ayase froze.
Aki looked down, hands tightening slightly.
“You seemed… upset. Earlier. I noticed.”
Ayase’s breath caught.
Aki stepped closer.
Not too close.But close enough she could see the sincerity in his eyes.
“I don’t like seeing you unhappy,” he said quietly.
Her heart thumped.
Aki exhaled shakily. “And I… want to understand you better.”
Ayase stared, stunned.
He noticed?He cared?
“I’m fine,” she finally whispered, though her voice trembled slightly.
Aki nodded slowly.
“…If you ever want to talk… I’m here.”
Ayase lowered her eyes. “Thank you.”
He hesitated, then gave a small, gentle smile.
“It’s the least I can do.”
He stepped back toward the door.
“Ayase-san?”
“Yes?”
“I’m glad you’re part of this project.”
Her heart fluttered.
He left before she could respond.
End of Chapter 12
Ayase arrived early, still sipping her convenience-store coffee, her mind wandering back to the gift situation from days ago. Ren had acted strangely—quiet, thoughtful, watching her with a certain intensity she couldn’t decipher.
Ayase pinched the bridge of her nose.
Why is my life turning into a misunderstanding-simulator?
When she pushed open the office doors, she nearly bumped into someone leaning against them.
“Yurina ?”
The agent straightened up and waved lazily with one hand, the other holding a small bag.
“Ayyyyy~ Ayase. Just the woman I wanted to see.” She smirked, her voice dripping with teasing energy. “You’re early. That’s annoying.”
Ayase blinked. “Good morning to you too… Why are you blocking the door like a boss in a video game?”
Yurina huffed dramatically. “I’m here to apologize!”
“For…?”
Yurina held up the bag like evidence. “For the gift. I forgot to warn you. I also forgot to tell Hayama not to write your name like he was confessing in a romance manga.” She ran a hand through her hair. “He’s a rookie in EVERYTHING. Even social etiquette.”
Ayase shook her head with a soft laugh. “Really, it’s fine. It was sweet. Just unexpected.”
Yurina blinked at her. “You… aren’t mad? Or uncomfortable?”
“No. Why would I be?”
Yurina stared at her for a long second, eyes slowly narrowing.
“Hmmmmmm.”
Ayase flinched. “W-what?”
“You’re too nice,” Yurina said finally, poking her forehead. “But that’s why people like you.”
Ayase blushed slightly. “Stop…”
Yurina nudged her inside. “Come on. We have a long day. New schedules, new cast members, new chaos.”
As they entered the main lobby, the elevator dinged. Yurina jerked her head toward it.
“Oh. Speaking of new cast members… today’s the day you meet her.”
“Her?”
Yurina's grin stretched. “You’ll see.”
---
The studio was chaotic, as usual. Photographers adjusting equipment, stylists rolling garment racks, interns sprinting past with clipboards.
Ren was there too, already dressed for a preliminary test shoot—simple, clean lines, soft colors. He looked unexpectedly mature today.
When he spotted Ayase, he stood straighter.
“Ayase. Good morning.”
His voice was calm, polite—too calm, too polite.
Ayase froze a second. It wasn’t like him to be cold, but he wasn’t cold today either. More like… guarded. Thoughtful. His eyes lingered on her a moment too long before he looked away.
She bowed slightly. “Good morning, Ren.”
Takeshi snickered behind her. “Well well. Someone’s being formal today.”
Ren ignored him.
Before Ayase could ask anything, someone walked into the room and every head turned.
She was beautiful. Tall, slender, long dark hair cascading down her back in glossy waves. Her makeup was flawless, her presence effortless.
And she walked toward Ren with the confidence of someone who knew him well.
“Ren” she greeted warmly, using his first name without hesitation.
Ayase blinked.
Ren stiffened for half a second then smiled.
A gentle smile. Familiar.
“…Miyuki. It’s been a while.”
Miyuki.
The name echoed in Ayase’s mind like a bell.
Aki leaned over and whispered, “Miyuki Tachibana. Actress. Former co-star. They had a big hit drama together a couple years ago.”
Ayase swallowed. “Which one?”
“You ever heard of Glass Wing?”
Ayase’s heart dropped.
Glass Wing.A popular romance drama.Famous nationwide.The kind that viewers obsessed over because of the insane chemistry between the leads.
THE Glass Wing.THE drama with the heartbreaking confession scene under the rain.THE drama where Ren played the quiet childhood friend who carried the heroine through her darkest moments.
Ayase remembered watching clips online even though she wasn’t a fan of romance dramas.
The chemistry… was undeniable.
And the heroine—
Was standing right in front of her.
Beautiful. Charming. Comfortable with Ren in a way Ayase could never be.
---
Miyuki laughed lightly as she touched Ren’s sleeve.
“Look at you. You look even better than before. You really grew into your face, huh?”
Ren actually blushed.
Miyuki can make him blush?
Ayase forced herself to look away, pretending to focus on her clipboard.
Yurina smacked her gum loudly. “Calm down, lovebirds. Save it for the camera.”
Miyuki glanced at her then at Ayase.
“And you must be…?”
Ayase straightened. “Ayase Fujimoto. I’m in charge of the Eclipse campaign’s project coordination.”
Miyuki’s eyes sparkled. “Oh? The Ayase? Ren mentioned you yesterday.”
Ayase’s heart stopped.
Ren choked on his own breath.
“I—I only said she’s easy to work with.”
“But you talked about her,” Miyuki said with a teasing smile.
Takeshi howled in the background.
Ren shot Takeshi a death glare. Takeshi winked.
Ayase tried not to combust on the spot.
---
The morning shoot preparations began.
Ren and Miyuki were placed side by side for test lighting, their bodies angled naturally toward each other. Their chemistry was instant, effortless. The crew whispered approvingly.
“They look so good together.”“They’re perfect.”
Ayase stood by her station, pen in hand, unable to stop her chest from tightening.
She had no claim over Ren.He was her coworker.Her client.Her… friend?
Even she didn’t know.
But watching him laugh so easily with someone else—someone stunning, someone experienced, someone who had shared intimate on-screen moments with him—made her feel something unfamiliar.
A small sting.A tiny ache.Jealousy.
A word she didn’t want to admit.
Kana appeared beside her, arms crossed.
“You’re making the face,” she said bluntly.
Ayase jumped. “What face?!”
“The face of someone trying not to look jealous.”
“I—I’m not jealous!”
Kana grinned. “Uh-huh.”
Ayase turned red.
Kana leaned closer. “Relax. Miyuki’s not here to steal Ren. She’s here because the director wants to test a trio concept for the ad. And before you ask—she and Ren are not dating.”
Ayase tried to sound casual. “They seem close.”
“They are. They worked together for a year on Glass Wing.” Yurina stretched. “And for your information, Miyuki is a terrible flirt, but she’s harmless. She flirts with literally everyone. Even me.”
Ayase blinked. “Even you?”
“I mean—look at me,” Yurina said, flipping her hair dramatically. “Who wouldn’t flirt with me?”
Ayase snorted.
Kana nudged her. “Listen. Ren’s weird today because he’s overthinking something. And it’s definitely about you.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Oh please. He watches you like you’re a tutorial on how to be a functional adult.”
Ayase facepalmed. “That’s not comforting.”
Yurina smirked. “You’ll figure it out eventually. Or he’ll explode from emotional repression. Either way, I’ll have popcorn.”
“Ren, Miyuki, Aki! Back on set!”
The three stepped into the soft blue lighting prepared for the Eclipse theme.
Ayase watched.
Miyuki leaned close to Ren, whispering something.
Ren laughed softly.
Ayase looked away.
Her chest tightened again.
Why am I like this?He’s just a coworker.I shouldn’t care.
But she did.
She cared more than she wanted to admit.
After the Shoot
During a break, Ayase stepped out onto the small balcony behind the studio, letting the cool breeze wash over her.
She needed air.She needed distance.She needed to reset.
She leaned on the railing, closing her eyes.
A soft voice interrupted her.
“Ayase-san?”
She turned.
Aki stood behind her, still in partial costume, hair slightly tousled from the shoot.
“…Aki?”
He looked nervous, shifting slightly.
“I… wanted to talk to you.”
Ayase blinked. “About what?”
Aki hesitated.
His eyes softened.
“Ayase-san… are you okay?”
Ayase froze.
Aki looked down, hands tightening slightly.
“You seemed… upset. Earlier. I noticed.”
Ayase’s breath caught.
Aki stepped closer.
Not too close.But close enough she could see the sincerity in his eyes.
“I don’t like seeing you unhappy,” he said quietly.
Her heart thumped.
Aki exhaled shakily. “And I… want to understand you better.”
Ayase stared, stunned.
He noticed?He cared?
“I’m fine,” she finally whispered, though her voice trembled slightly.
Aki nodded slowly.
“…If you ever want to talk… I’m here.”
Ayase lowered her eyes. “Thank you.”
He hesitated, then gave a small, gentle smile.
“It’s the least I can do.”
He stepped back toward the door.
“Ayase-san?”
“Yes?”
“I’m glad you’re part of this project.”
Her heart fluttered.
He left before she could respond.
End of Chapter 12
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