【Modelling】

Lights flashed in the studio, piercing and sharp, momentarily blinding Akira. He widened his smile, a steady, natural smile despite the discomfort. He wore a dark, oversized shirt, layered with accessories, and grey pants. 

“Now, can you wink for us?” A voice called out from the darkened side of the studio. 

He couldn’t make out who it was, probably from the staff. Akira tilted his head, his hair—now straightened—falling to his side. He parted his lips and winked.

“Sit down, please. That will be your last shot in this outfit.”

“Yes.” He lowered himself onto the white floor. The chains clanged. As he brushed the hair back, his fingers grazed his left ear. Pain flared. He flinched but managed a smile, letting his hair fall back on the reddened ear.

Yesterday, they pierced his ears; the brand insisted on new Kyroxfun-themed earrings. But unfortunately, his left ear didn't take a liking to it.

“You may change into the next outfit.”

Next, dressed in a silver jacket hanging off his shoulders. White shirt and black tie. His new streaming outfit, as he was informed. Akira rubbed his hand on the glossy surface. I liked the old brown one more. 

Oh well.

“Hey.”

Akira turned to face Sanae. She wore a similar silver and black cropped top, white shorts, and net socks, paired with long boots. A silver ring gleamed at her navel.

She didn’t have that ring before.

“Why are you here?” 

“I am modelling for the women's merch.” She stepped closer, rising onto her toes, she whispered in his ear. “They plan to use our collab to sell merch.”

Akira clenched his fists. “Why?”

“Because scandals sell best.”

"Hah." His lips curled into a smirk. "So they plan on using both our tainted reputations. Cheap popularity."

Sanae moved away. 

She stood in front of the cameras, slipping easily into confident poses. Akira watched her from the side. She is a true professional.

He hadn’t seen her for two days. After, he did send her home. I should have taken her offer.

His chest tightened. But I thought about Jitsuko.

He pressed his hands together. Of course, because I rely on her after each stream.

Later, when the two modeled together, someone from the staff walked to them. 

“Can you put your arm around her waist?”

Akira and Sanae both exchanged glances. He sighed. Moving his arm around her, placing his hand where the staff directed.

“Your fingers are cold.” Sanae leaned against his chest, eyes on the lens.

“I am sorry.” Akira smiled wide enough to reveal his canines.

After the shoot, Akira stood alone in the changing room, staring into the mirror. He pulled his hair back and gently rubbed a finger around his swollen ear.

Someone from the staff had handed him a leaflet with one left. Popping out the pill, he swallowed it dry. 

I wanna go back home.

 Sanae opened the door after a gentle knock before he could respond. 

She stepped inside.

"Why are you here?" He stared.

"Because I want to spread rumours about us." Sanae plopped onto the seat next to him, tapping his knee with her heel.

"Rude." Akira fiddled with his tie, loosening it. "Tch."

"The air conditioner stopped working, so they said I can stay with you."

Akira continued playing with his tie; he could feel her intense glare on him. That day, after he apologized, they departed in silence. 

She finally spoke. "Akira, I am sorry for that day."

He jolted upright; his tie slipped onto the floor. "N-no, I should apologize; I disappointed you."

"I wasn't disappointed. On the contrary, I was glad."

"B-but I said no, even when you—"

Sanae blinked and burst into laughter; she leaned back in her seat. "That wasn't anything; I was only using you. You said it yourself, too."

"Y-yeah." Akira swallowed.

 But your eyes were on me. He decided not to say it.

"Akira, I don't mind continuing this trend." Sanae tilted her head. "But I won't force you."

"I love the attention." Akira looked at her. "But my stupid fans are unsatisfied; I don't want to disappoint them."

A chuckle escaped Sanae; she pressed her lips, trying to hold it back. "So what?"

Uneasiness crawled up his spine. He leaned forward. "Don't you stream because the attention is addictive?"

"No, I stream to build my career, for money." Sanae looked at him flatly. "These fans simply feed on you."

 Akira hissed under his breath. "It's always mutual."

There was a lingering silence.

Akira opened the door. As soon as he stepped out, he bumped into one of the staff members. The man was short in casual wear. On seeing Akira, his breath hitched, and his eyes widened. He took a step back and bowed before hurrying away.

In a moment, it struck Akira. This man was eavesdropping.

Akira gasped, anger boiling in him as he remembered that Sanae had been sent to his room by the very staff.

The next morning, Akira scrolled through his phone. Holding his phone in one hand while he ate cereal with the other.

His phone beeped; he was tagged. When he clicked on the notification, a post by the modeling agency popped up in front of him.

The xxx modelling agency for the xxx brand proudly presents @kyroxfun and @Dream_warrior03 collaborative merch.

We were proud to host the couple for this shoot.

Couple? The spoon fell out of his hand. His ear throbbed suddenly, reminding him of the discomfort.

The article alone sparked fuel in both their fandoms. Stating them as a couple seemed to pull attention to the merch.

Controversial sell.

Akira clicked his tongue, tightening his fingers around the phone.

Should I ignore them? 
No

His fingers pressed across the screen. 

Kyroxfun:

I am sooo honoured to be shipped with Miss @dream_warrior03.

But this is getting boring; can this be stopped?
We are co-workers and nothing else.

He looked at the post, which hung at the top of his account.

Yeah, sarcastic and funny.