the photo shoot

“ Okay everyone pose for the camera!” The photographer said excitedly. The manager put us all in navy blue Yukata and made us pose like samurai.

“ This is so weird… it makes me feel like an otaku.” Ai blushed, seemingly embarrassed pretending to be a samurai.

“ Draw your swords and fight for my money!” The manager threw us foam katanas and showed us which angle makes the foam sword look real. “ Now get ready!” Mio thrust her sword into the air and put her hand on her hip. I gripped my katana and got into a battle stance.

“ Ai-dono, Akane-dono join us in this battle for the manager's money!” Mio spoke like a military general.” Follow me and we shall win this bout!” Akane and Ai crouched behind a prop bamboo wall being used as a backdrop in the photoshoot.

***

“ S-so embarrassing, how can they just do that so casually it looks fun though…”

“ they’re just children they act younger than Taylor man what idiots”

“ Yeah but my life’s been boring. I've always dreamed of having fun like that. What about you Ai-sama?”

“ S-sama? Just call me Ai okay? And well I can say my life was fun I guess if one thing I wish I had friends to have fun with when I was younger.”

“ Same here if I knew Ken or Mio when I was younger… maybe I wouldn’t have felt so useless.”

“ Akane you’re not useless, You’re one of my best friends.”

“ Ai…Thanks it makes me wonder if I had friends would I be so well… cold”

“ I wonder things like that too ‘ what if I talked to that person’ or ‘what if I was actually kind to people’ maybe i’d actually be popular.”

“ Before we met I looked up to you a whole lot oh, I mean in terms of fashion but Ken inspired me to find my own clothing style the day you guys scouted me for the show I’d just finished buying the clothes I wanted to and I was walking around so i’d like to think that small changes made a difference… anyway that was the whole point.” man I stumbled a whole lot I hope I didn’t embarrass myself in front of her.

“ Yeah you’re right the small changes do matter…Maybe this photoshoot will be fun instead of embarrassing.” We both peek over to see Ken and Mio still posing.

“ Yeah it’s still embarrassing but it does look very fun. Hey Ai, we should join them. I mean we’re both stressed out, a bit of fun could help.”

“ I guess so but still it's embarrassing. I don't know what my fans will think about this.”

“ Your fans should want you to have fun, especially with your friends. After all, I could fit into both categories, haha.” Ai patted my head making me smile uncontrollably

“ Thank you. Shall we head back?”

“ Yeah!” We walked back over to Mio and Ken and robotically started to pose.

“ You fools are doing it all wrong. Hold one hand above the other and bring the hand guard to your waist. I recruit you two for the royal guard and yet you fail to do such a simple pose!”

“” We’re sorry!””

“ Look at your senpai Ken, his swordsmanship is unrivaled.”

***

“ Well, Well I guess you finally realized my excellence as a swordsman.” I start laughing confidently. “ Now join me, my kouhai!” Ai and Mikawa grin and look at each other before they start attacking me. “ Traitors! Mio-sama Join me in defeating these blasphemers”

“ I guess I can help you but I’m still the commander.” We all had fun dueling each other and the photos really captured that. After we played around for another half hour the photographer started to pack up her camera.

“ Wait, please can you take one more unofficial picture with all of us in it.”

“ Aren’t you all in these pictures?”

“ I meant all our friends like our manager or the director.”

“ Okay I don’t mind, I'll send it to you tonight, write your number in my phone.” She extended her phone towards me. “ Go ahead already.” I carefully put my number in and called it.

“ Thank you so much if you want to save my contact info. My name is Ken.”

“ Ayane if you want to save mine…Sorry I’m not very sociable”

“ Ayane, why don’t you join us in the picture? I don’t think anyone will mind either. I mean It's a token of your hard work today right?”

“ Okay!” Ai dragged over her dad and Taylor while Akane convinced the manager and Emi.

“ Well then let's get in place.” The manager seemed to be holding a huge smile as she said this.

“ Here we go!” Ayane said before hopping in the photo we all smiled into the camera and waited for it to snap the picture.

“ Thank you all so much, this is the most fun I’ve had at this job.”

“ Thank you, we've all had so much fun today. Ayane I don’t think we would’ve had so much fun if we had a different photographer you let us play and captured whatever shots you saw not many people can do that so well. Truly thank you.” The camera let out a snap sound indicating the picture had been taken.” Don’t forget to send me that picture alright I want to make it my wallpaper.”

“ Yeah I’ll get it to you tonight, anyway I have another job to do so I’ll see you later.”

“ Alright, bye” I wave to Ayane as she walks off to pack up her camera equipment.

“ Get changed idiot.” My manager smacked me on the back. I look over to the dressing rooms and see Akane Mio and Ai heading over there. “ Join them already, you Idiot.” She patted me on the back even harder this time knocking me a little bit forward.

“ I get it already, ow.” I walk over to my dressing room and change back into my t-shirt and sweatpants. “ Ha I can’t wait to sleep tonight, it'll be great.”