"Rusalka"

With tutees lined up for the coming week, and nothing planned this weekend, I message Kaori to see if she wants to do anything.

>>> “I have a photoshoot, sorry.”

As punctual and curt as ever.

>>> “Would you like to come with?”

“YES!” <<<

“When?” <<<

Left on read.

Well, I was excited…

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

She lets herself in.

“I didn’t give you a key!”

“You did not lock your door!”

Touché~

“It is easier to plan like this. I am getting ready now. The photographer is providing the outfits, so we just need to turn up. I have not worked with him before, so would feel more comfortable with a…”

She pauses, mouth agape.

“…what is the word? Sounds like champagne, but means a person that accompanies you?”

“Arm candy?”

My quip earns a glare, but I can tell she found it funny… her eyes glitter with suppressed laughter.

“Chaperone.”

“Thank you. I would like you to chaperone. He is a veteran, and I have not heard any bad rumours about him, but I keep getting a strange feeling. I would just feel better with you there. Is that ok?”

I get to see Kaori in a bunch of outfits and put both our minds at ease?!.

“Of course!”

The address is, thankfully, not another love hotel. That would’ve been uncomfortable.

It looks like any other inner-city apartment block; that slightly dated style which is starting to disappear.

We take our time hiking up nearly a dozen flights of stairs, not wanting to break a sweat.

“This isn’t just his flat, right?”

The building’s a bit grotty, it feels more like where you’d find a local, garden variety, pervert.

“No. It is a studio conversion. A lot of photographers use them, splitting the cost with several others.”

Makes sense, finding somewhere cheap to dedicate to your hobby, but still…

“I’m glad I came with you.”

Kaori offers a short smile.

“Me too.”

KNOCK KNOCK KN-

The door swings open before her customary third rap has time to graze its surface.

An excited little man, shorter than Kaori and thrice her girth, ushers us inside. Ambling behind as we file down the hallway.

“Holy shi-”

It’s incredible!

The windows are covered by thick velvet curtains; about 8 upon a single heavy-duty rail. Each a deep, rich, royal colour, doubling as backdrops while blacking out the sun.

A mounted frame along the far wall allows for printed screens - offering gothic, industrial, fantasy, cyberpunk, and several other settings - or infinity curves in a range of hues, to be displayed.

Right in front are all the lights and equipment benches, and oh boy is he well-equipped.

“I’ve never seen anything like this!”

Kaori simply hums her agreement, equally impressed.

“Welcome! Sorry, it’s a mess…”

The place is spotless. He’s even taped every wire down to prevent tripping hazards, and there’s a faint smell of bleach and incense.

“…the bathroom doubles as a wardrobe, so it’s a tight squeeze in there, but feel free to wear whatever you’re drawn to, Kei…”

Other than being a little over eager, this guy isn’t giving off any red flags. He’s obviously very passionate about photography, even after 20 years in the game, apparently.

“…and could I ask your name, please?”

Polite too!

“I’m Tai. Sorry for the intrusion.”

I throw in a bow and try to balance a casual introduction with the appropriate platitudes.

“Oh, marvellous! What a bright young man! Will you be modelling today as well?”

“No. He is my chaperone.”

Instantly shut down.

“Pity… but, do let me know if you change your mind.”

Smiling bashfully, I nod like a tween receiving their first confession.

“Is there anything in particular you want to plan out?”

Continuing her starkly professional interaction.

“Heavens, no! We can try anything you like, and just see where the shoot take us.”

A bit blasé, but I appreciate how flexible and accommodating he is.

Kaori scowls, but shrugs it off, then opens the dressing room…

“Tai!”

…all we can do is gawp in awe at the collection within.

“Now, don’t get overwhelmed. Take your time. We have all day.”

It’s an absolute treasure trove of cosplay, gothic lolita, steampunk, and visual kei. At our host's word, Kaori starts skimming through the rails, picking thing out, trying them against herself, and pairing them off.

After almost an hour of this - occasionally asking my opinion - she finally settles on an even dozen outfits, then closes the door behind her with a wink…

“No free show.”

…her parting shot punctuated by the latch clicking shut.

Tease.

“Looks like Kao-” nearly slipped up there, “Kei has gone with mostly gothic stuff. Would you like me to see what backgrounds would work? Help set them up?”

“Ah, yes! That would be most appreciated. Tai, was it? I’m OK, by the way.”

“OK? With what?”

“With…”

I can hear the dial-up tone.

“Oh! My apologies, I forgot proper introductions. I’m known as OK online, my name is Maru Ken.”

“Clever!”

“Thank you!”

He’s obviously very pleased with himself, and I dig how jolly and convivial he is. Still no creepy vibes either.

No doubt he would’ve been put out with my being here if he’d intended to do anything to Kaori, but he’s actually nothing but pleasant and professional. Almost grandfatherly, though I’m sure the age implication would be an insult… Merry Uncle Maru, maybe?

We heave a leather wing-back out of the corner, retrieve candelabra from a chest, and hang up a backdrop depicting a black stone fireplace.

Aptly atmospheric for…

“…woah!”

Kaori glides out of the changing room in a ball gown, similar to what HISAKI would wear if he were in mourning.

She naturally shifts straight into posing. Resting her hand on the back of the chair and sorrowfully gazing into the great beyond through her veil. Mesh, like the smoke of cremation, wisps about her.

“Yes, yes! Very good!”

Maru is up like a bird from the brush, grabbing his camera and taking aim, transforming into a hunter.

The shoot is a sight to behold.

Kaori imbues the clothes with life; adopting persona and mannerisms appropriate for each.

Maru darts around - more nimbly than his stature belies - searching out every angle that could elevate scene and subject to the sublime.

I stand on the sidelines, only stepping in to blindly give Kaori a hand through the bathroom door, or help move props for the next segment.

A born gofer.

Nearing the end of our hectic, but fulfilling day, I catch Maru snapping a behind the scenes shot… of me?

“For posterity!”

He pootles over and presents the display, revealing an image of myself I could never have envisioned.

In my mind, I still look like a sickly kid. Sunken tired features, gaunt and gangly… but Maru’s somehow captured a lean and sharply featured creature, more wolfish than weaselly.

When did I grow up?!.

“I do hope you come back for a session of your own sometime…”

What, why?

“…I seldom get to work with male models. Kei presents perfectly as both, wonderfully androgynous, but…”

He’s serious!

“…you would be majestic! You just need a little confidence, my boy!”

Maru pats me on the arm encouragingly while I stare at the screen, still transfixed by the only marginally unhealthy lookin-

“Tai…”

Kaori’s voice reaches out from the changing room.

“…could you help?”

I hand Maru his camera with a grateful nod.

As I lean against the door frame - so it’s easier to hear Kaori - she opens it slightly, and I tumble into the bathroom. I assume she just intended to check where I was, but…

“SORRY!!!”

…my plunge takes everything with me. Unlikely lace and satin briefly fills my vision; far more feminine than her home-wear implies.

She’s going to kill me!

Throwing myself backwards, I roll out again. Managing to hook the door with my foot, pulling it closed behind.

She’d just needed help with a zip!

“Acrobatic as well! You should perform at the next Tokyo Hedonism!”

I can’t help but smile at Maru’s comment, then, almost timidly from the changing room…

“If you are that eager, would you like to try again?”

…not even a tinge of anger?!.

Righting myself, I tap at the door, apologising all the while.

“Just do the zip.”

And, we’re back to cold.

The rest of the shoot goes smoothly - thank god - Kaori the consummate professional.

After extended goodbyes, we agree to come again, and begin our tense trek home.

Eventually, she breaks the silence with a sigh…

“Enjoy your service?”

“What?”

Kaori smirks and raises her face to the faltering sun.

“I was going to buy you dinner, but you have already had dessert, so consider that your payment instead.”

My heart leaps as I involuntarily recall her... ahem! I feel myself turn crimson.

“S… sorry.”

“I am fine with it… being you.”

The weird mood from our first weeks together bubbles up, but this time I get it…

Things are changing between us…