— MY WALL!
Kaoru was startled by what he had done. Until the day before, he could barely hold the energy in his hands, and now he had released a beam that damaged the structure of his house.
— Sir… I think… maybe today isn't a good day for this… — Megumi commented, carefully choosing her words.
— And why wouldn't it be?
— Maybe your emotional state isn't… the most suitable… today…
Kaoru's eyes turned to Megumi. The seriousness in his gaze felt like it was going inside her and reading her completely. Under the pressure, she looked away. She felt embarrassed and uneasy.
— Ahhh… Have you heard about my life? — Kaoru complained.
— I'm sorry… I ended up overhearing the staff talking…
— Good! Let that be a lesson, don't get married.
Kaoru's words were too pessimistic and pragmatic for Megumi, and she began to feel uncomfortable. Still maintaining her composure, she challenged his statement.
— I know you're going through a difficult moment. But many people find someone and are happy.
— In our line of work it's all appearances. At first the person is lovely, then they want everything you have, even your soul…
— But not everyone—
— Why are you with Will? — Kaoru interrupted Megumi.
The two were already clashing through their gazes. Extremely provocative, he didn't believe her words. She, in turn, couldn't understand his hopelessness, but now the conversation was escalating beyond what she accepted.
— But… what does my personal life have to do with this?
— Oh, please, Megumi… Everyone knows he never sticks to just one woman.
Megumi took those words as a shock. She thought there was no reason for Kaoru to make that up just to provoke her, and that left her speechless. Kaoru froze when he realized the impact his words had on her. Tense, he placed his hand on his head while breathing deeply.
— From your face… you have no idea what you're getting into… — Kaoru began walking toward the exit. — Look on the bright side… You're not married, you don't have to go through the stress of divorce.
That day, the training did not continue, and they didn't exchange any more words. Megumi ended up going to her room early. Kaoru distracted himself with work.
June 24th, 6 AM
The day hadn't even dawned yet and Megumi was already up. She had already understood Kaoru's routine and decided she should meet him early.
— I'll tell Kaoru I'm only staying today…
Still silent, it was possible to hear the sound of the door opening. The hallway lights were on, and someone was waiting in front of the room.
— Finally awake, good morning. I need some promotional photos. Your friend can't, and obviously you're the second option. — said Kaoru.
The man leaning against the wall didn't seem to have been waiting that long, despite wearing casual clothes. Megumi's face showed her confusion, she finished opening the door and looked at him.
— Ahhh, when?
The model's hair was messy. Her eyes were swollen, red, and moist. The deep dark circles gave away her terrible night of sleep. Not even her usual politeness held, and he noticed all of it.
— You look awful. Can you fix that?
— You really have no tact with women, do you?
— I'm hiring you, I need your face.
— How much time do I have?
— I'd give you ten minutes, but I have other things to handle, so I can give you an hour.
— Thank you.
Megumi closed her bedroom door and went to compose herself. In the end, nothing went as she had planned, but at least she gained a work opportunity. Vacchiano went to his office to organize the final details of the photoshoot.
Finalia
The rush was also happening on another planet. In the luxurious corridors of Ayami's base, hurried steps made their way to the sovereign's room.
— Lady Ayami, we came as quickly as possible. What is the urgency? — asked Itzel.
He and Maureen had been summoned by Ayami, who received them seated on her sofa, dressed elegantly and with a sly smile on her face.
— Very good, you came promptly. I am summoning you for an attack mission.
The two froze at the request. Itzel broke into a cold sweat, but stepped forward with questions.
— But ma'am, after what happened with Heidi and Yesenia, weren't we supposed to stay focused on the core?
— And have we had any results? I don't see anything happening. You are warriors, these losses are expected. I want results. I'm tired of being passive with you.
Ayami's expression had grown sharper. Her orders were not to be questioned, and both of them felt it.
— Alright, we'll go — Itzel agreed, lowering his head.
Maureen looked at him with pity, but felt unable to say anything.
— Attack the school. You already know they're there.
The school? The situation was becoming more serious, every step would have to be taken with much more caution from now on.
School
That same winter morning, classes were happening normally. It wasn't cold enough to wear winter uniforms, and only the more sensitive students were already wearing coats.
It was break time, and as usual, the girls gathered to talk.
— Buy or rent? — Akiko asked, without context.
— What are you talking about, Akiko? — Miyu asked, furrowing her brows.
— If you don't buy or rent, the embarrassment is smaller — Yukino replied with a cynical expression.
— But Yuki! Festa junina outfits are so cute! — Akiko explained.
— But I don't like wearing them… — Yukino complained.
— You understood what she meant so quickly! — Miyu commented, impressed with Yukino.
— Must be living together…
Akiko spotted Naoko and went toward her.
— What about you, Naoko?
— The class decided to have one made for me… They gave it to me today…
Akiko's eyes sparkled like there were stars inside them as she looked at Naoko, enchanted:
— WOW! YOU'RE REALLY POPULAR!
Naoko gave a nervous smile when she heard her friend's praise and replied:
— DON'T SAY THAT LIKE IT'S A GOOD THING!
— I bought mine, so I can wear it again next year — Aino said, who had been listening.
— I'm going to borrow one from my cousins! — Minami said.
Miyu, who didn't want to spend money on a dress, took advantage of Minami's comment and asked:
— Do you think one of your cousins would have one for me?
— I'm sure they will! They have a bunch!
The conversation continued, exciting for some, unpleasant for others. The certain thing was that all of them would be at Saturday's festival. Akiko still hadn't solved her problem and, as a last resort, hugged Yukino, begging.
— YUKI! COME LOOK WITH ME!
— Fine… I'll go with you.
Photo studio, BC City
— Perfect! We're done! — said the person in charge of the shoot.
The exclusive photos for a famous magazine were done with Megumi and Ethan. He was an up-and-coming new model who had gradually been gaining major brands, and that morning had been surprised with the invitation to shoot with Vacchiano.
The entire team was impressed with the shoot. The set manager, Crystal, stood beside Kaoru and didn't hold back her praise.
— I can't believe we finished so early and it turned out so good.
— Was it really good? The speed was impressive — Kaoru commented.
Crystal adjusted her glasses as she continued.
— This model is very easy to work with. She's as professional as Hitomi! And also very friendly and cheerful!
— Ah… She hands out smiles like a beauty queen…
— Ah… And about the new male model… It's easy to see why he's been gaining popularity. He's friendly with all the staff. Easy to deal with and still works well. — She paused and turned her face to Vacchiano, looking at him seriously. — Mr. Vacchiano, I've worked with you since you took over. May I say something honestly?
— Hm? Of course.
— I'm glad you canceled with Will. I understand he was important to the brand because he was famous, but now there are new ones coming.
Crystal paused slightly. She didn't know how her boss would react, but felt it was necessary.
— Will has always been arrogant, he's been harassing the younger women on the staff… He also insults employees. It hasn't been pleasant at all.
Kaoru's face showed a kind of shock rarely seen. He felt his blood boil. A heat, unrelated to the external temperature, took over his body.
— AND WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS WAS HAPPENING? I DON'T SEE EVERYTHING.
— I'm telling you now. It wouldn't help to say it without someone else to recommend.
The brand owner looked at the employee. He lowered his head and closed his eyes for a moment, then calmed down and looked at her again.
— Always tell me. I will always find a way to solve it.
Kaoru's phone began to vibrate in his pants pocket as they spoke. He took his golden flip phone in hand and opened it to check who was calling, and the screen showed:
WILL
Calling…
Seriously?, he thought. To him it felt like irony, the very man they were talking about calling at that moment. Vacchiano answered with a dry tone.
— What do you want?
— I'm outside the studio, I want to have a word with you.
— I'm coming.
Quietly, without saying what he would do, Kaoru left the shoot and went outside. Will was sitting on the hood of his car, arms crossed, parked far enough not to be noticed by the staff.
— What's going on? — Kaoru asked.
— You texted me this morning canceling the shoot.
— Yes. I explained that the theme suited another model better. I canceled with Hitomi too, any problem?
— And who did you call? You know very well she's the best in the field… What are you hiding?
— Me? Nothing. I called Megumi. The clothes she wore in the last catalog sold the most.
Will sighed, became more serious, tightening his arms. He tried to hold back his irritation, but his voice didn't hide it.
— Megumi hasn't answered my messages since yesterday. Do you know anything about that?
— And do I have anything to do with your relationship?
— …Maybe you do… I heard she's staying at your house. How do you explain that?
— Yes, she is. We're doing training and she's in the guest house, like any other guest.
Each of Will's remarks was answered with complete confidence by Kaoru, who showed full control of the situation. Inside his pocket, however, the businessman clenched his hand tightly, concentrating all his nervousness.