As the photoshoot finally ended, Raika let out a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as relief washed over her. "Whew, glad that's over," she whispered to herself, feeling the tension slowly drain from her body. The stiff poses, the forced smiles—it had all taken its toll. Her legs ached slightly from standing in heels for so long, and her mind was still buzzing from the constant attention.
She made her way to a stone bench nearby, shaded by the tall, elegant trees that lined the outdoor area of the mall. The afternoon sun cast soft rays through the branches, dappling the ground in patches of golden light. The stone was cool against her skin as she sat down, leaning back into the curved armrest, and for a moment, the world around her seemed to slow.
