After dinner, Kyoko lingered, reluctant to leave, and finally gathered the courage to make a request.
"Mr. Miyazawa, you are my idol! I admire you so much and love Sunray King deeply. In fact, my major is directly related to the fields your company operates in. Could I take a photo with you?" Kyoko asked eagerly, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Chloe Grace tugged at Kyoko's sleeve and whispered, "Kyoko..." trying to signal her to restrain herself. As an adult, requesting a fan photo like a giddy teenager was embarrassing. As her friend, Chloe felt secondhand embarrassment.
"What? Chloe, Mr. Miyazawa is my idol! I must get a photo with him!" Kyoko declared without hesitation. She pulled out her phone, switched to camera mode, and handed it to Chloe. "Can you take the picture for us?"
"Kyoko~" Chloe sighed.
Unexpectedly, Yuto Miyazawa smiled and made a surprising offer. "Miss Kyoko, since you're interested in a photo, why not visit my company? We have a professional photography studio there. You can also take a tour of Sunray King."
"Your company?" Both Kyoko and Chloe blinked in surprise.
"Oh my gosh! Mr. Miyazawa, are you serious? I can actually visit Sunray King?" Kyoko's excitement skyrocketed. She clutched Chloe's hand tightly, her voice rising with enthusiasm. "Chloe, look! Mr. Miyazawa is so generous! Not only is he rich and handsome, but he's also incredibly kind! I admire him so much!"
Chloe internally rolled her eyes. *Hopeless fangirl.* She considered suggesting they just go back to their dorm, but since Yuto had already extended an invitation—and considering he had treated them to dinner—it would feel impolite to refuse.
"Alright," she agreed with a nod.
"Yay!" Kyoko cheered and gleefully linked arms with Chloe as they followed Yuto out of the restaurant.
---
Sunray King's photography studio was impressively spacious, with a runway stage right next to it.
While Kyoko was engrossed in taking photos with Yuto, Chloe wandered over to the runway. Seeing that no one was watching, a whimsical thought crossed her mind. What would it feel like to walk down the runway like a real model?
Before she realized it, she had already started mimicking the confident strides of professional models. Step by step, she walked the length of the runway, posing slightly at intervals, feeling an unexpected thrill course through her. If only she were taller, she might have even considered a career in modeling. She loved this glamorous feeling, the rush of being on stage. Besides, her studies were closely related to runway set design. Her initial plan had been to return home and look for work near Blaine Jackson, but since he had come to Japan instead, she was likely to stay even after graduation next month.
Lost in her own world, Chloe strutted down the runway, occasionally striking playful poses. Although her movements were far from polished, she was having a great time. She was so absorbed in her impromptu performance that she failed to notice the approaching figure until the sound of clapping jolted her back to reality.
Turning sharply toward the sound, her eyes widened. "Yuto?" Oh no. She had completely forgotten she was in someone else's company building, acting as if she owned the place. "When did you get here? Where's Kyoko?" she asked in embarrassment, scanning the area.
"Kyoko already left. She asked me to let you know," Yuto replied with a warm smile. "Chloe, do you like the runway? You looked quite immersed in it just now."
"Huh? Oh, that… No, no, I was just... I was bored while you two were taking photos, so I... Ah, I mean, I was the one feeling bored, not that your photoshoot was boring! I..." Chloe fumbled over her words, growing more flustered by the second. The more she tried to explain, the messier it became. Even in the chilly air, she felt beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
Yuto chuckled. "You're adorable, Chloe."
"Huh?" Chloe froze, blinking rapidly in disbelief.
"Kyoko mentioned that you're studying runway production and backstage set design?" Yuto's gaze shifted to the surrounding stage equipment. "Chloe, would you be interested in an internship at Sunray King?"
"What?!" Chloe was stunned. Why was Yuto suddenly being so generous to her? "Are you serious?"
"Of course." His smile deepened as he reached for her hand, gently leading her down from the runway before letting go. "Next month, we're collaborating with Blue Mirage on a fashion show. The backstage production will be managed by Japan's renowned stage designer, Ichiro Yamada. If you're serious about this field, I can introduce you to him."
"Ichiro Yamada?" Chloe's breath hitched. Every student in her field knew his name. He was a legend, Japan's most respected stage production master. But he was also notoriously difficult to work with and had never taken on an apprentice. Could Yuto really convince him to mentor her?
"You don't believe me?" Yuto's eyes twinkled with amusement. "I can call him right now and arrange a meeting."
"No!" Chloe quickly stopped him. "It's not that I don't believe you... I just—thank you for the offer. I'll think about it."
"Alright then. Let's go. We should head to Blue Mirage now."
Chloe nodded, following him off the runway. But as they passed the photography studio, a group of stunning models was posing for a shoot.
"Whoa! The boss brought in a little beauty!" one of the models, Lisa, exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention to Chloe.
Caught off guard, Chloe smiled awkwardly, wanting nothing more than to escape. But before she could, Yuto was swarmed by his models.
"Boss, is she your girlfriend?"
"Is she Chinese or Korean?"
"Why didn't you introduce her at the celebration party? You should treat us to a meal!"
"Boss~!"
"Alright, alright," Yuto feigned a stern expression. "Aren't you all supposed to be working? Get back to your assignments."
The models reluctantly backed off, giggling among themselves as they returned to their shoot.
Turning to Chloe, Yuto offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. They like to joke around."
"It's fine," she assured him quickly. "Let's just go."
And with that, she hurried out of Sunray King, her heart still racing from the unexpected turn of events.