Arisa's Fake Romance

Chapter 16 - Fashion Battle

We're backstage and are told the first runway event is office wear. The wardrobe setup already as if the contest was expected. Kasumi's footsteps ring through the hall. When she slams open the door she yells, "Arisa-pyon!"

She says, "I heard everything and sorry for getting jealous earlier again. I see how lovey dovey you get with Daiki and wish you could be like that with me. I just wanted to make you caring and passionate."

"O ho ho ho ho, well it didn't bother me one bit."

Kasumi whimpers, "That makes me so sad. But I regretted it too. Please forgive me?"

I look up tapping my chin. "Hmm, how about you treat me?"

Kasumi happily says, "I'll treat you all I want."

We smile looking into each other's eyes and hug each other close.

"The event is almost starting." Saaya reminds us.

I look at the pencil skirts and feel their textures. They don't look bad but the style doesn't speak to me. I look down at the heels and remember when Afterglow played at the KuToo concert. I get dressed in a black knee length pencil skirt with a white blouse and light gray blazer that falls at the top of my hip. I already feel weird as I'm not used to dressing this way, I'm used to playing music but this is a contest and I feel a little nauseous. I reluctantly put on my heels and watch as Miyu is already dressed confidently lifts her chin with her eyes closed flipping back her right drill pigtail. She wears a tan blazer in the same cut as mine with a dark red beret, dark red vest and frilled white blouse. She wears a white leather pencil skirt that falls just above her knee and has light gold buttons along the waist and small diagonal zippers on her hips.

The music starts and Miyu walks down the runway. I can play better synth than this. My pulse races, what did I get myself into?

Phones flash as Miyu confidently walks down the runway as I'm doing my best to keep my balance. She stares forward with such fierce energy, giving off smart, sophisticated, and authority vibes. She's walking back this way and my heart races even faster.

Kasumi sings, "Arisa you're almost up."

I yell, "How can you be so cheerful now?"

Miyu gets back and stares right through my eyes. I can sense her mocking me in her mind. I walk forward but have a hard time keeping my balance. I shyly wave to the audience but there aren't many phone flashes. I breathe quick through my nose, the bottom of my throat pulses and I hope no one notices.

Miyu glares at me crossing her arms. "Having a hard time? That was basically a free win for me. I'm still going to win Daiki from you. Next event is cool street fashion."

I'm in a band so I should win this.

Me and Poppin Party huddle. I ask, "Hmm, it has to be cool fashion, but who do we know like that?"

O-Tae thinks, "Hmm, Saaya?"

Saaya giggles, "O-Tae I don't think they meant that. What about Ran?"

I respond, "Ugh, I can't pull off short shorts like she can."

Kasumi blinks fast a couple of times, "Arisa! That's a great idea! Ran is really cool and it's a cool street fashion stage."

I tell her, "Are you trying to make me lose? Me and Ran don't have the same figure."

Saaya suggests, "What about Himari?"

I ask what would I wear if I were in Afterglow. I wear a knee length lavender plaid wrap around skirt with a faded black shirt that has a melting pink heart with crazy written on it. I also wear fishnet sleeves, black and white stripped socks, and lavender Vans classics.