Muse On Ice

1.

 "Hello, Ito-san? Yes, yes the costume will be ready by the end of this week. Okay. Yes. Bye."

I sighed, eyeing the fabrics in front of me. Can I really get this done by the end of the week? I checked the time on my phone.  Tuesday 12:25 am.

" I can do this. It's just another challenge from Ito-san" I told myself, trying to hype myself up.

I plugged in my earphones, tuning in to my playlist, flipping the pages of my sketchbook. The figure wearing an elegant blue outfit with a V back, lined with green and gold gemstones and ruffles, the sleeves equally as beautiful, a gradient of different hues of blue. I analyzed the sketch, memorizing the notes I've written on the side. I turned on my sewing machine and got to work, carefully merging the iridescent fabrics together, one by one, into the night.

The room was cold, the faint sounds of the air conditioner could be heard in the silent space I was in. The work-in-progress spread out on my work table, a container of beads and embellishments at one corner, my beloved fabric scissors that my parents gifted me when I got into design school on the other. I gradually opened my eyes, my vision still adjusting to the brightness of the room. I looked over to the clock opposite me.

" Ugh... It's only 6 in the morning... why am I awake..?" I mumbled to myself groggily. I took ahold of my phone, checking my messages.

Unknown Number: Please meet with Mr. Hanyu this afternoon, 4pm, at Kristen's Koffee.

My initial thoughts were that it was just a scam text, but I remembered Ito-san talking about this Hanyu person before. It seemed like he was just a regular back then, a friend of hers that skates too.

" Eh, since Ito-san mentioned this guy before, I should be fine, right?"

Having such a tight schedule to finish such a detailed project like this, I wasted no time in continuing my work from last night, now focusing on sewing the little gemstones and embellishments in. I know the few precious hours more I use to do this somewhat tedious task will help me later on, speaking from the multiple occasions where I had to do almost one full project in a day.

It was nearing 3.30pm and I was already dressed and ready, not that the meetup point was far, in fact it was conveniently close to my apartment, but I just wanted to take my time to walk around, also I get lost everytime I have to go to Shibuya Station so I have to factor in that too.

I finally left my apartment after days of being cooped up inside, and took a deep breath of the fresh air. I walked briskly to the station, avoiding the crowd of tourists and school girls loitering around the exit. After about 2 short stops, I finally reached the bustling Shibuya Station. Maybe Lady Luck was finally with me because for perhaps the first time, I navigated through the station with no problems.