デミ人間 (Demi Human)

Chapter 5 : The Game Begins

(Minami enters the studio to look for her uncle... at the same time, Koutani, his manager and the others arrive also) (Koutani sees her)

Koutani : That girl...
Manager : (instructing the other guys) Hurry up. Make-up artist, the stylist... I'll leave everything to you then.
Make-up Artist : Hai.
Hair Stylist : Hai.
Manager : (turns to Koutani) Koutani-kun. Let's proceed... huh? (Koutani's gone) Ko-Koutani-kun?

(Inside the studio)

Minami : Uncle!
Hiroki : Ah! Mi-chan! They're here already.
Minami : Eh? Um uncle, I just want to...
Koutani : (enters) Aah! You must be... Azuki Hiroki?
Hiro and Mina : (looks at Koutani)
Hiroki : Oh! Tamaki-san! I was just on my way to greet you. (bows)
Koutani : Iya. Daijoubu. I was excited enough to see what's inside your studio. (looks at Minami)
Minami : (not looking)
Hiroki : Where's your manager?
Koutani : Preparing things.
Hiroki : Ahh... sou ka.
Koutani : (goes over to Minami) Is she... your student?
Minami : Eh?
Hiroki : Oh no... (chuckles) She's my niece. Her name's...
Koutani : Minami, right? (smiles at her)
Minami : (speechless)
Hiroki : You know my niece? (wonders)
Koutani : I've read an article about you awhile ago.
Minami : Article? About me?
Koutani : You're a painter, right?
Minami : H-hai.
Koutani : (smiles) Subarashii. I am an admirer of art, myself.
Minami : Oh... I see. (feels shy) I'm glad you've chosen my uncle's studio for your photoshoot. It means a lot to him...
Koutani : No. I think something might have brought me to this place... and it's not just by any chance or what...
Minami : Huh?
Koutani : Moshikashite... unmei deshou? (Could it be... fate?)
Minami : (unsure laugh)
Koutani : (laughs) Kimi wa kawaii ne. (You're cute.)
Manager : (enters) Koutani! You're here! (sighs) I was wondering where you went.
Koutani : (rolls his eyes) You took so long giving instructions so I went head.
Manager : You need to get ready now.
Koutani : Wakatta. (looks at Minami) Would you care to join me for coffee after the shoot?
Minami : Me? uh... (looks at his uncle)
Hiroki : (encourages her)
Minami : Well... S-sure. If you like.
Koutani : It will be a pleasure. Please excuse me for now. (goes to the other room) (the manager and others follow him)
Minami : Uncle.
Hiroki : Yes?
Minami : Can I borrow a camera?
Hiroki : (surprised) Why? You're into photography now? (laughs) That's my niece!
Minami : (chuckles) Not really. I just wanted to take Keisuke's photo with the view. It will be my next painting.
Hiroki : Oh... I see. Sure. Wait here. (goes over to his cabinet andd pulls off a camera) (goes back to her) You can use this.
Minami : Arigatou.
Hiroki : Photography is also an art. (chuckles and winks at her)
Minami : Un. Ganbarimasu! (laughs and leaves)

(At the dressing room)

(The hair stylist is busy doing Koutani's hair)

Manager :( looking outside the window) This place is amazing.
Koutani : Ah yes. (smiles and reads the magazine with Minami's article)
Manager : There's a great view and the place is so... nature-like. Maybe we can also shoot outdoors after.
Koutani : You're asking too much from me.
Manager : Just a few shots, perhaps. (notices Minami and Keisuke) Hey, isn't that the girl in the article? (turns to Koutani)
Koutani : (still reading) I met her a while ago... and even had a conversation... and then... (thinks) You came and interrupted us. (looks annoyed)
Manager : Uh... maa... sou desu ne. (Uh, well... is that so?)
Koutani : (sighs)
Manager : Excuse me for a while. I'm going to have a word with Azuki-san then. When you're done, proceed to the studio then. (leaves)

(After a while, the stylist and make-up artists finished with Koutani and excused themselves)

Koutani : (stands up and looks at the window and also sees Minami with Keisuke) ... that guy...? Who the...?

(A guy enters the room after the others leave... it was Ryushiferu but he looked simple wearing a black shirt that had a print "Lucifer" on it and faded pants)

Koutani : (notices him) Excuse me? And who might you be?
Ryushiferu : Tamaki Koutani, right? The model?
Koutani : Yes.
Ryushiferu : I'm Kuro. And I brought your attire.
Koutani : Ah... (wonders)
Ryushiferu : I'm just a part-timer here... like an assistant to Hiroki-san. Please allow me, Tamaki-san.
Koutani : Sure. (turns around)
Ryushiferu : (puts on his jacket and scarf)
Koutani : You work here, you say?
Ryushiferu : Hai.
Koutani : ... I see. (looks outside the window)
Ryushiferu : (looks as well) Oh! Minami-chan and Kei-chan.
Koutani : Kei-chan?
Ryushiferu : (smiles) That's Minami, Hiroki-san's niece... and the guy is Keisuke.
Koutani : Are they...?
Ryushiferu : They're childhood friends... and I bet they get closer each time.
Koutani : (becomes silent and observes how Minami and Keisuke fool around each other) Childhood... friends...
Ryushiferu : Un.
Koutani : You seem to know those two well enough.
Ryushiferu : Not really. But everytime I see them, they're always together. Can be mistaken to be a couple, ne?
Koutani : ... (looks away)
Ryushiferu : But I think there's a little problem though...
Koutani : (stops and his curiousity arouses)
Ryushiferu : I heard lately that the poor guy lost his job... he works for a magazine company... "Kakko Otoku" was it?
Koutani : Kakko Otoku?
Ryushiferu : Un. But the poor guy was fired... and had become quite unfortunate... He's really a good guy... but he just lacks confidence
in him... such a pity, really.
Koutani : (thinks)
Ryushiferu : (sighs) That's probably the reason that's stopping him from telling her his feelings... I think he feels that he's not going to be good enough for her.
Koutani : Sou...
Ryushiferu : (chuckles) Well... (turns to Koutani) I'm talking too much again... I should be going. Perhaps your manager is also waiting at the studio with Hiroki-san.
Koutani : (looking outside the window)
Ryushiferu : Please do your best, Koutani. (evil grin) I do think Minami-chan deserves a guy like you.
Koutani : Huh? Pardon me? (looks around but Ryushiferu disappeared) Where did he...?
Manager : (enters the room) Koutani-kun! (notices that he's ready) Oh! You're ready. I told you to proceed to the studio. Come on now. Hayaku.
Koutani : Hey. Did you see that guy go out?
Manager : Eh? Who?
Koutani : This guy... umm... Kuro-san?
Manager : Kuro? No. I think you're reading too much. Come now.
Koutani : (wonders) (follows his manager)