Itaru Chigasaki/Beware of Jinx

BRIDAL MODEL

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Boss	—— So then, Chigasaki-kun, I'd like to get your help creating wedding pamphlets to support our partners.
	I know it's outside of your line of work, but I hope I can rely on you.
Itaru	Understood. I'll look for a venue that permits photoshoots immediately.
Boss	Haha, you're so reliable. But as I said before, we can't put aside any of the budget for it. Could I ask you to find a model to play the bride along with the wedding venue?
Itaru	—— Sorry? You mean......I'm to look for a model?
Coworker	There are plenty of cute girls and beautiful women hanging around a handsome guy like you, right?
Itaru	That's not true. I'm sure there's a more suitable person than me, so ——
Boss	Don't be so modest. There's bound to be a better response if you call out to them rather than us.
	I'm putting my trust in you, Chigasaki-kun!
Itaru	......Yes. Understood......
Itaru	A model for the bride, huh......What should I do......Hmm......
	......Ah. I thought of something good. Even if she refuses, I should be able to hook her by using 'that'......
Izumi	—— Achoo!
	(I-I just......felt a sudden chill......)
	(It didn't feel like a cold, but I've got a bad feeling......I hope nothing happens ——)
Itaru	I'm home.
Izumi	Welcome back, Itaru-san.
Itaru	Ah, Director, perfect timing.
	There's actually something I'd like to request of you......
Izumi	(A request from Itaru-san......? I've sort of got a bad feeling......)
	W-What is it all of a sudden?
Itaru	Hm? It seems you're quite on guard against me......?
	Well, whatever. Anyway, I'll just tell you the story ——
Izumi	A-A model for the bride......!? T-That's impossible for me! I can't do that!
Itaru	It's fine, it's fine. Even though we're calling it a photoshoot for the pamphlet, it's just from the back.
Izumi	B-But......
	Ah, that's right! You had an older sister, didn't you, Itaru-san! If you try asking her ——.
Itaru	Huhh? There's no way a younger brother can ask his older sister for a favour.
Izumi	(I-Is it like that......!?)
Itaru	Ahh. If you'd agreed to model, I was thinking I'd take you for curry anywhere you liked.
Izumi	Eh!? R-Really, anywhere......?
Itaru	Of course.
Izumi	If that's the case, then even that shop which uses those rare spices is okay......
	But it's hard to pass over the old well-established shop that offers Japanese Black wagyu laid to rest in a mystery sauce for two nights......
Itaru	Wait a second, Director. Don't forget the part about 'if you agree to model the bride'.
Izumi	Hngh............
	......I-I understand. If it's for curry, I'll strip down and help you out.
Itaru	You're being clothed, not stripping, though. Anyway, you're a lifesaver; I'll be in your care on the day.

Izumi	(I was caught by the curry and ended up agreeing to be a model......)
Itaru	Director, come here for a moment.
Izumi	Itaru-san......Is it really okay for me to play the bride? I don't have any confidence whatsoever......
Itaru	It's fine.
Izumi	B-But......
Itaru	Then I'll choose your dress.
Izumi	Ehh......!? You will!?
Itaru	Yes, I will. Then you can't say you have no confidence, right?
	If you do, you'll be saying I didn't make a good choice.
Izumi	T-That's......
Itaru	Umm, the theme colour for this pamphlet is peach blossom......
	......Ah, how about this?
	Yeah, it's not bad. All right, then try this on.
Izumi	Ah......Wait, Itaru-san, even if you just push a dress on me all of a sudden ——.
Itaru	Come on, everyone's waiting.
Izumi	(It's no good; he won't listen to me at all.)
Izumi	(Sigh......I tried it on for the sake of it......but it's kind of like I'm being worn by the dress......)
Venue Staff	It really suits you! The size seems okay too, so let's move to hair and make up like this.
Izumi	Eh!? O-Okay!
Itaru	......The Director's slow......
Izumi	......Um, Itaru-san. I finished changing......
Itaru	Ah, welcome back, Directo —— ngh.
	......
Izumi	Eh, what is it? Is it weird after all!?
Itaru	..............
Izumi	Um......I'll worry if you don't say anything......
Itaru	A-Ahh......Sorry. It's fine. I just thought it really suited you.
Izumi	(I-I wonder if that's true......he seems awkward somehow.)
Filming Staff	Excuse me! It seems the groom will be arriving late so we'll do a light rehearsal first.
	I'd like to check the programme and the standing positions, so for the time being, I'd like Mr Chigasaki to play the groom......
Itaru	Understood.
	Are you all right with that, Director?
Izumi	Y-Yes!
	(I was getting nervous about being with someone I'd never met all of a sudden, so this might be good......)
Filming Staff	Then please be on standby!
Cameraman	First, please link arms and walk down the aisle. When you've come to the altar, lift the bride's veil......
Izumi	(Wait a moment, at this rate we'll get to the vows and the kiss......No, surely they wouldn't go that far......)
Itaru	Director, I'm lifting the veil?
Izumi	G-Go ahead......
Cameraman	Keep going like that; get close enough to kiss.
Izumi	Eh......!?
CHOICE 1: Stay still [+] Itaru Hold on, Director. Your expression's so stiff it's turning into something incredible. Izumi I-It can't be helped......!
CHOICE 2: Create space [+] Itaru Ah......Wait, why are you stepping down? It's a rehearsal. Stay still. Izumi But......!
Itaru	—— Pfft, haha......Director, you're too shaken.
	A wedding is the best day for the bride. You have to look happier.
Izumi	T-The camera won't see my expression, so it's fine!
Filming Staff	Excuse me! The groom has arrived! He's just going to get changed!
Cameraman	All right, then we'll end the rehearsal here! Thank you very much.
Itaru	Then, Director, I'll be watching from the other side during the real thing, so work hard.
Izumi	Ack......Understood.
Izumi	Sigh......It's over......
Itaru	Good work, Director. ......Say, you've already changed.
Izumi	I was wearing it the whole time, so it can't be helped. Itaru-san, you haven't forgotten about the curry, right?
Itaru	Of course not. You really saved me today. Thanks.
Izumi	No, I'm glad I could help. But......
Itaru	What? What is it?
Izumi	Being hooked by curry and agreeing to use my body for this sort of thing is one thing, but......
	They say wearing a wedding dress with no plans of getting married will make you get married later......
Itaru	You're worried about that sort of jinx?
Izumi	It's not a laughing matter!
Itaru	Now, now.
	......If it turns out like that, at that time, shall I have you wear the dress again?
Izumi	Eh.
Itaru	Haha, just joking.
Izumi	(I was being teased......!?)
	Itaru-san! For all my hard labour, I'll make you take responsibility and accompany me to that famous shop you have to wait hours for......!
Itaru	Yes yes, gladly.

Krhs