“What exactly was that?” Derek murmured quietly as he sat down in Haruka’s plush leather chair, taking on an irritated look that fit his mood perfectly. “You saw what it was. I know you’re a grown man with a taste for women, you can’t exactly say you don't know what I was doing” Haruka slid in smoothly, causing Derek to relax at her player-like attitude. “I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds Mr. Ten'oh. Forgive my rudeness. We need to discuss a few things before we leave next week. Now, transportation is all set up. Busses for the girls arrive next Friday at 8 in the morning and we hit the first beach the next morning. Now, which lines of clothes shall I have ready…?” Haruka sighed, relaxing in the chair opposite her assistant, waiting patiently for the meeting to end so she could rescue Michiru from her secretary’s teasing… “And then she called here and told me to set up your contract! She really likes you ya know.” the bubbly brunette giggled as Michiru’s face flushed slightly. They’d been talking for nearly an hour as they waited for Haruka to come back. “So does everyone know that she’s…well, female?” the aqua haired girl asked, averting her face as she changed the subject. Chelle smirked, but let it go, sliding onto the desk in one neat move. “No way. I know because I’ve been around her since grade school. Photography is still a mainly male dominated field, so Haruka’s looks get her far. Everyone thinks she’s a guy. Except Usagi and the girls. And a couple others you’ll meet pretty soon. In fact, if you hang with me, I’ll introduce them to you. There’s a meeting for the girls and the crew in an hour. Oops!” Chelle giggled, looking at her watch, “make that 10 minutes. I never thought talking could be so much fun. Then again, I have a feeling being on your good side will come in handy in the future…near future…” the woman murmured cryptically, sliding off the desk before snatching up a clip board, motioning for the door. Michiru sighed, wondering how they could all deal with such a fast paced life as she followed her newest friend out the door, into the large room that she’d come from an hour ago. She blinked slightly as the sound of soft laughter rang out as they stepped into the room. She was surprised with the site of a group of women and men milling around the spacious room. “When did they come?” she asked as Chelle giggled beside her, twirling a curl around one graceful finger as she gazed with fondness at most in the room, blushing as one of the two blond men by the windows winked at her. The other, his blond hair spiked with gel, wearing baggy pants and a clean white buttoned shirt, seemed at odds with the first, who wore a well- tailored suit, his blond hair slicked back from his face. “Those are Mike and Taylor.” Chelle murmured, saying the latter name with a slight swoon in her voice. “Chelle! Hello darling!” A soft voice called out, a slight British accent curling around each word, causing Michiru to smile. Chelle did too as they turned to see a young woman with fiery copper tresses framing a sweet face and sharp steel grey eyes, denying anyone the chance to think her anything but what she was. “Michiru, I’d like you to meet Lilica Johnson. Lil, this is the new girl, Michiru.” Chelle introduced them, glancing up as the two shook hands, a dreamy look coming to her eyes as a charming smile curved her lips, “hey Mike…Taylor” she murmured, a seductive note in her voice as she spoke the lightly blushing boy’s name. “Michiru hmmm? Nice to meet you.” A husky voice laughed beside her, causing her to jump before looking up at the man who looked almost exactly like Haruka, except for the spiked hair and baggy jeans. “Michiru, this is my partner, Mike. She’s Haruka’s cousin” Lil murmured, causing Michiru to gape at her before glancing back at Mike, who was laughing softly as she wrapped her arms around the British girls waist, bestowing a light kiss to her forehead. ‘Must be in the family.’ She thought before several other greetings took her attention as she met with lighting crew, set up, and other parts of the vast company…. Haruka sighed with relief as she looked down at her watch, a smile curving her lips as she held up her hands to interrupt Derek in the middle of his rant on the DSC team. Apparently he thought Lil and Mike were replaceable. “Derek, buddy, our meeting.” The blond reminded, standing up and stretching the stiffness from her joints. “Right. Lets go then.” The man across from her murmured, getting up with an irritated grumble, still obviously upset with whatever stunt Lil had talked Mike and her secretary into doing. For some reason, the two British didn’t get along as well as they once did. (An: sorry Dev, but it fits the story, you’ll see! *singsong voice*) Walking to the large wooden doors, Haruka swung them open, earning dead silence as she walked over to where Michiru was, sitting on one of the couches, surrounded by crew members. Haruka groaned as she looked around the room, not seeing the five faces she should have. Her models. “We’re here! We’re not late! I’m sorry!” Haruka winced, fearing for her doors as Usagi, followed by four others, came flying into the room. Her eyes widened slightly as one more figure poked her head into the room, her long forest green hair spilling around her shoulders. “Setsuna, my dear, I’m glad you could make it.” Haruka heard Derek drawl from behind her. The older woman blushed, her magneta eyes snapping with fire as she walked stiffly to the couches, plunking herself down beside Michiru with a slight smile in the dazed girls direction. “Lighten up Derek. Now,” Haruka started, turning her attention to the crowd, “I’m glad you all made it. I’d like you to meet our newest model, Michiru! Come up here Miss Kaioh.” Michiru blushed, but stood up, dutifully walking up the two stairs out of the sunken area to take Haruka’s proffered hand. “Michiru, I’d like you to meet the other models, Ami Mizuno, Minako Aino, Rei Hino, and Makoto Kino.” The four girls stepped forward, each wearing a kimono that just seemed to FIT. The first, a shy looking girl with short blue hair and sparkling blue eyes smiled, taking her hand in a firm grip before stepping back to let a tall brunette with dark green eyes say hello. The next was a bubbly blond, her light blue eyes seeming to laugh as she took on a comically dramatic pose, dropping to her knee and kissing the blushing Michiru’s hand. “She’s an actress.” Haruka murmured helpfully in her ear, making Michiru smile. The last girl was a tall raven-haired beauty with cold looking violet eyes. She stepped forward, but simply bowed before walking back to her friends. “That was Rei, she’s a very suspicious girl. She’ll warm up to you when she gets to know you better. And finally, my two leading ladies, whom I’ve missed terribly. Usagi, and Setsuna. They’re co-managers of the photo shoots.” The blond finally said, giving a satisfied grin as the last two met, Setsuna giving her a knowing look before leading Michiru back to the couches, Usagi staying up with Haruka and Derek. “Now, does anyone have a problem with being ready by Friday at 8? No? Good. Any questions? No? Good! So, mill around, enjoy your last week before putting your noses to the grindstone!” Haruka chirped, earning several groans and ‘boos’. Leaving the bulk of the ‘people’ work to Derek, Haruka jumped down the two steps, smiling down at Michiru regretfully. “I’m afraid I’ve got to go back to my office, but Setsuna is going to introduce you to the line of suits with the other girls, and Usagi has offered to take you shopping, talk to Chelle about your new ID and timetables, and…if you need a place to stay, my place is free for your use.” Haruka finished lamely, handing the blushing girl a small plastic card, “the floor above this one is my apartment. Just use that card, and…yea. I’ll see ya later…maybe” Michiru watched with a dazed look as the blond turned, walking out of the room into her office as someone laughed from behind her. “Boy, has she got it bloody bad” Lil giggled, nudging Setsuna, who simply smiled reassuringly at Michiru. “So, Are we going shopping or what?!” the girl known as Usagi chimed in, getting a chorus of agreements and cheers from the other models and Lil as Mike and the other men gracefully (or bluntly) backed out, each knowing the chances they took in going shopping. Usagi scowled slightly before doing a once over on Michiru’s slightly grubby jeans and dirty white shirt. Her figure was fine. Like all the other model’s she’d seen, but there was something in Michiru’s eyes, a fear, or strength, that just seemed to add to her allure. Usagi sighed, shaking her head before slipping an arm through Michiru’s, starting in on her favorite subject as the small group left. Mamoru.
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