After Picking up a Runaway Girl From the Same University on My Way Home From Work, We Started Living Together in Secret - Chapter 23

Even after hearing about Risa’s past and how she ended up running away from home, our relationship didn’t change.

After all, hearing those stories wouldn’t make me want to kick Risa out, so our cohabitation continued surprisingly peacefully.

“—This seems like the studio where they do the shoots.”

On the weekend, I went with Risa to a certain filming studio.

Today, I was accompanying Risa for a modeling job she had agreed to.

I had originally planned to work, but when I talked to the manager, he kindly allowed me to take the day off.

So, I was able to spend the day with Risa without worrying about work.

“…Is it really okay for me to be here?”

“It’s fine. I got permission. Also…”

“Also?”

“…Never mind. Let’s go.”

Risa spoke fewer words than usual and cut off the conversation, heading into the studio. I followed her inside, wondering if she was nervous.

At the reception, we received entry passes for both of us and were shown to the waiting room.

Inside the waiting room, a young woman smiled at us as she saw us.

She looked to be in her early twenties.

She had a career woman vibe, wearing a pantsuit that suited her perfectly.

“Risa-chan, it’s been a while. It’s nice to see you face to face again. I’m glad you took on the modeling job.”

“It’s been a while, Mio-san. Minato, this is my manager, Minase Mio-san.”

“Thanks for the introduction. —So, you’re the boyfriend everyone’s talking about?”

…Me, the boyfriend everyone’s talking about?

Although Mio-san looked at me with sparkling eyes, I had to deny the baseless rumors.

“…Nice to meet you. I’m Yukimura Minato. And I’m not Risa’s boyfriend.”

“You’re calling her by her first name though?”

“If we’re friends, it’s normal to call each other by our first names.”

“Eh? You’re bringing a guy here, isn’t that the same as saying you’re her boyfriend?”

“At least Risa and I are definitely not a couple.”

“We’re just friends. We’re close, that’s all.”

Risa went along with the story, and Mio-san looked at us with suspicion before smiling.

“It’s a shame for my romance-loving brain that you two aren’t a couple, but since Risa-chan seems to trust you, I’ll let it slide.”

“Ha…”

“Anyway, let’s talk about work.”

With a clap of her hands, Mio-san’s expression turned serious.

She must be in work mode now.

“Today’s goal is to get Risa-chan ready for the shoot. First, we’ll have the artist do her makeup, and then she’ll change into the outfit for the shoot. There will be several outfits, including some of the new designs Risa-chan created. Don’t worry, there’s a dressing room for her.”

“Got it.”

“As for you, Yukimura-kun, just talk to Risa-chan until the shoot starts. That should help distract her from the nerves.”

With that, preparations for the shoot began immediately.

Mio-san left, and a makeup artist came to apply makeup to Risa.

It was almost like magic how fast the artist worked.

I knew Risa wore light makeup normally, but seeing a professional do it made a noticeable difference—Risa’s appearance shifted from cute to more elegant.

Her hair was also styled with braids and various touches.

“…Wow. She’s too cute.”

Even the artist couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

I could understand the sentiment—Risa was exuding an overwhelming aura.

“Minato.”

“What?”

“Am I cute?”

“…It kind of feels like it would be annoying if you keep asking me that, but you really are cute.”

I replied with a shrug, and all she said was a short “I see.” However, Risa smiled softly in the mirror.

This natural, oblivious, clumsy princess really needed to have more confidence in her looks.

Anyway, now that the makeup and hair were done, it was time to change.

After parting with Risa as she went to change, I heard her adjusting her outfit inside the dressing room.

“Minato, come here.”

“…Why?”

“I want you to be the first one to see it.”

She lightly tugged at my sleeve and said this with an upward glance, so I had no reason to refuse.

We both headed to the dressing room, where Risa went inside and closed the partition.

As I waited outside, I could hear the sound of fabric rustling.

Suddenly, the partition opened.

There stood Risa in one of the sample outfits.

What was different from what I remembered was that she had also added matching shoes and accessories.

But none of it felt out of place. Everything was perfectly suited to Risa.

She now gave off the vibe of a refined young lady.

“It looks different, right?”

“…Yeah, maybe. You usually seem a bit more… laid-back.”

“You want to call me lazy?”

“I won’t deny it.”

I asked her if I was wrong, and Risa gave me a slight pout, glaring at me.

It seemed like she was aware of it herself.

Still—there was no doubt that Risa looked incredibly cute.

“Look.”

Risa spoke up and twirled once.

The hem of her long skirt flared out with centrifugal force, and her long, snow-white hair followed. She cast a side glance at me, then smiled faintly.

“Do I look like a model?”

“I think I could take an amazing picture of you.”

“Then take it. It’s just practice.”

“…Got it.”

It would probably turn out much worse than if a professional photographer did it.

Risa probably knew that too, but I couldn’t refuse when she asked.

More than anything, Risa in that moment felt precious to me, and I couldn’t help but feel that way.

I took out my phone, opened the camera, and made sure Risa’s entire figure was in the frame before pressing the shutter.

“Let me see.”

“…”

Feeling flustered as Risa came over to look at the screen with me, I showed her the picture.

For someone who wasn’t a professional, it turned out pretty good, with no blurriness, and Risa looked clear in the shot.

“It turned out well. Want to take another one? This time, let’s take one together.”

…Well, taking a selfie was something friends could do, right?

I convinced myself and answered, “Sure,” before switching to the front camera and adjusting it so both of us were in the shot.

There we were—me with a stiff expression, and Risa with a composed face.

“Minato, your expression is so stiff.”

“I’ve never been good with pictures. But you, Risa… You’re just being you.”

“My expression is kind of flat, I know.”

“…But it feels like you’re smiling quite a bit, right?”

“Really?”

I wondered if Risa had not realized that she had been smiling.

Thinking back to before we started living together, this was already a big improvement.

“Anyway, about the picture…”

“Right.”

Maybe noticing her smile, Risa suddenly made a peace sign, and I couldn’t help but smile a little as I took the shot.

This picture… I definitely couldn’t show it to anyone else.

“Perfect. Send it to me later.”

“Of course.”

I wasn’t going to forget, but I sent the photo to Risa first since it wouldn’t take long.

Risa’s phone pinged with a notification.

“Thanks. I’m all ready now, so let’s head to the studio.”

Risa walked off confidently.

But I knew she must have been nervous.

“Risa.”

“What?”

“I think the studio’s the other way.”

“…………Anyone can make mistakes.”