They look brighter in person. Nen Uta…' Nen flinched at the sound of his name, nodding in acknowledgment.
'You said your father is a businessman,' the man pressed and his questions were making Nen visibly uncomfortable.
'Yes…' Nen replied politely.
'But your face seems very familiar…' The man's brow furrowed in thought.
'This is my first time meeting you,' Nen attempts a strained smile.
'Not exactly you, but like your elders.' The man's doubt lingered.
'I have no idea how. I have never seen you,' Nen insisted, refusing to concede.
'Might be so.'The man glanced at Aito, his expression unreadable. 'Well, I might be wrong. Let it stay that way for now.'
Shoma leaned in, whispering to Nen, 'Why don't you propose now that you want him as your photographer?'
Just then, Aki entered the meeting room, offering a slight smile and a polite nod to the models. He settled into a distant guest seat, and Nora joined him, sitting beside him.
"How can someone's aura look so impressive like that!" Aki Sato exclaimed to Nen and Shoma.
Without a moment's hesitation, Nen turned to Aito. 'Excuse me, sir! May I know which photographer you are assigning?'
Aito squinted slightly but answered, 'Yes, you can… it's Takano Hide.'
'Why not him? He took our photos much better than Takano-san,' Shoma interjected, pointing at Aki.
The old man looked surprised. 'Him?'
'Yes,'Nen confirmed with a nod.
'He's a great photographer, but his photography genre is different,' Aito explained.
'He is not the best photographer for modeling,' the old man added, a hint of dismissal in his tone.
''These guys don't let slip a chance to say negative things about Aki." Aito sighs.
'Yes, that's true, and he won't take it,' Aito emphasized.
"It's the same as Nora-san answered. But I want you." Nen's gaze was fixed on Aki, who was absorbed in Nora's explanation, a rare smile gracing Aki's lips.
"I thought you didn't smile!" Nen mused, surprised by the unexpected sight of Aki's expression.
After the meeting concluded, Aki finally exited the building. Nen was waiting for him in the parking lot, stepping directly into his path.
Aki smiled upon seeing him. 'Congratulations! You all have become SA's Models and brand ambassadors.'
'Thanks. I couldn't have done that without you.' Nen said.
Aki, a little confused, waited for an explanation.
'You noticed, didn't you?' Nen asked, a confident glint in his eyes.
'What?' Aki was still unaware.
'That my photos did not come out well,' Nen clarified.
'Ah! No… Actually, your aura is different so...I mean the background didn't suit you. It's not you,' Aki explained gently with a reassuring smile on his face.
'Nobody has ever told me that. They said I don't look good when I'm being photographed.' Nen's eyes held a deep admiration for Aki, a feeling Aki clearly sensed.
'I see! You'll do better from now on. The staff are good at their work. You don't have to worry. Okay. See you later, bye!' Aki said, turning to leave without lingering.
'I want you.' Aki froze, Nen's words catching him completely off guard. He took a step back, bewildered. Seeing Aki's confusion, Nen felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. Shoma and Sato watched with keen curiosity.
'I meant… I want you… as our photographer,' Nen quickly corrected but his cheeks flushing red.
'Oh! I see,' Aki with a small smile said.
'Will you?' Nen pressed, eager to hear Aki's thoughts.
'Ah, no! The deal has been finalized,' Aki informed him.
'Change it. I can make changes,' Nen insisted, determined.
'Even if you do, I won't,' Aki stated firmly because he didn't want to.
'Why?' Shoma interjected, joining the conversation.
'I don't do human portraits,' Aki replied, striving to maintain his calm.
Nen countered, 'That can't be the problem.'
Aki tried to explain that it would be a problem, emphasizing that his expertise lay in narrative photography, a genre fundamentally different from what they were requesting. Shoma, however, was not convinced. 'But you took our photos.'
Aki sighed, 'That's because I wanted to show your photographer what needed to be done.'
Aki Sato pointed out, 'Doesn't that mean you are better than him! So why should we take him instead of you?'
'I will change the photographer,' Nen declared, his decision made.
'You can't,' Aki's patience was beginning to wear thin.
'I want you to do this project. I will make it happen anyhow,' Nen insisted stubbornly..
Seeing Nen's obstinate attitude, Aki decided not to waste another second. 'Best of luck. If you can, I won't be your photographer.'
'Why do you think I can't?!' Nen wasn't giving up.
'Why don't you understand! No matter what, I can't do it. I am…' Aki's irritation flared, and he trailed off, unable to continue.
'Then what do you want? I will pay twice or thrice what you usually charge, you just name it.' Nen's comment completely flummoxed Aki, leaving him speechless.
Misinterpreting Aki's stunned silence, Nen gestured to one of his bodyguards to retrieve a check, which he promptly did. Aki remained in shock.
Nen signed the blank check. 'You can put any amount you want.'
"This kid is past 22 yet he behaves so immature!" Aki sighed inwardly thinking. He then looked at the bodyguards and said in a low tone 'Send my regards to Taigen-san.' The bodyguard nodded.
Nen flinched upon hearing Aki's words.. Aki patted him on the shoulder. 'I can see why his father worries about him. I'm sorry, I have to go somewhere.' Aki unlocked his car.
'Wait…'Nen's hand trembled, his mind reeling. "He knows my father? How?"
The Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet began to unfold, revealing its sleek interior. Shoma and Aki Sato were stunned to see Aki's aura. Aki got into the car without another word.
Shoma, mesmerized by the vehicle, stammered, 'Whoa! He has… wait…' Shoma realised, 'how does he know Nen's father? Wasn't it supposed to be a secret?'
Aki Sato and Shoma turned to Nen, who was staring wide-eyed at Aki driving away. Nen, too shaken to answer their questions, turned to his bodyguards. 'Suzuki! How does he know my father?'
'Taigen-san favors him,' Suzuki replied simply.
'Why?' For a moment, Suzuki remained silent.
'Do you want me to repeat that question? How does he know us?' Nen demanded, his teeth grinding in frustration.
'Yes. But it was Waka who always made contact with him and met him,' Suzuki answered.
'Father? Meet with him… personally?' Nen was utterly bewildered by this revelation.
The guard nodded.
'Unbelievable! Why?!' Nen was desperate for answers, but none were forthcoming.
The moment Tanya stepped out, she saw Aki waiting for her. Ayush greeted Aki. Tanya, however, was flustered; she hadn't expected him to arrive so early.
'Nii-san!'Ayush greeted him.
'How are you doing?'Aki asked.
'I'm okay,' Ayush replied.
'That's good. Shall we go, Tanya?' Aki asked, turning to her.
Tanya nodded. Ayush felt a sense of unease. As Aki helped Tanya into the car, and was about to get in himself, Ayush spoke up, 'Nii-san…'
'Hmm?' Aki looked at him.
'Her due date is coming soon. So she needed someone on her behalf to be her guardian. That's why she was here,' Ayush explained, even though Aki hadn't asked.
'Why are you explaining this?' Aki frowned, clearly uninterested.
'Because I need to. She wants me to be her guardian. Not you,' Ayush stated
Aki looked at Tanya, who was sitting in the car, avoiding his gaze. "She doesn't trust me," Aki thought. He had no excuse to offer.
'I see. It's been decided then.' Aki nodded, his voice laced with regret.
'What?'Ayush could see the raw hurt etched on Aki's face.
Aki inhaled deeply. 'It's okay. I know the baby will not get less love if she stays with her uncle… but I won't allow it.'
'I know you will say that. That's why she has transferred custody of her baby to me.' Ayush produced a legal document, presenting it to Aki.
Aki's eyes welled up with tears. He looked at Tanya, his unspoken question echoing in his mind: "Why? Why are you doing this to me?!" He felt utterly helpless, unable to even voice his chaotic thoughts: "She knows I can force her, but in no way would she just give the baby to Ayush instead of Rose? Am I a danger?"
'So be it then. I will not force Tanya's decisions. I'm sure she has her reasons. I will respect that.' This time, Tanya met Aki's gaze.
He got into the car and drove away. For a long while, the silence between them was heavy, Aki's quiet demeanor causing Tanya to feel a pang of guilt.
Finally, she said, 'Senpai…'
'Are you doing this to punish me?' Aki asked directly, his voice quiet.
'Why would I do that?' Tanya said with concern.
Aki didn't answer, focusing intently on his driving. Seeing his mood so low, Tanya felt a deep sadness. ''I'm sorry. It's not to punish you. It's to keep her safe. It's my punishment because I made a deal with Haya. If I hadn't, I could have loved you with all of me. How stupid I was! Trying to achieve what I didn't deserve. Sorry that the greed to have a baby became more important than you. I abandoned myself, I abandoned the love you had for me or I could possibly have in the future if I didn't make a deal with her. I'm sorry for loving you with this selfishness. You got entangled with me. If not, we…"
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted when Aki asked, 'Are you comfortable?'
Tanya was surprised by the question. 'Yes.'
"Why did I get surprised!" Tanya couldn't help but wonder.
Aki nodded. 'Okay. If you are…'
'I will let you know,' Tanya assured him