***************************************Author's Note***********************************

Today's my birthday so as a gift from me to you guys, here's an update. Hope you enjoy this quick one. Douzo!

-sachiyo_sama

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“Two months. It’s been exactly two months since we’ve had so much fun, Mao-chi!” Becky declared while firmly gripping Mao’s shoulders and shaking her as if she’s just a doll.

“Yeah. So?” replied Mao in a bored tone, completely ignoring the fact that she was being shaken by her best friend.

Seeing that her friend may be kind of irritated by her behavior, Becky released Mao and acted as if nothing happened. “What I’m trying to say is, I think it’s time for us to have a break from work and do something fun, much like what we did last time.”

“No. Nononono. No.” Mao motioned a cross with her hands and forcefully shook her head ‘no’. “I’m never going to pull off that kind of stunt again.”

“Well then, it’s your call. I’m just suggesting things to liven up your days. You do realize that all these months you’ve been completely engrossed with work, don’t you?”

“That I’m guilty of. I just can’t say no to huge amounts of workload.” Mao nodded in approval.

“See, Mao-chan. All you do now is work and work. What about your plans of conceiving? Have you abandoned this plan already?” Becky pointed out.

Mao crossed her legs and looked as if she’s deep in thought. “I haven’t completely forgotten about my plan but the thing is after I did what I think I did with those boys, I believe that it’s not the right time for me to be messing around. What I did in that night was wild enough for me not to flirt for about, I don’t know, maybe one year tops?”

“Whatever you say, Mao-chi. But I don’t think you can avoid boys parading around you, especially the ones that you spend the night with. I just have this hunch that you’ll be meeting them soon enough.” Becky declared with conviction.

“Hmm. A designing contest huh?” Mao exclaimed aloud after scanning the contents of the flier Maki handed to her a while ago.

“Precisely. I know it’s been ages since you’ve entered something like this. The moment I saw this announcement on one of the bulletin boards in the building, I immediately thought of you. It wouldn’t hurt if you try, right?” Maki nudged her friend to participate in this competition.

Mao decided to carefully read the details of the contest first.

The theme of this contest is “The Best Man”. The flier basically stated that designers should be able to show and enhance the best features of the male species through an ensemble. However the contest requires each participant to submit at least five different designs that would correspond for winter, spring, summer, and fall clothing and one formal wear that a man would have as a wedding suit.

‘Hmm. Designing men’s clothing is not really my forte but a challenge would be good for enhancing my craft’ Mao thought.

“Okay Maki. Challenge accepted. I’ll join thing competition but only if you’ll be the one to pass my application form. I’ll need to work right away so I don’t have time to bother with passing those requirements. Will you please be such a dear and do this bothersome task for me? Pretty please?” Mao showed Maki her puppy dog pout and her friend immediately gave in to Mao’s wishes.

Maki was about to say her goodbye to Mao when she remembered one detail. “Wait a minute Mao. Have you really read the all of the contents in that flier? You are well aware of the prizes the winner will receive, aren’t you?”

The designer within her really didn’t bother about the prize at stake. Mao was only after the challenge of designing men’s wardrobe. If Maki hadn’t pointed that out, she really wouldn’t care about it. “Let’s see. It says here that the winning designs would be worn by famous artists and would be featured in a fashion magazine. The designer would also have the chance to meet those artists and be on the cover of the magazine with them.

“Sounds good enough for me. I’m not fond of modeling clothes since I prefer only designing them but I don’t really mind to be doing it once in a while.” Mao was convinced enough to join.

“Well then that’s nice. I also think that it would be a great advertisement for Hime’s Kiss. What I’m curious about though is the identity of those artists who would be modeling the winning designs. I just hope they’ll be good looking enough to match the beauty of your clothes if ever you win. Oohh I just can’t wait to see your sketches come to life!” Maki can’t help but express her giddiness.

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Congratulations!

That was the first thing Mao read in the letter her maid just fetched from the mailbox. Knowing where the letter came from, that single statement was enough to make her shout with glee.

Mao hurriedly ran into her room and fished out her mobile phone from her bag. She pressed speed dial number 4 and it connected to Maki.

“Yatta! I did it! I did it!” Maki was greeted with a loud cry of excitement.

“Whoa! Chotto mate, Mao-chan. You’ll be breaking my eardrums if you don’t stop shouting. Tell me what’s going on and why you are shouting so early in the morning…” mumbled an obviously still very sleepy Maki.

“I just received a letter from the design competition I entered and guess what. It says that I won the contest! It never occurred to me that I’d really win in this.” Surprise can be heard from Mao’s voice.

“Oh wow! Omedetou Mao-chan! I knew you’d definitely win. I mean seriously those clothes were to die for. I swear I’m already falling in love with the mannequins that are temporarily wearing your designs. But wait ‘til those clothes are worn by real men. Just thinking about it makes me ready to hyperventilate.” Maki expressed her congratulations for her designer friend. She also can’t help but make known of her feelings of excitement too about the modeling of her friend’s designs.

“Did the letter mention the name/s of the ones that will wear your designer clothes?” Maki just had to inquire about their identity.

“Fortunately, yes. It says here that my designs would be modeled by the boy band called Arashi. Do you have any idea who they are?”

Maki started circling her room while being deep in thought. “Hmmm. Arashi… Arashi… I think I’ve heard that name somewhere. I just can’t seem to remember when. Maybe you can try googling them and let’s see who they are-- ”

“Maki-chan, hold on. I have another phone call. It may be important. I’ll call you again in a while.” Mao cut off her friendly conversation and took the other call.

It was a call from the organizer of the competition. They said Mao will be having the shoot today immediately after lunch. She will be doing solo shoots first. Then when the artists have arrived, they’ll commence the group photo shoot. The one calling her specifically said to come into the venue an hour and a half earlier than the said call time so that they could start doing her make-up and fixing her clothes.

After the call, Mao wasn’t able to call Maki. Instead she just texted her and relayed what the caller had just told her. It took her an hour of preparation then she immediately drive off the building where they’ll be having the photo shoots.

All the while Mao was busy preparing for the photo session; Maki took the liberty of searching for the ones called Arashi on the net. She was definitely surprised on the images she saw immediately after typing down the word ‘Arashi’.

“Interesting.” Maki couldn’t help but have a huge grin plastered on her face.

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A few hours had passed and Mao was already well-equipped for the photo shoot. With all the make-up and styling done to her face, hair, and body, one really wouldn’t be able to tell the she’s a designer. Surprisingly, Mao was also much fitted to be a model. Once the shooting for her solo has begun, she has transformed to her model self. Even though she didn’t have the typical model height, Mao was able to pose and project like a pro. The cameraman couldn’t help but shower Mao with praises during the shoot.

Mao’s solo shoot took more than an hour to finish. She was given time to relax and have a rest first while waiting for the so called ‘Arashi’ members to come. It was a good thing that the cameraman complimented her a lot during the shoot that’s why she was in a very good mood despite the fact that the people they’re waiting for are awfully late.

Finally, they came after less than an hour of waiting. Upon their arrival, those artists expressed their deepest apologies for being late. From what Mao could hear from the dressing room, they stressed on the fact that their previous commitment was delayed. Then after completely explaining their side, they were asked to proceed to their dressing room to change outfits.

Mao was given a separate dressing room. She decided to wait for a few more minutes before going to the other dressing room to give her respects towards her co-workers.

With three knocks on the door, Mao announced in a small voice “This is your designer, Inoue Mao. Can I come in?”

Everyone inside the dressing room stopped what they’re doing upon hearing that one familiar name.

Before anyone answered the door, Aiba asked “Did I hear that right? She just mentioned the name Inoue Mao. Could it be?”

Jun couldn’t help but smile at the possibility of his hime being on the other side of the door of their dressing room. He immediately went towards the said door and while he could hear the rapid beating of his own heart, Jun opened it.

“Anou.. Hajimae! Inoue Mao desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!” Mao didn’t even bother looking up first upon opening of the door. She immediately bowed down her head in greeting.

All Mao wanted was to introduce herself to her co-workers in this shoot. Mao wasn’t very familiar with them so she went her way just to meet them formally. She wasn’t really expecting to hear a very familiar voice in front of her.

“Hisashiburi, Mao-chan.” Jun sweetly told the girl in front of him.

Upon hearing that, she looked up to face the owner of this voice. Mao was very much surprised to see the owner of those unforgettable pair of brown eyes. She even looked behind him and saw familiar faces too, waving their hands and saying “hisashiburi” towards her.

With all of them in front of her, Mao suddenly felt light-headedness and loss of strength. In a snap, the beautiful lady designer passed out.