"Ah, I'm so tired..."
I muttered to myself after the end of the TV drama's session.
Akane had already left a while ago, waving a casual goodbye before slipping out the door.
"Send my regards to Kana, will you?" she said.
I'd promised, though whether I'd actually remember was another question.
The next session was already scheduled — a photo shoot at some hotel the production team had picked. Not my business. The packed schedule ahead didn't help the headache throbbing at my temples. I was beyond exhausted, and the world around me felt like it was starting to blur at the edges.
I grabbed my phone, fully intending to drop onto the nearest bed and pass out for at least ten hours. But just as I was about to toss the phone aside, the screen lit up.
[YOUR GIRLFRIEND]
I sighed and swiped to answer, bringing the phone to my ear.
"Yo."
『Don't you dare go to sleep without saying good night!』
Her voice was sharp, half-scolding, half-teasing. I rubbed my neck.
"What's with that tone? Do you even know what time it is?"
『Of course I do, idiot. It's almost midnight.』
"And how do you know that I'm not sleeping?"
『Because I'm your girlfriend? Of course I remember your chronic sleeping behavior, you idiot! Anyway, just look at the clock before saying anything stupid.』
I glanced at the clock. 11:47 p.m.
"Most people sleep at this hour, you know."
『Ugh... lucky for you, I'm not like most people.』
I smirked despite being tired myself.
"Yeah, figured that out years ago."
『Tch. How rude. Anyway… I just wanted to hear your voice before going to be bed, is that okay?』
Her voice softened at the end, and for a brief moment, the usual bratty Kana disappeared, turning to the shy one. I leaned back against the sofa and closed my eyes.
"Yeah… good night, Kana."
『Mhm. And hey—don't overdo it, dummy. You've still got that shoot tomorrow. You need to take care of yourself without me. And don't even mention about you overstaying, because I already know.』
"I know... I'll take it easy tomorrow. Don't worry about it."
『Good.』
A short pause followed. Neither of us spoke, and neither of us hung up. The quiet stretched on, strangely comfortable.
"Still there?" I asked.
『…Yeah.』
I let out a quiet chuckle.
"Sleep, you idiot."
『After you, idiot.』
The line clicked off.
I stared at the ceiling for a moment, letting the silence settle. The exhaustion came rushing back in waves.
I muttered to no one in particular,
"…Yeah. Tomorrow will be a hell of weekend."
I tossed the phone onto the table, turned off the light, and let the dark pull me under.
I was left with the quiet hum of the apartment, the kind of silence that felt a little too heavy after a conversation like that.
I stared at the ceiling for a while, feeling the weight of the exhaustion settle in.
Tomorrow's shoot. Another packed schedule. But somehow, with Kana's voice still lingering in my mind, it didn't feel as bad as it had before.
I shut my eyes, letting the fatigue pull me under, thoughts of tomorrow fading into the background as I drifted into a dreamless sleep.
* * *
The morning came too fast. It took me a while before realizing there were only 15 minutes before the first session of the photoshoot began.
I got up from the bed, cursing under my breath as I scrambled to gather my things. The hotel room felt colder than usual, and I could barely remember when I had fallen asleep. I had barely closed my eyes last night after the call with Kana, and now, here I was—running late.
I hastily pulled on my clothes, not bothering with much else, and grabbed my smartphone.
A quick glance at the screen told me that Akane had already messaged me—likely reminding me about the session. I wasn't going to have time to reply now, but I made a mental note to apologize later.
As I rushed down the hallway to the shoot location, my mind felt foggy, the lack of sleep taking its toll. The familiar clink of camera shutters and the murmur of the crew echoed through the hotel. The production team was already setting up, and I could see them darting around, making sure everything was perfect.
"Aqua, you're late!"
Akane's voice pierced through the crowd as she waved me over. She didn't look mad—just the usual pouting with stern-but-caring vibe she always had.
I nodded sheepishly and adjusted my shirt. "Yeah, I know. Sorry."
She gave me a look that said she didn't want to hear my excuses. "Just get ready. We don't have time to waste."
I quickly took my place, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep from my system. The photographer called for the first shot, and I did my best to focus, but the lingering fatigue in my bones made everything feel distant.
Still, I pushed through.
Another photo shoot. Another busy day. Another time to get it all done.
This photoshoot was held by one of Kaburagi's worthy connections, the production team leader.
He probably wanted to thank me for what I did to elevate his reputation. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the thought—even a thank-you from someone like him was just another way to give a money tip when it comes to the entertainment industry.
I scanned the room as I took my place behind the backdrop. The crew bustled around with rehearsed efficiency, setting up lighting and checking equipment. Despite the flurry of activity, an undercurrent of tension thrummed through the air—reminding me that, in this business, gratitude was often just another mask for self-interest.
A rather smug-looking man in a crisp suit, was hovering near the set. He offered a tight smile as I walked by. I could tell his eyes were calculating, weighing me up not as a person, but as an asset.
"Good to see you, Aqua," he said, his tone cordial but lacking warmth.
"I trust everything is to your satisfaction?"
I nodded curtly, unwilling to play along too enthusiastically. "Yeah, it's all fine," I replied, keeping my voice neutral. I wasn't in the mood for pleasantries.
A crew member called for a quick break, and I stepped aside near the makeup station. I pulled out my phone, half-expecting another message from Kana, but saw nothing.
Instead, I caught my reflection in the mirror—a tired, almost ghostly image of myself.
For a fleeting moment, I wondered if all this—this endless cycle of shoot, praise, and barely concealed exhaustion—was worth it.
The production team leader then soon reappeared, tapping me lightly on the shoulder.
"Let's get you in position, shall we? We want this shoot to be perfect."
As I followed him back onto the set, the weight of the day pressed in on me.