Behind The Lens - Takashi Morinozuka

Chapter 8 - Heat

The room was filled with the scent of a hot, home cooked meal and hot green tea with lime. It was a comforting smell in all honestly- it reminded Kanna of her family roots. A tinkling sound coming from the designer cutlery as it cut through A-Grade meat sounded through the room, accompanying the light conversation of the Akiyama family and their two guests. Kanna was seated next to Hiromi who was on her immediate right, her mother being a few seats further down, sat at the head of the table. Across from Kanna was a gorgeous girl with silky brown hair styled into a short bob, her elegant hands gripping the teacup in front of her, eyes soft and gentle, and a smile sweet at honey.

Her gaze moved over to the head of the house, "A lovely set, is this Itoen?" She questioned, her gentle touch tracing the rim of the warm mahogany coloured cup, watching the hot green tea inside swish slightly at her touch.

Kanna looked up, a slight smile gracing her features, "Kanako! I didn't realise you knew their brand," She let our a small laugh, remembering to herself that she was engaged to a boy who also went to their school, and from what she knew he was the heir of a company with some of the most refined tea sets. "Mother picked it out on her last business trip as a gift for me, it's my favourite set!" Her beaming smile seemed to light up the table. She held the tea set close to her heart considering it was a gift, and she always used it for special occasions.

Princess Kanako seemed so begin glowing too, since these topics reminded her of her beloved fiancee and his family, they too brought fond memories. "Actually," she spoke, looking up from the cup she was previously observing, "I also received one of their tea sets as a gift, from my beloved." Perfect rows of white teeth shone through her lips as she smiled, the light gloss her her lips shimmering in the light of the dining hall, "Itoen make lovely lines, they always seems to remind me of home."

Conversation seemed to continue on lightly until they finished their meals, where they proceeded to head into the lounging room with some tea as usual. Princess Kanako was friends with Hiromi and Kanna, where they comforted her once when she was in the bathroom alone, weeping to herself about her beloved and his sudden decision to move away. They stayed with her for multiple hours, before she had finally collected herself enough to set out and head back to their respective classes- not before they gave her some light powder to mask any trace of tears.

Since that encounter they kept in close touch, even after the infamous host club themselves helped her and her fiancee sort themselves out and rekindle their spark. It was a lovely story and Hiromi saw it first hand. Though as usual, Kanna was away for a bit of work at the time so she received the stories from her excitable best friend.

Turns out that catching up wasn't the only reason Kanako had graced the household with her presence this evening, she also had a business proposal on behalf of her fiancee. She stood up in front of her peers, her light blue dress and shawl, similar to the one she wore on the night of the host club ball, swaying with the breeze which flew through the open window to their right. "Our company wished to request your help with a promotional video, we need help with story boarding and filming, we do have editors and a director, but seeing your last video you created," she paused, looking over at Hiromi, "the one for that fashion line which you, Hiromi, modelled for," her gaze went back to Kanna, "they rather enjoyed what you were able to create."

Kanna looked up, astounded. Just two weeks ago they collaborated with an online fashion website based in Europe, as they were expanding to Japan they requested a promotional video with the theme of the changing seasons. They both worked extremely hard on it whenever they had free time and it took them six months in total to complete, giving time for the seasons to- well- change. It was a piece she was extremely proud of, and it was the one that finally secured her mother's approval, as before she was still on the fence about permitting her daughter to pursue the seemingly preposterous dream.