"Eh!"
When she noticed both Chris and Yukiko turning their eyes toward her, Shizuka Hiratsuka awkwardly averted her gaze.
While everyone else had been racking their brains and working hard with little progress, she had casually thrown out words that almost sounded like mockery. It really wasn't a good look.
"I didn't mean it like that." Shizuka scratched her hair with a trace of girlish awkwardness, lowering her voice in embarrassment.
"Oh, right! I almost forgot Shizuka, you're actually really impressive." Yukiko's eyes sparkled as she excitedly grabbed Shizuka's arm.
"You've trained in martial arts since you were little. I remember you even won the national women's no-rules martial arts championship, didn't you?"
"Ah, well… that was just youthful recklessness. It was years ago, nothing worth mentioning." Shizuka laughed, rubbing the back of her head. Still, she couldn't hide the small swell of pride after all, that trophy was one of the few competitive achievements she could boast of since childhood.
What she hadn't told Yukiko, though, was that after winning the women's championship, she had disguised herself as a man to enter the men's division… and won that title as well.
"Oh, I didn't realize you were that incredible." Chris chuckled softly, her gaze brimming with curiosity and anticipation as she studied Shizuka.
"In that case, you must know some real combat skills." She tapped her chin with an uncharacteristic spark of excitement in her tone.
"If that's true, I wonder if Miss Hiratsuka could lend us a hand."
"Of course she can! I'm sure Shizuka won't let you down," Yukiko chimed in brightly.
"I was thinking the same. Please wait here for a moment."
"Huh?" Shizuka stood frozen, still trying to piece together the conversation between Yukiko and Chris. Before she could react, Chris had already walked over to the director, who was deep in discussion with his crew.
A moment later, Shizuka noticed the bearded director in dark sunglasses suddenly raise his head and stare directly at her.
Even with the lenses blocking his eyes, she could feel the heat of his gaze.
It's fine. He's a famous Hollywood director he's not the type to make rash decisions, she reassured herself silently.
But then, she saw him slap his thigh and nod vigorously.
…
"Yukiko, what on earth is happening here?" Shizuka looked down at the costume in her hands, her lips twitching as though she might cry.
"Oh, come on, what's the harm? We came here for fun anyway. Isn't it great that you get to experience what filming feels like?" Yukiko's eyes gleamed with mischief as she beamed at her friend.
"This isn't acting! They just want me to walk through the motions in costume!"
"If you'd like, Miss Hiratsuka, I could ask Director James to give you a small cameo in the film." Chris smiled faintly, folding her arms. Her full figure made Shizuka glance involuntarily, despite herself.
Thanks to years of training, Shizuka's physique was toned and athletic. Her stomach was flat and firm, the kind of body that made people want to reach out and touch.
Her chest, though… well, compared to Chris, whose curves were strikingly generous, Shizuka's figure looked modest.
"Uh, I think I'll pass. I don't have the patience to spend every day on a film set. Just participating once is enough."
"Oh? Then you've agreed to this rehearsal? I knew you'd be interested, Shizuka!"
"I—" Shizuka bit down the curse she nearly blurted. Watching Yukiko laugh so hard her eyes practically disappeared, Shizuka clenched her jaw.
Tonight, I'm definitely dragging Yukiko into a workout session… and I'll make sure her post-stretching is extra painful!
With both Yukiko and Chris staring at her expectantly, Shizuka took a deep breath and looked down at the costume in her hands.
"Fine. Where's the changing room?"
…
"Oh wow, Shizuka you look amazing!"
The moment Shizuka stepped out of the changing room, Yukiko's eyes widened in surprise.
Unlike her casual clothes from earlier, Shizuka was now wearing a costume modeled after Chris's performance outfit.
To highlight the heroine's sharp, cool presence, the costume was designed to be both practical for movement and flattering to the figure a sleek bodysuit.
And Shizuka, now wearing it, was stunning.
Her long, straight legs looked powerful and elegant. Even without heels, her figure remained trim and eye-catching. The bodysuit hugged her body, while the sleeves rolled unevenly up to her elbows for convenience gave her a slightly careless charm.
That contrast only added to her allure.
With her waist-length hair tied into a single ponytail using a hair tie she'd borrowed from Yukiko, Shizuka radiated an aura that could only be described with two words:
Confident. Striking.
At first, Yukiko had worried that Shizuka might downplay the look, but clearly, that worry was unnecessary. Even without makeup, Shizuka's unique aura had already captivated everyone around.
From what Yukiko could see, many of the male staff were sneaking admiring glances at her… and quite a few female staff members were blushing as well.
"What is it, Yukiko? Do I look strange like this?" Shizuka asked nervously. She'd never worn anything like this before. The fabric was snug yet breathable, but wearing such a form-fitting outfit still felt… odd.
"No way! You look fantastic, Shizuka!" Yukiko shook her head quickly, pulling out her phone. Before Shizuka could react, Yukiko snapped several photos in a row.
"Eh! Yukiko, stop taking pictures!"
"These are keepsakes! You hardly ever wear something this sexy of course I have to save it!"
"It's not sexy at all!"
"No, Miss Hiratsuka," Chris interjected with a sincere smile, "this outfit really does highlight your natural charm. It's not the same as mine it's uniquely you. Honestly… it's very sexy."
"tsk…" Shizuka clicked her tongue in annoyance when she saw Yukiko tuck her phone into her bra to hide it.
She really had no way to deal with this best friend. If Yukiko were anyone else, Shizuka would've already reminded her exactly why she was feared back in Chiba.
"Forget it. Let's just finish this quickly and then get something to eat."
"Sounds good!"
"Yukiko, I said don't laugh right now!"
"Alright, alright~"
"Tsk!"