The Light of my Life

After a bit of preparing, the show was finally ready to begin. Tamotsu sat backstage on the couch, his legs crossed and left arm settled back, along the spine. Casually scrolling through his messages he listened as the crowds chattering went from raucous murmurs to a calm hum as the lights dimmed over the crowds and brightened on stage. Silvia stood backstage with Tamotsu, watching the cameras, feeling anxious. She had looked at the list of reporters at the event and there were a number of tabloids that were hunting for drama. With Illyana having already been unnecessarily dragged through the mud she couldn't help her tense feelings. 

Eventually Silvia could take it no longer. "Tamotsu-kun!" She turned to snap at the man, who seemed to have his wits about him. "How can you just sit there and play on your phone?!"

Tamotsu let a sigh escape his chest. Lowering his phone he furrowed his brows. "Easily. Why are you losing your mind? It isn't as if this is Illyana's first show."

"But it's her first in over a year! She's out of practice and those vultures are out there hunting for scraps! Do something!" She would demand.

"What do you expect me to do? Chase them out?" He would ask with a calm seriousness.

"Yes!" She would fully admit. 

His warm, chocolate brown eyes turned away from the woman, trying to stave off a brain aneurysm. Honestly despite her figure and her soft, blemish-free skin. She was not at all cute at this moment. He shrugged his shoulders before running his hand back through his nest of obsidian black hair. His eyes traveled down Silvia's dark leggings as his mind traveled through his thoughts, off-handedly reminded of his need to get Illyana's clothes ready before the end of the show. Tamotsu couldn't help the chuckle that rumbled in his chest. 

"Honestly, woman. You're more rabid than I am. I think you'd be more efficient at chasing those men off. Besides I have Illyana's reputation to think about. Do you think I should be doing something like that as her manager?" He snapped a glare in her direction.

She was taken aback by his assertion. "N-no... but you can at least not be so calm."

Putting his phone back into his pocket, Tamotsu moved to rest his hands onto his lap and pushed to his feet. He would stand to his full height and look down at Silvia. The woman glared up at him, refusing to back down. He really couldn't deal with this dramatic woman. He opened his mouth, the words at the tip of his tongue meant to put her in her place. But a soft, clacking noise froze the words deep in the back of his mind. His face lost all expression as he felt a pair of breasts press up against his back, oppressing his good mood. A pair of red-painted lips brushed against the shell of his ear with a ghost of a touch.

"Well if it isn't my black-haired maiden~ Tamotsu." Lilitu cooed before she placed her hands on the man's shoulders and brushed down the sides of his arms. "I was wondering if we could have a nice little conversation about your plans."

Silvia looked over toward Illyana's mother. She knew this demon was quite cunning. Devils were exceptionally fierce. They were a red-skinned people, but Lilitu hid behind a human form that sheltered her monstrous features. Aside from their red-skin Devils were known for their powerful wings, supernatural power, and being masters of dark magic. Lilitu's power was only limited by her desires. What troubled Silvia most was Lilitu's Corruption ability. She could take weak hearts and induce corruption in their spirits, leaving her capable of making them do anything she wanted. 

"Oh! Silvia~!" Lilitu looked up, eyes pinching closed in amusement. "Your father is in the office. Mind leaving me alone to talk with Tamotsu-kun and you go see what he wanted help with?"

Silvia was hesitant. She looked over to Tamotsu, but the man simply shrugged. Nodding Silvia would head off towards the offices, leaving the two alone. Lilitu crossed the room and settled herself on a seat with grace and demure, behavior expected of a renowned model. Even her casual clothing was something to respect. Her bustier was a deep red, with gold filigree down the middle, along the silver buttons. Her sleeves were sheer black, a cuff loop hooked over her middle finger, allowing the cuffs to remain in place but accentuate the puffy look whenever she moved. She wore a dangerously short skirt, but beneath that was a pair of red leggings that contrasted with the black of her skirt. 

Tamotsu followed her off to the side and would lean forward to listen. His arms were tucked behind his back, face smiling, but eyes neutral. 

"Tamotsu-kun..." She reached up to touch his arm. "You and I both know this needs to stop."

He would tilt his head, ignoring the irritation in the pit of his stomach. "Whatever do you mean? What's wrong?" He tried to keep his voice even, dismantling his fury one brick at a time when her hand left his body.

Lilitu sat back and rested her hands on her lap. "All of this." She motioned her hands animatedly. "Illyana is being run into the ground. Sahar sent me over to talk to you about the trip to Hawaii. He thinks it's a good idea because we want to convince Illyana to retire."

Tamotsu allowed his eyes to drift to the side before looking back to Lilitu with a smile. "Don't you think it's a little early for her to retire? She's still young and quite enjoys the runway and all the work."

Lilitu sighed. "You and I both know she can't take care of herself. If you get hired by a more prominent company she'd be a disaster."

"Then I won't go." He'd assure.

"You can't support her forever, dear."

"Why can't I? We're close in age, we could certainly work together until the end."

"Tamotsu-kun!" She nearly shrieked. "Don't be stubborn! It's something her father and I decided, but we still want her to have a good time before the end. Sahar said you can go to Hawaii, regardless of the outcome of today's show. I will be going as chaperone because her youngest sister will also be going. Her mother wants her to get a bit more worldly experience and I want the girls to get along a bit more. I think you've noticed she doesn't get along as well with the youngest."

He looked away as if to think. "Well I haven't, but this doesn't seem like a problem, but I would suggest you don't force Illyana. She should be able to make her own decision. She is an adult."

Lilitu smiled. "She is, but I am also in charge of her affairs. Legally." She warned.

Tamotsu would stay quiet for several moments before nodding. "Of course, Alukah-san. I wouldn't think of asserting my personal feelings. After all I am only here to take care of Illyana's personal needs."

"I'm so glad you understand." In truth Lilitu was hoping that Tamotsu would put up a bit more of a fight. "Have you told Sahar who it was that will be shooting photos of Ilyana?" She had yet to learn the photographer's name.

Tamotsu considered not giving her an affirming response, but he didn't need her nosing around his business like a starving dog. Frankly he was uneasy with the knowledge that she even knew this information, but seeing that her husband is in charge of the business side of his daughter's lives, he supposed the mother would eventually find out. But for Lilitu to show a modicum of interest in her daughter's life meant she had something to gain from it. But what?

"Oh, he's the boyfriend of one of my old highschool companions... His name is Adachi Masu."

Lilitu's eyes would widen at the man's words. "Adachi Masu of Hokkaido?" It couldn't be the same man.

Adachi, as he was known, was a prolific figure in the modeling world. His photographs are said to be like magic, able to bring out the hidden beauty of models using just light. He rarely worked with models themselves, often opting to focus on clothing and other fashion trends. Generally anything that wasn't people he would gladly photograph. But in the rare cases that he's taken interest in living subjects those figures have become foundational in future shows. It became something of a legend among the models and photographers. 

Adachi has won many awards and all models dreamt of becoming his next subject. The Red Queen was aghast, though she did not show as such on her face. To think that lowly boy knew someone so important. It solidified Lilitu's resolve. She would go on this trip with them and win that man over.