Façade of Innocence

The second shoot began.

The theme of the photoshoot was 'Innocence'. It was cliché but it suited the girl's image very well.

Yeo Ri changed into another white dress, but this time the dress was more elaborate than the last one.

"Wow," Kang Bo Ra breathlessly exclaimed as she finished the girl's makeover. Even though it was her own handiwork, she couldn't help but feel amazed.

Yeo Ri's already pretty face became even prettier. For the sake of highlighting the girl's innocent image, she had used a variety of techniques and soft colours to bring out the feeling of purity. The makeup was rather light but it was gorgeous nonetheless.

For the hair, Kang Bo Ra had braided her hair into a relaxed crown braid style, weaving fake small flowers into them.

Seeing the finished makeover, Park Soo Yeon broke into a satisfied smile. As expected, Yeo Ri looked good. No—she looked better than what she had originally expected.

Once again, Yeo Ri was ushered to the lower floor and the shooting began.

Several props were added to the originally empty space. The floor was covered with a soft white rug and several large, white teddybears occupied the background.

Jang Choon Jae's assistant placed a ladder behind the white backdrop and climbed up, a medium-sized box in hand. Once he reached the top, he sat down comfortably and raised an 'OK' hand-sign towards the photographer, "I'm ready."

"Yeo Ri, are you ready? Just be comfortable, alright?" The photographer said. "You should take your time and get used to the props, too."

Yeo Ri took a deep breath and stepped into the set.

She stood around awkwardly for a moment before looking up at the assistant quizzically. As if noticing her gaze, he looked down and matched her eyes, even winking at her with a smile.

Suddenly—

The assistant grabbed a handful of white feathers from the box and scattered it down to Yeo Ri.

"Ah!" Yeo Ri let out a sound of surprise as she was showered by feathers. However, the shock only lasted for a brief moment. An amused smile formed on her face as she held her hands out, trying to catch the feathers as if they were snow.

As if forgetting that she was on a set and being photographed, she threw back the feathers in her hand into the air, creating another feather shower.

"Yeo Ri, try interacting with the other props too," the photographer said, still clicking the shutters every few milliseconds.

Yeo Ri looked around, only seeing three larger-than-life teddybears and the rug underneath her. The photographer did not dish out any other instructions so she looked down, confused.

She sat down on the floor, awkwardly shaking one of the teddybear's hand. She glanced at the photographer, then at Mrs. Choi, as if asking about what she was supposed to do through her eyes.

Park Soo Yeon looked at her encouragingly, urging her to play around with the props.

So Yeo Ri grabbed the teddybear and hugged it from behind, tilting her head to the camera, wondering if this is what they wanted.

"That's good, that's good. Keep going, Yeo Ri-ah. Do other poses too," Park Soo Yeon cheered.

"Don't be too mindful of the camera, Yeo Ri. Just treat me as if I'm invisible," Jang Choon Jae said. "But don't forget to look at the camera."

Yeo Ri's brows knotted for a brief moment. 'Easier said than done,' she thought. This was her first time modelling in front of a camera so she was still unused to it. It was hard for her to ignore the camera since she was still very conscious of it.

"Do you need a minute to relax yourself?" The photographer kindly asked. Yeo Ri was being too stiff and it showed in her pictures. He had always been a patient person so he did not scold her for her awkwardness on the set.

"...Yes," Yeo Ri assented. Everything was moving too fast and she could barely keep up. She loosened her hold on the teddybear and rested her head on it. She closed her eyes and took another deep breath, trying to control her nerves.

Several breaths later, she visibly calmed. It was easy for her to calm herself down; she was trained in various techniques since she had gone through psychotherapy with Dr. Hong, who was her therapist back when she was still in the hospital.

Yeo Ri looked very peaceful as she leaned against the teddybear, her eyes closed. The teddybear was about her size so it easily supported her weight.

If one were to look at her without context, they might have thought that she was asleep.

Enraptured by the sudden picturesque scene, the photographer quietly raised his camera and took a picture.

The sound of the snapping shutters jolted her up. Yeo Ri finally remembered that her reality was currently in a white-themed studio.

"Keep that position, Yeo Ri, but look at the camera with your eyes open this time—yes, like that!"

Click! Click! Click! Click!

Jang Choon Jae took four photos in succession, easily capturing Yeo Ri's lackadaisical manner. Her eyes were brimming with an almost child-like curiosity, highlighted by a slight tilt of her head. Her lips were slightly ajar, making her look like a cute little rabbit.

"Yeo Ri, can you do another pose? Should we make it rain feathers again?"

Hearing the words 'feathers' and 'rain', Yeo Ri's eyes brightened and she forgot her earlier agitation. Her eyes curved happily and her mouth formed a small but excited smile. "Yes, please!" The feathers were small and light, and very, very soft. She liked the feeling of them brushing against her skin.

She scooted to the middle of the rug and looked up excitedly at the assistant.

The assistant chuckled at her excitement, then grabbed another handful of feathers and made it rain.

Yeo Ri inclined her head backwards, feeling the soft feathers tickle her face.

"Hehe," she giggled quietly, liking the sensation. It was both fun and amusing at the same time.

Gun watched the scene with a hooded gaze and a gentle smile. He reminisced about the time when Yeo Ri had been hospitalised due to hypothermia after playing around in the snow.

He wondered, did Yeo Ri also make the same expression while she played with snow back then?